Cumby ISD Breaks Ground On New High School
Cumby ISD officially broke ground Thursday night on the district’s new high school during a brief ceremony. The new campus is among several improvements being made to school facilities thanks to voter-approved bond funds as the school transitions toward being Cumby Collegiate High School.
Cumby ISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter welcomed everyone to the ground breaking event, offered them bottles of water and cookies, then introduced CISD Board of Trustees President Jason Hudson, who is entering his 22nd year of service on the school board.
“Thank yall for being her tonight. It is a special day, history in the making. We appreciate yall sharing some of the son with us today,” Hudson told the small group gathered just behind the ball field where a youth league was making up a game.
Hudson noted the often repeated saying, “it takes a village to raise a child,” and noted that the groundbreaking ceremony and direction the school district is taking is an example of that. Many individuals helped see the goal come to fruition, and he offered thanks to all for their past and continued contributions to Cumby ISD, especially the taxpayers who are helping shoulder the financial burden a new structure and facilities improvements costs.
“We are appreciative to our supporters. It is an honor to serve our community and our school district, because we always want the best for kids because we owe that to them,” Hudson said.
He expressed appreciation to Cumby voters for approving two bond propositions on May 1, 2021, one for for a new high school and ag shop, and facilities improvements at the other campuses, and the other for a new track. That shows voters’ commitment to providing the best possible education for Cumby students, he noted.
The district had in the previous voting cycle, November 2020, proposed a bond that did not receive voter approval. Officials revised their plans, made additions and several changes after listening to public comments and doing additional research. That made the district especially appreciative when voters then on May 1, 2021, approved both bond proposals on the ballot by 61%. Seeing bond propositions in East Texas fail 3 to 1 on Saturday, May 7, 2022, made Cumby voters’ decision in May 2021 that much more appreciated by the school board and administrators, according to Hudson.
“We passed ours last year because of great people and great leaders,” Hudson noted.
The school board president also thanked Superintendent Slaughter for being such a strong advocate for kids and the community, for putting the time and effort in to explain and make the transition at Cumby to the P-Tech program and never giving up.
Hudson too thanked the individuals who have leant their experience and expertise to the facilities committee in identifying needs across the district and helping devise the plans for improvements over the past 6-7 years, which are projected to see the district through then next 40 years.
He offered appreciation too to the Cumby ISD staff and families who continue to support the students to help ensure their successes, as well as those who along with their families who distributed and wore t-shirts, posted banners and information on social networks, helped share information about the bond and district’s plans with their neighbors and family members.
Hudson gestured to two bricks placed atop a table alongside cookies and drinks. He noted each is a piece of the school’s history, a brick that was part of the foundation the school district was built on. The first brick, he said dates back to the 1900s. The second brick dates back to the 1930s and was part of the old high school, torn down several years ago on the site where the high school gymnasium now sits.
The district plans to incorporate those bricks and others from the district’s historic past to accent the interior of the new Cumby Collegiate High School. The goal is to restructure the school system and provide the facilities and resources to prepare students for their next stage in life after graduating from CHS, whether that phase be a career in the military, entering the work force, attending a trade school or a four-year university. The school will afford all Cumby ISD a quality education. Each high school students at CHS will have the opportunity to attain an associate’s degree or industry certification at no cost to the student through the restructured school programming.
The groundbreaking Thursday, May 12, 2022, is a dream come true. It’s another step in that process. Work now will begin to construct the new high school facility. Once completed, high school students would be housed in that building, the current high school will be refurbished for younger students and elementary will receive needed improvements as well.
Construction of the Cumby Collegiate High School is expected to take about a year, when Hudson said the district hopes to host a ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of a facility the district can be “proud of for a long time,” Hudson noted.
The school trustees and superintendent each grabbed a shovel, dug into the ground and ceremoniously turned the soil, marking the start of construction. Community members were then invited to attend the Cumby High School Academic and Athletic Awards program held in the nearby CHS Gym to honor 9-12th grade students’ accomplishments during the 2021-2022 school year. To commemorate the occasion, all in attendance were asked to gather for a group photo.
Support Shown For SSHS Senior Told He Can’t Participate In Graduation With Classmates
Community and staff showed support for senior SSHS Caleb Alexander, who was told he can’t participate in graduation. The individuals addressed their comments to school trustees during the regular May Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Education meeting.
