Primary Runoff Early Voting Continues Through Friday
Early Voting in the May Primary Runoff election continues at a steady pace as 137 Republicans and 15 Democrats cast ballots Wednesday. Total votes for the first three days: Republicans 421; Democrats 29.
Early voting in the Primary Runoff Election continues 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Friday, May 18th. Early voting takes place at the Justice of the Peace Courtroom, 128 Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs. Tuesday, May 22 is Primary Runoff Election Day with voting places open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Hopkins County registered voters may cast ballots at any of the voting places on that day. Voting places will include the Lutheran Church on Texas Street, the Courthouse downtown, Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church on Fuller Street, and League Street Church of Christ and Como-Pickton School on Highway 11 E. Republicans are voting for nominees for Hopkins County Treasurer and Commissioner Precinct 2. Since there are not Democrat challengers, those who receive the nomination will be the only ones for those offices on the ballot in November. Democrats are voting in state runoff races only.
The “9-1-1 Connection” and “Battle of the Badges” Burger Cookoff
Sulphur Springs Public Safety Director and Police Chief Jay Sanders and paramedics stopped by the KSST studios to invite everyone to a public event coming up Saturday May 19, 2018 from 10am til 2pm on the downtown Celebration Plaza. It’s a Public Safety Extravaganza by “The Team” which is made up of Sulphur Springs Police and Fire Departments along with Hopkins County Sheriff , Fire and EMS departments.
L. to R. Paramedic John Suits, EMT Lt. Tabitha Vaught and Public Safety Director Jay Sanders
Sanders stated “One Mission…One Team” is descriptive of the teamwork we enjoy in Hopkins County because of the eagerness of these departments to work together to serve, protect and educate the local population. At “The Connection” there will be plenty to see for all ages, including attractions for children. Expect to see a landing by an EMS helicopter, the “Smoke-House Simulator” walk-through demonstration of a house fire, a “Stop The Bleed” educational demonstration for civilians, an Ident-a-Kid fingerprinting booth, the 9-1-1 Dispatch booth with what to expect if you call 9-1-1, and “The FireHouse” water feature where kids spray water on a simulated fire. In addition to bounce houses and face-painting, you might also catch Batman strolling around downtown Sulphur Springs”.
Lt. Tabitha Vaught and Paramedic John Suits are trained EMS workers who described some of the vehicles and special equipment which will be displayed or demonstrated, including the AMBUS, a 20-person mass casualty evacuation bus. This bus had barely been delivered and outfitted last summer when called into duty to assist with Hurricane Harvey relief. Vaught, Suits and several other Hopkins County paramedics were assigned to a 10-day deployment to the coast at Rockport and other locations, using the vehicle to evacuate and transport hurricane victims from schools, nursing homes and shelters during the state-wide safety effort. And not every county or city owns an AMBUS or an MRAP vehicle. The MRAP armored personnel carrier is used by SWAT teams to get up-close in special situations for countering armed attacks, ambush or terrorist acts when an armored vehicle is the best tool for the safety of responding officers. According to Sanders, with these tools, local officials can respond to every type of situation that even larger cities might encounter. As Public Safety Director, he feels that Hopkins County residents are well-protected and well-served due to the teamwork apparent in the numerous departments. He mentioned a case in point: the recent 2018 crash on Highway 19 North involving an entire family whose vehicle overturned into a deep creek with high banks. Because of quality teamwork and multiple-victim equipment, four persons who were “dead at the scene” received quick EMS response and demonstrated pulse when evacuated to various hospitals. In fact, two of the children are now expected to make full recovery following rehabilitation.
Lt. Vaught is a 5-year member of Hopkins County EMS, and formulator of the “The Connection” event. Paramedic Suits, who at one time was an ID Dog trainer, is a firemen and Fire Chief at Point, Texas. He joined Hopkins County EMS two years ago. Chief Sanders has been in law enforcement for 33 years, and will observe his 30-year anniversary with Sulphur Springs Police Department in July 2018. He added EMT to his credentials in 1999 and graduated Fire Academy in 2016.
This year’s public safety extravaganza has an added fun feature, the “Battle of the Badges” Burger Cook-off. The contest will take place on Saturday at noon, and Team members are invited to form teams and enter. Following judging, burgers will be available for those who attend the public event, along with hot dogs, Kona Ice, cold drinks and water, lots of giveaways and fun.
