Large 4-H Member Participation at 2020 NETLA
Increased 4-H participation at NETLA show reaps benefits
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX- The last week of February in Hopkins County is always a big deal. Every year the Northeast Texas Livestock Association facilitates a huge livestock show that allows FFA and 4-H kids residing in Hopkins County to bring their livestock projects consisting of Beef Steers or Heifers, Swine, Goats, Lambs, and Poultry projects. This gives the kids the opportunity to show the animals and show the public their hard work and dedication to agriculture.
Hopkins County 4-H had 53 participants this year, which in turn resulted in 36 of our kids making the Sale of Champions on Saturday, February 29th. Several of our contestants brought home prestigious awards such as Reserve Grand Champion honors in their species, plus Championship Showmanship awards as well. The 4-Hers that participated in the 2020 NETLA Show are as follows:
Tayden Horton; Isaac Ray; Penelope Deterding; Rolando and Roman Massey; Ethan George; Yuri Avdibegovic; Hannah Bledsoe; Kinsley and Miley McCormack; Kannon and Kollyn Gibson; Anderson and Aiken Grimes; Jackson Lundell; Camerson Endsley; Addilyn Moore; Harper Hodges; Abigail Davis; Jacy Barnett; Valerie Flecker; Ayden Fhylabn Ortiz; Alexa Mendez; Cross Phillips; Aspen Mayhew; Destiny Lackey; Anndi Jones; Jadi Jones; Kate Monk; Maggie and Micah Flemens; McKenna Post; Maddox Potts; Rhye Caudle; Kaden Mabe; Emma Eddins; Madeline DonJuan; Adrian DonJuan; Maddi Skaggs; Dodge Chamness; Brooks Burgin; Chloe and Cole Willis; Madison Kellogg; Reese, Ramsey, and Ryan Ragan; Rayne Stovall; Mika Gray; Bayler and Brett Boatman; Seth Johns; and Samantha Smith.
The staff at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office would like to say congratulations to all our contestants, and we want to say how proud we are of all your hard work and dedication to your projects! If anyone has any questions about joining our Hopkins County 4-H please feel free to contact the office at 903-885-3443.
Jessica Taylor
Assistant County Extension Agent- Hopkins Co.
Paddle Boat, Canoes Other Options Could Be Available At Coleman Lake Soon
Visitors to Coleman Lake could in the near future have more recreational options available to them on site. Sulphur Springs City Council during their March meeting this week agreed to allow a “non-motorized sports concession” at the lake, according to Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
City officials were approached by John Ilaoa about offering the additional recreational services at the park. The non-motorized water rides may be hauled in each day they are offered on a trailer to the site on the bigger section of the lake and made available for rental from about 10 a.m. until 1 hour prior to sunset daily, with the exception of Sundays, according to Niewiadomski.
Sulphur Springs City Council also during the March 3 meeting approved four proposed ordinances. Ordinances receiving council approve on second and final readings were:
- Annexation only the city-owned portion of the former Luminant/Thermo mine properties into the city limits;
- Authorization for issuance and sale of combined tax and revenue certificates and related documents to fund improvements at Pacific Park and a new Senior Citizens Center, with interest rates reported to be at 1.79 percent; and
- A 20-year franchise agreement with Atmos Energy Corporation which allows the business to offer its services in Sulphur Springs and requires the Atmos to pay annually, “a sum of money which shall be equivalent to five percent (5%) of the Gross Revenues.”
The fourth ordinance regarding youth curfews drew the most discussion, but ultimately received the council’s approval on first reading at Tuesday’s meeting, according to Niewiadomski.
A few community members addressed the council and police also were asked to speak about the matter, according the community development director.
The curfew would only affect unaccompanied youth ages 15 years and younger, and would be from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and form 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday-Saturday. The ordinance as proposed includes a sunset provision, which would allow the council to review the ordinance in April of 2022 to determine whether any changes are needed. Otherwise, it would remain in effect, city staff reported.
The council held an executive session prior to the start of the regular meeting to discuss matters related to the city secretary. The council in open session agreed to give City Secretary Gale Roberts, who recently earned Texas Registered Municipal Clerk Certification, a pay raise.
Niewiadomski gave a presentation regarding urban sprawl and possible antidotes for the issue of cities funding the infrastructure needs resulting from urban sprawl. He reportedly presented the videos on the topic and discussed individual property values and the affects of lot frontage analysis on city budgets.
The council approved the independent audit for fiscal year 2018-2019.
The General Election for Places 6 and 7 on the council was canceled, Doug Moore was unopposed for Place 6 and Mayor John Sellers was unopposed for Place 7. Those names will not appear on the May 2 ballot.
