Sulphur Springs City Council To Consider Renewing Curfew For Unaccompanied Minors
As the polls are closing in the Party Primary Elections tonight, the regular meeting of Sulphur Springs City Council is slated to begin. The March 1, 2022 agenda is rather short, with only 12 items listed including opening, closing, time allocated for any public comments and adjournment. One of the six action items on the 7 p.m. agenda tonight is discussion on potentially extending Ordinance No. 2762.
In December 2019, two downtown businesswomen expressed concerned about the number of unsupervised middle school-aged youth congregating around downtown on weekends and late at night.
The Curfew for Minors ordinance, after a few months of discussion was approved on second reading in April 2020, for two years. Effective on May 1, 2020, Ordinance No. 2762 will expire on April 30, 2022. Thus, the City Council will have the option of letting the ordinance expire next month with no further action, or to re-adopt on first reading, ratify, republish and extend the curfew ordinance for a period of time or indefinitely beginning May 1, 2022.
The City Council also will consider cancelling the May 7 General Election for Places 4 and 5, as only one candidate each filed for the seats — Tommy Harrison for Place 4 and incumbent Gary Spraggins for Place 5. The pair would be administered the oath of office and take the seats as soon as the new term begins.
Submitted for City Council consideration will be bids for curb and gutter removal and replacement as part of Street Improvement Program 2022.
Purchase of a backhoe from a business with a Sourcewell contract too is on the 7 p.m. regular meeting agenda. Sourcewell is a purchasing cooperative. As such, the coop has done the leg work, so the city should not be required to go out for bids for the purchase, even if it does costs above the amount typically requiring bids for approval.
The City Council is slated to hold an executive session at 6:30 p.m. to consult with an attorney regarding negotiations for a potential economic development project labeled as Project Superman. Negotiations for this project have been ongoing for several months. If anything is far enough along for a vote, they will be forwarded from the closed session for a vote at the open meeting.
The City Manager is slated to give his monthly report, which includes updates on capital investments, municipal operations, accidents and claims for made for the month of January, as well as a review of expenditures and revenues by the assistant city manager/finance director.
A proclamation is scheduled to recognize March as Texas History Month and time will be allocated for visitors to briefly address the council during the designated public forum time.
The City Council will be asked to approve a consent agenda which includes minutes of most recent council, city boards and commissions, and EDC meetings, and any 380 agreements forwarded for consideration since the Feb. 7 meeting.
The regular March meeting of Sulphur Springs City Council will begin at 7 p.m. March 1, 2022, in the Council Chambers inside Sulphur Springs Municipal Building (City Hall) on Davis Street. The Council is scheduled to meet in executive session starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, but will resume in open session afterward.
Tuesday Game Day Features Both Soccer Squads, Wildcats Basketball in Regional Quarterfinal
Tuesday game day on Mar. 1 is something of a quiet one, as both soccer teams and men’s basketball in the playoffs are the few squads in action.
Wildcats basketball have a bit of a jump on soccer, as Coach Brandon Shaver’s squad take on Lufkin in the Regional Quarterfinals of playoffs 15 minutes ahed of both soccer teams.
The third round of playoffs features a dominant Panthers team (34-4) and a Wildcats squad hot off their 65-40 revenge win over Midlothian Friday in the Area round.
Tuesday’s winner at TJC’s Wagstaff Gymnasium earns the bid for the Regional Semifinal.
Sulphur Springs tips off on Tuesday, Mar. 1 at Tyler Junior College at 7 P.M.
The game was originally scheduled to tip at 6 P.M. but instead was pushed to 7 P.M. due to the Wildcats now being the sole game to take place at TJC on Tuesday.
Both soccer teams take on Texas High for the Mar. 1 edition of Tuesday game day.
Men’s soccer after completing a two-game home-stand last week are back on the road taking on the Tigers.
Sulphur Springs went 0-2 last week at home, combined with a 3-0 loss the Friday before and Coach Alexi Upton’s squad hope to snap a three game losing streak later tonight.
A win Tuesday over Texas High in Texarkana goes a long way to keeping men’s soccer’s playoff hopes alive.
