Special Ranger Hurley Featured in Progressive Cattleman Magazine
Special thanks to Editor David Cooper and Progressive Cattleman Magazine
Toney Hurley of Hopkins County, a Special Ranger with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, was featured in a recent article of Progressive Cattleman. The article explains how the Special Rangers use technology and their experience to solve cases of cattle theft and to protect the ranching way of life. In the article, Hurley uses DNA, photos and a GPS device to solve cases, even without branded cattle.
Find the Progressive Cattleman article here.
McDonald’s Receives New Sign
The McDonald’s chain restaurant off Interstate 30 on Shannon Road in Sulphur Springs has received a new sign after their previous sign was damaged two years ago. The construction job was done by Ark-La-Tex Superior Signs who began work on Monday November 2, 2015.
“We had some lighting issues that were happening in our roadsign, and we also had a storm that had blown off half of the arches, so we had it replaced,” General Manager Ayana Taylor said. “It’s been two years since that storm happened and we had to wait on parts and other things like that, which is why we have a brand new arch.”
The new sign is the most recent design for McDonald’s signs featuring a standard golden letter “M” with a red base and more bold colors. Unlike the previous sign, the new one will not feature the word “McDonald’s” as the sign is easily recognizable across the country.
“Hopefully it’ll be a whole lot brighter,” Taylor said.
Lights of Life Campaign Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The 20th Anniverary of the Lights of Life Campaign began Tuesday in the lobby of Hopkins County Memorial Hospital. Gloria Mitchell, Donna Rudzik and Polly Swatsell the 2015-2016 Lights of Life Campaign Chairs officially kicked-off of the celebration campaign.
Previous Campaign Chairs were recognized as the 2015-2016 10th Anniversary Lights of Life Honorees. Past chairperson who will be recognized are: Mickey Master Barnett (2006), Wanda Galyean (2007), Dr. Bill & Peggy Dietze (2009), Craig Roberts & Jennifer Roberts (2010), Tom & Pam Sellers (2011), Mickey & Barbara McKenzie (2012), Arvis & Sheila Tanton (2013), Ms. Mary Bonham, Rhonda Young & Kristin Potts (2014), Brian & Leesa Toliver (2015).
Also recognized were the three $20,000 Diamond Sponsors – Carriage House Manor & The Cottages – Arvis & Sheila Tanton, CHRISTUS Health System & GSC Emprises, Inc. – Mickey & Barbara McKenzie; two $10,000 STAR Sponsors – Alliance Bank and HCMH Volunteer Auxiliary; nine $5000 Sparkle Sponsors – Access Physicians, Advanced Heart Care & Cath Lab, CD Ballard-Ballard Trucking, City National Bank, Guaranty Bank & Trust & Wealth Management, James Hodge Motor Company, Net Date, The Bookworm Box, and Wesley House & Wesley Oaks Memory Care; and twelve $3000 Glitter Sponsors- Bulkley & Associates, CompleteRX, City National Bank, Echo Publishing Company, Gene & Jeanette Watson, M & F Western Products, Inc., Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home, Rock Creek Health & Rehab, SS Commercial Services, Sulphur Springs Dodge, Texas Heritage Bank and West Oaks Funeral Home.
The Lights of Life tree lighting campaign started in 1996. Chaired by Chad and Rhonda Young, the community was invited to help light the hospital Christmas tree by making a $25 donation in “memory or to honor” someone special. For every $25 donation given a light was placed on the hospital Christmas tree. Funds raised before 2005 were designated for specific programs and/or projects like, Hospice at Memorial, Think Child Safety, pediatrics and other specified programs offered by the hospital. The campaign has grown over the past twenty years to include several min-events and the annual black time Lights of Life gala.
All funds raised through the campaign will help reach the aggressive goal of $250,000 set by the Foundation board of directors. A portion of the funds raised this year through the Lights of Life Campaign and Gala will be used to purchase six (6) LUCAS CPR devices and add additional funds to the Foundation “Leaving a Legacy” endowment fund.
The official tree lighting and reception will be held on Thursday, December 4 at 6p.m. in The Gardens at Memorial.
Donation checks should be made payable to the Health Care Foundation. Contact Jackie Thornton, Foundation Director for more information, 903-438-4799.
