$2 Billion Dollar Theme Park To Open In Oklahoma
VINITA, Okla. -Today Oklahoma state and local officials joined American Heartland leadership to announce American Heartland Theme Park and Resort, a more than $2 billion entertainment destination development in northeast Oklahoma, just west of Grand Lake on Route 66. The development will be built in phases starting with a large-scale RV park with cabins scheduled to open phase one in spring 2025 and a world-class theme park and resort scheduled to open in 2026. The American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will offer a unique visitor experience rivaling the world’s top resort destinations.
“We are thrilled to make Oklahoma the home of American Heartland Theme Park and Resort,” American Heartland CEO Larry Wilhite said. “At the crossroads of the heartland, Oklahoma is an attractive location for a family entertainment destination. The state’s business-friendly approach and innovative partnership efforts have helped make this possible. We look forward to bringing unforgettable generational experiences to Oklahoma.”
American Heartland will be a 1,000-acre development with a 125-acre theme park, which is comparable to the size of Magic Kingdom® Theme Park and Disneyland® Park. The park will feature an Americana-themed environment with a variety of entertaining rides, live shows, family attractions, waterways as well as restaurant-quality food and beverage offerings.
“Oklahoma is excited to welcome American Heartland Theme Park and Resort,” Oklahoma State Rep. Rusty Cornwell said. “Located on historic Route 66 just west of Grand Lake, the development will attract visitors from around the world to experience and celebrate the rich cultures and hometown values America has to offer.”
The adjacent 320-acre Three Ponies RV Park and Campground, designed by Oklahoma architects ADG Blatt, will be the largest campground in the central U.S. with 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins plus amenities.
“There’s no better place to represent the heart of America than northeast Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom. “This $2 billion investment in our state will create more than 4,000 jobs and introduce a new category of entertainment to the region, and its long-term economic impact will be transformative. Tourism is already one of Oklahoma’s top industries and this project will elevate our state even further. Since tourism is a doorway to economic development, American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will draw new businesses not only to the surrounding area but also throughout the region and state.”
The developer is American Heartland whose leadership has deep Oklahoma roots. American Heartland is an affiliate of Mansion Entertainment Group, LLC, Branson’s leading performing arts, animation and studio brand.
Led by Executive Producer Steve Hedrick, the design team is made up of the world’s best theme park designers including 20+ former Disney Parks builders and Walt Disney Imagineers. Design firms include THG, FORREC and Cuningham, whose portfolios feature the world’s foremost theme park brands including Six Flags, Disney Parks and Universal Studios.
“We are pleased that American Heartland Theme Park and Resort has taken the first step and chosen Oklahoma to build a world-class entertainment destination,” said Hopper Smith, interim director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “We look forward to assisting with this project as it develops.”
American Heartland Theme Park and Resort is a family-friendly park promising timeless fun and boundless adventure. The 125-acre theme park will feature a collection of six distinctly American lands to welcome guests on a journey through the best of the American story. Families will find thrilling rides and heartwarming shows as they discover Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village and Electropolis.
“American Heartland will be a place families can come together to create lasting memories, experience joy, laughter, imagination and wonder,” American Heartland Founder and Chief Creative Officer Gene Bicknell said. “There is so much to celebrate about our country: its landscapes, its cultures and most importantly, its people. No matter where you’re from, you’ll feel right at home at American Heartland.”
The development will also include a top-tier 300-room hotel and modern indoor water park.
“American Heartland will be an anchor tourist destination on Route 66 set to attract more than two million out-of-state visitors to Oklahoma each year,” Kristy Adams, senior executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mansion Entertainment Group, American Heartland and Three Ponies, said. “The scale and quality of the development will be unlike anything else in the region, making Vinita, Oklahoma a can’t-miss destination for families around the world.”
Learn more at americanheartlandthemepark.com and threeponiesrvparkandcampground.com.
Almost 64,000 Texas Borrowers Will Have Their Federal Loans Forgiven
Almost 64,000 Texas borrowers will have their federal student loans forgiven after a U.S. Department of Education review concluded they qualified for the benefit.
The total amount to be forgiven will be just roughly $3.1 billion, average of $48,500 per borrower.
The move is unrelated to President Joe Biden’s now-defunct student debt forgiveness plan, which was blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court last month. This forgiveness plan only applies to borrowers with federal loans taken more than two decades ago.
