Two Opportunities to Learn More of PJC Proposed District Service Plan on November Ballot
Hopkins County residents have two opportunities to learn more about the Paris Junior College district service plan that will be on the November 8th general election ballot. Monday night at the civic center and Tuesday night at the County Republican Bipartisan Forum.
In order to provide more information about the Paris Junior College proposed district service plan, a series of town halls are being held in the coming weeks. The meeting for Hopkins County residents is Monday, Oct. 17, 5:30 p.m. in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, located at 1200 Houston Street. The meetings will provide an opportunity to hear from PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin about the College and the challenges that lie ahead.
The Republican Party of Hopkins County will host a bipartisan candidate forum on October 18th at the League Street Church of Christ Fellowship Hall located at 1100 League Street South in Sulphur Springs. There will be a Candidate forum between Republican incumbent Wade Bartley and challenger Democrat Billy Emerson. The candidates are running for the office of Precinct # 3 Commissioner. Each candidate will give an opening statement and written questions that have been submitted by those in attendance will be read to them by the moderator. Each candidate will be given time to respond to the question. After the questions are answered the candidates will be given time to give a closing statement.
After the candidate forum is over Pamela Anglin, President of Paris Junior College, will speak to us about the proposed Junior College Tax District that Paris Junior College Board of Regents has put on the November Ballot. Also invited are Senator Hall, Senator elect Hughes, and Representative Dan Flynn to be present so they can answer questions about legislation and funding that may or may not be forthcoming concerning Paris Junior College.
The doors will open at 6PM and the candidate forum will start at 6:20PM. President Anglin will make her presentation at 7PM. Those in attendance will be able to ask question about the College Tax District.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
Donors’ Event Held at Children’s Museum
Can-Am Defender at Nor Tex Tractor During KSST Remote Today
Join the KSST staff and others at Nor Tex Tractor, located on Shannon Road, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. today (Friday, October 14, 2016) to preview the Can-Am Destroyer. The Destroyer is a tough, capable, and clever vehicle that you can use for farm, ranch, work, and sporting activities. It can handle any work task asked of a side by side but is also comfortable to drive. The Defender is full of unique features that make the machine easier and more functional to use.
The Defender has a 1,000 lb cargo box capacity, 2000 lb towing capability and 1,500 overall payload. The Defender has a very tight turning radius. The six seat version is available in the DPS and XT package. Accessorized, it can accomplish even more. Accessories include bed wall extenders, bumpers, lights, soft and hard cabs, a heater system, windshields, back glass, gun boots, tool holders, skid plates, a track kit, and even a snow plow.
With food, soft drinks, and water available while you explore this machine, here is an opportunity to view this powerful ATV. You are invited to view these at Nor Tex today.
Wildcats Tennis Plans 2nd Annual Share the Warmth
Sulphur Springs High School Tennis Team will be holding their 2nd Annual SHARE the WARMTH tennis tournament benefiting CANHelp on November 5th. Entry will be a gently used or new coat.
It will have a middle school, high school and adult division, single and doubles for each division. For more information or entry forms contact CANHelp at 903-885-9797 or stop by 613 Gilmer ST. or Contact Coach Tony Martinez @ 512-216-8014.
All area schools and adults are welcome. Any skill level is welcome. Enjoy a day of fun and fellowship, while supporting SSISD tennis, CANHelp and Hopkins County families in need.
Substance Abuse Facility Chosen Over Trial Before the Court
Morris Lee Toney, 53, was scheduled for a bench trial Friday afternoon in Eight Judicial Court in Hopkins County. Instead Toney will be entering six to nine months Substance Abuse Facility. The facility is a lock-down rehabilitation facility.
Toney, who violated his probation which was set in 2014, was to be tried for two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, over 4-grams but under 200-grams, one count of Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair and Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 1 under 1-gram.
Arkansas Escapee Found in Sulphur Springs; Two arrested
When the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, Sulphur Springs Police Department SWAT Team executed a felony arrest at 610 Houston Street they found not only the escapee but a member of the Special Crimes Unit and SWAT Team also found a controlled substance belonging to a resident at the address.
Jeremy Lynn Barnett, 40, of Arkansas had escaped from the McGehee Police Department in that state. He was living at the residence also occupied by Monique Devries, 35 of Sulphur Springs. During the arrest of Barnett, in plain view on the night stand in the bedroom was a prescription pill bottle containing several pills later identified as a controlled substance, penalty group 3, weighing approximately 20-grams.
Devries is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a 
Controlled Substance Penalty Group 3, under 28-grams in a Drug Free Zone. She is being held on a $25,000. Barnett (picture not available) is being held for Arkansas authorities without bail.
Devries had been on probation in Arkansas through last year.
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Perry Evans, Special Education Teacher at North Hopkins ISD. He worked for the Hopkins County Special Education Cooperative as a teacher and bus driver. He was killed in a bus crash on Monday morning, October 10th. The driver of the car, Larry Resindez, also died. Please remember these families in your prayers. Also, be in prayer for Cherrie Bolden Brantley who is recovering from injuries incurred in the wreck.
