Breast Cancer Support Group to Meet December 9th
Sulphur Springs, TX –
December 6, 2024 – The Hopkins County Breast Cancer support group will meet on Monday, December 9 at 5:30 pm in the conference room of the Medical Plaza located at 113 Airport Rd. Mary Leshe, manager and counselor at Heritage Christian Counseling, will be the guest speaker.
The newly formed support group welcomes all breast cancer and female-related cancer patients and survivors from Hopkins County and beyond. Each meeting will cover something educational or inspirational while providing support to one another.
Members will send notes of encouragement to those who cannot attend a meeting. For those who can meet, the group gathers on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 pm in the Medical Plaza conference room.
The Medical Plaza is the freestanding, three-story building on the southeast corner of CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Sulphur Springs. The conference room is on the first floor on the left.
To stay informed about the breast cancer support group and other offerings, please follow the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation on Facebook or Instagram.
For more information, contact the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation at 903-438-4799 or [email protected].
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East Texas A&M University Music Faculty Named A&M System Regents Professor
Is just the second East Texas A&M music professor to receive the honor.
COMMERCE, TX, December 6, 2024—Dr. Brian Zator, East Texas A&M University professor of music and percussion director, was recently named a Texas A&M University System Regents Professor for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Established in 1996, the Regents Professor award is the highest honor bestowed to faculty in the A&M System. Zator was among 18 faculty members to receive this recognition by the A&M System Board of Regents at their November 2024 meeting.
To date, 323 A&M System faculty members have received this honor. Zator is the 17th East Texas A&M faculty member named Regents Professor and just the second music faculty to achieve this distinction, following Dr. Ted Hansen in 2008.
A Passion for Music
Zator began his 24th year of teaching at East Texas A&M this fall. Starting as the interim director of percussion in 2001, he quickly advanced to a full-time position and has been a constant presence in the School of Music ever since. In addition to teaching, he also served as interim head of what was then known as the Department of Music from 2020 to 2021.
Growing up in the Houston metro area, Zator attended Klein Oak High School, where he grew to love the art of percussion. He says the top-notch music educators he learned from gave him a great foundation.
“At that time in the early 90s, percussion specialists were not very common,” Zator says. “But in both middle school and high school, I had really great teachers who allowed me to hone my skills.”
However, a career as an educator wasn’t the first thing on his mind. During his senior year of high school, he was accepted to Texas A&M University as a civil engineering major. But as he gave it more thought, he began to feel that he was being led in a different direction.
“I had been to several music camps at Baylor University, and I called up Dr. Larry VanLandingham, the percussion professor,” Zator said. “I said, ‘Dr. V, I think I want to study music,’ and his answer was, ‘I’m glad you finally came to your senses.’”
Zator ended up earning his bachelor’s degree in music from Baylor in 1998. While there, he also marched with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, an ensemble that competes in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions. In 1995, Zator and The Cavaliers won the DCI World Championship.
In addition to his music education in the U.S., Zator also lived in Japan for eight months, studying under world-renowned marimba player Keiko Abe, a time which he credits for tremendous growth in his playing ability and understanding of the instrument.
Arriving in Commerce
Following his time in Japan, Zator earned a Master of Music degree with an emphasis in Percussion Performance from the University of Michigan in 2001. That same year, he went on the job hunt and landed the interim position at Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M).
“I tell people that this is the only ‘real’ job I’ve ever had,” Zator said. “I had two phone interviews and was hired without even stepping foot on the campus. The first time I ever did was when my wife and I came to town to look for a place to live.”
Since then, Zator has tutored, taught and directed the next generation of percussion educators over more than two decades. He has also served in several roles outside of East Texas A&M, including president of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) from 2017 to 2018.
In 2010 and 2023, East Texas A&M’s Percussion Ensembles, under Zator’s direction, were winners of the PAS International Percussion Ensemble Competition, which sees entries from across the world, and performed at the PAS International Convention. In addition, several East Texas A&M percussion alumni have led their own ensembles to appearances at PAS conventions.
Zator’s Approach to Teaching
Zator says that one of the most important ways he has grown as an educator during his time in Commerce was to know when to change his approach to teaching.
