95th Annual Hopkins County Chamber Of Commerce Membership Banquet Awards
More than a dozen awards were presented Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, during the 95th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet to those who’ve made a big difference in Hopkins County over the past year and some businesses that have continued to provide exceptional service and a positive impact on the community.
Chamber President Butch Burney presented the Citizen of the Year award, sponsored by Echo Publishing, to Mandy Kennedy for her many charitable endeavors, including her dedication to Heart of Hope and CASA; serving as a founder of Chicks for Charity, an women’s organization that donated more than $100,000 to nonprofits over the 8 years of it’s operation; programs that help veterans, including seeing that Sulphur Springs was the only city in Texas to host The Wall That Heals and finding services to assist Vietnam Veterans who visited it to honor those they served with and receive honor for their service.
Large Business of the Year was presented by Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board Don McCann to Alliance Bank, for the bank’s continued dedication to customer service since its start in 1927, financial impact, support of all local charitable causes, especially those supporting youth and their activities, issuing the loans that helped keep many businesses afloat during COVID shutdowns and restrictions, as well as the involvement of most employees, officers and board as members who give their money and time as members of the various organizations in town, charitable projects and even getting together in small groups to adopt underprivileged children last fall. Alliance Bank Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer Tom Sellers accepted the award, thanking all Alliance Bank board, officers and employees as well as customers.
Citizen of the Year
Large Business of the Year
Chamber Treasurer Mike Horne presented the Small Business of the Year award to Bell Concrete, Inc., a Sulphur Springs company that began in 1946 with three mixer trucks and has expanded to the point the business has over 100 employees and a turnover rate of less than 5 percent.
Sheila Boyd presented the Woman of the Year Award on behalf of Beta Sigma Phi to Sharon Burney, who has volunteered with United Methodist Church children’s church and camp, CASA, Mother’s Culture Club, Dial Study Club, as well as the library. She has been caregiver to her 101-year-old mom and for 40 years has been a bright, welcoming light to all who enter Ardis Center for Dance.
Andy Wright awarded the Outstanding Agriculturalist/Family of the Year on behalf of Hopkins-Rains Farm Bureau to Roy King. He earned a Bachelor of Science in animal science and nature from East Texas State University in 1974, King worked in many agricultural and related jobs over the years before retiring, served on various committees and organizations including Northeast Texas Livestock Association, Hopkins County Dairy and Fall Festivals, and has raised dairy and beef cattle on the family farm.
Chamber Vice Chair Bethany Ferrall presented three education awards.
Professional Educator of the Year went to Sulphur Springs High School teacher Debbie Stribling, whose work goes far beyond the family and consumer sciences and education classes she has taught for more than 40 years. She also is an advisor and/or sponsor for numerous school organizations, including Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE pronounced Taffy), FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), and National Technical Honor Society.
The Auxiliary Educator of the Year went to North Hopkins ISD Nurse Carolyn Neal, not only for all of her work during the pandemic, including tracking cases and exposures and providing notification but her dedication and the many other tasks she takes on.
Paraprofessional Educator of the Year was awarded to North Hopkins ISD Secretary Sharlene Brice. She has dedicated more than 40 years at the school where she graduated. She takes care of so many things at hte school, often addressing and handling situations before most know about them.
Judge Robert Newsom presented the Community Pride Award on behalf of the 1994 Adult Leadership Class to the Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade. Newsom note that the Lions Club is an active organization with 22 members who make charitable donations, award scholarships and send eligible kids to Lions Camp. The club also helps usher in the holidays with the Lighted Christmas Christmas Parade, which brings people from out of town to Sulphur Springs to join local residents lining the parade route to see the lighted entries in December, and usually make an evening of it, with local shopping and a meal. John Campbell accepted the award on behalf of the Lions Club.
