Miller Grove Wins Boys and Girls Regional Cross Country, Saltillo Boys Second and Girls Third
Miller Grove and Saltillo continue their excellence in cross country and both qualified for the State Meet at the Region III, Class 1A Meet Monday (October 28) at the Jesse Owens Sports Complex in Dallas. The Miller Grove Hornets and Lady Hornets both won the regional competition. For the Hornets, sophomore Isaiah Billingsley led the way winning the race with a time of 15:20.56. Junior Kobe Robertson was 2nd, sophomore Lance Verner Davis was 4th, freshman Riley Hasten was 6th, sophomore Tanner Hensley was 7th, sophomore Lexton Sly was 13th and freshman Anthony Lester was 14th. The first place Miller Grove Lady Hornets were led by junior Jorja Bessonett with a time of 11:50.21. Freshman Kyli Melton was 2nd, junior Jolee Fox was 4th, freshman Kaylee Saldana was 10th and junior Lauren Bullard was 14th. The Saltillo Lions were runner up to Miller Grove and the Lady Lions finished third as a team. For the Lions, junior Garrett Tarver led the way with a 3rd place finish with a time of 16:10.14. Senior Dillon Beadle was 5th, freshman Gunner Tarver was 9th, freshman Coy Collins was 11th, junior Jayden Holloway was 17th, freshman Beckham Hoover was 20th and sophomore Andrew Redburn was 32nd. For the Lady Lions, sophomore Reagon Speir was 16th with a time of 13:38.46, junior Kristina Wade 21st, freshman Yadirra Alonso was 25th, sophomore Briana Tawil was 27th, freshman Makensa Morris was 40th, senior Jocelyn Ochoa was 53rd and junior Ofelia Cabrera was 62nd. The Miller Grove and Saltillo runners will compete at the State Meet on November 9 at Old Settlers’ Park in Round Rock.
2nd PlaceSaltillo Boys – 357 Coy Collins, Andrew Redburn, Coach Bill Giles, Gunner Tarver, Jayden Hollaway, Garrett Tarver, Beckham Hoover & Dillon Beadle
3rd Place Saltillo Girls – 340 – 1st Row L to R: Ofelia Cabrera, Bianca Castro, Yadhira Alonso, Makensa Morris, Kristina Wade & Jocelyn Ochoa; 2nd L to R: Coach Bill Giles, Chandler Bain, Raegan Speir & Brianna Tawil.
Photos courtesy of Johnna West.
Update: Small Monument In Front of Hopkins County Courthouse Damaged Monday
One of the smaller monuments on Celebration Plaza was toppled and damaged Monday evening.
A juvenile was taken into custody for criminal mischief in connection with the damage and has been turned over to juvenile probation authorities, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson.
The damaged monument was located on the square directly in front of Hopkins County Courthouse between the Little Free Library and Jefferson-Church Street intersection. The stone formation was a project of the late Robert Carpenter and honored the 49th Armored Division of the Army National Guard, according to Hopkins County Veterans Memorial Chair Pam Elliott.
The veterans memorial group plans to replace the monument, which is estimated to take $10,000-$15,000 to replace. However, community help is needed to ensure all names are replicated on the stone tribute.
When the monument toppled from its base, it broke mostly into large pieces, on which names are legible. However, there are a few names in the middle of the display where the rock was shattered, destroying the names.
Initially, photos with the names were requested to ensure no one is missed when the monument is replaced. However, Elliott Wednesday morning said the company that engraved the names on the monument had been contacted and it is believed the list can be recreated from their files.
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Safe Halloween Events Planned in Hopkins County
If you are looking for some safe and fun activities for your children during Halloween, here’s a few of the local events planned. And if your church or organization has an event planned, email [email protected] to have it posted here.
Wednesday October 30 at Hope Family Fellowship at 434 Jefferson Street. There will be inflatables, candy and hot dogs from 6pm til 7:30pm.
