*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.
Saltillo ISD Names David Stickels Lone Finalist for Superintendent
Saltillo Independent School District has named David Stickels the lone finalist for Superintendent there. Stickels was chosen from among more than 30 applicants.
Stickels has been named as the lone candidate to fill the vacancy created when Kevin Wooley announced his retirement after six years as Superintendent and 32 years in education. Wooley leaves education to become Music Minister at Mt. Sylvan Baptist Church in Lindale.
Stickels, who lives in Mt Vernon, is currently the principal of the Elementary School, second through fourth grades in Pittsburgh, Texas. His work in education includes being an offensive line coach for two years at Texas Tech University and also for two years at Sul Ross University. He has been a classroom teacher-coach on the secondary level for 16 years and was Assistant Principal at Pittsburgh High School for seven years, vice-principal at Mt Vernon High School for two years, and for two years, Principal at Winfield High School.
Saltillo Principal Tim Lane said Saltillo schools are proud to have Stickels named the long finalist. Lane said Stickels will be a great asset to the school.
Child Nutrition Program Breakfast and Lunch Free Beginning Monday At SSES
The Summer Food Service Program sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Independent School District will serve both breakfast and lunch at the Sulphur Springs Elementary School, 829 Bell Street in Sulphur Springs beginning Monday, June 6th. The program will operate Monday through Thursday each week until July 28th.
Children between the ages of one through 18 are invited to attend. Breakfast will be served from 7:45 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:45 until 12:30. No meals will be served after 12:30 p.m.
The Texas Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Division have approved SSISD to operate as an “open” site. This approval allows any child, regardless of household income to eat free. No enrollment through applications or income guidelines is necessary.
Tira News
by Jan Vaughn
The Tira City Council will meet on Tuesday, June 7, at 6:00 p.m. at the Tira Community Center. During the meeting, they will look into filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Mayor Floyd Payton, along with conducting regular business. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
Joyce Dodd was in Paris last Friday, to meet six of her former coworkers from Cooper ISD. They met at TaMolly’s for a late lunch, to celebrate the retirement of Carlene Wilkins. Those in attendance were Tricia LaRue, Tina Lien, Kaye Ingram, Bree Randall, Joyce Johnson, Joyce Dodd, and the guest of honor, Carlene. Joyce said, “We had a good lunch and a lot of fun catching up on old and new times and memories.”
Dakota Weir and two friends came for a visit with Robert and Yvonne on Saturday evening. Yvonne commented, “Dakota fixed steaks for us and we had a good visit. Dustin Weir took us out to lunch on Monday in Greenville. We were thankful for the cool weather as our air conditioning is out.” She adds, “I am retiring at the end of the week. It is exciting.”
Chip Vaughn was in Knoxville, Tennessee last week, with the Sulphur Springs Middle School Destination Imagination Technical Team. Chip and their teacher, Clay Hansford, were the team managers. The group had advanced from the Regional and State levels and were competing in the Global Finals. During the closing ceremony on Saturday night, they were announced as the first place team in their event!
North Hopkins ISD is offering no cost breakfast and lunch for children 18 years of age and under, Monday through Thursday, June 6th through July 5th, in the school cafeteria. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-8:00 and lunch will be served from 11:30-12:00.
The families of the late Bob and Myrtle Lawrence met at the Tira Community Center for their annual reunion on May 21st. Georgia reports, “We enjoyed being together for fun, family, and lots of food. There was too much, as always.” Constantine Markides and Jimmy Smith manned the grill, preparing burgers and hot dogs. They had all the trimmings, chips, and lots of desserts. Those attending included Danny and Judy Rawson, of Denton, Con, Michelle, and Sophie Markides, of Houston, Mark, Julie, and Darby Lawrence, of Grand Prairie, Joyce Johnson, of Mesquite, Jimmy and Helen Smith, Chrissty, Kyleigh, and Bryndal Williams and friend Kevin Beggs, of Greenville, Chandler & Blake Evans, of Tyler, Gene and Ida Bratcher, of Sulphur Springs, Troy and Georgia Smith and Mary Rawson, of Tira, and Valerie Sanderford, from Edinburg, and her daughters and granddaughter, January from Waco, and Stephanie and Kennedy from Keller. Georgia says, “Our calendars are marked for the same time in 2017.”
