Austin Lewter/Jefferson Jimplecute Marion County mourns the loss of one its biggest champions and most influential civil rights activist this week. Former Marion County Commissioner and Jefferson civic leader Eugene Robinson passed away on April 30. “He was an influential man, a respected man and a man of the highestContinue Reading
Rep. Paddie, We were disheartened to hear the House State Affairs Committee, of which you chair, is on the verge of approving HB 2578. On it’s face, we understand this legislation would create a state-run website to house public notices. While the current amended version of the bill does notContinue Reading
Austin Lewter–Publisher/Editor A friend and I were talking about school and our kids’ accomplishments earlier this week. We were discussing how arts and academics can often be overshadowed by athletics. My friend is a well known native of Norhteast Texas and a respected school administrator, so I’m protecting his identity here—Continue Reading
To the editor, I want to thank you for your story on the city’s unposted meeting with the City Administrator candidates. Also, thanks to Austin for his Editorial column where he told how simple it would have been to have avoided this whole situation. I was very disappointed that someContinue Reading
By Austin Lewter, Publisher There are a few things I take seriously. They are values my business partner Hugh Lewis takes equally as serious. Among them are the public’s right know; transparency in government; and accessible communications with our elected officials. The community newspaper serves as the citizens’ sounding board,Continue Reading
By Austin Lewter, Jimplecute Several have inquired about the status of HB 537— the subject of last week’s column. You’ll remember this is the proposed bill that would empower counties to post notices on their websites rather than in newspapers. The House County Affairs Committee heard arguments on House BillContinue Reading
By Austin Lewter, Jimplecute To anyone who says, “newspapers are dead;” I say, “Sit at my desk the Monday after the post office sends a bundle of newspapers to Fort Worth by mistake.” I say, “Answer my phone when someone has a neighbor whose dog ate their paper.” I say,Continue Reading
By Austin Lewter On Monday, a colleague said, “Austin, you are to be commended for your willingness to publish opinions that differ so much from your own. It really shows your commitment to free speech.” His remark was made during a passing conversation about a recent letter to the editor,Continue Reading
By Austin Lewter I need to apologize. You may have noticed my recent hiatus from publishing a weekly column. I haven’t published since the last week in January and, if you’ve missed me, I’m sorry. If you haven’t, you’re welcome. Quite honestly, the first part of 2021 has been incrediblyContinue Reading
By Austin Lewter, Jefferson Jimplecute The start of a new year generally brings with it resolutions of better living. We are knocking on the door of February, so the gyms have probably cleared out by now but not all resolutions center around getting back in shape. Other common New Year’sContinue Reading
By Austin Lewter You have read about the rough start with our son Jackson You read about our mantra inspired by 1st Thessalonians and how our son defied the odds. I told you we were blessed with a wonderful surgeon and said he was a subject for another column. Well,Continue Reading
Austin Lewter, Jefferson Jimplecute Many of you may remember the rough start we had with our son. He is 13 now and time flies. But, time crept by early on. He was born at 28 weeks of gestation. My wife was in a car accident. She was six months intoContinue Reading
Ownership of the Jefferson Jimplecute shifted this week. In deal announced late Friday, V. Hugh Lewis, publisher of the online Marion County Herald, and Austin Lewter, a veteran community newspaper publisher acquired the Jefferson Jimplecute from Strube-Palmer Media, LLC. They will serve as co-publishers of the newly formed Marion CountyContinue Reading