CANHelp’s 17th Annual Fall Coat & Blanket Drive
The winter months can be a tough time for everyone, especially those already struggling to get by. Thankfully, for those in Hopkins County, help is available. Please join CANHelp by participating in their 17th Annual Fall Coat & Blanket Drive to ensure everyone in Hopkins County stays warm this winter.
This week, CANHelp and its partners began accepting new and gently used coats and blankets of all sizes from now through the end of the year. In seventeen years, CANHelp’s Annual Fall Coat & Blanket Drive has provided thousands of coats and blankets to those in need in our communities. It is a great way for individuals and families to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors by giving new or clean gently coats and blankets that are no longer needed.
For the past few years, CANHelp has also chosen a local Hopkins County school to provide new coats for students of all ages in need. This year, we are excited to choose North Hopkins ISD.
Donations may be dropped off at CANHelp located at 613 Gilmer St. or at City National Bank (Mockingbird Lane location), Alliance Bank (Downtown location), iFocus Vision Care, Head2Toe Nutrition, and Starbucks all located in Sulphur Springs. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation toward the purchase of coats can also scan the QR code on the official flyer or visit www.canhelponline.org.
All donated coats and blankets will be distributed at CANHelp to those in need. If you are in need of a coat or blanket or know someone who is, contact CANHelp at 903-885-9797 ext. 3 for more details or stop by the CANHelp office and provide proof of Hopkins County residency.
Screamfest: Have Fun and Find What’s Your Reality at VR Social
VR Social is owned by Scott Hanson. He has been in the computer and gaming scene from the day his parents bought him an Atari 2600 for Christmas. From there it was the gift of an Atari 800XL with a modem that brought him into the world of hacking and BBSes (Bulletin Board Systems). Scott Hanson always loves to discuss the latest in technology trends, so never hesitate to stop in and say hello.
VR Social is a place where virtual reality is used to create a collaborative space for people of a variety of backgrounds. Virtual Reality is more than games. VR Social uses virtual reality to explore the world, travel to the top of the Eiffel tower, dive deep down into the sea, create a cosmos experience with star particles, create art, and so much more.
Upcoming VR Social Halloween Events 2021
- 2nd Annual Halloween ScreamFEST starts Oct. 25.
- Starting Monday, Oct. 25, enjoy a week of horror movies every night behind our building. Bring a blanket and chairs.
- On Friday, Oct. 29, and continuing on Saturday, Oct. 30, bring your pet out for a special Spooky Pet Photo booth. A $10 donation is asked. You’ll receive digital photos and a Polaroid photo of you and your pet. The ENTIRE proceeds will go to LetLoveLivem to support their mission to find homes and sanctuary for all animals in East Texas with a No-Kill philosophy.
- On Friday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m., join us for a GHOST GLOW Ride! This is a FREE Family bicycle riding event (perfect for Trunk-n-Treat rounds). Meet at VR Social in costumes, then plan to ride to Coleman Park. Lets crowd the streets with ghosts and goblins on bikes!
- The week of ScreamFEST culminates on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 9 p.m. with a DEAD WALKING Event. Help generate SCREAMS on the Sulphur Springs Square! Zombies, werewolves, ghosts, grim reapers and aliens welcome to “dead walk” in costume from VR Social to the Square and back. Don scary costumes and for great pictures! This late night walk is great family fun for Halloween.
Details for each of these events are on our Facebook Events Page:
- Monday, Oct 25-Friday, Oct. 29 – Horror Film Marathon
- Friday, Oct 29, and Saturday, Oct. 30 – Spooky Pet Photo Booth FUNDRAISER
- Friday, Oct 29 – GHOST GLOW Ride
- Saturday, Oct 30 – DEAD WALKING on the Square!
