TxDOT Urges Driver Caution During Severe Weather
With potentially severe weather in the forecast for most parts of the state, the Texas Department of Transportation reminds drivers to use caution when travelling.
Weather reports indicate severe thunderstorms, hail, strong winds, flash floods and chances for tornadoes are all possible in areas across the state today and into the weekend. As flooding continues to be the leading cause of all weather-related deaths in Texas, TxDOT strongly encourages all drivers to take extra precautions on the road by following these tips:
- If water is covering a road, don’t try to cross. As little as six inches of water can float some vehicles.
- It is illegal to remove barricades blocking lower water crossings. Penalties can range from $200 to $1,000 and/or two years in jail.
- Never try to walk, swim or drive through swift water.
- If your vehicle stalls in deep water, leave it and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.
- Turn around; don’t drown.
Also, for added security, consider these safe-driving tips at all times when behind the wheel:
- Wear seat belt
- Put phone away
- Slow down; drive to conditions
- Never drive drunk
- Obey all traffic laws
Road conditions and traffic updates are available at DriveTexas.org or on Facebook and Twitter.
Tira News, by Jan Vaughn
Tira News – By Jan Vaughn
Malcolm Joslin reported that, as of May 1, 2015, he will no longer be the Tira Volunteer Fire Department Chief. He shared the following: “I want to thank the City of Tira for allowing me to serve as your Chief for the past 13 years and being on the department for over 20 years. I no longer live in the community and feel that I can not serve like I should. Therefore, I feel it is best for me to retire from the Tira Fire Dept. It has been an honor and a blessing to be a part of such a great department and community.”
Kim and Lee Beck traveled north to Durant, Oklahoma for a fish fry/reunion with high school friends from Irving.
Recently, Debra Wood and her sister Barbara Cockrum became new members of the Society of the Lees of Virginia, an organization that was established to promote a better knowledge of the patriotic services of the Lee Family of Virginia to their country. Each year the society meets in Virginia for a 2-day retreat for the cousins of the Lee family. Debra and Barbara left on Wednesday, April 15th, at noon, arriving Friday evening at Stratford Hall in Stratford, Virginia, enjoying the blooming of wild dogwood and redbud trees along the way. Stratford Hall is the birthplace of Robert E. Lee and was built by Thomas Lee. Built on the Western edge of the Potomac River, Stratford Hall is nestled in the beautiful hills of eastern Virginia. Debra and Barbara experienced staying in a furnished cabin with no TV or internet. While in Virginia, the two took a tour of other Lee ancestral burial grounds, who were signers of the Declaration of Independence.
They left on Sunday morning and arrived home Monday afternoon. Debra comments, “Even though the trip was fast and furious, it was fun meeting new ‘cousins’ and touring ancestral grounds.” Next year the Society will meet at Williamsburg/Jamestown, Virginia, where their ancestor, Charles Lee, first arrived in about 1639.
Regina Payton visited her parents Floyd and Martha Payton from Thursday evening until Sunday morning. They attended the Southwestern Watercolor Society’s display of artists paintings of local places around the Sulphur Springs area, on display at City Hall. After viewing all the paintings, they had the opportunity to vote for their favorite. They also took a walk around the area, with everyone setting up for the evening’s entertainment. Martha reports that it was a beautiful evening for an outing.
Morgan Joslin, after his first solo flight, with his instructor, Jack Kubit
Morgan Joslin, a junior at North Hopkins High School, has been taking flying lessons and made his first solo flight in a Cessna 172 from the Mount Pleasant airport on April 26th, while his instructor, Jack Kubit, and a few friends watched. His younger brother, Kenden Joslin, was there, too, and he was treated to a flight with Scott Glover. Morgan spent last weekend with his flying buddies Gregg Williams, Andrew Kiest, and Scott and Jack. They enjoyed flying on Saturday, and then Scott treated them and a few other friends to a ride in his limo to eat sushi in Longview. Morgan spent the night in Mount Pleasant and woke up on Sunday morning to take Scott’s DC-3/C-47 back to his house. Morgan shares, “When we got back to the airport, Gregg and I took the Swift up, and when we got back I flew to Love Field in a Beech Baron with Scott and Andrew.” Morgan works at Legend Aircraft in Sulphur Springs after school.