Meal-A-Day Driver Needed for Monday Route
Meal-A-Day, Monday Route 1 needs a driver.
If you would like to give up an hour of your time and help us out please call me and let me know.
It is an in town route that goes around by Hospital, Library and that area.
You will be blessed more than you know.
Meal-A-Day provides lunch time meals for people 50 years old or better. Meals cost $2.00 each, delivered or picked up at the Senior Center. Call ahead to make sure they will have a hot lunch available for you.
Senior Center
EDC, Neon Cloud Productions Makes Drone Video of Sulphur Springs
“We wanted to, in a short period of time, show what it’s like to live, work, and have a business in Sulphur Springs Hopkins County,” Executive Director of EDC Roger Feagley said. This led the Sulphur Springs Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation to made an aerial video of Sulphur Springs using a drone. The drone was hired out from Neon Cloud Productions from the Dallas Metroplex area.
Feagley said the video “shows lots of the ammenities here in town; we show the downtown square, we show the parks, and we show those as a quality of life issue, but so that someone that’s wanting to put a business here can see what it’s like to live here.”
The video project began in the Spring, but was delayed roughly 60-90 days due to poor weather conditions. Despite this delay, the project was finished, and EDC plans to use drones for future projects.
“We’re going to be using it as a marketing tool to encourage companies to build new manufacturing warehousing and industrial buildings here,” Feagley said. “So that means that we’ll be embedding into emails and correspondance that we have when we send out materials in a written format that will have the link to our website that will encourage people to watch the video.”
The Neon Cloud Productions operater that controlled the drone was assisted by Director of Business Retention and Workforce Glenda Bassham. Bassham showed Neon Cloud where filming would take place as well as helping in the editing and animation of the video. The drone video will be showed on Channel 18.
Scream on the Square a Success
The response to the first ever Scream on the Square was better than expected, according to Yori Franklin, City Community Development Specialist. Franklin said the city “ran and jump in” scheduling the event with games and other activities for families. Weather was cooperative. Channel 18 News Notebook reported:
Blue Bell is Back
Blue Bell ice cream products have returned to Brookshires and other stores in Sulphur Springs. After roughly eight months off the shelves, Blue Bell products arrived in stores Monday November 2, 2015.
These products were required to undergo extensive tests and checks before being sold due to Lysteria found in Blue Bell factories 8 months ago when products first began recall. Only four flavors have been released: Cookies & Cream, Homemade Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, and Great Divide. Blue Bell plans to release one new flavor each month until all flavors have been restored. It is unknown when, and what, other Blue Bell products will return to shelves.
*Updated* Local Taco Bell Confirms Giveaway
The local Taco Bell will participate in “Steal a Base, Steal a Breakfast” Thursday, November 5, 2015. In response to the first base stolen, by Lorenzo Cain, during the World Series, Taco Bell is giving away a free A.M. Crunchwrap to everyone from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The fast food restaurant chain is promoting a nation-wide campaign on that day to draw attention to their new breakfast menu.
“We are happy to participate in this campaign,” stated Drew Durrett, Vice President of Operations for Southern Mulitfoods. Durrett and Mike Stansberry, with the franchise, called KSST following a story posted on ksstradio.com. Extra product will be available to handle what is expected to be a high demand during the promotion. For more information regarding the promotion, call Taco Bell at 903-586-1524 extention 150.
SSHS to Honor Hopkins County Veterans
SSHS invites all Hopkins County veterans, current service members, and spouses to join them in their Veterans Day Celebration on November 11, 2015.
SSHS will have a special Veterans Day program to honor our past and present military. We are inviting all Hopkins County veterans, current service members, and their spouses for a reception followed by a patriotic program. The reception will begin at 12 noon in the SSHS Library. The program will follow at 1:00 pm in the gymnasium with special performances by our SSHS Band and various guests.
Parking will be provided on the east side of the high school campus at the main entrance. Overflow parking will be at Prim Stadium with a shuttle to the high school. Please come join us in honoring our current and veteran military members.
Saputo Company Picnic Sees Great Turnout
The Saputo dairy product manufacturing company held an employee picnic in Heritage Park on October 17, 2015. A meal was served employees and a number of employee’s children were also present. People played games such as horse shoe, slingshot and volleyball, and prizes were also given out to employees.
