Early Voting in Hopkins County to Close Early Today, November 4, 2022
Deputy Clerk, Leslie Cannon, with the County Clerk’s Office, contacted KSST to report that due to the possible threat of incoming bad weather, Early Voting in Hopkins County will close at 4:00pm today, Friday, November 4, 2022.
Attention Parents: SSISD Early Release Announced For Nov. 4, 2022
Attention parents and guardians of SSISD students, district administrators around noon sent out a notice that classes will be letting out early on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.
“SSISD will release all students today at 1:30 p.m. due to predicted weather. Buses will run at that time. Student safety is our 1st priority,” the notice stated.
Parents should make after-school arrangements for their students for the SSISD early release.
The End Of Tomato Season
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
As we approach the end of this year’s growing season, it’s time to remember that end-of-season for tomatoes is slightly different that several other garden plants. Tomato end-of-season varies by year, but the recommended procedures remain the same. If you grew determinate tomatoes, their productive lives ended months ago, and hopefully, you’ve already followed this article’s recommendation.
Your indeterminate tomato plants are still growing and producing, although production will very soon slow. Flowerings become few and far between. The fruits tend to get smaller and have less flavor. Nevertheless, they’ll stay alive until the first 2-3 light freezes, a heavy freeze, or a frost. Some wait for the killing temps, while others begin removing plants when they know killing temps are forecast.
With most vegetable plants, I prefer to cut the plant off at ground level, leaving the roots to rot and provide nutrients for a different vegetable plant next year. Tomato plants are “different.” They should be pulled out roots and all. Further, remove all traces – fallen fruit, dead/diseased leaves and plant debris. I’ve never done it, but the literature suggests disinfecting your tomato ages and/stakes. The bottom line is to remove any real or potential pathogens. By clearing out your dead tomato plants you remove pathogens at the same time … and you minimize future problems in the garden.
So, what to do with everything you’ve removed? Do NOT put in the compost pile. Pathogens can survive the winter and infect/reinfect next spring. If allowed, burn them. If not, bag and put in your trash.
Make sure to place next year’s tomato plants elsewhere. Destructive root knot nematodes are waiting to destroy tomato plant roots for the next 3 years where you planted this year.
Finally, plants in pots can be brought in to continue providing great fruit.
Rural Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Choking Assault
A rural Sulphur Springs man was accused of the choking assault of another male late Wednesday night, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Drew Fisher and Isaac Foley and Sgt. Tanner Steward responded at a County Road 3511 residence to a disturbance alleged to involve a firearm late Wednesday night. Upon arrival, they began speaking with the individuals said to have been involved in the disturbance. Deputies determined Arnulfo Tinajero-Zarate choked a Winfield man during an argument, but never produced a firearm as dispatchers had been told, Fisher alleged in arrest reports.
After collecting statements from all individuals said to have been involved in the incident, deputies took the 46-year-old male resident into custody just before midnight, then transported him to Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center, Fisher noted in arrest reports.
Tinajero-Zarate was booked in Nov. 2 on a charge of family violence assault-impeding breathing or circulation. Deputies also requested an emergency protective order which if granted would require Tinajero-Zarate to stay away from the other male he was accused of choking, according to arrest reports.
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.
Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center launches 2022 Angel Tree program
More than 350 children are available to sponsor for Christmas
(Winnsboro, TX) – In this year alone, more than 350 children in northeast Texas have been victims of child sexual and physical abuse or neglect – the majority of whom are girls ages six to twelve.
While circumstances for these children and families may be difficult this year, anyone in northeast Texas can sponsor an “Angel” and help make this holiday season special for a local child in need.
“The Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center has been coordinating the Angel Tree program for our children, their siblings and families for nearly 20 years,” Lauren Fleming, the NETCAC Executive Director said. “With the cost of everything going up this year, it’s even more challenging for some of these families to create a magical Christmas for their kids – this is where our community comes in.”
“Angels” are children and their siblings ages 0 – 17 who have utilized NETCAC’s services this year and may have been alleged victims of child abuse or witness to domestic violence or drug use in the home.
“We are so grateful for how the community comes together every year to provide for our kids,” Fleming said. “We love seeing the Christmas spirit come alive for these families. It makes a tough job much easier and is a reminder of what this season is all about.”
Members of the community, including civic organizations, church groups and businesses, are encouraged to sponsor or adopt an “Angel” by purchasing items on their lists or to make a financial contribution toward the Angel’s gift requests.
General donations of new and handmade new items such as toys, games, diapers, stuffed animals, and more are also welcomed. For a full list of items, please visit https://www.netcac.org/services/angel-tree. To make a financial contribution, go to https://www.netcac.org.