According to community members who spoke on the SSHS senior’s behalf Monday, Alexander was involved in an incident which resulted in disciplinary action. Students who engage in altercations are prohibited contact with any other students or classmates at school or a school-related function, whether that be UIL, athletics and senior activities for 30 days. They are removed from their regular classes for mandatory or discretionary disciplinary reasons and placed in a DAEP. Because Alexander’s incident was within 30 days of graduation, Alexander will not be allowed to walk across the stage to receive his high school diploma May 27 with the rest of the his classmates.
Danny Hynson said he has watched his nephew, Caleb Alexander, grow up. He said he is proud of the youth, who he described as a good kid one would be proud to have their name associated with. He acknowledged that does not mean his nephew did not make a mistake, as kids do. But, he said, his nephew is a good student who many have seen go through the athletic program.
“So it’s not like that I know him. We all know him. We’ve all watched him grow. When he leaves and goes off, he’ll be someone that we are proud of,” said Hynson. “And I will say to you, isn’t that what we strive for when we educate kids? When we train up kid in the community, when we send them off – isn’t that what we are actually wanting as a community? That we can say the kids we are sending off are kids that we are proud of, that we’ve got confidence in, yet we can also say they make mistakes? That’s part of life. What I hope is that as educators, as parents, as friends, that we understand they make mistakes. And yet, there are punishments. We hope the punishment is not a deterrent that becomes a roadblock in their life.”
Hynson said in addressing the school board, he and others are asking that Caleb Alexander be allowed to attend graduation, walking across the stage So, what we are asking is are hoping that he will be able to graduate, to walk across that stage. He said the situation is something that needs to be looked at, not just for Caleb but for all good kids, to determine if the goal of the punishment is achieved in the end.
Reiko Alexander said the school’s automatic choice of sending a students to DAEP for involvement in a fight is not a mandatory action, not according to the school handbook. She said the six factors the school disciplinary handbook states are to be considered includes the youth’s disciplinary history.
“The reasons we were given are that is ‘We want to set an example.’ I understand that. We don’t disagree and we are not trying to change the policy. We understand you have a choice, because that’s what we were told. But the choice was ‘if you get in a fight, this is what we do,'” Reiko Alexander said. “He has a stellar disciplinary history. We are asking you to please take that into consideration, take into consideration. Take into consideration how this could affect him socially and emotionally.”
Reiko Alenan said of all of the possible techniques listed as punishment, SSISD officials chose the one option in the handbook that was chosen was the one that would keep a student who has been good in school, with no other issues, and has met all requirements all 13 of coming to school from crossing that stage at graduation.
She said while she understood wanting to set an example in the determination, she did not agree with automatically requiring being sent to DAEP. She said Caleb has a stellar disciplinary history. This punishment could affect him socially and emotionally. She said he has met all other requirements for graduation.
“Again, we are not asking you to excuse the incident, nor change a policy. We are asking you to look at the punishment,” Reiko Alexander said. “Punish him, but let him walk across that stage.”
SSHS Anatomy and physiology teacher Amy Ridner said in addition to knowing Caleb Alexander’s parents for years, she has had the honor of teaching him this year. She described him as a “funny, hardworking and a very kind student,” who is always smiling and always has a positive attitude, and is “an all-around great kid.”
“When I heard he was suspended for fighting, my heart broke at first. Then, I was completely confused because he is a very unconfrontational child. I have watched him be pushed into a confrontational level on the court and in the classroom and not react. He stays to himself and he doesn’t bother anyone.”
His classmates, Ridner said, would tell you Caleb is a ” no-drama, very chill guy.” He is respectful to staff and his classmates, always making them laugh and lending a helping hand.
“I know the work that went into the last 13 years of this young man’s life, and this incident should not define him,” Ridner said. “I completely understand that actions should have consequences – Like no prom, no senior shut out, and even not spending the next few days at school with his friends. But, walking across the stage at graduation is not only Caleb’s accomplishment but an accomplishment of the hard work and great parenting from his remarkable parents… It’s students like this that you can’t wait to watch where he goes and what he does because he will do great things. And, as his teacher, I’m excited that I got to be a small part of that.”
Shatamara Alexander acknowledged that her son made a mistake, and in no way is dismissing that, and understand that he should be punished – and is by being placed in DAEP, which precludes him from interacting with his classmates. He understands that he won’t be able to participate in neither prom nor senior activities.
“Should one mistake over 13 years — one mistake. Caleb has been a great student. He’s an AB student. Should one mistake, one lapse of judgement cross out his opportunity to walk the stage and participate in the graduation ceremony because of the 30 day AEP rule?” Shatamara Alexander told the school board.
Graduation, Shatamara Alexander noted, is a huge milestone all students, when they enter any program at school, work toward achieving.
