Superintendent Lamb Addresses Security During School Board’s March Meeting
Superintendent of Sulphur Springs Schools Michael Lamb told the school board that security on local campuses has been recently evaluated, again, and specific steps are being taken to tighten security at some locations. Lamb gave his security report Monday night during the March school board meeting.
Lamb said that with two armed police officers at the high school, there were still some concerns regarding access to the buildings on campus. He noted that high school students need access to and from the main building, including various buildings such as Vocational Agriculture classes, vocational classes the former PJC building that now houses classes for the high school, and athletic facilities. Lamb did not go into detail but did state that in the next few weeks specific steps, such as access through the front door to the school, would be put in place. Lamb noted that the lower grade buildings and the middle school building do have in place the security features that limit access. Lamb limited his remarks in the public venue for the purpose of security.
Lamb noted that decisions made regarding security upgrades would be made in planning sessions with principals and teachers on each campus. He is determined to be proactive in the protection of children in Sulphur Springs schools according to his statements in the report.
Cumby Man Arrested for DWI 3rd or More, Again
Asleep at the wheel and stopped in the middle of County Road 4131 with the motor running alerted a citizen to call the Cumby police. The citizen though the driver might be intoxicated.
When Cumby Sgt. Ray Embro arrived at the scene, he found John Anthony Colfax, 51, of Cumby, asleep in the driver’s seat. When Embro made contact with Colfax, the odor of alcohol was strong and Colfax eyes were blood shot. An open container of alcohol was found in the front seat of the vehicle. Colfax failed the field sobriety test.
A records check showed Colfax to have an extensive history involving driving while intoxicated including two prior convictions for DWI 3rd or more.
Colfax was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or more and his bond was set at $10,000.
Local Hospital District Downgraded by Moody’s
Hopkins County Hospital District, acquired by CHRISTUS Health System in 2016, was downgraded by Moody’s in August 2017. According to an article in CEO HealthCare, written by Shawn Shinneman, the downgrade applies to the Hospital District and not CHRISTUS because the structure of the agreement between the District and CHRISTUS did not guarantee any of the Hopkins County Hospital District’s outstanding debt.
The local hospital district and Tyler-based East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System are the only two North Texas not-for-profit hospital systems downgraded by Moody’s in 2017, according to the report by Moody’s Investors Service.
CHRISTUS owns 51-percent of the local hospital and manages the operations of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Sulphur Springs. The Hospital District owns 49-percent and continues operation of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as well as well as several East Texas nursing homes.
In September, Nashville-based Ardent Health Services purchased ETMC and partnered with the University of Texas System in the deal, according to CEO HealthCare.
Moody’s downgraded 41 hospital systems in 2017 and upgraded only 12.
SSISD Tax Office to Close for Spring Break
The school tax office will be closed the following days for Spring Break: Monday, March, 12th through Friday, March 16th, 2018
Game Day: Wildcat Baseball, Tennis
Wildcats’ baseball coach Jerrod Hammack has one more tournament to get his team ready for the start of district play next week. The Wildcats begin play in a three-day Sherman-Denison-Celina sponsored Grayson County Classic on this Thursday game day (March 8). Their site Thursday will be Denison High School. The Wildcats will play McKinney at 1:30 p.m. and then will face host Denison at 4 p.m. On Friday the Wildcats play Bridgeport at Sherman High School at 11 a.m. Saturday the Wildcats are back at Sherman with a game against Celina at 11 a.m. and against Sanger at 1:30 p.m. Coach Hammack was given the option of playing a fifth game in this tournament and he took it. The Wildcats are playing their third tournament of the season. They come into play Thursday with a season record of 3-5.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ tennis team is also in a tournament on this Thursday game day. They are one of 22 teams in a Longview tournament. Play got underway there at 8 a.m. This is the Wildcats’ fifth tournament of the season as they prepare for their district tournament April 4-5 in Texarkana.
