Shining light on our government through public information helps us ask questions of elected officials – and hold them accountable. Sunshine Week, taking place March 10-16, recognizes the importance of open government and educates Americans about their right to public information. It’s not an abstract notion. It’s about what’s happening in the real world. You

Smith County voters went to the polls on Tuesday, March 5 in the joint primary election and according to unofficial results the County Commissioner’s Court will see one change and possibly two concerning the body’s makeup. Precinct 3 incumbent Terry Phillips and challenger J. Scott Herod are headed for a runoff for the Republican nomination

Lindale Police Department call logs for Feb. 23-March 1 FRIDAY, FEB. 23: Public Service, 500 block North Main Street, Settled at Scene; Motor Vehicle Crash, 3500 block South Main Street, Settled at Scene; Public Service, 14200 block CR 452, Settled at Scene; Theft, 100 block East Centennial Blvd., Report; Motorist Assist, 300 block West Hubbard

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office continues to receive reports of telephone scams, said spokesman Sgt. Larry Christian, who added the number of these bogus calls are growing. The most recent scams involve a caller stating that he is either Sgt. Tim Jones or Sgt. Justin Hall. The caller states that he is with the Smith

The Smith County Commissioners Court approved spending $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to start a spay and neuter program available to all residents of Smith County, said Public Information Officer Casey Murphy. “We have faced a challenge with high numbers of stray animals in Smith County for many years, but the issue escalated

Early voting is under way in Smith County for the March 5 Joint Primary Elections at several areas in the county. The early voting period will continue through March 1. Local candidates that are on the ballot for the May 4 General Election include: • Gavin Rascoe, Place 5 Lindale City Council for Mayor; •

Smith County Commissioners approved the taking of sealed bids to the remodeling of the county’s Financial Crimes Intelligence Center during their weekly meeting held Feb. 6. The FCIC coordinates law enforcement investigations into various types of financial crimes. It is staffed by law enforcement officers experienced in financial crimes investigations including organized crime, credit card

Smith County Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement between the county and Bosque County for the purchase of 20 Express Votes voting machines during their regular meeting held on Jan. 30. County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon said since the creation of three new precincts in the county there is a need for more machines. One of

Candidates for school board, city and county offices have until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 to file for the Republican and Democratic primaries, scheduled for Tuesday, March 4. In person early voting for the primaries will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 20 and will conclude on March 1. In Lindale, early voting will take place at

Applications are being accepted from Smith County citizens interested in serving on the county’s Appraisal Review Board for the Smith County Appraisal District, said District Judge Reeve Jackson, administrative judge for the state district courts in Smith County. An application should be submitted to Judge Jackson through the SCAD Taxpayer Liaison Officer no later than