The AARP Tax Aide Program Really Needs New Counselors
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free tax filing service to those who need it most and they need more volunteers in the area to help. Tax counselors are trained, supported, and become IRS-certified.
There are other roles needed as well, like tech support, greeters, and interpreters. Make new friends with other volunteers and taxpayers. It’s a rewarding experience that makes a real difference in the community. Learn more at AARP.org/taxaide
Santa Will Make a Stop at Sulphur Springs Middle School December 13th for Pictures
December 7, 2023 – Bring your kiddos and have them get their picture taken with Santa Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 at Sulphur Springs Middle School. The event will be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Cost is $10 per family, cash only, please. All proceeds to toward the “Iron Giraffe Challenge” to build water wells in South Sudan. Merry Christmas!
The Annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony Will be Held December 16th
December 7, 2023 – Please mark your calendars and join us across Hopkins County on Saturday, December 16th @ 11:00 a.m. for the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony. We will be joining 4,000+ cemeteries and thousands of volunteers across the United States to REMEMBER the FALLEN. HONOR those who SERVE, and TEACH the next generation the VALUE AND SACRIFICES OF FREEDOM!
This is a family oriented event and we encourage families to join us at the participating cemeteries below:
Restlawn, New Hope, Gafford Chapel, Shook Chapel, Greenview, Greenpond, Brashear, Union, Pickton – Old & New, Winterfield, Mahoney, and Sulphur Springs City Cemetery
The wreaths are handmade of fresh balsam fir and adorned with a red ribbon and cost $17.00 ea.
Goal for SS City Cemetery is 950 wreaths to be placed.
Donations to Sulphur Springs City Cemetery website:
www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX0613
Or contact Dena Lloyd @ 903-348-8174
Goal for Restlawn Cemetery is 525 wreaths.
Donations to Restlawn Cemetery website:
www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX1375
Or contact Tim Fuller @ (903) 348-9652
Farmers, Ranchers Establish Policy Goals During 90th Annual Meeting
December 7, 2023 – (FRISCO, Texas)—Texas farmers and ranchers established policy to help guide the agricultural advocacy efforts of Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), the state’s largest general farm and ranch organization.
Policies regarding water, rail transportation challenges and natural resources were among those approved by the nearly 800 voting delegates gathered at the organization’s 90th annual meeting business session Dec. 3 in Frisco.
“Farm Bureau leaders from across the state set our policy goals for our organization for the coming year during the business session,” TFB President Russell Boening said.
Voting delegates discussed the 1944 water treaty between the U.S. and Mexico, supporting stronger efforts to ensure that water delivery to the Rio Grande and annual allocations are strictly honored instead of carried over into a five-year reporting cycle.
“This policy supports the U.S. to call on Mexico to fulfill its obligations under the 1944 treaty. The drought conditions and water scarcity in South Texas are causing major challenges for farmers and ranchers,” Boening said. “The lack of consistent water deliveries is impacting agriculture, and Mexico should be held accountable to fulfill its water contributions in a timely manner.”
Voting delegates discussed hydrogen energy projects, issuing support for state oversight of all aspects of the projects, providing landowner education and safety, and studying the impact of these projects on agriculture and wildlife.
Farmers noted problems with blocked railroad crossings and cited the need for local law enforcement agencies to have the authority to make stopped trains move to allow for access to properties that are blocked.
Voting delegates supported eliminating the oversize permit and the requirement for the permit to transport hay.
On the national level, delegates supported removing the U.S. from the United Nations (UN) because of the UN’s attacks on U.S. agriculture.
“The UN continues to make incorrect and damaging accusations about agriculture, especially with the latest call in an upcoming report by a UN agency for Americans to dramatically reduce its meat consumption in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Boening said. “Texas farmers and ranchers use climate-smart farming techniques and have continued to make advancements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The UN is grossly misrepresenting the food system, and this is our members’ attempt to enact change.”
Also on the national level, voting delegates supported a resolution that would provide disaster assistance for poultry growers, along with a resolution that supports activities and legislation that discourages the unnecessary loss of productive farmland.
State resolutions adopted at the TFB annual meeting become policies that guide the organization in 2024. National resolutions adopted by the voting delegates are sent to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) for consideration in its resolutions process.
