Arturo’s Wood Oven Pizza will Finally Have a Roof Over its Head
After beginning in May, construction of Arthur and Tina Kunzman’s pizzeria is finally nearing the end. The new McLeroy Building, owned by city attorney Jim McLeroy, on Main Street is almost completed. Arturo’s Wood Oven Pizza on the ground floor will be leased with apartments and a rooftop deck above. The interior of the new restaurant has already been planned out.
“There will be seating on the right side,” Arthur Kunzman said. “There will also be a bar where you can sit and watch the ovens themselves. The kitchen will be behind the ovens. In the front, we’ll fit as many tables as we can and on the left side will be the gallery where there will be items for sale.”
While construction was underway, Arturo’s has operated out of a pitched tent that could be found on or near Main ST. The small tent sold primarily pizzas and saw a consistent amount of customers with fluctuations depending on weather. The new menu will have a larger variety of meals to order.
“We’ll have pizza, pasta, sandwiches, calzones, salad, soup, desserts and some surprises,” Kunzman said. “Overall most of the people like what they’ve tried.”
Arturo’s will have an Italian theme with a surprise secret which will set it apart from other establishments in the Celebration District. Arturo’s will be hiring staff once the restaurant opens.
“As soon as we’re operational we’re going to have to cure the oven for seven days and in that time we’re going to form a list of people we need and have applications filled,” Kunzman said. “We have tons of people that already want to work for us, but we’re going to be selective about who we let in.”
Arturo’s hopes to open before Christmas if possible. No precise date has been determined yet.
Entries Sought For Lighting Contests In Historic District
The Downtown Business Alliance invites residences and businesses in the Sulphur Springs Downtown Historic District may compete for cash prizes in the Christmas Lights Contest. The district is defined on the east, north and south sides by the railroad tracks. The west side is defined by League Street.
Two separate contests, one for residential and the other for business, will be judged December 11th and 12th with the winners announced December 19th. Prizes in both divisions of the contest are $500 for first place, $200 for second place, and $50.00 for third place. Participants must have lights on from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. Judges will evaluate based on uses of lights, creativity, and theme or scene used.
In order to be judged for the context, contact Linda Galligher at 903.348.3733 or email [email protected] . The event is sponsored by the Downtown Business Alliance.
City Council Authorizes Property Exchange at Airport; Seeks Water Development Loan
The Sulphur Springs City Council consulted with an attorney on pending litigation during an executive session prior to their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night at 7 p.m. During the regular meeting, the council authorized City Manager Marc Maxwell to execute an attorney contract for legal services with Scott and Ray Law Firm of Greenville.
In other business, on second reading, the council approved an ordinance authorizing the exchange of property between the Municipal Airport and an adjacent property owner. City Attorney Jim McLeroy told KSST that the exchange would serve to straighten the boundary line between the properties.
The council also voted to ask the state to designate the city as the management agency for wastewater collection and treatment within the city limits. The designation is required for the city to apply for an $18.2-million Water Development Board loan the city is seeking to help pay for the $14.4-million renovation of the city’s aging Wastewater Treatment Plant. Loan money not used will be returned to the state.
In his Manager’s Report, City Manager Marc Maxwell said work on the last segments of the Rockdale Road reconstruction project are underway. Water utilities have been replaced. Concrete forming and pouring has begun. He added work on Plano Street is also underway. A new sewer main has been installed and a new water main is partially complete. The street will also be reconstructed. Maxwell said Bill Bradford Road is on deck. That $1.4-million project will include new water and sewer mains, drainage improvements and a new asphalt street.
Maxwell also said reconstruction work in now underway on the police department remodeling job.
Hundreds Tour New Jail Facility
Ron Lowry, Chief Communications Officer, explains the 911 bay in the Dispatch Center at the new Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center.
Hundreds of Hopkins County residents turned out to take a good look at the new 55,000 square feet County Jail facility during an open house Tuesday afternoon, December 1. Tours took them through the facility. They saw new office space for Sheriff’s Office administration, investigators and deputies, jail exercise areas, cooking and laundry facilities, dispatch area, visitation areas and a courtroom. The tour included visits to cells. There was also a brief program. County Judge Robert Newsom presided and he introduced County Commissioners and county elected officials. Former County Judge Chris Brown, who was judge when the jail project was put to the people for a vote, also spoke. Those present also heard from Sheriff Butch Adams as well as representatives from Sedalco Construction Company and DRG Architects. The Sheriff’s cousin, an employee of DRG Architects, surprised Sheriff Adams,a huge Dolly Parton fan, with a hardhat signed by Ms. Parton in pink. Inmates are expected to be moved into the new facility once a phone visitation system is installed and is approved by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.
Saltillo Lions Post Strong Third Quarter To Pick Up First Win
Saltillo Lions’ seven point advantage in the third quarter enabled a four point victory Tuesday night as the Lions downed Celeste 56-51 to earn their first win of the year. Lane Bench poured in 28 points to lead the Lions in scoring. The Lions are 1-6 on the year.