Chamber President Butch Burney presented the Ambassador of the Year Award to Carolyn McKinney, who after retiring recently has devoted even more of her time to community projects and service, not only helping organize but set up, work and stay to help clean up after huge community events such as the annual Stew Contest – and that’s just her involvement with the Chamber.
Lara Colby presented Marlene DeYong with the Growth and Renewal Award given by Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance. Colby noted that if there’s something going on downtown, DeYong has been involved in it.
Charlotte Baxter and Beverley Owens presented Caregiver of the Year Awards to two individuals for their dedication to their spouses: Marilyn Smith to the husband she worked alongside in the dairy and beef business and raising beef cattle until retiring and more recently has used a wheelchair; and Don Camper, who has tirelessly cared for is wife, taking over all household duties for the past 4 years.
In addition to each receiving awards, Congressman Pat Fallon also presented each with a certificate of recognition as well. Fallon too presented Butch Burney with recognition for his work as well at hte conclusion of the evening.
Community Pride Award
Growth & Renewal Award
Community members packed Hopkins County Civic Center Exhibit/Banquet Hall during the 95th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banque Thursday night, Feb. 17, 2022, excited to be able to gather together and celebrate outstanding businesses and individuals.
The atmosphere was a little more relaxed than some years as several individuals donned big hair, sparkles, concert t-shirts, ragged jeans, big bows, pointy shoes and bight ruffled attire topped with jean, bomber and leather jackets in keeping with the “Back to the 80s theme” of the Feb. 17, 2022 event.
Clayton Homes sponsored a prize of Bon Jovi Concert tickets for the best 1980s-dressed person at the banquet. When the contest came down to two couples, funding was provided so that both couples received tow tickets each to the April concert in Dallas.
Stations with video games and balloons offered a fun place to take pictures and relax while networking and socializing before taking their place in line to enjoy the meal prepared by Haystacks Restaurant & Catering, with beverages available from Phinesse’ Farms Winery and Backstory Brewery.
Additional thanks were offered to Echo Publishing, Eternity Creations, Calvin Hickerson for keeping the 80s tunes blasting before the program began, Latsons.com and the Civic Center staff.
The Banquet Committee Chaired by Rusty Posey included Mike Horne, Beth Dattomo, Price Orwosky, Larry Willis, Andy Endsley, Uriel Gutierrez, Bethany Ferrall, Chris Brown, Jaci Glenn and Amanda Tredway.
The outgoing Chamber Directors, current officers, directors and board of directors were recognized. Burney offered and thanks to Alina Sanders for stepping in to sing the National Anthem and Chamber Past Board President Rusty Posey for giving the invocation.
95th Annual Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet Awards 
Education Award Recipients 
Chamber President/CEO Butch Burney and Past Board Chairman Rusty Posey 
2022 Chamber Board Chairman Don McCann 
Tom Sellers, Alliance Bank CEO/Chair Tom Sellers, Large Business of the Year 
“Doc” Mike Horne, Chamber Treasurer 
Recognition for Outgoing Chamber Directors 
Congressman Pat Fallon recognizes Chamber President/CEO Butch Burrney 
Back to the 80s Costume Contest Winners Receive Bon Jovi Tickets
10 Personnel Items, Emergency School Closing Wage Payments Approved For SSISD
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees during the regular February 2022 school board meeting approved 10 personnel items as recommended, a Head Start budget amendment and emergency school closing wage payments.
Early Termination
Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams recommended that the board act to finalize the termination of Amy Anderson’s term contract before the end of her contract period. He noted that the school board members during a special meeting on Jan. 24, 2022, had made the the determination per DFBA(Legal) policy “for good cause,” for the proposed termination of Anderson.
After the decision for probable termination was made by the board at the prior meeting, SSISD sent a letter by certified mail the next day (Jan. 25, 2022), as required by law, notifying Anderson of the proposed termination. Per policy, she then had 15 days to appeal the probable termination of her contract to the Commissioner of Education, Williams noted.