Resolutions approved by AFBF delegates in January provide a roadmap for the national organization.
Leadership elected to serve
Boening was re-elected to his sixth term as president.
Kevin Wilkerson of Mabank, Sam Snyder of Moran, John Griffith of Alto and Brian Jones of Edcouch were re-elected to two-year terms on the state board of directors.
Snyder was elected vice president, and Walt Hagood of Wolfforth was elected secretary-treasurer.
Three new directors were also elected.
Jared Blankenship of Hereford is the new District 1 state director. He is a third-generation farmer and rancher in the Panhandle. He grows corn, grain sorghum, wheat and hay and raises cattle. He also owns an ag construction company. He has been active in Farm Bureau for several years, serving as the president of Deaf Smith-Oldham County Farm Bureau and on the TFB Resolutions and Feed Grains committees. He’s also a graduate of FarmLead VI, an agricultural leadership program offered by TFB. He and his wife, Sheri, have two children.
The new District 3 state director is Greg Buenger, DVM of Newcastle. He raises bulls and replacement females, as well as a small number of show steers and heifers. He is a retired veterinarian. As a Farm Bureau member, he has served on the TFB Resolutions Committee and as a judge for TFB’s scholarship program, including the Rural Veterinary Scholarship. He has also supervised the Ag Safety Day. He and his wife, Anneta, have six children.
Stuart Traylor of Conroe is the new District 11 state director. He’s been active in Farm Bureau since 1973 and served as president of Montgomery County Farm Bureau since 1986. He has a small hay operation with his brother and works in the feed business. Traylor has served on the TFB Resolutions Committee twice and is active in state and national legislative advocacy efforts. He and his wife, Beth, have four children and 10 grandchildren.
Annual Meeting details
Click to view membership recognition, Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher contest winner, Excellence in Agriculture contest winner, Discussion Meet winner and more announcements from the annual meeting.
For more information about Texas Farm Bureau, visit texasfarmbureau.org.
SSHS Wildcat Theatre Presents: Charlotte’s Web
December 7, 2023 – SSHS Theatre is proud to announce our final show of 2023—CHARLOTTE’S WEB! Our varsity performance class will present this classic show ONE NIGHT ONLY—Friday, December 15th, at 7pm. Tickets are $5 for adults—children 12 and under are free! The performance will be held at the Sulphur Springs High School Auditorium located at 1200 Houston Street (behind Hopkins County Civic Center).
CHARLOTTE’S WEB is one of the top 100 bestselling books of all time and the best-selling children’s paperback book ever. The New York Times called it “just about perfect, and just about magical in the way it is done.” Tony-winning playwright Joseph Robinette’s touching and faithful stage version will make fall in love with the story all over again.
In rural Maine, Wilbur, (senior Talley Brown) a young orphan pig, is loved by its owner, Fern Arable (senior Addison Bradley), but the pig is destined to be slaughtered for food as soon as he is old enough. But, a lonely, childless spider named Charlotte (senior Caroline Prickette), who lives in a dark corner of the Zuckerman’s barn, takes pity on the pitiful little pig and decides to do what she can to save his life. Wilbur is grateful for this mysterious mother figure, but the act of true motherhood will come at a costly price for the kind spider.
Senior Oliver Falter, Juniors Aspen Mayhew, Audrey Tanton, and Aiden Woodard, and sophomore Emma Boatman round out the cast. Junior Alaya Mims provides tech support.
We know how busy you are during this holiday season, but bring your kids, and come and support these talented students –the show lasts less than an hour, and it will be worth your time!
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Update – December 7, 2023
December 7, 2023
Submitted by Butch Burney, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
Economic Outlook Conference and Luncheon
You have until noon on Friday to register to hear Dr. Ray Perryman talk about the local economic forecast for 2024! Perryman is coming back to Hopkins County after about a five-year absence, and if you’re a business professional, you won’t want to miss what he has to say about the local economic outlook. The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce and Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation are happy to announce that the renowned economist will be headlining the Economic Outlook Conference scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Perryman is an author, syndicated columnist, consultant, financial analyst, and economic forecaster. His syndicated daily radio commentary, “The Perryman Report,” is broadcast daily on the Texas State Networks. He also appears regularly on National Public Radio’s “Marketplace” and is frequently quoted in print, broadcast, and electronic media. Perryman is a former professor at Baylor University and is currently Senior Research Fellow of the IC2 Institute at the University of Texas at Austin and Distinguished Professor at the International Institute for Advanced Studies. He serves on numerous corporate and civic boards and has won many prestigious awards for his achievements in academics and public service. Sponsorships are available for $500 for a table of eight, $375 for a table for six and $250 for a table for four. Sponsorships will include corresponding recognition at the conference and leading up to the event. Individual tickets are $25 each. For more information, contact the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or [email protected].
