RURAL HOUSE FIRE
Fire destroyed a home in rural Hopkins County Thursday morning. A family was able to get out of the burning structure without injury but according to County Fire Chief Andy Endsley, all they now have are the clothes on their backs. The Red Cross is assisting. The Blue Santa program is hoping to provide toys for the four or five children that lived there. The County Fire Department received the fire call at 6:20 a.m. Thursday. When they arrived, the home on Private Road 7581 in the Flora community, was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighting units from Pickton Pine Forest, Dike, Saltillo, Sulphur Bluff, North Hopkins and Hopkins County responded. Indications are the cause of the fire was accidental but County Fire Marshal Mike Mathews is still investigating according to Chief Endsley.
Chamber Connection Thursday December 22, 2016
Chamber Connection-December 22nd
Attention All Chamber Members…. Membership Directories are being prepared NOW!!!
Advertisements for the 2017 Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory are available from Lee Ann Peugh at Echo Publishing. Our Membership Directory is distributed to over 5,000 people every year, so I highly encourage you to try an advertisement! Please call Lee Ann at (903) 885-8663 to discuss sizes and pricing options. You will not be disappointed!
Chamber Members, we are going to print a little earlier than normal for the 2017 Membership Directory. We are going to have it ready for distribution the first part of January, so we need you to do a few things…
- Please go to www.sulphursprings-tx.com and click on the membership directory. Please check to make sure that we have the correct information for your business. We have been trying to check and recheck it, but I’m sure we have overlooked some things.
- If your membership investment is past due, payment arrangements need to be made prior to December 23rd.
- If you find information that needs to be corrected, please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515. If you want to place an ad in the directory, please contact Lee Ann Peugh at Echo Publishing at 903-885-8663.
Would you like to recognize an Outstanding Educator?
Here is your chance…this year the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee wants to allow all Hopkins County Citizens to nominate their candidates for “Outstanding Professional Educator” (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher) “Outstanding Para Professional Educator” (Secretary or Aide) and “Outstanding Auxiliary Educator” (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria). We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to nominate that “special educator” that has had an impact in their lives. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 300 Connally Street and then either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than December 31st! Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected], and our mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize a special educator!
Nominations for Large and Small Business of the Year!
Please submit your nomination for Large Business of the Year or Small Business of the Year. Nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 300 Connally Street and either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than December 31st! Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected] and our mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483.
Additional Chamber of Commerce Banquet Nominations
Many other awards are presented at the Chamber of Commerce membership banquet (February 18, 2016). Aside from the awards mentioned above, nominations are also being accepted for:
Citizen of the Year—Echo Publishing Company—401 Church Street, SS, TX 75482
Woman of the Year—Beta Sigma Phi Organization—P.O. Box 72, SS, TX 75483
Caregiver of the Year—The Pilot Club—P.O. Box 131, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—P.O. Box 347, SS, TX 75483
Agriculturist of the Year—Professional Ag Workers—c/o Agri-Life Extension, P.O. Box 518, SS TX 75483
Each of these nominations should be submitted in writing and mailed to the above mentioned address.
Divorce Care held weekly at First United Methodist Church at 6:00 p.m.
Divorce Care is a weekly seminar and support group that will help you heal from the hurt of divorce or separation. It’s a warm, caring environment led by people who understand what you are going through. You will learn practical information that will help you deal with the challenges of being divorced. Best of all, you will gain hope, healing, and help for your future. Divorce Care Meets every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 beginning on October 5th at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs in the Open Door Sunday School Classroom. This is found in the basement of the main building. There is childcare if needed. They will meet for 14 weeks. Contact information is Tom Young at [email protected], (903) 413-1673 or Debbie Young at [email protected]; (903) 243-1235.
New Members to the Chamber of Commerce…
Welcome to our newest members of the Chamber of Commerce, Mahoney Oaks Retreat and Bobcat Texas.com. We are excited about having you!
One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly. – Andy Rooney
Merry Christmas from the Chamber family to yours! –Lezley
Sulphur Springs Mom is 30,000th Visitor to Children’s Museum in 2016
DEBBIE GOODING AND HER SONS RECEIVE BALLOONS AND A YEAR MEMBERSHIP TO THE NORTHEAST TEXAS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
There was great excitement at the Children’s
Museum on Wednesday, December 21, as the Gooding family from Sulphur Springs brought the
yearly number of visitors to 30,000. Debbie had attended Brunch with Santa and returned for a
second visit at just the right time. Balloons and a yearly membership were presented to Debbie
as she entered the Children’s Museum. “Are you kidding? This is wonderful! My boys will love
this!” she quickly exclaimed.