Floyd and Martha Payton enjoyed a visit from their daughter, Regina, beginning Wednesday evening through Sunday morning. Martha said they had several chores to accomplish. They enjoyed lunch out on Thursday and report watching a “good football game on Saturday afternoon, A&M beat Tennessee.” On Tuesday Floyd and Martha met met Martha’s brother, Von Honzell, in Greenville for lunch at the Cotton Patch, after Floyd’s visit with the dermatologist. He has an eighty-sixth birthday just around the corner. Von is about to get all his storm damage completed after the big storm in several areas around him. Martha comments, “Floyd is a little tired today from the activities yesterday, but is feeling much better.”
A good group – around 50 – attended the North Hopkins Alumni Homecoming on Saturday, October 8th. Everyone enjoyed a time of visiting, playing Bingo, eating, watching a video honoring the Classes of 1966, 1976, and 1986, and listening to the music of the Monday Night Jam band. Members of the honored classes shared a little about themselves. The next alumni homecoming will be held on October 14, 2017.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Body of 23-Year Old Male Found in Franklin County
The body of a 23-year old man was found near the front porch of a residence on Franklin County Road SW 4430. He died of an apparent gunshot wound, according to Franklin County Sheriff Ricky Jones.
Franklin County Deputies found the body after responding to a 911 call at 11:35 p.m. Thursday. The home owner in the 1400 block of Franklin CR SW 4430 had placed the call. According to Jones, the home owner and another witness are being interviewed at this time.
The body of the deceased has been transported to Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas for an autopsy. No names are being released at this time and the investigation is ongoing.
Jones stated that his department, with assistance from the Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers division is investigating the incident.
An AgriLife Update By Johanna Hicks
EarthKind Living Expo
Many of you are familiar with the EarthKind roses which were developed by Texas A&M University specialists. They are beautiful, disease resistant, drought resistant plants which do very well in our hot, dry climates. I am pleased to announce that the concept has been expanded beyond horticulture to include EarthKind Living – a balanced system using university research proven techniques for quality living, environmental stewardship, and overall well-being. From urban apartment dwellers to rural farmers and ranchers, Texans will find this exciting new program to be of great value. I had the privilege of serving on the planning committee, and I’m thrilled that Sulphur Springs will serve as host site for the conference!
The EarthKind Living Expo is being offered at two locations, so I encourage you to check it out! On Friday, November 18, the expo will take place at First Baptist Church, 116 Oak Avenue, Sulphur Springs with the general session in the chapel, and concurrent sessions to take place in designated classrooms. On Friday, December 2, the expo will be repeated at Ben E. Keith, 2019 West Oak, Palestine, Texas. Times for both dates will be 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lunch is included in the $25 registration fee. (After November 10, fee is $35, so take advantage of the early registration dates!)
The conference will introduce consumers, producers, and volunteers to information on agricultural production, health and wellness, Earth-kind friendly homes, and land stewardship. Speakers and topics for the general sessions include:
– Research-Based Truth in Agricultural Production, Land Stewardship, Health & Wellness, presented by Dr. Susan Ballabina and Dr. Ron Gill, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
– Environmental Stewardship – Managing for the Next Generation, presented by Steve Nelle, Range & Wildlife Specialist, and Gary Price, Rancher and Businessman
– Food Waste, presented by Dr. Jenna Anding, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Concurrent sessions will take place after lunch. Participants will be able to attend four of the following sessions:
– Earth-Kind Pasture Management, presented by Clint Perkins, MS
– Earth-Kind Vegetables and Herbs, presented by Tim Hartmann, MS
– Earth-Kind Landscapes, presented by Dr. Steve George
– Earth-Kind Kitchens – Composting, Pantry Pests, Vermiculture, presented by Jherri-Lynn McSwain, MS and Denita Young, MEd
– Earth-Kind Beekeeping, presented by Janet Rowe, Master Gardener
– Earth-Kind Home – Air Quality, Energy Efficiency, Water, presented by Mandy Patrick, MA
Exhibitors will also be on hand to visit with expo attendees. Lunch at both locations will be catered, which is included in the registration fee. The Sulphur Springs Expo will be catered by our own Sandy Wallace.
To register, simply go on-line to: https://agrilife.org/earthkindliving and click on ‘expo registration.’ You will also see links for conference information and a brief video (you might event see someone you know in the video!) In the meantime, if you have questions, feel free to call my office.
Creative Arts Contest Reminder
Wow! Fall Festival is upon us, which means lots of fun activities for the entire family. The Creative Arts contest allows individuals of all ages to showcase their talents in art, baked goods, photography, horticulture, handiwork, holiday corner, creative crafts, scrapbooks, sewing, quilts, woodworking, decorated cakes, and food preservation. Items may be registered at the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center on Thursday, October 20 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., or Friday, October 21, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. If you are unable to enter items at those times, you may register them at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, Monday thru Friday, October 17 thru 19 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Large, heavy, or fragile items must be registered at the high school.
Entries will be judged on Friday, October 21 starting at 10:00 a.m. Public display will start upon completion of judging and continue until Saturday, October 22. Entries receiving a purple rosette (Best of Show or Reserve Best of Show), will have pictures taken at 1:30, after which all entries may be picked up. Entry fee is only $1. For a complete list of guidelines, contact the Extension Office or Fall Festival website.
Closing Thought
Little deeds of kindness, little words of love, help to make earth happy like heaven above – “Coffee Break Devotionals”
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
