Thompson Crowned 2021 Ms Hopkins County Senior
Wilma Thompson was crowned 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Saturday evening by 2019-20 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Vender Wright, and will advance to the state pageant later this year.
Thompson, 87, said not only was this her first time to participate in the Hopkins County Pageant, it was her first time to compete in anything of the sort.
“I’m just shaking all over. I didn’t expect this,” Thompson told at the conclusion of the pageant.
First Runner Up was Elizabeth Wilburn. The 73-year-old also received an award for Best Philosophy of Life.
Second Runner Up was Patsy Cowan. The 65-year-old also won Miss Congeniality.
Receiving the award for Most Talented was Linda Pickle Hill; the 65-year-old gave a moving rendition of “This Old Flag.” She also received the 2021 Spirit Award. She was accompanied by her service dog.
Nancy Roy, 71, received the Best Interview Award.
Valerie Ross, 66, was awarded Best Evening Gown.
The award for Best Personality went to Sharon Baker, 71.
A special award, the 2021 Clydene Fielden Memorial Leadership Award went to Nancy Bolton.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of June 14, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of June 14, 2021. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91 as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound North Travis Street exit ramp (FM 131) is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Washington Street exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Washington Street exit. The southbound Houston Street / Lamar Street exit ramp is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Washington Street exit. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
Northbound and Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road near West Staples Street and transitions back to the existing mainlanes near West Cherry Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Center Street. Within this area, the US 75 frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while US 75 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both mainlane and frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers. This traffic configuration will remain in place for approximatively 14 months.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Center Street under US 75 are closed to traffic. To detour, eastbound Center Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Park Avenue, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Center Street. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Houston Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Center Street.
Video animations of the northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch and Center Street detour can be viewed online at:
- Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLyVQ6rYNhM
- Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Detour for the Center Street closure at US 75: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIMoHaqAFGg
Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road from just north of Houston Street and transitions back to the existing mainlanes south of North Travis Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Washington Street. Within this area, the US 75 northbound frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while northbound US 75 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both northbound mainlane and northbound frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers. Beginning June 15, southbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road for this same area. This traffic configuration will remain in place for approximatively 14 months.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Washington Street under US 75 are closed to traffic. This closure is necessary to complete work in preparation of the mainlane detour. To detour, eastbound Washington Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Lamar Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Washington Street. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on North Travis Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Washington Street.
Video animations of the northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch and Washington Street detour can be viewed online at:
- Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Detour for the Washington Street closure at US 75:
US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between North Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lanes shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews perform bridge construction. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on bridge construction and construction of new frontage road lanes.
The westbound US 82 exit ramp for Loy Lake road is currently closed for crews to work on widening the US 82 frontage road. This exit ramp is expected to be closed through July 2021. Traffic wishing to access Loy Lake Road is requested to take the SH 91 exit ramp (#643), or the US 75 exit ramp.
The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will be removed at a later time. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct the second portion of the new Sand Creek bridge and the approaches to the bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
Yellow Bridge Road (CR 876), Grayson County. Beginning June 14, Yellow Bridge Road (CR 876) will be closed at the branch of Pilot Grove Creek so that construction crews can remove and replace the bridge. Local traffic will need to use an alternate roadway such as Brewer Road or County Road 534.
FM 120, Grayson County: from SH 289 in Pottsboro west to the end of state maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to perform base repairs on the roadway.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Thursday night. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
US 69/US 75, Grayson County: at the Red River bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to upgrade and replace the existing bridge railing on the bridge and guardrail approaches on the northbound and southbound bridges at the Red River. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have shifted traffic to provide room for construction.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to a portion of the new concrete pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section consisting of concrete pavement when the project is completed.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the daytime.
US 82, Grayson County: at Deaver Creek. Watch for temporary daytime lane and shoulder closures for both the eastbound and westbound travel lanes as workers complete maintenance repairs to the bridge.
FM 697, Grayson County: between FM 2729 and US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews sweep the roadway.
FM 691, Grayson County: between SH 91 and Theresa Drive. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews mill and pave the roadway.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided roadway. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement for the entirety of the project from the Lamar County line to SH 121. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane between SH 121 and FM 897, while crews work on the inside lane to build crossovers and turn lanes. Eastbound traffic between FM 897 and the Lamar County line has been opened to two lanes, however occasional daytime lane closures may be present. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median.
