Hopkins County Unemployment Continues Downward Trend
December 30, 2023 – The latest unemplyment numbers are in and Hopkins County continues to report the lowest percentages in the immediate North East Texas area. Hopkins County reported an unemplyment rate in November 2023 of 2.8% dropping from 3.2% in October 2023. The new November number was also much lower than one year ago as the November 2022 percentage was reported as 4.1%. Only 533 Hopkins County work hopefuls reported to be unemployed last month out of the labor force total of 18,972 yielding the percentage of 2.8.
Other November 2023 numbers in the immediate area include:
Franklin County 3.2%
Lamar County 3.4%
Titus County 3.4%
Delta County 3.6%
Red River County 3.9%
Bond Set For Suspects in Fentanyl Overdose Murder Case
December 29, 2023 – Two suspects have been arraigned on murder charges stemming from a suspected fentanyl overdose. Recent Texas law that went into effect September 1st allows murder charges to be levied against those supplying fentanyl that results in death and enhances the criminal penalty for the manufacturing or delivery of fentanyl. Bryson Lacy, a 2021 SSHS graduate and standout athlete, was charged along with Xavier Hill for supplying the illegal contraband that led to the overdose death of Brayden Wooten. Lacy was charged with tampering with evidence pertaining to deleting text messages during the investigation into Wooten’s death. Lacy was also charged with first degree felony murder for his involvement in supplying the contraband that officials believe led to Wooten’s death. Bryson Devonte Lacy remains in the Hopkins County Jail with bond set at $1 million on the murder charge plus and additional bond of $50,000 on the tampering charge.
Xavier John Hill was also charged with first degree felony murder by local authorities based on Hill’s suspected involvement in the death of Brayden Wooten. Hill’s bond on the murder charge was set at $1 million. Hill also had bond set on a previous Possession of a Controlled Substance Charge Penalty Group 1/1-B >=1G<4G. bond on that charge is set at $100,000. The previous possession charge stemmed from a traffic stop in October of 2023 when a Sulphur Spring Police officer stopped Hill for speeding and during a license check the officer confirmed four active warrants. During the search of the vehicle a blue pill was observed on the ground at the suspect’s feet. Hill denied ownership of the pill, which later tested positive for fentanyl. As the suspect moved to the front of the vehicle, more blue pills fell from the suspect’s pants leg. During a pat down of Hill, the SSPD officer found a clear plastic bag containing more pills. Hill was also previously arrested in 2021 on two other Hopkins County warrants. That story can be found here: Previous Hill Arrest
What is Beeswax From Master Gardener David Wall
December 29, 2023 – Beeswax. What is it? How is it made? Well, we start with a beehive. The hive is built from nothing, and when constructed, serves as a home, a giant food storehouse, and a nursery.
All three items are built from beeswax. So, what is it and how is it made? Basically, it’s a wax made (secreted) by eight honeybee abdomen glands and produced in scale form. To produce wax, the bees consume honey. During the 40 some-odd days of a honeybee’s life, they have a series of tasks. The task during days 12-20 is to produce wax. Afterwards, the glands atrophy, but can still make wax if necessary.
As wax is produced, other honeybees chew it and mold it into shapes. Next, the wax is used to build the hexagon shaped combs for use as a nursery and food storage container. It takes some 1,100 scales to make one gram of wax. Incidentally, 8.4 pounds of honey is needed to create one pound of beeswax. This hexagon shape requires the least amount of wax, holds the most honey, and takes up the least amount of space, while providing an ideal space for eggs to metamorphosize into a bee.
Beeswax is composed of many compounds (at least 248) which vary depending of the pollen and nectar sources. In order to be produced, hive temperature has to be 91°-97° F. In that temperature range, bees can produce wax on demand.
Bees have two stomachs; one for personal use and the other for storing honey collected. When she returns to the hive, the honey is put in a waiting cell which is then air dried down a water content of les than19% to prevent spoiling and then capped. Later, some of the honey will be fed to wax producers for conversion into beeswax.
Recent New Texas Law Allows Murder Charges For Fentanyl Distribution
December 29, 2023 – House Bill 6 submitted during the 88th Texas Legislature was eventually signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in June of 2023 becoming enforceable September 1, 2023. This bill along with three others were touted by Abbott as “representing a significant step in the state’s fight against the deadly opioid that will prosecute fentanyl deaths as murder, ensure death certificates reflect when people are poisoned by fentanyl, provide more life-saving NARCAN to Texas colleges and universities, and educate young Texans about the dangers of fentanyl.”
