2 Sulphur Springs Men Sentenced On One Sexual Assault Charge Each
Two Sulphur Springs men were sentenced this week in the 8th Judicial District Court on one sexual assault charge each.
Fernando Santana-Vasquez made an open plea in court to a sexual assault of a child, who was 15 at the time of the offense. Eighth Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt sentenced the 51-year-old Sulphur Springs man to 4 years of imprisonment and fined him $4,000 on the sexual assault of a child case on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The range of punishment for the offense, under Texas law, is 2-20 years imprisonment in a state penitentiary, with an optional fine of up to $10,000. Deferred adjudication probation was also an option for the court under the law.
Assistant District Attorney Zach Blackmon asked the judge to sentence Santana-Vasquez to prison time while the defense argued for probation.
Santana-Vasquez, who is also known by Fernando Santana-Vazquez and Fernando Santana, has remained in Hopkins County jail since deputies arrested him Aug. 4, 2020, for impeding traffic by stopping the vehicle he was driving for several seconds in a construction zone on State Highway 11 west, according to arrest and jail reports. The Sulphur Springs man was later served with warrants for one aggravated sexual assault of a child charge and three sexual assault of a child charges, which 2020 arrest reports alleged occurred on June 1, 2020. He was indicted in October on four sexual assault charges according to court records.
As part of his punishment Santa-Vasquez will have to register as a sex offender annually for the rest of his life, per Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Failure to do so would result in a separate third-degree felony offense punishable upon conviction for 2-10 years with an optional fine up to $10,000.
On Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, Judge Northcutt sentenced Jose Juan Eduardo Santana to 10 years imprisonment and fined him $5,000 for sexual assault; the victim was 20 years old at the time of the offense. Santana entered a open plea in court and the judge assessed punishment on the charge.
The range of punishment for sexual assault, offense under Texas law, is 2-20 years imprisonment in a state penitentiary with an optional fine up to $10,000. Deferred adjudication probation was an option for the court under the law. ADA Blackmon reportedly asked Newsom to sentence Santana to serve time in prison while Santana’s attorney argued for probation.
The 31-year-old Sulphur Springs man was originally arrested on July 23, 2020, by deputies on three sexual assault warrants. He was released from jail two days later on $150,000 in bond, after securing the $50,000 bond set per charge, according to arrest and jail reports. Santana was indicted in November 2020 on all three charges, according to court reports.
Santana also will have to register as a sex offender annually for the rest of his life due to the sex crime conviction, in accordance with Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Failure to do so would result in a separate third-degree felony offense punishable upon conviction to a term of imprisonment in a state penitentiary for 2-10 years with an optional fine up to $10,000.
381 Agreement For JB Weld, Repositioning Of Culvert, DMV Optional Fees, Grant Documents
A Chapter 381 Economic Development Program agreement for JBW Holdings LLC, repositioning of a culvert, DMV optional fees, and routine grant documents were among the items Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved during the regular court session this week.
JB Weld Agreement
After a lengthy negotiation process, Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday unanimously approved a 381 Economic Development Program Agreement with JB Weld LLC.
“This has actually been ongoing for a long time, over a year, where we’ve been working on this. JB Weld is expanding and that’s a really, really good thing for our community,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said of the business, located at 400 CMH Road, just off Interstate 30 in the Pioneer Business Park. “They are expanding their building and adding employees. We’ve negotiated this for a long time actually, for more than a year.”
The business, which had a 2020 ad valorem taxable value of just over $4.7 million, has committed to investing $4 million to expand its epoxy glue manufacturing business with construction of a 40,000 square-foot facility on the 12.24-acre tract of land, with the project to be completed by June 30, 2022, according to the ED Program agreement. This will allow JB Weld to add 20 new fulltime positions, giving the business a total of 102 fulltime employees, which the company agreed to maintain the duration of the Chapter 381 agreement.
“They are currently under construction so you can see where they are working at,” Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Roger Feagley noted. “This is a 5-year program, rather than the typical 10 years. It’s 100 percent for 5 years.”
In other words, county has agreed to reimburse 100 percent of the county ad valorem taxes paid by JB Weld on the new addition for tax years 2021-2025, provided. In exchange, JB Weld has agreed to maintain its current workforce of at least 82 fulltime employees during construction, then 102 after the new addition is complete and 20 new employees are added.
