Chamber Connection – June 2: Are You Ready For Stewstock 2021?
By Butch Burney, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
It may be June, but plans are already being made for the 52nd World Championship Hopkins County Stew Contest on Oct. 23.
The plans include the contest to select the official logo that will go on posters, T-shirts and promotional materials for the contest. The logo contest is now open and will close July 2.
The theme for this year’s stew is Stewstock, borrowing from the Woodstock festival idea. All logo entries should be original and include the theme in some manner.
The winner of the logo contest will receive five T-shirts and five stew tickets, plus a coveted parking pass.
Entries should be in jpg format and emailed to me at [email protected] by Friday, July 2. No late entries will be accepted. The winner will be chosen on July 8. If you have any questions, call me at 903-885-6515 or use the email above.
The Chamber is planning to host a full stew this year, using both the north and south sides of Buford Park. We will include the Friday night appetizer contest and a concert after the Wildcats’ home football game. We are hoping for great weather to have one of the biggest stew contests ever.
Chamber Showcase
The Third Annual Chamber Showcase is still open for vendors. The Showcase is set for Thursday, Aug. 5, at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Booths are available for $60 each and vendors are asked to being a $25 gift or gift card to be given away at random drawings. This is a fantastic networking event and a way for you, as a business owner or representative, to get your name and services out to the public. Only Chamber members can reserve booths for display (the public is invited to attend free of charge), so contact us at the Chamber to find out how your affordable annual membership not only allows you to rent a booth at the Showcase but gives you advantages and opportunities all year long. Come by or call the Chamber office at 903-885-6515 for more information. A registration link is on our website, hopkinschamber.org.
Lunch and Learn
State Sen. Bob Hall and State Rep. Bryan Slaton will be in town for a Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15. Registration forms will soon be on our website, so be ready to sign up to learn how laws passed (and not passed) by the Texas Legislature will affect your business.
Faire on the Square
A Faire on the Square to help defray medical and travel costs for Kris Cobb is planned for 10 a.m. to 10 pm. Saturday, June 12. There will be plenty of activities for kids and adults, plus a day full of musical guests. There will also be ample opportunities to donate to the Kris Cobb fund.
SSISD Summer Sports Camps Open Tuesday Morning With Baseball, Volleyball and Girls Basketball
Summer Sulphur Springs ISD sports camps got underway at 9 a.m. Tuesday (June 1) as Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack opened his baseball camp for incoming 1st through 3rd graders in the Multi-Purpose Building.
Coach Hammack says he has returned to an all skills approach to camp after several years of concentrating on hitting.
He says he has set up three defensive stations: one for throwing, one for catching fly balls and one for fielding ground balls.
A second session Tuesday morning featured boys entering the 4th through the 9th grades. Coach Hammack says he had 26 campers in the 1st grade through 3rd grade bunch with a good number of the older boys pre registered as well.
He says both groups may represent as many boys as he has had for camp ever.
Meanwhile camp also got underway Tuesday morning for volleyball and girls basketball.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner had about 20 campers in the Auxiliary Gym from 10 A.M. until noon.
Among things the incoming 3rd through 6th grade girls learned were setting and digging.
Next door, in the Main Gym, Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell had 19 campers who will be entering the 3rd through the 6th grades.
Coach Tisdell was very pleased with the turnout.
She says she is focusing on basic skills and fundamentals including dribbling, shooting form and passing. Coach Tisdell says she wants to make the camp a fun experience so she is adding games.
She says many of the young girls are very new to basketball but she adds she has been pleasantly surprised how quickly the girls pick up on things after she tells them the first time.
The three day camps run through Thursday.
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.
Saltillo ISD Top Students Recognized
Saltillo ISD last week recognized the top senior and junior high students during special awards programs, prior to graduation at the end of the week.
Junior High
Ethan Sexton and Michael Gonzalez were recognized as the Saltillo Junior High valeditorian and salutatorian.
Sexton finished at the top of his class with a 95.84375 grade point average and Gonzalez was second with a 95.4375 GPA.
SJH 2021 valedictorian Ethan Sexton is the son of Robert Sexton and Melissa Sexton.
Sexton was involved in both athletic and academic competitions during his time at SJH.
He was on the school basketball and cross country teams. In fact, Sexton said his hobbies include playing games, basketball and occasionally golfing.
