Weekly Roadwork Report – Aug. 22-28, 2021
Bowie County I-30 – From FM 989 to Arkansas State Line, widening highway. Reconstructing and widening highway. Eastbound traffic moved to the outside lanes. SH 8 – At Sulphur River, replacing bridges. SH 98 – At Anderson Creek, replacing bridge. All traffic restricted to one lane with signal lights controllingContinue Reading
Taking to the skies…
The Jefferson Tourism Board and Marion County Chamber of Commerce co-sponosred a new event last weekend at the Cypress River Airport. The Hot Air Balloon Mini Glow offered balloon rides, bounce houses, food trucks and live music. Photos by Colin HarperContinue Reading
City: Doris Hines resigns as City Secretary
Staff Reports The Jefferson City Council considered special event permits, a waiver of late water bill fees and the resignation of city secretary Doris Hines during their regular meeting Tuesday evening. There was a bit of discussion regarding the special event permits for the Texas Sounds International Country Music AwardsContinue Reading
JEDCO names Secretary, hires staff
Staff Reports JEDCO has a secretary, and an administrative assistant after Monday night’s special meeting. The Board position of Secretary has been an ongoing discussion for almost a month as members could not initially find any member willing to take on the duties of the board position. Raymond Sanders wasContinue Reading
Our Town Jefferson
MCM celebrates first year The Jefferson Jimplecute celebrates one year of new ownership this week. This time last year, co-publishers Hugh Lewis and Austin Lewter partnered to form Marion County Media. In doing so, they acquired the Jimplecute and married it with the online Marion County Herald. “We’ve come aContinue Reading
Congressional visit…
US Representative for House District 4 Pat Fallon made a stop in Jefferson on Thursday for a townhall meeting. Fallon spent over an hour talking to constituents about current events and answering questions. The event drew around 50 people. Fallon had lunch with area County Judge’s prior to the event.Continue Reading
Swords to plowshares
By Glen Melanconn I was born in Heidelberg, Germany, in a United States military hospital. My dad proudly served in the US Army for 17 years. He was there to defend against a Soviet invasion. The US Army first arrived in Europe during World War Two (1939-1945). It was partContinue Reading
Texas History Minute: Texas football success has Arkansas roots
By Dan Bridges Texas has long been a football state. One of the most successful Texas football dynasties, the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s, stems from three players for the University of Arkansas and their 1964 championship season: Jerry Jones, Barry Switzer, and Jimmy Johnson. For the Arkansas Razorbacks, theContinue Reading
Andrea Whitaker
Andrea Whitaker, 47, daughter of Ellen and Preston Taylor, passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021. Services are pending at this time.Continue Reading
Moment With the Minster: Death of friends, loved ones serves as a reminder
By Dan Eakin Most of us probably live from day to day mostly thinking about how to meet the physical and material needs of the day. Sometimes we may go for days, weeks and maybe even months without giving much thought to the fact that we will one day die.Continue Reading
Mayor launches CAC
Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker launched his Citizen’s Action Committee last week and the attendees hit the ground running with ideas ranging from new trash cans to citywide cleanup days. Baker I want out of this whatever the citizens want out of it,” said Baker. “I just want a monthly forum Continue Reading
Sonoco Reels to Hold Job Fair on Saturday
Press Release Jefferson, TX (August 16, 2021) – A global leader in packaging technology, US-based Sonoco Products announced that they will be conducting a job fair on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at their local facility in Jefferson. The Reels Division of Sonoco intends to increase its workforce at the Jefferson plantContinue Reading
Parsons sworn in, council talks budget
Jennifer Middleton/Jefferson Jimplecute The Jefferson City Council swore in appointed Ward 2 Alderman Jamey Parsons and agreed to purchase new police car cameras during a special meeting Tuesday. Mayor Rob Baker swore in the city’s newest council member, who is continuing the term of Gary Amburn, who resigned the seatContinue Reading
Smith found ‘guilty,’ sentenced for murder
Prentis Earl Smith, II, 42, of Marion County, was convicted of murder after a four day jury trial which ended on July 16, 2021. Smith was sentenced by the same jury that found him guilty to 75 years in prison. The victim, Frederick Wayne Thomas, 28, also of Marion County,Continue Reading
JEDCO fails to name secretary
How to fill the secretary position continued to be a topic of discussion for the Jefferson Economic Development Corporation at Monday nights special meeting. The Board ultimately decided to elect the position of Secretary as per their bylaws, but will also consider budgeting to hire a secretary during their newContinue Reading
Our Town Jefferson
APL Rescheduled Animal Protection League has had to cancel their regular monthly visit to Jefferson on Monday due to several employees testing positive for COVID-19. They hope to return on August 16th. Texas Master Naturalists Class Planned The Cypress Basin Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists is beginning a new training class AugustContinue Reading
Need I repeat myself?
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer I hate to repeat myself, but maybe now somebody is willing to listen. I wrote the following on June 26, 2021. I have only edited a little to update a few data points. This discussion is life or death. The vaccines are highly safe and effective. Government andContinue Reading
Sul Ross’ legacy still abounds
Ken Bridges/Contributing writer John Adams, the nation’s second president, once wrote, “I must study war and diplomacy so that my children may study math and science and that their children may study art and philosophy.” Thus is the story of Lawrence Sullivan “Sul” Ross, a man who beat the proverbialContinue Reading