Game Day: Lady Cat Volleyball in Tyler Tourney
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team will have three busy days of games beginning Thursday in a Tyler tournament. The Lady Cats will also play in the tournament on Saturday. In between, the Lady Cats will have a home match on Friday.
Thursday, the Tyler tournament will feature pool play games for the Lady Cats. They will face Tyler Lee, Tatum and Beckville, the #1 ranked team in Class 3A. Those matches will determine who the Lady Cats will play later. Friday the Lady Cats will play host to Caddo Mills in Wildcats Gym. The varsity will play the early game beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday with freshmen and JV games to follow.
The Lady Cats enter the Tyler tournament Thursday with a season record of 10-6. In their most recent action, the Lady Cats dropped a road match at Forney, 3-0 Tuesday night.
Local Mentors Help Sydnee Hawkins Set Her Sights on Music Career
The past two years have been a whirlwind for Miss Sydnee Hawkins, as she has involved herself in almost every aspect of music and performing that the Hopkins County community has to offer. Sydnee knew she wanted to be a singer by age 3, and she really began to work toward that goal during her high school career at SSISD, making choices that have expanded her natural abilities and furthered her experience as a vocalist. Now on the threshold of starting college, Sydnee shared some of her impressions during the KSST Good Morning Show with Enola Gay.
Her mom was her first teacher. With a mother who loved to sing, it was natural that Sydnee learn to harmonize with her, and singing with her mom remains one of her greatest joys and simplest pleasures. Sydnee also loves to dance, act and play piano. Carol Allen, Director of the Northeast Texas Choral Society and Dawn Doyle Jones, former Theatre Arts Director, along with LeShay Woodard and Desi Pharris, currently at SSHS, remain helpful mentors. Amanda Thompson Brandenburg coached her in voice, tap and drama in Shining Star Productions. Roger Reed brought her onstage at the Reilly Springs Jamboree for her first experience singing with a live band. Kevin and Juli Wooley of Haystack Youth Choir remain friends and travel-mates, allowing Sydnee the opportunity to sing the National Anthem and perform in New York City and at Disneyworld during their summer choir trips. Monica Lancaster provided vocal coaching and Cathy Cobb has provided piano lessons. Further broadening her appreciation for music performance have been Mr. McCauley, Mrs. Welch and all the High School and Middle School band and choir instructors in Sulphur Springs. Shannon Oaks Church pastors Eric Godwin and Jonathan McGraw remain instrumental along her path of musical expression. Earlier this month, Sydnee performed “At Last” for the open auditions of American Idol held at Gilmer, Texas. She was a top-ten pick and was rewarded with a “front-of-line” pass to the Shreveport auditions during the Labor Day weekend. Good luck, Sydnee! She begins basic classes at Paris Junior College this Fall and is enjoying the company of her family including three younger sisters whom she hopes learn to love singing as much as she does! Find out more about Sydnee and see her YouTube videos at sydneelynnhawkinsmusic.com
Local AMBUS Heads to South Texas as Harvey Nears Coast
The local AMBUS is being deployed to the Texas Coast to assist, if needed, in preparation of Tropical Storm Harvey, which is expected to soon intensify to become Hurricane Harvey. Six (6) paramedics will be making the trip and all will stay for the duration of the deployment. Three (3) drivers have been trained at the DPS academy to be fully licensed to drive the AMBUS
Jeff Sanderson, Shift Captain for Hopkins County EMS, Said this is his fourth deployment to a potential disaster area due to hurricanes. He said once they arrive on location, they will be deployed to the area needed. He stated he has no expectations before arrival but will be ready for whatever service is needed. He does expect a lot of water.
Left to right: Brent Smith, Tabitha Vaught, Justin Sanders, Jeff Sanderson, Cory Coker, and Mark Neel prepare to deploy to South Texas.
Staging will begin in San Antonio where the local crew will awaiting further instructions. A total of three (3) AMBUSes including the Hopkins County AMBUS and two (2) stationed in Dallas will be joining two (2) other AMBUSes at San Antonio at the AT&T Center, home for Spurs basketball. Other Strike Teams are being deployed from all over the state.
A five (5) day deployment is expected as some computer models show the possibility of over 40-inches of rain for South Texas.
