Child Passenger Safety Events set in August and September
| NEWS RELEASE PARIS DISTRICT Tim McAlavy (903) 737-9213 [email protected] | |
| Child Passenger Safety Events set in August, September Aug. 18, 2021 PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation personnel and its local agency partners will conduct three child passenger safety events in August and September 2021 at three different locations in Northeast Texas. The dates, times and locations of these events are: Aug. 26, 9 a.m. to Noon, 421 East Industrial Drive, Sulphur Springs; Sept. 3, 1 to 4 p.m., Mt. Vernon Fire Department (330 Hwy. 37); and Sept. 24, 1 to 4 p.m., pavilion adjacent to Clarksville City Hall (800 West Main). TxDOT personnel and representatives from partnering agencies will be on hand to help parents evaluate their current child passenger seats and other safety factors. “Parents can come by with their vehicle, child and car seat, and we will help them make sure their seat is safe and installed correctly,” said Monica Yates, TxDOT traffic funding specialist based in Paris. “We also need to know your child’s weight and height, so please bring that info with you.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three out of four child passenger seats are not properly installed. Common child safety seat errors include: installing the seat too loosely; putting the harness straps through the wrong slots; leaving harness straps too loose; positioning the chest clip incorrectly; and using the wrong seat belt path. Drivers should refer to their specific car seat manufacturer’s manual for instructions on how to install a safety seat. The vehicle owner’s manual also includes information on the proper placement of car seats and proper use of the seat belt or LATCH system. More information on these events and child passenger safety is available by calling Yates at (903) 737-9292. ### |
FEMA Funeral Assistance Remains Available for COVID-19 Related Deaths
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, especially those who suffered loss due to the virus. Nothing can replace loved ones, but FEMA may be able to help ease the financial burden that comes with that loss.
Those who had COVID-19-related funeral expenses can apply for FEMA Funeral Assistance by calling 844-684-6333 or TTY 800-462-7585. Phone lines are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday with Multilingual services available.
Applicants requiring relay services, such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, must provide FEMA a specific number assigned to that service. It is important that FEMA is able to contact applicants.
There is currently no deadline to apply for aid.
The criteria to qualify for assistance includes:
- The person died of COVID-19
- The death occurred in the U.S.
- The applicant paid for funeral, burial or cremation costs after Jan. 20, 2020
- The applicant is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident or qualified refugee. The deceased does not need to meet these qualifications.
When applicants call for assistance, they need to provide the following information:
- Social security number
- Date of birth
- Current mailing address and phone number
- The deceased date of birth
- Location of deceased death
- Information about any funeral or burial insurance policies
- Information about other funeral assistance received, such as donations or CARES Act grants
Eligibility determinations are based on the submission of all required documents. Additional information and answers to frequently asked questions about the application process can be found on FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQ page.
For the latest information on FEMA’s Funeral Assistance visit www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus.
County Road 2341 Home Destroyed By Blaze
A County Road 2341 home was destroyed by a blaze Thursday morning. No injuries were reported to have resulted from the fire. The cause of the blaze had yet to be determined early Thursday afternoon., according to fire reports.
Hopkins County, Brinker, Como, Pickton-Pine Forest and Arbala firefighters were dispatched to the CR 2341 address, just south of Interstate 30 around 10:15 a..m. Aug. 19, 2021, to the reported structure fire. When the fire units arrived, firefighters reported the house was fully involved with fire. Firefighters tackled the blaze, getting it under control around 11:15 a.m. Crews remained on scene at 1 p.m. Thursday in the “mop up” phase of the firefight, checking for and extinguishing hot spots as they were located in the charred debris. The local chapter of the Red Cross had been dispatched to respond at the site to provide rehab for the fire crews.
The owners reportedly told fire officials the house has been under construction since last summer. They have been slowly adding to the structure which prior to the blaze had an attached garage, with what appeared to be an upstairs extension from the main part of the home over the garage. The family does have somewhere to stay.
Wildcats XC Prepped For First Invitational Of Season On Saturday
Coach Ross Hicks and his Wildcats cross country team are more than ready for their first invitational of the fall 2021 season.
Last Saturday SSHS hosted an intra-squad meet for Wildcats XC to best get his team warmed up for meet-time action.