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SCU, SWAT Execute Warrant at College Street Residence
Casey Randle Griffith, 38, of Sulphur Springs, was arrested Wednesday following a Special Crimes Unit investigation in which methamphetamine was sold from Griffith’s College Street residence. During a search of the residence by SCU and the SWAT team, Griffin was found lying down in the front seat of a Dodge pickup. Inside the pickup, law enforcement found approximately 4.6 grams of methamphetamine.
As the officers continued to execute the search warrant, they located an additional quantity of meth weighing approximately 13.7 grams. A small quantity of Marijuana, two meth pipes, and other paraphernalia were also found.
Griffith is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Manufacture/Deliver Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams, a Felony 1, and with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams, a Felony 2. Griffith is being held on bonds totaling $100,000.
Producers Sell Over 6,000 Head of Cattle at May NETBIO Sale
Livestock producers from throughout Texas and some neighboring states converged on the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Wednesday to market their cattle at the May Northeast Texas Beef Improvement pre-conditioned stocker and feeder calf sale.
A total of 291 sellers shipped in 6,203 head of calves and yearlings to the NETBIO sale. The demand was very good for all weights of cattle with 32 buyers paying an average of $797.19 per head.
“We had a lot of good cattle consigned to the sale and there was a lot of interest from the buyers — both those at the sale and a grand total of 2,374 head being purchased over the Internet,” said David Fowler, co-owner of the livestock commission. “Our member producers continue to do a great job of pre-conditioning and getting their cattle ready for this sale.”
TAKING BIDS NETBIO members offered 6,203 head of quality cattle at the May auction held Wednesday at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission. Auctioneer Joe Don Pogue is taking bids from buyers from throughout Texas and neighboring states.
Fowler said replacement heifers sold well, and feeder cattle went mostly to buyers in the Texas Panhandle and some went into Kansas.
“Overall it was a very good offering of cattle and our employees did a great job of taking care of the cattle and getting them through the sale ring for the buyers,” Fowler said.
RETIREMENT Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission co-owner Joe Don Pogue announced the upcoming retirement of office manager Kathy McGowen at the NETBIO Pre-conditioned Calf and Yearling Sale Wednesday. McGowen has worked for the Livestock Commission for 32 years and has handled NETBIO sale office business since its beginning in 1998.
Prior to the beginning of the auction, Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission co-owner and auctioneer Joe Don Pogue announced the retirement of office manager Kathy McGowen. She has worked for the Livestock Commission for 32 years and handled the office procedures for the NETBIO sale since its beginning in 1998. She and husband Robert will continue to help with the NETBIO sales.
The NETBIO Pre-Conditioned Stocker and Feeder Calf Sale gives its member-producers a market to offer their pre-conditioned calves and yearlings in load lot quantities. NETBIO holds eight pre-conditioned calf sales each year to accommodate the various weaning dates of its members.
The next sale will be held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission on Wednesday, July 18. The weaning deadline for calves consigned to that sale is June 3 and the last date for booster shots will be June 18.
That sale will be followed by an early fall sale that will be held on September 19. For more details about NETBIO, call 903-885-2455.
Hearts of Life Presents Smokey for Adoption
Smokey is a unique and beautiful boy. He is a large mixed breed with long, silky hair but will proudly wear his coat shaved as well! He is very inquisitive and somewhat independent. He is dog friendly but prefers to run solo. He enjoys taking long walks on the leash. Smokey is a dreamer with a heart of gold.
Will you be the one to give him his home sweet home? His adoption fee is $100.00 which includes all previous vetting, neuter and rabies shot. Please contact Hearts of Life Animal Rescue by phone at 903-439-5019, email [email protected], www.facebook.com/heartsoflife or Petfinder.com!
Chamber Connection May 17, 2018
The 2018 Ice Cream Freeze-off is getting really close! We are currently in need of sponsors of the Ice Cream Freeze-off, and people to make homemade ice cream in the contest. There is no charge to enter the ice cream contest, so please consider being a part this year! The Ice Cream Freeze-off will be held on Saturday, June 9th, at 5:30 p.m. on the REAR lawn of Shannon Oaks Church. We are moving the Ice Cream to the back of Shannon Oaks so that once the Ice Cream is over, the hot air balloons will get fired up all in the exact same place. Make plans to be a part of the Ice Cream Freeze-off then watch 30 hot air balloons glow and take flight. It’s going to be a great day!!! We’d love to have you join us for this fun day!!!
