Team Meeting Set to Kickoff Relay for Life
Amber Henry
The 2016 Relay for Life season has begun!
RFL Event Lead Amber Henry shared the news during Thursday’s Good Morning Show with Enola Gay. Amber is inviting everyone to the kickoff Team Meeting on Monday January 25 at 6pm in the League Street Church of Christ Fellowship Hall. If you already have an established RFL team or wish to form one, you are invited to the informational meeting. In the planning stages is the annual “Kiss It To Cancer” entertainment event on Valentine’s weekend.
Assisted by the City of Sulphur Springs, Amber and her volunteers plan a night of fun including a Newlywed Game, Dating Game and the first Relay Idol singing contest. That’s set for Saturday February 13 on Celebration Plaza. The winter activities lead up to this spring’s Relay for Life event on May 13, which is Hopkins County’s major fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
To find out more, go to relayforlife.org/hopkinscotx. To inquire about signing up for Relay Idol, drop a line to [email protected] or phone 903-271-1475.
Rollison Continuing Gridiron Career
Tyrik Rollison, the record holding former Sulphur Springs High School quarterback who led the Wildcats to the Texas High School Class 4-A Division II state championship in 2008, has signed a contract with the San Angelo Bandits of the Champions Indoor Football League.
“We’re excited to bring in a quarterback like Tyrik,” said General Manager and Head Coach Meadow Lemon. “He’s got all the physical tools to play in this league and has led teams to winning seasons everywhere he’s been. We look forward to seeing what he can do in a Bandits uniform.”
Rollison, 6’2”, 225 lbs, was the No. 11 quarterback prospect in the nation coming out of his career at Sulphur Springs high school. He red-shirted at Auburn University in 2009 before a stint at Tyler Junior College led him to finishing his collegiate career at Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he threw for 12 touchdown passes in only six games as a junior. He caught the attention of the nation as a senior when he opened the season with 546 yards and six touchdowns in a 98-20 win over East Texas Baptist University. Rollison went on to throw for 33 touchdown passes while leading the Lions to a 9-3 overall record and a Heart of Dallas Bowl victory.
The Bandits play in the Southern Division of the Champions Indoor Football League (CIF) along with teams from Mesquite, Allen, and Amarillo, Texas as well as the Duke City Gladiators out of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Dodge City Law in Dodge City Kansas. Fans will have a chance to see Rollison in action close to home as the Bandits face off with the Texas Revolution at the Allen Events Center in Plano, Texas on April 15, 2016.
2016 season and single game tickets are now available on the official website for the San Angelo Bandits. Visit www.sabandits.com for more information about the Bandits and the CIF league.
SSHS To Host Saturday Powerlifting Meet
An estimated 300 powerlifters from 25 to 30 high schools are expected to participate in the annual Sulphur Springs Powerlifting Meet that gets underway Saturday morning in the Multipurpose Building. Some girls teams will also participate. Wildcats Powerlifting Coach Jacob Alford says he’s excited about the meeting and he adds his team has been talking about it for awhile. The Wildcats will have 14 lifters at the meeting including a standard team of 11 lifters, whose lifts count, as well as 3 others competing to get meet experience. Coach Alford is expecting a lot of improvement from his lifters. He says powerlifting is a good spectator sport. It’s a chance to see lifters, large and small, competing.
Admission will be $3 for adults and $2 for students
Incumbent Wright Files for SSISD Board
Kerry Wright, incumbent school board member, filed Thursday morning to be placed on the ballot for the May 7, 2016 school board election. Wright is the third incumbent to file in the first two days of filing. February 19th is the deadline for filing for a place on the board.
Incumbents John Prickette and Leesa Toliver filed Wednesday morning, the first day of filing.
Wildcat Tennis Reschedules Match to Friday
The Wildcats Tennis Team’s season opening dual match against Mt. Pleasant has been postponed Thursday and has been rescheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. at the Wildcats Tennis Center. The latest weather forecast for Friday does not include any chance of rain. On Saturday, Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez will be taking his team to Fort Worth where #3 rated TCU will be hosting teams from San Diego, rated #22, and also Harvard and Oklahoma State.
Partnership, Consultants Will Strengthen Memorial Hospital
When Hopkins County Memorial Hospital began the process of partnering with CHRISTUS medical group, local hospital administration and the board knew CHRISTUS had an East Texas strategy. CHRISTUS and Trinity-Mother Francis Hospitals announced an intent for merger January 7th of this year.
