Chamber Connection- April 9
Here are a few things I wanted to share with you today…
I’m seeing some of the most beautiful and heartwarming things happening in our community. We have such good people doing such good things. Keep it up, my friends… I think we are in for a long haul. But don’t think about the long haul, just think about today. How can I make today awesome for someone? My youngest spontaneously wrote a message to her daddy in chalk on the driveway. All it said was, “You are amazing.” That’s all it took … happiness won. We are just looking for the good, and it abounds.
Texas A&M-Commerce to host Virtual Career Fair, April 16
Students, alumni, and community members are invited to attend Texas A&M-Commerce’s Virtual All Majors & Teacher Career Fair on April 16 from 12-7pm. More than 50 hiring entities will be in attendance to recruit candidates for full-time jobs and internships. Register today at http://tamuchirealion.easyvirtualfair.com. If you have questions about the fair, please contact Bethany Ferrall at [email protected]. If you are an alumni or student who needs a resume review or help with your job search, please visit tamuc.joinhandshake.com to set up a resume review appointment with your career coach.
Here is an update to life as we know it right now, and it is changing quickly!
Chamber of Commerce
We are postponing our Chamber Golf Tournament to Friday, June 19. Our lobby is closed to visitors at this time. We have forwarded our phones and will be answering them Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Chamber will be closed on Friday, April 10, for Good Friday.
Restaurants
All restaurant sit-down dining has been halted until April 30. Most have moved to curbside service and some are even offering home delivery. Just call ahead and visit with your favorite restaurant, and they will bring your food out to you. You can also visit “Takeout Together” on Facebook and Instagram. This is a place where restaurants are publishing current information and items they are offering.
Banking
Most financial institutions have closed their lobbies are banking by appointment. Most transactions can be handled online, and they are also available by phone.
Shopping
Most clothing stores are offering online shopping, curbside pickup, and even doorstep delivery. Please, please don’t forget about your favorite place to shop during this time. They are all fearful and need your help!
Groceries
Our grocery stores have changed their hours of operation. They are closing at nigh to disinfect and re-stock shelves. They are also limiting quantities of items that you can purchase. Hopefully, this will help distribute goods in a more effective manner.
Pharmacies
Our pharmacies are open. Some have closed their lobbies but can be reached through the drive through or curbside service.
Museums, Theatre
All museums are closed to the public. Most of them still have staffers and can be reached by phone. Main Street Theatre is also closed.
Library, Senior Citizen Center
Closed indefinitely. Meal-A-Day is still making daily deliveries.
Hotels
All of our hotels are open for business and have increased their cleaning protocols.
Energy Companies
Our energy companies have closed their lobbies to visitors but can be reached by phone if needed.
Insurance Companies
Most of our insurance companies have closed their lobbies, but they are open and goin strong by phone and email.
Hospital
For the safety and health of the community and ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among patients, associates, and guests.
- 1) Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
- (1) Visitor per patient
- Visitors must be between the ages of 16 years-old and 65-years old
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7am to 7pm (subject to change)
- NEW effective 4/6/2020: ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
School Districts in Hopkins County
All school districts in Hopkins County have moved to online learning.
SSISD: Free Meals Provided by SSISD
As of Tuesday, March 17, SSISD Food Services is providing FREE meals for ALL SSISD students AND any community children who are between the ages of 1-18. Meals will be available for pick-up each Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. until further notices. Students will be able to pick up one breakfast and one lunch meal at this time. Students do not have to attend any one of these campuses to participate. Pick-up areas will be curbside grab-and-go and will be held at the following locations across
Sulphur Springs:
- SSES (Lee Street bus lane)
- Bowie (Mockingbird Lane student drop off/pick up lane)
- Bush (South bus lane circle to awning), and
- Douglass (Calvert Street awning).
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office, Civic Center
Both are open with limited staff.
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 April 9, Jeff’s Carpet Cleaning.
Hicks: Navigating Tough Financial Times During The COVID-19 Pandemic
By Johanna Hicks
In addition to health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals and families are also having to deal with unexpected financial concerns. For many people, the situation has been just as difficult — possibly even more difficult — from a financial standpoint, according to Joyce Cavanagh, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist in family economics and disaster assessment and recovery, College Station. Many have had their hours cut or have been temporarily or permanently laid off, and this has added another layer of stress at an already hard time.