Thursday October 31 a Trunk or Treat at Grace Family Church, 1901 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs, from 6:30 pm – 8:30pm. Candy, hot dogs, fun.
Thursday October 31, a Community-Wide Trunk or Treat at North Hopkins School, with stew, hot dogs, candy and fun activities
Thursday October 31 Morning Chapel Youth Ministry Alternative Night Trunk or Treat at church, 208 Fuller Street, 5:30 pm til 8:30 pm. Pastor H.B. Nash invites everyone for Stew, Nachos, Hot Dogs, Chili Dogs and Chili, All-you-can-eat for $5 person. Also Fred Dial Homemade Hamburgers $5 each
Thursday October 31 Treat Street at Central Baptist Church Family Life Center, 840 Connally Street, from 6-8pm. All ages invited for candy, bouncehouses, games and activities. Enter on League Street parking lot.
Our Savior Lutheran Church will host a Trunk or Treat on Celebration Plaza starting at 5:30 pm on Celebration Plaza downtown on Halloween night.
Thursday October 31 at Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center at 12 noon, activities, snacks and fellowship for Senior Citizens.
Winners List! Help a Child Charity Event Reports Top Chili, Brisket and Bean Cooks
Wade Bartley, organizer of the Help a Child Benefit for Children’s Charities, has a report on the best cooks who entered the cooking contests during the October 16, 2019 charity event. Funds raised became part of the annual donation to two children’s charities, Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center and Scottish Rite Hospital.
CHILI
First Place: Team Bulkley/Bulkley Trucking, Cooks Denise and Gary Stewart
Second Place: Team Mess Hall/McKinney, Cook James Cosby
Third Place: Hopkins County Jail/Sheriffs Office, Cook Kenneth Dean
BRISKET
First Place: SS Construction Trades, Cooks Chuck White, Heath Gammill
Second Place H.C. Jail/Sheriffs Office, Cook Kenneth Dean
Third Place: Team She Said No But Here We Go, Cook Mike Cleveland
BEANS
First Place: Road Kill BBQ, Cook Robert Cash
Second Place: Cripple Coon BBQ, Cook Tony Coffman
Third Place: H.C. Jail/Sheriffs Office, Cook Kenneth Dean
Winner of the Ira Black FFA Ag Mechanics Show was Cumby FFA
Winner of the Allera Black Baking Contest was Saltillo FCCLA
“Treat Street” Open Oct 31 at Central Baptist Church Gym
Dr. Chris Stephens, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, invites families for Treat Street, a safe and fun old-fashioned family evening with plenty of candy, games and activities this Halloween night! It’s planned inside the Family Life Center at 840 Connally Street on Thursday October 31, 2019 from 6-8 pm. All ages and all family members are welcome to attend. Be sure and enter the parking lots near the back of the church from League Street, as Connally Street is still closed due to construction.
Pastor Stephens invites the public to worship with the Central Baptist Church congregation on Sundays and Wednesdays. On Sunday mornings, there’s Life Groups at 9:30am with 5 adult classes, 4 children’s classes and a teen class. Worship begins in the sanctuary at 10:30am with a ‘blended service’ which features both hymns and praise and worship music and a message by Pastor Stephens. On Wednesday nights, the ‘Extreme Kids’ at 6 pm is a new kid’s ministry, and the Wednesday night WINK program youngsters plan a Thanksgiving presentation on Sunday morning November 24.
Central Baptist Church Ministry staff includes Associate Pastor Cody Chester, Music Minister Noah Deaton, Youth Minister Benji Edwards, and Children’s Minister Melinda Henderson. He also recommends the CCA, or Central Christian Academy, an on-site Christian school for youngsters through sixth grade. Pastor Stephens came to Central Baptist Church in August 2018. Before him, Pastor Bruce Stinson served for five years before relocating to another region of Texas. Pastor Kenneth Rhoades was minster at Central Baptist Church for 28 years, retiring in 2013. “Central Baptist Church has a long history of making connections with the community and serving in various ways. This church has a strong history with law enforcement and first responders and their families, and with Veterans, because we appreciate their service all year round, and try to let them know. We also reach out to families. Young families are facing such struggles in raising children in today’s world! Just this month, we’ve had three families join our church, some with small children. They really dig right into our children’s programs which are healthy and wholesome. We like to share our blessings which include a big Family Life Center/Gym, a Youth Room, a spacious and comfortable sanctuary, and our Christian school, and much more. Central Baptist Church welcomes you and your family on Halloween night for Treat Street, and all year round!”.