“In talking to that office at TEA today, she has not availed herself of that opportunity to make that appeal. The 15 days ran its course on Feb. 9. So we are now beyond the 15 days. The cause has already been established. We recommend that you terminate her contract for cause,” Williams said, but neither he nor other school officials elaborated as to what that cause was.
SSISD Board Trustee John Prickette made a motion, which was seconded by board member Leesa Toliver, to finalize termination of Anderson’s contract before the term on it ended. The motion was unanimously approved by the school board.
Trustees had just approved a job swap on Jan. 10 for Anderson. She went from working in the Read 180 program to teaching an eighth grade English language arts and reading classroom. She was hired in 2015 as a seventh grade ELAR teacher.
Other Personnel Items
Among the personnel matters trustees approved following an executive session earlier this week were five notices of retirement, two resignations and one job swap – changes which will directly affect at least six of SSISD’s nine campuses.
Sulphur Springs Elementary Title I aides Carla Harper and Sharon Ferguson notified SSISD administrators that they plan to retire at the end of the school year. High School history teacher Michael Rave and Rowena Johnson Primary second grade teacher Trecia Back also turned in an early notice they they too will be retiring on May 27.
Susan Johnston, the SSISD director of special programs, plans to retire on June 15, 2022.
Lance Thompson’s resignation as a Middle School history teacher will become effective Feb. 24, 2022. Monica Weeks’ resignation as a Head Start 3 teacher at Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center will become effective March 1, 2022.
Finally, SSISD Police Officer Dee Dee Self has a new campus assignment. She moves from Barbara Bush Primary to Middle School, an opening created with Adrian Pruitt’s resignation last month.
Wage Payments
The school board approved resolution 2-22, which defers to DEA(Local) policy regarding wage payments during emergency school closings.
“We had enough minutes in our academic calendar to where the kids were good shape as far as instructional minutes, but in order to get folks paid who weren’t coming to work those days, who won’t work those days, this resolution is required. It also accounts for the few staff members who had to work during those days -Dan Froneberger’s guys went around checking buildings, all those things. They get paid a premium rate of pay per DEA(Local),” Williams said.
DEA(LOCAL) policy stipulates that all regular employees, whether contractual or nonstructural, salaried or non-salaried, who were “idled” or instructed not to report to work during the emergency icy weather closing will continue to receive wage payments. Nonexempt employees like the maintenance staff who reported of duty Feb. 3-4, checking district facilities for ruptured water lines and pipes and any other potential damages from the frigid temperatures, snow and ice will receive a premium rate of pay for the essential services they performed during emergency school closings.
SSISD Board of Trustees Vice President Craig Roberts made a motion, which was seconded by Trustee Kerry Wright, then unanimously approved by the board, to approve Board Resolution 22-2 to pay SSISD staff in accordance with DEA(local) policy.
Head Start COLA
Sulphur Springs ISD Superintendent Michael Lamb, on behalf of Angi Edwards who was unable to attend the Valentine’s evening school board meeting, asked the board to consider revising the Head Start cost of living budget, by allowing $1,299 to be transferred to the supplies budget to the to the equipment budget to account for an increase in cost of playground equipment at the campus since the district applied for funding for it last spring.
Trustee Robbin Vaughn made the motion, which trustee Leesa Toliver seconded, to approve the Head Start budget amendment to move the funding from the supplies to equipment function.
Wildcats, Lady Cats Golf Have Tough Outing in Rockwall
Both golf teams had their spring season opener on Monday, Feb. 14 in Rockwall in the Regional Preview.
It did not go as both squads had hoped for, as golf had a tough outing at the Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club.
“It wasn’t great for us,” Coach Whitney Spigener, Lady Cats golf coach said Thursday. On the women’s side, Sulphur Springs sports a young squad.
Coach Spigener said four of the six competitors she took Monday had never seen the course. One Lady Cat had never competed in a high school golf tournament, so nerves ran high for Coach Spinner’s team on Monday.
