The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum has a new Interactive Sports Wall for the Kids to Check Out
(August 15 Commerce, Texas) Bringing a new dimension to the exhibits at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum is MultiBall, an interactive sports wall. This gaming platform makes sports more attractive for all ages. With precision sensors and motion tracking, MultiBall provides a variety of fun games for all ages. This exhibit will be officially opened on Wednesday, August 23 at 10:30 AM. With a variety of 40 games played with balls on a sports wall, this new exhibit will be a popular attraction to the Children’s Museum for years to come.
MultiBall can be found in only four other places in Texas, The German company which created MultiBall offers an experience that can be educational and fun. Different games are provided for a variety of ages. The exhibit is free until September 12; after that date there will be a $2 fee for an hour of MultiBall.
The exhibit is sponsored by Russell Armstrong, CFP, of Commerce. Russell has been involved with the Children’s Museum since it began 20 years ago, but this is his first sponsorship within the museum. Bob Stachowiak and Dennis Anderson built the wall and installed the accompanying projector. “Russell, Bob, and Dennis are so important to the Children’s Museum. They have been instrumental in providing this exhibit, but they have been long-time supporters of the museum, ” said Sharline Freeman, Executive Director. “We are expecting this to be one of our most popular exhibits”, Sharline continued.
MultiBall will be the second recent large exhibit to be added to the Children’s Museum. In April, a Fossil Dig was added with the sponsorship of Lake Ralph Hall, the Perot Museum, the Upper Trinity Regional Water District , and Ladonia Chamber of Commerce. The accompanying mural shows life in this area for the last 65 million years.
The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum attracts visitors from throughout northeast Texas. Projected attendance for 2023 is 50,000 visitors.
TXDOT, Law Enforcement Step up Effort to Curb Drunk Driving
New law also takes effect Sept. 1 targeting drunk drivers who kill parents of young children
Aug. 15, 2023
AUSTIN — As Labor Day approaches, TxDOT is reminding all Texans about the dangers of drunk driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced an increased enforcement period from Aug. 18 to Sept. 4. Texas law enforcement agencies are among those that will increase their efforts to pull over motorists suspected of drunk driving.
“Too many people are killed on our roads each year—especially during holidays—due to impaired driving. These crashes are inexcusable and 100% preventable,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “If you spend time with friends or family and decide to drink, make the right decision and plan ahead for a sober ride by taking a rideshare, taxi, public transit or designated driver.”
The harsh reality is people continue to choose to drive after drinking. Last year, there were 345 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes over the Labor Day holiday weekend alone, resulting in 20 fatalities and 62 serious injuries. Over the course of the year, a person was killed every 7 hours and 17 minutes in Texas because of a DUI-alcohol-related traffic crash, resulting in 1,203 people losing their lives.
The increased enforcement period comes as a new law is set to take effect on Sept. 1 that will require someone convicted of intoxication manslaughter to pay child support if they kill a parent with young children.
Erin Crawford Bowers was six-months old when her parents were killed by a drunk driver. She is now a married mother of two living in New Braunfels. She is sharing her story across Texas to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
“I just wanted my father to walk me down the aisle or my mom to be there when I had babies,” said Bowers.
Drive Sober. No Regrets. is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.
State Fair of Texas Announces New Minors Policy
August 15, 2023 The State Fair of Texas is proud to be a family-friendly environment for visitors of all ages to celebrate all things Texan. As an added safety measure, the State Fair is implementing an AFTER 5 P.M. MINORS POLICY.
During the 2023 State Fair of Texas, starting at 5:00 p.m. daily, all minors, age 17 and under, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone (21+) when entering the Fair. Parents, guardians, or chaperones may accompany no more than six minors 17 years of age and under. The State Fair will require all accompanying parents, guardians, and chaperones (21+) to present a valid ID upon entry starting at 5:00 p.m. daily. Once inside the fairgrounds, the parent, guardian, or chaperone is not required to remain with the minors; however, the State Fair encourages that they stay in communication with each other and be aware of their location on the fairgrounds during their visit. For more information on the new policy and other State Fair-related questions, please visit BigTex.com/KnowBeforeYouGo.
“Public safety is our top priority. We are committed to providing a safe and welcoming experience for all who attend our annual celebration of Texas,” said Jaime Navarro, chief operating officer for the State Fair of Texas. “Comparable policies are being instated industry-wide, and the State Fair of Texas believes this policy is the best course of action to enhance the existing safety measures for all fairgoers, vendors, and employees.”
The State Fair of Texas’ full Guest Code of Conduct can be found on BigTex.com/CodeofConduct, and will be posted at each State Fair pedestrian entry gate. Join us for the 2023 State Fair of Texas themed “Explore the Midway,” taking place at Fair Park from Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 22.
The Paris Junior College Welding Class Underwent Certification Testing
CERTIFYING
The summer welding class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding shop underwent certification testing Tuesday. Student Nickolas Niemirowski of Campbell has his project inspected by Instructor John Plemons. Nickolas, along with the rest of the class, passed certification.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
SSISD Changes Academic Calendar One Week Before Classes Start
The Board of Trustees of the Sulphur Springs Independent School District met this week and made sweeping changes for the 2023-2024 Calendar. The first day of classes for students remains to be August 22, 2023, but several staff prep days have now been changed to instructional days meaning students will report to the classroom on those days. This change is to create more time for students in the classroom.
The six extra days that students will now have to attend class are:
- September 25, 2023
- October 16, 2023
- November 6, 2023
- December 11, 2023
- February 12, 2024
- May 10, 2024
Students and Teachers will pick up an extra holiday on April 1, 2024 as that day was previouly listed as a Staff Prep day but will now be designated as a Holiday in observance of Easter (which this year falls on March 31, 2024).
