Lights of Life Announces Campaign Theme, Project, and Goal
With Holly and Tanner Ragan at the helm of this year’s Lights of Life Campaign & Gala, there is NO doubt that every event is going to be a huge success as well as a ton of fun. During the first campaign meeting this week, Holly announced the gala theme, project and goal. With over 35 committee members in attendance, they were all excited to hear this year’s theme will be: Vegas! What’s RAISED in Hopkins County STAYS in Hopkins County
Four years ago, Holly committed to serve on the Lights of Life committee by hosting the community’s first half marathon. That same year, in fact within months of the marathon, the funds raised went to purchase the hospital’s first telemedicine cart, which saved her best friend’s life. She is also now dedicated to bringing telemedicine to rural communities.
“To say we have seen the blessings of the foundation come full circle is an understatement. We know that the recipients of care, provided by state-of-the-art equipment this campaign affords, could benefit our very own family, children, and friends. We believe the Foundation helps to assure the success of this hospital, which is why we have joined in their mission to raise funds for this year’s campaign. We also want to bring peace of mind to those who so faithfully give, that all of the money raised through our efforts will stay here in our community,” said Holly Ragan.
As the Foundation Board of Directors considers projects to fund each year, they strive to invest in equipment that is above and beyond the “norm”. The Board tries to find items that will truly enhance a patient’s diagnosis, outcome as well as experience. That is why the Board is so excited to announce that they will be purchasing a Hologic 3 Dimensional Mammography System with Affirm Biopsy Needle. Along with the equipment, the hospital has committed to design a peaceful, relaxing, beautiful Mammography Suite so that every patient that enters will feel comfortable and welcomed into the spa-like environment. Approximately 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, with an estimated 40,920 women expected to die in 2018 from breast cancer. Early detection is key. By having this equipment at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs, not only will patients be able to schedule their mammogram in their hometown, if they receive a breast cancer diagnosis, the radiologist will be able to do the biopsy on-site instead of having to wait several weeks to return for another appointment. Another benefit is this machine can detect up to 65% more invasive breast cancer with a 40% reduction in recalls compared to 2D mammography alone.
It is important for the community to realize that CHRISTUS provides for capital improvements every year for this hospital, but those dollars go to all of the items the hospital MUST have to operate on a day-to-day basis. It does not always allow for the “newest, state-of-the-art” equipment that is needed to provide an excellent patient experience. Charitable donations to the Foundation play an integral role in shaping the way we practice medicine, and with the myriad of challenges facing health care today, the need for philanthropic support is greater now, than ever. The impact of a donation of any size is profound.
“With this incredible project, the Foundation will offer several naming opportunities for the Mammography Suite, dressing rooms, exam room, waiting room, etc. These opportunities will help the Foundation reach its very aggressive $500,000 goal. The goal for the Lights of Life Campaign and Gala is $380,000 and I’m certain with Holly & Tanners’s positive attitude, determination and knowledge, this will be a tremendously successful year. Of course, we cannot reach our goal without the generosity of this wonderful and supportive community,” said Meredith Caddell, Foundation Director.
“Sponsor solicitation letters will go out the first week of July but we’re already receiving calls and commitments, which indicate that the Gala will be sold out again. It is a wonderful problem to have. The community has certainly embraced this campaign over the past years and together we have made a huge difference for our hospital and our community,” continued Caddell.
If you cannot attend the gala but still want to support your local hospital and the campaign, contributions may be made with a donation to the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation any time throughout the year. Additional opportunities to become involved and support the campaign are by participating, attending and/or donating to the the Style Show, hosted by Lou Nell’s the Quarter Auction, the Fly Your Flag Campaign and the Lights of Life Christmas tree lighting event in The Gardens at CHRISTUS plus a couple of new events. All contributions help to make a difference for our community.
Caddell invites, “Please join us as we work together for the benefit of this hospital and this community. Through your support of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, Lights of Life Campaign and Gala we WILL reach our goal.” Call the Health Care Foundation office at 903-438-4799 for more information.
Lowe’s Donates 50 Fans to Senior Citizen Summer Fan Drive
The Senior Citizens Center Summer Fan Drive received an additional 50 fans from Lowe’s Distribution Center in Mt Vernon partnering with the Sulphur Springs Lowe’s store. Karen Weatherman, Director of the Senior Citizen’s Center invites those needing a fan to drop by the Senior Center, 150 Martin Luther King Blvd in Sulphur Springs.
Lowe’s Distribution Center in Mt Vernon partnered up with the Lowe’s Store in Sulphur Springs and donated 50 Fans to the Summer Fan Drive at the Senior Citizens Center. Shown in Photo is Angel Martinez, RDC 955 Operations Manager and Robert McClure Store Manager and his team of employees.