Starting Dec. 31, 2021, and each year for the 5 years of the agreement, a compliance verification report must be submitted to the county verifying the full-time employment requirement has been created and maintained, as well as the taxable appraised value of the property. The county then will reimburse 100 percent of the county ad valorem taxes paid for the new addition for that tax year, according to the agreement approved by the Commissioners Court.
Culvert Repositioning
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin explained that a house was built on a lot located at 69 Wylie Drive, a Sulphur Springs address, located right in front of a drainage culvert. So now, the water is flowing right at the residents’ front door.
“They’ve asked for that culvert to be relocated, which it can’t be relocated. It’s in there at a diagonal is what’s making it go right at their door,” Anglin explained.
Talking with the residents as well as their neighbors, an agreement which both have signed has been reached to change the diagonal of the culvert. Although that will send some water onto another property, both parties have agreed to it and agreed the county will not be liable for changing the waterflow. The residents agreed to buy the culvert which county employees will put under the road to channel drainage.
Anglin then made the motion to approve the request which will change the direction of the culvert. Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker seconded the motion, which received unanimous approval of the court.
Annual Fees, Contract Renewals, Agreements
Hopkins County Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Mitchell presented a request to approve two additional fees added to the motor vehicle registration fees.
“Texas Department of Motor Vehicles each year asks us to sign off on our additional fees on our car registrations. Hopkins County has the $10 road and bridge fee on each vehicle and we have also done the dollar for the Child Safety Program. We just need to redo, for another year, our fees,” Mitchell told the Commissioners Court during the elected officials’ regular Sept. 13 court session.
A motion was made by Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley, then seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price, to approve the additional DMV fees as recommended for the 2022 calendar year. The court voted unanimously approving the optional fees collected to go toward road and bridge work and to the Child Safety program, as recommended by the Mitchell.
The Commissioners Court also unanimously approved a second contract renewal to participate in entity services agreement with the Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service.
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook reported that SAVNS is a grant program. In order to proceed and receive fund each year, the county is required to accept the agreement annually.
Also approved was a contract by and between the county and ArkTex Council of Governments for the purchase of juvenile services.
“This is something we do every year. It allows us to continue to take care off our juvenile situations here in Hopkins County, including Juvenile Probation Office,” Newsom noted.
Welding Class at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
CHECKING WORK
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding shop instructor John Plemons, right, checks out the metal arc welding job of student Nathan Brown completed in class. For information about welding classes or other workforce courses, call the Sulphur Springs campus at 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Tips To Better Protect Yourself And Your Family From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
As temperatures begin to dip overnight, it won’t be long until people begin lighting heaters to ward off the overnight autumnal lows. Before you do, be sure your home is protected against carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide or CO is an odorless gas that is sometimes called the invisible killer? It comes from burning fuel in vehicles, small engines, stoves, and other appliances that use gas.
Carbon monoxide can be harmful. When you breathe in carbon monoxide, it replaces oxygen in your blood. This can make you short of breath, cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, weakness, or even death. The most common causes of carbon monoxide build up are incorrectly installed or poorly maintained or ventilated appliances such as stoves and hot water heaters.
Now that you know what causes carbon monoxide build up, here are some tips on how to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning and what should be done when there is an emergency involving carbon monoxide.
- Do not cover the bottom of natural gas or propane ovens with aluminum foil. Doing so can block air flow and cause carbon monoxide build-up.
- Never use a charcoal grill, oil lantern, or portable camping stove inside.
- Never use a portable generator or any gas-powered engine in your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open. These appliances should be used outside and at least 20 feet away from your home and other structures.
- Install a carbon monoxide alarm outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home. Make sure the alarms aren’t blocked by furniture or curtains.
- Test alarms every month. Replace your alarms every 10 years or when their end-of-life signals sound. Replace alarm batteries at least once a year.
- When the alarm sounds, do not ignore it. Make sure everyone goes quickly outdoors. Call 9-1-1 and stay outdoors until emergency responders say it’s safe to go back inside.
These are only a few tips to help you avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. For more information and any other resources on how to protect your home from emergencies, visit the Texas Department of Insurance website at tdi.texas.gov or and The Center of Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Wildcats Cross Country Places Fifth at Hallsville Invitational
The Wildcats cross country team had a good day last Saturday.
The Lady Cats got things going at 8 A.M. in Hallsville, followed by the Wildcats around 8:30 A.M.
