A Chat With Gena and Garry Jordan With a Reflection on The Good News Bookstore Turning 50
July 26, 2024 – With The Good News Christian Bookstore’s big observance of the store’s 50th Anniversary, KSST wanted to check in on the owners of this locally owned small town business. Gena and Garry talk about the history of the store, including on how they were blessed to become it’s current owners. They also share details about their big sale going on July 27, 2024. Check out the video below and find out how great and blessed this little Christian Bookstore really is!
Are ‘Cocaine Sharks’ A Real Threat to Texas Beaches?
July 26, 2024 – Researches are currently scrambling to explain a possible new threat on beaches around the world. That threat: sharks hopped up on cocaine.
Here are some facts:
- Sharks have been proven to ‘attack’ the white floating bundles of cocaine left floating in the ocean. These bundles are the result of smugglers dumping their cargo. Scientist theorize sharks might mistake the objects for birds. Much like the theory that surfers are attacked because they might appear similar to a basking sea lion.
- Aquatic species have tested positive for cocaine in addition to other pharmaceuticals. This has been proven in both rivers, lakes and oceans. These drugs are entering the aquatic food chain.
No one really knows what cocaine does to sharks. Will it transform them into a relentless killing machine like might be found in a Hollywood Summer Blockbuster? Probably not. There are theories ranging from an irritant effect on the gills, to bursts of speed, and erratic behavior.
Cocaine hydrochloride acts as a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows blood vessels. Healthcare professionals can use it in certain medical procedures to manage bleeding by reducing blood flow to the site.
The body can absorb cocaine systemically, which can affect the cardiovascular system. This can result in increased heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial contractility (affecting the heart’s ability to contract), which may lead to higher demand for oxygen by the heart.
Cocaine interacts with various receptor types, including muscarinic acetylcholine, N-methyl-D-aspartate, sigma, and kappa-opioid receptors, contributing to its complex toxicity.
Currently the only evidence of sharks testing positive for cocaine have been specimens off the coast of Brazil. Researches are confident that as more regions are tested, additional positive sample will be found.
It is possible that sharks could come into contact with large amounts of high purity cocaine anywhere bundles of the product are dumped in the sea. Rivers that flow through metropolitan areas lacking proper sewer service and a high cocaine user population can also bring the drugs out into the ocean. Cocaine is mainly removed from the human body via the kidneys.
So far no correlation between the drug and attacks on beaches has been determined.
One thing experts all agree on is that the human demand for cocaine and other illegal narcotics is at the heart of this issue.
Are Your Cucumbers Tasting Bitter? From Master Gardener David Wall
July 26, 2024 – Ever bite into a whole cucumber or slice and find it bitter? Basically, the bitterness is caused by plant stress. It seems weird for a cucumber to be in stress, but the stress is caused by several factors such as genetics, widely fluctuating temperatures, poor soil, or inconsistent watering.
Cucumbers belong to the cucurbit or gourd family, and all members of this family produce cucurbitacin. It’s produced as a defense mechanism and makes the cucumber taste bitter! The objective is to prevent a pest eating one bitter cucumber from returning for a second one! In the wild, cucurbitacin can cause the fruit to become totally inedible!
Normally, most of the cucurbitacin is contained in the leaves, roots, and stems to deter pests from nibbling on them. As for the cucumber fruit, stress will put more cucurbitacin in them. So how do we deal with this potential problem?
Skin thickness is a genetic factor. Thin skinned cucumbers tend to generate cucurbitacin, but this applies mainly to heirlooms. Most hybrids have been bred to be less bitter. Higher temps, low temps, and wide temperature variations increase bitterness. Shade cloths can help here.
Consistent watering reduces stress. In hot summer weather, hand watering may be necessary. Rains throughout the season, however, tend to aggravate the problem. A huge problem, however, is caused by pest damage. Once a pest starts munching, cucurbitacin levels start to rise in all of that plant’s fruit. Pest controls and keeping the fruit off the ground tend to lessen this problem.
To counteract bitterness, cut a bit more off the butt end than usual, peel the skin, and wash the fruit. An alternative is to cut off the top end, and then rub the two pieces together for 10-20 seconds. I don’t understand how this works, but it does!
Boar’s Head Recalls Ready-To-Eat Liverwurst And Other Deli Meat
Products May Be Contaminated With Listeria
BOAR’S HEAD PROVISIONS CO., INC.
