March 16 Chamber Connection – Business After Hours, Marketing Strategy Session Coming Up
By Butch Burney, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
Spots are filling up for the 33rd Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, coming to Sulphur Springs Country Club on Friday, April 8.
The tournament format is a six-person scramble, with the low net team putting their names on the trophy.
There are two tee times: 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The morning group is limited to 18 teams, while the afternoon group can have 25 teams maximum
Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register early to get your choice of tee times. Registration is $750 per team, and that includes three carts, 12 mulligans, six meals, range balls, company banner on hole No. 1 and sponsor list recognition.
If you aren’t a golfer, there are are also opportunities to contribute goody bag items, raffle prizes, and hole sponsorships.
To register, go to the Chamber website at HopkinsChamber.org or call the office at 903-885-
6515.
Showing Love to Kids Kingdom
Plans are coming together to re-fit and rehab Kids Kingdom in Buford Park. This year’s Leadership Class has adopted the rehabilitation of Kids Kingdom, everyone’ favorite playground as its class project. And, just like when it was constructed 25 years ago, everyone is invited to help.
The Leadership Class has designated the weekend of April 22-24 as work days to re-stain all the wood in Kids Kingdom. It will be professionally power washed before that weekend to prepare for the staining.
The class is also planning to replace and/or repair the equipment, such as the handicap swing, chains, swings, tires, etc. for the playground, restore the ground mulch and install lighting for safety and security.
The class needs your help not only with the physical part of the restoration but also the financial part. A cornhole tournament and silent auction is scheduled for March 26 at Backstory Brewery. There are also sponsorship levels for businesses/corporations that might want to pay for specific items for Kids Kingdom.
For cornhole registration or sponsorship, go to the chamber website at HopkinsChamber.org or
call the chamber at 903-885-6515.
There will also be a grand re-opening hamburger lunch at Kids Kingdom sometime in May when
the work is complete.
Thanks in advance for helping showing love to Kids Kingdom.
Patriot Sporting Challenge
The 4th Annual Lake Fork Patriot Sporting Challenge will be the day after the Chamber Golf Tournament, so you can make it a whole sporting weekend.
The Patriot Sporting Challenge, on April 9, is a special one-day event benefiting the families of military heroes with a morning competition of shooting, golfing and fishing and a celebration of patriotism. Each four-person team competes in two of the sporting challenges (shooting, golfing and fishing), and they all come together that evening at the Hopkins County Civic Center for a dinner and address from keynote speaker Greg Stube, Green Beret. Following that, there will be a concert/dance by Cooper Wade and band.
That evening’s support of patriotism is open to the public for $600 for a table for eight. The evening includes casino games, a reception, raffles and drawings and a catered dinner along with the concert and dance.
All proceeds from the event go to the Folds of Honor, a nonprofit providing education scholarships to the children and spouses of those killed or disabled in action.
For more information, go to PatriotSportingChallenge.org, email P[email protected] or text to 817-296-8985.
Lights of Life Gala
The Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation’s Lights of Life Gala is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Civic Center.
This year’s theme, “Under the Big Top,” reflects the foundation’s desire for some fun and frivolity after a long season of hardship. The gala promises to be another dazzling evening of fine dining, dancing and bidding on amazing live and silent auction items.
Money raised from the gala will go toward purchasing a 4D video sonogram machine and five state-of-the-art labor and delivery beds for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital.
For more information, contact Foundation Executive Director Shannon Barker at 903-438-4799.
Marketing Strategy
Marketing expert Melissa Forziat will be in Sulphur Springs on Thursday, March 31, for an in-person presentation on how to Create a Profitable Marketing Strategy. Her visit is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center at Paris Junior College. Forziat will speak at 5 p.m. March 31 at City Hall. There is no charge for the event, but registration is requested. To sign-up, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
The session will talk about how to build a marketing funnel for your business to grow the relationships with your audience and generate more sales. You will discover how to build more sales, referrals and loyalty from your audience.