2021 Hopkins County Stew Contest Champions
Although the final count for ticket sales aren’t yet in, the 52nd Annual World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest was estimated to have drawn well over 6,000 to Buford Park Saturday morning, Oct. 23, to sample some of this year’s entries. Overall, 150 signed up to compete in the 2021 Hopkins County Stew contest. However, due to some personal emergencies, a few teams had to back out prior, leaving 145 pots of stew. Several also dress up and decorated for contention in the campsite contest.
Although the actual stew judging and serving didn’t occur until late Saturday morning, many competitors followed tradition by setting up their campsite Friday and participating in the day’s tailgate activities, which included an appetizer contest and a concert. A Stew Market also was offered both days on the south side of the park.
“Thank you to everyone who volunteered, cooked, sponsored and attended the 52nd Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest on Saturday. I appreciate the patience, cooperation and hard work that so many people contributed in my first official stew. I am truly appreciative!” said Butch Burney, President/CEO of Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.
Earning recognition for their Tailgate Appetizer Friday evening were Juan and Ashley Ortiz. Their site was sponsored by Smoke Eaters BBQ. Their $300 appetizer prize was provided by McKay Law Firm and Diversified Storage Systems
The John Chester Award for Super Campsite winner was site #111, lead by Wade Juarez and Anida Reed, and sponsored by Diamond Bar J. Their $250 prize was provided by Interstate Body Shop.
The first place Super Stew Beef was cooked at site #62, by the team of Tonya and James Ross and Brent McClendon, who were sponsored by Alliance Bank. Their $500 prize money was provided by Sulphur Springs Nottingham Dodge. Their winning quart of Super Stew Beef was purchased for $900 by Texas Modern Gastroenterology.
The first place Super Stew Chicken was prepared at site # 484 by the team of Kylie Smith and Katey Brown, sponsored by Financial Solutions. Their prize money of $500 was provided by Atmos Energy. Their winning quart of Super Stew Chicken was purchased for $900 by Clayton Homes.
The second place Super Stew Beef award was prepared at site # 468, by the team of Garrett Glass and Laura Glass, sponsored by Guaranty Bank and Trust. Their prize money of $250 was sponsored by Sulphur Springs Nottingham Dodge. The second-place Super Stew Beef was purchased for $500 by Oncor.
The second place Super Stew Chicken was prepared at site #125 by the team of Lawana Hohenberger and Broc Hohenberger, sponsored by Bulkley Trucking. Their prize money of $250 was sponsored by Sulphur Springs Nottingham Dodge. The second-place Super Stew Chicken was purchased for $500 by Our Savior Lutheran Church.
The third place Super Stew Beef award went to site # 480 cooks Steve Littlefield and James McMahan, sponsored by ReMax Advanced. Their prize money of $100 was sponsored by Jiffy Signs. Their third-place Super Stew Beef was purchased for $300 by Hampton Inn.
The third place Super Stew Chicken award went to site # 29 cooks Nancy Fite and Larry Fite, sponsored by Berry Appraisal-Ricky Berry. Their prize money of $100 was sponsored by Bright Star Baking Their third-place Super Stew Chicken was purchased for $300 by Sulphur Springs News-Telegram.
Honorable Mention in the Super Stew Beef contest went to site #15 cooks John Wilburn and Rudy Ellis, who were sponsored by Simply Eventful Wedding Planning.
Honorable Mention in the Super Stew Chicken contest went to site #25 cooks Kimberly Kirkland and D’Anne Chaney, who were sponsored by I3 Verticals/NetData.
The first place Chicken Stew winner was the team from site #114, lead by Jeff Tiemeyer and Andy Crouch and sponsored by The Way Bible Church. Their prize money of $300 was provided by Sulphur Springs Country Club. Their first-place chicken stew was purchased for $600 by GDC Industrial.
The second place Chicken Stew winner was the team from site #64, Carley Vickery and Bobby Vickery, sponsored by Landers Creek Outfitters. Their prize money of $150 was provided by The Pawn Shop. Their second-place chicken stew was purchased for $450 by Farm Country.
