4 Jailed In Hopkins County On Felony Warrants
At least four people were jailed in Hopkins County on felony warrants in the past two days, including a teen accused of burglary, a 64-year-old back in jail for the second time this month, a man wanted for a parole violation and a woman wanted for a probation violation, according to arrest reports.
Airport Road Warrant Arrest
Randy Micheal McCoy was returned Monday to Hopkins County jail, marking the second time he has been in local custody this month.
On July 12, 2021, the 64-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody at 3:05 p.m. at his Airport Road residence on by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dan Turrentine and Investigator Michael Russell on warrant for violation of probation, which he was for a third or more driving while intoxicated offense, according to arrest reports He remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, July 14, 2021, without bond on the charge.
McCoy was also arrested Saturday morning, July 3, 2021, marking the third time he has been in Hopkins County jail on a driving while intoxicated, third or more offense, charge.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Silas Whaley responded in the 200 block of Jefferson Street at 9:23 p.m. July 3, where a vehicle was reported to be struck a barricade. Another peace officer reported McCoy exhibited signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and bloodshot, glassy eyes.
McCoy was taken into custody at 9:36 p.m. July 3, following standard field sobriety tests, for allegedly operating a vehicle, a red Ford F150, while intoxicated. He reportedly agreed to a breath test and was booked into jail around midnight on a third or more DWI charge. He was released from jail July 4, 2021, on a $10,000 bond on the third degree felony charge.
Jail records show that was the third time McCoy has been booked into Hopkins County jail on a third or more DWI charge. He was also arrested Feb. 8, 2004 and Feb. 11, 2012, on third or more DWI offenses. He was indicted on two felony DWI charges on Dec. 2, 2004, and again on another on Oct. 12, 2012. McCoy was sentenced to four-years for violating probation on a third DWI charge which started May 21, 2009. He was arrested on a violation of parole on Oct. 12, 2012.
Como Street Traffic Stop
(HCSO jail photo)
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro reported stopping a silver Hyundai at 2:49 p.m. July 12, 2021, on Como Street at Veterans Drive for a traffic violation.
A records check using the passenger’s identifying information showed the 38-year-old Sulphur Springs man to be wanted. Kenneth Katzenmaier was arrested and jailed on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division warrant for violating parole, which arrest reports show he was on for burglary of habitation.
Katzenmaier was held in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, July 14, 2021, on for the parole board on the warrant.
Surrender At The Sheriff’s Office
(HCSO jail photo)
A 17-year-old Sulphur Springs resident Monday afternoon, July 12, 2021, reported to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Lawrence Joel Jackson turned himself in to authorities on a felony warrant at 6:30 p.m.
Deputy Thomas Patterson was alerted and escorted Jackson into Hopkins County jail, where he was booked shortly before 7 p.m. on the felony burglary of a habitation warrant.
The Sulphur Springs teen remained in the Hopkins County jail late Wednesday morning, July 14, 2021, in lieu of the $50,000 bond set on the second-degree felony charge.
Arrested At Adult Probation Office
HCSO Deputy Justin Wilkerson was alerted Jennifer Williams was at the Adult Probation Office and had an outstanding warrant. The deputy took the woman into custody at 5:10 p.m. Tuesday at the Hinnant Street office.
The deputy transported the 39-year-old Point woman to Hopkins County jail, where she was booked at 5:30 p.m. July 13, 2021, on a Ochiltree County (one of five counties located in the most northern part of the Panhandle at the Texas-Oklahoma border) warrant.
Williams, who is also known by Jennifer Warren, was held in Hopkins County jail on the warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for theft of service, $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, according to Hopkins County jail reports. The offense is alleged to have occurred on June 22, 2021.
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.
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.
Lady Cats Volleyball Season Schedule Finalized
The volleyball schedule for Coach Bailey Dorner’s Lady Cats has been finalized, the coach confirmed over text Monday, July 12.
The Edge wraps up for most teams this week, but for others closer to the end of July. The summer is quickly approaching its conclusion which means season schedules for teams here in Sulphur Springs are soon to be finalized and released.
The first team to release their season schedule to KSST was Coach Bailey Dorner’s Lady Cats, who wrapped up the Edge for volleyball last Thursday, July 8.