The plan states It will affect borrowers whose debts should have been canceled but weren’t due to “past administrative failures,” according to the Department of Education.
Income-driven repayment plans calculate borrowers’ monthly payments based on their annual income to make sure repaying their loans doesn’t represent an undue burden on their finances. Borrowers make monthly payments for 20 to 25 years, depending on the type of loan. After that term, whatever balance remains pending on their loan is forgiven.
All of the borrowers identified in the review — including 63,730 in Texas, the state with the most borrowers benefiting from last week’s announcement — were notified that their debt would be automatically canceled in 30 days.
The department of education has stated that it will continue looking for those who qualify for the debt forgiveness until next year.
All borrowers who would’ve qualified for an income repayment plan and have reached 240 or 300 monthly payments — depending on the type of federal loan they have — will be eligible for forgiveness. To determine eligibility, the Department of Education will take into account every month in which loan payments were made, but also periods of time in which the borrower requested a pause in payments because of economic hardship or illness. Months in which the borrower defaulted on their loan will not be considered toward meeting the forgiveness threshold.
The Department of Education’s review is meant to fix a program that is supposed to benefit mainly low-income borrowers but has yielded few results. Since the first income-driven repayment plan was implemented in 1994, only 157 loans had been forgiven as of 2021, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The Department of Education estimates that borrowers on average would see their total repayments fall by 40% under the SAVE plan. Lower-income borrowers would see a reduction of 83% and, on average, Black, Hispanic and Native American borrowers would have their total lifetime payments cut in half, according to the agency.
Local Deer Hunters Need To Be Aware of CWD
Chronic Wasting Disease is a Real Threat to Texas Deer
AUSTIN — This year, hunters in Texas will notice an increase in messaging about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and its impacts to the state as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) launches a new public awareness campaign.
The campaign aims to share information with hunters and the public about how they can help protect Texas deer and stop the spread of this deadly disease.
“Many have asked, ‘What is CWD?’” said TPWD Wildlife Division Director John Silovsky. “Our goal is to create a greater awareness of the presence and consequences of CWD on the Texas landscape.”
CWD is a highly transmissible, fatal neurological disease that effects species of cervids (members of the deer family), including white-tailed and mule deer. As the disease continues to spread through the native deer population, TPWD hopes Texans will be ever more vigilant. Proper carcass disposal and CWD testing for each harvest are the greatest contributions a hunter can make to prevent further spread of the disease and assist with necessary surveillance across the state.
“CWD isn’t a disease where people can afford to stick their heads in the sand,” said TPWD Big Game Program Director Alan Cain. “The outreach effort is meant to generate discussion, educate folks about the disease, current CWD regulations, and what we can do to manage the disease. We have an obligation to current and future generations of Texans to be good stewards of our native deer species.”
A recent study from the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute estimated that Texas hunters and landowners spend $4.3 billion a year in their pursuit of Texas white-tailed deer. The significance of CWD’s impact on Texas deer may not be recognized this hunting season or even the next. Left unmanaged or uncontained, the hunting heritage we cherish and opportunities for future generations could forever be diminished by CWD.
“Texans are still learning about CWD, but we know they love their state and its wildlife,” said Deputy Communications Director Cory Chandler. “This campaign will call on hunters, landowners and the public’s appreciation for Texas deer to build awareness about CWD, reinforce TPWD as a reliable resource, and build hunter participation in testing and proper carcass disposal.”
Over the next few months, when you see a CWD billboard or a sign when pumping gas, visit the TPWD website and learn how you can help. The message is clear: CWD is 100 percent fatal. We can all do our part to stop the spread to Texas’ native deer population.
The campaign will drive people to a redesigned CWD webpage. The updated page now features easily accessible maps of surveillance zones, check station locations, information about testing requirements and access to hunter harvest test results.
69th Annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course By Mario Villarino
The 69th annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course in Bryan-College Station will offer some cutting-edge ranch technology, along with basic beef cattle production information. The annual event is set for Aug. 7-9, with more than 1,900 cattle producers expected to come to the Texas A&M University campus, making it the largest event of its kind in the nation. The event is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Department of Animal Science. Both in-person and online attendance is offered. The cost is $260 for in-person attendance and $160 for online if registered by Aug. 2. The price will increase to $300 after that date. To register, go to https://tx.ag/BCSC23Reg or call 979-845-6931 for more information.