Sexton also competed and earned honors in academic UIL competitions. In mathematics, Sexton earned first place individual and team awards; tied for first in chess and was on the first place chess team; earned second place individual honors and was on the first place number sense team; and placed fifth individually and was on the second place maps, graphs and charts team. Sexton also competed in impromptu speaking UIL.
When he completes high school, Sexton plans to go to college with a goal of one day becoming a veterinarian.
Saltillo Junior High 2021 Salutatorian Michael Gonzalez is the son of Miguel and Felipa Gonzalez. He too was involved in sports and academic commpetititions.
Gonzalez participated in athletics, and was first in Little Dribblers in sixth grade. He says his hobbies include basketball, music and video games. He also participated in tether, choir and academic UIL. In seventh grade UIL competition, he placed second individually and was on the first place team in maps, graphs and charts; and placed fifth in number sense and was on the first place math team. Gonzalez also competed in calculator applications.
He also was named Top Reader in sixth grade.
After high school, Gonzalez plans to go to college with a goal of becoming a financial planning and analysis manager.
High School
Anna Reeder and Garrett Tarver were named valedictorian and salutatorian on the Saltillo High School Senior Class of 2021.
Anna Reeder graduated Friday with a 3.91020 grade point average, making her the top student student in he her class., while Garrett Tarver graduated second with a 3.89795 GPA.
Reeder is the daughter of Eric and Mandy Reeder, and sister of Justin Reeder, Alex Wilson and Jonathan Reeder of Pickton. She attended Saltillo ISD the final six years of her formative education.
She has been active in sports, academic and extracurricular activities.
Reeder served as co-captain of the Varsity Basketball Team. In 2018-19 she was named District Offensive Player of the Year; 2019-20 District Co-MVP and All-Region; and in 2020-21 was named District Co-MVP, All-Region, and All-State in basketball.
The Saltillo High School 2021 valedictorian also was involved in FCCLA, Beta Club and Relay for Life. She competed at state in Beta in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
Her community service and volunteer work included with the Food Bank, Relay For Life, a canned food drive and Fall Parade.
To attain the top ranking, Reeder said she set very high standards for herself, and frankly hates leaving a project or assignments undone. She also hates leaving the classroom if I does not fully understand what she earned.
Her advice to other students seeking success is to Set such high standards for yourself that even if you don’t reach your goal, you still succeed in some way. Everyone fails at some point in their life, but It’s what you learn from it and how you apply it to your next goal.
“My mom is my biggest role model because she is the strongest woman I know and I hope to become as independent as she is. Another person that inspires me is my brother Justin. He is autistic and has many other mental illnesses and I want to help people that are in the same condition as him,” Reeder said.
Reeder plans to attend Paris Junior College to finish her associate’ in psychology, then transferring to UT Tyler to receive a bachelor’s or master’s in psychology.
“I will be studying to become either a forensic psychologist or a pediatric psychologist. I decided on this career because I have a brother that is autistic and I want to work with people like him,” she said.
Reeder already has many of her basic courses completed. She took advantage of the dual credit English 1 and 2, dual credit Government, dual credit Algebra, dual credit Art, dual credit Mass Communications, American History, Sociology, and Computer Science classes offered while she was in high school, so they would apply toward her college credits as well.
Tarver is the son of Jennifer Tarver of Mount Vernon and Richard Tarver of Como. He attended Saltillo ISD all four years of high school.
In academic UIL, she won first place in district in news writing in 2018 and 2021, and fourth place at regional in news writing in 2019.
He has been very active in sports, school organizations and academic competitions as well, including serving in several leadership roles.
The 2021 Saltillo High School Salutatorian served as Beta Club president during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years and as vice president during the 2018-19 school year; as FCCLA president his senior year, and as vice president and secretary his junior. In Beta, he won first place at state and third place at nationals in black and white photography competition in 2020; and won third place at state in 2020, third in 2019, and second in 2018 in creative writing; and third at state in 2019.
Tarver was on the Varsity Cross Country team from 2018-20, Varsity Track team during the 2019 and 2021 seasons, and Varsity Baseball the last two years. In cross country, The won second place at state in 2020, third at state in 2018 and 2019, and was ranked fourth in nation for small schools in 2020. He won second place at regionals in 2020 and third place in both 2018 and 2019. In track, Tarver won first place at region in the 3200m in 2021 and fourth place at state in 3200m and 1600m in 2021, and second place at region in the 1600m in 2021 and third place at region in the 3200m in 2019.
He too participated in the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Leadership in 2020-21 and was in Boy Scouts from 2014 through this year, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in 2020.