Coach Dorner and her squad will host several scrimmages and matches; a tri-match between the Lady Cats, North Lamar and Sherman is set to serve citizens of Sulphur Springs on Aug. 10, and will be taking on Quinlan Ford and Pleasant Grove in the SSHS main gym on Aug. 24 and Sept. 7, respectively.
Sulphur Springs will also play a home-and-home series with Edgewood before district play begins.
Other notable games include the district opener at Mt. Pleasant on Sept. 10, before playing in the North Lamar tourney.
After the tournament, the Lady Cats volleyball team will be deeply entrenched in their district season when they host the Texas High Lady Tigers on Sept. 14 to begin a three game streak versus district foes Texas High, Marshall and Pine Tree.
Coach Dorner’s Lady Cats have a bye on Sept. 24 before beginning another stretch versus district opponents, this time six-straight games, before getting their final bye on Oct. 19.
The Lady Cats volleyball team close out their season with a game versus Hallsville on Oct. 22 and then at Longview on Oct. 26.
But before the season gets underway, volleyball tryouts start August 2 from 8 A.M. to 11 A.M. and then 12 P.M. to 1 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Chamber Connection – July 14:
By Butch Burney
And the winner is … Jamie Wilson.
Jamie, a graphic artist at Latsons.com submitted the winning artwork for the 52nd Annual Hopkins County Championship, and she did it with a colorful combination of stew-related art and Woodstock flair.
The artwork will appear on posters, signs, T-shirts and other memorabilia for the stew fest, which is Saturday, Oct. 23, with a Friday night lead-in at Buford Park.
Speaking of stew, we will start accepting cook registrations on Monday, Aug. 2, as well as applications for nonprofits to sell drinks at the contest, market booth registrations and sponsorships. Be looking for more information on all of that in the next few weeks.
Chamber Showcase
Time is getting short to sign up for the 3rd Annual Chamber Showcase. The Showcase is set for Thursday, Aug. 5, at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Tables are available for $60 each and vendors are asked to bring a $25 gift or gift card to be given away at random drawings. This is a fantastic networking event and a way for you, as a business owner or representative, to get your name and services out to the public. Only Chamber members can reserve booths for display (the public is invited to attend free of charge), so contact us at the Chamber to find out how your affordable annual membership not only allows you to rent a booth at the Showcase but gives you advantages and opportunities all year long. Come by or call the Chamber office at 903-885-6515 for more information. A registration link is on our website, HopkinsChamber.org.
Adult Leadership
The Adult Leadership program is currently accepting applications for the 2021-22 Adult Leadership class. Registration is on our website, HopkinsChamber.org or I can email you the documents if you contact me at [email protected] or by calling 903-885-6515.
Adult Leadership takes you through all of the services of the city and county in an in-depth program that will enrich your life, both occupationally and individually.
If you applied last year, please re-apply this year. The class needs 20-25 members, and the deadline is Aug. 13.
Lunch and Learn
State Sen. Bob Hall and State Rep. Bryan Slaton will be in town for a Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15. Registration forms are on our website, so sign up to learn how laws passed (and not passed) by the Texas Legislature will affect your business. Lunch will be provided at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Tickets are $15 for Chamber members and $20 for nonmembers. Thanks for Atmos Energy and Oncor for sponsoring this important luncheon.
Journey Road Golf Tournament
Journey Road Ministries, a foster care ministry, is hosting its inaugural golf tournament at the Sulphur Springs Country Club on Monday, July 19. The four-person scramble will tee off at 8 a.m. To register, go to their website, JourneyRoadMinistries.com.
Mammography Screening
Hunt Regional Healthcare’s Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach will be at the Spring Village Shopping Center on Tuesday, July 22. All insurance is accepted, including Medicaid and Medicare. To schedule a mammogram, call 903-408-5010.
Jet Ski Race
A professional Jet Ski race event is coming to Sulphur Springs July 24-25 at Coleman Lake (Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Admission is free to the public and features food venders, local business booths, jet ski performance, and action-packed racing.
Jettribe is the title sponsor of the final round of the Texas WaterX Championship watercraft race series, sanctioned by the IJSBA, in Sulphur Springs. Winners of the Sulphur Springs Championship will be crowned Texas State Champions.
Details for vendors, hotel information, and racer registration can be found on the website www.jettribe.com/events/.
Youth Skills Camp
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is offering its Youth Skills Camp face-to-face this year. It is set for 9 a.m. to noon July 19-21 at the Extension office, with participation limited to the first 15 young people who register by calling 903-885-3443. The camp is free this year.
