It’s Christmas Card Time! We’d Love to Receive Seasons Greetings From Your Family to Ours…Postal Mail or E-mail!
During this Christmas season, we’d like to honor a long-standing tradition between KSST and our listeners by asking for your Christmas card! Whether you send yours by postal mail or email, please add us to your Christmas Card list! Here are the addresses:
KSST Radio/Channel 18TV, P.O. Box 284, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75483 or [email protected].
Feel free to include a little note, a picture or a favorite memory, or even one of your best recipes. Put yours in care of a member of the staff is you wish! Getting neighborly correspondence from you feels like hearing from an old friend, and truly enhances our Christmas season! Once received, we’ll display them in the studio and include yours on the air during the season. So, whether you listen to KSST, catch us on Youtube, watch Channel 18 TV or live-stream on ksstradio.com, join us for the reading of the Christmas Cards on the Good Morning Show with Enola Gay at 8:15am, on weekday mornings starting December 20, 2021.
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – December 7, 2021
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell presented the following report to the Sulphur Sprigs City Council during their Dec. 7, 2021 meeting:
COVID-19 RESPONSE
The Delta variant wave of Covid-19 declined for several months, but now the trend seems to have turned around. The number of active cases in Hopkins County fell from 122 to 44 in November, but quickly rebounded to 65. The number of COVID cases at the hospital also dropped to 2 in November but then rebounded to 9 as of the writing of this report.
CLAIMS
We did not have any liability claims in November.
We did incur one minor workers compensation claim. A police officer sustained injuries while trying to pen a bull in the 300 block of League Street.
SENIOR CITIZENS BUILDING
We are in the process of applying for a grant to enlarge the building. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs recently announced a grant program called the Texas Community Resiliency Program that will award grants between $500 thousand and $5 million for qualifying projects. Senior citizen centers are specifically called out as a qualifying project.
SAPUTO SEWER MAIN
Everything is done except the final inspection.
COLLEGE STREET
Work has begun on the project. The Capital Construction Division has installed a new sewer main and new water main between Oak and Jackson. Next, they will construct a small drainage component and then the project will progress to the east.
We will advertise for bids for construction of the concrete street this winter.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a report of year-to-date revenues and expenditures
RUNWAY/TAXIWAY REHAB
This $1.9 million project is in progress. We are getting close.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Two street segments remain: More delays from Texana land and Asphalt. We still lack League and Lee Streets. Woodbridge crossing is in progress.
MISCELLANEOUS
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Checked out 2,588 items from the library.
- Made lighting system repairs downtown and strung zillions of Christmas lights in preparation for the holiday season.
- Repaired runway lights at the airport.
- Cleaned and repaired several apparatuses at the wastewater treatment plant.
- Treated wastewater effluent to a daily average total suspended solids (TSS) count of 0.55 mg/L. Our limit is 12 mg/L.
- Repaired 12 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 13 water meters.
- Unstopped 23 sewer mains.
- Washed 75,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Made 4 new sewer taps.
- Treated 145 million gallons of potable water.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Repaired 228 potholes.
- Made 3 major street repairs following utility repairs.
- Demolished a structure at 514 Woodlawn.
- Made preparations to improve drainage system on Hinnant/MLK.
- Responded to 163 animal control calls while achieving an 88% adoption rate.
- Made 3 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 2,079 calls for police including 39 accidents, wrote 400 citations, recorded 48 offenses, and made 48 arrests in the patrol division.
- Trimmed downtown trees.
- Put up Thanksgiving and Christmas banners.
- Made repairs at Kids Kingdom.
- Hosted 1 baseball tournament.
- Trimmed trees at the soccer complex.
- Pressure washed sidewalks at Coleman Park.
- Installed security lighting at the north parking lot at Coleman Lake.
- Responded to 213 calls for fire/rescue including 1 vehicle fire.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 79 fire hydrants.
- Performed 15 fire inspections.
- Sold 1,751 gallons of AvGas and 7,968 Gallons of JetA fuel.
- Conducted 23 building inspections, 13 electrical inspections, 10 plumbing inspections, 10 mechanical inspections and issued 28 building permits
Chamber Connection – Dec. 8: Time To Get Recognition Nominations In
By Butch Burney
As 2021 comes to an end, it is time to get nominations in for those individuals and businesses that have been outstanding this year.
Nominations are being accepted for Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Small and Large Businesses of the Year and other superlative recognitions. The awards will be announced at the Chamber’s membership banquet on Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Nominations can be sent to [email protected] or mailed to the following addresses:
- Citizen of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
- Woman of the Year—Beta Sigma Phi Organization—P.O. Box 72, SS, TX 75483.