Cavanaugh suggests the following to help the financial situation:
- Establish a spending plan and prioritize: It is important to recognize fixed, variable, discretionary and occasional expenses so you can organize your cash flow, prioritize those expenses and determine which you may or may not be able to pay. You also need to understand the possible consequences of not paying certain bills. Many utility companies, service providers, corporations and others are now making allowances for the current financial situation by offering payment extensions and other options for easing some of the financial stress. Cavanaugh says, “If there’s one specific piece of advice I’d give people in financial straits or anticipating hard times financially, it would be to contact their creditors, explain their financial situation and see if the creditor is making allowances or offering some sort of temporary relief. One of the main things you want to do is lighten your overall debt load wherever possible, but you don’t want to just ignore your bills as that could be to your long-term financial detriment.” She noted, however, if unable to pay some bills, then the bills having the highest priority are “survival” expenses, such as food, shelter, utilities and work-associated expenses.
- Look for additional ways to save: Be sure you look at each expense and see where you can eliminate anything you don’t need, like extra movie channels on your cable or satellite service or home services you’re paying for that you or never use. While some U.S. industries have been hard hit by coronavirus pandemic, others are adding jobs and there may be opportunities there. Cavanagh said depending on the situation and risk comfort level, this may also be a good time to re-examine and re-evaluate insurance coverages for home and auto. “You probably don’t want to take the risk of eliminating health insurance, but as far as home and auto insurance go, you might be able to reduce some coverage or go to a higher deductible for a lower rate,” Cavanaugh states.
- Who to trust – and not trust: There are scammers who will try to take advantage of people during the current crisis — both in-person and online — including those who claim to represent legitimate financial institutions, service companies or charitable organizations. Follow the same protections you would in normal times but be even more vigilant as scammers and defrauders view a crisis or disaster as a moneymaking opportunity. Precautions include not sharing personal information in-person, online or by telephone with someone you don’t know; not responding to or opening unsolicited links, texts or messages; or opening attached documents unless the sender has notified you. Be suspicious of any special ‘promotions’ being offered, especially those requiring an immediate response, and only deal with merchants, providers and charities you know to be reputable.
- Extension resources for tough financial times: The Texas Extension Disaster Education Network, or Texas EDEN, contains links for information and resources relating to finances. Visit the website at: https://texashelp.tamu.edu/
Hopkins County Family And Community Health Facebook Page
While you are perusing your social media, be sure to “like” the Hopkins County Family & Community Health Facebook page. I attempt to add daily posts dealing with topics varying from youth activities to food safety. I am aiming for the goal of 300 “likes” by the end of April. You will see articles, pictures, and posts on local happenings, as well as great information too improve your health and wellness. Give it a try!
Closing Thought
Wash your hands. Health matters!
What To Know Before Taking On A Backyard Poultry Flock
By Dr. Mario Villarino
Backyard chicken flocks for meat or egg production are a growing trend among rural, suburban and even urban dwellers, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
Craig Coufal, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension poultry specialist and associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Poultry Science at Texas A&M University, said increasing numbers of consumers want to know the source of their food. Producing eggs and poultry at home is part of that movement.
There are a number of considerations for backyard poultry beginners before they start a flock, he said. There is a range of informational resources available to prospective and established backyard poultry producers, Coufal said.
Investing in a barnyard flock is an upfront and ongoing expense. So, owners should consider what their expectations for the flock will be. Is it for the satisfaction of producing your own eggs and/or meat? Is it to make a profit or reduce the food bill?
“I will tell you now that it’s cheaper to go to the grocery store and buy eggs,” Coufal said. “But there is something about having homegrown eggs. It’s like producing your own vegetables, and I understand that. But it takes commitment and work to produce meat and eggs on a break-even scale much less turn a profit. But it can be done.”
Good nutritious feed helps egg-producing hens “build” their eggs, Coufal said. Even free-range chickens should be provided supplemental feed if producers want to maximize egg production.
“A young egg-producing breed should be producing an egg a day at around twenty-five weeks,” Coufal said. “That tapers off as they get older, but you will maximize production if you provide the right amount of protein, nutrients and vitamins to their diet and help the hen build her egg.”
Chickens can live for many years, but their egg production will reduce as they age. So maximum egg production, and thus reduced cost, is achieved with younger hens. If the backyard flock is producing for commercial sale, owners should know the applicable rules and regulations governing the operation, he said. Backyard producers in urban or suburban areas should also look at applicable regulations regarding chicken numbers and noise and odor abatement before investing time and money.
“Backyard flocks have grown in popularity over the last several years,” Coufal said. “It’s fun and satisfying work, but there is a lot more to it than just buying some chicks and collecting eggs.”
