Hunt Arrested for Sexual Assault of a Child
June 21, 2023 – RONNIE ELDON HUNT, a 47 year-old truck driver from Sulphur Springs, was arrested Tuesday at the Sulphur Springs Police Station.
Hunt was at the Police Station being interviewed by an investigator. A warrant for his arrest was generated and he was taken into custody without incident. Hunt is charged with.
1 21.02(B) SEX ABUSE OF CHILD CONTINUOUS: VICTIM UNDER 14
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Sulphur Springs Native Releases SSISD Integration Documentary
Anthony Goodson, a native of Sulphur Springs, has released a documentary entitled Because Of You that chronicles the story of the first eight African-American students to be integrated into the Sulphur Springs Independent School District in 1965. Goodson, who now lives in Garland, Texas is also the host of the podcast “ReBrandUs“. Goodson’s podcast is a faith-based conversation of current topics and challenges in today’s world.
Anthony’s father, Tony Goodson, was one of the first eight students to be integrated as he entered his sophmore year. Because Of You, tells Tony’s story, as well as the other seven students that chose to integrate that year. More followed in subsequent years until SSISD became fully integrated.
To see the full documentary and hear the stories of these first eight students, click on the YouTube link below:
Because Of You Documentary available on YouTube
Caroline Prickette Crowned 2023 Dairy Festival Queen
The 2023 Dairy Festival concluded Saturday night, June 17, 2023, with the 62nd Annual Dairy Festival Pageant. This year’s theme was “Kickin’ It Up For Dairy.”
The community gathered at the Hopkins County Civic Center and waited in anticipation to see who would win the 2023 Dairy Festival Queen Pageant.
It was a tough competition. The twelve contestants gave the 2023 Dairy Fest Queen Judges quite the challenge, but Caroline Prickette won the title of 2023 Dairy Festival Queen at the end of the night.
Along with the crown, which was placed on Prickette’s head by 2022 Dairy Festival Queen Colbie Glenn, Caroline Prickette, daughter of John and Gena Prickette, will receive a $1,250 Scholarship. She also received a Silver Bowl, flowers, and will represent the community at events such as ribbon cuttings, fairs and other area events as an ambassador for Hopkins County and the dairy industry over the next year.
Caroline Prickette also won the 2023 Talent Award, which includes a $500 Scholarship. Prickette did a fun and unique rendition of “I’ve Been Everywhere” during the talent contest. Caroline Prickette was also rewarded for selling the most Dairy Festival tickets.
Addison Graves, daughter of Dave and Jennifer Graves, won second place in the ticket sales competition.
First runner-up for the crown was Kate Monk, daughter of Kevin and Kristin Monk. She wins a $1,000 Scholarship and a Silver Bowl, and flowers.
Winning a $750 Scholarship, and a Silver Bowl, is second runner-up Emerson Penny, daughter of Asher and Meredith Dial,, and Chris and Jeana Penny.
Third runner-up for the title of 2023 Dairy Festival Queen, earning a $500 Scholarship and a Silver Bowl, is Tomi Pirtle, daughter of Clay and Tanna Pirtle.
The Dairy Festival Contestants vote for the Contestant they feel is the most sincere, kind and helpful. This year the Tracey Gold Fox Miss Congeniality Award went to Sara Voss, daughter of Eric and Amy Voss.
Every five years the Dairy Festival Board retires a Queen’s Portrait. This year the Board presented Sadie Evans, the 2016 Dairy Festival Queen, with her Portrait.
Saturday’s Dairy Festival Pageant was emceed by Craig Roberts, who entertained the audience with cow jokes in between events. Some of the jokes were texted to him right then and there by audience members. Alina Tatum Sanders sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. As the judges tallied up their scores Brad Cummings entertained the audience with a couple of songs.
Usherettes for this year’s pageant were Alaina Johnson, Trinity Martin, Aspen Mayhew, Kolbi McCoy, Maddie Poskey, Sadie Shutt, Jordan VanWinkle, and Coryn Young.