- Caregiver of the Year—The Pilot Club—P.O. Box 131, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483.
- Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
- Agriculturist of the Year—Hopkins/Rains Counties Farm Bureau— 233 College St., Sulphur Springs 75482.
- Growth and Renewal—DBA—109 Jefferson St. E, SS, TX 75482.
- Outstanding Professional Educator (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
- Outstanding Paraprofessional Educator (Secretary or Aide)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
- Outstanding Auxiliary Educator (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria)—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
- Businesses of the Year nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other.
- Large Business of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
- Small Business of the Year—Chamber of Commerce—110 Main Street, SS, TX 75482.
Chamber Directory
Work is continuing on the 2022 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business. LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you in the next few weeks to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory.
The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. I hope you will consider this a wise investment with over 7,000 opportunities for business exposure. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her.
Chili Cookoff
The Senior Citizen Center is still looking for chili cooks for the Chili Cookoff on Friday, Dec. 10. The chili will be judged and the seniors citizens will then eat the chili
Winners get a trophy, certificate of award, bragging rights and a prize from Carriage House Manor.
Call Karon Weatherman at 903-885-1661 to enter a crockpot full of chili.
Golden Agers Gift Tree
You can adopt a senior citizen through the Golden Agers Gift Tree, through Dec. 17, by choosing a name off the tree and going shopping with the senior. The tree is located at the Senior Citizens Center, 150 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
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 Dec. 1, Bear Littleton State Farm Insurance. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
News Release: Rep. Bryan Slaton Joins TRG In Amicus Brief Against Vaccine Mandate
Hopkins County Dug Deep In To Help Those In Need Through 2021 United Way Contributions
The Hopkins County community is known for it’s generosity. This year, however, Hopkins County dug deep and, in the process, set a new record of more than $211,800 donated to the 2021 United Way campaign to assist those in need, and to provide cultural and developmental enrichment opportunities in the community.
When the last weekly campaign workers meeting was held on Nov. 9, Hopkins County United Way had received $185,952.15 in donations and pledge, which campaign officers and workers were grateful and excited, as the goal exceeded the $150,000 goal by more than $25,000. At that point, several donation packets from some longtime faithful supporters were still out. Since goal had been met, the weekly meetings ceased at that time.
2021-22 Hopkins County United Way Campaign Chair Kristy Moseley asked campaign workers who were available to attend one final wrap up report meeting on Dec. 8, 2021, as many of the outstanding donation packets, along with additional contributions have come in over the last month.
Among the contributors whose packets were turned in were the Economic Development Corporation, Datamax, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, A&E, Moore Construction, Hometown Real Estate, The Venue at 219, Dial Study Club, HSC Orthodontics, The Magic Scoop, Sulphur Bluff ISD, Texas Farm Credit, Oaks Bed and Breakfast, Balkcom Insurance, Clayton Homes, North Hopkins ISD, Lisa Salem,
HCUW also received a generous donation from the Zahn Family Charitable Trust and Holt Cat employees’ contribution was accompanied by a corporate match.
GSC employees, The Pawn Shop, City National Bank employees, Alliance Bank employees and CHRISTUS Mother Frances employees added to their totals too.
When the final figures were tallied Wednesday morning, HCUW had received an additional $25,905.01 in donations and pledges.
So, when Moseley announced a 2021-22 campaign total of a whopping $211,857.16, the room erupted in applause, the ringing of a cow bell and cheering at the amazing generosity shown for the community during a time when so many are reporting financial hardships – due in part to COVID shutdowns in 2020 as well as inflation’s rate on expenses.
Overall, that’s $61,857.16 donated over the $150,000 goal to benefit 18 local nonprofit organizations which benefit thousands of Hopkins County residents.
“We believe that’s the largest campaign total ever,” said Mike Horne, HCUW president.
“We are very excited. That’s going to do some amazing things in the community,” Moseley said. “We have broken records which is also amazing – great things for our community. Thanks everybody for all your hard work.”
“Thank you, Kristy. Good job,” said HCUW Board member Bill Owens.
HCUW officers and several other board members also expressed gratitude and appreciation for the community’s humbling generosity this year.
Sulphur Springs Back Down to 4A-Division I Starting in 2022
UIL reclassification and realignment has put Sulphur Springs and her sports teams back down to 4A-Division I.
