Franklin County Has Lowest July 2021 Unemployment Rate In Area
Hopkins County Falls to 2nd By Narrow Margin
After an extended period, Hopkins County can no longer claim to have the lowest jobless rate in the Northeast Texas/Texarkana Workforce Development Area. Franklin County unseated Hopkins County lst month for that, but Hopkins County is a close second with only 0.1 separating the two counties’ July 2021 unemployment rates, according to the latest Local Area Unemployment Statistics released on the Texas Workforce Commission on the Texas Labor Market Information website Friday morning.
Both counties, like all of Northeast Texas and the entire state for that matter reported less joblessness in July 2021 than in June 2021 and July of 2020. In Texas 6 percent of the labor force was unemployed, down 0.7 percent from June 2011 and down 3.6 percent from July of 2020. Northeast Texas Workforce Development Area didn’t decline quite as much, but did decrease from 6.7 to 6.1 percent from June to July 2021, and was down from 8.4 percent in July of 2020.
Franklin County added 48 people to the county’s labor force, increaseing it to 5,320, and had 67 more people who gained jobs in July 2021, leaving 244 unemployed people im that county as of July 31, 2021. That’s 19 fewer Franklin County residents unemployed in July 2021 than just one month before., giving Franklin County a July 2021 unemployment rate of 4.6 percent, down from 5 percent in 2021 and 6 percent in July 20210, when the labor force consisted on only 4,913, 296 of whom were not employed during July 2020.
Hopkins County’s July 2021 unemployment rate was 4.7 percent, down from 5.3 percentin June 2021 and 6.0 in Juy 2020. It should be noted the unemployment rate was attained while adding 104 people to the labor force. Overall, 16,611 of the 17,426 labor frce in Hopkins County were employed, up from 16,400 of the 17,322 labor force who were employed in June 2021. The Hopkins County labor force last month was still 104 people shy of the June 2020 labor force, whent 16,476 of the 17,530 labor force had jobs. The 4.7 percent unemployment rate is the second lowest so far n 2021, the lowest was 4.6 percent in April 2021, which was still not good as the historic 2.7 percent unemployment rate recorded in April 2021 and repated in May of 2019. The July 2021 unemployment rate is also still far below the 7.8 percent recorded in April 2020, the month so many businesses were ordered by the government to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic that swept the world, including Texas and Hopkins County starting in mid-March of 2020, as well as the 22-year record of 8.4 percent recorded in June of 2011 for Hopkins County.
Neighboring Delta County has the next lowest unemployment rate of 5.3 percent for July 2021, down from 5.7 percent in June 2021 and 6.8 percent just one year ago. This county had 15 fewer members of its labor force from June to July 2021, and had 7 fewr than in July 2020.. That left 244 without employment in July 2021 compared to 263 without jobs in June 2021 and 296 unemployed in July 2020.
Lamar County added 206 workers to its labor force, but still managed to lower its unemployment rate from 8.3 percent 1 year ago to 6.3 percentin June 2021 and 5.7 percent last mont.
Morris County continued to have the highest unemployment rate in the Northeast Texas area and Texarkana Local Areas Unemployment area, dropping from 14.5 percfent in July 2020, when 701 of the 4,827 workers in the labor force were unemployed, to 12.1 percent with 546 of the 4,505 labor force unemployed in June 2021. Last month, despite adding 13 people to the labor force, Morris County reduced its unemployment rate to 11.4 percent with 514 of still unemployed in July 2021.
Titus County’s unemployment rate declined from 8.3 percet in 2020 to 6.7 percent in June 2021 and 6 percent last month. Bowie and Red River Counties each posted a jobless rate of 6.2 percent for July 2021. Bowie County’s unemployment rate was 8.6 percent in July of 2020 and 6.8 percent in June 2021. Red River County’s unemployment rate declined from 7. 4 percent in July 2020 and 6.6 percent in June 2021. Rounding out the WDA, Cass County’s unemployment rate fell from 9.2 percent in July 2020 to 8..0 percent in June 2021 and 7.1 percent last month.
Lady Cats Volleyball Hopes to Keep Momentum Versus Rains Tonight
The Lady Cats volleyball team will be playing something of a familiar foe later today when they travel to Rains, TX.
Yesterday, on Thursday, Aug. 19, Coach Bailey Dorner’s squad took part in the Wills Point tournament that saw them face and defeat three separate teams in day one of tourney action; first Kaufman, then Caddo Mills, and finally, the team Sulphur Springs will be playing again tonight: the Rains Lady Cats.
