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.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Discusses Bi-District Win With Area Game Thursday Night
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner put things in perspective at practice Wednesday, after the Lady Cats stunning upset of Hallsville on Tuesday, 3-0.
She told them it was great Tuesday to get the win but added it doesn’t matter anymore. Coach Dorner said they now have to focus on Forney, Thursday night’s opponent in an Area match at Canton beginning at 7 p.m.
She said changes made recently helped the Lady Cats Tuesday against Hallsville. Concerning the Lady Cats improved court coverage Tuesday, Coach Dorner said the Lady Cats were in the game from the beginning and were excited by the playoff atmosphere. She added they were focused so they were not caught off guard.
Coach Dorner said she likes being the underdog. She said no one expects mush from a four seed. She said the Lady Cats were fourth in a tough district that got them prepared for the playoffs.
Concerning the Forney game, Coach Dorner said if the Lady Cats play their best, they will do great. The two teams played back on Aug. 20, in Forney and the Lady Rabbits won. Coach Dorner said she reflected on her team and the positions she had some of her girls in and concluded the Lady Cats are a completely different team now. She said the Lady Cats did not pass the ball well in August. Tuesday they did.
When the Lady Cats Volleyball Team plays Forney in an Area match Thursday at 7 p.m. at Canton, the Lady Cats will match the best a Lady Cats team has done in the playoffs in recent times.
After quite a playoff drought going back to 2006, the Lady Cats made the playoffs in 2015 under then Coach Allison Irvin. That team also won their bi-district match against Corsicana. That team’s 2015 Area appearance is being matched by the 2019 Lady Cats tonight. The 2015 team lost their Area match to Mansfield Legacy.
Former Coach Justin Maness also had playoff teams in 2016 and 2017. Both of those teams lost bi-district matches, to Forney in 2016 and Wylie East in 2017. The Lady Cats did not make the playoffs last year.Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner has them back this year and in Area competition.
Including Forney’s 2016 bi-district win over the Lady Cats, Forney has won four of the last five games the two teams have played. The Lady Cats defeated the Lady Rabbits in Sulphur Springs last year. Coming into play Thursday, Forney is 29-9 for the season and they were the runner up team in their district. The Lady Cats season record is 24-17.
KSST Radio will bring you the Lady Cats and Forney match live from Canton at 7 p.m. featuring live streaming audio.
The game will be videotaped for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable. The game will also be posted to YouTube after the game.
There will be no live video stream because the Canton Gym does not have equipment needed for KSST to do that.
All Clear Issued for Pickton Water Supply
The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of water distributed. The water is once again safe for human consumption. Laboratory tests confirm there is no longer a need to boil water.
Question or concerns can be directed to 903 855 3000.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Patrol Sgt. Michael Russell Promoted To Investigator
November 7, 2019 – Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum announced the recent promotion of Michael Russell from patrol sergeant to sergeant investigator, a position previously held by Charles Humphries.
Russell has been employed with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office for 7 1/2 years. He worked his way up from jailer to patrol sergeant, and now to sergeant investigator.
The Sulphur Bluff native said he served four years as an infantry Marine. When when his time with the U.S. Marine Corps in April of 2011, he pursued a career in law enforcement with a goal of serving on a special response team (SWAT). However, the infantry combat veteran opted not to pursue a SWAT position with a large law enforcement agency, but to remain in Hopkins County, serving the community where he grew up.
Russell began his career in law enforcement in March 2012 as a jailer at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. He was hired as a street deputy about a month and a half later. He has most recently been serving as a patrol sergeant, and has served on the local SWAT team for about seven years.
“I worked hard to get where I am at. Hard work pays off in the end. I am happy to be where I’m at as an investigator. I’ve wanted it since I’ve been in law enforcement,” Russell said.
Tatum said investigator promotions are determined by a board consisting of officials from outside agencies as well as Texas Rangers. The officials consider previous cases of each officer being considered as well as information gleaned about each from additional sources as well. The board’s recommendation is then presented to HCSO Chief Deputy Tanner Crump for approval.
Russell’s promotion to investigator creates at least two additional openings in the patrol department; one for Russell’s slot as a patrol deputy and a deputy spot for the deputy who is promoted to patrol sergeant.
An in-house panel consisting of patrol sergeants and Lt. Amanda Weatherford, as well as the Texas Ranger when available, vet all deputy patrol positions. Tatum anticipates the patrol promotion for the new sergeant to officially be announce next week.
6 Arrested On Hopkins County Warrants
At least six people were jailed between Nov. 5 and Nov. 6 on Hopkins County warrants, including three men and two women booked on felony charges and one man on a misdemeanor charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Joshua Terry Ford, 26, of Cumby was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a felony warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence and a misdemeanor warrant for assault causing bodily injury to a family member, according to arrest reports.
Cumby Police Officer Zack Steward reported seeing Ford in the 200 block of Barker Street in Cumby. Steward, in arrest reports, stated he recognized Ford as someone who had outstanding warrants for his arrest, so he contacted the man. After a records check confirmed the warrants, Steward took Ford into custody on both charges, according to arrest reports.
Ford’s vehicle was impounded and he was taken to jail, where he remained Thursday morning, Nov. 6, according to arrest and jail reports.
Andrew Imanuel Wooten, 28, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody at the Adult Probation Office at 4:35 p.m. Nov. 6, by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Alvin Jordan on a warrant for violating probation, which he was on for manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports. He remained in the county jail Thursday morning, Nov. 7.
Laurie Ann Jordan, 49, was transported by deputy Elijah Fite from Terrell State Hospital at 2:30 p.m. on a warrant for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports. The offense was alleged to have occurred June 19 in Hopkins County, according to arrest reports. She remained in the county jail Thursday morning, Nov. 7, according to arrest reports.
Blake Oliver Kizer, 21, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody at 10:17 a.m. Nov. 5 at a Houston Street bail bonds business by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Baumann for surety off bond on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports. He remained in the county jail Thursday morning, Nov. 7; his new bond was set at $5,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Deputy Fite also took custody of two Longview residents at Upshur County jail at 9 a.m. Nov. 6 and transported them to Hopkins County jail, where they were still being held Thursday morning, Nov. 7, according to arrest and jail reports.
Tonya Lee Ponder, 22, of Longview was held on a felony bench warrant. A Longview man, 24, was held on a warrant for bail jumping and failure to appear on a misdemeanor theft of property charge, according to arrest reports.
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.
Family of Marie Chester Invites Friends, Family to Celebrate Her 95th Birthday on Sunday Nov. 10, 2 – 4 pm
Marie Cranford Chester, who has raised a family of Hopkins County cooks, will celebrate her 95th birthday on Sunday November 10, 2019, come-and-go between 2 and 4 pm inside the Fellowship Hall of Sulphur Bluff United Methodist Church. No gifts, please! Marie was born at Paducah, Texas in 1924 but got to Hopkins County “as quick as she could”, when her family settled in the South Liberty Community where she grew up. She met and married Mervin Chester and they had four children, the late John Chester, Patricia Chester Dorner, Katy Chester Patterson and Vonda Chester Nelson. During her adult life, Marie worked at the H.D. Lee Plant, also she and Mervin had a dairy and farmed on their land at Dike. Among her treasures are her many, many friends. For her eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, Marie is famous for her Hopkins County stew, black walnut pies and homemade ice cream which she often prepares on Sundays for whoever drops by! She loves fellowship and hopes to see everyone at her party.
pot during the 50th Anniversary Hopkins County Stew Contest in 2019
