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My First Cruise!

Posted by on 12:37 pm in Headlines, KSST Interns, Lifestyle, News, Travel | Comments Off on My First Cruise!

My First Cruise!

This summer started off right with a week-long Liberty Of The Seas Cruise!

I was really excited to see in person how big the ship was. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole way to the ship, just waiting to see how huge and luxurious it really was. I was able to scope out the ship at least two miles away it was so huge. When we walked up to the ship my jaw dropped and I had a gigantic smile on my face. I never knew that a ship could be that big!Liberty Of the Seas Cruise

We checked in, and then on the boat we went. Once I got onto the ship everything was fancy and just blew my mind. After we got everything settled we went to the main floor which was deck 5. Deck 5 consisted of many things from expensive stores to yummy food restaurants. We ate as a family then off to do whatever we wanted on the ship. After a short period of time we had a safety lesson and off we went to our fantastic cruise!

Deck 5 Cruise

The cruise stopped at three different islands which included, Costa Maya, Roatan Honduras, and Cozumel Mexico. Each island had so many things to do, but we managed to keep the activities to a minimum. Our first stop was Costa Maya, it was very enjoyable and new to see many things I have never seen before. I got to see Dolphins do many stunts and people even got to swim with them. After that long day of activities we had to get back on the ship and head to Honduras for our tour and Monkey business.

flowrider cruiseWe had at least twenty-four hours to do many things on the ship before we got to our next destination. I went and checked out the flowrider which was basically a surfing apparatus. I enjoyed watching people ride the flowrider, but I did not even try to ride it myself. After that fun activity I went and looked around the whole ship to see what all I could do. There was many things including mini golf. But I stayed away from that.

Our second stop was Honduras and we had a special event we had to be apart of. We got to do some Monkey Business which was we got to hold and pet monkeys. They would jump on our heads and shoulders and our guide would feed them sunflower seeds as they jumped on each of our shoulders.honduras monkeys

We also got to see many other animals including toucans, parrots, and a Kudamundi. I had a very fun time looking at all the many different animals I had never seen before. We also visited the fabulous beach and got to snorkel. I saw many different kinds of fish and coral. It was a very cool experience to see all the different things that there was in the ocean.

Our Third and final stop was Cozumel Mexico. We didn’t have anything planned for this island so we did whatever we wanted. I went and got some shopping done and saw many things I have never seen before. It was a good experience to go someplace and see things that I have never seen in my home town.

After visiting each island I felt accomplished, and I learned so much from each island. The cruise was filled with many experiences you might not be able to live in normal day life. I really hope I get to go on another cruise to a different location and enjoy many different things as well as my resent cruise.

Story and Photos by Molly Clegg, HS Intern

Story and Photos by Molly Clegg, HS Intern

Surrounding Areas Suffer Heavy Rain Sunday

Posted by on 11:46 am in Headlines, Hopkins County News, KSST Interns, News | Comments Off on Surrounding Areas Suffer Heavy Rain Sunday

Surrounding Areas Suffer Heavy Rain Sunday

rainfall-650x430Sunday night, June 12 saw heavy rainfall for the areas surrounding Sulphur Springs. Rocky Ridge saw 1.2 inches of rain in elevated areas while lower terrain saw 1.4 inches from rainfall. The community of Brashear saw an inch of rain throughout the late afternoon. Pickton saw 1 and (1\5) inches of rain with two inches recorded at the Hopkins\Franklin county line. Starr Ridge experienced a total of 2.2 inches of rain, and the highest recorded rainfall from yesterday was seen at Shooks Chapel on Highway 154 South with a total of three inches of rain.

Endsley Named County Fire Chief

Posted by on 11:42 am in Featured, Headlines, Hopkins County News, News | Comments Off on Endsley Named County Fire Chief

Endsley Named County Fire Chief
Endsley

Endsley and his wife were present at Commissioners’ Court Monday for the announcement.

Andy Endsley has been named Hopkins County Fire Chief. Monday morning during the regular session of Commissioner’s Court, Endsley was unanimously chosen from among 12 applicants, six of which were interviewed, to fill the vacant position.