FSIS Announcement
WASHINGTON, July 26, 2024 – Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., a Jarratt, Va., establishment, is recalling all liverwurst product produced by the establishment that is currently available in commerce because it may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The company is also recalling additional deli meat products that were produced on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst and, therefore, may be adulterated with L. monocytogenes. The company is recalling approximately 207,528 pounds of products.
The ready-to-eat liverwurst products were produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf life. The following liverwurst products are subject to recall [view labels]:
- 3.5-lb. loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst MADE IN VIRGINIA.” The products shipped to retailers bear sell by dates ranging July 25, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2024, printed on the side of the packaging.
The other ready-to-eat deli meat products were produced on June 27, 2024. The following deli meat products are subject to recall:
- 9.5-lb. and 4.5-lb. full product, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head VIRGINIA HAM OLD FASHIONED HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
- 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
- 6-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head EXTRA HOT ITALIAN CAPPY STYLE HAM” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
- 4-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
- 2.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF SALAMI” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
- 5.5-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head STEAKHOUSE ROASTED BACON HEAT & EAT” with sell by date “AUG 15” on the product packaging.
- 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head GARLIC BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
- 3-lb., or various weight packages sliced in retail delis, containing “Boar’s Head BEEF BOLOGNA” with sell by date “AUG 10” on the product packaging.
The products subject to recall were distributed to retail deli locations nationwide. The products shipped to deli retailers bear establishment number “EST. 12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.
The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified that a sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for L. monocytogenes. The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department, collected an unopened liverwurst product from a retail store for testing as part of an outbreak investigation of L. monocytogenes infections. Further testing is ongoing to determine if the product sample is related to the outbreak. Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider.
FSIS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners to investigate the multistate outbreak of L. monocytogenes infections linked to meats sliced at delis. As of July 25, 2024, 34 sick people have been identified in 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths. Samples were collected from sick people from May 29, 2024, to July 12, 2024. Additional information may be found on the CDC investigation notice, Listeria Outbreak Linked to Meats Sliced at Delis. The investigation is ongoing, and FSIS continues to work with the CDC and state partners.
Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In people who are pregnant, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators and in retail deli cases. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and retailers are urged not to sell these products with the referenced sell by dates. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Consumers who have purchased these products are also urged to clean refrigerators thoroughly to prevent the risk of cross-contamination.
FSIS recommends retail delis clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces and discard any open meats and cheeses in the deli. Retailers may refer to FSIS’ guideline, Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes in Retail Delicatessens, for information on steps to prevent certain ready-to-eat foods that are prepared or sliced in retail delis and consumed in the home, such as deli meats and deli salads, from becoming contaminated with L. monocytogenes.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., Customer Service at 1-800-352-6277. Media with questions can contact Elizabeth Ward, Vice President of Communications, Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., at [email protected].
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to [email protected]. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
Governor Abbott Announces Sentinel School Safety System
July 26, 2024 – Governor Greg Abbott announced the launch of Sentinel, an innovative and comprehensive system designed to enhance the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff in school buildings across Texas. Sentinel is provided by the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Office of School Safety and Security and is available to all schools in the state at no charge to the schools. Sentinel will enable robust monitoring of school systems’ implementation and operation of safety and security policies and improves the threat assessment process.
“As a new school year approaches, the safety of students, school faculty, and staff across Texas remains a top priority,” said Governor Abbott. “To bolster school safety standards, we are launching Sentinel—a new, sweeping system to enhance the safety and security of students and teachers across our great state. This cutting-edge technology is available to all schools in Texas and will expand the state’s threat assessments process, improve real-time communication capabilities, and better safeguard our children, teachers, and school communities. I thank the Texas Education Agency and Chief Scott for partnering with superintendents and school safety personnel from every corner of our state to create and implement this innovative system.
“TEA’s Office of School Safety and Security continues to search for ways to better support the 1,200 school systems in Texas and their efforts in keeping students and staff safe,” said School Safety and Security Chief John P. Scott. “The launch of Sentinel represents this continued focus, and I’m grateful for the Governor’s support in getting this critical safety infrastructure off the ground and operational.”
