Attorney General Ken Paxton Recognizes November as National Adoption Month
Highlights OAG “Support Adoption” Grant Program and License Plate
In recognition of National Adoption Month, Attorney General Ken Paxton encourages Texans to purchase the “Support Adoption” license plate that funds the “Support Adoption” Grant Program administered by the Office of the Attorney General.
Instituted in 2023, the program assists organizations that provide critical resources for pregnant women considering adoption and for children awaiting adoptive families. In some cases, the funds will be used to directly defray the cost of adoption—which can be tens of thousands of dollars. The program issued $29,000 in grant funding during Fiscal Year 2024 and $40,000 in Fiscal Year 2025.
“In Texas, we affirm life, and the Support Adoption program is one of the many ways we work to help and protect pregnant women and their children,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The grants funded by the purchase of these license plates will go to incredible organizations assisting those who choose the life-changing miracle of adoption.”
To purchase a Support Adoption license plate, click here. 
Governor Abbott Directs TCEQ To Accept Water Offer For Rio Grande Valley
November 20, 2024 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to accept an offer of San Juan River water from Mexico under the 1944 Water Treaty and provide much-needed water to communities in the Rio Grande Valley.
“Water is essential for Texans along the Rio Grande Valley to grow crops and support local communities and businesses,” said Governor Abbott. “Mexico’s blatant abuse and disregard of water obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty must not be allowed to continue. Today, I directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to accept a San Juan River water offer from Mexico that will supply our farmers and businesses in the Rio Grande Valley with much-needed water.”
Mexico’s offer of 120,000 acre-feet from the San Juan River is a mere drop in the bucket relative to the 1.75 million acre-feet Mexico is required to deliver to Texas each five-year Treaty cycle. Because our farmers and cities can wait no longer, Texas accepts the offer, pending TCEQ’s ultimate approval of the operational procedures.
While the International Boundary and Water Commission apparently takes the position that water from the San Juan River may be credited against Mexico’s five-year Treaty commitments, Texas stands firm in its position—consistent with the text of the Treaty—that those commitments may be satisfied only with water from the six named tributaries.
The 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and Mexico obligates both countries to share water resources from the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers. Mexico’s deficit under the 1944 Water Treaty has never been greater. Barring action by Mexico, in October 2025, Texans will be facing a projected deficit of 1.3-million acre-feet of water.
Chamber Connection – November 20, 2024
By Butch Burney
The annual Economic Development Conference is just around the corner, and we have an experienced speaker and college professor, Mick Normington, to present information on jobs, housing, unemployment and education for our area.
Mick has two master’s degrees, co-authored the book “Working Texas Style,” previously worked at the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Labor Market Department of the Texas Workforce Commission, and is now a business professor at Lee College in Huntsville. He is a skilled presenter who has spoken to numerous Economic Development Councils.
The luncheon, which is co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation, will take place on December 3 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Sponsorships are available for $500 for a table for eight, $250 for a table for four, and individual tickets for the event are $30 each. If you have any questions, please call 903-885-6515 or email me at [email protected].
Community Awards
Nominations are being accepted for Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Small and Large Businesses of the Year and other superlative recognitions. The awards will be announced at the Chamber’s membership banquet on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
When nominating a person or business, please write in the nomination letter the reasons you are presenting them for the award.
Nominations can be sent to [email protected] or mailed to the following addresses:
Citizen of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Woman of the Year—Chamber of Commerce – 110 Main Street, SS, TX 75483.
Caregiver of the Year—Chamber of Commerce – 110 Main Street, SS, TX 75483.
Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Agriculturist of the Year—Hopkins/Rains Counties Farm Bureau— 233 College St., Sulphur Springs 75482.
Growth and Renewal—DBA—109 Jefferson St. E, SS, TX 75482.
Outstanding Professional Educator (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Outstanding ParaProfessional Educator (Secretary or Aide)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Outstanding Auxiliary Educator (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Businesses of the Year nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other.
Large Business of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Small Business of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Please get your nominations in before the end of the year.
Ornaments and Stew Merch
Our 2024 Christmas Ornaments, featuring the Total Solar Eclipse, are on sale at the Chamber office. They are $40 each.
The Chamber also has a limited supply of 2024 stew merchandise still available. This includes a few shirts, tumblers, mugs and hoodies. We are located at 110 Main St.
Christmas Activities
■ The 33rd annual Sulphur Springs Symphony League live auction is brought to you by Chad’s Media on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. The event will be streamed live via the Front Porch News Facebook page and Chad’s Media YouTube page. Expect to see incredible gifts from local businesses, handmade treasures and unique local experiences, all available for you to place your bid. And remember, everything you donate goes to funding local music enjoyment and education like the Children’s Concert, the Dallas Opera and the Independence Day concert to Sulphur Springs!
■ Christmas in the Park is set for Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 at Heritage Park on Jackson Street. Affordable family fun under the Christmas lights, with Santa, live music, nativity and more.
