25th Anniversary Celebration ‘Part 1’ at Cooper Lake State Park on October 15 is for Everyone!
You are cordially invited to Cooper Lake State
Park’s 25th Anniversary Ceremony to be held at the
Doctor’s Creek Unit on Friday, October 15, 2021 at
10am. We will have an outstanding group of local,
regional, and statewide leaders present to talk
about Cooper Lake State Park’s local and regional
impact on our great state! Refreshments will be
served. This event is sponsored by the Friends of
Doctors Creek. Special thanks to Cooper ISD and North Hopkins ISD
Agenda
Welcome – Steve Killian, Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department, Cooper Lake State Park Complex Superintendent
Presentation of the Colors by Civil Air Patrol, Sulphur Springs
The National Anthem by Mighty Maroon Jazz Band, Cooper ISD
Texas, and ‘Our Texas’ by Mighty Maroon Jazz Band, Cooper ISD and
Matt Seavey, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Manager
Darren Braddy – City of Cooper, Texas, City Mayor
“Deep in the Heart of Texas”, Enola Gay Mathews
History of Cooper Lake State Park, Mindy Hicks, Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department, Cooper Lake State Park, Doctor Creek Unit Superintendent
Honorable Robert Newsom, Hopkins County Judge
Rodney Franklin – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas State Parks Director
Concluding Remarks, Steve Killian, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Cooper Lake State Park Complex Superintendent
Refreshments Provided by Friends of Doctors Creek, Inc.
Music by the Mighty Maroon Jazz Band, Cooper ISD
Cooper Lake State Park – Doctors Creek Unit – 95 Park Road
8154 – Cooper, TX 75432 903-395-3100/903-945-5256.
$7 Million In ARP Funding Dedicated To NETEX, Communications Tower, Road Equipment, Salaries, Trustee Housing Facility, Retainage
Hopkins County Commissioners Court, in a special session Tuesday afternoon, committed the just over $7 million in ARP (American Rescue Plan) funding which has been allocated to the county toward 6 purposes: to assist NETEX, a communications tower, road equipment, salary replacement, a trustee facility and retainage. The Court also approved a security proposal and budget amendments for insurance proceeds received.
American Rescue Plan
“Those allocations will be set into stone today so that we will be able to work around those figures and, I understand there is going to be some give and take on some of those figures. However, that will allow for that money to be set aside to be used for these purposes,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom noted when reading the proposal to obligate ARP funds from the US Treasury.
“They are very strict as to how we use those funds, so that’s why we are using them for these particular projects, because they have met the criteria of what the money was meant for,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker pointed out.
Newsom noted that is correct, plus the allocations have to be somewhat COVID-related.
Road and Bridge, Salaries
“The funds that you state go to road and bridge from that, the guidelines state general economic development and infrastructure projects such as road construction or bridge repair unrelated to COVID-19 are not an eligible expense, UNLESS they are funded through a county’s loss revenue replacement allowance. Hopkins County had a loss of revenue, so that’s why you are able to get those funds,” County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook added.
Those funds are designated specifically for infrastructure and will be divided into the four county budgets at a later time.
“It is particularly for the purchase of capital assets, not necessarily going on the roads,” Newsom added.
The Commissioners Court allocated $1,719,040 of the more than $7 million in ARP funding for “public sector revenue loss,” to be spent on county general specific infrastructure within the road and bridge area for the purchase of heavy equipment capital assets for construction of county roads or bridge repair.
At least $610,000 of those funds will be used specifically for the purchase of two M314 Excavators from Holt Cat through Sourcewell. One will go to Precinct 2 and the other to Precinct 4. Each commissioner will use their portion of allocated American Rescue Plan funds to pay for the excavators. Each piece of equipment is $305,000, and because the units are being bought through Sourcewell, a purchasing cooperative, the county is not required to go out for bids for the purchase, according to Aulsbrook.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price said this will be used to replace Precinct 4 tractor that burned up a few weeks ago.
“It says on there an excavator, which may through some people off. It’s an excavator on wheels, on top, so it can go one down the road. This particular model, I can count at least four jobs this machine will do out in the precincts for us. I think it will be well utilized,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin said. “I think this will really be a well rounded and used machine for us, especially on brush-cutting. It has an attachments.”