Coach Upton’s team enters Tuesday’s contest 3-5 in district and a win over the Tigers could propel Sulphur Springs to 4th place.
Men’s soccer kicks off in Texarkana on Tuesday, Mar. 1 at 7:15 P.M.
Women’s soccer are back at home after their two-game road-stand last week.
Like the Wildcats, Sulphur Springs went 0-2 on the road and have now lost four straight and six of seven since district play began on January 28, 2022.
Sulphur Springs is all but eliminated after Friday’s loss in Mount Pleasant.
Coach Javier Aguayo’s team enter Tuesday’s district match at home with Texas High in 6th place and 2.5 games back of fourth placed Texas High and Pine Tree with just three games to go.
Women’s soccer needs both Texas High and Pine Tree to lose out, with <1% chance of that outcome occurring.
Tuesday’s home match with the Lady Tigers kicks off at Gerald Prim Stadium at 7:15 P.M.
The Lady Cats enter Tuesday’s contest with a 4-13-1 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.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Recommendations For The Garden In March
Often, tomato and pepper plants started outdoors from seed will grow so quickly they will catch up with commercial plants in size within a few weeks. For many gardeners, this is the only way to obtain rare or heirloom varieties. But, because this has been a winter with erratic weather patterns, it’s best to keep an eye on young tomato transplants so that they may be covered if the threat of a late frost occurs.
Don’t be in a hurry to set out young pepper plants. Wait until the temperatures seem to be settled.
Pruning of evergreens and summer flowering trees and shrubs should be completed in early March. Prune spring flowering trees and shrubs as soon as they finish blooming.
Start hanging baskets of petunias, ferns and others for another dimension in landscape color. One attractive begonia plant can yield a number of others through careful rooting of stem cuttings. Plant dahlia tubers in fertile, well-drained soil.
In North Texas, there is still time to plant seeds of your favorite annuals in flats to be transplanted out-of-doors when danger of frost is past. Select and order caladium tubers as well as coleus plants for late April and early May planting. Do not plant caladiums until soil temperature reaches 70°F.
As camellia and azalea plants finish blooming, fertilize them with three pounds of azalea-camellia fertilizer per 100 square feet of bed area. Check mulch on azalea and camellia beds and add where needed.
Beware of close-out sales on bare-root trees and shrubs. The chance of survival is rather low on bare-root plants this late in the season. Your best bet at this time of year is to depend on container-grown or balled-and-burlapped plants for landscape use.
Plant Blue Plumbago (Plumbago capensis) now for season long low maintenance color. It is usually cold hardy to Zone 8 and sheltered places elsewhere. Although tolerant of sunny conditions, blue plumbago prefers a little protection from the hot afternoon sun. It is quite drought tolerant and blooms from spring till frost.
Now is a time to thin larkspur, zinnia, cockscomb and cosmos seedlings. Plants will bloom much better if thinned to about 4″ apart. Transplant or share the extras with gardening friends.
–Submitted by Dr. Mario Villarino, Agriculture/Natural Resources Extension Agent for Hopkins County, [email protected]
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs No Longer Offering COVID Vaccine Clinic
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, February 28, 2022 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ. In honor of American Heart Month – the month of February – we encourage you to check on your heart!
For a flat rate of $75, you can have a Coronary Calcium Screening. To see if you require a referral and/or to schedule, call our team at 903.438.4543. It could save your life.
Events
Local Fitness Court – Grand Opening
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs is a proud supporter of the new local Outdoor Fitness Court located in Pacific Park. Please join us for a ribbon cutting and demonstration on Friday, March 11 at approximately 10 a.m. More information to follow – stay tuned!
Community Health Day
In partnership with CHRISTUS Health, Columbia Lodge #81 invites you to attend an event aimed to build a community that is more secure, productive, healthy, and hopeful. We will have local experts speaking on a variety of health-related topics that will educate and empower community members to take charge of their own health and well-being. The event will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the HW Grays Building at Pacific Park, 413 Beckham Street in Sulphur Springs. This event is free to anyone, and everyone is welcome.
For more information, contact Bryan Vaughn at [email protected].
Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation Lights of Life Gala 2022
The Lights of Life Gala is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight at the Civic Center. This year’s theme “Under the Big Top” reflects our 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.
