St. Philip’s Episcopal Church To Celebrate 150 Years May 1
KSST Owners Challenge Community To Match Donation To Help Raise Needed Funds To Restore Stain Glass Windows
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church this Sunday will celebrate a big milestone – the church’s 150th anniversary as a mission in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Bishop Fraser Lawton of the Church of St. Dunstan in Mineola, who is also the assisting bishop of the Diocese of Dallas, will be joining the festivities. All are invited for a catered picnic immediately following the 11 a.m. worship service at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
The church currently is 50 members strong, and is located at 1206 College Street, with Mother Cynthia Moore as priest. That hasn’t always been the case, however. When St. Philip’s mission first began in the early 1870s,there were 11 registered members.
St. Philip’s History
Episcopal missionaries are known to have preached in Sulphur Springs as far back as the 1860s. In 1864, Sulphur Springs was added to the list of Mission Stations in Northern Texas and the Diocese of Dallas.
The church which would eventually become St. Philips wasn’t officially founded until 1872, following Bishop Alexander Gregg and Father Francis R. Starr and Edwin A Wagner’s visit to the community to make arrangements for baptisms and confirmations for future services to be conducted by Father Starr. At that time, St. Philip was recognized as a mission. Bishop Alexander Charlese Garrett, an elderly man, was the only presiding bishop of the American communion.
From 1864 to 1875, there were long periods when there were no regular services until Bishop Garrett visited.
In 1875, approximately 1,200 people lived in Sulphur Springs, including 11 Episcopal communicants in the Episcopal Church. The first be baptized and confirmed in the church was Emma Gilbert. The small Episcopal congregation worshiped in the Presbyterian Church building for more than 20 years before land was donated to construct a church on.
The first known use of St. Philip’s in connection with the church was a 1886 edition of the Conventional Journal of Northeast Texas. Bishop W. Gregg, a missionary bishop who visited people along the route and conducted services when asked to do so.
The first church was located at 400 Houston Street in Sulphur Springs on land given in 1887 by CM and Nancy Houston. Church trustees CB Stephenson, JK Milam and SL Gilbert accepted the land and conveyed it to Bishop Garrett for the Episcopal Missionary District of Northern Texas, with the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas becoming land owner. St. Philip’s church, constructed from 1895 and 1900 by a local carpenter, was 53 feet long and 21 feet wide, with a vaulted ceiling.
In 1917, wings were added to extend the building to make room for an organ and choir. Stained-glass windows replaced clear glass windows. In the early 1900s stained glass memorial windows were installed at St. Philip’s.
A second addition which included a parish hall with an office, small kitchen, central meeting room, seven Sunday school rooms, two powder rooms and a hall was installed between July 9, 1950 to Nov. 23, 1952, while Father Grover McElyea served as St. Philip’s priest. An alter rail was given to St. Philip’s by the Church of the Holy Cross of Paris. Father McElyea and his wife performed most of the work installing the floor annex and altar rail. Funding for the project was donated anonymously at the time by Howard Hicks.
St. Philip’s hosted Cub Scouts, Explorers and Boy Scout groups. The women’s organization created birthday calendars as annual fundraisers.
Father Bill R. Boyd was ordained in 1970 and became rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Mineral Wells. Boyd is the only parishioner of St. Philip’s known to have entered professional religious service.
In 1976, Hopkins County Historical Commission went about having the structure declared a recorded Texas Historical Landmark. At that time, the building was reported to be one of the oldest church structures in continual use in Sulphur Springs.
Father Charles L. Henry as vicar became the first priest assigned fulltime to St. Philip’s. During his time as vicar, 75 members were baptized.
For about 100 years, the Houston Street church served the community well. Thanks to a generous donation from the McKenzie family, anonymously at the time, a new granite church was built at 1206 College Street. Many of the furnishings were used in the new building, including the stained glass windows and altar rail. Additional new stained glass windows were orders for the chapel to as closely as possible mirror the original windows. In May of 1991, the new College Street Church was consecrated.