Save the date! The 2024 Hopkins County Dairy Festival is scheduled to be held June 7th through 15th. Additional information will be posted as it become available on the Festival’s social media accounts, as well as at www.hopkinscountydairyfestival.com
Designer Handbag Bingo Tables Go on Sale
Sulphur Springs, TX – Tables will go on sale on Saturday, June 24 for the popular Designer Handbag Bingo. Tables include eight packets which allow players to participate in the ten regular rounds of bingo. Additionally, each packet includes a drink ticket and an entry card for door prizes. Designer Handbag Bingo will be held on Thursday, August 3. This is a fundraiser for the local nonprofit, the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation.
Tables run $550 and will be available online at handbagbingo23.givesmart.com. Add on items, such as cards to play in the two bonus rounds, additional drink tickets, additional game cards, as well as additional game packets are also available online in advance. To purchase these items, a ticket for the evening is required.
A raffle for a mystery designer handbag valued at approximately $2,000 is also available online and anyone, attending the event or not, may purchase tickets. If not attending, the winner may pick up the handbag locally the next day.
To learn more about the event, visit the Designer Handbag Bingo website at handbagbingo23.givesmart.com.
The Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit that is now in its 26th year of serving Hopkins County. All funds raised are used to improve local health care by purchasing equipment or funding programs through CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs and the Hopkins County Hospital District.
Chamber Connection – June 21 By Butch Burney
We have major, exciting news about the 54 th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival that will be released this week that will certainly make this stew contest one of the largest ever. Be looking at our social media sites on Facebook and Instagram, as well as in this spot next week as we break the news!
The stew festival, presented by title sponsor Alliance Bank, is set for Saturday, Oct. 28, at Buford Park, with the annual concert, appetizer contest and other activities starting on Friday, Oct. 27.
Our sponsorship forms will be mailed out this week, and registration forms for stew cooks will be online later this week.
Mark your calendars and get ready for one of the biggest and best stew festivals ever!
Business After Hours
Join us for a fun and interactive Business After Hours next month 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.
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.
Meet District 2 Candidates
The public is invited to eat homemade ice cream and meet the candidates for District 2 State Representative, who will be running in a special election Nov. 7 to replace Bryan Slaton. The ice cream social, hosted by the local Republican Women’s club, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, at the pavilion at Buford Park.
Journey Road Ministries Fundraiser
The 3rd Annual Journey Road Ministries Golf Tournament is set for June 26, at the Sulphur Springs Country Club, with a 4-man shotgun start at 8 a.m. The $400 entry fee includes lunch and two golf courts.
Register at JourneyRoadMinistries.com.
Journey to Joy
Camp Brave Heart, a grief camp for children ages 6-12 sponsored by Cypress Basin Hospice, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 22 and 23 in Sulphur Springs. The theme is Journey to Joy: Navigating Life Together.
For more information, visit cbhospice.org.
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
The Yard at the VFW hosted a ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday, June 14, to announce improvements to The Yard, which is open to the public.
Designs by Vivian will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday, June 21, at the shop in Shannon Square. Please join us for this event.
On the Block Beef will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, June 23, at their facility on 312 South Davis St. Please join us for this event.
SWEPCO Crews Working 16 Hours A Day To Restore Power To Customers
SWEPCO, Southwestern Electric Power Company, crews continue to make progress in the ongoing effort to rebuild SWEPCO’s energy delivery system.
As of 3 p.m. Monday, June 19, SWEPCO has restored service to approximately 138,000 customers impacted by the severe weather that moved through the region on Friday; an estimated 112,000 remain without power.
As a result of the severe weather event, Public Service Commissioners joined with community leaders and SWEPCO to provide an update on the extent of damage and the progress made. On Monday, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell and SWEPCO hosted a press conference to share updates on storm restoration work. Mayors of Shreveport and Bossier were on hand to provide additional perspective. In addition, a Texas delegation comprised of Public Utility of Texas and Texas Division of Emergency Management leaders joined SWEPCO so they could better understand the restoration process, the overall timeline and see the damage sustained during the storm.
Texas leaders, including State Senator Bryan Hughes, State Representative Jay Dean, TDEM Chief Nim Kidd, PUCT Interim Chair Kathleen Jackson and local community officials, were part of the delegation touring the hardest hit areas and discussing storm restoration efforts. The delegation also held meetings with Upshur Rural Electric Cooperative teams in Gilmer.