The battle for Lady Cats supremacy is set to begin at 4:30 P.M. starting with the varsity squads, followed by the freshmen and junior varsity teams.
Coach Dorner’s team played two teams back-to-back on Saturday, Kaufman and Caddo Mills, at 9 A.M. and 10 A.M. respectively.
The Lady Cats beat Kaufman 25-19 and 25-22 to sweep the Lady Lions in the best-of-three match.
Caddo Mills tested Sulphur Springs early, taking set one 25-16 before getting the tables turned on them to the tune of 25-19 and 25-23 sets two and three victories to give the Lady Cats a come-from-behind victory over the Lady Foxes.
The contest versus Rains, who Coach Dorner’s team will be playing again tonight, went about the same as their match against Caddo Mills, the (Rains) Lady Cats took set one versus Sulphur Springs before losing sets two and three to accept defeat at the hands of Coach Dorner’s squad.
Rains will no doubt have revenge on their minds tonight when they host the Sulphur Springs Lady Cats volleyball team at 4:30 P.M. Freshmen and junior varsity squads will follow.
Once that game tonight is over, it will be a quick turn around for Coach Bailey Dorner’s team as they will be back in the Wills Point tournament tomorrow on Saturday, Aug. 21.
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.
Blood Drive on September 11, 2021
The American legion Hopkins County Tx Post 66 and VFW Post 8560 will be holding a blood drive on 09/11/2021 from 0900 (9am) till 1400 (2pm) at Brookshires in Sulphur Springs, TX.
There will be 9/11 t shirts for donors who scheduled online or simply walk up.
Contact American legion post commander Andy Lowen at (903) 355-3733 or the American Legion Post at jag@9034401873 for more information or questions.
Construction To Begin Monday At Main Street Theatre
One of the longtime cultural fixtures just off Celebration Square will soon get a face lift. If all goes according to schedule construction will begin Monday. A rework of the front and back walls of Main Street Theater, which have deteriorated over time, is required. This repair project is necessary for the safety of patrons and passersby. This will assure Main Street Theater can continue bringing live theater arts to the local community.
This phase of Communitiy Players’ “Save Main Street Theatre” efforts will be paid for with a $170,000 grant from the City of Sulphur Springs. City Manager Marc Maxwell said the top part of the building facade has been leaning for some time. The theater troupe and city officials have been watching the condition of the front and back walls slowly worsen.
“Community Players is an integral part of the communty. They don’t have much fund balance. The City Council decided to step up and make a deal with them. The city is paying or it. What we get for it is they’ve agreed two weekends a month to make it available for other kinds of functions. It could be anything: a musical, musicians, comedy show, other magical entertainment – whatever they want. The City will not be involved in booking it. We might make a suggest from time to time, but it will be their wheelhouse to book the acts,” Maxwell said.
“They have provided a grant to help the effort. We’ll be open 2 weekends a month with some type of event to help bring tourists and give the community something to do down there and contribute to the atmosphere,” Community Players Inc. Board President Lyndie Mansfield said.
Doing so, the city manager said, will indeed add to the vibrancy of the Celebration community downtown, especially Main Street, which provides dining, entertainment and shopping experiences for those visiting the Celebration District in downtown Sulphur Springs.
In the mean time, Community Players will continue Save Our Theater efforts to raise the money for interior theater improvements. Community Players had hoped to be farther along in the fundraising process. More money is needed to do all of the targeted repairs inside the structure as well, according to Mansfield. This week, however, the group voted to delay their planned grand opening until 2022.
“We still have things we want to do inside as well. It’s nothing major, but we do want to get some fresh paint and give it a fresh look. That way, when it reopens it can be the place we all want it to be. We have the funding for the front and back walls. We still need funding for inside improvements. One big item that we won’t likey be able to do unless we get some big funding is to put air conditioning on the lobby side of the building. We are working hard to get there. We have someone getting quotes on those,” the Community Players, Inc., president said Wednesday.
Although the venue has been dark, with windows and doors boarded up for most of the pandemic, Community Players, Inc., hasn’t let that stop them from bringing local entertainment to the community. The troupe has partnered with other local businesses to perform on the stages at their venues.
“We are still going to have shows. We have one in November that will be at an alternative site. We’ve had and have quite a few things planned. We are staying active for sure. We will be doing a little program at Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur Unit in October for their anniversary,” Mansfield said. “We are planning on having a float in the Christmas parade. If anyone wants to come help us plan any of these things, meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Chamber.” (The next meeting will be Sept. 21. A $10 membership allows voting priviledge.)
