SS Elementary School Without Electricity or Phone Service
The SSES campus is currently without electricity or phone service. The campus is able to function properly otherwise. If you need to reach the school please message your teacher or call 903-885-2153 ext. 1107
Chamber Connection January 14, 2016 by Meredith Caddell
Chamber Connection
January 14, 2016 by Meredith Caddell
Reilly Springs Jamboree, Enola Gay
Reilly Springs Jamboree Ribbon Cutting-Saturday, January 16th at 6:30pm
We will be hosting the ribbon cutting for the Reilly Springs Jamboree-Hopkins County’s Original Music Venue, this Saturday, January 16th at 6:30! Tony Ramey will be the featured guest for the Reilly Springs Jamboree, with Enola Gay as producer. The show starts at 7:00. They are located at 109 CR 1439, SS.
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!
Would you like to recognize an Outstanding Educator? Deadline Extended to January 15th!
Here is your chance…this year the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee wants to allow all Hopkins County Citizens to nominate their candidates for “Outstanding Professional Educator” (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher) “Outstanding Para Professional Educator” (Secretary or Aide) and “Outstanding Auxiliary Educator” (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria). We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to nominate that “special educator” that has had an impact in their lives. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 300 Connally Street and then either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than January 15th! Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected] and our mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize a special educator!
Nominations for Large and Small Business of the Year! Deadline extended to January 15th
Please submit your nomination for Large Business of the Year or Small Business of the Year. Nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 300 Connally Street and either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than January 15th! Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected] and our mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483.
Additional Chamber of Commerce Banquet Nominations
Many other awards are presented at the Chamber of Commerce membership banquet (February 18, 2016). Aside from the awards mentioned above, nominations are also being accepted for:
Citizen of the Year—Echo Publishing Company—P.O. Box 598, SS, TX 75483
Woman of the Year—Beta Sigma Phi Organization—P.O. Box 72, SS, TX 75483
Caregiver of the Year—The Pilot Club—P.O. Box 131 SS, TX 75483
Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—P.O. Box 347, SS, TX 75483
Agriculturist of the Year—Professional Ag Workers—c/o AgriLife Extenson, P.O. Box 518, SS TX 75483
Each of these nominations should be submitted in writing and mailed to the above mentioned address.
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:
Grapevine Grains
387 CR 1785
Yantis, TX 75497
214-677-6052
Vickie Smolek, Owner
Health Food Store, Wholesale
Reilly Springs Jamboree
Hopkins County’s Original Music Venue
109 CR 1439
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Enola Gay, Producer
Entertainment – 3rd Sat. of Month – Jamboree
Margo’s – A Brush of Class
Art Lessons, Paint Parties, Crafts & More
212 N. Davis
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-439-7903
Dragon Ranch
209 Paris Street
Cumby, TX 75433
Rebecca & William Posten
214-405-0581
Venue – Meetings/Weddings/Receptions/Parties,Etc.
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
Hearts of Life Presents Jana for Adoption
Jana will be looking for a home Saturday. She and other dogs will be at Petsense from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday. She and one other are the last two of a litter of 10 that are available for adoption. Hearts of Life Rescue Shelter brought Jana to KSST studios this week. Hearts of Life currently has 50 dogs available for adoption at this time.
Wildcats Baseball Celebrates 2015 Season
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack says it’s a big deal for a Wildcats’ baseball team to have a sign put up at Eagle Stadium. Only the special teams get signs. Wednesday afternoon a sixth sign joined the group. It honored the 2015 Wildcats’ team that advanced to the regional semi-finals, further than any team in Wildcats’ baseball history. Eleven players from last year’s team showed up Wednesday afternoon to check out the sign and have pictures made in front of it. Coach Hammack says the 2015 team had the kind of season they can be proud of and can look back on with pride. He says sometime last year the players became a team that were just as excited for the accomplishments of others as they were for themselves.