Jason Cleere, Ph.D., conference coordinator and AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in the Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station, said they have made a special effort to highlight advancing ranch technology this year. “We added a session specifically dedicated to beef cattle technologies,” Cleere said. “Some topics include precision livestock data management, cattle electronic monitoring and artificial intelligence on the ranch. As more data is collected on ranches, ranchers need ways to manage it to improve profitability.” There are also several new companies that will showcase their technologies during the trade show, Cleere said. More than 140 companies are expected at this year’s trade show, he noted. “We believe this year’s Beef Cattle Short Course offering is shaping up to be one of the best ever, and the interest from ranchers thus far has been great,” Cleere said. The special session on technology will be from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 8 as a part of the Cattleman’s College sessions.
The following are the topics and speakers: Optimizing Ranch Profitability by Managing Your Livestock, Grazing and Team All in One Place — Coby Buck, AgriWebb director of strategic accounts, Wray Ranch, Wray, Colorado. The Intersection of Technology and Genetic Acceleration: Shaping a Sustainable Beef Industry — Kerryann Kocher, CEO and co-founder of Vytelle, Kansas City. Leveraging Drones for Cattle Management: How, What and Why? — Meir Ginsburg, CattleQuants co-founder and director of business development, Cleveland, Ohio. Computer Vision for Animal Care — Geoffrey Shmigelsky, co-founder of OneCup AI, Vancouver. The Possibilities of Ranch Tech and the Role of Remote Monitoring — Andrew Coppin, Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions, co-founder and CEO, Sydney, Australia
Grant Program Offers Boost As Rural Fire Departments Battle Recruitment Challenges
Grant program offers boost as rural fire departments battle recruitment challenges
The US Forest Service is providing grants to help rural volunteer fire departments across the country. The Texas A&M Forest Service is helping to get information out to those departments to help the small departments use the funds to provide services to the small communities.
The Plantersville-Stoneham Volunteer Fire Department sits across from the town’s Baptist church on F.M. 1774 and is otherwise surrounded mostly by pastureland. The community, a quiet railroad town in southern Grimes County, measures its population in the hundreds.
But Plantersville isn’t isolated. The nearby Texas Renaissance Festival draws thousands of people each fall. Sprawling Conroe is only a 30-minute drive away, and urbanization is just down the road in other parts of neighboring Montgomery County.
Fire Chief Jessica Bomar believes the growth may be moving toward the community faster than many people realize, and she is working to position her department to be prepared for the additional calls for service the future holds.
Staffing the rural department hasn’t always been easy. When Bomar became chief in December, there were eight volunteers. In just a few months, the department has added five new members through a community outreach campaign that included recruitment information at community events.
“We would love to be able to respond to medical calls,” Bomar said. “We just need more members.”
A shortage of volunteers is a challenge facing rural fire departments across the state. To help combat the issue, Texas A&M Forest Service recently introduced a new grant to help departments bolster staffing and enhance community fire protection.
The Volunteer Recruitment Resources grant is available through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program to certain volunteer fire departments that serve rural communities or areas with a population of 10,000 or less and meet other basic federal requirements.
The $3,000 grants can be used to purchase banners, signs, billboards, flyers, postcards and other approved items. The grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis and nearly $300,000 has been awarded to more than 100 departments so far. Funding for the program is provided by the U.S. Forest Service.
Jason Keiningham, Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department Head, said the pilot project is an attempt to help departments attract people dedicated to serving their communities and he anticipates additional funding to become available next fiscal year.
“Volunteer fire departments are the front line of defense for many communities, and we recognize the challenges they face in recruiting new members,” he said. “Through these grants, we hope to inspire individuals to step forward and make a meaningful difference in their community.”
Bomar said she’s including all the Grimes County fire departments in her plans for the recruitment grant her department received.
“We’re hoping to work in unison with the other departments to coordinate recruitment efforts, so we all get the benefits,” she said. “We want to blast it everywhere between all the departments.”
Bomar, who joined the department in 2019, said she could use the grant funding to help battle misconceptions about serving in the department, including the myth that you have to respond to fires.
