TxDOT Urges Drives To ‘End The Streak’ Of Daily Deaths
November 7, 2019 marks grim anniversary of the last deathless day on Texas roadways
AUSTIN — Julian Ekpanya will someday smile while reeling in his first fish. He will experience the joy of hitting his first Little League home run, learn to ride a bike and eventually take a prideful walk across a graduation stage. But his father won’t be there for any of it.
Julian’s father, Endy, was a Pearland police officer responding to a call on a Sunday morning, when his patrol car was struck head-on by a wrong-way, drunk driver. He died on the way to the hospital. He was 31.
“Julian is five now, and he’s started asking me, ‘When is Daddy coming home? Where is Daddy?’,” said Lucy Lugo Ekpanya, Endy’s widow. “I tell him that Daddy is on a very important mission, he is protecting us, he is our hero and he lives in our hearts. He is in Heaven.”
Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on roadways in Texas. That means for 19 years straight, at least one person has died every single day. Texas Transportation Commission and TxDOT officials held a press conference in Houston today, launching the annual #EndTheStreakTX campaign that asks all Texans to join the effort to end this deadly 19-year streak.
An average of 10 people die every day in crashes in the state, prompting Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan to issue a public challenge at today’s press conference. Announcing her “Texas Tag 10 Challenge,” Ryan urged the crowd to tell 10 people about #EndTheStreakTX, and then have each of those 10 tell another 10, causing a wave of commitment and a surge of support for ending the fatal trend.
“I want to challenge everyone here to tell 10 people right now about #EndtheStreakTX,” Ryan said. “Take out your phones and let them know that you need their help to #EndtheStreakTX. Text them this message or share it on social media and tag at least 10 people. Challenge them to share the message with 10 of their friends, and so on. Let’s not have a 20th anniversary next Nov. 7th.”
TxDOT is asking people to share personal stories of loved ones lost in car crashes on their social media pages using photo and video testimonials with the hashtag, #EndTheStreakTX. The agency also will post statistics for the public to repost on social media outlets to help share this important message.
“We all have the power to end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways,” Ryan said. “And while we are committed to invest in the best engineering practices to make our roads safe, we also need drivers and passengers to act more responsibly and help us end the streak of daily deaths on our roads to reach our goal of zero deaths by 2050.
TxDOT will dedicate an additional $600 million for more safety improvements along Texas roadways over the next two years. The effort includes widening some roads and adding rumble strips that alert drivers if they are veering out of their lane or off the road. We will also add reinforced shoulders and select turn lanes, and deploy new technology that will increase safety on the entire system of roads.
In May, the Texas Transportation Commission approved a goal aiming to end all fatalities on Texas roads by 2050, with an interim goal to reduce them by half by 2035. Texans can play a major role in ending fatal crashes with a few simple driving habits: wear seat belts, drive the speed limit, put away the phone and other distractions, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“It’s heartbreaking to know that every day for the past 19 years someone has lost a spouse, child, friend or neighbor on our state’s roadways,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “Ending this daily death streak is a shared responsibility. While we are committed to continue making improvements to our highway system, we all must work toward ending preventable crashes caused by drivers including distracted driving, speeding and drunk driving. Let’s make it a priority to be safe, focused and responsible behind the wheel. Let’s end the streak.”
Since Nov. 7, 2000, fatalities resulting from vehicle crashes on Texas roadways have numbered almost 67,000. The leading causes of fatalities continue to be failure to stay in one lane, alcohol and speed. To decrease the chances of roadway crashes and fatalities, TxDOT reminds drivers to:
- Buckle seat belts – all passengers need to be buckled
- Pay attention – put phones away and avoid distractions
- Never drink and drive or do drugs and drive –get a sober ride home
- Drive the speed limit – obey speed limits and drive slower when weather conditions warrant
Economic Outlook Conference 2019 To Be Held At Civic Center Dec. 4
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce and Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation present Economic Outlook Conference 2019 at from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 4, at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
The keynote speaker will be Christopher Slijk, assistant economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. As a member of the Research Department’s regional group, Slijk’s work focuses on economic growth in Texas and the 11th Federal Reserve District. Slijk is a Certified Business Economist by the National Association of Business Economics and has a BA in economics from Cornell University.