Harold Nash is also unopposed for Place 2 and Oscar Aguilar is unopposed for Place 3 on the May 2 Special Election. Their names will appear on the ballot, as will the four candidates (Jay W. Julian, Mark Bradley, Vanessa Diosdado and Justin M. Brown) for Place 1 and two candidates (Ricardo Chavarria and Gary Spraggins) for Place 5.
Places 6 and 7 are for full terms on the council. Places 1-3 and 5 are for unexpired terms of council member who resigned in December.
Sulphur Springs ISD Tax Office Closure
The Sulphur Springs ISD Tax Office, along with all SSISD Schools, will be closed next week for spring break. Mark you calendar for March 9th, 2020 through the 13th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Sandra Gibby, Tax Assessor-Collector for Sulphur Springs ISD
631 Connally St. Sulphur Springs, Tx 75482
903-885-2153 X 1111 903-439-6161 fax
Como-Pickton OAP Advances In Competition, 7 Cast Members Recognized
The Como-Pickton theater students’ One Act Play advanced this week to the next level of UIL competition.
Seven students received individual recognition as well. Makayla Teer and Nathan Menser were honored as All Star Cast, and Madison Garner was named Best Performer.
Troy Menser, Makayla Hall, Braxton Andrews and Breckin Storey received Honorable Mention All Star Cast honors.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused of Continuous Sexual Abuse Of A Child
A 64-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed Wednesday night for the alleged continuous sexual abuse of a young child, according to police reports.
The alleged victim, a child younger than 14 years of age, reportedly made an outcry to a Sulphur Springs Independent School District employee. Child Protective Services personnel and Sulphur Springs Police Department were contacted around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to SSPD Detective Sgt. Jason Reneau.
An interview was immediately scheduled with the child at the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, according to Reneau, who was at the facility when the interview was conducted Wednesday evening.
Based on information gleaned and the fact that the suspect was a family member of the child, a judge was contacted after hours regarding a warrant, according to the police detective.
Upon obtaining the warrant, SSPD officers reportedly went to the Sulphur Springs residence of Benito Lucio-Moreno and took the 64-year-old into custody about 9:30 p.m. March 4 on the continuous sexual abuse of a child warrant, according to Reneau.
SSPD Officer Nick Floyd transported Lucio-Moreno, who is also known as Benito Moreno Lucio, to the county jail, where he remained Thursday morning, according to arrest and jail reports.
Lucio-Moreno was released from Hopkins County jail on Friday, March 6, 2020. Bond on the first-degree felony charge was set at $100,000, according to jail reports.
Chamber Connection — March 5, 2020
By Lezley Brown, CEO/President Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
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!
Guess what time of the year it is? Oh yes! It’s Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament time! Letters have gone in the mail for the 31st Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. Save the Date for Friday, April 10, 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!
Main Street Theater Presents Death by Chocolate
The Main Street Theater Community Players Presents Death by Chocolate. Performances will be Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. as well as 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 Street in Sulphur Springs.
Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel hosts monthly meeting
Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel hosts their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 10, at 10 a.m. at The Oaks Bed & Breakfast located at 516 Oak Avenue in Sulphur Springs. Angela Price and Corley Weatherford will present the program on Internet Safety for Adults, Teens & Children. All retired school personnel in the area are invited & encouraged to attend.
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 Avenue 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 Street 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 12th. For more information contact [email protected] or by calling (21) 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 Street in Sulphur Springs.
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 March 5, East Texas Physical Therapy.
How Prevent Spread Of Rabies From Wildlife To Humans
By Dr Mario Villarino
Many wildlife diseases are transmissible to humans. Diseases such as rabies and plague are familiar to many people, but there are other, lesser known diseases that also are significant to human health.
Persons who often come in contact with wildlife should be aware of these diseases and take precautions to minimize the risk of infection. Even without contact with wildlife, some diseases can be transmitted by ticks or fleas or by ingestion of contaminated food and water. Anyone who engages in outdoor activities should know about disease prevention methods.
Rabies, sometimes called “hydrophobia,” is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. Rabies is normally transmitted to humans from the bite of a rabid animal or from the saliva of a rabid animal entering the bloodstream through open cuts or scratches.
Only warm blooded animals are susceptible to the rabies virus. In Texas, the most commonly infected wild animals are skunks, bats, coyotes, raccoons and foxes.
Rabid animals cannot always be identified easily. Any animal that seems abnormal in appearance or behavior, acting either overly aggressive or unusually tame, should be avoided. There is the possibility of rabies exposure with any wild animal bite or attack, so if this occurs the Texas Department of Health should be contacted.