“You don’t have to run into burning buildings to be a firefighter,” she said. “That’s not all that we do. There are a lot of things you can do to help — public service, community events, school visits, teaching about fire safety.”
There is almost always something happening at the fire station, Bomar said, and all it takes is a willingness to help the community.
“If you want to be involved, show up and be involved,” she said. “We could use the help.”
Keiningham said the grant program was not meant to be a one-time solution, but a step toward sustained recruitment efforts.
“We understand the need for rural fire departments to have a strong volunteer base,” he said. “We want to help empower residents to participate in the well-being of their communities.”
Applications for the Volunteer Recruitment Resources grant are available at http://TexasFD.com/RuralVFDAssistanceProgram.
Investigations Against DPS Troopers Currently Underway
A state trooper’s claims that superiors ordered officers at the border in Eagle Pass to push migrants back into the Rio Grande and deny them water has sparked a state investigation, the Texas Department of Public Safety stated Tuesday.
The trooper also reported that razor wire deployed by troopers has injured people — including a woman who had a miscarriage while entangled in the wire.
Travis Considine, a DPS spokesperson, said in an email that the Office of the Inspector General, which investigates claims of misconduct by state employees, “is investigating the allegations made in the email in question.”
The trooper, who works as a medic, sent the email to a sergeant on July 3 detailing some of the things he witnessed while on patrol in Eagle Pass — where Gov. Greg Abbott recently ordered the deployment of a floating barrier in the Rio Grande to deter migrant crossings.
The trooper said in the email that he was out on patrol around 10 p.m. June 25 when he and other troopers came across a group of about 120 people, including small children and nursing babies, who were “exhausted, hungry and tired” along a fence line on the U.S. side.
The trooper wrote in the email that five days later, a 4-year-old girl who attempted to cross the razor wire “was pressed back by Texas Guard soldiers due to the orders given to them.” The temperature “was well over 100 degrees” and the girl passed out, the email said, adding that she had received medical treatment.
A pecan farm owner in Eagle Pass told the Chronicle that officials working for Abbott’s border security operation refused to take down razor wire on his property, despite his multiple requests. The farmer, Hugo Urbina, said many people, including a pregnant teenager, have been injured by the wire that the state installed against his wishes. DPS told the Chronicle that under a border-related disaster declaration the governor signed in 2021, the state can use private property without the owner’s permission.
Adriana Martinez, an associate professor of geography at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville who studies the effects of border barriers on the Rio Grande, said that immigrant rights advocates have been warning Abbott that his deterrence policies would not work and in some cases would make things worse.
Chamber Connection – July 19
Join us for a fun and interactive Business After Hours this week at Red River Credit Union from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 20.
Business After Hours is a great way to interact and network with other business professionals and members of the community. You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend and there is no cost.
Red River Credit Union is located at 822 Gilmer St.
Stewing About It
If you are a returning stew cook or a new cook who wants to get in on the biggest annual event in Hopkins County, it’s time to start registering.
Registration for stew cooks is now available online at HopkinsChamber.org. The cost remains the same for our cooks — $100 registration fee. You can also pre-order this year’s T-shirt with Stew Cook on the back for just $20 each.
If you are a returning stew cook, check your email account for a form sent from us, and if you don’t do email, then you should have received a registration form in the mail.
The 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, presented by Alliance Bank, has been able to keep its costs down because of our generous businesses in the community, and the cost just got even cheaper for some families.
Signature Solar and the Chamber announced last week that children 12 and under will eat free at the festival on Saturday, Oct. 28, due to Signature Solar’s generous sponsorship.
Children will still need tickets, which can be obtained either online or via paper tickets. Online tickets, which are $8 each for everyone 13 years and older, will be available July 1 at HopkinsChamber.org. Paper tickets will be available Aug. 1 at the Chamber and local banks. City National Bank will be sponsoring the Friday night festivities, Oct. 27, and we will be announcing that line-up soon.
Thanks to all of our sponsors who make the stew festival affordable for families in Hopkins County. Follow the Chamber’s Instagram and Facebook accounts for spotlights on our sponsors and updates on the stew festival.
Real Estate Meet Up
All realtors, investors, builders, lenders and vendors who work in real estate are invited to a Meet Up and Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at Backstory Brewery. Network with industry experts and get your first drink/appetizer on the house. The event is sponsored by Money Law and Title, Supreme Lending, CK Experts and Tully Insurance Agency.