Coufal said it’s important for backyard flocks to include birds from reputable sources. This reduces the chance of buying incorrect sexes depending on production desires and birds that could be carrying disease without showing any symptoms.
Look for National Poultry Improvement Plan, NPIP, certified hatcheries, Coufal said. Many reputable poultry producers can be found online and will deliver vaccinated chicks. When purchasing ask for documentation regarding disease testing for diseases like Pullorum-Typhoid, Coufal said.
Buying from certified growers also reduces the possibility of exposing an existing flock to a disease when new birds are introduced.
For more information about this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Anonymous Donor Sends Lunch To EMS
Redneck Bar & Grill was contacted by KSST early this week to help an anonymous donor send lunch to paramedics and EMTs on duty at Hopkins County EMS. Zane Darling, owner of Redneck said, “This was a selfless act of an individual to thank those serving our community during these tough times.” He continued by saying his staff was proud to prepare and deliver the meals. EMS Director, Brent Smith accepted the meals on behalf of his staff, as they were all out on calls when the delivery appeared. Smith said, “he and his staff were honored that someone would think of them during this crisis.” He also stated that, “his staff is proud to continue to serve the community, even during this tough time.”
Our medical professionals are working harder than ever and on the front line of this pandemic. KSST was proud to help facilitate this kind gesture from someone who has had a good past experience with our local EMS. In this rare moment of our lives, consider the plight of others as we all fight this crisis. Check on your neighbors and co-workers, friends and family, and realize there are those having to fight this fight head-on.
SSPD: Sulphur Springs Man Arrested For Running From SCU Investigators
A 29-year-old Sulphur Springs man arrested for running from police Monday morning, claimed he runs from police every time they contact him, officers alleged in arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Department Special Crimes Unit officers reported attempting to detain the man for pulling on the front doors and entering back yards at multiple residences in the 600 block of Texas Street around 8:50 a.m. April 6. When Lt. Mark Estes got out of his patrol vehicle and identifying himself as a police officer, the man allegedly began to evade him, according to arrest reports.
The man reportedly entered his residence. SCU Lt. Estes and Sgt. Joe Scott located the man hiding in a bedroom and took him into custody. The 29-year-old Sulphur Springs man allegedly admitted he and at least one other person were looking to steal cigarettes. He then admitted that he runs from police every time they make contact with him, the SCU officers alleged in arrest reports.
Consequently, the 29-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested on the Class A misdemeanor charge of evading arrest or detention. However, Hopkins County jail records show April 6 to be the only time the man has been booked into the county jail.
The incident was one of three times local officers were involved in attempting to locate someone who fled from officers, according to arrest reports.
A man allegedly ran from Sulphur Springs Police around 12:50 a.m. on Calvert Street. A sheriff’s deputy brought a canine to assist police in their efforts to locate the fleeing man, according to police and sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County sheriff’s patrol officers and investigators also were called on at 12:21 p.m. April 6 to assist Commerce Police with a vehicle pursuit that entered Hopkins County on State Highway 11 west. At 1:08 p.m., they reported the were unsuccessful in locating the fleeing suspect, according to sheriff’s reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
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.
Paris Junior College Joins Online East Texas Giving Day
On April 28, Paris Junior College will join over 143 nonprofit organizations throughout north and east Texas as part of East Texas Giving Day.
For the third year a generous anonymous donor has stepped up to match up the first $5,000 raised. Pre-scheduled gifts began coming in on Monday, April 6.
“On April 28, from 6 a.m. to midnight, PJC Alumni, former students, friends, businesses, and everyone with a passion to help others are invited to make a gift, large or small, at www.easttexasgivingday.com/pjc to invest in the lives of our students,” said Derald Bulls, PJC Director of Institution Advancement and Alumni Affairs. “By logging in at this web address, your gift is directed specifically to PJC.”
“Gifts to the PJC Memorial Foundation will go to the greatest needs fund,” college President Dr. Pam Anglin said. “In challenging times like these, the basic needs of PJC students continue to grow and we want to assist our students in reaching their goals.”
In past East Texas Giving Day campaigns, 23% were first time donors; gifts were received from 42 individuals, businesses and foundations and ranged from $25 to over $1,200; 73% of donors were female and 83% were 45 or older; 98% of donors said they would participate in East Texas Giving Day again if asked; organizations with matching gifts raised 64% more than those who did not; 57% accessed ETGD.org using a smartphone/android (up from 49% in 2018); and 55% learned about East Texas Giving Day through the nonprofit they were donating to.