The Lions trailed by two at the end of the first quarter 19-17 but managed to tie the game at the half 27-27. They were outscored in the fourth quarter by two points 16-14. A 15-8 third quarter made the difference for the Lions.
Others scoring for the Lions varsity: Johnathon Vanholten 9, Walker McGill 6, Logan Camp 4, Lyle Bench 3, Trevor Moore 2, Clayton Wilson 2, Michael Simmons 2.
The Lions are in the Miller Grove Tournament Thursday through Saturday, December 3-5.
For the Lions JV, Matthew Gurley scored 20 and Nathan Valenzuela 10 to lead the 47-30 victory over Celeste’s JV. It was the first win of the year for the Lions JV. Also scoring for the JV, Ben Moore 6, Hendrick Rios 6, Levi Hoover 3, Jace Dunlap 2.
The Lions JV record is now 1-2 for the season.
Express Care Ribbon Cutting/Open House
The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting and open house for Express Care on Thursday, December 10th, 2015 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. located at 1339 South Broadway, Sulphur Springs. A Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting will take place at 5:15 p.m.
Express Care is an urgent care clinic that will treat anything ranging from cold and flu to minor injuries, allergies to x-ray, and more. The clinic will offer in-house lab to help expedite diagnostic services and develop care plans that fit your schedule. Dr. Darrel Pierce, Colbie Cross, PA-C and Kalee Kirk, PA-C will rotate seeing patients on-site.
Express Care is scheduled to be open for business on December 15th. Hours of operation will be Monday-Saturday, 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 pm. For more information please call 903.951.1000.
Tree Lighting Thursday To Celebrate Lights of Life 20th Anniversary
The 20th Anniversary of Lights of Life Tree Lighting will take place Thursday at 6 p.m. in The Gardens of Memorial. The public is invited to attend. Funds raised go to the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation that provides extras for the hospital. The lights on the tree are in honor or in memory of those who have remembered one through a donation to Lights of Life and the Memorial Hospital Foundation. The family event will include music by the SSHS Jazz Band, Haystack Youth Choir, and the every popular Memorial Hospital Physicians Choir. Foundation Director Jackie Thornton and tri-chairs for Lights of Life and the Gala, Donna Rudzik, Polly Swatsell and Gloria Mitchell were guests on KSST’s Good Morning Show with Enola Gay Tuesday morning.
Schedule for the event:
Celebrating the
20th Anniversary of
Lights of Life
Tree Lighting
Welcome
Jackie Thornton, Director
Health Care Foundation
Special Thanks & Prayer
Bob Weaver, Chair Foundation Board
Tim Kelty, Chair Memorial Hospital Board
Michael McAndrew, CEO Memorial Hospital
Campaign Chair Comments
Gloria Mitchell, Donna Rudzik, Polly Swatsell
Recognition of Lights of Life
Campaign Honorees
2006-2015 Lights of Life Gala Chairs
Entertainment
Haystack Youth Choir – Kevin Wooley, Director
SS High School Jazz Band – Charles McCauley, Director
Memorial Hospital Physicians Choir
Santa Arrival & Tree Lighting
Santa & Campaign Chairs
Closing
Jackie Thornton
Refreshments
Served by HCMH Volunteer Auxiliary
2015 Year in Review: Hopkins County Livestock and Forage
2015 Year in Review: Hopkins County Livestock and Forage, Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
Beef and Dairy Production is a 2.96 billion dollar industry in the East Region. The predominating beef producer in the region is a cow/calf producer with less than 100 head. All beef enterprises are also affected by climate as well as market variability. County-based Program Area Committees (PAC) firmly establish the need for educational programs targeted for beef and dairy producers enabling them to increase knowledge as well as adopt best management practices and new technologies improving product quality and producer sustainability. The goal of the plan is to provide educational experiences to Hopkins County ranchers (150 active beef producers with numerous more not registered) and dairy producers (65 permitted dairies). A preconditioning sale of stocker cattle (NETBIO) has proven to be a successful marketing tool with more than 400,868 head process since its conception. This program cooperated with NETBIO committee and subcommittees to resolve educational issues related to the success of the beef industry in Hopkins County. This plan had the objective of providing educational experiences to more than 250 private pesticide applicators, 60 dairy farmers and more than 350 beef producers. Marketing of the activities included in this plan will be conducted by press releases, flyers and personal communications. Technology based educational events were incorporated seamlessly into already planned educational activities.
Response:
To address the educational needs established by the Beef Program Area Committee, this plan conducted the following activities:
- 7 PAC planning meetings (Monthly from April 2015-October 2015).
- 4 Newsletters for private applicators and beef producers (650 mailings)(quarterly).
- 3 New Private Applicators Trainings (February, July and October 2015)(technology based).
- 6 Press releases related to beef science (15,000 reached on each one)(Star telegram).