Sessions include: Fun with Foods, Public and Impromptu Speaking, and a horticulture class led by Hopkins County Master Gardeners.
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 July 14, Rehoboth Baptist Association. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Ribbon Cuttings
- On Wednesday, July 14, Joe’s Exxon will have a ribbon cutting at noon at the convenience store located at 1234 South Broadway St.
- Seamless Gutter Experts will host a ribbon cutting at the Chamber office, 110 Main St., at noon on Wednesday, July 21. Please come welcome them to the business community.
Fish Fry
First American Title (Money Law Firm) is having a fish lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 16, at their office, 1335 South Broadway St.
SSPD Reminds People To Secure Vehicles, Belongings To Reduce Likelihood Of Theft
Police Ask For Help Identifying 2 People
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson is reminding residents to secure vehicles and belongings to reduce the likelihood of becoming the victim of a vehicle burglary and theft. Police also are seeking the public’s help in identifying two people captured on video as well.
“The last couple of nights we have had several vehicle burglaries of unlocked vehicles. Please remember to remove your keys and lock your vehicle each night. Please don’t be an easy target,” Ricketson said.
Among the items stolen from vehicles over the last week have been firearms and wallets with personal ID. Two burglaries were reported overnight Monday at Austin Acres, Kellie Circle and Drexel Drive. Firearms were also taken July 8-9 out of vehicles on Houston Street and Hodge Street.
A coin-operated bottled drink machine on Reservoir Street was also reported to have been broken into sometime July 7-8.
Police also are asking for the public’s help in identifying two individuals captured on screen in connection with a case they are working.
Anyone who has any information regarding the identity of the two people below is asked to contact SSPD Det. Brian Shurtleff at 903-885-7602, or those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 903-885-2020.
Hicks: Preserving Your Harvest and Walk Across Texas in Coming Months
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County
Preserving Your Harvest Series
With more people venturing into growing their own food after the 2020 pandemic, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is offering new home gardeners a three-part series of online classes in August on how to preserve their food beyond the harvest.
According to my colleague in Castro County, last year when the course was first offered, 80 people attended.
The Preserving Your Harvest Online Canning Classes will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on August 9, 10 and 12. Those interested in attending should preregister at https://preservingyourharvest.eventbrite.com.
The fee is $15 for all three classes, with an additional $2.55 Eventbrite fee. The class schedule and topics are:
- August 9 – Introduction to canning – the why and how to can produce. This session will cover the science and safety and equipment used.
- August 10 – Water bath basics. This will be a discussion on what foods are safe and basic steps, with videos showing how to water bath jam/jelly, salsa and pickles.
- August 12 – Pressure canning basics. Participants will learn to preserve low-acid foods such as vegetables, meats, soups and more.
The classes were planned and will be taught by AgriLife Extension family and community health agents from Castro, Bailey, Yoakum, Terry, and Scurry Counties. You can log on from the comfort of you own home.
Also, feel free to drop by the Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office for free publications on preserving foods.
Walk Across Texas, Anyone?
Our office is gearing up for Walk Across Texas this fall. We will be recruiting team captains to fill teams of up to eight people to walk across Texas (figuratively).
The goal of the eight-week walking program is to achieve 832 miles as a team, which is approximately the distance between Beaumont and El Paso.
We will be kicking off the event and begin logging steps on September 15.
If you are interested in participating, I will be setting up the Walk Across Texas league soon, so send me your e-mail address and we’ll add you to the contact list.
Each participant will be responsible for logging their steps in the on-line system.
The link will be provided after teams are recruited.
Walk Across Texas is not a competition. It is simply an incentive to be intentional about getting in your daily steps.
I can even provide an equivalency guide so you can calculate other forms of physical activity into steps or miles. Great incentive prizes will be given at the end of the event.
The recommended number of daily steps is 10,000, which is close to 5 miles.
If you are interested in being part of the 2021 Fall Walk Across Texas, call the Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
Closing Thought
The most important single ingredients in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people
Theodore Roosevelt
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B W. Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]
SSISD 2021 Summer Food Service Program a Success
Following last year’s 2020 COVID-era Summer Food Service program in the Sulphur Springs School District, the 2021 program has been a lot easier. Veronica Arnold, SSISD Director of Child Nutrition, stated that the return to sit-down meals in the cafeteria and allowing kids the opportunity to select their own foods has brought back a sense of tradition and normalcy to the program. On the average, about 80 youngsters come in for Breakfast, and about 100 are served at Lunch. Since June, both meals have been offered to youngsters age 18 and younger each Monday through Thursday at the Barbara Bush Primary campus. The meals are free and require no application, registration or qualification is needed.