FM 896, Fannin County: from US 69 in Leonard to Business SH 121 in Randolph. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a seal coat to the roadway.
FM 274, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to SH 78. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
I-30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
FM 71, Hopkins County: From FM 3236 to Sulphur Bluff. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews work on rehabilitating the roadway.
SH 19, Hopkins County: From Loop 301 to Delta County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
FM 3389, Hopkins County: From IH 30 to FM 1567. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews work on rehabilitating the roadway.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
FM 195, Red River County: from Lamar County Line to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and replace bridge rail. The shoulder at Little Pine Creek will remain closed while the rail work is completed.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (Avery) to FM 44. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement, upgrade bridge rail, and place new hot mix.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to SP 38 (Bogata). Watch for daytime lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing roadway.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures while crews place final hot mix surface.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
FM 36, Hunt County: from FM 36 to FM 751 at various locations: The contractor has placed project barricades. The contractor will begin drainage work on FM 1564 from SH 34 to US 69, weather permitting.
SH 276, Hunt County, from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass): The contractor has placed project barricades and has prepared and cleared most of the right-of-way. Preliminary embankment, excavation, and bridge work has begun with all shafts being completed. This work should not affect existing traffic on SH 34 or SH 276. Roadway construction affecting closures on Spur 264 will begin soon, weather permitting. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
FM 499, Hunt County: at Lynn Creek: This project has been completed, road closures and barricades have been removed and the contractor has finished final clean-up in the area. Currently awaiting final vegetation on this project.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor has begun mile three of this seven-mile project and is currently reworking the flex base, placing geogrid and compacting areas for roadway rehabilitation and widening. The contractor will start rehab on the fourth mile soon, weather permitting. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 66 at FM 1570, Hunt County: The contractor has begun road work and is currently placing seal coat material in the proposed turn lane widening section. The contractor will start placing surface course soon, weather permitting. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews in both Hunt and Rains County will be performing seal coat operations on FM 779, from FM 515 to the Wood County line. Crews will also be sweeping on US 69 between Lone Oak and Greenville as needed, and will continue doing safety spot-mowing operations as needed. Maintenance contract crews will be performing debris removal on I-30 and guard rail repair at various locations around Hunt County. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
Maintenance crews in Rains County will be performing various sign installations, potholing and debris removal. Maintenance crews will be performing herbicide operation on various roadways. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway, and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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Criminal Trespassing Complaint At Walmart Results In Controlled Substance, Warrant Arrest
A 52-year-old Sulphur Springs woman accused of trespassing at Walmart was jailed on a warrant and controlled substance charge also, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Brandon Mayes was dispatched at 12:38 p.m. June 11 to Walmart where a woman was reportedly trespassing.
Upon arrival, store asset protection staff pointed to Kathy Denise Johnson, a woman reported to have an active criminal trespass warning which prohibited her from returning to the property. Staff wanted to file charges. After confirming the warning to be on file and active, Mayes took the woman into custody at 1:06 p.m. and transported her to jail.
Upon arrival at the sheriff’s office, prior to entering the jail, Mayes searched Johnson’s purse. He alleged finding a small bag containing a crystal-like substance he believed based on his experience to be methamphetamine. The substance, including packaging, weighed 0.5 gram.
She was also found to be wanted on a manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The offense was alleged to have occurred on March 24, 2021. The warrant was sought by Investigator Shea Shaw and signed June 9, 2021, by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings.
Johnson, who is also known by Kathy Hughes and Kathy Hines, was booked into Hopkins County jail at 2:17 p.m. on criminal trespass and possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges, as well as the controlled substance warrant.
She remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, June 12, 2021; bond was set at $20,000 on the warrant, $5,000 on the controlled substance charge and $1,000 on the trespassing charge. Friday was the second time in the last three months Johnson has been booked into Hopkins County jail. She was also jailed March 16, 2021, for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and a warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for theft of property valued at $100 or more but less than $750.
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.
Aiguier Cemetery Association Officers, Perpetual Care Board Elected
The Aiguier Cemetery Association held their annual meeting on Sunday, June 6, 2021, in the North Hopkins School Cafeteria.
A small group gathered for a covered-dish lunch, followed by a business meeting led by Charlie Vaughn, president. The group approved the minutes and financial reports, as presented by Jan Vaughn and Peggy Beck, and discussed upkeep of the cemetery grounds.
