Author Caleb Pirtle III Visits KSST and Channel 18 TV
This Texas Writer was born at Kilgore, Texas and went to public school at New London. With a degree in journalism from the University of Texas, he began his writing career as a reporter for the Ft Worth Star Telegram. His career moved forward when his talents in coaxing out the back story was discovered by Texas Governor John Connally who hired Pirtle as chief of media relations for the state’s first tourism branch, the Texas Tourist Development Agency. Decades of meeting people through travel has supplied fodder for the 75 books he has published. Today, he likes helping develop new authors through writer’s leagues across the state including the Silver Leos Writers Guild at Texas A and M University at Commerce, Texas. He scheduled a visit on the Good Morning Show with Enola Gay at our studios along the way.
Pirtle grew up in the Kilgore/Henderson area of East Texas among oil field workers who came from everywhere to man the oil boom. He always liked listening to the stories of people, especially older ones. Across the South he has found that people love to tell stories about their town, their work, their life, and if you listen long enough, their secrets. He describes his work as that of a “thief” because he takes the bits and pieces of other people’s lives, experiences and memories and weaves them into his stories, articles, teleplays and novels. “Everyone has a story if you just take time to listen”, says Pirtle. Though much of his decade as Travel Editor for Southern Living Magazine was about destinations, he most liked writing about the people he met along the way. He made the leap from conventional to digital publishing and today, his works are found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble as well as on the shelves of bookstores and libraries around the world. His memoir “The Man Who Talks to Strangers: a Memoir of Sorts” was released in late 2017. Pirtle has launched a new mystery series set in the area of his birth, and the first book is called “Back Side of a Blue Moon”.
Aspiring writers are invited to attend a Writer’s Conference in March 2018 hosted by the Silver Leos Writers Guild, an organization open to alumni and non-alumni of TAMU Commerce. For more information, visit SLWG Facebook page.
CALEB PIRTLE III, vice president and editorial director for Dockery House Publishing in Dallas, is the award-winning author of more than thirty books. A former travel editor for Southern Living magazine, he has co-written two teleplays for CBS and has written for such publications as Travel & Leisure, Bon Appetit, and Holiday. He’s the recipient of a Texas Associated Press Award, Small Press Book Award, and a Discover America Award.
Commissioners’ Court to Revisit Voting Machine Request During Friday’s Special Session
Although Hopkins County Commissioners’ Court tabled an item on Monday’s agenda, that items will grace the Friday agenda for a special meeting of the court. The addendum of the item to purchase new, technologically updated voting equipment for elections on the special meeting agenda came as a result of a conversation with Hopkins County Clerk Debbie Shirley Monday during a budget work session that followed the Monday regular meeting.
Commissioners had voted to table the purchase of new voting machines Monday after Commissioner Mike O’Dell stated he thinks the new machines are too expensive and Commissioner Wade Bartley said the current machines should be used until they no longer worked.
For some time Debbie Shirley, County Clerk, has wanted to improve the voting equipment in the county. With several payment options offered, a new county clerk coming into office after the first of the year, the newer machines easier to learn, and the new machines considered more accurate and fitted with the technology that fits the current hub voting process, Shirley presented her plea for the new machines. She pointed out that much of the current system used was purchased in 2005 and technology has changed in the voting field over the years. Shirley expressed concern regarding the current voting equipment with the March 6 Primary Election weeks away. The county auditor told the court that there was enough money in the fund balance to pay for the new machines and that other options were available.
Only two companies in Texas are approved by the Secretary of State to sell the machines. The proposal was presented Monday included a discount in price and an extra year of maintenance by the company presenting the offer. The company had stated that the price offer was only good through Monday but did agree to extend the offer when notified Monday of the Friday special session. The machines and offer had been approved for the county by the Secretary of State’s office last week.
Other routine business is included in the special session of the court. However, the tabled items regarding the building of a new courtroom at Hopkins County Jail are not included in agenda items.