Brawley Sentenced in One Case; Two Others in Recess
Victoria Grace Brawley is sentenced to five years in prison for one indictment and the two other indictments are in recess pending her performance during the first years of incarceration.
Victoria Grace Brawley
In a unique sentencing Wednesday afternoon in Eighth Judicial District Court, Judge Eddie Northcutt placed Victoria Grace Brawley, 26, of Azle, under more responsibility to and a greater scrutiny of the court. Brawley, who has remained in jail since her arrest on December 18, 2017, was indicted on three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon following her involvement as a driver in a two vehicle accident that injured three adults and one child.
In summary of the charges, Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison noted, “On December 9, 2017, she crashed the Crown Victoria she was driving into another car at a high rate of speed on Interstate 30, causing the other car to flip over. Inside the car was the McDonald family, who were returning from a Christmas shopping trip to Hobby Lobby in Greenville. The crash caused two occupants of the vehicle to be ejected. One suffered an injury to his skull and a medically diagnosed brain bleed. The other person fractured their spine in multiple places and skidded on the ground for several feet, resulting in serious injuries to their skin. This person suffered from temporary paralysis and has since undergone back surgery. Also present in the car was a six-month old baby girl and her grandmother. Fortunately, neither of them suffered serious injuries. All occupants of the vehicle survived the incident. Shortly before the crash, multiple witnesses observed the defendant driving at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. In her system at the time of the crash was alcohol at a BAC of .099 (above the legal limit in Texas), methamphetamine, and THC (the active chemical in marijuana). The defendant told officers that she had not consumed any alcohol but that she was tired and had fallen asleep.”
According to Brawley’s defense attorney and former District Attorney Martin Braddy, the judge gave Brawley 5 years on one indictment. However, he placed the other two cases in recess. That means that a sentence was not given but will be at a later time. Braddy said, “If she does good in prison, when she gets released [the judge] will give her 10 years’ probation on other two cases. If she does bad in prison, when she’s released he will give her 15 years on the other two.” Brawley will have specific responses to achieve during her term in prison. Brawley will serve a minimum of 2.5 years before being eligible for parole due to aggravated assault parole rules.
Harrison stated, “Defendants and their families often say things like, ‘But they didn’t mean to hurt anyone.’ In Texas, many felonies are based on “recklessness” which means it doesn’t matter whether the defendant “intended” to hurt anyone or not. For example, in this case, although the defendant clearly had no intent to cause the crash, she did make the choice to consume alcohol, methamphetamine, and marijuana. She then made the choice to drive at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour on our interstate. The fact that a serious crash occurred was entirely foreseeable and preventable by this defendant.”
Braddy called the ruling of Judge Northcutt “…tough but fair. It provided consequence for actions, while also providing the opportunity and incentive for Tori to make the necessary life changes to ensure that she will never put live at risk again.” Judge Northcutt said that the defendant’s actions were reckless and foreseeable. He said the fact that she did not intend to cause the crash did not excuse her conduct.
The sentencing followed a contested sentencing hearing that began Wednesday morning in Eighth Judicial District Court. Brawley had pled guilty in May to three indictments for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and faced a range of punishment from probation to 20 years in each case. Had she been sentenced in all three cases, the sentences were expected to run concurrent. Under the current sentencing, she will be under the authority of the court for a longer period of time.
Harrison pointed out that Brawley had been arrested in Fort Worth for DWI approximately one month before this incident. She was also convicted of misdemeanor theft, accident involving damage to a vehicle, and DWI in 2011. She was also convicted of misdemeanor theft in 2014 and of possession of marijuana within the last two years.
During the sentencing hearing, the victims testified that they forgave the defendant for what she did, but they still believed that justice required her to serve some time in prison and that probation would not be enough. Letters written by the defendant while in the Hopkins County Jail were also admitted into evidence. In the letters, the defendant wrote to another inmate that the charges she faced were “outrageous” because it was an “accident” and that if she had been in Tarrant County; she would have already been given probation for this crime.
For the defense, Braddy called her family as witnesses. They testified that she had been to rehab multiple times, that she was a good person with a good heart, and that they believed probation and more rehab would be the best thing for her.
Shadow Renaissance Festival,Tournament Coming to Shadow Ranch!
Shadow Renaissance Festival will be a 3 day event, July 27-29, featuring vendors, activities for the whole family, and the main attraction – full contact jousting featuring The Knights of Valour with Shane Adams from the hit TV show Full Metal Jousting on History! There will also be a Nobleman’s Feast with the knights before each of the two shows for VIP ticket holders! Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of kids and adults with disabilities and/or debilitating situations in their lives and to make a positive difference in the lives of staff, volunteers, and community. Shadow Ranch is a 501(c)3 non-profit located in Sulphur Springs, established in May 2010.