The same officers were elected to another term. They are Charlie Vaughn, president; Betty Weir, vice president; Peggy Beck, treasurer; and Jan Vaughn, secretary/reporter.
Since the association didn’t meet in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, two groups of the Perpetual Care Board Members were reelected. Those members are Nancy Potts, Charlie Vaughn, and Betty Weir – 2020, and Robert Aiguier, Peggy Beck, and Chip Vaughn – 2021.
Those in attendance were Charlie and Susan Vaughn, Jimmy and Peggy Beck, Charlie and Paula Dickey, Betty Weir, Pete Martin, Grace Vaughn, Linda Ellen Vaughn, Sanford and Abbygale Shell, Jana Rich, Rachel Davidson, Peggy Brice, Sherri Smith, and Chip and Jan Vaughn.
The next meeting will be on June 5, 2022.
— Submitted by Jan Vaughn
Senator Hall Gives Update On How Priorities, Bills Fared During 87th Legislative Session
Texas Senator Bob Hall Thursday evening in a town hall meeting at Hopkins County Courthouse gave n update on his involvement in the 87th Legislative session, including not only his office’s process regarding bills, the committees he serves on and priorities he took with him to the Regular Session, but how those bills and priorities fared.
Hall then took questions from the audience of approximately 50 people in attendance in the second floor courtroom June 10, with solar farms and education.
The District 2 Senator prefaced his discussion by noting that the information presented is from his Judeo-Christian perspective, that his priorities are Jesus Christ, family and Constitutional constructs, in that order. He also shared his opinions regarding COVID-19 pandemic and vaccinations.
Of the roughly 7,000 bills filed only 1,181 made it to the Governor’s desk. Hall said he took on head-on only those for a committee he serves on and for which he would be on the floor, and able to actively support and potentially have an impact with. He chairs the Veterans Affairs and Border Security Committee, is on the Constitutional Issues Special Committee, Education Committee, Health and Human Services Committee, Local Government Committee, State Affairs Committee and Sunset Committee.
With those, Hall said, he made his priorities addressing: all hazards of grid security and securing Texas Electric Grid, election integrity, vaccine and health freedom, government overreach, pro-life and child mutilation issues, Second Amendment protections, religious freedom, education and broadband infrastructure. He said he also helped kill a few bills. The end result, Hall said was “not as bad as it could have been but not as good as it should have been.”
COVID-19
Hall believes policy regarding COVID-19 which impacted schools, businesses, government and even religious gatherings was made based on “unfounded” and “unsubstantiated fears.” Not treating COVID at the first signs of the virus using therapeutic prevention and advanced home treatment was a mistake, Hall said, and speculates that 90 percent of the people who died from COVID-19 would still be alive if those methods had been followed. Hall said he believes the decision for COVID-19 vaccines should be up to the individual and their physician. The issue is not an anti-vaccine issue, but one of “experimental” vaccines, drugs rushed through without thorough scientific research and FDA approval. More people had died after getting the COVID-19 vaccine during the first 4 months of administration than from all other vaccines in the last 20 years, Hall said.
Religious Freedom
The Religious Essential Protection and Freedom to Worship Act deems religious organizations as essential at all times, including declared states of disaster and emergency prevents government from prohibiting a religious organization from engaging in religious activities and continuing operations.
The exception would be an evacuation order during a disaster such as a tornado; a county judge could issue an evacuation order which would apply to secular and non-secular entities during a disaster, according to Hall
Education
Hall said serving on the Education Committee is one of the most rewarding, as “nothing is more important” than the education of children. The budget was reduced from the $262 billion approved last session to $248 billion this time, with all areas receiving budget cuts except education, which he said will be “fully funded.”
Danny Davis
Senate Bill 1536 is designed to help combat learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, employing a tutoring program to help public school students make up lost ground due to school closures and distance or virtual learning. Texas Education Agency, Hall noted, expects it to take 5-6 years for students to fully catch up for the “lost year” of education. However, Hall cautioned schools and other entities to be careful when spending federal funding to keep up with current guidelines and provisions, and watch for red tape, to ensure the “right rules” are being adhere
Sulphur Springs ISD, for instance, has been allocated $5 million, which will allow the district to implement a comprehensive afterschool tutoring program, including snack and bussing, to help students improve test scores, which were not only impacted by the pandemic but also by the first year of online testing and not having volunteers to serve as Book Buddies for elementary students over the last year. SSISD Superintendent Mike Lamb, who attended the meeting, said he does not believe it will take nearly as long as projected by TEA for SSISD students to recover ground lost since March 2020 due to COVID-19.
