Mark Sustaire Family 2016 Dairy Festival Parade Marshalls
DAIRYMAN MARK SUSTAIRE, DAIRY FESTIVAL PARADE MARSHALL FOR 2016
When the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade rolls by on Saturday June 11, watch for Mark and Amy Sustaire and their family waving to the crowds along the parade route. The long-time dairy family has been selected as Parade Marshalls for the 2016 event. During a KSST Morning Show interview, Mark said that his Sustaire ancestors arrived in the southeastern part of Hopkins County in the 1860’s, and as many people did back then, they farmed cotton and peanuts. In the late 1930’s, dairy farming began to take root in N.E.Texas. Mark’s dad entered the milking industry in 1950’s after working for State Representative Neal Solomon. He gradually purchased lands which had been farmed but not owned by Mark’s grandfather. Mark joined the family business in 1990, and today milks a Holstein-Jersey cross herd of 400 cows. His wife Amy works in the day-to-day operation and their son and daughter have grown up as part of a working dairy family. Garrett Sustaire is a Saltillo ISD graduate attending Northeast Texas Community College. Jordan is a Junior at Saltillo High School and FFA Chapter president-elect. Mark’s community involvement hasn’t stopped at farming. He has served on the Saltillo school board, as President of the Hopkins County Farm Bureau and remains an active member of the Pickton-Pine Forest Volunteer Fire Department. He is appreciative of the hard-working men and women of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board of Directors in their year-round efforts for this vital part of the local economy.
“Updated” Barker Wins Precinct 1 Commissioner Run-off; Ellis Wins Education District 9 Seat
Mickey Barker won the Primary Run-off for Commissioner Precinct 1 Republican Party nominee. There is no Democrat opponent making Barker the only name on the ballot in the General Election. Barker received 512 votes to Maci Mattison Newsom 314. Early voting saw Barker leading 231 to Newsom’s 159. On election day, Barker garnered 281 to Newsom’s 155.
In Hopkins County, Keven Ellis, President of the Lufkin ISD School Board received 486 votes to 349 for retired teacher Mary Lou Bruner. The two were in a run-off for State Board of Education, District 9. According to the Secretary of State for Texas, Ellis won the 428 precincts in District 9 with 36,842 votes to Bruner’s 25,420.
In Hopkins County the only contested local race in the November General Election will be for Commissioner Precinct 3. That race pits Wade Bartley against Billy Emerson. All other local candidates ran on the Republican ticket and have no Democrat opponent.
Meal-a-Day Seeks Volunteer Cook and Driver
Meal-a-Day Center at the Senior Citizen’s Building, 150 MLK Blvd. Sulphur Springs is seeking a cook for one day per week and an every week-day driver for the Como-Pickton route. The meal-a-day center furnishes a meal to homebound residents and other in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. To volunteer or for more information contact the center at the location or call 903-885-1661.
Winnsboro Police Report for May 16-22, 2016
Two arrests, no accidents, 127 responses to calls for service, and 18 citations and 30 warnings issued filled the blanks on this week’s (May 16-22, 2016) Winnsboro Police Department report.
Chanee Hansen, 20, of Winnsboro, was arrested for possession of marijuana.
Tammie Potts, 47, of Winnsboro was arrested for Aggravated Assault date/family/house with weapon.
Primary Run-off Election Today
Primary Run-off election is today and the five polling places are open until 7 p.m. The 5 polling places in the county are Wesley Methodist Church, VFW Bingo Hall, Courthouse, League Street Church of Christ, and, specifically open with Precinct 1 voters, Miller Grove ISD. Voter registration card and a photo ID are required. Tonight, KSST News will announce the winner of the Precinct 1 Commissioner Republican run-off as soon as votes are counted. We will announce both on the air and on ksstradio.com
Saltillo ISD graduates 17 Seniors on May 27, 2016
There are 17 Saltillo seniors in the Lions Class of 2016. Graduation will be held on Friday May 27, 2016 at 7pm in the Kerry Garmon Memorial Gymnasium. Three students will be awarded scholarships of $2,000 each on graduation night, from the Kerry Garmon Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Senior Class members (listed alphabetically) Jorge Alvarez, Lane Bench, Paula Boekhorst (Val), Haylee Clover, Pascual Fiscal, Oscar Garcia, Kendall Hayley, Malori Hogue, Claire Jones, Jordan Lane, Mason McGill (Sal), Joel Palmer, Katy Perea, Cheyenne Reynolds, Walter Tippit, Jonathan Van Holten, Kortne Wilson.
Paula Maria Boekhorst was named Saltillo ISD’s Valedictorian for the Class of 2016. Paula Boekhorst is the daughter of Peter and Tallie Boekhorst. She is graduating with a grade point average of 3.889. Ms. Boekhorst is Relay For Life Captain, FCCLA President, Beta Vice President, Class President, and Yearbook Editor. She is an A Honor Roll student, Regional Cross Country Runner-up and State Qualifier junior and senior year, basketball District-Defensive Player sophomore year, basketball 1st team All-District junior year, basketball MVP senior year, basketball team Regional Quarter Finalist sophomore, junior, and senior year, basketball team State Runner-up freshman year. In UIL, she placed second with her team in Math and Current Events and third in Math and also in Current Events individually her senior year. She was a FCSA Gold Medalist at the FCCLA State Convention her sophomore, junior, and senior year. She was awarded the Blue & Gold Scholarship of $26,400, Morningside Athletic Scholarship of $2,500, Morningside Founder Scholarship of $10,000, Morningside Scholarship of $1,000, and the PTO Booster Scholarship of $250. Ms. Boekhorst enjoys playing basketball, spending time with her family and friends, and baking. She will be attending Southern Arkansas University in the fall to play basketball and will majoring in Nursing.
