Bright Star Academy Musicians Win Top Awards
Five members of the Bright Star Academy Band were awarded positions in Region and Four States Honor Bands for the school year.
Winning positions in the All-Region Junior High Honor Bands were: Rachel McClain (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris McClain) on clarinet, and Boomer Fondren (son of Mr. and Mrs. Tuffy Fondren) on trumpet.
Winning a position on trombone in the All-Region 9th grade All-Region Band was Cason Fitch (son of Mr. and Mrs. Jered Fitch). Cason also advanced to a position in the All-Region Concert Band.
Winning chairs in the High School All-Region Bands were: Riley Choate (daughter of Cynthia and Russell Choate) on clarinet, and Mika Petty (son of Mr. and Mrs. Justin Petty) on saxophone. Mika also won a position in the Region 4 All-Region Honor Jazz Band.
Also winning positions in the Four States Honor Band (Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas) were Riley Choate and Mika Petty.
Band directors at Bright Star Academy are Richard Shanks and Jeff Smith.
Photo provided by Jennifer Arden, Administrator, Bright Star Christian Academy
New Vice President Elected, Candidate Filing For 2 Seats On Hospital District Board Opens
Bylaws, Tax Abatement Policy Being Reviewed; EMS Positions Available
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors elected a new vice president, reviewed bylaws and the district tax abatement policy, received an update on EMS operations and construction progress Tuesday evening.
Board Positions
HCHD Board member Chris Brown was elected by his fellow board members to serve as vice president. He replaces Dr. William Dietze, who resigned from his position effective during the latter part of 2021. While Eimy Medina and Tammy Wright were appointed in December to fill two openings on the hospital district board (the other was vacated by Tim Kelty), that still left HCHD Board of Directors without a vice president.
Brown was appointed in January 2022 to serve as vice president. Kerry Law will continue to chair the HCHD board as president and Dr. David Black continues as secretary of the HCHD board.
Candidate filing for two seats on the May hospital district board ballot is opening. Currently, serving in those seats are Law and Joe Bob Burgin. Anyone interested in filing candidacy for those seats should visit the HCHD Headquarters/EMS Station at 1321 North Davis Street and return the required paperwork by the end of March. Candidates must living within Hopkins County Hospital District, be a registered voter, and pass a background check with no felony convictions.
Tax Abatement Policies, Bylaws
Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Roger Feagley presented to the board a proposed update of the tax abatement policy, which he explained must be updated ever couple of years. The policy as proposed would not change much, but allow the HCHD board to consider granting requests for the tax incentives to businesses for expansions and economic development.
HCHD CEO Brent Smith noted the hospital district follows the city and county in considering granting tax abatements in increments of 5 and 10 years.
The board also at the Jan. 25 meeting reviewed the HCHD bylaws. These are being updated to correct any typos or small errors and make sure all of the name references are current.
Construction Update
Construction on the new EMS station/HCHD headquarters continues to progress. The last of the concrete is scheduled to be poured this week, weather permitting. The new facility is still on schedule to be completed at the end of June. So far, $1.3 million of the $4.5 million budget has been spent since May 2020, including architectural fees.
Financial Matters
The regular annual and bimonthly fiscal reports were given to the board and approved without discussion, according to Smith. The approved consent agenda included nursing home reports.
The district updated its property insurance with Texas Municipal League, which is projected to save HCHD $110,000 a year. This is due largely to the particulars in the lease agreement struck with CHRISTUS.
The District is preparing for the annual audit, which is expected to be presented on schedule in March.
EMS Update
Smith, who also is the EMS Director, reported call volumes were down 12 percent compared to December 2020, when ambulance personnel responded to the most calls in recent history due to surges in COVID-19 cases.
Hopkins County EMS’s medical director and that of the ER is scheduled to attend a state conference to network with others in the field at the state level. That should not only validates what Hopkins County EMS does in the course of their daily duties in the field, but may provide the medical director with additional ideas for changes that can improve Hopkins County EMS’ procedures and operations, according to Smith.
Hopkins County EMS currently has three full-time positions open for qualified applicants, the HCHD CEO/EMS director reported.
