Construction Underway in City
Work on new business ventures in Sulphur Springs is moving along quickly. Wendy’s is under construction on Industrial Boulevard near Broadway. Dirt work preparing for foundation and parking area has been conducted over the past few weeks. Now framing has begun. Wendy’s is hiring as they prepare for opening soon.
Hodge Chevrolet, located on Wildcat Way, is in the skeletal stages. Dirt work continues as steel beams are put into place. Progress for the dealership is behind schedule due to the winter and spring rains that separate their March 12th ground breaking and proposed September opening. 
Jay Hodge, owner of the new dealership, stated that this has been a five year project that began with him working with his grandfather, James Hodge. The 15,000 square feet building, being constructed by Harrison, Walker, Harper of Paris, should be completed in September of this year. Hodge says the dealership will employ 20 people when it opens and would grow to 40 over time.
Remodeling is underway at the Broadway Street location that formerly housed Radio Shack. Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board of Directors voted July 7, 2015, to lease the building. The building will serve the hospital as an emergency express care facility. The facility will provide express medical care for Southside residents of the city and county, as well as any that desire to obtain services there. Questions regarding parking and the expansion of parking were present as the hospital considered the building but avenues of answers seem available. Delivery date for the facility will be on or before November 1st. The hospital will have the option to sublease the building should they so choose.
On Gilmer Street, an office complex is under construction near the Kyle Street, Gilmer Street intersection. Also under construction is the Sulphur Springs 
Physical Therapy building, they are adding a large component to the inside for therapy use. This therapy building is located on Industrial Drive.
Everyone be cautious to your surroundings around these locations, there could possibly be heavy machinery moving about.
Look Up! Tonight’s Meteor Shower!
August 12, 2015 – If you want to wish upon a star, tonight you are in luck!
The meteor shower will start approximately around midnight. You could see up to 50 meteors per hour if you are in a dark location and your view is not disturbed by trees or buildings. You don’t need any fancy gear like a telescope or binoculars. Just start making your way outside around midnight and find a clear spot away from light and other obstructions. You won’t see a bunch of meteors at once there is little spurts of them every few minutes. You could see a bunch at one time but its not likely.
Just bring a light jacket or blanket because the temperature could drop. Also, don’t forget your bug spray, those little bugs can be pests!
Here is some tips that can possibly help you see the meteors better:
- Find a place with as less light as possible
- Look to the northeast or right over head
- Find a place where you can see as much light as possible
- Make sure your eyes are adjusted to the darkness
- Keep all cell phone lights off so he light doesn’t ruin your vision.
Everyone enjoy the meteor shower at midnight!
Story and Photos by Molly Clegg, HS Intern
Harden Tracking New Hires and SSHS Grads Over Five Year Period
Sulphur Springs ISD Director of Human Resources Rusty Harden made a presentation to the school board Monday night at a regular board meeting. Harden is doing some surveys to provide the school district with all types of information. Harden is using surveys to track new hires and high school graduates over a five year period. He’s been doing this for the past two years. With new hires, Harden is learning about recruitment, retention rates and why people leave the district. The graduates can tell him if they feel prepared as they leave for college or a career, whether they felt safe in school and how good a job their teachers did.
“Updated” Hudson Found Guilty; Sentenced to 20 Years
District Attorney Will Ramsay asked a Hopkins County jury to sentence Chase Craig Hudson to 20 years in the state penitentiary for injury to an elderly person, a Felony. D A Ramsay was given his request but not until Wednesday afernooon following lengthy testimony by several witnesses called by the state. Among those witnesses was Sulphur Springs Police Criminal Investigator and SWAT Team leader Rusty Stillwagoner, who testified that he feared Hudson would possibly eventually kill his grandparents. Those to testified for the state included an state Adult Protection worker, law enforcement officers, and Hudson’s mother,
The 20 year sentence comes not only for injury to an elderly person but also includes a previous Felony conviction for impersonating a peace officer. Hudson was found guilty of injury to an elderly person Tuesday, August 11, 2015 in 8th Judicial District Court before Judge Eddie Northcutt. The sentencing phase of the trial began Tuesday afternoon and continued until court recessed for the day after 4 p.m. The jury resumed their work Wednesday morning and continued until later afternoon.
Defense Attorney Frank Long opened his arguments for the sentencing phase with a short statement that Hudson is a young man with serious problems. He said Hudson needs help and asked the jury to “be fair and honest with themselves.”