The AMBUS will have a variety of responsibilities including evacuating nursing homes and hospitals as well as disaster situations.
Overturned ATV Stymies Burglary of Building
An overturned ATV located at the corner of Church Street and Middle Street Wednesday afternoon was the end result of a burglary of a building on Middle Street.
Sulphur Springs Police responded to a call around 2 p.m. Wednesday in reference to three subjects attempting to commit a theft. When officers arrived on scene Cristian Alan Cortez, 17, of Sulphur Springs was located and detained. He admitted to being with two others that took the ATV.
Cortez is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Burglary of a Building, a State Jail Felony.
Chamber Connection August 24, 2017
Just so you know… the Hopkins county Stew Contest is peering around the corner! Every year, the Chamber allows a non-profit organization to sell drinks at the Stew Cook-off. There are several rules and regulations to follow, but if you are interested in placing your organization’s name in the hat, please call the Chamber. You will be asked to come in and sign an understanding agreement in regards to rules and expectations. Deadline for volunteers is August 26th. Once we have all our volunteers in place, we will literally pick one out of a hat and award drink sales to that organization. Please call if you have any questions.
Time is running out to enter the 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!
The Hopkins County Fall Festival presents Emerald City Band on Friday, August 25th
The Emerald City Band will be performing on Friday, August 25th, at the Hopkins County Civic Center Arena. The general admission to the concert is free. For VIP ticket information, call (903)243-1925 or email [email protected].
Hopkins Place hosts a Parkinson’s Support Group the last Tuesday of every month
Hopkins Place hosts a Parkinson’s Support Group the last Tuesday of every month from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. This month the meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 29th. The support group meeting is open to caregivers, families and people affected with Parkinson’s. Leslie Northcutt of East Texas Physical Therapy will be the guest speaker. Hopkins Place is located at 890 Camp Street in Sulphur Springs. Please RSVP to Shelly at 903-926-6688.
First Baptist Church is offering a Beth Moore Simulcast on September 16th
First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs is offering a Beth Moore Simulcast called “Captivated: The Wonder of Christ on the Winding Road”. The simulcast will be held on Saturday, September 16th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at First Baptist Church. This is a free event, but you must register at www.ssfbc.org, or in the church office, or at ROC to attend.
Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild’s Annual Quilt Show is scheduled for September 15th and 16th
The Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild is hosting their 18th Annual Quilt Show on Friday, September15th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, September 16th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Door prizes are given away throughout the day, and children’s activities are available, too! The quilt show will be located at the ROC, 115 Putnam Street in Sulphur Springs.
Brick Street Vintage Market is scheduled for Saturday, September 16th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Downtown Business Alliance is sponsoring a Brick Street Vintage Market on Saturday, September 16th, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will be located downtown on Connally and Gilmer streets. Many local and out of town vendors will be here participating in this first-time event. You don’t want to miss this!
Texas AgriLife Extension Office is hosting many classes this month, and here they are:
Course: Free Marriage Education Workshop. This informative workshop is offered to married couples, engaged couples, and seriously-dating couples. Come and discuss ways to improve communication skills, marriage expectations, conflict resolution, money management, and more!
Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B Houston Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas
Date and Time: August 26, 2017, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There is no cost, and lunch is provided
Facilitator: Johanna Hicks
RSVP to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office at 903-885-3443
Note: Engaged couples who complete this workshop will receive a gift certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license!
Course: Cooking Well with Diabetes. Attend this series of four fun-filled, interactive classes packed with research-based information and delicious diabetes-friendly recipes.
Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B Houston Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas
Dates: Series of 4 classes, September 12, 14, 19 and 24
Times: 1:30 p.m. OR 6:00 p.m. (choice)
Cost: $25, payable at the first session
Call 903-885-3443 to reserve your space or if you need additional information.