“This is the worst transmission impacted storm I’ve ever seen in my career, and it’s the worst one we’ve had at SWEPCO,” said SWEPCO President and COO Brett Mattison.
Friday’s storm caused major damage to SWEPCO’s transmission system, which delivers high-voltage power over long distances from power plants to substations, where the power is converted to voltages appropriate for use in homes and businesses. SWEPCO’s utility poles and distribution wires serving individual homes and businesses also experienced extensive damage.
Over 50 transmission lines were forced out of service due to tree and structure damage caused by the extreme weather, half of which have been restored to service. In addition, nearly 60 Transmission and Distribution substations were impacted.
“Without the transmission up, you can’t get power to those homes and businesses, so we’ve been working diligently to get the transmission system back up,” Mattison said.
A workforce of more than 3,000 utility professionals are working 16 hours a day to restore service to customers who remain without power. They are making a lot of traction with the transmission repairs and have about 70 percent of the transmission system back up and running.
“We won’t stop until that last light is on,” Mattison said.
Since Friday, work continued to complete damage assessments. By leveraging both on ground and aerial assessments, the entire transmission system that spanned nearly 700 miles of transmission lines was completed. Teams continue prioritizing stabilizing the system and putting efforts on transmission lines impacting customer stations. Damage to transmission lines can result in significant outages. SWEPCO’s utility poles and distribution wires serving individual homes and businesses also experienced extensive damage. Crews continue to assess and have reported nearly 300 utility poles taken out of service and more than 114 transformers are scheduled to be replaced.
Ford Recalls Nearly One Million Vehicles For Incomplete Owner’s Manual
June 20, 2023- Ford Motor Company has issued recalls for nearly one million Vehicles due to a printing error in the owners manual.
This recall affects 979,797 vehicles which include some 2018-23 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator SUVs with third-row seating and 2019-23 regular cab F-Series Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 and F-600 SuperCab trucks with three-passenger front bench seats. The manuals shipped with those vehicles do not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints, which is required by federal regulations.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration informed Ford of the missing information on May 11. It was determined the missing information was due to human error.
The addendum to the manual will be mailed to owners of the affected vehicles. Ford isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue.
Ford plans to notify its dealers and owners on June 26 and July 10-24. The recall covers 37 configurations/model year vehicles sold.
Owners can contact a dealer or call Ford’s hotline at 1-866-436-7332 to see if their vehicle is on the list.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital News Release 6/20/2023
Sulphur Springs, Texas, June 19, 2023 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Comprehensive Wound Care
Diabetic wounds, vascular wounds, traumatic wounds, burns or any other chronic non-healing wound can benefit from the specialized care provided at our comprehensive wound care clinic, led by Board Certified Wound Specialist, Dr. Scott McDearmont, right here at home in Sulphur Springs.
One modality that we have available at our wound care clinic is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy gives several types of wounds a better chance to heal when other more traditional modalities are not successful. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy functions to deliver a higher concentration of oxygen to tissues. The patient is in a chamber under 2x atmospheric pressure breathing 100% oxygen. This therapy also helps activate substances and proteins in the blood that assist with wound healing. Diabetic wounds, chronic infections in the bone and failed amputation flaps are common approved indications for hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
Dr. McDearmont and the Wound Care team at CHRISTUS are accepting new patients at 115 Airport Road in Sulphur Springs. For more information, talk to your primary care physician, or call 903-438-4670 for more information.
Designer Handbag Bingo
The Hopkins County Health Care (HCHC) Foundation has scheduled their Designer Handbag Bingo event for Thursday, August 3. Sponsorships and reserved tables for eight are available now, and individual tickets will be available on July 1. For more information visit handbagbingo23.givesmart.com, email [email protected], or call 903.438.4799.
New Service- Eye Surgeries
Ophthalmologist, Kara Hartl, MD FACS, will be performing eye procedures such as cataract removals, macular degeneration surgery, etc. at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. Educated at Harvard University and University of California-San Diego Medical School, trained at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Dr. Hartl is well equipped to provide excellent care to patients here in Sulphur Springs. Talk with your Ophthalmologist about scheduling your eye procedures with Dr. Hartl. For more information, call 903.885.7671 Ext.2844.