Seven student-athletes make the varsity squad, both on the girls and boys cross country team, and Coach Hicks calls cross country one of the most fair sports one can find, due to the nature of tryouts.
The Wildcats XC coach said to find out who the fastest runners are on a team, they simply lined-up his student-athletes and raced them. Typically, Coach Hicks said, they will use those top-seven runners for the varsity squad.
Giving his team the ability to run the track of the SSISD Athletic Complex course allows his team to have a better feel of what a marathon would look and feel like at that venue.
This is particularly advantageous due to the fact that the Athletic Complex will be hosting the first ever Sulphur Springs (XC) Invitational meet on Sept. 25.
Coach Hicks said the team had a good showing of parents and fans at the intra-squad meet held at the SSISD Athletic Complex on Saturday, Aug. 14.
Moving over to the Commerce Tiger Invitational, held this Saturday, Aug. 21, Coach Ross Hicks said his team has attended the invitational over the last 3-4 years. He said the number of teams that attend the meet yearly has grown substantially, with several 5A schools now competing the Tiger Invitational.
Coach Hicks said this Saturday’s invitational is a good-quality meet are looking forward to their first invitational of the fall 2021 season.
For the senior boys’ team, the Wildcats XC coach said he has a number of returning talented players in Jose Mejia, Evan Patrick and Alex Flecker, three of the teams’ top runners who have done a great job on and off the track this summer. Another senior to make varsity is Allen Hernandez.
Followed by young guns Cristobal Torres, and Candelerio Montenegra, this is a fleshed out team filled with not only seniors but younger talent as well to keep pace yet still challenge themselves and other schools.
As for the women, this will be a younger team, Coach Hicks notes.
Haylee Schultz will be leading the way as a sophomore, who has shown continuous growth and is expected to be a top runner again after doing so last season.
The Wildcats XC coach noted that Schultz’s goal, whether it be this year or in the coming seasons is to make Regionals and make the state cross country competition.
Other Lady Cats on the cross country team are Rebekah Stanley and Makayla Jimmerson, both juniors this school year, and are rounded out by freshmen for the rest of their squad.
Coach Ross Hicks said he and his staff are looking forward to big things from both squads, adding that both boys and girls teams should be competing to the top of the meet and should give their team success at the beginning of the year.
The Commerce Tiger Invitational will take place at Commerce High School on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 8 A.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
TAMUC Alum Designs Cranial Prosthesis With Cornell University Team
COMMERCE, TX—In the two years since graduating from Texas A&M University-Commerce, Karli Thornton has been busy changing the world. She has worked internationally, earned her master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Cornell University in New York and designed a patent-pending cranial prosthesis device that can potentially help millions of patients.
None of her success would be possible, she says, without the foundation she built at A&M-Commerce. “I have a lot of love and Lion pride in my heart,” she said.
Thornton transferred from Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas, in 2016 to play volleyball for A&M-Commerce.
“I pretty much came to A&M-Commerce solely for volleyball,” she said. “And, oh my gosh, it turned into the best engineering experience of my life.”
She wanted to pursue a pre-med track but switched to industrial engineering after meeting Andrea Graham, Ph.D., who is head of the Department of Engineering and Technology.
“Dr. Graham said, ‘If you’re interested in medicine, you can be an industrial engineer,’” Thornton recalled.
Thornton was initially hesitant, but she soon discovered that industrial engineers are often employed in high-level administrative positions at hospitals where they work on process improvement, emergency room flow optimization and more.
During her time in the industrial engineering program, she worked with several professors who played big roles in her academic preparation.
She met former assistant professor Marty Yaqub, Ph.D., who encouraged her to consider a Master of Engineering degree after completing her bachelor’s degree. She also worked on several projects with Perry Moler, Ph.D., assistant professor of engineering and technology, who introduced her to SolidWorks, a computer-aided design and engineering software.
“A&M-Commerce provided a different skill set and mentality,” Thornton explained. “I learned to view a problem for its possibilities, not its constraints.”
The dean of the College of Science and Engineering, Brent Donham, Ed.D., said he isn’t surprised at Thornton’s success.
“We are very proud of Karli and her achievements. She was a highly motivated self-starter and a strong leader during her time at A&M-Commerce,” Donham said. “Karli is a shining example of the quality graduates that come from the College of Science and Engineering.”