Election Security
Hall said his top priority is to “fix election problems.” He said while there may not have been any outright fraud, the way some elections are conducted allows room for errors. The state has 254 counties and each handles elections differently. The fact that there’s “no real penalty” aside from misdemeanor charges, for election scams leaves the door wide for potential election issues.
He said the way that some of the larger counties go about following the rule that mandates pole watchers be allowed in the room where votes are counted, by placing a line of chairs one one side of the room with a partition between the watchers and table where results are turned in is skewed. Drive-through voting enacted in 10 locations in one county during early voting, then, closing all except one location – an area that is primarily considered Republican – about the time the Attorney General ruled drive-thru as not legal, might be considered immoral, an effort to get Republican votes thrown out.
The proposed SB 7 was an attempt to increase protections for poll watchers, increase fairness of polling location distributions, ensure only citizens are voting and curtail potential abuse of mail-in ballot applications, require an audible paper trail, Hall noted. SB 7 never made it out of the House because members walked off the floor, breaking a quorum, Hall expounded.
2nd Amendment
Hall either authored, co-authored or supported several bills related to 2nd Amendment protections, among them Constitutional Carry and Emergency Carry. The Senator said it was fun as part to bust false myths about various topics, especially use of firearms in violent crimes.
Constitutional carry, Hall noted, would allow people in Texas to legally purchase and possess a gun, which they then can carry without a license. However, under the bill, those who are currently prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm would still be ineligible to carry one. Those who pass a background check would be allowed to carry without a license. Convicted felons, certain people who have a been issued a restraining order, individuals who have not paid their taxes or child support would not be eligible.
When asked if there would be any public education about gun safety related to open carry, Hall noted part of another bill stipulates that Texas Department of Public Safety will offer gun safety programs free to anyone. The class would be optional not compulsory.
Other legislation passed during the 87th session repealed the Governor’s statutory authority to regulate firearms during a pandemic, clarified that local governments do not have authority to restrict operation of firearms businesses during a disaster, and stipulates that no governmental entities in Texas shall assist with enforcement of federal firearms laws that exceed those of Texas law. Any entity violating the 2nd Amendment sanctuary would forfeit state funding for the next year, Hall reported.
Pro-Life, Child Gender Modification
Hall said the results of bills he promoted related to abortion and child gender modification were split. The Heartbeat Bill (SB 8), signed into law by the Gov. Greg Abbott on May 6 prohibits abortions once a heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as 6 weeks. It also creates a civil clause of action for anyone other than government personnel to sue a health care provider who performs an abortion after a heartbeat has been detected.
Bills which would have prevented children under age 18 from undergoing gender transition treatments were defeated. He said one of those bills would have considered consenting to and performing child gender modification as child abuse. Another would have prevented health care providers who perform child gender modification from obtaining professional liability insurance coverage, and a third would have revoked licenses of providers who perform gender modification treatments. All of these proposed bills were blocked by House, according to Hall.
Hall said he too pursued bills which would have prevented a person born a male from competing in UIL girls/women’s sports. He a female athlete who held many records in her sport, but who was bested by a person born a male. In some cases, girls do not make UIL teams because who could have potentially been their spot went to an individual born a male, Hall said.
The District 2 Senator said 98 percent of children in this group have gender dysphoria. These children have yet or are still going through puberty, and have not finished development yet; they are also 20 times more likely to commit or attempt suicide, according to hall. Children younger than 18 years are not eligible to purchase alcohol and tobacco products, vote or serve in the military, thus, they should not be allowed to have gender modifications until they are of legal age to make gender modification decisions as well, Hall contends.
Energy Issues
Additional bills proposed regarding wind and solar farms, which Hall said Winter Storm Uri (often referred to as SnowVid 2021) showed are not reliable sources of energy, failed to pass. Discussions pertaining to the stability of the power grid revealed that the staff at ERCOT and the PUC were never trained. Price correction for the exorbitant rates charged during the winter storm, which ranged as high as $25 to $9,000 per kwh, was attempted during the Legislative session, but ultimately the entities involved could not agree so the proposal died, according to Hall.
