Courthouse Window Repair Approved; Commissioners Meet Next Week to Discuss Sale of Property on Main Street
Hopkins County Commissioners Court awarded a contract to Phoenix I Corp, of Farmers Branch, to do restoration and repair on the courthouse windows on lower floors. The project slated to begin in January and continue for three months will cost $145,000. Restoration and repair on the windows on the upper floors was carried out in 2008.
Next week, Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 9 a.m. commissioners’ court will conduct a work session in the first floor meeting room to discuss bids for the purchase of county owned property at 110 Main Street and 118 Main Street. The properties currently house the District Attorney and District Clerk offices. County Judge Robert Newsom stated that the minimum bid must be $400,000 and there will be a one year wait before the owner can take possession of the property if a bid is accepted in a later Commissioners’ Court meeting. Newsom noted that during the year following the sale, a new 100-seat courtroom and District Attorney and District Clerk offices would be built on county property near the county jail to facilitate public safety and to add technical advantages to the courtroom if approved by the court.
Lake Fork’s Patriot Sporting Challenge Makes $100,000 Donation to Folds of Honor
Garry Schnabel, Executive Director of the Patriot Sporting Challenge and Chuck Roy, founder and board member, visited the KSST Good Morning Show to share some good news about the success of the inaugural event of the 501c4 organization and it’s 501c3 arm, PSC Patriots. Plans are now going forward for the 2018 Patriots Sporting Challenge which will further the work of the national organization, Folds of Honor. Following is a press release, dated December 13, 2017.
Yantis, Texas – The Patriot Sporting Challenge recently presented to the Folds of Honor Foundation a check for $100,000 to support the educational opportunities for dependents of those U.S. Servicemen who have been lost in action or significantly disabled.
The Patriot Sporting Challenge’s inaugural event “Lunkers, Bunkers and Clays” was held at Lake Fork Texas on October 27 & 28 and featured 42 competitive 4-man teams competing in a trilogy of sporting events. This was a first ever challenge that coupled fishing, golf, and shooting sports into a tournament format for determining a Challenge Grand Champion. The Links at Land’s End, Hidden Lakes Resort, and Lake Fork presented the competitors a challenging arena for the competition. The winners received a trophy that is on permanent display at The Links at Land’s End as well as significant cash and merchandise prizes.
The check presentation was held in the corporate headquarters of Skeeter Boats in Kilgore, Texas and was attended by Mr. Jeff Stone, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Skeeter and Ms. JoAnne O’Bryant, Senior Marketing Project Manager. Skeeter was a Signature Sponsor for the event. Mr. Kelly Jordan, a Skeeter Professional Staff member, also attended and added his appreciation as a participant in the Challenge.
Accepting the check for the Folds of Honor was Diane Nemecek, Regional Development Manager. Presenting the check was Garry Schnabel, Director of the Patriot Sporting Challenge.
Mrs. Nemecek was thrilled to receive the donation and said, “This is an overwhelming honor to receive these funds to support the Folds of Honor’s mission statement, ‘Honor the Sacrifice by Educating their Legacy.’ This money will forever change the life of many dependents that have been adversely affected by the loss of a military family member. Many educational scholarships will be made possible by today’s gift.”
For more about the Folds of Honor, including mission statement and history, see www.foldsofhonor.org
Check out the challenge course at www.golflakefork.com, details of the shooting competition venue at www.hiddenlakeshr.com, and Lake Fork Texas at www.lakeforktexas.com and Facebook Patriot Sporting Challenge.
Tira News December 22, 2017
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Travis Eugene (Gene) Lewis, son of the late Barney and Edna Lewis. He passed away December 19th in Armuchee, Georgia. Rachel Lewis reports that a memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. Siblings are Wanda Clayton, Dorothy Hargrave, Gary Lewis, Judy Lewis and Richard Lewis. Please be in prayer for the family.
The Tira City Council would like to express their appreciation to the North Hopkins Beta Club and Danna Lewis, their sponsor, for their generous donation of food for the Tira Food Pantry.