Sentinel standardizes Behavioral Threat Assessments (BTAs) into a single reporting mechanism so that schools have a clear way of conducting BTAs and managing threats. This uniform approach helps school systems identify, assess, and mitigate risks to students and staff.
In addition, Sentinel will serve an important role in statewide emergency operations by giving state leaders timely and accurate information to support quick decision-making regarding resource allocation and support. Schools will be informed in the event of a local or statewide emergency through Sentinel’s mass communications capability. This will enable TEA to securely communicate guidance, resources, or other important information to schools.
Sentinel was developed following the passage of House Bill 3, which strengthened state monitoring of school safety and increased the school safety allotment. Senate Bill 30 provided an additional $1.1 billion for school systems to bolster the safety of their facilities.
In 2022, Governor Abbott directed TEA Commissioner Mike Morath to create the position of Chief of School Safety and Security to ensure increased communication and collaboration among state agencies to provide a safe environment for Texas students and school faculty.
Good News Christian Bookstore Celebrating 50 Years in Business With a Sale on July 27th
Gary and Gena Jordan, who have owned the Sulphur Springs Good News Christian Bookstore for the past 33 years, wish to celebrate and honor the shop’s 50th Anniversary, and the public is invited to share in this joyous occasion! The Jordans shared just a bit of the store’s history with KSST.
The happy couple shared that the, “Good News Christian Bookstore has been doing business in Sulphur Springs for 50 years and we will be celebrating on Saturday, July 27th! … The actual anniversary day was June 27th, but we are celebrating on July 27th. Since the Christian Bookstore is 50 years and 1 month old, God showed us to allow our customers on that day to choose any one item in the store and receive 50% off on that one item…. their choice. Also God said to tell them it is only one item because Jesus is the one and only way to heaven and they get to choose their item for the sale price just like each person has to make their own choice to receive Jesus as their Savior. … God bless you from Good News!” The Jordans are well loved members of the Sulphur Springs, Texas, Community. Not only is Gary a businessman, he also pastors at Calvary Baptist Church. Gary Jordan is also the brother of Larry Jordan, who brings KSST’s listeners the Christian program, “Wake Up America,” every Sunday morning.
Before Gary and Gena Jordan purchased the Good News Christian Bookstore in 1990, the store had been owned and sold by five different sets of owners over the previous 16 years. The Bookstore was originally opened for business for the very first time in 1974. The Bookstore has had different names and has been located in different areas of Sulphur Springs during it’s 50 years of business. Previous owners include Dr. Martin Miller, Bill Watts, Bobbie Gallagher, Dan and Susan Stanley, Dwayne and Nancy Davis, and Carroll and Dot Asbill. Through out the store’s 50 years it has faced the threat of permit closure due to fire, flooding, financial woes, and other factors, but the Good Lord has continued to Bless the Christian store and it’s various owners throughout it’s history. Today, The Good News Christian Bookstore continues strong, standing as a well liked local small business here in Sulphur Springs. It remains one of the few stores to offer a variety of Christian themed books and other merchandise between here and Dallas, Texas.
The Good News Christian Bookstore is now located at 1181 South Broadway Street. They have a large variety of items for sale, including Bibles, wind chimes, Christian books, crosses, pictures, greeting cards, jewelry, and so much more! The Anniversary sale event on Saturday, July 27th, will also include refreshments, with customers having the chance to chose one item to purchase from the store at 50% off! The Good News Christian Bookstore’s hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00am to 6:00pm, and closed on Sundays.
PJC Nursing Students Help Meal-A-Day with ‘Project Chicken’
July 25, 2024 – Five lovely volunteers from the Paris Junior College Nursing Program arrived at the Senior Center bright and early Thursday morning. They cheerfully went to work on ‘Project Chicken’.
The PJC students are required to perform community service hours as part of their academic program. Meal-A-Day is grateful they chose to give back here in Sulphur Springs. Their service was exceptionally well timed as a sizeable donation of raw chicken was made this week.
Meal-A-Day received a large donation of fresh chicken this week. To make sure the donation would not be wasted, MAD volunteers have cooked and processed birds every day. The windfall has either been served for lunch, or deboned for later use. By Friday the refrigerator and freezer will be back to normal.
Meal-A-Day director Amanda Dietlin is working with her crew to make sure clients don’t get tired of chicken. They are reviewing the menus, and making changes to keep things a fresh as possible. Seniors can expect chicken in their lunches frequently until room is made in the refrigerator. Frozen birds will be kept for meals later in the year.