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].
Ferguson’s RBI Gives Wildcats 10th Inning Win
Wildcats catcher Ryan Ferguson got a clutch two out single that drove home Carson Hick with a winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning as the Wildcats took game one of their bi-district series, 3-2 over Whitehouse at Eagle Stadium Thursday night. Hicks got on on an error and then took second base when Whitehouse forgot to cover the bag. Hicks moved to third when a pickoff throw hit his helmet and went into short left field. Kade Hudgins got the win as he threw three scoreless innings in relief. Ben Brooks will pitch game two in Whitehouse Friday night at 7 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, will move back to Eagle Stadium Saturday at noon
Weather Advisory for Hopkins County Thursday Night Until Midnight
Southeastern Collin and Rains Counties Until Midnight CST at 1119pm CST, Radar was Tracking a Line of Strong Thunderstorms Along a Line from near Wolfe City to Near Royse City to near Hutchins, and moving East at 45 MPH.
Dime size Hail and Wind Gusts Up to 50 MPH will be Possible With These Storms. Locations Impacted Include Dallas, Mesquite, Desoto, Rockwall, Lancaster, Greenville Balch Springs, Terrell, Sulphur Springs, Seagoville, Forney Commerce, Hutchins, Wills Point, Royse City, Heath, Fate Sunnyvale, Wilmer and Farmersville.
Precautionary/preparedness Actions torrential Rainfall is Also Occurring with Storms, and May Lead to Flash Flooding. Do Not Drive your Vehicle Through Flooded Roadways.
A severe thunderstorm watch Remains in effect Until Midnight CST For North Central Texas.
Senate Finance Committee Meets But No Discussion of SB1158
Time seems to be running out on SB1158. The Bill, authored by District 2 State Senator Bob Hall has been left pending in the Senate finance committee since April 21st, has had no further movement. The Senate Finance Committee met yesterday on May 6th, but Hall’s bill was not on the agenda for discussion. The Bill, recommended by Hopkins County Commissioners would allow local voters to choose whether or not to increase local sales tax to pay for the new jail being built. Although seemingly a simple request, any additional sales tax approved would boost our local sales tax above the state maximum. Also, allowing one county to add additional sales tax would “open the door” for other counties in Texas to request similar tax increases for various reasons.
No future meetings of the finance committee are currently scheduled, as the Texas Legislature works through their busy schedule up to the last day of the regular session, which is June 1st. Other deadlines will be earlier for the Bill which needs to pass four more important stages before Governor Action.
Those next stages are:
Approval by Senate Committee (Finance)
Vote and Approval by Senate (which then would send to House Committee)
Approval by House Committee
Vote and Approval by House
KSST News will continue to follow the progress of SB1158.
Hearts of Life Offers Pets For Adoption
Deborah Balkcom is a volunteer with Hearts of Life Animal Rescue. In an attempt to let people know about her group and what they do for stray animals, Ms. Balkcom visited KSST Wednesday with two wonderful puppies that are available for adoption now.
Hearts of Life Animal Rescue is the only no-kill shelter in Hopkins County, according to Balkcom. She said there is a real problem with stray animals in the county. Strays on the side of the road as well as animals dumped at the shelter are now being cared for by Hearts of Life. Currently, the shelter is enlarging their building. There are now 27 dogs on concrete and another 27 that are to be placed on concrete as soon as the shelter is completed.
The two puppies with her Wednesday were found in a cardboard box in a ditch during the winter. A bus driver notified the shelter of the location of a total six puppies and two adult dogs. Although the shelter was full at the time (and is full now), Ms Balkcom said it was one of those things–the animals could not be left on the side of the road to freeze. The two puppies are a heeler-mix.
Adoption fees are $90 per animal at the shelter. The fees cover the cost of all shots including rabies and spay or neuter when they come of age. The $90 goes to the vet clinic that assists with the medical care.