Anglin said while Price has had a problem recently with his machine, and the precinct 2 brush cutter has been a constant problem since he’s been in office. A more heavy duty machine, the Holt CAT M314 Excavator should hold up better for brush-cutting.
Price said in addition to clearing ditches, the Excavator would have a grade-all and tree brush cutter.
The equipment could potentially be used by Precinct 1 and Precinct 3 crews, provided they are available when the crews would need t use it or other means to accomplish their tasks.
Later in the meeting, Aulsbrook asked the court consider amending the FY 2021-22 budget by moving the $2 million the county has already received from the American Rescue Plan revenue, $500,000 each, into the four accounts for machinery and equipment.
Another $280,960 of the $7 million In ARP funding awarded to Hopkins County was allocated for salary replacement.
Communications Tower
The Commissioners Court allocated $500,000 of the $7 million In ARP funding for a new communications tower in Martin Springs Community, to replace a tower that is estimated to be 55-60 years old that is on its last leg. The tower was refurbished 5 years ago thanks to an Ark-Tex Council of Governments grant. At that point, county officials were told that the measure was a stopgap, a patch that would last only about 5 years, Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley told the Commissioners Court.
“We are at that point. So, if were to have a large wind or anything like that it really could come down. That would cripple our communications for our first responders throughout all of Hopkins County and our surrounding neighbors. It’s imperative that we do this. Also, allows for broadband to come in on this,” Endsley explained.
A component of the project to meet the rules and regulations established for funding includes allowing for broadband internet service to expand into the area using the tower.
“We’ve already go a community internet provider that’s on both of our locations and it also opens it up for other competitors if they want to do that,” Endsley said.
That, in turn, would make internet available further in the county, which should help reach some of the gaps in that area, which would allow schools who have students doing online learning from home in the more rural part of the county. That would provide more high speed internet at a pace needed for those students to effectively do school work online.
“We are still waiting on rough estimates to come in on that,” Endsley said.
Trustee Facility
The largest allocation from the $7 Million in ARP funding awarded to Hopkins County was designated for construction of a building to house male inmates who have been designated as “trustees,” and as such go out into the community to work daily, including on precinct crews, at schools, the Civic Center and other locations throughout the community.
The new $4.5 million housing facility would better segregate the inmate trustees from the general inmate population when they return from their work details, a measure to reduce potential spread of COVID or other infectious illnesses from the trustees who are out in the public or working alongside those who are around others in public, where they could be potentially exposed to illnesses, county officials pointed out.
By doing so, the county would be meeting the “response to COVID pandemic for public health and the health of the general inmate population of the Hopkins County jail,” according to the motion approved by the court for all six funding purposes.
County Commissioners, Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department and Jail representatives met with DRG Architects, LLC, following the regular court session to discuss the new Hopkins County Trustee Housing Facility, to be located on Houston Street, across from the Hopkins County jail. DRG, who also oversaw construction of the new Hopkins County jail, presented schematic drawings that were drawn based on prior conversations with county officials. The schematic plan has been submitted to the state jail commission for approval, the first of three submittals. DRG, once approved, will then work with the county on developing a design, and once approved will submit that as well. They also will submit for approval plans for the construction phase of the project.
Typically, a team including representatives from the court, sheriff’s office and architectural firm go before the state officials for an initial contact meeting. While COVID measures are lifting, it’s unclear whether the agency will continue visits via Zoom or otherwise for those sessions, the DRG representative noted.
As proposed in the DRG proposed schematic, the facility would house up to have three dorms with 12 beds each like a general population area, and two single cell pods with six singe-bed cells each. The new trustee housing facility would have an enclosed exercise area along with a warming kitchen with with three compartment sink, carts, work tables but no real cooking facilities are standard for these types of facilities. The need for refrigeration and likely microwaves was discussed.
A receiving area on the side of the building would allow vehicles to pull up to a fenced area with a covered awning to pick up inmates assigned to work crews throughout the county. However a number of matters will need to considered and decisions made regarding use and equipping of entry areas to reenter the jail housing. Discussed was the potential for a locker room/dressing area off the receiving area and a body scanner and possible shower at the inmate entrance.
Visitation, counseling, multipurpose, reception/lobby, office and other spaces within the jail too were discussed. For instance, the officials considered what visitation areas would need to consist of and whether visitation would be conducted at the cells or a multipurpose room that could be used for education, training and special programs and religious observances.
