Several Roads Closed Due To Flooding
Feb. 8, 2023- Several roads have been closed as of late due to mass flooding on multiple roads. Several roads are currently impassable and others are covered in water and may become impassable. Also, FM2285 is closed behind the dam of lake Sulphur Springs as water has flowed through emergency spillway crossing the roadway
Impassable:
- FM 1567 W at county line
- FM 3236 around CR 4508 & CR 3512
- CR 4766
- FM 2653 just north of I-30
- CR 3512
- FM 69 N near CR 3513
- I-30 service roads at FM 900 North and South
Potentially impassable:
- HWY 19 N near roadside Park
- CR 1180 near FM 2297
- CR 4586 near CR 4591
- CR 3525 South of FM 69
- CR 3518 W
- CR 3520
- CR 3504 W
- CR 3546 S
Meal-A-Day Menu And Senior Citizen Center Calendar Feb. 13-17, 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 Feb. 13-17, 2023 includes:
- MONDAY, Feb. 13- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Green Beans and a Roll
- TUESDAY, Feb. 14- Southwest Baked Omelette, Seasoned Potatoes and a Strawberry Smoothie
- WEDNESDAY, Feb. 15- Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables and a Roll
- THURSDAY, Feb. 16- Cheese Tamales, Refried Beans and Spanish Rice
- FRIDAY, Feb. 17- Hot Dog Mac & Cheese, Butternut Squash and Broccoli
Limb Removal Safety, By Mario Villarino
Feb. 7, 2023- The recent ice storm created a lot of damage in aged and mature trees. From “up the hill” where I live in Sulphur Springs, I could see the extreme damage of weight of the ice in power lines and tree branches. Life with many others properties, I started the recovery process after the storm by evaluated the magnitude and type of damage suffered. Upon evaluation, it was clear to us that the removal of tree material was too much to be handled with hand tools and that a power chainsaw was needed. .According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, is important that before starting tree work with powered chainsaws, remove any broken or dead limbs that could fall from the tree. Take your time. Watch for trees with tension that could spring when cut. Clear any underbrush from around the tree that might be struck by the chainsaw and cause it to kick back. Make sure there are no bystanders, animals, cars, buildings, or power lines that may be struck by the falling tree. Clear an escape path 45 degrees to the rear of the tree fall line. Locate the best direction for the tree to fall, and plan your cut accordingly. Rain, snow, or high wind conditions increase the risk of accidents. Rain results in poor footing. Snow may accumulate in the trees and make it difficult to locate the tree’s center of gravity. Trees with thick canopies can be redirected by high winds. Many chainsaw accidents can be avoided using safe felling, limbing, and bucking techniques. Felling is the act of cutting down trees. Limbing is the act of removing limbs from the main trunk. Bucking is the act of cutting felled trees into smaller pieces for removal and transport. Small trees less than six inches caliper (diameter) may be cut all the way through with one cut. However, larger trees should be cut using a front-cut and back-cut to establish a notch and hinge to control the tree’s line of fall. Three common cutting patterns, Conventional, Humboldt, and open face.These techniques will greatly reduce the need to stay near the tree to physically guide the direction of the fall. Do not try to cut down a tree with caliper greater than the length of the chainsaw guide bar. This will increase the risk of kickback injury. Most accidents occur during limbing operations. A small chainsaw is generally easier to maneuver through thick branches. Long chainsaws increase fatigue and are more likely to contact other branches, resulting in kickbacks. Stand at an angle to the limbs you are cutting, so that if the chainsaw suddenly kicks back or cuts through a limb, the chainsaw will not strike you. Plan each cut. Beware of shifts in the main trunk that will result from cutting weight-bearing limbs. Clear the area periodically of cut limbs so that you don’t accidentally step on cut limbs and lose your balance during a cut. Grasp the forward handle with the left hand, palm down. Wrap your fingers around the handle bar, and keep it between your index finger and thumb. Firmly grasp the rear handle with the right hand. Never stand directly behind a cut. Stand on one side of the cut. Saw only with the bottom part of the chain using the part close to the bumper. Never use the tip or nose of the chain to cut. Maintain two hands on the chainsaw at all times. Extend the left arm while gripping the front handle. If the chainsaw does kick back, it will kick up over your shoulder instead of directly at you. Never attempt to cut a limb above mid-chest level. In this position, your strength is limited and you are more likely to lose balance if the chainsaw kicks back. Instead, use a sturdy ladder to reach high limbs. Always work with someone watching each other and keeping safe.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Chamber Connection – Feb. 8
The date is April 8, 2024, and it’s happening in Sulphur Springs. We are talking about the next total solar eclipse that is visible in the United States.