In ten years, three of Coach Hammack’s teams have earned signs. His 2006 squad went through district play undefeated and advanced to area. His 2010 team made it all the way to the regional quarterfinals.
Express Care Open Seven Days A Week
Kalee Kirk, Physician’s Assistant and Sherry Moore, Director of Marketing at Memorial Hospital were guests on the Good Morning Show with Enola Gay to talk about the new Express Care urgent care clinic. Since opening on January 7, the clinic has seen an increasing flow of patients including 21 on the first Saturday of operation. Kalee, PA Colby Cross and Dr. Darrell Peirce are seeing patients seven days per week, treating everything from colds and flu to minor injuries, and offering x-rays and lab in-house.
Although Express Care does not file claims for Medicare and Medicaid patients, those can be seen with cash payments. Express Care does honor the insurance and employer programs which Memorial Hospital honors, as well as all other cash patients.
Express Care at 1339 South Broadway is open from 7am til 7pm Monday through Saturday and open from 9am until 4pm on Sundays. To phone Express Care, call 903-951-1001.
Sulphur Bluff 5th Grader, Jack Philips, Featured on RFD-TV
Not every 10-year old is a featured guest performer on television but Jack Philips, fifth grade student at Sulphur Bluff ISD, was recently featured on RFD-TV’s “True Country”. Jack plays Western Swing and sings in the Bob Wills’ style. Jack’s fiddling natural abilities are being strengthened by formal training, but what he does naturally is something even seasoned musicians never learn.
County Commissioners Move Forward Seeking FEMA Disaster Relief Funding
Hopkins County Commissioners and FEMA are nearing completion of evaluation of spring storm and flood damage to of county road. Disaster inspections based on spring 2015 damage is nearing completion. When completed, commissioners and FEMA will quickly begin evaluation of damage from storms, tornados, and floods that occurred in December of 2015. FEMA will provide 75% of the final dollar total of damage with the county providing 25%. The county’s responsibility can be met through county labor and use of machinery.
Beth Wisenbaker, Commissioner Precinct 1, said that depending on weather and other factors January 29th should be the end date for the evaluations o
f spring damage. Although upper level review of the final assessment will follow, it is expected the January agreement will be accepted in the final decision by FEMA. Commissioners and FEMA representatives will meet to determine a final dollar figure in the next couple of weeks. With all precincts in the county affected, each commissioner had applied for their own specific amount depending on need. Wisenbaker said Precinct 1 would be applying for FEMA assistance at an amount around one million dollars. She said that some of the funds received from FEMA would reimburse the county commissioners’ budget for work already performed. The remainder would be used to fund the remaining projects.
Next the county commissioners will begin working with FEMA on damage that occurred during the December 26th rains. Some of the roadways destroyed by the spring rains had been repaired but were wiped out again by the December disaster. Wisenbaker said the county has already met the FEMA local funding threshold. Wisenbaker said the county has easily met the disaster threshold of $125,000 in damage and is sure the state will reach the $35-million minimum due to the statewide effect of storms, tornados, and blizzard. Agri-business received the greatest damage from the storm named by some, “Goliath”.
FEMA representatives that have been working with the county have been based in Texarkana. However, Wisenbaker said FEMA is considering establishing a base in Sulphur Springs as they continue working disaster relief locally.
Yates Found Guilty; Sentencing Expected Thursday Afternoon
Wednesday a Hopkins County jury found Stanton Wayne Yates, 30, guilty of four counts of engaging in organized criminal activity and one count of burglary. In a trial that began Monday morning in 8th Judicial District Court, Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison said the sentencing phase of the trail began Wednesday afternoon with testimony. Attorney arguments in the sentencing phase will be presented Wednesday afternoon. Yates faces a range of punishment that ranges from probation to life in prison.
Yates is one of two Hunt County brothers who were found in Collin County jail for burglary of a habitation. At the time of their arrest, Hopkins County Sheriff’s officers thought seven burglaries that were under investigation at that time would be cleared.