Democrats and Republicans worked together on a bill to restructure ERCOT, with the board expanded from three to five members for enhanced communication and must live in Texas. There will be more oversight and an independent audit, according to the document passed by the House and Senate and sent to the Governor’s desk for approval. Differences on this were mainly between officials advocating for rural and urban areas instead of across party lines.
A bill addressing electric grid security made it out of the Senate but died in the House and failed to receive the Governor’s support as well, Hall reported.
Hall said among bills he helped to killed during the session was an extension of 313 Tax Abatement program, that is the program that allows tax incentives to be afforded to solar and wind energy projects. That, he said, no longer exists after September.
He answered several questions regarding local, state and federal duties, responsibilities of businesses and property owners, as well as potential options of residents in areas where solar and green energy projects have been greenlit. He noted that property owners have the right to do on and with their land as they choose provided they do not infringe on others’ rights. He acknowledged that “green” projects typically produce very few jobs.
Other Topics
HB 5 established a state broadband development office and a fund in the state treasury office to award grants, loans and other financial incentives to expand broadband infrastructure to rural and underserved areas of the state.
As for immigration and border security, there’s not a lot that officials can do if they encounter people in the country illegally unless they’ve committed a crime. Otherwise, they call Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for advisement, and if ICE doesn’t take custody of them, they have to let the individuals go or face potential kidnapping charges for illegally holding the illegal immigrants.
The Senator said he also was happy to report House Bill 3 related to executive powers along with bills that would have legalize casinos and marijuana, and would have require Republican Party officer to run in open primaries were also killed.
Hall noted that on many occasions he worked with other officials, including Rep. Bryan Slaton, who was also in attendance at Thursday’s Town Hall meeting, on bills proposed.
Hall said another special session is expected to address redistricting. The date has yet to be announced by the federal government to address redistricting. If officials receive the information by Oct. 31, and can get the redistrict maps out by Nov. 22, primaries will be held in March on the regular schedule
Potential items of discussion for an upcoming special or future Legislative Sessions are redistricting, the data for which the federal government is delaying releasing until October; bail reform, including when alleged violent criminals can be released on bond; a ban on taxpayer funded lobbying, which he said prevents tax dollars from being used to fund lobbying, but would not prevent elected officials from voicing their opinions; property tax reform; the rollback of government executive power; border security; and women’s sports protection.
Recognition
Hall noted that it was his honor to be able to select from six candidates two to receive Congressional Medals of Honor, one who served through 1956 and one who served after 1956. All candidates were deserving of recognition, Hall said.
Marcelino Serna, a Mexican national served as a private in the US Army during World War I even after being given the chance to be discharged, received a Medal of Honor.
Serna was reported to have captured 24 German soldiers, who he refused to execute them even when ordered to do so by a superior officer. He was passed over previously for the Congressional Medal of Honor because of his inability to speak English, Hall said, he has now been awarded the Medal of Honor based on his service record and character.
Also awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor was William Flores, a seaman apprentice with the US Coast Guard after 1956, who made sure that everyone got a life jacket, got in a life boat and off the sinking vessel after it became involved in a collision and went down with the ship.
Hall noted one Super Star Activist. He said all citizens should be as dedicated as 19-year-old lobbyist Edgar Pacheco Jr., who was a special needs student for a period of time enrolled in a homeschool program and did not receive credits for all of the courses taken when he reentered the classroom at school. The matter was not resolved and a grievance was filed, but he was not allowed to recover the credits at that school. He eventually attained credits, graduated and went on to community college, where wit a goal of one day becoming a constitutional attorney.
Because of his experiences, however, Pacheco lobbied to get a bill passed, extending the statute of limitations (SOL) in Texas for special education due process from 1 year to 2 years to ensure parents are able to ensure their student receives a “Free and Appropriate Public Education.”
Pacheco, a very intelligent man born with no arms or legs, was present almost every day of the Legislative session, going from office to office talking to everyone he could about the bill, lobbying support for it. When the bill came to the house floor, Pacheco was sitting in the gallery with his best friend to see it through, Hall recounted.
When Hall presented HB 1252, he said he wished he had naming the proposed legislation after Edgar Pacheco Jr. A motion was made amending it to the Edgar Pacheco Jr. Act, which passed.