Cocktails and Conversation
Plan now to attend our next Cocktails and Conversation, the new name for our revamped Business After Hours, at Clarion Pointe on Industrial Drive on Thursday, Dec. 7, from 5-6 p.m. Cocktails and Conversation will be held the first Thursday of every month, from 5-6 p.m., and for December, the Clarion Pointe staff will welcome everyone to their meeting room on Dec. 7. This is a casual networking event and happy hour. You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend.
Texas Heritage National Bank
Texas Heritage National Bank will have an open house and customer appreciation day on Thursday, Dec. 7. It will start with a flag ceremony at 10:30 a.m., followed by a customer appreciation lunch with Hopkins County stew, Christmas treats and a hot cocoa bar from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
2023 Award Nominations
Nominations are being accepted for Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Small and Large Businesses of the Year and other superlative recognitions. The awards will be announced at the Chamber’s membership banquet on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Nominations can be sent to [email protected] or mailed to the following addresses:
Citizen of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Woman of the Year—Chamber of Commerce – 110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Caregiver of the Year—Chamber of Commerce – 110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Agriculturist of the Year—Hopkins/Rains Counties Farm Bureau— 233 College St., Sulphur Springs 75482.
Growth and Renewal—DBA—109 Jefferson St. E, SS, TX 75482.
Outstanding Professional Educator (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Outstanding ParaProfessional Educator (Secretary or Aide)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Outstanding Auxiliary Educator (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Businesses of the Year nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding
community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other.
Large Business of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Small Business of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
It’s also not too early to get your tables for the banquet. Tables for 10 are $500 and will include sponsorship recognition.
First Responders Banquet
The annual First Responders Appreciation Banquet, presented by One Church, is set for Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Hopkins County Civic Center. All first responders in the county are invited to attend, and the community is encouraged to help show their appreciation with gift cards and door prizes. Prizes will be given to those in attendance.
For more information on how to help sponsor the appreciation banquet, call the Chamber at
903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – December 2023
December 7, 2023 – Sulphur Springs’ City Manager Marc Maxwell presented his report to the Sulphur Springs City Council this week, as the Pacific Park Project gets even closer to completion. The Parks and Recreation department has finished their work on the irrigation system at Pacific Park, as well as planting rye grass to get the park through the winter. Bermuda sod is currently being laid out in the park as that work should wrap up by the end of December. One small pavillion remains to be built in the park area, but that project should be completed later in 2024.
The Sulphur Springs Capital Construction Crew has been busy as they have wrapped all of the work they can do on the College Street Project and moved their attention to League Street. 5W Contracting continues their work on the College Street Project pouring concrete and excavating curb & gutter to be replaced. At the current work rate, the College Street Project could finish by June 2024.
LEAGUE STREET DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS – The drainage project at the KCS railroad was authorized for $265,000 at the August 15th City Council meeting. This project began Monday, December 4th. Expect it to last 4-6 weeks. When completed, it should resolve the flooding problems at Main & League.
City crews remained busy over the last month, as Marc Maxwell’s full report indicates below:
Red River Credit Union Employee Foils Theft Attempt
December 7, 2023 – A quick thinking employee at the Sulphur Springs Red River Credit Union knew something wasn’t quite right with a Dallas man’s identification as he tried to open an account at the Gilmer St branch.
Local law enforcement from the Sulphur Springs Police Department were dispatched to the location to sort out the matter. The man was found to be in possession of a Texas driver’s license that the State of Texas had a different name associated with the number on the license the man presented. The man also presented authorities with a social security number, but unfortunately for the man, that number did not match up with the name he was trying to use as well.
