Hopkins County Unemployment Continues Downward Trend
December 30, 2023 – The latest unemplyment numbers are in and Hopkins County continues to report the lowest percentages in the immediate North East Texas area. Hopkins County reported an unemplyment rate in November 2023 of 2.8% dropping from 3.2% in October 2023. The new November number was also much lower than one year ago as the November 2022 percentage was reported as 4.1%. Only 533 Hopkins County work hopefuls reported to...
Bond Set For Suspects in Fentanyl Overdose Murder Case
Bryson Lacy December 29, 2023 – Two suspects have been arraigned on murder charges stemming from a suspected fentanyl overdose. Recent Texas law that went into effect September 1st allows murder charges to be levied against those supplying fentanyl that results in death and enhances the criminal penalty for the manufacturing or delivery of fentanyl. Bryson Lacy, a 2021 SSHS graduate and standout athlete, was charged along with...
Recent New Texas Law Allows Murder Charges For Fentanyl Distribution
December 29, 2023 – House Bill 6 submitted during the 88th Texas Legislature was eventually signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in June of 2023 becoming enforceable September 1, 2023. This bill along with three others were touted by Abbott as “representing a significant step in the state’s fight against the deadly opioid that will prosecute fentanyl deaths as murder, ensure death certificates reflect when...
Two Drug Dealers Charged With Murder in Wooten Overdose Death
December 28, 2023 – Two local suspects have been arrested and charged with supplying contraband to 21-year old Brayden Wooten who was found deceased on December 23rd. The suspects are identified as Xavier Hill and Bryson Lacy. Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum An investigation was conducted upon law enforcement finding pills containing Fentanyl and continuing with investigators tracking down two individuals suspected of being...
Make Your Reservation Now For Chamber Banquet
December 27, 2023 – From Butch Burney, Chamber President/CEO It is with great pleasure that the 2024 Board of Directors invites you to the 97th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Thursday, February 15, at 6 p.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. We will host a Networking Cocktail Happy Half Hour at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30, and the awards will follow at 7 p.m. Please take this opportunity...
Meal-A-Day Program Closing In on Matching Donation Goal
December 23, 2023 – Amanda Dietlin, local Meal-A-Day director, has reported an update on the matching donation challenge as she has currently received $2,772 in donations to the program. Those donations will be matched by an anonymous donor, but there is still time to “double your donation” as the donor has pledged to match up to $5,000 for any donations made by the end of December. Contact Meal-A-Day at 903-885-1661...
Ginn Selected as County Court at Law Judge
December 22, 2023 – The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court has narrowed down their selection to replace Clay Harrison as County Court at Law Judge. The Commissioner’s have selected local attorney John Ginn to take the oath on January 2, 2024 providing no interruption as Harrison will step down on January 1st of the new year to enter private practice in the Sulphur Springs area. John Ginn in foreground. (L-R in...
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Helps Take Another Predator Off The Streets
December 20, 2023 – Another arrest has been made stemming from the sting operation held back in November of this year. That joint operation combined the efforts of Texas DPS, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation all participating in a two-day undercover online operation. These agencies brought resources, knowledge, and manpower to actively pursue individuals online,...
Chamber Connection – December 19th
By Butch Burney December 18, 2023 – Now is the time to get your nominations in for the Annual Community Awards, presented at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 15. Nominations need to be in by Tuesday, Jan. 2. To nominate, the committees ask that you not just list a name but go into detail about why the person or business deserves the award. This is not a voting contest, but a nomination...
Quaker Oats Recalls Granola Products, Over 40 Items Included
December 18, 2023 – The Quaker Oats Company announced the recall of specific granola bars and granola cereals listed below because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be...
