City Council Approves 12-Hour Shifts for Patrol Officers; City Council Race Heats Up
Sulphur Springs City Council approved a measure that will pursue 12-hour shifts for police patrol officers in the city, approve rezoning at 876 Camp Street, and hear a local citizen in Public Forum.
The request to the council came as City Staff sought direction from council regarding the change. Chief of Police Jay Sanders says this change will enable the city to continue to recruit quality officers. He said the first question asked of him during interviews with candidates reflects their desire to work the 12-hour rotations. According to City Manager Marc Maxwell, said the change will involve a number of changes. Personnel policy will be changed to reflect wording regarding an two week 80 hour schedule. He stated officers will work no more than three days in a row but will work 80 hours in two weeks. References to overtime and work week will be reflected in the police human resource policy. No change in number of personnel will take place. Any new hires made currently are to replace any changes in staff. The 12-hour shifts for patrol officers should begin around July 1, 2018 after all Human Resource policy changes are made.
Property at 876 Camp street rezoning from Light to Commercial to Single Family Attached was approved. The change in the property will allow the building of a four-plex housing unit at the location.
James Tully, who lives on Mockingbird Lane in Sulphur Springs, addressed the council regarding questions concerning council members paying their property taxes. By law, council could not respond to the statements made in Public Forum. In a personal interview with Tully Thursday morning in KSST News office, he said that he had Googled the information regarding all candidates in the city council race. He noted that all candidates had paid their city property taxes but that county and school taxes were not all paid. He would not identify the candidates that had not paid county or school taxes but said that he thought it a matter of personal responsibility and person pride that one would desire all taxes paid. He said he knew that mistakes can happen and some things can be late. However, he wanted to let the community know to research the past of all candidates for the office and those who are in place on the council. He stated his love for the city of Sulphur Springs and the desire for the city to continue to be a great place to live.
Any sitting council member and anyone seeking a seat on the council during an election must be current on personal and business city property taxes. According to records, all council members are current on city taxes.
However, Tully is not the only one who has raised the question regarding paid taxes. Wednesday, in a call to KSST News from Martin C. Brown, President of Double Insanity Investments, LLC and owner of a building on Main Street, accusations were made that two council members had not paid their county and/or school taxes. Brown referenced the Hopkins County Appraisal District Chief Appraiser as his source of information. In a Thursday morning call to the Chief Appraiser, KSST News was told that she did not know if taxes had or had not been paid because that is not a duty of her office. The Chief Appraiser stated to KSST that she had been told by Brown that the taxes had not been paid and that a candidate for city council had told him the information. She said she did not follow up on the call because she didn’t think it to be true.
There are three Council Places on the May 5th ballot. Campaigning for the three seats is expected to heat up as Election Day nears.
Video Story: Freedom Ball Benefits Veteran’s Memorial
As the first of its kind in Hopkins County, the Freedom Ball will honor and celebrate military Veterans during an evening of dinner and dancing. The Freedom Ball, at the Cedar Canyon Event Center at 6:00 pm on Saturday April 7, 2018, is a black-tie event with military uniform optional. Emcees Carrie Nuckols and John Sellers will introduce members of the Memorial Committee who will review their mission of engraving additional veterans names on the wall and present the vital importance of the preservation and maintaining of the Veterans Memorial that has become a destination for hundreds of visitors to Sulphur Springs every year.
Funds raised by the Freedom Ball will provide money for verifying and etching names on the memorial wall for the remaining 1000-1500 veterans not sponsored as well as to begin a perpetual fund contribution for maintenance/repairs of the memorial and kiosk. The event is set to breathe new life and interest into the Veterans Memorial.
City Manager’s Report Presented April 3, 2018
SUNSET STREET – The City has received a $275, 000 Community Development Block Grant to rebuild Sunset Street from Connally to Houston. This will include new water mains, new sewer mains and a new concrete street. The city is matching the grant with $132, 000. We will submit construction drawings in June and begin work in the fall.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – Calvert Street will was milled and repaved during spring break. In February we repaved Beth, Rasure, Rose, Junell and a portion of Gossett Lane.