The four bills signed into law were:
- House Bill 6 (Goldman/Huffman) creates a criminal offense of murder for supplying fentanyl that results in death, enhances the criminal penalty for the manufacturing or delivery of fentanyl, and requires deaths caused by fentanyl to be designated as fentanyl toxicity or fentanyl poisoning on a death certificate. Current law does not require such classification on a death certificate, with most fentanyl-related deaths currently classified as an overdose.
- House Bill 3144 (Lujan/Campbell) establishes October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month to help increase awareness of the dangers of fentanyl.
- House Bill 3908 (Wilson/Creighton), also known as Tucker’s Law, requires public schools each year to provide research-based instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students grades 6 through 12. The bill also requires the Governor to designate a Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week.
- Senate Bill 867 (West/Rose) allows the distribution of opioid antagonists, including life-saving NARCAN, to Texas colleges and universities to prevent opioid poisonings.
Hopkins County Records – December 2023
Land Deed Transactions 12/4/23 Thru 12/6/23
- Areli Enriquez and Manuel Enriquez to Huantian Zhang; Tract in the Hodge Adams Survey
- John Dep Ruchanan, Admin, and Eddie Louis Buchanan Estate to Alfredo Estrada Lopez; Tract in the J Ybarbo Survey
- Angela Smith to Heather Marie White; Tract in the J W Hatchell Survey
- Mary Ann Morris to Tina Davenport; Tract in the Jesse K H Pace Survey
- R & R Ranchers LP to Gary Delayne Reamsbottom and Kristie Lee Reamsbottom; Tract in the WM H Moses Survey
- Jana Dodd to Eva Diaz Ortiz and Ruben Monarrez Ortiz; Tract in the John S Bowen Survey
- Celia Guerrero and Pedro Guerrero to Marilu Brito and Lesley Marvan; Tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin Survey
- Samantha Diane Royalty-Dennis and Jack Warren White Jr to Redemption Properties LLC; Tract in the G M Calvery Survey
- William Rogue to Medrano Hilda Mireya Hernandez; Tract in the E Melton Survey
- Vivian Brown to Jennifer Lynn Brown Cook, Alexander Lee Medina, and Joshua Ian Medina; Tract in the Jose Ybarbo Survey
Two Drug Dealers Charged With Murder in Wooten Overdose Death
December 28, 2023 – Two local suspects have been arrested and charged with supplying contraband to 21-year old Brayden Wooten who was found deceased on December 23rd. The suspects are identified as Xavier Hill and Bryson Lacy.
An investigation was conducted upon law enforcement finding pills containing Fentanyl and continuing with investigators tracking down two individuals suspected of being involved in delivering the pills to Wooten.
Sheriff Lewis Tatum activated additional resources of the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department to aid in the capture and arrest of those individuals responsible for delivery of the tainted contraband. In a press release, Tatum said, “I want to remind everyone that if you deliver illegal drugs to anyone in Hopkins County and that person dies of an overdose, you will be charged with murder.”
Both suspects are charged with murder and bond has been set at 1 million dollars each. Murder charges were levied based on new laws signed by Governor Greg Abbott.
Foundation’s Gala Highlights Community’s Uniqueness
December 28, 2023 – Sulphur Springs, Texas – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation has hosted an annual Gala for eighteen years. It has changed and grown through the years with the Foundation finally settling on a program that suits the crowd.
Yes, it is a fun night punctuated with amazing food, fine wines and beers, live music, games, and frivolity. It is also an important night of fundraising for the Foundation since proceeds are used to fund annual projects selected by the all-local Board of Directors.
The evening provides a time for attendees to celebrate the wonderful local healthcare providers and businesses that Sulphur Springs offers. It is a time for a small community, known for its philanthropic causes, to come together to celebrate its uniquity. This is a community that helped fund families with kids going through cancer by selling painted, wooden yard stakes. Long-timers remember those days. We still see the same level of support, but the signs have been replaced by chili fundraisers, stews, and auctions.
The Gala is a chance to rejoice in our wholesome, caring community that offers more to its residents than towns much larger. It offers a vibrant downtown, active churches, school employees who care, healthcare providers who go above and beyond, donors who give generously, and love and respect between neighbors. Folks, Mayberry has nothing on Hopkins County!
What may seem like just a night of fun is really a statement about who Hopkins County residents are and what we care about. By supporting local healthcare, we are helping our friends, neighbors, and family to live and thrive in an idyllic community like none other.