“We are thankful to have the opportunity to bring a new voice and opinion to the Economic Conference, and we are certain the Economic Outlook Conference will be very informative to attendees,” said Lezley Brown, Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.
The Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation present this program every year for the community with help of sponsors. Chamber of Commerce members are invited to be sponsors for this year’s conference.
The luncheon will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Civic Center. Tickets for the event are $20 each.
To sponsor the Economic Outlook Conference let Brown know before Friday, Nov. 22. Tickets area also available and questions may also be directed to Brown at 903-885-6515 or [email protected].
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Gives Forney All They Want In Heartbreaking Area Loss Thursday Night
In the end, Forney just made a few more plays than the upstart Lady Cats Volleyball Team as the Lady Rabbits survived an Area game, 3-2 at Canton Thursday night, Nov. 7.
The Lady Cats won the first two sets, 25-22 and 30-28. Forney then took the next two, 25-11 and 25-19. The fifth and deciding set was close right until the end. Forney only led 12-11 before putting away the last three points to take the match with the 15-11 set five win.
Just as in the stunning 3-0 win over Hallsville Tuesday night, the Lady Cats played some of their best volleyball of the season in the Area game Thursday night. Junior Sadie Washburn had another beastly game getting 22 kills. Senior Sydney Washington had 10 kills. Sophomore setter Peyton Hammack had 36 assists. Hammack and sophomore libero Parris Pickett had 15 digs. Sophomore Brooklyn Burnside had seven blocks.
After some tearful farewells with several of her seniors, Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner said her girls worked hard and she added she was proud of them. The Lady Cats end the season with a 24-18 record.
The Lady Cats will lose seniors Erika VanBenthem, Aliyah Abron, Sydney Washburn and Kaylee Malone.
Eight members of the playoff roster are expected to return: sophomores Pickett, Burnside and Hammack and juniors Sadie Washburn, Czhela Moya, Nylah Lindley, Bre’Asia Ivery and Caroline Hurley. Other sub-varsity players are expected to challenge for spots on the varsity next year.
After an inconsistent, up and down season, the Lady Cats ended by playing their finest volleyball of the season for Coach Dorner on the the big stage of the playoffs.
CPS Investigation Leads To Methamphetamine, Sulphur Springs Woman’s Arrest
Sulphur Springs police arrested a 37-year-old Sulphur Springs woman after finding suspected methamphetamine at her residence Thursday afternoon, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police and Special Crimes Unit officers were requested shortly before 3 p.m. by Child Protective Services personnel, who requested their assistance in an investigation at a Helm Lane residence. Upon arrival, the police office reported talking to and receiving Stefani Dawn Adkins’ permission to search her residence.
During the search, officers alleged drug paraphernalia and a small amount of a white, crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine were found. Consequently, Adkins was arrested for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
She remained in the county jail Friday, Nov. 8. Bond was set at $5,000 on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
1 Arrested in Hopkins County For Dallas County Trailer, Auto Parts Thefts
A 46-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested at a rural residence, where sheriff’s officers reported finding at least $14,000 worth of property that was reported earlier this month to Dallas Police Department as stolen, according to arrest reports and investigators.
Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies at noon Nov. 7 received information about stolen property possibly being housed at a County Road 3502 residence. Deputies contacted Paul Shane McCool at the residence. McCool reportedly told them he was renting the residence and had only lived there for a few weeks, according to arrest reports.
Deputies contacted the property owner and obtained permission to search the property for stolen items, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Chaney and Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford noted in arrest reports.
The sheriff’s officer located a cargo trailer with items on top of it, which officials believe were strategically placed in an effort to obscure the trailer from view of drones used by the sheriff’s office for location and recovery efforts, according to HCSO Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford. The sheriff’s officers also located about $10,000 in new auto parts, which came back during a records check as having been reported to Dallas Police Department earlier this month as stolen, the sheriff’s officers alleged in arrest reports.
While speaking with McCool, he “did not provide deputies with information that would lead us to believe he was not in possession of the stolen items,” the sheriff’s officers alleged in arrest reports. Consequently, they took McCool into custody for thefts and the property was recovered.
