TxDOT and Students Team Up to Prevent Drunk Driving Crashes
February 29, 2024 – As spring break approaches, TxDOT is teaming up with college students to make sure their celebrations don’t have catastrophic consequences.
The Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign is traveling to college campuses and spring break hot spots across the state to spread the message that there is always a safe and sober way to get home. TxDOT is partnering with campus-based U in the Driver Seat and student leaders across Texas to reinforce this message with their classmates.
“Every death due to drunk driving is preventable,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “We want students to understand that it’s easy to celebrate spring break safely. By finding a sober ride, taking a cab, using a rideshare, or simply staying put after drinking, students can make sure their families gather for graduation and not a funeral.”
In 2022, there were 810 DUI-alcohol-related traffic crashes during the spring break period, killing 44 people and seriously injuring 90 others. All because someone chose to get behind the wheel while impaired.
Throughout March, TxDOT will show the real consequences of driving after drinking as it brings its mobile “DUI Not So Fun House” and video exhibit to college campuses and key spring break locations. The mobile exhibit lets people experience the effects of alcohol and the dangers associated with driving under the influence.
TxDOT’s Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.
The American Rodeo Ticket Giveaway
February 28, 2024 – KSST is giving away tickets to the American Rodeo.
THE AMERICAN RODEO ANNOUNCES RETURN TO GLOBE LIFE FIELD IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS, MARCH 8 – 9, 2024 WITH NEW THREE-YEAR VENUE PARTNERSHIP
Hey rodeo fans! Teton Ridge announced that The American Western Weekend is returning to Globe Life Field March 8-9, 2024. The action-packed weekend will include The American Performance Horseman and The American Rodeo. You won’t want to miss some of the best in entertainment and western sports!
- Friday night is The American Performance Horseman, followed by a musical performance from Luke Bryan
- Saturday night is The American Rodeo, capped off by a musical performance from Post Malone
To enter, comment on this post on Facebook. Winners will need to install the AXS app on their smart device.
Sponsorships for the First Man Bingo Sought
February 27, 2024 – Sulphur Springs, TX –
Plans for Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Man Bingo, known as Mingo, are underway. Sponsorships are now available for this event which will be held on Thursday, April 18.
A Big Daddy Sponsorship runs $2,500 and includes a front-row reserved table with 8 bingo packets. Sponsors’ names and logos will be displayed next to the prize sponsored, and the sponsors’ logos will be printed in the program. Additionally, the sponsors’ names will be announced from the podium.
The Dude Sponsorship is $1,500 and includes a premium reserved table with 8 bingo packets. Sponsors’ names and logos will be displayed next to the prize sponsored, and the sponsors’ logos will be printed in the program. Additionally, the sponsors’ names will be announced from the podium.
A Master Sponsorship is $500 and is a prize sponsor only, with no tickets. The sponsor’s name will appear next to the sponsored prize, printed in the program, and acknowledged from the podium.
Tike Sponsorships are $250 each and are prize sponsors only, with no tickets. The sponsor will receive the same marketing benefits as with a Master Sponsorship.
The various level of sponsorship determines the value of the prize being sponsored. Examples of prizes include guided fishing experiences, grill accessories, coolers, hats, rifles, earbuds, sporting goods, and tech.
Proceeds of the event will be used to fund heart calcification tests for Hopkins County men. The goal of the Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit, is to improve Hopkins County’s healthcare.
To sponsor, visit mingo2024.givesmart.com or for more information, email [email protected] or call 903-438-4799.
Sulphur Springs FFA Ag Mechanics Competed in San Antonio, Texas
February 27, 2024 – SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO (one of the largest competitions for FFA)
Sulphur Springs FFA Ag Mechanics competed in San Antonio. They put one in the books for us! This was a huge win for SSHS. Congratulations to Mr. Spencer Clark (teacher) and his brilliant teams. All of these projects were built from the ground up by these teams of high school students. Please take time to see how amazing these projects truly are.
•G R A N D C H A M P I O N• Ag Mechanics Project! There were 800 entries in this contest.
Congratulations to Cash Gamblin, Lane Kerns, and Kohen Moss on their big win with their 40 ft. Hydraulic Dove Tail Trailer. These guys spent 1600 hours on this build. Their winnings include $20,000 in scholarships, 3 trophy buckles each, a plaque each, 5 super welding machines and the bragging rights for winning Grand Champion of a huge show.
LeeRoy Hernandez, Stetson Mullins, and Braddox Rawson won 2nd in class with their 24ft Cattle Trailer and received several prizes.