Hudson was 33 years of age when he was arrested August 6, 2014 for assaulting his grandparents and interfering with a 911 call. The disturbance took place in the 1800 block of Main Street just before 1 p.m. on the 6th. Hudson locked himself in a room and refused to talk with a police negotiator for 45 minutes, at which point some Special Response Team officers put gas into the room. Hudson then surrendered without incident.
During the trial as well as in the sentencing phase, 9-1-1 recordings were played and those affected by Hudson’s actions was called to testify.
Fall Baseball Sign up Underway
Sulphur Springs Boys Baseball Association announces Fall Ball Registration through Saturday, August 22. Forms are available online, at Fieldhouse Sports, Endless T-Shirts, and Home Plate Family Style Restaurant. See brochure for more information. 
New Teacher Orientation Tuesday; Three Added Monday at Board Meeting
Sixty-eight (68) new teachers in the Sulphur Springs ISD attended orientation Tuesday at the district’s Administration Building. Randy Reed, Assistant Superintendent, conducted the orientation. (see video below).
During Monday night’s school board meeting three new teachers were hired and some assignments were changed.
New Professional Personnel
Steven Futch History/Coach Middle School
Ross Hicks PE/Coach Middle School
Susan Reynolds AEP Teacher Austin Academic Center
Professional Personnel Changes
New position/campus Former position/campus
Jacob Alford History & Coach/High School PE & Coach/Middle School
Para-Professional Staff Resignations
Rebekah Hunt Library Aide Travis
Meghan Ricker Title I Aide SS Elementary
Clinton Blazier SpEd Aide Middle School
New Para-Professional Personnel
Angeles Yanez Title I Aide SS Elementary
Angela Paige Needham SpEd Aide Middle School
Animal of the Week: Priscilla the Pup
Priscilla is a two month old Lab/Spaniel mix. She was found yesterday, August 10 at 2:00 p.m. on Casey Street. She appeared by herself at a woman’s house. The woman took Priscilla to the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter.
“She’s a little scared, that’s why I figured she was probably dumped,” Animal Shelter Officer Barbi Blanch said. “No one is really going to be looking for her. She’s really shy and just hasn’t had much attention.”
Pricilla is believed to have been dumped by the owners of her mother who may have lived outside of the city limits. The Animal Control officers do not take the calls outside the city limits. Priscilla had never had any physical interaction with other animals until she began playing with Animal Shelter mascot dog Gracie during the Animal of the Week interview. She is currently being held for three days as a stray before she becomes an official Shelter dog, unless her owners come to reclaim her.
Priscilla plays with another animal for the first time, showing her playful and friendly nature.
“We have to hold stray animals for three days to give the owner time, but like I said, in her case, more than likely she was dumped,” Officer Blanch said. “But we are still giving them the benefit of the doubt. She will be ready to get her first vaccinations to make her appearance at the off-site adoption event on Saturday.”
Priscilla, along with 4 younger pups and a cat, will be presented at another off-site adoption event at Tractor Supply on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Puppies usually get adopted much faster than adult animals. However, being a solid color animal, Priscilla may be passed over for an animal with brighter and more vibrant colors since people tend to prefer these animals, according to Officer Blanch.
2014-15 Lights of Life Campaign Funds Increase Services at Memorial Hospital!
A new EMS 1st Response Vehicle Has Arrived, Additional Telemedicine Units Increase Patient Services & Flex Coils Improve Imaging!
Tuesday, August 11, 2015, 11:45am, Memorial Hospital Main Entrance, – The Health Care Foundation board of directors, Brian & Leesa Toliver, 2014-2015 Lights of Life Chairs, Michael McAndrew, CEO Memorial Hospital and Brent Smith, EMS Director celebrate the arrival of the new first response vehicle purchased with funds raised through the 2014-2015 Lights of Life campaign & gala. “We strive to be good stewards of the donations we receive through the Lights of Life campaign so it’s always exciting to show our generous donors and the community how their donations were used”, said Bob Weaver, Foundation Board Chairman. “Brian and Leesa did an amazing job last year and through their hard work and commitment the telemedicine units are in use, the flex coils are making a difference and now with the arrival of the beautiful new suburban for EMS, hopefully Brian and Leesa can relax” continued Bob.