After graduating in fall 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering, Thornton wasn’t quite ready to pursue her master’s degree. She wanted an internship and she longed to see Israel. She found both opportunities as a biomedical intern at Medinol, a maker of cardiovascular stents based in Tel Aviv. The job also matched well with her growing interest in biomedical engineering.
“They taught me amazing engineering skill sets and completely shifted my view on building a product and the device itself,” she said of her yearlong experience at Medinol.
While in Israel, she spent a day at a coffee shop in Tel Aviv where she applied to eight schools that offered Master of Engineering degrees in biomedical engineering. She was surprised to get accepted by seven of the schools, including Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
Thornton chose Cornell and began her master’s studies in fall 2020. Along with a year of study, the program required her to complete a biomedical engineering project. She was assigned to a team tasked with designing a cranial prosthesis for craniectomy patients.
A craniectomy is surgery to remove a portion of bone from the skull—often called a bone flap—to release pressure resulting from brain trauma. Doctors have an increased chance of stopping the swelling and reducing post-surgery complications by leaving the bone flap out for longer periods of time instead of replacing it during surgery.
Thornton said there are several internal options for replacing a bone flap during surgery but not many external options for protecting the brain when the bone flap is removed for an extended period, or even permanently.
A neurosurgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Susan Panullo, requested help engineering a new cranial prosthesis. She envisioned an external device that would protect the brain from additional trauma and allow patients to live fuller lives.
Thornton’s team set out to design a device that would be aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. The device also needed to pass through TSA security checkpoints. And, since each craniectomy is unique, the design needed to be customizable for each patient.
They spent a year working on the device, from conceptualization to completed product.
As the only member of the team with 3D modeling experience, Thornton became the project manager and device designer.
“A big reason I was so integral in this project is because I learned so much at A&M-Commerce about project management and 3D modeling,” Thornton reports.
She collaborated with Moler to learn Fusion 360, the modeling software used at Cornell. Although he wasn’t involved in the actual product design, Moler was an integral part of the 3D modeling process.
“He was there every step of the way; I could not have done it without him,” she said.
Moler was happy to help on the project.
“When Karli reached out for assistance, I didn’t hesitate because I know that any project she works on is going to have a positive impact on society,” Moler said.
The project expanded to collaborate with a neurosurgery clinic in Tanzania where thousands are killed or seriously injured in motorcycle accidents each year, resulting in large numbers of neurosurgery patients. This global expansion meant that the team’s cranial prosthesis needed to be cost-effective so that large numbers of the device could be sent to non-profits around the world.
The final product consists of a device with interconnecting joints. Multiple pieces can be joined together to form one protective device, making it customizable to the wearer. The team has secured a provisional patent and Thornton is optimistic that the device will eventually be FDA approved due to its thorough design, material composition and construction.
Thornton said she felt empowered by the process because she and her teammates—Stacey Kim, Shwetha Sairam and Tyler Webb—designed a viable, cost-efficient device that can help millions of people. She said they had a wonderful experience working directly with Panullo, who served as the team’s product advisor and sponsor.
“Dr. Panullo is one of the most positive and encouraging people I’ve ever worked with, and she’s so successful in an elite environment,” Thornton said.
The team competed at the Cornell Biomedical Engineering Design Project Showcase earlier this year against more than a dozen other teams that also designed devices and mechanical processes.
They placed first in the design category and won the showcase’s pitch competition, similar to the “Shark Tank” television show in which inventors and entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to would-be investors. The team also placed third in the Fusion 360 3D Modeling Software Device Drawing competition.
Thornton graduated from Cornell with her Master of Engineering in biomedical engineering in May of this year. She reflects often on the academic and experiential foundation she built at A&M-Commerce, which she said prepared her well for the success she’s experienced so far.
“I’ve worked internationally and in New York, which might as well be international,” Thornton quipped. “I can say that I’ve never once felt unprepared. While dealing with big Ivy League people and working in a different country, I did just fine—all thanks to A&M-Commerce!”
Learn more about engineering and technology programs at A&M-Commerce.