There are five kitchen staff on the weekly schedule who prepare meals, clean and order supplies. Two other employees make up the office staff; Arnold and administrative assistant Christina Munoz. According to Arnold, the program can purchase foods at a reduced cost through the Region 8 Service Center, as part of membership in a food co-op. Each nutritious lunch must provide bread, meat, fruits and vegetables. “It’s important the the kids have the opportunity to select what goes on their tray. That’s how we do it here. They need to choose at least 2 items, but what those are are up to them. Last year, we prepared the packaged meals, and there was probably a lot of waste, with foods in there that some may not have liked. Now, they can select the hamburger but turn down the lettuce, let’s say. And they can take the milk, or they don’t have to. It’s a better system, and one that lets them demonstrate individual tastes. They also get to sit with others and that leads to a healthy, happy atmosphere when they come here for meals. We would just like to have had more children participating!”
The SSISD Summer Food Service program ends July 22, 2021. School starts in Sulphur Springs ISD on Wednesday August 18, 2021.
78 Personnel Changes Approved For Sulphur Springs ISD
Trustees approved administrators’ recommendations for 78 personnel changes for Sulphur Springs ISD during their regular monthly board meeting Monday. The list of personnel items included 23 resignations, 42 new hires and 13 position and/or campus changes at the July 12 meeting.
Position/Campus Changes
Thirteen SSISD employees will be swapping around, either jobs, classrooms or campuses, some potentially all three.
Miranda Jones will continue to teach at Barbara Bush Primary, but will switch from a self-contained special education classroom to a second grade English language arts and reading classroom.
Cathy Gray will be swap a third grade classroom at Bowie Primary to teach second grade Dual Language Enrichment ELAR and math teacher at Travis Primary.
DeKasha Nash will switch from being an academic secretary at Bowie Primary to teaching fourth grade math and science at Sulphur Springs Elementary. Allison Miesse will go from teaching in special education PPCD class at Douglas Early Childhood Learning Center to SSES, where she will become a behavioral interventionist.
Shelby Gammill will continue to teach, but will trade a fourth grade math and science classroom at SSES for a seventh grade math classroom at Sulphur Springs Middle School. Brittany Preas too will move from SSES to SSMS, but will trade her job as a behavior specialist to become a counselor.
Jessica Arnold, Kimberly Chisom, Adrienne Lilley, Heather Velez and Ryan Watts will all continue to work on the SSMS campus, but will each switch jobs. Arnold will swap from at-risk aide to library aide, Chisom from SAC aide to special education aide, Lilley from library aide to seventh grade ELAR teacher, Velez from special education aide to at-risk aide and Watts is being promoted from science teacher to assistant principal.
Brandy Fisher will continue to serve as a special education aide, but will be moving from Austin Academic Center to SSHS.
Brenda Perez will remain at the SSHS campus, but will move up from special education aide to special education teacher.