North Hopkins Panthers Baseball Schedule Announced
North Hopkins 2017 Panthers
Date & Time Opponent Place
Monday, Feb. 19th @ 4:30 pm Martin’s Mill There
Feb. 22 -24th Chisum Tournament
Monday, Feb. 26th @ 6 pm Big Sandy There
March 1st- 3rd Bells Tournament
*Tuesday, March 6th @ 4:30 pm Saltillo There
March 8th – 10th Douglass Tournament
*Tuesday, March 13th @ Noon Sulphur Bluff Here
*Wednesday, March 14th @ 1 pm Fruitvale There
*Tuesday, March 20th @ 4:30 Yantis Here
Friday, March 23rd @ 6:30pm Quitman There
*Tuesday, March 27th @ 4:30pm Cumby Here
*Thursday, March 29th @ 6pm Campbell There
*Tuesday, April 3rd @ 4:30 pm Saltillo Here
*Friday, April 6th @ 4:30 pm Sulphur Bluff There
*Tuesday, April 10th @ 4:30 pm Fruitvale Here
*Friday, April 13th @ 4:30 pm Yantis There
Monday, April 16th @ 5 pm Palmer There
*Friday, April 20th @ 4:30pm Cumby There
*Tuesday, April 24th @ 4:30pm Campbell Here (Senior Night)
Saturday, April 28th @ 11am Dodd City There
* Denotes District Game
Chamber Connection March 8, 2018
Great news!!! It is time for the 29th Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament held at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. This year’s tournament will be held on Friday, April 13th. Just like last year, we will have morning and afternoon tee times. 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. Teams are already signing up! Give us a call at (903) 885-6515 for additional information!
Operation Victor Echo Tango will host their ribbon cutting celebration
Operation Victor Echo Tango will host their ribbon cutting celebration on Monday, March 19th at 12:15 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce located at 300 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. Operation Victor Echo Tango is a non-profit organization assisting veterans in multiple ways. Please make plans to come by and learn about this new venture in Hopkins County!
Sulphur Springs Elementary School is hosting the Harlem Wizards!
For the first time ever, Sulphur Springs Elementary School is hosting the Harlem Wizards! They will be coming to town on March 19th at the SSHS gymnasium. The SSES PTO is excited to announce that the “Wacky Wildcats” will be taking on the Wizards. There are two easy ways to purchase tickets. You can stop by the SSES office located on Bell Street in Sulphur Springs, or you can purchase online at www.harlemwizrds.com. general admission is $10.00, VIP tickets are $20.00, and courtside plus backstage passes are $30.00. Make sure and join in on this fun night!
Heart of Hope is hosting an educational presentation
Heart of Hope is hosting an educational presentation entitled “Human Trafficking, It’s Closer Than You Think” on Tuesday, March 20th from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Middle School located at 835 Wildcat Way in Sulphur Springs. The speaker scheduled for the evening is Laurie McGehee, manager of Probation services in Shreveport, Louisiana. She will discuss topics such as: warning signs of individuals being trafficked, how to protect your child, how to report a tip, and how to connect with anti-trafficking services in your area. For more information, please visit the Northeast Texas Heart of Hope Facebook page.
Hunt Regional is offering January Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on Thursday, March 22nd 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.
Tim Halcomb Allstate is hosting their Ribbon Cutting Celebration
Tim Halcomb Allstate is hosting their Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Wednesday, March 28th at noon. Their office is located at 319 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Come meet Tim and his crew, enjoy some refreshments, and learn about what his office can do for your insurance needs.
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 March 28 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 April 25, May 23, and June 13, 2018. For more information, call the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office – Hopkins County – at 903-885-3443.
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.
Ribbon cuttings:
The Muddy Lotus hosted their Ribbon Cutting Celebration
The Muddy Lotus, a new yoga experience in Sulphur Springs, hosted their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, March 7th at noon. They offer different yoga classes at East Texas Gymnastics, located at 1402 Mockingbird Lane in Sulphur Springs. All levels are welcomed, and the first class is free of charge. For more information, call owner Clay Pirdle at (903) 243-1614.
Have a wonderful weekend!
–Lezley