“Rockwall has a little reputation with [Sulphur Springs] golfers about just being hard,” Coach Spigener said, “not many like the course.”
The Lady Cats coach said nerves got the better of the squad as they finished third place of three schools at the Regional Preview. Coach Spigener said that a few Lady Cats battled back to finish the round decent.
The lowest score for Sulphur Springs came courtesy of McKenna Meskimen, who finished with 96. Monday was the freshman’s first high school golf competition. Junior Mykylie Meador came in just a tick behind at 97.
Next up, the Lady Cats are back at it Monday in Mount Pleasant. That competition starts at 8 A.M. on Monday, Feb. 21.
Moving over to the men’s team, Valentine’s Day did not prove fruitful for Coach Jeremy DeLorge’s squad either.
“We actually had a pretty decent round out of junior Caleb Kesting,” Coach Spigener said Thursday. “He shot a 74, and that was good for third place,” the golf coach said.
The Lady Cats golf coach said Kesting’s 74 on Monday is the best round the junior has ever done at Rockwall’s GAC. The junior shot 1-under on the front side, 3-over on the back.
“He played great, putted great,” Coach Spigener said, “…all around that was a solid score for that course,” the Lady Cats coach said.
The men’s squad as a whole, like the Lady Cats, had a rough outing in Rockwall but have time to work on their errors from Monday before their next contests.
“Overall, we’ve got a lot of work to do heading up to district at the end of March,” Coach Spigener said.
Coach Jeremy DeLorge’s Wildcats take a bit more time off, next in action in Pine Tree on Friday and Saturday, Mar. 4-5.
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.
Three Local Residents Earn High School Diploma Through Innovative Program Offered by Sulphur Springs Public Library
Library offers accredited diplomas and career certificates to residents through Career Online High School
Sulphur Springs, Texas, February 16, 2022 — Two Sulphur Springs residents, have earned their high school diploma through the Career Online High School program at Sulphur Springs Public Library. The library partners with Smart Horizons, part of the world’s first Cognia/SACS/NCA/NWAC accredited, nationally recognized, private online school district. Believing that everyone is capable of achieving a high school education they offer a career-based online education for individuals who need high school diplomas to access better career and educational opportunities.
Carolina Osorino and Kristen Mitchell, have completed all the requirements for their high
school diplomas and have earned their career certifications. Graduation ceremonies will be held Tuesday evening February 22, 2022 at 6:00pm at the library. The public is invited to attend.
“After looking at the dropout statistics of Hopkins County, I knew this program could change lives”.
Friends of the Library President, Trice Lawrence spoke to area businesses about the need
for a program like this and raised enough money to begin with twelve Scholarships. As of today, the library has given out 16 scholarships and has seen 11 graduates.” said Hope Cain, Library Director.
Sulphur Springs Public Library awards scholarships for Career Online High School to qualified learners looking to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers. Once enrolled, Career Online High School pairs each student with an Academic Coach, who offers ongoing guidance and encouragement, evaluates performance, and connects the learner with the resources needed to demonstrate mastery of the course material. Classes are supported by board-certified instructors and students have 24/7 access to the online learning platform. Coursework begins in one of eight high-growth, high-demand career fields (across a wide spectrum from Truck Driving to Office Management), before progressing to the core academic subjects. Students are able to graduate in as few as six months by transferring in previously earned high school credits but are given up to 18 months to complete the program.
Hopkins and surrounding county residents can learn more about Career Online High School at Sulphur Springs Public Library 903-885-4926 or by visiting the library’s web site www.sslibrary.org
NETLA, Area Youth Gearing Up For The 2022 Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show
Northeast Texas Livestock Association (NETLA) and area youth are gearing up for the 2022 Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show, which kicks off Feb. 22 at Hopkins County Civic Center. The four-day event showcases livestock projects grown and agriculture mechanics projects constructed by Hopkins County FFA and 4-H members.
