CTE: Human Services Endorsement Changing To Family, Community Services
Students Who Want To Help Others Benefit from Program, New Practicum
Sulphur Springs High School is restructuring one endorsement area to better meet current needs and provide more opportunities for students interested in careers in fields that help people, including counselors, marriage and family therapists and personal financial advisers.
The family and consumer services program will now replace the human services endorsement plan. Currently, 43 SSHS students are following this endorsement area, according to according to SSHS Director of College & Career Readiness Jenny Arledge.
Students interested in this becoming counselors or therapists now take principles of human services as freshmen and child development as sophomores. This endorsement track varies at the junior level now, with a counseling and mental health course offering. Seniors can then take the practicum in human services.
Freshman Kenzie Willis is enrolled in the endorsement path because she likes helping people and hopes to study psychology with a goal of one day becoming a counselor or work in a similar capacity.
“I kinda want to be an abuse or crisis counselor. Just from my own personal experience, I feel the need to help other people who have been through things,” Willis said.
Willis is already getting a lot of out the principles of human services class and is looking forward to participating in the practicum class in a few years.
She said, so far, her favorite part of the class has been learning about the different ways of helping people.
“This has been a good experience for me. It helps people learn how to help others,” Willis said.
She has also benefited from lessons about health, care and wellness for the body, and how social and intellectual matters can impact that. Wellness, she’s learned, has a big impact on life, including the importance of eating right.
Willis said the class is a good one, even for people who aren’t interested in the targeted career fields. After hearing more bout the practicum program, she’s looking forward to that experience as well.
Senior Kylie Spencer has the distinction of being one of the first two SSHS students afforded the opportunity to participate in the practicum. She said while it’s kind of scary to be one of the first in the program, it’s been a fun experience.
“We have built a partnership with MHMR to allow Practicum students to shadow during their senior year,” Arledge said of the endorsement program.
Spencer interns at a local health facility, shadowing case workers, counselors nurses and health care professionasl.
Spencer admitted she is fascinated with the brain, hence her interest in a career in psychology and mental health.
Being able to shadow the professionals, seeing up close what they do, the assessments they perform, has been “helpful and enlightening.” Her favorite thing so far has been sitting in on some counseling sessions.
The practicum has not only been interesting, Spencer said, but has “helped me decide on the things that I want to do.”
“I think its good experience, especially during the practicum program because it gives you incite on it if you want to do it or you don’t want to do it. It’s just been a good experience,” Spencer said.
She encourages other students to explore options and pursue the career they are interested in. Participating in the practicum, she said, can “help you decide what to do. I just think it’s good experience overall,” Spencer concluded.
First Presbyterian Church Sign Being Installed
First Presbyterian Church should soon be able to list service information on the new church sign, which a crew was installing earlier today.
The sign was donated to replace an old sign that was in such bad shape it had to be taken down. However, the church’s initial request to the city zoning board to put up the sign was denied.
The sign required approval of a variance. The church members were told following a Nov. 19 zoning meeting the request was denied due to the size of the sign and the fact that it would or could have animated images, which was not thought consistent with the historical appearance for the property. The sign is 6.27 feet; the rule is for 6 feet.
However, Tuesday, Jan. 21, after speaking with church members and further investigation into the matter, city staff recommended granting the request to allow the church to place the sign on their property.
Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski told the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals that letters had been sent to the 12 property owners around the church who would be most impacted by the sign. Only two returned letters regarding the request, and one was undecided.
Niewiadomski said church members were not represented at the November meeting, but were present Jan. 21 to discuss the matter.
City Attorney Jim McLeroy told the board that he believed had there not been a breakdown at the meeting, which the church members did not attend, the request never would have been presented to the ZBA.
ZBA member James Litzler asked the church members if they were willing to make adjustments to meet the qualifications, including reducing the sign to six feet and asked if it would be a color to match the brick on the building.
Lee Teetes said the sign would be pretty close in color, although the exact color of the building would be hard to match. The brick on the building is more than 100 years old, the length of time the church has been on the property.