- 6 Educational planning committee meetings.
- 4 NETBIO Board meetings.
- 8 Cattlemen’s classic cook-off planning meetings.
- 1 Volunteer’s planning dinner.
- Cattlemen’s Classic and Ribeye Cook-off (253 attendance)(October 16, 2015).
- Private Applicator CEU’s (November 4, 2015)(104 attending).
Results:
- 73.4 % (58/79) Private Applicators will take actions of make changes because of what they learned during the training and 53.1% (42/79) will benefit economically as a direct result of the training (2015 Private Applicators CEU).
- 91.6% (33/36) Beef Producers will plan to take actions or make changes because of what they learned during the training and 97.2 % will benefit economically as a direct result of the training (2015 Cattlemen’s Classic).
- 97.1% (34/35) Beef producers were mostly or completely satisfied with the training and will recommend educational programs conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (2015 Cattlemen’s Classic).
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-884-3443 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
A Year in Review – Walk Across Texas, 2015
A Year in Review – Walk Across Texas, 2015
Each year, I publish a report on each of my major programming areas. Today’s focus will be on Walk Across Texas. WAT is an 8-week walking program for teams of eight people, school classes, or individuals. Teams have a friendly competition to see who can log the most miles walking, jogging, or biking. You can even dance, do aerobics or gardening, clean house or ride a stationary bike! You can also enter your miles on the Web and track your online at http://walkacrosstexas.tamu.edu. Everyone who participates will take home a health habit – walking! The ultimate goal is for teams of 8 or classrooms to log 833 miles (the approximate distance from El Paso to Beaumont).
The venues for Walk Across Texas took place in 2015:
1) Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteer training – participants started onFebruary 3 and ended on March 24. The group of six amassed 868.5 miles, surpassing the goal of 833. The total economic impact for this group is $254,194. Included in this program were 5 weekly fact sheets, 2 cooking demonstrations, and incentive items, such as cutting boards, veggie peelers, measuring cups and spoons. 60% of the participants attain 5 days of physical activity for 30 minutes or more; 20% participate in 6 days of physical activity for 30 minutes or more.
2) Head Start Teach In-Service – Thirty-five Head Start staff and faculty attended the Teacher-in-Service training in which the Walk Across Texas program was introduced. Select lessons from the teacher link were implemented with the group as a way to show how teachers could replicate the lessons with their classrooms. Each simple lesson fits into the TEKS. In addition, the teacher link on the WAT website was reviewed, which includes lesson plans, parent newsletters, a link to register entire classrooms, and healthy hints.
3) Head Start parents – Walk & Talk was implemented with 16 participants at the Early Childhood Learning Center, starting September 16 and ending on November 2. Although not all could complete the 8-week series, the group logged a cumulative mileage of 2,424.3, far surpassing the 833 mile goal! The total economic impact for this group was $431,053, based on potential health care cost saving if healthy practices are continued. The group chose the name “Overcomers.” This series included the following: 8 weekly fact sheets, 8 nutritional/physical activity topics, 2 cooking demonstrations, 3 Better Living for Texans newsletters (September, October, and November, 2015), and incentive items such as cutting boards, spoon set, hot pads, paring knives, and measuring cups. A “graduation ceremony” was held to recognize those who walked the most miles, and to present certificates to all of those who participated. 75% of participants increased the number of days of physical activity for 30 minutes or more; 56% increased the number of days of fruit consumption; 43% increased the number of days of vegetable consumption. Media coverage included Sulphur Springs News Telegram, Hopkins County Family & Consumer Sciences Facebook page, Front Porch News Texas Facebook page, and KSST.
Participant comments pertaining to the benefits of the program included:
– The nutritional tips are very helpful and help me to think about my diet and overall fitness.
– Stress relief, more energy
– It helped me with taking care of myself
– How to spend more time with our children and other ways we can exercise
Comments concerning what participants like most about the program included:
– Friendship, learning how to eat healthy food
– Getting to know other walkers
– Talking with friends
– Walking/talking with friends! We are overcomers!
– Excellent program!
– Great recipes!
Future implications: The Walk & Talk program will be implemented in 2016 at the Early Childhood Learning Center. The three-lesson series, “A Fresh Start to a Healthier You” will be implemented along with the Walk & Talk 8-week series.
Next week, watch for more impact reports!
Closing Thought
Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it comes softly and sits on your shoulder.
Walk & Talk participants at ECLC learn about healthy eating and physical activity.
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Sulphur Springs Fine Arts Director McCauley Announces Band and Fine Arts Christmas Performances
The Christmas season is a busy time for the Wildcats Band and High School Fine Arts. Charles McCauley, Band Director and Fine Arts Director at SSHS, said the jazz band will play 5:45 p.m. Thursday night at the Lights of Life Tree Lighting event. The band will march for the last time this school year in the Friday night Lion’s Club Lighted Christmas Parade.
A number of other events are also scheduled before Christmas break.
