Chamber Connection July 2nd, 2015 – by Meredith Caddell
The Chamber of Commerce will be closed Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day! S. Public Library to the Rescue. Summer Reading Program Theme “ Every Hero has a Story” Research is clear that children who don’t read during the summer can lose up to three months of reading progress. Sustained summer learning opportunities lead to higher graduation rates, better preparation for college, and positive effects on...
First Same Sex Marriage License Issued Tuesday
Hopkins County Clerk’s office issued their first marriage license to a same-sex couple Tuesday morning. Applications were made available to the County Clerk’s office through their vender, NETDATA in time for the Tuesday morning request. The Tuesday morning request was not the first request made but was the first request that could be fulfilled. Even though the license was issued, several who are qualified to conduct the ceremonies...
Chamber Connection June 18th, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Congratulations Winners of the 14th Annual Texas State Champion Homemade Ice Cream Freeze Off Winners in each division are as follows: Super Scoop Category: Jo Alice McCue – 1st place, Banana Pudding Carlie Penson – 2nd place, Fire & Ice People’s Choice Award Smiley Tooth Dentistry – Fruity Pebbles Big Dip Novelty Other Dakota Watkins – 1st Place, Candy Crush Joy Allen – 2nd Place –...
Motorcycle/Bicycle Accident Result of DWI
A Hopkins County teenager was released from Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Sunday morning in stable condition and with minor injuries after being in a Saturday night collision with a motorcycle whose driver has been charged with DWI. The accident occurred at the intersection of Carter Street and Calvert Street in Sulphur Springs at 8:45 p.m. Saturday. The motorcycle driver had blood drawn at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital only...
New Jail 18 Days Behind Schedule
Progress continues to be made on the new Hopkins County Jail despite a tremendous number of rain days since construction began. County Judge Robert Newsom expects the roof over the new facility to be completed by May 20th. He bases his statement on commitments made by the contractor. Hampered by rain days, construction is 18-days behind schedule. Yet, Newsom expects the building to be completed some time in October. When the outside...
Senator Hall Seeking Committe Support for SB1158
SB1158, which would give citizens in Hopkins County the opportunity to vote to approve or disapprove an increase in county sales tax up to one-half percent and remove the 7% per $100 dollar valuation property tax increase currently adopted to fund a new jail under construction, is currently in the Senate Finance Committee with no current movement. According to Senator Bob Hall’s Chief of Staff Amy Lane, “At this time, we are working...
Time Running Out on SB1158
Having received no new word on the progress of SB1158 in the Texas Senate Finance Committee, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom notes that time is running out on the bill that would allow county voters to approve or disapprove an increase in sales tax up to one-half percent to pay for the new county jail. The sales tax would take the place of a property tax increase this year and could be used only for the cost of the jail. Although...
SB1158 Goes Before Senate Finance Committee
“Give us a chance to vote,” was the plea of Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom as he addressed the Texas State Senate Finance Committee Tuesday morning in Austin. Senate Bill 1158, which allows voters in Hopkins County to cast ballots related to an increase in sales tax or continue with the 7-cent increase in property tax that will fund construction of the new jail presently under construction. District Senator Bob Hall...
City Council Opposes SB 1158
Representatives of Hopkins County Commissioners Court and a candidate for Place 3 on the council addressed the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night during their regular April session. However their request for support of Texas Senate Bill 1158, which is somewhere under a stack of bills in the Senate Finance Committee, were rebuffed not only by a six to one vote of the council but also by the statements of city staff including...
Commissioner Wisenbaker Promotes Sales Tax Bill
County Judge Robert Newsom and the County Commissioners have been in Austin this week lobbying on behalf of their bill which would allow them to ask voters to let them pay for the new County Jail with increased sales tax in lieu of property taxes. A seven cent increase in the tax rate would be done away with. The bill continues to make it way through the system. Some have expressed opposition to the bill saying it’s bad for...
