Chamber Connection — June 11, 2020
By Lezley Brown, CEO/President, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
The Hopkins County Adult Leadership is happy to announce that we are currently taking applications for the 2020-21 class. The Adult Leadership Class is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. The course was created in 1989 with the concept of offering leadership training and community involvement for emerging business and community leaders. Leadership Sulphur Springs is a nine-month session, with meetings held once a month. For more information and to get an application, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515.
The Chamber Golf Tournament is almost full! Our reschedule date is Friday, June 19th at Sulphur Springs Country Club. As usual, we will have morning and afternoon flights, and we have availability for teams right now. Give us a call at (903) 885-6515 to register your team!
Fireworks to be held on Saturday, July 4
Judge Newsom reached out to some businesses in town in hopes to offer fireworks of some kind for July 4. As a result, fireworks will be held on Saturday, July 4. There will be a band downtown who will play until about 8 p.m. Fireworks will begin at nightfall.
Let’s talk about some ways to keep everyone safe and healthy. First, you are welcome to bring your lawn chairs and sit on the Plaza to listen to the band and watch fireworks. Please make sure to put six feet in between your family and the family next to you. Second, you are also welcomed to find a place near the square to park and watch the show from your vehicle. Grab a snack from your favorite local business, take your lawn chairs, and hop in the back of your pickup! This will be a great way to watch the show and remain perfectly socially distanced. Third, keep in mind that COVID is still a part of our lives right now. Be respectful of peoples’ wishes. They may not want to shake hands or hug, and that’s perfectly okay. Everyone has a varied opinion about the virus, so we need to be understanding of all of them. Attendance is a personal decision, so do whatever it is that you are comfortable with, personally.
Finally, let’s all keep in mind that this holiday celebration is our favorite each year because of the outstanding talent and hard work of the Symphony League. They will host their concert and fireworks celebration for 2020 on Labor Day weekend. Hopkins County will get two fireworks shows this year, and everyone knows… we need a little extra!!! The Symphony League will host their concert and fireworks as usual in 2021; this is the only year things will look a little different.
Jettribe to host ribbon cutting celebration
Jettribe will host their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, June 24, at noon. They are located at 1120 Como Street S. in Sulphur Springs. Make plans to come by and welcome Jettribe to Hopkins County.
Business Highlight
During the year 2020, The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for June 11, the Law Offices of B. Gregg Price, P.C.
You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Corvette Club Helping With “Beat the Heat” Fan Drive
The Sulphur Springs Corvette Club dropped off 54 Fans to the Senior Citizens Center for the Annual “Beat the Heat” Fan Drive. These guys, and ladies, are always willing to help the Senior Citizen Center out every year.
Shown in Photo: Mack Pitts, Tim Gee, Karon Weatherman, David Johnson, Steve Judkins and Mike Hart. If anyone needs a Fan they can call the Senior Citizens Center at (903) 885-1661 and we will get your name of the List.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens Says Football Numbers Are Good For The Edge
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens would always like to see more players attend The Edge conditioning program, which got underway Monday in the Multipurpose Building. However all and all Coach Owens seems mostly pleased with the turnout for the first two days of the program. He says there were about 150 players in attendance on Monday with about 50 each among 11th and 12 graders, 9th and 10th graders and 7th and 8th graders. Tuesday morning Coach Owens says about 50 players again showed up for each of the first two sessions. The first two sessions take place Monday through Friday while 7th and 8th grade players take off Tuesdays and Thursdays. He says the numbers are working out well with concerns about distancing, Coach Owens did say he would like to see more junior high and freshman players in attendance.
In the past, The Edge attendance has been bolstered by players from other sports including girls. This year basketball, volleyball, cross country and tennis players who have attended The Edge at the Multipurpose Building in the past, are now at other sites with teammates.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta Offers The Edge at High School Gym
With the UIL allowing high school coaches to conduct one hour a week of skills work with their teams, coaches of several Wildcats and Lady Cats’ sports are having sessions of The Edge along with football. Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta is offering The Edge conditioning program for basketball players Monday through Friday in the Main High School Gym. Those entering 10th through 12th grades are there from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. and Middle School and incoming 9th graders show up from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. With concerns about coronavirus, obviously there is no scrimmaging or one on one drills but Coach Cipoletta says he is concentrating on working with individual players on their footwork, shooting, dribbling, passing and finishing. He says players are getting better every day. Along with the skills, Coach Cipoletta says players are working on agility, conditioning and weight lifting. He says there are about 12 players in the older group and about 21 in the younger group. Coach Cipoletta says he is also sharing a few players with football. After wrapping up The Edge for football at around 10 a.m., the players hit the gym for about 30 minutes of basketball. Coach Cipoletta says he is very excited to be back around his guys. He says working with them is special.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Commissioner Explains Request To Abandon CR 3531 Right-Of-Way
Commissioners Court Asked To Consider Signs To Better Identify Rosemont Street Buildings
Hopkins County Commissioners approved 2 road-related items and heard a request from the District Clerk’s Office regarding signage for Rosemont Street buildings. Precinct 3 Commissioner explained the request to abandon a CR 3531 right-of-way.
