Lavonne Elam named 2016 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic
Newly crowned and ready for a year representing Hopkins County’s senior-aged woman is Lavonne Elam, a 70-year-old who loves music, hunting, fishing, plants and people. Lavonne performed a singing skit to “She’s Got You” as her talent. In May 2016, Lavonne received her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A and M Commerce, completing another of her goals. Her Philosophy of Life is that since life is full of choices, she chooses to be happy, to have fun and love life! Lavonne has 4 children and 9 grandchildren whom she loves to spend time with. She received her crown onstage from outgoing Ms. Hopkins County Senior Wanda Wilson. This summer, Lavonne will be preparing for the Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant to be held in Tyler on October 1, 2016.
First runner-up Pamela Sanders Clayton who is a lifelong teacher, is currently a PJC instructor who “teaches teachers to teach”. Second runner-up Evelyn Horne is an Emergency Room nurse who works at Memorial Hospital. Each of these ladies display the beauty, community involvement and accomplishments of women over 60 years of age.
Also recognized during the competition were contestants Gayle Massey “Best Interview”, Fay Robinson “Best Philosophy of Life”, Nancy Bolton “Best Personality”, Dorothy Hawkins “Best Evening Gown”, Linda Pickle “Most Talented”, and Joni Hughes “Ms. Congeniality”.
You are invited to watch playbacks of the Pageant by viewing KSST Cable Channel 18 TV.
Local Fly-in Hears Account of Ann Pellegreno’s Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of Amelia Earhart’ Flight
The twinkle in her eyes grows brighter as Ann Pellegreno recounts her 1967 experience of flying a Lockheed 10A Electra, around the world following closely the Amelia Earhart 1937 flight plan. Pellegreno was in Sulphur Springs to address those attending the Ladies Love Taildraggers Fly-in at the Municipal Airport Saturday, June 4, 2016. In 1967, Pellegreno flew around the world in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Amelia Earhart’s flight. KSST News spoke with Pellegreno prior to her address of Ladies Love Taildraggers, a group of ladies from around the nation who love to fly and who seek to introduce women to the world of aviation.
Ladies Love Taildraggers Fly-in at Sulphur Springs Municipal airport Friday and Saturday.
Pellegreno described her successful 28,000 mile world flight that took place on the 30th anniversary of Earhart’s disappearance. “It was very exciting, very adventurous, and something I had never planned to do.” Born in 1937 in Chicago, her life has been filled with variety as she has been not only an aviator but also a professional musician, teacher, author, lecturer, and farmer. She now delights in telling her story to others to encourage the adventure of flight.
Her crew for the flight, William Pohemus, navigator, Leo Koepke, aircraft owner and mechanic, and William Payne, copilot, were gathered over a period of five years. It began with Koepke, who had purchased the Lockheed 10 described by Pollegreno as “a relic, a wreck” but the same model twin-engine plane that Earhart had flown in her 1937 failed attempt to circle the world. Koepke restored the plane from 1962 to 1966.
In ’62, Koepke asked Pellegreno if she would like to fly around the world. Although her longest flight at that time had been from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Rockford, Illinois, her answer was “sure”. She was a flight instructor multi-engine rated. The two, with support of their spouses, began looking for support. It was hard to find. At that time the plane could only fly 1000 on the fuel tanks and the lack of international flight experience stood in the way. However, recruiting William “Bill” Pohemus increased their likelihood of funding. Pohemus secured a communication instrument that would allow the flight crew to communicate around the world. He also suggested they needed a navigator and was immediately added to the crew. Since the plane had no autopilot and Pellegreno had limited experience with great distance, the trio decided a co-pilot would be added to the crew. Pohemus suggested his friend Bill Payne. Payne had won a prestigious award for his recent flight from New York to Paris that had set a speed record. Pohemus had been Payne’s navigator.
With “two of the top flight guys in the world” and “a top-notch mechanic”, Pellegreno was set for the flight. With this crew, opportunities began to come their way. Having invested savings into the flight and now wondering where the additional funding would be found, those answers came in the form of corporate help. Goodyear gave a pair of balloon tires for the plane. Fuel tanks that would hold “more than a DC-3 carries” were added in Wichita, Kansas. A system was added to the nose section that would allow the crew to turn a crank 58 times to add one quart of oil to the engine as needed. Two sextons were added as well as other equipment. Space to do all the work was provided rent free.