“I ask you as a mother for my child would you please just grant my son some grace? Because we’ve all fallen short. I ask that you would grant him grace and allow him to participate with his classmates in participating in the graduation ceremony,” Caleb’s mother asked in an emotional tone.
Jerrick Massenburge said he’s had privilege of coaching Caleb Alexander in basketball this year. Character, he said, is something that people have behind closed doors, not just in public. He has seen the young man grow and change this year. Despite being a senior who was asked to “come in off the bench,” he never displayed a negative attitude, and always responded politely with “yes, sir” and “no, sir.”
“I think that speaks to his character. When you go through 12 years of school, I think that builds character every year because school’s not easy. You wake up every day. You come to school, but I think the biggest thing with him,” Massenburge said of Caleb Alexander, “is he made a mistake. But it’s one mistake in about 12 years of no mistakes. I love this kid like he was my own son. And if I had a son of my own, I would want him to be just like Caleb Alexander.”
Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Harold Nash said family called him about the matter. He had no idea about the situation, until he heard the comments issued Monday at the school.
He said he lived in Cedar Hill for 18 years, during that time the town grew from 8,000 to 40,000 and his son played four years of football for his high school team – all except one. His son and others weren’t allowed to play in the final football game their senior year. Nash said he contacted his son’s coach about the issue, then the principal and superintendent. All upheld the coaches decision to bar the students from playing.
His son is 49 and still hasn’t forgotten that incident. One of the others who’d played on the team has since “died with hatred in his heart for Cedar Hill High School because he had given all this talent for four years.”
Nash said while that incident is different than Caleb Alexander’s, he asked for grace for something “that will affect this child the rest of his life.”
“I would love for us to see some grace like God has given us in our lives, in this incident. I love the way they are handling it. They said, not that he would be punished for what happened, but the type of punishment that would keep him from going across that stage. I almost have tears in my eyes. My heart is breaking because that shouldn’t happen,” said Nash.
The pastor said as a prison chaplain who’s dealt with hundreds of men in Sulphur Springs and thousands in prison he has seen how “this kind of thing can affect a person’s thought about governing authorities and people who make decisions.”
“I will continue to pray that this decision will be, if I’d known, I would have gone to the coach – or whatever happened – but it’s too late for that. But, it’s not too late for those in authority to say you have done the right thing, but we don’t want this to result in something that is going to hurt his young man and his family, and it will affect the whole community. God bless you,” Nash concluded.
SSISD School Board President Robert Cody, before opening public forum told those who planned to speak that no one topic may exceed 30 minutes and no one person may speak for more than 5 minutes during public forum. Individuals are afforded the opportunity to voice their opinion, which the board will listen to. However, that does not necessarily solicit a response from the board, as there is no dialog back and forth between the board and speaker during public forum.
After the five speakers sat down, Cody thanked them for their comments then moved on to the next item on the May 9, 2022, meeting agenda.
Five Paris Junior College Students Nominated for Distinguished Service Award
Graduation ceremony slated for Friday, May 13
So far, nearly 475 students have applied to graduate from Paris Junior College this semester, and 256 of those plan to walk in the Friday evening commencement ceremony at 7:00 p.m. in Noyes Stadium, May 13, 2022.
A highlight of PJC’s graduation ceremony is the Distinguished Service Award (DSA), the highest student honor given at PJC. It has been presented to a PJC graduate since 1935, when it was first given to Louis B. Williams, who later became president of Paris Junior College. The Award recognizes academic achievement and service to PJC and the community and is given to an outstanding graduating student. This year five students have been nominated.
Beau Brewer, a 2020 graduate of McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney. A returning member of the Dragons Baseball Team and of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, he was named 2021 All Region Outfielder and named to the President’s Honor List for academic excellence three times.Brewer donates his time volunteering at the local Food Pantry, Red River Valley Boys and Girls Club, and the Paris Animal Shelter. He was a 2021 Paris Junior College Homecoming nominee and crowned 2022 Mr. PJC. Following graduation from PJC, he plans to further his academic and athletic career at Western Kentucky University.
Jayda Carter is a 2019 graduate of Copperas Cove High School in Copperas Cove. She is a returning member of the Dragons Softball Team and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Carter was a 2022 Miss PJC nominee and has volunteered at the Downtown Food Pantry and as a Salvation Army Bell Ringer. After PJC, she plans to pursue her education at a four-year university with the goal of becoming a travel nurse.