Tarver was especially good in writing and spelling UIL academics events. This year, Tarver tied for third place in headline writing at state; third at in headline writing, fifth in ready writing and seventh in spelling at regional competition; and first in ready writing at district. He also won first place in ready writing in 2019 and and fourth in 2018 at district. He won first place honors in editorial writing in 2018, 2019 and 2021, first place in Spelling and Vocabulary in 2019, second in 2018 and third in 2021.
In addition to all of those activities, Tarver works at Sweet Home Texas Eatery in Mount Vernon, still participates in Boy Scouts as a leader and is involved with First Christian Church of Mckinney.
When asked about his successes, Tarver stated, “Adaptability is important and has helped me succeed, as well as perseverance.” His advice to other students hoping to be successful is to “Make sure to take ‘you’ time. Don’t get so caught up in everything that you don’t relax. You can’t be successful when you’re all stressed out constantly. Look at circumstances from multiple points of view.”
He said many people have impacted him in significant ways, including people from church, school and scouts, who have served as “amazing role models and mentors.”
Tarver plans to attend the University of Oklahoma to study meteorology. He already has already attain several college credits from the dual credit English 1 and 2, Government, Algebra, Art, Mass Communications, and American History classes he took in high school.
“I plan to become a broadcast meteorologist in Texas, specializing in severe storm coverage. The reason I want to do this is not just because I love storms, but because it’s one of the only jobs where I can be wrong more than half the time and not get fired,” Tarver said.
Texas Begins Screening Newborns For Spinal Muscular Atrophy
The Texas Department of State Health Services today adds testing for spinal muscular atrophy to the health screening done for every baby born in Texas. About 1 in 10,000 babies are affected by SMA, and this new screening can detect about 95 percent of all SMA cases before symptoms occur.
SMA is an inherited condition that affects the cells in the spinal cord that signal the muscles to work. Over time, the muscles get weaker and activities such as crawling, walking, sitting up and controlling head movements become more difficult. Severe cases of SMA affect the muscles used for breathing and swallowing and can lead to early death. There is no cure for SMA but there are multiple FDA-approved treatments available that are effective if the condition is diagnosed early.
“Screening all Texas babies for spinal muscular atrophy will help identify more than 40 cases a year,” said DSHS Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD. “Early detection will enable people with SMA to get life changing treatment before symptoms develop.”
The Texas Newborn Screening Laboratory tests nearly 800,000 specimens each year for close to 400,000 newborns. A simple heel stick blood sample collected from newborns one to two days after birth and again two weeks later enables testing of every Texas baby for 55 disorders or medical conditions. Finding and treating these disorders early can prevent serious complications, such as growth problems, developmental delays, deafness, blindness, intellectual disabilities, seizures and sudden or early death.
Grant Application, Proposal For Project Near Downtown On June 1 Council Agenda
A grant application, proposal for a project near downtown, final approval of two rezoning requests and multiple board appointments are on the June 1, 2021, Sulphur Springs City Council agenda.
The City Council will be asked to consider approving an application for a Texas Department of Transportation 2021 Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TA) Project grant. City staff members are expected to brief the council on the proposal during the 7 p.m. meeting.
Ordinances 2780 and 2781, as proposed, would rezone Larry and Linda Evans’ property at 1340 South Hillcrest Drive as well as Chuck Sickles’ properties at 1079 Rockdale Road and 1085 Rockdale Road from single family to heavy commercial to better fit the current and intended use of property along the State Highway 19/Loop 301/Interstate 30 corridor. When Wildcat Way was constructed, the single family designation was placed on the properties as a place holder and never changed. The City Council approved the requests on first reading during the regular May 2021 council meeting.
Also slated for discussion is a proposal for a design group to provide services for an area west of downtown for a linear open space with the town branch and lake/drainage retention basin as key features.
The City council, in a special retreat on May 20, discussed potential selection of a mayor and mayor pro temp, as well as potential appointments to the city’s boards and commissions, including the
- Economic Development Corporation
- Zoning Board of Adjustments
- Airport Advisory Board
- Sulphur River Municipal Water District
- Library Board
- Board of Tourism and Promotion
- Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals
- Planning and Zoning Commission
- Ark-Tex Council of Governments
- Downtown Revitalization Board, and the
- Revolving Loan Fund Committee.