In September of 1991, the Houston Street building was deconsecrated and secularized in a special Sunday afternoon service. Hopkins County Historical Society in the 1990s moved the original church to Heritage Park, where the cross-shaped building remains today. Stained glass windows depicting Texas flowers were installed in the old church building to replace the ones relocated to the College Street church building.
For the past 30 years have been very active ones for the Sulphur Springs Church, some of which have included introduction of or participation of members in Chimes and Choral Choir, an Altar Guild, lay ministries, children’s church and activities, adult group activities, Fundraising and Hospitality, Communications Committee, Back Packs for Kids, a craft ministry, Daughter of the King, Dinner Bel, Loan Investment Club, Church maintenance and first responder appreciation events.
From 2019-2020, St. Philip’s, St. Mark Church in Mount Pleasant, St. William Laud in Pittsburg and St. Francis in Winnsboro Northeast Texas in the Diocese of Dallas formed The Affiliated Parishes of Northeast Texas. All APNET churches are under the direction of the Rt. Rev. Fraser Lawton of the Church of St. Dunstan in Mineola and also assisting bishop of the Diocese of Dallas. The group works together for the “mutual flourishing of one another’s mission to tell others about Jesus for the glory of God.
COVID-19 hampered activities of the church for a few years, but the church has begun and will continue to ramp up activities.
Mother Cynthia Moore began serving as St. Philip’s and St. Mark’s priest on Nov. 29, the start of her ministry in Texas. Mother Cynthia is originally from Connecticut, but has spent the the past 25 years ministering in Chicago and Northern Indiana.
Stained Glass Windows
The stained glass windows at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church have a special history of their own, but are in need of some restoration and repair to restore them to their former splendor.
The nine windows in the main sanctuary were removed from the Houston Street building and installed in the current College Street facility. The church commissioned two additional stained glass windows to as closely as possible match the 100 year old windows for the new chapel.
A memorial stained glass window was installed in 1917 over the altar of the church when it was constructed to honor William B. Arthur, an 18-year-old who sponsored six baptisms in the six months before his death in July 1901. Arthur is reported in one ledger to have accidently shot himself with a rifle and is buried in City Cemetery.
Later, stained glass windows were installed on either side of Arthur’s, in memory of Louis H Gould and WR Patrick, who were instrumental in seeing Arthur recognized. Early ledger records showed Patrick as being a mover and shaker in the church. Gould and his wife were very active in the work of St. Philips in the 1920s. Gould’s 88-year-old father-in-law in 1920 was an Episcopal priest who lived with them during the 1920 census.
Three larger-than-life-sized stained glass windows adorn the foyer leading into the sanctuary.
Stained glass of St. Nicholas, in St. Philips foyer, given in memory of Paul R. Brady 
Stained glass of St. Philip, in St. Philip’s Episcopal Church foyer, given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Blackburne 
Stained glass of St. Christopher, in St. Philip’s foyer, given in memory of the Mr. and Mrs. TB “Tommy” Blackburne
A stained-glass window of St. Philip was installed in memory of Geoffrey and Poppie Blackburne, who were both born in England, but were instrumental in the life of the early life of St. Philip’s. Geoffrey lived from 1888 to 1953 and Poppie from 1890 to 974. The Blackburnes are buried in the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery.
A stained-glass window of St. Christopher was given in memory of Geoffrey Blackburne’s son. Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Blackburne reportedly loved to travel.
A stained-glass of St. Nicholas was installed in memory of Mr. Paul Brady, who lived from 924 to 1990. St. Nicholas was chosen in honor of Brady’s portrayal of Santa Claus each Christmas, who visited the children of St. Philip’s in their homes. He was also reported to have been very active at St. Philip’s as Junior Warden.
