SSISD Campuses Finalizing Summer Remodeling Projects
Over the summer of 2015, a number of Sulphur Springs ISD school campuses have started or finished construction and renovation projects. Most have been completed, except for SSHS and Lamar Elementary, both of which are having major work done.
The Sulphur Springs High School is rebuilding the Regional Civic Center Auditorium, which they have leased for the next 35 years. The $4 million project was approved on June 26, and exterior construction is well underway.
Lamar Elementary is renovating its student drop-off/pick-up sidewalk and teacher parking lot.
The Alternative Learning Center had interior work done which expanded office space for teachers and staff. Before the work was done, the majority of staff offices were all housed in one big room. Now, walls have been built and office space moved and readjusted to give individual offices to staff. The campus police officer has also been moved closer to the main entrance.
Minor work has also been done at the Sulphur Springs Elementary School. While no construction work was done, a number of Dr. Seuss murals were added along the main hallway.
Man Hides Behind the Wrong Door
A 24-year old Sulphur Springs man, Nathan James “Lumpy” Bearden, was arrested Wednesday evening at 9 p.m. for burglary of a habitation. While Sheriff’s deputies were performing warrant service at a local hotel, a woman told them someone had entered her room without her permission. She had left her room briefly and left the door ajar. Someone told her a man ran into her room and closed the door. Management opened the door for the officers and deputies found the man hiding behind a door.
Bearden is in Hopkins County jail on a charge of burglary of a habitation. His bond has been set at $20,000.
Rockwall County Adds Additional Burglary Charges Against Campbell
Rockwall County has now filed a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver against 37-year old Michael Dale Campbell. Bond was set at $75,000. Campbell has total bond of $275,000 which also includes four Hopkins County charges and six from Kaufman County.
Campbell, who was arrested August 6 in Hopkins County in connection with a stolen lawn mower tractor and trailer from Kaufman County charges from Kaufman County. Campbell has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, burglary of a habitation, burglary of a building and three counts of theft over $1,500, all from Kaufman County.
Campbell also faces charges in Hopkins County of child endangerment, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a controlled substance and theft over $1,500.
His wife 30-year old Lydia Ellen Campbell was charged in Hopkins County with child endangerment, possession of a controlled substance and theft over $1,500. Bond was set for her at $55,000 and she is out of jail on bond. 
“Updated” One Dead, Two Injured in Delta County Accident
One person is dead and two are injured after a fiery head on collision in Delta County shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday. The accident occurred on Highway 19 North past the twin bridges near the South Sulphur River and the Hopkins Delta County Line. A dump truck was in collision with a car. The deceased has been identified as 61-year old Vivian Yvonne Brewer of Cooper. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Judge Bud Skinner. Husband of the deceased, O.G. Brewer of Cooper, was taken to a Plano hospital by helicopter. He is said to be in critical condition. The truck driver with A.K. Gillis, Vincent Wilcox, was taken by ambulance to Hopkins County Memorial Hospital. The investigating DPS Trooper is Jamie Blount of the Paris Office. The accident closed the highway for about three hours after the accident.
This Saturday At Celebration Plaza!
This Saturday the 15th, Sulphur Springs has a full schedule on Celebration Plaza!
Starting off Saturday morning we have the usual Sunrise Market, which is from 8am – 12pm.
Sunrise Market consists of the following:
1. Fresh produce
2. Farm fresh eggs
3. Canned goods
4. Baked goods
5. Seasonal crops
6. Plants
7. Grass fed beef orders and more
Adding to the excitement Celebration Market will start at 6pm – 1opm
Celebration Market will be in full swing to keep locals and others occupied on Saturday night!
Celebration Market consists of the following:
1. Homemade/handmade arts and crafts
2. Food vendors
3. Lots of fresh produce
The evening farmers market is n the mix as well!
Also during the Celebration Market, there is live music entertainment from Ducado Vega and Zenya Vi on Celebration Stage!
Everyone enjoy Saturday at Celebration Plaza, for updated information stay tuned into KSSTradio.com 
Chamber Connection – August 13, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Chamber Connection
August 13, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Hopkins Place will be honoring their Heroes with a First Responders Lunch, Friday, August 14th
The staff and residents at Hopkins Place would like to honor their heroes & first responders with a complimentary lunch, Friday, August 14th from 12-1. They are located at 890 Camp Street. Please RSVP to Sherrie at 903-658-9278 by August 12th.