With the classification of 545 to 1299 for 4A schools, SSHS had an enrollment of 1240 and as a result ended up being in Division I.
The new realignment goes in to effect next year and will stand until the next round of realignments in 2024.
Sulphur Springs was a 5A classification for eight years starting in 2013-14.
The Wildcats football team won their only state title in 4A back in 2008, and while the team struggled upon moving up to 5A, other sports saw prolific success such as both basketball teams and both baseball and softball.
SSHS should benefit as they will again be in the upper echelon in 4A Division-I due to an enrollment that put them shy of the next classification up.
For District 8-5A, Royse City, Forney and North Forney all joined the big leagues in 6A. Ennis, Crandall, Corsicana and Greenville all stayed put in 5A Division II.
For the current District 15-5A, five teams will stay in 5A Division II; Hallsville, Marshall, Mount Pleasant, Pine tree and Texas High.
Longview is the only school from the non-football district to move up to 5A Division I.
Sulphur Springs was the only school in each district, both football and otherwise, to move down.
The cutoffs for each classification were as follows:
- 6A — 2225 and up
- 5A — 1300 to 2224
- 4A — 545 to 1299
- 3A — 250 to 544
- 2A — 105 to 249
- 1A — 104.9 and below
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.
Ordinance Restricting Roadside Parking on East Shannon Road Approved
It’s official, a block of roadside parking on East Shannon Road is to be restricted. Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2794, which establishes a no parking zone on East Shannon Road (the south Interstate 30 service road) between South Broadway Street and Mockingbird Lane.
The proposal for the ordinance was presented on first reading by Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson at the regular November City Council meeting, for safety of motorists exiting restaurant driveways onto East Shannon Road. Vehicles parked between driveways often obscures or at the very least reduces road visibility, which can be dangerous as motorists have to dart out without being able to see if there’s a danger from oncoming traffic in order to leave the business drives. It also makes it hard for eastbound travelers on Shannon Road to see the vehicles leaving the drive until they are already in the road. This has resulted in a few traffic crashes and many near misses.
Ordinance No. 2794, approved on second and final reading Tuesday night, prohibits parking on the south side of East Shannon Road between South Broadway Street and Mockingbird Lane. While no parking will be allowed on the side of Shannon that meets the restaurants, the ordinance does not restrict parking on the north side of the road.
That means parking will still be allowed on the side of East Shannon closest to I-30. So truck drivers and motorists driving large vehicles or pulling trailers would still be allowed to park across the street from a restaurant (on the north side of the road), as they often do, and walk across the south service road into the restaurants.
The ordinance also does not apply to people in drive-thru lines that stretch out a restaurant driveway into the street. Vehicles in line, moving a car’s-length each time a car or truck exits the drive-thru and parking lot, even if the line is backed up along the left lane or side of East Shannon Road, would be exempt from the policy. The ordinance only prohibits vehicles from being parked and left on the south side of East Shannon Road for a period of time.
At the November City Council meeting, Ricketson noted that the measure will be forwarded to Texas Department of Transportation, who would be required to erect no parking signs in the area. The City of Sulphur Springs would be required to pay for the signs.
The policy become effective immediately and will be enforceable as a Class C misdemeanor offense, punishable upon conviction with a fine of up to $500, as soon as TxDOT puts the signs up along East Shannon Road.
Lady Cats Basketball Loses Tough One at Home to New Boston
The Lady Cats basketball team struggled to score in the third and lost to New Boston 56-16 at home on Tuesday, Dec. 7.
While the women’s basketball team were able to keep it close thanks to shots not falling early for both teams, trailing 16-10 at halftime, the third was when New Boston cruised by the Lady Cats.
Sulphur Springs scored a free throw alone in the third before shots began to fall more frequently in the fourth.
Coach Erica Delley’s squad had good defense throughout, never relenting and interrupting the passing lanes until the final whistle.
Kyra Carter led the way with seven points in the loss to New Boston. Jolee Wilson finished the game with a three-pointer and Aaliyah Cheatum, Trinity Jefferson and Kaylee Carter all scored a field goal versus the Lady Lions.
The loss drops the Lady Cats basketball team’s season record to 0-14.
Next up, the women’s basketball team will be at Coach Erica Delley’s alma mater in Dallas Kimball on Friday.
That match will tip-off in Dallas at 1:30 P.M. Junior varsity will precede that game at noon on Friday, Dec. 10.
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.