Sulphur Springs is on the centerline for that eclipse, and we are expecting that Hopkins County will double its population for that weekend with people traveling literally from around the world to view the spectacular natural event. Sulphur Springs has one of the longest viewing times in the nation, has historically clear weather on that date and is close to international airports, so we are set up to be one of the feature destinations. It’s time to get involved.
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting committee meetings for the eclipse this week. There will be a Safety and Logistics (infrastructure) meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, followed by an Events/Entertainment/Lodging committee meeting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, and an Administration/Planning meeting at 10 a.m. Friday. All meetings will be in the Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, 110 Main St.
This is an opportunity for Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County to shine, and it’s important that as many people as possible be involved.
If you are interested in any of these meetings, please show up at the appropriate time. We are especially keen on events that might be planned for the thousands of visitors we are expecting during this weekend. We are planning a four-day festival (Friday, April 5-Monday, April 8, 2024) that will draw visitors to our town and county.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at [email protected] or 903-885-6515.
Pancake Breakfast
One of the favorite Saturdays of the year is the Kiwanis Club’s Annual Pancake Breakfast, set for Feb. 18, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Tickets are $8 and children under 6 are free. It’s all you can eat pancakes, sausage and bacon. Tickets are available from any Kiwanis Club member.
DIY Wedding Expo
The East Texas DIY Wedding Expo, hosted by Frosted Whimsy, is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. March 18 at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Vendors spots are available, starting at $150. Email [email protected] for more information.
Ribbon Cuttings/Grand Opening
Werry Pools will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Chamber office. Please welcome them to the business community.
Dike Residents Clear Major Hurdle Towards Incorporation
Dike residents’ request to have an incorporation election has finally been granted by Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom after almost six months of waiting. Residents filed the necessary paperwork back in August of 2022 ahead of the deadline for the November election cycle, but were denied a spot on the ballot.
Considerable back and forth communications between Dike residents and Hopkins County culminated today as Judge Robert Newsom released the following statement through his administrative assistant Donna Goins: “County Judge Robert Newsom announces the candidacy for election of council members for the City of Dike is now open. Potential candidates have until February 17, 2023 at 5:00pm to sign up to have names placed on the May 6, 2023 election ballot. All interested should contact the County Clerk’s office for the application.” The brief announcement is now a major hurdle cleared for Dike residents as they can now vote on incorporation of their area which could give the citizens much more control over the happenings in the Dike area.
Background On Dike Incorporation Request
Residents and property owners in Dike community began researching the matter out of a desire to control what goes on in their community after they learned the Commissioners Court had approved tax incentives for a solar project planned in the Dike community.
When speaking up in Commissioners Court and a community meeting hosted by Engie and Hopkins County failed to achieve the goal of residents seeking to stop the solar project from coming to Dike, an attempt to get an injunction and other legal action also was sought. The Dike residents opposed to the solar company leasing private land and installing a solar facility in their community organized.
Initially, the Dike residents voices a hope to incorporate before construction of the solar project began, but were not able to do so. Michael Pickens, spokesperson for Save Dike from Solar, advised the Commissioners Court and County Judge in previous meetings recently that the residents in opposition to the solar facility were working on the requirements to make Dike an incorporated area, so that Dike residents have a say in decision-making that impacts their community.
During the public forum portion of the Aug. 15, 2022 Commissioners Court meeting, Reams read a letter drafted to Newsom, asking him to order an incorporation election, and appoint two election judges, and publish or post notice of the election as required, in accordance with Chapter 8 of Texas Government Code Chapter. He then presented the letter, along with a signed petition, and a map of the proposed area of Dike to be incorporated to the county judge.
Newsom mailed a response letter dated Aug. 22, 2022, to Reams regarding the incorporation election petition. The letter signed by the judge requested additional documentation for verification of petition requirements.
The judge indicated the letter, addressed to Kirk Reams who presented the petition Aug. 15 during Commissioners Court, was drafted and mailed based on recommendations from legal council.
In the letter, Newsom advises Reams that “additional documentation” is required to provide “satisfactory proof that the petition meets the statutory requirements” for a Type C General-Law Municipality” as proposed. He said the petition failed to provide detailed documentation establishing the number of inhabitants and territorial requirements for incorporation as outlined in Chapter 8 of Texas Local Government Code.
The letter calls for a detailed map or adequate descriptions are needed to tailor ballots for the registered voters within the proposed boundaries. The map submitted, according to Newsom’s letter to Reams, fails to provide adequate details in order for the Hopkins County Clerk to identify the registered voters within the proposed boundaries.
Once satisfied with documentation, Newsom said that would be used to research the cost of holding a special incorporation election and notify him of the cost estimate. Funds would have to be paid in advance to prepare for the election, and a draft order calling for an election would be needed as well.
Lady Cats Soccer Travels to Paris Tuesday
Coach Adriana Brena and her team home for similar efforts Tuesday as in their game on Friday, a 3-1 win over Pleasant Grove.
