Roberts Files for SSISD Board; Johnson Will Not File for Re-election
Thursday morning Craig Roberts filed for a place on the Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees. Roberts is the third candidate to file.
Incumbent Clay Johnson told KSST News Thursday morning that he will not seek re-election to the board. Johnson said he has enjoyed his nine (9) years on the board. He commended the work of fellow board members and believes he is leaving the board at a time when Superintendent Michael Lamb and Johnson’s fellow board members have a number of things in place to continue the stability and growth of the local school district. He noted that his son will be a senior at SSHS next school year.
On Tuesday, incumbents Leesa Toliver and John Prickette filed to return to their places on the board. There are three places on the May 4th ballot.
School board trustee election filing continues through Friday, February 15, 2019. Anyone desiring to seek a place on the board may file at the Tax Office at the SSISD Administration Building on Connally Street. If no others file for a place on the board, the three who have filed will be named to their place without an election.
Chamber Connection January 17, 2019
by Lesley Brown, President/CEO Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
I know that I am bombarding you with news from the Chamber, but this is truly a big announcement. The Chamber will be moving to its temporary location on Friday, January 18th. We will be closed on Monday, January 21st while we get ourselves functional again, and then will return with normal 9-5 business hours on Tuesday, January 22nd. Our new location is 128-A Jefferson Street. Come by and see us anytime!! We hope to be in our permanent location on the South side of the square by May. Big dreams are coming true!
Since it is our 50th Anniversary for the Stew Contest, we are hosting our t-shirt/theme contest EARLY so we can CELEBRATE all year!!!! If you have a great idea for the theme of this year’s stew contest, submit your entry via email to [email protected] by January 31st, 2019. Can’t wait to see your ideas!!! It’s gonna be big!!!
It is with great pleasure that the 2019 Board of Directors invites you to the 93rd Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Thursday, February 14, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center. We are introducing a Networking Cocktail half hour at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30, and the awards will follow at 7 p.m. Please take this opportunity to bring your family, friends, and employees to an evening of dinner and community awards including Large and Small Business of the Year, Educator of the Year, Caregiver Award, Agriculturist of the Year, Woman of the Year, and Citizen of the Year. Our banquet theme is “Love Makes the World Go ‘Round!” and is set in various places around the world. This is your chance to bring your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day to enjoy a night bursting with community pride. Red attire is encouraged, but not required. Individual tickets are $30, and tables of ten are available for $500, which includes preferential seating and visible labeling of your business. We are excited for you and your business to join us for this extraordinary evening. Please make your reservation TODAY by calling Chelsea, Cathey, or Lezley at the Chamber of Commerce, (903) 885-6515, or by stopping by to visit at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
Nominations are still being accepted for Outstanding Educators, Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Citizen of the Year. These nominations should be sent to [email protected]. The Pilot Club is currently accepting nominations for Caregiver of the Year. These nomination forms can also be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce office. Finally, Beta Sigma Phi is accepting nominations for Woman of the Year. Nominations for this award should be mailed to Jimmie McEntire, P.O. BOX 72, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483.
Reilly Springs Jamboree hosts their January show
The Reilly Springs Jamboree offers an exciting Country and Gospel season opener show on Saturday, January 19. Tickets at the door are $10 adult and $5 for children age 10 and under. The Kitchen offers concessions, a meal and desserts. The Reilly Springs Jamboree is Hopkins County’s original music venue since 1956, held on the third-Saturday night of each month inside the Reilly Springs Community Center, 109 CR 1439. Check Facebook or find archived shows at reillyspringsjamboree.com. Contact Enola Gay at 903-438-3568 or Roger Reed for details.
Merle Norman Spa to host ribbon cutting
Merle Norman Spa will host a ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, January 22nd, at noon. They will reveal their new spa services. Merle Norman is located at 212 N. Davis Street in Sulphur Springs. See you there!
Hunt Regional is offering Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on January 24th in the Spring Village Shopping Center in Sulphur Springs. All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call (903) 408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
Chaffer’s Place Academy & Arts to host ribbon cutting
Chaffer’s Place Academy & Arts is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration at 410 Main Street in Sulphur Springs on Tuesday, January 29th at noon. Please make plans to stop by and welcome this new business to Hopkins County.
Julia Wilhite State Farm announces their ribbon cutting celebration
Julia Wilhite State Farm will host their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, January 30th at noon. Julia’s State Farm office is located at 1030 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs. See you there!
Texas A&M- Commerce hosting Career Fair
Texas A&M – Commerce Career Development is hosting a Non-Profit Career and Internship Fair on Tuesday, February 12th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the RSC Conference Rooms. Cost is $75 and includes one table for volunteer and intern recruitment, two lunch tickets, and two hours of student engagement. Please register at www.hirealion.com.
Ribbon Cuttings:
Charleston Sky held their ribbon cutting celebration
Charleston Sky, a new venue in Delta County, held their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, January 9th at noon. Their address is 4274 FM 895 in Cooper, Texas.