Etiquette by Emily is hosting Cotillion classes starting in September
Etiquette by Emily is hosting Cotillion classes that are scheduled to begin Monday, September 18th at 5:30. Reserve your spot before they’re gone. Classes will be located at The Oaks Bed and Breakfast. It will run weekly for four weeks. Cost is $75 per student, and there is a discount for siblings. Call 903-243-6222 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Lezley Brown
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
Sulphur Springs New Sister City
By Savannah Owens
If Sulphur Springs had a sister city it would be Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Allthough Calgary is much much larger than Sulphur Springs the two have many similarities. Calgary has a rich history of cowboys, rodeos, cattle roundups and stampedes. It started as a small city that grew through the great depression. Calgarians struggled through the dust bowl and prohibition just like many of the citizens of Sulphur Springs. Families in each city watched and prayed as their loved ones went off to war and proudly served their countries. Both cities celebrate the heroes and memories of those who served with beautiful monuments. Calgary like Sulphur Springs prides itself on having beautiful parks with gorgeous landscaping.
Calgary is such an amazing city. It’s similar to our bustling Dallas metropolis with the historical and “small town” feel of Fort Worth. There are little shops, museums, restaurants, and cafes interspersed with the big name companies. There is something for everyone. Many visitors think its fun to just to walk around and explore the city. In July and August the temperatures remain between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Here are some places to visit in Calgary, Canada.
Glen Bow Art museum- The current Glen Bow exhibits pay tribute to Canadian heritage, and the native aboriginal populations. Canadian museums are very different from American museums because they’re more interactive and often include life-size displays. One of the exhibits was photographs taken by Douglas and Geraldine Moodie from their time in Canada’s North from 1903-1909. Geraldine was more known for her portrait photographs of the local Inuit community while her husband, Douglas, took photographs of landscapes and his work as a member of the North-West Mounted Police. For more information about the Moodie’s photography work click here. The Art museum has four different levels of exhibts. The top floors are the more permanent exhibits about Canda’s history and pioneer days, while the lower levels are where they house guest artist’s collections, such as the Moodie’s photographs.
Prince’s Island/Eau Claire– This beautifully maintained park has beautiful flowers in lovely landscaping arragements as well as sculptures. It is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon sitting on a bench or under some trees reading. As evening falls, visitors can find “Shakespeare in the Park.” During the month of August, the acting troupe entertained the audience with a free family friendly rendition of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”. Families and individuals sat on picnic blankets and in camping chairs as they enjoyed sandwiches and other picnic items that they brought.
Military Museum– Military Museum-History buffs will enjoy this phenomenal day trip. The expansive museum houses life size replicas of battles, tanks and airplanes, as well as information from WWI, WWII, The Korean War, and the War in Afghanistan. It is home to one of the infamous Enigma Machines, and pays tribute to numerous war heroes. There is an entire section devoted to the Cold War. Visitors will be transported in time as they experience a family friendly air-raid simulator. Guests can pretend to be a military pilot in the flight simulator. People of all ages can learn and appreciate this museum and Canada’s history.
For information on other places to eat at in Calgary click here.
Open Letter to Citizens of Sulphur Springs From Former Fire Chief Eric Hill
An open letter from Eric Hill, former Fire Chief of Sulphur Springs (Received by KSST at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday):
Dear citizens of Sulphur Springs,
As of 5:01 p.m. on August 23rd, the city of Sulphur Springs has terminated my position as Fire Chief of Sulphur Springs.
It has been an honor and a privilege serving the citizens of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins county for the last 27 years through the SSFD. I knew 30 years ago, when I started my career as an EMT and eventually as a firefighter that it was my duty to serve and protect the citizens of the town that I and my children call home. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to create wonderful memories within the fire and EMT service–from saving lives in the midst of catastrophe to delivering a child in the back of an ambulance. All the while, I have also been touched with the unforgettable memories of the life that I could not save, and it weighs on my conscience to think about all the lives I will no longer be in the position to protect.
I’ve been blessed to be able to serve the citizens of this community for as long as I have; I never took this job for the money but rather for the opportunity to help all of those who needed it. Being a firefighter for the city of Sulphur Springs for the past 27 years has truly been a calling straight from God. And even though my time as a first responder has been cut short, the memories and the friendships that I have cultivated from the ashes of countless fires and from the construction of countless new buildings will stay with me forever.
One thing I have learned from my life spent in this town is Sulphur Springs’ resilience and their unadulterated support for all the first responders who diligently continue to serve this city. Even though I will no longer hold this position, there are countless men and women who still do. So I part on this final note: thank you for allowing me this opportunity to serve you, and thank you to those who continue to do the same.