Slaughter’s BBQ Oasis will host ribbon cutting celebration
Slaughter’s BBQ Oasis will host their ribbon cutting celebration on Saturday, May 19th, at 9:00 a.m. They are located in the Fix & Feed parking lot, 1000 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs. Make sure to stop by and welcome this new business to Hopkins County (and eat some delicious breakfast)!
Branded Ranch Rodeo is scheduled for Saturday, May 19
Our local Cowboy Churches along with Community Seeds will host and endorse the Branded Ranch Rodeo & at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center on Saturday, May 9th. The Rodeo starts at 4 p.m. where you will enjoy sortin’, a calf scramble, wild cow milkin’, muggin’, and bronc riding. Tickets are $5 per person (kids under 5 are free). You may also make a donation of $10 for a chance to win a custom Kearney trailer. This year’s proceeds support Community Seeds. For more information, visit www.brandedranchrodeo.com.
AgriLife Extension offers Rebalancing Work & Life Webinar
The Military Families Learning Network (MFLN) is providing a free monthly webinar in partnership with USDA, U.S. Department of Defense, and Extension. The May 23rd webinar will take place at 10:00 a.m. To sign up, go to: https://learn.extension.org/events/3261. To join the webinar, use the ‘event location’ link designated for each webinar and follow directions within the site. The MFLN offers both continuing education credit (CE) and certificates of completion for webinars. An additional webinar will take place on June 13th. For more information, call the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office – Hopkins County – at 903-885-3443.
Hunt Regional is offering Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on May 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. They can also help with payment resources for uninsured/income-eligible women or those who choose to pay cash. For help with payment resources please call The Bridge Breast Network at (214) 821-3820 x 21. To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call (903) 408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
The Northeast Texas Alliance will host workforce seminar
On June 6th the Northeast Texas Alliance is holding a regional government seminar to discuss workforce issues. Workforce readiness and preparation are the current buzz words and major points of discussion not only for new business recruitment but also business retention and expansion. The luncheon speaker will be TWC Commissioner Julian Alvarez, with additional speakers including Texas State Senator Brian Hughes. The seminar is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and will include lunch. It will be located at the Mt Pleasant Civic Center in Mt Pleasant, Texas. Cost for the program is $23.00 each. The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is encouraging participation in this program by encouraging attendance of our businesses, community leaders, and citizens. Call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515 to order your tickets.
Red River Credit Union hosted their grand opening
Red River Credit Union hosted their ribbon cutting celebration and grand opening of their new building on Wednesday, May 9th at noon. The new located is 822 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to go by and see this beautiful new building and welcome Red River Credit Union to their new location.
Computer & Networks hosted a ribbon cutting celebration
Computers & Networks hosted their ribbon cutting celebration on Friday, May 11th at noon. Computers & Networks is prepared to help their businesses and customers in everything they may need to run their computers effectively. They are located 525 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs, so go by and visit for your computer needs.
Teams Needed for the New “Whipped” Challenge Food Contest for Dairy Festival 2018
In search of a new dairy food contest, local Extension Agent Johanna Hicks and food committee members who like the TV show “Chopped” decided to fashion a similar contest for this year’s Hopkins County Dairy Festival. It will be held on the morning of Saturday June 16, 2018 in an outdoor setting in front of the Civic Center sound stage. Space is limited to eight 4-person teams, and entry fee is $40 per team. Get your cooking team together and your application in quickly! Application deadline is May 31, but the eight slots are expected to fill before then. You can call for details at 903-885-3443.
Team contestants will need to bring nothing except their favorite knives for slicing and dicing. All cooking and blending equipment, dishes and all food ingredients will be provided. Each team will be provided with a set of ingredients for each of three rounds of preparation. No recipes will be provided, so that’s where the team’s creativity and versatility come in! Each team’s food preparation site will be situated under a canopy. (Team members may dress as they like, or they can go all out with matching team wear and team names.) The three rounds are: snack/appetizer, main dish and dessert, and each round’s preparation and presentation has a time limit. Judges will briefly interview the teams about how they formulated their entries after each round. As rounds progress, some teams will be eliminated as winners advance. Prizes and gift cards will be awarded to the one team named “Whipped” Champion, and all the teams will take home prize bags and keepsake rosettes.