Granitized Road Materials
The court was asked to consider approving bids for the purchase of granitized road materials.
Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook explained that county had sought bids for granitized road materials, which is separate from earlier bids approved for road materials because it’s a different type of material. The granitized material is now available from a local contractor, but required bids be taken. Commissioners could opt to accept for all and list by precinct approval.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker noted that it’s a separate type of material that perviously had to come from Oklahoma. Commerce Sand & Gravel now has a crusher. He said he has used the granitized rock on roads and is satisfied with it. Utilizing a local vendor instead of paying to have the rock transported from Sawyer, Oklahoma would “save the county a tremendous amount of money.”
The court approved the bids as recommended.
CR 3531 Right-Of-Way
The Commissioners Court was also asked to consider approving an application and petition to close and abandon a portion of right-of-way off County Road 3531.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley explained that several years ago, potentially 100 years or so ago, the township of Weaver was platted. The streets were platted along with small lots. The streets were never developed. At some point later, county roads were built. County Road 3531 did not follow the exact plat of the streets.
Now, a piece of property is slated to be sold downtown Weaver next to the Baptist Church. A survey showed a small part of the house on that property is sitting on the county right of way. As is the underwriters for the title policy wouldn’t approve the deed as is.
A small portion of that house is sitting on that old “street.” The county road is adjacent to the street right-of-way. So, the request would not actually affect CR 3531. Because of the “street” designation, legally, the right-of-way must be abandoned in order for that to be corrected and the property to be eligible for sale.
“So we are abandoning a portion of that right-of-way that joins CR 3531 right-of-way. I would like to move that the court approve this,” Bartley said.
Barker asked if Ark-Tex Council of Governments would take that out of GPS systems.
“What I’ve run into, there are some other road in my precinct that have been abandoned, but they are still in GPS,” Barker noted.
“Well, I don’t know that this was in GPS because if was established so many years ago. It shows a street name, I can’t recall the street name right off the top of my head. But it’s not going to affect 3531,” Bartley said.
t was never questioned until now. Using modern surveying equipment, the house was found to actually sit 2 feet on the right-of-way for the formerly platted Weaver township. Instead of abandoning a portion of CR 3531, the county would be granting abandonment of the right-of-way, the Precinct 3 Commissioner explained.
The request received unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court.
Rosemont Street Sign Request
Cindy Caviness with Hopkins County District Clerk’s Office asked the court to consider adding signage to the Rosemont Street in the law enforcement center area.
“We have daily at least one person, sometimes more, who comes in looking for the sheriff’s office. A lot of times, they’ll go actually to the new courtroom. We’ve had them leave deliveries there on the front step. We’ve had them go in the courtroom when Judge Northcutt was having a court session, trying to deliver stuff. We’ve had out of county officers come, looking for the sheriff’s office — just lots of delivery people all the time. We have had that since we moved in. We’d like to have some kind of sign other than the little bitty one that’s on the north entrance,” Caviness explained.
She asked if perhaps signage could be placed outside of the courtroom that shows where the sheriff’s office is located, or a sign other at the north entrance that designates which building is the sheriff’s office.
“GPS always sends people to the courtroom when they punch in 298 Rosemont. Luckily, we have found some that the delivery people have left out and put on the courtroom door. One person left food, because they were instructed to leave food at the front entrance of the sheriff’s office. So they actually left food on the bench, and we caught them as they were getting ready to drive off and explained to them. I know the DA’s office also gets people too looking for the sheriff’s office,” Caviness explained.
Barker asked how the address for those Rosemont Street buildings was determined.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum explained that when the new law enforcement center, which houses the jail and sheriff’s offices, was opened the building kept the former address assigned to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, 298 Rosemont St., even though the new structure was construct a distance from the former HCSO.