Lexie Logan, Cinch Shackelford, Jacob Howell, and Colton Privitt also won second in class with their 12ft Cattle Trailer and received several prizes as well!
Jayden Arledge exhibited his truck bed and received a red ribbon. He did a great job exhibiting his project to the judges.
Pictures and information provided to KSST by Johna Shipley from SSISD. Way to go, Wildcats!
Sulphur Springs High School Theatre Will Present Their 2024 UIL One Act Play Sunday, March 3rd, 2024
February 27, 2024 – SSHS Theatre will present their 2024 UIL One Act Play, Failure: A Love Story, for the public this Sunday at 2pm in preparation for the upcoming District contest. The performance will be held at the SSHS Auditorium located at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
The story: By the end of 1928, all three Fail sisters will be dead — expiring in reverse order, youngest to oldest, from blunt object to the head, disappearance, and finally consumption. A whimsical chorus follows the story of Nelly (Senior Caroline Prickette), Jenny June (Junior Aspen Mayhew), and Gerty (Senior Talley Brown) as they live out their lives above the family clock repair shop near the Chicago River, before their time unexpectedly runs out. A magical fable where, in the end, the power of love is far greater than any individual’s successes or failures.
Failure also feature Seniors Addison Bradley, Jolene Reed, and Oliver Falter, Junior Aiden Woodard, Sophomores Nathan Bilyeu, Emma Boatman, and Conner Curtis, and Freshman Lizi Green. Crew members include Freshman stage manager Bella Gilbreath, Senior Kaela Gardner, Junior Audrey Tanton, and Freshmen Sunni Vanderburg, Haley Hopkins, and Sebastion Hernandez.
You do not want to miss this one! And tickets are free! (Donations are accepted—which will go to Addison Bradley and Emma Boatman and families.)
Jennings Back in Jail on Evading Arrest Warrant
February 27, 2024 – An active warrant of Evading Arrest or Detention (Class A Misdeameanor) for Everett Jennings resulted in the arrest of the suspect at the Hopkins County Courthouse on Monday. This latest arrest marks the second arrest for the Sulphur Springs resident in as many weeks since allegedly fleeing apprehension from a family member’s residence. Jennings was arrested in Rockwall County on another charge stemming from the warrant attempted to be served in mid-February. These latest charges are in addition to the auto theft charges in early January of this year when a stolen Lamborghini was recovered at a property owned by Jennings as well as two suspected stolen Chevrolet Corvettes. In that case, a Houston man tracked his stolen Lamborghini to a residence on Country Club Road in Sulphur Springs. Jennings, through social media posts, maintains his innocence as having no knowledge of the history of the vehicles when he made the purchases. Bond has been set for $50,000 on the charge.
Scott and Margaret Stahl Continue Lion Legacy at A&M Commerce
February 26, 2024 – Alumnus Scott Stahl and his wife, Margaret, from Sulphur Springs, Texas, have recently presented a generous gift to Texas A&M University-Commerce. The Scott W. Stahl and Margaret Stahl Gift Agreement will provide matching gift opportunities that champion the Greatest Need Fund and Alumni Association memberships at the university.
The Stahl’s Lion legacy spans three generations, including Dr. Jim Stahl, father to Scott, and Jacob, one of Scott and Margaret’s two sons. Philanthropy and a commitment to serving others are integral Stahl family values, evident across the generations. It’s no surprise that Scott’s resonant message to fellow alumni can be summed up in three words: “Just get involved.”
Scott W. Stahl and Margaret Stahl Gift Agreement
Scott and Margaret are both firm believers in the power of engaged alumni, and they designed their gift to incentivize alumni participation. The Stahls will match membership dues for alumni who join the Alumni Association. New members may then direct the matching funds to the TAMUC college of their choice, or to the Alumni Legacy Scholarship or the Lion Athletics Scholarship Fund.
Similarly, when alumni contribute to the Greatest Need Fund at A&M-Commerce, the Stahls’ gift will match the donation. The Greatest Need Fund is especially close to Scott’s heart as it allows the university to quickly respond to students with pressing needs that may threaten their ability to stay in school. The Greatest Need Fund has supported hundreds of students since its inception.
“It’s tough for many families,” Scott said. “Education and living expenses have gotten very expensive, so perhaps the Greatest Need Fund can help in some way. And then, after students get their degrees, move on to other places, and start their careers, maybe they will come back to A&M-Commerce and pay back a little bit of it to others.”
