Local Committees for Visit of Vietnam Veterans ‘Wall That Heals’ Mobilizing Plans Including Yellow Ribbon Campaign
Committee meetings are currently being held to define and refine plans for one of the biggest events ever hosted in Hopkins County. THE WALL THAT HEALS is scheduled to arrive in Sulphur Springs, Texas during the first week of November so that Hopkins County can “Welcome Home America’s Vietnam Veterans.
In 2019, Mandy Kennedy proposed to members of the Hopkins County Veterans Committee that an application for hosting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial traveling exhibit and Mobile Education Center be pursued. She realized that Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County had a unique opportunity to be chosen for hosting a visit to our community by THE WALL THAT HEALS, a three-quarter sized replica of The Wall in Washington, D.C. It was important that the project plan include co-sponsorship by the City of Sulphur Springs and the Sulphur Springs Independent School District, as it would take a combined effort to make it happen. And indeed, out of hundreds of applicants, Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County was the ONLY city in Texas chosen for 2021, and the only site visit within the 10 southern states. Our community is special.
And now through the untiring efforts of the combined HCVM, SSISD, and City of Sulphur Springs. Committee, that community visit is now a reality and is only weeks away. The latest meeting, held on Tuesday September 28, 2021, in the Cross Room of The Roc, provided additional information and clarification on the numerous aspects of hosting THE WALL THAT HEALS, as well as the many volunteer opportunities soon to open up.
Individual citizens, families, organizations, business and industry are invited to take part in the Yellow Ribbon Campaign. now to set the mood and spirit for the visit, and to volunteer for a share in the many hands-on assignments required during the November 4-7 visit. Additionally, thousands of visitors from other cities and states are expected to arrive in Sulphur Springs to view The Wall That Heals and Mobile Education Center during those days. As is often said, “it takes a village”, so many hands and hearts are sure to be needed to accomplish the goal to “Welcome Home America’s Vietnam Veterans” right here in Hopkins County during this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Can you help? Will you volunteer? Contact Mandy Kennedy at 903-243-2206, any of the committee members, or visit the website at www.thewallthatheals-sstx.org.
Also attending were Phillip Gabbert, Joey Baker and Judge Robert Newsom
Mississippi Man Arrested On 2 Manslaughter Warrants In Connection With 2020 Fiery Crash That Killed 2 Boys
A 33-year-old man was arrested Wednesday at the District Court on 2 manslaughter warrants in connection with the 2020 fiery crash that killed 2 boys on Interstate 30 in Sulphur Springs.
Lidavin Zmontreal Truitt, his sister, another man and two nephews were reportedly traveling east on Interstate 30 east around 5 a.m. May 24, 2020, destined for Mississippi when the crash occurred.
Truitt is accused of stopping SUV he was driving in the middle of the traffic lane on I-30 east, just west of the Broadway Street overpass, during an argument with his sister. While the siblings argued on the side of the road, an eastbound 18-wheeler crashed into the SUV in the predawn light, causing the truck-tractor to overturn and the SUV to catch on fire with the woman’s boys still inside of it, police reported following the crash.
Truitt and the other male passenger of the SUV, and the truck-tractor driver were reportedly uninjured, while 7-year-old Joshua Zmontreal Kent and 9-year-old Jeremiah Irvin Kent Jr. of Shaw, Mississippi died. The boys’ mother was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Francis Hopkins County emergency room and later transferred to Baylor hospital in Plano for her injuries, which reportedly included burns. Truitt allegedly walked away from the crash without seeking help or reporting it.
Passenger Victor Hampton was taken into custody on Gilmer Street around 7:15 a.m. May 24 on a Bexar county credit or debit card abuse warrant.
Police investigators, following interviews with adults in the two crashed vehicles and extensive investigation, sought and had obtained by July 15, two warrants for Truitt’s arrest on 2 manslaughter charges, one for each of the boys. Officials were given a potential area in another state where Truitt was known to visit. Sulphur Springs police contacted authorities in that northern city but the man was not apprehended. Truitt has subsequently been indicted on the charges as well, police investigators noted.