Resignations
Among the 23 resignations formally accepted at the July board meeting were, by campus assignment:
- Administration Building
- Janelle Safford, Innovative Learning Design Specialist
- Sonia Cordova Yanez, ESL/LPAC/Migrant Facilitator
- Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center
- Janice Pickles, Head Start 4 Teacher
- Alexa Sexton, Pre-K Teacher
- Barbara Bush Primary
- Brenna Balog, Grade 1 Teacher
- Katy Gifford, Special Education Aide
- Sarah Ingle, Grade 1 Teacher
- Kelsie Moser, Grade 1 Teacher
- Lanie Smith, SpEd Aide
- Lamar (Soon to become Rowena Johnson) Primary
- Brandi Perez, SpEd Aide
- Travis Primary
- Mary Ebarb, Title I Aide
- Sulphur Springs Middle School
- Kelsie Adams, ESL Aide
- Christi Hartsell, Innovative Learning Design Specialist
- Eric Jackson, P.E. Teacher/Coach
- Sulphur Springs High School
- Rhonda Caldwell, English Teacher
- Charles Cody, Social Studies/Teen Leadership/Coach
- Sean Coleman, Social Studies Teacher/Coach
- Austin Fleming, SpEd Teacher/Coach
- Rae Ann Ford, Social Studies Teacher/Coach
- Jonas Satterfield, SpEd Aide
- Jacob Sexton, Spanish Teacher/Coach
- Brittney Tisdell, Science Teacher/Head Girls Basketball Coach
- Alyssa Withrow, English Teacher
New Personnel
Among the 42 new personnel approved July 12, 2021, by SSISD Board of Trustees for hire were, by campus:
- Douglass ECLC
- Aliah Johnson, Pre-K Aide
- Linsey Moore, Head Start Aide
- Barbara Bush Primary
- Emma Cooey, SpEd Aide
- Amber Harris, SpEd Aide
- Alana Hayes, Grade 1 ELAR Teacher
- Klarissa Nottingham, SpEd Aide
- Bruce Taylor, Self-Contained SpEd Teacher
- Lyndie Wallace, Grade 1 ELAR Teacher
- Bowie Primary
- Esmeralda Aguilar, Grade 3 ELAR Teacher
- LeAnn Best, Academic Secretary
- Briana Peterson, SpEd Aide
- Lamar (Rowena Johnson) Primary
- Carson Folmar, Grade 1 ELAR Teacher
- Kristin Potts, Grade 3 Teacher
- Lila Sears, Title I Aide
- Travis Primary
- Lissette Cruz, Library Aide
- Lourdes Garcia, Title I Aide
- Sulphur Springs Elementary
- Lisseth Carmona, Bilingual Aide
- Robin Hall, Grade 4 Math & Science
- Lauren Price, Grade 4 ELAR/Social Studies Teacher
- Karley Telfer, Grade 4 ELAR/Social Studies Teacher
- Sulphur Springs Middle School
- Sean Ditto, SpEd Teacher
- Jada Goodson, SpEd Aide
- Kathy Hewett,SAC/ISS Aide
- Breanna Hodges, P.E./Volleyball Coach
- Thelma Hodges, Grade 8 Science Teacher
- Tonya Loftice, Innovative Learning Design Specialist
- Jessica Phillips, SpEd Aide
- Adrian Pruitt, Police Officer
- Erica Rios, SpEd Aide
- Chasity Roy, ESL Aide
- Cody Taylor, P.E. Teacher/Coach
- Sulphur Springs High School
- Lauren Arden, Culinary Arts Teacher
- Donald Butler, World History Teacher/Coach
- Erica Delley, Teacher/Head Girls Basketball Coach l
- Courtney DeJarneatt, SpEd Aide
- Jerrick Massenburge, Teacher/Coach
- Matthew Newcomer, Social Studies Teacher/Coach
- Casey Pederson, Anatomy & Physiology and Forensic Science Teacher/Coach
- Amy Ridner, HST Teacher
- Jason Stephenson, High School
- Lacie Stracener, HST Teacher
- Zakarius Wells, Teacher/Coach
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.
COVID-19, State-Wide Teacher Shortages Impact Sulphur Springs ISD Hiring Process
What started as an unusual school year, thanks to COVID-19, continues to be so for many school districts, where administrators are working to try to fill an unusually high number of positions. Prior to Monday night’s recommendations, Sulphur Springs ISD‘s hiring process was still on track, with typically about 60 or so changes annually for the new school year. This July, however, blew that out of the water; SSISD administrators submitted for trustees’ approval Monday 78 recommendations for personnel changes.
Superintendent Michael Lamb noted that the 23 resignations, 42 new hires and 13 inter-district changes are due in large part to the pandemic. One way that COVID-19 has impacted districts is providing additional funding to employ additional staff teachers and personnel to give students extra help needed to ensure they catch up on skills they may not have fully attained due to the closing of schools after spring break 2020, then some having to be out due to exposure or illness, and in some cases students enrolling in online classes instead of in-person classes on campus.
Sulphur Springs ISD, for instance, will be using some of the federal funding awarded to the district to create four additional math positions to help support elementary math. Other school districts are implementing similar measures as well. That, in some cases, means four of the districts top math teachers took those positions, which created openings for their former positions, Lamb explained.
That may mean another teacher is shifted from one position, campus or grade level to better fit their abilities and district needs. In some instances, it means teachers may change school districts entirely to accept a higher or better paying position.
In some instances school members have resigned to move when a spouse relocates for work. A few employees driving in from other cities have found employment closer to home, leaving openings in Sulphur Springs ISD or the district where they worked earlier this year.