Scott’s Story
Student Life
Scott’s association with A&M-Commerce spans most of his life. He and his family moved to Commerce, Texas, in 1976 and lived just a few blocks from campus. His mother was an elementary school teacher, and his father, Dr. Jim Stahl, was the renowned director of the Zeppa Center at A&M-Commerce (predecessor to the current Morris Recreation Center) for 21 years.
Scott graduated from Commerce High School in 1978, and he felt like it was a natural choice to stay in town and attend A&M-Commerce (known then as East Texas State University, or ETSU).
“ETSU was a great path for me because it was right in my backyard, and my dad worked there. That university has always been very important to me and to them. It was just kind of a natural fit,” he said.
Scott recalled that, even back then, first-year students were required to complete two computer science classes as part of their core curriculum. In those classes, Scott developed an interest in computer programming. At the time, computers were imposing giants, spreading across entire rooms. Yet, Scott jumped in with both feet, learning the inner workings of the big machines and how to make them function.
It turns out he was in the right place at the right time. ETSU was a national leader in computer science education, launching the first undergraduate degree in computer science in Texas in 1971.
“For a small university at that time, they were on the leading edge of technology,” Scott recalled.
A Pioneering Career
In the 1970s, ETSU’s massive mainframe computer performed functions for enrollment, payroll, financial aid, housing and other administrative offices at the university. Scott launched his computer programming career as a student-operator on the machine in the university’s data processing department.
“I had a background in the programming language that we used back then,” he said. “This was back in the old keypunch days, and we’d have to load those card decks and everything on the big mainframe. ”
In 1981, Scott was offered a full-time programming position at ETSU.
“I was probably a junior in college then, and they let me finish my coursework to get my degree, but at the same time, I was working full-time for the university,” Scott said.
Scott graduated from ETSU in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and General Business and spent the next three years as a programmer at ETSU. Then, in 1985, he accepted a job with a tiny new software company in Sulphur Springs called NET Data.
“I was the first hire they ever had, and it was just me and my boss,” he said.
In this role, Scott and his colleague wrote and developed programs for local government operations, including county government offices, court systems and sheriff’s offices.
“We wrote programs and did all the design work, customer support and marketing. When you’re working in a small, young company, you’ve got to wear many different hats. We worked hard,” he said.
After 35 years with NET Data, Scott retired in 2020 as the senior vice president and partner of the company. Under his leadership, the company grew from two employees to more than 75.
Meanwhile, Margaret continues her career as a consultant for independent insurance agencies across the U.S.
Serving TAMUC
Staying Involved
Following retirement, Scott has enjoyed doubling down on his efforts to serve A&M-Commerce.
“Now that I’m retired, I can only mow my yard so many times in a day,” he joked. “So, I decided to become more involved at A&M-Commerce, and I just love it.”
Scott is a member of the College of Business Advisory Board, a director of the A&M-Commerce Foundation Board, and an active member of the Alumni Association. He is also a member of PI Kappa Alpha Alumni Association and chair-elect of the Foundation Board’s Governance Committee. In 2011, the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems at A&M-Commerce named him an Alumni Ambassador.
Scott’s philanthropic spirit seems to have been acquired from his parents.
“My parents raised me to be really involved in the university,” Scott said. “It’s very important to them.”
His father has also given generously to A&M-Commerce through service and scholarships over the years. In fact, Scott and Dr. Stahl collaborated to present the university a gift in 2017 to support an outstanding faculty member in the engineering or computer science departments.
A Message to Fellow Alumni
As evidenced by their recent gift, Scott and Margaret firmly believe the university changes for the better when alumni are involved. According to Scott, the first step is to bring former students back to campus to see the great things that are happening here.
“I want to motivate all our alumni to come back and look around,” Scott said. “Sometimes I walk around campus, and I’m inspired by all the improvements. It’s just incredible.”
His message to fellow alumni is simple but direct: “Just get involved. Come to a football game now and then. Come to a basketball game, or just take a tour of the university. Your university is part of your history that doesn’t go away. You’ll always be a part of this place, and you’re always welcome here. We’re proud of what you’ve done, so come back and visit!”
“Maybe just visiting campus will motivate our alumni to do more for the university,” Scott reflected. “Active alumni are sorely needed here.”
A Lasting Impact
The Stahls’ story weaves together the threads of a Lion legacy, a pioneering career in computer programming, and a lifelong dedication to A&M-Commerce. Their transformative gift exemplifies not just a financial contribution but a commitment to nurturing future opportunities through matching gifts.
