Wilburn Announces Candidacy for Hopkins County Commissioner Precinct 2
I am John Wilburn, announcing as a candidate to run for Hopkins County Commissioner of Precinct 2.
I am a 51 year old Hopkins County native who has lived in Precinct 2 in the Martin Springs community all of my life. My parents were the late James and ElFleta Grimes Wilburn, lifetime residents of Hopkins County. My grandparents were Walter and Annie Ruth Grimes of Martin Springs, and J.W. and Golden Swinford Wilburn of Saltillo. I am a 1983 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School. After graduation I went into the dairy and custom hay baling business where I worked until 2004. From September of 2004 until 2012, I worked in the road and bridge department at Precinct 2. I am now currently an employee of Winburn Milk Company with Ballard Drivers.
My wife, Lesa White Wilburn, a native of Hopkins County, grew up in the Reilly Springs and Dike communities. She is a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School and served as an educator in the SSISD for 18 years. In 2016, she accepted a position in the Como-Pickton CISD as a science teacher. Together, our children are Amber Wilburn Dykes, Ashley Wilburn Sells and husband Matthew, Harley Wilburn, Heston Wilburn, and Caemon Wilburn. Heston is a senior at CPCISD, and Caemon, a sophomore. We also have 3 grandchildren Allyson Dykes, Ansley Dykes, and Logan Sells. My family has been active participants in Hopkins County Girls Softball, Sulphur Springs Boys Baseball, NETLA Market Show, Pop Warner Football, Sulphur Springs and Como- Pickton FFA, Como-Pickton Eagle athletics. Seeing the youth of Hopkins County excel in these activities is an added bonus for my family and Hopkins County.
After working for Hopkins County Precinct 2, I am aware of the day to day operations and know the importance of all organizations working together. It is my desire to see the county working cooperatively with the city, all fire departments, sheriff department, tax office, hospital district and all school districts. The condition of roads in Precinct 2 is a number one priority of the people. This will not be an easy problem to solve because of the present budget. If I am elected commissioner, I will quickly and cost effectively try to improve these conditions. To keep taxes at a minimum, to work within a conservative balanced budget, and to seek funding to put back into Hopkins County while working with local and state levels will be other items I will address.
I believe the office of Commissioner of Precinct 2 should be one of transparency. I am a candidate who will listen to the needs of the community and seek ways to solve the issues. If elected as commissioner, I will not avoid phone calls (903-348-9878) and will welcome calls any time, day or night, to better our community. I look forward to meeting with you as we begin this campaign.
What is CHESS? Find Out at the Homeschool Book Fair and Open House on Saturday July 29
Tammy Reardon, a homeschool mom and board member of Christian Homeschool Educators of Sulphur Springs, is inviting everyone interested to the CHESS Book Fair and Open House on Saturday July 29, 2017 between 10 am and 3 pm at Central Baptist Church, 840 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. You can meet the organizers, board members and other homeschool parents and obtain valuable information about CHESS. Information booths will have printed information on curriculum choices, co-op classes, extracurricular activities and sports, and various other aspects of homeschooling available to families. The book fair will offer new and used books. A brief workshop called “Organizing Your Homeschool Year” will be offered. A snack bar will be open. Besides the snack bar, everything at the CHESS event is free of charge.
During a KSST Good Morning Show interview, Reardon explained that the options for homeschool parents (and grandparents) in providing a quality education is almost limitless, offering a great amount of freedom in setting aside portions of the day for education. For example, in the Reardon household, a typical day for their two children includes farm chores on the family farm along with class time on the computer. Evenings may include CHESS-organized sports like volleyball and basketball, CHESS team activities like robotics and fishing, and at times, group instruction known as “co-op classes”. Last Spring, Chess joined with a Greenville homeschool group to host a high school Prom, and about 70 students and their dates took part in that. Homeschool high schoolers approaching graduation have many options open to them, including College Plus which makes dual-credit college classes available.There are currently over 100 homeschool students residing in the local area.
Chamber Connection July 27, 2017
The deadline is almost here! It’s time to turn in your t-shirt designs for the 48th Annual Stew Contest!!! The Chamber will be accepting submitted designs from Monday, July 17th through Monday, July 31st. The submitted entries will be voted on by the Chamber Board of Directors, and the winner will be announced on August 10th. If your design wins the t-shirt contest, it will be used on all shirts, hoodies, and marketing for the 48th Annual Stew Contest! Email your designs to [email protected]. We can’t wait to see the entries!!!!