Sulphur Springs on Friday, Feb. 3 welcomed the Lady Hawks to the Prim for both schools’ district opener.
It did not go as planned for visiting PG, as they fell to the Lady Cats 3-1.
Coach Brena’s built a commanding lead heading into the half, leading 3-0 after one period.
While the Lady Hawks did score their lone goal in the second half, it did little as they went on to lose 3-1 on Friday, Feb. 3.
Following Friday’s win over Pleasant Grove, Sulphur Springs is 1-0 in district play.
The road only gets tougher from here as the Lady Cats travel to Paris on Tuesday, who is the only other unbeaten team at 2-0.
Sulphur Springs is 8-5 heading into a big game in Paris.
A win in Paris, bringing Coach Brena and her team to 2-0, puts the women’s soccer team in the driver’s seat in 15-4A.
With only eight district contests, it also puts them through 1/4 of the way through their district season.
Tuesday’s duel in Paris kicks off for the varsity team at 7 P.M. Junior varsity gets the action underway Tuesday in Paris at 5:30 P.M.
The Lady Cats return to the Prim Tuesday, Feb. 14 when they host Pittsburg.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Little Rock Resident Back in Hopkins County Jail
February 6, 2023 – 22 year-old Kimira Lashae Wallace was arrested at the Pulaski County Jail in Arkansas and returned to Hopkins County Jail. She is facing a charge of Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution a Felony 3.
This is not the first time Kimira Lashae Wallace has been in Hopkins County Jail. She was arrested in October of 2022. See the details that arrest here.
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.
Texas School Districts Switching To Four Day School Weeks
Feb. 7, 2023 – School districts all over Texas are switching to a new school week schedule of four days rather than the traditional five day. This new scheduling idea was introduced to schools to help attract more teachers to districts that were lacking staffing power. Several schools have already made the switch with many more still on the fence about the idea.
The list of schools that have/are going to make the switch are as follows:
East Texas School Districts
- Apple Springs Independent School District: Started 2021-2022 school year. Mondays off, school days 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Athens Independent School District: Started 2019-2020. Fridays off. School day is 7:10 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.
- Corrigan-Camden Independent School District: Started 2020-2021 school year. Fridays off. Elementary school hours from 7:25 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Junior high and high school hours from 7:40 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- DeKalb ISD: Starts 2022-2023. Fridays off. Earliest start at 7:45 a.m., latest bell is 4:15 p.m.
- Devers Independent School District: Started 2019-20. Fridays off. 7:25 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.
- Hardin Independent School District: Hybrid schedule starting 2022-23. 5-day weeks in August, September, January. and May. Fridays off rest of the year. School day is 7:40 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- Hubbard ISD: Starts 2022-23. Fridays off.
- Hull-Daisetta Independent School District: Fridays off starting 2022-23.
- Jasper Independent School District: Starts 2022-23 school year. Fridays off.
- Latexo ISD: Flex Fridays started 2020-2021 school year. Elementary school day from 7:50 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. and junior high and high school 7:55 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
- Liberty Independent School District: Started 2021-2022 school year. Fridays off. 7:30 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. school days.
- Malta ISD: Starting 2022-23. Fridays off. 7:25 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- New Boston Independent School District: Starting in the 2022-23 school year. Fridays off.
- New Summerfield Independent School District: Fridays off starting 2022-23 school year. School day from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Pewitt Consolidated Independent School District: Starting in the 2022-23 school year. Fridays off.
- Sulphur Bluff Independent School District: Starting 2022-23. Fridays off. 7:55 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
- Timpson ISD: Starts 2022-23. Fridays off.
North Texas School Districts
- Anna Independent School District: Four-day schedule starts 2023-24. Fridays off. School day start time staggered based on age of student.
- Chico Independent School District: Four-day schedule starts 2022-23.
- Gordon Independent School District: Started 2019-2020. Fridays off. School day 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
- Gorman Independent School District: Starts 2022-2023 school year. Fridays off. School day from 7:55 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Graford Independent School District: Starts 2022-23. Fridays off. 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. school days.
- Merkel Independent School District: Starts 2022-2023 school year. Mondays off.
- Mineral Wells Independent School District: Starting 2022-2023 school year. Fridays off.
- Montague ISD: Starts 2022-2023 school year. Fridays off. School day 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Moran Independent School District: Starts 2022-23. Fridays off. 7:50 a.m. to 4:17 p.m. school days.
- Palo Pinto ISD: Starts 2022-2023. Fridays off. School days will be 40 minutes longer Monday to Thursday, from 7:35 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Perrin-Whitt Consolidated Independent School District: Starts 2022-23. Fridays off.
- Petrolia CISD: Started 2021-22. Most Fridays off. Elementary school day from 7:40 a.m. to 4 p.m. and junior high and high school from 7:45 a.m. to 4:05 p.m.
