Pilot Dies As Result of Burns and Injures Sustained in Crash
The pilot of a small biplane that crashed at Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport has died today, August 4, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders. David German, 46, of Nebraska, had been in critical condition at Parkland Hospital in Dallas since Thursday, July 30th after fire engulfed his private plane and he was transported to there by air ambulance. His death resulted from his burns and injuries sustained in the crash.
The Aeromaster Fixed Wing Single Engine bi-plane crashed on takeoff from the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport. First reported by EMS that German had burns over 100% of his body, the estimate had been reduced to 92% following examination at the Parkland burn center.
Friday July 31, a single inspector for the FAA had completed his investigation of the Thursday night crash. Apparently, the plane was taking off on the concrete runway but ended up on the grass strip. The airport was closed from the time of the crash until midnight July 30.
Now There Are Three; GSC, Inc Becomes Diamond Sponsor for Lights of Life Campaign
Donna Rudzik, Gloria Mitchell and Polly Swatsell, the 2015-2016 Lights of Life Campaign chairs, are excited, grateful and humbled to announce that GSC, Inc., Mickey and Barbara McKenzie have committed to be a $20,000 DIAMOND Sponsor of the campaign. The presentation was made Tuesday, August 4th at 11 a.m. at GSC corportate offices. “That’s our 3rd DIAMOND sponsor” exclaimed Polly Swatsell. “We are so blessed to have three DIAMOND sponsors”! We just thought we’d try the higher level in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Lights of Life tree lighting campaign. We were hoping we’d get one, now we have three; Carriage House Manor and The Cottages, Arvis and Sheila committed first, then CHRISTUS Health, now GSC, Mickey & Barbara; we couldn’t be more humbled” said Swatsell.
“The gala is already sold out and this is only August 4th” stated Gloria Mitchell. “This is the earliest we’ve ever sold out”, Mitchell continued. “We are thrilled with the response we have received”.
“Now that the gala is sold out, we can now focus on our other mini-event” Donna Rudzik commented. We have our Style Show coming up September 17th where Fall fashions will be presented by Lou Nell’s; the 2nd Half Marathon is planned for October 3rd; Holly Ragan and her team are busy working on that; the 2nd “Sassy Classy” Fall tea is planned for October 8th at City Hall, and then we have our “Fly Your Flag” bidding and lunch on November 10th. Yes, things really moving fast” said Rudzik.
“This commitment is so exciting for the Foundation. This is the first time we’ve offered a $20,000 sponsorship level and to have three is a real blessing” commented Jackie Thornton, Foundation Director. “These ladies are definitely overachievers and I’m just trying to stay up with them”, continued Thornton. “We are very thankful for all our sponsors that have committed their financial support to the campaign. Without the support of this generous community the Foundation would not be where we are today. We are so blessed and humbled” said Thornton.
The funds raised through the 2015-2016 campaign will be used to purchase;
- Six LUCAS CPR devices for EMS which will provide the EMS Department the tools and abilities they need to improve survival rates during cardiac arrest. The LUCAS CPR provides consistent and quality chest compressions without the need to stop compressions to perform other clinical procedures.
- And additional funds will be added to the Foundation “Leaving a Legacy” Endowment Fund.
For more information about the 2015-2016 Lights of Life campaign and gala, please call the Health Care Foundation office, 903-438-4799. We hope you will join us as we work hard to make a difference for the hospital and the community.
TxDOT Steps Up “Drink, Drive, Go to Jail” Campaign
As summer celebrations enter their final weeks, the Texas Department of Transportation is taking its “DWI Not So Fun House” to community events across the state as part of its “Drink, Drive, Go to Jail” campaign. The vintage-style interactive carnival trailer allows the public to experience the dangerous and potentially deadly effects of impaired driving.
“Don’t turn your summer fun into a life-changing tragedy by being irresponsible when it comes to drinking and driving,” said TxDOT Deputy Executive Director John Barton. “A safe and sober ride should be at the top of your list when making plans with family and friends. If not, you run the serious risk of being pulled over by law enforcement, being killed or killing someone else. It’s just not worth it.”
The “DWI Not So Fun House” allows visitors to see and experience the simulated effects of alcohol on motor skills and driving. Participants wear vision-blurring “drunk goggles” and try to complete simple, eye-hand coordination tasks while being “impaired.” The slowed reaction times and distorted perception are designed to remind Texans about the deadly risks of drinking and driving, and encourage them to always plan for a sober ride.
Last summer in Texas, 336 people were killed and 680 were seriously injured in alcohol-related crashes. Texas drivers convicted of DWI face up to $17,000 in costs, possible jail time, limited career prospects and loss of driver license. In an effort to curb impaired driving, TxDOT’s “Drink, Drive, Go to Jail” campaign is supported by increased law enforcement efforts between Aug. 21 and Sept. 7.