■ Lake Country CASA’s annual Cookie Walk is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6, beginning at 8 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. There will be cookies, cakes and other treats for sale to benefit Lake Country CASA.
■ The Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade is set for Friday, Dec. 6 starting at Buford Park. Line-up begins at 4 p.m. with the parade starting at 7. Registration must be received by noon on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Categories will be Large Business, Small Business and Non-Profit, with cash prizes awarded to winners.
Registration sheets are available at the Chamber office, 110 Main St.
Entry fee is one new unwrapped present for Blue Santa.
■ Along with the parade, the city will host the Lighted Celebration Market downtown from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. It will include lighting of the city Christmas tree at 5:45 p.m.
■ The Christmas Market on Main Street will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, downtown. You can do your shopping with our local merchants and vendors that day.
■ Northeast Texas Choral Society will have their “Winter Wonderland” production at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 8, at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Visit the website SingersCount.org for ticket information.
■ The Best Christmas Pageant EVER will be playing at Main Street Theatre at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5, 8 and 12, and 2 p.m. on Dec. 7, 14 and 15. Tickets are $15. Visit communityplayersinc.com for more information.
■ First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs will present Christmas at First on Dec. 13, 14 and 15, at 6 p.m. each evening. Reserve your free tickets at SSFBC.org.
Retirement Reception to be Held for Dr. Dietze November 21st
November 19, 2024 – A retirement reception will be held for Dr. William Dietze Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the Plaza Conference Room. The Retirement Celebration is a come and go event with light refreshments. The Reception will last from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Come and thank Dr. Dietze for 50 years of service to the Hopkins County community.
Here’s the Exciting Activities Scheduled for December at the Senior Citizens Activity Center
Rainbow Trout Arriving Soon at a Waterbody Near You
November 19, 2024 – The holiday season is just around the corner and with it comes the annual Texas winter tradition of trout fishing at waterbodies across the state.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will begin stocking thousands of rainbow trout Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving.
It doesn’t take a lot of sophisticated fishing equipment to reel in a rainbow trout. They can be caught using simple, light tackle or hand-tied flies on a fly rod. However, anglers should keep an array of baits and lures nearby as well as ice to keep trout fresh. Rainbow trout are also an attractive, tasty fish and anglers can easily find recipes online.
“TPWD stocks catchable-sized fish during winter months to create unique winter angling opportunities throughout Texas,” said Carl Kittel, TPWD rainbow trout program director. “Rainbow trout love cold water and can be caught on a variety of baits and lures (worms, commercially available pastes, corn, spinners, spoons, flies and more), and are great to take home and eat. Our winter rainbow trout program has been a favorite of anglers for over forty years.”
TPWD plans to stock 342,373 rainbow trout in Texas from Nov. 26 — March 9. Because rainbow trout are unable to survive in most areas of Texas after winter due to the warm water temperatures, anglers are encouraged to keep up to their daily bag limit of five trout.
Exceptions exist within special trout management zones on the Guadalupe River downstream of Canyon Lake, which often remains cool enough for rainbow trout to survive year-round. This portion of the Guadalupe River is recognized as one of the top 100 trout streams in the nation and is considered the southernmost trout stream in North America.
Fishing for rainbow trout on Texas rivers and streams is popular among anglers. In addition to stocking the Guadalupe River downstream of Canyon Lake, TPWD also stocks rainbow trout in the Brazos River downstream of Possum Kingdom Lake, portions of the Frio and South Llano rivers, and in the Clear Fork of the Trinity River.
Although trout stockings take place at numerous locations in Texas, TPWD’s Neighborhood Fishin’ program provides a unique experience for families and new anglers to reel in a fish in and around major cities.
TPWD manages 18 Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes statewide in most major urban centers, including Amarillo, Austin, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Houston, San Angelo, San Antonio and Wichita Falls. These lakes — frequently stocked with rainbow trout during winter — offer plenty of amenities so family members of all ages can enjoy a fun and relaxing day fishing and connecting in nature. Other stocking locations include dozens of local city and county park ponds.
In addition, anglers can enjoy complementary fishing without a license in a Texas state park from a bank, dock or pier. TPWD recommends anyone planning a trip to a park reserve a day pass in advance especially during busy times like weekends and holidays. Day passes can be reserved online though the TPWD website or over the phone by calling (512) 389-8900.
Texas does not require a fishing license for youth under the age of 17, but adults must have a fishing license with a freshwater fishing endorsement. Funds from the sale of fishing licenses and freshwater fishing endorsements directly support efforts by TPWD to provide great fishing opportunities for current and future generations.
An angler fishing in a Community Fishing Lake or from a dock, pier or jetty within a Texas State Park may use no more than two poles. The statewide bag limit is five trout with no minimum length limit, except on parts of the Guadalupe River where special limits are in effect.