CANTEX FORCE MAIN – This will be the final capital improvement project in the 2013-2017 C. I.P. It will replace 2,400 linear feet of aging sewer force mairi and 2, 900 feet of gravity main. Currently the main passes through the middle of the hospital complex. This would be a nightmare if the main ever mptures. The proposed route would go around the hospital complex rather than through it. One third of the city’s sewage passes through this line.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN – I will propose the 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan at the May city council meeting.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – The work at the wastewater treatment plant is on schedule. The three primary clarifier basins have been constructed, and the effluent troughs are now finished as well. Other concrete structures adjacent to the clarifiers are finished. Now all of the pumps and associated pipe works and wiring need to be constructed. I expect to bring the clarifiers online in July, weather permitting.
CROSSTOWN TRAIL – Construction of the Crosstown Trail in ongoing. This grant-funded project will connect Buford Park to Coleman Park as well as the high school/civic center complex with a concrete path. It will also replace the sidewalk on the north side of Connally Street.
CLAIMS – We experienced two workers’ compensation claims in March. A police officer sprained an ankle while making an arrest. A capital construction employee was struck by a falling limb. Both injuries resulted in lost time on the job. Both employees have since returned to work. We submitted a claim for a motorist that struck a manhole as the lid popped out causing damage to the rear wheel. I do not expect TML to pay the claim since the accident was not caused by some action of the city.
H.O.M.E PROGRAM – We have two H. O.M.E projects ongoing, and we expect a third very soon. The H. O.M.E program replaces old dilapidated homes owned by low income persons with new homes.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
Conducted 28 building inspections, 14 electrical inspections, 31 plumbing inspections, 6 mechanical inspections and issued 18 building permits.
Made 7 street repairs following utility repairs.
Repaired 250 potholes.
Replaced 9 stop signs.
Cleaned storm drains twice.
Repaired a drainage problem at 225 Gilmer Street.
Graded Wisenbaker Road and Pipeline Road.
Repaired landscaping in all yards on Pampa Street following the reconstruction this winter.
Checked out 3,014 items from the library and 603 eBooks.
Responded to 230 animal control calls, achieving a 27% adoption rate.
Made 13 felony arrests in the special crimes unit.
Made 78 arrests, recorded 50 offenses, wrote 555 traffic citations and responded to 53 accidents in the Patrol Division.
Responded to 162 fire/rescue calls including 2 structure fires.
Performed preventative maintenance on 66 fire hydrants.
Conducted 68 fire inspections and reviewed 68 pre-fire plans.
Prepared all athletic fields for spring baseball, softball and soccer.
Sold 2,823 gallons of AvGas and 8,369 gallons of JetA fuel.
Repaired Hwy 11 lift station.
Repaired lights on the Hopkins County Veterans memorial.
Performed preventative maintenance on the back-up generator at the Coleman Water Tower.
Repaired the waterfall pump at Coleman Park.
Treated wastewater effluent to a daily average total suspended solids rating of 2. 03 mg/L.
Repaired 3 water main ruptures and replaced 20 water meters.
Repaired 9 sewer mains.
Unstopped 17 sewer mains.
Washed 75,000 feet of sewer mains.
Flushed 35 dead end water mains.
Local Man Arrested for Fraudulent ID and Gregg County Warrants
When stopped for a traffic violation at 12:45 a.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018, the driver identified himself to the officer. However, the officer found in a records check that the name used was that of one who is deceased.
After checking the man’s wallet, other identification was found and the driver was wanted on two warrants out of Gregg County.
Kerry Olin Kirkpatrick, 55, of Sulphur Springs was arrested for Fraudulent Use, Possession of Identifying information less than 5 items, a State Jail Felony, and Greg County Warrants for Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance and an Accident Involving Damage to Vehicle Greater than $200.