Teetes said unfortunately, the sign, which is 6.27 feet can’t be reduced in size because it has already been purchased and is stored inside the building. The $10,000 was donated and the sign was purchased and given to the church.
The city attorney said the boundary lines, which include overlays for the tax reinvestment zone, were established 10-15 years ago with the intent that additional funds would be raised from improved property values within the reinvestment zone to pay for bonds used to fund improvements on the square.
“We tried to identify properties that would have enhanced value. The whole city was affected, but some properties were more directly affected,” McLeroy said.
The church doesn’t fit into that category for increased tax value, even if significant changes were made to increase the property value because it is a church, McLeroy explained.
Litzler pointed out that any lighted sign would be out of character historically for the building due to the age of it.
After further discussion, the church was granted the variance permitting the sign to be installed at First Presbyterian Church. A crew was on site Thursday to install it.
2 Candidates Vying For Place 2 On Cumby City Council
Filing Deadline For A Place On May 2 Ballot Nearing
As of Friday, two candidates had filed for candidacy for Place 2 on Cumby City Council. Sheryl Lackey is the only candidate to file for the Place 1 on the city council.
Amber Hardy and Audri Mayo are the candidates for Place 2.
Candidate filing for Places 1 and 2 for the May 2 election will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through March 3 at the Cumby Municipal Building, at 100 East Main St. Candidate applications may also be downloaded from the Secretary of State’s website, completed, notarized and mailed to Cumby Municipal Building, arriving by the deadline, according to city staff.
The terms will be the remainder of the two-year term for Place 1 and Place 2, which end in November.
Alderman Place 1 became open when Doug Simmerman was elected mayor in November. The Place 2 seat opened with the resignation of Kristin Thompson last fall. The council on Sept. 21 appointed Audri Mayo to the Place 2 council vacancy. The council had planned to rescind that appointment at the October meeting, but Mayo resigned first. A special election was called for place 2 at the October council meeting.
Special Meeting
Cumby City Council conducted a special meeting Feb. 25 to discuss and consider possible action on pursuing a connection with Cash Special Utility District for emergency situations and providing possible water supply.
The Council did approve continuing to find out the costs for two different options: being able to get water from CSUD in emergency situations and potentially blending with the bigger system. This would start the process to consider possibilities involving Cash Special Utility District, but any decisions would have to be made after the additional information is gathered, city staff reported.
Cumby Building Collapses During High Winds
The side of a brick building on West Main Street in Cumby collapsed Wednesday and is being torn down Thursday. No one was injured.
The building at 124 West Main Street in Cumby, next to the city park, has continued to deteriorate over the years. During high winds Wednesday, one wall of the building collapsed, according to Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley.
Cumby and Hopkins County firefighters were dispatched at 10:07 a.m. to the location to ensure all utilities in the building were disconnected. Cumby police secured the area to ensure no one could enter the area, according to the county fire chief.
The building owner contracted with someone to have the building torn down Thursday, according to city and fire reports.
Dallas Man Arrested In Cumby For Suspected Cocaine Possession
February 27, 2020 – Cumby Police Sgt. Ray Embro arrested 20-year-old Tristan Lee Allman of Dallas at 11:50 a.m. Feb. 27, after finding a bag containing suspected cocaine, Xanax and a marijuana pipe in his vehicle during an Interstate 30 west traffic stop.
Embro said the beige Oldsmobile caught his attention as he was walking back to his patrol vehicle from another traffic stop at mile marker 110 on Interstate 30. The driver allegedly committed traffic violations when he illegally passed Embro.
Embro reportedly caught up to the Oldsmobile around mile marker 108 on I-30. While talking to Allman, Embro reported smelling what he believed to be a marijuana odor coming from the car. Suspecting Allman to be engaging in criminal activity, Embro detained Allman and conducted a probable cause search of the car, the CPD officer alleged in arrest reports.
