Senior Center Within $1,600 Of Fundraising Goal For New Furnishings
Although city residents voted for funding to be used to help construct a new senior citizens activity center, there’s still quite a bit of work to be done before construction can begin.
Asbestos abatement and demolition of the existing structure on the future Oak Avenue site, and hiring an architect to design the building are among the steps still to be taken. Sight and survey work are needed before those things occur as well, according to Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
While city officials are overseeing those efforts, the Senior Citizens Center Director of Programs and Marketing Karon Weatherman and other community members are busy continuing to raise funds to help pay for furnishings for the new facility, once it is built.
Weatherman explained fundraising has been ongoing for a while. Initially, the plan was to trying to raise $1 million to construct a new building. The city during the last election asked voters to approve using up to $200,000 per year to help repay a bond note to apply toward construction of a new Senior Citizens Center and improvements at Pacific Park.
When voters approved the proposal, the fundraising goal shifted from collecting money for building construction to raising funds for furniture and other items needed inside the new structure.
A fundraising goal of $100,000 was set for that part of the project. As of Thursday, the center fund was only $1,589.29 shy of the goal. This will allow tables, chairs, desks and shelving to be installed, possibly new stoves and refrigeration for the Meal A Day program and events.
Weatherman said some furniture such as the round tables inside the current center could potentially be salvaged but new chairs are already needed. The ones in the facility are aging, with cushions that are worn out and can’t be easily replaced due to their construction.
Donations may be made at the Senior Citizens Center, 150 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Don Julian's List of Top SSHS Sports Stories for 2019
Below is a recap of Don Julian’s list of Top 16 SSHS Sports Stories for 2019. Click on each link to find out why Don Julian selected these as his top stories for 2019.
#16 Lady Cats Soccer makes the playoffs.
#15 Wildcats Team Tennis makes the playoffs.
#14 Lady Cats Basketball makes the playoffs.
#13 Wildcats Soccer makes the playoffs and gives Jacksonville a scare in bi-district.
#12 Lady Cats Golfer Mariam Tran qualifies for the Regional Golf Tournament.
#11 Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country runners both qualify for the Regional Meet.
#10 The Wildcats Golf Team qualifies for the Regional Tournament.
#9 Seven Wildcats and six Lady Cats qualify for the Regional Track Meet.
#6 Numerous Wildcats and Lady Cats sign letters of intent to compete in college sports.
#5 Lady Cats Volleyball makes it to Area round tying best finish by a Lady Cats Volleyball Team.
#4 Wildcats Baseball Team sweeps Hallsville in bi-district making it to Area.
Here’s to even more highlights in 2020.
Woman Reportedly Held For ICE Following Traffic Stop
A 52-year-old woman was jailed early Thursday morning on a hold for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, according to arrest and jail reports.
The woman, identified by an El Salvador ID card but reported to have been living in Emory, was in a 2009 Cadillac stopped just before 4 a.m. Jan. 2 on State Highway 19 south at County Road 1106 for a traffic violation, a deputy alleged in arrest reports
A records check revealed the woman to be sought by ICE for failure to appear for removal, according to arrest reports. Communications operators at the sheriff’s office contacted ICE personnel, then transferred the call to the deputy’s phone. After speaking with the ICE personnel, the woman was reportedly transported to Hopkins County jail, to be picked up at a later date by ICE personnel, a deputy alleged in arrest reports.
1 Lot Of Mirtazapine Recalled Due To Label Error
Individuals who take Mirtazapine will want to take note of a recall issued this week for one lot of the antidepressant medication due to a label error which could result in consumers taking the wrong strength of tablets.
Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc., is recalling lot number 03119002A3 of Mirtazapine tablets because bottles labeled as Mirtazapine 7.5 mg may contain 15 mg tablets.
Mirtazapine tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder and are packaged in 500 count bottles. Taking a higher dose than expected, may increase risk of sedation, agitation, increased reflexes, tremor, sweating, dilated pupils, gastrointestinal distress, nausea and constipation. Unexpected levels of sedation, in particular, can contribute to falls in the elderly or motor vehicle accidents in adults, the recall announcement states.
The affected lot number for both Mirtazapine tablets 7.5 mg and Mirtazapine tablets 15 mg are 03119002A3, Exp 03/2022. The product can be identified by checking the product name, manufacturer details and batch or lot number on the bottle containing these products.
The company is notifying distributors by letter and arranging for return of all of the recalled product. Distributors and retailers that have any of the recalled product should return the bottle(s) to place of purchase.
Consumers with medical questions regarding this recall or to report an adverse event can contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. by phone at at 1-866-850-2876, Option 2, or by email at [email protected].
General questions regarding the return of this product may be directed to Qualanex at 1-888-504-2014 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday CST or anytime by email at [email protected]
SSPD: Car Pulled From Lake Sulphur Springs New Year’s Day Confirmed Stolen
The car pulled out of Lake Sulphur Springs New Year’s Day has been confirmed as a 2001 Honda Civic that was reported on Feb. 6, 2008 to Greenville authorities as stolen, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson.