While the women’s team did not perform as well as the men did, two Lady Cats runners managed to medal at the competition.
That means of about 100 runners participating in the women’s 5A and 6A 5K race, two Lady Cat runners from Sulphur Springs placed in the top-15.
Haylee Schultz lead the way for the women’s team, placing 13th overall.
Coach Hicks said that Schultz’s time was a little bit longer than last week’s in the Kaufman Run with the Lions, but the cross country coach noted that Hallsville’s course is more challenging than the one they ran in Kaufman.
Finishing 15 seconds behind Schultz was freshman Jaicee Jasmer, a runner that Coach Hicks continually praises for her work ethic and ability to push her teammates to be better.
Jasmin Yanez came in after Jasmer, with the Wildcats cross country coach saying that the freshman ran really well.
The men’s team got themselves a top-5 finish thanks in large part to the seniors who anchor this squad.
The Wildcats were lead by senior Jose Mejia, who was able to narrowly miss out on the top-5 himself, coming in sixth place. Coach Ross Hicks said Mejia’s efforts in Hallsville was his best race of the 2021 fall season.
Hicks said that Mejia started out in a top-15 spot, but was able to claw his way back up to finish outside of the top-5.
Another senior followed Mejia in Evan Patrick, whose time was right around 18 minutes, Coach Hicks said. Like Mejia he made up lost ground thanks in large part due to his diligence, work ethic, and dedication to the craft.
Coming in third for the men’s team was freshman Cristobal Torres, a young gun the cross country coach says continues to get better as the season wares on.
Coach Ross Hicks and his team were missing a number of runners, with some missing due to illness and some as healthy scratches.
They will need to be back up to full strength on Friday if they hope to get a top-5 finish in Friday’s meet.
Next up, the Wildcats cross country team will be in Longview on Friday when they take part in the Pine Tree Mike Darby Invitational.
The start times for the meet, starting with the larger 5A and 6A schools which will be lead by the women’s teams, has the same start times as last week’s Hallsville Invitational; the 5A and 6A women will start at 8 A.M., with the men will begin around 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.
Tira News – Sept. 15, 2021: Tira Food Pantry Receives Boost From Community, Elementary Students
Dodd, Lewis Unopposed In Bids For Reelection To Tira City Council
By Jan Vaughn
The Tira City Council met on Sunday afternoon, September 12, 2021, at the Tira Community Center and conducted routine business. A few residents from the Dike community were also in attendance to observe. Joyce Dodd reported that the Tira Food Pantry had received some generous donations. I received an anonymous donation this week, as well. Sherry Smiddy Clair informed us on Monday that the North Hopkins Elementary School is collecting non-perishable items for the pantry. We appreciate everyone who contributes to the cause!
Tami Joslin reported that there have been a few instances of items being left on the ground outside near the pantry. The council would like to remind everyone to contact Tami, 903-268-2496, or Joyce Dodd, 903-348-8754, to arrange to deliver your donations, so that food is not left out in the weather. Just a reminder that ours is a small pantry, so there is no room for large food items. Also, we don’t have a clothing pantry, so those donations will need to be given to another organization.
Janie Lewis wasn’t in attendance, but she sent a report on the Community Center rentals. If you are interested in putting your event on the calendar, please contact Janie at 903-945-2395.
I, Jan Vaughn, Tira City Secretary, reported that Tira Mayor Allen Joslin and council members Joyce Dodd and Janie Lewis are unopposed for another two-year term. We appreciate their commitment to the community.
Robert and Yvonne Weir had visitors from Montana and Granbury Tuesday night, Ray Hall and Dave and Eileen Misener. Yvonne reports, “We had a good visit and played Mexican train. They left Wednesday morning headed for Tennessee.”
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Commissioners Court Approves Reinvestment Zone And 381 Agreements For 3 Solar Projects
Hopkins County Commissioners Court this week, after hearing from at least five Dike property owners regarding issues related to a solar facility to be constructed in that community, tackled four other items on the agenda pertaining to three additional solar farms, including a reinvestment zone, an amendment to one Chapter 381 agreement, and requests for tax incentives for solar facilities proposed for Saltillo and Pine Forest communities.
