Signature Solar is the 2024 Gala Marquee Sponsor
Sulphur Springs, Texas – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is thrilled to announce its 2024 $40,000 Marquee sponsor for the 18th annual fundraising Gala. Signature Solar’s Founder and Owner James Showalter has agreed to sponsor the upcoming Gala at this generous level.
Gala Co-Chair John Sellers and Foundation Executive Director Kayla Price met with Showalter and Signature Solar’s Kenny Rogers to discuss the possibility. Soon thereafter, Rogers informed Sellers of the decision to sponsor.
Signature Solar’s Senior Director of Operations Kenny Rogers shared, “Signature Solar is proud to be sponsoring the Foundation’s upcoming Gala. We care about Hopkins County and its citizens and feel this is one way we can do something to benefit the entire community.”
Proceeds of this year’s Gala will be donated to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs to help fund the expansion of the surgical services wing. The project is expected to cost several million dollars. The expansion will allow for more procedures and modalities to be offered in a manner that will allow for faster surgeries and quicker healing times.
“We are so excited that James and Signature Solar have decided to donate this lead gift to the Gala. We are so very appreciative of their support of the Foundation’s mission to improve local healthcare resources,” said Foundation Chair Maleta Reynolds.
This is the second year that the Gala has benefitted from a $40,000 sponsorship. Last year, the CMF-SS Volunteer Auxiliary donated $40,000 as well. The Auxiliary members donate their time to serving in several capacities at the hospital as well as running the Johnnie Masters Gift Shop.
The Gala has a sellout crowd, but there are still 100 for $100 tickets available as well as a chance to bid on silent auction items, both of which do not require attendance at the Gala. Visit LOLGala2024.GiveSmart.com for more information.
The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that has served Hopkins County for 27 years. It is governed by a board of directors of local citizens.
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Photo: Signature Solar’s James Showalter, Nick LaBarbera, Nancy LaBarbera, and Kenny Rogers present Gala Co-Chair John Sellers with a ceremonial check recognizing their Marquee sponsorship of the January 27 Gala. Visit LOLGala2024.GiveSmart.com for more information about the Gala.
Authorities Issue a Declaration of a Local State of Disaster For Cumby
January 18, 2024 – This declaration will allow the City of Cumby to obtain more resources from the State of Texas. Currently, a public works task force from Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is on the scene helping local workers on a large leak on Cumby’s water system.
Beginning January 17, 2024, Cumby, Texas has a water outage due to multiple breaks in the water lines as a result of the recent severe cold weather. The County Judge of Hopkins County, where Cumby is located, has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect property. The city of Cumby has experienced damages that have affected the stability and continuity of private and government infrastructures due to a limited or no availability of water, including closed schools, fire operations, Government Organizations, and more. Therefore, Judge Robert Newsom has authorized the public resources of Hopkins County and cities of this county to use all available resources to cope with this disaster.
Julian and Nash Sign Up In Effort to Retain Seats on Sulphur Springs City Council
January 18, 2024 – Two incumbents on the Sulphur Springs City Council have filed their paperwork to hopefully retain their seats on the council in the upcoming May election, as a third candidate has signed up to make a challenge for a third seat on the council.
Three seats on the Sulphur Springs City Council, Places 1, 2 and 3 will be on the ballot in the May 4, 2024 election. Jay Julian who currently occupies Place 1 on the council seeks re-election as his first term is set to expire. In a press release, Julian expressed his desire to keep working for the citizens of the city, and hopes voters will recognize his dedication and effectiveness. Harold Nash, Sr. looks to retain his seat of Place 2 on the council which he has held since December 2019.
Place 3, currently held by Oscar Aguilar, has only had one person file paperwork at this time. Collyn Seth McDaniel has signed up for the spot as city staff awaits the incumbent or any other challengers to file their paperwork.
All places on the Sulphur Springs City Council are “at-large” meaning anyone residing inside the Sulphur Springs City Limits that also meet the other requirements, are allowed to run for any place on the council that will be on the upcoming ballot.
As stated on the City of Sulphur Springs website, any potential candidate should meet the following requirements:
A prospective candidate shall be a qualified voter of the State of Texas, resided continuously in the State of Texas and the City of Sulphur Springs for 12 months immediately preceding the deadline for filing an application for a place on the ballot. Other qualifications include 1) must be a citizen of the United States eligible to hold such office under the constitution and laws of this state; 2) must not be mentally incompetent as determined by a court; 3) Must not be convicted of a felony for which he/she has not been pardoned or had full rights of citizenship restored by other official action; 4) must be 18 years of age or older on the commencement of the term to be filled; 5) must not hold any other public office in which he/she was elected for and/or be a member of a board directly appointed by the City Council on the commencement of the term to be filled; 9) city taxes must be paid to current; 10) and have knowledge of the nepotism law summary.
Cumby Residents Still Face Water Outage
January 18, 2024 – It is all hands on deck in the City of Cumby as their water department attempts to chase down the leaks after the winter freeze. City staff, police personnel, fire departement personnel and elected officials all have pitched in to get their water supply back online. Much progress was made on Wednesday as the water tower was filled by late evening, but quickly drained as water lines to residents filled back up and new leaks were discovered. Bottled water continues to be handed out to residents affected by the outage. Residents can pick up cases of bottled water at the City Maintenance facility located at 101 East Main St. across from City Hall. As the water department continues to work on the problem, some residents may have temporary water service and will be under a boil notice if that water is used for consumption. The boil notice will remain in effect until further notice.