A small stained-glass window behind the altar in the chapel was given in honor of Mr. A. W. McAfee. Almost all information on McAfee was lost. Someone who previously attended St. Philips remembered a widow woman named McAfee married a member of St. Philips. Using Ancestry.com, St. Philp’s church historian Nancy Pool was able to connect the widow to the brother of her first husband. Only one of the brothers was in the Episcopal Church; the other was very active in the Baptist church.
Three small stained-glass windows also grace the back wall behind the altar in the main sanctuary.
St. Philip’s recently hosted a pancake fundraiser, but are still looking for funds to complete the cost of restoring and repairing the stained glass windows.
KSST owners Chad and Rhonda Young this week donated $1,500 toward the project and challenge others to match the donation by $50, $100 or even a full match. Chad said the church is special to him and his family. He spent a lot of his formative years in St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. The Houston Street building is where he was baptized, confirmed.
Anyone who would like to meet the challenge may drop off donations at KSST Studios at 717 East Shannon Road or at St. Philip’s, 1206 College St. on the 150th celebration Sunday, April 30, 2022. All are invited to attend the service, then to enjoy the free barbecue meal afterwards.
Lady Cats Golf Wraps Up Season at Regional Championship, Finishing Ninth
Coach Whitney Spigener and her squad wrapped up their spring season last week at the 5A Region 2 championship, finishing ninth.
Sulphur Springs shot 403/392 over the two day regional golf championship.
The Lady Cats golf coach said it was awesome her team to break 400 in Rockwall.
Freshman McKenna Meskimen shot 94/91 over the two day tournament. Meskimen tied for 34th in the 5A Region 2 golf championship.
The freshman doubled on her last hole to shoot 91 on day two.
Coach Spigener said that the freshman knew she had to have a big day two to advance but a tough hole 18, one which is long par-5, saw the downfall of many athletes in the regional championship. The Lady Cats golf coach said in spite of not moving on to the state championship for 5A, her performance was nothing to hang her head on.
“We’re very proud of how she did in her first Regional tournament,” Coach Spigener said.
Junior Mykylie Meador, one of the few Lady Cats returning from last year’s squad, finished 49th in a pack of 93 golfers at the 5A Region 2 tournament.
Brylie Brock got 54th last week, with freshmen Allison Thomas and Kenzie Posey tying for 55th place at the 5A Regional 2 golf championship.
“We were all right there in the middle of the pack,” Coach Spigener said, “[which] is a good look for us going into 4A next year. We looked at some of the regional scores and I think we’re going to be a fierce competitor moving down to 4A.”
Lady Cats golf in round one took on some lofty competition in Lovejoy, (Frisco) Lebanon Trail, and Highland Park’s second team.
Lebanon Trail qualified for state both last year and this season, with Lovejoy and Highland Park’s second team always in contention for state as well.
Sulphur Springs finished just one stroke out of eighth place, coming in at ninth at the Regional tournament.
“My goal personally was eighth, [and] we were only one stroke out of eighth place,” Coach Spigener said. “That was an awesome experience to see… that [the Lady Cats] weren’t the best out of the four, [but] to see how they handled themselves on the course and not letting the pressure get to them… that was exciting to see that we were able to hold our own in our first Regional tournament in 10 years.”
The Lady Cats golf coach said she was proud of her team’s performance, one which is so young.
“We were all right there in the middle of the pack,” Coach Spigener said, “[which] is a good look for us going into 4A next year. We looked at some of the regional scores and I think we’re going to be a fierce competitor moving down to 4A.”
Lady Cats golf returns several players, three of which are currently freshmen.
Add in the fact that she said her young team got the Regional nerves out of their system, next year, Coach Whitney Spigener and her program will be an even bigger force to be reckoned with.
For now though, Lady Cats golf takes a bit of a breather before locking in for summer tournaments and summer strength & speed programs for Sulphur Springs sports.
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.
Friday Game Day Has Three Teams on Deck, All in Big Contests
Friday, Apr. 29 has baseball, softball, and track and field all competing in big competitions.