CANHelp's Annual "Play it Forward" Tennis Tournament
It began in 2000 as Community Action Network, a resource guide of available community services within Hopkins County. In just a short time, the network expanded to CANHelp, a non-profit organization based in faith and devoted to it’s mission: “to provide compassionate, comprehensive solutions that empower the underserved in our communities to make positive, lasting changes in their lives”.
CANHelp also operates a 10,000 square foot thrift store run by dedicated staff and volunteers which provides funds, along with the upcoming “Play It Forward” Tennis Tournament Fundraiser on the morning of April 14, 2018. This fun, family-friendly tournament will be held at the SSHS Tennis Complex. Teams are still being accepted through April 11 for Doubles play in Round Robin style with a guarantee of at least three matches. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Delicious concessions will be offered by the SSHS Culinary Department. Registration fee is $15 individual or $30 team. Register online at canhelponline.org or stop in the CANHelp office located at 613 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs, or phone 903-885-9797. You can also inquire about tickets for an exciting “Magnolia Adventure” trip to Waco which you might win on May 15.
CANHelp Executive Director Shanna Martin and Client Services Manager Adela Martinez
Lady Cats Softball Control Their District/Playoff Destiny
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo said his team’s Tuesday (April 3) night home 10-4 loss to Hallsville was just one of those things that happens. After the game, Coach Carrillo told his team they still control their own destiny.
He compared the loss to a road bump in a parking lot. Coach Carrillo said everything seemed to be out of sync Tuesday. He said his team did not play well. Coach Carrillo said even pitcher Bailey Haggerty seemed out of sync. She had an unheard of seven walks. Coach Carrillo said part of that was the umpire’s strike zone. He said Haggerty would bounce back along with the entire team.
Coach Carrillo said there are winners and learners. He wants his team to use the loss to get better as a team. Coach Carrillo said he hopes his team will refocus. He told his team they need to win their last four district games to win a district championship. The first of the four games takes place Friday evening at Pine Tree.
Chamber Connection
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce will host a City Council Candidate Forum at the Sulphur Springs Middle School on Thursday, April 19th at 6 p.m. SSMS is located at 835 Wildcat Way in Sulphur Springs, and admittance to the forum will be through the back doors of the school. Questions from the public are encouraged and must be submitted in advance to the Chamber of Commerce via email, fax, or mail. Questions must be received by Monday, April 16th. Submitted questions will be reviewed and approved by a committee appointed for this purpose. No questions will be accepted from the floor during the forum. Email questions to [email protected], fax to (903)885-6516, or mail to 300 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. We hope you will be able to attend that evening to see the candidates discuss important topics for Sulphur Springs.
It’s almost here! The 29th Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament will be held at the Sulphur Springs Country Club on Friday, April 13th. We are currently have morning tee times available. Please consider bringing a team and enjoying a very fun day of golf and prizes! We have limited availability, so let us know as soon as possible if interested. Give us a call at (903) 885-6515 for additional information!
Heart of Hope is hosting a 3K and Family Fun Run
Heart of Hope, a pregnancy resource center located at 407 South Davis in Sulphur Springs, is hosting a 3K & Family Fun Run on Saturday, April 7th beginning at Celebration Plaza in Sulphur Springs. Check-in and on site late registration will be available at 9:00 a.m. The 3K Run will kick off at 10:00 a.m., and the Family Fun Run (1/2 mile) starts at 10:45 a.m. Pre-registration deadline is March 22 in which the Family Fun Run cost is $10, and the 3K cost is $20. Late registration costs change to $15 and $25 respectively. Awards will be given to the top 3 qualifiers of the 3K Race at 11:15 a.m. For more information, visit www.sulphurspringspregnancy.com.