Hot August Night, Saturday, August 15th-Civic Center Grounds…Featuring the Afters & Hawk Nelson
The Way Radio Group and Sulphur Springs Dodge present Hot August Night, Saturday, August 15th at the Civic Center Grounds. The Hopkins County Volunteer Fire Departments, 9th Annual BBQ Cook-Off begins at 1pm. Food Service Begins at 5pm and the Concert featuring The Afters & Hawk Nelson begins at 7pm. You may get your tickets at itickets.com.
Don’t miss Elizabeth Ellis, Saturday August 15th at the Sulphur Springs Library!
If you remember going to the library when you were a child to listen to stories, pass those memories to a new generation… bring a kid to the library! ELIZABETH ELLIS will be here Saturday morning August 15 at 10am! Elizabeth Ellis doesn’t mince words. Filled with hilarious and poignant honesty, her personal stories deliver down-home wisdom, southern style. It is a voice which finds the heart and the funny bone, riveting audiences wherever she goes. Elizabeth Ellis grew up in the Appalachian Mountains hearing stories from her Grandfather, a mountain minister. The “Divine Miss E” is a versatile, riveting teller of Appalachian and Texas tales and stories of heroic American women, though her personal stories are arguably her best. Invariably hilarious and poignant, she is a repeated favorite at the National Storytelling Festival. The award winning storyteller has mesmerized nearly a million children in her thirty-six year career.
4th Annual Dog Show, Thursday, August 20th @ 6:00pm at Hopkins Place
Come visit the remarkable, pet-friendly community at Hopkins Place, for the 4th Annual Dog Show! Dogs will be judged in several categories…Best Hair, Best Behavior, Most Friendly and Best Bark! The Entry Fee is a 10lb bag of dog food to be donated to the Hopkins Coutny Animal Shelter. This event is sponsored by Bethany Home Health. To register your dog, please call Sherrie at 903-439-1202
4th Annual Jace Jog, Saturday, August 29th, 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run, Coleman Park
5K Run Walk begins at 8:00 a.m.; $25.00 Entry Fee. Kids Fun Run at 7:30 a.m.; $5.00 Entry Fee (10 years and under will be held at Coleman Park (Soccer Field Side). Register at Anytime Fitness and online: rctregister.com. Early registration – July 15- August 14. T-shirts guaranteed for 5K early registration.
Adult Leadership Class Project…Beautiful Picnic Tables in the new pavilion!
The Leadership class of 2014-15 has the opportunity to assist in enhancing this area using a location that has been unused for years. The City of Sulphur Springs and the Adult Leadership Class of 2014-15 has partnered in the demolition of the old city pool and begun the construction of a large pavilion, available for public use, complete with brick fireplace/smoker and 24 picnic tables. We anticipate a great place for family reunions, class reunions, birthday parties or general meeting space!
The tables are a $1,000 donation for each picnic table personalized with your business, family name or loved one’s name with a maximum of 30 letters. Donations can be paid to the order of Sulphur Springs Leadership Class 2014-15 or Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. They will limit to the first 24 paid donations.
Help Save Lives in Hopkins County…Participate in one of these Blood Drives!!!
Rent-A-Center is hosting a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, August 14, 903 Gilmer St. in the parking lot on the Carter BloodCare bus. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, contact Elisha Gaytan at (903) 885-8521.
The Civic Center is hosting a blood drive at the “Hot August Nights” event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 1200 Houston St. in the parking lot on the Carter BloodCare bus. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, contact Lanie Jennings at (903) 571-9667.
Wal-Mart is hosting a blood drive “For the Love of Our Troops” from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, August 17, 1750 S. Broadway, in the parking lot on the Carter BloodCare bus. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, contact Joyce Davis at (903) 439-3144.
This August, Carter BloodCare and Fox Sports Southwest are teaming up to give Carter BloodCare donors the chance to win ticket packs for their favorite hometown pro-sports teams. Give a pint of ‘life’ and visit carterbloodcare.org for more information. It is a good idea to eat a nutritious meal and drink plenty of water at least an hour before giving blood. All donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, feel well on the day of donation, and present a government-issued photo ID each time they give blood. Potential blood donors may volunteer beginning at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds may give independently and there is no upper age limit for donating blood. For more information on donor eligibility and to make an appointment, call 1-800-366-2834 or visit carterbloodcare.org.
Welcome Carroll Roofing, Siding & Foundation Repair/Leveling to the Chamber!
Carroll Roofing; Carroll Siding; and Carroll Foundation Repair/Leveling is a third generation family operation. They are a member of the Better Business Bureau in Dallas and NET. They are here in Hopkins, where their grandfather was born, raised and started the family business, to serve you in any of the three businesses they have – roofing, siding and foundation repair/leveling. Call Gary at 903-885-3051.
