County Added to Disaster List; Seeks $3.6 Million
Hopkins County is one step closer to being eligible for disaster funds due to excessive rainfall and storms after recent action from the Governor. County Judge Robert Newsom said an amended proclamation issued by Governor Gregg Abbott includes Hopkins County as a disaster county making Hopkins County eligible for federal and state funds. Newsom said the application made last week reported the county as having received six to eight...
County Disassociating Themselves from NETO; Fraud Being Investigated
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom says a 2013 audit of North East Texas Opportunities or NETO reveals more than $700,000 in fraud. NETO currently has a senior citizen meals program for rural county residents and a utility service. Judge Newsom says the county and others are disassociating themselves from NETO. State and federal investigations of NETO are underway. Judge Newsom has been assured that county residents receiving...
County Judge Issues Declaration of Disaster
Monday afternoon Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom issued a declaration of disaster for the county. The declaration follows a month of heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms that swept across much of the county. Newsom said his tardiness in issuing the declaration is attributed to the lack of electrical power and problems with the county’s phone system immediately following the May 25th severe weather. Although the initial...
May 29 Declared Hopkins County Memorial Day
There was a Memorial Day program on Celebration Plaza Friday morning. Art Romanat, a retired Air Force Lt. Col was emcee. During the program, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom delivered a proclamation reading which declared Friday, May 29, as Hopkins County Memorial Day. “I want to welcome you to your town square where we are going to pay tribute to all our comrades in uniform from all the armed conflicts in our nation’s...
County Seeks Participation in State Pilot Program
Hopkins County government is excited about the prospects of being a part of a pilot program through the Texas Secretary of State’s Office that will reduce the number of county polling sites but will also allow voters to cast a ballot at any polling spot in the county on Election Day. County Judge Robert Newsom stated that county government is excited about the concept and he is sure the citizens of the county will love it. The...
Newsom, Commissioners Return to Austin to Promote SB1158
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom and the County Commissioners are expected to make a trip to Austin early this week to attend a discussion of Senate Bill 1158, which would allow the county government, with voter approval to pay for their new County Jail by an increase in the sales tax. The discussion will take place Tuesday at 9 a.m. before the Senate Finance Committee in the State Capitol.
County Jail Sales Tax Bill Stalled in Committee
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom says Senate Bill 1158, which will allow the county to pay for their new County Jail using an increase in the sales tax in lieu of property taxes with voter approval, remains in a Senate committee. State Senator Bob Hall has requested a hearing for the bill. The bill would still have to navigate its’ way through the House. The current Legislative session goes through the end of May. Click...
Proposal to Change Voting in Hopkins County
In hopes of being included in a pilot voting project by the Texas Secretary of State, Hopkins County government is holding some meetings. The project would allow county voters to cast a ballot at any polling place in the county on election day. It would also allow the county to reduce polling sites, perhaps from 21 to 14. County Judge Robert Newsom hopes rural schools choose to be polling sites.
County Judge on Proposed Sales Tax Increase
County Judge Robert Newsom agreed that Hopkins County has the highest hotel/motel tax and would have the highest sales tax should Senate Bill 1158 be approved as it is written and the tax approved by Hopkins County voters. Newsom also told KSST/Channel 18 news and ksstradio.com that the sales tax would only role back the county property tax for the current year. The tax revenue from the potential additional sales tax could only be...
Danny Davis is the new Hopkins County Veterans’ Service Officer
Danny Davis is the new Hopkins County Veterans’ Service Officer. He was introduced Monday by County Judge Robert Newsom. Davis replaces the retiring Captain Joe Reid Scott who served in the post for 19 years. Davis is retired from the Air Force after a 23 and a half year career. That included five deployments to the Middle East. Davis comes to the county from Texas A&M-Commerce where he worked in veterans’ benefits....