Pilot Club hosts their Spring Fundraiser
The Pilot Club of Sulphur Springs is hosting their Spring Fundraiser on Saturday, April 7th at 7 p.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. They are doing it “Branson Style” with music and entertainment by Robert Joe Vandygriff. A $30 ticket includes meal and entertainment. $5.00 also buys chances for themed gift baskets and a trip for two. Tickets can be purchased through Pay Pal at www.sspilotclub.org. For additional information call (903) 348-5099, (903) 243-0979, or (903) 438-7153.
Cedar Canyon hosts the Inaugural Veteran’s Freedom Ball
Cedar Canyon is hosting the Inaugural Hopkins County Veteran’s Freedom Ball on April 7 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. This event is to honor our active and retired Military here in Hopkins County and, equally as important – to raise money for continued maintenance, upkeep, and updates to the Memorial and to engrave the remaining names of Veterans on the Walls. The entire debt in building this $1.2 million Memorial was retired within the first three years; however, there is no perpetual funding available. The goal with this very first Freedom Ball is to breathe new life into the Memorial Committee, raise awareness in the community for the needs of the Memorial itself, and to engrave the remaining 2000 names on the Walls. Several hundred visitors come each year to the Plaza in Sulphur Springs to see this amazing, moving, and beautiful tribute. For pricing and ticket information, visit www.hcfreedomball.com.
CHRISTUS Mother Francis Hospital SS hosts blood drive
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs is hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, at 115 Airport Road in the parking lot on the Carter BloodCare bus. Potential blood donors may volunteer beginning at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds may give independently and there is no upper age limit for donating blood. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, contact Lanie Wright at (903) 571-9667.
Carriage House Manor is hosting a Senior Brunch
Carriage House Manor is hosting a National Healthcare Decisions Day Senior Brunch to learn the benefits of advance care planning. It will be held on Monday, April 9th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Sulphur Springs Senior Center located at 150 Martin Luther King Drive in Sulphur Springs. This event is free to all seniors and includes brunch.
Danna’s Buffalo Girls will hold their grand opening and ribbon cutting
To kick-off the flea market style and swap, the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting Celebration on April 12th, 12:00 p.m. at The Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Early shopping will begin immediately following the ribbon cutting until 6 p.m. Visit www.dannasfleamarketstyle.com or call 903-439-7091 for more information.
Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ Flea Market Style/Swap on April 12-14, at 8:00 a.m.
Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ will be having a flea market style/swap event April 12, 13 & 14 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Vendors are wanted as well as shoppers and “junque” lovers who are ready to shop, swap, and eat. Early shopping will be held on Thursday April 12th from noon to 6, and the first 50 shoppers will be presented a goody bag filled with donations by local merchants. The entry fee on Thursday is $10 and will go to the “Save the Trolley” fund. The entry fee on Friday and Saturday is $5. Visit www.dannasfleamarketstyle.com or call 903-439-7091 for more information.
The 6th Annual Tanner Higgins Warrior Run is scheduled for April 14th
The 6th Annual Tanner Higgins 5 Mile Warrior Run and One Mile Grunt Run is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th at Cooper Lake State Park. Registration is being held until April 13th for $45. You may also register the day of the race for $50, and the Grunt Race will be $25. Warrior Run Registration includes race chip timing and a race day t-shirt. For additional information, visit www.tannerstonehiggins.com.
CANHelp prepares for their annual tennis tournament
CANHelp is preparing for their Fourth Annual Play It Forward Tennis Tournament and fundraiser which is scheduled on Saturday, April 14th at the Sulphur Springs High School Tennis Courts located at 1200 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Entry forms are available at CANHelp, 613 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs, or online at www.canhelponline.org. Proceeds from this event will allow CANHelp to continue to provide important services to the residents of Hopkins County in times of need. All ages and skill levels are welcomed. The tournament is round robin style with doubles play. Don’t miss this fun event benefiting a great cause!
History by Foot is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th
History by Foot with John Sellers is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th, at 10 a.m. Cost is $10.00 per person. Make reservation by emailing John Sellers at [email protected] or call CNB at 903-885-7523. Reservations are filling up fast!