Ms. Marion Cox, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Shadow Ranch Center, is coordinating the event which will be staged at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Because of the excitement generated by the sport of jousting and due to the numerous area families struggling with the realities of caring for a disabled child or family member, proceeds will fund ongoing efforts to make equine therapy, or hippotherapy, available and affordable. Find out more on Facebook or contact 214-604-8005 or [email protected]
Hearts of Life Presents Cecilia for Adoption
Cecilia is still waiting for a home to call her own. Cecilia is full grown and medium in size. She loves to go for rides and walks well on the leash. Cecilia is a little picky with other four legged companions. We truly believe that with a lot of love, patience and training, she would be the perfect dog.
Cecilia’s adoption fee is $100.00 which includes all previous vetting, shots, worming, spay and rabies. Please contact us to meet her in person! Call Hearts of Life Animal Rescue at 903-439-5019, email [email protected], facebook.com/heartsoflife or find us on Petfinder.com!
Cecilia will also be making an appearance Friday June 22nd at Hopkins Place for their Community Garage Sale & Catfish Fry from 8:00-3:00.
Highway 19N Concerns Voiced as Coalition is Formed
A large crowd filled the cafeteria at North Hopkins School Tuesday evening as area residents formed the Highway 19N Coalition. Residents in northern Hopkins are forming the coalition to seek more immediate changes providing greater safety for those traveling the roadway that combines both State Highway 19 and State Highway 154 connecting to State Highway 24 providing a route between Sulphur Springs and Paris. Proposals by TxDOT are not happening soon enough and are not providing enough safety measures according to those forming the coalition.
Dr. Darin Jolley, Superintendent of North Hopkins Schools welcomed those present and presented his concerns for the safe travel of school buses and those transported to school. The travel of children and students were a top priority for many who expressed their concerns during an audience participation time later in the evening. Danny Evans, Commissioner Precinct 4, noted various needs along 19N and praised the efforts of coalition organizers Shirley Patchen and Jorene Orr.
Jorene Orr presented a history of Highway 19 from its beginning through development that included early plans to make the state highway a four-lane roadway leading from Houston into Kansas. State Highway 19 currently extends from Huntsville to Paris. The north/south roadway was first planned to connect the two sides of the state. Her family has been involved in the development of the roadway over the years having served on various advisory boards that have attempted further development of the road. She also presented traffic information that reflected the growth of traffic along the road. According to her numbers, the opening of Cooper Lake, the development of businesses in northern Hopkins County, additional residents and the flow of traffic to casinos in Oklahoma have been a factor. It was noted that the development of NAFTA routes had been a factor in the abandoning of the four-lane plans for Highway 19.
Shirley Patchen a leader in the progress of safety features on State Highway 11W told those present how she had hounded state and TxDOT officials until she was heard and work became a priority on that roadway. Patchen is now taking a leadership role, along with Orr, in developing the coalition. She stated that the death of a friend of her daughter had been a driving force as she worked on the 11W project and that the number of deaths on 19N were a factor in her concerns now. Others present also noted the deaths, one individual speaking of her husband’s death on the roadway, as a reason for immediate change.
In an open floor discussion, many residents named specific concerns. Among the concerns: 1) turning lanes along 19N due to the number of homes, businesses, and egress of other roadways; 2) passing lanes to provide a smoother flow of traffic; 3) slower speed limits from Loop 301 to the county line and specifically in Birthright; Semi-truck parking at the corner of FM 71 and State Highway 19N; a four-way stop at the intersection of FM71 and 19N; and the desire for a four-lane roadway.
It was noted that some speed changes and other physical changes to the roadway are planned for the future. In May, TXDOT announced they had concluded a detailed speed study on State Highway 19, from Loop 301 in Sulphur Springs to State Highway 24 in Delta County. After reviewing the results of the study, TXDOT has proposed a speed reduction pending approval from the Texas Transportation Commission. This proposal is on the agenda for the June 28th commission meeting. Following TTC approval, TXDOT will install new regulatory speed limit signs. The proposed speed limit reduction will lower the existing speed limit from 70 mph to 65 mph from Loop 301 to the Delta County line, and reduce the speed limit from 65 mph to 55 mph through Birthright. Some at the meeting thought even this speed change not enough.
TXDOT also has two upcoming Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) projects for 19N. The first project is set to let for bidding in May 2020. The project limits are from the Delta County line to SH 154 and will consist of extending and installing safety end treatments for cross drainage structures, upgrading bridge rail, and upgrading metal beam guard fence. The second project is set to let for bidding in August 2020. The project limits are from Loop 301 in Sulphur Springs to FM 1537 and will consist of extending drainage structures, upgrading bridge rail and metal beam guard fence, and installing a passing lane. These changes are far less than the desired changes of those present Tuesday night.