Third place chicken winner was the team from site #58, Tony Bassham and Vicki Bassham, sponsored by All Seasons Outdoor Power. Their prize money of $100 was provided by Corner Grubhouse. Their third-place stew was purchased for $250 by Dr. Liao.
Honorable mention in the Chicken Stew contest went to # 210 Juan Ortiz and Ashley Ortiz, sponsored by Smoke Eaters BBQ.
The first place Beef Stew winner was the team from # 86, Jeff Sanders and Anitha Sanderson, sponsored by CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. Their $300 prize money was provided by Texas Farm Credit. Their first-place stew was purchased for $600 by Republic Services.
Second place Beef Stew winner was team from site # 61, Debbie Horton and Donnie Peters, sponsored by Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op. Their $150 prize money was provided by US Health/BJ Stewart. Their second-place stew was purchased for $450 by Farm Country.
Third place beef stew winner was the team from site # 199 Ernie Franklin and Ashley Franklin, sponsored by Independence Baptist Church. Their $100 prize money was provided by Corner Grubhouse. Their third-place stew was purchased for $250 by Dr. Liao.
Honorable Mention in the Beef Stew contest was prepared at site # 459 by the team of Patricia Grossenbacher and Buddy Sawyer, sponsored by BEF Foods.
The winner of the 2021 Campsite and Costume Contest was site # 210, prepared by the Juan and Ashley Ortiz team, which was sponsored b Smoke Eaters BBQ. Their $200 prize was provided by Super Handy. The Ortiz family sponsored by Smoke Eaters BBQ also won the Tailgate Appetizer Contest Friday, for which they were awarded the $300 prize provided by McKay Law Firm and Diversified Storage Systems.
Receiving honorable mention in the Campsite and Costume Contest was site # 213, captained by Jo Lawson and sponsored by Lone Star RV Retreat and Farm Country. She received a medal.
Chamber o President/CEO Butch Burney also expressed thanks to the many volunteers as well as sponsors without whom the annual Stew Contest would not be possible.
Sponsors who provided products for the contest included:
- Alliance Bank, Alliance Bank Financial Services and Gaylean Insurance – Title Sponsor
- Saputo – Cheese Sponsor
- Southwest Dairy Museum, Jay Hodge Chevrolet, RBC Construction, Interstate Body Shop and Brookshires – Cheese Sponsors
- City National Bank – Friday night concert sponsor
Service tents were provided by:
- ProSlab Foundation Repair
- Hopkins County Dental
- CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs
- Coldwell Banker Watson Company
Our other sponsors included:
- Bob Evans Foods
- The Insurance Barn
- Texas Heritage National Bank
- Chili’s
- CNC Pro AV
- Professional Land and Title
- DataMax
- Chick-fil-A
- KSST Radio
- Hope Family Fellowship
- Travel Time RV
- City of Sulphur Springs
- Latsons.com
- Saputo
- Fix and Feed
- Central Baptist Church
- Jeff Post
- Southwest Dairy Museum
Volunteers who donated their time, talents and labor included members of the following organizations:
- Blue Blazes
- HOSA
- Hopkins County High School Leadership Class
- Sulphur Bluff Beta Club
- Hi King Klub volunteers
- Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Ambassadors
Meet & Greet With Allen West, 2022 GOP Gubernatorial Candidate, Scheduled in Greenville Monday Morning
A Meet and Greet is scheduled Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, with Allen West, was elected in July 2020 as chairman of the Republican Party of Texas and served in that positions until his resignation on July 11, 2021. West on July 4, 2021, announced his intent to challenge Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for the Republican nomination for governor in 2022.
The meet and greet will be hosted from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Monday at Ernie’s Pit BBQ, 8707 Wesley St., Greenville, by Terry Driggers & D’Anna Bates. Breakfast tacos will be available as long as they last.
