Children’s Museum Sets Annual Children’s Health and Safety Fair
Where can children walk through an eight-foot tall lung? Where can they see the effect of exercise on their oxygen level and pulse rate? When children wash their hands, are they really clean? These questions highlight the activities to be held at the Children’s Health and Safety Fair at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum on January 14 from 9:30 to 11:30. The event will include free admission.
Children may take a walk through the MegaLung at the Children’s Health Fair on Saturday, January 16 from 9:30 to 11:30. The MegaLung is the only one in the state of Texas and was received by the Children’s Museum as part of the Tobacco Grant from Hunt Regional Hospital Foundtion.
Hands-on activities will highlight children’s health. For example, after exercise children will compare their oxygen level and pulse rate to their resting levels using oximeters. Lonnie, the Museum’s MegaLung, will provide children an opportunity to walk through an eight-foot tall lung. With Glo-Gel children can see the cleanliness of their hands before and after washing. Children’s safety will be emphasized as a children’s ID card with picture and fingerprints will be provided by the Commerce Police Department. Lamar County Texas Department of Transportation will participate by providing information on child safety seating. This is important because according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3 out of 4 child safety seats are not used correctly which increases the risk of death in a vehicle crash. And, of course, the Children’s Museum will be open for play and exploration of more than fifty different play areas.
“This is our second year to offer this event,” said Sharline Freeman Director of the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. “This year we have added “safety” to our event. TX Dot from Lamar County will be one of our new participants. What could be more important than the health and safety of children? We are excited to be offering such a beneficial event for children and their parents.” In addition to health activities set up in the Children’s Museum and the play areas which will be open, children will receive a Children’s Activity Book. This book will be given to children who participate in the Children’s Health Fair and then will be distributed throughout Hunt County.
“We appreciate the sponsors for the event and for the Children’s Activity Book. Hunt
Regional Healthcare has played a large role in this event. Other sponsors include Commerce Veterinary Clinic, Live Oak Professional Center, Primary Care Associates, Atmos Energy, and Community Health Service Agency, Inc. We appreciate these groups for making the Children’s Health Fair possible,” said Elana Barton, Director of Development for the Children’s Museum.
“We hope this event will impact the area as we emphasize the health of our children,” said Donna Tavener, Board President. For more information, call the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum at 903-886-6055.
Police and Fire Pay Raise, Streets, Parking Lots, and Pavilion Top City Accomplishments in 2016
City Manager Marc Maxwell noted several accomplishments in the city during 2016. At the top of his list was a pay increase for Police and Firefighters. A 2% cost of living increase with an additional 6% increase and a step plan for police that will enable the city to pay police officers based on experience was approved. For the Firemen, there is an 11% increase as well as the 2% cost of living increase. A step plan will also be introduced for firemen. When introduced, City Finance Director Peter Karsten said that both the firemen and police officers are facing an ever increasing difficult assignment. The pay increase was intended to treat the tax payer well and provide appropriate pay for those who serve. He called it a fair return for the value.
Maxwell also noted the two parking lots built for the downtown area. One parking lot was built by the city and the second parking lot was built by the county with the city providing amenities that would blend the parking lot into the downtown motif. The city built the parking area at Davis and Main in a space that was used for parking but had not been designated for parking. The rework of the area performed by the city’s construction crew transformed an area that could contain 46 vehicles to provide parking spaces for 64 vehicles. There are also eight (8) spaces designated for Tesla recharging stations, another of Maxwell’s noted accomplishments for the city bringing the total to 72 spaces. The spaces are on both sides of Tomlinson Street as well as along Main and Davis Streets. The open area in the planned parking area will be sodded with grass and irrigation will be added. After the first of the year, a retention pond will be built along with a rework of the drainage ditch that is near the parking lot. The County project at the northeast corner of Jefferson and Rosemont Streets will have 77 spaces. The County constructed the lot in concrete and the City installed lights and landscaping per an earlier agreement at the time the tax increment reinvestment zone was created. When the County opted into the zone, the City committed to beautification of the lot when it was built.