Hall encourages citizens to follow Pacheco’s example, by attending school board and other local government meetings regularly to remain abreast of current events, and by speaking up and have their voices heard, lobbying elected officials. And, if that does not result in desired results, Hall encourages voters to make their choices known at the poll on Election Day.
Hopkins County Records – June 11, 2021
Land Deed Transactions
- Joyce Elaine McPherson and Carley Annette Vickery to Kaylee Chaney and David Aaron Chenault; tract in the MA Bowlin survey.
- John Adair to Kellis Gene Parker; tract in the William B. Hodges survey
- S&R Construction to Freit LLC; tract in the M.A. Bowlin survey
- Virginia Autrey to E3 Land & Minerals LLC; tract in the William Gregg survey
- Calvin Rucker Earp and Sonia Earp to Kahl Weatherly; tract in the Thomas Proctor survey
- Edward Wise and Lee Ann Wise to Lim Hang and Kim Ung; tract in the Jose YBarbo survey
- Michael Brashier and Shirlene Brashier to Katrina K. Buth and Kris S. Buth; tract in the M A Bowlin survey
- Deanna Grant, Jack Grant, Mary Richey and Michael V. Richey to Tommie Raines; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Gerardo Rangel Gallegos and Maria Socorro Correa Munoz to Samuel Licea Gallegos; tract in the Encarnacion Esparsa survey
- Virginia Washington to Jeanice Elaine Johnson, Barry Gene Washington, Donald Wayne Washington and Harry Dean Washington; tract in the M A Bowlin survey
- Steven Hammond to Fred Land; tract in the MW Matthews survey
- Geraldine Cross Estate, William E. Cross executor, to William E. Cross; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Michael John Isett to Aaron Morrow and Summer Morrow; tract in the A W Waller survey
- Gerald Tutt to Legacy Grove Homes LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Wroten Living Trust, Wiley H. Wroten Jr. trustee, to Drake M. Clarke; tract in the Jose YBarbo survey
- Robert Lynn Smith and Sharon Faye Smith to Kassandra Lynn Smith and Samuel Wayne Smith; tract in the Winney Jewell survey
- Sherri Renee Felkel, known as Sherri Renee Whitley, and Anthony Gerald Whitley to Austin Taylor Jones, Krista Lauren Jones, Robert Landon Jones and Tracy Lea Jones; tract in the T C Elliott survey
- Jimmie Johnson to McIlrath Properties LLC; tract in the Samuel Burk survey
- Longhorn Acres LLC to Skye Properties LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Keith Bland, independent executor for the Robert Newton Bland II Estate, to OCTXLP LLC; tract in the E Burkham survey
- Asher Dial and Meredith N. Dial to Chelsey Brown and Marshall James Brown; tract in the Alexander Park survey
- Stefon Robinson to Quon Clayton and Keitha Manning; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Rhonda Tate to Joshua Scott Morris; tract in the Jose YBarbo survey
- Joel Hopper and Tracy Medley Hopper to Jennifer Heejin Gardner and Jonathan David Hopper; tract in the George C Wetmore survey
- Anita Penner to Mikaela Jacks; tract in the Ocela Barb survey
- James A. Delvin to Diegos Place LLC, Guadalupe Rocha and Jose Rocha; tract in the M A Bowlin survey.
- Heston Taylor to Jose Roberto Mejia and Juana Mejia
- Bruce Arvin Hammargren and Tammy K. Hammargren to Maria De Los Angeles Aguilar Castro and Alier Macedo Sanchez; tract in the Hayden Arnold survey
- Amy Renae Keys and Charles Scott Keys to Jacob R. Patrick and Robin Patrick; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Rebecca Rickman Godfrey and Miles Patrick Rickman, independent co-administrators for the Joe Patsy Martin Rickman Estate, to Dreamland Property Sales LLC; tract in the Levi Landers survey
- Carroll Willis and Linda Willis to Deanne Dial; tract in the William Garrison survey
- Nola Jean Wood to Dewayne Leon Wood; tract in the M A Bowlin survey
- Annie Lou Thomas Smith to Adrian Tillery Jr.; tract in the Jonathan Newsom survey
- Hayden Hollon to Hayley Gaines; tract in the Henry L. Ward survey
- Hayley Gaines Radney to Hayden Hollon; tract in the Henry L. Ward survey
- Hailey Tucker and Michael Ray Tucker Jr. to Adrian Lopez; tract in the Samuel McCulloch survey
- Larry W. Evans to Larry Wayne Evans Trust, Larry W. Evans trustee; tract in the T B Garrett survey
- Linda Hodge to Larry Wayne Evans Trust, Larry W. Evans trustee; tract in the T B Garrett survey
- Claudie Kennimer and Merle Lynn Kennimer, known as Merle Lynn Rogers Wilemon, to Bertha Alcantar Herrera and Omar Mora; tract in the Agaton Caro survey
- Amanda Gail Akune and Darren S. Akune to Ana Karen Miranda and Azucena Miranda; tract in the John S. Bowen survey
- Ana Billingsley and G. Billingsley to Inge Heijligers and Leon Heijligers; tract in the A Caro survey
- Perry Len Altenbaumer to LL Burt Investments LLC; tract in the MA Bowen survey
- Shawn Hildreth Cathey Estate, Donna Watkins independent executor, to Ava Annette Johnson and Randy S. Johnson; tract in the AJ Kinney survey
- Shawn Hildreth Cathey Estate, Donna Watkins independent executor, to Ava Annette Johnson and Randy S. Johnson; tract in the J W Hatchell survey
Applications for Marriage Licenses
- David Ivan Gutierrez and Jennifer Aileen Negrete.
