John Connally Was Like Texas: Bigger Than Life
Ken Bridges/Contributing writer John Connally became a giant in Texas politics in the 1960s. He had a long career that included service in World War II, work as an attorney, years of work with Lyndon Johnson as his right-hand man in many campaigns. He would eventually rise to become governor and Secretary of the TreasuryContinue Reading
Fishing Report
Caddo Lake: Texas Rigged and Drop Shot Big Bite Bait finesse worms have been producing around schools of bass in the Big Cypress Bayou area! The hollow belly frog and vibrating jigs with the Big Bite Baits “cane thumper” trailer in a shad color has been producing quality around padsContinue Reading
LOP ‘Squirting in the Pines’ fun for all
Last weekend the Lake O’the Pines Squirting in the Pines boat races churned up the crowd. The annual event is at Hurricane Creek Recreation Area. Photos by Laura Allen.Continue Reading
Railroad Quiet Zone Survey
Recently the Jefferson City Council denied a request for JEDCO to fund a study to see the feasibility of a Railroad Quiet Zone in Jefferson. The proposal would have studied the crossings, traffic flow, and safety equipment installed, and make a list of recommendations with potential costs to implement theContinue Reading
Billy “Biff” Calame
Memorial services will be held at a later date for Billy “Biff” Calame, 68, of Jefferson, Texas formerly of Wortham, Texas. Biff was born July 8, 1954, in Dallas, Texas to Billy Van Calame and Helen Greer Calame and passed away at his home in Jefferson on Sunday, JulyContinue Reading
Jeffery Glan Benson
Visitation for Jeffery Glan Benson, 68, of Jefferson, Texas will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Captain WM Perry Chapel of Haggard Funeral Home, 203 East Clarksville, Jefferson. Jeff was born July 29, 1954, in Marion County, Texas to James BensonContinue Reading
Weekly Roadwork Report – July 31 – August 6, 2022
Bowie County I-30 – From FM 989 to AR State Line, reconstructing and widening highway, concrete paving in median I-30 – Westbound at Exit 207/Spur 594, ramp rehabilitation. Exit & entrance ramps closed. Westbound lanes restricted to one lane I-30 – Eastbound from FM 990, drainage upgrades. Traffic limitedContinue Reading
Judge breaks tie on commisoners’ vote to pay for parking lot repairs
Staff Reports After some debate, and a rare tie vote, Judge Leward LaFleur cast the vote to approve the County paying their portion of the repair costs on the parking lot behind the courthouse. Earlier this year a sinkhole re-appeared in the parking lot costing the City $149,985 to repair.Continue Reading
JISD rolls out new plan to combat truency
Staff Reports Jefferson ISD has developed a Truancy Plan that will enforce truancy laws established by the Texas Education Code. “Since the onset Covid-19, we have faced continual problems district-wide truancy issues,” JISD Police Chief Dale C. Sherrill, Jr. said in a press releases earlier this week. “Although public schoolsContinue Reading
Jefferson ISD deals with teacher shortage
Austin Lewter Jefferson Jimplecute There is a shortage of teachers in Texas and Jefferson ISD is not immune to the problem. So much, the JISD Board of Trustees okayed Superintendent Rob Barnwell to employee a third-party company to deliver virtual instruction to student should the need present itself in theContinue Reading
Our Town Jefferson
Upcoming Music 1852 on Austin • July 30: Flashback (50s/60s) • August 6: Sultans The Sultans tickets are at the door. The others will be sold on EventBrite or at the bar. Auntie Skinner’s • July 30: Captain Joe: Beach Days Party & Backpack Drive School Supplies, Starts JISD isContinue Reading
Why so many bad apples?
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer Benjamin Franklin updated a Medieval saying: “the rotten apple spoils his companion.” This proverb has been handed down to us as “One bad apple spoils the bunch.” If you eat fruits and vegetables regularly, you know this to be true. We also know it’s true for people. Continue Reading
It’s time to lead or step aside
Hunter Bonner/Contributing writer In our system of government, be it federal, state, or local, we elect people to office to represent our views and needs, and to form sound public policy. It is understood by the voters that those people who run for office are volunteering for responsibility and leadership. BeingContinue Reading
We need a change in local leadership
Dear Editor: Our city council members, other government officials both elected and appointed and employees need to hear something they do not want to hear. Dear Local Government: The citizens of Jefferson do not trust you. You have failed over the course of many years holding many positions playing severalContinue Reading
Rudy Montana
Rudy Montana was born in San Antonio, Texas to John Montana and Carlotta Vigel and passed away on July 20, 2022. Rudy is survived by his children: Denise Aloia and husband Paul, John Daniel Montana and wife Charlene, Teresa Jones, and Theron Ray Montana; and brother Rubin Montana and wifeContinue Reading
Gwendolyn Jean Wolaver
Funeral Services for Gwendolyn Jean Wolaver, 71, of Jefferson will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cpt. Wm. Perry Chapel of Haggard Funeral Home with Pastor James Fleet officiating. There will be a time of visitation from 5 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, JulyContinue Reading
Legend of Jim Bowie looms large
Ken Bridges/Contributing writer More than 180 years after his death, the mention of Jim Bowie still stirs the imagination of admirers around the world. But Bowie was more than just the knife or the battle at the Alamo. Overall, it was a remarkable and colorful life of adventure. James Bowie wasContinue Reading
OHTP plans annual YNOT Awards
Marcia Thomas Contributing Writer The board of the Opera House Theatre Players met recently to finalize plans for the upcoming annual YNOT Awards dinner scheduled for August 4 at Roma’s Italian Restaurant in Jefferson. Several names were placed before the board to choose for the Lucille Terry Cultural and PerformingContinue Reading
TXDOT seeks public input on state’s 10-year transportation plan
AUSTIN – TxDOT is seeking public input on the draft 2023 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), the state’s 10-year transportation plan. The UTP guides the development of projects around Texas to improve safety, address congestion and connectivity, and preserve roadways for Texas drivers. In addition to highway projects, the UTP addresses public transportation, maritime,Continue Reading