Officials with XCLNT Contracting LLC Thursday afternoon installed protective fencing around the front of Main Street Theatre, but still left room for people to walk past it on the outside of the sidewalk. Construction on the front part of the building is expected to begin Monday, according to city and XCLNT officials. Altogether, the reconstruction of the front and back walls of the building is projected roughtly to take about 2 months, according to Maxwell.
“It finally feels like it is really going to happen,” Mansfield said. “I’m really excited.”
“We had several, the contractor and subcontractors who’ve donated time and won’t take profit in order to make it feasible for us to do,” Mansfield said.
The Community Players Inc. president and city manager offered special thanks to Mike Ballard, vice president of construction management, and his the team at XLNT Contracting, LLC, for doing the project “at cost,” and to Dynamic Engineering for “providing engineering services pro bono,” and to the City Council for approving the grant, as well as all the other contractors and business people involved in the renovation project.
“There have been a lot of moving parts on this. It’s been sort of difficult to put together, but everybody ahd stepped up,” Maxwell said, “And they have a fundraising effort to do even more, to do other things in the theater.”
“We can’t wait to get back in there and get everybody back on stage,” an excited Mansfield said. “I love to be back stage.”
She said the group has been making strides with some new people express interest in being a part of Community Players Inc. The group encourages community members to check Main Street Theatre’s Facebook page frequently as they intend to post updates as work on the building progresses.
Anyone interested in donating to the theater can do so on one of two different platforms: to make a general contribution to the theater group on their website, https://www.communityplayersinc.com/, Those who would like to donate specifically to the building renovation fund should scroll down the web page below the video to the GiveButter widget, select the contribution option of choice on the donation platform and provie the appropriate information. Or scan the QR code on the right with your phone to be taken directly to the GiveButter donation platform. As of Friday morning, $845 had been contributed on to Save Main Street Theatre at GiveButter.
Not familiar with Main Street Theatre and Community Players Inc.? Be sure to watch Suddenlink cable channel 18, or search for Save Our Theatre or Main Street Theatre on KSST’s YouTube channel to check out past performances held at Main Street Theatre to whet your appetite for the next peformance and let local residents know about the fundraiser for building improvements.
National Radio Day Celebrates the Good Things That Radio Delivers
KSST 1230 AM was born in downtown Sulphur Springs, Texas on March 1, 1947. The station will turn 75 years old on March 1, 2022. Today, the KSST studio also houses KRVA 107.1 FM. We thank you for your listenership! We couldn’t pass up this chance to bring attention to National Radio Day, an observance within the United States annually on August 20th. National Radio Day simply reminds all Americans of the many good things and countless great memories associated with radio listening.
National Radio Day – August 20, 2021
HISTORY OF NATIONAL RADIO DAY
Though we typically attribute the invention of the radio to Gugliemo Marconi in the 1890s, the process spanned decades, with many scientists making small but significant contributions to the understanding of electromagnetic induction, electric conduction, and radio waves. For example, Heinrich Rudolph Hertz discovered radio waves in the 1880s, which helped prove a theory of electromagnetism put forth by James Clerk Maxwell in 1873.
It took quite a bit of time after the discovery of the radio for the technology to be used as communication – this was both because the inventors hadn’t yet realized the practical and life-changing applications of their development and because there were many more components needed to transmit and detect electrical waves. However, Marconi finally figured out a way to communicate with radio long-distance, and he takes the credit for the invention of what we think of as the radio today.
Public radio broadcasting has its own inventor and that’s Lee de Forest. He transmitted the first public radio broadcast, which featured the voices of opera stars, in 1910. De Forest’s Radio Telephone Company went on to manufacture the first commercial radios which could pick up a signal from miles away.
Obviously, radio was huge for music and changed the landscape of the industry immediately. News took to the radio, as well, and announcers could quickly hop on air to deliver the happenings of the day to a massive audience. The first radio news program was broadcast on August 31, 1920, out of Detroit – at a station that survives today as WWJ. In the early 20th century, radio also began to be used for broadcasting sports, aiding telephone services, and even navigating by airplane.
With the digital revolution and the wireless era, radio changed and adapted. Today, though radio is used for a variety of functions, it no longer holds its former top slot in entertainment and news media. With television, the internet, and more, it’s hard for radio to compete in that space – but people still love it, and it doesn’t look like radio is going away anytime soon. In fact, we appreciate radio even more these days for its old-school vintage.
