News

The regular meeting of the HISD School Board opened Thursday evening, May 19th, with the invocation, pledge to the flag, and reading of the Mission statement, and much anticipation of selection of a new HISD Superintendent, but that selection did not happen during this meeting. A special meeting is slated for May 24th, at 6:00 p.m. to continue discussion for that selection.

Board members Tracee Collins, Sharon Byley and Zach Hall were all sworn in at the WSISD board meeting May 16. All three ran unopposed in the recent May election.

From California, to North Dakota, to New Mexico, to Sabine County. A building contractor, an inspector in the oil and gas field, now a small business owner. George Blakely has taken ownership of one of Toledo Bends most popular eating establishments with plans to return to business to its glory days. After a previous trip through East Texas, Blakely felt drawn to the area and began looking for business opportunities in the Lake Fork/Toledo Bend area. Lucky for him, and us, the Sportsman Cafe was on the market, allowing Blakely to take ownership in December 2021. He has already made improvements, with two completely new kitchens and extensive structural work on the building. Outside of the restaurant, improvements have been made to the existing 30 RV parking locations, with another 20 in the works. All spots have 50 amp service and will be available for long term or weekend rental. Eventually, the Sportsman Motel will be rebuilt into a 6-8 room lodging with very basic services. One boat ramp is currently available for use with a second in the works. These ramps will be offered to rv park and motel residents only. Blakely said he has been fortunate to find reliable, enthusiastic employees who support the image he wants to project as being the place to come for good food in a clean, well maintained environment. Another of the projected improvements to the business will be an expanded salad bar and some new additions to the menu to compliment the selections that have made the Sportsmans Cafe the go to spot for years. Located at 9848 Hwy 87 S, on the north end of the 6 Mile bridge, the restaurant opens at 6 a.m. with a full breakfast menu and not closing until 7:30 p.m. For additional information call 409-579-3292!

City Hall held a special meeting on Tuesday, May 10, as a budget workshop to discuss July 1, – June 30, 2023, preliminary budget. There were a few absent council members, but enough were present to constitute a forum, so the meeting continued. The meeting was called to order followed by prayer, pledge to American and Texas flags and the reading of statement regarding City of Hemphill City Council Meeting Speaker Policy by City Secretary/Accountant Kelli Beall. Citizen Comments came from J. R. Huffman Library President, Mr. Art Thibodeaux, as he presented paper work and verbal request to be added to the next regular meeting agenda to discuss financial needs of the library. At present, The City donates $5,000 per year and subsidizes ½ of each months electric bill. Then the workshop part began! City Manager, Thad Smith supplied volumes of paperwork showing present budget numbers, as well as various suggestions of amendments and even comparisons from other similar localities. Lots of discussion took place on each of the items listed, but no action was taken yet as this meeting was a workshop. Action will take place during next weeks regular meeting.