GM Recalls Nearly One Million Vehicles As Part Of Larger Airbag Recall
May 16, 2023- General Motors has announced a recall notice of nearly one million SUV Crossovers with a potentially life-threatening airbag defects. The recall specifically affects 994,763 GM vehicles, spread out between certain Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles produced between the 2014 and 2017 model years.
According to documentation filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the driver’s side airbags inflator may explode during deployment, which may send sharp metal fragments into the cabin of the vehicle, potentially causing serious injury or death.
The manufacturer learned of a report that a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse was involved in a crash in March, and that the front-driver airbag inflator exploded during deployment. A later inspection confirmed that the front-driver airbag inflator ruptured in the vehicle.
GM dealers were set to be notified on May 10, 2023, with owner notification estimated to begin in later June. Under the recall, dealers will replace the driver’s air bag unit for free. Concerned owners can check the NHTSA recalls site to confirm if their vehicle is involved in the recall.
The recall comes as part of a larger request from NHTSA that ARC Automotive Inc. recall 67 million airbag inflators because of the risk that they may explode. Documents released by NHTSA show that ARC denied the request. The ARC airbag inflators affect the GM products being recalled, as well as Stellantis, BMW, and Hyundai Motor Group vehicles.
Chamber Connection – May 17
Leadership Sulphur Springs is back on this year, with applications online!
The leadership class is for Hopkins County men and women who want to learn and become more invested in their local community. It’s an intensive nine-month program that immerses the participants in the business and government of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
The tentative dates for this year’s program are attached to the application, which can be accessed at HopkinsChamber.org.
The registration fee is $500 and that covers the cost of the food, drinks, transportation, etc. for the year.
Business After Hours
Get your networking on at the next Business After Hours, set for Thursday, May 18, at CANHelp on Gilmer Street.
The event is scheduled for 4:30 to 6 p.m. and is open to the public. This is an excellent opportunity to network as well as get familiar with CANHelp and its mission.
If you are a Chamber of Commerce member and want to host a Business After Hours (or Before Hours), we have some openings for you!
We are scheduling our monthly networking events for the remainder of the year, and are looking for host businesses in the fall and winter. The cost of the event is free; we just ask that you provide some refreshments.
You simply open your business from 4:30-6 p.m. on the designated day (or 7:30-8:30 a.m.), and welcome the guests.
If you’re interested, send me an email at [email protected] or call 903-885-6515.
Summer Storytime
Summer Storytime at Sulphur Springs Public Library is just around the corner. “Once upon a time … at the library” kickoff is 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 3.
Patriot Sporting Challenge
The 5th Anniversary Patriot Sporting Challenge is set for June 3, 2023 at Lake Fork, supporting Folds of Honor and Heroes Ranch.
The Challenge is limited to 72 teams who participate in fishing and golf at Lake Fork, then meet for Casino Games at 2 p.m. at the iconic Neon Moon in Yantis.
It’s a unique opportunity to support the two military veteran organizations.
Register on the website PatriotSportingChallenge.org.
Ribbon Cuttings
Cricket Wireless hosted a ribbon cutting at noon Friday, May 12, at their store at 1217 South Broadway. Please help us welcome them to the community!
The Plant Niche will host a grand re-opening at noon on Wednesday, May 17, at their store located at 222 Tomlinson St. Please join us for this event.
Texas House Approves Bills To Spend $1 Billion Dollars To Purchase More State Park Land
May 16, 2023- The Texas House has given preliminary approval to two Bills Monday, Senate Bill 1648 and Senate Joint Resolution 74, With voter approval would create a Centennial Parks Conservation Fund to invest up to $1 billion to buy more land for the state parks system.
The Bill and Resolution, by Sen. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, has already received an OK from the Senate and needs a final vote in the House before heading to the governor’s desk for final approval. The governor has already called for a increase in the budget of state parks, advocates of the Bill and resolution are optimistic of its approval.
