Chamber Connection – January 9, 2025
By Butch Burney
Come to the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet and Community Awards and be a star, because the theme for the Feb. 13 event is Vintage Hollywood.
At the banquet, we will recognize Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Caregiver of the Year, Community Pride Award, Agriculturist of the Year, Growth and Renewal, Outstanding Professional Educator, Outstanding ParaProfessional Educator, Outstanding Auxiliary Educator Large Business of the Year, and Small Business of the Year.
We like to celebrate the great things about Hopkins County, and the best time to do it is at this annual event.
To reserve your spot, tables of 10 are $500 each and individual tickets are $30. To get reservations or tickets, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email at [email protected]. A sponsorship table includes advertisement of your business at the banquet and reserved seating.
Come and help us celebrate Hopkins County!
Lunch and Learn
Jill Dutton, our recent state representative, will host a Lunch and Learn to update Hopkins County residents on her time at the state capitol. The Lunch and Learn is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at The Oaks Bed and Breakfast.
Lunch is complimentary, but reservations are required for the first 40 spots. To reserve at seat, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email at [email protected].
Christus Trinity Clinic
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic will host a special celebration at its new ENT clinic. Come take a tour, enjoy refreshments and meet their newest clinician, Jay Yates, M.D., at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at 101 Medical Plaza.
Ribbon Cuttings
Credit Union of Texas will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, Jan. 17, at their location on the downtown square, at the corner of Main and Gilmer streets.
Deep Routes and Shop the Springs will have a ribbon cutting for their two-year anniversary at noon on Friday, Jan. 24.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Continues Lawsuit Against Pfizer’s COVID Vaccine
January 8, 2025 – Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a notice of appeal to continue his lawsuit against Pfizer, Inc., for its unlawful misrepresentations concerning the COVID-19 vaccine after a district court dismissed the case.
In November 2023, Attorney General Paxton sued Pfizer for unlawfully misrepresenting the effectiveness and safety of the company’s COVID-19 vaccine. Further, Pfizer conspired with social media platforms to censor criticism and label posts containing truthful information about its vaccine as “misinformation.” In December 2024, a federal district judge dismissed the lawsuit, claiming that the federal government had given Pfizer immunity through the Public Readiness and Emergency Act. Today, Attorney General Paxton filed a notice that we will appeal the ruling and continue fighting to hold Pfizer accountable.
“Pfizer repeatedly and knowingly misrepresented the effectiveness and safety of their COVID-19 vaccine and pressured Americans to take the shot without full knowledge of the risks,” said Attorney General Paxton. “When consumers questioned the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine, Pfizer sought to silence them—prioritizing profits over the truth. I will not stop until Pfizer is held accountable for deceptively pushing its COVID-19 vaccine on consumers.”
Paris Junior College to be Closed Thursday and Friday, January 9th and 10th
January 8, 2025 – Margaret Ruff, Director of Public Relations for Paris Junior College, has reported to KSST that all locations of Paris Junior College (in Paris, Greenville, and Sulphur Springs) will be closed Thursday, (the 9th), and Friday, (the 10th), due to inclement weather. The college will reopen for normal operations and the first day of the Spring semester on Monday, January 13, 2025. Stay tuned to KSST and ksstradio.com for closures and delays due to the weather. Stay informed, stay safe!
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.
Dinner Bell for January 15, 2025
DINNER BELL, First United Methodist Church
The Dinner Bell has two Community Partners for January 15, the Hopkins County Junior Commercial Heifer Show and Sharon and Charles Helm.
One of The Dinner Bell’s newest Community Partners is the Hopkins County Junior Commercial Heifer Show. This event was first organized in 2021 by Jarred Pickett, David Fenton, Cody Jalufka, John Holland, Kevin Mohl, and Chuck Vitiow to educate and encourage Hopkins County youth to become more involved in agriculture and the cattle industry. Showcasing incredible dedication and producing exceptional cattle with scholarship rewards for their efforts deepens a youth’s understanding and appreciation for one of Hopkins County’s valuable industries. The 4th annual Hopkins County Junior Commercial Heifer Show and sale were held on September 28, 2024. If you would like additional information on joining this organization, please contact John Holland at [email protected].
