Amber Alert for Local Girl Issued
November 7, 2024 – Jordan Maceachran, 16, of West Tawakoni was was last seen at 6 a.m. on Wednesday. She is described as 5 feet two inches with blue eyes and brown hair.
Jordan was last seen at the 600 block of Valley West Drive in West Tawakaoni. She was wearing a black t-shirt with “AC/DC” on front, black pants, with black and white shoes, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Call 903 447 3605 if you have information about this case.
2024 Big Tex Business Masterclass Produces 15 Graduates
November 7, 2024 – On the evening of November 5, 2024, the annual Big Tex Business Masterclass concluded with a graduation ceremony for 15 hardworking and dedicated entrepreneurs. The five-month cohort comprised of several small businesses provides participants with a classroom, mentoring, and hands-on opportunities for growth and exposure to the food and beverage industry.
The Big Tex Business Masterclass is a dynamic educational series for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry produced by the State Fair of Texas. The program aims to take existing businesses and educate them on implementing successful business operations and disciplines while creating an environment for networking and providing opportunities for growth and exposure. Completion of the program is not an automatic acceptance to the State Fair of Texas, but it allows a behind-the-scenes view and insight into what it takes to be a Food and Beverage Vendor at the Most Texan Place on Earth.
For the past five months, participants completed a series of curriculum, business mentoring, and vendor shadowing during the State Fair of Texas. The curriculum and sessions included topics such as Creating a Restaurant Growth Plan, Budgeting & Outsourcing, Customer Service that Excites and Engages, Marketing Your Food Business, Product Development, Franchising, Financing Options & Resources, and more. Congratulations to the 15 entrepreneurs who successfully completed and graduated from the 2024 Big Tex Business Masterclass:
- Damon Bankhead, Treat Yourself
- Lance Bounlatay, BNNV LLC
- Timothy Green, SMUPlayer17 FoodSeafood
- Antonio Guevara, Tejas BBQ + Tacos
- Ghouseuddin Mohammed (Tyler Wells), Rainbow7 LLC
- Shuntara Morris, Boudamnn
- Aisha Oladeji, KIMORA’S
- Gloria Suchil, Auroras Roasted Corn
- Tifany Swulius, Tejas BBQ + Tacos
- Lawerence Taylor, Versatile Ventures LLC
- Glenn Towery Jr., KC Seoul Kitchen
- Bryanna Watson, Bry’s Brew
- La’Tonja Williams, Tatyanna Pickle Palace & More
- Henry Woodfork, Bigg Chief Soulfood LLC
- LaToya Young, Roll Up Gourmet Egg Rolls
As mentoring plays a significant role in the Big Tex Business Masterclass program, The State Fair of Texas appreciates our 16 vendor mentors’ generosity as they provided support and guidance to the graduates throughout their journey in the cohort. Though the annual State Fair of Texas is the busiest time of year for these vendors, they were willing to allow the participants to shadow them, offering a wealth of knowledge and experience. The State Fair of Texas thanks these vendors for their continuous commitment and support to the Masterclass program:
- Tony Bednar, Tony’s Tacos
- Kerston Crawford-Thorns, Pearlie’s Southern Kitchen
- Christi Erpillo, Winter Family Concessions
- Tom Grace, TS Foodsystems
- Cody & Lauren Hays, Texas Holy Catering
- Javon Henderson, Benavides Foods
- Dwania Morris, Enjoy Foods
- Tami Nevins-Mayes, Nevins Concessions
- Greg Parish, Gourmet Royale
- Brent Reaves, Smokey John’s BBQ
- Nicole Sternes, SouthSide Steaks & Cakes
- Tammy Stiffler, Stiffler Concessions
- Kyle Wall, Eatertaining Events
- Royce West, 2-5 Concessions
- Milton & Gracie Whitley, Homestyle Foods
- Tony Woods, Wingfield
Shuntara Morris of Boudamnn conquered 75 hours of shadowing. “I entered this experience eager to learn, and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. Throughout, I often reminded myself, ‘You don’t know what you don’t know,’ and as a first-generation business owner, I wasn’t sure where to find the resources I needed. The biweekly meetings were incredibly valuable, equipping us with the tools to reach our full potential,” said Morris. “Mentoring with the Fernie family was truly inspiring; the insights and lessons they shared will stay with me for a lifetime. Their guidance also prompted me to reflect on the legacy I want to create—something I hadn’t considered before. I’m leaving this experience filled with fresh ideas and excitement for what lies ahead. I’m incredibly grateful for all I gained from the Big Tex Masterclass.”