Coordinated in the region by the East Texas Community Foundation, the 2019 campaign grossed $1.3 million for the nonprofit agencies who took part. Paris Junior College finished as the No. 19 organization overall based on total funds raised (of 158 organizations). In addition, there are several local non-profit organizations in Lamar County who will be conducting parallel campaigns for their own causes.
Paris Junior College has set a 2020 Giving Day goal of $12,500 on April 28. Gifts are tax deductible and may be made with a cell phone, iPad, desktop computer, laptop computer, or any device with internet accessibility at the website listed. If preferred, a check may be mailed to Derald Bulls, PJC East Texas Giving Day, 2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, TX 75460-6258. Gifts from local donors or cash gifts may be made by contacting Bulls at 903-782-0276 or [email protected].
The college will use its social media channels to encourage East Texas Giving Day participation and is asking those who use social media to like, share, or forward messages to help spread the word, or forward emails about the campaign to their friends
“Every gift makes a difference for our students and their ever-changing needs,” Bulls said.
Texas WIC Expands Eligible Foods, Launches Updated App
AUSTIN – Texas Health and Human Services announces Texas WIC, the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, is expanding the number of food items eligible for purchase through the program. It is also updating the MyTexasWIC app to ensure Texans who need access to nutritious food will be able to find it in their local grocery stores.
“Grocers assure us they can meet this increased demand and have supply chains ready to respond,” said Dee Budgewater, HHS deputy executive commissioner for Health Developmental and Independence Services. “The Texas WIC team is working around the clock to ensure families have access to healthy food, which is one of the best ways to support mothers and growing children and help them achieve a greater sense of health and well-being.”
Effective immediately, there are additional options for certain food items WIC participants can buy. These food items include more options for milk, bread, rice, pasta and eggs. In addition, Texas WIC is permanently adding canned fruits and vegetables to the food package. Items at the grocery store with a pink sticker that says “WIC Approved” are products eligible for shoppers to purchase using WIC.
WIC participants can find detailed information on the Texas WIC website. WIC participants can also download the latest version of the MyTexasWIC shopping app on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, which informs families what the allowable food items are on their benefit package.
Texas WIC is operating under modified services throughout the state to help keep clients and staff safe. Families may call their local WIC clinics to learn more about how they can receive services. Visit the Texas WIC website or call 800-942-3678 to find how your local clinic is handling local services.
Many have modified their services and applicants are encouraged to start their applications online to protect office workers and practice social distancing precautions.
Texas State Parks Will Be Closed To The Public Today Due to COVID-19
At the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas State Parks will be closed to the public effective at the close of business Tuesday, April 7 in order to maintain the safest environment for visitors, volunteers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will continue to stay current with the latest public health recommendations and will announce when a definite reopening date has been determined.
“Given the myriad of challenges and heightened risks of operating the parks at this time, we believe this is the best course of action right now in order to meet the health and safety expectations the state has set out for the citizens of Texas,” said Carter Smith, Executive Director of TPWD. “All state parks will remain temporarily closed until public health and safety conditions improve. During the closure, staff will continue to steward and care for the parks to ensure they can be immediately reopened to visitors at the appropriate time.”
Outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, biking, jogging, walking, hiking, wildlife viewing and the like are essential activities for Texas citizens. TPWD will continue to do its part to actively encourage and promote these opportunities in ways that are safe and close to home, said Smith.
Through this trying time, TPWD has worked diligently to facilitate access to the outdoors across the state, including in the state park system, which hosted nearly 740,000 day and overnight visitors throughout the month of March.
Despite the implementation of increasingly restrictive visitor use measures to help minimize the transmission of COVID-19 at parks, TPWD has reached a point where public safety considerations of those in the parks, and in the surrounding communities, must take precedence over continued operations. Difficulty in ensuring compliance with social distancing, problems in maintaining adequate supplies and keeping park facilities sufficiently sanitized are only a few of the challenges encountered by state park staff.
While parks are closed to the public, staff will be working to help maintain the standard upkeep, maintenance, stewardship, and continued regular cleaning of site facilities.
The Texas State Parks Customer Service Center is currently working toward contacting customers with upcoming overnight reservations to reimburse stays booked through the reservation system. Group and facility reservations have been cancelled until April 30. Cancelled reservations will not be charged normal administrative fees.
