HCMH Continues to Refine Customer Service
Sherry Moore and Anitha Sanderson
It’s Hospital Week on KSST Morning Show and Anitha Sanderson, Director of Medical-Surgical Pediatric Floors at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital and Sherry Moore, Marketing Director at Memorial, were guests. Sanderson supervises approximately 70 nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants. She has worked at HCMH over 8 years. Moore says the local hospital continues to promote and refine customer services to make a patient’s stay more positive in all areas.
Moore said patients are being asked how the hospital can better serve the needs of patients not only while in the hospital but also after they are dismissed to their home. She said there are a number of positive stories that have been heard during the past four years of the continuing survey. They also seek to resolve problems when those are presented.
The hospital has begun a color code in uniforms worn by hospital staff. Patients will now know the staff person’s role as the staff member enters the room. This will distinguish nurses, CNAs, lab personnel, and others. Bedside shift reporting has also been instituted. The nurse going off shift presents her report on the patient to the incoming shift personnel in the presence of the patient. This also gives the opportunity for the patient to be introduced to the incoming shift nurse.
Cooper Lake is Full and the Fishing is Good
Cooper Lake State Park Ranger Jim Beach and South Sulphur Unit Manager James Adams told Enola Gayon the Thursday Morning Show that the lake is full at 441.5 feet, which is a foot and a half over conservation pool, and the fishing is good that Cooper Lake. Adams has been on the job for over a year. He supervises law enforcement and maintenance.
Adams stated that the lake is high enough that there is lot of water but not too much to interfere with day-to-day activities. He said that crappie fishing is good, catfish will be in soon, and hybrid and sand bass and other species will be readily available as the season progresses. He answers fishermen questions regarding what lures are being successful as well as supervising the law enforcement and maintenance of the South Sulphur Unit.
Adams said that most of the people in his department grew up loving the outdoors. He states their passion for the outdoors is what drove them to this type of work. He encourages high school students to consider the work of a park ranger following college graduation.
County Criminal Investigators Have Leads in Burglaries
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigators are working two leads as they seek the individual or individuals responsible for several nights of car burglaries in Hopkins County. Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum said the burglaries have occurred in the Shaggy area, County Road 3341 where it crosses I-30, east of the country club overpass, on and around County Road 2310, and along FM 2560 in the Martin Springs area. Lewis encourages rural residents to lock the doors of their vehicles. He also asks that citizens keep watch and should they see a vehicle parked on a roadway to get the license plate and notify the Sheriff’s Office.
Family Violence Leads to Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police arrested, Michael Brandon Reynolds, 34. Reynolds was arrested Wednesday evening on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, interference with an emergency request for assistance, and unlawful restraint charges, according to SSPD Chief Jay Sanders. Sanders said the arrest is also classified as family violence, which could lead to enhanced charges.
Sanders said that during the day Wednesday, Reynolds restrained his wife and would not allow her to leave their apartment at Spanish Villa Apartments, 601 W. Industrial. She broke free of the restraints and called 9-1-1. During the call to 9-1-1, he took the phone from her and broke it. She was able to run from the apartment to the complex office. At that time Reynolds fled the apartment.
When officers arrived, they searched the apartment and the area but Reynolds was not found. His wife and her stepson returned to the apartment. So did Reynolds.
According to Sanders, when Reynolds returned to the apartment he took a knife from the kitchen and moved toward the stepson. His wife stepped between them and suffered a laceration on a hand. The stepson, in turned, sought to wrestle the knife from Reynolds. During the encounter, Reynolds sustained a 3-inch nick to the chest. He then broke a window and escaped the apartment running east on Plano Street. Police were again called and notified that Reynolds had been sighted in the 500 block of Pampa and was being chased. He was arrested in the 500 block of Pampa.
City of Como Water OK For Use
Thursday morning at 9:30, the Texas Commission on Environmetal Quality has recended the need to boil water for consumption notice for customers of the City of Como water system, according to Ron Walker, Mayor of the City of Como. Walker said citizens may now use the water without boiling and cooling it first. Walker had received the notice minutes before a call from KSST for an update.
Earlier this week, the TCEQ reported a positive compliance sample had spurred the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to require the City of Como water system to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption.
Zeus Ready For Adoption
Hearts of Life471 County Road 4510, Sulphur Springs Returned to KSST Wednesday with Zeus . The dog shows scars from a number of wounds sustained due to abuse. He was brought to the shelter in March of this year. Not only was Zeus wounded by abuse, he was being starved and duct tape was wrapped around all four legs. It was thought that one leg would need to be amputated but he is recovering well. He may not regrow hair on some of the wounded areas.
Zeus must be kept inside until his wounds heal. He is starved for attention but has never tried to bite or growl even though having been abused. Zeus is part several breeds including German Shepherd. He is ready for a new home.
