Illinois Man Arrested in I-30 Stop
Jason Andrew Tiff, 24
A Peoria, Illinois man, Jason Andrew Tiff, 24, was stopped for a traffic violation by Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputy K9 unit at the 132 mile marker on I-30 Wednesday evening around 6:30 p.m. Tiff refused consent to search the vehicle but the K9 alerted on the driver door of the vehicle.
A probable cause search found multiple bags of THC Edibles in the center console of the vehicle and additional drug paraphernalia was located as well.
Tiff is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2, more than 4-grams but less than 400-grams, a Felony 2.
Local Woman Arrested on Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine
July 26, 2018 – Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County SWAT Team executed a search warrant and located 2.5-grams of suspected methamphetamine at a Helm Lane Apartment earlier this month. The warrant was the result of a Special Crimes Unit investigation.
Chrystal Brooke Vargas
Wednesday, July 25th at 10 p.m., Chrystal Brooke Vargas, 36, was arrested at a location on East Industrial Drive. She confessed to the Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams, a Felony 3.
Vargas is in Hopkins County Jail.
Local Man Arrested For Possession of Controlled Substance
July 26, 2018 – A call to Sulphur Springs Police regarding a suspicious person in a white Suburban parked in front of the EZ Mart on League Street led to the arrest of Dwayne Anthony Wright, 40, of Sulphur Springs for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Dwayne Anthony Wright
Wright immediately sat up in the vehicle when the officer arrived and as he recounted his story to the officer, it did not make sense. Wright began profuse sweating as more than one officer arrived on the scene. He avoided eye contact and continued to say he just wanted to leave and go home. A pat down revealed a red baggy in his front pocket.
Wright is in Hopkins County Jail.
Hearts of Life Animal Rescue Presents Will for Adoption
Will is still searching for his forever home! Will is approximately 7 years old. He is very well mannered, great on a leash, easy going and is a good sport about any antics we have in mind for him. He loves to play with his best friend and bonded mate Sassy! You rarely find one without the other. (They really do make a great pair….and she is available too!)
Will does have a food allergy so you will need to be prepared to provide his special food. His adoption fee is $100.00 which includes all previous vetting, shots, worming, neuter and rabies. Please contact us to meet him! Call Hearts of Life Animal Rescue at 903-439-5019, email [email protected], www.facebook.com/heartsoflife or find us on Petfinder.com!
Chamber Connection July 26, 2018
There are a few days left to turn in your t-shirt designs for the 49th Annual Stew Contest!!! The Chamber will be accepting submitted designs from Monday, July 16th through Tuesday, July 31st. The submitted entries will be voted on by the Chamber Board of Directors, and the winner will be announced on August 9th. If your design wins the t-shirt contest, it will be used on all shirts, hoodies, and marketing for the 49th Annual Stew Contest! Email your designs to [email protected]. We can’t wait to see the entries!!!!
Introducing a huge night of networking sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce! 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. 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.
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!
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.
Shadow Renaissance Festival & Tournament
Get ready for the Shadow Renaissance Festival and Tournament on July 28th and 29th at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. The Shadow Renaissance Festival will feature the Knights of Valor Full Contact Jousting with Shane Adams of Full Metal Jousting. Fair time will be Saturday, July 28th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, July 29th, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission will be $10 for ages 14 and up. There is a free family day on Friday the 27th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. In addition, there is a special Nobleman’s Feast! Tickets are available at www.shadowrenfest.com and at the Chamber of Commerce located at 300 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs.
Fire in Texas is hosting a blood drive on Friday, July 27th
Carter Blood Care and Fire in Texas are hosting a blood drive on Friday, July 27th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fire in Texas is located at 1334 Sharon Lane in Sulphur Springs. Please bring valid ID. For more information, contact Audrea Caudle at (903) 438-0300.
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.
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
Dr. Tris Gets Surprise Honor for 37 Years, 13,000 Deliveries
Dr. Somjai Tris is one of three practicing physicians with the longest careers serving the people of Hopkins and surrounding counties. During his workday on Wednesday July 25, 2018, this OB/GYN was surprised with an appreciation event shared with his 13,000th baby delivery, little Harper Jo Hoffman and her parents Jennifer Smith and Bo “Rocky” Hoffman. Mrs. Tris, the Tris office staff, nursery staff and about 30 friends and co-workers attended the affair held in the Perinatal Department in Christus Mother Frances Sulphur Springs Hospital. The Hoffman infant was born on July 24, one of four deliveries Dr. Tris made that day.
