Local Man Dies in Vehicle/Pedestrian Accident
A 41-old man was struck and killed by a vehicle at approximately 3 a.m. Thursday morning on East Shannon Road near College Street. Sulphur Springs Police are investigating the accident that led to the death of Kevin Wayne Plunkett of Sulphur Springs.
Both Plunkett and the vehicle were headed east bound on Shannon Road. The driver of the vehicle did stop to render aide at the time of the accident.
No other information was made available by SSPD Patrol Captain Jason Ricketson.
Sulphur Springs Business Parks Experience Flurry of Activity
Sulphur Springs industrial parks are experiencing a flurry of activity as buildings are going up to house new industry locally.
Load Trail, known world-wide for the manufacture of trailers and dump trailers, is about 120 days from opening their 160,000 square foot building in Heritage Business Park in Sulphur Springs. The $7.8-million building will house $10-million in equipment. The company sought no tax abatement.
Roger Feagley, Executive Director of the Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation, said a lot of people are working to finish the facility in the industrial park located off Loop 301 near Raven Industries. Rain and other factors delayed the start of the building that is being financed by local banks. The metal building is unlike most metal buildings. The Load Trail building will include extra steel. The building will house assembly lines that will require nine (9) foot pins under some machines to hold the conveyor that will be utilized in the heavily mechanized operation. Feagley stated the shot blast segment of the machine will require a specific 2600 sq. ft. pin for support. The conveyor will carry the trailer being made from station-to-station including welding lines, washing, clean up, shot blasting, sand blasting, and power coating ovens. He said the conveyor should make things run faster and smoother.
Load Trail hopes to eventually have two shifts of workers at the facility. Approximately 150 will be employed at the facility to build their product which ranges from a 53 ft trailer to flatbeds.
Load Trail is the second industry to build in Heritage Park. Armorock Polymer Concrete, the first to locate in the park, chose Sulphur Springs for their first expansion of the Nevada based Company.
In other industrial news, Dobyns Rods hopes to be in their building and working in September of this year. The company, founded by Gary Dobyns, a champion bass pro fisherman who has won over 100 tournaments, plans a grand opening in September. They will begin with 15-20 employees and plan growth over time. JB Weld is relocating to the business park on the west side of Sulphur Springs, near Dobyns Rods, and Saputo is making a major expansion along Como Street as they plan use for the old JB Weld location.
Tumbleweed Smith’s “Sounds of Texas” Radio Program Celebrates 50 Years
Tumbleweed Smith’s “Sounds of Texas” radio show is observing it’s 50th year on the air. It is syndicated across the state of Texas. KSST 1230 AM in Sulphur Springs joined the syndicate early on. Now with 13,000 archived programs, the first broadcast aired on August 1, 1969 in Big Spring, Texas, Tumbleweed’s hometown, where he was News Director at the radio station there. In a couple of months, he had added another station, KZZN the “Country Cousin” in Littlefield, Texas, and thus his syndicate began to grow from just two stations to today’s several dozen statewide. In his 50 professional years, Tumbleweed has interviewed some true Texas characters and archived them. He writes a syndicated weekly newspaper column and teaches broadcasting at the university level. As the creator and producer of The Sound of Texas, one of the longest running syndicated radio programs in Texas, Tumbleweed seeks fascinating people who embody the spirit of the lone star state and brings them into the homes and hearts of thousands.
According to Tumbleweed, 1969 marked the end of a tumultuous decade, but it was the perfect time to start his program as Texas was truly coming into it’s own personality. “The start of the Texas Chili culture, the emerging Austin music scene, the Texas Folklife Festival in San Antonio and the first Texan landing on the moon were all major features that played a part in shaping the Texas phenomenon, and I was able to follow and capture all that, and way beyond” mused Tumbleweed. Over his 50 years, he has assembled the largest private collection of oral history in the United States.
Today, native Texan Bob Lewis (a.k.a. Tumbleweed Smith) and his wife Susan have been married for 55 years, have two sons and four grandchildren. He has visited all 254 Texas countIES and almost every town in Texas, some numerous times. He and Susan love to travel. They have visited 40 countries and are planning a vacation to Iceland as their next trip. Locally, “Sounds of Texas” is heard weekday mornings at 8:30 on KSST 1230AM in Sulphur Springs during the Good Morning Show with Enola Gay.