“I used to tell the students how to do something, but I feel I’ve changed my approach to instead ask them more questions and help them discover new ways of playing,” Zator said. “It’s important to help them take more ownership of their learning, performing and improvement.”
He adds that seeing the “lightbulb moment” when a student understands a difficult concept is incredibly rewarding.
Regarding the Regents Professor award, Zator said he is incredibly humbled to be among such an esteemed list of prominent faculty.
“The importance of this honor is not lost on me,” Zator said. “I feel like this success wouldn’t have been possible without the students, as well as the percussion and music faculty colleagues who poured their heart and soul into the program.”
School of Music Head, Dr. Eric Branscome, touted Zator’s leadership and impact on his students.
“During his time here, Dr. Zator has established a true culture of excellence in percussion performance and pedagogy,” Branscome said. “He is in high demand as a performer, clinician, recording artist, and arranger, and we are truly lucky to have him mentor our percussion students.”
Dr. Mark Rudin, president of East Texas A&M, stated that Zator was a deserved recipient of this honor.
“Dr. Zator joins an esteemed list of faculty at East Texas A&M University that have been deservedly rewarded by the A&M System for their talents, research, instruction and care for our students,” Rudin said. “Music education has grown and advanced tremendously at our university during his tenure, and the success of both current percussion students and alumni are a testament to his quality as an educator.”
See all of the 2023-24 Regents Professor award winners. Learn more about the School of Music at East Texas A&M.
Hopkins County Sheriff Busts Child Porn Production Facility in County
On December 4th, 2024, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office responded to a rural residence in a continuation investigation of child exploitation. Investigators and Deputies spoke with numerous people at the residence. Initially, Robert Alexander Jr met law enforcement with hostility, which turned to violence. Robert Alexander Jr was arrested and charged with two counts of assault on a public servant and multiple counts of endangering children.
Deputies and Investigators uncovered additional evidence while on scene and arrested Noah Alexander for charges stemming from the child exploitation investigation. His charges include aggravated sexual assault of a child and multiple counts of possession or promotion of child pornography, all 1st-degree felonies.
The investigation is ongoing.
1 22.021(A)(2)(B) AGG SEXUAL ASSLT CHILD
1 43.26(D-1) POSS CHILD PORN CHILD YOUNGER THAN 10 YOA IAT
1 43.26(D-1) POSS CHILD PORN CHILD YOUNGER THAN 10 YOA IAT
1 43.26(D-1) POSS CHILD PORN CHILD YOUNGER THAN 10 YOA IAT
1 43.26(D-1) POSS CHILD PORN CHILD YOUNGER THAN 10 YOA IAT
1 43.26(D-1) POSS CHILD PORN CHILD YOUNGER THAN 10 YOA IAT
1 22.01(B-2) ASSAULT PEACE OFFICER/JUDGE
1 22.01(B-2) ASSAULT PEACE OFFICER/JUDGE
1 22.041(E) ABANDON/ENDANGER CHILD INDV IMMNT DANGER BI
1 22.041(E) ABANDON/ENDANGER CHILD INDV IMMNT DANGER BI
1 22.041(E) ABANDON/ENDANGER CHILD INDV IMMNT DANGER BI
1 22.041(E) ABANDON/ENDANGER CHILD INDV IMMNT DANGER BIHopkins County Records – October/November 2024
Daily Instrument Register For 10/1/24 Thru
- Kati N Adair to Jack R Roach; Tract in the Lot 9 Block 3 Green Acres Survey
- Zach C Adair to Jack R Roach; Tract in the Lot 9 Block 3 Green Acres Survey
- Lisa Allern to Steven Harold Roberts; Tract in the AC Henry N Quirk Survey
- Leslie Lee Armstrong to Avis Irene Roberts; Tract in the AC J W Thomas Survey