Cattle with furious rabies can be dangerous, attacking and pursuing people and other animals. Lactation ceases abruptly in dairy cattle. The usual placid expression is replaced by one of alertness. The eyes and ears follow sounds and movement. A common clinical sign is a characteristic abnormal bellowing, which may continue intermittently until shortly before death.
In North America, distinct virus variants are responsible for rabies perpetuation in red and Arctic foxes in Canada and Alaska, raccoons along the eastern seaboard from Maine to Florida, and gray foxes in the southwest, including Arizona, Colorado, and Texas.
Two different variants are responsible for rabies in striped skunks, one in the south central states and the other in the north central states, which often extends into the Canadian prairies. Another skunk rabies virus variant is found in California.
By comparison, the epidemiology of rabies in bats is complex. In general, each variant found in bats may be characterized with a predominant bat species. Spillover from bats to other mammals is seen infrequently. Most human cases of rabies in the USA in the past decade have been caused by bat rabies virus variants (especially viruses associated with Lasionycteris noctivagans, the silver-haired bat, and Perimyotis subflavus, the tricolored bat).
Rabies has the highest case fatality of any infectious disease. When a person is exposed to an animal suspected of having rabies, the risk of rabies virus transmission should be evaluated carefully. Risk assessment should include consideration of the species of animal involved, the prevalence of rabies in the area, whether exposure sufficient to transmit rabies virus occurred, and the current status of the animal and its availability for diagnostic testing. Wild carnivores and bats present a considerable risk where the disease is found, regardless of whether abnormal behavior has been observed.
Insectivorous bats, though small, can inflict wounds with their teeth and should never be caught or handled with bare hands. Bat bites may be ignored or go unnoticed, so direct contact with bats could be considered a risk of virus exposure. Any wild carnivore or bat suspected of exposing a person to rabies should be considered rabid unless proved otherwise by laboratory diagnosis; ideally, this includes bats in direct contact with people, such as those found in rooms with sleeping or otherwise unaware persons.
Wildlife, including wolf hybrids, should never be kept as pets; if one of those animals exposes a person or domestic animal, the wild animal should be managed like free-ranging wildlife
Any healthy domestic dog, cat, or ferret, whether vaccinated against rabies or not, that exposes (bites or deposits saliva in a fresh wound or on a mucous membrane) a person should be confined for 10 days; if the animal develops any signs of rabies during that period, it should be euthanized and its brain promptly submitted for rabies diagnosis. If the dog, cat, or ferret responsible for the exposure is stray or unwanted, it may be euthanized as soon as possible and submitted for rabies diagnosis.
Since the advent of testing by immunofluorescence microscopy, there is no value in holding such animals to “let the disease progress” as an aid to diagnosis.
For more information on this or any other animal health issue contact your veterinarian.
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report
Date: March 3, 2020
To: City Council
From: City Manager Marc Maxwell
Subject: Manager’s Report
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT — We are having problems with the blowers, serious problems. Two of the three blowers developed vibration problems and have now become inoperable. There have been some vibration issues since installation last August.
Recently the issues became bad enough to render the units inoperable. One of the units is still operating, but there are signs of vibration with it as well. I have instructed Utilities Director James Jordan to locate a portable blower just in case we need it. I have instructed the City Attorney to file claims on the contractor’s (Gracon Construction) surety bonds.
GRAYS’ BUILDING – We had an estimator figure the cost of the building. As it is designed the cost will be about $1,000,000. We are trying to get that down to about $850,000. We can do the site work ourselves and make a few minor design changes and I think we’ll be there. In about 30 days we should be ready to either send it out to bid or to solicit qualifications for a construction manager at risk.
WOODBRIDGE – We still need to remove the temporary street, but the drainage/street project is completed.
BELLVIEW STREET – The Capital Construction Division has returned to Bellview, and water main construction is underway.
CONNALLY STREET – The sidewalk on the north side of the street is almost
completed. We focused on the north side first because that side is funded by a TxDOT grant and we need to finish soon. We will begin on the south sidewalk next.
S.H. 11 WIDENING (LIFT STATION) – This project is nearly completed. We
replaced a lift station and sewer main along S.H. 11. TxDOT paid for almost all of it.
The next phase of the S.H. 11 project will require the relocation of a sewer force-main and a water main. The city will bear much of the cost on the next phase.
CLAIMS – A Water and Sewer Division employee was struck by a very high pressure sewer main cleaning hose causing lacerations to his chest. This had the potential to be quite serious, but fortunately it looks like he will be returning to duty soon.
Also, a Parks and Recreation employee backed into another vehicle causing damage to it.The claim has been submitted to TML.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will not give a year-to-date report of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Removed a mop head from the Cantex lift station.