“All of us are dealing with an influx of funds from the federal government. The money and those additional positions created a lot of openings, so there’s more movement than we’ve had before,” Lamb said. “Just about every school in our area is doing it, creating more openings when they take some of ours.”
Region 8 Education Service Center also benefitted from some of the federal funds available to educational establishments, so the ESC too has added 4-6 positions this year, often recruiting from schools such as SSISD. For instance, an educator at Como-Pickton might get hired at Region 8 ESC for a position a SSISD employee interviewed for. That would create an opening at CPCISD, where administrators might try to recruit the SSISD employee who came in second for the ESC job. If the SSISD employee is hired at CPCISD, that’d in turn create a snowball effect for SSISD, where the district is tasked with filling that educator’s position, and so forth.
“In a lot of ways, it’s a compliment to our district that when other schools have openings, they look here to try to take ours. We lost two technology people, two really good technology people,” Lamb noted.
Add to the fact that there was already a teacher shortage in Texas prior to COVID-19, then add 3-4 new created positions per school, and the shortage is now even greater, Lamb noted.
The number of students graduating high school with an interest in becoming teachers has been significantly smaller in recent years than in some years past, and the number completing college and attaining their teaching certification has been even smaller than that. That put education in world of hurt, searching trying to find highly qualified candidates to fill positions over the past several years.
Lamb said too often in the past few years, teaching has been perceived by potential college students as too low paying a profession, with too few tangible rewards, and sometimes met with disrespect. That stigma meant fewer teachers to fill positions. House Bill 3 in the Legislative session that ended 2 years ago made strides to toward improving that, with funding for raises and improvement to different programs. and those changes were set to go into effect when COVID-19 struck the country during spring break 2020.
“It was encouraging, and felt like we were getting on the right track when COVID happened House Bill 3 was a good step, but we did not really get to reap the benefits of what it did,” Lamb said.
Since COVID, some perceptions among parents and educators have changes. Some parents are glad to have their students back on campus for in-person classes taught by educators certified in their subject areas. Teachers are getting some well deserved respect. Parents are expressing more appreciation for the school system.
Unfortunately, even if new students are signing up to train to become teachers, there’s still not that many coming out of colleges. There’s still a gap from the low enrollment in the past couple of years, through the past enrollment period. Even with more interest in education, it’s still going to take a couple of years to catch up.
The positions being added this year at schools has only contributed to the teachers shortage, meaning even fewer are available, and those highly qualified are often subject to poaching from other schools.
Add to that teachers who have decided to retire or get out of teaching entirely, after the challenges of a rough year, due to the many unique changes, requirements and adjustments made in education because of COVID-19, as stipulated and recommended by Texas Education Agency, the Department of Education, the Centers for Disease Control and UIL. Then, there are a few who have chosen to do something else entirely.
“Some who have taught for all of these years are saying they are done. They’ve been thinking of retirement and trying to hang on, have worked because they love it, but now find it an easy time to bow out. I read all the resignation letters. I look at all those types of things,” Lamb said. “I wouldn’t blame any if they did, or for that matter those who resign to take a higher paying or higher ranking position somewhere else. Some are moving with family. Some just resigned. Business is hard right now, because of COVID. I have two employees who are staying home to help their spouses run their business from home. It’s a tough time in our society.”
In addition to approving 78 personnel recommendations, SSISD trustees also took another step to help with retention and recruitment efforts. They approved Assistant Superintendent Josh William’s recommendation to use $750,000 in ESSER III funding to give a one-time $1,000 stipend to all regular full-time and part-time employees during the 2021-2022 school year.
“The stipend is a retention stipend for employees who have served before the 2021-22 school year and a recruitment stipend for those who are new to the district. To be eligible for the stipend, an SSISD employee must be employed as of the date of payment . Employees leaving the district before the payment date or those hired after the date will not be eligible to receive the stipend,” Williams proposed.
Of course, payment of the stipend will depend on Texas Education Agency approving the ESSER III funding plan for that purpose and SSISD receiving it. If approved, administrators intend to propose the same stipend for 2022 and 2023, rewarding those who remain with the district for the next 2-3 years.