COVID Update
Hopkins County EMS has had 8 crew members out with COVID-19 and illness during the past 3-4 months. Typically, Smith noted, each crews member missed only one shift, 2 at the most, as the shifts are 24 hours each, then 48 hours off, giving about 5 off days around each missed shift for rest and recovery. Most reported only mild or no symptoms at all. Often, the latter is COVID tested after exposure to spouse or family member who tested positive for the virus. The majority are vaccinated or have immunity.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Paul Harvey, in his hospital update, reported a higher volume of COVID cases at the hospital this month as well. The hospital over the last week has had over 30 COVID cases, up from a low of 2 at one point about one month before
Constitutional Amendment Order Decided for May 7, 2022 Election
Both Propositions’ Involve Homestead Exemption
AUSTIN — Texas Deputy Secretary of State Joe Esparza today drew the ballot order for the two proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution that will appear on the ballot for the May 7, 2022 Election. In order to appear on the ballot, the proposed amendments must be approved by at least two-thirds of the members of both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives.
Texans will have the opportunity to approve the following amendments with a majority vote:
Proposition 1 (SJR 2 – 87th Legislature, 2nd Special Session)
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the homestead.”
SJR 2 (87th Legislature, 2nd Special Session) proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of property taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled in order to reflect any statutory reduction in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the person’s homestead from the preceding tax year.
Proposition 2 (SJR 2 – 87th Legislature, 3rd Special Session)
“The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000.”
SJR 2 (87th Legislature, 3rd Special Session) proposes a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from property taxes for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000.
For more information and resources for voting in Texas, visit VoteTexas.gov.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Choking Wife, Who Held Their Infant
Another Accused Of Choking The Woman He’s Been Dating, Living With Periodically Over the Past 8 Months
Two Sulphur Springs men were jailed for assault impeding breathing of a female, one each over the past two nights. A 49-year-old is accused of choking his wife, who held their infant, endangering the child as well, Monday night; and a 33-year-old is accused Tuesday night of choking the woman he’s been dating and living with periodically over the past 8 months, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Sunset Meadows Disturbance
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched at 8:52 p.m. Jan. 24, 2022, to the Sunrise Meadows address, where a man was reported to be fighting with a woman over a child. While responding dispatchers advised the situation had changed, with two men fighting, and one had a knife.
Upon arrival, Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Bobby Osornio, and Sgt. Scott Davis talked to a person present as well as the 49-year-old male resident. They were told the female from the original complaint, the man’s wife, had left their home with their 6-month-old child, courtesy of a relative who came to get them. Deputies contacted the man’s wife by phone and made arrangements for her to meet with HCSO Deputy Thomas Patterson at a Sulphur Springs location.
After speaking with all parties reported to have been involved, deputies determined James Patrick Mabry and his spouse argued about her leaving the residence with their 6-month-old. Mabry allegedly tipped over the chair she was sitting in, while she held the 6-month-old. Then, Mabry allegedly began choking his spouse with his hands, impeding her breathing to the point she believed she lost consciousness.
A male relative then arrived to pickup Mabry’s wife and child and Mabry reportedly became embroiled in an altercation with him and grabbed knife from a butcher block and displayed it when the family member attempted to intervene. The knife was reportedly removed from the situation during a struggle. The woman and 6-month-old left with her family member, deputies in arrest reports stated their investigation revealed. The female victim had marks on her neck from the alleged assault, according to arrest reports.
Deputies reportedly asked Mabry about any prior criminal history. A records check, deputies alleged in arrest reports, showed he had been deceptive toward deputies.
Deputies believed based on their investigation that Mabry was the primary aggressor in the situation, not only assaulting his spouse by choking her but also endangered the 6-month-old by doing so while she held the infant.
Mabry was taken into custody at 9:47 p.m. and booked into Hopkins County jail at 10:11 p.m. Monday Jan. 24, on child endangerment by placing the kid in imminent danger of bodily injury and family violence assault of a family member that impeded breathing or circulation. The 49-year-old Sulphur Springs man remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in lieu of a $30,000 bond on the child endangerment charge and a $25,000 bond on the assault charge.
Jail records show Mabry was arrested on one prior occasion in Hopkins County. He was booked into the county jail Sept. 20, 1995, and released from jail later that day on a $1,000 bon on an assault causing bodily injury charge, according to jail records.