Other organizations began to raise money for the adventure. Famed World War II Pilot Jimmy Doolittle was contacted and became involved. His organization provided an international credit card that could be used worldwide to make purchases as needed. Pellegreno would not meet Doolittle until 1972 in New York City when she received the National Aeronautics and Space Administration award for best non-fiction book. Shell Oil reduced the fuel bill from $10,000 to $5,000. An article in McCall’s Magazine by Pellegreno provided the remaining $5,000. Champion Spark Plugs also provided needed equipment. Pellegreno stated that she worked for two years to pay for the flight.
The flight mirrored Earhart’s flight. On June 7, 1967 they flew to Oakland, California to begin the journey. On June 9th Pellegreno and crew flew east to Miami and then on to South America, and Africa. Due to the Arab-Israeli war, the State Department forced the crew to get new clearances. From Africa, they flew to the Canary Islands to Rome, Italy, to Turkey to Iran trying to follow the Earhart trial as closely as possible. From Iran to Singapore and then to a small island where a grass airstrip awaited. They landed just before sunset. Horses had to be chased off the runway before landing. There they refueled and had to pay those who hand-pumped the fuel $72 cash. From there to Australia and onto the last place Earhart had been seen. Refueling on the island of Nauru in the Pacific and spending the night there, the runway was checked for wild hogs and they were off again they flew to Howland Island where they dropped a wreath. A few other stops and then back to Oakland before making a few other stops to visit with those who had been involved in the Earhart search.
The story of her experience is told in her book, World Flight the Earhart Trail. 
Scenes from Graduation for SSHS Class of 2016
It was standing room only at the Hopkins County Civic Center Arena as bleachers and floor seats were filled Friday night for Sulphur Springs High School Class of 2016 Commencement Exercises. Early in the week, the event had been moved from Prim Stadium to the arena due to the threat of rain. Two Hundred twenty-nine members of the Class of 2016 received their high school diploma.
Hopkins County Military Coalition presented the colors as class members Jonna Higginbotham and Sara Bennett sang the Star Spangled Banner. Abby Martin, SSHS Student Council President, spoke the invocation. Salutatorian Sidney Dietze welcomee those present and thanked those who had given her encouragement and support during her high school years. In the Valedictory given by Kendall Wallace, Kendall encouraged her fellow graduates to explore life and not allow their first years following graduation to lack the joy of living. Class song “I’ll Always Remember You” was sung by Gillian Boyer and Logan McGraw. Following the presenting of diplomas, the class sang the Alma Mater, Principal Derek Driver dismissed the class to their future.
*Updated* Deal or No Deal with CHRISTUS Health?
On Monday, June 6th, KSST News received an update from CHRISTUS’ Public Relations department confirming that CHRISTUS is confident the deal with HCMH will consummate before the end of summer. In speaking with CHRISTUS’ public relations rep, the fact that HCMH is a public entity complicates the agreement somewhat. In the past year since signing the letter of intent with HCMH, the CHRISTUS organization has begun and closed a deal with Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler.
It has been over a year since we made the announcement that Hopkins County Memorial Hospital would partner with CHRISTUS Health in the ongoing management and operation of our hospital. As of today, no deal has been reached. We continue to reach out to CHRISTUS, but have gotten no response. The local board, which is now one member short following the term expiration of Ralph Preuss, has been working diligently to forge ahead, but no word on exactly what is stalling the negotiations. Many items have been worked through in partnering with CHRISTUS, but as the end always seems to be in sight, information on the merger has been getting scarce. Back on April 4th of this year, we were told that 11 questions had been proposed by our board and although 9 were answered,two remained. We were never told what the remaining two questions were, but now it has been two months, and no upcoming meetings are scheduled.