A truck used in the theft was also reportedly recovered in Greenville, where it had been abandoned, Weatherford said.
Through interviews and investigation, sheriff’s officers received information implicating McCool and at least two more people as having been involved in the thefts, transfer and concealment of the stolen property, according to Weatherford. Thus, McCool was booked into jail for engaging in criminal activity-theft of property valued at more than $2,500 but less than $30,000, which enhances the charge to a third-degree felony offense, according to arrest reports.
Weatherford said McCool is the only person in custody in connection with the thefts at this time, but anticipates warrants will be sought for additional suspects’ arrests in connection with the thefts.
Lake Country CASA Receives $10,000 Grant from Wood County Electric Cooperative Charitable Foundation
Gena Law, Director of Lake Country CASA with offices headquartered in Sulphur Springs, is happy to spread the news that her organization was selected by the Wood County Electric Charitable Foundation to receive a grant of $10,000 funded by Operation Roundup, a voluntary program open to WCE Co-op customers. Lake Country CASA was awarded along with ten other organizations which better the Wood-County area communities they represent. Gena Law stated “Lake Country CASA appreciates Wood County Cooperative and their members for their commitment to serving the abused and neglected children in Hopkins, Franklin and Rains Counties. This contribution ensures the voices of all of our children in care are heard and their needs are met”.
CASA staff from left: Sharla Evans, Volunteer Coordinator; Gina Law, Director; Peggy Walker, Program Director Not pictured is Sherry Johnson, Volunteer for Hopkins and Franklin County
According to Law, in 2018 over 20,000 Texas children were removed from their homes and entered into the foster care system. A child with a CASA, or Court-Appointed Advocate, does not have to navigate the heartbreaking challenges alone. Not only on case visits but at each court date and on behalf of the child in their school system, the CASA volunteer assigned to that child is present to speak in the child’s best interest. Gena stated, “volunteers are needed because the number of cases is rising. In 2019 so far, we have handled cases involving 123 children who had been removed from their homes based on abuse or neglect, and 79 of those are from Hopkins County. Compare that to last year, in 2018 we handled 109 cases, and 64 involved children from the Hopkins County families. Each year the numbers grow, and each year the need for volunteers is greater. If you would like to consider becoming a volunteer, please call our office at 903-885-1173 or stop in at 218 Connally Street in downtown Sulphur Springs”.
Concerning the grant, Gena explained, “I heard about the grant and applied for it. Needless to say, I was thrilled when we were selected! This money goes into our Special Fund which can be used for ‘special needs’, such as in the case of a ‘kinship placement’. That is where a member outside the immediate family accepts a child or children who need placement into a home. It might be a grandparent or other relative whom the judge has agreed to place the child or siblings with. These families may not have, for example, a baby crib or money for extra groceries or various other types of needs for the child or children entering their home. This grant money helps fund immediate and future needs like that. It’s a blessing to our office, and it was made possible through the Operation Roundup program which WCE offers it’s customers”
The Wood County Electric Cooperative website states that over the years, cooperatives across the nation have collected and distributed millions of dollars via their Operation Roundup programs to provide funds locally to non-profit entities and their causes. The idea and process is simple. With the consent of the customer, just round up an electric bill to the next dollar, and then use those pennies to do good work in the community. Today, hundreds of electric co-ops throughout the country employ this program to help their local organizations. The idea is that the money from community members will go directly back to those communities to enhance them. Operation Roundup is a vehicle to help our vital service organizations – the ones that are important to our members!
Bright Star Cinemas Announces Nov. 21 Opening Date For Sulphur Springs Location
New owners of Sulphur Springs theater busy hiring and training staff as preparations continue for late-November opening
SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas, (Nov. 7, 2019) – Bright Star Cinemas announced today that their newly remodeled Sulphur Springs movie theater is scheduled to open to the public under new ownership and management on Thursday, Nov. 21.
The updated Bright Star Cinemas theater, located at 621 East Shannon Drive, will feature luxury electric recliner seating in all auditoriums, bigger screens and improved sound. Patrons will also be able to reserve their preferred seats in advance when purchasing tickets in-person at the theater or online at brightstarcinemas.com.
