Meal A Day And Senior Citizen Center Calendar May 1-5, 2023
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for the week of May 1-5, 2023 includes:
MONDAY, May 1 – Corn Dogs, Green Beans, and Chips
TUESDAY, May 2 – Cheesy Pasta Bake, Yellow Summer Squash and Garlic Toast/Roll
WEDNESDAY, May 3 – TaterTot Casserole, Broccoli and Corn
THURSDAY, May 4 – Ham & Potato Casserole, Stewed Squash and Cucumber Salad
FRIDAY, May 5 – Mexican Chicken Spaghetti, Guacamole and Chips
Sulphur Springs Police Department Looking For New Hires
April 28, 2023- Sulphur Springs Police Department has announced that they are willing to pay for school for any who wish to join the force. Those who currently hold a TCOLE peace officer license may apply as well, however those who do not have a license will be sent to school by the department.
The minimum qualifications to apply are:
- Must be 21 years old
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must have an honorable discharge from the military (if applicable)
- Must never have been convicted of a Class A Misdemeanor or above
- Not been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years
- Must have a GED or high school diploma
- Must pass drug screen
- Must complete a physical agility assessment
- Must complete comprehensive medical and psychological screenings
Applications can be picked up at the Police Department or Water Department at 125 South Davis St. If you have any questions, please call 903-885-7602 or email [email protected]
Rich in Jail After Drugs and Fraudulent IDs Found
April 28, 2023 – RICH, LESLIE THEODORE was arrested this week after a traffic stop. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy saw 47 year-old Rich driving a Tahoe on Highway 154 S. He observed a violation and initiated a traffic stop. The deputy asked Rich to exit the vehicle so he could point out the violation, and to talk further with Rich.
When questioned about what he was doing and if he had a criminal past, Rich stated he had traveled south of Sulphur Springs to shop at a dollar type store. Rich was deceptive about his criminal past. Rich also had glassy red eyes.
When asked for permission to search the vehicle, Rich refused. The deputy called for a K-9 unit to assist. “Chiv” alerted positive on Rich’s vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. That search yielded:
- 2 fake military ID’s with names, dates of birth, social security numbers and Rich’s photo on them
- A debit card with someone else’s name on it
- A check that was not Rich’s and was not made out to Rich. That check had a name and social security number written on it matching one of the fake ID’s
- A stash of methamphetamine
Rich declared no knowledge of the ID’s, debit card and check. Rich declared no knowledge of the meth.
Rich was arrested and placed in a patrol car. Per his request, a female friend traveled to the scene and took possession of the vehicle. Rich was transported to the Hopkins County Jail without incident.
Rich is charged with
1 481.115(D) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G
1 32.51(C)(1) FRAUD USE/POSS IDENTIFYING INFO # OF ITEMS <5
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
April Is National Volunteer Month – Hopkins County Master Gardeners Announce Plant Swap
Second Row (Let to Right): Brenda Payne, Jon Dalzell, Ronnie Wilson, Phyllis Kitten, Gere Camper, Pam Jorgenson and Dawn Wilburn.
Volunteers are an ESSENTIAL component of our Extension Office and we love them!. The Hopkins County Master Gardeners conduct demonstration programs, trainings, public events and even make school educational opportunities possible.
Please join our Hopkins County Master Gardeners on their yearly Plant Swap at the Bright Star Veterinary Clinic Parking lot (744 Gilmer street in Sulphur Springs) May 6, 2023 9:00 To Noon for an opportunity to meet them and take home a home raised plant!
2023 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Events
April 28, 2023- The 62nd annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival is coming up and starts June 9th with the theme being “Kickin’ It Up For Dairy”. The upcoming Events for the festival are as follows:
Wed. June 14th through Sat. June 17th:
Carnival, Located at the Civic Center Grounds.
Friday, June 9th:
Hot Air Balloon Media Flight, located at the Clarion Point Hotel, starting at 5:30 am weather permitting.
Hot Air Balloon Rally and Glow, located at Shannon Oaks Church, from 6 – 9 pm weather permitting.
Saturday June 10th:
Hot Air Balloon Rally And Glow, located at Shannon Oaks Church, starting at 5:30 am weather permitting.