If you would like to volunteer to cook or deliver meals, give Amanda a call at 903 885 1661.
Winnsboro ISD Facing Lawsuit Over Alleged Bullying
July 24, 2024 – A family is suing the Winnsboro school district over what they say are ignored reports of verbal and physical sex-based and disability-based harassment of their child by two Winnsboro ISD students.
K-L-T-V television reports the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, was brought because of “actions and omissions” of Winnsboro ISD and the board of trustees. The suit alleges they failed to comply with legal mandates under federal law when the family made complaints of serious bullying, harassment, discrimination, stalking and retaliation committed toward their child.
The suit alleges that the child was subjected to the abuse on at least six different occasions. The parents say they made complaints about the incidents to the district and the school board on at least twelve occasions, by phone, in person, by email, and through public comment at school board meetings. However, the suit states that the district failed to investigate and resolve the incidents of bullying or abuse.
The suit further alleges that the Winnsboro I-S-D retaliated against the family by making up stories about each parent and the student, and shared the stories verbally and in writing, in the child’s permanent record and in the mother’s permanent employment record. She was an employee of Winnsboro ISD at the time. Allegedly, the mother was suspended from employment and her contract was not renewed.
Texas A&M Commerce Highlights Money Management Center
July 24, 2024 – Financial literacy is essential to higher education, and the new Blue to Gold Money Management Center at Texas A&M-Commerce is already making an impact. Opened on May 1, the center aims to help students successfully navigate money matters in college and beyond.
The center, funded partly by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education, is staffed by trained money coaches. It supports students in many ways, from helping them decipher their financial aid packages to teaching them techniques for budgeting money.
Empowered through financial wellness
Christina Yoakum, assistant director of the Blue to Gold Money Management Center, said money centers are part of an upward trend in higher education, and research reflects they are a much-needed resource.
A 2020 Study on Collegiate Financial Wellness revealed that around one in three students (out of almost 25,000 respondents) considered dropping out of college due to financial concerns. Nearly 75% reported feeling stressed about their finances in general. The study also points out that financial stress is linked to lower academic performance and diminished mental and physical health.
Niki Pettit, also an assistant director of the Blue to Gold Money Management Center, explained that students often feel overwhelmed by large student account balances for tuition, fees, housing and more. Feeling hopeless and confused, many students stop attending college altogether.
“It’s easy to give up when you aren’t sure what to do or have been restricted from registering for future terms until the past due balance has been paid off,” Pettit said. “We all have a tendency, if something is overwhelming and we don’t understand it, to just kind of freeze.”
The money center can reduce overwhelm by helping students understand their student account charges and create a plan to pay. The center can also help students understand the impacts of financial aid, learn to use monetary assistance to its greatest advantage, and explore options for reducing debt load.
In addition, the center provides personal finance coaching, teaching students how to plan for income, track expenses and savings, establish an emergency fund, build credit, and read credit reports. Yoakum explained that these skills are transferable from college into life after graduation.
In a nutshell, money coaching can give students a sense of confidence and control as they build financial literacy, empowering them to stay on track through graduation and beyond.
Making financial literacy accessible
Historically, financial literacy has been out of reach for many students in the U.S. At A&M-Commerce, around 67% of students are first-generation, which means their families may not be familiar with the economic aspects of higher education and, therefore, cannot provide information or support in that area.
“Many students are potentially coming from households that don’t understand the federal aid system and don’t understand higher education, and so students don’t have that knowledge base to make good, informed decisions … ” Pettit said.
The money center brings financial education within easy reach of every A&M-Commerce student, helping them feel confident as they develop an understanding of and sense of control over their college finances. The sessions are free for enrolled students.
A wraparound approach
Uniquely, the money center at A&M-Commerce is part of a set of wraparound services that provide student support in several areas. When it relocates to the library in August, the center will be next to the Academic Advising Team, Student Transition and Support, and the Office of Student Career Preparedness, providing a complete set of supportive services in one accessible location.
“All of these programs are considered wraparound services that we’re putting together in the same area of the library to create a more holistic approach for our students,” Yoakum said. “The shared space will create a culture of collaboration among key student support units.”
