2019 City Cemetery Historic Tour
Costumed enactors will portray early residents whose lives helped shape Hopkins County and learn some local history.
Sunday – November 3rd – 2:00 to 4:00 pm
$10.00 per Person – Reserve your spot thru the HCGS Library by calling 903-885-8523 or in person at 611 N. Davis Street Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Golf cart available for anyone needing assistance
Sabine River Authority Awards $20,000 Community Assistance Program Grant To Hopkins County
Senator Bob Hall Recognizes County For Efforts In Oct. 3 Pipeline Rupture Response, Sends Congratulations On Grant
Hopkins County’s quick response to a pipeline rupture, spilling diesel fuel into Turkey Creek off County Road 1130 Oct. 3 caught the attention of Sabine River Authority of Texas’s Board members, who awarded the county a $20,000 Community Assistance Program Grant Thursday afternoon.
The check was presented by SRA Board members Jeanette Sterner, Jeff Jacobs and Janie Walenta, and staff members Troy Henry and Terry Wilson, to Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley, who also serves as the county’s emergency management coordinator, during Hopkins County Commissioners Court’s afternoon work session Thursday.
“When Troy [Henry, Sabine River Authority staff] called me, wanting to give us appreciation, it was very unexpected, but we are very grateful for it,” Endsley said.
Endsley noted when the county found out about the pipeline rupture it was already dark. The impacted areas was only 14.1 miles from the intake at Lake Fork for local drinking water, which is spread would have had a huge impact on the ecosystem.
Emergency management officials, including Hopkins County Fire Department and Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker and his staff, sprang into action. The county employees immediately went down stream of the dry Turkey Creek and built an earthen dam to contain the spill 1.7 miles down Turkey Creek, which was mostly dry aside from a few water pockets.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was heavily involved as well. The entire county pulled together, working along side numerous agencies, including SBA, and contractors to get the job done, Endsley noted.
EPA officials told KSST News that the quick response to contain the spill and remove the product so quickly, will result in no long term damage to the creek and surrounding environment. An area of soil around the pipeline leak will have to be replaced, but the creek itself will not have to be re-mediated.
While many agencies were involved in the cleanup and response effort to the pipeline rupture Oct. 3, SRA opted to present the $20,000 grant to Hopkins County to thank them for their quick and continued response, which limited exposure.
“We are here today to thank Hopkins County, chief and your guys, your employees who were out there in the guard throughout this process,” said Troy Henry, SRA staff.
Henry said it was fortunate the area received no rains and that diesel didn’t get into Lake Fork.
“It ended well. We’ve seen similar incidents in the past where it didn’t go so well. So, we can’t thank the chief and his guys, Kristy [Springfield, Hopkins County assistant emergency management coordinator], for the response, and not only the response, but hanging in there. You’re still monitoring things. We appreciate that,” Henry said Thursday.
Hopkins County had emergency management representatives from the fire department and sheriff’s office round the clock during the clean-up effort, with staff sleeping on a cot in a borrowed trailer. Endsley offered special thanks to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Communications Administrator David Ray.
“I’d also like to say a special thank you to you and Kristy …. also the sheriff’s department and sheriff’s posse,” Barker told Endsley, adding appreciation for all who helped in the community operation.
Henry said SRA Community Assistance Grants are typically awarded or water lines, water meters and waste water systems. However, they are also awarded for water conservation and water quality, and sometimes for special projects categorizes simply as “other.”
Typically, governmental entities, districts or non-profit, member-owned water supply corporations, or sewer service corporations within the Sabine River Basin of Texas apply for funding for water resource projects supporting SRA’s mission of conservation and reclamation.
Henry talked to SRA’s general manager about the situation that’d occurred in Hopkins County on and immediately after Oct. 3. They then discussed it with SRA’s Board of Directors.
“Typically, we do these grants to the community,” Henry said. “This didn’t really fit into our formal category of grants, but this incident could have potentially impacted Lake Fork Reservoir.”
“We appreciate all the work you did. Our main function, when it was brought to us, we thought that we need to talk about this situation and give you some money to help offset some of these costs. It’s a $20,000 check. I know there’s a lot more to be spent than that, but hopefully this will assist you all in this project. That is what the Sabine River Authority is all about, is to help our water customers with projects that are helping the community and ultimately benefit everyone,” said Sabine River Authority Board member Jeanette Sterner.