Video Presentation: Republican Burkett Addressed Educators
In a local meet and greet held Tuesday morning at The Oaks Bed & Breakfast in Sulphur Springs, two candidates vying for Texas Senate Seat (District 2) shared their opinions to a group of local educators and retired educators. Kendall Scudder (Democrat) and Cindy Burkett (Republican) each spoke and took questions from the group. Burkett, who is currently in her fourth term in the Texas House of Representative for District 113, is making her bid for Texas Senate in the primary against incumbent Bob Hall.
Video Presentation: Democratic State Senate Candidate Scudder Speaks to Retired Teachers Association
In a local meet and greet held Tuesday morning at The Oaks Bed & Breakfast in Sulphur Springs, two candidates vying for Texas Senate Seat (District 2) shared their opinions to a group of local educators and retired educators. Kendall Scudder (Democrat), who is from Sulphur Springs, is campaigning for his first bid for the local seat. He runs unopposed in the Democratic Primary, and looks forward to the general election in November.
Educators Eye Texas Senate District 2 Race
In a local meet and greet held Tuesday morning at The Oaks Bed & Breakfast in Sulphur Springs, two candidates vying for Texas Senate Seat (District 2) shared their opinions to a group of local educators and retired educators. Kendall Scudder (Democrat) and Cindy Burkett (Republican) each spoke and took questions from the group. Scudder, who is from Sulphur Springs, is campaigning for his first bid for the local seat. He runs unopposed in the Democratic Primary, and looks forward to the general election in November. Cindy Burkett, who is currently in her fourth term in the Texas House of Representative for District 113, is making her bid for Texas Senate in the primary against incumbent Bob Hall.
District 2, which is mostly rural, is comprised of all of the following counties: Delta, Fannin, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Rains, Rockwall and Van Zandt and parts of Dallas and Smith counties. Some feel that some of the rural areas are not represented well enough and that some decisions are made more for Dallas county schools, when it comes to education decisions. There are only 31 districts in the Texas Senate. These 31 districts are currently split 20-Republican and 11-Democrat. District 2 is one of 15 seats that is up for election this year.
Retired educators have faced challenges with their retirement and health care benefits in recent years. Some have not seen any kind of retirement benefit increase in over 15 years, while others are fighting sky-rocketing health care costs associated with their retirement benefits. One educator tells KSST News, “even when a retired educator reaches Medicare age, the health care supplement costs associated with our retirement makes a big dent in the monthly check.”
Burkett has some experience with smaller school districts in her current capacity as House Representative for District 113 but would be expanding into a more rural area and would be representing many more rural school districts if her bid is successful for District 2.
Scudder shared his experience as he currently organizes on-site education programming for a non-profit affordable housing company in Dallas, Texas. This experience, Scudder says, gives him a unique opportunity with his hard work ethic to dig into the education problems that our state faces and find solutions.
No Game Tuesday; Wildcats, Lady Cats Face Mt Pleasant Friday
Wildcats’ Cipoletta on Coaches’ Show
On KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show, Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta repeated that the Wildcats always get the other team’s best. He felt it happened again last Friday as the Wildcats defeated Texas High, 63-48 at home. The Tigers trailed by only six points at one point early in the fourth quarter before the Wildcats pulled away at the end. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats have a targets on their backs and no one takes them lightly. He was not pleased with all the offensive rebounds the Tigers got Friday night. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats gave up a lot of them to the Tigers and he told his team their season could get cut short if they continue to allow that to happen. Coach Cipoletta also said the Wildcats defense was not where he would like it to be against the Tigers. Still the Wildcats only yielded an average of 12 points per quarter. Coach Cipoletta commented on a couple of big defensive plays the Wildcats made on Tigers’ breakaways. He said those plays win ballgames. The Wildcats continued to get key scoring from several players and Coach Cipoletta said that would keep other coaches from trying to shut down any one player. The Wildcats are ranked #8 in the state again this week and they are 3-0 in district play and 20-3 for the season. They have a big showdown at Mount Pleasant Friday night.