Killeen Man Apprehended In Hopkins County On Outstanding Mississippi Kidnapping Charge
A 44-year-old Killeen man wanted in Mississippi on a kidnapping charge was apprehended in Sulphur Springs Monday night, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy and Canine Handler T. Colt Patterson reported stopping a 2010 GMC Sierra around 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, on Interstate 30 at mile marker 126. The vehicle’s license plate was not visible.
During the course of a standard roadside investigation, Patterson reportedly learned an arrest warrant had been issued for occupant Odell Fonta Kimmons. Kimmons was taken into custody on the outstanding Potomac, Mississippi warrant for kidnapping-adult, Patterson alleged in arrest reports.
Kimmons remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Oct. 29, on the warrant, according to jail reports.
Christmas Joys Holiday Program – Final Reminder
By Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Hopkins County Family & Community Health Agent, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension,
This popular program, scheduled for Monday, Nov. 4, is just a few short days away and both sessions are full. However, we have started a waiting list. If you have signed up and cannot attend, please let us know! We usually have 6 or 8 per session that have to cancel, so we can fill those spots with people on our waiting list. We have a wonderful volunteer who will be calling everyone to remind them about the program, so if you receive a phone call, please indicate if you cannot attend.
For those who plan to come, you are in for a treat! Recipes, gift-giving ideas, decorating, and craft projects will all be included. Each attendee will receive a goody bag and a booklet of all the recipes and instructions that are demonstrated. The Southwest Dairy Museum serves as our host facility, and they are planning some tasty treats to wrap up the program. A small $5 fee, payable at the door, will help us defray some of the costs. Children under 10 are free.
If you would like to be added to the waiting lists, please call 903-885-3443 and give us your name and phone number.
4-H Project Show Results Announced
Each October during National 4-H Week, 4-H members across Hopkins County have the opportunity to enter items in the 4-H Project Show. Due to renovations at the Extension Office, the Project Show was delayed by one week, but the results are in!
Clover Kids (ages 5-7):
- Ava Bessonett: Art – Blue Ribbon; Clothing – Blue Ribbon; Jewelry – Red Ribbon
- Titus Bessonett: Crafts – Red Ribbon; General Sewing – Blue Ribbon, Clover Best of Show; Woodworking – Blue Ribbon
Junior (grades 3-5):
- Natalie Vaughn: Art – Red Ribbon; Crafts – Blue Ribbon, Junior Best of Show
- Rylen Kepenaar: Photography – Blue Ribbon
Intermediate (grades 6-8):
- Rylie Carroll: Crafts – Blue Ribbon
- Diego Childs: General Sewing – Red Ribbon; Quilts – Blue Ribbon; Woodworking – Blue Ribbon
- Jaycie Arledge: Art – Two Blue Ribbons, two Red Ribbons; Crafts – Blue Ribbon
- Jayden Arledge: Art – two Blue Ribbons
- Marilena Reyes: Crafts – Red Ribbon; General Sewing – Blue Ribbon
- Ethan George: Horticulture – 2 Blue Ribbons; Leatherwork – Blue Ribbon, Intermediate Best of Show
Senior (grades 9-12):
- Geoffrey Stewart: Metal Work – Blue Ribbon, Senior Best of Show
- Eric Bridges: Woodworking – Blue Ribbon
- Jorja Bessonett: Art – Blue Ribbon
Congratulations to each of these 4-H members!