County Road 1116 Disturbance
HCSO Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Josh Davis, and Sgt. Scott Davis responded at 10:51 p.m. Jan. 25, 2022, to what was reported to dispatchers as a physical disturbance between a male and a female at a County Road 1116 residence. Prior to deputies’ arrival, they were advised the female had managed to separate herself from the male and went to a nearby residence. Deputies then responded at both residences.
Upon contact with the female, deputies reported markings on her throat and neck like those commonly caused from being choked, as well as abrasions behind one ear, a bloody nose and broken acrylic fingernails. The woman reported being in a dating relationship with the man involved, and that they had lived together off and on for the past 8 months.
The woman claimed the 33-year-old boyfriend was intoxicated and driving recklessly, making her afraid he’d crash. The boyfriend, Timothy Blake Merrell, allegedly attempted to push her out of the vehicle and began choking her. She reportedly started swinging and was able to strike him in the eye and bite him when his hand slipped from her throat toward her mouth. He allegedly continued driving erratically, swerving as if to crash into trees.
When they arrived at the CR 1116 residence, she attempted to gather her belongings to leave. He allegedly continued to assault her at the residence, choking her again to the point she could not breath.
Merrell, who is also known by Timbo and Clutch, was taken into custody at 11:29 p.m. Jan. 25, 2022, by deputies and transported to the county jail, where he was booked in at midnight on an assault of a household member that impeded breathing or circulation charge, as well as a warrant for not taking care of a Sept. 3, 2021 public intoxication charge, according to arrest and jail reports. He too remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, Jan, 26, 2022. Bond was set at $15,000 on the felony assault charge, according to jail records.
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.
Wildcats Soccer Crushes North Lamar 13-0
Men’s soccer got their first win on the season by routing North Lamar 13-0 on Tuesday, Jan. 25.
Coach Alexi Upton’s squad early and often in their crushing victory over the Panthers.
Eight different Wildcats got in on the scoring.
Two players, Edgar Salazar and Osvaldo Arellano ended the game with hat tricks against North Lamar. Two of Salazar’s three goals came unassisted.
Uriel Santacruz finished with two goals scored on the Panthers and assisted on Simon Kieffer’s late goal to put the Wildcats up 12-0.
Jose Rodriguez, who ended the game with four assists on goal, got his first goal and the last goal of the night as Sulphur Springs crushed North Lamar 13-0 on Tuesday, Jan. 25.
Three more Wildcats who scored were Alex Yanez, Aubrey Camacho and Angel Andino.
The win over North Lamar gives men’s soccer their first win of pre-season at 1-9-2.
Coach Upton and his squad begin their real test Friday when they travel to Longview to take on the Lobos.
That match kicks off on Friday, Jan. 28 at 7:15 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Sulphur Springs ISD Trustees Approve 7 Personnel Changes, Wage Payments During School Closings
Sulphur Springs ISD trustees approved 7 personnel changes, wage payments for staff during emergency school closing and the annual superintendent evaluation during a special board meeting this week.
Personnel Changes
In addition to officially approving and announcing Brandon Faircloth as athletic director and head coach, the school board also accepted resignations from three middle school employees and an instructional aide, a proposed early termination of a contract employee and hired a middle school aide.
Resigning from middle school were physical education teachers/coaches Eddie Flores and Travis Willoughby, and campus police officer Adrian Pruitt.
The proposed termination of term contract employee Amy Anderson, who the SSISD Staff Director earlier this week showed to be an employed at middle school in the Read 180 program, before the end of her contract period.
Approved to join the middle school staff as a special education aide was Kwasia Timmons.
The resignation of Jenifer Maldonado, an instructional aide at Austin Academic Center, was also approved by trustees at the Jan. 24, 2022, special school board meeting.
Administrative Matters
After evaluation, SSISD Board of Trustees agreed to extend Superintendent Michael Lamb’s contract for an additional year.
Lamb during the public forum portion of Monday evening’s meeting recognized the school board members as part of the district’s observance of School Board Appreciation Month. Each campus also sent gifts and tokens of thanks to board members as well.