The State Fair of Texas aims to give back through our partnerships with local organizations and initiatives while expanding outreach programs and placing a special priority on promoting community involvement. Our impact focuses on three areas of our mission – economic development, capacity building, and education, and the Big Tex Business Masterclass embodies all three. A special thank you to our partners and collaborators for continuously providing their greatest strengths and making this program possible: American National Bank of Texas, City of Dallas, Comerica Bank, SBA, SBDC of North Texas, SCORE Dallas, The Texas Mezzanine Fund, Vicky Cakes, and Wells Fargo. For more information, visit BigTex.com/Masterclass.
Governor Abbott Spotlights Growing Support For School Choice In Tyler
November 7, 2024 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott touted the growing support for school choice across Texas and outlined the next steps to ensure every Texas parent has the freedom to choose the best school for their children during a media availability at Kingdom Life Academy in Tyler.
“School choice is wanted by all demographic groups in the state of Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “Hispanics and African Americans in the state of Texas, they strongly support school choice. Those parents want an option. They know their child better than any government employee does, and they want to put their child on the pathway toward success. School choice improves educational opportunities for minority and low-income students. Texas is going to make sure they have that opportunity. With last night’s election results, Texas will finally be able to provide school choice for every Texan, while continuing to support our public schools and enhancing job training education to ensure our students are going to be successful in their future careers.”
“We are excited about the fact that Texas is moving in the direction of school choice,” said Joel Enge, Founder and Director of Kingdom Life Academy. “As a Black founder of schools, I can speak to the issue on how important school choice is for Black and Hispanic students in our communities. We desperately need school choice to open opportunities for schools like Kingdom Life Academy to provide practical education. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to fight and see school choice open up doors for more students and more families who need an alternative education.”
Watch the Governor’s full media availability here.
Joined by Kingdom Life Academy board members and teachers, including one who graduated from the school, Governor Abbott pointed to last night’s election results and mentioned that Texas has the support to pass school choice in the upcoming legislative session. The Governor also outlined the next steps the Texas Legislature should consider, including continuing to fully fund public education, increase teacher pay and incentives, and enhance job training opportunities in schools.
Joel Enge recently wrote on the importance of our nation’s leaders advancing policies that ensure universal school choice and how it will benefit students from all walks of life, including Black and Hispanic students.
The Elections Results Are In – Texas School Vouchers Have Enough Support
November 6, 2024 – Every candidate that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott backed in the 2024 Texas House general election won. He now has more than enough support for his school voucher program, which uses taxpayer dollars to help parents pay for private school tuition.
Abbott will discuss the plan on Wednesday afternoon while visiting a private school in Tyler.
“Every candidate that I backed in Texas House general election races won tonight,” said Abbott. “There are more than enough votes to pass school choice in Texas.”
While Republicans held a majority in the Texas Legislature before this election cycle, many rural Republicans and Democrats banded together to vote against Abbott’s plan during the last session.
Wreaths Across America – Reilly Springs – Saturday, December 14th
November 6, 2024 – REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.
On December 14, 2024 at 11:00 am, TX1434 – REILLY SPRINGS, TX VETERANS GROUP will be helping REILLY SPRINGS CEMETERY to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes.
Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day, or inviting your family and friends to attend with you.
Thank you so much for supporting the TX1434 – REILLY SPRINGS, TX VETERANS GROUP and Wreaths Across America!