- Norma Atchley to Jo Ann Taylor; Tract in the AC lE Esparsa Survey
- Norma Atchley to Richard D Taylor; Tract in the AC E Esparsa Survey
- Abel Austin to Anthony Chillura; Tract in the AC James S Johnson Survey
- Abel Austin to Mary Beth Chillura; Tract in the AC James S Johnson Survey
- Abel Austin to Jeffrey Wayne Stevens; Tract in the AC James S Johnson Survey
- Abel Austin to Robin Ann Stevens; Tract in the AC James S Johnson Survey
- Jessica R Austin to Anthony Chillura; Tract in the AC James S Johnson Survey
- Jessica R Austin to Mary Beth Chillura; Tract in the AC James S Johnson Survey
- Jessica R Austin to Jeffrey Wayne Stevens; Tract in the AC James S Johnson Survey
- Jessica R Austin to Robin Ann Stevens; Tract in the AC James S Johnson Survey
- Billy Thomas Bailey Jr to Shane Thomqas Bailey; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- Richard Bain to Matthew Bain; Tract in the AC David Waggoner Survey
- Richard Bain to Michelle Camacho; Tract in the AC David Waggoner Survey
- Teresa Ann Bain to Matthew Bain; Tract in the AC David Waggoner Survey
- Teresa Ann Bain to Michelle Camacho; Tract in the AC David Waggoner Survey
- Mary L Beadles to BDO Investments LLC; Tract in the AC Elizabeth Mitchelle Survey
- Christine A Beaver to Hector Ramirez; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- Christine A Beaver to Yuridia Ramirez; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- Vaneta A Pryor Berry to Brian Pryor; Tract in the Thomas Norris Survey
- Kendall Patrick Blanchard to Robbie Horton; Tract in the Condo Unit #110 Home Plus Addition Survey
- Patrick Kendall Blanchard to Stanley Horton; Tract in the Condo Unit #110 Home Plus Addition Survey
- Patrick Kendall Blanchard to Robbie Horton; Tract in the Condo Unit #110 Home Plus Addition Survey
- Patrick Kendall Blanchard to Stanley Horton; Tract in the Condo Unit #110 Home Plus Addition Survey
Report of Marriage Documents for Hopkins County 11/1/24 Thru 12/5/24
- Benjamin Jon Stowater and Rachael Abigail Williams
- Zachary Knipping and Julieta Becquer
- Carson Kyle McIllwain and Danielle Breann Saunders
- Marco Antonio Gonzalez and Stephanie Laure Hutchings
- Christian Lee Rojas and Aimee Michelle Harris
- Trentin Jared McKinney and Lauren Elise Maynard
- Andrew James Young and Alexandria Danee Armour
- Jose Guillermo Mendez and Brooklyn Graciela Mata
- Mejia Eugenio Barrientos and Mary Ramierez
- Lonnie Duane Loftis and Cindy Tate Russell
- Dylan Dusty Whitford and Lacey Michelle Blevins
- Jeffery Joel Coleman and Darla Hinkle Baldridge
- Rex Allen Clark and Fay Elaine Walts
- Marty Wayne Fite and Karen Kay Self
- Jesus Israel Piedra and Tracey Nicole Sorto
- Edmund Harvey Schaefer and Connie Cude Davis
- Perez Porfirio Martinez and Lara Silvia Olguin
- Johnny Marvi Williams III and Cynthia Diane Hatfield
- Shane Eric Watson and Jazmine Michelle Tapley
- Austin Michael Richards and Arlyn Negron
- David Carrter Pearce and Jenna Paul Turrentine
- Robert Wayne Preas and Alicia Marie Lee
- Thomas Stanley Smith Jr and Maggi Grace Huie
- James Walter Matlock and Angela Woods Reid
- Valderrabano Migu Cabrera and Valdez Maria D Sandoval
- Michael Samuel Kolbe and Kristen Marie Nicholson
- Larry Shawn Myers and Amber Nicole Maloy
- Morales Luis Fi Rodriguez and Kristy Denee Williams
- Eddie Paul Duncan and Kylei Autumn Price
- Taylor John Knickerbocker and Macy Nicole Green
- Michael E Koury and Lisa Marie Blair
- Kip Allen Childress and Kalissa Jade McClenny
- Spencer Stanton Brewer and Jaci Lauren Glenn
- David Edward Steele and Rebecca Lynn Jimenez
- Peter Victor Mata Jr and Jessica Marie Rains
Meal-A-Day Menu for Dec. 9 Through Dec. 13, 2024
Here is the menu for Meal-A-Day for December 9th through December 13th 2024.
