Paris Area News

Third grade Gifted and Talented students at Everett Elementary have been preparing for a virtual competition through the Destination Imagination program. The students’ were given an Instant Challenge to solve as a team.  The team was to gather materials, create and build a product then record it in three minutes. …

Texas lawmakers will begin investigations this week into the power losses last week during the bitter and prolonged winter storm, which Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called as a Category 5  storm. The Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee will get underway Thursday and Friday. Senators promised they would continue until …

It’s already been a tough year for Texas restaurants, and that was before last week’s  winter blast. Anna Tauzin (tah-zin) is the Chief Revenue & Innovation officer at the Texas Restaurant Association and says many had to shut their doors because they had no power, causing most eateries to get …

Because of the severe weather last week across North Texas, your electric bill may be significantly higher than usual.  Oil and gas attorney Chrysta Castañeda says the first thing you should do is turn off auto-pay options on your bill. She says this will give you time to contact your …

NO new deaths or cases of COVID were reported in Lamar County Monday and the number of fatalities remains at 140. The number of active cases is listed at 309. There have been 5,112 recoveries from the virus.

Paris Public Works Crews found a water leak at Bonham Street on the square Monday and found that a small stream of  water containing chlorine. The water was found to be from a water main. Fortunately, the main is still under warranty from the Oscar Renda Company, and they have …

    Texas families can lock in today’s cost of undergraduate resident tuition and schoolwide required fees at Texas public colleges and universities by enrolling their children in the tax-advantaged Texas Tuition Promise Fund® before the close of the current general enrollment period on Feb. 28.* “It’s never too late to …

In order to ensure that communities throughout Texas receive the needed disaster recovery assistance from the federal government, residents are urged to report their damage from last week’s devastating storm through the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s self reporting survey.   The survey is available in English and Spanish and applies …

ENTON, Texas – State and federal recovery officials urge disaster survivors to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud. Disasters often bring communities together but con artists, identity thieves and other criminals may target survivors. The most common types of post-disaster fraud include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building …

Jeffery Gerod Mondy Paris Police responded to the 1100-block of NE Loop 286 at 3:58 Friday afternoon about a security check. The caller advised that a male was either asleep or passed out inside the vehicle and could not tell if he was breathing. Officers made contact with Jeffery Gerod …

Weather and Closing Update Monday 4:30 am CLOSINGS   Monday 22 CLOSED Chapel Hill MP ISD – Closed Daingerfield ISD – Closed Harts Bluff ISD – Staff No Students North Hopkins ISD – Water Issues Sulphur Bluff ISD – Water Issues OPEN G – Mt Pleasant vs. Red Oak at …

The Texas Public Utilities Commission is suspending electricity disconnections due to non-payments to allow state leaders to consider fixes for the “financial aftershocks” last week’s winter storm caused on the power grid and consumers. The announcement was made Sunday after a week in which millions of Texans faced power outages, …

The U.S. set a new record for the amount of natural gas used over two days last week. Some customers in Texas may be worried about their bills. American Gas Association President Karen Harbert says customers who have problems paying their bills can apply for aid programs from the federal …

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has received federal approval to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed due to the severe winter weather by dialing 2-1-1. SNAP clients are encouraged to stay home and request their replacement food benefits …

U.S. Rep Pat Fallon U.S. Congressman Pat Fallon confirmed on Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Congressman Fallon represents the Fourth Congressional district, including Camp, Cass, Collin, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Rains, Red River, Titus, and Upshur counties. Fallon believes Remdesivir and an antibody …

The Texas Department of State Health Services shows 317 active cases of COVID-19 in Lamar County. There were 140 fatalities and a total of 5,104 recoveries from the virus for the last reporting period.

Unless some unforeseen problems occur, the main Lamar County courthouse will open at 10:00 am on Monday, February 22. The delayed opening will allow a fire suppression maintenance crew to inspect the pipes before populating the building. Water flooded the electrical room at the courthouse on Friday.

Clarksville ISD Superintendent Kermit Ward Students at Clarksville ISD will go to remote learning this week. School officials report that there was flooding at the high school due to frozen pipes. The district has secured a company specializing in the restoration of water damage, and work is already underway.

  Paris Finance Director Gene Anderson announced that the city would waive water shut-off and reconnect fees performed from Feb. 15 to Feb. 26. The city will also give water customers a $5.15 credit to cover water loss due to dripping faucets to prevent frozen pipes.

IRS certified volunteers would prepare taxes as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program beginning today at the United Way office, at 2340 Lamar Avenue, on Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 until 3:00 pm and Wednesday afternoons, by appointment only. Please call 903-784-6642 for an appointment.