The car was located by anglers using sonar on the lake during the holidays. They contacted authorities. Paris Fire Department dive team members were contacted. They went into the cool water January 1st, 2020 to confirm that the mass identified using sonar was indeed a vehicle. Benson Brothers, using two towing vehicles, then pulled the car out of the lake, the police chief reported Wednesday.
While officials suspected the car to be stolen, they were not able to confirm that until Thursday morning, according to Ricketson. The license plates with the vehicle didn’t match the car they were on, which meant additional work by police using identifying information on the car.
On Thursday, Sulphur Springs police were able to track information indicating the car was likely one that’d been reported to authorities as stolen in 2008 from a Greenville address. They confirmed the 2001 Honda Accord was reported to have been stolen Feb. 6, 2008, from Greenville. The car will be turned over to a confirmed registered owner, according to the police chief.
Parking Project In Progress At Sheriff's Office
The New Year at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office started Thursday with a new project in progress at the sheriff’s office. County employees and inmates are creating four additional parking spaces behind the building near the sally port.
“We are utilizing some dead space to create some additional parking. We’ve had a little parking congestion. This should help a little with some of that,” said Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum.
The project, overseen by Bobby Woodard, includes ground work utilizing Precinct 4 equipment and manpower. Work began Thursday morning to break up concrete curbing and gravel that filled a strip separating the paved area along the railroad tracks between the sheriff’s offices and sally port at the back of Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center.
Once the ground work is complete, concrete will be poured for four parking spaces to be used by administrative employees of the sheriff’s office, such as the sheriff and chief deputy and investigators. That should free up four spaces elsewhere for public or other employee parking.
“We have trustees who know how to pour concrete so we’re going to have them do that while we have them here,” Tatum said.
Funding for the project has been allocated from the seizure fund, the sheriff said.
And the gravel removed from the property won’t go to waste. It’s being taken to Hopkins County Regional Civic Center for use there, according to Tatum.
Wildcats Soccer Opens Regular Season at Prestigious Frisco Tourney Thursday
After four scrimmages and practices since December 2, the Wildcats Soccer Team finally opens the regular season Thursday, January 2, in a prestigious tournament, Frisco ISD’s Dr. Pink Varsity Soccer Tournament.
The Wildcats open against El Paso Montwood at 4 p.m. Thursday on Toyota Field #9. The Wildcats play El Paso Eastlake and Amarillo Caprock on Friday.
The tournament will continue through Saturday.
SSPD: Attempt To Locate Wanted Person Results In Location of Suspected Methamphetamine, 2 Arrests
An attempt by local officers to locate a wanted person Wednesday night didn’t reveal the sought individual, but did reportedly turn up suspected methamphetamine and two felony arrests, according to police reports.
William James Ragsdale 
Rodney Edward Petrea Jr.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Zachary Brown reported that while police were searching a Calvert Street residence, they entered a room and found two males. Inside was the resident, 55-year-old William James Ragsdale and 28-year-old Rodney Edward “PJ” Petrea Jr. of Sulphur Springs. Petrea was allegedly sitting in a chair beside a dresser, holding narcotics paraphernalia in his hand. Suspected narcotics were allegedly observed by the officer to be in plain view on a dresser. Petrea, who was arrested recently on similar charges, was taken into custody.
Ragsdale allegedly told the officer the room was his and allowed the officer to search it for any further contraband. Numerous amounts of narcotics paraphernalia and more than 4 grams of suspected methamphetamine were allegedly located in the room, resulting in both men being arrested just before 10 p.m. Jan. 1, Brown alleged in arrest reports.
Both Petrea and Ragsdale remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Jan. 2, on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge each, according to arrest and jail reports. Bond was set at $40,000 bond each on the second-degree felony charge, according to jail 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.
Chamber Connection For Jan. 2, 2020
Would you like to recognize an Outstanding Educator?
By Lezley Brown, CEO/President Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
Here is your chance … the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee wants to allow all Hopkins County Citizens to nominate their candidates for “Outstanding Professional Educator” (administrator, counselor, diagnostician or teacher) “Outstanding Para Professional Educator” (secretary or aide) and “Outstanding Auxiliary Educator” (maintenance, custodial, transportation, nurse or cafeteria). \
You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 110 Main St. and then either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than Dec. 31. Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected], and our mailing address is also 110 Main St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize a special educator!