To be a part of the night, visit the 2024 Gala website LOLGala2024.GiveSmart.com. You will find ticket options, sponsorship levels, and an opportunity to donate. Live and silent auction items and other offerings will be added, so check the site often.
The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Gifts may be tax-deductible as allowed by the IRS. All funds raised are used to improve healthcare in Hopkins County.
For additional information, please contact the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation at 903-438-4799 or [email protected].
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The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Board of Directors gathers at the 2023 Gala for a photo. Left to right are Don Sapaugh, Jarred Pickett, Charles Helm, Mickey McKenzie, Sally Toliver, Jimmy Jones, Pam Black, Garrett Glass, Maleta Reynolds, Jessica Kultgen, and Paul Harvey.
Be Sure to Renew Your Ag/Timber Registration by December 31
Farmers, ranchers and timber producers with a valid agricultural and timber registration number must renew those by December 31, 2023
The ag/timber registration numbers are required under Texas law to claim a sales tax exemption on products used in the course of agricultural or timber production.
“This renewal process is part of helping farmers and ranchers reduce their input costs,” Brant Wilbourn, Texas Farm Bureau associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities, said. “We want to make sure everyone is aware that it’s time for the ag/timber number renewal in order to keep claiming those valid exemptions.”
Legislation was passed in 2011 that required a uniform renewal date for all numbers regardless of when they were first registered. They must be renewed every four years.
Eligible persons must renew their registration with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts by December 31, 2023 in order to continue claiming sales tax exemptions.
Anyone producing agricultural or timber products for sale can complete an application for an ag/timber number. That includes farmers and ranchers who grow agricultural products to sell to others, timber producers, custom harvesters, and aquaculture and apiculture producers. Those engaged in agricultural aircraft operations and commercial nurseries that grow stock from seed or cuttings, replant seedlings in larger containers and foster the growth of plants for sale are also eligible.
A registration number is not needed for seed, feed or livestock purchases, nor is it needed for veterinarian-prescribed items such as medication or topical products.
Items that may qualify for sales tax exemptions include fertilizers, pesticides, defoliants and desiccants used exclusively in agricultural production.
Machinery and equipment, irrigation systems, seedlings for timber, electricity and natural gas, some motor fuel and certain motor vehicle sales and use tax may also be claimed if used primarily for farming, ranching or timber production.
Retailers may accept and keep on file blanket exemption certificates, but those also need to be updated after Dec. 31 to include new expiration dates.
The Comptroller’s office recently mailed renewal information to individuals who hold current registration numbers. There is a unique WebFile number located in that letter that can be used to renew the registration online.
Those who wish to renew by phone may do so by calling 1-844-247-3639.
More information regarding ag and timber sales tax exemptions can be found online at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/ag-timber/.
Make Your Reservation Now For Chamber Banquet
December 27, 2023 – From Butch Burney, Chamber President/CEO
It is with great pleasure that the 2024 Board of Directors invites you to the 97th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Thursday, February 15, at 6 p.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
We will host a Networking Cocktail Happy Half Hour at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30, and the awards will follow at 7 p.m. Please take this opportunity to bring your family, friends, and employees to an evening of dinner and community awards including Large and Small Business of the Year, Educator of the Year, Caregiver Award, Agriculturist of the Year, Woman of the Year, Growth and Renewal Award, Community Pride Award, and Citizen of the Year. Our banquet theme is “Sweethearts Dinner” as we plan a fun evening of fine dining and awards. It will be memorable!
Individual tickets are $30, and tables of ten are available for $500, which includes preferential seating and visible labeling of your business or group.
We are excited for you and your business to join us for this memorable evening. Please make your reservation today by calling Butch, Jaci or Kelli at the Chamber of Commerce, 903-885-6515, emailing [email protected] or by stopping by to visit at 110 Main Street in Sulphur Springs.
We look forward to spending this memorable evening with you.
GSC Enterprises and the McKenzie Family are Supporters of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation
GSC Enterprises and the McKenzie family are long-time supporters of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation. Barbara McKenzie was a founder of the organization and Mickey McKenzie is a current director on the board. They will be sponsoring the upcoming Gala with proceeds going toward an expansion of the Surgical Services wing at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. Posing with Gala Chairs John Sellers (far left) and Kim Sellers (second from right) are Diana Cotton, Lori Ray, Mickey McKenzie, Steve Rutherford, Kerry Law, and Josh Hood.
For more information, visit LOLGala2024.GiveSmart.com