New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries Announces Two Upcoming Meal Opportunities
December 5, 2024 – New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries will host two Community meal events in December.
A free “Community Wide Feeding” event will be held December 7th, 2024, from 11:00am to 2:00pm. The meal will be Taco Soup, a drink, and a dessert. The event will be held at New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries, 717 East Jefferson Street, in Sulphur Springs, Texas. For more details, please call 903-335-7689.
Then, on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2024, a Community Christmas Dinner event will be held from 12Noon to 4:00pm. This is a Dine In event open to anyone. Reservations are necessary, please call or text 903-458-3632, or 903-335-7689.
The event location for both meals is New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries, 717 East Jefferson Street, in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Both meals are free to the public.
Sulphur Springs High School Theatre will Perform Their Annual Children’s Show December 14th
December 5, 2024 – Sulphur Springs High School Theatre will perform their annual children’s show Saturday December 14th at 2pm in the SSHS Auditorium. ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY!
Bring the whole family for this funny fairy tale! They will accept donations to their scholarship fund, but TICKETS ARE FREE for this event! Please come out and support the talented, hardworking varsity production students.
The story: The Witch (junior Emma Boatman) was the fairest one of all first, and she will not be silenced any longer! This updated version of the classic story unveils the villain’s perspective, from her tragic childhood to her quest for revenge. So how did the story really go? Join a tongue-tied Prince (junior Conner Curtis), a sassy mirror, a dancing chicken (senior Aiden Woodard), a know it all narrator (junior Nathan Bilyeu), all seven quirky dwarves, and of course Snow White (Freshman Emery Brown), in a tale about beauty, friendship, and happily-ever-afters with a twist.
City Managers Report December 5th 2024
CLAIMS –
We did not have any workers’ compensation claims in November.
We did have one liability claim from someone who fell into North Town Branch and sustained injuries.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN –
Staff recommends Kimley Horn to write the comprehensive plan later on this agenda.
MIRACLE LEAGUE FIELD – The engineering firm, Kimley Horn is 60% done with the design process.
THERMO ROAD –
This $4.4 million project is partially funded by a $2.4 million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The project is 60% complete.
COLEMAN BALLFIELD LIGHT UPGRADE – We received a $250,000 grant from the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to upgrade the lights to LED. We are still waiting for the executed contract from SECO. SECO indicated that they will sign the contract in December.
MIDFIELD APRON – This concrete pavement/drainage improvement is progressing well. This project includes drainage improvements as well as repaving the midfield apron in concrete. Total project cost is $5.28 million, of which 90% is funded by a grant through TXDOT.
WASTEWATER CHLORINE CONTACT CHAMBER –
At the previous city council meeting the city council selected Hayter engineering and directed staff to negotiate and execute a contract. I recently signed the contract for $170,339, or 7.7% of the project cost.
This $2.2 million project will repurpose a former (abandoned) sand filter turning it into a chlorine contact chamber. Chlorine contact time is a bottleneck at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The WWTP has a rated capacity of 5.4 MGD. Staff believes we can increase the capacity to 10 MGD when the project is completed. The increase will require TCEQ approval, but staff thinks it is feasible. The project is being funded from the Enterprise Fund balance.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PLAN (SIP) –
The 2024 Street Improvement Plan (SIP) is complete. Staff is compiling a list of projects for the 2025 Street Improvement Plan. It should be ready for the January city council meeting.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES –
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present the monthly report of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Checked out 3,380 items from the library plus 869 eBooks.
- Sold 3,505 gallons of AvGas and 8,715 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Accommodated 1,605 takeoffs/landings.
- Installed Christmas decorations downtown.
- Held 90 activities at the senior citizen center.
- Rented the Grays Building 19 times.
- Made several repairs to Kids Kingdom.
- Repaired 14 water mains.
- Replaced 14 water meters.
- Unstopped 14 sewer mains.
- Washed 77,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Responded to 205 animal control calls.
- Achieved an 83% adoption rate at the animal shelter.
- Made 4 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 2,078 calls for police.
- Worked 32 accidents, wrote 541 citations, recorded 27 offences and made 30 arrests.
