Texas History Minute: Emory literally charted the way
Ken Bridges The borders of the United States have expanded considerably since independence was declared. As the nation grew, newer and more detailed maps were needed so the country could plan ahead and utilize the landscape and resources available. Gen. William Emory, an army cartographer, was a vital part ofContinue Reading
Marceile Qualls
June 3, 1936-January 10, 2023 Services for Mrs. Marceile Qualls, 86, of Avinger were 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Hickory Hill Baptist Church with Bro. James Duncan officiating. Burial will follow at Avinger Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs. Marceile Coats Qualls wasContinue Reading
Basketball Shorts
Bulldogs are red hot in district play The Jefferson Bulldog varsity basketball team is off to a perfect start in district play coming of a huge 90-47 over Arp Tuesday night on the road. The Dawgs are 4-0 in district play and 16-4 overall. They are off tonight and lookContinue Reading
Moment With the Minister: The power to see it through
Dan Eakin Back in the 1930s, a controversial minister named Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote a book titled, “The Power to See It Through.” Although I disagreed with a lot of his theology, I found that book to be very accurate and inspiring. He said a lot of people have startingContinue Reading
JES Students of the Month: December 2022
These students were chosen as Students of the Month for December at Jefferson Elementary School. They were chosen for exhibiting trustworthiness, respect, caring, citizenship, responsibility, and fairness were 1st Grade, Shiloh Wennerstrom; 2nd Grade, McKenzie Williams and Fisher Collum; 3rd Grade, Cruz Thomas; and 4th Grade, Kaidyn Fierros, Kindall Harrell,Continue Reading
Jefferson ISD names Honor Roll
Jefferson ISD has named its Honor Roll for the 2nd nine-weeks of the current school year: A Honor Roll First Grade Tyler Biddy, Luna Bennett, Braxton Breckenridge, Gabriel Goode, Catcher (Levi) Hitchcock, Madison Horan, J’Prince Johnson, E’Lexha Jones, Jacob Long, Madelyn Mears, Skylar Mireles, Melodie Moore, Wesley Morris, Carter Petersen,Continue Reading
Tourism revenue, expenses on track
Hugh Lewis/Jefferson Jimplecute Tourism in Jefferson is “right on track” budget wise, according to Tourism Board President Colleen Taylor. According to budget reports, the city has received just over 24%, or $49,250.97, of their projected revenue during the first quarter of the fiscal year. Spending is slightly ahead of budgetContinue Reading
Don’t Mess With Texas scholarship contest open
The Don’t Mess with Texas® Scholarship Contest is now accepting applications for the 2023 school year. Any Texas high school senior currently attending public, private or home school, and planning to attend an accredited Texas college or university in the fall 2023 semester is eligible to apply. Judges will selectContinue Reading
Local moonshiner back on TV
Marion County resident Frank Hick is making a return appearance on the Discovery Channel show “Moonshiners: Master Distiller”, this month. This time it’s a competition show where the stars of the hit show “Moonshiners” judge distillers from across the country as they create a moonshine from raw ingredients. Frank isContinue Reading
City Offices Temporarily Relocating
The City of Jefferson offices at City Hall in downtown are temporarily relocating to the Education Classroom at the Jefferson Visitors Center, 305 E Austin Street. The move is to allow engineers to examine the City Hall building for foundation issues and determine a course of action. According to JeffersonContinue Reading
Capital Highlights Jan 9-13
What to expect in legislative session The 2023 Texas legislative session opened Jan. 10, with property taxes, gun control and the power grid expected to be among the top issues on the agenda. The Texas Standard talked to political journalists Niki Griswold of the Austin American-Statesman and James Barragàn of the Texas TribuneContinue Reading
Weekly Roadwork Report – January 8 – January 14, 2023
Bowie County Camp County Cass County Harrison County Panola County Titus County Upshur County Continue Reading
Jefferson City Council discussions splinter into heated exchanges
V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute Old habits die hard, and Tuesday night’s lengthy, and sometimes hostile, discussions of agenda items proved that fact. Ward 3/1 Alderman Richard Turner kicked off the evening’s discussions by moving two building permits and all 10 stop sign requests from the consent agenda to actionContinue Reading
Michael Walker takes helm of Jefferson ISD
Jennifer Middleton Perry Jefferson Jimplecute As the new year begins, so does the tenure of Michael Walker, Jefferson Independent School District’s new superintendent. On Jan. 1, the district’s former assistant superintendent will replace Rob Barnwell, who retired in December after 9 years as JISD’s superintendent and 34 total years inContinue Reading
Community gears up for MLK Day activities
Annual Parade The MCDCSCO is preparing a slate of activities in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday next week. The fun will kick-off Sunday, January 15 with the annual MLK Day Parade. The public is encourage to bring cars, trucks, wagons, horses, bicycles, floats and motorcycles forContinue Reading
Our Town Jefferson
Meetings • Commissioners Court, Jan. 6, 9a • Tourism, Jan. 9, 5:30p • JEDCO, Jan 10, 5:30p • City and County Offices are closed, Jan. 16 • MCDCSCO MLK Banquet, Jan 16. 6p • City Council, Jan 17, 5:30p VFW Fish Fry The Jefferson chapter of the Veterans of ForeignContinue Reading
Marion County officials sworn in with New Year
Staff Reports Marion County Commissioners kicked off 2023 by swearing in newly elected officials at a meeting in the District Courtroom Tuesday morning. Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt traveled over to Jefferson to swear in Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur. LaFleur then had newly elected Pct. 4 Commissioner Gered LeeContinue Reading
Resolve to get involved in 2023
Anyone who reads my articles knows that I am a political nerd. It’s a badge of honor that I wear proudly and I make no apologies for it. I got involved in politics, because it is easy to sit on the sidelines (social media) and gripe about the government. InContinue Reading
Liberal policies created the American middle class
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer In October of 1929 the New York Stock market crashed and took down the global economy. Conservative President Herbert Hoover chose to keep government help limited. For the next three years the economy remained in free fall. This horrible experience taught voters that something had to change. Continue Reading
Lead Belly’s influence is still heard today
Ken Bridges/Contributing writer Many Texas musicians have become legendary figures for not only their great talents as musicians but also for their colorful lives. Huddie Ledbetter, known to his fans as “Leadbelly,” was a pioneer blues musician starting in East Texas in the early 1900s, just as rhythm and blues wasContinue Reading

