DEC(Local) Wage Payments
The school board approved Resolution 1-22 addressing wage payments for employees who are idled, or told not to report to work and those required to report to work to provide emergency-related services during emergency school closures – such as the recent school closure due to illnesses.
“The Board concludes that continuing wage payments to all regular employees – contractual and noncontractual, salaried and non-salaried – who suffer a loss in pay due to an emergency closing serves the public purposes of maintaining morale, reducing turnover, and ensuring continuity of District staffing when schools reopen,” the resolution states. “As to nonexempt employees who were called on to work during an emergency closing, the Board further concludes that payment of these employees at a premium rate, as provided at DEA(LOCAL), serves the public purposes of maintaining morale, providing equity between idled employees and employees who provide emergency-related services, and recognizing the services of essential staff.”
Essentially, the resolution continues wage payments to idled employees and premium pay to nonexempt employees who provided emergency-related services, and will remain in effect beginning Jan. 10, 2022, with the most recent school closure due to insufficient staffing caused by COVID-19, and will remain in place through the end of the school year on May 25, 2022.
A small change to DEC(Local) also would all employees to request up to five work days per school year, which no longer have to be consecutive days. However, “discretionary use of state personal leave shall not exceed five work days per school year,” the approved policy now states.
Lady Cats Basketball Drops Close One to Marshall, 48-41
Coach Erica Delley’s squad fought for four quarters to get their third district win, but Marshall completed a huge comeback to get the win at the SSHS Main Gym.
For a majority of the contest women’s basketball led the visiting Lady Mavs.
Sulphur Springs led 15-8 after one and 27-17 at the half, only for Marshall to outscore the Lady Cats 24-14 en route to a 48-41 win on Tuesday, Jan. 25.
The Lady Mavs outscored the women’s basketball team 18-3 in the third.
Addyson Wall led the way in scoring at 14, followed by Kaylee Carter with 12. All of the freshman’s points came through the first two quarters.
Trinity Jefferson got eight in the loss to Marshall, with Jolee Wilson and Jasmine Taylor rounding out scoring for the Lady Cats with five and two, respectively.
Coach Delley’s team entered Tuesday’s contest firmly in fifth place at 2-6. To keep pace with fourth place Hallsville, the Lady Cats needed to get the win over Marshall on Jan. 25 to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Instead, the loss to the Lady Mavs drops the women’s basketball team to 2-7 in district play, and now to make the postseason the Lady Cats not only have to win out, but need help in the following ways:
- Hallsville must lose three of their final four games (including a loss to Sulphur Springs)
- Sulphur Springs must beat Hallsville on senior night (Friday, Feb. 4) to avoid a potential play-in game
Tuesday night the Lady Cats of Hallsville fell to Texas High to keep Sulphur Springs two games behind fourth placed Hallsville.
The loss to Marshall drops women’s basketball’s record to 4-24 (2-7 district).
Next up, Coach Delley and her Lady Cats are back on the road taking on Pine Tree.
That game tips off in Longview on Friday, Jan. 28 at 6:15 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Love And The Effects Of COVID
By Johanna Hicks, Texas AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Interesting articles and e-mails often cross my desk. As a strong advocate for healthy marriages, a recent interview with Brad Wilcox, Director of the National Marriage Project, University of Virginia, brought some interesting information to light about marriage and the effects of COVID. January is nicknamed Divorce Month, when couples split after one last holiday season. It turns out, though, that pandemic stress isn’t making this year’s numbers worse. COVID-19 has actually reduced the divorce rate. Below are a few excerpts from the interview.
- What do the most recent data tell us about the state of marriage and divorce now that we’re almost two years into the pandemic?
In the face of trauma or tragedy, the response that people often have is to turn to close family and friends. Surveys done in 2020 confirmed an increase in commitment and gratitude in marriages. We saw that people had a stronger sense that being married was important to them. We also saw divorce come down.
- Married people with kids are having a much different pandemic experience from married people who don’t have kids. How do children play into these trends?
Parents are more likely to report happiness and having meaningful lives, and less likely to report that they’re lonely. This is true for both married and unmarried parents. In a world that is in some ways more alienated, kids can draw you into local community in ways that are deeply meaningful.