TxDOT strongly encourages everyone to plan for a sober ride before going out. Visit SoberRides.org to find alternatives to drinking and driving, such as:
- Calling a taxi or using a transportation app on your smartphone.
- Using mass transit.
- Asking a sober friend or family member for a ride home.
- Staying put.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Event!
Saturday, August 8th from 6pm- 10:30pm, there is a Fundraiser Concert at Celebration Plaza for Cystic Fibrosis. Seth Welborn is putting together this entire event. This event will coincide with the Celebration Market. The purpose of this event is to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and to also help raise awareness of the disease.
This event is free, but the community is encouraged to donate to the cause. Everyone please attend this event and give donations!
Musical entertainment will be provided by Seth Welborn, Southern Soul, and Tyler and the Tribe.
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited life-threatening disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system.
For more information on Cystic Fibrosis, visit cff.org
Story and Photos by Molly Clegg, HS Intern
Guaranty Bank & Trust Expands Into Rockwall County
Guaranty Bancshares, Inc., the holding company of Guaranty Bank and Trust, announced today the completion of its acquisition of Texas Leadership Bank of Royce City. Legal conversion of Texas Leadership took place on March 27. The bank operated as a separate subsidiary of the holding company until July 31, when the operational conversion occurred and the bank was merged with and into Guaranty Bank and Trust.
The completion of this merger has increased Guaranty Bank and Trust’s total assets to over $1.5 billion. Texas Leadership Bank’s employees are now working as Guaranty Bank & Trust employees at the Royce City location, 121 W. Interstate Highway 30.
Doyle Cooper, President of the Royce City market, said, “We are pleased with the opportunities Guaranty is providing our customers and staff. The partnership that has been formed will bring improved banking products and services our customers will appreciate.”
Guaranty is further expanding its presence in fast-growing Rockwall County. A new bank location will open after renovations are completed at 2255 Ridge Road in Rockwall. By the third quarter of 2015, Guaranty will operate a total of 24 bank locations across 17 Texas markets, including four in the Dallas/Fort Worth market.
Ty Abston, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Guaranty, said, “With two locations in Dallas County and two in Rockwall County, we continue building our banking franchise in the D/FW market. These moves support our strategic plan to further expand into markets that will lead to future growth opportunities for Guaranty.”
Celebration Logo Appeared Saturday on South Broadway/Gilmer Route to Dining District
Inquiring minds have begun to ask what the Celebration City logo is doing placed every 200 feet from I-30 to Celebration Plaza. The logo appeared Saturday morning between the hours of 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. along the route. It is also found on the runway at the Municipal Airport, according to some sources.
The logo begins just on the plaza side of the South Broadway, I-30 bridge and follows the route pointed out by the lighted signs on the signal lights at that intersection. Those lighted signs point the way to the dining district.
More information as it become available. City Manager Marc Maxwell stated Monday that he was unaware of how the logo appeared.
“Updated” Cheerleaders Learning New Cheers, Run 3 Miles
Zearlene Roberts is beginning her fourth year as Cheerleader Sponsor at Sulphur Springs High School. Conditioning was a big emphasis at the squads’ first workout Monday. Included was a three mile run. Ms. Roberts said the cheerleaders had a lot of material to learn that was introduced to them at a recent camp in Grapevine. All three squads, Freshmen, JV and Varsity, received awards at the camp.
“We hit it hard,” Roberts said as she began working with 32 students teaching new cheers and preparing for the first pep rally after school begins later this month. The three squads, varsity, junior varsity, and freshman, along with the mascot attending cheer camp at Great Wolf Lodge earlier in the summer.
Blue Blazes Going to Camp As New Season Begins
The Blue Blazes Drill Team got in a conditioning workout Monday morning at the High School before taking off in the afternoon for a week long boot camp. The camp will be held south of Fort Worth and will include girls from Joshua and Burleson. Blue Blazes Director Christie McCullough says besides bonding, the 33 Blue Blazes will be busy learning numerous football game and pep rally routines.
Library Presents Award Winning Storyteller
Hope Cain, Librarian at Sulphur Springs Public Library, says the Summer Reading Program may have ended, but the Sulphur Springs Public Library is not finished with summer yet! She said, “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 at the library 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.
SSHS Tennis Team Counting on Quality as Practice Begins
The Wildcats co-ed Team Tennis squad showed up at 7 a.m. Monday for their first practice of this school year. Tennis Coach Tony Martinez says the early part of practice was used for conditioning drills. Coach Martinez expects his boys to be very competitive with five hungry freshmen battling five quality upperclassmen for court time. Coach Martinez says he only has three girls on the team after some dropped out this summer.
Martinez said some players he expected to be on the team have been distracted by jobs and other responsibilities. He hopes to recruit some girl players to fill the needs of team tennis. He did commend the quality of the players, both boys and girls, who are currently playing.