Terry Driggers said he would love it if people from Hopkins County showed up at the Oct. 25 event, according to Hopkins County GOP Chairman Donnie Wisenbaker.
Meal A Day Menu For Oct. 25-29, 2021
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for Oct. 25-29, 2021, includes:
- Monday – Chicken Pot Pie, Broccoli and Pickled Beets.
- Tuesday – Rope Sausage, Sauerkraut, Black-Eyed Peas and Corn Bread.
- Wednesday – Chicken Nuggets, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Green Beans and a Roll.
- Thursday –Brisket Sandwiches, Potato Salad, and Baked Beans.
- Friday – Taco Soup, Cheese Cubes, and Crackers.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Cumby Woman Allegedly Slapped, Threw Her Ex-Husband During Disturbance
Lone Oak Man Accused Of Assaulting Woman
A Lone Oak Man was accused of assaulting his girlfriend after being awakened by an infant in their residence Saturday morning, while a Cumby woman allegedly slapped and threw her ex-husband during an altercation Friday evening, according to arrest reports.
Johnson Road Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Nick Marney responded at 1:41 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at a Johnson Road address, where a female was alleged to have been struck by a male at the residence. Deputies contacted the woman at a nearby residence, then went to the residence where the assault was alleged to have occurred.
The pair was alleged to have argued, went to sleep. They were awakened by an infant in their Johnson Lane residence, and began arguing again. The man allegedly struck the woman in the side of the heard on her ear, causing pain. Deputies, in arrest reports noted the woman’s ear was red, to support the claim. Alcohol may have been a factor in the altercation, deputies were reportedly told.
Deputies determined based on their conversation with the suspect that 31-year-old Dakota Shane Weir was being deceptive toward them. They took the Lone Oak man into custody at 2:55 a.m. Oct. 23, 2021, for assault of a family or household member with previous conviction, a felony offense. Weir’s phone was seized as evidence.
He remained in Hopkins County jail late Saturday morning on the felony charge.
County Road 1127 Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Bobby Osornio and Kevin Lester responded at 3:35 p.m. on County Road 1127 to a disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the resident and her ex-husband who is also shown to live at the address.
Through investigation, deputies ascertained the 42-year-old Cumby woman was the primary aggressor in the disturbance. She allegedly threw a clock and small notebook at her ex-husband during an argument. She then allegedly slapped him and threw her ex-husband onto a bed in the bedroom.
The woman was taken into custody at 4:11 p.m. Oct. 22, 2021, on a misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury to a family or household member charge. Deputies requested a 48-hour family violence hold, which would require the woman to be held until 5:26 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, as well as an emergency protective order which would bar the Cumby woman from contacting her former spouse.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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 Football Falls Flat in Second Half, Losing 25-21 to Greenville
The Wildcats football led by eight at times but could not put it all together losing 25-21 versus Greenville.
Coach Greg Owens’s football team once again found themselves in the best position to get their first victory on the season, but consistency on offense proved to be their downfall.
Sulphur Springs led 21-13 going in to halftime but did not score in the second half as the Lions outpaced the Wildcats 12-0 through the final two quarters to get the 25-21 district win for Greenville.
Quarterback Brady Driver had all three touchdowns for Sulphur Springs in the loss; two were through the air and one was taken from 13-yards out on the ground.
The defense forced five punts, a season high in a game.
The 25 points surrendered in the loss is also the lowest given up in a game led by Defensive Coordinator Kurt McCain, with his side of the ball continually improving week-after-week.
While it was another heartbreaking loss for the football team, they fought until the very end, with time running out on the Wildcats looking to win on the final drive of the game but ultimately falling short.
The loss drops the Wildcats football team’s season record to 0-8 overall (0-5 district).
Next up, Sulphur Springs will take on the Forney Jackrabbits at Gerald Prim Stadium next Friday.
That game is set to kick off at 7:30 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.