Eric Hill
Tax Revenue and Police and Fire Personnel Are Front and Center at City Council Special Meeting; Other Entities To Conduct Public Hearings on Tax Rates/Revenue As Well
Two questions—tax revenue and police and fire personnel—are on the mind of residents in the City of Sulphur Springs as the city council meets Friday at noon in Council Chambers, 201 North Davis Street. First the tax rate and then personnel are addressed below.
Although the tax rate for the City of Sulphur Springs will remain at 44-cents per 100-dollars total tax revenues will increase thanks to a 2.5% increase in property values for 2017 over the previous year. County property values increased 2.6%. City and county as well as school boards across the county and the hospital district will see tax revenues increase thanks to the increased value of property. Each entity will be conducting public hearings that are styles “tax rate increase” due to dictates of state law. The City of Sulphur Springs and Sulphur springs School District will address the numbers Friday in special sessions. The County will hold public hearings beginning next week.
According to Cathy Singleton, Chief Appraisal Officer for the Hopkins County District, properties in the city and county are selling at a higher value and property improvements have been made that affect the appraised value. She also noted that appraisals made by the district must be made a market value. Failing to do so would negatively affect local school funding.
For the City of Sulphur Springs the total market value is $1,152,212,307. Exempt property totals $148,524,481 and value lost to agricultural usage is $19,934,180. Disabled veterans exemptions total $852,370 and exemption for over 65 is $12,824,320. Lost to tax abatement is $48,368,177. Other losses and exemptions leave a net taxable value for 2017 of $915,445,602 compared to a net of $892,859,072 for 2016. New construction in the city of Sulphur Springs during 2017 valued at $3,581,200 is included in the net taxable value.
With few exceptions, tax values in all tax districts in Hopkins County have increase each year since 2013. See chart below (Winnsboro and Yantis ISD figures only reflect the portion of their district in Hopkins County).
In an earlier interview with KSST News reported August 17, 2017, Peter Karsten said city police and fire departments will remain separate although both departments will have available additional assets by efficient use of available manpower and equipment when needed with changes that are being made. Other than the elimination of the position of Fire Chief, all other personnel in the fire department will remain. One of the key objectives of the move is to increase the ability of all public safety elements to work together and not duplicate services. The budget calls for a reorganization of only the management structure of the police and fire departments. The current proposal calls for a single manager but does not call for a public safety division which would mean additional management personnel. Each department will be led in the field by their own qualified, experienced management.
Lady Cats Enter Tyler Tournament Thursday
Thursday the Lady Cats will have pool play matches in a Tyler tournament. They will play Tyler Lee, Tatum and Beckville, the #1 ranked team in Class 3A. Coach Maness said it is a tough pool but he repeated that he designed a tougher schedule this season for the Lady Cats. He said it is important to know why. Coach Maness said the Lady Cats must learn lessons from losses to tough teams or it won’t do them any good.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness said he wasn’t pleased overall with the Lady Cats, 3-0 loss at Forney Tuesday night. He did think the Lady Cats played well in a 25-20 loss in the first set.
In the second set, the Lady Cats jumped out to a 3-0 lead on three service aces from Lexie Whisenhunt. Forney then answered with six straight points of their own. Coach Maness said it was that kind of night for the Lady Cats. They had some runs but then gave up too many points in return to Forney. Coach Maness said the Lady Cats’ passing wasn’t there and he said the team made some silly errors that they should not have made. He said he feels Forney is a team the Lady Cats can beat but he said the Lady Cats just did not have their best night at all. Coach Maness said Forney is a team that makes few mistakes, which is why he says it is important to play them aggressively instead of playing it safe.
Coach Maness said Autumn Tanton played very consistently. He also liked the serving and more aggressive play from Erika VanBenthem. Statistically against Forney, Tanton had a team high 10 kills. Kaylee Jefferson had 6, Madi Vickery and Mieke VanBenthem had 3 apiece and Erika VenBenthem added 2. Whisenhunt had 21 assists. Anden Hammack and Jefferson both had 10 digs. Maggie McGlamery and Whidenhunt had 7 digs apiece. Tanton, Abbi Baier and Vickery had 1 block solo. Vickery had 3 block assists. Tanton , Jefferson and Mieke VanBenthem had 2 block assists and Baier had 1.
The Lady Cats enter the Tyler tournament with a 10-6 record.