In an interview with Endsley, who lives in the Brinker Community in Hopkins County, following his appointment, he said he has experience with Hopkins County Fire Department in the past. For seven years he was a part-time paid fireman for the county. He said he knows the county and the system. He has 22 years’ experience as a paid fireman. In 1989, he was a volunteer and decided to become a professional. Following training, he worked for the Atlanta, TX Fire Department before returning to Hopkins County. He has been currently serving as Chief for the Brinker Volunteer Department. He will be resigning there as he begins his new work.

He stated he understands the work of the volunteer as well as the professional side and that the relationships that are already forged will provide a good working relationship. He is aware of several needs in the county fire department and will begin addressing those as he has the time to prioritize. He credited the work of Interim Chief Matthews for having already answered some of the needs.

In naming Endsley the new chief, County Judge Robert Newsom and Commissioners stated their reasons for choosing him. Judge Newsom said that Endsley had an outstanding interview. Commissioner Beth Wisenbaker stated that his reputation and heart convinced her. Commissioner  Mike O’Dell commended his appearance and presentation. Bartlett highlighted Endsley’s background and history with the local volunteers. Commissioner Danny Evans made the motion to elect Endsley.

 

Precinct 2 Residents Confront Commissioner Monday

Posted by on 11:37 am in Headlines, Hopkins County News, News | Comments Off on Precinct 2 Residents Confront Commissioner Monday

Precinct 2 Residents Confront Commissioner Monday

hopkins county courthouse celebration plazaRoad work in Hopkins County Precinct 2 was the focus of the Public Forum for County Commissioner’s Court Monday morning. Residents asked Commissioner Mike O’Dell to present his plan for repairing County Road 2436.

Stanley Alsobrook told O’Dell the road “…is tearing our cars up.” Residents told O’Dell they do not want a rock road. O’Dell responded to Alsobrook that he understood their problem but that “You don’t have the only road in the precinct.” Lisa Johnson showed O’Dell pictures of the damage done to autos that traverse the road. Both Alsobrook and Johnson want the roadway oiled. O’Dell said it takes a week to oil one mile of roadway and he is forced to wait for dry weather.

O’Dell told the residents that the roadway was not approved for FEMA funding. He stated that he had taken the FEMA investigator along the road but that it did not qualify. The cost of repair will be the county’s responsibility.

Mary Burns, also a resident and who has a dairy on the roadway said she thinks ditches are needed. O’Dell stated he plans to place ditches along the roadway but that residents will need to purchase culverts for driveways. He said that after the culverts are installed, the county will be responsible for the upkeep.

County Road 2436 was first oiled in the early 1970’s when two dairymen whose farms were then served by the roadway, Dreyfus Harrington and Dewey Rogers, funded the oil for the sand road. The oil on the roadway is no longer viable as a surface. The Harrington family continues to maintain their farm there.

Penson Wins State Freeze-Off Championship

Posted by on 7:24 pm in Featured, Headlines, Hopkins County News, News | Comments Off on Penson Wins State Freeze-Off Championship

Penson Wins State Freeze-Off Championship

IceCream2016Henry Penson took home the Texas State Championship Homemade Ice Cream Freeze-Off title but none of the Homemade Pecan Pie ice cream he had entered in the contest. Over 60 entries vied for titles in the Texas State Championship Ice Cream Freeze-Off-2016 Saturday and hundreds of people were present to consume the result. The annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce event takes place on the Walter Helm Memorial Grounds at the Regional Civic Center every June during the Hopkins County Dairy Festival.

This year’s winners include:

Little Dip Plain:

First Place: Slayton McClendon, Creamy Vanilla;

Second Place Kysten Allen, Vanilla

Little Dip Fruit:

First Place: Addison Bowers, Banana;

Second Place: Kyleigh Allen, Blackberry

 

Little Dip Novelty:

First Place: Machelle Allen, Peanut Butter Nutty Bar;

Second Place Faith Watkins, Butterfinger;

Third Place: Hettie Thompson, Oreo Birthday Cake

Big Dip Plain:

First Place: Carlie Penson, Chocolate

Second Place: Tony Cotton, Vanilla

Third Place: Bill and Beverly Owens, Vanilla

Big Dip Fruit:

First Place: Linda Henton, Strawberry

Second Place: Wesley Patrick, Strawberry

Third Place Carlie Penson, Bananna

Big Dip Novelty:

First Place: The Smiley Tooth, Vanilla Pebbles

Second Place: Chris Allen, Inside Out Cookies and Cream

Third Place: Monte Wise, Reeses Peanut Butter

First Timers:

First Place: Mindy Bentley, Butterfinger

Second Place: Sharon Sink, Fruited Ice Cream

Third Place: Michael Robinson, Rocky Road

People’s Choice Award, voted on by those present at the contest: The Smiley Tooth, Vanilla Pebbles

Super Scoop Runner Up: Tony Cotton, Black Cherry Walnut

First Place Super Scoop and New Texas State Champion Homemade Ice Cream Freeze-Off: Henry Penson, Pecan Pie

2016 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade

Posted by on 1:58 pm in Headlines, Hopkins County News, News, Sulphur Springs News | Comments Off on 2016 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade

2016 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade
2016 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade

2016 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade

The 2016 Hopkins county Dairy Festival Parade began at 10 a.m. at Buford Park. Prior to the parade at the park, participants of the parade and their floats used the staging area to prepare for the Parade. The Parade departed from Buford Park at 10 a.m. down Connolly Street toward Celebration Plaza, turning right and continuing down Gilmer Street to South Broadway to Lee Street.

The parade was led by Parade Marshall Mark Sustaire in his horse-drawn carraige. Also present in the parade were the past Dairy Festival queens of the 10th, 25th, 40th, and 50th Anniversaries. Current Dairy Festival Queen Sidney Dietze and the 2016 Dairy Festival Contestants — Sadie, Evans, Lauren Helm, Alexis Howard, Tahtiana King, Emma Boyett, Anne-Maire Winborn, Story Thompson, and La’mier Pryor — made an appearance in the procession.

(The slideshow below includes scenes from the preparation through the parade.)

2016 Balloon Lift from a Videographer’s View

Posted by on 1:41 pm in Headlines, Hopkins County News, News, Sulphur Springs News | Comments Off on 2016 Balloon Lift from a Videographer’s View

2016 Balloon Lift from a Videographer’s View

KSST/Channel 18 Videographer Doug Haston gives you a unique view of Friday night’s balloon lift during the 2016 Hopkins County Dairy Festival.

Stalker Faces Curfew and Monitor If Released

Posted by on 11:41 am in Featured, Headlines, News | Comments Off on Stalker Faces Curfew and Monitor If Released

Stalker Faces Curfew and Monitor If Released

Gary GreenGary Wayne Green, 50, is in Hopkins County Jail Saturday on $50,000 bond, ordered to wear a leg monitor if released, and will be under a curfew from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m., again if released. Green was arrested by Sulphur Springs Detective David Gilmore after Green allegedly kicked in a door of a neighbor on Jackson Street.

Green is accused of stalking the neighbor on at least three or more occasions according to information given KSST News.  Green’s acts are considered a Felony 3 under the penal code.

 

Dairy Festival Hot Air Balloon Lift and Glow Friday Night

Posted by on 7:17 am in Headlines, Hopkins County News, News, Sulphur Springs News | Comments Off on Dairy Festival Hot Air Balloon Lift and Glow Friday Night

Dairy Festival Hot Air Balloon Lift and Glow Friday Night

20160610_192429-1 (1)Hot Air Balloons lazily floated across I-30 near Shannon Oaks Church Friday night, June 11th, as the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Hot Air Balloon Glow and Lift gave spectators a colorful spectacle. Aided by local volunteers, the balloon pilots made lift off and, crossing over the conclusion of the 5K Milk Run, made their way toward a chosen landing sight northeast of the lift area. Several other balloons remained to await dusk and provide a bright colorful experience.

Saturday evening, another glow is planned, weather permitting, at the Shannon Oaks Church campus.

Dairy Festival 5k Milk Run Results

Posted by on 6:47 am in Community Events, Headlines, Hopkins County News, News | Comments Off on Dairy Festival 5k Milk Run Results

Dairy Festival 5k Milk Run Results
20160610_192152

First four across the finish line.