Butch Adams, who sheriff at the time the new building was constructed, said local officials were told by the Post Office that the address would remain the same even though the new building is on the opposite end of the property and now faces Houston Street.
Barker asked if there signs could be put in place directing people to the appropriate building.
District Clerk Cheryl Fulcher explained that most people pull into the Rosemont Street complex from the south entrance because of the parking available in the lot next to the building. Rarely, she said, do people pull in the complex from the north entrance where a small sign points to the various offices in the complex.
“We’re always running out the door, trying to help people find their way that don’t come to our office,” Caviness said, suggesting perhaps a visible sign directing visitors to the sheriff’s office.
“You can actually see some of them, I think they are following GPS. They’ve go their phones open out of the car. They see all these doors with different labels and they’re saying, ‘It’s supposed to be here,'” the district clerk noted.
HCSO Chief Deputy Tanner Crump said the court had approved a court sign to go on the court building. The court sign has been built but has yet to be installed. He pledged to make contact to schedule the sign installation.
Crump said the only other solution he can think of would be to label “Jail” on the side of the Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center nearest the three Rosemont Street buildings. He cited aesthetic as cause for a big billboard saying “Sheriff’s Office this way.” He said hopefully, putting a label on the district courtroom will be enough to let visitors know that’s not part of the sheriff’s office.
Newsom recalled that when the new jail was opened, the county did approach the Post Office about the changing the address for the sheriff’s office to Houston Street, since it faces that direction.
“I don’t know that we’d systematically have an objection to changing our address. I think that there’s a lot that that would entail and the Post Office would have to cooperate. When that decision was made, we didn’t have the courthouse or the district clerk’s office or the district attorney’s office, so that’s just more things compounded on that issue,” Crump said.
“We might pursue that issue. It’d probably help more than anything. The truth is that Butch and Donna give so many people directs,” Newsom said of courthouse officer Adams and Donna Goins, administrative assistant to the county judge. “Every day we give them to get all of y’all because people come here first always, just like they are doing with y’all. It makes sense if at this time — I don’t know what it would change on your stationary. Anybody have thousands of pages with 298 Rosemont on them. That’s traditionally been our sheriff’s office, but what if we changed that, how much trouble would it be to everyone?”
Crump said he’d research the process to change the physical address of the sheriff’s office from Rosemont to Houston Street.
Bartley asked if ATCOG could potentially help with the process.
“Probably. Just off the top of my head, every database in the United States lists that as our address. It would take years probably to overcome that change and that stress would be put on the Post Office to understand that things that go there, got to both places. There’s a lot more to it, but we’re not opposed to it,” Crump said.
Newsom thanked Caviness and Fulcher for bringing the Rosemont Street buildings signage issue to the court’s attention, as it does need to be address, even if not immediately.
12 Wildcats Seniors Selected To All-District Baseball Team
District 15-5A did not have much of a sample to select last school year’s All-District Baseball Team. All six district team’s had only played one district game, one out of a planned 15, when the UIL suspected all athletic competition on March 16 due to concerns of coronavirus.
The district’s coaches decided to name all of the district senior players on each team to the All-District Team. A total of 12 SSHS Wildcats made the team. They are Jaxon Chaney, Austin Crouse, Jake Davis, Jace Evans, Kolson Hale, Jaden Janway, Reagan Kesting, Brenden Lynn, Alex Medina, Jerrod Ratliff, Will Sims and Aidan Walker.
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack said this was one of the largest senior classes Sulphur Springs has ever had. He added it was a pleasure to coach these guys and, he said, after such a tremendous start, it was a shame that they were not able to continue.
Led by very strong pitching and some timely hitting, the Wildcats had compiled a season record of 9-3-2 when play was suspended. That included a win by the Wildcats over Royse City in the only district game they were able to play.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Click here for more Wildcat and Lady Cat Sports
Wildcats Edge Conditioning Program Opened Monday With Emphasis On Player Safety
By Don Julian
This year marks the 15th year Wildcats Head Football Coach Greg Owens has had The Edge conditioning program during the summer. This year’s program, which opened Monday, June 8, at the Multipurpose Building, looked quite different in this age of the coronavirus.
Some 45 incoming 11th and 12th graders were in attendance for the day’s first session that ran from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.
The Edge featured temperature checks, distancing, wiping down of weight equipment and lots of hand sanitizer stations. Players had to bring their own water and no one was allowed to drink from the facility’s water fountains.