TxDOT Plans For Hillcrest I-30 Overpass
Tim McAlaby, the Public Information Officer for the TxDOT Paris District, provided KSST with exciting news for motorists in Sulphur Springs. The past week there has been minor construction on the Hillcrest Dr. I-30 overpass in Sulphur Springs. The construction crew poured new concrete in worn portions of the road in preparation for the new cloverleaf interchange that the Paris District is currently awaiting state office approval. The minor construction is expected to be completed by the end of the next week.
Rest area construction along the interstate in Cumby is expected to begin in the upcoming months. The rest areas have already received approval from Austin, but construction crews are still waiting on the “green light” to begin dirt work. The new rest area will follow the latest design being used by Texas in other locations.
Cumby Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest
June 3, 2016 – A lawful traffic stop by Cumby Police Sgt. Charles Walker led to the arrest of Rachel Nicole Guerrero, 28 of Mesquite. During the stop, Officer Walker asked Guerrero to exit the auto. As she stepped out, he noted two open containers of alcohol and also, in plain view, a clear plastic bag containing several bags that contained white power suspected to be cocaine in the driver’s seat. Both driver and occupant were taken into custody. When Walker frisked the driver, a large sum of U S currency was found in her possession.
Rachel Nicole Guerrero
Guerrero is in Hopkins County Jail charged with a 3rd degree felony Possession of a Controlled Substance over 1-gram but less than 4-grams. She is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Class of 2016 Prepares for Graduation
Two Hundred twenty-nine members of the Class of 2016 will receive their high school diploma during Commencement Exercises tonight at 8 p.m. in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Arena. The event was moved to the arena due to the threat of rain.
Friday morning, students and those participating in the ceremonies attended a practice session at the arena (see slide show below).
Tonight, Hopkins County Military Coalition will present the colors as class members Jonna Higginbotham and Sara Bennett sing the Star Spangled Banner. Abby Martin, SSHS Student Council President, will voice the invocation. Salutatorian Sidney Dietze will welcome those present followed by the Valedictory given by Kendall Wallace. Class song “I’ll Always Remember You” will be sung by Gillian Boyer and Logan McGraw. The high school administration will present the graduates and School Board President Leesa Toliver and board members will present each student their diploma. Following the singing of the Alma Mater and the benediction by Dietze, Principal Derek Driver will dismiss the class for the final time.
KSST Radio will broadcast the Commencement live at 8 p.m. and video for replay on Suddenlink Cable Channel 18. Commencement can be heard on ksstradio.com streaming as well.
Years of Service Honored at SSISD End of Year Luncheon
A number of individuals were recognized for their years of service to the Sulphur Springs ISD Thursday morning at the end of year luncheon for staff and administration.
Superintendent Mike Lamb present Kristin Monk with her 20 year pin and Marci Owens, his Administrative Assistant.
Rodney White presented Larry Mahand with his 10 year service pin.
Sherry McGraw presented a 15 year pin to Kelley Perry.
Kristin Monk awarded Karen Phillips with her 10 year pin.
Randy Reed presented pins to Rusty Harden, 10 years; Tommy Panter, 20 years; and Darla McQueen, 25 years.
Dan Froneberger presented Phyllis Flemens with her 30 year pin.
SSISD
Rise in Crude Oil Prices Good News for Commissioners
Road Construction
Hopkins County Commissioners are taking steps to secure crude oil to be used in repair of county roads this summer. According to County Judge Robert Newsom, crude oil prices are finally higher making available the opportunity to purchase crude. The commissioners had been stymied in their search for crude oil due to low prices creating lack of interest on the part of any supplier to make available the needed commodity.
Commissioner Beth Wisenbaker, whose Precinct 1 roads have been ravaged by flooding during the past year, said a meeting this week may have opened the door to a supplier. She stated the county commissioners have stressed their interest in purchasing crude oil and a supplier is now seeking the oil and storage both to supply the county and within the county for road work. She stated that the crude oil must be delivered hot to the road site and must remain hot for work to be performed properly. Hot oil has been a problem in the past. Wisenbaker also said that hot temperatures are needed. She stated that nights must be in the upper 70’s or warmer for the oiled roadway to set appropriately.
The commissioners are now waiting for an answer from the crude oil supplier regarding the requirements and price for the oil to be used in summer roadwork.