These proposed solar projects are to be constructed on mostly agricultural exempt land. When they are put into production, that will increase revenue across the county for all taxing entities within the boundaries of which the project is located. A clause in the agreements stipulate they the property while in use for the solar project cannot be granted an agricultural exemption; taxes instead will be figure at fair market, County Judge Robert Newsom, Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley and Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Director Roger Feagley noted during the Sept. 13 Commissioners Court session.
Saltillo Solar Project
The Commissioners Court conducted first a public hearing to allow any who wished to speak or ask questions an opportunity to do so regarding a request to create a reinvestment zone and a Chapter 381 Economic Development Program agreement Stampede Solar LLC, a project planned for construction in the Saltillo area.
Feagley described a reinvestment zone as “a really benign little thing.”
“It’s nothing more than a geographical area, and it doesn’t affect anyone’s property values or property taxes or anything like that. We’re just drawing a line, a circle out there that says at some point in the future you can do some sort of tax incentive and that’s all it is. It doesn’t affect anybody around it. Matter of fact, you could make the whole county a reinvestment zone and it wouldn’t change anybody’s anything,” Feagley told the Commissioners Court during their regular meeting Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.
The reinvestment zone, Feagley noted, includes the property of the people who have leased the land, Stampede Solar, and only their property.
“That means if you didn’t lease your property to it, you’re not in the reinvestment zone,” Feagley said. “It lasts for 5 years and then it goes away, unless there’s tax incentive. Then, it will last until the end of the tax incentive.”
A reinvestment zone is needed for the hospital district to be able to consider a request from the developer for a tax incentive. The hospital district does not have the power to create a reinvestment zone, but the Commissioners Court does. Thus, the county officials were asked to consider approving a reinvestment zone for Stampede Solar so that Hopkins County Hospital District can, in the future, consider a request for a tax abatement for Stampede Solar LLC, Feagley explained.
After the public hearing for the reinvestment zone was closed, Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley made a motion that was seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker approving a resolution for the reinvestment zone for Stampeded Solar, LLC. The motion received unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court.
The Commissioners Court then considered Stampede Solar’s the request for a Chapter 381 Economic Development Program agreement, which is projected to include a capital investment of no less than $274.8 million. Stampede Solar has attained rights to use more than 2,800 acres across nine properties owned by four different families in the Saltillo area. The project will be located near County Line Road and FM 900 in the Saltillo area. Per the agreement, the project may include but is not limited to include:
Solar Modules and Panels
• Inverter Boxes
• Meteorological Equipment
• Operation and Maintenance Building
• Electrical Substations
• Associated Towers
• Storage Systems
• Racking and Mounting Structures
• Combiner Boxes
• Foundations
• Roadways, Paving and Fencing
• Generation Transmission Tie Line
• Interconnection Facilities and
• Power Conditioning Equipment.
Per the agreement, developer Enel Green Power North America Inc. agrees to pay all of the taxes owed from the previous year beginning in tax year 2022. The county would then, if the developer meets all conditions of the agreement, reimburse 100 percent of the county ad valorem taxes for tax years 2023-2032.
However, Stampede has agreed for tax years 2023-2032 to make a pilot payment annually. Annual amounts for the Pilot program are figured based on a couple of factors, including nameplate capacity, which is the total generating capacity of the improvements on the property in megawatts AC. The first payment is projected to be $429,000 in 2023, and would then be $286,000 each year after through 2032. Pilot payments are due on the Jan. 31, annually, following a year for which the reimbursed ad valorem tax applies. Payment for tax year 2023 is due on Jan. 31, 2024.
The project will provide 5 new full-time equivalent employment positions working on the property. The developer for Stampede Solar project is Enel Green Power North America Inc., with Zach Precopia as project manager.
The developer also, according to the 381 agreement, can terminate the agreement on or before Dec. 31, 2021, for any reason by notifying the county in writing. If the developer defaults, the county can cancel the agreement and recover any economic benefit provided to the developer through the cancelation date.
The developer has already submitted to Saltillo ISD a request for a tax incentive, which was vetted by Texas Comptroller’s Office as meeting requirements for the agreement. The Commissioners Court voted to approved the agreement for Stampede Solar
Pine Forest Solar I
Hopkins County Commissioners Court also agreed to amend the Chapter 381 Economic Development Program agreement with Pine Forest Solar I, LLC. during the Sept. 13, court session.