If the governor does approve them, the issue will go before voters as a constitutional amendment in November, and the state could begin spending the money as early as Jan. 1.
Stated in a report by Environment Texas last year, Texas is ranked 35th in the nation for state park acreage per capita, with about 636,000 acres of parkland for a population of over 29 million as of 2019. The report also suggested that Texas needs to add 1.4 million acres of state parks by 2030 to meet its needs for its residents.
Since the COVID pandemic state parks number of visitors have increased drastically seeing a 37% increase from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2021.
Advocates and park aficionados have gathered at the Capitol several times during the legislative session to express the need for more park land. They shared stories of their most memorable park experiences of fishing, hiking and camping. They also told lawmakers that to enjoy state parks, which receive close to 10 million visitors each year, sometimes they have to get on waiting lists several months in advance and campsites are limited.
As lawmakers make big investments in Texas parks, Robert Kent, Texas state director for The Trust For Public Land, said he hopes they will find a way not only to buy land for new parks but to preserve existing ones, too.
He pointed to another set of bills, House Bill 3165 and House Joint Resolution 138 by Rep. Justin Holland, R-Rockwall, that might do just that. The bill would create a conservation fund that would provide grants to preserve water resources as well as local and state parks. The resolution would put the fund on the November ballot for voter approval.
The House approved the Bill and the Resolution earlier this month. However the Senate has yet to vote on the items.
Hopkins County Genealogical Society
Mr. Marlan Warner will be our speaker Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at 611 North Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas. He is going to talk to us about the original Hopkins County Courthouse located in Tarrant, Texas.
Warner is a former agriculture mechanic from Bradford, Ohio. He began his research of the old Tarrant courthouse area in 2015 with the help of his son, Jason. There are now several people helping them. He will be sharing with us his research journey to date, many of the artifacts he has found and how to preserve them.
If you cannot join us in person for this interesting and informative meeting, we invite you to join us via Zoom. The time will be the same, 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada). You will need to register in advance for this meeting by clicking the following link: Zoom Meeting Showing
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. HCGS member, Larry Pettit will be hosting the Zoom presentation from his home in Keller, Texas
Graham Returned to Hopkins County To Face Charges
May 16, 2023 – David Earl Graham was arrested in 2022 after the vehicle he was driving was finally stopped on the South Service Road in Sulphur Springs. His attempted evasion required responce from both Hunt and Sulphur Springs Law Enforcement agencies. See that story here.
Graham, a resident of Greenville, TX was serving time at the TDCJ Beto unit near Tennessee Colony, Tx. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies transported Graham to Hopkins County Jail after his release. He is currently charged with:
2229348 1 22.02(B)(2)(B) AGG ASSAULT AGAINST PUB SERVANT
2229351 1 22.02(B)(2)(B) AGG ASSAULT AGAINST PUB SERVANT
2229349 1 22.02(A)(2) AGG ASSLT W/DEADLY WEAPON
2229350 1 22.02(A)(2) AGG ASSLT W/DEADLY WEAPON
His bond is set at $200,000.
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.
Spring Graduation at Paris Junior College
PJC holds 98th spring graduation ceremonies
Paris Junior College celebrated its 98th Spring graduation at 7 p.m. Friday, May 12 at Noyes Stadium.
At the opening of the ceremony, Dr. Pam Anglin, PJC president, recognized retiring faculty and staff Shannon Callaway, Jeff Norris, Rita Pringle, Mallie Hood, and Paul May, who together have had 109 years at PJC.
As of Friday, 537 students had applied to graduate this spring, of whom 41 percent are men and 59 percent are women, ranging in age from 17 to 72 years old. They represent 31 different Texas counties, seven states, and Mexico and South Africa. The graduates included 125 dual credit students from 15 high schools in PJC’s five county service area.
“This has been an extraordinary group of students,” said Anglin, “and it has been wonderful to get to know them and learn of their aspirations.”