- Kandaris Antoine Crosby and April C. Martin.
- Mark Allen Warren and Mandy Ray Davis.
- Juan Luis Macias Dominguez and Olga Margarita Macias.
- Luis A. Duran Hernandez and Myra Maurine Sanchez.
Wildcats Basketball, Lady Cats Basketball and Lady Cats Volleyball Begin The Edge Monday
Three more SSHS sports teams begin The Edge on Monday (June 14): Wildcats Basketball, Lady Cats Basketball and Lady Cats Volleyball.
New Wildcats Basketball Coach Brandon Shaver will conduct The Edge in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School.
Athletes entering 7th through the 9thgrades will have The Edge from 8 A.M. until 10 A.M. and players entering 10th through 12th grades will do The Edge from 10 A.M. until noon.
The six week Edge program will run Mondays through Thursdays through July 22.
Lady Cats Basketball and Lady Cats Volleyball players will begin The Edge in gyms at Sulphur Springs Middle School.
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell will have two sessions each day of The Edge: Athletes entering 9th through the 12th grades will do The Edge from 8 A.M. until 10 A.M. and players entering 7th and 8th grades will participate from 10 A.M. until noon.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner will also have two sessions each day of The Edge. The first, from 8 a.m. until 10 A.M. is for players entering 9th through the 12th grades and the second, from 10 A.M. until noon, is for athletes entering the 7th and 8th grades.
Both The Edge for Lady Cats Basketball and for Lady Cats Volleyball run for 4 weeks wrapping up July 8.
Meanwhile The Edge continues Monday for Wildcats Tennis, Wildcats Football, Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country and Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer.
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.
Wildcats 7 on 7 Football Team is at State Qualifier Tournament in Tyler Saturday
The Wildcats 7 on 7 Football Team has one last chance to qualify for the State 7 on 7 Tournament at a Qualifier Tournament Saturday (June 12) at Lindsey Park in Tyler.
Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the Wildcats would play Wylie East beginning at 9 A.M. Saturday and then take on Corsicana and Tyler High in preliminary games.
Top finishers in the prelims advance to playoffs. Top finishers in the playoffs qualify for state.
Coach Young said about 20 Wildcats players would be heading to Tyler.
Brady Driver, a sophomore this coming school year, is expected to get most of the quarterback reps. Coach Young said quarterback Matthew Mitchell, a junior next year, will not attend due to a baseball tournament he will be playing in.
He said some of Driver’s favorite targets Saturday would be Matthew Sherman, Carson Fenton, C.J. Williams, Reed Williams and Colt Silman.
Coach Young said leaders on defense for the Wildcats Saturday would include Dominique Sims, Gavin Johnson, Wylie Hammond, Silman, Aiden Stribling, Driver, Austin Chaney, Braden Morris, Devon Franklin, Douglas Deloney and J.J. Hall.
Coach Young said some JV players would also be going and would have a chance to get some reps.
If the Wildcats do not qualify, the event Saturday will wrap up the 7 on 7 season for the Wildcats. Coach Young said 7 on 7 has provided good groundwork for the future for the Wildcats.
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.
