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
TCU Assistant Coach has Jefferson ties
TCU Outside Receiver Coach Malcolm Kelly, is the son of Marva Smith-Kelly, who attended Hall Community Elementary School and graduated from lefferson High School. His father, Moses Kelly, is also an East Texas native who was raised in Henderson, Texas, and was graduated from West Rusk High School. Malcom isContinue Reading
Capital Highlights
Editor’s Note: As the Texas Legislative session begins next week, we’ll resume the online publication of this feature which provides updates on what has happened and what is coming up in the session. Feds investigating meltdown at Southwest Airlines Massive flight cancellations by Southwest Airlines during the Christmas holiday weekContinue Reading
Ad: Puppies for Sale
German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois Mix All Black & Traditional Colored Parents AKC Registered Pure Bred Weaned and eating puppy food. Age: 1 month old Contact Hunter Bonner: 940-300-9972, hunterbonner@outlook.comContinue Reading
Growing Onions
By David Wall Onions are a fun crop to grow, requiring some soil preparation, but very little maintenance. They tolerate most soils and transplanting extremely well. Onions have a history possibly exceeding 5,000 years, so they’ve been around awhile, and it’s hard to imagine many foods without them. I haveContinue Reading
Frigid temps cause water problems for rural customers
V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute Several hundred households on the North Shore of Lake O’the Pines spent part of the Christmas weekend without full water service due to freezing temperatures and water main breaks. Customers in the Mims Water District and Aqua Water Utility Services areas have been under boilContinue Reading
Dawgs lead All-District honors
Austin Lewter/Jefferson Jimplecute The Jefferson Bulldog football team were well-represented on the District 6-3A All-District football team when selections were announced last month. Senior Chris Bowman was named District Co-MVP— a title he shared with Tatum’s Cole Watson. Sophomore Keshawn Whitatker was named Defensive Lineman of the Year. Senior LukeContinue Reading
Our Town Jefferson
Meetings • City and County Offices will be CLOSEDJan 2 • Commissioners Court, Dec. 30, 9a • Commissioners Court, Jan 3, 9a • City Council, Jan 3, 5:30p • North Shore Water Discussion, 6:30p Jan 3. Mims Community Center Carnival The Excelsior House Hotel will be kicking off Carnival SeasonContinue Reading
Marion County Commissioners to close out year
V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute Marion County Commissioners will hold their last meeting of 2022 at 9 a.m. Friday when they will wrap up the County’s business. Items on the agenda include accepting Special Budget revenue from the U.S. Treasury LATCF funds in the amount of $92,974.20 and then designatingContinue Reading
New Year traditions transcend history and geography
Ken Bridges/Contributing writer Once Christmas has passed, the world looks to a new year. Many wonder what the new year will bring while planning their own ways of ringing in 2023. It will be a year marked with war in some nations and peace in others. There will be triumph, andContinue Reading
Worshiping self has become a new religion
To the editor, Learning lessons from history has been an endless source of moral beliefs and free advice. We learn from wars, epidemics, and plagues of the past, and economic failures and successes. History teaches us another valuable lesson which is playing out in America today. When false Gods comeContinue Reading
Medicare is on the brink
To the editor, In 2019 Medicare quietly launched a scheme called Direct Contracting allowing insurance companies to control the healthcare of tens of millions of traditional Medicare and Medicare supplement beneficiaries. Direct Contracting inserts a for profit company between patients and medical providers. Companies are paid a monthly fee toContinue Reading
The unrealistic expectations for Christmas
“So this is Christmas And what have you done? Another year over And a new one just begun” I think a great many people can relate to the haunting words in the opening stanza of John Lennon’s beautiful anthem “So This is Christmas.” We are told that Christmas is aContinue Reading
District Superlatives…
Four Jefferson Bulldogs were named District Superlatives when the District 6-3A All-District Team was announced late last month. From left, senior Chris Bowman, District MVP; sophomore Keshawn Whitaker, Defensive Lineman of the Year; senior Luke McMullen, Offensive Player of the Year; and Domonik Rivers, Special Teams Player of the Year. Continue Reading