Midwest Total Lending Concepts to host Ribbon Cutting
Midwest Total Lending Concepts hosted their ribbon cutting celebration at noon on Monday, January 14th. They are located at 616 N. Hillcrest Dr., Suite B, in Sulphur Springs.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Spring Semester Begins Tuesday
Gerald Zavala, back center, and Jacelyn Wilkinson, right, both of Sulphur Springs, complete enrollment for the spring semester at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center during late registration Wednesday. Assisting with the process is Advisor Carey Gable along with other PJC staff. The spring semester begins Tuesday, January 22, 2019. For more information call 903-885-1232.
Basketball: Wildcats, Lady Cats Coaches Commend Teams in Mt Pleasant Victories
Cipoletta Proud of His Winning Wildcats
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta said he was proud of the way his team played in a Tuesday night (January 15) win at Mount Pleasant. He said the team had to step up since the Wildcats had to play without key cog Sadaidriene Day Day Hall who was out with a concussion. Junior Cameron Kahn and senior Xavier Cork really stepped up according to Coach Cipoletta. He called Mount Pleasant the toughest place to play in the district. Coach Cipoletta said it always has a hostile, chaotic atmosphere. He said the Wildcats handled the pressure even when the Tigers went ahead in the third quarter. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats played exceptional defense. He said the Wildcats hit shots when they needed to and made the Tigers pay when they chose to press. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats had the height advantage against Mount Pleasant and he said he worked to create mismatches inside. He said his team did a good job of finding players when they had mismatches. The Wildcats, ranked #5 in Class 5A, are 2-0 in district play and their season record is 16-8. The Wildcats host Texas High, also 2-0 in district play, Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Sulphur Springs Gym.
Lady Cats Coach Tisdell Survives First Visit to Mount Pleasant and Gets Win
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell found out Tuesday night (January 15) that Mount Pleasant can be a hard gym to play in. Still the Lady Cats left with a win but he wasn’t easy. Coach Tisdell, with point guard Sadavia Porter ailing and running a fever, watched her team struggle early, getting off to a slow start on offense and playing so so defense. Porter managed only 2 first quarter points on two free throws as the Lady Cats trailed after one quarter, 9-6. The Lady Cats only led by four at halftime, 21-17. Then Porter went to work and ended up with 29 total points almost matching the entire Mount Pleasant team. Most of Porter’s baskets came in transition. The Lady Cats won 58-31 using a 20-3 advantage in the fourth quarter. Coach Tisdell was pleased with the Lady Cats defense in the second half. Statistically, the Lady Cats ended up shooting 45% in the game while holding the Lady Tigers to 22%. Both teams shot poorly from 3-point range, the Lady Cats hitting only 2 of 11 for 18% while Mount Pleasant made only 3 of 21 for 14%. The Lady Cats outrebounded the Lady Tigers 33-24. The Lady Cats had 10 assists, 16 steals and 5 deflections. The Lady Cats had 14 turnovers. Porter had 4 assists, 5 rebounds, 7 steals and 2 deflections. Te-Arria Rose had 1 rebound and a deflection. Aliyah Abron got 1 blocked shot, 2 rebounds and a steal. Kate Womack had 3 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Danielle Godbolt had 4 rebounds and a deflection. Nylah Lindley got 2 assists, 1 blocked shot, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Autumn Tanton had 1 assist, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and a deflection. Colbria Harrison grabbed a rebound. The Lady Cats are 3-1 in district play and 21-4 for the season. They play arch rival Texas High Friday evening at 6:15 p.m. in the Main Sulphur Springs Gym.
Saltillo Lady Lions Ranked #25 in Class A; Lions Win; Panthers Defeat Como-Pickton
The Saltillo Lady Lions, ranked #25 in Class A, improved their district record to 5-0 with a 28-16 win at Sulphur Bluff Tuesday evening (January 15). Sulphur Bluff actually led after the first quarter, 7-3. Saltillo outscored the Lady Bears 9-0 in the second quarter to take a 12-7 lead. The Lady Lions outscored Sulphur Bluff 12-3 in the third quarter to take a 24-10 lead. Sulphur Bluff outscored the Lady Lions 6-4 in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough. Maddy Smith scored 14 points for the Lady Lions. Anna Reeder had 6 points and Chandler Bain added 4 points. The Lady Lions are now 21-8 for the season. Sulphur Bluff Coach Zandra Peyton said her Lady Bears came out strong on defense and were able to slow the ball down. For the Lady Bears, Katlyn Rochelle had 4 points, Alley Collett and Makenna Morgan had 3 points apiece and Jada Wade, Ann Dorner and Dalena Di Donato had 2 points each.
The Saltillo Lions also won at Sulphur Bluff, 60-40 Tuesday evening. The Lions outscored the Bears in every quarter. For the Lions, Chris Boekhorst scored 26 points, Ben Moore had 15 points, Matthew Gurley and Andrew Redburn scored 6 points each, Dillon Beadle had 3 points and Levi Hoover and Jayden Holloway added 2 points each. The Lions are now 2-1 in district play and 17-8 overall. The Lions and Lady Lions host Avery Friday.