The man was placed under arrest and transported to the Hopkins County Jail for fingerprinting so that his true identity could be known. That information proved to be more accurate as the suspect was identified as Julian Christoper Medina-Montgomery, age 22, from Dallas, Texas. During a pat down at the jail, Medina-Montgomery’s was found to be in possession of a baggy with a white powder that was confirmed to be cocaine.
Julian Christopher Medina-Montgomery was charged with Fraudulent Use of Identifying Information, a state jail felony, and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 >=1G<4G, a third degree felony. Medina-Montgomery remains in the Hopkins County Jail with a total bond amount of $15,000.
Local Teachers Have Wish Lists For Their Classroom and Students
December 5, 2023 – It’s a common occurrence with Public School Teachers, if you have an idea that can help your student learn, you will probably have to fund it out of your own pocket. Sometimes classroom supplies such as Kleenex, dry erase markers, calculators and color printers can require teachers to purchase them outright.
School budgets are always tight. Funds aren’t always available for classroom projects aimed at helping student learn.
This can be an even bigger issue in classrooms of children with extra educational needs.
Many educators say their districts simply aren’t supplying everything their students need to be engaged, comfortable, and ready to learn. Multiple surveys, including one by the U.S. Department of Education, show that 94 percent of teachers reach into their own pockets to purchase classroom necessities.
NEA
So what is a teacher to do?
The get creative… Some teachers are exploring an online ‘wish list’ website for their classrooms.
Teachers provide their plan and details about what is needed, and how it will be used. Then they let the internet work for them.
Mrs. Sanchez is one such local teacher. She is trying to get support for her students. She and other teachers in the areas are using a site called Donors Choose to generate funds and in turn help their students.
Our campus does not have a campus printer for teachers to print in color regularly. Having it for several activities or other papers needed would help to make it child-friendly. Then, laminating the printed activities guarantees they will last longer for future use.
I have found that it all helps the classroom run smoothly and they love the prizes!
From Mr.s Sanchez’s Donors Choose Page
Mrs. Sanchez stopped by KSST for an interview this week. She cares deeply for her students and hopes to spread the word about classroom needs, and generate some funds for her own project.
The website has an interactive map that you can use to locate projects like Mrs. Sanchez’s across the nation. Here is a link to Mrs. Sanchez’s Request Page.
You can hear that interview in the 8 o’clock hour.
Use of the website, Donors Choose, is endorsed by the SSISD.
Hopkins County Records – November 2023
Land Deed Transactions 11/2/23 Thru 11/3/23
- Arbala Community Center to Arbala Community Center Inc.; Tract in the Thomas Lee Survey
- Joe Kneifl Also Known As Joseph Kneifl and Sherry Kneifl to Ellen Lloyd and Jeremiah Lloyd; Tract in the L P Dikes Survey
- Linda Marie Cross, Phyllis Jan Jensen Edmonds, Allan Melton, and Jeanne Peltier Melton to Stephen Welch; Tract in the Daniel Halbrooks Survey
- Lawrence R Hall Estate, Also Known As Randy Hall Estate, Ruthmary Hall, and Ruthmary Hall Inc. Exec. to Clancy Horton and Danielle Horton; In the Tract of M A Bowlin Survey
- Elaine Vance Acker to Jonathan Grant Kennedy; Tract in the R D Gregg Survey
- Tamera Lee and Tommy Lee to David Scott Dawson and Paula Nicole Dawson; Tract in the A B Koontz Survey
- Kelly Michelle Romans and Tommy Joe Romans to JNS Investments Properties LLC; Tract in the G C Roberts Survey
- Shawn Bryan and Timmany Bryan to Julie Pace and William Pace; Tract in the Nacogdoches Univ Survey
Caddo Creek Farms LLC to Samson Acosta; Tract in the A Fitzgerald Survey - Chad Glasshoff to Delgadina Martinez and Jose S Martinez; Tract in the G Roberts Survey
- Deborah Osbourn Management Trust and Joe Don Osbourn Successor Trustee to Linda Ann Cordova and Robert Cordova; Tract in the J Ybarbo Survey
- Ivan Diosdado and Laura M Zamora Hernandez to Daniel Hanson and Shannon Desiree Standridge; Tract in the Issac Alexander Survey