Software Agreement Will Allow County Clerk To Post Certain Records Directly To County Website
Hopkins County Clerk Tracy Smith received approval to enter into a software agreement which will allow her to directly post certain records updates to the county website. A re-plat request, correction to the June 25, 2021, meeting agenda minutes, disposal of two Precinct 3 trucks and a bond for the newly appointed deputy treasurer were also considered Monday by the Hopkins County Commissioners Court.
Software Agreement
Hopkins County Clerk Tracy Smith asked Hopkins County Commissioners Court to allow her to sign an agreement with Integrated Data Services which will better enable her to make available online certain county records. The agreement, for instance, would allow Smith to put Commissioners Court minutes, as well as monthly reports, and election results and information that Smith’s office is required to post regarding elections.
“It’s going to be something that I can do myself,” Smith said. “We are working on some other things that it maybe could do.”
Smith noted the $4,400 is “very reasonable,” and includes 16 hours of training and cost of the first year’s maintenance. The fee then would only be $1,200 per year after the first year for maintenance. The software service would be paid for out of the county record management budget.
Bill Wilder, who submitted the bid, is a local vendor, Bill Wilder. She said Wilder is already working on a conversion to get some of the county’s older commissioners Court meeting minutes ready to be uploaded online.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker asked if other county officials or employees, such as the Hopkins County Judge’s Administrative Assistant Donna Goins, would be able to access and utilize the system to make posts, such as Commissioners Court minutes or agendas. Smith said currently Commissioners Court minutes are on Laserfiche, which is not very user friendly.
Wilder’s software would enable any of the county offices to post things. It also would make the information more readily available.
“It’ll be more like a Google search, Smith said. “So it’s going to be easier to find the documents you’re looking for.”
Currently, the information that is posted on the county website is sent to Texas Association of Counties, who posts it. This will cut out a step, allowing Smith to post information and documents directly herself to the county’s website.. The software will be a bit more efficient and quicker.
The request received unanimous approval of the commissioners court.
Other Agenda Items
County Clerk Tracy Smith explained that the property owner requested that the court allow Lot 3 of H.W. White Addition to be re-platted into to separate plats. Lot 3A, as proposed, would be 8.71-acres and Lot 3B as proposed would be 23.60 acres.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley reported he has two trucks, a 2015 GMC C55 cab and chassis and a 2008 Dodge 1-ton crew cab, cab and chassis, that he wants to sell at Cunningham Auction in Commerce on Saturday. The motor in each truck has gone bad and needs to be replaced, which would cost more than the vehicle is worth, so he would like to try to sell rather than repair them. The rest of the court gave unanimous approval for the trucks to be sold at auction.
The consent agenda, which included a correction to the June 25, 2021, regular meeting minutes, as well as minutes from the June 25, 2021, work session were approved by the Commissioners Court. The revision corrected the time frame for the county’s health program; the approved program is for the 2021-22 year, according to County Judge Robert Newsom.
Also approved was the bond for the deputy treasurer, approved as a transfer from human resources to the treasurer’s office to better align with state law, and paying of bills, , revenues and expenses, payroll and financial statements as presented.
Public Forum
Dike resident Michele Barnes also addressed the Commissioners Court during public forum Monday, borrowing quotes from “powerful people of the past” to help further describe her disapproval of and to challenge of the elected officials’ decisions regarding the solar facility planned for development in the Dike, Texas community. She quoted Thomas Jefferson, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Ronald Regan.
Thomas Jefferson, Barnes noted, predicted “future happiness for American” if the government is prevented from “wasting labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” Newsom, she said, has cited the 400 jobs construction of the power plant will bring to the community as cause for approving a tax incentive which the solar company sought in order to build in Hopkins County. Barnes, however, contends that most of those jobs will be “brought in by Engie’s list of contractors.” The economic growth from construction workers renting spaces for RVs, being fed at local restaurants and receiving other services provided by local businesses might help the Sulphur Springs community but won’t directly help Dike and its residents.
She accused the Commissioners Court of “hiding the truth of what was really going on” by calling the project a solar farm instead of a “huge power plant with sub-stations and inverters.” She said if the Commissioners Court had talked to Dike residents regarding the solar project they would have quickly learned that “no one wants this solar plant in our community.” Granting the agreement with the solar company, Barnes contends, showed that “Dike residents mean nothing to Hopkins County,” that money is more important to them than repairing roads properly instead of “throwing rock, tar patches – on our county roads.”