Track and field competes today in the 5A Region-II championship relays held at UT Arlington.
Track and field sends seven athletes; four Lady Cats and three Wildcats representing Sulphur Springs at the 5A Region II championship.
Coach Ross Hicks has Claire Bybee and Jaycee Jasmer competing in pole vault. Another field event, discuss, has Jayden Holly representing the Lady Cats. Haylee Schultz is the lone athlete from Sulphur Springs to qualify for a running event at the regional championship relays.
Bull Turner competes in long jump, Weston Fields qualified in the high jump event, and Ty Bybee pole vaults Friday at the championship relays.
After competing Friday at the 5A Region-II relays, those who finish high enough move on to the 5A state meet.
The 5A State Championship for track and field runs May 13-14 at Mike A. Myers Stadium located at the University of Texas at Austin.
Friday, Apr. 29 is a big day for baseball and softball.
Lady Cats softball plays in game two of their Bi-District series in Whitehouse.
Coach David Carrillo’s team used a big 5th inning to propel themselves to a 3-0 victory in game one. Wednesday’s win in the opening game of Bi-District gave Sulphur Springs a 22-2-2 record.
Lady Cats softball no doubt looks to rely on the solid arm of Crimson Bryant to lead them to the second round of playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
Game two of the Bi-District series for Sulphur Springs tees off at 6:30 P.M. in Whitehouse on Friday, Apr. 29.
Friday’s playoff match in Whitehouse will be broadcasted onto KSST 1230 AM.
If Lady Cats softball falls in Whitehouse Friday, game three is back in Sulphur Springs Saturday, Apr. 30 at 2 P.M.
Wildcats baseball has a tough test ahead of them Friday. Sulphur Springs (4-7, fifth in 15-5A) travels to Longview to take on the Lobos (5-6, fourth in 15-5A).
If Coach Jerrod Hammack’s squad beats the Lobos in Longview on Friday, Apr. 29, the Wildcats would then tie the Lobos for fourth place. Thereby, the two schools would have to play each other again to determine who would make the postseason as the fourth seed from District 15-5A.
If Wildcats baseball falls in Longview in their regular season finale, Sulphur Springs would end up two games ahead of the Wildcats, thus missing out on the postseason for the second straight year.
Friday’s regular season-finale in Longview is win-or-go-home for Coach Jerrod Hammack’s team.
The duel for the fourth seed with the Lobos tees off on Friday, Apr. 29 at 7 P.M.
Sulphur Springs lost their senior night game to Hallsville Tuesday, 14-1 and look to rebound by getting a win and a shot at the postseason.
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.
5 Miller Grove Students Advancing To State Academic UIL Speech Contest
Five Miller Grove students are advancing to the Texas State Academic UIL Speech Contests next month, based on their individual scores at the Region UIL Tournament in Waxahachie, and one team also earned first place ranking.
Thirteen Miller Grove High School students competed Saturday, April 21, 2022, in the Regional Academic UIL tournament and came home with seven individual awards and had one team earn first place ranking.
Lainey Burnett won first place honors and Gabe Hayden second place honors in Poetry, qualifying both to compete at the state contest.
Aleah Sotelo also qualified to compete at state by earning third place honors in prose at region.
In Lincoln Douglas Debate, Jagger Qualls won third place honors, Kavan Smith placed fourth and Nathan Fauth fifth. Qualls advances to state and Smith is an alternate. Smith also placed fifth in Persuasive Speaking.
Hannah Nalls placed fifth in Ready Writing.
Contributing to the Miller Grove Hornet Academic UIL speech team’s overall first place ranking were Jagger Qualls, Kavan Smith, Nathan Fauth, Addison Stanton, Aleah Sotelo, Lainy Burnett, Gabe Hayden, Avery McInvale, and Lance Davis.
Also representing MGISD at the regional contest were Jacob George, Katie Cotts and Maddison Hernandez,
Congratulations to these students on their UIL achievements, and good luck to the students who will compete in Austin at the State Speech UIL meet May 24-25.