Mammography Screening
Hunt Regional Healthcare’s Tubby Adkisson Mobile Mammography Coach will be at the Spring Village Shopping Center on Thursday, July 27. All insurance accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. For those not using insurance, a prepaid pricing of $200 for a 3D mammogram is available.
To schedule individual screening mammograms or bone density, please call 903-408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
Leadership Sulphur Springs
Even if you think you know Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, you are sure to learn a lot through Leadership Sulphur Springs, which is back on this year, with applications online!
The leadership class is for Hopkins County men and women who want to learn and become more invested in their local community. It’s an intensive nine-month program that immerses the participants in the business and government of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
The tentative dates for this year’s program are attached to the application, which can be accessed at HopkinsChamber.org.
The registration fee is $500 and that covers the cost of the food, drinks, transportation, etc. for the year.
Hopkins County Law Enforcement
The Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association will have a Golf Tournament fundraiser at the Sulphur Springs Country Club on Aug. 21. The four-person teams will tee off at 10 a.m. For sponsor or player information, call Michael Russell at 903-438-4040 or email [email protected].
Wedding Expo
The DIY Wedding Expo is coming back to the Civic Center from noon to 5 p.m. on Sept. 23. For more information on sponsorships or vendor spaces, contact Tracey Treadway at 214-683-7669 or [email protected].
Ribbon Cutting
East Texas Surgery Center hosted a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, July 14, at their office at 1402 Medical Drive. Please welcome them to the community
Carriage House Manor, 210 Pipeline Road, will have a grand reopening for its Cottages at noon on Friday, July 21. Please join us for the ribbon cutting
Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Designer Handbag Bingo Sponsors
Coldwell Banker Watson is supporting the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Designer Handbag Bingo slated for August 3. Myra and David Watson display the statement Tom Ford tote they are sponsoring as a bingo prize. For more information on the sold-out event, visit handbagbingo23.givesmart.com.
Chaney and Craig Johnson are sponsoring this gorgeous blue Chloe bag as a prize for the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s upcoming Designer Handbag Bingo. Proceeds of the event will be used to underwrite a free mammography clinic in October.
Alliance Bank’s Hopkins County Market President Keith Shurtleff shares the Fendi tote the bank i sponsoring for the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s August 3 Designer Handbag Bingo. The event is sold out, but tickets for the Mystery Handbag Raffle are still available at handbagbingo23.givesmart.com
The ladies at the Jypsy Willow are proud to sponsor this black Jimmy Choo tote for the sold-out Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Designer Handbag Bingo. This event is a fundraiser for medical equipment and services for Hopkins County residents.
Hopkins County Sheriff Releases Some New Information on Tipps Arrests
July 19, 2023 – After the arrest of husband and wife, David and Jessica Tipps, a few more details of Jessica’s arrest are available.
Around 12 PM Tuesday, a search warrant was served at the couples home. The warrant was related to the disturbance and arrest of the David Reed Tipps. Tipps, who is a police officer, was charged with several counts of assault and aggravated kidnapping. See that story here.
While deputies and the Texas Rangers were searching the premises, methamphetamines were found. Jessica was mirandized and interviewed. She was the only one home at the time. She was asked about the controlled substances. She reportedly confessed to using meth just before law enforcement arrived, and that all the meth belonged solely to her. The methamphetamine weighted around 0.65 grams. Jessica was arrested around 4pm that afternoon.
At the time of this publication, both individuals were in Hopkins County Jail. David Tipps’ bond set at $400,000. Jessica Tipps’ bond set at $5,000. No images of the couple have been released.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Jessica Beth Tipps Arrested; Charged with Possession Controlled Substance
July 18, 2023 – Jessica Beth Tipps was arrested Tuesday and charged with:
1 481.115(B) POSS CS PG 1/1-B <1GHer arrest occurred around 12 hours after her husband, DAVID REED TIPPS, was arrested and charged with several counts of assault. Jessica was involved in that incident. See that story here.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum issued a press release Tuesday morning providing some details of David Tipps’ arrest.
KSST was contacted by someone claiming to be Jessica Tipps around 9AM Tuesday. That message claimed the events surrounding the arrest of Davis Tipps, provided as a public record, never happened.
No photo of either Tipps have been provided.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