“It came as no surprise,” stated Michael McAndrew, Memorial Hospital Chief Administrator. Not only had Memorial Hospital been notified of the pending intent to merge, McAndrew said it will be necessary for CHRISTUS to be as strong as possible. When the merger was announced earlier this month, the expectations of a stronger presence in East Texas was apparent in a news release published that day– Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics(TMFHC), announced today that it has signed a letter of intent to become part of CHRISTUS Health, an international, faith-based, not-for-profit health system headquartered in Irving, Texas. This joining of two prestigious health systems will greatly strengthen both organizations, improving access to care for patients and expanding each organization’s service offerings. Most importantly, it will increase the capacity and ability to meet the ever-growing healthcare needs of East Texans through increased resources and innovative services. With the local hospital already partnering with Trinity-Mother Francis with Emergency Room doctors, the intended merger of Trinity-Mother Francis with CHRISTUS and the partnership of Memorial Hospital with CHRISTUS will be a natural fit according to McAndrew.
Although neither deal is completed, CHRISTUS says they see a lot of synergy in the future of their presence in East Texas. Currently, they have a presence in Texarkana and in Tyler, Jacksonville, and Winnsboro, which are Trinity-Mother Francis Hospitals. McAndrew says, “It will take size to deliver good health care.” He states this is the reason the local hospital does not desire to remain independent for the long term.
Both the Trinity-Mother Francis merger with CHRISTUS and the partnership between Memorial and CHRISTUS could take place at or near the same time. Currently, March 31st is the projected date for the finalizing of the local partnership. McAndrew says that locally all are optimistic that “we are very close on all issues.” Attorneys are, for the most part, in the final stages of agreement. It will take less time for the Trinity-Mother Francis merger to happen, according to McAndrew. Their agreement is a member substitution, one doing business in the place of another. The agreement for Hopkins County Memorial is a partnership that is set for approximately 20 years and, as a government entity, a few more issues are included.
For Memorial Hospital, little has affected their service numbers. Currently the 500 employees of the local hospital are anticipating the arrival Monday of consultants who will assist the local medical facility in attaining approval by CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Systems. McAndrew said he is sure the consultants will find some issues but CMS has stated they realize that the local hospital is a vital part of the community of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. He stated that the local hospital will pay the consultants but they report to CMS. Thus, the final result is expected to show CMS that the local hospital is better than was reported by their study committee and that the local hospital is responding to every need to improve the environment.
Significant Weather Advisory Ended at 11:30 a.m.
A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY for western Hopkins County, southeastern Fannin County, eastern Hunt County, Delta County and northwestern Rains County was issued at 10:41 a.m. Thursday and was in effect until 11:30 AM CST Thursday. The thunderstorm dropped hail in the Brashear area and northeast of the area in northwestern Hopkins County. The storm began to diminish as it neared Highway 19 near Birthright. The storm moved at 37 miles per hour
At 10:41 AM CST, Doppler Radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Greenville…moving northeast at 35 MPH. Dime size hail was said to be possible with the storm. The chance of hail was 80% as it entered the county but dropped to 0 before reaching Highway 19.
The storm crossed I-30 between mile markers 88 and 121.
Chamber Connection January 21, 2016 by Meredith Caddell
Chamber Connection
January 21, 2016 by Meredith Caddell
Thank you to everyone who attended the ribbon cutting for Reilly Springs Jamboree!
If you missed the ribbon cutting for the
Reilly Springs Jamboree-Hopkins County’s Original Music Venue, last Saturday evening you missed a great time. Tony Rame
y was guest singer for the Reilly Springs Jamboree for the evening. Enola Gay, producer, provides a wonderful event every third Saturday of the month. The show starts at 7:00. They are located at 109 CR 1439, Sulphur Springs. If you have never been, you are missing one of the many superb entertainments that Sulphur Springs has to offer. They Reilly Springs Jamboree has been a local icon for 50+ years.
Saddle Up & Save the Date…2/18 is the 90th Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet
Dust off your boots and put on your jeans for a rip-roarin’ good time at the 90th Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet/Annual Membership Meeting! This is a great night to enjoy a delicious meal and congratulate the deserving recipients of the many awards! Tickets are $25 with seating on a first come/first served basis. If you would like to reserve a table for 10, you may do so for $300. Please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 to make reservations.
Non-Political “Meet & Greet” with State Representative Dan Flynn, Tuesday, January 26, 5-6:30 p.m.
State Representative Dan Flynn will be at Coffee Off the Square, 204 Church Street, Tuesday, January 26, from 5-6:30 p.m. for a “Meet & Greet” session, sponsored by Beth & Donnie Wisenbaker. There will refreshments and we encourage everyone to come and visit your State Representative. He will be there to meet you and answer any questions you have about what is going on in our government and listen to your concerns.
Biggest Loser Community Challenge begins February 15th…Register NOW!!!
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is so excited to announce our partnership with NBC’s The Biggest Loser Community Challenge! This is a national wellness initiative designed to help employees become healthier. This company vs company competition invites teams of four to join an eight-week, online health & wellness community challenge. The challenge is for companies of all sizes (no limit to the amount of teams you can sign up!) and people of all fitness levels. It is truly designed to get our community moving, eating better and having fun!