Night With Champions
Texas A&M-Commerce is hosting a Night With Champions, celebrating student-athlete success and the university’s transition to Division I on Friday, April 8, at the Rayburn Student Center. The event starts at 5:15 with a VIP reception and the program begins at 7 p.m.
Proceeds support student-athlete scholarships. For more information, contact Lion Athletics at 903-468-8760 or email [email protected].
Grow and Go
The Chamber has a vacancy in one of our Grow and Go offices. The Grow and Go is a business incubator that is designed to help small businesses get off the ground.
The 10 ½ x 12 ½ office is housed in the Chamber building at 110 Main Street. The rent is $250 per month for the first year, and that price includes use of the Chamber WiFi and printer.
If you’re interested, contact me at [email protected]rg or call 903-885-6515.
Business After Hours
You can get your green on on St. Patrick’s Day when The Plant Niche will host the next Business After Hours, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17.
Business After Hours is a time to network and socialize in an informal setting. The Plant Niche is located at 222 Tomlinson St. The event is free and open to the public.
Business of the Week
The Plant Niche is the Business of the Week for March 9. Keep up with our Business of the Week by following the Chamber on Instagram, Facebook and by visiting our website.
Lady Cats Soccer Ends Season With 5-0 Loss in Hallsville
Women’s soccer get behind early and never recovered, losing in Hallsville 5-0 on Tuesday, Mar. 15.
Sulphur Springs coughed up four goals in the first period. The Lady Cats at home at Bobcat Stadium Tuesday scored once more in the second en route to a commanding 5-0 win over Coach Javier Aguayo’s team.
Tuesday’s loss in Hallsville (9-2-1) ends women’s soccer’s season.
Coach Aguayo’s squad dealt with a slew of missing starters, losing seven key contributors early in the season to injuries.
While Sulphur Springs got two wins over Marshall, the rest of district play the young Lady Cats struggled to put the ball in the goal.
Excluding their 11-0 and 6-0 routs of the Lady Mavs, women’s soccer were outscored 33-4 by their foes in their 10 district losses. Sulphur Springs was swept by all district foes not named Marshall.
While it was a tough season, several Lady Cats got valuable playing time they will carry into next year.
Coach Aguayo’s team ends their season with a 5-16-2 (2-10 district) record.
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.
Como-Pickton Science Fair Winners
Como-Pickton Science Fair winners were recently honored by the CPCISD Board of Trustees for their achievements.
Simon Poortvliet won first place honors, Madison Childress finished second and Maggie Flemens third. Abbi Garcia received Honorable Mention.
Maggie Flemens went on to receive first place among fifth grade competitors in the Region 8 chemical/physical science fair category, school officials reported.
Wildcats Soccer Falls to Hallsville on Senior Night, 2-1
Men’s soccer fought for three periods to get a Senior Night win but ultimately fell short in overtime.
Sulphur Springs got ahead 1-0 over the visiting Bobcats but gave up two unanswered en route to a 2-1 loss on Tuesday, Mar. 15 to end their regular season.
Edgar Salazar scored the lone goal on the night in the loss for the Wildcats in the second period.
Six Wildcats suited up for the final time at Gerald Prim Stadium; Bryan Gonzalez, Angel Andino (who assisted Salazar for the senior’s 7th assist on the season), Manuel Vega, Alan Hernandez, Erick Montalvo and Osvaldo Arellano.
Tuesday’s Senior Night loss drops Coach Alexi Upton’s squad’s season record to 7-15-2 (6-6 district).
The loss to the Bobcats drops the Wildcats to the 4 seed entering the postseason, also making men’s soccer take on a district champion in the opening round of playoffs.
Next up, Sulphur Springs waits until Friday to find out who they play in the Bi-District round of playoffs.
Regardless of who they play in the opening round next week, Coach Upton and his team play a warm-up game on Monday, Mar. 21.
The precursor to the postseason kicks off in Lindale Monday at 7 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.
Boil Water Notice Issued March 15 For Shady Grove #2 WSC
Hopkins County, Texas – Due to reduced pressure and a water leak, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Shady Grove #2 public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Customers are asked to share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Shady Grove #2 WSC Office at 903-885-7339.
