Buried Bone Fulfills Reds, Whites, and Brews Donation Promises
Buried Bone Foundation presented two checks Wednesday at noon as they distributed the proceeds from Reds, Whites, and Brews, an event held on Main Street and Celebration Plaza earlier this month. The Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter and Hearts of Life Animal Rescue each received $3,500 as a result of event. Another $3,000 placed in escrow with the City of Sulphur Springs as seed money for next year’s event.
Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter
Art Foster, Jr. and Matt Dunn founded the Buried Bone Foundation when the city needed an organization to manage Red, Whites, and Brews. City Manager Marc Maxwell said the city does not wish to run an event but to provide a venue and have another staff, plan, and promote the event. He believes Buried Bones was a great fit for this year. Foster and Dunn stated that any money made in the event would be presented to the canine focused groups and for seed money for next year. Wednesday was the fulfillment of that commitment.
Art Foster explained that the two really wanted to give back to the community by helping out the local dog rescues. “I really like dogs, and Matt really likes dogs so this is our way of helping out local dogs.” He continued: “The ultimate goal for The Buried Bone is to build a dog park.”
To find out more information on how to get involved check out The Buried Bone Foundation’s website.
The Rotary Club of Sulphur Springs had also sponsored a Canine Corner during the event. At Canine Corner, several dogs were adopted.
Hearts of Life Animal Rescue
Inmate Trustee Farm Produce Stand
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office has began selling produce from the Trustee Farm. During a Saturday night interview, Sheriff Lewis Tatum explained that they will be selling any excess squash, zucchini, okra, and tomatoes that they grow for that week. In addition to a stand at Celebration Market, the Sheriff’s Office has constructed a produce stand across from the Hopkins County Jail. A box with prices will be left to collect payment on an honors system. Produce is being sold by the basket. All proceeds will be put back into the commissary that funds the garden.
Sheriff Lewis Tatum opened the farm in a cost saving move for county taxpayers. The farm has reduced the cost of each meal produced for inmates at Hopkins County Jail. During the month of March, six hogs, six cows, and 650 chickens were processed. All the meat was processed by trustees and correction officer, according to the sheriff. They also gathered between 40 and 70 eggs daily and planted two gardens. One garden is 130 yards by 80 yards. The second garden is 100 yards by 80 yards. In those gardens they have planted 180 tomato plants, 40 pepper plants, 17 rows of green beans, 20 rows of corn, three and one half rows of potatoes, 1,800 onion plants, and a quarter of an acre of squash.
Three Teacher Retirement Bills Passed by Texas Legislature
Healthcare Month at SS Health and Rehab
REHAB THERAPY SPECIALIST CURT MAYO AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST DEBBIE L. JONES
May is National Healthcare Month. During 2017, Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab has entered a new era of health care for their residents. With it’s 50-year history of serving the community, a new facet of care has been added in the new recovery wing. There are now 13 private Medicare suites centered around the rehabilitation and therapy department. Therapy Specialist Curt Mayo is working with outpatient and inpatient short-term residents in specialized treatment programs. Debbie L. Jones, Business Development Specialist, is planning to conduct CNA classes in the near future. She and her team are also planning a Memorial Day cookout for residents and their guests on Monday May 29 as a fun day and a wrap-up to Healthcare Month. Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab at 411 Airport Road continues their commitment to healthcare, rehabilitation and nursing care with a homelike atmosphere for the citizens of Hopkins County and those in surrounding areas.
Man Wanted for Murder in Dallas County Apprehended Locally
A man wanted for murder in Dallas County was apprehended on westbound I-30 at 5:25 p.m. Tuesday. Stopped by a Hopkins County interdiction officer, a records check showed Jerryll Dewayne Smalley, 39, of Dallas wanted for the May 10th incident.
Smalley is in Hopkins County jail being held on a $250,000 bond.
A Hopkins County Jury Awards in Excess of $8-million in Injury Case
A Hopkins County jury returned a verdict of what will be in excess of $8-million Tuesday in the 62nd District court. The verdict is by far, the largest ever in Hopkins County history. The Plaintiff was represented by Randy Roberts and Mike Ace of The Roberts and Roberts Law Firm in Tyler and by local attorney John C. Ginn of Smith, McDowell, Ginn.
The Plaintiff, Charles Knighton, a Franklin County truck driver, was unloading a feed truck into a hopper train car at the Blacklands Railroad in Mount Vernon, Texas. Evidence showed that the Blacklands conductor gave permission for Knighton to get up on top of the car and then move the train without notice. Knighton suffered horrific injuries, falling over 15ft. and landing on the train coupling between cars. He suffered a pelvic injury with permanent disabling nerve loss and physical impairment among other injuries.