Brendan Concannon is a 2020 graduate of Flower Mound High School in Flower Mound, and a returning member of the Dragons Baseball Team and of Phi Theta Kappa. He was named to the President’s List for academic excellence three times, and was chosen to appear in the 2021 Texas-New Mexico All Star Game. Concannon has volunteered at the local Food Pantry, Red River Valley Boys and Girls Club, and the Paris Animal Shelter. Upon graduation from PJC, he plans to transfer to a four-year university and continue his baseball career and pursuit of his Bachelor’s Degree.
Sean Curtis is a 2020 graduate of Marble Falls High School in Marble Falls, Texas. A returning member of the Dragons Baseball Team and of Phi Theta Kappa, he was chosen to appear in the 2021 Texas-New Mexico All Star Game. Curtis was a 2022 Mr. PJC nominee and has donated his time volunteering at the local Food Pantry, Red River Valley Boys and Girls Club, and the Paris Animal Shelter. Following graduation from PJC, he will continue playing baseball at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi while pursuing his degree in Accounting.
Rachel Roebuck, a 2019 graduate of Royse City High School in Royse City, is a returning member of the Dragons Women’s Soccer Team and was named to the 2021 All-Region Team. She is President of the Student Government Association, and has twice been named to the President’s List. She served as Region 3 Treasurer of the Texas Junior College Student Government Association for 2021-2022 and was a nominee for 2021 Homecoming Queen and 2022 Miss PJC. Roebuck will continue her soccer and academic career at the University of North Texas and pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
Graduating students need to arrive at the Rheudasil Learning Center (library) at 6:00 p.m. to line up on May 13. Families and friends will go to the west side of Noyes Stadium to find seats before graduates march in at 7:00 p.m. to begin the ceremony. More details are available at www.parisjc.edu/graduation and a map of campus is at https://www.parisjc.edu/main/paris-map/.
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.
Commissioners Court Approves 2 Preliminary Plat Proposals, Consider Generator Bids
Hopkins County Commissioners Court this week approved two preliminary plat proposals and considered generator bids as well.
Plats
The court was asked to consider approving a preliminary plat for the Noah Joy Estates as well as another for the Piper Jay Estates. A representative for the projects told the commissioners the first, as planned, would turn 60 acres into 29 2-acre parcels. Each would have a site built, modern farm house on it. The second would be 10 acres, divided as well.
Fire Marshal Andy Endsley reported the developer has gone above and beyond to meet all terms asked, including agreeing to an engineering study and contact the soil conversation officials for a 100-year study to determine sustainability of water, and whether an elevated tank or dry hydrant will be used.
Overall, the plan for the two pieces of land would result in 38 new homes, to be built over the next few years. The preliminary plats were approved as recommended.
Generators
Local Grants Coordinator Beth Wisenbaker told the court the costs for a large for county use and a small generator that could be loaned to volunteer fire departments and water supply systems in inclement weather or otherwise need like most things came in higher than originally expected. The cost or transfer switchers were especially high. She recommended going ahead with the generator purchases but to rebid the switches. The generators were estimated to arrive in July or August
Funding for the mounted generators comes from 2018 flooding mitigation funding. The FEMA would pay 75% of the original amount and the county is to pay the remaining 25% of the grant. The county’s 25% matching portion for the grant will come from the general fund, and likely won’t be due until the next budget cycle. Wisenbaker said application was in the process to see if additional funding could be provided from FEMA to help with the increased costs.
Other Business
The court also approved a request from Frontier Communications to bore 1,909 feet of County Road 2307 nd Posey lane, install handholds, drop boxes and conduit in Precinct 2.
During a work session, the commissioners met with Texas Department of Transportation, community members and state officials’ designees to discuss potential changes for State Highway 11 east in Como, especially the FM 69 intersections, where at least three major crashes have occurred, including one which resulted in the death of a local teen.
Salvage yards, a budget work session were also on the Commissioners Court work session agenda along with discussions with the fire marshal and sheriff about department operations, expenses and any proposed improvements and repairs.
5 SSHS Students Attend National BPA Leadership Competitions
Sulphur Springs High School was well represented at the National Business Professionals of America Leadership conference, with five SSHS students participating in the May 4-7 event in Dallas.
BPA is the nation’s leading CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) for students pursuing careers in business management, information technology, finance, accounting, office administration, and other business-related career fields.
A culmination of work and accomplishment through the year, the National Leadership Conference (NLC) brings together a diverse group of the best and brightest from across the country to compete in demonstrations of their business and technological acumen, develop their professional and leadership skills, network with professionals and each other from across the nation, and get involved with the betterment of their community through volunteer service projects.
