BYTE OUT OF CRIME | GPD equipment upgrade helps spot predators in the pack

The camera’s lens notes each plate it passes, but only suspect vehicles get noticed. Gladewater Police Department’s fleet is now rolling out with license plate readers (LPR) following a broad equipment and software upgrade to keep up with the times. The system’s linked directly to the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) along with the National

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Local animal control officer gets help saving little lives (and tax dollars)

No animals have been sent to the local shelter since Shelly Godwin came on board as Gladewater’s Animal Control Officer. That’s zero surrenders since late-September, says Gladewater Police Chief Kyle Ready. “She has taken none,” he said proudly. Godwin’s relying on other destinations instead. Earlier this month, she entrusted five mixed puppies to the North

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Public Input Sought on Proposed Texas Hunting Regulation Changes for 2026-27 

  AUSTIN — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is accepting public comment until March 26 for the following proposed changes to the 2026-27 Statewide Hunting and Migratory Game Bird proclamations: Migratory Game Bird Regulations  Change the South Zone dove hunting season structure during the first segment to include an earlier regular season opening date (September 1 – October

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Gladewater city manager anticipates internal promotion for fire chief

Two current Gladewater Fire Department standouts are in line to become fire chief in the weeks ahead. “Both of them are good candidates for the position,” Gladewater City Manager Charlie Smith reported last week. “I’ve got some information that I’m awaiting from the fire commission. Once I get that, we’ll be moving forward.” There’s been

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WOISD trustees decline new policies on student prayer

White Oak ISD, too, won’t be changing its approach to religious freedom in light of Senate Bill 11. Adopted by the 89th Texas Legislature last year, the law requires Texas school districts, as well as open-enrollment charter schools, to take action on SB 11 by March 1. Like Gladewater ISD, the Roughnecks’ Board of Trustees

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Chamber weaves America’s birthday into plans for 95th annual banquet

This year marks the United States Semiquincentennial – it made things quite a bit easier in picking the theme for the 95th annual Gladewater Chamber of Commerce Banquet. “We’re celebrating America’s 250th, obviously,” Lois Reed said on President’s Day. The event’s set for 6:15 p.m. to 8 on Thursday, March 26, in the Former Students

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More than 100,000 students apply for Texas Education Freedom Accounts

The record-setting demand for school choice in Texas hit a new milestone this weekend. More than 100,000 students have applied for Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) in less than two weeks. This marks the largest launch of a new school choice program in the nation’s history, and parents still have more than a month to

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National Invasive Species Awareness Week is Feb. 23-27; TPWD Urges Texans to Help Prevent Harmful, Non-Native Plants and Wildlife

  AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges Texans to take steps to help prevent the introduction and spread of harmful non-native, invasive species that negatively impact the state’s natural resources and economy.  National Invasive Species Awareness Week, slated for Feb. 23 – 27, is an initiative to raise awareness of the

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