The North Hopkins Panthers also won Tuesday. The Panthers came out on top against Como-Pickton, 49-24.
Aging Insight: ‘Do It Yourself Will’ Law School Lunch Class
The approximately 100 persons who attended “Law School Lunch” on January 14, 2019 asked questions and got answers about the importance of having a will to delegate their final wishes. What they learned is that a do-it-yourself will written at home can actually be a valid document if worded properly. They also learned some things not to do when preparing this most important of final legal documents.
During the free noon-time event at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center, Attorney John Ross, Senior Law Partner at Ross and Shoalmire Elder Care Attorneys of Texarkana, Texas addressed both myths and truths about the making of a will. It is possible to create a valid handwritten will, called a holographic will, as long as you avoid errors that might render it invalid. No matter the person’s age or mental state, there are three major requirements for the individual at the time that they wish to make a valid will:
- Does he/she know who their people are? (the person or persons whom they wish to bequeath money or property to)
- Does he/she know what their stuff is? (are they aware of the money, property or possessions they wish to bequeath)
- Is he/she able to formulate their wishes in their own handwriting? (to be valid, the entire handwritten will must be in the person’s own handwriting and need not be notarized) .
Some basic tips in creating your own will include: In naming a beneficiary, do not state “my wife”, “my husband” or “my children” because over the course of time, spouses may change or the number of living children may change. Another tip: Make sure your will is up to date and be more specific about bequeathing “my house on the lake” or “my life savings” Why? Because with the passing of time, the home you leave may have changed or the dollar amount of your savings may grow or shrink, depending on circumstances. (example: your $100,000 savings may be diminished after a few years spent in a nursing facility) You may wish to update or correct your specific wishes as well as the beneficiaries of your property.
Much more about making a will can be obtained from a free consultation with Ross and Shoalmire Elder Law Attorneys, or rossandshoalmire.com
Parks and Open Space Master Plan Event Sparks Ideas for Buford Park
Tuesday, January 15th, Sulphur Springs residents had an opportunity to submit ideas for Buford Park. This is the second in a series of opportunities for the public to contribute ideas for the Parks and Open Space Master Plan. The Parks and Open Space Master Plan will be used by the city as they apply for Texas Parks and Wildlife grants as well as taking steps to improve park areas. A third meeting, to be conducted February 7th , will be focused on Coleman Park.
Micha Perez with Landscape Architect with MHS Planning and Design of Tyler, told KSST News that the day had been filled with ideas that are now being placed in an overall design for Buford Park. A number of ideas will be put in place during the next year and other plans will be available for the city in years to come. City Manager Marc Maxwell said “This is a plan and is probably a 25 year plan.” Some things will take place soon, according to Maxwell who noted the Bright Star Baseball organization has already raised $120,000 for a new baseball field for handicapped athletes. Maxwell said that an architect will be hired soon to begin plans for the new Gray’s Building at Pacific Park.
Perez said some things will be planned for changes in the next year. She said handicapped parking for the Chamber of Commerce Hopkins County Stew Fest and added parking that would be closer to the stew area are on the front burner for planning. She said bathroom facilities are also a concern that meets the immediate needs criteria.
Other suggested plans for Buford Park include:
- New restrooms and concession stands for ball fields and for the playground
- New Spray Pad in place of the old metal playground
- Lighting and irrigation around playground, pavilion, and walkways in the park
- Tree planting to replace older trees that are or will be dying
- New wooden playground to replace Kid’s Kingdom when it is no longer viable
- Improvements to the softball field that will add bleachers and some parking
- A U-shaped area for food trucks and picnic tables
- Head in parking along streets around the park
- New entry signs at all entries into the park
- Redoing the basketball court with Plexiglas walls around to facilitate an in-door-like soccer field
- Upgrading the skate park keeping most of the structures at skate park
- On the southwest side of the park, not only build the Bright Star baseball field for handicapped athletes but also build a playground and soccer field in that area
- Expand Peavine Pinion Pool area into the dog park area.
These ideas for Buford Park will be added to the ideas submitted for Pacific Park as the Parks and Open Space plan develops for the city. On Feb 7th, another day-long session will focus on Coleman Park.
Glass to Seek Re-election to City Council Place 5
On the first day to file for a place on the Sulphur Springs City Council, Councilwoman Emily Glass filed for re-election to Place 5 on the council. Glass, currently Mayor Pro-Tem, has been instrumental in a number of steps taken by the council in past years.
Filing is underway for the May 4, 2019 municipal election. Opportunity to file for Places 5, 6, and 7 continue through February 15, 2019. Currently Place 6 is held by Freddie Taylor and Place 7 is held by Doug Moore, who was appointed to Place 7 until this election. Moore was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Dan Froneberger who resigned from the council to pursue more time with family and other pursuits.