Overall, security for the inmate trustees, officers and visitors is to be paramount, with consideration given for inmates’ medical and mental health needs as well, and possible areas that could be converted or reconfigured in the event of an outbreak of illness among trustee inmates, and the long-term needs for a facility of that size, including possibility of housing female inmates at the location.
NETEX Rail
Barker, who serves on the NETEX Board, reported $25,225.94 of the $7 million In ARP funding was allocated to NETEX (Northeast Texas Rural Transportation District) will “help replace cross ties on the failing rail that we are experiencing right now.”
“This will be a good boost to at least get them in the right direction,” Barker said. “We are the first county of six to do this. I plan on encouraging the other counties to help out also.”
In late September Barker proposed donating two semi loads of crossties to NETEX to help support Northeast Texas Connector’s (NETC) repair efforts. NETC, a division of Freedom Rail Group, which has served since July 1, 2020, as operator of NETEX rail, which spans 65.6 miles of operational railroad along an 88.8 mile corridor that runs from east to west through 6 counties, starting in Winfield in Titus County and continuing through Franklin, Hopkins, Delta and Hunt Counties to Mesquite in Collin County.
The NETEX Board meets the first Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Sulphur Springs Economic Development Corporation offices.
Retainage
Another $177,806.06 of the $7-plus million in ARP funding will be held as “retainage,” to be used if needed to fill in as necessary for all of the other projects, according to Newsom.
“We haven’t received all the bids back on all these projects. Once we get the bids back, we’ll have firm numbers, but we put some in retainage just to be on the safe side,” Aulsbrook said.
Other Business
Aulsbrook also presented and received court approval for budget amendments insurance funding, to close out the 2020-21 budget year which ended Sept. 30, 2021 and get everything in the proper fund in the current budget, which began on Oct. 1, 2021.
The county received from Texas Association of Counties $2,266.38 for a sheriff’s office truck damaged last year. The funding received for the repairs would be reflected in the department’s vehicle repair and maintenance fund.
The county also received $222,917.09 from TAC for hail damage sustained at the County Annex Building. Quite a bit of that had already been paid for. That would be moved to courthouse repairs and maintenance fund. Part of it will roll over into the new budget.
The county too was awarded $7,056.50 in insurance funding for roof replacement at the County Annex Building. That too will go into the repairs and maintenance fund in the 2021-22 budget.
Another item requiring a budget amendment moves $39,000 from the sheriff’s office commissary fund the maintenance budget for the maintenance truck. The truck was sold to the sheriff’s office. HCSO paid $39,000 for the maintenance vehicle. That funding was moved into the truck maintenance budget, to pay for the new truck.
Also approved was a security proposal with Firetrol Protection Systems for Hopkins County buildings.
“This is just a routine update on the existing contracts we already have with Firetrol. In the past we had several different venders that were duplicating work. We eliminated that by going with one sole source. They do all of our fire suppression, fire extinguishers, fire alarm monitoring and also the security of our buildings. This one only pertains to the fire protection, where they come and inspect our sprinkler systems, fill the backflow, preventers do a flow test on our sprinkler systems within our county buildings and the fire alarm side of it,” Endsley said.
As each goes out, they are paid for by each department where the fire protection systems are located; in other words, the sheriff’s office would pay for services as outlined in the contracts, the fire department their systems and the courthouse would come out of the courthouse maintenance fund, according to Endsley.
Both Eighth Grade A and B Football Teams Continue Rolling, Start Season 4-0
The Middle School Wildcats continue their winning streak and remain undefeated for the season with 4-0 starts for both A and B teams.
The Middle School Wildcats traveled to Mount Pleasant and faced the Tigers with both teams emerging victorious.
The eighth grade A-team beat Mount Pleasant 21-6.
On offense, quarterback Gage Gideon threw for 100 yards passing and threw for 2 passing touchdowns. Coach Flores said Gage did a great job of staying in the pocket while passing and delivered some great balls to our his wide outs.
Wide receivers Jaxson Haire and Ryan Karr continue to impress.
Haire has been explosive all season at the wide receiver position and delivered another great game with 1 receiving touchdown and ended up with 120 yards receiving for the game. The middle school coach said Karr did an excellent job of run blocking but still managed to get a receiving TD.
Running back Keyshaun John ran the ball hard and finished with 80 yards rushing, with 60 of them coming on a single house call.