MG, Yantis Thespians To Perform OAP At Bi-District Contest Friday At SSHS Auditorium
Thespians from two local school districts will be among the competitors in the Bi-District One Act Play contest Sulphur Springs ISD is slated to host Friday in the SSHS Auditorium at the Civic Center.
Both Yantis and Miller Grove‘s plays were selected to advance from district to bi-district competition, and are to be among the plays performed March 18. The Yantis Owls will lead things off at 10 a.m. with their rendition of “Mr. Flannery’s Ocean. Miller Grove is slated to be the fifth of six schools performing back-to-back Friday morning.
The schedule starting at 10 a.m. Friday, as reported by MGISD, will be as follows, by play and school:
- Performance #1 — Mr. Flannery’s Ocean, Yantis
- Performance #2 — Her Senior Year, Ector
- Performance #3 — Voices, Union Hill
- Performance #4 — To See the Stars, Avery
- Performance #5 — Dear Papa, Miller Grove
- Performance #6 — Shipwrecked, Savoy
MGISD reports said while there will be no admission charge for audience members, those planning to view either play are asked to please be in the auditorium before performances start. In order not to distract from the performances, the audience is not to enter during mid-performance.
Como-Pickton Students Advance To Bi-District With OAP Performance
The Como-Pickton Eagles represented the district well in the One Act Play contest last week. Not only did the play advance from District to Bi-District Competition, but six students received individual recognition for their contributions to the play.
Receiving All-Star Cast accolades were Makayla Hall, Baylee Bowen and Danica Wiggins. Dana Baxley and Sam Tapley received Honorable Mention All-Star Cast recognition as well. Sandra Tran won the Tech Award at the March12 OAP competition.
The students will present the play again for judging at the Bi-District OAP contest in Lindale on Saturday, March 19.
Four Teams in Action For Tuesday Game Day
Both soccer teams, baseball and softball are all on deck on Tuesday, Mar. 15.
Soccer wraps up their regular seasons today and baseball, softball take on Mount Pleasant.
Baseball tees off their district-opening contest at home against the Tigers.
Sulphur Springs had a tough time in tourney season, taking on stiff competition across 5A and 6A, going 3-7 over three weekends. The Wildcats enter district season with a 3-8 overall record.
They look to get back in the win column on Tuesday when they host Mount Pleasant to tee off district play.
Coach Jerrod Hammack and his team tee off their district season at home against Mount Pleasant at Wildcat Park on Tuesday, Mar. 15 at 7 P.M.
Like baseball, softball takes on the Lady Tigers, but in Mount Pleasant.
Sulphur Springs won their first two district games, at home versus Hallsville 3-1 last Wednesday and on the road 2-0 in Longview Saturday.
The two district-opening wins gives softball an 11-1-2 record (2-0 district).
Coach David Carrillo & Co. have another tough test ahead of them Tuesday when they travel to Mount Pleasant to take on the Lady Tigers (2-0).
Winning on the road Tuesday would make Sulphur Springs the lone undefeated team in 15-5A through the first quarter of district play.
That game tees off in Mount Pleasant Tuesday, Mar. 15 at 6 P.M.
Soccer takes on Hallsville, with the men at home for Senior night and the women on the road.
The Lady Cats wrap up their season tonight on the road when they travel to Hallsville.
Coach Javier Aguayo’s squad were eliminated from postseason contention at the beginning of March, and have played for pride ever since.
Injuries plagued Sulphur Springs, with seven starters out this season due to various ailments and injuries.
Women’s soccer heads into their final game of the season sporting a 5-15-2 record (2-9 district).
Sulphur Springs kicks off their final game of the season in Hallsville on Tuesday, Mar. 15 at 7:15 P.M.
The men’s side also finish off their district season, but at home against the Bobcats. Coach Alexi Upton’s squad look to cap off their regular season with a huge win over Hallsville.
Sulphur Springs (6-5) clenched a playoff spot last Tuesday in their 6-2 road win over Pine Tree, giving the Wildcats at least the 4 seed come playoffs.