5k Race
Top
Female Overall Winners
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Elizabeth Gillette 944 18 5 19:17.6 6:13/M
Top
Female Masters Winners
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 SABRINA RAMIREZ 176 46 24 26:04.6 8:25/M
Top
Female 9 and Under
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 TRINITY MARTIN 154 9 89 46:27.6 14:59/M
Top
Female 10 to 14
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 KRISTINA WADE 190 13 25 26:32.2 8:34/M
2 MAURIE FLECKER 134 13 27 27:28.4 8:52/M
3 OLIVIA NORRELL 163 14 32 27:54.4 9:00/M
4 ASHTYN NORRELL 164 12 45 32:51.4 10:36/M
Top
Female 15 to 19
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 SIENNA COLLINS 114 15 8 21:07.0 6:49/M
2 AUTUMN TANTON 186 15 34 30:10.2 9:44/M
3 Ashley Jance 853 19 56 34:55.1 11:16/M
4 PAIGE PARKER 167 19 83 45:58.5 14:50/M
Top
Female 20 to 24
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 MADISON RAMIREZ 174 20 18 24:32.5 7:55/M
2 MEGAN PRICE 171 21 19 24:37.2 7:56/M
3 HALEY BALL 103 24 28 27:33.4 8:53/M
4 EVIN MCGINLEY 155 24 65 36:59.9 11:56/M
5 CAITLIN SAPP 179 21 73 38:58.4 12:34/M
Top
Female 25 to 29
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 BRETTE JONES 143 29 46 32:53.7 10:36/M
2 ROBIN CASTRO 110 27 60 35:11.5 11:21/M
3 JENNA DAVIS 124 25 75 40:34.3 13:05/M
4 NEELY KELLEY 146 29 77 41:53.6 13:31/M
5 VALERIE JUMPER 145 28 82 45:21.4 14:38/M
6 BRITTANY HAMMOND 141 28 93 48:06.6 15:31/M
Top
Female 30 to 34
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Lyndsi White 936 34 11 23:03.6 7:26/M
2 Christy Brice 950 32 23 25:59.1 8:23/M
3 MISTY GEORGE 136 32 29 27:38.7 8:55/M
4 CHERYL SCOTT 180 33 35 30:57.5 9:59/M
5 LUPITA CALVILLO 107 32 38 31:45.9 10:15/M
6 Christi Funk 934 34 41 32:40.8 10:32/M
7 SHARLA CAMPBELL 108 33 43 32:48.3 10:35/M
8 Samantha Tully 894 34 52 33:48.6 10:54/M
9 STEPHANIE CHANNELL 111 31 63 35:46.3 11:32/M
10 LEE YODER 196 30 67 37:50.4 12:12/M
11 JARAE MYRICK 159 31 94 48:07.1 15:31/M
Top
Female 35 to 39
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 TESHA WALKER 192 37 30 27:43.9 8:56/M
2 ESTHER GODINA 138 35 31 27:44.2 8:57/M
3 JENIFER CUMMINS 122 37 69 38:30.2 12:25/M
4 KRISTEN SEGAR 181 39 87 46:13.8 14:55/M
5 STACEY NORRELL 162 37 90 46:33.2 15:01/M
6 Ashley Hammins 943 37 92 48:03.9 15:30/M
7 MARIA ROSENBERG 178 37 101 56:54.4 18:21/M
Top
Female 40 to 44
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 TONYA NORRIS 165 42 44 32:48.8 10:35/M
2 KARI ENGE 126 40 50 33:42.3 10:52/M
3 Stacy Vance 899 42 57 34:55.7 11:16/M
4 LISA PARKER 168 41 74 39:14.1 12:39/M
5 Juli Thurston 200 43 91 46:48.3 15:06/M
6 STACY PARKER 166 44 102 1:00:57.7 19:40/M
7 DIANE A. COOKSTON 118 44 105 1:01:08.9 19:43/M
Top
Female 45 to 49
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 SANDY NORRELL 160 47 55 34:51.4 11:15/M
2 Jill Sanchez 870 47 72 38:43.6 12:29/M
3 PAM STROUD 184 49 80 44:14.4 14:16/M
Top
Female 50 to 54
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Debbie Williams 946 52 51 33:44.7 10:53/M
2 IVEY SHING 183 51 81 45:20.8 14:37/M
3 DIANE COOKSTON 116 50 104 1:01:03.7 19:42/M
Top
Female 55 to 59
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 DONNA WALLACE 193 55 53 34:02.9 10:59/M