“Scott and Margaret’s generous gift speaks volumes about their love for our institution and also underscores their dedication to the betterment of our academic community,” said Devin Girod, vice president of Philanthropy and Engagement. “Their leadership is cultivating a culture of giving and engagement among our alumni, which in turn is advancing our university’s mission to transform lives. We are sincerely grateful for their commitment and leadership.”
“Just Get Involved”
Choose your match and make an impact today!
Alumni Association Membership Match: https://www.tamuc.edu/membership-match/
Greatest Need Fund Match: https://www.tamuc.edu/match-greatest-need/
Ticket Giveaway: St. James Fish Fry #3
February 2024 – Friday night Fish Fry is back! You can win 2 tickets to the event hosted by the Knights of Columbus at 297 Texas St here in Sulphur Springs, TX. The FREE tickets are for the March 1, 2024 event only.
Dine in or carry out starting a 5:00pm. Beer battered cod available, a short wait may be required.
Menu includes USA catfish, fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, beans, fried okra, tea, coffee, desserts and more. Prices start at $12. All you care to eat is $20.
Rules and Information:
The passes must NOT be resold!
Unclaimed passes will be dispersed by KSST.
Employees of KSST/KRVA can’t win.
Winner’s names and picture will be posted on Facebook.
To enter to win, comment on this post in Facebook. Winners will be contacted via Facebook Messenger.
Mitigating The Impacts of Invasive Species In Texas
February 26, 2024 – Press Release from Texas A&M Forest Service concerning Invasive Species in Texas
Mitigating the impacts of invasive species in Texas
Invasive species cause many negative impacts to the Texas landscape, from the displacement of native trees to potentially wiping out entire species. Because of their widespread impact, Texas A&M Forest Service is taking great lengths to help mitigate their impacts and taking time to highlight those efforts during National Invasive Species Awareness Week.
Invasive species have two main characteristics: they are non-native to an ecosystem and their introduction causes or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment or human health.
“Invasive species produce a measurable impact,” said Demian Gomez, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Health Coordinator. “If left unchecked, invasives can threaten native species, biodiversity, ecosystem services, water resources, agricultural and forest production, economies and property values.”
Most often, invasive species have been introduced into an ecosystem through human activity. This can include anything from plants purposefully introduced as ornamentals to insects accidentally transported in imported goods such as through wood packaging materials.
Invasive species succeed because of their ability to grow in favorable environments and their lack of natural predators, competitors and diseases that normally regulate their populations.
Texas A&M Forest Service is mitigating the impacts of invasive species in Texas through several efforts.
Emerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a destructive, invasive borer beetle native to Asia. After being discovered in Michigan in 2002, EAB was first detected in Texas in 2016 in Harrison County. Since then, EAB has been positively confirmed in Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Marion, Morris, Parker, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus and Wise Counties.
EAB is responsible for killing millions of ash trees across much of the country, and each year, Texas A&M Forest Service places traps throughout the state to proactively monitor for the spread of the pest.
“The agency began monitoring for the pest in 2012 by strategically deploying detection traps each spring,” said Gomez. “We continue to set traps and monitor because early detection of the beetle is the best way to limit the spread and avoid high ash mortality.”
Texas A&M Forest Service works with communities to develop, communicate and implement local EAB preparedness plans. And while the agency assists with planning, trapping and monitoring, the Texas Department of Agriculture is ultimately responsible for EAB management and coordination in Texas.
Oak wilt
Oak wilt is one of the deadliest tree diseases in the United States. Since its first detection in Texas in 1961, it has killed millions of trees across 76 counties.
Oak wilt is caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum, thought to have originated in Central America. The fungus invades and disables the water-conducting system in oaks.
Any new wound on oaks can be an entry point for infection. Very active in late and early spring, small native sap beetles transfer spores of the oak wilt fungus, infecting new trees. Additionally, the pathogen can spread through interconnected roots, particularly impacting live oaks in Central Texas.
“Texas A&M Forest Service works with public and private partners to minimize the spread of the fungus across the state through the Oak Wilt Suppression Project,” said Gomez. “We help by providing public education and awareness, identifying and mapping mortality centers and providing treatment recommendations and cost-shares.”
Brazilian peppertree
The Brazilian peppertree was first introduced to Texas in the 1950s and has since invaded thousands of acres in coastal habitats, shading and killing native vegetation and even causing allergic reactions in some people.
Since 2014, Texas A&M Forest Service has worked with the Texas Gulf Region Cooperative Weed Management Area in Port Aransas to address Brazilian peppertree in the region through eradication and education.