David Montagne, SRA’s executive vice president and general manager, in a letter to the county, wrote, “the County’s project to acquire emergency management and environmental response equipment and supplies such as that needed for a response to a recent diesel spill in the East Fork of Turkey Creek, a tributary of Lake Fork Reservoir, is an initiative that SRA supports in its efforts to help provide services to assist citizens throughout the Basin.”
“These dollars can be used for the department, replenishing supplies, buying new equipment that you all may need to help in the future,” Henry said.
“This will be a great deal to Hopkins County emergency management,” Endsley said. “We are very grateful and very fortunate to get in there and do the things we did.”
“This is simply unexpected but special for Hopkins County, and we are appreciative. We are a county that’s on a budget and, of course, we went way over our budget because of all the work that went into this. This will really help us in the future help others. That’s what we do and what you do, so thank you once again,” said Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom
John Vick, district director for District 2 Senator Bob Hall, presented a certificate of congratulations from Hall’s to Endsley for the county for “your prompt and efficient response to the ruptured pipeline of petroleum into a Hopkins County creek and the gracious grant to assist the emergency management and first responder equipment and supplies.”
Hopkins County United Way 100 % Club Announced
Hopkins County United Way is almost halfway to its $165,000 campaign goal to benefit 20 local agencies. Campaign pledges to date total $71,366.26, reports HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning.
Businesses and organizations whose pledges and donations meet or exceed the goal for their group are recognized weekly as part of the HCUW 100% Club. Included among the 100 % Club for the week of Oct. 22 are:
- Alliance Bank Corporate
- Alliance Bank Employees
- AK Gillis
- Lou Nell’s
- Copy Products
- April Showers
- The Pawn Shop
- Pioneer Memorials
- Janeen’s Country Cottage
- Junior Waverly
- Farmers Insurance – John Berning Agency
- Ardis Dance
- Town Square Antiques
- Galyean Insurance
- Hampton House Jewelry
- Lee’s Hallmark
- Janitorial Supply
- Cross Motor Sales
- Ponders Mower and Saw
- Security Finance
- Sherwin Williams
- 4 Paws Pet Grooming
- Giles Insurance
- Feeders Supply
- Bodacious
- Mattison Insurance
- Century 21 First Group
- Advantage Copy Systems
- Tire Town
- Murray-Orwosky
- Tapp Funeral Home
- Highlander Training Center
- J. Brian Allen
- Johnson Law Firm
- Powers and Blount
- Frank Long
- Northwestern Mutual – Wesley Cooper
- Smith, McDowell, Ginn
- Hopkins County Fire, Andy Endsley
The next campaign workers report meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Texas AgriLife Extension office. The final report meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Sulphur Bluff Wins Volleyball Thriller at Home Over James Bowie, 3-2 Tuesday Night
The Sulphur Bluff Volleyball Team won a thriller at home Tuesday night (October 22) over James Bowie, 3-2. Lady Bears Coach Zandra Peyton said the Lady Bears used an old rotation in the first set to good effect winning set one, 26-24. She said they returned to their current rotation and won set two going away, 25-9. Coach Peyton said the Lady Bears then doubled their server errors and also had some hitting errors in a run that left the Lady Bears out of sync as they lost set three, 25-10. In the fourth set, the Lady Bears got off to a slow start and could not overcome it in a 25-18 loss. Coach Peyton said she moved her serving rotation around in set five to feature girls who had been serving well. Libero Angel Brown had a crucial five points in a row off of serve leading the Lady Bears to a decisive set five win, 15-11. For the Lady Bears, Alley Collett had 10 service points, 1 kill, 1 block and 31 assists. Jada Wade had 3 service points and 4 kills. Cierra Johnson had 6 service points and 2 kills. Tori Raine had 8 service points and 7 kills. Skylar Stanley had 10 kills and 3 blocks, Hannah Byrd had 4 service points. Ann Dorner had 10 service points, 4 kills and 2 assists. Dalena di Donato had 4 kills, Angel Brown had 6 service points and a kill. The Lady Bears play at Detroit Friday.