The top rated projects from the livestock contest and show are auctioned, with 100-200 businesses, industries and financial institutions, families and individuals contributing toward the sale of champions, either as buyers or add-on donors, as well as serving as donors who help cover the cost of the Northeast Texas Junior Livestock Association event.
Among the homegrown livestock entered will be lambs and goats, broilers, swine, steers and heifers. Typically, the sale of champions includes 125-145 sale lots, a chance for community members to purchase livestock projects, with the exception of heifers. All are rated, with showmanship, grand champion and reserve champion accolades doled out following judging in senior, intermediate and junior categories. Students who show for a number of years may also apply for scholarships. The 2021 Sale of Champions raised $475,270 with 136 lots sold.
Grand champions, in addition to receiving awards and bragging rights, also have their photos made in the arena with their project to grace the next year’s program brochure.
And, while every youth competing hopes to show the champion project in their division and livestock category (some raise and show more than one animal), they also develop skills and qualities to become good citizens and effective future leaders, including the importance of planning, dedication, conscientiousness, responsibility, time management, business experience, financial management, sometimes personal or financial sacrifices, and awareness of potential consequences for their choices and actions.
Youth are also assigned to sell a certain number of raffle tickets, with the Jackie Gibson Memorial Award going to the participating 4-H or FFA members who has the most raffle ticket sales. Students who have competed for at least two years and meet other eligibility qualifications can submit an application to compete for at least one Larry Spradlin Memorial Scholarship and one Bobby McDonald Memorial Scholarship, funded through individual donations, a portion of the entry fee and proceeds from the scholarship animals sold at on Saturday at the Sale of Champions.
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or add-on donor may contact any NETLA representative or stop by the add-on table at the event.
Th 2022 Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Shows begin at noon Tuesday, Feb. 22, with the Ag Mechanics competition, in the Civic Center Arena.
On Thursday, lamb and goat weights are due between 2 and 3 p.m., with the lamb showmanship and show starting at 4 p.m., with the goat showmanship and show at 4 p.m.
Things start bright and early Friday with the poultry check-in beginning at 7:30 a.m., the broiler show and showmanship at 8 a.m., swine weigh-in from 9 to 11 a.m., steer and heifer project check in at 10 a.m., noon swine showmanship and show, steer weights due from 12:30 to 1 p.m., steer showmanship and show and at 3 p.m. and heifer showmanship and show at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, the NETLA Stew and Chili Lunch will be served at noon, followed by the Sale of Champions starting at 1 p.m. Feb. 26.
All shows, as well as the showmanship, awards and Sale of Champions will be conducted in Hopkins County Civic Center Arena.
Myssiah Dugan Signs Letter of Intent with Southwestern Christian College
Wildcats senior Myssiah Dugan signed a letter of intent Wednesday, Feb. 16 to play volleyball at the next level at Southwestern Christian College.
Dugan is the daughter of Stephanie Love and Avery Dugan.
Dugan said she met the coaching staff of the Eagles on Feb. 7, 2022. The senior said she had a chance to tour the campus and meet the head coach of SWCC on that same day.
The senior said she was forthcoming about her injury suffered during basketball season that kept her off the court.
The coaching staff at SWCC do not partake in redshirting players, so Dugan has the opportunity to make the court her freshman year.
The senior Lady Cat, and her new coaching staff, hope Dugan can return when two-a-days roll around later this year.
Dugan said SWCC felt like a good fit for her. In Terrell, the private college has a small-town feel, a quality that attracts Sulphur Springs athletes to JUCOs and other small universities around the country.
The senior said she was elated and cried tears of joy when the coaching staff at SWCC offered her a scholarship.
She was not sure coming off a tough injury suffered during basketball season that she would get then opportunity to play at the next level, let alone getting a scholarship, so the senior calls this a dream come true.