Physics faculty member Lee LaRue was presented the Master Teacher Teaching Excellence Award. which includes a $1,000 honorarium, plaque, and medallion.
According to the nominations by fellow faculty, LaRue spends hours working with students one on one to make sure they have a good grasp of the concepts from his class. He is remembered by many former students as “their best teacher” and delivers complicated subjects such as Calculus 3 and Differential Equations in a manner that builds confidence and understanding.
Next came presentation of the Distinguished Service Award (DSA), the highest student honor given at PJC, presented to a PJC graduate since 1935. It was first given to Louis B. Williams, who later became president of Paris Junior College. The Award recognizes academic achievement and service to PJC and the community and is given to an outstanding graduating student.
Chosen was Brendan Batchelder, a 2015 graduate of Denver Center for International Studies in Denver, Colorado, is Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, and a member of the Student Government Association, Texas Student Advisory Council, the 2023 All-Texas Academic Team, 2023 All USA Academic Team, All Texas Century Scholar, American Medical Society Student Association Pre-med Transfer Scholarship recipient, 2023 Mr. PJC Nominee and been named twice to the President’s List. He represented PJC in Austin at Community College Day 2023. He plans to transfer to the biomedical sciences program at Texas A&M University, and apply to medical school after that to pursue a dual PhD and MD.
Other DSA nominees included:
Ryan Davis, a 2021 graduate of Midway High School in Waco, is a returning member of the Dragons Baseball Team and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, and Treasurer of the Student Government Association. He has been named to the President’s List three times. He plans to continue playing baseball at a four-year university and continue studying Criminal Justice.
Celia Hagler, a 2023 Home School graduate of Detroit, is President of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, Vice President of the Student Government Association, and a member of the 2023 All-Texas Academic Team. She has served as the Texas Junior College
Student Government Association Region 3 Treasurer and been involved in the Criminal Justice Club. She has been a part of winning awards at the state and international levels for research projects. She has been accepted to the Neuroscience program at the University of Southern California with a full ride scholarship.
Samantha Puente a 2021 graduate of Hebron High School in Plano, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, Publicity Director of the Student Government Association, a two-year member of the PJC Softball Team, a 2023 Miss PJC Nominee and has twice been named to the President’s List. She plans to continue playing softball at a four-year university while pursuing her degree in physical therapy in hopes of working with children and young adults.
Jacob Thomas, a 2021 graduate of Paris High School, is the Student Government Association President and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year honor society, and a 2023 Mr. PJC Nominee. He represented PJC in Austin at Community College Day 2023. After graduation, he plans to attend the University of North Texas and live long and be happy.
Paris Junior College held its spring graduation Friday, May 12, in Noyes Stadium on the PJC Paris campus.
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.
Gov. Greg Abbott Threatens To Veto Pared-Down School Choice Bill, Warns Of Special Sessions
May 15, 2023- Gov Gregg Abbott has stated Sunday that he would veto a toned-down version of a bill that offers school vouchers in Texas and threatened to call a legislators back for special sessions if they don’t “expand the scope of school choice” this month.
Senate Bill 8, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would significantly roll back voucher eligibility to only students with disabilities or those who attended an F-rated campus. Currently this means that less than a million students would be eligible to take part in the voucher program.
Abbott has stated that the revised version of the bill does not provide the state with a meaningful “school choice” program. Since the start of the legislative session, Abbott has shown his support for earlier proposals of the bill that would be open to most students. The governor also said he has had complaints over the new funding for the bill, saying it gives less money to special education students. It also would not give priority to those of a lower income household, who “may desperately need expanded education options for their children,” he said.
The centerpiece of the original Senate Bill was education savings accounts, which work like vouchers and direct state funds to help Texas families pay for private schooling.
The Senate approved version would be open to most K-12 students in Texas and would give parents who don’t want to use public school systems up to $8,000 in taxpayer money per student each year. Those funds could be used to pay for a child’s private schooling and other educational expenses, such as textbooks or tutoring. However, that idea has faced an uphill climb in the House, where lawmakers signaled their support last month for banning school vouchers in the state.