To learn how you or your group can be part of the Angel Tree program this Christmas, contact Jennifer Williams at [email protected] or call (903) 629-7588.
For nearly 25 years, the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has served more than 10,000 children and families in an eight-county region including Camp, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Titus, Upshur and Wood Counties. NETCAC collaborates with partners in law enforcement, child protective services and prosecutors to help victims of child physical and sexual abuse find hope and healing. To learn more, visit http://www.netcac.org.
Shortage Of Full-time Drivers, SSISD Students’ Successes Could Mean Late Buses Next Week
Additional Full-Time School Bus Drivers Needed
Sulphur Springs ISD Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education and Human Resources Justin Cowart Friday morning, Nov. 4, 2022 issued a letter to parents via the school Blackboard notification system letting them know that, due to students’ competitive successes and a shortage of full-time drivers, buses could run later than usual next week.
Below is Cowart’s notice:
Sulphur Springs ISD Parents & Guardians
Our staff and students have done an amazing job this year and we could not be prouder of them. SSHS students have been extremely successful in competitions this year. Today, our cross-country girls team is headed to state. The volleyball team made the playoffs, and the football team has clinched a playoff spot. Our Wildcat band is headed to state marching contest next week.
Due to the number of activities going on next week, Nov 8 - 11, we are working to cover transportation with our certified drivers and sub drivers. We are wanting to make you aware that your child(ren) may be picked up in the morning or dropped off in the afternoon later than usual.
If you are a parent/guardian who has the ability to drop off or pick up your student(s), we invite you to do so next week. This will help ease the possible delays for transportation. If you can’t do this, your child will still have a ride to and from school. We just ask for patience and understanding.
We are needing additional full-time school bus drivers. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact our Transportation Director Rob Huizinga at [email protected].
Reminder: Monday, November 7th, is a student holiday.
American Flag MIA
Keen eyes can tell something is missing from downtown Sulphur Springs. The American Flag that flies in the center of Celebration Plaza is MIA.
Tommy Allison contacted KSST early Friday morning to relay the message that the large flag had worn out. “That flag was 10 years old, and the harness just failed.” said Allison. City employees found the flag and collected the pieces. Bob Kerr of the Marine Corps League Hopkins County Detachment 1357 said the flag was showing it’s age a month ago, and was due for replacement at that time. “That flag and others will be a part of our flag retirement ceremony on November 11th.” said Kerr.
A new flag should be in place within a few days, weather permitting.
Nov. 7 Jury Panel Cancelled
The jury panel summoned for this Monday, November 7, at 8:30 in the morning at the Hopkins County District Court has been cancelled, according to Cheryl Fulcher, Hopkins County District Clerk. The 8:30 a.m. jury panel does not have to report for service on Nov. 7.
“We have another panel of summons out for Monday, November 14, and they must appear,” said Fulcher “We need to be sure the public understands that those receiving summons dated November 14 at 8:30 a.m. must appear at the Hopkins County District Court.”
Chamber Connection – Nov. 2: Several Community Events Coming Up
By Butch Burney, CEO/President, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
If you like wings and networking, then take note.
Join us next Wednesday for a fun Business After Hours, hosted by Wingstop of Sulphur Springs.
The Business After Hours will be from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office, 110 Main St.
Stop by for some delicious Wingstop treats as well as a networking meet and greet.
Wingstop will also have a grand re-opening for the local restaurant at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 30.
Heritage Car Show
The Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance invites everyone to attend the 17th Annual Heritage Car Show on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Celebration Plaza.
This is an outstanding display of antique and classic cars set to compete in several classes.
It is a free, family-friendly event in downtown Sulphur Springs surrounded by restaurants and shops.
UPRA Rodeo
Fresh off its season-ending rodeo at the state fair, the UPRA rodeo association will get back to ropin’ and ridin’ on the weekend of Nov. 18-19 at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Performance times are 7:30 p.m. each night and will feature team roping, bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, ranch bronc, steer wrestling, ladies breakaway, barrel racing, and tie down roping.
You don’t want to miss the chance to see these cowboys and cowgirls in action.
University Day at TAMU-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce is partnering with Sulphur Springs for the CommUniverCity Day on Saturday, Nov. 5, when the Lions football team hosts Northwestern State.
The Lions will highlight and honor local educators, youth programs and residents. There will be on-field photos, hospitality areas, team interaction and a family fun zone.
For more information, contact Chris Tobiaz at 903-468-8756 or [email protected].
Epilepsy Awareness
There will be an epilepsy awareness fundraiser set for Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church’s The Roc. The fundraiser will include a car show, vendors and a spaghetti lunch.
