Tonight at Celebration Plaza!
Tonight is the Sulphur Springs Independence Day Symphony Orchestra & Fireworks Extravaganza!
Concert starts at 8:00 pm and fireworks commence at dark. Make sure to bring your blankets or lawn chairs and make yourself comfortable while downtown. Keep in mind that limited concessions will be available. Bring a bottle of water, and take advantage of this great opportunity to spend time with your family and friends.
KSST Radio 1230 AM will have a small booth at the event. Please stop by and sign up to win a U.S. Flag Kit. It includes the Flag of the United States, a pole, and a base. A total of 10 flags will be given away.
Four streets around Celebration Plaza will be closed for this event. Jefferson Street will close Friday evening at 5 PM to make way for the main stage. Main, Oak, and Gilmer streets will close and not re-open until after the fireworks have finished. Jefferson Street may remain closed until Monday morning due to stage disassembling.
Stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230 AM and ksstradio.com for updates.
Click here to Listen Live.
How to Listen Live to KSST
You can listen live to KSST 1230 AM 24 hours a day on the internet or mobile device. The easiest way to listen is via the KSSTRadio.com site. Just click on ‘KSST Stream’ at the top right part of the page. This will work with most web browsers like: Chrome, Firefox, Safari. It also works on mobile devices.
We also have an Android App on Google Play.
And an App on iTunes.
SBA Federal Disaster Loan for NonFarm Northeast Texas Businesses
Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Field Operations Center – West today reminded Texas small, nonfarm businesses in Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Hunt, Rains and Wood counties of the July 27, 2015, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury. These low-interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the drought in Hopkins County that began on September 30, 2014.
According to Garfield, small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. “EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact,” said Garfield.
“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage,” Garfield added.
The interest rate is 4 percent for businesses and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/
Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.
Coming Soon: Roof Top Dining Downtown
Doug Haston, KSST/Channel 18 Videogapher documents the buiding of roof top dining at Mama Faye’s. After watching this, see his previous story here.
SSISD Approves Over $4 Million in Bids For Auditorium Renovation
During a special meeting at midday Friday June 26th, the Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board approved bids of just over four (4) million dollars for the renovation of the Regional Civic Center Auditorium. In return, the school district will receive a 35 year lease of the facility. The board met for over two hours as they considered bids from the construction manager for the third time in recent months. Bids had been postponed in two previous meetings due to the bids being higher than expected.
With the approval of the bids, work can now being on Monday June 29. The Monday start will allow the work to begin on a previously approved schedule. Michael Lamb, SSISD Superintendent of schools, said the bids totaling just over four (4) million dollars were less than what had been originally hoped. The school board had hoped to spend only three (3) million dollars on the renovation. However, the additional money committed comes with a 35 year lease on the auditorium from the county.
Construction Pace Quickens on New County Jail Facility
Work on Hopkins County’s new jail facility should pick up the pace now that most of the remaining work is inside the facility. During a Wednesday (June 24) meeting with construction managers, Newsom was told that there is some work to be completed outside but the majority of the work is now inside.
Newsom said the contractor is using all subcontractors and this is the time of year when they can make the most money thanks to weather conditions. November 15 is the move-in date but Newsom hopes to see the move-in moved up to mid-October. The work is only 16 days behind schedule. Much of the delay is credited to a 38 day rain delay. Workers have gained almost one half of the delay time.
The cost associated with number of inmates (27) now housed in Franklin County causes the judge to be optimistic toward an earlier date. Newsom stated that the court system is doing its best to assist with the necessity of off-site incarceration but there “is just a lot of crime right now.”.
“Updated” Hopkins County Moves Slowly Regarding SCOTUS Ruling; Governor Issues Directive
(Editors note: Governor Greg Abbott has issued a directive to state agencies and employees to not violate religious beliefs in government decisions or actions realted to belief on marriage. See governor’s statement made Friday afternoon June 26 here. In it he says the government must never pressure a person to abandon or violate his or her sincerely held relgious beliefs regarding a top such as marriage…”)
In a 5-4 ruling, the U S Supreme Court ruled that states cannot ban same-sex marriage. Fourteen (14) states that did not allow same-sex marriage are affected. The decision was announced Friday morning June 26, 2015. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the opinion for the majority. Justice John Roberts wrote the dissent. The United States becomes the 21st nation in the world to permit same-sex marriage in every jurisdiction of the nation.