Truitt reportedly returned to Hopkins County 16 months after the crash and was observed in district court. Truitt, who was shown in jail reports to have a Shaw, Mississippi address, was taken into arrested on the 2 manslaughter warrants, according to police.
The 33-year-old was released later Sep. 29, 2021, after securing the $50,000 bond, $25,000 per manslaughter charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Ms. Texas Senior Classic State Pageant Names Vender Wright 2nd Runner Up
A royal evening was celebrated during the 2021 Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant held in Tyler, Texas on Saturday September 25th. Reigning Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Wilma Thompson was among the competitors. So was 2019 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Vender Wright, who was named Second Runner-Up. Here is a list of the ladies who were crowned, and some photos from the State Pageant, which celebrates the grace and beauty of the senior-age woman.
- 2021 Ms Texas Senior Classic Queen-Wilma Burke, Redwater
- 1st Runner Up-Ruth Morrow, Tyler
- 2nd Runner Up-Vender Wright, Sulphur Springs
- 3rd Runner Up-Melanie O’Quinn, Woodsboro
- 4th Runner Up-Barbara Price, Burleson
- 5th Runner Up- Johnnie Perryman, Fort Worth
Hopkins County Officials Seek Hazard Mitigation Assistance, Pandemic-Related Grant Funding
Hopkins County is submitting multiple hazard mitigation assistance grant applications, with County Judge Robert Newsom authorized as representative for DR-4586 (February’s winter storms) funding. Hopkins County Commissioners Court agreed to provide local matching funds required to secure and complete FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant projects, if the county’s requests are granted.
Beth Wisenbaker, local grants advisor, said entities are allowed to apply for Hazard Mitigation funds to help take care of drainage issues. Those approved for a hazard mitigation grant receive up to 75 percent of their funding request from the federal government and the grant recipient is responsible for the other 25 percent. Typically, these grants are for about $500,000.
“We’ve got a grant a grant out there right now requesting $1.8 [million], and we’ve received generators for a little bit of $300,000. It’s a preventative grant. You can also be proud to know that my salary comes from these grants. So, while it’s not local taxpayer dollars we want you guys to realize it is your taxpayer dollars. They’re just so far up the line you kind of forget about it,” Wisenbaker said.
“So we would be responsible for the 25 percent of the over $1 million you’ve applied for?” asked County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook during the regular Commissioners Court session Monday morning.
Wisenbaker affirmed the county would be responsible for 25 percent of the grant match, and the grant funding would cover drainage projects at five different locations, including one on Pipeline Road and some projects in Precinct 1 as well.
“Right now, we’ve been selected as an alternative. This was through a text message. This is not a hardcore letter. I don’t believe FEMA until they send us letters that have got somebody’s signature on it,” Wisenbaker said.
Often, the county is able to match quite a bit of their portion of the grant funding with in-kind labor. For instance, Wisenbaker said, when she serve in office as the Precinct 1 Commissioner, the contract noted the county would supply the labor then hired a contractor to do other more specialized tasks such as box culverts. While the county did have to pay a small amount, most of the county’s portion came from in-kind labor.
Additional FEMA funding entities may apply to receive have to do with the pandemic, and cover 100 percent of the cost.
A recent grant the county plans to apply for would provide a mobile trailer with the most recent technology, which could be driven to rural areas to supply vaccinations or virus or other medical testing at schools or large community events, bringing the necessary medical technology to residents instead of making residents travel into town where they are offered at other locations
“It’s a wonderful facility. It will be with the most recent technical equipment that we can put in it,” Wisenbaker noted. “And that one is 100 percent.”
“We’re still trying to get the final numbers on it. We’ve actually visited the plant. They are a sole source provider because of a tent system that we can connect to this trailer to make it even larger. So it’ll be a sole proprietor vendor on that side of it,” Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley noted.
The vendor builds “all the NASCAR and professional drag race trailers.” The trailer that would be constructed for Hopkins County, Endsley said, should last for quite a while – “hopefully, 25 years plus” or longer. The trailer would be available not only for Hopkins County Emergency Management use but would be available regionally for surrounding counties, law enforcement, EMS and fire department uses.