All proceeds go to the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas.
Be The Service
Do you know of a family in need of a meal this Thanksgiving? Be The Service is here to help. Join the Hopkins County Christian Alliance on Saturday, Nov. 19 as they give out 1,000 Thanksgiving meals to those who are in need. Each box of food comes with a turkey and other items for a Thanksgiving meal.
The food distribution starts at 10 am until 2 pm. The line for the distribution begins in the Sulphur Springs High School Parking Lot. When you arrive, follow the traffic attendant’s directions. Also, please fill out all the information on the registration card that an attendant will give you that morning.
Be The Service is an annual event sponsored by local churches right here in Hopkins County.
Ribbon Cuttings
- Vita Bella Cups and Diner hosted a ribbon cutting on Oct. 27 for the shop at 218 Main Street. Go by for boba tea, iced and hot coffee drinks and refreshments.
- Beauty Grace Lifestyle Shop will host a ribbon cutting at their new address, 224 Connally St., a few doors down from their previous location, at noon on Friday, Nov. 11. Please join us for this event.
- Hampton House Jewelry and Rockshop will host a 30-year ribbon cutting at their shop on Main Street at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Please help us celebrate their achievement!
Community Invited To ‘Be the Service’ By Helping With Thanksgiving Food Program
Area churches have come together again this year, through the Hopkins County Christian Alliance, for the purpose of serving the community through the annual “Be the Service” project. The community, for a number of years, has helped provide for those in need all of the food needed to provide a Thanksgiving meal, completely free. This includes a Thanksgiving turkey with all the fixings and groceries that one might need to put on a Thanksgiving meal for their family.
“To be clear, you’re not going to receive a prepared meal. You are going to receive a frozen turkey and several bags that will go along to help prepare a Thanksgiving meal, and hopefully, some additional food as well, just to get through the season,” noted Jason Dietze, executive minister at First United Methodist Church and treasurer for the Christian Alliance.
“We don’t want anyone going hungry this holiday season, this Thanksgiving,” said Rusty Posey, pastor of Hope Family Fellowship and secretary of Hopkins County Christian Alliance. “And again, as Jason said, we hope to have food for more than a Thanksgiving meal. Last year, I believe we had some pasta and some sauce and different things in there that would provide an additional meal. That is our hope again this year, that we are able to do that.”
Participating churches are selling tickets for a $10 donation to help fund the Thanksgiving food program.
“We call them tickets. It’s just a way for us to sell and funding this project,” Dietze clarified
“They are $10 a piece but you don’t have to give $10 to help. Ten dollars is the amount we’ve kind of set to cover the cost of the food,” said Posey. “Any proceeds we collect and don’t use will actually go to help feed families all year long through the local food bank.”
Posey explained that the partnership with the Community Chest and their affiliation with the area food bank really helps the Christian Alliance procure the food provided to needy families for Thanksgiving. This helps stretch every dollar that is given even further to help even more families at the start of this holiday season. Dietze noted that the Community Chest does much of the “leg work,” another community contributor that makes the Be the Service food project a success each year.
To purchase a ticket or make a donation to Be the Service, contact a local church as nearly all are participating in this effort. Those that aren’t participating can usually help guide potential contributors to the one that is. Community Chest and the food bank can also help those wishing to make donations to Be the Service program.
Be the Service food will begin distributing Thanksgiving meals Saturday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m. Simply drive to the Sulphur Springs High School parking lot, where the line will begins. Go through the softball and baseball parking lots into Barbara Bush Parking lot. All volunteers will meet at Bush Primary at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Those who would like to help are more than welcome to meet with the other volunteers at Bush Primary to help with distribution. Children 14 and younger who arrive must be with a parent the entire time. A few people will also be donating their time to deliver meals to people they know of who are in need but are unable to get out to pick up a box of food during distribution.
The food distribution will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. or until all of the meals are gone on Nov. 19, 2022.
“We will open the line at 10. Theoretically, 10 to 2 o’clock is our scheduled time. We have close to 1,000 meals available. If we were to run out, we run out. There’s no ticket needed, no anything. Just show up in your vehicle at the high school parking lot off of Houston Street, turn right there by the Dairy Museum and they will guide you through the line,” said Dietze. “If that is something that will be of benefit to you and your family, we are honored to help with that.”
Those receiving meals do not need a ticket. They need only show up and go through the line.
“You need nothing but a ride to get you there and they will get you through the line and hopefully bless you with some wonderful, wonderful food. If you want to help out, you are welcome to show up that morning at Barbara Bush Primary to help put boxes together, and if you want to help financially, contact ,” Dietze said.