Coach Flores said Aiden Godbolt, Jeffery Stevenson, Dallin Horton, Lucas Shirley, Anthony Solis, Michael Walker, Trey Pannel, Vincient Johnson, Kase Temples, and Aiden Mcarroll did a great job of executing the blocking scheme on Offense and getting in the backfield defensively.
On defense, Alex McCormick, Julian Clayton, Matthew Jeter, Corbin Argenbright, Braxton Espinoza, Gio Ibarra, and Creed Whisenhunt did a great job of tackling and swarming to the football.
The eighth grade B-team also beat the Tigers, dispatching Mount Pleasant 38-6. RB Logan Lowrance ended up with a rushing and receiving touchdown.
WR Ben Lovelady had a great game and finished with 2 receiving Touchdowns and did well blocking at the Wr position helping the offense running game.
QB Issiac Ray had a rushing and passing touchdown each. Quarterback Deuce Timmons also had a good game throwing for 2 passing touchdowns and played well defensively, Coach Flores said.
The middle school Wildcats football coach said TJ Abron, Blaine Allen, Jermiah Robinson, Bryson Reyes, Aiden Koon, Kendrick Harris, Marcos Ramirez, and Jacolby Arceneaux, did a great job of blocking on the offense, and putting pressure on the Mount Pleasant offense for the game.
On defense TJ Bolden, Za Godbolt, Cazden Holton, Aiden Chester, Preston Nottingham, Mack Barrett, did a great job of making plays defensively.
Next up, the Sulphur Springs Middle School Wildcats will Host Texas High here at Gerald Prim Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 12.
C Team will get the action underway next Tuesday at 4:30 P.M. with intramural action, followed by the B-team and A-team taking on the Tigers at 5:30 P.M. and 6:30 P.M. respectively.
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.
Alliance Bank Chairman/CEO Tom Sellers Elected Chairman Of The Nation’s Largest State Community Banking Association
AUSTIN, Texas—The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) is proud to announce that Tom Sellers, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Sulphur Springs-based Alliance Bank, has been elected chairman of the IBAT board of directors for 2021-22. He officially accepted this position during the association’s 47th annual convention held September 18-21 in Austin.
With a banking career that spans more than 42 years, Sellers has served Sulphur Springs and the surrounding community at Alliance Bank for 33 years. Prior to his time at Alliance Bank, he was a county supervisor at the Farmers Home Administration and vice president and senior leading officer at the Federal Land Bank at Tyler. Sellers has selflessly given to the community banking industry for years, serving as chairman of the IBAT Education Foundation, as well as being a member of the IBAT board and executive committee. He is also on the federal delegate board for the Independent Community Bankers of America.
Sellers is extremely active in his community as well, currently serving as president of the Sulphur Springs Economic Development Corp., a board member for CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance and stewardship chair for First United Methodist Church. Previously, he was president of the Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees and served on the boards of the Texas Tech University Alumni Association, Rotary Club of Sulphur Springs and NETSEO Trails Council for the Boy Scouts of America.
Sellers received a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education from Texas Tech University and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He and his wife, Pam, have two grown children and two grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his grandchildren and watching Texas Tech University sports.
IBAT’s 2021-22 elected officers are Chairman Tom Sellers of Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs, Chairman-Elect K. Kyle Irwin of Western Bank in Gruver, Secretary-Treasurer Christopher Doyle of Texas First Bank in Texas City, Immediate Past Chairman Brad Tidwell of VeraBank, N.A. in Henderson, IBAT Education Foundation Chairman Hazem Ahmed of Independent Financial in Houston and IBAT Leadership Division Chairman Justin Steinbach of Frost Bank in Dallas. New additions to the IBAT board include John David “J.D.” Baker of Llano National Bank, Thom Canfield of Mason Bank, Mike Fernandez of Texas National Bank in Abilene, Tracy Harris of National Bank & Trust in La Grange, Sloan Kuehl of First National Bank of Central Texas in Waco and Reed Williams of Brady National Bank.
About the Independent Bankers Association of Texas
Formed in 1974, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) represents Texas community banks. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation, with membership comprised of more than 4,600 banks and branches in 700 Texas communities. Providing safe and responsible financial services to all Texans, IBAT member bank assets range in size from $26 million to $44 billion with combined assets statewide of nearly $193 billion. IBAT member banks are committed to supporting and investing in their local communities.