Emily Atkinson put in the work for a Torch Service Award and competed in Financial Analysis and Concepts as well.
The Torch Awards Program is designed to promote professionalism and leadership in both career development and personal growth. Students complete activities in the seven Torch categories: leadership; service; cooperation; knowledge; friendship; love, hope, faith; and patriotism – then log their activities in an online Torch Résumé. Each activity is worth 5-20 points. When a student achieves a certain number of points for each category, his/her advisor or local reviewer can submit the résumé online to be reviewed for recognition. All students completing a satisfactory résumé will earn either an Executive, Diplomat, Statesman or Ambassador Torch Award certificate.
In financial and concepts competition, students assesses knowledge of math concepts and solve practical math problems related to work and consumer issues.
Mackenzie Posey was Administrative Support Research Project – Individual. In this contest, an administrative support topic is selected by the National Center and provided at the beginning of the school year. Contestants conduct research on the topic and present findings in a research paper, an oral presentation, and respond to questions from a panel of judges.
Jacob Semler competed in Advanced Word Processing, a contest in which students evaluate advanced-level skills in word processing and document production.
Jacob Beggs participated in PC Servicing & Troubleshooting. Students in these type of contests must demonstrate knowledge of device configuration, maintenance, and management as a computer technician.
Jonah Foster competed in Human Resource Management, which requires students to assess interpretation of personnel policies and knowledge of human resource management.
Hospital Visitors And Patients Encouraged, But Not Required, To Wear A Mask
All Will Be Screened For COVID-Like Symptoms
Helping Ukraine
In light of the news of the attacks on Ukraine, we would like to extend an opportunity to aid the community of Kharkov (a city in northeast Ukraine). One of the hospital associates has a spouse who is from this city, and their family is still there.
The hospital has been able to send some medical supplies. In addition, and thanks to the generosity of many others, we have been able to set up a fund through our Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation to raise money and send it directly to aid this city.
To donate to this effort, go to Online Giving (christushealth.org) and select “Helping Ukraine” in the drop down box.
Events
UPDATED – COVID Vaccine Clinics
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will no longer offer the COVID Vaccine Clinic every Friday morning.
However, Net Health does offer Pediatric and Adult COVID vaccines. This vaccine clinic is located at 100 Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs. No appointment is necessary. Subsequently, Net Health will continue to come every four weeks to provide COVID vaccines.
From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily, Net Health will offer vaccines on the following weeks: May 31-June 3, June 27-July 1, July 25-29, August 22-26, September 19-23, and October 17-21.
Hospital Visitation
Please note the following guidelines:
- Patients and visitors will be encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask. However, we will continue to screen patients and visitors to identify those with COVID-like symptoms. Visitors who fail their screen will be asked to refrain from entering our facilities.
- Emergency Department entrance open 24/7
- Main Entrance open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Gift Shop open
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Types of Visitors:
- COVID receiving aerosol treatments: via tele-visitation only
- COVID not receiving aerosol treatments: 1 Essential support person for the duration of hospital stay – Essential support person will be given a visible wrist band for identification purposes
- Types of Visitors:
Post COVID-19 Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Are you still suffering from shortness of breath related to previous COVID-19 infection? Medicare now covers pulmonary rehabilitation for individuals who have had confirmed or suspected COVID-19 and continue to experience persistent shortness of breath for at least four weeks. Neither hospitalization nor a positive COVID-19 test are required for program participation.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is designed to help increase strength, endurance, and overall health through exercise, education, diet, and support while decreasing patients’ shortness of breath.
Ask your physician for a referral to CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Sulphur Springs Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. Phone Number: 903-439-4141 | Fax: 903-438-4697.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We are in need of volunteers to help in various different roles throughout our hospital. We are asking for anyone willing to give his or her time, to help bring a smile to someone in our hospital! For more information, contact Sherry Moore at 903-439-4062.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
May 11 Chamber Connection: See You On The Centerline April 8, 2024 – For The Solar Eclipse!
By Butch Burney, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, [email protected]
If you Google “April 8, 2024,” the first thing that will pop up is a total solar eclipse that goes from southwest Texas to Maine. If you look closely, you will see Sulphur Springs is slap dab on the center point of the Path of Totality.
What that means is that Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County needs to gear up for that event. People travel from literally all over the world to witness a total solar eclipse, and we need to make sure that our county is at the forefront.
We have commissioned a domain, SSTotalEclipse.com, and are working on the website to make sure people know we are prepared for them. To get it the website done, we need a logo.
So, we are opening up the Eclipse Logo Contest with the tagline “See You on the Centerline.”