Hopkins County Records – Oct. 22, 2021
Land Deed Transactions
- Dama Ruth Kirkpatrick, who is in fact Phyllis Ruth McPherson, and William Bert Kirkpatrick to Donna Kay Kirkpatrick Brown, Deborah Sue Kirkpatrick Clater and Lisa Darlene Kirkpatrick Smithers; tract in the Elizabeth Mitchell survey
- OCTXLP LLC to Amritpal Singh; tract in the Charles Zanco survey
- Addie Elliott and Justin Elliott to Connor Frederick and Monika Frederick; tract in the Ulysses Auguier survey
- Donald Harold Tolliver, independently and as trustees for the Donald Harold Tolliver Trust and Frenda Tolliver Trust, to Cami Deanne Van Gerwen and Robert Van Gerwen; tract in the Joseph McDowell survey
- Jamie Lou Gatto to Jamie Lynn Barcus and Levi Andrew Barcus; tract in the William Shaw survey
- Seth Northcutt to Abbey Roper and Daniel P. Roper III; tract in the Sarah H. Norris survey
- A. Huie and Johnny Huie to Clifford Barrett Littleton and Shannon Blaire Littleton; tract in the Maria Santos survey
- Bryan Jeffrey Thornton and Jenni Marie Thornton to Jason Michael Marrone and Serennah Daon Marrone; tract in the A Caro survey
- Marta Gregory to Cephis Gregory; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Cephis Gregory to Somer Gregg, Marta Gregory, Michelle Pogue and Kassandra Smith; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Cephis Gregory to Somer Gregg, Marta Gregory, Michelle Pogue and Kassandra Smith; tract in the James Webb survey
- FIGCMM Holdings Company LLC to Texas Devco LLC; tract in the Sara Norris survey
- The Winnett Family Living Trust, Richard A. Winnett trustee, to Amy Feagin; tract in the Pleasant Venerable survey
- Marta Gregory to Cephis Gregory; 3 tracts in the MA Bowlin survey
- Marta Gregory to Cephis Gregory; 3 tracts in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Marta Gregory to Cephis Gregory; tract in the Harriett Brown survey
- Lilly Jane Jordan who is also known as Sandra Jane Jordan, Pamela Lockhead, Steve Lockhead, Suzanne Lockhead and Linda Skrla, independently and as independent executor for the Mary Jane Lockhead Estate, to Jonathan Glenn Roland; tract in the George W. Downing survey
- Marta Gregory to Cephis Gregory; tract in the Thomas Norris survey
- Marsha Branch who is also known as Marsha Kaye Branch to Juan Gabriel Castillo Camacho, Maria Castillo, Miguel Angel Medrano Luna and Wendi Medrano; tract in the James Gahagan survey
- Stephen Smith and Tara Tietjen-Smith to AVEMTIS Properties LLC Series F; tract in the John W. Matthew survey
- Wesley Michael Melcher to Jorge Luis Vicente; tract in the EP Gaines survey
- Bryan Shultz and Kristi Shultz to John Timothy Norri sand Kathy S. Norris; tract in the Jasper County School Land survey
- Bernie J. Shoemaker to Amy Weiss and Corey Weiss; tract in the Juan Palvedore survey
- Nathan Harris George who is in fact Traci George to Daniel Wayne Ruff and Monica Sharee Ruff; tract in the JC Alexander survey
- Gary Reynolds as independent executor for the Randy Dumse Estate, Betten Hoover, Thomas G. Hoover and Doris Reynolds to Brika D. Stanford; tract in the HT Long survey
- Thekla W. Morris Estate, Ronnie E. Wilson personal representative, to Bernie Lyn Shoemaker; tract in the Juan Palvedore survey
- Julie Hatchett Gerondale, Myra Darlene Lummus, Barbara Jane Morris, Cheryl Anne Morris, Richard Green Morris, Charlotte Ruth Wilson and Shanon Morris to Bernie Lyn Shoemaker; tract in the Juan Palvedore survey
- City Cemetery Society Sulphur Springs to Regina Akintola; 2 tracts in Sunset South
- Jerome Crossman Marcus to Jerome C. Marcus FP II LLC
- Sam Bonart Marcus Jr. to SBM JR LLC
Applications for Marriage Licenses
- Jon Derek Funderburk and Christi Joye Singleton
- Hunter Ray Vaughn and Jalyn Faith Powers
- Leon Devonta Johnson and Anaia Milan Bridge Jacobs
- Paul Thomas Hopkins and Laurie Densie Miller
- Kenneth Wayne Wilks II and Melina Liliana J. Rivera
- Rios Felipe Medina and Balbina Martinez Gonzalez
D6 Multi-Year Expansion Project Includes Relocation Of Corporate Headquarters, 300,000-Square-Foot Expansion
D6’s multi-year expansion project incudes not only relocation of the company’s corporate headquarters from Oregon to Sulphur Springs, but will also include another 300,000 square-foot expansion, according to Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Roger Feagley.