Embro alleged finding a small bag containing a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine, two yellow pills suspected to Xanax and a multicolored marijuana pipe. Allman was placed under arrest. He allegedly had a plastic bag containing marijuana on him. The car was towed and Allman was taken to jail for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Allman remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Feb. 27. His bond on the felony controlled substance charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Fort Worth Man Sentenced For Theft Of Trailer From Apartment Complex
A 41-year-old Fort Worth man was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in a state jail for a 2019 theft of a trailer from a Sulphur Springs apartment complex.
Rusty Allen Fisher was stopped on State Highway 11 by troopers around 9:30 p.m. March 27, 2019 for not having brake or trailer lights. The vehicle’s registration also reportedly expired in February 2019. When asked by the trooper why the unit he was driving didn’t have a front license plate, Fisher allegedly told the trooper he took possession of the trailer from another man to work on it but had no knowledge of the trailer’s contents nor did have a key to open it, the trooper alleged in March 2019 arrest reports.
Fisher and the passenger reportedly gave conflicting stories about where they got the trailer. Fisher allegedly claimed they got it from a house behind the library, while the passenger said they picked the trailer up from behind some abandoned apartments near Interstate 30. Fisher claimed he didn’t know why his daughter gave a different story about the trailer. When asked, the trooper reported, Fisher was unable to produce a registration or any proof of ownership for the trailer. Then, Fisher claimed he was actually repossessing it, but didn’t have a license to do so, the trooper alleged in the 2019 arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police went to the apartment complex to check out the passenger’s story. The complex owner at that time was contacted and allegedly told police she was in the process of selling the complex, along with a an enclosed trailer containing $15,000 to $20,000 worth of tools and remodeling materials. She told authorities no one was supposed to have the trailer, the arresting trooper wrote in arrest reports. Consequently, Fisher was jailed on a felony theft charge and on a Tarrant County theft warrant, according to jail reports.
Fisher was arrested March 27, 2019 and remained in Hopkins County jail until May 21, 2019. He was scheduled at 1:30 p.m. March 26, 2020 to appear in the 8th Judicial District Court for sentencing on the charge.
He was taken into custody and jailed at 2:17 p.m. Feb. 26 by Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Sgt. Richard Greer, after being sentenced to 18 months in a state jail on the felony theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Saltillo High School “The New Margo” Advances
Saltillo High School One Act Play advanced to Bi-District round. Their production of “The New Margo” by Stephen Gregg earned the advancing position from District 24A and three individual acting awards.
All Star Cast Award honors go to Bianca Castro and Graycie Hodges. Ofelia Cabrera earned Honorable Mention honors.
The next round takes place March 24 at the Sulphur Springs ISD Auditorium. Performance times will be announced after the District 23 competition next week.
Architect, Demolition Company Approved By Hospital District Board
Chapter 381 Tax Abatements Granted BY HCHD To Pine Forest, Dike solar farms
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors approved Chapter 381 Economic Development Tax Abatements for two solar farms, and selected an architectural firm for a new EMS headquarters/Hospital District Building and a company to demolish three houses on Airport Road.
EMS/District Facility
The requested information was posted seeking qualifications for potential architects to design a new EMS headquarters/Hospital District facility, to replace the current building, which has outlived its life span and is in need of many repairs.
Brent Smith, chief operating officer for HCHD and director of EMS, reported both architects who responded are “very qualified.” He said he would be happy with either BRW Architects or REES to design a new District and EMS headquarters.
Board member Kerry Law asked if either one was more expensive than the other and if Smith had a projected ballpark price for the project.
Smith reported BRW has been recognized in magazines for several national awards for their architectural work. The firm is reported to be a bigger operation, which could potentially cost more, Smith said without more solid plans he could not be certain but anticipates the cost to be around $2-2.5 million.
Smith said he will be attending a conference in May which will help provide additional information regarding architectural design for public safety facilities.
The suitability of the proposed site, near the current location, was discussed. Law noted there to be a pipeline along that area and expressed concern it might present a problem for construction.
Steven Hudson with EST Inc. said it would depend where on the district property the new building is planned. One big factor is that a significant portion of the proposed site is in a flood plain.