“This Commissioners Court did not realize they woke up a sleeping giant, and the Dike community will not stop fighting until Hopkins County and Engie stop building. You should each be concerned with the people that elected you into office to take care of them – that that live in the county, not the city of Sulphur Springs,” Barnes concluded.
“It is somethings that I believe is going to be a benefit to everyone as a whole for Hopkins County. I realize it is very difficult for those who are living next door to it,” Newsom said, encouraging any who have not yet done so to go see the Lamar County solar farm, as it will be a similar project to the one planned for Dike and show “what we’re facing here.”
He pointed out that the Lamar County farm in progress encompasses about 15,000 acres as opposed to about 2,000 acres planned in Dike. He then directly asked Barnes if she’d been to see the farm.
She asked if he was talking about the solar farm in Cunningham, and admitted she’d seen the small one that was completed, but was unable to gain access to it because it had fences all around it. The larger farm he’s referring to, she noted was and is still being constructed.
“It wasn’t loud was it?” Newsom asked.
“Well, it’s not done,” Barnes replied. “In fact, they were just building the substation.”
Newsom encouraged her to go, get out of the car and stand next to the fence at the completed solar farm, to listen to it in operation.
“It’s a very quite neighbor. It is there. It’s just the way it produces electricity; it’s just there. Anyway, we’ve got a lawsuit going now so we’ll see just see how that turns out.” Newsom said, referring to the petition Cynthia Martin filed on June 29, 2021, in the 62nd Judicial District Court against Hopkins Energy, LLC, and Hopkins County asking for “equitable relief,” a temporary restraining order, as well as temporary and permanent injunctive relief. The county and solar company representatives were notified via certified mail of the 96-page legal document filed, and the
Martin, according to the petition, is seeking “monetary relief of $250,000 or more, attorney’s fees of an amount to be determined, and non-monetary relief of declaratory judgment and injunctive relief.” The Plaintiff also is asking for a jury trial in this action. The first hearing on the matter is scheduled just after 9 a.m. July 19, 2021, at Hopkins County Courthouse with Judge Will Biard presiding.
Garden Checklist for July, by Mario Villarino
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
Garden Checklist for July
- Trim off faded flowers on crape myrtles to encourage later re-bloom. The more modern hybrids of the old-fashioned Lagerstroemia indica and L. faureii have larger, more conspicuous panicles of flowers, but these often tend to turn to heavy seedpods which discourage reblooming later in the season. They can be cut off, if practical.
- Evaluate the volume of water delivered from lawn sprinklers to ensure healthy, stress-free grass during the heat of the summer. One thorough watering which will deliver one inch of water at a time is better than several more shallow sessions. The amount of water available through flower bed sprinklers may be checked by placing several shallow pans among shrubs or flowers
- Caladiums require plenty of water at this time of year if they are to remain lush and active until fall. Fertilize with 21-0-0 at the rate of one-third to one-half pound per 100 square feet of bed area, and water thoroughly.
- Prune out dead or diseased wood from trees and shrubs. Hold off on major pruning from now until midwinter. Severe pruning at this time will only stimulate tender new growth prior to frost.
- Sow seeds of snapdragons, dianthus, pansies, calendulas, and other cool-season flowers in flats, or in well-prepared areas of the garden, for planting outside during mid-to-late fall.
- Plant bluebonnet and other spring wildflowers. They must germinate in late summer or early fall, develop good root systems, and be ready to grow in spring when the weather warms. Plant seed in well-prepared soil, one-half inch deep, and water thoroughly. Picking flowers frequently encourages most annuals and perennials to flower even more abundantly.
- It is time to divide spring-flowering perennials, such as iris, Shasta daisy, oxeye, gaillardia, cannas, day lilies, violets, liriope, and ajuga.
- Make your selections and place orders for spring-flowering bulbs now so that they will arrive in time for planting in October and November.
- Don’t allow plants with green fruit or berries to suffer from lack of moisture.
- A late-summer pruning of rosebushes can be beneficial. Prune out dead canes and any weak, brushy growth. Cut back tall, vigorous bushes to about 30 inches. After pruning, apply fertilizer, and water thoroughly. If a preventive disease-control program has been maintained, your rose bushes should be ready to provide an excellent crop of flowers this fall.
- It is not too late to set out another planting of many warm-season annuals, such as marigolds, zinnias, and periwinkles. They will require extra attention for the first few weeks, but should provide you with color during late September, October, and November.
- Establish a new compost pile to accommodate the fall leaf accumulation.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