From nationaltoday.com, a site devoted to keeping track of fun holidays and special moments of the cultural calendar, here are some inspiring thoughts about radio. It’s true that from the long-ago to the current moment, many individuals and families utilize radio in their daily routine at home, in their vehicles and while working. We hope you observe National Radio Day by listening today! Also, take a moment to reflect on the many ways radio has been a beneficial part of your life.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL RADIO DAY
- It was life-changing technology. Though today radio is great for busting the daily commute blues, keeping us up on the news, and preventing us from drifting off during road trips, it was once life-changing technology. Radio globally changed the way people interacted with the news, the government, and each other. From news anchors to FDR’s Fireside Chats that kept the nation going through rough times, radio has filled key gaps and done a lot of social good. Not to mention, it’s frequently used by the military and government to keep our country safe and for navigation! Radio has undeniably made its mark on the world.
- It keeps your drives interesting. Are you part of the 71% of people who listen to the radio in the car? We all know radio is not only what keeps you awake on a long road trip, but also what keeps you interested, learning new things, or singing along. We love radio because it helps us perfect our voices when we’re belting it out on the commute!
- It’s where you heard your favorite song. Whether it was alternative, country, or classic rock, everyone has felt that pause when a great beat comes on the radio, and you just know it’s about to be your favorite song. Credit to the radio for helping us all experience new songs we might otherwise not have found!
Clerk Issues Reminder Regarding Mark And Brand Expirations
All marks, brands, and tattoos currently registered with the Hopkins County Clerk will expire on August 30, 2021, in accordance with Texas Agriculture Code 144.044. The owners of the marks and brands will have from August 31, 2021 to February 28, 2022, to renew them.
Any previously recorded marks and brands which have not been re-registered by the deadine of February 28, 2022, will be considered unclaimed and eligible for registration on a first come, first served basis.
Renewals may be filed with the Hopkins County Clerk, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 128 Jefferson St., Suite C, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482.
The recording fee for a brand in Hopkins County is $26 per brand per location.
Questions may be directed to Hopkins County Clerk’s Office at 903-438-4074 during regular business hours.
Pleasant Grove Tops Sulphur Springs in Final Scrimmage Before Fall 2021 Season
The Wildcats football team showed a lot of fight in their second and final scrimmage before the fall 2021 season, but fell to the visiting Pleasant Grove Hawks 21-7 on Aug. 19, 2021 at Gerald Prim Stadium.
Things did not start as Coach Greg Owens would have liked, as the Hawks got the ball to start the scrimmage and proceeded to go an an eight play, 71 yard drive that ended with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to put Pleasant Grove ahead 7-0 with 6:29 left in the first quarter.
The offense answered with a fumble on their next drive, putting the Hawks in prime scoring position.
They cashed in a few plays later to go ahead by two scores at 14-0 with four minutes left in the first quarter.
The Wildcats thereafter then had their first drive of the night that had more than 10 plays; an 11-play drive that ended with two consecutive incompletions on third and fourth down at the Pleasant Grove 27 to turn the ball over on downs.
The game slowed down after that; the Wildcats and Hawks would go on to punt three drives in a row before the Wildcats produced the longest drive of the night both in terms of time and number of plays.
Sulphur Springs started with the ball at the Wildcats 1 yard line before going on a 15-play, almost six-minute drive that ended with a Matthew Mitchell interception at the Hawks 10-yard line.
Were there not 0:31 seconds left in the first half after the Wildcats interception, Pleasant Grove would have scored again — in four plays the Hawks travelled 87-yards in 31 seconds before a pass break-up in the end zone as time expired in the first half did the drive come to an end.
Sulphur Springs came out of halftime with the ball but punted after seven plays.
Pleasant Grove responded with a turnover on downs in four plays.
The Wildcats got their first and only score of the night when QB Brady Driver fought tooth and nail to get his team in to the end zone. Sulphur Springs went on a six-play, three-minute drive that ended with Driver helicoptering his way into the end zone to make the score 14-7 in favor of the visiting Hawks with 3:57 left in the third quarter.
From there, both teams pushed their way to victory but it was ultimately Pleasant Grove who pulled ahead thanks to a late-touchdown to ice the game at 21-7 with 0:41 left in the game.
The scrimmage was called after the touchdown’s extra point was kicked giving Sulphur Springs a 21-7 defeat int their second and final scrimmage before the fall 2021 regular season.
Next up, Coach Owens and his staff will shift their focus to their regular season opener next Friday when they host the Frisco Wakeland Wolverines at Gerald Prim Stadium.