“I’d like to commend former commissioner Wisenbaker for all the work she’s done throughout this process. From beginning to end, she’s been right there. She’s taken a tremendous load off of me to do this, Shannah as well,” Endsley said.
Aulsbrook concurred that Wisenbaker’s work has take on quite a bit of work that would have fallen to her office as well, and extended her thanks to the local grants advisor. Endsley
“You guys are very welcome. You know after having worked with me for many years, 20 years that I was here, there’s nothing better I better than making the system work for the people that we serve. So, that’s why I am here. I’m here to use the right words and stuff to make sure the courts’ decisions, that we can get the best money for our buck,” Wisenbaker said.
Abundant Community Generosity To 2019-2020 United Way Campaign Benefits Community Chest
Hopkins County Community Chest this week reaped the benefit of the community support of Hopkins County United Way.
“Thanks to our generous donors, Hopkins County United Way is very proud to present an excess allocation payment in the amount of $16,197.54 to Community Chest from the 2019-2020 Hopkins County United Way campaign. This amount is in addition to excess allocation payments made in July to 16 Hopkins County non-profit organizations supported by the 2019-2020 campaign. Excess allocation payment made from the 2019-2020 campaign total $33,729.01,” HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning explained.
HCUW presented Community Chest with the $16,197.54 check on Sept. 28, 202. The money will go toward Community Chest’s goals of helping county residents who are at or below the poverty level meet basic needs of food and shelter, medical and dental care. In 2020, Community Chest helped 1,560 individuals.
The 2021-2022 HCUW campaign to raise $150,000 to benefit 18 local nonprofit organizations is currently in progress. For additional information about the current campaign, HCUW or previous campaigns, call or text 903-243-4066. Donations may be made through your place of work; mailed to PO Box 735, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483-0735; handed to any HCUW officer, board member or campaign worker; on the Hopkins County United Way Facebook page; call or text HCUW campaign headquarters, 903-243-4066.
CHRISTUS Covid Testing Offered Weekdays by Appointment Only
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs is offering a Testing COVID Drive-Thru Testing Clinic for people who need or want to be tested for COVID but are unable to find a clinic or provider available. This may be due to their Primary Care Physician not having openings, or the Urgent Care is full with an extremely long wait time. To take advantage of the COVID testing, you must schedule an appointment by phone. Walk-ins are not accepted.
See below for information on the Sulphur Springs COVID Drive-Thru Testing Clinic.
- CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Primary Care in Sulphur Springs is now scheduling patients who are unable to schedule an office or urgent care visit for COVID testing.
- Schedule an appointment by calling 903-885-3181, then press option 0.
- We will open the schedule daily by 8:30 a.m. depending on staffing availability for the COVID drive through.
- Current tentative available times for testing are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Come to the parking lot of 100 Medical Circle at your scheduled appointment time and remain in your vehicle. Someone will be out shortly to check the patient in and begin the appointment.
- Patients are required to sign up for a MyChart account.
- Results of COVID testing will be available to patients via MyChart.
Technical Destination Imagination Team Winners
The Technical Destination Imagination Team had an amazing season this past year. They received 1st place at Regional Competition, 3rd place at the State Level, and then 3rd place in Globals. At Globals, they were competing against 50 teams from all over the world. This team is coached by Bryan Cole and Kelly Shutt and consists of 7 SSMS students from all three grades. The team members are Brody Emmert, Nathan Bilyeu, Sawyer Shutt, Tyler Scott, Isaac Riley, Cara Batterton, and Hannah Speed.
The 2020-2021 DI Competitions were Virtual this year, so the team had to use technical methods in a story involving a video game. They were required to do all filming, editing, planning, and building independently.
All of the SSMS Destination Imagination teams (6) advanced to State Competition this year, and 2 advanced to Globals. It was a great DI Season and we are looking forward to an in-person competition season for 2021-2022!