The senior plans to major in criminal law in the hopes of becoming a defense or family attorney.
Dugan’s coach Bailey Dorner said she has seen incredible growth in the three years she has worked with the senior, adding she has put in the work and is an exemplary student on and off the court.
“I’ve seen a lot of growth, not just volleyball-wise but maturity-wise,” Coach Dorner said. “She has grown up a lot and she knows what she wants and she’s gonna work hard for it,” Dugan’s coach said.
Coach Dorner said the senior is both extremely athletic and a hard worker.
The volleyball coach said Dugan did a good solid job reaching her decision.
Coach Dorner said Dugan was a great kid and a great student.
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.
Hopkins County Republican Party To Host 2022 Presidents’ Day Candidate Forum At Civic Center
Hopkins County Republican Party will host a 2022 Presidents’ Day Candidate Forum, “Take America Back,” Monday, Feb. 21, 2022 at Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston St., Sulphur Springs.
The Presidents’ Day Forum will begin at 6 p.m. and is expected to continue until about 9 p.m. The serving line will open at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $15, but there’s limited seating available so those planning to attend are encouraged to them through Eventbrite as soon as possible to secure a seat.
The guest speaker will be Tom Basile, host of America Right Now ad Wake Up America Weekend. Among the candidates slated to speak at Monday night’s forum are by office they are seeking:
Court of Criminal Appeals Place 5 Judge
- Clint Morgan
Railroad Commissioner
- Dawayne Tipton
Commissioner of General Land Office
- Ben Armenta
- Jon Spiers
Texas House of Representatives, District 2
- Bryan Slaton
- Clyde Bostick
US Congressional House, District 4
- Pat Fallon
- John Harper
- Dan Thomas
Texas Attorney General
- Eva Guzman
- Louie Gohmert
- George P. Bush
A live auction will be held with at least 6 big ticket items to be sold, including a wooden rocking horse; an antique quilt; a 2-hour helicopter hog hunt; a 2-person night thermal hunt; a 2-man guided duck hunt; and a guided sand bass or crappie fishing trip. Payment for auction items may be cash, personal check or credit card.
SKYWARN: Free Virtual Severe Weather Training Offered Tonight For Hopkins, Rockwall Counties
In readiness for the 2022 season, the National Weather Service will be conducting a free, virtual severe weather training class for Hopkins County from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, February 17, 2022.
Officially called the SKYWARN Storm Spotter Class, the program will be held in partnership with Sulphur Springs Police Department. The Hopkins County severe weather program is one of several training sessions the Fort Worth National Weather Service Office will conduct between January and March 2022. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth provides forecasts, warnings, and weather services for 46 counties in North and Central Texas.
Tonight’s free virtual class is targeted toward people in Hopkins and Rockwall Counties, but anyone with an interest in severe weather, established storm spotters, and/or anyone who wants to learn more about the severe weather threats in North and Central Texas and how to be prepared.
This class is part of a regional severe weather preparedness campaign. To register for this annual online class or to view the full schedule of classes offered across the region will be conducted visit https://www.weather.gov/fwd/skywarnmap.
The Feb. 17, 2022 program will feature an in-depth review and study of the various threats posed by severe thunderstorms, as well as thunderstorm characteristics and features associated with severe and non-severe storms. Additionally, the program highlights severe weather safety, and to report severe weather information to the National Weather Service Fort Worth Office and local public safety officials.
“By participating in this training session, you will gain a better understanding of Texas’ severe weather season,” says Tom Bradshaw, Meteorologist-in-Charge of the NWS Fort Worth Office. “Waiting until storms are on your doorstep is not the time to start thinking about severe weather preparedness. We hope you attend these free classes to learn more about the severe storms that impact the region every year.”
For more information on severe weather, visit https://weather.gov/fortworth, the NWS Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/NWSDallasFortWorth, or on Twitter at @NWSFortWorth.