I’m just so excited about the upcoming 2nd Annual Chamber of Commerce Photography Contest! Let me review the basics. Anyone of any age can enter as we have a children’s category. The picture must be newer than January 1, 2015, and must have been taken in Hopkins County. The contest will be open from August 1st to August 31st. There are seven categories you may enter: Natural World, Travel, People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children’s Category. Only digital images are accepted (no prints). To submit your photograph, email the picture to [email protected]. Rules and releases will be available on the Chamber of Commerce website. I cannot wait to see your beautiful photos!
Sulphur Springs Public Library presents their Summer Reading Program for June and July
The Sulphur Springs Library is hosting a summer reading program called Knights and Princesses Summer Reading Program 2017. Every Tuesday at 3 p.m., they offer multiplayer Minecraft. Storytime for all ages will be held on Tuesday, July 25th at 10:30 a.m. They will also have Storytime for the Ages on Thursday, July 20th at 6 p.m.
CanHelp is hosting their 2017 Back to School Fair on Friday August 4th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
CanHelp is hosting their 2017 Back to School Fair! Through the support of community and corporate sponsors, this event will be a one-stop destination to prepare the whole family for the start of school! The fair will offer free health and vision screenings, dental screenings and fluoride applications, immunizations for children and adults, haircuts, food and drinks, backpacks and school supplies (for low and moderate-income families of Hopkins County) and more. The 2017 Back to School Fair is scheduled for Friday, August 4th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. You must register for school supplies in advance. Visit www.canhelponline.org for more details.
Texas AgriLife Extension Office offers Summer Sewing Workshop
Texas AgriLife Extension Office is offering a Summer Sewing Workshop on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, August 15-17, 2017. The classes will be held at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston Street in Sulphur Springs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30-ish p.m. The cost is $15 (payable at door). The class will include t-shirt quilt instruction, basic sewing instruction, and simple make-and-take projects.
Ribbon cuttings:
The Venue at 219 hosted an Open House with its new owners on Thursday, July 20th at 5 p.m.
The Venue at 219, located at 219 Main Street in Sulphur Springs, hosted an Open House and ribbon cutting celebration with its new owners on Thursday, July 20th from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Guests enjoyed music, food, beverages, and a photo booth. The Venue at two nineteen is currently offering Christmas in July that will earn you 10% off any of your holiday bookings made in July.
Hopkins County Fire Department hosts a “Push-in” Ceremony for new Fire Truck on Friday, July 21st
The Hopkins County Fire Department’s Fire Truck “Push-in” Ceremony was held on Friday, July 21st at noon. After the ceremony, they officially put the brand new County fire truck into service. The Hopkins County Fire Department is located at 1286 Texas Street in Sulphur Springs.
NETcinity hosted their grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, July 26th at 10 a.m.
NETcinity hosted their grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, July 26th at 10 a.m. They are located at 1335 Shannon Road East in Sulphur Springs. NETcinity is a new company to Sulphur Springs that specializes in advanced technology marketing for businesses.
Sulphur Springs News Telegram hosting their Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Wednesday, July 26th at noon
Sulphur Springs News Telegram celebrated their ribbon cutting and grand re-opening on Wednesday, July 26th at noon. Sulphur Springs News Telegram is located at 401 Church Street in Sulphur Springs. In addition to the daily newspaper, the Sulphur Springs News Telegram distributes Down Home Living Magazine, a magazine that is published every other month; Country World, and various advertising opportunities.
PJC Sulphur Springs news
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center mathematics instructor Cynthia Steward answers a student’s question during a second summer semester college algebra class. Registration for fall classes, which start August 28, continues during regular office hours at the campus.
SSISD Summer Sports Camps–Football & Tennis Next Week
SSISD summer sports camps wrap up next week with football and tennis.
The tennis camp, run by Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez, will take place Monday through Thursday at the Wildcats Tennis Complex. There will be two separate sessions. One for boys and girls entering kindergarten through the sixth grade is scheduled for 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Another for youths entering seventh through the twelfth grade is set for 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Cost of tennis camp is $50. The camps will feature several of Coach Martinez’s former players who went on to play college tennis. Boys and girls can be registered at the camp site.
Meanwhile Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens’ football camp is scheduled Tuesday through Thursday. Camp for boys entering third through the eighth grade will take place 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Cost of this camp is $50. There will also be a camp just for SSISD boys entering the ninth grade. It will run from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. A note on the camp schedule says every ninth grade football player is encouraged to attend. Cost of the freshman football camp is $20.
Three Local Young Musicians Nominated in Country Categories for Josie Music Awards in Nashville
Three local youth have been nominated for a prestigious music award within their age categories. The Josie Music Awards (JMA) will be held at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on September 17, following a weekend of exciting showcase events in Music City. Owned by the Josie Network, the Josie Awards was created to recognize the hard work and talent of Independent/Up & Coming Music Artists in All Genres! The 2017 event will be the largest, most gala event in Nashville for Independent music artists! The artists can earn extra strength for their selection through Fans Choice voting, going on now through midnight July 31 at josiemusicawards.com/nominations. On-line votes are counted based on quality of comments.