Download an application and rules of play at hopkinscountydairyfestival.com or at hopkins.agrilife.org. Printed applications and rules of play are available at the Agrilife Extension office and at the Southwest Dairy Museum.
Mayor Proclaims Friday “Put on Purple Day” in Sulphur Springs; Raising Awareness of Lupus
CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS PROCLAMATION:
WHEREAS, an estimated 1. 5 million Americans suffer from Lupus, the chronic inflammatory, autoimmune disease that can affect various pans of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood and kidneys; and
WHEREAS, Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of many other illnesses, and major gaps exist in understanding the causes and consequences; and
WHEREAS, the Lupus Foundation of America, Lone Star Chapter is part of a national force devoted to solving the cmel mystery oflupus while providing caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact; and
WHEREAS, the Chapter rallied the City of Sulphur Springs, Texas, to wear the color purple and to further unify the support for those living with the disease; and
WHEREAS, awareness is vital in raising funds for research for those affected by lupus; and it is our responsibility as a community to advocate on their behalf and to further encourage educational programs so everyone affected by lupus can have an improved quality of life.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John A. Sellers, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Sulphur Springs, Texas, do hereby proclaim May 18, 2018 as Put On Purple Day throughout the City of Sulphur Springs and urge all citizens to support the cause of raising awareness of lupus, so that we can have a world with NO lupus.
PJC Graduates 371 Students
by Paul Bailey
Lauren Hudson of Cumby graduated with her Associate’s Degree in General Studies with Highest Honors (4.0 GPA) prior to graduating from high school.
A beautiful evening greeted graduates, their families and friends at Noyes Stadium on May 11 during the 93rd spring graduation ceremony of Paris Junior College. Out of 371 students graduating with a certificate or associate degree, more than 200 students chose to participate in the ceremony.
PJC Student Government Association President Johnathan Stevenson gave the opening invocation, and freshman music major Cyan Burkhart performed “You Raise Me Up.”
Graduating students ranged in age from 17 to 61 years, and were 45 percent male and 55 percent female. They came from 34 Texas counties, 12 states, Puerto Rico, and Ghana.
“In this year’s graduating class, we have 32 students receiving their associate degrees who will graduate from high school in the next two to three weeks,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “Of these, 22 are from Quinlan Ford High School, three are from Wolfe City High School, two are from Miller Grove High School, and one each from Cumby, North Lamar, Paris, Prairiland, Roxton, and Lone Oak high schools.”
“Among our graduates are this year’s valedictorians from Cumby and Miller Grove High Schools;” Dr. Anglin said, “a young man who made his own prosthetic hand as a final class project in our computer aided drafting and 3D Printing program; a student who was fourth in the nation in stolen bases in the NJCAA this season; and members of the baseball team with an overall GPA of 3.70, which is one of the highest athletic team GPAs in the nation.”
The 2018 Master Teacher Award was then presented. Nominations are made by faculty peers and then reviewed for final selection. Winning was History Instructor and Social Sciences Division Chair Lisa Johnson.
“This instructor truly represents the student-friendly, people-friendly characteristics of Paris Junior College,” said Dr. Anglin, reading from nominator comments. “She knows that as our classrooms continuingly become more diverse, the challenge to engage all students is even more critical. She goes out of her way to help students succeed so that they may continue to pursue their academic goals. She was among the first, if not the first, to conduct an on-line course for Paris Junior College receiving the NETnet Consortium Outstanding Distance Educator award.”
The Distinguished Service Award, PJC’s highest student honor, was announced next by Associate Vice President for Student Access and Success Sheila Reece. This award has been presented annually to a PJC graduate since 1935, when it was first given to Louis B. Williams, who later became president of Paris Junior College. The Award recognizes academic achievement and service to PJC and the community and is given to an outstanding graduating student. PJC faculty and professional staff determine the winner.
Named to the honor for 2018 was Ryleigh Davidson, a graduate of Prairiland High School from Blossom. She is a nursing major and a two-year member of the PJC cheer squad. She also serves as PJC’s 2017-2018 Homecoming Queen. She plans to continue nursing school at PJC, wanting to eventually travel with her nursing degree.
