Biologists Predict an Exceptional 2021-22 General White-Tailed Deer Season
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AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists say hunters can expect an exceptional 2021-22 white-tailed deer season. The statewide white-tailed deer population is estimated to be around 5.4 million deer and while it is down slightly from previous years, fawn recruitment (fawn survival rates) predictions indicate an overall robust population increase headed into
Read MoreETCOG to Host Public Meeting on Regional Solid Waste Plan Updates
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The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces a public meeting to share updates to its 20-year Regional Solid Waste Management Plan on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. The meeting will be held at ETCOG headquarters in Kilgore at 2:00 p.m. to allow citizens and interested parties to discuss concerns or solutions regarding solid waste minimization
Read MoreGame Warden Field Notes
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The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) law enforcement reports. Bee Careful! A swarm of bees attacked a rancher utilizing an open top bulldozer to clear brush from his property when he inadvertently ran over their hive. Unable to be removed from his vehicle, a ranch hand covered
Read MoreCommissioners OK allocating Rescue Plan funds to hospitals
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The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday (Sept. 28) approved to allocate $4.52 million – 10 percent — of its American Rescue Plan Act funding to local hospitals and emergency rooms to be used to retain local medical personnel directly working with COVID-19 patients at medical facilities located in Smith County. The Smith County ARPA
Read MoreCounty begins mandated redistricting process
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The Smith County Commissioners Court received on Tuesday (Sept. 28) an initial assessment report relating to the Constitutionally-mandated redistricting process it will undertake in the next several weeks. Claudia Russell, an attorney with Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta, LLP, of Austin, gave the assessment report during the commissioners’ open session on Sept. 28. The 2020 U.S.
Read MoreSmith County Commissioners appoint interim Precinct 2 Constable
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The Smith County Commissioners Court appointed Shawn Scott, a retired law enforcement officer and security company executive, as Interim Precinct 2 Constable on Tuesday, October 5. Smith County Precinct 1 Commissioner Neal Franklin serves the same area as the Precinct 2 Constable so he led the search in finding an interim appointment. He said the
Read MoreCatch the Buzz with Texas’ Sixth Annual Pollinator BioBlitz
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AUSTIN — For the next two weeks, Texans are invited to take part in the sixth annual statewide Pollinator BioBlitz. The goal of the BioBlitz, which runs from Oct. 1-17, is to raise awareness of the diversity and importance of pollinators while bringing greater attention to the critical habitat needs of monarchs and native
Read MoreFormer Constable Josh Black Waives Appeal
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On Wednesday, September 22, 2021, former Constable Josh Black waived his rights to appeal his conviction for official oppression. Former Constable Black was tried in the 114th District Court for Official Oppression in 114-1814-20 before a jury. The jury convicted the Defendant on September 16, 2021. On September 17, 2021, the same jury assessed
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