This year’s Lights of Life Gala chairs are fourth generation Hopkins County natives, sisters Markeda Fisher and Kayla Price Mitchell.
Shannon Barker, Foundation Executive Director shared “I am thrilled to be working with Markeda and Kayla. When they arrived as the bearded ladies to reveal the theme, Under the Big Top, I knew we were in good hands! They keep everyone laughing, but also have the experience and relationships to ensure a successful event. Their impressive history and dedication to Hopkins County is evidenced by their past and present community involvement. We are thankful they feel the Healthcare Foundation is a worthy cause to invest their efforts in.”
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please call the Foundation office at 903-438-4799.
Carter BloodCare
Carter BloodCare bus will park in the hospital’s front parking lot collecting local blood donations on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. As a thank you, all donors will receive a stainless steel water bottle while supplies last. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, contact Patricia Wilson at 903.438.4380 or call/text 800.366.2834.
**UPDATED – COVID Vaccine Clinics:
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will no longer offer the COVID Vaccine Clinic every Friday morning. We recommend that you check with your local pharmacy for available vaccines.
Hospital Visitation
- Please note the following guidelines:
- Visitors must acquire masks themselves prior to entering our facility; cloth masks are acceptable. Masks must cover both the nose and the mouth. Visitors must remain masked during their time in the hospital.
- An adult must accompany minor-age visitors, be free of symptoms, and able to comply with masking and hygiene expectations throughout the visit.
- 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;
- ICU/ER: 1 Essential support person only;
- All other patients may have 1 Essential support person and 1 visitor (up to 2 persons in room at a time)
- Types of Visitors:
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
2022 CTE Month: Career and Technical Student Organizations
Editor’s Note: February is Career and Technical Education Month, a public awareness campaign to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. To help Sulphur Springs High School celebrate CTE Month 2022, KSST has compiled short videos featuring a few of the CTE programs offered at SSHS.
Sulphur Springs High School students enrolled in Career and Technical Education classes, in addition to classroom programs and potential for internships, job shadowing and practicum classes where they learn the basics of and practice skills needed to work in their chosen career field also are given opportunities to participate in Career and Technical Student Organizations.
Jacob Semler, Business Professionals of America (BPA) 
Mykylie Meador, Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) 
Rylie Carroll and Caroline Coker, FFA 
Andy Soto and Jessica Snyder, SkillsUSA 
Bailee Burnett and Carter Owen, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) 
Karsyn Spaulding, Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) 
Cable Glenn, National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)
CTSOs not only extend learning from the classroom, but to develop strong skills in leadership, teamwork, project development, job-specific career skills. Students have the opportunity to enter competitions, travel, earn scholarships, network, and become successful!
SSHS students can become members of Business Professionals of America; Family, Career and Consumer Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America; Health Occupations Students of America; Robotics; Skills USA; and Texas Association of Future Educators.
Just as students who accel academically may become members of the National Honor Society, CTSO students who meet requirements may also apply for members ship in the National Technical Honor Society. Often many of NHS also are members of NTHS, the honor society for outstanding career and technical students.
As busy as the spring semester often become, representatives from most if not all of SSHS’ CTSO organizations make time in February to attend a school board meeting, to update these elected school leaders on what their organizations have been involved in, the things they’ve learned and achieved as part of the organizations,
The CTSO representatives select February to visit the school board to coincide with their month-long celebration of CTE programs. These student leaders typically take a moment to express exactly how the CTSOs and CTE courses have impacted their lives and personally thank the school board and administration for their continued support of CTE programs and CTSOs.
This month, students from all seven CTSOs spoke to the school board. They were as follows:
- Business Professional of America (BPA)- Jacob Semler
- Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)- Mykylie Meador
- FFA- Rylie Carroll, Caroline Coker
- Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)- Bailee Burnett, Carter Owen
- SkillsUSA- Andy Soto, Jessica Snyder
- Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE)- Karsyn Spaulding
- National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)- Cable Glenn.
Be sure to stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230 and Suddenlink Channel 18, check out www.KSSTradio.com,the KSST Radio 1230 AM YouTube Channel and other KSST social media accounts to ensure you haven’t missed the 2022 CTE features. Just watch (or search) for the “2022 CTE” heading throughout the month.