Dairy Festival Parade, Leaving from Buford park, down Connally Street to the Square and Down Gilmer St. to Brookshire’s, starting at 10 am. For more information contact David Watson at (903)-439-5020
Jr. Dairy Show, located at the Civic Center Arena, starting at 10 am.
Milking Contest For Candidates, Parents, & Balloon Pilots, Located at the Civic Center Arena, Starting At 3 pm.
Hot Air Balloon Rally & Glow, Located at Shannon Oaks Church, Starting at 6 pm.
Saturday June 17th:
Coronation Pageant, Located at the Sulphur Springs ISD Auditorium, Starting at 7 pm.
Sulphur Springs Special Crimes Unit Completes Undercover Operation
April 28, 2023 – The Sulphur Springs Special Crimes Unit successfully completed an undercover operation this week. That operation resulted in the arrest of 19 year-old GONZALEZ, JESUS LEOBARDO. He allegedly sold undercover agents a quantity of cocaine greater than 4 grams.
GONZALEZ, JESUS LEOBARDO was on probation at the time of his arrest. He was arrested at the Adult Probation Office in Sulphur Springs and transported to Hopkins County Jail without incident. His bond is set at $100,000 on the 481.1123(D) MAN DEL CS PG 1-B >=4G<200G charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Hopkins County Spring Cleanup May 5th-6th
March 28, 2023 – Hopkins County Commissioners Court has announced the Spring Clean up days for 2023. Starting May 5th from 7 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. and on May 6th from 7A.M. till noon. Hopkins County residents may bring larger household items (not commercial) to their county precinct barn to dispose of them properly.
All county precinct barns will be open for the clean up, all trash will be accepted, however no toxic or hazardous materials will be accepted. That means no shingles, no chemicals, no household hazardous wastes, no pesticides, no paint and no appliances containing Freon.
Commissioners plan to have some staff available to assist people when they arrive, but noted those bringing larger items to discard should be prepared to help off load them.
Tires will be accepted this year, however additional charges will be required to be paid upon delivery.
The four county precinct bars will serve as collection sites for the Hopkins County Clean Up Days. The barns can be found at the following locations:
- Precinct 1 Barn – 5516 State Highway 19 south, Sulphur Springs; contact: Commissioner Mickey Barker at 903-485-2040.
- Precinct 2 Barn – 12080 State Highway 11 east, Como; Contact: Commissioner Greg Anglin at 903-488-3514.
- Precinct 3 Barn – 583 County Road 3564, Dike; Contact: Commissioner Wade Bartley at 903-945 2178.
- Precinct 4 Barn – FM 2653, Cumby, 1.7 mile south of State Highway 11 west; Contact: Commissioner Joe Price at 903-582-8840.
Additionally, Sulphur Springs Livestock Auctions will be also be a drop-off site. However, they will only be accepting tires, no other trash or waste items are to be brought to the Sale Barn. Tires drop-offs will be charged a fee for transportation.
Sulphur Springs Livestock Auctions is located at: 1910 S Broadway St
Paris Junior College Offering a Robotics Coding Camp Again at all Three Campuses
Paris Junior College is again offering a robotics coding camp made possible by the Texas Workforce Commission during June, July and August. The free one-week camp is for students entering the sixth, seventh, or eighth grades in the 2023-24 school year.
The Robotics Coding Camp is designed to allow students to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. By using a snap-together robotics system, students will be able to design, build and code an endless variety of robots; watch code come alive on a physical robot and apply key STEM skills. By familiarizing students with coding, programming sensors and automation, they hone critical computational thinking skills needed to succeed.
To apply, a parent or guardian and the student must complete the application form and a parent or guardian must complete the Permission, Medical & Media Release Form. All forms must be submitted by the deadline of ten (10) days before the first camp date for the chosen session. The forms may be found at https://www.parisjc.edu/downloads/coding-camp-flyer.pdf. Dates and locations of those camps are:
June 19-23: Paris campus (Deadline: June 9, 2023)
June 26-30: PJC – Sulphur Springs Center (Deadline: June 16, 2023)
July 10-14: PJC – Greenville Center (Deadline: June 30, 2023)
July 17-21: Paris Junior College, Paris campus (Deadline: July 7, 2023)
July 24-28: PJC – Sulphur Springs Center (Deadline: July 14, 2023)
July 31-August 4: PJC – Greenville Center (Deadline: July 21, 2023)
Enrollment is limited and priority is given to foster youth, students with disabilities, students from low income families, and students from populations underserved in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Campers will work with Sphero Bolt robots and RVR+ programmable robots each camp day.