Nationwide 2.7 million wreaths were placed at 3,702 participating locations last year. The mission of Wreaths Across America is Remember, Honor, Teach – remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
CPKC Holiday Train Will Be Close December 2, 2024.
November 6, 2024 – The much anticipated CPKC Holiday Train will make a stop in Texarkana, TX on December 2, 2024. The event will start around 4PM.
A performance from American Authors and KT Tunstall is planned. Click here to see directions to the event.
“The Holiday Train unites people in the spirit of the season as it travels across Canada and the United States, while generating critical support for our neighbours in need through the program’s support of local food banks. We are pleased to again send this magical train on a four-week trip across our network spreading holiday joy as we collect food and raise money to fight food insecurity. We look forward to seeing all the smiles and cheers from people young and old coming together in the spirit of giving.”
– Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer
Please keep in mind that there is more than one CKPC Train. This event is for the Holiday Train. There is a seperate train named the Holiday Express. The Holiday Train and has a seperate, more north and south route and schedule. The Holiday Express does not features performances. Click here for information on the Holiday Express Train’s visit to Sulphur Springs.
Holiday Express Train Visits Sulphur Springs December 8, 2024
November 6, 2024 – The CPKC Holiday Express Train will make an appearance in Sulphur Springs December 8, 2024. At 4pm, it will stop at the usual place, along Martin Luther King Jr Drive at Pacific Park.
Please keep in mind that there is more than one CPKC Train. This post is for the Holiday Express Train. The Holiday Train has a seperate, north and south route and does not stop in Sulphur Springs. Click here to see information on The Holiday Train’s stop in nearby Texarkana.
Curb Painting Company Does Not Have Permit to Solicit Door-to-Door
November 5, 2024 – City of Sulphur Springs warning residents that a company selling a service offering to paint address numbers on curbs is NOT a required service and that the company does not currently have a permit to sell “door-to-door” Solicitors involved with the company are saying that city services like police, fire and ambulance “look at the curb first for your address.” This information does not mean that addresses painted on curbs is a requirement. City of Sulphur Springs Staff wants to warn residents that the city is in no way associated with this company and the city is not requiring this service.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Deploys Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team
November 5, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has deployed an Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team in major counties throughout the State to monitor day-of election activity and address litigation arising from the election, as necessary.
The Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team will be equipped to enforce Texas election laws and take immediate action on any contingencies, including issues seen in previous cycles such as ballot shortages, extended polling location closures, and improper extension of voting hours. Similarly, the OAG will prepare to take defensive action against activist groups who might attempt to influence the election through litigation. The Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team will coordinate with the Texas Secretary of State to ensure that all issues are addressed immediately, and that Texas elections are fair and secure.
Attorney General Paxton has taken extensive action to protect Texas elections from unlawful activity, including suing municipalities unlawfully using taxpayer funds to send voter registration materials to potentially ineligible residents—in one instance, mailing forms to a woman who died more than 40 years ago. He also demanded the Biden-Harris Administration provide information regarding the citizenship status of people who may be illegally registered to vote as required by federal law and sued over their noncompliance. He is also actively defending the State’s election integrity law, Senate Bill 1, to ensure this election is the most secure Texas has ever seen.
“There is no issue more important and more fundamental to our nation than election integrity,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Our Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team will be on the frontline on November 5th. We will defend the ballot box from any bad actors seeking to unduly influence or illegally undermine Texas elections.”
If you suspect an election violation, you may contact the OAG tipline at [email protected].
ED Chris Brown with the Economic Development Corp Visited on This Second Cup Of Coffee
On this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, Sulphur Springs EDC Executive Director Chris Brown sat down with John Mark. The two chatted about the small treasure Chris Brown found and brought to John Mark, Liberty Trailers large new facility being built, a group of important visitors Chris Brown got to show off Sulphur Springs to, and much more. Give this segment a view and learn how Sulphur Springs is growing and developing.