Bright Star Cinemas is currently hiring for part-time positions. Interested candidates can apply in person Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bright Star Cinemas.
“We’re incredibly excited to unveil the Bright Star Cinemas experience in Sulphur Springs,” said Kathy Lee, COO of Bright Star Cinemas. “It’s our mission to provide, the best, most comfortable movie-going experience to our guests. From our luxury recliner seating in all movie auditoriums to the updated lobby and menu offerings, we have created something very special that I think the area’s residents will truly enjoy.”
Bright Star Cinemas purchased the 20,000 square-foot freestanding movie theater in Sulphur Springs in early September and has invested approximately $4.5 million in the theater project. Bright Star Cinemas also hired Dallas-based ShowBiz Cinemas to assist with management at the home office level.
The fully upgraded theater, which has been closed for renovations since September, will open under new management as Bright Star Cinemas on Thursday, Nov. 21. Bright Star Cinemas will celebrate their grand opening and VIP Red-Carpet Event on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Event attendees will be treated to free movies, popcorn and soda.
For the latest updates on Bright Star Cinemas Sulphur Springs and for invitation details for their VIP Red-Carpet Event on Wednesday, Nov. 20, visit brightstarcinemas.com or the Bright Star Cinemas Facebook page.
Veterans Day Observance Slated Nov. 11 Downtown
Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County will honor veterans at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at Celebration Plaza at the Veteran’s Memorial in downtown Sulphur Springs. All veterans, their families and the community are invited to attend.
Danny Davis, United States Airforce (retired), will be the master of ceremonies. In addition, names of deceased veterans will be read and the Hopkins County Military Coalition will perform a 21 Round Volley. Sulphur Springs High School will perform patriotic music and members and the SSHS Choir will sing the National Anthem. Taps will be performed by members of the Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Band.
Agenda For Veterans Day 2019 in Downtown Sulphur Springs
- Welcome
- Invocation
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Lowering of United States Flag
- Reading of Names of WWII Veterans
- National Anthem
- 12 Round Gun Salute
- Taps
- Raising of United States Flag
Commissioners To Open Bids For Houston-Rosemont Street Building Project
Hopkins County Commissioner Court have scheduled a work session Friday morning to move a stop closer to constructing a new building at the corner of Rosemont and Houston Streets.
The agenda calls proposals for a proposed building at the corner of Houston and Rosemont streets to be opened during the 9 a.m. work session.
County officials have been in discussions recently about what to do with the property. They considered the cost to renovate the existing building versus the cost to tear it down and put a new building on the site, as well as what the building could be used for in the future.
Commissioners had requested bids to build a new structure on the site. However, after further discussions, they opted to discuss the matter further. Companies interested in the project were invited to meet with county officials inside the facility Thursday, Oct. 24, to tour it and discuss potential proposals.
The structure, which had a hole in the roof, was purchased by the county prior to the construction of and move into the new Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center, District Court, Clerk and Attorney buildings. It was used to store items during the transition and continues to house some county property.
The condition of the building continues to deteriorate with oak framing on one side of the building rotting and falling onto items stored there. The woodworking showed serious water and age damage.
Discussed at the Oct. 24 meeting was putting a 60-foot by 75-foot building on the existing 80- x 75-foot concrete pad, with a 22 foot awning on the south side. Tatum said he’d like the front of the new building to be turned facing Rosemont Street, opposite from the current building. County vehicles could be driven in from two sides for work, and big trucks could enter from the other side to be worked on in-house, the sheriff said.
Judge Robert Newsom anticipates the structure would soon be torn down if a bid is accepted soon for the project. Construction of the new building is anticipated to take less than 6 months, and would begin in the spring. That should see a new building completed within a year, according to Newsom.
Friday’s Commissioners Court meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in the meeting room on the third floor of Hopkins County Courthouse, 118 Church St. The meeting will also include a budget work session.
The Commissioner Court will then have the option of considering and formally selecting one of the bids for the project during the 9 a.m. meeting Monday, Nov. 11, in the courtroom on the first floor of the courthouse.