The John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Class is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th from 8 a.m. to noon
The John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Class is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th from 8 a.m. to noon at Heritage Park in Sulphur Springs. This is your chance to learn the ins and outs of cooking with a Dutch oven. Lunch and door prizes are included. Fee is $15 per person. For more information contact Rick Wilson at (903) 885-9692 or (903) 335-2752.
Warp 9 Computers is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration
Warp 9 Computers is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, April 18th at noon at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce located at 300 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to come by to learn about the services Warp 9 offers and to welcome this new business to Hopkins County!
Reilly Springs Jamboree welcomes Jack’s Western Swing Round Up
The Reilly Springs Jamboree, Hopkins County’s original music venue, presents Jack’s Western Swing Round Up on Saturday, April 21st at 7 p.m. Jack Phillips and his friends will entertain throughout the evening, and it shouldn’t be missed! The Reilly Springs Community Center is located at 109 CR 1439 in Sulphur Springs. For additional information contact Allison Phillips at (903) 348-7321, Enola Gay at (903) 438-3568, or visit www.jackphillipsmusic.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 April 25th 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. Additional webinars will take place on May 23, and June 13, 2018. For more information, call the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office – Hopkins County – at 903-885-3443.
CPI is hosting a customer appreciation of Thursday, April 26th
CPI is hosting a customer appreciation dinner and product demonstration on Thursday, April 26th at 6 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. CPI would love for you to join them for dinner and stay to learn about their new products they are now offering. Dinner will include salad, prime rib, bacon green beans, broccoli with cheese sauce, and garlic mashed potatoes. Please RSVP to [email protected].
Sulphur Springs Youth Orchestra presents Family Music Night
The Sulphur Springs Youth Orchestra presents a Family Music Night on Friday, April 27th at 6:30 p.m. at Shannon Oaks Church, located at 1113 Shannon Road in Sulphur Springs. This event is free to the public. Come enjoy movie themed and great classical music performances by local musicians. Children are welcomed to dress as their favorite movie characters. For more information, call (903) 261-7907, or email [email protected].
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
Wildcat Benitez Qualifies for Regional Tennis Tourney
Wildcats’ boys singles player Alex Benitez has done something that hasn’t been done in Sulphur Springs in over a decade. Benitez has qualified to go to the Regional Tennis Tournament in two weeks.
Benitez is assured of either a first or second place finish in boys’ singles at the district tournament after he made the final Wednesday. Benitez will play in the final match Thursday in Texarkana. Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez sent out the word Wednesday in a text featuring three exclamation points. Wildcats Tennis Coach Susan Reynolds took a girl to the Regional Tennis Tournament over ten years ago.
Saltillo Students Place Second Overall in Area UIL Competition: Regional is Next
In UIL Academic Area competition, Saltillo students placed in Accounting, Calculator Applications, Current Issues, Number Sense, Persuasive Speaking, Ready Writing, Spelling and Vocabulary, Social Studies and Science. Saltillo students earned First Place honors for their school in Editorial Writing, Feature Writing, Headline Writing, News Writing, and in Mathematics and Chemistry, and came in Second Place overall at the meet. Saltillo students will compete at Keller Central High School for Regional UIL Saturday, April 14th.
Sitting L to R: Allyssa Brown, Edi Olayo & Ben Moore; Kneeling L to R: Melissa Tawil, Sienna Collins, Bianca Castro, Lindsay Butler, Kristina Wade, Paisley Kastner & Chandler Bain; Standing L to R: Hannah Wartenbee, Trevor Moore, Shelby Matlock, Joe Tippit, Anna Reeder, Madison Simmons, Michael Simmons, Matthew Gurley, Michael Clover, Nathan Valenzuela, Cheyenne Neal, Lorena Castro, Brittney Peeples, Garrett Tarver, Chris Boekhorst & Branson McGill