The shelter is manned by volunteers and one should call first before going to the shelter to adopt a pet. The number to call is 903-439-5019 to make an appointment. The shelter has both puppies and adult dogs for adoption.
Mayor’s Proclamations Commemorate May for Two Separate Occasions
Mayor Freddie Taylor read two proclamations: one made May Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month while the other designated May 15 Put on Purple Day to educate the public about Lupus and its’ effects on individuals, families and society.
“Whereas today’s society is finding more citizens involved in motorcycling on roads, and whereas more cyclists are roughly unprotected and therefore more prone to injury or death in a crash, and whereas other campaigns have helped inform riders and motorists alike to motorcycle safety issues to reduce motorcycle related risks and injuries, and most of all fatalities through a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety, and whereas it is the responsibility of all who put themselves behind the wheel to become aware of motorcyclists, regarding them with the same respect as any other vehicle traveling the highways of this country, and it is the responsibility of drivers and motorcyclists alike to obey all traffic laws and safety rules, and whereas urging all citizens of our community to become of the inherent danger involved in operating a motorcycle, and for riders and motorists alike to give each other the mutual respect they deserve, I Freddie Taylor, mayor of the city of Sulphur Springs, hereby proclaim the month of May as motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month,” mayor Freddie Taylor said.
Mayor Taylor urges citizens of Sulphur Springs to increase awareness and safety of motorcyclists in their community.
Josh Davis Competes for Top Elvis Tribute Artist
Josh Davis first performed in a tribute to Elvis in 2007 when he was 14 years old.
Aesthetic Services Offered by Dr. Lenington
KSST’s Good Morning Show is featuring healthcare and wellness providers during May’s Healthcare Month. Dr. Robert Lenington, who spoke with Enola Gay on her show Thursday morning, revealed that he is now offering medical aesthetic services. Dr. Robert Lenington is with with Lone Star Surgery in Sulphur Springs. He also offices in Rockwall.
“The biggest obstacles to offering aesthetic services is finding the right people, and the cost of actually buying all the equipment,” Dr. Lenington said. “It can be pretty intensive sometimes.”
Aesthetic services, as explained by Lenington, is how people presents themselves and how they want to feel about themselves. Lenington and his office offer five to six services for patients.
“There’s lots of different companies that say they offer different services, and what I have learned is that you better know what you’re doing, and you better offer the services that you say you’re going to offer,” Lenington said. “There’s a lot of people who will go out and spend money on one machine, and the machine may be able to do some of the services, but it can’t do all of them. We’ve been educating ourselves for the past two years, and we’ve finally found the right person, invested in the right equipment-the most modern and the most up to date- to do all the services that we need to be able to do.”
Dr. Lenington and his office perform Laser Hair Reduction, Tattoo Removal, Photo-Facial Rejuvenation, Chemical Peels, Botox Injections, and other medical grade image-skincare products.
Kojak Continues to Improve; Awaits Second Knee Surgery
According to a family member, Dennis Lewis, know on the streets of Sulphur Springs as Kojak, continues to improve as he awaits another surgery at Plano Medical Center. Sulphur Springs most famous pedestrian was injured in an vehicle pedestrian accident in the turn lane on Gilmer Street outside Brookshire’s in Sulphur Springs at 9:13 p.m. Sunday, May 3.
As of Thursday, May 7, he is unable to walk but is sitting up in a chair in his hospital room. His spirits remain high and, according to the family member, he is “bossing everyone around.”
When swelling around his knew recedes, a second surgery is scheduled. The surgeon hopes to perform that surgery in two week. The surgeon expects the second surgery to finalize the repair of Kojak’s knee.
Kojak was taken by helicopter to the Plano hospital shortly after the accident. According to his family, has two broken ribs, a broken wrist, and a broken knee, and lots of bruises. He suffered no head injuries.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to investigate the accident. Prior to his accident, Kojak could be seen almost daily walking the streets all over town. His nickname is believed to have come from some members of the police department many years ago.