2 Susan Shirley 198 55 58 35:07.7 11:20/M
3 SANDRA HURLEY 142 58 62 35:46.1 11:32/M
4 SHARA COLLINS 112 58 76 41:23.6 13:21/M
5 TERRIE THOMPSON 189 56 78 42:06.9 13:35/M
6 KATIE MARTIN 151 56 98 51:28.5 16:36/M
Top
Female 65 to 69
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 DIANNA MCGREGOR 156 65 99 51:54.9 16:45/M
Top
Male Overall Winners
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Jeff Haynes 945 50 1 18:28.3 5:57/M
Top
Male Masters Winners
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Arno Kleibore 197 51 9 21:14.7 6:51/M
Top
Male 9 and Under
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Jacob Hutchins 864 9 39 31:55.5 10:18/M
2 DOBSON MARTIN 152 8 47 33:08.5 10:41/M
3 OLIVER ENGE 128 6 49 33:40.1 10:52/M
4 Archer Schneider 938 9 54 34:35.6 11:09/M
5 GABRIEL CASTRO 109 7 59 35:09.9 11:20/M
6 Matthew Thurston 863 7 68 37:55.9 12:14/M
Top
Male 10 to 14
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 COY COLLINS 115 11 15 24:02.3 7:45/M
2 MADISON MARTIN 153 12 40 32:06.4 10:21/M
3 ADAM PECKHAM 169 12 61 35:34.7 11:28/M
4 Bear Schneider 937 13 66 37:32.2 12:06/M
5 Isiah Sanchez 871 10 71 38:36.6 12:27/M
Top
Male 15 to 19
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Landon Thornton 948 15 3 18:51.2 6:05/M
2 Peyton Vickery 935 17 4 19:01.2 6:08/M
3 TANNER RAMIREZ 173 18 7 20:42.9 6:41/M
4 TREVOR MOORE 157 16 12 23:09.8 7:28/M
Top
Male 20 to 24
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 LANDON PRICE 170 23 2 18:32.1 5:59/M
2 Allen Smith 942 20 20 25:08.4 8:06/M
3 ANDREW WALLACE 194 23 21 25:28.0 8:13/M
4 John Tsai 836 24 22 25:31.7 8:14/M
Top
Male 25 to 29
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Kiffer Davis 892 28 16 24:12.1 7:48/M
2 BRANTLEY PRICE 172 27 107 1:01:38.0 19:53/M
Top
Male 30 to 34
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Joshua Seelbach 939 30 6 19:45.4 6:22/M
2 Victor Rodriguez 947 30 10 21:18.4 6:52/M
3 ANDY TAYLOR 187 33 26 26:44.5 8:37/M
4 JAMES JUMPER 144 31 36 31:14.8 10:05/M
5 DANIEL WOMACK 195 34 96 50:28.0 16:17/M
Top
Male 35 to 39
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 BRENT WAITS 191 37 14 23:19.3 7:31/M
2 JIM TEETES 188 36 33 29:34.8 9:32/M
3 BJ Rutledge 941 37 42 32:43.9 10:33/M
4 MIKE SEGAR 182 36 85 46:10.1 14:54/M
5 LARRY GEORGE 137 39 95 50:26.6 16:16/M
6 GALEN ROSENBERG 177 35 100 53:27.9 17:15/M
Top
Male 40 to 44
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 STEVE ALLEN 101 44 13 23:17.8 7:31/M
2 Jason Tully 895 41 64 36:10.6 11:40/M
3 JONATHAN CUMMINS 121 43 70 38:30.5 12:25/M
4 RYAN ENGE 127 40 86 46:10.9 14:54/M
5 TED NORRELL 161 40 88 46:18.5 14:56/M
6 JACK COOKSTON 119 44 106 1:01:15.3 19:45/M
Top
Male 45 to 49
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 SOTERO RAMIREZ 175 46 84 45:58.9 14:50/M
Top
Male 50 to 54
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Rocky Christenberry 940 52 17 24:19.4 7:51/M
2 GERALD GRAFTON 139 54 37 31:41.4 10:13/M
3 PAUL STROUD 185 52 79 42:46.9 13:48/M
4 TOMMY COOKSTON 117 54 103 1:01:03.0 19:42/M
Top
Male 55 to 59
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 DONNIE MARTIN 150 55 48 33:10.6 10:42/M
Top
Male 60 to 64
Place Name City Bib No Age Overall Total Time Pace
1 Red Cross 949 63 97 50:31.6 16:18/M