Local attorney Ginn praised both the lead attorneys and the jury. He stated, “First the jury was very attentive and conscientious and second, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Ace did a superb job of presenting what amounted to overwhelming evidence.”
On the first day of evidence, the jury heard testimony from the engineer stating that the conductor did indeed advise him he had given permission to Mr. Knighton to “get up there.” That testimony was in direct contradiction of previous testimony from the conductor. Ginn stated he believed that was a key turning point in the case. “Juries are interested in the truth, and when witnesses are less than honest with them, a jury will exact appropriate justice.”
Ginn said that the verdict also offers some vindication for the Knightons. They have never received an apology or any acknowledgement from Blacklands Rail Road that they improperly moved the train, according to Ginn. He went on to say that the most important thing is that the verdict will go a long way in restoring some of what has been lost by the Plaintiff.
“The jury has given Charles and Misti Knighton a chance to have some normalcy as they try to live out the rest of their lives together under very difficult circumstance,” stated Ginn.
Public Library Announces Knights and Princesses 2017 Summer Reading Program
Hope Cain, Librarian at the Sulphur Springs Public Library, has announced the schedule for the children’s summer reading program. Theme for the summer is Knights and Princess Summer Reading program. It begins with a Medieval Times Storytime.
June 7 at 10:30am Sulphur Springs Public Library’s Knights and Princess Summer Reading Program will host an unofficial kickoff with a Medieval Times Storytime. We cannot wait to see who will stop by to read!
June 8 at 6pm is the official Summer Reading Program kickoff. Registration will be at Sulphur Springs Public Library, along with the Petting Zoo, food, prize bags with reading logs and Dairy Queen will offer face painting. Smiley the Shark from Splash Kingdom and Belle from Shining Star Productions’ Beauty and the Beast will be available for photos.
June:
Every Tuesday 3pm Multiplayer Minecraft
June 7 Wednesday 10:30 am Storytime with Medieval Times
June 8 Thursday 6pm Summer Reading Program Kickoff and Registration
June 13 Tuesday 10:30am Storytime for all ages
June 20 Tuesday 10:30am Storytime for all ages
June 22 Thursday 6pm Storytime for all ages.
June 26 Monday 10:30am Musical Storytime with Will Parker
June 27 Tuesday 10:30am Storytime for all ages
July/Aug
Every Tuesday 3pm Multiplayer Minecraft
July 6 Thursday 6pm Storytime for all ages.
July 11 Tuesday 10:30am Storytime for all ages
July 18 Tuesday 10:30am Storytime for all ages
July 20 Thursday 6pm Storytime for all ages.
July 25 Tuesday 10:30am Storytime for all ages
August 1 Tuesday 10:30am Storytime for all ages
August 3 Thursday 6pm Storytime for all ages.
August 4 Last day to turn in Reading Logs for prizes
Winnsboro Police Department Report for May 15-21, 2017
Winnsboro Police Department arrested three, investigated one accident, issued 41 citations, wrote 47 warnings, and responded to 155 calls for service during the report period May 15-21, 2017
Matthew Harris, 21 of Sulphur Springs was arrested May 15th on a Hopkins County warrant.
Melanie Slayton, 34, of Sulphur Springs was arrested May 16th for Driving while License Invalid with Previous Convictions.
Richard Bailey, 39, of Winnsboro was arrested May 16th for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Winnsboro Police responded to a one vehicle accident May 17th at 11:55 p.m. in the 1000 block of South Walnut. Vehicle was southbound on South Walnut and failed to control speed causing it to leave the roadway and hitting a culvert. Any injuries are unknown.
PJC Meets State Financial Health Standards
According to an annual report done by The Higher Education Coordinating Board for the Governor’s Office and the Legislative Budget Board, Paris Junior College is in good financial health.
“It’s an assessment of the overall financial health of the 50 community colleges in Texas,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “It’s done to identify potential financial stress and there were only 24 colleges meeting all the thresholds and PJC is one of those 24. We met all seven indicators; I was very pleased to see this.”
In other business, the Regents:
- Received a financial report from Comptroller Keitha Carlton showing PJC to be in a stable position with revenues exceeding expenses.
- Approved the audit engagement letter for McLanahan and Holmes to conduct the annual audit of the College and the PJC Memorial Foundation.
- Accepted the policy revisions recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards Policy Service on Policy Manual Update 32.
- Set the budget workshop for June 29.
- Received an update on the local redistricting bill that would follow through to redistribute regent representation throughout Lamar County, and on development of the campus carry policy for PJC facilities.
- Accepted the resignations of Educational Opportunity Center Advisor Jackie Draughn and Financial Aid Coordinator Patty Allison.