“We are excited the EMS 1st response vehicle has finally arrived” exclaimed Leesa Toliver. “it’s a good feeling when you finally get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. This community is so generous and we are happy to share this excitement with them” added Brian.
“We are thankful to the Health Care Foundation for their continued support of the hospital. They remain dedicated to providing equipment that when needed has proven beneficial to the entire community” said Michael McAndrew.
“The Heath Care Foundation continues to make a difference for the community by providing equipment that makes a tremendous difference for the community. We are grateful for the vision of the board members and their continued support” stated Brent Smith. “We’re excited about the new 1st response vehicle and that Continued -This year the board has committed to donate funds from the campaign that will be used to purchase six CPR devices that will certainly help save lives”, continued Brent.
The presentation of the new EMS vehicle was attended by EMS Team members Brent Smith, Danny Wilburn, Glen Glossan and Jeff Sanderson. Also the Lights of Life Chairs Brian and Leesa Toliver attended. Lights of Life Foundation Board members Bob Weaver, Markeda Fisher, Lynda Hager, Dusty Rabe, Freddie Hughes, Dr. Darren Arnecke, Keith Shurtleff, John Sellers, Clay Johnson, Craig English, Chris Diamond and Jackie Thornton were also present.
The funds raised from the 2014-2015 Lights of Life Campaign have been used to purchase:
- Three additional telemedicine units which adds cutting edge care to the patients through technology that takes the patient to the doctor via the web. Funds were advanced last October when the first of three telemedicine units were purchased. The final two units were purchased in March. “After the addition of the new telemed units we are now regularly hitting 350 encounters per month!” stated
Dr. Chris Gallagher, Chief Medical Officer.
- Three Flex Coils that allow proper imaging of patients who otherwise would have a difficult time meeting the requirement of laying still during an MRI exam . “The flex coils have been in use since April and have not only given us the ability to image body parts/structures we were unable to image before but have also allowed us to get much better image quality with some of our more challenging imaging parameters”, stated Adam Larson, Director of Radiology.
- And additional funds were added to the Foundation “Leaving a Legacy” Endowment Fund in March.
“The 2015-2016 Lights of Life Campaign & Gala efforts are in full swing. With it being the 20th anniversary of the tree lighting and the 10th anniversary of the gala, the event “sold out” even sooner this year” said Jackie Thornton, Foundation Director. “We continued to be blessed every year by the generosity of this community”!
Gloria Mitchell, Donna Rudzik and Polly Swatsell, the 2015-2016 Lights of Life campaign & gala chairs are doing an amazing job. With the gala already being sold out, the chairs and committee are now focusing on the mini-events that support the campaign. “We invite the community to join us at the following events as we strive to make a difference for the hospital” added Thornton
2015-2016 Lights of Life Mini-events planned are:
Style Show – September 17, 2015, 6:30p.m. at First United Methodist Church – hosted by Lou Nell’s – $25 ticket donation. Tickets may be purchased at LouNell’s, from campaign committee members or by calling the Foundation office, 903-438-4799.
Lights of Life 2nd Annual Half Marathon – October 3, 2015, 7:30a.m. – Celebration Plaza – Entry form available at Fieldhouse Sports or register online at www.rctregister.com; $75 individual entry, $80 – 2 person partner relay; $100 – 4 person team relay.
“Sassy Classy” Tea – October 8, 2015 – City Hall – $40 donation – RSVP required. Call Foundation the office, 903-438-4799 to RSVP.
All SSISD Campuses Meet State Standards
Sulphur Springs School Superintendent Michael Lamb had a big headline in an otherwise very brief report to the school board Monday night on the latest state accountability results for the school district. Lamb said all campuses and the district met standards. He said he and administrators are crunching the numbers to learn more. He promised more information later.
In other business, the board voted to request the TEA to modify the district’s compressed tax rate for next school year by adding earned copper pennies from the state to it. The district earned the pennies from the state years ago when the district dropped its tax rate significantly to its current $1.04 per $100-valuation. The move should mean an extra $341,000 to the district’s budget according to Business Manager Sherry McGraw.
Steady Stream of Wildcat Season Ticket Holders Monday
Current Wildcat season ticket holders began to come in to renew their tickets as soon as the doors opened Monday morning. Coordinator Lynette King said there was a steady stream of fans all morning long. Monday and Tuesday are days for current ticket holders to renew. Those that don’t renew tickets by the end of Tuesday lose them to others. The season ticket operation is in the High School Conference Center this week.