Statewide Banking Organization Honors Alliance Bank With 2021 Best Of Community Banking Award
Independent Bankers Association Of Texas Recognizes Sulphur Springs-Based Community Bank For Its Video Marketing
SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas—The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT)—the largest state community banking association in the nation—recently honored Alliance Bank with a Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Award. The bank, based in Sulphur Springs, Texas, received a Community Spirit/Gold Eagle BOCB Award for its marketing initiatives. Alliance Bank received the honor on September 20 during IBAT’s 2021 Convention in Austin, Texas.
In an atmosphere of vanishing traditional advertising platforms, Alliance Bank sought to target its marketing and drive non-traditional advertising mediums, recognizing the immense potential impact of video-based content. Kicking off a series of video-based campaigns tied to community involvement, the bank developed progressive and cascading marketing campaigns that have spanned 12 months to date.
The first wave of marketing combined market acquisition and expansion, community involvement, sports highlight reel sponsorship and market PSAs. The second wave kicked off with a Facebook/ Instagram/ Twitter fan drive and advertising campaigns. It tapped advertising impressions previously unrealized at an extremely low cost per impression. The third wave included an aggressive and technologically forward-thinking approach to drive product adoption using multiple social media platforms. The fourth and final wave will be a historical series of videos highlighting the customer’s journey with Alliance Bank.
IBAT has celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of Texas community banks with the BOCB Award since 1991. Community banks play a critical role in their local communities. The Best of Community Banking competition is designed to honor these banks for their commitment to helping their customers, neighbors, employees and community. BOCB Awards recognize community banks throughout the state for their innovation, creativity and success in fulfilling a specific community or internal need. Each submission receives a Gold Eagle, Silver Eagle or Bronze Eagle award in one of six categories: bank culture, community service, financial literacy, marketing, architectural design and—new this year—pandemic response.
“This past year has been challenging across the globe as we continue to fight the pandemic,” says Christopher Williston, IBAT president and CEO. “But community bankers have been truly inspiring during these difficult days by processing a majority (57.5 percent) of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small businesses and helping their communities when they were needed most. This year’s BOCB Award recipients were particularly inspiring in their efforts to meet the challenges brought on by the pandemic, and this recognition is only a small token of our immense pride in Texas community banks to better the lives of those around them. I sincerely congratulate all of the 2021 BOCB Award recipients.”
All of the 2021 Best of Community Banking Awards submissions can be viewed by clicking here.
About the Independent Bankers Association of Texas
Formed in 1974, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) represents Texas community banks. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation, with membership comprised of more than 4,600 banks and branches in 700 Texas communities.
Providing safe and responsible financial services to all Texans, IBAT member bank assets range in size from $26 million to $44 billion with combined assets statewide of nearly $193 billion. IBAT member banks are committed to supporting and investing in their local communities.
— Submitted by Neil Ferguson, Editor and Graphic Designer for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas
Wildcats, Lady Cats Cross Country Travel Light to Mount Pleasant, Enjoying Second-to-Last Tune-Up Before District Meet
Wildcats cross country Coach Ross Hicks said his team’s outing went well last Saturday in Mount Pleasant at the Titus County Fair Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 2.
The Lady Cats only went up against a handful of schools last Saturday, which included Pine Tree, Mount Pleasant, Marshall, and (Paris) Trinity Christian Academy.
They managed to have a decent outing, as Coach Ross Hicks said that his team travelled light in that they did not have their full varsity squad, but that does not mean those who went did not perform well.
The cross country coach said that for most years, the course at Titus County Fair Invitational tended to be the district meet for teams from District 15-5A.
That is not the case this year, but since the team runs the course twice a year, they were all too ready to be back on familiar ground in Mount Pleasant.
Coach Ross Hicks called it a beautiful day to run, and thanks to the course being one the shorter ones his program will run all year, it resulted in some personal best times.
In a field of 21 spots, the Lady Cats had two runners finish in the top-15.
The women’s team were lead by sophomore Haylee Schultz, who continues to have an impressive season.
Coach Hicks said that Schultz had her best time of the year, and on top of that she surpassed her time from last year’s meet in Mount Pleasant.
Schultz finished second in the small field, crossing the line with a time of just over 20 minutes.
Junior Rebekah Stanley was the other Lady Cat who placed in the top-20, medaling at spot number 12. The cross country coach said Stanley ran her second best time of the year.