2 Days Left To File Candidacy For Municipal, School and Hospital District May 7 Elections
So Far No Candidates Are Challenged In May 7 Sulphur Springs and Yantis ISD Board, Sulphur Springs City Council Elections
With only 2 days left to file, and so far only as many candidates are reported to have filed so far as places on May 7, 2022 Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees, Yantis ISD Board of Trustees, Sulphur Springs City Council and Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors Elections. The filing deadline is the close of business on Feb. 18 for these elections.
If the elections continue to have no contested races, then the officials on each should be able to cancel the elections, which would be a financial savings for each taxing entity.
Candidate filing for two seats on the May 7 Cumby City Council ballot, however, is ongoing. Applications for this election will continue to be accepted for a little over two weeks after filing in the other elections closes because it is a Special Election.
Hospital District Board
Candidate filing for two seats on the May 7 hospital district board ballot at the HCHD Headquarters/EMS Station at 1321 North Davis Street in Sulphur Springs through Friday. Currently, serving in those seats are Kerry Law and Joe Bob Burgin.
In order to be eligible to serve on the HCHD Board of Directors, the candidate must live within Hopkins County Hospital District, be a registered voter, and be able to pass a background check with no felony convictions.
Yantis ISD
Both incumbents have now filed candidacy, seeking reelection to another full term on Yantis ISD Board of Trustees. April Johnson filed earlier in the filing period and Jeff Quinn was reported Tuesday to have filed candidacy as well in the May 7 Yantis ISD Board of Trustees Election.
Incumbent April Johnson, currently serves as president of the school board. She was first elected to the school board in May 2017, then again in May 2019.
Jeff Quinn has served from May 2015 to May 2018. After 1 year off the board, he returned to the school board in May 2019 and is finishing out the term.
Both seats on YISD school board are for a full three-year term; trustees are elected at large, so the two candidates receiving the most votes in the election will be elected to the board – if an election is required. If the election draws only as many or fewer candidates as seats on the baord, the board can cancel the election.
Candidates may file applications with Kristi Beech in the YISD Administration Office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday- Friday through Feb. 18, 2022.
Sulphur Springs ISD
Sulphur Springs ISD called for two elections on May 7, the regular election for three full-term at-large spots on the school board and a special bond election.
All three incumbents — Craig Roberts, Leesa Toliver, John Prickette — filed candidate applications when filing opened in January seeking reelection to their seats on Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees. The incumbents had drawn no challengers for the three at-large full-term seats on the school board.
Craig Roberts was elected to the board in 2019, and selected by the board members in 2020 to serve as vice president. Roberts is a regional chairman of Guaranty Bank & Trust in Sulphur Springs.
Leesa Toliver Leesa Toliver has served on the school board since 2013. She previously served as Secretary, Vice President, and President and is a TASB Master Trustee. She is a retired SSISD administrator. She currently actively volunteers in the community.
John Prickette was appointed to the school board in 2012 to carry out the unexpired term of resigned board member, Foy Williams, and has continued to be reelected to the board since 2013. He previously served as vice president and president of the school board. Prickette is vice president of sales and marketing for Grocery Supply Company in Sulphur Springs.
Candidate filing for a place on the May 7, 2022 Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees Election ballot will continue from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday Feb. 18, 2022, in SSISD Tax Office, located inside SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St.
SSISD also on Monday called for a Feb. 14, called for a bond election. Voters will be asked to consider approving a $93 million bond to be applied toward district facilities needs identified by a long range facilities planning committee. The election will be held May 7, 2022, in conjunction with the election of three trustees to SSISD board, if one is necessary. The $93 million bond would increase the school district ad valorem tax rate by about 10-cents. Residents who have homestead or other exemptions will still receive those according to the current tax regulations, even if the bond passes.
Sulphur Springs City Council
Incumbent Gary Spraggins was the only candidate reported to have filed for Place 5 and Tommy Harrison the only candidate so far for Place 4 on Sulphur Springs City Council.