Tris office staff L. to R. Chris Mathews, Mrs. Tris, Dr. Tris, Linda Mitchell and Tina Duke. (Tonya Hurley not pictured)
Proud parents Bo Hoffman and Jennifer Smith, Miss Harper Jo and Dr. Tris
Dr. Tris began his practice in Hopkins County in 1980, and made his first delivery two months later. He was instrumental in the planning and development of the current Perinatal Department which opened in 1997. His nurse Linda Mitchell, an LVN, has worked for him for 36 years. His close friend, Dr. Deitze, has put in 39 years, and both doctors mentioned that Dr. Mark Miller was already practicing here when they came to the Sulphur Springs hospital. Other local providers of OB/GYN services in the Perinatal unit are Dr. Darryl Doughtie, Dr. Martin Fielder, Dr. Tiffany Gebel and midwife Deb Logan.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Fall Registration Continues
PREPARING FOR FALL Johnathan Plumley and Sara Leano, both of Sulphur Springs, are ready to take tests in preparation for entering the fall semester of college at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center. Registration for fall continues and advisors are available at the campus to assist prospective students. Call 903-885-1232 or go by the campus at 1137 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs.
SSISD Sports Camps: Football, Volleyball
The final two SSISD sports camps are scheduled next week, Wildcats Coach Greg Owens football camps and Wildcats Coach Tony Martinez’ tennis camps.
Coach Owens will offer football camps for two different age groups next Tuesday through Thursday (July 31-August 2). A camp for boys entering the third through the eighth grade is scheduled from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Cost is $50 per camper. Coach Owens will also have a freshman football camp for entering ninth graders from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Cost is $20 per student. Coach Owens stresses that every ninth grade football player is encouraged to attend.
Coach Martinez will have tennis camps for two different age group Monday through Thursday (July 30-August 2). Camp for kids entering kindergarten through the sixth grade will take place 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. each day. Another camp for boys and girls entering the seventh grade though the twelfth grade will follow from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Cost for tennis camp is $50.
Enrollment forms for football and tennis camps are available on line at www.ssisd.net. Campers can also be enrolled if they are brought to camp early on the first day of camp.
Local Emergency Planning Committee is Active in Hopkins County
Approximately 75,000 vehicles pass through Hopkins County each day traveling I-30. The I-30 corridor between Little Rock, Arkansas and Dallas, Texas is one of the heaviest traveled roadways for truck traffic in the south. That is just one of the concerns discussed by the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) during an every two month meeting that took place Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, LEPCs must develop an emergency response plan, review the plan at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens. Plans are developed by the committee with participation from community members. The purpose of the local committee is to establish a framework for dealing with various emergencies and disasters that can affect the county. According to Hopkins County Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Andy Endsley, a plan is in place but that plan is constantly reviewed and expanded to meet the needs of growth in the county.
Members of the committee include representatives from industry, fire, law enforcement, along with public health officials, elected local and state officials, emergency management directors, and media.
The community emergency response plan identifies facilities and transportation routes of extremely hazardous substances. Truck traffic presents the possibility of hazmat events that could affect the area. Recently the county fire department responded to a truck fire on the interstate. The driver did not know what his cargo contained nor did he speak English. Without the information regarding contents, the firemen were at a disadvantage in fighting the fire. Some materials do not react well to water as a means of extinguishing a fire. The fire was contained and extinguished after some time spent in determining the cargo through the trucking company dispatch.
Several industries in Sulphur Springs utilize materials that are considered hazardous and plans are in place to deal with any possible emergency created by the materials.
Description of emergency response procedures, on and off site, designation of a community coordinator and facility emergency coordinators to implement the plan, outline of emergency notification procedures, description of how to determine the probable affected area and population by releases, description of local emergency equipment and facilities and the persons responsible for them, evacuation plans, training program for emergency responders, and methods and schedules for exercising emergency response plans are a part of the assignment carried out by the LEPC.