A few JV runners stepped up and did well at the Titus County Fair Invitational, Coach Hicks said.
The men’s team, like the women, did not have their full arsenal at their disposal. The Wildcats’ first and third runners were out; Alex Flecker was out and Jose Mejia was out as well.
Both are expected to be back running with the team when they travel to Lindale for their final regular-season meet before district.
Evan Patrick lead the way in Mount Pleasant as he was able to crack the top-10 at seventh. The senior had a time of 17:03.10.
Young gun freshman Cristobal Torres got the final medalling spot at 15th, crossing the line at 18:01.80.
Other runners that made the top-30 for the Wildcats were freshman Candelario Monsivais at 23rd, sophomore Erick Osornio following at 24th and junior Hector Hernandez who made it in at 25th.
Senior Jonathan Scott placed 28th.
And while Coach Ross Hicks was happy with how his thin teams performed in Mount Pleasant, he hopes his squad is back at full strength for Thursday’s meet in Lindale.
The Lindale Eagle Invitational is set to have a bit later start on Thursday when the 5A and 6A women’s varsity runners get the action underway for Coach Ross Hicks and his program at 8:30 A.M.
The Eagle Invitational is the final regular season meet for Coach Hicks and his cross country runners.
The meet for teams in district 15-5A is set to take place in Hallsville a week from tomorrow, on Thursday, Oct. 14 at HHS.
But before they can shift their entire focus to what should be a hotly contested district meet a week from tomorrow, they first have to get through the Lindale Eagle Invitational which is tomorrow at 8:30 A.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.
WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS! Yellow Ribbon Campaign’ Heralds Local Visit by THE WALL THAT HEALS
A Yellow Ribbon Campaign has been launched in anticipation of THE WALL THAT HEALS Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and Mobile Education Center coming to Sulphur Springs November 4-7, 2021. In support of this ‘welcome home’ event for our nation’s Vietnam-era veterans, the Yellow Ribbon Campaign was created so that companies and individuals could show visible support as the event date nears. Anyone who wishes to have a share in sponsoring TWTH by way of the Yellow Ribbon Campaign is encouraged to contact event organizer Mandy Kennedy at 903-243-2206 or see sponsorship forms below.
It is with great honor and pride that the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial in partnership with the Sulphur Springs I.S.D. and City of Sulphur Springs will host THE WALL THAT HEALS on November 4-7, 2021 at the Sulphur Springs High School Track.
The three-quarter sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., along with a Mobile Education Center, will arrive in Sulphur Springs on Tues., Nov. 2nd escorted by Patriot Guard Riders, Law Enforcement, and Fire Department Personnel, and will be welcomed by Citizens participating in a Yellow Ribbon & Banner Campaign.
This year 2021 has been nationally designated as the year to “Welcome Home America’s Vietnam Veterans”. We are hopeful that you will help us do this very thing – in the way only Hopkins County, Texas can!
Anyone who wishes to have a share in sponsoring TWTH by way of the Yellow Ribbon Campaign is encouraged to contact event organizer Mandy Kennedy at 903-243-2206 or see sponsorship forms below.
COMMUNITY SPONSOR FORM
PREMIUM SPONSOR FORM
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – Oct. 5, 2021
Marc Maxwell presented the following monthly city manager’s report to Sulphur Springs City Council during their regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021.
COVID-19 RESPONSE –The Delta variant wave of COVID-19 seems to have peaked. The number of active cases in Hopkins County decreased 36% since our last meeting with 240 active cases as of October 3. There are 18 patients in the COVID unit at the hospital Monday (and 15 Tuesday), down 7 from last month.
SENIOR CITIZENS BUILDING – We are waiting for the steel market to normalize.
SAPUTO SEWER MAIN – This project is nearing completion. The contractor hired to bore under Interstate 30 has equipment and materials on site, but he has not begun boring yet. This is the last segment of the project. I should be able to report completion at our next meeting.
This $750,000 sewer project is funded entirely by a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The new main will supplement an older undersized main. The path of the new main begins at Saputo and continues under the interstate. It then continues South for 3,500 feet before connecting to an existing trunk line. The new main has a 15-inch inch diameter. This grant is made possible because of a $50 million plant upgrade at Saputo and their cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Without their cooperation this project would not have been possible.
COLLEGE STREET – Work has begun on the project. The Capital Construction Division is installing new sewer main in the 200 block of College Street.