- Prairie Valley Independent School District: Started 2021-22. Flex Mondays. School days on Tuesdays through Fridays are extended by 40 minutes. School day begins at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 3:40 p.m.
- Tioga Independent School District: Starts 2022-2023. Mondays off. School day is 28 minutes longer and the school year will be three weeks longer.
- Woodson Independent School District: Started 2019-20. Fridays off. School starts at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 4:12 p.m.
Panhandle School Districts
- Channing Independent School District: Starting 2022-2023 school year. Fridays off. School days from 7:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.
- Follett ISD: Starting 2022-23 school year. Hybrid schedule with most Fridays off. School days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Groom Independent School District: Starting hybrid schedule 2022-23, with Mondays or Fridays off throughout the year.
- Happy Independent School District: Hybrid schedule with Fridays or Mondays off starting 2022-23. School days are 7:40 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Kelton Independent School District: Started 2020-21. Fridays off. 7:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. school day.
- Silverton Independent School District: Started 2021-22. Fridays off. 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. school days.
- Spring Creek Independent School District: Started 2018-19 school year. Fridays off. 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. school days.
South Texas School Districts
- Santa Rosa Independent School District: Starting 2022-2023 school year. Fridays off.
West Texas School Districts
- Olfen Independent School District: Started 2016-2017 school year. Fridays optional. School day from 7:55 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Winters Independent School District: Starting 2022-2023 school year. Fridays off.
Wildcats Soccer Hosts Paris Tuesday in Likely District Total Bout
Coach Alexi Upton and his team do not have much time to celebrate their huge win on Monday, for they have a huge Tuesday duel in Sulphur Springs.
Wildcats soccer hosts Paris in what is likely to be for the district championship, according to Coach Upton.
Both schools enter Tuesday’s duel at Gerald Prim Stadium 2-0, both tied for first in 15-4A. Already a game up on the competition, including Paris’s win over Pittsburg, and Tuesday’s winner may just ride out the season with a district title.
“It’s crazy to say that game three is for the district” the men’s soccer coach said, “but game three might be for the district.”
Coach Upton said Paris is incredibly talented, and have played a tough preseason. He said the visiting Wildcats are very organized and the reigning district champs.
All in all, it should provide a great challenge for both teams as they head to the Prim Tuesday for a likely district total-bout.
On Monday, Feb. 6 Sulphur Springs welcomed Liberty Eylau to town for the (now second) district game for the Wildcats. Mondays’ match with the Leopards was originally scheduled to be the district opener but snow and ice throughout Texas last week forced that game to be pushed back until Monday.
It made little different for Coach Upton and his team, crushing the competition 10-0 on Monday, Feb. 6 at the Prim.
The men’s soccer coach said L.E. has not fielded a soccer program in two years, restarting the program from the ground up.
With that in mind, Coach Upton and his team hoped to keep it under single digits. That went out the window with Isaac Stanley’s goal five minutes into the second period, putting Sulphur Springs up a crushing 10-0 lead. Monday’s game at the Prim was called moments after.
“We called it early, just to be respectful of them. We’re not trying to score a bunch of goals on them, [and] be classless or anything like that,” Coach Alexi Upton said following Monday’s win.
The men’s soccer coach gave credit for the uphill battle that their opponents face in restarting the program, but applauded his team for a great game.
Scoring for Monday’s blowout win:
- Edgar Salazar came up huge with the hat trick, scoring thrice in the first period
- Garrett Robinson finished with the brace, putting two in and assisting on another goal
- Juan Santacruz, JC Salas, and Jose Rodriguez all scored unassisted
- Isaac Stanley scored the 10th and final goal Monday
- and Alexis Pasion scored on a PK
Next up, Coach Upton and his team host Paris for a likely district title-bout.
That game kicks off at the Prim on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Couple Arrested on Warrants near Shooks Chapel
February 7, 2023 – While en route to a early morning traffic stop, a Hopkins County Deputy observed a vehicle parked at Shooks Chapel. The red Chevrolet Tahoe was parked in the parking lot with the hatch open. The Deputy also observed a subject walking around the vehicle. Once finished with the traffic stop, He returned to perform a welfare check at Shooks Chapel.
Once contact was made with the vehicle occupants, they were identified them as Vicki Jeanette Hall age 56 and Edmond Hall age 64. Both subjects are Quitman, TX residents.
A second Deputy arrived on scene to assist. A records check on Vicki and Edmond showed them to have several warrants for their arrest. Vicki showed to have warrants for Theft, Expired Registration, and Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility. Edmond showed to have warrants for Possession or Delivery of Drug Paraphernalia, and Open Container. Vicki and Edmond were placed in custody. Edmond and Vicki were transported to the Hopkins County jail.
Once the an inventory of the vehicle was complete, and the Tahoe was sent to impound.
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.