Sharon and Charles Helm are also this week’s Community Partner. The Helms are life-long Hopkins County residents and the owners of Helm Hotels Group. They have been in the hospitality business for over 40 years and were awarded the prestigious Premier Hotelier of the Year Award in 2023 by Choice Hotels International for Clarion Pointe hotel of Sulphur Springs. Not only are the Helms committed to their businesses, they are truly dedicated to this community. Charles has served on numerous boards in Hopkins County, including the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, Hopkins County Regional Convention Center, the Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation, among others. Sharon is also involved in various Sulphur Springs clubs and civic organizations. Charles and Sharon have two children, daughter Monica Helm Glenn and son Chase Helm who is married to Michelle, and they are proud grandparents to four.
Dinner Bell menu for Wednesday, January 15:
MENU:
- Old-fashioned Hamburger Casserole
- Arkansas Green Beans
- Garden Salad
- Buttered French Bread Sticks
- Chocolate Cake
HAPPY 2025!!!!
The Dinner Bell Ministry
First United Methodist Church
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
*We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday …”
No Trash Pickup Thursday and Friday
January 8, 2025 – Natalie Burling, City Secretary, Texas Registered Municipal Clerk, contacted KSST and asked we report that, due to inclement weather, there will be no trash pickup Thursday, (the 9th), and Friday, (the 10th). Also, the landfill will be closed. For more information, check out www.sulphurspringstx.org. Stay tuned to KSST, and ksstradio.com, for more updates. Stay warm.
Little Texan Learning Center Closed Thursday & Friday
January 8, 2025 – Ramona Hynson contacted KSST to report that due to the possibility of incoming bad weather, Little Texan Learning Center will be closed Thursday, (the 9th), and Friday, (the 10th). Stay tuned to KSST and ksstradio.com for the latest in local closures. Be safe!
Cumby ISD Cancelled for Thursday and Friday
January 8, 2024 – Cumby Collegiate ISD will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 9th through Friday, January 10th due to the Winter Storm Warning for our area beginning early Thursday morning with the peak Thursday evening into Friday morning.
The National Weather Service is predicting snow accumulations of 2-4 inches and a mix of snow and sleet (1-2 inches) and ice (up to 1/10th inch). With the possibility of road conditions deteriorating throughout the day on Thursday, we do not want to be at school and face hazardous conditions as we head home for the day. The safety and security of all is our top priority.
All extracurricular activities will be canceled for Thursday and those on Friday are pending. If road conditions are hazardous, there will not be any extracurricular activities Friday as well. If road conditions are normal, those activities will proceed as scheduled.
Miller Grove ISD Cancelled for Thursday
January 8, 2024 – Miller Grove Families,
One of my biggest priorities will always be the safety of our students and staff. Reviewing the weather forecast for tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, 2024, it consistently shows that it could be clear at the beginning of the school day, but rain, sleet, and snow are very likely to accumulate throughout the day into our dismissal time. I want to allow families adequate time to prepare for their children.
Therefore, at this time, we have decided to cancel school for Thursday, January 9, including extra-curricular activities for that evening. Since we are not in school on Friday, we will wait until Friday morning to make a decision regarding the evening extra-curricular activities.
At this time, we have the minutes built into our original calendar to cover this change, therefore it will not affect our calendar.
Thank you for continual support of MGISD. Please stay warm and safe in the coming days.
Dr. Linda Rankin
Davy Moseley | Technology Director, Cybersecurity Coordinator
Miller Grove Independent School District
7819 Farm Road 275 South, Cumby, TX 75433
[email protected] | (903) 459-3288 x2839
Sulphur Springs ISD Cancelled for Thursday and Friday
January 8, 2024 – Sulphur Springs ISD will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 9th and Friday, January 10th.
No school and no after school events or programs.
North Hopkins ISD Cancelled for Thursday and Friday
January 8, 2024 – With the high probability of Winter Weather headed our way, NHISD will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 9th and Friday, January 10th.
No school and no after school events or programs.
Thank you in advance for your patience.
Stay warm and stay safe.