Lady Cats Basketball Team, Minus Volleyball Players, Had Their First Practice Wednesday
Second year Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell says the first official day of practice is always exciting for her. The Lady Cats began practice Wednesday (October 23) minus players still involved in volleyball. Three players on the varsity roster last year were in the gym: Kate Womack, Latavia Smith and Colbria Harrison. Coach Tisdell says she has her players working on getting in shape and on fundamentals. The Lady Cats lost four starters off of last years team to graduation. Fifth starter, Nylah Lindley is on the varsity volleyball team. Coach Tisdell says she has been asked a lot who’s going to end up on the varsity and her answer is she doesn’t know right now. She says she will not know until she gets all the players into the gym to see how they perform. Coach Tisdell says she has a move-in, Hannah Cordell, from Whitehouse and several girls have indicated they will not play basketball this year (Kerie Wright and Alayah Abron). The Lady Cats only scrimmage will take place Saturday, November 2 at the High School beginning at 9 a.m. Commerce, Saltillo and Emory Rains will also be participating. The Lady Cats first game against Mineola will take place the following Saturday, November 9 at Sulphur Springs Middle School. There will be a JV contest at 9 a.m. with a varsity game to follow. Coach Tisdell says the current uncertainty about her varsity roster will be crazy, challenging but also fun. She says she believes her second year will be easier than the first because now the girls know what she expects from them. Last year Coach Tisdell’s Lady Cats had a 24-8 record. They went 6-4 in district play earning a third place seed in the playoffs. The Lady Cats’ season ended in Winona in a bi-district loss to Jacksonville.
Darren Duke in His Fourth Year as Greenville Head Coach Has Lions In Playoff Hunt
The Wildcats host the Greenville Lions Friday night (October 25) at The Prim. The Greenville Head Football Coach, Darren Duke, is in the fourth year as Head Coach for the Lions. He replaced his mentor Marvin Sedberry Senior in 2016. Sedberry hired Duke four times as his Defensive Coordinator, twice in Greenville and also at Bryan and Dallas Carter. All told, Duke has been a football coach in Greenville for 15 years. Coach Duke says he is proud of his kids this year and how hard they have played. Entering Friday the Lions are in fourth place in district holding down the final playoff spot. He says if the Lions continue to play at a high level, they have a chance to earn a playoff spot. Coach Duke acknowledges the rivalry between the Wildcats and the Lions. He says the teams have played for years and district games have resulted in more being on the line. The Lions are led on offense by junior quarterback Brandon Stephens. Coach Duke says Stephens learned a lot having to play last year. He says senior running back Lester Turner is powerful and speedy. He says his wide receivers are made up of the Lions successful sprint relay track team. Coach Duke says his undersized offensive line is playing better as the season goes along. On defense, the Lions are led by eight seniors. Defensive Lion standouts include tackle Davoya Washington and end Jeremiah Abrego. Coach Duke says his inside linebackers, Tucker Momon and Carlos Belteton, are having big years. He says cornerback Tyrecus Davis has been a big play maker. Coach Duke says he believes the Lions will need to win two of their last three games to assure a playoff spot.
Students on The PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Campus Enjoyed a Halloween Treat
HALLOWEEN TREAT
Students on the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus enjoyed a Halloween treat Thursday in the form of decorate-your-own cupcakes. Student Life Director Kenneth Webb, right, provided cupcakes and all flavors and kinds of icings and decorations for the treats.
Walmart Closes Main West Entrance
The most popular entrance/exit for the Sulphur Springs Walmart, the west entrance, is now closed. Crews continue to rework the parking area and these closures are required. Approximately one-forth of the front lot is now closed to customers.
Consider using one of the two north entrances/exits. Be prepared to park and walk a significant distance. Pedestrian and auto traffic is very congested at the store entrance on the grocery end of the store.
Shoppers are encouraged to use the online pickup option to avoid the crowded area. Other stores in the area have online pickup programs as well.
Corvettes Coming To Sulphur Springs Celebration Plaza
It’s that time once again where Sulphur Springs and Celebration Plaza will be covered up in Corvettes. The local Sulphur Springs Corvette Club will be hosting their annual show on Saturday, October 26th. Over 100 Corvettes are expected to attend the show which raises funds to help local charities.
The show is put on every year by an all volunteer crew from the local Sulphur Springs Corvette Club. Cars should be ready for public viewing by 10:00 am. and will be on display until after the awards are presented at 1:30 pm. Most of the show’s participants come early, so if you see (or hear) any of these cars on our city streets, you will know they are here to participate in the show. In the past, participants have come from as far away as Arizona, but the majority of car owners come from the Dallas and East Texas area, with large numbers coming from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana as well.
Access through Celebration Plaza will be closed to non-corvette traffic from early Saturday morning until after 2:00pm. There is plenty of parking around Celebration Plaza as all of the restaurants and shops will be open on Saturday.