Summer Terms at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Center
SIGNING UP
Stephen Harris of Yantis begins his enrollment process for the summer terms at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus with Office Manager Dana Smock. For information about enrollment for summer and fall call 903-885-1232.
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.
Traffic Stop Nets $8,000, Messages Related To Human Trafficking,1 Arrest
Deputies arrested a Garland man Wednesday night on a money laundering charge, after a search revealed more than $8,000 in cash and social media notifications related to human trafficking or smuggling on his phone, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Josh Davis and Bobby Osornio reported stopping a Ford F150 pickup at 7:56 p.m. April 27, 2022, for speeding and following too close to another vehicle on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 130. While speaking with the driver, one of the deputies reported seeing on the front seat a six pack with one beer missing and in the front floorboard a bundle of 50-dollar bills sticking out of a fanny pack.
He asked the man to step out of the truck and talk to him. While doing so, the deputy observed what he noted in arrest reports to be numerous signs of deception and nervous behavior. The driver agreed to let the deputy search the truck. He found about $8,000 in US currency in the fanny pack. The man also had more than $500 on him as well.
When asked, the man agreed to let the deputies look at his phone. Numerous notifications from social media groups that were related to human trafficking or the smuggling of people, Davis alleged in arrest reports. He claimed his brother provided him with the currency to purchase appliances for his resale company, which he named, Davis alleged in arrest reports. One of the deputies conducted a Goggle search but found no information that the alleged company existed anywhere in Texas.
The pickup also had a fictitious temporary tag inside, which the driver claimed he’d purchased in Houston, and could not provide any proof as to the origin of the cash. That, coupled with the human smuggling information on the phone, resulted in the deputy taking Pedro Garcia-Alarcon into custody at 10:12 p.m. April 27, 2022
The 30-year-old Garland man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 1:51 a.m. Thursday, April 28, 2022, on a charge for money laundering. The cash was counted and totaled more than $8,500, according to jail reports. Garcia-Alarcon remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday afternoon, April 28, 2022, on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
SSHS Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy Invites Community To Battle Of The Badges Game
The Sulphur Springs High School Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy invites the entire community to bring the family and come out and have fun watching the Battle of the Badges Softball Game this Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Lady Cats softball park at SSHS.
Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy is hosting the event as their spring group project. The CFA Leadership meets once monthly throughout the school year to develop leadership skills. At least once each semester the students are tasked with conducting service projects.
Sulphur Springs Chick-Fil-A franchise owner and Operator Bryson Bullington donated $4,000 toward the program. First, the students were challenged to a one-on-one service project, finding a teacher or someone who does good for others and reward them with one of two gift cards they received for the purpose. For Do Good December, students partnered in groups of three and four students to perform service projects.
Friddle noted that in December, the group she was part of held a food and fuzzy sock drive which were donated to others in the community. Other groups provided hot chocolate packets and other rewards at district schools and for teachers. They also have to perform a community service project this spring as well, and chose Battle of the Badges. Debbie Stribling serves as advisor for the SSHS program.
Battle of the Badges Coordinator Kinley Friddle explained that the event is designed as a community function to bring people together after the past couple of years of COVID restrictions which gives back to first responders who have and continue to serve the community. While other ideas were considered, the decision was made by the SSHS Chick-Fil-A Leadership to give pay honor, show respect and appreciation to first responders – the people who are always there on the front line serving the community.
“We’re recognizing police officer, firefighters, and any EMS or EMT worker,” Friddle said. “We felt like we should be able to give back to them, to show our respect and how thankful we are that we have them in our community, showing a big thank you and showing how in the world today there are so many negative looks on first responders. We want to let them know that there is positive still, that a community can still come together to have a positive interactions with police officers, and with their firefighters and EMT people.”