Linda Petty had back surgery on Monday, December 11th, at Methodist Surgery Center in Addison. Mick reports, “The back surgery went well, but she had some heart issues on the 2nd day after the surgery, so our two-day stay turned into a 5-day stay. I think all is well now and we go back for a follow up this Friday. We can’t thank our family and friends enough for their help and prayers.”
Regina Taylor, of Sulphur Springs, Brenda Allen, of Yantis, and Yvonne Weir and I, from Tira, went to Hot Springs, Arkansas on Friday. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf, overlooking Lake Hamilton, and then drove around downtown and up the mountain. That evening we went to Garvan Woodland Gardens for their beautiful Holiday Lights event. Later we had a delicious meal at the Bleu Monkey Grill. On Saturday, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, and then spent the day shopping before returning home.
I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
A year in review: 2017 Hopkins County Water Conservation and Preservation By Mario Villarino
A year in review: 2017 Hopkins County Water Conservation and Preservation
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources
Hopkins County, Texas
Relevance: Water conservation is a critically important issue for residents throughout the state of Texas. Proper use of fertilizers and gardening chemicals is important to the long term health and safety of residents in the county. Programs that promote reduction of landscape waste and recycling will assist in maintaining land fill availability. These community-wide projects and activities include: creating and maintaining research and demonstration gardens; providing speakers bureaus, answer telephone inquiries, conducting workshops and short courses, and disseminating information via mass media and the Internet. In addition, Master Gardener volunteers provide thousands of service hours coordinating and managing educational programs and projects for Extension. Youth that are exposed to the art and science of gardening at an early age have the opportunity to experience and learn horticultural concept s and techniques which may lead to a vocation or a life-long hobby. The Hopkins Count y Master Gardener Program is a volunteer development program administered by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is designed to increase the availability of horticultural information and leadership to improve the quality of life through gardening and horticultural projects. Program objectives are implemented through the training and recruiting of local volunteers, known as Master Gardeners. They aid Extension by conducting school garden projects; answering telephone requests for horticultural information; providing speaker bureaus, establishing and maintaining demonstration gardens; working with special audiences in the community; and designing and implementing community improvement projects, as well as coordinating Master Gardener projects. The principle goals of the Hopkins County Master Gardener program include: Environmental stewardship and Earth Kind Principles. Landscape irrigation in Texas accounts for up to 40-60% of the total residential water use during peak summer months. The goal of this plan was to increase the availability of specific horticultural information and improve the quality of life within communities and individuals through horticultural educational programs. Measuring the knowledge gained of horticultural best practices and Earth Kind practices by Hopkins County citizens and Master Gardeners is the first step toward ensuring that effective efforts are made by the Hopkins County Master Gardeners toward conserving and protecting natural resources through the use of environmentally-friendly landscape management practices. The objective of this plan was to educate 60 small acre farmers and gardeners in the implementation of earth kind principles and applications and 40 dairy producers in manure management education.
Response:
- 12 monthly master gardeners planning meetings.
- Go-Native Plant Sale (in collaboration of Hopkins County 4-H Exchange Program)(4/14).
- 40 Mass Media Publications related to gardening- water conservation.
- Master Gardeners Multicounty Training (60 hrs training).
- Kids Camp (4 sessions in horticulture).
- Skills Camp (1 session in butterfly habitat conservation/recycling).
- Dairy Outreach Program Area Fall Conference in Texas Watershed Stewardship.
- Plan interpretation (Volunteers 11/9, Commissioner’s Court 11/27, and mass media 12/5).
Results: Water conservation is a major environmental concern during extremely high precipitation years. The adoption of water protection-water conservation principles becomes a challenge since environmental moisture is high. However, the adoption of water conservation principles is critical since water scarcity is not only related to quantity of water but also water quality. During 2017, specific educational efforts were directed to use of native plants in the landscape to protect water and reduce ecological chemical pressure in pollinators (bees and butterflies) in collaboration with Hopkins County Beekeepers Group. Five Master Gardeners Trainers completed their training and will be conducting their volunteer projects during 2017-2018.
The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife.
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
Traveling with Children for the Holidays? By Johanna Hicks
Traveling with Children for the Holidays?
