Governor Abbott Orders Texas Flags Lowered To Half-Staff In Honor Of El Paso Shooting Victims
August 3, 2019
Director Dwight D. Mathis
Capitol Region VII
Texas Department of Public Safety
201 East 10th Street, Suite 600
Austin, Texas 78701
Dear Director Mathis:
The El Paso community was struck by a heinous and senseless act of violence today. Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific shooting and to the entire community in this time of loss. As such, it is fitting that flags should be lowered immediately to half-staff in memory of those who lost their lives.
Therefore, pursuant to Chapter 3100 of the Texas Government Code, I direct the Texas flag be immediately lowered to half-staff statewide on Saturday, August 3, 2019, in memory of those who lost their lives. Flags should remain at half-staff through sunset on Thursday, August 8, 2019. Flags should be returned to fullstaff on the following day.
Individuals, businesses, municipalities, counties, and other political subdivisions and entities are encouraged to fly their flags at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of honor and respect.
The First Lady and I extend our prayers of comfort to the survivors and the families of the victims and we will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Respectfully,
Greg Abbott
Governor
JH/gsd
Hopkins County Teams Take Two of Their Three Games Sunday at Dixie Softball World Series
The Hopkins County Debs and Angels continued to roll in the Dixie Softball World Series Sunday at Coleman Park in Sulphur Springs. The Hopkins County Ponytails lost their first game Sunday. Three other Texas teams, two from Franklin County, were eliminated Sunday morning.
The Hopkins County Debs came from behind to defeat Tennessee, 5-4 Sunday night, The local Debs scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-4 lead going into the top of the seventh. Tennessee won their first game Saturday by rallying for two runs in the seventh inning. This time they did not. They did put two runners on but a well struck long fly ball to center field was caught by the Hopkins County Debs for the third out. The local Debs now play South Carolina Monday night at 8 p.m. on Field 5. Both teams are 2-0 so far. South Carolina defeated North Carolina, 16-2 Sunday morning to qualify for the Monday night contest. Louisiana, with one loss, earned a bye into Tuesday night action by defeating Coldspring Texas, 13-2 Sunday morning and then topping North Carolina Sunday evening. The losses eliminated Coldspring Texas and North Carolina. Tennessee, 2-1 so far will play Virginia, 1-1 Monday night at 6 p.m. on Field 5. Tennessee defeated Virginia Sunday morning. Virginia staved off elimination by besting Alabama Sunday evening. Alabama was eliminated. North Carolina was also eliminated.
The Hopkins County Ponytails lost their first World Series game Sunday night to Alabama, 12-4. At one time, the game was tied at 4-4 but Alabama scored five runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to win the game. Alabama is 3-0 as they also defeated Virginia Sunday morning. Hopkins County is 1-1. The Hopkins County Ponytails play an elimination game against Virginia, also 1-1, Monday night at 6 p.m. on Field 2. Alabama will play South Carolina, 2-0 Monday at 8 p.m. on Field 1. South Carolina defeated Tennessee Sunday morning. Louisiana, 2-1 in the tournament, won twice Sunday eliminating North Carolina Sunday morning and knocking out Florida Sunday evening. Louisiana plays Tennessee in an elimination game Monday at 6 p.m. on Field 1. The Franklin County Texas team was eliminated Sunday morning after a loss to Florida.
The Hopkins County Angels, now 2-0 bested Florida, 7-2 Sunday morning. They got off to a great start scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the first. The local Angels play the winner of an Alabama and Virginia game played Sunday evening on Monday at 8 p.m. on Field 3. Alabama defeated Louisiana Sunday morning. South Carolina, 2-1 faces Florida, 1-1 in an elimination game Monday at 6 p.m. on Field 3. North Carolina, 1-1 also plays in an elimination game against the loser of the Alabama and Virginia game played Sunday evening on Monday at 6 p.m. on Field 4. The Franklin County Texas Angels team was eliminated Sunday morning after a loss to South Carolina. Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also been eliminated. Five Debs, six Ponytails and six Angels team are still in the hunt going into play Monday night.
City Council Meeting Agendas For Aug. 5, 2019
CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS
SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 6, 2019 6:00 P.M.
A special workshop meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 in the Conference Room, at 201 North Davis. The following items will be discussed:
- Call to order.
- Discussions on proposed fiscal year 2019-20 budget.
- Adjourn.
CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 6, 2019 7:00 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will be held at 7:00 p.m.m on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 in the Council Room at 201 North Davis Street. The following items will be discussed:
- Call to order.
- Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag, Texas Flag, and invocation.
- Presentations, proclamations, and announcements.
- Manager’s report will include a status report of capital improvements, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the month, and a review of expenditures, revenues, purchases, and abatement orders.
- Discussion/action on Consent Agenda.
- Discussion/action on public hearing for second and final reading of Ordinance No. 2747, rezoning for annexation of property generally referred to as Pioneer Business Park and adjacent properties located on the west side of CMH Road between business 67 (Main) and I-30 Frontage Road consisting of 103.05 acres, from Agriculture to Heavy Industrial.
- Discussion/action on public hearing for second and final reading of Ordinance No. 2748, rezoning for annexation of property generally referred to as Heritage Business Park and adjacent properties located east of Loop 301 on Heritage Parkway, north of the railroad tracks, west of CR 3501 and south of CR 3502 consisting of 117.33 acres, from Agriculture to Heavy Industrial.
- Discussion/action on public hearing for second and final reading of Ordinance No. 2749 amending the fee schedule for Community Development to comply with House Bill 852.
- Discussion/action on public hearing for second and final reading of Ordinance No. 2750, amending Zoning Ordinance No. 2050, Article 2. Definitions, Section 2.200, to clarify the definition of Travel Centers and Truck Stop Centers.
- 10.Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1173, authorizing the City Manager to executive master agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management to finance and manage the replacement of the City’s fleet. (This item was tabled at the last meeting and will need action to remove it from the table for discussion and action.)
- Discussion/action on proposals and award of contract for reinsurance for the City of Sulphur Springs Employee Health Insurance Program.
- Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1177 to amend the existing 380 Agreement for property located at 216 Main Street and to authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
- Discussion/action on a Community Facilities Contract for Travel Time RV.
- Discussion/action on a Community Facilities Contract for Landmark Southside Storage Wildcat Way.
- Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1176 to authorize submission for an application for TxDOT Safe Routes to School-Infrastructure Grant for Texas and Bell Streets.
- Visitors and public forum.
- AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.071, CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, REGARDING PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION.
- Discussion/action on Executive Session item.
- Adjourn.
Time Honored Tradition: Quitman Settler’s Reunion
The Old Settler’s Reunion this year was held, as usual, on the first weekend in August. Old friends and family members gathered to share stories, listen to local bands and enjoy carnival style food and rides.
Locals have been attending the reunion for over a 100 years and have come to know it as a time of reconnecting and making new friendships.
Jason Waldon and the Alibis performed in the pavilion. There was a huge crowd clapping and dancing to the music. They even gave out monetary prizes for the longest married couple, newly weds, the oldest person in attendance, and the farthest a person traveled to visit.
The tasty food consisted of corn dogs, deluxe nachos, funnel cakes and other carnival staples. Kids were all smiles as they rode on the different rides.
There were tons of rides and games to play: spinning rides, a mini Ferris wheel, and baseball tosses, face painting, and more.
Art work, jewelry, clothes, and other cute items were available for purchase.
The reunion had free parking and free entry. Tickets for rides cost $1 per ticket or $20 for an arm band and an unlimited rides.
Mark your calendars for next years Old Settler’s Reunion! For more information find them on facebook.
Hopkins Rains Retired School Personnel Plans Reception for Retiring Teachers, Employees
Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel is hosting a reception on Tuesday, August 13 for:
— recent school retirees from Hopkins & Rains Counties
— new members who’ve joined the local chapter
All current members and retired school employees in the area are invited and encouraged to attend!
Date:
Tuesday, August 13
10:00 am
Location:
The Oaks B&B, 516 Oak Ave, Sulphur Springs, Tx.
(turn down Beckham Street to park behind The Oaks)
Light refreshments, coffee and tea will be served.
Sulphur Springs Hosts Dixie Softball World Series: Photos
Sulphur Springs hosts the Dixie Softball World Series Tournament this weekend August 3rd-7th at Coleman Park. Teams from all over the nation traveled to Sulphur Springs to compete in the World Series.
There are three age group division brackets:
Angels are 10 and under
Ponytails are 12 and under
Debs are 18 and under
Ty Boatman, one of the coordinators for the tournament said “the opening ceremonies have been fun. It’s been great.”