If you are interested in participating, send your submission to me at [email protected]. The official logo will be used on the website and official SSTotalEclipse.com merchandise.
See you on the Centerline!
Golf for a Good Cause
The Reinforcement Foundation is hosting a benefit golf scramble on Friday, June 10, at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Proceeds will benefit Hopkins County EMS and Cumby Volunteer Fire Department.
Tee time is 1:30 p.m., followed by a banquet dinner and a concert by Tyler and The Tribe.
Registration fee for the four-person scramble is $500, which includes four tickets to the banquet and eight raffle tickets. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded. There will be plenty of contest holes.
Register on Facebook on the Reinforcement Foundation page or call 903-259-9904. Sponsorships are also available, starting at $100.
Mystery Walk
Back by popular demand is a Mystery Walk with Mayor John A. Sellers! Hosted at Haystacks on Thursday, May 26, at 7 p.m., join Sellers as he takes you through the Sulphur Springs downtown. Enjoy small bites provided by Haystacks Restaurant and a glass of wine. Meeting and small bites will start at 7 p.m. at Haystacks (206 Main St.) You will then be guided by Sellers through the auditory adventure of the historic past of Sulphur Springs, making your way back to Haystacks to enjoy a small bites canapé hour with a glass of wine.
$30 per person: Book here: bit.ly/3w66sKP
Celebration Market
Celebration Market on the downtown plaza starts Saturday, May 21, at S p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. Come out and shop and browse what the market vendors have for you.
Freedom Ball
The Hopkins County Freedom Ball, celebrating our county’s veterans and active military and benefiting the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial, is set for 6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
The ball includes a salute to the military, a speaker, dinner, music and more.
Hamburger Cookout
The Heritage Christian Counseling Center is sponsoring a hamburger cookout from 11 a.m. until they sell out on Friday, May 13. Orders can be picked up or eaten onsite in the parking lot between Alliance Bank corporate and First United Methodist Church, across from the City National Bank drive-through downtown. The $7 meal includes hamburger, chips, drink and dessert.
Ribbon Cuttings
- Kay Jae + Co Boutique, located at 325 South Davis St., hosted a ribbon cutting for their shop on Thursday, May 5. Please visit this new boutique.
- The North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department opened their new firehouse on FM 2285 with a ribbon cutting on Friday, May 6. The fire station will help serve the Pleasant Grove area as well as the 123 square miles of its territory.
- Project One Roofing will have a ribbon cutting at their location at 209 Jackson St., at noon on Friday, May 20. Please join us for this event.
Business of the Week
Dr. David Liao’s Hunt Regional Healthcare’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic is the Chamber’s Business of the Week for May 11. See more about our Business of the Week on the Chamber’s Instagram and Facebook pages as well as our website.
Be Well, Live Well – Healthy Aging
By Johanna Hicks, Texas AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent for Hopkins County, [email protected]
As people age, nutrition and physical activity are even more important to their overall health. More than 12% of the population in Texas is older than 65, and that number is expected to surpass 20% by 2050. The theme of this year’s Older Americans Month in May is “Age My Way.”
The Age My Way theme refers to adults aging in a way that allows them to remain involved in their communities and maintain their independence. I recently implemented a 4-session series, “Be Well, Live Well”, that included nutrition, physical activity, meal planning, and food safety, leading up the May emphasis. Seven individuals completed the series and received some great incentive items, including pedometers, refrigerator thermometers, nutrition label magnifiers, shopping pads, and more.
It is important that older Americans age in a way that reflects their personal needs and interests. Nutrition is a vital part of healthy living, and good eating habits are important at any age. Protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium and dietary fiber are just some of the nutrients that are important as we age. Many AgriLife Extension programs are designed in a manner that will resonate with a senior audience, such as staying active, being socially engaged and eating healthy to help maintain independence.
The “Be Well, Live Well Healthy Aging” Series addressed those very topics. The program helps people learn how to make healthy food choices, prepare and store food safely, become more physically active and improve food security. Many older adults may also have chronic diseases that can impact their quality of life and food choices, especially when looking at chronic diseases including hypertension and diabetes that are related to the foods we choose. I will be implementing “Cooking Well with Diabetes” in August, so stay tuned for information on that series.
Cultivating mindfulness is also important for older adults. Our mental, emotional and physical health suffers when we lose connection with others and with ourselves. A well-balanced life is vital for personal wellness, and includes work, recreation, interacting with family and friends, community engagement, being physically and spiritually active, and rest. Some specific ways older adults can achieve a better balance in their lives is to increase their social connections and engage in hobbies or activities they enjoy.