CLAIMS – We did not have any workers compensation claims or liability claims in September. We did have one liability claim for a broken window. The claimant states that a city mower threw a rock into their automotive window. A claim has been submitted to TML.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a report of revenues and expenditures.
RUNWAY/TAXIWAY REHAB – This $1.9 million project is in progress. 90% of the project cost is covered by a TxDOT grant. The project is approximately 75% complete, and we expect the contractor to finish by mid-November.
All the concrete and asphalt surfaces on the operations side are being completely rehabilitated and the ramp is being significantly enlarged.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – One additional street segment was paved in September, Texas from Lee to Industrial. Two segments remain: League from Bellview to Pampa, and Lee from Davis to Broadway. The contractor, Texana Land and Asphalt, plans to be completed by Thanksgiving Day. The following highlighted streets have been completed:
Miscellaneous
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Repaired 244 potholes.
- Replaced various street signs and warning signs.
- Hauled street sweeping spoils to the landfill.
- Made 3 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Conducted 12 building inspections, 8 electrical inspections,15 plumbing inspections, 3 mechanical inspections and issued 18 building permits
- Responded to 272 fire/rescue calls, including 2 structure fires and a vehicle fire.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 68 fire hydrants.
- Performed 14 fire inspections.
- Responded to 196 animal control calls while achieving a 76% adoption rate.
- Made 8 felony arrests in the Special Crimes division.
- Responded to 27 accidents, wrote 476 citations, recorded 35 offences and made 41 arrests in the Patrol Division.
- Treated Wastewater to a monthly average total suspended solids reading of .86 mg/L.
- Performed preventative maintenance on several items at the water treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant.
- Repaired 11 water main ruptures.
- Unstopped 17 sewer mains.
- Replaced 13 water meters.
- Washed 75,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Treated 174 million gallons of potable water.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Pressure washed sidewalks on Connally and Main Streets.
- Checked out 3,139 items from the library plus 817 e-Books.
Lady Cats Volleyball Goes 2-0 During Two Game Home Stand
The Lady Cats volleyball team fought hard until the finish, sweeping the Mount Pleasant Lady Tigers at home on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
The win gives Coach Bailey Dorner’s squad a 2-0 record during their two game home stand.
Sulphur Springs persevered all the way to the finish, even though Mount Pleasant never gave up.
Coach Bailey Dorner’s team rode the momentum created by seniors Brooklynn Burnside and libero Parris Pickett (19 digs, two aces in the victory over the Lady Tigers) all the way to a tight 25-22 set one win.
Burnside finished with 19 kills, two aces and one dig and block in the victory over the Lady Tigers.
“Brooklyn is extremely coachable,” the Lady Cats head coach said about the senior. “She will constantly take feedback, and improves from game-to-game, even from year-to-year.”
Coach Dorner said Burnside is excited and loves to play the game of volleyball and is super fun to watch play.
Set two proved to be more of the same, as even though Mount Pleasant lead early in the second, and proved to make things interesting late by going on a 7-1 scoring run that put the Lady Tigers within one at 20-19, Sulphur Springs pulled away scoring five straight to take a big 25-19 set two win over Mount Pleasant.
The second set saw scoring from offensive aficionado Burnside as well as Myssiah Dugan, Peyton Hammock and Kaslyn Hurley.
The aforementioned Lady Cats have “got some athleticism [and have] some fire about them,” Coach Dorner said.
The head volleyball coach said all her athletes have been great and have been playing really well and as a team.
Even though the visiting Lady Tigers built up a quick lead early in set three at 7-2, realizing a sweep was upon them, Sulphur Springs never relented, tying it up nine times with the final one coming at 18-18.
From there, it was all Lady Cats all the time as even though Mount Pleasant Coach Melody Herron called a time out as Sulphur Springs scored three straight to go up 21-18, it did not matter as the Lady Cats scored four more after the fact to end the match on a 7-0 run.
Sulphur Springs scoring 10 of the game’s final 13 points en route to a 25-18 set three, 3-0 sweep of the Lady Tigers.
“In that third set we tend to get comfortable,” Coach Dorner said about her team taking 2-0 leads over opponents. “We typically tend to struggle serving right out of a timeout, but it was good to see them do something that doesn’t happen a lot,” the Lady Cats coach said.