In Dallas County, the clerk’s office began issuing marriage license immediately. Denton County did not stating that they would need to print the proper forms and must await their vendor providing those forms.
In Hopkins County, County Judge Robert Newsom told KSST News that he had read only a portion of the ruling make today. He said it appears the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of same sex marriage. However, Newsom said there could be a motion for reconsideration within the next three weeks. He stated the impact of the ruling will not be known until late July or early August or until the State of Texas instructs local government to conform to the ruling. He said the immediate impact would be that the County Clerk would begin issuing marriage license without gender bias. Newsom also said that Justices of the Peace will face an issue of firm religious belief verses the state ruling. He pointed out that the state legislature had passed legislation that protects the rights of religious ministers in this instance. If their beliefs do not allow them to perform same-sex marriage, they will be allowed to refuse. Newsom pointed to past precedence of state employees being allowed to act or fail to act based on religious beliefs. However, he isn’t sure how this Court ruling will affect that situation.
Local Justices of the Peace, Newsom said, are both Christians. One JP, B J Teer, is a licensed Baptist minister. Neither JP chose to comment to KSST News today but did state they would make comments on Monday of next week.
Newsom does think the ruling will have impact across the nation. “It will impact our society,” he said. He said the county was not prepared for the ruling. He has instructed the County Clerk to wait until the State of Texas informs local government how to react.
County Clerk Debbie Shirley said that the mandate to comply would come later in the year. She said when she received her directive she would seek new forms for application and license to issue marriage license.
Man Arrested For Assault With A Deadly Weapon
A 27-year old Sulphur Springs man was arrested after he reportedly struck his wife with fists and threatened her with a knife during a disturbance. Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies were sent to a report of a disturbance on County Road 1190 at 2 p.m. Thursday.
The woman told police her husband had struck her several times and held a knife to her throat. There were signs that the woman had been struck and had been nicked by the knife. After the disturbance, the man took their child and left the home. Deputies arrested the man on County Road 1190 near FM 1567.
Timothy Dewayne Brown was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon before Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings who set bond at $50,000. As a condition of bond, JP Cummings ordered Brown to wear a device that can be monitored by GPS.
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
The annual Tira Homecoming is coming up on Sunday, July 5th. The program and Tira Cemetery Association business meeting will begin at 11:00 in the Tira Methodist Church. A covered dish luncheon will be shared at the picnic tables, following the program. We are hoping for a good crowd to gather to share good food and memories. Contributions toward the upkeep of cemetery are welcome and appreciated and can be given that day, or mailed to Tira Cemetery Association, c/o Floyd Payton, 1601 CR 4612, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
The Hillis family held their reunion at the Tira Community Center last weekend. I hope to have more to report on their activities soon.
Dakota and Robert Weir fished on Saturday, but didn’t have any luck. On Sunday Robert and Yvonne had a visit from Destri Weir and her friend, Eben, and Dacy, Elise, and Eli Campbell. Yvonne comments, “Robert had a good Father’s Day.” On Wednesday, Robert and Yvonne went to Grand Prairie to hear Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. Robert saw them in 1965 in Florida.
Chip and I took our grandson, Morgan Joslin, to Columbus, Mississippi last Friday, to spend a week at the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course at Columbus Air Force Base. Chip and I drove south to Gulfport and spent the night. On Saturday morning went for a walk on the beach, and then drove along the Mississippi Gulf Coast on our way back home.
On Sunday, our daughter Tiffany joined us for Father’s Day lunch. Kenden and Jaidyn Joslin were with Malcolm on Father’s Day. Landon, Laiken, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin visited Malcolm and Tonya and Laiken’s parents on Sunday afternoon.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