Lady Cats’ Chapman on Coaches’ Show
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Jeff Chapman said Friday night’s district game at Texas High felt like deja vu. The Lady Cats have played the Lady Tigers twice this year, once in the Winnsboro Hoopfest and the second time in TexarkanaFriday. In both games, the Lady Cats led going into the fourth quarter only to see the Lady Tigers stage a big rally. A five point led did not hold up at Hoopfest but a 12-point lead did last Friday night. The Lady Cats prevailed, 47-44. Coach Chapman said Texas High was the district’s most athletic team. He said they can play two sets of five players. Coach Chapman said one group screens the Lady Cats’ guards and penetrates. A second bunch features better shooters Coach Chapman said. He said the Lady Tigers fourth quarter pressure seemed to get to the Lady Cats. On the positive side, Coach Chapman said when the Lady Cats handled the press, they looked good. Texas High got to within one point of the Lady Cats but never could take a lead in the fourth quarter. Coach Chapman said Kaylee Jefferson and Sadavia Porter played well. He credited Autumn Tanton for her defense and rebounding. Coach Chapman added that Imani Taylor hit a big three point basket and made some clutch free throws. He also praised the defense of Danielle Godbolt and Te’Arria Rose. Coach Chapman also gave his Gold JV team some credit for the Texas High win. He said the JV won in overtime while the varsity got fired up cheering them on. The Lady Cats are again ranked #9 in the state this week. They are 5-0 in district play and 19-3 for the season. The Lady Cats have a key match up with Mount Pleasant Friday night at home.
Winnsboro Police Report January 1-7, 2018
Winnsboro Police made two arrests, responded to two accidents, issued 53 citations, wrote 53 warnings, and responded to 161 calls for service during the January 1-7, 2018 report period.
Walter Smith, 25, of Big Sandy, was arrested January 1st on a Dallas County warrant.
Paul Brown, 38, of Dangerfield, was arrested January 5th on a Harrison County warrant.
Police responded to a minor two vehicle accident in the 300 bl0ck of East Coke January 5th. No injuries were reported.
A one vehicle accident in the 100 block of Market Street January 1st resulted in unknown injuries.
Psalms 100 will open Gospel Revue at Reilly Springs Jamboree January 20, 2018
With almost 35 years in a gospel music ministry, Buddy and Ina Gore and Psalms 100 are gearing up to have a busy 2018. Their first appearance will be at the Reilly Springs Jamboree on Saturday January 20 as they put on an opening concert for Metroplex-area gospel minister, Mary Fay Jackson. The Gores met Mary Fay over two decades ago when they joined the ICGMA, or International Country Gospel Music Association. Both have been the recipients of the Joe Paul Nichols Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame induction, and both remain quite active in ministering at Revivals and gospel conventions, and in Christian music venues.
Buddy Gore and Ina Delozier met and married in 1982. Ina was already in a gospel duo and in time, Buddy put together a band which began a traveling ministry all over Oklahoma and the Ark-La-Tex as Psalms 100 and the Joyful Noise Band. Over the years, numerous local musicians and singers have been members of that group. The Gores also operated a charter bus business called BGM Tours as well as the annual Gospel Songfest which was part of the Hopkins County Fall Festival for 33 years. During 2017, Buddy and Ina decided it was time to slow down a little bit and became a duo. They continue to minster at Revivals around Northeast Texas and with the Brashear Baptist Church Praise and Worship team while enjoying their home, garden and grandchildren.
Their concert at the Reilly Springs Jamboree will begin at 6pm on Saturday January 20, followed by Mary Fay Jackson at 7pm, with Roger Reed and the Sunshine Band with a country concert at 8pm. Admission is $10 person. The Jamboree is held at the Reilly Springs Community Center in the southeastern part of Hopkins County at 109 CR 1439, and offers a family-friendly smoke and alcohol-free atmosphere.
SCU Investigation Results in Meth Arrest
As the result of an investigation by the Special Crimes Unit, Micah Wayne McCarty, 46, of Sulphur Springs, was arrested Monday around noon near his residence on South League Street.
McCarty sold a quantity of Methamphetamine weighing over 1-gram but less than 4-grams in a Drug Free Zone. He is in Hopkins County Jail being held on a $30,000 bond for the Felony 2 charge.