Adam Panter is with REES. Panter is originally from Hopkins County and known for his work on a downtown structure as well as a local funeral home and other structured in town. That would make him more familiar with the area and its needs, Hudson and the hospital district officials noted.
Hudson also pointed out that working with REES would also likely mean some jobs going to people in Hopkins County.
Dr. David Black recommended selecting REES for the project based on the local factor and Panter’s past work experience with the community. Law agreed, provide an agreement can be met regarding REES’ fee. The measure passed, with one board member abstaining from voting.
Demolition Work
The Hospital District Board after discussion approved Garrett Demolition of Burleson for demolition of three structures on Airport Road on district-owned property. Garrett’s bid of $37,875 was the lowest of the three received, and also included a pre-demolition asbestos survey but excluded fill dirt. The next lowest bid by Underwood Sand and Gravel was for $46,414 and MS Landscaping bid $68,000, according to HCHD CEO/CFO Ron Folwell.
Attorney Tommy Allison asked if by excluding the fill dirt had Garrett met all specified terms in their proposal.
An asbestos survey will be required and permits stating the area is clean of asbestos, officials noted. If asbestos is found, it would need to be removed prior to demolition. Board member Chris Brown pointed out a state law requiring the asbestos check anytime the property is within 500 feet of a government one.
The board approved Garrett Demolition’s bid, with one abstention, provided the company’s references are verified and the additional top soil cost is considered.
Tax Abatements
The Hospital District Board was asked to consider approving Chapter 381 economic development tax abatements for Hopkins Energy LLC and Pine Forest Solar I, LLC. The hospital district is the last of the local taxing agencies to consider granting a tax incentive to the solar farms. The county commissioners court and school districts’ board of trustees have all approved tax incentives for both solar projects.
The Pine Forest project is slated to get started in April and the other in mid-summer if all other required items and preparations move forward as proposed. In the past, tax abatements were for 100 percent. This left no impetus for the business receiving the abatement to provide certain information proving the terms required for the abatement were and continued to be met for the length of the agreement, EDC Executive Director Roger Feagley told the hospital district board.
The solar program would be for 30 years and would provide only two full-time employees who would be responsible for maintenance of the solar farm, including cleaning and replacing panels. The hospital would receive full tax on the appraised value for the last 20 years of the project, which would include some depreciation as the panels and equipment age.
Board member Joe Bob Burgin said he didn’t see the benefit of the agreement to the hospital; there are only two employees and only able to collect full appraised taxable amount after the project begins depreciating. He said he’d also heard there’d been a number of complaints from residents regarding solar farms in their neighborhoods.
Feagley said the main solar project to receive “push back” from the community was the proposed Arbala project.
A community meeting held at Como-Pickton school regarding the proposed Pine Forest Solar project was well attended. Only one family attended the meeting at Sulphur Bluff school and they indicated they were in favor of the the project.
Several community members attended a December 2019 public hearing at Sulphur Springs ISD regarding Solemio solar project in Arbala to voice concerns regarding the project. That is a more populated area, with more residences in the area. One measure proposed to address the concern that having a solar farm so close to properties would decrease values was to plant more trees between the panels and the homes, the EDC representative noted.
Burgin asked how much of the area around the proposed solar farms in Dike and Pine Forest is residential. Feagley noted that area is more sparsely populated, where the Arbala area is more heavily populated, just at the edge of town near a housing development.
Attorney Tommy Allison, talking earlier with Brown regarding the proposed agreement, had suggested a few minor changes, one stipulating action if property taxes are defaulted. There would be a 30 day period to allow the property owner to take care of it.
Land on which the farms are proposed currently is considered agricultural, but as the project progresses would be considered commercial. That would net more tax dollars than an agricultural property, it was noted.
Board member Chris Brown asked who would be responsible for paying the tax on the property if the solar plant is built. Feagley noted the property owners would, but it’s his understanding they were made aware of that before agreeing to let the land be used to put solar panels on.
Burgin expressed concern for property values of those living near solar farms, that it would cause their values to decrease.
Brown made the motion that both Chapter 381 Economic Development Tax Abatements be approved, provided the requested minor changes are approved, per the attorney and hospital.