Smith Appointed Interim CEO Of Hospital District While Search For Next Executive Continues
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors Tuesday afternoon appointed Brent Smith to serve as interim CEO while the search for a new financial executive continues.
HCHD Board voted unanimously, following an executive session at the end of the Sept. 28, 2021 meeting, to appoint Smith to serve as chief executive officer for the hospital district.
Smith served in a leadership capacity for the hospital district as director of EMS operations since July 2007. The HCHD board on Sept. 17, 2019, changed the district’s management structure, appointing Brent Smith as chief operating officer and director of EMS, and Ron Folwell as chief executive officer and chief financial officer.
Folwell was a public accountant for about 20 years and had served as CFO for several organizations for 20 years before being appointed hospital district administrator in October of 2016, when the hospital district entered into the joint venture with CHRISTUS Health and had to establish a new administrative operation after CHRISTUS assumed operational management of the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital. Folwell recently submitted his notice of retirement as CEO/CFO, which was officially accepted by HCHD Board at a special Sept. 14 hospital district meeting, hospital district representatives said Wednesday morning.
In addition to his duties as director for EMS services for Hopkins, Delta, Franklin and Rains counties and chief operating officer for HCHD, Smith has been very active and held leadership positions in Texas EMS circles as well, including serving as president of the Texas EMS Alliance, chairman of the board of directors of the Northeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, and task force leader for the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force which provides medical response during disasters More recently, his regional and state affiliations have meant deployments to help coordinate and provide assistance in evacuating residents during flooding, tornadoes and hurricanes across the state and region, and COVID-19 related response services across the state as well.
Resumes are being accepted by the hospital district for candidates for a new CEO/CFO. The individual should be an accountant with enough CFO experience end expertise to effectively steer the hospital district, which oversees not only Hopkins County EMS, but also financials for half a dozen nursing homes in other cities, as well as some rental properties.
Interested candidates may submit information or contact the HCHD headquarters at 903-438-4446 or 1321 North Davis St., in the same building as Hopkins County EMS; or HCHD Board President Kerry Law for additional information.
6 Jailed On Felony Charges
Several individuals were Jailed on felony charges from Sept. 23-28, 2021, and jailed in Hopkins County.
Arrested at the Sheriff’s Office
Brayden Lynn Brown turned himself in at 4:38 p.m. Sept. 25, 2021, at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Bobby Osornio escorted the 19-year-old Sulphur Springs man into the county jail, where he was booked on a warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for burglary of a habitation, according to jail reports.
Brown remained in Hopkins County jail on the felony charge Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, on the charge. He was jailed March 29 for unauthorized use of a vehicle and burglary of a habitation. He was served in jail with a warrant for the charge on June 9, according to jail reports.
State Highway 19 North Arrest
HCSO Deputy Justin Wilkerson stopped a 1998 Chevrolet Silverado for a defected high center mounted stop light at 3:03 a.m. Sept. 25, 2021, on State Highway 19 north at Count Road 4779.
Upon contact with the driver, identified as 37-year-old Justin Keith Morris of Cooper, they notices an open container and more than one firearm in the vehicle. A records check u sing the man’s information showed multiple felony convictions on his criminal history, the last in 2012, which would prevent him from lawfully being in possession of a firearm, Wilkerson alleged in arrest reports.
HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis arrived to assist. Morris was taken into custody. Six firearms were recovered from the truck, which was released to a member of Morris’ family. Morris, however, was transported to the county jail, where he was booked later Saturday for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, the deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Morris was released from the county jail later Sept. 25, on a $5,000 bond, according to jail reports.
Arrested By Constable At JP’s Office
Precinct 2 Constable John Beadle took was made aware that two wanted people were at the clerk’s window for the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Court at 2:45 p.m. Sept. 24, 2021.
Beadle placed 27-year-old Brianna Marie Galaviz and 21-year-old Rodney Justin Condo, both of Sulphur Springs, into custody on one tampering with or fabricating physical evidence warrant and detained them until Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chris Baumann arrived to transport the pair to the county jail. The offense was noted in arrest reports to have occurred on Sept. 21, 2021.