The agreement, according to Feagley, is essentially the same ast he one previously approved by the Commissioners Court, except the dates are backed up two years.
The Pine Forest Solar I, LLC, project is estimated to be at least a $252 million project which spans across an estimated 1,883 acres of land, across approximately 40 tracts of land owned at least seven different owner families or groups. The project is required to create two full-time equivalent employment positions working on the property for the term of the agreement. Construction of the project is to be completed, per the 381 agreement, by Dec. 31, 2024.
The facility is anticipated to have a total capacity of up to 284.6 MW AC of solar and will feature up to
approximately 995,148 photovoltaic panels, and up to approximately 76 central inverters. It will include but is not limited to include as components:
- Inverter Boxes
- Meteorological Equipment
- Operation and Maintenance Building
- Electrical Substations
- Associated Towers
- Storage Devices
- Racking and Mounting Structures
- Combiner Boxes
- Foundations
- Roadways, Paving and Fencing
- Generation Transmission Tie Line
- Interconnection Facilities
- Power Conditioning Equipment
- Solar Modules and Panels
Developer Telios, headed by Shannon McCall, agreed to pay all county ad valorem taxes for the property by Jan. 31 of each tax year, beginning in tax year 2024 through 2033. If all terms of the agreement are met, the county will then reimburse those 100 percent of those payments for 10 years.
Beginning in tax year 2024, and each year after through tax year 2033, the developer agrees to provide a compliance verification certifying the job requirement is fulfilled, including IRS 941 returns or Texas Workforce Commission Employer Quarterly Reports, the taxable appraised value of the property and personalty on the property for that tax year.
The developer also agrees to annually pay a pilot payment, based on a formula involving nameplate capacity and megawatt AC and paid to the county by Jan. 31 of each calendar year for the 10 years of the agreement. The first payment is anticipated to be $514,320.58, higher because it includes additional funding for road repairs and maintenance due to the use of the county roads to haul in the solar panels and other construction materials. Payments each year after, starting in 2025 and continuing through 2033 are projected to be $342,880.39, according to the amended agreement approved by the court on Sept. 13, 2021.
Pine Forest Hybrid I, LLC
The Commissioners Court too approved a Chapter 381 ED Program agreement for Pine Forest Hybrid I, LLC. Essentially, Feagley explained, this agreement mirrored the Pine Forest Solar I, LLC, agreement. The developer decided to add at least $150 million worth of batteries to the $252 million Pine Forest solar farm project.
The energy storage facility would employ two new full-time equivalent employment positions working on the property. The project is to be completed by Dec. 31, 2023, at which time the two employees would begin work.
The facility is anticipated to have a total capacity of up to 285.0 MW AC of Storage. and will include but is not limited to having as components:
Battery storage of energy
• Inverter Boxes
• Electrical Substations
• Associated Towers
• Combiner Boxes
• Foundations
• Roadways, Paving and Fencing
• Generation Transmission Tie Line
• Interconnection Facilities and
• Power Conditioning Equipment.
As is the case for the other 381 agreements approved Monday for solar projects, all county ad valorem taxes must be paid in full by Jan. 31 of each year starting in 2023 and continuing through 2032. Once required documentation is provided annually showing the solar business has met all terms of the agreement, the county ad valorem payment would be reimbursed for 10 years, starting with tax year 2023 and ending with tax year 2032.
A pilot payment also will be made for the solar storage project annually during the 10-years of the 381 agreement, based on a formula that factors in overall nameplate capacity and 285-megawatt AC. The first payment for the Telios solar storage project is expected to be $306,141.30, the annual payment in each of the nine following years is projected to be $204,094.20, according to the agreement.
Get Ready for the Saltillo Community Homecoming Sunday October 10,2021
The Saltillo Community Home Coming will be held in the Saltillo High school cafeteria. Those who are attending are asked to bring a covered dish. Tea and water will be provided.
- The Homecoming event will begin with coffee and visiting at 10:30 a.m.
- Lunch will start at 12:20 p.m.
- Following lunch, there will be a short program and the discussing of business, starting at 1:15 p.m.
- After the program everyone is free to visit with each other until they are ready to go home.
If there are any questions, contact Lydia Hatch at [email protected].
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Aggravated Sexual Assault
A 44-year-old Sulphur Springs man accused of aggravated sexual assault was arrested Tuesday evening on a warrant, according to police and arrest reports.