Teachers will still report for Staff Prep days on January 8 & 9, 2024 as well as March 18, 2024 and May 24, 2024. Two “weather make-up days” remain on the calendar for SSISD for February 23 & May 17, 2024.
The revised SSISD 2023-2024 calendar is shown below.
Speeding Leads to Arrest on Warrants and Drug Charge
August 15, 2023 – Cumby Police stopped a speeding vehicle this week and a records check revealed multiple warrants.
CHRISTOPHER STEPHEN MARTIN, age 41 of Cumby, was found to be wanted by Hopkins County and the US Marshals. Martin was arrested and placed in a patrol car. The grey pickup he had been driving was about to be released to his mother. Martin had provided consent to have the pickup searched before she took possession, but he changed his mind and attempted to prevent the search. A K-9 unit was called, and made a positive hit on the pickup. A probable cause search was performed.
A bottle of prescription drugs was located in the center console. The label had been removed. The owner of the pills was unable to be determined. Martin, who lists himself as unemployed and disabled, was also charged with possession of dangerous drug. The pickup was released to his mother.
He is charged with:
1 37.09(C) TAMPER/FABRICATE PHYS EVID W/INTENT TO IMPAIR
1 481.115(B) POSS CS PG 1/1-B <1G
1 US MARSHAL VOP
1 483.041(D) POSS DANGEROUS DRUG
This is not the first time Martin has been in Jail. In 2014 he was arrested in Hunt County Texas. Martin, then 31 years-old, received two indictments for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and one indictment for possession of a controlled substance. Martin was alleged in the indictments to have been in possession of a rifle and a pistol during a January 2 incident in the 1200 block of Walworth Street in Greenville.
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.
SSISD Announces After School Program
August 14, 2023 – Students from ages 5-11 will be able to spend their afternoons on school days at the Barbara Bush campus as the school district releases the information this week for parents. SSISD will be accepting students for the program which starts August 22 and lasts until May 23, with the after school program not being held on regular school holidays. The After School Program will be offering homework help, play-based learning as well as an afternoon snack. There is a $75 charge for the Monday-Friday program (plus processing fees) and students will be transferred by bus to the campus. The students will spend each afternoon at the campus from 3:30pm until 5:45pm.
Interested parents should contact:
Amanda Cochran 903-348-6131 or Patricia Garcia 903-885-2153 x1107
There is also an online registration option here: SSISD After-School Program Signup
New Extension Agent Starts October 1st
August 14, 2023 – The new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Family and Community Health agent for Hopkins County was officially welcomed by the Commissioners Court on Monday.
Johanna Hicks, former Family and Community Health agent for Hopkins County was on hand to welcome Lisa Sprague. Hicks retired after nearly three decades serving East Texas residents. She officially retired January 31, 2023.
Sprague most recently worked at the North Hopkins ISD. Her public profile gave details on her education and qualifications:
Sprague graduated from Sulphur Springs HIgh School in 1993. She worked in several professions before deciding to go back to college and complete my degree in education and graduated from Stephen F. Austin University in May 2014.
Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on English.
TEA Certifications:
4-8 ELAR
7-12 ELAR
ESL EC-12
Family & Consumer Sciences Composite 7-12
Sprague will need to complete more training provided by the State of Texas. She will also spend time in the Titus County Extension office observing and learning from another Family and Community Health agent.
Hopkins County Commissioners Vote to Lower Tax Rate
August 14, 2023 – Hopkins County Tax Assessor-Collector Debbie Pogue Jenkins made the recommendation to the court Monday morning to lower the effective tax rate for county residents. The recommendation came as a result of an increase in the overall valuation of properties in the county as over 900 new properties were added to the tax rolls.
The current tax rate for Hopkins County is set at .523900/$100 or a little over 52 cents per $100 valuation of property values. The new lower rate propsed by Jenkins would be set at .495870/$100, a decrease of a little over 2 and 3/4 cents per $100 valuation.
Hopkins County has seen a decrease in the Tax RATE over the past few years although most residents have seen their tax bills go up over the same time period due to an increase in the Taxable VALUES. The taxable rate has decreased from .624892/$100 in 2018 to the current 2023 rate of .523900/$100 and once finalized by the commissioner’s court will go down to .495870/$100 for 2024. A public hearing for this issue is scheduled for August 21, 2023 in conjuction with a commissioner’s work session. The court will then consider to vote to make the lower tax rate official.
In addition, a referendum will be voted on in November state-wide to increase the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 to help lower each taxpayer’s school tax burden. This measure most certainly will pass and will go into effect for 2024. Some resident’s will have already received their tax statment and will have to have an adjustment calculated after the November ballot.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Supports Meal-A-Day
August 14, 2023 – The Hopkins County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to support the Hopkins County based Meal-A-Day program.
Meal-A-Day Director Amanda Dietlin was on hand to receive the proclamation and a check for over two thousand dollars. Dietline made a brief presentation and answered several questions from commissioners regarding where the funds will be used.
“Not only will this money be used in Hopkins County exclusively, but this financial support from the County is required for a grant we are applying for this fall.” said Dietlin. The Court moved quickly after a presentation by Dietlin was made at the a work session last month. “We have a September application window, so we really appreciate the support. We were kinda sweating whether we could apply for the grant or not.”
Meal-A-Day is anticipating some additional costs when the new Senior Center is opened. MAD will need to purchase equipment. One of the most anticipated purchases will be a larger oven. Shelving for the pantry will also be needed.
The City of Sulphur Springs provides space and pays for utilities used by MAD. MAD would not be able to deliver $2 meals without all the support. “The City has been great to us.”, said Dietlin. A request for similar financial support was made to the City Council last month.