The city took a major step toward the future with the Tesla re-charging station. A representative of Tesla was in Sulphur Springs in late June, 2016 to finalize the station for owners of the battery powered auto. The Tesla station is located at the corner of Davis and Tomlinson Streets. Tesla pays for the charge for their owners. The whole idea is that the people who buy these cars are people with disposable income and their visit to Sulphur Springs will profit merchants and restaurants downtown according to Maxwell. The charging station in Sulphur Springs is the only station between Dallas and Hot Springs Arkansas. Tesla does have charging stations at hotels but those take overnight for charging. This station is a supercharging station that will require 45 to 70 minutes for a re-charge.
Maxwell said Bill Bradford Road is nearing completion. Bill Bradford Road was closed to thru traffic in February, 2016 between Broadway and Carter as reconstruction of the street began. This $1.4 million project included water and sewer utilities, underground drainage and complete reconstruction of the street. The street is paved with concrete. Bill Bradford Road’s closure did affect businesses along the roadway but the city made concessions when possible.
Rockdale Road north of the Interstate in Sulphur Springs was unavailable for through traffic for three weeks during improvement work on the road in 2016 but completed providing a better street.
Also on Maxwell’s list is the remodel of the Police Department offices, the new pavilion at Buford Park and the new fuel farm at airport.
CHRISTUS Seeks Nominees for Women With Heart
Nominees are being accepted for Women with Heart–February 7th from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m., at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center CHRISTUS-Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs will honor Women With Heart. The event will be one of several such events across the CHRISTUS hospital system.
The local hospital is seeking nominations of women who have had heart issues, been seen by one of the providers at Advanced Heart Care, and has a great success story. One woman will be chosen to receive Women with Heart Award at the February event.
Heart disease claims the life of a woman every minute. It affects 43 million women in the United States and it’s estimated that 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease. Women With Heart is an annual program conceived to celebrate and honor women who have survived heart disease and triumphed with the help of CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances and the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital.
It is a way for family to recognize mothers, grandmothers, teachers, neighbors, friends and coworkers who are standing strong, as examples of bravery during the most difficult of times.
The various events are set to offer inspiration to the women of East Texas who are going through these trials and encourage even more to take the steps to prevent this fight from ever coming to their doorstep.
To nominate: https://www.tmfhc.org/care-treatment/heart/your-heart-health/womens/women-with-heart-nomination-form/
Soccer Teams Begin Scrimmage Action This Week
Both the Wildcats and the Lady Cats’ soccer teams will be having scrimmages this week.
The Lady Cats are actually scheduled for three scrimmages over three days. The Lady Cats are scheduled to scrimmage at Paris Thursday at 3 p.m. Then they are scheduled to go to Pleasant Grove for scrimmage action Friday at 2:30 p.m. The annual Alumni Scrimmage is planned for Saturday.
The Wildcats’ soccer team also has their Alumni Scrimmage planned for Saturday. We will reconfirm start times for both of the Alumni scrimmages and share them with you. Both Alumni Scrimmages will be at the Track Field. Regular season action starts for both teams on January 5 in separate tournaments.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Basketball in Holiday Tournaments
The Wildcats and Lady Cats’ basketball teams are in holiday tournaments this week.
The Wildcats are in the 16-team Leroy Romines Memorial Basketball Tournament in Longview running Wednesday through Friday. The Wildcats open pool play against a toughie, Pro Vision of Houston, Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Pro Vision is a charter school academy with a 20-1 record according to Max Preps. The Wildcats also play Pleasant Grove at 6 p.m. Wednesday in pool play. They will complete pool play against Henderson Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
The Lady Cats are playing in an 8-team Idabel, Oklahoma tournament, the 2016 Warrior Basketball Winter Classic, running Wednesday through Friday. They open against Haworth, Oklahoma Wednesday at 10 a.m. The Lady Cats defeated Haworth last year on their way to a second place finish in the tournament losing in the finals game. Lady Cats Coach Jeff Chapman coached at Idabel for a dozen years before coming to Sulphur Springs. 