He is accused of the aggravated assault of a child who was younger than 14 years of age. The victim made an outcry. Sulphur Springs Police were alerted. The alleged victim was interviewed at Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, a probable cause affidavit was composed and a warrant issued for Cesar Emilio Andino’s arrest.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Robble Acosta contacted the man at his Sulphur Springs residence, confirmed Andino’s identity and took him into custody at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14, 2021, on the warrant. Investigation in the case is ongoing, according to SSPD Lt. Rusty Stillwagoner.
The 44-year-old was booked into the county jail at 7:18 p.m. Sept. 14 and remained there Wednesday morning, Sept. 15, 2021, on the aggravated sexual assault charge. Bond was set at $250,000 on the first-degree felony warrant.
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.
Chamber Connection – September 15, 2021: It’s Not Too Late For Stew Cooks To Register For Contest
By Butch Burney
It’s not too late for stew cooks to get their registration forms in for the 52nd Annual World Championship Hopkins County Stew Contest, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, at Buford Park.
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.
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.
Additionally, the Camber is still accepting vendors for the Stew Fest Market, which will be located on the south side of Buford Park during Friday night and Saturday Stew Contest activities. This is a great opportunity to sell goods or to promote your business to 7,000 people who attend the Stew Contest annually. Vendors may rent booth space to sell goods or distribute information about their business. Booths will be assigned on a first-paid basis. Access to electricity is not guaranteed. Generators are permitted. Vendors who are interested in purchasing booth space, call the Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515 email us at [email protected]
Christmas Ornaments
Our annual Christmas ornaments are for sale for $40 at the Chamber office. They feature the City Hall at Christmastime, and are the fourth in our series of ornaments featuring county scenes.
Ribeye Roundup
The Ribeye Roundup, kids zone and evening concert are coming to Celebration Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 2. You can purchase tickets at Texas Heritage National Bank.
You can also buy t-shirts to promote the event for $12 at the Chamber office, 110 Main St. Come by and pick up your shirt today.
Arts and Crafts Show
The 2021 Hopkins County Fall Festival Arts & Crafts Show will take place in the Sulphur Springs High School cafeteria and north entry way on Friday, Oct. 22 and Saturday, Oct. 23. This event is open to anyone with hand-made, hand-crafted items to sell. Unique items, including handmade soaps and lotions, greeting cards, Christmas and seasonal decorations, jewelry, wood carvings, and much more will be available for purchase. Contact Johanna Hicks at 903-885-3443 for more information.
Strong Town Seminar
Neal Barker, owner of Town and Country Cleaners has invited Charles Marohn, professional engineer and founder of the Strong Towns movement, to discuss with interested individuals how to improve the trajectory of our town and help us to become more resilient. He focuses on bottom-up strategies for making investments that will actually build wealth, all while improving quality of life for residents of our community.
The discussion is set for 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at The Venue at 219. Registration is free at the website: sulphurspringsstrong.eventbrite.com
Marohn is the founder and president of Strong Towns. He is a professional engineer and a land use planner with decades of experience. He is the author of Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity (Wiley, 2019). He hosts the Strong Towns Podcast and is a primary writer for Strong Towns’ web content. He has presented Strong Towns concepts in hundreds of cities and towns across North America. Planetizen named him one of the 10 Most Influential Urbanists of all time.
90+ Celebration
The Senior Citizen Center will hold smaller birthday celebrations at each of the six local nursing homes and assisted living centers to take the place of the annual 90+ banquet.
Karon Weatherman, director of the center, will serve cake and ice cream to all the residents of the facilities as well as present the 90+ seniors their Certificates of Award.
The schedule for the celebrations are:
- Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. – Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab
- Thursday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. – Rock Creek Health and Rehab
- Friday, Sept. 10, at 3:30 p.m. – Carriage House Manor and the Cottages
- Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. – Sunny Springs Nursing and Rehab
- Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. – Hopkins Place Assisted Living
- Thursday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. – Wesley House Assisted Living/Wesley Oaks Memory Care.
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for Sept. 15, Sulphur Springs Floral. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Sulphur Springs Floral hosted a ribbon cutting on Monday, Sept. 13, at their new location at 309 East Industrial, Suite 30.
Ribbon Cutting
Paradise Products, a woodworking company, held a ribbon cutting at the Chamber office to introduce themselves to the community.