Since 2023, the agency has also been collaborating on a project to reduce the impacts of the invasive Brazilian peppertree in the Texas Gulf Coast with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, the University of Texas Marine Science Institute and the City of Port Aransas, studying biological control options.
As part of this study, a small thrips insect, known as the Brazilian peppertree thrip, was released on plots to study their control of the invasive plant. The study aims to integrate the insect, referred to as a biocontrol, with ongoing mechanical and herbicide management of the Brazilian peppertree.
Researchers will release new insects and monitor the trees over two years to evaluate the impacts. The U.S. Forest Service provided funding for the project.
Laurel wilt and the red bay ambrosia beetle
The redbay ambrosia beetle, responsible for spreading laurel wilt, has killed more than half a billion trees in the Lauraceae family, with high impacts to redbays, sassafras and the avocado industry in the southeastern U.S.
“This vascular fungal pathogen, transported and cultivated by the beetle to be used as a food source for larvae, can kill trees in less than a month,” said Gomez. “It was first reported in Texas in 2015 and since then, has spread across eastern Texas.”
Texas A&M Forest Service is working with public and private partners to study the spread and distribution of the disease/insect complex.
Early detection and rapid response
Early detection, rapid assessment and rapid response (EDRR) provides the greatest opportunity for eradication and cost-effective management of invasive species. The EDRR program, a network of traps targeting exotic bark and ambrosia beetles, increases the likelihood that invasive species will be found, contained and eradicated before they become widely established.
In collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, Texas A&M Forest Service deploys 48 traps annually for the program. These traps are located near areas where potentially invasive and problematic bark and ambrosia beetle species may become established or begin satellite infestations such as wood processing mills, ports and commercial distribution centers.
It is important to monitor your property for invasive species and take steps to control them when possible. To learn more about invasive species, visit https://tfs.tamu.edu/InvasiveSpecies/.
Hopkins County Records – February 2024
Daily Instrument Register For 2/12/24 Thru 2/14/24
- Coy Johnson to Justin Foster; Tract in the Lot 32 Peerless Addition Survey
- Coy Johnson to Marianna Mata, Mario Mata, and Mario Alexander Mata; Tract in the Lot 19 Peerless Addition Survey
- Coy Johnson to J Teofilo Mata Lopez and Erika Tapia Sanchez; Tract in the Lot 18 Peerless Addition Survey
- Debbie Booker, Susan Gatewood, Brenda Loomis, Patricia Lyle, Patricia A Spa Lyle, and Ronny Lyle to Karrie Harmon and Stacy Harmon; Tract in the John G Procello Survey
- Nestor Cervantex and Sonia Yesenia Sosa Tellez to Fatmir Cosic and Indira Cosic; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- All In Cattle Company LLC to 8 Of Herts Holdings LLC; Tract in the Jose Ybarbo Survey
- Tracy Irby Also Known As Tracy Stine Irvy to Johnie Ben Bryant; Tract in the J Ybarbo Survey
- Cassie Nicole Fleming and Journey Properties LLC to James B Clark III and Kristy M Clark; Tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin Survey
- Larry Blount to Lawanda Knight Kent; Tract in the William D Walker Survey
- Foluke Adejokum to Linda Rosamond and William E Rosamond; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- Jimmie D McCoy Also Known As Jimmy D McCoy, and Mary L McCoy to Angel Amanda McCoy; Tract in the Sarah H Norris Survey
Daily Instrument Register For 2/15/24 Thru 2/16/24
- Church of Christ of Sulphur Springs Texas, Hank Hayes Formerly Known As Jefferson Street Church of Christ, Paul Jones Formerly Known As League Street Church of Christ, Tommy Panter, Kirk Reams, and Randy Reed to Fellowship Christian Church of Sulphur Springs; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- Fellosship Christian Church of Sulphur Springs Formerly Known As Fellowship Christian Church, Also Known As First Christian Church of Sulphur Springs, Also Known As First Christian Church, The First Christian Church of Sulphur Springs to Journey Baptist Chruch-Sulphur Springs; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- Leonard Darden, Paul Darden, and Ricky Darden to Le’ Keisha L Flournoy; Tract in the James Gahagen Survey
- Craig Lesley Stuart to Daniel Miller and Tammi Miller; Tract in the John Mott Survey
- Stuart Ranch Texas LLC to Daniel Miller and Tammi Miller; Tract in the John Mott Survey
Report of Marriage Documents for Hopkins County 2/16/24 Thru 2/22/24
- Allen Cody Mills and Stephanie Brook Petry
- Jaime Austin Tunstill and Marion Rae-Leigh Dame