Driver Arrested for DWI in Accident on SH 11E
A two vehicle accident on State Highway 11E led to the DWI arrest of one of the drivers.
Hopkins County Deputies informed the DPS Trooper investigating the accident that the driver of one of the vehicles seemed to be intoxicated. The Trooper performed a field sobriety test on the driver at the scene and found him to indeed be intoxicated. In man’s auto was an open alcoholic beverage container and 2 ounces of marijuana.
The Sulphur Springs man is in Hopkins County jail charged with misdemeanors of Driving While Intoxicated/Open Alcohol Container, Possession of Marijuana under 2 oz., and Failure to Control Speed.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging drivers to help make the holidays safer by driving sober and using extra caution. Local law enforcement and DPS Troopers are on alert during the holiday season looking for drunk drivers, speeders, seat belt violators and other dangerous drivers. During the 8-day Christmas and New Year’s holiday enforcement effort last year, DPS troopers made 466 DWI arrests and issued 9,174 speeding citations, and 893 seat belt and child safety seat citations.
Two Arkansas Men Arrested in Cumby Traffic Stop for Theft of Firearm
December 26, 2016 – Two Arkansas men were arrested for Theft of a Firearm Christmas Eve near Cumby.
When the auto they were driving failed to maintain a single lane near the 110-Mile Marker on I-30, Cumby Police made the stop. Next to the passenger was an open alcoholic beverage container. Both men were arrested and a probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a concealed firearm behind a folding arm rest in the back seat of the vehicle. A check on the firearm serial number showed it to be stolen. Both men had prior felony convictions.
Carlos F. Thompson, 36 of Little Rock, Arkansas is in Hopkins County jail charged with Theft of a Firearm and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. He is being held on a total of $10,000 bond.
Chester Junior Thompson, 36, of Dermott, Arkansas is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Theft of a Firearm and is being held on $5,000 bond.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from all of us at KSST; Channel 18; and ksstradio.com. May your day be filled with Joy and Peace.
DWI 3rd or More Arrest; A Holiday Reminder
James Arthur Baxley, 51, was arrested Friday for Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More and is being held on a $30,000 bond. Other misdemeanor DWI arrests were also made Friday and serve as a reminder that law enforcement has increased their watch for intoxicated drivers. The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging drivers to help make the holidays safer by driving sober and using extra caution. DPS Troopers are being joined by local law enforcement agencies throughout the Christmas holiday and New Year’s holiday looking out especially for drunk drivers, speeders, seat belt violators and other dangerous drivers. During the 8-day Christmas and New Year’s holiday enforcement effort last year, DPS troopers made 466 DWI arrests and issued 9,174 speeding citations, and 893 seat belt and child safety seat citations. Don’t drink and drive, slow down, especially in bad weather, construction areas and heavy traffic, eliminate distractions including use of mobile devices, buckle your seat belt, slow down or move over for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks that are alongside the road with emergency lights activated, don’t drive fatigued, drive defensively, make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and check the weather forecast before your trip begins.
Three Bundles of Cocaine Found in Texarkana Man’s Auto
Jerrod Ross McElhaney, 31, of Texarkana, was arrested on I-30 just before 1 a.m. Friday after three bundles of cocaine more than or equal to 400-grams were found in the car he was driving. Corporal Todd Evans with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office stopped a driver for a traffic violation at the 126 mile marker eastbound.
The man had no ID but he did produce proof of insurance. An arrest report indicated the man seemed nervous and his account of his trip was suspicious. The man offered that he was on probation for a drug offense and he gave consent for a search of his car. Officers found three bundles of cocaine along with some baggies, a pipe often used for drug smoking, a rock of crack cocaine and some marijuana. The man’s vehicle was impounded by the Sheriff’s Office.
McElhaney is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance more than or equal to 400-grams. He is being held on a $50,000 bond.