This company vs company competition invites teams of four to join an eight-week, online health & wellness community challenge. The challenge is for companies of all sizes (no limit to the amount of teams you can sign up!) and people of all fitness levels. It is designed to get our community moving, eating better and having fun!
Business are encouraged to register teams of employees to represent their company in the challenge. For only $100 for a team of four, this exciting wellness offering is an affordable and fun way to kick start the new year for employees.
Past contestants of The Biggest Loser will guide teams through eight weekly challenges. Challengers will also receive weekly motivation and nutrition tips from trainer, Dolvett Quince. Participants will earn points for each minute of activity they engage in, as well as additional points for completing weekly tasks and logging additional challenge activities designed to improve nutrition and overall wellness. Each participant will have access to their own private wellness account and mobile app, where they will journal challenge activities, access weekly health guidance and keep their eye on friends and competitors on live leaderboards. The focus of the challenge is not on weight loss and all personal information, including weight, is completely private. WARNING: Side effects may include weight loss! Prize drawings will be made each week, with over 10,000 prizes to be won across the country, including trips to LA to see the Finale live! More information, registration and key dates can be found online at: www.biggestlosercommunity.com.
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is going to enhance this 8-week challenge! The winning team will receive $1000! Also, every week, the Chamber will offer a community-wide workout opportunity! 4 of those weeks will include an actual Biggest Loser Challenge! Winners on these dates will receive a prize. Register now!!! Healthy People. Healthy Companies. Healthy Communities!
A Super Bowl Appetizer Cooking Class Sat. 1/30, 1:30-2:30 @ Gourmet Kitchen & Co., 213 Main Street.
Chef Lyndsay Caldwell will teach you how to prepare easy, delicious Super Bowl appetizers that will keep your game day party guests happy regardless who wins. The class includes Lyndsay’s new signed cookbook, FEED MY SHEEP, which supports the local ministry, The Dinner Bell which feeds those in need in our community weekly. The Gourmet Kitchen & Co, is Sulphur Springs’ newest unique kitchen gourmet store specializing in gift baskets, vintage décor, a kitchen market and a specialty kitchen emporium with everything you’ll need to equip your kitchen to prepare fresh, tasty meals. Enrollment is limited to 12. The price is $32.50 a person and includes the cookbook that retails for $25.00. Call Sharon Hughes at 903-885-3282/214-693-3334.
Mother’s Culture Club “A Night in New York City – 2016 Father/Daughter Dance, Sat., February 6.
The Mother’s Culture Club presents the annual 2015 Father-Daughter Dance, “A Night in New York City”, Saturday, February 6th, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center. There will be dancing, door prizes, refreshments and an ultimate photo artistry photograph. All proceeds benefit local children’s charities. Call Ashley Ortiz, 903-348-3518 to purchase tickets.
Important Dates to remember for 2016
Chamber Banquet-February 18th
Spring Fever Bike Rally-March 12th
Chamber Golf Tournament-April 8th
Homemade Ice Cream Freeze Off-June 11th
Hopkins County Stew Contest-October 22nd
We would like to welcome our newest members to the Chamber of Commerce:
New Valentine’s Window Cleaning & Janitorial Service
Residential & Commercial
William Valentine
103 Sherry Lane
214-923-1010
That’s all for now…have a GREAT week!
Meredith Caddell
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
Team Meeting Set to Kickoff Relay for Life
Amber Henry
The 2016 Relay for Life season has begun!
RFL Event Lead Amber Henry shared the news during Thursday’s Good Morning Show with Enola Gay. Amber is inviting everyone to the kickoff Team Meeting on Monday January 25 at 6pm in the League Street Church of Christ Fellowship Hall. If you already have an established RFL team or wish to form one, you are invited to the informational meeting. In the planning stages is the annual “Kiss It To Cancer” entertainment event on Valentine’s weekend.
Assisted by the City of Sulphur Springs, Amber and her volunteers plan a night of fun including a Newlywed Game, Dating Game and the first Relay Idol singing contest. That’s set for Saturday February 13 on Celebration Plaza. The winter activities lead up to this spring’s Relay for Life event on May 13, which is Hopkins County’s major fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
To find out more, go to relayforlife.org/hopkinscotx. To inquire about signing up for Relay Idol, drop a line to [email protected] or phone 903-271-1475.
Licensed Carrier Shoots Himself in Foot at Church
A man licensed to carry a concealed handgun shot himself in the foot Wednesday night in the Family Life Center at Davis Street Baptist Church. The man was taken to Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, treated and released.
He was carrying the small handgun (.25, size similar to picture) in his pocket. When he reached into his pocket to remove his keys, the keys caught in the trigger of the handgun and discharged the weapon. No one, other than the man was injured.
Sulphur Springs Chief of Police Jay Sanders advises those who carry a small concealed handgun in their pocket or purse to keep the weapon holstered in a cloth carrier that will protect against this type of accidental firing of the weapon.