Last week, state Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Killeen, chair of the House Public Education Committee, wrote a version of the Bill where children would be eligible only if they have a disability, are “educationally disadvantaged” — meaning they qualify for free or reduced lunch — or attend a campus that has received a grade of D or lower in its accountability rating in the last two school years. A child would also be eligible if they have a sibling in the program.
About 60% of Texas 5.5 million students are eligible for free or reduced lunches and children who are in special education account for roughly 12% of the Texas education program. Also, roughly 7% of all school campuses graded received a D or lower but were labeled “not rated” because of coronavirus interruptions.
Last week, the chamber denied Buckley’s request to meet in order to vote the new version of the bill out of committee, signaling that there was still deep skepticism.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report 05-08-2023 – 05-14-2023
Arrests:
Jaume, Aliceli, 47 years of age, of Dallas, was arrested 5-10-2023 for DWLI with No Insurance and Possession of Dangerous Drug.
Darst, Clayton, 50 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 5-11-2023 on a Smith County Warrant for DWI 1 st .
Tully, James, 55 years of age, of Mt. Vernon, was arrested on 5-12-2023 for Possession of Controlled Substance PG 1/1 –B>=1G<4G.
Thomas, Julie, 41 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrest on 5-12-2023 for DWI with Child under 15 years of age.
Smeade, Kade, 24 years of age, of Crosby, was arrested on 5-14-2023 for Possession of Controlled Substance PG 1/1-B< 1G.
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 162 calls for service during this reporting period
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 27 citations and 46 warnings during this reporting period.
Bees like to Play???
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
We’ve all watched native, bumble and honey bees go about their daily task of gathering nectar and pollen before heading back to the hive to do wonderful things with the gatherings. Though we seldom pay attention, wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets all do the same. It’s almost as if they are programmed to be robots in accomplishing their tasks. BUT, as we are slowly learning, all of them like to play. Play? Yes, play. We normally associate play with larger brained animals, but playing by tiny brained insects is certainly a surprise.
Playing is defined as doing something not necessary for survival, is voluntary, differs from normal behavior, occurs in a stress-free environment, and is repeated but perhaps different each time. While all the above play to some extent, the art of playing is best personified by bumblebees!
In a large but closed environment, bumblebees were given small wooden balls., as a test to see if they could be trained to move the balls to a specific location for a reward – food. When the test began, the bees went after the balls grabbed them, and rolled them around, and then repeated the process with subsequent balls. While the experiment was begun with food as an incentive, scientists found that when the test period ended, the bees kept playing even without an incentive. Several of the balls were sprayed with different colors, but color had no real effect on the bumblebees’ behavior.
Test results indicate these insects have more complexity in their tiny brains (less than 2 cubic millimeters) than previously known, perhaps even emotions. Bumblebee emotions are something I’ve known for years as they angrily fly by at eye level telling me to leave their beloved okra flowers and then shooting me in the back if I don’t leave fast enough!!!
Hopkins County Resident Arrested for Continual Sexual Abuse
May 14, 2023 – This week, Hopkins County Sheriff Deputies received an outcry regarding sexual abuse. An emergency Child Advocacy Center interview was arranged and a report was filed with Child Protective Services. The information gathered verified the need to moved forward.
Deputies went to the alleged abusers home and transported him to the Hopkins County Sheriff Office in Sulphur Springs. During an interview with Robert Ray Infante aka Robert Infante Ember, Infante confessed to at least 10 sexual acts performed on the 13 year-old victim. The abuse occurred over the period of approximately one year.
After the interview and confession, Infante was arrested and turned over to jail staff without incident.
Infante is currently charged with
21.02(B) SEX ABUSE OF CHILD CONTINUOUS: VICTIM UNDER 14
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.