Walk & Talk
Are you available on Wednesday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.? Would you like to have a refresher on good nutrition? Do you enjoy interacting with others? Do you enjoy walking? If you answered “yes” to these questions, I invite you to join us for “Walk & Talk,” a program conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Better Living for Texans. Each Wednesday through Dec. 11 (skipping Thanksgiving week), we will meet at the ROC (Recreation Outreach Center), 115 Putman St. in Sulphur Springs.
The first few minutes will cover a brief nutrition or physical activity topic, and the remaining time will be spent walking on the indoor track. The goal is for each team to log 833 miles (the distance across Texas, Beaumont to El Paso.) We have 15 participants so far, but there is room for more! Participants include mothers of young children (and even some toddlers in strollers), grandparents, and friends. Each week, participants will receive an incentive items to go along with the topic.
You do not have to register or call to sign up – simply show up! Hope to see you there!
Closing Thought
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. – Hamilton Wright Mabi
A Quick Look At The 10 Proposed Amendments To Texas Constitution
Texas voters have an opportunity to weigh in on nearly a dozen topics which could affect individuals, families and businesses by casting ballots in the Nov. 5 constitutional amendments election.
The 10 proposed amendment to the state constitution will impact education, parks, taxes, cancer research, people in disaster areas, flood zones and even retired police dogs.
Voters are cautioned to read the proposals carefully as the wording on a few warrant a closer read. For instance, individuals opposed to a state income tax would be in support of Proposition 4, which prohibits such a tax from being imposed.
Most of these amendments either provide funding to expand, maintain or improve existing programs or projects or seek tax exemptions or measures to prevent officials from creating certain additional kinds of taxes.
Below is a brief explanation provided for each of the proposed amendments (the Joint Resolution number) as well as the way each will be worded on the ballot to help voters prepare to vote according to their preference in the Nov. 5 Constitutional Amendment Election.
Proposition Number 1
HJR 72 proposes a constitutional amendment permitting an elected municipal judge to serve as a municipal judge in more than one municipality at the same time. Unlike an appointed municipal judge, an elected municipal judge may not concurrently hold another municipal judge office. This amendment would allow an elected municipal judge to serve as a municipal judge in more than one municipality at the same time, in the same manner as appointed municipal judges.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time.”
Proposition Number 2
SJR 79 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the Texas Water Development Board to issue additional general obligation bonds, in an amount that does not exceed $200 million, for the economically distressed areas program. These bonds can only be used to provide financing for the development of water supply and sewer service projects in those economically distressed areas as defined by law.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.”
Proposition Number 3
HJR 34 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to temporarily exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of certain property located in an area covered by a disaster declaration of the governor. The proposed amendment would allow the legislature to prescribe the method of determining the amount of the tax exemption and the duration of the exemption and also would allow the legislature to create any additional eligibility requirements for the tax exemption.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.”
Proposition Number 4
HJR 38 proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting the state from imposing or collecting an individual income tax, including an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income. There is no current constitutional bar on imposing or collecting an individual income tax.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income.”
Proposition Number 5
SJR 24 proposes a constitutional amendment that would automatically appropriate the net revenue received from the portion of the state’s tax revenue received on sales of sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The legislature would maintain the authority to determine the specific uses of the funds and their allocation between TPWD and THC.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes.”
Proposition Number 6
HJR 12 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the maximum bond amount for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) from $3 billion to $6 billion to be issued by the Texas Public Finance Authority. CPRIT was created in 2007 to promote and fund cancer research in Texas. CPRIT uses bond proceeds to award grants for cancer research and prevention.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.”
Proposition Number 7
HJR 151 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions from $300 million per year to $600 million per year to the available school fund and also allowing the State Board of Education, the General Land Office, and other entities that manage revenue from land or other properties held in the permanent school fund to distribute certain revenue to the available school fund.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.”