Playing in the game will be a mix of students from the high school as well as a number of first responders. Ideally, this will help the students and community get to know first responders so that should they need their services, they’ll feel a little better being served by officers, firefighters and paramedics they know, making for a friendly interaction.
“We will be playing a softball game at Lady Cat park Saturday at 10 o’clock. We’re wanting to welcome the entire community to come out and support them as the winner will be given a prize amount to be given back to their facility or organization of their choice.”
The event will be one game, so as not to interfere if the Lady Cats have a third playoff game Saturday afternoon. Currently, the second game of the bi-district series will be played in Whitehouse on Friday evening, Apr. 29. Game three, if necessary, would be hosted in Lady Cat Park at 2 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 30.
The first responders decided not to have each group play the other, but instead to have teams consist of a mix of all first responders and students.
“They decided they can’t get together and have a friendly competition because it gets too competitive and people end up getting hurt, so it’s going to be a mix and everybody’s going to be in their having fun together,” Friddle explained. “The winning team will get to divide the money between their facility or they can donate it back to an organization of their choice – really, whatever they would like to do with it.”
Donations from sponsors Alliance Bank, El Charro, Chad’s Media, Highway 19 Construction, Lander’s Creek, Guaranty Bond and Trust, Cowboys Truck Wash and Endless T-Shirts allow the first responders to play for free. An entry fee will be charged for first responders’ families and others to be admitted to watch the game, however. Admission will be $2 per student, free for ages 5 and younger and $5 per adult with a maximum of $15 charged per family. All funds will go back to the first responders either to benefit their agency or organization directly or their charity of choice.
And, there will be other things families can enjoy to get a true ballpark experience during the game as well. An ice cream truck is scheduled to be on hand to offer treats for kids for a fee. A Chick-Fil-A Cow will be on hand to greet community members and cheer on the teams. A concession stand will be available offering those watching snacks should they choose to purchase any.
FDA Proposes Product Standards Prohibiting Menthol Cigarettes, Flavored Cigars
Administration Hopes Change Will Help Prevent Youth Use, Significantly Reduce Tobacco-Related Disease and Death
Today (April 28, 2022), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing proposed product standards to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and prohibit all characterizing flavors (other than tobacco) in cigars. These actions have the potential to significantly reduce disease and death from combusted tobacco product use, the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., by reducing youth experimentation and addiction, and increasing the number of smokers that quit.
“The proposed rules would help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Additionally, the proposed rules represent an important step to advance health equity by significantly reducing tobacco-related health disparities.”
These proposed product standards are based on clear science and evidence establishing the addictiveness and harm of these products and build on the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which prohibited all characterizing flavors (other than tobacco and menthol) in cigarettes in 2009. They are also a critical piece of the Administration’s reignited Cancer Moonshot to reduce the death rate from cancer by at least 50 percent over the next 25 years; tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer and death from cancer, and approximately 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States are caused by smoking.
“The authority to adopt tobacco product standards is one of the most powerful tools Congress gave the FDA and the actions we are proposing can help significantly reduce youth initiation and increase the chances that current smokers quit. It is clear that these efforts will help save lives,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “Through the rulemaking process, there’s an important opportunity for the public to make their voices heard and help shape the FDA’s ongoing efforts to improve public health.”
Public health impact
Menthol is a flavor additive with a minty taste and aroma that reduces the irritation and harshness of smoking. This increases appeal and makes menthol cigarettes easier to use, particularly for youth and young adults. Menthol also interacts with nicotine in the brain to enhance nicotine’s addictive effects. The combination of menthol’s flavor, sensory effects and interaction with nicotine in the brain increases the likelihood that youth who start using menthol cigarettes will progress to regular use. Menthol also makes it more difficult for people to quit smoking.
In 2019, there were more than 18.5 million current menthol cigarette smokers ages 12 and older in the U.S., with particularly high rates of use by youth, young adults, and African American and other racial and ethnic groups. Published modeling studies have estimated a 15 percent reduction in smoking within 40 years if menthol cigarettes were no longer available in the United States. These studies also estimate that 324,000 to 654,000 smoking attributable deaths overall (92,000 to 238,000 among African Americans) would be avoided over the course of 40 years.