If you missed any of the features, be sure to click the links below to catch up:
Kick Off Event: Sulphur Springs High School Kicks Off CTE Month 2022 With Mayoral Proclamation
2022 CTE Month Feature 1: Pharmacy Technician Certification Program
2022 CTE Month Feature 2: Programming And Software Development, Advanced Manufacturing And Engineering
SSHS Choir Advances 22 Solos, 2 Ensembles To Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest
Feb. 22, 2022 isn’t likely a day Sulphur Springs High School Choir students will forget anytime soon. It’s the day approximately 2 dozen vocalists qualified for state competition, and four others received top marks for their performances at the UIL Solo & Ensemble contest.
A total of 22 soloists and 2 ensembles advanced Feb. 22 from to the Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest.
“Despite weather-related school closings and rescheduling, these students continued to work diligently to learn challenging music. I am beyond proud to be their teacher,” SSHS Choir instructor Beth Cole said.
Among the SSHS Choir students advancing to the Texas State Solo & Ensemble will be held at UT Austin Memorial Day weekend either individually or as part of an ensemble are Danielle Verlander, Lindsey Plumley, Axel Garcia, Ashland Hooten, Celeste McCoy, Te’Asia Hopkins, Summer Patterson, Katie Henderson, Caleb Massey, Lausen Ost, Colbie Glenn, Karisma Stegient, Mika Boren, Kaylee Pennebaker, Chloe Kerns, Alan Guzman, Mikel Godwin, Sean Dial, Aidyn Rogers, Savannah Lilley, Litzy Chacon and Chance Leber.
Four additional students – Jamie Tavera, Patti Garcia, Manny Murray, Kasia Driver – also received superior ratings and received a medal for the non-state qualifying solo each sang at the Feb. 22 UIL choral competition.
Congratulations to all of these vocalists on these vocal accomplishments.
Cumby Police Arrest Dallas Pair Accused Of Having Psychedelic Mushrooms, Marijuana
Another Pair Jailed For Alleged MDMA Pill Possession
Cumby Police Department Officer Justin Talley arrested four people on controlled substance charges following two different Interstate 30 traffic stops over the weekend. A Dallas pair was accused of having marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms while a Mount Pleasant man and Naples woman allegedly had a bag of MDMA pills overnight Friday, the officer noted in arrest reports.
Traffic Stop At Mile Marker 115
Talley reportedly initiated a traffic stop after seeing an Honda Civic without operational license plate lights go past the 111 mile marker on I-30 east around 12:19 a.m. Monday. After catching up to the car, Talley initiated a traffic stop. The car pulled over onto the shoulder near mile marker 115.
Upon contact with the two occupants, Talley reported smelling a strong marijuana odor emitting from the car. Both occupants were removed from the car. While being escorted to out of the vehicle, front seat passenger Monserrat Olguin Rodriguez allegedly admitted she had marijuana in her pockets. A probable cause search of the car yielded additional marijuana and psilocybin, Talley alleged in arrest reports.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic chemical obtained from certain types of fresh and dried mushrooms that have slender stems topped by caps with dark gills on the underside, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
This type of substance is typically ingested orally, brewed as tea or added to foods to mask their bitter flavor. Large amounts of psilocybin can cause panic attacks and psychosis, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness and lack of coordination. An overdose of psychedelic mushrooms or psilocybin may result in psychosis or death. Often called “magic mushrooms” because of the hallucinogens can cause, psilocybins are similar to mescaline and peyote, according to a Department of Justice/DEA Drug Fact Sheet about psilocybin.
Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Scientists and medical professionals report there are 180-200 species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin.
Talley placed the 19-year-old woman and the driver, 24-year-old Anthony Nolasco into custody at 1:08 a.m. Feb. 28, 2022, and transported them to jail. The marijuana weighed 0.873 pound and the substance identified by the Cumby officer as Psilocybin mushrooms weighed 4.663 grams. Consequently, the Dallas pair was booked into Hopkins County jail at 2:49 a.m. Monday on possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana and possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance- the psychedelic mushrooms.
