Bassmasters tournament returns to Wood County

Posted Wednesday, September 27, 2023 11:53 pm

Wood County commissioners approved the Bassmaster host agreement with the Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC) last Tuesday. The event returns to Lake Fork at the new facilities of the Sabine River Authority headquarters in late February 2024.

The WCEDC is in charge of the entertainment and the public festival. A popular country music act will be the entertainment. The act has been signed, but their identity cannot be released yet.

The court approved tax abatement guidelines and criteria for the WCEDC which has been in the works for several months.

Commissioners approved a performance bond and certificates of insurance for Garland/DBS, Inc. regarding work being done at the justice center for the jail roofing project.

Wood County Fire Marshal and Emergency Coordinator Tully Davidson accepted another safety award. Wood County is one of only 11 counties out of 254 to receive the honor.

Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the East Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for services for individuals including outreach, screening, assessment and referral services for those seeking services.

In personnel actions commissioners acknowledged in the Wood County Sheriff’s Office Jeremy Cato hired full-time as a deputy and Nicholas Haley as a deputy replacing Matthew Cooper; Chad Hunter as full-time road tech in Precinct 1; and resignations of sheriff’s department employees Deputy Jefferey Baldwin and dispatcher Tiffany Andrews. Colin Kovic was moved from deputy to lieutenant and Rebecca Hammlett was added to the district attorney’s office as a clerk.

Public hearings were held and property revisions were approved on three properties in the Holly Lake Ranch Subdivision.

Annual classification and department compensation schedules were approved as was compensation for auditor, assistant auditor and court reporter.

Other matters approved by the commissioners were:

• Xerox contract for Wood County Extension Office

• Environmental officer monthly report

• Set public hearing on Oct. 31 for revision of lots at Holly Lake Ranch

• Wood County holidays for 2024

• 2024 dates for commissioners meetings

• Unum stop-loss insurance application

• Claims including: payroll of $420,464, health and dental $142,965 and accounts payable $376,000

• Payroll dates for 2024

• Treasurer’s report

Special Olympics returns in style

Thursday, April 11

After a five-year absence, over 150 athletes from Como-Pickton, Cedar Creek and Upshur and Wood Counties competed for special recognition at a state-sanctioned Special Olympics track and field meet at the Quitman High School track field on Friday, April 5.

Two seeking Ward Three city council position

Thursday, April 11

Only one of the three seats up for election on the Mineola City Council this year is being contested. Crystal Arcand has challenged 2-term incumbent Cassandra Sampson for the Ward Three seat. …

Residents on Hwy. 37 north of Mineola petitioning for center turning lane

Thursday, April 11

Residents who live north of Mineola are petitioning the Texas Dept. of Transportation to extend the center turn lane along Hwy. 37.

Property owners given more time to clean up locations in Quitman

Thursday, April 11

Citizens and commissioners came head-to-head at Thursday night’s Quitman Building and Standards Commission meeting. With the tension in the air almost tangible, the board decided after nearly two hours of deliberation...

Eclipsed!

Thursday, April 11

Two predictions surrounding Monday’s total solar eclipse in East Texas largely failed to come true. The clouds were thin to non-existent during the time of totality around 1:40 p.m., and the expected traffic jams did not materialize.

Symphonic band presents Christmas concert

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Come on over to Mineola’s beautiful Historic Select Theater and hear the Lake Country Symphonic Band’s Christmasy “Everything Christmas” concert.

Concerts are Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. and Tuesday evening, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Mike Holbrook is back in the director’s seat, so it’s sure to be a fun-filled couple of hours.