When finalized, the FDA hopes the proposed menthol product standard will:
- reduce the appeal of cigarettes, particularly to youth and young adults, decreasing the likelihood that nonusers who would otherwise experiment with menthol cigarettes would progress to regular smoking; and
- improve the health and reduce the mortality risk of current menthol cigarette smokers by decreasing cigarette consumption and increasing the likelihood of cessation.
Flavored cigar product standard and youth risk
Characterizing flavors in cigars, such as strawberry, grape, cocoa and fruit punch, increase appeal and make cigars easier to use, particularly among youth and young adults. More than a half million youth in the U.S. use flavored cigars, and in recent years more young people tried a cigar every day than tried a cigarette.
When finalized, the FDA hopes the product standard will:
- reduce the appeal of cigars, particularly to youth and young adults, and decrease the likelihood of experimentation, development of nicotine dependence, and progression to regular use; and
- improve public health by increasing the likelihood that existing cigar smokers may quit.
No FDA enforcement against individuals for possession or use
If these proposed rules are finalized and implemented, FDA enforcement will only address manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, importers and retailers who manufacture, distribute, or sell such products within the U.S. that are not in compliance with applicable requirements. These proposed regulations do not include a prohibition on individual consumer possession or use.
State and local law enforcement agencies do not independently enforce the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and do not, and cannot, take enforcement actions against any violation of FDA’s tobacco authorities, including its regulations, on the FDA’s behalf. However, the agency recognizes concerns related to how state and local law enforcement may enforce their own laws in a manner that may impact equity and community safety, particularly for underserved and underrepresented communities. The FDA is seeking comment on, among other things, how it can best make clear the respective roles of the agency and state and local law enforcement, as well as policy considerations related to the potential racial and social justice implications of the proposed product standards.
Beginning May 4, 2022, the public can provide comments on these proposed rules, which the FDA will review as it considers future action. The agency also will convene public listening sessions on June 13 and June 15 to expand direct engagement with the public, including affected communities. The listening sessions are another opportunity for individuals, communities, and organizations to share their perspectives with the FDA and will be recorded and submitted to the dockets.
The public will have the opportunity to submit either electronic or written comments directly to the dockets on the proposed rules through July 5, 2022. Once all the comments have been reviewed and considered, the FDA will decide whether to issue final product standards.
The agency also recognizes the importance of ensuring broad and equitable access to all the tools and resources that can help smokers quit. The FDA and HHS are working with federal partners to make sure the support is there for those who are trying to quit, especially in underserved communities. Many insurance plans cover tobacco cessation services, like medication and counseling, without any out-of-pocket cost. Smokers interested in quitting today should visit smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to learn about cessation services available in their state.
Additional Resources:
- Fact Sheet: Proposed product standards to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and all characterizing flavors (other than tobacco) in cigars
- Menthol in Cigarettes, Tobacco Products; Request for Comments
- FDA: Preliminary Scientific Evaluation of the Possible Public Health Effects of Menthol Versus Nonmenthol Cigarettes
Three Sulphur Bluff Students Sign Letters to Play On in College
On Monday, Apr. 25 Sulphur Bluff ISD hosting an event celebrating three seniors who signed on to play in college.
Skylar Stanley, Trevor Moore and Bailey Neal all signed letters of intent for Texas schools.
Stanley, the first senior honored Monday morning, has been a member of Sulphur Bluff varsity volleyball for three years.
Coach Lacie Jessup, her coach for those three years on varsity, said Stanley has an incredible work ethic. Coach J said she did not know of another athlete who was quite as competitive as the senior.