Both Olguin-Rodriguez and Nolasco had been released from Hopkins County jail Monday evening on a $30,000 bond on the second-degree felony controlled substance charge and a $5,000 bond on the marijuana charge.
Traffic Stop At Mile Marker 113
CPD Officer Justin Talley also initiated a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Silverado at 11:32 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, after seeing it accelerate past another vehicle at a high rate of speed on I-30 east. When he caught up to the pickup near mile marker 111, Talley noticed not only were the truck’s license plate lights not working, at least one license plate was obscured. He said the pickup was traveling at approximately 90 miles per hour in the 75 mph speed zone.
The truck pulled onto the shoulder near mile marker 113 on I-30 east. Upon contact with both occupants, Talley reported smelling a heavy alcohol odor emitting from the the vehicle. He reported seeing a beer bottle cap in the passengers lap. Talley claimed Lutrail Farrier showed him the Coors Light Beer bottle within his reach and admitted there was drug paraphernalia inside the truck too.
Talley alleged a probable cause search of the pickup revealed a leopard print backpack on the back left passenger’s seat. Inside the backpack, the policeman reported finding driver Otavia Gray’s ID information and a baggy containing pills, including five loose pills the officer believed was Ecstasy. The pills field-tested positive as containing detectable amounts of methylenedioxy-methamphetamine or MDMA, Talley alleged in arrest reports.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxy-Methamphetamine) is most commonly known by the street names of ecstasy and molly and is similar to the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline can produce both stimulant and mild sensory-altering effects. MDMA is usually taken orally, via tablet or capsule, and its effects last approximately 3-6 hours, though depression, sleep problems, and anxiety have been reported for days to weeks afterwards.
MDNA use can also cause some very serious health issues It can produce a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure and a sense of alertness similar to that associated with amphetamine use. MDMA, the NIDA reports, can also cause a marked increase in body temperature (hyperthermia). Hyperthermia can lead to liver, kidney, and cardiovascular system failure. MDMA users can become dehydrated, prompting increased water consumption. In some cases, this has led to the problem of “water intoxication” or hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition in which excessive water consumption causes a dramatic decrease in electrolytes. MDMA can affect the hormone that regulates the amount of sodium in the blood, which can also cause hyponatremia, according to the NIDA.
Although the 38-year-old Naples man claimed the substance as belonging to him, Talley took Farrier and the 34-year-old Mount Pleasant woman into custody at 12:31 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, and booked into Hopkins County jail on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge, Talley noted in arrest reports.
Gray and Farrier (who jail records show, is also known by Lutriel Deon Farrier, Train, Lotrial Deion Farrier, Lutrial Dejon Farrier, Lutrial Delon Farrier and Lutrail Dejon Farrier) were released from Hopkins County jail later Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, on a $10,000 bond each on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Secretary Of State Gives Rundown On What To Expect At Polling Places On March 1, 2022
Voter ID Requirements, Cell Phones and Other Devices, What NOT To Wear, the 100-Foot Marker Explained
With Election Day for Party Primaries only hours away, Texas Secretary of State John B. Scott on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, provided the a rundown on what voters should expect at polling places, including current voter ID requirements, cell phones and other devices, what not to wear and the 100-foot marker.
“More than 1.6 million Texas voters have already cast a ballot in this year’s primary elections, and we encourage all eligible voters who have not yet cast a ballot to make a plan to vote on Election Day tomorrow,” Texas Secretary of State John Scott said. “If you have questions about the voting process, we urge you to visit VoteTexas.gov or call the Texas Secretary of State’s office at 1-800-252-VOTE to get accurate information about your options for casting a ballot.”
Voter ID Requirements
Under Texas law, voters who possess one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls when voting in person. The acceptable forms of photo ID are:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or a voter registration certificate.
Here is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does not possess one of the forms of acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one:
- copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;
- copy of or original current utility bill;
- copy of or original bank statement;
- copy of or original government check;
- copy of or original paycheck; or
- copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).
Learn more about Voter ID requirements in Texas.