Yates’ brother, Perry Jeff Yates, pled guilty to burglary and was been sentenced to 20 years in the state penitentiary.
Animals of the Week: Daina and Paxton
Daina and Paxton are two dogs with a close bond. Daina is a female Beagle and Bull mix and is one and a half years old. Paxton is a pug and Chihuahua mix and is five years old.
“The original owner was trying to re-home them. She had to vacate the home that they were at and, we believe, the people there had just dropped them off at another street,” Animal Shelter Officer Barbi Blanch said. “We ended up picking them up and we knew where the dogs since we found them over at the Lake Highland church.”
The two dogs have stayed together ever since they were found on November 10, making them the oldest animals in the Shelter. Paxton has seen Daina grown from a puppy until she towered over the little pug/chihuahua mix. The dynamic duo went together at the beginning of December to the foster home of Tasha Webb where they live with ten other foster animals.
“I love animals and I wanted to make sure they were okay,” Webb said. “I have a houseful, and they all get along well. They’re very sweet dogs, they’re calm and cool and don’t try to annoy other dogs or animals.”
Paxton and Daina are inseparable, sleeping and eating together. Webb has even had to have one dog present while bathing the other so as to not cause distress between the two. Because of this, the Animal Shelter only wants to adopt them out together, since separating them has seen bad results in the past.
“At one time we did adopt Daina out and the man brought her back because she was chasing cats. During the time that Daina was gone, Paxton more or less moped. At times he really wouldn’t eat, he’d just lay there. Whenever she came back, it was like his whole life lit back up. He was a completely different dog.”
Both dogs have been presented together at off site adoptions and other events. Bonded pairs such as Paxton and Daina are always kept together at the Shelter, and are always adopted together as well.
Daina with Officer Annie DeWolfe (left) Paxton with Tasha Webb (right)
What is that weed?
What is that weed: Lawn burrweed
This time of the year is always a challenge for the gardener. Our lawns are idle with most of the grasses dormant. Sporadic ryegrass blades might be greening up and need some touch-up mowing but in general our gardens are just as we are: cold and grumpy waiting for the temperatures to raise. This year our knock-out roses had an unexpected flowering last week: The “Nacogdoches” yellow roses bloomed and greened up as a reminder to me that springs is just few weeks away. For some residents in the county the carpet burweed or lawn burweed (Soliva spp.), a cool season annual introduced from South America, has become a nuisance on golf courses, athletic fields, parks and lawns. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension the lawn burrweed becomes a real nuisance when the seed matures in the spring because the sharply pointed spines on the seed can easily pierce the skin. Burweed becomes a deterrent to the use of athletic fields, parks and playgrounds in the spring when the seed mature. On golf courses, burrweed invades even the most closely mowed putting greens as well as fairways, tees and roughs. Burweed is a small, low-growing annual plant. In an unmowed site, it only reaches 2 inches in height and the individual plants may spread out to about 6 inches in diameter. Leaves are pinnately divided giving the plant a feathery appearance. The seed enclosures are flattened, callous structures terminating in teeth on spines. Burweed emerges in early fall and matures in the spring. The vegetative part of the plant dries up in May and the seeds remain to germinate the next fall. Populations of the weed may become so high that plants cover the ground like a carpet-thus, the name “carpet burweed.” Where grassy weeds such as annual bluegrass are eliminated by the use of preemerge herbicides, populations of burweed increase dramatically in following years.Like most broadleaf weeds, burweed is easily controlled in the seedling stage with hormone-type herbicides. Products containing 2,4-D, MCPP and dicamba will control burweed in the seedling stage. Preemerge herbicides are generally not effective for burweed control. In fact, burweed populations increase where preemerge herbicides reduce the competition. Products based on isoxaben are label to use as pre-emergent herbicide for Soliva spp. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