Sulphur Springs will receive a stocking of fish at Peavine Pinion Pond on January 11, 2025.
Governor Abbott Hosts Irish Ambassador Byrne Nason At Governor’s Mansion
November 19, 2024 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott held a meeting with the Ambassador of Ireland to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason and other Irish leaders to discuss strengthening the economic partnership between Texas and Ireland at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin. This was Ambassador Byrne Nason’s first official visit to Texas and first meeting with Governor Abbott.
During the meeting, Governor Abbott and Ambassador Byrne Nason highlighted deepening the enduring cultural and economic bond between Texas and Ireland, including in the technology, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and semiconductor industries. The Ambassador also mentioned that she would be traveling to the Texas Medical Center (TMC) this week to meet with healthcare leaders. Governor Abbott touted it as the largest medical center in the entire world, mentioning the recent grand opening of the TMC3 Collaborative Building that helps facilitate groundbreaking medical research through joint research labs and workspaces.
Additionally, both leaders discussed China’s economic inroads in the global south. Governor Abbott and Ambassador Byrne Nason emphasized the importance of continuing trade relations to strengthen the national security interest of both Texas and Ireland.
After the meeting, the Governor and Ambassador recounted the shared cultural and historical ties Texas and Ireland share, noting the Irish Texans who fought for Texas independence in the 19th century, with many notably defending the Alamo and fighting in the Battle of San Jacinto. Both leaders then exchanged gifts, with the Ambassador receiving a box bearing the Texas State Seal and Governor Abbott receiving cuff links bearing a harp—the national symbol of Ireland.
Governor Abbott, PUCT Release Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group Report
November 18, 2024 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) today announced the release of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group’s final report on Texas’ plan to build a world-leading advanced nuclear power industry to enhance electric reliability and energy security, promote economic development, and unleash new opportunities for the growing Texas workforce.
“Texas is the energy capital of the world, and we are ready to be No. 1 in advanced nuclear power,” said Governor Abbott. “By utilizing advanced nuclear energy, Texas will enhance the reliability of the state grid and provide affordable, dispatchable power to Texans across the state. I thank Public Utility Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty and the members of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group for working tirelessly to put Texas on the path to be the global leader in advanced nuclear power. As we build an advanced nuclear industry in our great state, we will ensure Texas remains a leader in energy and strengthen the Texas grid to meet the demands of our growing state.”
“Texas has long been the energy capital of the world, and today we have an incredible opportunity to build a world-leading advanced nuclear industry that will deliver safe, reliable power for generations to come,” PUCT Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty said. “I want to thank the Governor for his direction on this important issue and the many people who dedicated their time and expertise to this work. The economic and policy recommendations we’ve outlined will inspire swift action and help Texas become the leader in advanced nuclear energy.”
In August 2023, Governor Abbott directed the PUCT to form a working group to study and plan for the use of advanced nuclear reactors in Texas. Over the past year, the working group developed key recommendations and strategies to position Texas as No. 1 in the advanced nuclear industry.
Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Targeting Chinese Communist Party’s Harassment Of Texans
November 18, 2024 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott today issued an executive order to protect Texans from the coordinated harassment and coercion by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) or the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Governor directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to target and arrest any criminals executing CCP influence operations like “Operation Fox Hunt” to forcibly return dissidents to China.
“The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas will not tolerate the harassment or coercion of the more than 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent who legally call Texas home by the Chinese Communist Party or its heinous proxies. Ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of Texans is a top priority. I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to identify and bring criminal charges against individuals who harass Texans on behalf of this hostile foreign adversary. We will continue to do everything we can to protect Texans from the unlawful and repressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party.”
At the direction of the Governor Abbott, DPS will immediately begin to:
- Identify and charge individuals suspected of crimes relating to exploiting dissidents on behalf of any foreign government.
- Partner with local and federal law enforcement through the Texas Fusion Center to assess the incidents where foreign governments extend their reach beyond their borders to intimidate Texans.
- Discover and document individuals suspected of planning, attempting, or carrying out acts of repression, and by January 15, 2025, provide policy recommendations on how to counter such threats and develop training programs that can be used to identify and report such illicit activity to DPS.
- Introduce a hotline and update the iWatch Texas Community Reporting System to allow Texans to directly report any sort of suspected acts of oppression or coercion by PRC or CCP actors, or other foreign adversaries against Texans. Texans can report suspicious activity at iwatchtx.org, through the iWatchTexas mobile app, or by calling 844-643-2251. Reporting through any of these channels can be anonymous.
Master Gardener Ronnie Wilson Chats With John Mark on This Second Cup Of Coffee
Hopkins County Master Gardener Ronnie Wilson stopped by and chatted with John Mark on this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey. On this episode you learn about Ronnie’s trip to Big Bend, when the average first freeze of the season is, pointers to starting the Winter gardening season, and so much more. Ronnie Wilson was nice enough to share some of his beautiful pictures from his trip to Big Bend.