Bob Lewis a.k.a. Tumbleweed Smith 2018
Bob and Susan
Hearts of Life Animal Rescue Presents Sassy for Adoption
Sassy is still searching for her forever home! Sassy is ironically quite the opposite of her name. She is very shy at first, but once she gets to know you, she’s very eager to please you. She’s very quite, but she loves to play with her best friend and bonded mate Will! (They compliment each other very well and they need to be adopted together)Chamber Connection August 2, 2018
Tonight, is the night! The Chamber is hosting The Chamber Showcase, a night of networking that features Chamber members in Hopkins County, on Thursday, August 2nd at the Sulphur Springs Country Club from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We are sold out of booths, but we encourage you attend the event for $10 and enjoy the opportunity to do it all in one night… just imagine food show + exhibit hall + speed networking! This will be a huge value and opportunity for you and your business! You will be so glad you came! Call the Chamber to ask questions or make reservations at (903) 885-6515. We will also be selling tickets at the door, so come on out!!!
I’m just so excited about the upcoming 3rd Annual Chamber of Commerce Photography Contest! Let me review the basics. Anyone of any age can enter as we have a children’s category. The picture must be newer than January 1, 2016 and must have been taken in Hopkins County. The contest will be open from August 1st to August 31st. There are seven categories you may enter: Natural World, Travel, People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children’s Category. Only digital images are accepted (no prints). To submit your photograph, email the picture to [email protected]. Rules and releases will be available on the Chamber of Commerce website. I cannot wait to see your beautiful photos!
Aaaaaaannnnd, let me not forget to mention that we are preparing to send out the Cook and Sponsor letters for the 49th Stew Contest as we speak. Check your mailboxes and our website for information about stew very soon!
Adult Leadership Class being offered for the Fall! Sign up Now!!!
Lynda Hager reported that she would be offering an Adult Leadership Class starting in August for anyone who is interested. The Adult Leadership Class is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Hopkins county Chamber of Commerce. The course was created in 1989 with the concept of offering leadership training and community involvement for emerging business and community leaders. Leadership Sulphur Springs is a nine-month session, with meetings held once a month. For more information, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515.
Community Players presents Snow White Musicapalooza
Community Players presents Snow White Musicapalooza on Friday, August 3rd at 7 p.m., Saturday, August 4th at 7 p.m., and Sunday, August 5th at 2 p.m., with the same schedule on the following weekend. Tickets are $10 at the Main Street Theater box office or by calling the reservation line at 903-885-0107. Main Street Theater is the home of the Sulphur Springs Community Players, at 225 Main Street, in Sulphur Springs. For more information, visit www.communityplayersinc.com.
Landers Creek Outfitters has scheduled their ribbon cutting celebration
Landers Creek Outfitters, located at 214 Main Street in Sulphur Springs, has scheduled their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, August 8th at noon. Please make plans to come by, check out this brand-new business, and network with other business professionals as we welcome them to Hopkins County.
CANHelp is hosting their 2018 Back to School Fair on Friday August 10th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
CANHelp is hosting their 2018 Back to School Fair! Through the support of community and corporate sponsors, this event will be a one-stop destination to prepare the whole family for the start of school! The fair will offer free health and vision screenings, dental screenings and fluoride applications, immunizations for children and adults, haircuts, food and drinks, backpacks and school supplies (for low and moderate-income families of Hopkins County) and more. The 2018 Back to School Fair is scheduled for Friday, August 10th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. You must register for school supplies in advance. Call CANHelp at (903) 885-9797 (ext. 1) or visit www.canhelponline.org for more details.
Sulphur Springs Public Library Hosts Lone Star Legal Aid
Sulphur Springs Public Library Hosts Lone Star Legal Aid on Wednesday, August 15th. You can receive help if you meet income-based criteria and your issue is a civil, non-criminal issue like: Veterans benefits, custody and child support, divorce and family issues, employment, food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid, wills, bankruptcy, income tax, housing, Social Security disability or estate planning. For more information call (Paris) Lone Star Legal Aid at 1-903-785-8711 or visit www.lonestarlegal.org.
Reilly Springs Jamboree
The Reilly Spring Jamboree will host a special concert on Saturday, August 18th at 6 p.m. featuring the world-famous Blackwood Quartet. Tickets will be $15 general admission or $25 for the Meet-and-Greet with reserved seating for the Blackwood Quartet’s “Gospel Side of Elvis” Concert, a part of their 85th Year Anniversary Tour. For tickets and information, contact Enola Gay Mathews at (903) 438-3568.
Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, August 25th
The next Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, August 25th, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston Street, Sulphur Springs, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This free workshop will cover marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals & dreams. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Engaged couples who attend the workshop will be given a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. Contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 to enroll.