They’ll be able to take the RVR+ robots home after the camp ends. Those may later be built upon and customized at the family’s discretion.
Camps are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students may be dropped off at 8:45 a.m. and picked up by 3:15 p.m. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. Parents or guardians will be notified if their child has been selected.
For questions or additional information, please contact 903-782-0447. The application may be emailed to [email protected], faxed to 903-782-0443, or dropped off at the PJC Continuing Education Department in Paris or at the PJC-Greenville or PJC-Sulphur Springs by the deadline of 10 days in advance of each camp’s start.
The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
$4.5 Billion School Funding Bill Advances From Texas House
April 27, 2023- Texas House gave preliminary approval to a school finance Bill that would increase the amount of state money that schools get per student, start adjusting it for inflation and introduce a major change to how funding is calculated each year.
House Bill 100, authored by Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, would increase the basic allotment, this being the minimum money that schools may get per student. Currently the amount that schools get per child is $6,160, with the new Bill, authored by King, would increase this amount to $6,250 in 2024 and when the state would also consider raising the allotment further due to increasing inflation increase by at least $50 by 2025 to make $6,300.
The Bill will be voted on one more before heading off to Senate.
Texas House and Senate have approved separate proposals that would give school districts billions in a attempt to lower property taxes from homes and businesses. The Senate passed a bill that would give teachers one-time bonuses of either $2,000 or $6,000, depending on their school district’s size. The House passed a $1.6 billion school security bill in response to the Uvalde shooting last year and half a billion dollars for improvement to teacher preparations.
The Bill would raise the portion of the state dollars that districts are required to use to pay for teachers raises from 30% to 50%. the rest may be used for other school expenses such as maintaining school buildings and buy necessary school supplies.
The Texas American Federation of Teachers has stated that the House Bill 100 would at best put a extra $80 in the paychecks of teachers. The teacher union also stated that they calculated that the allotment would need to increase to $7,671 per student to account for inflation.
In Texas, if a student misses school, their district’s attendance average goes down — and so does the amount of money it receives. And in a post-COVID-19 world in which parents are quicker to keep their children home if they’re feeling ill, some districts’ finances have become more volatile than ever.
Under house Bill 100, most schools funding will be determined by the attendance of the students, using the average attendance of the students to calculate the amount to be given to the school, but the state would swap that metric for enrollment when counting how many children are bilingual, poor or enrolled in special education programs. By using average enrollment, districts would get money based on how many kids they’re expected to educate each year, not how many show up for class.
In texas there are roughly 5.5 million K-12 students, however only about 92% regularly attended school last year, schools would’ve received millions in state dollars for the remaining students if funding were based on enrollment.
Currently, a teacher with 10 years of experience has to be paid at least $54,540. Under HB 100, that teacher would need to be paid at least $55,000 if they don’t have a teaching certificate and $60,000 if they do.
100 S’more Years and So Much More at Cooper Lake State Park
Cooper, TX—The “Land of the Oaks and Lake” is waiting for you this month. What better place to soak in the experience of a natural Texas than Cooper Lake State Park! You witness the circle of life on a hike through the forest spotting our newest resident, a white-tailed deer fawn. Hear the lonesome wail of a pack of coyotes and the evening chorus of green tree frogs as you enjoy a hearty meal around a flickering campfire. You look up just in time to see the thin band of the “Milky Way” with the flash of a meteor enveloped by the park’s dark skies. Just then you realize why it was so important to set aside all your to-do list items for this family camping adventure! Research has shown that spending time in nature helps us with improved mood, cognitive ability, and even has physical health benefits.
Our highlighted event for this month is “100 S’more Years” scheduled for May 13 th across both park units. Come celebrate 100 years of Texas State Parks around a campfire creating your most perfect s’more! We will provide the necessary s’more supplies. You are welcome to bring your own ingredients too. Across both park units, as summertime approaches, 10 additional recreational and educational programs will be presented that are focused on family fun and learning about our natural world.