The sweep over Mount Pleasant is the second victory and sweep for the Lady Cats over the Lady Tigers this season, giving Sulphur Springs a clean sweep over Mount Pleasant on the season.
The win gives the Lady Cats volleyball team a 19-12 overall record (5-2 district).
Next up, Coach Dorner and her program will be back on the road for two straight games in their toughest stretch of the season; on Friday Sulphur Springs will be in Texarkana taking on Texas High (7-0 district), the number one team in District 15-5A, and next Tuesday they will be in Marshall taking on the Lady Mavs (5-2).
Friday’s match-up will be at 4:30 P.M beginning with the varsity teams followed by JV and freshmen.
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.
Chamber Issues Final Call For Cooks To Register For Stew Contest
By Butch Burney
This is the last chance for stew cooks to get their registration forms in for the 52nd Annual World Championship Hopkins County Stew Contest, sponsored by Alliance Bank, Alliance Bank Financial Services and Galyean Insurance. The contest will be Saturday, Oct. 23, at Buford Park.
We have almost 140 pots of stew already registered, but we have room for more, if you get your registration in soon.
Come by the chamber office or send us an email and we will get the registration form to you. We are expecting a big turnout for this year’s event, so be sure and get your spot. Our cooks’ meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m.
We will have the north and south sides of the park open for cooking, along with a vendor market. We are expecting a fully open stew.
Speaking of stew, tickets are now available online, at the Chamber office and at local. The cost remains the same as in the past, $6 for all-you-can-eat stew and $10 for take-home quarts.
In addition, we have Stew+75482 tumblers at the office for $20, stew mugs for $15 and T-shirts will be available soon.
Business After Hours
Join us Tuesday, Oct. 12, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber office for a Business After Hours mixer hosted by Neighbors of Sulphur Springs magazine. There will be refreshments to enjoy and business men and women to socialize with. You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend Business After Hours..
Wall That Heals
The Wall That Heals, the Vietnam Veterans replica memorial, will be in Sulphur Springs Nov. 4-7, at the Sulphur Springs High School track. The three-quarter sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., along with a Mobile Education Center, will arrive in Sulphur Springs on Tues., Nov. 2, escorted by Patriot Guard Riders, law enforcement, and fire department personnel, and will be welcomed by citizens participating in a Yellow Ribbon & Banner Campaign.
This year 2021 has been nationally designated as the year to “Welcome Home America’s Vietnam Veterans,” and organizers are hopeful that local citizens will help do that with the Yellow Ribbon & Banner Campaign.
Below are the links for Hopkins County to sponsor The Wall That Heals and participate in The Yellow Ribbon Campaign. For more information, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, see:
Facebook: The Wall That Heals, Sulphur Springs, TX
Main Street Uncorked
Main Street Uncorked Wine and Music Festival is set for 1-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, in downtown. There will be Texas wineries, local vendors and great music. Music will be by Matthew Fiock, Lincoln Goodman and Twisted Whisky.
Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com.
Help A Child Benefit
The annual Help-A-Child Benefit keeps getting bigger and better. The 14th annual event is set for Saturday, Oct. 16, and will feature a chili cook-off, auction, livestock show, brisket cookoff, Dutch oven cobbler and corn hole competition.
All money raised will go toward Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, foster families and Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center.
The livestock show starts at 9 a.m., followed by the ag mechanics show at 11 a.m. and chili, brisket and Dutch oven cobbler is served at 11:30 (for $10). The auction begins at 12:30 p.m. and corn hole competition at 1:30 p.m.
Call Wade Bartley at 903-348-1878 for more information.
Halloween Activities
Woods of the Dead, benefiting Operation Victor Echo Tango, is open every Friday and Saturday in October from dark to midnight at 2779 CR 2426 in Como.
The Second Annual Halloween Screamfest is hosted by VR Social, located at 317 Spring Street, from Oct. 25-31. The events will include an outdoor horror movie marathon, a ghost glow bike ride to Coleman Park, dead walking on the square, and a Halloween pet photo booth. The Screamfest benefits Let Love Live animal rescue sanctuary.
Ribbon Cutting
Chillax, located at 1707 South Broadway Suite 9, hosted a ribbon cutting Friday, Oct. 1. Please help us welcome them to the community.
CO323 Designs will host a ribbon cutting at noon Friday, Oct. 8, at their location, 309 Industrial Drive East. Please join us for that celebration.