Day passes purchased through the reservation system, not associated to the Texas State Parks Pass, will also be refunded without penalties. The Texas State Parks Customer Service Center will automatically process cancellations of both overnight and day-use reservations. If your reservation is impacted by a facility or park closure, a Customer Service Center agent will contact you – you do not need to contact us. We are contacting customers in order of arrival date and appreciate your patience.
Questions regarding state park reservations can be emailed to [email protected] and general park information can be found at TexasStateParks.org.
Sulphur Springs City Council To Consider Minor Curfew, Election, Step Plan For SSPD
Due to COVID-19 social distancing and closed lobbies measures in place, the regular April meeting of Sulphur Springs City Council will be conduced online, and can be viewed by the public online starting at 7 p.m. tonight. The agenda is relatively short agenda, and includes for City Council consideration a curfew ordinance for minors, resolution to postpone the May 2 election and a step plan for Sulphur Springs Police Department.
Council Election
The city was slated to hold a special election on May 2 to fill four seats on the City Council, vacated in December with the resignations of Place 1-3 and Place 5 council members, and a regulation election for Places 6 and 7.
The regular election May 2 city Council Election was canceled when Doug Moore and John Sellers were unchallenged in their bids for reelection to Places 6 and 7 respectively.
Only two of the four special election races are opposed. Harold Nash Sr. is unchallenged for Place 2 and Oscar Aguilar is unchallenged for Place 3 on the Council. The four candidates for Place 1 include:
Both candidates for Place 5 include:
The https://www.ksstradio.com/2020/03/governor-extends-school-closures-implements-essential-services-activities-protocols/Governor’s March 31 Executive Order for Texans to stay safe at home unless working at an essential business or involved in an “essential” activity, observe social distancing and keep schools closed to the public could potentially allow voters to cast ballots on May 2 if the order is not extended, but would Monday-Friday, April 20-28, in the Sulphur Springs Municipal Building located at 201 North Davis St.
Keith Ingram, Director of the Elections Division in the Office of the Secretary of State, last Thursday notified many elections officials by email that, noted that the Executive Order too prevents election officials from securing polling places, recruiting election workers, and allowing voters a safe way to exercise their right to vote. Going ahead with the May 2 election instead of postponing it could subject voters to health risks from COVID-19 and potential criminal violations, according to Ingram. Thus, the SOS official reported, those who have not moved their May elections must take action immediately to do so. The approved date for postponed elections is Nov. 3.
Sulphur Springs City Council are slated to discuss tonight and consider approving a resolution postponing the special City Council election until Nov. 3.
Curfew for Minors
Sulphur Springs City Council are also slated to conduct a public hearing, and discuss and consider approving on second and final reading Ordinance No. 2762, which amends Chapter 15 of the Code of Ordinances by adding Article VII, setting curfew hours for minors.
This issue was raised in December by a couple of downtown business women, concerned about the number of middle school aged youth congregating around downtown unsupervised on weekends and late at night, making threats to fight each other, knocking over trash cans and potentially putting themselves in danger. The women asked for the city’s help regarding the issue.
City Attorney Jim McLeroy drafted and proposed at the January meeting an ordinance setting a curfew for minors to address issues of citizens feeling unsecure and potentially unsafe conditions for unaccompanied minors after hours. The proposed ordinance was tabled twice, with additional information sought and some revisions requested.
The ordinance, as proposed, would apply to all unaccompanied youth younger than 16 years who are in public and would be effective from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday-Sunday.
Exceptions to this policy would include emergency, work, being in the company of a guardian, running errands for a parent or guardian, if the minor is exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States
Constitution, or married or has been married. The youth would be allowed to be on the sidewalk outside the home or neighboring residence as long as the neighbor doesn’t report them to the police.
Also an acceptable exception is if the minor is attending “an official school, religious, or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the city, the Sulphur Springs Independent School District, a civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor, or going to or returning home from, without any detour or stop, an official school, religious, or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the city, the Sulphur Springs Independent School District, a civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor.”
A public hearing to the ordinance will be conducted during the 7 p.m. April 7 meeting. If the council chooses to approve the ordinance, the curfew for minors would go into effect on May 1, according to the proposed ordinance.
Public Forum
Anyone who would like to speak during public forum should call 903-439-3705 and provide their name and address during the meeting as instructed at the appropriate time.
Other Agenda Items
The April 7 council agenda also includes an ordinance amending and updating a pretreatment ordinance, a new step plan for SSPD, consider a motion to reject bids for the water treatment plant Clearwell Modification and PH enhancement.
