News

Storm Spotter Training Program Scheduled for Monday (Jan 31). The 2022 severe weather season is not too far away, and the National Weather Service and local public safety officials want you to be ready. Therefore, the National Weather Service will conduct a free, virtual severe weather training class for Lamar …

Retired teachers in Texas have started receiving an extra check from the Teacher Retirement System. State Representative Greg Bonnen of Galveston pushed for that “13th check” during last year’s legislative session. As a result, lawmakers approved $700-million to pay more than 400-thousand retired school employees. The first checks went out …

The Omicron variant of COVID is showing to have mild symptoms, and some think now is the time to catch it to develop natural immunity. However, Dr. John Carlo with the Texas Medical Association says that’s a tricky proposition. He says the COVID parties are a flashback to chickenpox parties, …

The FBI identified a 44-year-old British national who took four people hostage. It happened at Congregation Beth Israel, a Colleyville synagogue, ten hours before an FBI SWAT team stormed the building as Malik Faisal Akram. Akram died after the last of the hostages got out, and an FBI SWAT team …

Texas’ state health department will no longer report the number of COVID-19 cases in the state considered recovered or active. The change went into effect Friday and several other updates to the Texas Department of State Health Services’ COVID-19 dashboard. Case totals fluctuated somewhat with Friday’s new update because of …

Photo courtesy of oha.com COVID-19 has infected a record number of Americans because of the surging Omicron variant. Some states’ health care systems have nearly total out intensive care units. Texas is one of 19 states with less than 15% remaining capacity in their ICUs. Kentucky, Alabama, Indiana, and New …

Lamar County is considering moving heating, air conditioning, and other equipment from the courthouse roof. A broken pipe and damage caused by lightning and maintenance led to a longtime problem with courthouse leaks. They could do the project during already scheduled maintenance on the courthouse.

The website for the newly established federal effort to distribute COVID-19 rapid tests by mail across America will launch for requests Wednesday. Americans will be able to request tests at COVIDTests.gov. The initial program will allow four free tests per residential address, and you can expect the tests to ship …

Marc Oneil Hutchings Sulphur Springs Police woked a suspicious vehicle and arrested Marc Oneil Hutchings. He also had a female passenger. The officer detected the smell of marijuana, and a subsequent search turned up marijuana, cocaine, Xanax, other pills, and a pistol. Hutchings’ bond was $60,000. Evan Clay Chapin Officers …

Hopkins County canceled the 62nd Judicial District Jury summons for Monday morning in Sulphur Springs. Therefore, those receiving a jury duty summons do not need to report.

Darla Ann McCurry Upshur County Jail A woman arrested for DWI in Upshur County now faces a serious felony charge as well. Ore City Police transported Darla Ann McCurry to the jail, where she reportedly told a jailer that she had COVID. She then allegedly coughed intentionally in the jailer’s …

Texas Rangers will investigate the death of a female inmate in isolation at the Harrison County Jail. Authorities say the woman was having trouble breathing, and they provided medical assistance by staff and EMS. They transported her to a Longview hospital, where she later died.

TxDOT Paris District Jan. 16 – Jan. 22, 2022 Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561 SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to Texas-Oklahoma state line, watch for …

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country Music Hall of Fame member Ralph Emery has passed away at age 88. Emery was a legendary disc jockey and television host who rose to fame during the late-night hours on Nashville’s WSM, where he hosted and allowed many new artists a chance to be heard …

Higgins Elementary Principal Lori Malone has released the names of those students who met the criteria to be named to the honor roll.  Those students include Brelynn Addy, Zari Acolea, Levi Allmon, Gavin Anderson, Baylor Bethea, Kylie Brandi, Kason Buckaloo, Hailey Cecil, Jonathan Chancellor, Isaac Conkleton, Joseph Cortes, Hadley Craig, …

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma announced today that it would be opening an entertainment and resort development in Hochatown, Oklahoma. The development is a brand-new concept with a design and experience that will reflect the rich culture of the Choctaw people. The four-story, 202,000 square-foot development will include 100 hotel …

Jarvis Christian College is hosting the annual “Unity in the CommUnity” virtual prayer service at 10:00 am Saturday, January 15, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The free event is open to the public. Please join the annual Jarvis Christian College MLK Unity in the …

The 2022 severe weather season is not too far away, and the National Weather Service and local public safety officials want you to be ready. The National Weather Service will conduct a free, virtual severe weather training class for Lamar County on Monday, Jan 31, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 …

Paris, Texas, January 14, 2022 — School districts across the state face teacher shortages due to COVID. It has presented complex challenges for our staff as well. However, North Lamar’s administration, faculty, and staff are working hard to ensure that our students continue to receive the quality, in-person education that …

The Association of Texas Small School Bands is pleased to announce the 2022 ATSSB All-State Band selection. More than 10,000 high school band students from across Texas auditioned in twenty-two different regions for a place in their respective all-region bands. Each of the top chairs advanced to one of the …