- Replaced a chemical controller on the fountain pump.
- Replaced lights at the senior center.
- Passed a TCEQ inspection of the wastewater treatment plant with no findings!
- Repaired 7 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 10 water meters.
- Unstopped 27 sewer mains.
- Repaired 4 sewer mains.
- Washed 80,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Opened Sulphur Springs Flood Gates 12 times due to rain.
- Treated 124 million gallons of potable water.
- Responded to 167 fire/rescue calls including 0 structure fires 4 grass fires, and 1 vehicle fire.
- Performed 34 fire inspections.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 78 fire hydrants.
- Began removing outfield fence at Pacific Park.
- Mowed Coleman Dam.
- Made 7 major street repairs following utility repairs.
- Repaired 270 potholes.
- Closed Gilmer Street for Kansas City Southern railroad to make a repair.
- Installed 850 feet of water main on Bellview.
- Conducted 15 building inspections, 15 electrical inspections, 23 plumbing inspections, 2 mechanical inspections and issued 20 building permits.
- Sold 2,727 gallons of AvGas and 6,566 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Checked out 2,754 items from the library and an additional 719 eBooks.
- Responded to 150 animal control calls and achieved a 91% adoption rate.
- Responded to 2,993 calls for police, recorded 55 offenses, wrote 540 traffic citations, made 69 arrests and responded to 45 accidents in the patrol division.
- Made 8 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
SSHS Wildcat Theatre’s OAP Advances To Bi-District UIL Competition
The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Theatre’s production of “Emma’s Child” advanced from UIL One Act Play District competition Tuesday to Bi-District with an excellent performance, according to Lesha Woodard, Director of Theatre.
Four members of the theatre group also earned individual awards for their outstanding contributions to the production.
Rachel Bramlett and Anthony Arroyo were awarded All-Star Cast. Chase Berry was awarded Honorable Mention All-Star Cast. Anayeli De La Cruz, stage manager for the production, was awarded Outstanding Crew Member.
Emma’s Child focuses on Jean and Henry Farrell, played by seniors Rachel Bramlett and Chase Berry. The Farrells, after years of unsuccessfully attempting to have a baby of their own, decide to adopt. Emma, portrayed by sophomore AllieGrace Woodard, is the birth mother who approves of the Farrells to adopt her child.
Then, they begin awaiting the birth of their child. When the time arrives, it is not a happy occasion, however, as baby boy Robin is born hydrocephalic and will not live long. Jean falls for this child anyway; the attention she pays to Robin not only threatens to tear her marriage apart, but causes trouble at the hospital as well. Her best friend Franny, played by junior Rorie Young, and some loving nurses, portrayed by juniors Anthony Arroyo and Hannah Shultz, help Jean as she deals with the ensuing problems.
Junior Haylee Fletcher and sophomores Emilie Gotcher, Caleb Talmage, and Lucy Braddy round out the cast.
Rounding out the troop are as Technical Stage Manager is sophomore Brandon Williams and the technical team consisting of senior Alex Walker; junior Gregg English; sophomore Heather Horne; and freshmen Danielle Verlander, Ricardo Chavarria, Markida Hood and Khira Young.
SSHS Wildcat Theatre students will perform next at Bi-District competition on March 26 in Whitehouse.
(Courtesy SSHS Wildcat Theatre Department)
Tira News — March 4, 2020
By Jan Vaughn
The Tira City Council meeting, which was scheduled for March 2, 2020, had to be cancelled, due to several members being unable to attend. It will be rescheduled, but the date has not been determined, yet.
Robert Henson, Tira Volunteer firefighter, did routine maintenance on the Tira fire trucks over the weekend. We appreciate the service that the volunteer firefighters provide for our community.
Linda Ellen Vaughn, Chip’s sister, came from Dallas on Thursday evening and stayed at our house with Chip’s mother, Grace, through the weekend.
Chip and I went to visit our son, Delayne Vaughn, in Waco on Friday. We met him and had a delicious lunch at Ninfa’s Mexican Restaurant, and then Chip did some updates and repairs on his house, while Delayne was at work
that afternoon. The next day, Chip worked a while longer, and then we went out for a wonderful Cajun meal.
That afternoon, Chip and I drove back to Rockwall and did a little shopping. We stayed at The Harbor Saturday night and had dinner by the lake at the Rodeo Goat. They have a great variety of burgers. In spite of the wind on Sunday, we enjoyed strolling along the walkways by the lake that morning, before returning home by way of Greenville, where we had lunch.
It was a wonderful weekend get-away!
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact
me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected]