Proposition Number 8
HJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment creating the flood infrastructure fund as a special fund in the state treasury, using money appropriated from the economic stabilization fund. The flood infrastructure fund would provide additional resources to implement plans to mitigate flood damage. The proposed amendment would authorize the Texas Water Development Board to use money in the flood infrastructure fund for drainage, flood mitigation, or flood control projects. The proposed amendment also would authorize the creation of separate accounts in the flood infrastructure fund as necessary to administer the fund or authorized projects.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects.”
Proposition Number 9
HJR 95 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to create a property tax exemption for precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.”
Proposition Number 10
SJR 32 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to allow a state agency or political subdivision to transfer a law enforcement animal to the animal’s handler or another qualified caretaker in certain circumstances. Currently, the Texas Constitution prevents the transfer of certain public property, such as law enforcement animals, to a private person or organization at no cost. This amendment authorizes the legislature to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to the animal’s handler or another qualified caretaker at no cost, upon the animals retirement or at another time if the transfer is determined to be in the animal’s best interest.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances.”
Voting Information
Registered Hopkins County voters may cast ballots in this and other elections by early ballot at the early voting center, the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace’s Court, located inside the Courthouse Annex (also the tax office), 128 Jefferson St., in Sulphur Springs as follows:
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
Election Day voting will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 5th, 2019 at voting centers throughout the county.
Hopkins County voters may obtain additional voting information, including sample ballots, precincts and maps by clicking the Voter Information link on the county website.
Local Voters Casting Ballots In City, School, Water Supply Corporation Elections
10 Proposed Amendments To Texas Constitution On Nov. 5 Ballot
As of 5 p.m. Monday, a total of 403 voters had cast ballots in Hopkins County, including 72 ballots cast between 9:30 a.m.and 5 p.m. Monday.
Voter turn out during the first week of early voting was slow, as is often the case in years in which there are not county, state or presidential elections. Only 197 voters had cast ballots as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. Another 134 voters appeared to have taken advantage of the extended voting hours offered over the weekend, with the total number of voters casting ballots by 9:30 a.m. Monday.
Voting Center Information
Registered Hopkins County voters who have yet to cast ballots may still vote early by personal appearance at the early voting center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, and Friday, Nov. 1. Voting hours are extended from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29 and Thursday, Oct. 31, to better accommodate those who work
All voting in Hopkins County is being conducted in the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Courtroom, inside the Courthouse Annex (which also holds the tax office) at 128 Jefferson St. in Sulphur Springs.
Election Day voting will be held at the 12 designated voting centers throughout the county from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.
On The ballot
On the ballot for all registered Texas voters are 10 proposed amendments to Texas Constitution. These include proposals affecting funding or potential funding for parks and wildlife departments, education, cancer research and prevention programs, flooding prevention and mitigation plans and programs, water supply and server service development in economically distressed areas; prohibiting or exemption of taxes on property in governor-declared disaster areas, individuals, partnership and unincorporated associations, certain precious metal tax exemptions; and who retired law enforcement animals may be transferred at no cost.
Sulphur Springs voters will be asked to vote either in favor or against Proposition A, which designates $200,000 per year for 20 years in Economic Development funding to go to Sulphur Springs Parks Department for construction and maintenance improvements at Pacific Park as well as toward a new Senior Citizens Center.
Voters within North Hopkins ISD will be asked to cast ballots in the school board election. Voters will pick up to three of the seven candidates to serve as school trustees.
Hopkins County residents who live within three voters precincts (1, 8 and 36) will also be asked to vote for or against the change dissolving Lake Fork Water Supply Corporation to form Lake Fork Special Utility District. These voters will also be asked to select their choices from the listed candidates to serve one-year, two-year and three-year terms as directors in the district.
Voters who reside within the Cumby city limits will be asked to select one of the two choices for mayor. Voters may also vote, if they choose, for the Place 3, Place 4 and Place 5 alderman; however, all are unchallenged for the seats they are seeking on the Cumby City Council.