The season-opener next Friday, Aug. 27, is set to kick-off at 7:30 P.M.
The season schedule can be found here.
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.
Every Nine Hours Someone Dies From Drunk Driving in Texas
| EVERY NINE HOURS SOMEONE DIES FROM DRUNK DRIVING IN TEXAS TxDOT urges Texans to consider the tragic impact before getting behind the wheel after drinking | NEWS RELEASE [email protected] (512) 463-8700  Download Video |
| Aug. 19, 2021 AUSTIN – No parent should ever receive the kind of devastating news that two Bryan police officers delivered to Pam Todaro one early Saturday morning. At 6:45 a.m. on August 9, 2014 they appeared on her doorstep to tell her that her 25-year-old son had been killed in a drunk driving crash. Her son Dillon was driving home from a fish fry and died instantly when his truck ran off the road hitting a brick mailbox and concrete pole. His blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.16, twice the legal limit. Dillon is just one of nearly a thousand people killed every year in drunk driving crashes in Texas. Stories like his are part of TxDOT’s “Faces of Drunk Driving” campaign that puts real faces behind the statistics. Last year there were 963 DUI-alcohol related fatalities. That means on average, a person in Texas dies every nine hours and six minutes as a result of a traffic crash involving alcohol. ”Drinking and driving can lead to tragic consequences that are 100% preventable,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “These consequences involve individuals who made the unfortunate decision to drink and drive along with many innocent victims of those decisions. This is why it is critical to always plan ahead for a sober ride through a designated driver, taxi, ride-share app or simply by staying where you are. Drinking and driving do not mix.” One of the new “faces” of the campaign, 25-year-old Walter Tidwell talks about those regrets. He shares details of the night he decided to hop in his car and drive home alone after a long night of drinking. Fortunately, Tidwell was pulled over after driving the wrong way down a one-way street before he could hurt himself or someone else. He just recently resolved the case after three years of court visits and will undergo alcohol and drug offender courses, community service and probation. Tidwell hopes his story will convince others to drive sober. TxDOT’s new campaign will feature events around the state to share stories of Texans who deal with the consequences of a drunk driving crash every day. Events will include an exhibit of powerful testimonials on video in English and Spanish. Full video stories and other drunk driving facts can be found at https://www.facesofdrunkdriving.com. The Faces of Drunk Driving is an important aspect of the Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign which are key components of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. November 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways. For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700. The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of April 26, 2021. ### |
Lady Cats Volleyball Sweeps Competition in Day One of Wills Point Tournament
Thursday turned out to not only be a busy day for the Lady Cats volleyball team, but a winning one too.
The Lady Cats, coached by Bailey Dorner, were set for an action-packed day on Thursday, Aug. 19 when they took part in the Wills Point tournament.
The volleyball team played three games on Thursday, with two being back-to-back; first against Kaufman, followed immediately by Caddo Mills, and lastly Rains at 1 P.M.
Getting the action going early, the Lady Cats played Kaufman at 9 A.M. Coach Dorner’s squad swept the Lady Lions 25-19 and 25-22 under best-of-three tournament rules to win their first match of the day.
The volleyball team, perhaps a bit drained from having to play back-to-back, struggled early in their match against Caddo Mills.
The Lady Foxes won set one 25-16 before Sulphur Springs found their footing in the second set.
The Lady Cats won set two at 25-19, before escaping set three with a 25-23 score to win set three and the match versus Caddo Mills.
The last game on the day for Coach Dorner’s squad then was a 1 P.M. bout with the Lady Cats of Rains, TX.
Rains, like Caddo Mills was able to take set one against the Lady Cats 20-25 before once again Sulphur Springs post their pedal to the metal and won both sets two and three at 25-22 and 25-21, respectively.
The three wins on day one of the Wills Point tournament increased the volleyball teams’ season record to 7-4 overall.
Next up, Coach Dorner and her Sulphur Springs squad will be set for a rematch with Rains on Friday, Aug. 19 when they travel to Rains to take on the Lady Cats.
That match tomorrow is set to begin at 4:30 P.M. starting with the varsity team, followed by freshmen and JV.
After that, the Lady Cats will be back in the Wills Point Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 21 for day two of tourney play.
Once the times and opponents are announced for Saturday’s matches it will be posted online.
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.
Preparing for Fall Semester at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
GETTING READY
Student Advisor Stephanie Pinckard, left, of the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center observes as Arianna Runion of Emory prepares for testing so she can be ready for the fall semester which begins August 30.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
