Flynn Appointed to Sunset Advisory Commission
Dan Flynn
AUSTIN – Texas House Speaker Joe Straus made three new appointments to the Sunset Advisory Commission on Monday and chose Rep. Larry Gonzales of Round Rock to serve as the Commission’s new Chairman. Speaker Straus appointed Reps. Dan Flynn of Van and Senfronia Thompson of Houston to the Commission. He also named William Meadows of Fort Worth as the House’s public appointee. Meadows is Chairman Emeritus of HUB International Insurance Services. The three new appointees will join Gonzales, as well as Reps. Cindy Burkett of Sunnyvale and Richard Peña Raymond of Laredo, as the House’s representatives on the Commission.
“These appointees have a very important job,” Speaker Straus said. “I am confident that their review and recommendations will help state agencies serve taxpayers better. Their work will also help the House continue to make state government more transparent and efficient.”
The Sunset Commission was created so that legislators and members of the public could periodically review state agencies and decide whether they should continue to exist. The Commission’s work provides the foundation for legislation that is needed to keep the agencies operating. The process also allows legislators to reform agencies’ operations and review their core missions.
“I’m going to work with the Members of the House to ensure that Sunset bills stay specifically focused on improving the agencies that have been under review,” Speaker Straus said. “These agencies serve important functions, and we don’t often get the chance to give them this kind of comprehensive review. We owe it to taxpayers to make sure this process is only about making our government operate better.”
The Commission will review 24 agencies in the current cycle, including the Texas Department of Transportation, the Railroad Commission and the Texas Medical Board.
“I am honored to be appointed by Speaker Straus to the Sunset Commission to review various agencies. This is a place in government where we can really make a difference for the people of Texas,” said Dan Flynn
Trojans Score 15 Runs in First Inning
Last Friday, the Cumby Trojans picked up a solid, 16-0 win over Saltillo at home. The game was called due to the 15-run rule after two and a half innings. The Trojans scored 15 runs in the first inning and added one more run in the second. Cumby had 14 hits. Triston Hearn was three for three with three runs scored, two RBIs and he had a double. Travis Taylor was also three for three with two runs scored, an RBI and a double and triple.
Ethan Coble, Cole Sprague and Triston Hearn all pitched an inning of no hit ball for Cumby.
The Trojans are 10-1 in district play.
Lavern Considered Stolen From Animal Shelter
Lavern is on the right.
Lavern is considered stolen from the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter, according to Barbi Mitchell, Animal Control Officer. Lavern was to have joined her mate Shirley in traveling to a Pit rescue in Oregon in May. She is on medication and really needs it, according to Mitchell. If you see the dog, contact Barbi at 903-348-1868 or Annie, 903-348-3122.
Lavern and Shirley are a bonded pair. Lavern is a Pit mix and Shirley is an Aussie mix. Both range in 1-3 years of age, have tested heart-worm negative, and are not yet spayed. They were found together at the Pilot station and brought to the Animal Shelter shortly after Christmas 2015. Both dogs are energetic and love people, unable to stand still for more than one second unless there was something to sniff. Both dogs spent a lot of time in the outdoor play area.
“Nobody’s claimed them; we thought the owner was out of town for the holidays,” Animal Shelter Officer Barbi Blanch said. “Both came in with collars and they were very friendly and they get along with other animals.”
The pair was featured for adoption on ksstradio.com in January of this year.
Saltillo Lady Lions 3rd in District
Saltillo Softball Lady Lions team is 3rd in district!
Team kneeling L to R: Kasey Sanders, Christie Gurley, Jordan Sustaire, Ana Gallegos, Melissa Groenewold. Standing L to R: Coach Dexter Ivy, Brenda Castro, Shelby Matlock, Madison Simmons, Tori Mobley, Lorena Castro, Calli Callahan, Melissa Tawil and Coach Erika Littrell.
When Hail Happens
In recent weeks, KSST has been asked to assist listeners with dates of hail storms in their communities. The listeners have desired the information to assist with insurance claims regarding damage to the roof of their home and/or an outbuilding. Although we are happy to assist when possible, here are some specific steps you might want to remember should a hail storm damage your roof.
Your personal safety and preparation is the key to a less stressful experience if your roof is damaged by a severe storm. If your roof is severely damaged by hail or wind damage, there are specific steps you may wish to consider as you seek to repair or have the roof repaired.
Care should be taken when attempting emergency repairs and should often be left to the experts. Proper tools to do the work, materials used, and experience are important when doing roof repair.
However, one should also consider who will do the repair. The proper contractor should be chosen. One should interview more than one contractor. Questions to ask include the location of business, do they carry liability and worker’s comp insurance, can they provide references, do they have credentials that identify them as having been trained in storm damage repair, and are they licensed with the state (is the state does license roofing companies). You can also find the status of various contractors at Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Before hiring the contractor, prepare for your insurance adjuster’s visit. Take photos and notes on the damage to your home. Use this to compare to the insurance company’s findings. Check outside for blown off shingles, damaged gutters, and large branches that may have fallen onto the house. If you can safely access your attic, examine the underside of the roof for damage or leaks. Check your policy to ascertain if your insurance company requires specific materials to be used in the repair process.
Hopkins County Man Charges Deputies To Take Their Weapons
Billy Carl Chapman, 27, was arrested Sunday afternoon after an altercation with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies. Chapman’s mother made a 911 call to report that her son was “tearing up the house.” When law enforcement arrived on the scene, Chapman verbally requested for the deputies to hand over their weapons. Chapman then charged the deputies and attempted to take their guns, wrapping his arms around one deputy. Cpl. Todd Evans then deployed a taser that struck Chapman in the chest and dropped him to the ground. Chapman was then placed in handcuffs and escorted to a patrol unit.
During questioning by deputies, Chapman’s mother stated that her son had been drinking and was in possession of a firearm, but she took the weapon from him before law enforcement arrived. Chapman was then transported to the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital to be checked where it was discovered that he had been admitted to the hospital in the past for a head injury. After being cleared at the ER, Chapman was transported to the Hopkins County Jail where he now sits on a $10,000 bond for Attempting to Take a Weapon From an Officer which is a state jail felony.
Bright Star Baseball Changes Venue for Monday’s Game
Bright Star baseball game for Monday, April 18th has been moved to Sulphur Springs High School multipurpose building. Game time is 7pm. No food or drinks, expect water, will be allowed in the multipurpose building. Those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs. There is no seating in the building.
Church Street Clinic Offers Primary Care for Self-pay, Indigent Care Program
church street clinic
Church Street Clinic, 100 Medical Circle, is a primary care clinic that is available to those who do not have insurance or are participating in the Hopkins County Indigent Care Program. The clinic, which serves 8-year olds and older, is open for walk-ins and appointments Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Eric Metzger, FNP-C, will work with you and your family based on your individual medical needs.
Treatment of abrasions, allergies, bronchitis, colds, cough, flu, minor burn care, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sprains or strains, strep throat, upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and other medical needs are available.
Self-pay and indigent Care program patients accepted. For more information call us at 903.439.4700.