Nominations for Large and Small Business of the Year
Please submit your nomination for Large Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year. Nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 110 Main Street and either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than December 31st. Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected] and our mailing address is 110 Main Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Additional Chamber of Commerce Banquet Nominations
Many other awards are presented at the Chamber of Commerce membership banquet (Feb. 13, 2020). Aside from the awards mentioned above, nominations are also being accepted for:
- Citizen of the Year — Chamber of Commerce, 110 Main South, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
- Woman of the Year — Beta Sigma Phi Organization, P.O. Box 72, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Caregiver of the Year — The Pilot Club, P.O. Box 131, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Community Pride Award — Adult Leadership Class, 110 Main St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
- Agriculturist of the Year — Agri-Life Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, Sulphur Springs TX 75483
- Growth and Renewal — DBA, 109 Jefferson St. East, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Each of these nominations should be submitted in writing and mailed to the above-mentioned address.
Hunt Regional is offering Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on Jan. 23, in the Spring Village Shopping Center in Sulphur Springs. All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call (903) 408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
Chamber Offers Wonderful Boost For Business
Joining the Chamber is such a wonderful boost for your business. Have you been thinking about joining the Chamber but wondering what the benefits are? Here are just a few of the reasons being a member of the Chamber of Commerce is helpful to you:
- Listings in the Membership Directory with community history and profile (distributed to 7,000 people)
- One copy of the Membership Directory (published annually)
- Chamber Online Directory Listing & mini website
- Ribbon-cutting, Grand Opening & Anniversary Celebration promotion opportunities
- Low cost education for businesses through Lunch + Learns and seminars
- Business After Hours hosting opportunities
- Certificates of Origin for international trade
- Member-only opportunities for display space of printed materials at the Chamber of Commerce
- Member-only opportunities for promotion distribution at Chamber-sponsored events
- Advertisement opportunities in the weekly Chamber Connection publication
- Partner-to-Partner discount program opportunities
- Unlimited opportunities for business networking
- Business advocacy at the local, county, state, and national levels
- Credibility and visibility in the Hopkins County area
- Advertising Opportunities in the Membership Directory
- First-hand customer referrals
If you are ready to join or renew with the Chamber, give us a call! We’d love to welcome you to the Chamber family! Call Lezley or Jaci at (903) 885-6515 for more information.
Don Julian's Top 16 SSHS Sports Stories For 2019 Continues With #1-2
By Don Julian
A review of the sports files recently produced a list of 16 top stories involving Wildcats and Lady Cats teams during 2019. The list began running Monday, Dec. 23, and will continue through the first day of the New Year, with additional . On Jan. 2, a story will provide the entire list of 16.
#2 SSHS Sports Story: Lady Cats Track Star SaDavia Porter Qualifies For State Meet in 100-Meter Dash
My #2 story of 2019 involving SSHS sports is Lady Cats Track standout SaDavia Porter qualifying for the State Track Meet in the 100-meter dash.
Porter committed to UT Arlington in November 2018. She had a great senior year on the track in 2019, culminating in a trip to State. At District, Porter won both the 100 and the 200-meter and ran a leg on the Lady Cats 4X100 meter relay team. She qualified for the Area Meet in all three. Porter also qualified for Regional in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4X100 meter relay at the Area Meet. Porter’s second place finish at Regional punched her ticket for the State Meet. She qualified for State on the same track she now runs on at UTA.
Porter’s Lady Cats Track Coach Derek Tyson said Porter had real good workouts getting ready for the State Meet. The State Meet’s 100-meter dash on May 10 featured a field of 9. Porter’s time was seventh best in the field. She ended up 6th with a time of 12:03. Coach Tyson said she did a great job. He called the 100-meter runners fast and an elite field
My #2 SSHS sports story for 2019: SaDavia Porter qualifies for the State Track Meet in the 100-meter dash and finishes sixth best in state.
#1 SSHS Sports Story: Wildcats Basketball Team Earns a Trip to the State Tournament
My #1 SSHS sports story for 2019 is the Wildcats Basketball Team’s sensational season that culminated with a trip to the State Tournament.
The doubters are hard to find now, but they were out there when three projected Division I caliber players transferred from Sulphur Springs High School before the start of the 2018-2019 season.
Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta had a different idea. The next three men needed to step up and, that’s what they did.
Several ranked Class 6A teams became Wildcats victims. Somehow the Wildcats managed to go 10-0 in district play. Leading scorer Keaston Willis missed seven of those games with an injury. For several of those games, #2 scorer Day Day Hall was also out. Still the Wildcats found ways to win close, tight games.
In the playoffs the Wildcats defeated John Tyler in bi-district, Midlothian in Area, Lufkin in the Regional Quarterfinal, both Highland Park and Frisco Lone Star at the Regional Tournament and it was hello San Antonio and hello State Tournament. The Wildcats 16-game win streak did end with a State Semifinal loss to San Antonio Wagner. The Wildcats season record was 29-9.
By the way, the Wildcats have started the 2019-2020 season like a state return is a real possibility.
The Wildcats marvelous run to the state tournament is my #1 SSHS sports story in 2019. Here’s hoping for even more highlights in 2020. Happy New Year.