We would like to welcome the following members to the Chamber of Commerce:
Managed Solutions Group
1203 Jackson St. North
Sulphur Springs, Tx 75482
888-354-6208
Kasey Tomasek
Computer Technology Services
Red River Credit Union
1335 S. Broadway, Ste. 20
Sulphur Springs, Tx 75482
903-735-3164
Ryan Brook
Banks & Mortgage Companies
Ring US Wireless
1217 S. Broadway, Ste. 0
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Thomas Chapa, General Mgr.
903-919-5029
Cellular Phone Sales
Carroll Roofing, Siding & Foundation Repair/Leveling
525 Gilmer
Sulphur Springs, Tx 75482
Gary Carroll
903-885-3051
Roofing
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
Interim Superintendent Named for MVISD
Mount Vernon ISD Board of Trustees named Dr. Mark Jackson to serve the district as Interim Superintendent. Dr. Jackson served the Kerrville ISD as Superintendent from July 1997 until June of 2002. He began his work as Superintendent at Burleson ISD in July 2002 until he retired in June 2010.
Following retirement, Dr. Jackson was Interim Superintendent at Keller for two months in 2012 and then at Mansfield ISD April-mid June 2015.
Mount Vernon will reimburse Dr. Jackson with a salary of $495.58 per day. The district will also reimburse for reasonable expenses incurred in the continuing performance of his duties including but not limited to hotels and accommodations, meals, rental car, and other expenses.
Two Mosquitoes Tested for West Nile Virus Found Positive in Commerce
As a precautionary measure, the City of Commerce along with Texas A & M University-Commerce have been testing mosquitoes for various diseases by trapping them and sending them to the Department of State Health Services. Emergency Management Officials have been notified that two of the samples have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Most people infected with West Nile have no signs or symptoms. However, about 20% of those infected develop a mild infection called West Nile fever. Common signs and symptoms of West Nile fever include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, back pain, occasionally skin rash, swollen lymph glands and eye pain.
Commerce and TAMU-C Emergency Management Officials want to reassure citizens and students that no human reports of West Nile have been reported. City Staff will begin spraying for mosquitoes in the areas which the infected mosquitoes were found and will spray continuously for three days, beginning today (Wednesday, August 12). Testing for infected mosquitoes will continue in all areas of Commerce and the University.
Precautionary measures are urged. When outside, wear light colored clothing, use an insect repellent containing DEET, wear long sleeves and pants. To aid in eliminating mosquito breeding sites it is encouraged to do away with any standing water from flower pots, buckets, barrels, and other containers. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out and always empty children’s wading/swimming pools and store on their side after use.
Courthouse Celebration Honors History With Tours and Lectures
Next week on Saturday, August 22, the Hopkins County Courthouse will be 120 years old. County Judge Robert Newsom has big plans to celebrate on Friday and Saturday, August 21 and 22. Wednesday, Judge Newsom reviewed a brief history of the courthouse and tells KSST what to expect during the celebration.
Hearts of Life Facility Under Construction
The Hearts of Life Foundation, an animal rescue and adoption center, is undergoing construction to extend their facilities. Improvements include new drainage to divert flood water, as well as a new enclosed shelter for the animals.
“Whenever we got rain, the water would actually pool at our present barn where we have the dogs housed,” Deborah Balkcom of Hearts of Life said.
The improved drainage has already been finished, and Hearts of Life is waiting for the next phase to begin work on a new shelter building for the animals. Currently, the animals are kept inside the barn, or outside in kennels set up on the ground. The new shelter would place the animals inside an enclosed building with a concrete floor.
“Along with the actual building of the new shelter, we’re going to build excercise areas, which will all be done at the same time,” Balkcom said.
The construction projects have no set time of completion. This is due to the fact that the Hearts of Life Foundation must rely on donated money and time in order to have the projects done.
“The temperatures right now are making it hard for us to even get started on what we want to do because our volunteers can only work on the weekends and it’s too terribly hot to even get the area cleaned up to do it,” Balkcom said. “I have talked to an individual who’s son is a Boy Scout and is working on becoming an Eagle Scout. He needs to complete a big Eagle Project, and he’s mentioned some interest in doing the actual work for preparing the concrete and the rebar. It all has to be approved, but if he could do that, it would be outstanding. It would mean less money that we have to come up with, because we have to raise the money to do the project.”
The dirt work has already been done, but the concrete has yet to be started for the new shelter building.