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About Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce serves rural and metropolitan East Texas with a dedicated mission to Educate. Discover. Achieve. With an enrollment of 11,624 students, the university is the third-largest member of The Texas A&M University System. The 2,100-acre Commerce campus provides many opportunities for students to learn and grow. The university offers more than 130 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A vibrant student experience includes 14 NCAA Division II athletic teams, a thriving Greek system and more than 120 student-led organizations. Classes are delivered on-site in Commerce, Corsicana, Dallas, McKinney, Frisco and Mesquite. In November 2021, the university will open A&M-Commerce at Dallas, located at 8750 North Central Expressway.
Contact: Michael Johnson
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
903.886.5128
Free Sports Injury Clinic Now Open Saturdays by Dr. Meltsakos, CHRISTUS Orthopedic Surgeon/Sports Medicine
As Fall begins, so does the school sports season. The team of CHRISTUS specialty practitioners in Sulphur Springs includes Dr. Chris Meltsakos at Trinity Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at 103B Medical Circle. In addition to seeing and treating patients of all ages with bone fractures, joint and other orthopedic issues, Meltsakos also heads up a free Sports Injury Clinic held on Saturday mornings at his clinic.
The free Sports Injury Clinic is a Saturday morning walk-in clinic for student athletes 7th grade-12th grade who are part of Middle and High school sports programs in Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County and surrounding areas. Local collegiate student athletes may also attend. It is conducted Saturdays from 9am til 11am on a first-come, first-served basis starting August 21, 2021 through Saturday November 13, 2021. Student athletes with injuries are welcome to take advantage of the clinic which offers free exam, consultation, X-ray or other imaging, with same-day results in most cases.
According to Dr. Meltsakos, his training as an orthopedic surgeon also includes a sub-specialty in Sports Medicine. Along with clinic staffers PA Christopher Lutz and Athletic Trainer/Clinic Coordinator Kyle LeMarr, his team is often found on the sidelines of scrimmages and games in 2A-5A schools around the local region of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs.
For the ‘older athletes’ in the area, Dr. Meltsakos addresses arthritis and joint issues and performs arthroscopic and other surgeries necessary for knee, hip and shoulder treatments and replacements. His office is equipped with the Mako robotic assist which is operated by Dr. Meltsakos in some surgical procedures. With any questions about Trinity Orthopedic and Sports Injury Clinic, you can phone the office at 903-885-6688.
· Dr. Meltsakos is a board eligible orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in Sports Medicine. He is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology. He subsequently obtained his medical degree from New York Medical College. Dr. Meltsakos completed his orthopedic surgery residency at New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center. He later completed his subspecialty training in Sports Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He and his wife and family are happy to be making their home in Sulphur Springs.
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Local Hotel Remodel Hits Low Income Families Hard
Though remodeling a hotel or any business is never an easy task, a local hotel, who’s guests were mainly low income earners, has put a strain on them and on local assistance agencies.
Approximately 2 months ago, The Ferrari Inn began issuing notices to all it’s residents. The eviction notice was essential due to the extent of construction and remodel that needed to take place. This coincided with a massive nationwide housing shortage and a concurrent hike in rent.
CANHelp executive director Shanna Martin has seen an increase in individuals needing housing assistance. “We have seen an increase housing requests, and people have nowhere to go. Most of the clients we are seeing are low wage earners or on disability, and the amount they receive will not cover rent, even when they find an available place. Hotels are available, but are not a permanent solution, and are even more expensive than rent.” said Martin.
You can donate to CANHelp via their website.
The Ferrari Inn did not respond to our phone calls or messages via social media. The structure is currently vacant except for a few construction workers. KSST has learned that the remodel will provide a more ‘apartment’ like environment than the existing hotel. The completion of the remodel can not come soon enough for some Hopkins County residents.
Donna Man, Point Woman Sentenced In District Court
A 32-year-old Donna, Texas man and 48-year-old Point woman were sentenced this week in district court, according to the district attorney’s office.
Bolivar Herrera Cavazos arranged to plead true before the court Tuesday, Aug. 17, on a possessin of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance with intent to deliver. The Donna, Texas man was sentenced to 8 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice on the charge.