Sulphur Bluff made it all the way to the state semi-finals for volleyball, but fell in three sets to Fayetteville. Stanley was a pivotal of that squad, providing eight kills in the semi-final loss to the Lady Lions. She led the team in kills and blocks, and was picked to the Texas Girl’s Coach’s Association All-State Team.
Coach J said Stanley was a blast to be around and have on her team.
The volleyball coach said everyone will miss Stanley, who on Monday made it official, signing to play volleyball at Texas A&M-Texarkana.
The second student-athlete to be honored Monday was Trevor Moore, a member of Sulphur Bluff baseball.
Moore overcame a broken arm injury he suffered last season to become a big contributor to to the Bears in the postseason. Sulphur Bluff made it to the Regional Semifinals before falling to Miller Grove.
This season, the senior set the goal that he wanted to throw 50 strikeouts this season. Moore shattered that, breaking the strikeout record of 75 held at Sulphur Bluff HS.
His baseball coach Dustin Carr said he is a multi-faceted, talented player; whether it be pitching, playing defense or hitting the ball Coach Carr said Moore is an invaluable asset to the baseball program.
The baseball coach said he is a great player and will be missed for all he brings to the team.
Moore heads to the DFW metroplex to play at Dallas Christian.
The third and final senior honored Monday, Apr. 26 in Sulphur Bluff was Bailey Neal, a stand-out member of track and field and cross country.
The senior won 25 medals and counting in cross country and track & field, along with several team accolades as well.
Her cross country coach said both she and her two fellow student-athletes had incredible work ethics. He said Neal was extremely coachable and very receptive to feedback.
Adding on to that, he said Neal when he first arrived at SBISD, Neal (then a freshman), texted the cross country coach asking if he was coming to work out on the regularly scheduled morning runs, proving how dedicated she is to her craft and better herself.
The track and cross country star has competed at the state level three of her four years, with the lone year not to run at state being the 2020 shortened season due to COVID-19.
The senior signed her letter of intent to run track nearby at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Hopkins County Cleanup Days Slated April 29-30, 2022; Cumby Cleanup Days: April 28-30, 2022
Scrap Metal Disposed Of Will Benefit Volunteer Fire Departments
The City of Cumby and Hopkins County are providing opportunities this weekend to allow residents to dispose of larger household items during designated Cleanup days. Both are strictly for residents; no commercial disposal will be accepted.
County Cleanup
The four county precinct barns will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 29, and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 30.
While county residents may bring may bring personal household trash, brush and certain appliances to the county barn of their precinct, no toxic or hazardous materials will be accepted. That means no tires, no shingles, no chemicals, no household hazardous wastes, no pesticides, no paint and no appliances containing Freon will be accepted during the county cleanup.
Those hauling large items are asked not to bring it in gooseneck trailers as it is difficult getting them in and unloaded. Commissioners typically some staff available to assist people when they arrive, but noted those bringing larger items to discard should be prepared to off load those items themselves.
Also, any metal items donated during the county’s annual spring clean-up days will be scrapped, with funds received again designated to benefit the county volunteer fire departments.
The four county precinct barns 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
- Precinct 2 Barn – 12080 State Highway 11 east, Como
- Precinct 3 Barn – 583 County Road 3564, Dike
- Precinct 4 Barn – FM 2653, Cumby, 1.7 mile south of State Highway 11 west
For additional information about the county clean up days, including which items are and are not acceptable contact the commissioner for your precinct.
Cumby Cleanup
The City of Cumby 2022 Spring Cleanup continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28-30, for city residents only.
Two dumpsters will be placed inside the fencing of the City of Cumby Water Tank on Barker Street for use by residents of the City of Cumby. Those dropping off items should be prepared to present a copy of their City of Cumby water bill or a driver’s license with the Cumby address.
While the dumpsters are provided for the convenience of residents who need to get rid of more items than will fill their trash cans during Cumby Spring Cleanup, there are some items that will not be allowed. No chemicals, paint, tree limbs, car batteries, tires or hazardous wastes may be disposed of in the city dumpsters.