The measure passed by a majority vote, with one vote against, granting the Chapter 313 agreement for the proposed Dike and Pine Forest solar farms.
Chamber Connection- February 27, 2020
Guess what time of the year it is? Oh yes! It’s Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament time! Letters have gone in the mail this week for the 31st Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. Save the Date for Friday, April 10th at Sulphur Springs Country Club, and let us know right away if you would like to have a team. It’s a wonderful tournament to be shared with friends and family!
The Chamber is offering something brand new for the business community of Hopkins County. We are currently accepting individuals to participate in the Chamber Book Club: A Leadership Journey. This book club will focus on six different business-influenced books to provide an intentional path for leadership growth. Topics studied will include what to look for in establishing a team, performance habits, leadership styles, and how to have crucial conversations with your team. There will be no cost except for price of the books, and the capacity for the club is 20. If you have even a tiny bit of interest, call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515! We can tell you all about it, and we would love to welcome you on this leadership journey!
Sulphur Springs Library presents Hopkins County Reads
The Sulphur Springs Library is hosting their last Hopkins County Reads program on Thursday, February 27, at 6 p.m. They will welcome Ken Hanushek, PJC history professor, to talk about past Olympic inspirational moments along with the wonderful book, “Boys in the Boat,” by Daniel James Brown. Don’t miss it!
Main Street Theater Presents Death by Chocolate
The Main Street Theater Community Players Presents Death by Chocolate. Performances will be Friday, February 28 and Saturday, February 29, Friday March 6, and Saturday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m..; Sunday, March 1 and Sunday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m. Online reservations can be made at www.communityplayersinc.com or by calling (903) 885-0107. Main Street Theater is located at 225 Main St. in Sulphur Springs.
Workforce Solutions is hosting the 2020 Career & Community Resources Expo
Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas is hosting their 2020 Career & Community Resources Expo on Tuesday, March 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ROC, located at 116 Oak Ave. in Sulphur Springs. Registration is free and a great way to find the perfect candidate for your job opening and to promote your organization to hundreds of job seekers. Space is limited! For more information call (903) 885-7556 ext. 414.
SatPro is hosting a re-grand opening
SatPro Wireless Technologies is hosting a re-grand opening at their new location, 942 Main St. in Sulphur Springs, on Wednesday, March 11, at noon. Make plans to come see all the new items SatPro now has to offer.
Cypress Basin Hospice is hosting a Cornhole Tournament
Cypress Basis Hospice is hosting a Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, March 14, at Caps & Flasks in Sulphur Springs. The tourney begins with a warm-up at 10 a.m. and a start time at 11 a.m. There is a $50 entry fee per team, and the first-place team takes home a $500 cash prize. For more information and to register, visit www.cbhospics.org or [email protected].
HC Health Care Foundation Hosting Spring Fashion Show
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation and Lou Nell’s are hosting their Spring Fashion Show on Tuesday, March 17, at 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs. The show begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at Lou Nell’s or by calling the Foundation at (903) 438-4799.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office hosting Reintegration Informational Meeting
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a Reintegration Program for Hopkins County. They will be having an informational session about the Reintegration Program to explain the benefits of hiring an ex-offender through the Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas. This session will be held on Thursday, March 19, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Lunch will be provided.
Jettribe will have a Launch Banquet event
Jettribe will have a Launch Banquet on Thursday, March 19, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Cedar Canyon in Sulphur Springs. This event will serve as the new release of the 2020 sport wear line with a fashion show, prize giveaway, food, and DJ music. RSVP is requested by March 12. For more information contact [email protected] or by calling (214) 709-3523.
Wynar Unique Senior Living is hosting their ribbon cutting
Wynar Unique Senior Living is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration on Friday, March 20, at noon. Their location is 143 Lee St. in Sulphur Springs.
Ribbon Cuttings
Cornerstone Insurance hosted their ribbon cutting celebration on Friday, February 21, at noon. They are located at 2104 Monroe St. in Commerce.
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 February 27, Cooper Lake State Park.