- Do you think the pandemic has been detrimental or beneficial to marriage?
It has been a little bit harder on marriage. Interest in marriage has been relatively robust for more conservative, affluent, and religious Americans, but less so for middle- and lower-income Americans, as well as for liberal and more secular Americans.
Twogether In Texas Marriage Education Workshop
National Marriage Week is February 7-14, 2022. Following closely on its heels is the Twogether In Texas Marriage Education workshop, scheduled for Saturday, February 19. This workshop has been offered for several years and always shows positive impact for couples. It is designed for engaged couples, but married couples and seriously dating couples can also benefit. See details below:
- Date: Saturday, February 19, 2022
- Time: 8:30 a.m. to approximately 3:15 p.m.
- Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B West Houston, Sulphur Springs
- To reserve a seat: call 903-885-3443
- Topics: marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals
Refreshments and lunch will be provided. There is NO charge for the workshop. As an added bonus, engaged couples will receive a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. Any couples planning to attend should contact our office so we can make adequate preparations.
Closing Thought
Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching – Jim Stovall
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent for Hopkins County at P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected].
Chamber Connection – Jan. 26, 2020
By Butch Burney
If you need incentive to get into the 1980s mood for the 95th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet, then how about a couple of tickets to a Bon Jovi concert.
Clayton Homes is sponsoring the prize for the best 1980s-dressed person at the banquet with a pair of tickets to see Bon Jovi in concert in April.
The banquet, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, will include food, music, fun and awards. Social networking and a cocktail hour begin at 6 p.m., with food service at 6:30, and awards beginning at 7 p.m. The awards include Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Large and Small Businesses of the Year, Educator of the Year, Agriculturalist of the Year and more!
You can reserve your seat for $30 per person or get a table for 10 for $500. The tables include preferential seating and name displays.
For more information or to reserve a table or tickets, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email me at [email protected].
Sip and Shop
Shoe Sensation, 1402 Mockingbird Lane, is hosting a Sip and Shop from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1. The shoe store will provide a wine and cheese tasting, along with 25-30 percent discounts on their inventory, for Chamber members. Come enjoy the refreshments and get great bargains!
Business Before Hours
Join us on your way to work for our next Business Before Hours, hosted by Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, at the Chamber office, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9. Come out to enjoy breakfast refreshments and networking with other business professionals.
Chamber Directory
Work is continuing on the 2022 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business. LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory.
The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. I hope you will consider this a wise investment with over 7,000 opportunities for business exposure. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her.
Ribbon Cuttings
- Lone Star Response Team hosted a ribbon cutting at the Chamber office on Jan. 18. Please welcome the disaster response and community aid program to the Chamber.
- San Remo Restaurant hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening on Thursday, Jan. 20, at their new location on Connally Street. They are open for business, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
- Haystacks Restaurant will host a ribbon cutting at their location on Main Street at noon Wednesday, Feb. 2. Please join us for this event.
- USA-TaPro.com at 457 Hillcrest Drive will host a ribbon cutting at noon Wednesday, Jan. 26. Please welcome them to the community.
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for Jan. 26 is Chad’s Media. You can see more photos and read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Evaluating The Effect Of Frost, Freeze On The Landscape
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agriculture/Natural Resources Agent, Hopkins County, [email protected].
As we move through our winter season, it is important to learn how to evaluate the effect of frost in the landscape.
According to AgriLife Extension horticulturists, after a freeze or frost, the leaves of damaged herbaceous plants may immediately appear withered and water soaked. However, the freeze injury to the twigs, branches, or trunks often doesn’t appear on shrubs and trees right away. Wait a few days and then use a knife or thumbnail to scrape back the outer bark on young branches. Freeze-damaged areas will be brown beneath the bark; healthy tissues will be green or a healthy creamy color.
Delay pruning until time reveals the areas that are living and dead, and until the threat of additional frosts or freezes has passed. Leaving dead limbs and foliage at the tops of plants will help protect the lower leaves and branches from nighttime radiation loss. Pruning after a freeze does not improve the outcome. Also, plants that are pruned tend to be invigorated more quickly, which may set them up for further damage in Texas’s unpredictable cycling of warm and cold temperatures.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office by calling 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