Local Filmmaker Ashley Fordinal; Her RAAM Project Titled “From Ashes We Rise” Will Inspire and Motivate
Ashley Fordinal of RiseUp Films lives in Sulphur Springs and is about to launch a film project about the ‘world’s toughest bicycle race” and one of it’s 2021 solo contenders. The project is titled “From Ashes We Rise”, to focus on Jerry Schemmel as he makes the Race Across America epic 12-day coast-to-coast marathon during June. On Friday June 11, 2021, Ashley joined Enola Gay on the KSST Good Morning Show to talk about the project, her interest in making films and what’s involved for her and the crew in this major project she is about to embark upon.
“I was aware of the life story of Jerry Schemmel; his years as a sports broadcaster in the Denver area, how he survived the 1989 United Airways crash-landing in an Iowa field and how he rescued a baby from the wreckage, how he later teamed up with Brad Cooper to compete and win as a relay team in the 2015 Race Across America, and how Jerry will now undertake the 2021 bike challenge as a solo contestant. In my own experience, hardship and struggles can refine us and make us want to reach higher and wider. I met Jerry, we talked, and I got interested in the annual race because his personal story was inspiring to me. That’s briefly how I got interested in wanting to do this project. I wasn’t certain though, that Jerry actually wanted me to go forward with it, because I haven’t done a lot of major projects yet, but earlier this year, I got confirmation. He said ‘Yes, it’s yours’. So that’s when I really went to work on it. We actually leave for Oceanside in two days!”
After being onhand for all the pre-race formalities, Ashley and her crew plan to meet up with Schemmel during periods of the race and document his journey to the finish line in Annapolis, Maryland. Six cameras will be in use to capture a quantity of footage. But documenting the epic sporting challenge isn’t the only feature of Ashley’s mission. Her belief in rising above life’s challenges are based on her own struggles and her own breakthrough at age 26. Her belief system is similar to Schemmel’s, as he shared in a video on RiseUp Films on Facebook, “Ashley Fordinal is a director/producer who will capture footage and create a film to inspire others. We are excited about the film. Anyone can do their own ‘race’. So be inspired and motivated, and realize your dreams!”
KSST wishes Ashley the best of luck as she secures funding and moves ahead to launch her project. I appreciate this inspiring quote from Schemmel which also motivates Ashley toward her dream. “Everybody has their own plane crash, big or small. Everybody has their own RAAM, something they’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t. Do the best you can to work through your plane crash and act on your RAAM”.
Find out more about the film From Ashes, We Rise. Donate to Riseup Films here, your contributions will assure the film is completed. Learn more about the subject of the film, Jerry Schemmel, at his website available here.
PJC Announces Spring 2021 President’s and Dean’s List
Paris Junior College is pleased to announce that 175 students were named to the President’s and Dean’s lists for academic achievement during the Spring 2021 semester.
To be eligible for the President’s List, students must earn a 4.0 grade point average, (straight A’s) on a minimum of 15 semester hours.
Those on the dean’s list must have a minimum of a 3.5 grade point average for at least 15 semester hours, and have no grade lower than a “C.”
Both lists are compiled exclusive of developmental hours.
Students on the PJC President’s List by hometowns in area include:
- Brashear: Anthony Myers
- Commerce: Evan Humphries
- Como: Diana Gallegos
- Cooper: Justin Gibson, Glen Holt, Madison Oats
- Dike: Kisha Large
- Emory: Ty Nichols
- Klondike: Austin Henderson
- Pecan Gap: Jessie McGuire
- Sulphur Springs: Gregory Nottingham, Taylor Buttrill, Jewely Holladay, Kennedy Lee, Landrie McKinney, Gregory Nottingham, Alexander Rodriguez, Ethan Smith, Zachary Tiemeyer, Jaci Wyatt Yantis: Jennifer Ogle
Students on the PJC Dean’s List by their hometowns in area include:
- Alba: Brandon Riley
- Brashear: Jacquelyn Cruz, Christopher Dockweiler
- Commerce: Christian Walter
- Como: Crystal Romero, Estelfa Trujillo-Cortes
- Cumby: Jessica Mullins
- Dike: Jennifer Stanley
- Lone Oak: Godfrey Snyder
- Pickton: Alex Alonso
- Saltillo: John Beadle
- Yantis: Nathaniel Doolin
Congratulations to all of the students on the PJC President’s List and Dean’s List and all other 2021 PJC graduates.