Older adults may be more solitary or homebound. Those who can’t get out as much should try to stay in touch with friends and family by phone — or internet if they’re more tech savvy. It’s also important they have and maintain hobbies or interests – reading, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, etc.
Those who are more active can benefit from outdoor activities such as taking a walk or engaging with others through hobbies or civic engagement. The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizen’s Center has many activities for involvement.
The key message is just do something!
Closing Thought
Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen – Brene Brown
Contact Johanna Hicks at the Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected].
2 Citizens Ask SSISD Trustees To Reconsider Stance On 313 Agreement For Dike Solar Farm
Developer, Land Owner Asks School Board to Amend Agreement As Requested
Citizens asked Sulphur Springs ISD trustees this week to reconsider the district’s stance on 313 agreements, particularly amending the agreement with Hopkins Energy LLC. The developer and one landowner whose property is within the planned Hopkins Energy LLC area asked the board to approve the amended agreement.
Ryan Economy, developer for Hopkins Energy solar project parent company ENGIE North America, noted that the amendment simply asks the district to push back by the end date of construction and start date of the value limitation period by one year. He said the plan is to begin construction on the project later this year, with construction continuing into next year.
“We have over the last year been through extensive studies of our sight for wetlands and other factors that go in our design, specifically and very importantly civil engineering and water plans that are required by state so looking forward we can finalize our storm water permit,” Economy said, advising the school board that their responsibilities are to the school, funding, students, and success of those students.
Economy contended that determining zoning and environmental issues are not the job of the school. Those belong to the Commissioners Court and state.
“In the state of Texas, landowner rights prevail, and so landowners may do what they wish on their private property whether that be grazing cattle, capturing sunlight or raising crops,” Economy said. “So, I am here today requesting for you to simply extend the agreement we already have in place. That funding comes out to the net benefit of the school district of about $1.3 million aside.”
Economy said the agreement benefits both the school district and company. The company gets a break on school district maintenance and operations taxes in accordance with the terms of the agreement and supplemental payments and revenue loss payments of up to about $1.3 million to the district.
The request to extend the time dates for tax incentives for the planned Dike solar facility is the second amendment made for the project, which has changed hands since the original request was made a few years ago and has reduced somewhat in size. No construction has yet begun on the project, located in both Sulphur Springs and Dike school districts.
Cynthia Martin, whose property backs up to the planned solar facility, sought legal action to bar the plant from being located in Dike. So far, those requests have been denied in local court, but efforts continue legally and through the local grassroots collective Save Dike From Solar, which represents “hundreds of citizens” in Dike community who are opposed to “ENGIE’s industrial solar complex.”
Save Dike From Solar spokesperson Michael Pickens said the planned project is in a forested wetland. State Senators Brian Hughes and Bob Hall, as well as other elected officials, have voted down the 313 agreements. New 313 agreements cannot be made after Dec. 31, 2022.
“As Senator Bob Hall said, ‘I am dedicated to ending Chapter 313 tax abatements which increase the property taxes of citizens in order to pay for property taxes of corporations through a crumby capitalistic program,'” Pickens said. “There’s a whole bunch of news articles on this 313 program that is facing so much opposition in the Texas Senate and the communities around the state of Texas.
Pickens contends that the 313 program and allowing the solar facilities to be built in rural areas will lower property values of nearby properties in Dike next to the power plant. He said another reason Hall and Hughes are opposed to it is that school districts do not receive the additional funds promised to them by the solar operations while making “tons of money” for the solar companies.”
Besides that, Pickens noted, ENGIE – the parent company for Hopkins Energy LLC – is a French company. Before that, Alpine Sun, the company who originally proposed the agreement then sold it to ENGIE is a German company.
“So, our argument is that our land values are being depreciated, our lands will be environmentally impacted negatively for a French company to make lots of money,”
Michelle Barnes, Dike resident, said she did not know about the planned solar project when she moved to Dike 2 years ago, but is opposed to it.
“The one thing I’m concerned about is the devastation to the environment out there. I’ve already looked at the Stampede Solar project out in Saltillo where they are building big ditches for the water retention,” Barnes said. “Well, if you’re going to be building all of these retention ponds all over the place – this is 18 hundred and 50 acres out in the Dike area – you’re going to change the environment that we live in, because that water is no longer running off to where it’s supposed to go like it has been in past years. That is going to change everything for everybody there.”