Floyd Payton has shown progress in his road to recovery and enjoyed visits from good neighbors in the community – Lewis and Mary Beth Moore; Tami and Madison Joslin brought a delicious apple pie; Georgia Smith. with her famous Hawaiian Delight Pineapple pie; and Ben Jennings dropped in for a visit. Martha says, “Good to see Kenny Crowson as he is trying to get hay cut through out the neighborhood. The rains don’t seem to cooperate very well this year, although we appreciate the rain after so many years of drought. The Dursts are good to keep check on us, also we always enjoy calls from our special lady of the neighborhood, Mrs. Mary Rawson. Our son Brad Payton came on Monday for a few days, plus we have visits from the healthcare nurse and therapist. We thank everyone for their prayers and concerns.”
Minnie (Hillis) Reagor reports that it time for the Hillis Family Reunion again. She says, “Hope you will join us, as we gather with kinfolk from near and far… close relatives and extended families! We hope we will see you at the reunion, Saturday & Sunday, June 18th & 19th, 2016. (Annually, the 3rd full weekend of June) Mark Your Calendars! Any Hillis Descendent from any branch is welcome! Our branch descends from Andrew “Jackson” Hillis (1815/17 – 1878) who married 1) Aliza Elizabeth Hawkins, and 2) Mary Ann Shelton, branching out from the Lauderdale Co, AL & Giles Co & Lawrence Co, TN regions…spreading out across various states.” Minnie would like to receive contact updates and/or updates to the family tree. For more information you can reach Minnie at [email protected]. Enter 2016 Hillis Reunion in the subject. Also you can contact her by mail at Minnie (Hillis) Reagor, 2016 Hillis Reunion, 339 Greathouse, Vidor, TX 77662 or find more information at the reunion webpage: https://www.facebook.com/hillisfamilyreunion .
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].
Miller Grove News
By Brandon Darrow
Thankfully, this week is a little slower than last. I believe that it is partly because school is now out for the summer and partly because of all of the rain we have received this week.
Graduation went smoothly on Friday, May 27. The commencement exercises were held at 7 pm in the new gym with a large crowd on hand. I believe there were 21 graduates this year. Colton McDonald gave the invocation and then Jasmin DelCastillo gave the salutatory address. Eden Godwin introduced the speaker for the night, Mrs. Marci Hayden (English teacher). This was Mrs. Hayden’s first time to speak in public and I believe she did a very good job. Gary Billingsley announced the scholarships that the students had received and also noted that Tiffany McManus had already graduated from Paris Junior College with an Associates Degree. Congratulations to her for her hard work over the years. Derek McCreight gave the valedictory address board president, Eric Mabe, handed out the diplomas to the graduates. After the slideshow Colton Seaney gave the benediction. Afterwards, friends and family congregated in groups visiting with their graduate and taking pictures. This night marked another successful year completed at “The Grove.”
This last Sunday, Amy (Poteet) Nelms sang a special at church (Brashear Baptist). She was visiting with her parents (Johnny & Donna) and sister (Angela). She did a great job!
Happy Birthday to Halston Potts & Shandell Sixberry on Jun. 6, Lisa (Renshaw) Oler & Austin Tipps on Jun. 8, Jamie Hayes on Jun. 9, Angie (Moore) Stanton on Jun. 10, and Joyce (May) Cox on Jun. 11.
Happy 57th Anniversary to Don and Jerri (Byrd) Petty on Jun. 5. Lynn and Linda Johnson will celebrate their 48th Anniversary on Jun. 7. Congratulations to both of these couples.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