Christmas is here, and New Year’s Day is not far behind, which means that many families will be traveling by car and airplane to visit with friends and relatives. This is an appropriate time to stop and think about having your child in the proper car seat before planning your trip. Although parents always want to protect their children, studies show that nationally, 3 out of 4 car seats are not used correctly. For a car seat to best protect your child, it must be the right seat for your child’s age, weight, height and developmental stage, and must fit properly in your vehicle while being installed correctly and securely.
Children are at greater risk than adults in a vehicle crash. In fact, motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children 14 and under. Safety belts and car seats are the single most effective tool in reducing these deaths and injuries. Unfortunately, in 2015 alone, less than half of the children killed in vehicle crashes in Texas were known to be restrained.
That’s why the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Passenger Safety Project is urging all parents and caregivers to secure children properly in age- and size-appropriate child safety seats in the back seat of your vehicle, which is the most effective thing you can do to protect them in the event of a crash. In fact, in motor vehicle crashes, child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers. Get a free inspection by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to make sure you are using the child safety seat correctly. To locate a technician in Texas, visit: http://buckleup.tamu.edu. Technicians can provide hands-on advice and instruction.
If you are traveling by plane, it is always safest to purchase a separate seat for your child, and bring an FAA-approved car seat. Most car seats, except for booster seats, are approved for use on an airplane. Turbulence is the greatest danger for a child on an airplane trip, and a properly installed car seat can protect your child from injuries due to being thrown around in the plane. Traveling with your car seat will also ensure that you will have it ready for your use when you arrive at your destination.
Follow these guidelines from American Academy of Pediatrics to keep your children riding safely:
- Infants and Toddlers – Rear-facing Only and Convertible Seats: All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat until they are at least 2 years of age or, preferably, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat manufacturer.
- Toddlers and Pre-schoolers – Convertible or Forward-facing Seat with a Harness Seats: Children who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their convertible seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
- School-age Children- Booster Seats: Children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly — typically this is between the ages of 8-12 years old.
- Older Children – Seat Belts: When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for the best protection.
Remember: All child passengers under age 13 should ride securely restrained in the back seat, where they are safest — every trip, every time. Take time before you leave to make sure that the holidays will be a safe and enjoyable time for your family. Buckle everyone up correctly on every trip!
Hispanic Diabetes Series
If you know of anyone interested in attending a diabetes education series targeted toward Hispanic audiences, please share this information. ¡Si, Yo Puedo Controlar Mi Diabetes! is a seven-lesson series to help individuals with type 2 diabetes learn to control their diabetes by developing self-care skills, improving eating habits, increasing physical activity, preventing complications, and improving quality of life. Each session will be taught in Spanish and led by health professionals.
Sessions will take place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, in Sulphur Springs on January 8, 16, 22, 29, February 5, 12, and 19 (all sessions are on Mondays with the exception of the second session). Two times are being offered – 1:30 and repeated at 5:30. To register, contact Angela Doddy with Christus Trinity Clinic at 903-244-1424, or the Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
Closing Thought
If you’re troubled and you can’t sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep, and you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings – White Christmas Movie
From our staff to you, Merry Christmas!
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
“Ladies Night Out” Fun and Festive First Occasion for Downtown Business Alliance
Gourmet Kitchen’s Judy Heilman, President of Downtown Business Alliance, and DBA member Vanessa of Phinessse Farms Wineries were pleased with the turnout.
It was the first ever “Ladies Night Out” merchant event! Shoppers and diners took advantage of late hours at over three dozen shops, eateries, stores, boutiques, wineries and coffeeshops in the shopping district of Sulphur Springs. Business was brisk until 8pm when the participating merchants closed their doors and converged at a central meeting place, The Venue at 219 on Main Street. That’s where door prizes were awarded and the “Tacky Christmas Sweater” contest was held. Dinky Weeks, manager of The Corner Grub House, won the $50 Visa gift card provided by DBA. Plans are already being discussed for expanding the event next year.