Hallsville (5-6) enters Tuesday’s Senior Night contest at the Prim a full game behind the Wildcats but still a lock for the postseason. A win over Sulphur Springs Tuesday would propel the Bobcats to 3rd place.
Coach Upton’s team enters Tuesday’s regular season finale sporting a 7-14-2 record.
Men’s soccer hope to win their Senior Night contest Tuesday, giving the Wildcats the third seed entering the playoffs.
The duel for No. 3 kicks off at Wildcat stadium tonight at 7:15 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.
Sulphur Springs Wildcat Bands Have Had A Productive Month So Far
The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Band has had a productive month so far, participating in two concerts and two different group competitions.
Wildcat Band members had the privilege of performing with Northeast Texas Symphony Orchestra as they provided a Children’s Concert for area school children. And, from all accounts, they did a great job.
The bands also scheduled a pre-UIL concert March 7 in the Auditorium to get ready for the big event.
On March 10, 2022, the Wind Ensemble received straight ones at UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest, and came home with the sweepstakes trophy, band instructors report.
On Saturday, March 12, the Wildcat Winter guard brought home third place in their classification at contest in Grand Prairie, scoring less than 1 point from first place.
2021 Marks Second Deadliest Year on Texas Roads
NEWS RELEASE
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(512) 463-8700
2021 MARKS SECOND DEADLIEST YEAR ON TEXAS ROADS
TxDOT issues urgent call to drivers to help reverse deadly trend
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March 14, 2022
AUSTIN – When friends and coworkers heard there was a crash nearby, they tried to call tow truck driver Isaac Simmons for an update. They never heard back.
“You don’t realize how much somebody impacts your life until they’re gone,” Simmons’ friend Nathan Bryant said. “He was ripped away from us violently and it’s not right.”
Isaac Simmons was killed on the side of the road in May, 2021 while responding to a stalled vehicle. He was one of more than 4,480 people killed on Texas roads in 2021, making it the second deadliest year since TxDOT began tracking fatalities in 1940. Sadly, 1981 was the deadliest year with 4,701 fatalities.
The increase in fatalities in Texas last year reflects a deadly trend nationwide. An estimated 20,160 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first half of 2021, up 18.4% over 2020. In Texas, traffic fatalities were up 15 percent from 2020-2021.
Recognizing roadway safety is a shared responsibility between all of us – the public, engineers and law enforcement – Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan is pleading with Texans to do their part.
“Driver behavior is one of the causes, but also one of the most important solutions,” Ryan said. “This is not blame. These are facts. We all have a role. TxDOT can do more, and we accept that responsibility. The driving public can do more. For instance, in 2021, a total of 1,522 people were killed because of speed, and a total of 1,219 people were killed because they were not wearing a seat belt. These were decisions made by people that could have potentially saved 2,741 lives.”
At this year’s annual Texas Transportation Forum, University of Texas psychology professor Dr. Art Markman told TxDOT leaders and transportation stakeholders that pressures from COVID are adding to disastrous outcomes on our roadways.
“We have to remind people that they are part of a community,” Markman said. “We have to start considering everyone as part of our community. If we don’t do that, there are going to be all sorts of negative consequences, and those are going to include negative consequences on the road.”
In addition to funding traffic safety campaigns and grant funds to law enforcement, TxDOT is working with researchers to deploy and study new roadway design features that are proven to save lives. The agency is using crash data to pinpoint areas where drivers are more prone to crash and will be focused on improvements in those areas and sharing that data with the public.
With increased focus on engineering, enforcement and on the critical role drivers play in road safety, Ryan and TxDOT leaders believe we can end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.
“But make no mistake: this is an urgent call to action for all of us behind the wheel,” Ryan said. “We can do better. We should do better. We must do better – for ourselves, our loved ones and our larger community of fellow Texans. Not a single death on our roadways is acceptable. Let’s end this streak.”
EndTheStreakTX is a broad social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths.
Attention Media: If you’d like to download portions of interviews with Commissioner Laura Ryan, Dr. Art Markman and Nathan Bryant, click here. For downloadable video, click here.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700.
The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of Jan. 21, 2022 and does change daily.
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