East Mountain News

Voters in the Upshur County Emergency Services District rejected a proposed ad valorem tax increase Saturday by a margin of more than 2-1, leading the district to announce Monday night that it will deeply reduce funding for the county's fire departments.

Voters in Upshur County on Saturday determine the fate of a controversial proposed tax increase for the Upshur County Emergency Services District, and cast ballots in several city and school elections.

By PHILLIP WILLIAMS Upshur County Commissioners Court approved 3-1 Monday a 5-year, $1.2 million surface lease of its West Texas "school land" to Calthan Cattle Co., LLC of Seymour.

A proposed tax increase for the Upshur County Emergency Services District, which is the subject of a May 12 special election, drew both criticism and support from citizens at a sometimes-heated meeting of the district's board Monday night.

By PHILLIP WILLIAMS Special Correspondent GILMER - A May 12 special election on a proposed tax increase for the Upshur County Emergency Services District drew criticism and support from residents at a sometimes-heated meeting of the district's board here Monday night.