TAMUC Awards Gala Recognizes 10 Outstanding Alumni
The Texas A&M University-Commerce Alumni Association hosted the 2023 Alumni Awards Gala on Saturday, April 29 to honor the university’s new Gold Blazers and Distinguished Alumni. The Event was held in the Sam Rayburn Student Center on the university campus.
In his welcome address, President Mark Rudin emphasized that successful alumni are a reflection of a university’s quality.
“There is a train of thought that says a university is best represented by its alums and their successes,” Rudin said. “That is truly a…reliable reflection on the university, and I think that is so evident tonight… We’re honoring a group of people who demonstrate what success is, what perseverance is, what excellence is and what hard work is, and where that can take you,” he said.
Gold Blazer Awardees
Four new Gold Blazers Award recipients were announced by the Director of Alumni Engagement Derryle Peace. The Gold Blazer Award has been presented annually for the past 39 years to alums for dedicated service to the A&M-Commerce Alumni Association and the university.
The 2023 honorees are as follows:
C. Dewayne Bethea, ’61 and ’70
C. Dewayne Bethea graduated from A&M-Commerce with a bachelor’s in industrial technology in 1961 and a master’s in guidance and counseling in 1970. Bethea is an active member of Silver Leos Writing Guild, a chapter of the A&M-Commerce Alumni Association. From 2014 through 2017, he served as a social chair for the organization. He is a proud member of Tejas Social Club, now Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
Betty Koepp Casselberry, ‘63 and ‘65
Betty Koepp Casselberry earned her bachelor’s in business education in 1963 and a master’s in counseling in 1965 from A&M-Commerce. She was inducted into the 2017 Hall of Honor by Lion Athletics. Casselberry has supported Lion Athletics since she and her late husband, Gene, moved to Commerce in 1968.
Dr. Deborah Cuffee, ’75
Deborah Cuffee holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology. She attended A&M-Commerce for undergraduate studies. Active in community and university service, Cuffee is involved with Delta Sigma Theta sorority, to which she pledged as an undergraduate. She also serves on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Committee at A&M-Commerce.
Russ Cuffee, ’71
Russ Cuffee received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology in 1971 from A&M-Commerce. A native of New York, Cuffee came to A&M-Commerce as a student-athlete. He became a charter member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Cuffee is a former member of the A&M-Commerce Alumni Association and an active member of the Theta Theta Alumni Association. Cuffee has also successfully raised funds for the David Talbot Endowment at A&M-Commerce.
Distinguished Alumni Awardees
Following just after the Gold Blazer awards, Peace introduced six new Distinguished Alumni for 2023. The Distinguished Alumni honor has been presented annually for the past 56 years to an “elite few” who exhibit extraordinary distinction in their profession or life’s work. The award also recognizes recipients for excellent service to the university. Each recipient advances the well-being of the university and fosters an appreciation for the university’s rich heritage and its students, faculty, and administration.
The 2023 recipients are as follows:
Daniel Jones, ’88
Daniel L. Jones graduated from A&M-Commerce in 1988 with a degree in general business. A student-athlete, Jones played football during his time at the university. Since 2014, he has served as chairman, president and CEO of Encore Wire in McKinney, Texas. He received the 2016 Mordica Memorial Award at the annual Wire Association International Operations Summit and Wire Expo, honoring his contributions to the wire industry. He was also named the 2016 Copper Man of the Year by The Copper Club for his contributions and influence in the industry. A strong business and community leader, Jones has served on various boards and has supported his children’s activities and school programs through the years.
Larry V. McGill, ’78
Larry V. McGill earned a Bachelor of Science in History from A&M-Commerce in 1978. As a student, Larry was an active member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. McGill currently serves as CEO of KanPak, a Golden State Foods (GSF) partnership that operates facilities in China, two plants in the U.S., a dispenser division in Connecticut, and a co-pack facility in Mexico. Under McGills’ leadership, GSF has received numerous customer awards and recognitions, including Supplier of the Year awards for Yum! Brands, Zaxby’s, Popeyes and Chick-fil-A, and multiple quality teamwork and target awards for McDonald’s.