After temperature checks before entering, the players who were spaced out 5 yards apart, heard a 15 minute discussion of safety protocol from Coach Owens. Then, players were sent into small groups to work with assistant coaches.
Halfway through the first session, Coach Owens noted things were a little different. He said it was great seeing the kids again, who he said were excited to be there. They were so anxious, quite a few arrived well before the 8 a.m. start time.
Coach Owens said he could see some players begin to drag a little bit after the first hour. He chalked some of that up to anxiety. Coach Owens said the coaches are taking things slowly.
In opening comments, Coach Owens told the players the goal is not necessarily to work out in June, but to try to get to August so they can play some football in the fall.
The weather fully cooperated early with cloudy skies, which kept the temperature down inside the Multipurpose Building.
The Edge includes not just conditioning, agility and weight lifting, but also has a UIL approved 1- hour a day of specific sport skills. The Wildcats are trying to make up for lost time after having no spring football drills due to the virus pandemic.
Later sessions Monday took place for incoming 9th and 10th graders from 10 a.m. until noon and for incoming 7th and 8th graders from noon until 1:30 p.m.
The Edge was also going on for other sports.
Wildcats Basketball was at the main High School Gym with entering 10th through 12th graders involved from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. and incoming Middle School through 9th graders participating from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The Edge for Football and Wildcats Basketball will take place Monday through Friday until the end of July. Lady Cats Basketball and Volleyball are scheduled at the two Middle School Gyms. Incoming high schoolers will have The Edge from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Incoming 7th and 8th graders will be involved from 10 a.m. until noon.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country runners will have The Edge at Gerald Prim Stadium. Hours will be 7:15 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.
Girls basketball and volleyball and cross country will take place Monday through Thursday.
Tennis for incoming 7th through 12th graders is scheduled Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. with an additional session Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The site will be at the Wildcat Tennis Center.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Click here for more Wildcat and Lady Cat Sports
10 New Cases Of COVID-19, 1 Recovery Reported In Hopkins County June 8
Hopkins County’s COVID-19 Total Since MidMarch: 40 Cases, 32 Of Which Are Active Cases And 8 Have Recovered
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom twice Monday reported new lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Hopkins County. At 4 p.m. Monday, June 8, the judge announced 2 new cases and 1 person recovering from COVID-19. Then, at 9 p.m., Newsom announced 8 additional cases of COVID-19 case in Hopkins County. That’s 10 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Hopkins County on June 8.
The cases are reported to be from individuals in both the city and in the county. Only one of the 10 cases is reported to be in a home where another resident is or has in the past isolated due to COVID-19, according to Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley.
Newsom reported all of the tests conducted during the most recent mobile testing at the Civic Center have been accounted for. Results from testing at local nursing home are all back, with the exception of one nursing home. Those tests are still pending, according to the emergency management officials.
To the officials’ knowledge all active COVID-19 patients are isolating at home. The Local Health Authority will be checking on them to seem if they have any needs that haven’t been met.
Local officials said to their knowledge, there are no Hopkins County cases in nursing homes or the hospital.
The 10 additional cases and 1 additional recovery bring Hopkins County’s total since mid March to 40 cases of COVID-19, 32 of which are active cases, and 8 individuals have recovered.
Enola Gay Honored By Governor, Commissioners Court
KSST’s own Enola Gay Mathews received honors from the governor and was recognized by Hopkins County Commissioners Court for her continued support of the community. Enola Gay was honored with the Governor’s Yellow Rose of Texas Commission and received a proclamation of thanks for her contributions to the community from the Commissioners Court.
The Yellow Rose of Texas commission is bestowed to Texas women by the Texas Governor in recognition of those who have gone beyond measure in their communities and workplace.
The Yellow Rose of Texas recognizes exceptional community service such as volunteerism, charitable contributions, achievements related to the preservation of the history of Texas, or achievements toward improving the present and building the future.
“This is the highest honor a woman can receive in the State of Texas,” said Senior Citizens Center Program Director Karon Weatherman, who nominated Enola Gay Mathews for the honor.
Karon Weatherman presented Enola with the framed Yellow Rose of Texas commission signed by Governor Greg Abbott. Three local businesses also extended congratulations to Mathews. Sulphur Springs Floral provided a bouquet of yellow roses, Danna’s sent colorful vase of flowers, and the Millennium Shopper a Texas gift pack.