Scheduling a coaching session
Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to schedule coaching sessions at tamuc.edu/Blue-to-Gold-Money-Management-Center. Face-to-face, phone and Zoom options are available.
During the 30-minute appointment, a trained money coach will assist the student with money-related questions or concerns in a confidential, one-on-one session. Students are encouraged to schedule a session, even if they don’t know what they need help with or what to ask.
Expanding financial literacy at TAMUC
Both Pettit and Yoakum are excited about the future of the Blue to Gold Money Management Center and have plans for future expansion. For one, they plan to invite financial experts to campus for student-centered presentations on various money-related topics. They also plan to introduce a peer mentorship program where certified student mentors provide supplemental support.
The center promises to enrich students’ lives, empowering them to take control of their financial futures and equipping them for their college years and life beyond graduation. As financial literacy grows at A&M-Commerce, the university will foster a new generation of financially savvy and confident Lions.
Chamber Connection – July 23, 2024
By Butch Burney
Even if you think you know Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, you are sure to learn a lot through Leadership Sulphur Springs, which is back on this year, with applications online!
The leadership class is for Hopkins County men and women who want to learn and become more invested in their local community. It’s an intensive nine-month program that immerses the participants in the business and government of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
The tentative dates for this year’s program are attached to the application, which can be accessed at HopkinsChamber.org.
You can also have an application mailed to you by emailing me at [email protected]. The deadline is Aug. 9, so get your information in as soon as possible.
The registration fee is $500 and that covers the cost of the food, drinks, transportation, etc. for the year.
Stew Contest
The anticipation has been growing and now it is time for the actual preparation. We are looking forward to a fantastic 55th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest on Oct. 26, and it’s time for stew cooks to start registering.
Registration for last year’s cooks are going out in the mail and email this week, so be looking for it in your mailbox and inbox. You can also register online at HopkinsChamber.org/stewcooks.
We are keeping the registration fee the same as in past years at $100 per stew site, with the sponsor asked to provide $150 to each cooking team for ingredients.
If you have been a Stew Cook in the past, we look forward to seeing you again and tasting your delicious stew. If you have won the contest in the past, you are eligible to enter the Super Stew competition.
Each returning stew team will have the option of keeping their 2023 site. These sites will be reserved until Monday, September 30, and then on Tuesday, October 1, the “unclaimed” stew sites will be open to “new cooks” and to returning cooks who would like a new site location. After Sept. 30, all sites will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. As in 2023, we will have sites open on both the north and the south side of Connally Street, where we will have a serving tent and market vendors.
We will have a Stewcomers meeting at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15 for any new cooks or those who are thinking about entering. You can get all the information you need to start planning for the largest annual single-day event in Hopkins County.
If you need more information, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
The theme for this year’s stew contest is Stewper Heroes, and we would love for you to participate and be a Stewper Hero!
Cocktails and Conversation
Join us for our main networking monthly event when Heritage Home Health and Hospice hosts our Cocktails and Conversation on Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Chamber office.
You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend. It is free to everyone, and a prime time to make friends and contacts.
Please make plans to attend to enjoy some cocktails, snacks and great conversation.
Back to School Fair
CANHelp in Sulphur Springs is gearing up to host their annual Back-to-School Fair, which assists children in low-to-moderate income families prepare for the new school year, by providing school supplies, haircuts and other needs. The fair is on August 1, but pre-registration is required for students to receive school supplies.
You can pick up an application at CANHelp (613 Gilmer Street).
Businesses may also register to participate as a vendor.
Designer Handbag Bingo
The Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation’s extremely popular Designer Handbag Bingo event is coming Aug. 8, and tickets will go quickly.
Tables of eight for the event are currently on sale, and individual tickets will be up for grabs on July 13.
The link to access sponsorship and ticket information is handbagbingo24.givesmart.com
Quilt Show
The Lone Star Heritage Quilt Show is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22 at the ROC on Putman Street. Numerous projects will be on display, and one special quilt will be up for raffle during the event.
If you’re interested in entering your own quilt project, those arrangements must be made by July 31. To request entry, email [email protected].
Ribbon Cutting
Data Point Surveying will host a ribbon cutting at their office on Dabbs Street at noon Wednesday, July 24. Please make plans to attend.
Birthright Midwifery will host a ribbon cutting at the Chamber office, 110 Main St., on Friday, July 26, at noon. Everyone is invited to attend this event.