Spraggins, a salesman, was elected on Nov. 3, 2020 election to Place 5 seat for one year. Then, in 2021, he was elected to the final year of the unexpired term for Place 5. He is now seeking re-election to a full term on the council.
Harrison, a retired Department of Defense Army civilian, filed candidacy on Feb. 8 for Place 4 on the council. Harrison has been serving on the Sulphur Springs Planning & Zoning Commission.
Freddie Taylor currently serves in Place 4 on the City Council, a position he has held for more than 5 terms. He has not filed candidacy for reelection.
Candidate filing for both three-year term seats on the May 7 City Council Election ballot will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, at Sulphur Springs Municipal Building (City Hall), 201 North Davis St.
Cumby City Council
The City of Cumby also is accepting applications for Alderman Place 1 and Alderman Place 2 on the City Council on the May 7 Special Election ballot. As of the last report earlier this week, Cumby Interim City Secretary Betty Jo Hardman reported the city had received no completed applications for candidacy to fill the vacancies and complete the two-year terms ending in November 2022.
Filing remains open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through March 7, 2022, at Cumby Municipal Building (City Hall), 100 East Main St., in Cumby. Alderman Place 1 was most currently held by Sheryl Lackey, who served as mayor pro tem as well. Amber Hardy Roberson formerly served as Place 2 Alderman.
Canning Foods Safely At Home
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Vegetable gardening is just around the corner. Many people have a green thumb, which means a bumper crop of produce! Canning foods at home can be a fun way to preserve an abundant harvest from your garden. However, if done incorrectly, home-canned foods can cause serious, even fatal, foodborne illness. Make sure the foods you preserve at home are safe for you and your family by following these recommendations:
- Start with a clean preparation area and the freshest foods possible. Check for nicks and cracks on jars. Make sure your equipment is clean and in good working order.
- Always use a pressure canner when canning low-acid foods. This includes most vegetables (except many tomato products), seafood, poultry, and meat.
- If using a pressure canner with a dial gauge, have it tested. In fact, check to make sure that gaskets (if present) are in good shape and that vents, safety valves, and edges of the lid are clean.
- Always use tested recipes that have up-do-date researched processing (canning) times. Sources of tested recipes include the National Center for Home Food Preservation, and companies that produce home canning supplies.
- Do not alter ingredients in tested recipes. Changing the ingredients in a tested recipe can make that recipe unsafe for home food preservation.
- When filling jars, always use the correct headspace. Having too little or too much headspace can affect how the lid seals and the quality of the final product.
- After jars have been processed, check the lids within 12 to 24 hours to make sure they are sealed. Food from jars that did not seal should be refrigerated and eaten in a coupe of days. You may also reprocess it within 24 hours.
- Label lids with name of the food and date the food was canned.
- Store canned foods in a dark, cool, and dry place. If the food is stored in a humid place, the moisture can cause the lids to rust, leading to spoilage. Periodically check the jars for signs of spoilage.
- For best quality, use home-canned foods within one year.
For more information, So Easy to Preserve from the University of Georgia Extension is a great resource for canning tips and recipes: http://www.uga.edu/setp/ . As mentioned earlier, the National Center for Home Food Preservation is an excellent resource for all things concerning home canning. http://www.ugs.edu/nchfp/ Our office (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Hopkins County) has numerous publications on canning fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, salsas, tomatoes, and tomato products. We can prepare a packet of food preservations materials and recipes for you. Drop by our office at 1200 West Houston St., Sulphur Springs, and we’ll be glad to assist you!
Closing Thought
I’ve learned that we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
– Andy Rooney
Contact Extension Agent Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension by mail at P.O. Box 518, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; at the Hopkins County Extension Office, 1200-B West Houston St. in Sulphur Springs; by phone at 903-885-3443; or email at [email protected].