Mason Baileigh McGill was named Saltillo ISD’s Salutatorian for the Class of 2016. Mason McGill is the daughter of Ashley McGill and Jason Cravy. She is graduating with a grade point average of 3.749. Ms. McGill is Beta Secretary, an FCCLA member, FFA member, Yearbook Editor, Choir member, and was Student Government Secretary freshman, sophomore, and junior year. Mason McGill was awarded A Honor Roll freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year, Perfect Attendance sophomore year, Volunteer of the Year junior year, Homecoming Queen 2016, Prom Queen 2016, Miss SHS, Most Dependable and Best Personality. She received the CNB Scholarship of $2500, Pride Scholarship $12,000, Professional Land and Title Company of $250, Regents’ Scholarship of $43,108, and Saltillo PTO Booster of $250. Ms. McGill enjoys reading, singing, and hanging out with her friends and family. She will go on to attend college to attain her degree in Nursing with a focus in becoming a Nurse Practitioner, and will later become a licensed counselor.
SIA Report Commends Hospital, Directs Response to CMS Survey at Monday Night Board Meeting
During Monday night’s Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board meeting, the board swore in Joe Bob Burgin to another term, honored outgoing member Ralph Preuss, and heard compliments regarding the hospital and staff from Greely, the company serving the Systems Improvement Agreement(Hospital Receives Extension of Medicare/Medicaid Program) that will answer the questions of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services raised in October, 2015 (see story here).
The bulk of the time spent in open session Monday night focused on the SIA report that pointed to positives in the local hospital and pointed out the steps being taken to develop and implement systemic correction at the hospital. The representative of Greely said they found HCMH provides good care although vulnerabilities that were noted are being corrected with the implementation of an action plan put in place in April 2016. She emphasized that the Greely team and CMS have been in constant communication as the local hospital makes progress through the action plan. Problems that could jeopardize the plan have been identified and are being addressed. A framework for sustainability of the implemented plan is being created to ensure the improvements are working.
Among problems encountered that had raised the CMS threat of termination for Medicare/Medicaid payments was the need for documentation for event management. The Greely representative pointed out that many of the documents used in the local hospital were redundant. Therefore, the number of documents has been reduced and the information that was gathered would now be getting to the proper workers. Physicians will now do family health history as revised policies have been simplified.
The Quality Safety Department has been restructured with a new plan and program prepared. Infection Prevention has been restructured with a revised program and plan developed. Clinical education has also been restructured. Medication management including administration of drugs in three areas—dispensing, ordering, and filling—have also been restructured. Food and Dietetic services have added a food production manager. They are also restructuring emergency food supplies and taking specific steps in patient nourishment.
One of the major areas of concern in any future CMS survey is the restraint of a patient. Personnel are being trained in restraint management that complies with federal and state requirements. This includes revising policy to align with the requirements and revising documents to match the current practice.
Environment of care is also being examined with one individual appointed to maintain the current level of smoke barriers, fire barriers, electrical equipment and medical equipment.
A contract has been made with a new anesthesia provider group and proper documentation and monitoring are in place. The sedation and anesthesia issues were also a part of the process in meeting CMS requirements, according to the Greely team.
Michael McAndrew, hospital CEO, told the board that he is interviewing an interim manager for Memorial Clinic on Tuesday of this week. The Chief Administrative Officer for the clinic interim is recommended to the local clinic by CHRISTUS, according to McAndrew. He stated that CHRISTUS is seeking to assist the local hospital in working with other CHRISTUS partners in working together.
As the meeting began, Preuss was presented a plaque for his many years of service by Board President Tim Kelty. Kelty made mention that when Preuss had been approached to seek the seat on the board several years ago, he had been told it was only one meeting a month. That proved to not be true. Preuss chose not to seek re-election this year.
Burgin was sworn in after his default election due to the fact he had no opponent for the board seat he has held for several years. There was no need for a board election this year since no other filed for a seat.
The board chose to purchase three (3) power stretchers for ambulances for a total of $44,934 and to purchase a remount for Medic 5 at a cost of $102,078.
The hospital continues to seek additional doctors. Recently two orthopedic interviews have been conducted and one general surgeon interview.
Cumby ISD graduates 21 Seniors on May 27
Cumby ISD will hold Commencement on Friday May 27 at 7 pm in the Ferguson Building of Texas A and M University-Commerce. There are 21 graduates in the Class of 2016. Valedictorian is Landon Mabe, who plans to attend Rice University with a goal of becoming a pediatrician. Salutatorian Brent Brewer plans to go to Lake Forest College in Chicago, Ill.
L to R (Front Row) Madison Leigh Thomas, Julia Goncalves, Bailey Shay Braddock, Jordan Joyce Patterson, Vivian Karen Ugalde, Jessica Danielle McGinn, Cara Lynne Cirkles, Mackenzie Laine Fyke, Erin Leigh Vaughan, Shannon Nicole Clark
L to R (Back Row) Preston Joe Salinas, Brent Allen Brewer, Ashton Smith-Peacock, Marcos Osornio, Landon Asher Mabe, Ryan McKenzie Pullen, Triston Lee Hearn, Kacey Maclay Waxler, Cody Earl Lee, Jax Albert Allen (not pictured; Travis Taylor)
Landon Mabe, Valedictorian
Brent Brewer, Salutatorian
