Cass County Connect
Cass County Judge Travis Ransom
The Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival
The Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival is a celebration at the start of the wildflower blooming season. The Wildflower Trail consists of Highways 49, 155, and 11 between Avinger, Hughes Springs, and Linden.
There are thousands of different varieties of wildflowers naturally occurring in the area. Although the blooming of wildflowers is unpredictable, the last full weekend in April has proven to be one of the most beautiful. While visiting, stop along the way and picnic at a roadside park where you can take a closer look at the natural beauty of East Texas. Wildflowers framed by stately pines and oaks line the highways of the Wildflower Trails.
Linden Public Library
Librarian Denise Haass and library advisory board members Flo Stevens, Shari Lee, and Lawanda Gulstrom met with Judge Travis Ransom to discuss library programs at the Linden Public Library. The 2025 Cass County Literacy Grant will provide support for youth focused activities and programs at the Linden Public Library. This is the third year in a row that the Linden Public Library has received funding through the Cass County Literacy grant.
Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department Receives County Support
Leroy Wilbanks, fire chief for the Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department met last week with Cass County Judge Travis Ransom to discuss rural fire protection and wildfire mitigation. Volunteer Fire Departments across the county provide a critical service to the citizens of rural Cass County. The Cass County Commissioners Court allocates almost $60,000 annually to support our volunteer fire departments in Cass County. This fund is distributed across 10 different departments which are run and staffed exclusively by volunteers. If you, or someone you know is interested in serving as a volunteer firefighter, please reach out to Sharon Brown in the County Judge’s office at 903-756-5181 and we will put you in touch with a department in your area.
Judge Ransom testifies to House Ways and Means Committee
Judge Travis Ransom testifies for House Bill 1109 in front of the House Ways and Means Committee on March 17th in Austin. House Bill 1109 by Rep. VanDeaver and its companion, Senate Bill 677 by Sen. Hughes would exempt Texas County Governments from paying the State Motor Fuels tax. Cass County sends approximately $40,000 a year to the state through this sales tax on motor fuels. School Districts, Volunteer Fire Departments, and non-profit ambulance services are already exempt from this tax. An exemption for Texas counties would reduce tax churn and improve government efficiency, ultimately saving taxpayers money.
Upcoming Events
April 4th - Music City Texas - Jerimiah Johnson in concert. To Purchase Tickets call 903-756-9934 or go to https://www.musiccitytexas.org/ April 5th - Spring Maker’s Market - Downtown Atlanta, contact atlareachamber@gmail.com or 903-796-3296 for more details.
April 19th - Wildflower Trails 5k - Hughes Springs, race starts at 8:30am, 603 East First (HWY 11), Hughes Springs, TX 75656; contact wft5k@hughesspringstxusa. com or https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/HughesSprings/ WildflowerTrails5k for more info.
April 12th - Easter In the Park - Atlanta State Park 9:30am to 12:00pm, Hunt for Easter eggs, take a picture with the Easter Bunny, fish, play games, and more! *Easter egg hunters must be in the park by 9:30 a.m.* April 12th - Easter in the Park - Mary Dowd Park in Linden will have food and games starting at 11:30am.
April 25-26, Cass County Championship Rodeo, in Linden - rodeo starts at 8pm with activities like mutton busting and critter scramble before the rodeo begins.
April 26, Avinger Wildflowers & Wine festival downtown Avinger, contact avingerchamber@gmail.com for more info!
Reach out to my office — P.O. Box 825 Linden, TX 75563 Phone: 903-756-5181, Ext. 0 Fax: 903-756-5732