The 100-Foot Marker
When you go to your polling place, you will likely notice a cone or other distance marker placed 100 feet from the entrance of the building. Inside that 100 foot mark, you are not allowed to post, use or distribute any political signs or literature relating to a candidate, political party or measure appearing on your ballot in that election.
Cell Phones and Other Devices
Under Texas law, persons are not allowed to use wireless communications devices within 100 feet of voting stations. Additionally, persons are not allowed to use mechanical or electronic devices to record sound or images within 100 feet of the voting stations.
Devices that should not be used in the polling place include:
- Cell phones
- Cameras
- Tablet computers
- Laptop computers
- Sound recorders
- Any other device that may communicate wirelessly, or be used to record sound or images.
Please wait until you are 100 feet away from the voting stations at your polling place before taking an “I voted” selfie.
What can’t I wear to the polls?
In Texas, a person may not wear apparel or a similar communicative device relating to a candidate, measure, or political party appearing on the ballot in the current election, but a person may wear such apparel relating to a candidate, measure, or political party that does NOT appear on the ballot in the current election.
In other words, if you are wearing a hat, t-shirt, or button relating to a candidate, measure or political party that does not appear on the ballot in the current election, you are not violating Texas law.
However, if you are wearing apparel relating to a candidate, measure, or political party on the ballot, a presiding judge has the ability to enforce the law within the 100-foot marker outside of the polling place entrance. You may be asked to remove or cover up your apparel before entering the building.
To learn more about voting in Texas, visit www.votetexas.gov
Hopkins County Voting Centers For March 1 Democratic & Republican Party Primary Elections
Less Than 10% Of Registered Voters In Hopkins County Cast Ballots During Early Voting
The early voting center in Hopkins County closed Friday with a total less than 10 percent of the county’s 24,310 registered voters casting ballots either in person or by mail. Republican and Democratic voters will have one more opportunity to select their choice from a list of candidates for state, national and local offices on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Early Voting Counts
A total of 1,331 early ballots were cast in the Republic Party Primary Election from Feb. 14-25, 2022, but the voting period did result in about 1 1/2 day less of early voting that was originally scheduled due to the icy weather conditions last week.
The Secretary of State’s Office notified election officials via email last Wednesday that they should match early voting hours with county hours, as a safety precaution for voters and election workers. The early voting center closed three hours early Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, as the frigid temperatures and precipitation began impacting Hopkins County and the County Judge made the decision to close all county offices a few hours at 2 p.m. as a safety precaution. A total of 71 voters cast ballots Feb. 23 in the Republican Primary and 2 voted in the Democratic Primary Feb. 23.
The early voting center was slated to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. As the winter storm made some roadways slick from rain, sleet and even a little snow Wednesday, the county judge determined county offices would reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday. However, after evaluating the situation, a decision was made just after 8 a.m. Thursday for all county offices to remain closed. That meant the early voting center, located in the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace courtroom, remained closed all day Thursday too due to the “public safety issue caused by the winter storm.”
The early voting center Friday followed that of county office, opening 1 hour later on Friday than the normal 8 a.m. start.
Another 380 voters cast ballots and one more mail ballot came in for the Republican Primary, for a total of 1,320 in-person votes and 11 mail ballots cast in Hopkins County. The 1,331 early votes cast in the Republican Party Primary account for only 5.48% of the registered voters casting ballots during early voting in that election.
Another 58 registered voters cast ballots Feb. 25, 2022, in the Democratic Party Primary. Overall, that makes 194 Hopkins County voters casting ballots in-person and 26 by mail, for a total of 220 Hopkins County ballots cast in the Democratic Primary from Feb. 14-25. That’s less than 1 percent of registered Hopkins County voters casting ballots in the Democratic Party Primary during the early voting period.
Cumulatively, that’s 1,551 Hopkins County voters or 6.38 percent of registered voters casting ballots either in-person or by mail during the early voting period for the March 1 party primary elections.
A total of 2,345 of the 23,190 registered voters in Hopkins County (10%) cast ballots during the early voting period in the party primary elections in February of 2020; 2,009 voted (8.66%) in the Republican Party Election and 336 voted (1.44%) in the Democratic Party Primary Election. Of those only two ballots were cast by mail in 2020, according to data tracked by the Secretary of State’s office.