By the Memorial Day weekend, the waters of Jim Chapman Lake will be beckoning swimmers (maybe even sooner). Why not experience an amazing staycation at the park swimming, relaxing and enjoying our white sandy beaches. Just add palm trees and you will think you’re in Florida!
Fish from the bank, off our pier, fishing wall, or rent a kayak and try your luck along the shoreline. Fish attractors have been placed around the Doctors Creek floating fishing pier and the fishing wall at South Sulphur to help increase fishing success. Crappie, bluegill, bass, and catfish are commonly caught at both park units. May is a great time to fish at Cooper Lake State Park! Fishing licenses are not required if you are fishing from the bank or fishing pier at any Texas State Park. Other popular activities are hiking our trails, resting under a giant post oak tree, or camping at one of our tree- canopied campsites. Texas State Parks are great places to relax, recreate, and recharge your soul!
Park entrance fees are $5 for adults, and kids 12 and under are always free! Texans 65 or older will only pay $3 to enter the park daily after obtaining a free Bluebonnet Pass. Seniors get yours today! The Texas State Park Annual Pass can be purchased for $70 which is good for 12 months from the month of purchase and allows unlimited park entrances for you and everyone in your vehicle. All programs are free with a valid entrance permit. For more information on this or other events and programs at Cooper Lake State Park, please visit our Texas Parks and Wildlife Department page or like our Facebook pages (Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur 903-945-5256 and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctor’s Creek 903-395-3100).
Doctors Creek
Saturday, May 6 – Art in the Park – 10 a.m. Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion – Water is life – paint your own water-themed work of art. It would make a great Mother’s Day gift!
Saturday, May 13 – 100 S’more Years – Meet at 2 p.m. at Bluebonnet Day Use Area What better way to celebrate the past 100 years of Texas State Parks and to look forward to 100 more years than enjoying s’mores with family or friends? Join us as we learn the skills for building a campfire and developing a bed of coals fit for that perfect & more. *We’ll have a limited supply of marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, and roasting sticks.
Saturday, May 20 — Guided Hike – 10 a.m. Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion. Join a Ranger on a short leisurely hike on Cedar Creek South Loop getting a first-hand look at the shoreline inhabitants, the pocket prairie, varied insects, and the flora of the park.
Friday, May 26 – Moongazing – Meet at the Lone Pine Boat Launching parking lot at 8 p.m. We’ll have the telescopes out to view the moon. Bring a lawn chair, bug spray, and dress for the weather.
Saturday, May 27 – Fishing with the Ranger: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at the Bluebonnet Day Use Area. Bring your own fishing gear, or we have a few fishing poles available to borrow. No experience needed.
Sunday, May 28 — Skins and Skulls – 10 a.m. Who is the fastest or the furriest? Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion – Get an inside look at some of the mammals, and reptiles of the park.
South Sulphur
Saturday, May 6 – Art in the Park – 2 p.m. Meet at Gulls Bluff Day Use Area – Water is life – paint a water themed work of art.
Saturday, May 13 — 100 S’more Years – 8 p.m. Meet at the Honey Creek Amphitheater. What better way to celebrate the past 100 years of Texas State Parks and look forward to 100 more years than enjoying s’mores with family or friends Join us as we learn to build a perfect s’more and hear some campfire stories at 8 p.m. at the Honey Creek Amphitheater or in case of rain we’ll move to the Gulls Bluff Pavilion if it rains. *We’ll have a limited supply of marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, and roasting sticks.
Saturday, May 20 — Guided Hike – 2 p.m. Meet at the Buggy Whip Equestrian Trail Head. Join a Ranger on a short leisurely hike on the Little Blue Stem trail getting a first-hand look at the shoreline inhabitants, varied insects, and the flora of the park.
Friday, May 26 — Becoming a Junior Ranger – 4 p.m. Meet at Headquarters. Do you have what it takes to become a Jr. Ranger? Check your skills and complete the tasks.
Saturday, May 27 – Fishing with the Ranger: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Fishing Wall in the Day Use Area. Bring your own fishing gear or we have a few fishing poles available to borrow. No experience needed.
Sunday, May 28 — Skins and Skulls – Who is the fastest or the furriest? 2 p.m. Meet at Heron Harbor Day Use Area – Get an inside look at some of the mammals and reptiles of the park.
