Tax rate may go down, but taxpayers may pay more

In the advanced mathematics of City Finance 101, increasing property values means cities and other entities can lower their tax rate and collect the same amount of revenue – or more. That doesn’t necessarily translate to a break for taxpayers. Gladewater council members are working with City Hall staffers on the municipal budget for Fiscal

Read More

Windows of Opportunity Regionwide Job Fair August 20

The next Windows of Opportunity Regionwide Job Fair, scheduled for August 20. Workforce Solutions East Texas Team hosts this quarterly regionwide job fair at its five workforce centers on the same date. The event aims to bridge the gap between hiring employers and individuals seeking employment across various occupation pathways, fostering economic growth and career

Read More

Eligible children may eat the meals free or at a reduced price during the 2024-2025 school year

AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urges parents and guardians to request and return applications for free and reduced-price meals from their students’ schools. Submitting these applications ensures eligible children can receive meals at no cost or a reduced price during the 2024-2025 school year. Schools determine eligibility based on household income, participation in

Read More

City baits store proprietors as latest RFP deadline nears

With multiple rounds of proposals in play, the City of Gladewater’s inching toward a new path forward for its lake store property. The clock’s ticking on the latest Request for Proposals, due to City Hall by Aug. 29. As entrepreneurs flesh out their ideas, Gladewater City Manager Charlie Smith has shown the property three times

Read More

White Oak’s VFD seeks a few good firefighters

According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, volunteers account for 65 percent of the nation’s one million firefighters. Agencies across the state are facing ongoing challenges in recruitment, though. That includes White Oak Volunteer Fire Department, where the roster’s been hovering around half-capacity for several years. “Looking for dedicated individuals to become volunteer firefighters,” the

Read More

Gladewater employees tackle initial tasks from July town hall

There was a lot of ‘long-term’ in talks at Gladewater’s July 25 Town Hall meeting, but there were plenty of immediate to-dos added to the city’s task list – a number of them have already been checked off. Granted, even the simplest requires a degree of ongoing care and maintenance, and those plans are in

Read More

White Oak VFD reminds locals of burning restrictions

Currently, the Texas A&M Forest Service puts East Texas at a low to moderate risk for wildfire activity – that’s no greenlight to burn outdoors, however, and White Oak Volunteer Fire Department is reminding residents this week about local restrictions. Per the fire department, the City of White Oak’s ordinance on “allowable conditions for outdoor

Read More

Yellow means caution | Gladewater ISD bus drivers focus on safety

If there’s one thing Gladewater ISD’s transportation director knows, it’s that the wheels on the bus go round and round because of all the people who keep the big yellows rolling. “Patience is key,” Charlie Ashby says, especially during the first week back to school. “Work with us as we work with you,” getting everybody

Read More