7-on-7 Football Underway for SSHS Wildcats
The Wildcats are already into seven on seven season. On May 5, Gilmer brought teams to Sulphur Springs to compete. Last Saturday the Wildcats participated in a Gilmer tournament. Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Matt Young says that means that he is putting more emphasis on 7 on 7 looking for players who can throw and catch. 7 on 7 season opened May 5 as the Wildcats Varsity won one and lost one as Gilmer came to town.
Young said although the varsity won one and lost one but the greater lesson was coaches watching over 70 Wildcats 8th grade through varsity. The Wildcats’ football team will graduate a large number of seniors this year.
In pool play in a Gilmer tournament this past Saturday, the Wildcats Varsity handily defeated Lindale and Tyler T.K. Gorman before losing to Liberty-Eylau on a late interception. The Wildcats advanced out of pool play where they edged past Daingerfield before running out of gas in a second loss to Liberty-Eylau. Paris will visit next Tuesday.
We get a progress report from Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Matt Young.
Chamber Connection May 14, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Thank you to everyone who attended the ribbon cutting for Silver Cactus Emporium & Gospel Opry!
Silver Cactus Emporium & Gospel Opry
Buddy and Ina Gore welcomed guests to their ribbon cutting for the Silver Cactus Emporium Antique & Craft
Mall as well as the Gospel Opry yesterday afternoon! Whether you need space for a family get together,
birthday party, music show, anniversary party…the sky is the limit. They have facilities that include tables &
chairs. A concert auditorium that will seat 150-200 people comfortable, sound system and lights. Then, the
Silver Cactus Emporium is 3000 Square Feet shopping area with booth space available for rent. This is a great
opportunity for you to showcase your items without having to have your own store front!!! The Gospel Opry
hosts a show every first Saturday with different artists. All of this is located inside the VF Factory Outlet Mall
on the Strip Suite #25. For more information, please call 903-951-1405 or 903-885-4262.
Texas State Champion Homemade Ice Cream Freeze-Off-Saturday, June 13th! Get your forms in Now!!!
Entry forms are available for the 14th Annual Texas State Champion Homemade Ice Cream Freeze-Off at the
Chamber of Commerce office at 300 Connally Street. The event will take place on Saturday, June 13th at
4:00pm at the Civic Center! Prizes are awarded in three categories: Little Dips (Ages 6-12), Big Dips (Ages 13
and Older) and Super Scoops (Previous first place winners). Entries will be judged in the following categories:
Plain (Chocolate or Vanilla), Fruit (Single Ingredient Fruit) and Novelty (Mixed Ingredients). This year, in the
BIG DIP group only, we will have a new opportunity…we will have a Novelty Fruit (Multiple ingredients
including fruit) AND Novelty Other (Multiple Ingredients no fruit. ) So start figuring out your favorite recipe
and submit it for entry in the contest. And, by the way…there is NO ENTRY FEE!!! For more information,
please call 903-885-6515. You may also download the entry from at www.sulphursprings-tx.com. Special
Prizes will be awarded to entries received prior to June 8th!
May 14, 2015 – 6th Music in the Gardens, 6-7p.m. – Join us as we STOP and enjoy God’s peaceful beauty
while listening to music and visiting w/friends and family.
The Way Radio Concert Series Presents Building 429 along with Blanca & Rapture Ruckus, May 16th
Don’t miss Building 429 in concert at the Hopkins County Civic Center, Saturday May 16th. doors open at 6pm
with the concert beginning at 7pm. Blanca and Rapture Ruckus will also be appearing! For tickets, go to
itickets.com and they are just $12 for general admission!
Hopkins County Relay for Life-Friday, March 15th -16th from 7pm to 7am on Celebration Plaza.
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is the world’s largest and most impactful fundraising event to end
cancer. It unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved
ones lost, and take action to finish the fight once and for all. Today, with the support of thousands of volunteers
like you, the American Cancer Society is helping save more than 400 lives a day. And they won’t stop until they
finish the fight against cancer! Please join them downtown on the square March 15th & 16th!
Rock Creek Rockin’ BINGO Bash May 21st at 6:00pm
Join Rock Creek Health & Rehabilitation for an evening of fun, fabulous food and fantastic prizes donated from
businesses throughout the Sulphur Spring Community! Will Ramsey, Sulphur Springs’ District Attorney will
be calling BINGO and it’s a FREE Event!!! For more information, please call Judith Beck, Activity Director, at
903-439-0107. If your business would like to donate an item for the prizes, please let them know!
Better Your Business Breakfast, Keep Your SALES Moving UP! May 27th, at FUMC 7:00-8:30am
Please mark your calendars now for a GREAT opportunity to help your sales! Debbie Mrazek loves sales.
That’s why she named her highly successful consulting practice The Sales Company. Her vision of igniting
sales for veterans and beginners alike fuels the company’s services. She is the author of 13 books, including The
Field Guide to Sales: The All Weather, All Terrain Guide to Selling!