Greater Emmanuel MBC Sponsors New Year’s Praise Benefit January 28th
Greater Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church will Sponsor a New Year’s Praise Benefit Musical Honoring Rev. and Sis. Thomas Peters January 28, 2024. The event will begin at 2:00pm. The Benefit will be held at the Cypress Baptist Center, 901 Como St., in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Rev. D. K. Young is the Pastor. The public is invited.
Bottled Water Distribution for Cumby Residents Affected by Outage
January 17, 2024 – As water woes continue in Cumby, fire department personnel continue to hand out bottled water for residents affected by the outage. Repairs are ongoing for the water system, but as the outage continues into the evening hours, fire department personnel have set up a command station on Main St. in Cumby across from City Hall to distribute bottled water for those who are without.
Winnsboro Christus Hospital Donates to Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center
January 17, 2024 – For eight years, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Winnsboro has held their annual Christmas Wreath silent auction to raise money for Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center. The wreaths are donated by businesses, community members, and CHRISTUS Associates.
Once they are collected, they are auctioned off with all proceeds donated to NETCAC.
This year, the auction raised $2,000 to be donated.
The Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center is located in Winnsboro, but covers several Northeast Texas counties (Camp, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Rains, Titus, Upshur and Wood counties).
Their mission is “to bring hope and healing while working together to break the cycle of child abuse.”
Plant Carrots Now! From Master Gardener David Wall
January 16, 2024 – OK, why grow carrots when they’re so easy to pick up at the grocery store already peeled, cut into bite sized morsels, cleaned and packaged? Well, I have to admit, these are pretty good reasons for using the grocery store. On the other hand, growing them for self and the needy provides a great service and satisfaction for the grower.
Many of us had grandparents who gardened and tried to instill a gardening desire in each of us. Unfortunately, in my case, that desire took some years to take effect. Now, depending on the crop and the growing season, I provide anywhere from 10-65 thousand vegetables for the needy and family/neighbor consumption.
It’s hard to beat the taste of a fresh cool carrot. Many would say they’re difficult to grow. In Actuality, they’re easy to grow, BUT an awareness of the time needed to germinate, soil preparation, and time from seed to harvest are needed.
Carrots were first found domesticated in Persia during the 10th century and were either white or purple. Drawings from the 5th century clearly show carrots. Cross breeding over the centuries resulted in the multitude of colors available today. Within 100 years, they had spread throughout the Mediterranean and western Europe, followed to Asia within another 300 years. Today, the U.S. population eats nearly 10 pounds of carrots a year. One farm in California handles some 10 million pounds a day!!!
Carrots hate handling, so never transplant. Sow only by direct seeding ½” deep in loose (not compacted) soil 12” deep. Soil temperature should by at least 45°. Germination can take as long as two weeks. Once they get to 3” tall, thin with scissors to 3” apart. Time from sowing seeds to harvesting will vary from 50-75 days. Six to eight hours of sunlight needed.
Two Black Corvettes Brave the Weather As Their Fate is Determined
January 15, 2024 – Two high value sports cars await their fate outside in the elements as their future is sorted out by law enforcement.
The two Chevrolet Corvettes, both black, have been secured behind a chain-link fence for over a week after being towed from a Sulphur Springs residence as suspected stolen vehicles.
Although the years of the vehicles are unknown, one C7 example is a Z06 model making it’s possible year model between 2015 and 2019. The C7 Z06 sports a 6.2 liter supercharged engine that puts out 650 horsepower in its stock configuration as it can reach a top speed of 185mph. The newer C8 Corvette, possibly built as model year between 2020 and 2023 had no special markings indicating that this example is a base model. The newer mid-engine C8 Corvette has been in high demand and short supply in any configuration over the past few years making the vehicles difficult to obtain.
The two impounded Corvettes shown remained unprotected as the winter storm dropped temperatures into the single digits and scattered snow onto the flashy finishes. Investigation continues into the history of these and other vehicles as local law enforcement continue to sort out the possibilities. See the Original Theft Story about Everett Van Jennings here.
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.
Odessa Woman Arrested For Felony DWI Involving Small Child
January 15, 2024 – Sulphur Springs Police were dispatched to a Como Street Business over the weekend in response to a call about a suspicious vehicle at the business. The caller knew that the car was unfamiliar and knew the driver was not employed by the business. Upon arrival, officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver was slow to react and appeared to have trouble operating the vehicle. As officers approached the Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, they observed two open conatiners of alcoholic beverages as well as a 2 year old child in the back seat of the vehicle. The driver, Gretell Suarez Negrin exhibited signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. The driver was asked to exit the vehicle and perform standardized field sobriety tests which she failed. As the officers believed she was unable to safely operate a vehicle and with no other passengers, other than the 2 year old child, a towing service was called to impound the vehicle. Local Child Protective Services were contacted to transport the child from the scene. Suarez Negrin was then taken to a local hospital as a search warrant was issued for a blood draw on the driver to ascertain a proper blood alcohol level. Gretell Suarez Negrin, age 30, remains in the Hopkins County Jail with the charge of Driving While Intoxicated with a child under15 years of age, which is a State Jail Felony. The bond for Gretell Suarez Negrin is set at $100,000 on the charge.