Hopkins County fiddler Jack Phillips is among the nominees for the Josie “Artist of the Year” Award in the Ages 6-12 Category. 11-year-old Jack is a fifth-grader at Sulphur Bluff ISD and has been learning and playing the fiddle since 2014. This summer, he has been attending Western Swing music camps, recording a new CD and performing with established country and Western Swing bands. He has his own annual “Spring Roundup” country show on the Reilly Springs Jamboree.
Winnsboro students Hanah and Hailee return as nominees nominated for Artist of the Year and for Vocalist of the Year in age categories 13-17. The sisters Hanah Moore and Hailee Christee are active in band and other school activities at Winnsboro High School and have had their own band “Scatterproof” since 2015. As tots, they were known in the area as “Two Hearts”, and when performing with their brother Christopher as “Two Hearts Plus”. The girls write songs, play guitars and perform vocal harmony. The pair will headline the Reilly Springs Jamboree on August 17, 2017 in a concert at 7pm.
Eleven-year-old Western Swing fiddler from Hopkins County, nominated for 2017 Josie Award
Hanah 16 and Hailee 14, sisters and songwriting performers from Winnsboro, Texas, nominated in two categories
Chamber Names High School Leadership Class; Seeks Sponsors
The 2017-2018 High School Leadership Class, sponsored by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, allows each student chosen for the program to begin a journey of practical knowledge with insight into local life beyond the classroom. This is the 24th year for the program locally. Students in the program are chosen from all county schools.
The Chamber of Commerce has facilitated this program for our county’s outstanding high school seniors. The program is free to the students who are chosen to participate. The students will participate in several classes throughout the school year including, the Ropes Challenge Course in Commerce, “Justice, Order & Politics”, “Poverty, Crisis and Cultural Sensitivity”, “Education & Tomorrow’s Opportunities”, “Ethical Decision Making”, and “Tourism and Quality of Life”. The year-long program ends with students taking a field trip to the Dallas/Fort Worth area for a day of learning, fun, food, and fellowship, according to Lezley Brown, Chamber Executive.
This program has proven to be beneficial to the students motivating the Sulphur Springs School Board to consider the High School Leadership Class “co-curricular”. Students will not be counted absent on days they are participating in the program.
Those who have been selected for the High School Leadership Class of 2017-2018 include:
Jonathan Alvarez Kendall Blake Gracie Boyer
Spencer Brewer Zackery Burgin Shaden Burton
Ryder Caddell Chase Charlton Natalie Cruz
Peyton Dietze Vanessa Diosdado Natalee Foster
Katelynn Fryer Gisselle Gonzalez Jamia Hall
Anden Hammack Sarah Harper Montana Hatley
Delores Hughes Ryan Humphries Kaylee Jefferson
Makenna Kager Maggie McGlamery Jacie Reed
Taylor Robinson Chloe Ross Anna Sapaugh
Imani Taylor Samantha Vargas Peyton Vickery
Currently the Chamber is seeking sponsors for each student. The $125 sponsorship allows each child to complete the program at no cost to them. Sponsor names will be printed on the backs of the students’ t-shirts. They wear these t-shirts to every event they attend in various locations around our community and beyond. A business or organization may sponsor more than one student.
To sponsor a student, contact the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, 300 Connally Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. If you have any questions, please call the Chamber office at 903-885-6515.
Winter Grazing Program Set for August 24th in Overton
by Russell Adams, Texas A & M Agriculture
OVERTON – Beef cattle producers hoping to cut costs and maximize winter grazing should attend an Aug. 24 program in Overton focused on reducing winter feeding with stockpiled forages and winter pasture, coordinators said.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program will be presented by Dr. Jason Banta, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, and Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, forage specialist, both in Overton. The event is 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1710 N. Farm-to-Market Road 3053.
Cost is $60 per person if registered by Aug. 13 and $75 per person by Aug. 22. It includes lunch and program materials.
A money back guarantee is being offered. Register online at https://agriliferegister.tamu.
“Now is a good time to plan for winter grazing,” Corriher-Olson said. “We’re focusing on how to manage winter forages to match forage quality with nutritional needs and the economic benefits of our recommendations.”
Topics will include:
– Stockpiled forage: management and utilization.
– Determining acres of stockpiled forage and winter pasture needed.
– Cool-season forages and variety selection.
-Monthly and seasonal forage production potential.
-Appropriate mineral supplementation.
-Estimated costs.
Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, one integrated pest management and one general, will be available for licensed pesticide applicators.
For more information, call Michelle Sensing at 903-834-6191.