“She is very deserving,” the senior citizens center director told the packed room at Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning. Among those in present at the courthouse were her daughter, son, three of her grandchildren and several friends, along with members of Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse, Historical Society, other community organizations.
“I am undeserving of all this, but I will take it because I am a proud Texan,” Enola said. “Hopkins County is a fertile place to put down roots, raise a family and get involved. Ours is a community to take pride in, discover your interests and talents and to call home. I am glad that in 1985 we decided on a chance to move to Hopkins County. I want to thank Karon Weatherman, Garland and my kids, and all my friends for your love and support.”
Hopkins County Commissioners Court agreed. Judge Robert Newsom read a proclamation officially recognizing Enola Gay Mathews for her continued community support and involvement, and congratulating her on the Yellow Rose of Texas commission.
The judge recognized her for not only being “the voice of Hopkins County during her morning radio show, ‘Start Your Day with Enola Gay’ on KSST 1230 AM of Sulphur Springs,” but for her community involvement.
Newsom noted the interest Enola has shown in memorabilia, recordings and photos of the Reilly Springs Jamboree since 1989. That interest not only lead her to help preserve the facility, but to take over production of the Jamboree in 1995 to continue ” the legacy of providing entertainment to the community with great singers and bands who come from all around Northeast Texas to perform.”
The county judge commended Enola for her talent as a singer and writer, performing as single artist as well as part of the duo Sentimental Journey, and featuring places and people of the community in her weekly column “At the Corral Grate” in the Millenium Shopper.
Newsom noted some industry recognition Enola has received, including being named DJ of the Year in 2006 by the Academy of Western Artists in and nominated DJ of the Year by Texas Music Association in 2008. She was named a Western Swing Hero and was inducted into the Cowtown Society of Western Swing Music Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2014, she was recognized as the Hopkins County Woman of the Year.
That’s in addition to serving as a member of the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse since 2014, honorably carrying the Texas flag while riding a horse and leading parades in Hopkins County.
“Therefore, be it resolved, that the Hopkins County Commissioners Court congratulates Enola Gay Mathews and urge all citizens of Hopkins County to acknowledge the worthy recognition to such a deserving individual for her cherished communications as well as contribution to our community,” Newsom said.
“Enola, I know I can remember, and a lot of us can, when you came to Sulphur Springs, and you made a difference immediately,” Newsom said. “I want to say thank you so much. I’ve actually performed with you. I’ve performed at Reilly Springs, although not anymore — that’s behind me, I guess. Many of us in this room appreciate all the talents you put into Sulphur Springs and making a difference. It’s a better community because we have Enola Gay in it. Thank you so much.”
Newsom presented to her on behalf of Hopkins County Commissioners Court a framed copy of the proclamation.
Earl Martin, on behalf of Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse, “Whenever you joined us, a few years ago, it was our privilege to have you. On that behalf, you have enhanced the Sheriff’s Posse. You kept us in the PR and kept us happy and going. From that standpoint, you were one of the ladies, members of the Posse that we were real glad to have.”
“She deserves it. She is an icon in this town. She IS Hopkins County. She is involved and she doesn’t get the recognition she deserves. Everyone loves her,” Weatherman said.
Weatherman said Enola’s willingness and enthusiastic support of many community organizations, through her work as well as personal time, are among the many reasons she feels Enola to be deserving of the award. She did this while raising her children, and continues to be a friend to many, offering kind words and encouragement during her years in Sulphur Springs.
KSST extends congratulations to our accomplished coworker and friend Enola Gay Mathews on her Yellow Rose of Texas Commission from Governor Greg Abbott and recognition received from Hopkins County Commissioners Court and the community.
June 8 Update: 2 Additional COVID-19 Cases, 1 Recovery In Hopkins County
Hopkins County’s COVID-19 Total Since MidMarch: 32 Cases, 24 Of Which Are Active Cases And 8 Have Recovered
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8 announced 2 new cases of COVID-19 case in Hopkins County.
No additional information about the new cases are known at this time, except that they are home and isolating, according to Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley.
“We are doing very very well compared to our neighbor. Titus County was at 629, according to Titus County Judge Brian Lee’s Facebook page. We are being blessed here. We are having a few cases. They are at home. They are isolated,” Newsom said. “We need to pray for our neighbors as well as ourselves.”
The two additional cases and 1 additional recovery bring Hopkins County’s total since mid March to 32 cases of COVID-19, 24 of which are active cases and 8 individuals have recovered.