Those who live within the boundaries of Cumby ISD are asked to vote either for or against a $6.2 million bond for major improvements to the elementary campus, career and technology and agriculture buildings and moving the football field. Because Cumby ISD is located in both Hopkins and Hunt counties, voters may cast ballots only at the designated voting locations within their home county.
Cumby ISD voters who live in Hopkins County may cast early ballots in person at the voting center on Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs. Hunt County residents will cast early ballots in the Cumby ISD bond election at the Voter Administration Office, 2217 Washington St. in Greenville from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 29-30, and Friday, Nov. 1. Early voting will be extended from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, for Hunt County voters, also at the Voter Administration office. Election Day voting will be at the designated voting centers in Hunt County from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Hopkins County Fire Department To Benefit From SAFER, SRA Grants
Hopkins County Commissioners Court, during the regular court session Monday morning, formally accepted two grants to benefit the fire department.
County officials were notified earlier this fall that Hopkins County Fire Department has been selected to benefit from SAFER grant and Thursday was presented with $20,000 Sabine River Authority Community Assistance Program Grant. County officials had to formally accept the grants in court for official record purposes.
SAFER Grant
The federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant, referred to as a SAFER Grant and provided through FEMA, will allow HCFD to hire three more firefighters. One would be assigned to each of the three on-duty shifts, for a total of three full-time firefighters on-duty each day, according to County Judge Robert Newsom.
Currently, the department’s shift includes two full-time firefighters daily, and one part-time firefighter for a 12-hour shift on week days. Sometimes, the department has to operate one firefighter short, as part-time firefighters aren’t always available to fill that third slot, especially the first 12 hours of the shift when they are getting off work at other full-time jobs. Having a third full-time firefighter on shift should help with that staffing issue, the judge noted.
The SAFER Grant will cover 75 percent of the cost of salary and benefits for new position for the first two years of the grant cycle, and 35 percent the third year. The county would be responsible for the full cost of salaries and benefits the fourth year, according to Newsom. The county by accepting the grant has committed to maintaining the salary and benefits for the three firefighters for three years then, Endsley noted.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker commended Endsley and officials on seeking the grant not only to meet current needs but in preparation for future growth in the county as well.
After the county notifies officials they accept the grant, it will go into affect in 180 days, which would see the new firefighters installed in their new positions in April 2020.
Newsom said certified firefighters interested in the full-time position should contact Texas Work Force Solutions to apply. Minimum requirements are a high school diploma, Department of State Health Services EMT- Basic and basic Texas Commission on Fire Protection certifications, and structural firefighter IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800 training.
Sabine River Authority Grant
The $20,000 grant SRA Board members and staff presented to HCFD Chief Andy Endsley Thursday afternon was twice the usual amount of Community Assistance Grants awarded. The grant was a show of appreciation for the quick and continued response of Hopkins County employees and emergency management officials, which limited exposure, when diesel spilled out of a ruptured pipeline into Turkey Creek on Oct. 3.
Hopkins County emergency management officials were on site for the cleanup effort 24-hours a day for 13 days straight, and daily continue to check and monitor the process.
The commissioners and judge offered recognition to Endsley, the county’s emergency management coordinator, and Kristy Springfield, assistant coordinator, for an “outstanding job” during the event.
Newsom offered appreciation to Barker and his staff, for their swift response in building an earthen dam to contain the spill 1.7 miles down Turkey Creek. That stopped the flow 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.
Endsley noted the response was a collaborative effort among local authorities, hired subcontractor and multiple agencies, who pooled resources to get the job done.
The funding was awarded to help the county replenish supplies and buy new equipment that may be need to help in the future.
Budget Amendment
The commissioners approved a budget amendment adding a line item for emergency management. Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook explained Hopkins County Fire Department previously had an emergency management budget, but no funding has been allocated for that function in recent budget. The amendment put the line item back in the budget, with the funding designated for emergency management purposes. The SRA grant will go into that line item function.