Robert Rhoads, ’67
Robert Rhoads enrolled at A&M-Commerce in the fall of 1963 and graduated in 1967. As a college student, he was an active Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity member. Around 1980, Rhoads began a 40-year career in homebuilding, constructing homes in University Park and Preston Hollow with much success. Active in community service, Rhoads served on the zoning ordinance committee for the city of University Park, worked as a Backpack Weekend food provider for Dunbar Elementary School, acted as finance chair at University Park United Methodist Church, and volunteered on State Fair of Texas committees. Rhoads serves as a member of the A&M-Commerce Foundation Board of Directors and actively manages the Tejas Endowment.
Janis Stroope, ’73 and ’80
Janis Stroope earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1973 and her master’s in education in 1980 from A&M-Commerce. She operates Stroope Apiaries, a commercial beekeeping and honey production business, and Stroope Registered Brangus Cattle Ranch. For 29 years, Stroope served as a K-12 teacher and administrator. She had a particular interest in at-risk students and managed a middle school at-risk program for a few years. Janis and her husband, Ralph, are generous supporters of A&M-Commerce. Among their philanthropic gifts, the Stroopes created the Lift a Lion Endowment and the Janis and Ralph Stroope Endowment. Janis is also a member of the university’s Foundation Board, has served on several ad hoc committees, and is an avid supporter of Lion Athletics.
M.J. “Mick” Trusty, J.D., ‘72
Mick Trusty graduated from A&M-Commerce in 1972. He later earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the South Texas College of Law-Houston. Trusty has dedicated 50 years to his work as a federal regulator, corporate trust executive, attorney, and independent consulting contractor with offices in Dallas, Houston, Rockwall and Sulphur Springs. As an adjunct professor for 11 years, Trusty taught undergraduate and graduate classes in business law, estate planning and more. He has served on the boards of several charitable organizations throughout Texas. Trusty has served A&M-Commerce in several capacities, including chairman of the A&M-Commerce Foundation, president of the Alumni Association, and long-term College of Business Advisory Board member. He is also a past Gold Blazer Award recipient.
Tracey Wolfe, ’73 and ’76
Tracey Wolfe earned her bachelor’s degree in social studies in 1973 and her master’s in elementary education in 1976 from A&M-Commerce. As a student, she was active on campus as a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and provided leadership in numerous organizations. Wolfe’s career success began at her family’s business, Wolfe Distributing Company, a beer distributor which later became a real estate development company. She served as secretary and vice president at the company from 1968 to 1990 before becoming president. Wolfe was a board member at Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas and became the organization’s first female president in 2004. Wolfe is a dedicated Lion alumna who has served on the university’s Alumni Association Board and the National Development Board. She has also worked with The Texas A&M University System’s Chancellor’s Century Council and the A&M-Commerce Foundation. In 2002, she was one of 100 women chosen as a member of Leadership Texas.
Learn more about A&M-Commerce Alumni Association and how to join.
Hopkins County Precinct Storm Cleanup Underway
Hopkins County Precinct barns will be open for limb drop off following the severe weather that swept through the county. Only limbs will be collected during this cleanup and all limbs must be unloaded personally.
Currently the only barns that have been announced to be opened are as follows
- Precinct 1 open Tuesday-Friday
- Precinct 2 open Tuesday-Friday
- Precinct 3 open from 7am-4pm Tuesday-Thursday
- Precinct 4 open Monday-Friday
The four county precinct bars will serve as collection sites for the Hopkins County Clean Up Days. The barns can be found at the following locations:
- Precinct 1 Barn – 5516 State Highway 19 South, Sulphur Springs; contact: Commissioner Mickey Barker at 903-485-2040.
- Precinct 2 Barn – 12080 State Highway 11 East, Como; Contact: Commissioner Greg Anglin at 903-488-3514.
- Precinct 3 Barn – 583 County Road 3564, Dike; Contact: Commissioner Wade Bartley at 903-945 2178.
- Precinct 4 Barn – FM 2653, Cumby, 1.7 mile South of State Highway 11 west; Contact: Commissioner Joe Price at 903-582-8840.
Also during this time the city of Sulphur Springs will also be opening their cleanup site. This site will be open this Friday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for residents to bring tree limbs. Please note that this is self-serve only. There will be no additional help to unload vehicles. It is for tree limbs only, and they will not accept any other waste products.