Texas A&M University – Commerce hosting fair
Kick of your 2018-2019 recruiting year on Monday, August 27th by attending this part-time job, internship, and community resource fair! Make Your Connection is part of Lion’s Roar Welcome Week activities where they introduce more than 500 students looking to get hired and be inspired! This is a great way for you to promote part-time jobs, internships, and community resources to TAMU-C students. Each vendor will have a 6ft table, 2 chairs, and a tablecloth. Promotional giveaways are strongly encouraged at your booth! However, the Residential Living and Learning Department requests that no candles and/or incense be given to on-campus residents. THIS IS A FREE EVENT – come hire and inspire a Lion. Please bring a prize/gift basket worth a minimum of $25.00 for a student raffle at the conclusion of the event. Contact Assistant Director Bethany Ferrall at 903.468.3212 or [email protected] with any questions. Additional information can be found at https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/6330/employer_preview.
Lezley Brown
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
Lady Cat Volleyball Begins Two-A-Day Practice
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team began practice for this season with a two-a-day session Wednesday (August 1) in the Middle School Gym. The Lady Cats had a conditioning session from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. and then a session on volleyball skills from 10 a.m. until noon.
Head Volleyball Coach Justin Maness is in his third year. He said the Lady Cats had a team camp conducted by a coach outside the Lady Cats coaching staff Monday and Tuesday this week. Coach Maness said it was exciting to see how volleyball was growing here while watching girls develop into volleyball players. He said the Lady Cats had good energy during the conditioning session Wednesday. Coach Maness said they were excited to be back and were ready to start the season.
The Lady Cats varsity, JV and freshmen teams all captured district championships last year. Coach Maness said winning district would always to a goal for the Lady Cats at all three levels. He expects another huge challenge from Texas High. The Lady Tigers right side hitter is a Texas A&M commit.
Coach Maness said volleyball is a team game and he said the Lady Cats have a lot of really good players. He said if the Lady Cats play like they are supposed to, they would be hard to beat. Coach Maness said if the Lady Cats do what they need to do and play the best they are capable of, he would be proud of them whatever the outcome. He is hoping for a longer playoff run this season than last year.
Autumn Tanton returns for the Lady Cats. The senior was named first team all-district and all-state middle blocker by the Texas Sports Writers Association last season. Junior Erika VanBenthem, the district Newcomer of the Year, is also back. Coach Maness said senior Sadie Stroud will be returning as a libero this season. Senior Madison Vickery returns as a right side hitter. Senior Lexie Whisenhunt will be setting and hitting. Veteran senior Abbi Baier also returns. Coach Maness will also have some talented players to choose from off of last years JV and freshmen teams. He said choosing from so many good players is a good problem to have.
The Lady Cats will host a scrimmage Monday playing Cumby and Commerce. Games begin at 10 a.m. and will run through 1 p.m. Each team will have two games. The Lady Cats open the regular season next Tuesday at Sherman against North Lamar and Sherman.
2017 Scrimmage
Wildcat Football Season Ticket Sales Are Brisk
A Wildcat football season ticket holder showed up at Sulphur Springs High School at 1 a.m. Wednesday (August 1) hoping to be the first in line to get an upgrade. He was surprised to see a fan who arrived at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to start the line. Both went away happy.
Season Ticket Coordinator Lynette King said there were about 25 people in line when doors were opened Wednesday. She said everybody got what they wanted. As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, there were only about 90 season tickets left for sale. About 40 are seat backs in Section C, D and E and around 50 are rail backs in Section B. Any tickets left will be available for the general public Thursday and Friday.
Hours of operation are 8:15 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Thursday and 8:15 a.m. until noon Friday. Ms. King predicted there would be good seats available for the public Thursday morning. He encouraged people to show up early.
U T Tyler Makes Offer to Cork
Xavier Cork, a 6-foot-9 power forward who will be a senior on this year’s Wildcats’ basketball team, has received a second college scholarship offer. UT Tyler made the offer Monday (July 30). Cork has also received a scholarship offer from Texas State in San Marcos. Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta told KSST recently that Cork has also attracted the attention of Louisiana Tech, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Princeton and West Point.
Drivers License Number Too Long; Possession of Controlled Substances Leads to Arrest
When forging a Texas Driver’s License be sure you copy Texas DL numbers and not those of another state. Brandy McCullough, 33, is in Hopkins County Jail after giving a Hopkins County Deputy a falsified driver’s license that contained too many characters in the license number. She also was in possession of illegal controlled substances.
McCullough is charged with Tamper with Government Record, Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 more than 4-grams but less than 400-grams and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram. She is also charged with Theft of Property more than $100 but less than $750.
McCullough is held on bonds totaling $50,000.