“We want to thank all our visitors who have made this year such a success. This is a
tremendous milestone for the Children’s Museum”, said Sharline Freeman, Executive Director.
“Since the population of Commerce is 8,000, this number reflects the support that the Children’s
Museum receives from throughout northeast Texas. ”
The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum features open play, special events, and school
programs throughout the year. Coming soon in 2017 will be the Children Health and Safety Fair
on January 14; a book signing by author Kathleen Hooten on January 28; the Daddy Daughter
Dance on February 4; and Mother Son Pirate Night on February 25. The Healthy Kids from A to
Z pre-school program will begin the eight-week class on January 11; the fifth grade Weird
Science program begins on February 9.
2 of 3
The Children’s Museum opened in 2002. With a full schedule and variety of events, 2017
promises to be another successful year at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. For more
information, call the Children’s Museum at 903-886-6055.
Cipoletta on Pine Tree Win
First of all Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta says his is proud of his guys for the way the fought and came out with a 69-65 win at Pine Tree Tuesday afternoon. That said, Coach Cipoletta believes his team didn’t do a lot of the little things that might have made the winning easier. He didn’t like the way they played defense. They gave up quarters of 22 and 18 points. There was a lot of foul trouble. Victor Iwuakor had only 1 point at the half because he had to sit out quite a bit due to foul trouble. Coach Cipoletta said he had to sit five players at some point due to foul trouble. With the Wildcats trailing by one going into the fourth quarter, the Wildcats rallied to win. Coach Cipoletta said some effort he hadn’t seen over the first three quarters made the difference. Dane Rutherford drew a charge and then went to the other end and got an offensive rebound and a put back basket. Coach Cipoletta said he called on Dedric Godbolt to guard a Pirate player that was red hot against the Wildcats. Godbolt slowed him down according to Cipoletta. The Wildcats are now on Christmas break. They will play in a Longview tournament Wednesday and Thursday. Their first game presents an incredible challenge. They will face Pro Vision of Houston, an academy ranked by one source as the nation’s #12 team. The Wildcats play them Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Practice Gym at Longview. The Wildcats enter the tournament 1-0 in district play and 14-2 for the season.
City of Sulphur Springs Summer Paving Program
City Manager Marc Maxwell
Coming soon. The city of Sulphur Springs Summer Paving Program. Despite it’s name, the work should get underway shortly after the first of the year. The Summer Paving Program has been, in reality a fall or winter program for several years now. The contractor is usually too busy with other projects during the summer to do the paving work here then. City Manager Marc Maxwell said the work would include some soft spot repair all over town. Among streets on the to do list for new asphalt on this year’s program are Gosset Lane in Coleman Park, Woodside Lane in Woodbridge, Hodge Street from Brinker to Davis, Lewis Street from College to Lake Shore, Lovers Lane from Highway 67 to the railroad, Parkins Street from Broadway to Fisher, Putman Street from Gilmer to Oak, Tate Street from League to Texas and Veterans Drive from Como Street to I-30.
New County Fire Truck
The Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved the purchase of a special new fire truck at a Wednesday morning meeting. County Fire Chief Andy Endsley said his department, and especially Fire Marshal Mike Mathews, had done a lot of research into this truck. Chief Endsley said the truck would be beneficial for the citizens of Hopkins County. He said it would allow the county fire department to better protect homes in the county against brush and grass fires. Chief Endsley said more and more new homes were being built in the county that were large ones, 3,000 to 4,000 square feet. He said the new truck included an auxiliary pump on top. Chief Endsley said the Class A pumper could carry 1,000 gallons of water. He called the truck a game changer for the county fire depart. He said the truck would require 90 days to be built. The chassis and cab are pre-built. Chief Endsley said the county would be able to design the back end of the vehicle to be built just the way they want. He said the truck would be the first custom built Class A pumper that the county had ever owned. Chief Endsley said the truck should last 20 years. The cost for the fire truck is $433,000 but Chief Endsley said the county received $130,000 from trade-ins and also got a $15,000 rebate and a reduction of $13,000 for buying before the end of the year. He said the county also had some money put back for the purchase. Chief Endsley said very little money would have to be financed by the county. He expects the truck to arrive in March or April.