Overall, the D6, Inc., relocation project announced by Gov. Greg Abbott Oct. 15, 2021, is expected to be a $21 million capital investment that will create 231 new jobs. Abbott also announced a $1,432,200 Texas Enterprise Fund grant extended to and a $6,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus offered to D6 to help with the move.
According to Feagley, D6 a few years ago began looking for a place to open a Texas plant to better serve a Paris, Texas business. They found the property known locally as the old Coca-Cola plant, which had to that point more recently housed S&S Commercial operations in Sulphur Springs and bought the property and began operations at the end of 2020.
At least three taxing entities approved incentives to D6 for the $6 million investment, which included an immediate 25,000-square-foot expansion of the building, and plans to expand within 18 months.
Sulphur Springs City Council approved a 10-year Chapter 380 economic development agreement which requires the business to pay all taxes owed up front, and when documentation of terms of the agreement including meeting and maintaining a certain number of employees, the city reimburses a percent of those taxes. The first year, the full amount would be reimbursed, then that amount would be reduced by 10 additional percent each year for the 10 years of the agreement.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved an agreement that would provide a tax incentive for the expansion only, while Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors approved a tax abatement for the business as well.
The deal is expected to result in local officials being asked in the near future to consider approving additional tax incentives for D6 for the investment which is projected to provide at least 231 jobs which should have a positive significant impact on the Northeast Texas economy. Some people will move with the company to Texas. The rest will be hired locally as needed.
Feagley said D6 officials had been looking to move the business out of Portland, with a desire for a more central location, and Texas and Sulphur Springs seem to fit that bill well. D6 and local officials are working on incentive packages to go along with the move, which is expected to include a two-phase expansion and expected t o begin as soon as possible.
Overall, the business is expected to expand the current operation by 300,000-square feet, with a 180,000-square-foot building to be constructed as soon as the business can get everything in line and another 120,000-square-foot building expansion in three years. The new buildings will be located on the Saputo (old We Pack) property just across from the current facility, on the 10 acres the EDC has near the railroad tracks.
“More and more great companies like D6 are moving to Texas every day because of our welcoming business climate and our young, growing, skilled, and diverse workforce, and I look forward to working alongside D6 and all of our business and community leaders to keep Texas the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Abbott said in the Oct. 15, 2021 announcement of D6 Inc.’s planned corporate relation to Sulphur Springs.
“We greatly appreciate the vision and ongoing support from the City of Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County and the Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County EDC. With the help of all, D6 Inc. will build the first fully closed-loop recycling site for single-use PET clamshells in Sulphur Springs,” Abbott said last Friday of the plastic packaging produced by the company.
The economic development agreements for the planned D6 multi-year expansion project would offer tax incentives for D6’s continued investment in the local economy, which will provide jobs that pay “higher than the average weekly wage,” city and county officials noted at the time of the announcement of D6’s planned headquarters relocation.