Medina, Wright Appointed To HCHD Board of Directors
Foundation For New EMS Station/Hospital District Headquarters Building Poured Tuesday
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors officially appointed a CEO and appointed two new board members during a meeting Monday and announced filing will open soon for two seats up for election in 2022.
Appointments
The HCHD Board of Directors reportedly on Dec. 6, 2021, officially appointed Brent Smith as the top officer for the district. Smith was appointed by HCHD Board on Sept. 28, 2021, to serve as interim CEO while a search for a new financial executive continued.
Smith has 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 (COO) 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. The hospital district board then established a new administrative operation after CHRISTUS assumed operational management of Hopkins County Memorial Hospital (now CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs).
Folwell this fall 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.
This fall, HCHD Board opened the position up for applications. On Monday, the board was reported to have officially appointed Smith as CEO.
HCHD also Monday night appointed Eimy Medina and Tammy Wright to fulfill two unexpired terms vacated by long time Directors Dr. William Dietze and Tim Kelty.
“The Hospital District is very excited to have these two wonderful additions to our Board of Directors,” Brent Smith stated. “They will bring a lot of value and knowledge to our Board.”
Medina brings experience working at a local financial institution to the board while Wright’s background is in human resources, both of which should prove beneficial to HCHD Board of Directors, Hospital District officials noted.
Medina and Wright were administered the oath of office Monday night and will serve until the conclusion of Dietze and Kelty’s terms on the board in 2023.
The board too approved for a notice to be posted at the appropriate time for filing for two seats up for election in May 20212 on the HCHD Board, those currently held by Kerry Law and Joe Bob Burgin, according to Smith.
Other Business
Smith said the board also approved a consent agenda during the special meeting called primarily for appointments.
The HCHD CEO reported the new EMS/HCHD headquarters facility is progressing well. All of the foundation for the building itself was poured Tuesday morning. They are awaiting approval of a permit from Texas Department of Transportation for use of Airport Road before the fire lane and parking concrete are poured. That is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with the new building being constructed across Airport Road from the hospital, not far from the current EMS/HCHD headquarters on track to be completed by June 2022.
Lions Club Recognizes Parade Winners
Top Prize Donated To Blue Santa
In addition to providing a little extra holiday cheer each year, the Sulphur Springs Lions Club’s Lighted Christmas Parade also features a friendly competition among participants, with recognition doled out to the top three nonprofit and small business entries, and a trophy and cash prize going to the top rated large business entry in the parade. Entries were judged by a panel of judged from out-of-town, who notified the Lions Club of their choices for parade winners,
Sulphur Springs Lions Club recognized the 2021 parade winners during their lunch meeting Tuesday, when the cash prize was awarded. This year’s parade winners included:
Nonprofit Entry
- Trinity Harvest Church
- Sulphur Springs Elementary Student Council
- Como-Pickton Elementary Student Council
Small Business Entry
- Fix ‘n’ Feed
- Don Lalo
- Rustic O
Large Business
- Carriage House Manor
Sharla Tanton Campbell accepted the trophy and prize awarded by the Lions Club to Carriage House Manor for having the best large business parade entry. Then, she turned to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum and Chief Deputy Tanner Crump, who she’d asked to be on hand at Tuesday’s lunch meeting, and handed the prize money to the sheriff.
“It was a wonderful parade and I appreciate this, but in turn, Carriage House wants to donate it to Blue Santa. We are very appreciate of everything y’all are doing and it will mean a lot more to help the kids,” said Campbell, Carriage House administrator.
The law enforcement representatives said the funding is appreciated and will certainly help meet all of the needs this year to help the 255 financially disadvantaged Hopkins County families Blue Santa will be helping to provide Christmas gifts for their children, ages 0-14 this year.
Blue Santa also not only had an entry in the Lighted Christmas parade, but partnered with the Lions Club, encouraging anyone who felt generous to bring an unwrapped toy donation to the parade Friday night. Blue Santa’s elves and volunteer helpers walked the parade route by the Blue Santa conveyance to collect the toy donations during the parade Friday night.
Donations of toys to help Blue Santa are still be accepted in the marked Blue Santa barrels at local businesses and financial agencies throughout the county, all six county school districts, local Paris Junior College campus, Sulphur Springs Police Department, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and One Church, and at least two nursing/assisting living facilities in Sulphur Springs. Donations may also be made online via the QR code, which can be viewed on flyers on each blue barrel and on the Blue-Santa-Sulphur-Springs-Hopkins-County Facebook page, or by calling 903-438-4040. Santa’s helpers are sorting toys as they come in, with distribution scheduled Saturday, Dec. 11.