Games are scheduled at 9am, 11am, 6pm, and 8pm. Check the elimination bracket posted at Coleman Park baseball fields for updated teams and times.
For more information click here.
Grills, Backpacks, and Burgers…Oh My!
By Savannah Owens
Tableleaf, Backstory Brewery, and SS Dodge have partnered with businesses in the community to put on a Back to School Burger Bash, happening tonight: August 3rd, starting at 5pm.
Tableleaf owner, and creator behind the Burger Bash, Logan Vaughan, explained the idea started after a barbecue cook-off in July. He spoke with Backstory Brewery manager, Ben Whillock, and barbecue chef, David Slaughter about doing a burger cook-off/fundraiser. “We figured it out during church, we were texting each other while the preacher was talking.” Vaughan admitted. “We wanted to raise money for school supplies for the teachers [and students of SSISD].” He explained that the group partnered with Superintendent Michael Lamb, who will distribute the money raised to the schools.
Tableleaf is a hospitality group that hosts events, catering, competition cooking and more. They are planning on traveling for two cooking competitions: the State competition and the World Food Championship. “The idea behind Tableleaf is that the when we break bread with other people, we are nourished in more ways than one. Whether we are gathered together to put on an event, competing in a cooking competition, raising money for a good cause, or opening up our homes, businesses, and lives to nourish those around us, let us lengthen our tables, gather more chairs and include more people.” For more information about Tableleaf you can find them on facebook or call Logan at (903)-348-6223.
There are 19 competitors, each will cook on a new Weber kettle grill with charcoal provided by Lowes. They will have two rounds of cooking: Appetizers and Sliders. Winners will be announced around 8pm.
There will also be a concert from Dubb and the Luv Machines starting at 8pm. Enjoy tons of giveaway items donated by the local businesses, and for an additional $5, you could win a Traeger Grill donated by Mark and Crystal Morgan.
There’s a $20 admission fee to help raise money for school supplies benefiting SSISD Teachers and Students. But if you get there early you can test drive one of the 5 dodge trucks, and SS Dodge will “pay the $20 entry fee, and you are automatically entered into the raffle and [gain access to the food] tastings” explained SS Dodge representative, Jamie Erickson. They have two diesel trucks, and three gas trucks available for test drives. Halee from SS Dodge recommends driving the “Longhorn package or the Truck of the year”. SS Dodge is hoping to donate “$3,000 in entry fees” and will be out until 6pm.
Shawn Battreall with SS Dodge, explained “Scott [Nottingham, the owner] wants to get involved with the community, and [is very] family and small town oriented. [The Burger Bash] was a good opportunity to help SSISD give school supplies to teachers and students. The more people who are here, the more money raised for [the schools]”.
Backstory Brewery assistant manager and assistant brewer Brandi O’Hair spoke with KSST about how excited she was for the event. While food tasting is included with the entry fees, their craft beers are additional costs. O’Hair explained the brewery is a “production brewery”, so they can only sell what is made onsite in the facilities. They have five fermenters, four fifteen barrels, and one seven barrel. The brewery has been open for about a year, and is open 4p-10p on Thurs/Fri, 12p-11p on Saturday, and 12p-8p on Sundays. The brewery encourages you to bring your own food, and O’Hair recommends you try her favorite, the “Nacho Lagre” or the ever popular “Texas Royal Lagre”.
This event is sure to be a blast, and the best part is that it benefits the local schools! You don’t want to miss out!
Burger Cook-off/Fundraiser To Benefit Local Schools: Tonight!
By Savannah Owens
Tableleaf and SS Dodge invite the public to gather tonight at 5pm at Backstreet Brewery to enjoy the cooking competition and taste some appetizers and sliders.
All proceeds benefit SSISD schools. There are also numerous giveaways, and prizes free with the price of admission. Admission is a donation of $20 but if you get there early and test drive a Dodge truck, SS Dodge will cover the entry fee. There will also be games and a bounce house for the kids.
Come out and see if your taste buds match up with the judges! This is a great way to eat dinner and help get school supplies to local students and teachers who need them.
Riddle: Whimsy Grand Opening Delayed A Week
The grand opening for Whimsy Boutique and Wine Bar scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 3, has been delayed a week due to construction. The grand opening has tentatively been rescheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 13 , according to Karen Riddle. Visit whimsytx.com for updates.
