October 11, 2022 – Recently, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard poultry flock in Dallas County. As expected by disease experts, HPAI is again circulating amongst wild birds in Texas as fall migration has begun for waterbirds and waterfowl. Earlier this year, HPAI was discovered in a bald eagle and a horned owl in Texas.

October 10, 2022 - Saturday, October 15 is the beginning of the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period for 2022.  This is the time of the year for you to review your Medicare coverage and make changes to help you improve your coverage or save money. This period runs from October 15th until December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day.

October 7, 2022 — For the next two weeks Texans can take part in the seventh annual Texas Pollinator BioBlitz. In support of the event, organizations and sites around the state will be hosting a variety of events to get people outdoors to observe pollinators of all types in yards, natural areas, gardens, parks and community centers. Of course, you don’t have to visit a particular site to participate; your very own yard or green space will do.

October 7, 2022 - Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) Board of Directors will hold their regular monthly meeting Thursday, October 27, 2022, at Howard Civic Center at 213 East Court Street in Newton, Texas. A Luncheon will be served at noon, and the Board meeting will be held immediately following lunch.

Welcoming members and guests to Newton County will be Newton County Judge Kenneth Weeks, Newton Mayor Mark Bean, and Newton County Commissioners Danny Bentsen, Phillip White, Gary Fomby and Wesley Thompson.