A number of elected county officials were present for the event. Among them were County Judge Robert Newsom, Sheriff Lewis Tatum, Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartlett, incoming Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price, and others.
Carter Blood Care Needs Donations in N E Texas Region
Why are donations of all types of blood needed more during the summer and vacation months? Let’s find out!
Lanie Wright, a consultant with Carter Blood Care in the Tyler Regional office, visited on the KSST Good Morning Show with Enola Gay to talk about the importance of giving donations of blood, especially during the summer months. Lanie stressed that while the need for blood increases during the vacation and holiday periods due to accidents on the roadways and elsewhere, the volume of blood donations actually goes down in the summer due to vacations and school being out for high school and college students. Students age 16 and older provide about 30% of blood donations on the average, according to Carter Blood Care.
All types of blood…O Positive and Negative, B Positive and Negative, A and AB…are in demand all the time. Donations of type O Negative are especially sought as this blood type can be utilized by persons with any type of blood, and by emergency victims whose blood type may not be known.
Fighting the disease of cancer takes a lot of blood too. “Cancer doesn’t take a break” for children and adults in hospitals across our region in need of healthy blood.
The average daily need of Carter Blood Care’s Northeast Texas Region requires 1,000 donors per day. Often, they reach that goal, and stores of blood and platelets are usually ample. Frequently, up to five blood drives per day are conducted in the Tyler region alone. Just one unit of blood can save three persons. However, Carter Blood Care wants to remind you that your “gift of life” is more than that. You are asked to “give for life” which means donate blood often. Healthy donors can give a unit of blood every 56 days, and “avid donors” do just that.
Recently, a “Battle of the Badges” took place, a friendly competition between first responders and City of Sulphur Springs employees. This contest yeilded 44 units of blood, collected at the Carter Blood Care mobile unit on the Jay Hodge Chevrolet dealership lot. Lanie gives us a “thumbs up” for the generosity of the local donors. To find out more about donating blood or scheduling a blood drive, go to carterbloodcare.org.
Cumby Officer Arrests Two Dallas Men for Drugs, Theft of Firearm
Multiple times Cumby Police Sergeant Ray Embro warned the passenger of a 2016 Hyundai Accent to not reach under the passenger seat for anything after the driver of the vehicle told the passenger to give the officer the marijuana. Sgt. Embro had made a traffic stop for speeding on I-30 but smelled a strong odor of marijuana and both passengers appeared nervous. The driver of the auto, Jonathan Daniel Padilla, 22, of Dallas, told passenger Jason Reyna, 19 of Mesquite, admitted to smoking marijuana; however, the action of reaching under the seat cause concern for Sgt. Embro.
Both men were asked to exit the vehicle and a probable cause search revealed a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 and a Taurus 9-mm pistol that was loaded and one in the chamber, according to Embro’s report. Both fire arms along with a plastic bag of green leafy substance believed to be marijuana were found under the passenger’s seat. The Taurus was confirmed to be stolen out of Mesquite. A large amount of methamphetamine was found in a plastic bag behind the glove compartment of the vehicle. Marijuana and five Xanax pills were also found on Reyna.
Both men are in Hopkins County jail charged with Theft of Firearm and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 400-grams. . Padilla was also charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
Downtown Satisfaction Survey: Results
Most respondents report living inside the city limits.
26% of respondents report their age in the 30’s.
67% or respondents agree, with only 14% disagreeing. 19% are on the fence.
Respondents could endorse each option. Slightly less family friendly trend for the Dining District.
Respondents could endorse each option. A more family friendly trend for the Celebration Plaza.
Respondents clearly feel no change in needed, alcohol sales in the Dining District should continue.
Respondents clearly feel no change in needed, street closing for parades, car shows, concerts and other events should continue.
The question regarding the Downtown Square was poorly written. It was overly confusing and has been excluded. The ‘priority’ portion of the survey was added later, this is the cause for the discrepancy in the number of respondents.
Respondents want more parking. Most comments point to Main Street.
Respondents want wider street. Most comments point to Main street.
Respondents support a curfew. When compared with the age question at the beginning of the survey, it appear that juveniles may not have taken the survey, and may be under represented in these results.
Some support for a Food Truck Weekend.
A parking garage not a priority for respondents. Several factors may affect this: location, cost, practicality, etc
Dogs clearly did not take this survey.
Respondents do not support an additional fountain.
Within the downtown area, no support for additional splash areas.
Respondents show moderate support for more family activities.
Respondents show strong support for kid friendly activities.
Conditions do not yet warrant traffic direction.
Respondents feel that adult supervision of children is the top priority. No other issue presented in the survey received as many comments, and not even parking received more 5 rating.