The winners in the Primary will face the candidate elected by other parties during the November 2022 Election. If a runoff develops from the March 1 election, the runoff would be held in May, to determine which candidate’s name will be on the November ballot.
Election Day Voting
Voters in Hopkins County who have not yet cast ballots in either the Republican or Democratic Party Primary Election who would like to vote for their choice of candidates will be able to cast a ballot in either the Republican or Democratic Party Primary on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Hopkins County voters may cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for either the Republican or Democratic Party Primary Election at any of the following county voting locations:
Lutheran Church, Front Foyer, 1000 Texas Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
H.W. Grays Building, Meeting Room, 411 Beckham Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
Hopkins County Courthouse, 1st Floor Courtroom, 114 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
Grace Family Church, Fellowship Hall, 2201 Loop 301 East, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
Hopkins County Civic Center, West Hall, 1200 Houston Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
League Street Church of Christ, Front Foyer, 1100 South League Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
Saltillo ISD, Ag Lab, 150 CR 1514, Saltillo, TX 75478;
Cumby Municipal Building, City Meeting Room, 100 East Main Street, Cumby, TX 75411;
Sulphur Bluff ISD, Foyer Outside of Gym, 1024 CR 1550, Sulphur Bluff, TX 75481;
Como-Pickton CISD, Art Room, 11017 TX Hwy 11 East, Como, TX 75411;
Miller Grove ISD, Foyer Outside of Gym, 7822 FM 245 South, Cumby, TX 75411; and
North Hopkins ISD, Administrative Building, 2294 FM 71 West, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Voted ballots by mail must be received by the Early Voting Clerk no later than 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Sample Ballots
All Hopkins County Democratic Party ballots will be the same the only Democratic candidate to file for a county office was Tommy Long to serve another term as County Democratic Party Chairman. The ballot also does not include any propositions.
See the sample Democratic Party Primary Ballot below for a full list of candidates.
Hopkins County voters casting ballots in the Republican Party Primary Election on March 1 will see one of four ballots, depending on the voting precinct in which they reside. State and national offices along with 10 Propositions are on Republican ballots, along with county candidates running with no opponents for the Republican nomination.
On Page 2 of all March 1 Republican Party Election Ballot, all voters will be asked to consider voting for or against 10 Propositions. A sample for the proposition portion of the ballot is shown below:
While all Hopkins County voters will see the same US and state offices on the Republican ballots, the candidates for local county offices will vary by voting precinct. All Republican Party ballots in Hopkins County will all include the following incumbents who drew no challengers in their bid for reelection either on the Republican ticket: Robert Newsom, County Judge; Clay Harrison, Judge, County Court-at-Law; Cheryl Fulcher, District Clerk; Tracy Orr Smith, County Clerk; Danny Davis, County Treasurer; and Donnie W. Wisenbaker, County Chairman.
Registered Hopkins County Republican voters in Voting Precincts 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 8, 13, 14, 16, 25 and 36 also will see BJ Teer as the incumbent unchallenged for the Republican nomination for Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1.
Registered Hopkins County Republican voters in Voting Precincts 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 5, 11, 12, 17, 20, 23 and 24 will see on the ballot incumbent Brad Cummings as unchallenged for the Republican nomination for Justice of the Peace Precinct 2.
Those voting a Republican ballot Tuesday who residing within Voting Precincts 2, 2A, 8, 13 and 14 also will have on their ballots incumbent Greg Anglin with no opponent in his bid for reelection as County Commissioner for Precinct No. 2
Those voting a Republican ballot Tuesday who residing within Voting Precincts 4, 4A, 11, 17 and 20 will have incumbent Joe Price, who is unopposed in his bid for reelection as County Commissioner for Precinct No. 4.
The winners of each office will then face the candidate(s) from all other parties in the November Election.
Sample ballots may be downloaded along with other election information from the Hopkins County website, https://www.hopkinscountytx.org/, by clicking the Voter Information link.
Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Center Government Instructor Kelly Payne Passes out Tests
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Government Instructor Kelly Payne passes out tests to student Lori Rocha and the remainder of her students during their morning class at the Sulphur Springs campus.
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.