- Demolished a structure at 211 Lee.
201 N Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 • 903.439.3700 • sulphurspringstx.org Page 2 - Responded to 222 fire/rescue calls including 2 structure fires and 13 grass fires. • Performed preventative maintenance on 78 fire hydrants.
- Conducted 50 fire inspections.
- Repaired 298 potholes.
- Made 15 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Conducted 76 building inspections, 16 electrical inspections, 12 plumbing inspections, and 5 mechanical inspections.
- Issued 20 building permits and 46 trade permits.
A Shumard Oak for Your Yard From Master Gardener David Wall
December 5, 2024 – Oaks are initially divided into two groups. With only 4-5 exceptions, white oaks have leaves with rounded lobes, and red oaks which have pointed lobes. Within the red oak family, a relatively unknown species called Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii Buckl).
Shumard oaks are a member of the southern red oak family, and are one of the largest members of that group. They accept virtually all soil types in our area, and very few insects attack it. Life expectancy is one hundred years plus, and it’s known to live to 400+ years. Neil Sperry, a nationally known horticulturalist was noted that if he could only have one tree in his yard, it would be a Shumard oak (SO)!
SOs normally reach up to 115’ with a diameter of 39” and a crown of 60’, although under ideal conditions can reach 200’ tall, 60” in diameter, and a crown of 90’. The bole or trunk is vertically straight. They can survive flooding for up to six weeks a year and have a deeply rooted buttress (wide roots on all sides) to provide support under wet conditions.
Leaves are typically large (up to 8”) with 5-9 lobes ending in pointed tips. Leaves provide browsing food for deer. They turn red in late fall (November & December) and may have some yellows mixed in. Acorns are normally 1” in diameter and attractive to deer, turkey, quail, squirrels, water fowl and other animals. They take anywhere from 1.5 to 3 years to develop and don’t appear for at least the tree’s first 25 years. SOs tolerate both acidic and alkali soils and are drought resistant.
SOs make great shade trees but also have considerable commercial value. SO lumber is considered better than other red oaks and used in flooring, furniture, paneling, cabinets, trim, and molding.
Nitrate Poisoning in Cattle is a Critical Issue by Mario Villarino
December 5, 2024 – Nitrate poisoning in cattle is a critical issue that can occur when animals consume feed or forage with high nitrate levels, often due to environmental or agricultural conditions. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides guidelines for understanding and managing this risk effectively.
Causes of Nitrate Poisoning
Forages with High Nitrate Content: Crops like sorghum, millet, and certain weeds (e.g., pigweed, Johnsongrass) are prone to nitrate accumulation, especially during drought or after heavy fertilization.
Environmental Stress: Drought, frost, or cloudy conditions can reduce plant metabolism, leading to nitrate buildup.
Improper Feeding Practices: Feeding untested forage without recognizing its nitrate levels.
Symptoms in Cattle
Nitrate poisoning reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, causing: Rapid or labored breathing. Muscle tremors or weakness. Staggering or collapsing. Cyanosis (blue discoloration of mucous membranes). Death in severe cases, often within hours.
Diagnosis
Test suspect forage or water for nitrate levels before feeding. Post-mortem examination may reveal brown-colored blood in affected animals.
Management and Prevention
Contact your veterinarian.
Testing Forages: Utilize nitrate testing kits or send samples to a lab. Safe levels: below 0.5% nitrate (dry matter). Risky levels: above 1.5%, requiring dilution with low-nitrate feed.
Feeding Strategies:
Gradually introduce high-nitrate forage to acclimate cattle. Dilute with other feeds to reduce overall nitrate intake. Feed high-nitrate forage in smaller portions after cattle have consumed other feed.
Supplementation:
Provide adequate carbohydrates (e.g., grains) to help reduce nitrate conversion to toxic nitrites in the rumen.
Avoid Stress on Plants:
Harvest or graze forage under optimal growth conditions.
Delay grazing for 3–5 days after rainfall to allow plants to metabolize accumulated nitrates.
Emergency Treatment
If you suspect nitrate poisoning:
Contact your local veterinarian.
Remove cattle from the suspected source immediately.
For more detailed advice, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or your local veterinarian.