Barnes said her research of the solar project in Cunningham, Texas, just 21 miles from Dike, developers have panels up but haven’t begun operations yet. She said she’s been told that’s due to lack of funding. Property values around the Cunningham project went up 9.1% the first year the farm was installed.
“So not only are we not going to be able to sell our homes because we live right next to a solar power plant, but we are going to be paying more in taxes because our assessed values are going to go up because we now live in a jurisdiction that has commercial property and and not rural agriculture,” Barnes concluded.
While Pickens and Barnes expressed opposition to the planned Dike solar facility, Tim Fuller is in favor of the project. He has land located within the planned Hopkins Energy LLC and knows the owners of the other parcels of land on which the solar projects are to be located.
“I just don’t think folks needs to be messing with what I do with my land. It’s my land. I should be able to put solar panels on it if I want. I think in our environment, that’s what we’ve got to get to. We need other things than fossil fuels, so I would like you to extend the contract,” Fuller said.
Garret Peters with KE Andrews, tax consultant for Hopkins Energy for ENGIE, said 313 programs have been highly successful.
“The fact that this company is going to save millions and millions and millions of dollars is not the truth. Just in this district alone, it’s a 90 million dollar investment. On that, over 15 years, they save $935,000. So we’re not talking about massive corporate welfare that’s going to change the balance sheet and the income statement of ENGIE, a global company, significantly,” Peters said.
All Texas property owners have seen an increase in their home and land appraisal values over the last year. An increase of 9.1% would be at the lower end of the increases. Peters said the property tax bill on his residential property in Rockwall went up 34%.
“I don’t believe that this is going to be a significant effect on any surrounding land. There’s been studies that kind of go either way on this topic of being close to solar plants. Without it being a major residential subdivision backing up to this, I don’t think it’s going to be a contributing factor to value,” Peters said.
Because the Comptroller’s office has certify the 313 agreements as qualifying for the tax incentive, an amended application was submitted to and approved by the Comptroller’s Office on April 28.
I truly understand your situation of adjacent land owners, but the school board is not the place to argue the legalities of this issue. If the state of Texas and all the laws and zoning committees make it legal for a landowner to do something with their land, it is by no means the purview of the school board to dictate what a landowner does with their land as long as it’s abiding by the laws of the state,” SSISD Board of Trustees Secretary Jason Dietze said. “And, if it weren’t, it’s still not the school board’s purview to do that. Our purview is to look at opportunities that benefit students and the district. To be honest, for me, it’s a no brainer the benefit that it is to our district financially to approve these type of agreements.
Following the public hearing with citizens comments during the May 9, 2022, SSISD Board of Trustees meeting, the school board, as is required, declared no conflict of interest in the proposed agreement for the Chapter 313 tax limitation for Hopkins Energy LLC. The amended agreement puts the start of the tax limitation period for the Chapter 313 agreement at Jan. 1, 2024, and end of it on Dec. 1, 2033. the final termination of the agreement would be Dec. 31, 2038, the last year of the limitation period plus 5 years.
“Again, I truly empathize with you. If I lived next door to one, I might have the feelings that you have. However, the school district is not the place to really confirm or condemn those actions. We don’t have the legal authority to do that. There’s a loophole authority, in that if we were to vote against it, it might negatively affect the project. However, that’s not the purview of the school board – what is best for the students financially, what’s best for the district financially is. We keep getting these and we keep getting the negative reflection on that. That is not the school board’s place. These may have fairly legitimate arguments but it’s not to be made before the school district. It’s to be made before your zoning committees, your state legislators,” Dietze concluded, just prior to the school board’s vote on the requested amendment.
SSISD Board of Trustees voted to grant the amendment adding the extra time for the start and completion of the project as well as bumping the value limitation period an additional year.
Value limitations in 313 apply to the M&O portion of the school tax rate. Beneficiaries granted limitations, in this case the solar company, will still be required to pay the taxes for the I&S (debt service) portion of the school tax rate, school trustees confirmed.
Disaster Assistance Available For 2022 Livestock Forage Losses In Hopkins County
Producers in Hopkins County are eligible to apply for 2022 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits on native pasture, improved pasture and small grain grazing.
LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land or fire on federally managed land.
County committees can only accept LFP applications after notification is received by the National Office of qualifying drought or if a federal agency prohibits producers from grazing normal permitted livestock on federally managed lands due to qualifying fire. You must contact the office for an appointment or be placed on the register no later than January 31, 2023, for 2022 losses.
For additional information about LFP, including eligible livestock and fire criteria, contact the Hopkins-Delta County Farm Service Agency Office at 903-885-4433 or visit fsa.usda.gov