The 32-year-old has been in custody in Hopkins County jail since June 25, 2021, on a warrant for violation of probation on the Penalty Group 2 charge. The charge stems from a traffic stop on Interstate 30 east of Sulphur Springs on Nov. 16, 2018 by a state trooper. Signs of criminal activity were evident to the trooper. When Cavazos refused to let the trooper search the car, a canine was used to conduct a sniff search around the vehicle. The dog alerted, giving the highway patrol cause to search it. He alleged finding 19 pounds of marijuana and 2,300 grams of THC in e-cigarette cartridges and about 600 grams of prescription codeine in the car and was arrested not only only on a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, but also for possesion of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance and possession of 5 pounds or more but less than 50 pounds of marijuana. He was released from Hopkins County jail Nov. 17, 2018, on $50,000 in bonds, $20,000 on the Penalty Group 2 charge and $15,000 each on the Penalty Group 3 and marijuana charges.
Cavazos, who is also known by Boli Cavazos and Bolivar Mascoro Cavazos, was indicted in September 2019 for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance with intent in connection with the incident.
Jana Christine Combs arranged to plead guilty before 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt Aug. 17, 2021, to an unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge. The 48-year-old Point woman acknowledged her guilt on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substyance charge, which was dismissed pursuant to 12.45 of Texas Penal Code.
A 12.45 agreement or plea refers to Section 12.45 of Texas Penal Code which allows a defendant to admit during a sentencing hearing to guilt of one or more unadjudicated offenses and request the court to take each into account in determining sentence for the offense or offenses of which the defendant stands adjudged guilty. While considered the unadjudicated offenses are dismissed.
Combs was placed on 10 years deferred adjudication community supervision on the firearm charge and fined $1,000. As a condition of her probation, she must successfully complete the drug rehabilitation program at Morgan’s Mercy Mansion, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The charges stem from a late night traffic stop on State Highway 19 north on Oct. 3, 2020. Combs was a passenger in the vehicle and claimed ownership of a firearm found in a case in the vehicle. A records check showed a prior felony conviction, which prohibited her from having a firearm. She was placed into custody and put in a deputy’s patrol vehicle, where she allegedly began making furtive movements. When removed from the car, sheriff’s deputies said they saw her trying to discard a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, resulting in the controlled substance charge.
Combs, who is also known as Jana Christine Gillard Combs and Jana Tribe, was booked into Hopkins County jail Oct. 4, 2020 and remained there until her release the next day on $20,000 in bonds, $10,000 per charge. She was indicted in February of 2021 on the controlled substance charge.
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.
Next Weekend The Toughest Sport On Dirt Heads To Dickies Arena!
Forty men will compete, but only one can be the Iron Cowboy. Don’t miss your chance to see history in the making! Get your tickets today for the PBR Iron cowboy at Dickies Arena.
Thursday Game day Features Wildcats Football and Lady Cats Volleyball
While most game days during the school year are Tuesday and Friday, this week features a Thursday game day.
The first team in action on this Thursday game day on Aug. 19 is Lady Cats volleyball.
Coach Bailey Dorner’s Lady Cats will be participating in their second tournament of their fall 2021 season.
Last weekend the volleyball team travelled out to the DFW metroplex to participate in the Garland tournament, whereas this weekend they’ll stay put in East Texas when they take part in the Wills Point tournament.
The schedule for today’s games are first at 9 A.M. versus Kaufman, immediately followed by a contest with Caddo Mills at 10 A.M.
The last contest of the day for Sulphur Springs will be against Rains at 1 P.M.
On Friday the Lady Cats volleyball team will be at Rains at 4:30 P.M. and will be back in the Wills Point Tournament on Saturday.
Moving over to football, Coach Owens and his staff enjoyed their first scrimmage of the year last Friday, beating Liberty Eylau in Texarkana 9-7 on Aug. 13.
This week his program shifted their focus to Pleasant Grove, who will be ready to take on the Wildcats tonight at Gerald Prim Stadium at 7 P.M.
According to Wildcats offensive coordinator Matt Young, Pleasant Grove will be a top-10 program come fall.
The scrimmage tonight versus the Hawks is the second and final scrimmage for Wildcats football before the regular season gets underway next week versus Frisco Wakeland.
The regular-season home-opener is set to kick-off next Friday, Aug. 27 at Gerald Prim stadium at 7:30 P.M.
One thing is for sure: sports teams are picking up steam quickly as teams start to break in to their fall schedules.
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.