Her warmth and nurturing manner provide a safe haven for those who proclaim, “I HATE SALES!” She and her
team help companies turn around sales – and profits – in record time. Debbie knows her craft and combines it
with solid business knowledge. What Debbie loves even more than sales is empowering people to sell and
achieve more. Have you ever wondered why: Actual sales figures are up, but profits aren’t; Referrals are
drying up; Clients don’t return from one year to the next; New clients come but they don’t stay; The amount of
sales is decreasing…these are all things that Debbie Mrazek will cover in our Better Your Business Breakfast
Series, Wednesday, May 27th from 7:00-8:30 at First United Methodist Church. Please contact the Chamber
office at 903-885-6515 to make reservations. $10 includes Breakfast from Pioneer Café!
Are you Divorced or Separated? Divorce Care can Help!!!
Divorce Care is a weekly seminar and support group that will help you heal from the hurt. It’s a warm, caring
environment led by people who understand what you are going through. You will learn practical information
that will help you deal with the challenges of divorce. Best of all, you will gain hope for the future. They meet
every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 at First United Methodist Church. For more information, please call Shelia
Lunsford at 682-557-2702
Dairy Festival 5K Milk Run, Friday, June 12th at 7:00pm at Shannon Oaks Church
Up, up and away….It is time for the 56th Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival’s Balloon Rally and 5k Milk
Run! This year’s chip timed race will be held on Friday evening, June 12 at 7:00pm. Imagine running down a
country road, on a beautiful summer evening in Hopkins County, beneath a sky filled with colorful balloons!
This unique family event features a new out and back course that begins and ends at the balloon glow and
launch area! Stick around after the race and enjoy the amazing sights and sounds of brilliantly colored balloons
and entertainment from the main stage. Runners 18 years and older will have their bib numbers entered in a
drawing for a ride in a hot air balloon on Saturday, June 13th. All winners will be announced on the main stage
Friday night after the run. Festival Mission: To raise community awareness and to salute the hard working
dairy farmers and their families who have contributed so richly to our economy and to the quality of life in
Sulphur Springs. Proceeds from the Milk Run directly support the youth scholarship programs of 56th Annual
Hopkins County Dairy Festival. You may register at www.hopkinscountydairyfestival.com. The Chip timed 5k
run/walk, June 12th @7:00pm at Shannon Oaks Church. Price:$25.00 per individual ($35.00 after June 5)
$20.00 per person in a group entry (Minimum 5)Packet Pick Up: At the race site starting at 5:30pm. T-shirts
will be guaranteed to participants registered by June 5nd. Sizes cannot be guaranteed.
Awards: Awards will go to the overall male and female winners and to the age group winners. Ages 10yrs and
under, 11-14yrs, 15-19yrs, 20-29yrs, 30-39yrs, 40-49yrs, 50+. A special award will go to the team with the
most participants!
We would like to welcome the following members to the Chamber of Commerce
STINSON RV RESORT 3641 East I-30
Campbell, TX 75422
903-455-7878
Margie Stinson
RV Park
That’s all for now…have a GREAT week!
Jarrod Arnold Smith Sentenced to 10 Years
May 13, 2015 – Early Wednesday evening May 13, the same Hopkins County jury that found Jarrod Arnold Smith guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon sentenced him to 10 years in the state penitentiary. During the afternoon Wednesday, the jury twice notified 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt that they were divided regarding the sentence.
Jarrod Arnold Smith
The punishment phase of the trail began Wednesday morning around 8:45 with witnesses who testified to the defendant’s drug use and violence. A female, who lived with Smith from August, 1998 until December, 1998 testified that she and Smith were in a volatile relationship and that he had struck her in the head with the butt of a shotgun. One of her friends also testified to witnessing the violent interaction. In early afternoon, Smith’s son took the stand and testified to observing his father’s violence toward his mother including holding a knife to his mother’s throat and holding a gun to her head in 2014.
The early evening verdict relieved the stress of County Treasurer Jim Thompson, who told KSST news that due to the number of jury calls and jury trials in recent months, his funds to pay jurors would not be able to pay the jurors should they need to assemble Thursday.
Tuesday afternoon May 12, a Hopkins County Jury returned a guilty verdict in the trial of Jarrod Arnold Smith, 41. Smith was found guilty on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The verdict was given after a day and a half of testimony given by Texas Ranger John Vance and the victim of the assault who had been shot. The victim had been shot with a .45-caliber pistol at a distance of two feet. The projectile had traveled through his chest, lungs, and exited his back. The victim testified that Smith had then pointed the weapon toward his knee and followed him around a kitchen island begging him not to shoot.
The testimony in the trial took only a day and a half with closing arguments made Tuesday shortly after noon. Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison tried the case for the prosecution. The jury took approximately two hours and 44-minutes to deliberate the guilty verdict. Frank Long represented Smith in the trial.
