Texarkana High School Band Instructor Sentenced to 25 years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Violation
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Texas TEXARKANA, Texas – A Texarkana man has been sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Brandon Neil Sams Brandon Neil Sams, 48, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor while serving as a band instructor at Texas High School in Texarkana,...
It’s the Moment you’ve Been Waiting for… Stew Contest Cook Registration
July 16, 2024 – The 55th Annual World Champion Hopkins County Stew Festival Saturday, October 26, 2024 The anticipation has been growing and now it is time for the actual preparation. We are looking forward to a terrific and large Stew Contest, and we want you to participate in it! For those who powered through the rain storm last year, we say a big Thank You! It was wet and muddy, but we still served 3,000 people because of...
First Texas Case of West Nile Virus and a Global Increase in Dengue Virus Cases Highlights Need for Mosquito Precautions
July 16, 2024 – Public health officials urge Texans to be vigilant in protecting against mosquito bites after confirming the first Texas case of West Nile virus and 10 travel-associated dengue cases for 2024. Precautions should be taken in Texas and while traveling internationally to countries where dengue is endemic. The first case of West Nile in 2024 was reported in a Montgomery County resident who has been diagnosed with...
Learn What Percentage of the Earth’s Water is Fresh Water in This Episode of A Second Cup of Coffee
In this episode of A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, John Mark sat down with Texas A&M AgriLife Master Gardener Ronnie Wilson. The two discuss the upcoming Master Gardeners Meeting, the Earth’s water, points on watering your plants, and more. Be sure to check it out! A Second Cup of Coffee with John Mark...
Texas A&M-Commerce Name Change Saga Continues
July 12, 2024 – About 200 people attended a hearing in the Sam Rayburn Student Center Thursday on the possibility of A&M-Commerce changing its name yet again. Public radio station K-E-T-R reports president Mark Rudin told the group that “Texas A&M University-Dallas ” was not the only rebranding option being discussed. “East Texas A&M University” is also among the options under consideration. Before the 1996 rebrand...
Sulphur Springs Whataburger Adds DoorDash as McDonald’s Closes for Rebuild
Whataburger July 11, 2024 – The Sulphur Springs Whataburger recently added DoorDash as a delivery option to the many ways to get your Whataburger fix. DoorDash remains the most prevalent delivery service for restaurant delivery in Hopkins County as UberEats and others don’t seem to have as many drivers. Staff at the local eatery reports that the DoorDash delivery option has been very popular since implementation, and now...
Foundation Announces First Handbag Bingo Title Sponsor
July 9, 2024 – Sulphur Springs, TX – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Designer Handbag Bingo has a title sponsor for the first time in its five-year history. The Alliance Bank family of businesses (Alliance Bank, Alliance Bank Financial Services, and Galyean Insurance) is this year’s title sponsor. This sponsorship augments the Alliance Bank group’s relationship with the Foundation and underscores...
Power on for Hopkins County and Surrounding Counties
July 9, 2024 – Hopkins County received the blessing of needed rain, but none of the destruction other parts of Texas received. Once a Category 5 hurricane, Beryl was classified as tropical depression when close to Sulphur Springs. A tropical depression forms when a low pressure area is accompanied by thunderstorms that produce a circular wind flow with maximum sustained winds below 39 mph. An upgrade to a tropical storm occurs...
Armyworms are Notorious Pests that can Cause Significant Damage by Mario Villarino
July 8, 2024 – Armyworms are notorious pests that can cause significant damage to crops, pastures, and turfgrass. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offers comprehensive resources and advice to help farmers and gardeners manage these pests effectively. Armyworms are the larvae of certain moth species, commonly the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and the true armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta). These caterpillars are...
Texas Schools Spending Millions on Electric Buses
Districts are buying the vehicles with grants from a $5 billion Clean Bus Program funded by federal taxpayers. Erin Anderson | July 5, 2024 Texas school districts are taking advantage of a federal grant program to buy electric buses that will cost taxpayers millions. The grants are part of a $5 billion Clean Bus Program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Funds for the program were included in the $454...