Lara Colby, Owner of Magic Scoop Soda Shop and General Store with costume contestants
Anna Hicks and her mom Johanna Hicks had fun entering the Tacky Sweater Contest
Gay Bailey, right, owner of Merle Norman Studio, poses with her assistant manager Sue Norton
Marcie, owner of The Secret Garden entered her costumed pet in the contest
Danna Bain, onwer of Dann’s Southern Charm and The Florist draws a door prize winner
Contest winner Dinky Weeks is pictured at far right
Wildcat Defensive Lineman Dugan Named to AP All-State Football Team
Wildcats senior defensive lineman D’Idrec Dugan has been named to the Associated Press Sports Editors All-State Football Team as an Honorable Mention selection. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said it was a great honor adding any time one is recognized by those guys it is a big deal.
Coach Owens said he was proud of Dugan and what he has done for the Wildcats. Coach Owens called Dugan a tremendous player, a great leader with a work ethic second to none. Coach Owens said when one of the team’s best players is also one of the hardest workers, it makes a coach’s job easier. Coach Owens said Dugan was like a coach on the field. He said the Wildcats leaned on Dugan, especially the last two years, to make adjustments up front for the Wildcats. Coach Owens said Dugan had tremendous football savvy and an understanding of what was taking place on the field. The versatile Dugan was used in a variety of ways besides on defense including offensive blocking back and on lots of special teams.
Coach Owens said some colleges are looking at Dugan. Dugan will also be on the powerlifting team and on the track team this spring. Dugan was also chosen as a first team All-District player by the district’s coaches and he earned Honorable Mention on the district’s All-Academic Team. In eleven games this season, Dugan had 65 tackles and assists, plus 8 sacks, 9 quarterback hurries and 2 caused fumbles.
Special Christmas Delivery Made to KSST
On Thursday Dec. 21st Central Baptist Church’s youth group stopped by KSST to deliver extra special Christmas cheer! They passed out candy canes with cute little poems along with cookies to the entire KSST staff. They explained it was a “random act of kindness” and wished everyone a Merry Christmas!
Winter Fun at SSISD Campuses
The Early Childhood Learning Center and SS Middle School celebrated the last day of school before holiday break on Thursday, December 21st.
The Middle School held their Wildcat Pride Assembly at 9:30 am. The cheer team was decked out in festive sweaters and the band and orchestra played classic Christmas tunes. The students were excited as they filled in to watch the festivities. Wildcat Pride winners were recognized and top readers and math challenge winners were able to “jump for George”.
ECLC had a Sing Song available for parents and family members to watch their Kindergarten and T1 students sing and dance to holiday favorites at 10:00 am. They began the program with story time where the students and parents listened to “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. Then kids sang songs like “Jingle Bells”, “Up on the House top”, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, and many more! Kids were smiling as they wore Santa Hats, Elf Hats, and Reindeer antlers. They mimed the movements and pretended to play instruments like the piano and xylophone. The program ended with a surprise visit from Santa! Each class got to take a picture with Santa, who gave all the good little boys and girls candy canes before they headed back to class.
Both Holiday events were exciting and the students had a wonderful time! What a great way to kick off winter break!
Simply Sulphur Springs, The App for Local Information Is Available For Download
Our local resident app and tourist app, Simply Sulphur Springs, is ready to download for both iPhone (iOS) and Android devices.
KSST has partnered with our local city, county, school, and businesses to offer access to local services such as paying your city water bill, report pot holes, county road and bridge issues, or report a found dog. The app will also include a listing of all upcoming events in and around Hopkins County. Simply Sulphur Springs combines all city, county, and Sulphur Springs ISD information in one place. Chad Young, owner of KSST, stated the app is the Yellow Pages of the 21st century for the local area.
Sarah Dicus, SS Community Development Specialist, called the App “Awesome” as she sorted through all of the Apps features and information. Not only does the App give information about community events, local businesses can have listings for their business and can feature directions to their location as well as links to their business websites, Facebook, etc. It truly is the most complete community app.
Just search “Simply Sulphur Springs” in your App Store or the Google Play Store and look for this icon:
iPhone Users can scan the QR code below to go directly to download screen.
Simply Sulphur Springs for iOS
Android Users can scan the QR code below to go directly to download screen.
Simply Sulphur Springs APP for Android