Gary Allen Lovejoy Parole Violation
Gary Allen Lovejoy
A 30-year old Quinlan man, Gary Allen Lovejoy, who was arrested more than two years ago for on-line solicitation of a minor, was returned to the Hopkins County Jail Tuesday after a parole violation. The man was recently arrested in Hunt County. Tuesday Lovejoy was transported from Hunt County Jail to the Hopkins County Jail. On August 7, 2014, Lovejoy was arrested at his Quinlin home by Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies. He was charged with on-line solicitation of a minor for sexual conduct. The man thought he was communicating with a 14-year old girl but it was actually an investigator with the sheriff’s office.
Beth Wisenbaker Plaque
Beth Wisenbaker
Nearly twenty years ago Donnie Wisenbaker showed up at a meeting of the Hopkins County Commissioners Court. It was the first court meeting for his wife Beth Wisenbaker, then the newly elected County Commissioner in Precinct 1.Wednesday morning, Donnie Wisenbaker returned to Commissioners Court. It was Commissioner Beth Wisenbaker’s last court meeting. During the meeting the court recognized Commissioner Wisenbaker for her 20 years of service and presented her with a plaque. Mickey Barker will be sworn in as County Commissioner in Precinct 1 after January 1. Barker survived a primary battle to replace Ms. Wisenbaker, who decided not to run for another term.
Commissioner Beth Wisenbaker Retires
Beth Wisenbaker is a Hopkins County native…almost….her family moved to Sulphur Springs when she was in first grade. Beth graduated from Sulphur Springs High School, went to college, and in time met and married the love of her life, Donnie Wisenbaker. In the late 1980’s she got a “bee in her bonnet” to run for office, and in 1996 was elected by Hopkins County voters to the position of Commissioner Precinct One. Her background in business helped, but Beth says that the job of commissioner has provided her with the biggest learning opportunity of her life. The job, she explains, is so much more than just maintaining roads. “Being a commissioner is really more like being a member of a board of directors of a corporate entity, with 160 employees and a $16 million dollar budget”. Over the past 20 years, she has worked with all local governments on up to the State Legislature, and getting legislative items pushed through is definitely a team effort for all four commissioners. Also, she learned that legislators are always excited to see county government officials come to Austin with their issues and concerns. During her career, Beth has worked for four Hopkins County judges…Joe Minter, Cletis Millsap, Chris Brown and current Judge Robert Newsome. Also during her time, some of the major accomplishments of the court have been to renovate the Courthouse as well as the Civic Center, and to build the new jail facility. She wants to give credit to her Precinct One crew who have really taught her everything about roads and bridges. Her foreman Rodney Keller is also retiring this year after 37 1/2 years on the job. There’s also Mike Swanson, Lewis Russell, John David Jetton, Hester Haynesworth, Jason Smith and Gerald “Cowboy” Clark. Why is Beth retiring? She says that she always heard that when God gives you a tap on the shoulder, then it’s time to go to the next thing. What will Beth do after retirement? With her love of Hopkins County and it’s people, she will still be around, she says. But on the immediate basis, she’s going home to be Donnie’s wife and a grandmother to her precious grandchildren. That will keep her busy until she gets another tap on the shoulder. Good luck, Beth!
Hopkins County Sheriff Butch Adams Will Retire
After 20 years as Hopkins County Sheriff, Butch Adams will retire on December 31, 2016. The years since 1996 have brought many positive changes to county law enforcement in Hopkins County. Today, more than five dozen persons are employed in the Sheriff’s Department, working in a new state-of-the-art law enforcement facility.
Butch actually began his law enforcement career almost 20 years earlier with the Sulphur Springs Police Department. His wife Beth has spent the same number of years as the spouse of a law enforcement officer, and that has brought special memories. She recalled that once during an election campaign, they were at the Arbala Community Center when Butch got a call and had to leave Beth there to deliver his speech. She was very nervous but the Arbala people made her feel welcome. Others have told Beth that they appreciate how Butch helped their son or daughter through tough times with encouragement or stern advice, and that helped to turn their lives around. The couple enjoys the friendship of many families they have met through local events, ice cream and stew suppers and functions in every community of Hopkins county. Butch and Beth got married in 1978. Today, they have three sons, three daughters-in-law, six grandchildren and one grandchild on the way! Following his retirement, Butch and Beth look forward to spending more time with their growing family.