Both Galaviz and Condo remained in the county jail Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in lieu of the $25,000 bond set on the charge, according to jail reports.
Friday marked the second time in less than 2 weeks the Sulphur Springs pair has been booked into Hopkins County jail. Both were arrested overnight Sept. 13 for possession of drug paraphernalia, then released from jail Sept. 14, according to Hopkins County jail records.
Goodman Street Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Todd Evans and Investigator Michael Russell saw Shalik Daydon Reed in the passenger seat of a black Chevrolet pickup as it drove past a Goodman Street address at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 23, 2021. A traffic stop was initiated on the truck, and 23-year-old Reed was taken into custody on the warrant.
The Sulphur Springs man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 2:25 p.m. Sept. 23, on the order revoking his bond on an aggravated sexual assault charge. He too was served with city warrants for expired registration and no driver’s license, according to arrest reports.
Thursday was the second time is bond has been revoked on the charge, according to jail reports. He was jailed from April 30-June 12, 2020 on the aggravated sexual assault of a child warrant, then returned to jail for an overnight stay on Dec. 21, 2020, on the outstanding charge revoking his bond on the charge, according to jail records.
Reed remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, on the bond revocation charge, according to jail reports.
CR 4581 Warrant Arrest
HCSO Deputies Josh Davis and Nick Marney served Michael Joe McPherson a 10 p.m. Sept. 23, 2021, at a County Road 4581 residence with warrants for violation of probation, which he was on for a third or more driving while intoxicated offense, and for failure to drive in a single lane, according to jail reports.
The 50-year-old Sulphur Springs man, who is reported in jail reports to be known as Mike McPherson or Micky J, remained in Hopkins County jail without bond on the probation violation. Thursday was the third time McPherson has been booked into the county jail for violating probation on the Oct. 1, 2018 third or more offense DWI charge; he was also jailed Aug. 23, 2019-Jan. 17, 2020 and Nov. 19, 2020-March 8, 2021, according to jail records.
McPherson’s history of DWI arrests in Hopkins County goes back to 1991. He was jailed in Hopkins County June 23-25, 1991, Aug. 22-Sept. 22, 1991 and May 22-23, 1993; Sept. 8, 1993 on a DWI indictment; and April 1-June 10, 1996 on a violation of probation on third DWI charge, according to jail reports.
Lady Cats Volleyball Loses Five Set Thriller in Hallsville
The Lady Cats volleyball team fought all the way to the finish but fell just short of victory in a five set thrilling game in Hallsville.
Even though the Hallsville Lady Cats stormed out to a 10-2 lead, it did not matter as Coach Bailey Dorner’s squad came back for a come-from-behind, 25-19 set one win.
Hallsville then turned around and cruised to a 25-14 set two victory.
The home Lady Cats then took another set, 25-22 to put Sulphur Springs in danger of losing the game trailing at two sets to one.
Coach Dorner’s team did what they do best when down; they fought back with their backs against the wall and responded with a huge 25-23 set four victory to push the game to a fifth set.
Set five proved to be another back-and-fourth affair.
The deciding set tied eight times, with the final tie coming at 13-all.
Hallsville would then go on to score two straight and win the fifth set and match, 3-2.
Sulphur Springs fought all the way until the very end.
When down 2-1 they could have folded and lost to Hallsville in four, instead, they persevered and lost an extremely close match to a talented Hallsville Lady Cats team.
The loss drops the Lady Cats volleyball team’s season record to 17-11 (3-2 district).
The Tuesday night loss in Hallsville also snaps Sulphur Springs’ two game winning streak.
Next up, Coach Dorner‘s squad will be back at home on Friday looking for the rebound win versus Longview.
The varsity will get things going at 4:30 PM, followed by the freshman and JV squads.
That game, if given permission by Longview, will be live-streamed onto KSST Radio’s YouTube channel.
Regardless of livestream capabilities, Friday’s volleyball matchup with the Lady Lovos will be broadcasted on KSST 1230 AM.
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.