While the regular meeting is slated to begin at the usual 7 p.m. start time, the City Council is slated to hold an executive session from 6:30-7 p.m. June 1 to continue discussions regarding two potential economic development project, dubbed Project Hold Fast and Project Flourish. The city manager was authorized at a previous meeting to work with the businesses or agencies regarding the potential economic development incentives and deals. If an agreement for either of the projects is sufficiently reached, the City Council would then vote on them during the regular 7 p.m. open session.
Dinner Bell Menu For June 9, 2021
Otis and Wanda Jenkins are the Community Partners for this day.
Grab and Go remains the distribution method for meals. Drive under the covered driveway (porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of The First United Methodist Church campus at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Orange Chicken Thighs over Rice Pilaf
California Blend Vegetables with Parmesan Bread Crumbs
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread Slices
Gooy Butter Cake
Follow Covid precautions! Wear masks where required. Get vaccinated! DINNER BELL CARES about your HEALTH!!!
PJC Board of Regents Approve Dual Credit Agreement, Revise COVID Policy
At their Monday, May 25 meeting, the Paris Junior College Board of Regents gave annual approval to the dual credit memorandum for high schools, and modified mask rules to reflect Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order.
While giving approval to the dual credit memorandum, regents learned that the Pioneer Academy Charter School in Greenville is a new addition.
They will bring students to the PJC-Greenville Center for classes.
Regents accepted modifications to the College’s COVID-19 plan which will no longer require face masks. In the fall semester, classrooms and residence halls will return to normal occupancy numbers.
While the College may not require COVID-19 vaccinations, PJC is asking that those who are unvaccinated continue wearing face masks for their own protection.
In other business, the Regents:
- Received a financial report from Controller Cody Helm that the current bottom line is $700,000 less than the prior year.
- An update was given on student and institutional spending from the CARES Act, CRRSAA and American Recovery Act. Funds have been spent on increasing bandwidth for Blackboard, updating technology for online delivery, PPE, stipends, and part-time people to work the checkpoints. CRRSAA funds were spent on outstanding student balances since last March. Funds were also spent on rapid coding tests.
“Anything we’re looking at,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “We’re going to make
sure it’s allowable and fully documented to prepare for any audit.”
- Approved Texas Association of School Boards Update #41 for policies including BBF(LOCAL) Board Members: Ethics; CHE (LOCAL) Mail and Delivery; DEC(LOCAL) Leaves and Absences; DLB(LOCAL) Employee Performance: Suspension; DMAA(LOCAL) Termination Mid-Contract; ECC(LOCAL) Course Load and Schedules Students.
- Accepted amendments to the Faculty Association By-Laws as recommended by the Faculty Association and Faculty Advisory Council.
- Discussed potential updates to PJC facilities, including a workforce training building at the PJC-Greenville Center and the demolition of Masters Apartments. Limited employee housing needs to continue on campus for fast response to student emergencies. New air handlers and air purification systems could be covered by federal COVID-19 funding.
- Approved the Financial Condition Analysis for PJC. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board expects this to be provided to regents annually. This year’s analysis finds PJC in the top 10 to 15 percent in fiscal responsibility measures in comparison with 50 other Texas community colleges.
“We look very favorable,” said Board of Regents President Curtis Fendley. “It shows we
are fiscally responsible.”
- Were informed during the President’s Report that while PJC was to receive an additional $1 million to defray formula funding cuts, after the appropriations conference met last week PJC was removed from a list of colleges receiving assistance. This means PJC will be cut $1.1 million in the next two years. No data was forthcoming from the legislature to support the decision.
- With the lifting of campus restrictions, PJC will be holding Kids College this summer
and a grant-funded Coding Camp. - Accepted the employment of Head Women’s Basketball Coach Brittany Christian and Licensed Vocational Nursing Instructor Monica Hevron and the resignations of Adult Education Site Coordinator and Career Navigator Marifrances Casey effective May 25, Educational Talent Search Advisor Angela Aguilera effective May 31, and Student Success Coach Justin Thompson, effective Aug. 31.
Man Attempts To Steal A Second Vehicle After Crashing Stolen Car
A 40-year-old Mount Pleasant man allegedly attempted to steal a second vehicle Monday, after crashing a stolen car in Sulphur Springs, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman and Lt. Brad Horton responded around 1 p.m. May 31, 2021, to assist other officers in locating a man reported to have fled the scene of a crash in the 1500 block of West Industrial Drive involving a 2009 Chevrolet Impala stolen from Mount Pleasant, TX.
When officers arrived at the crash site they located the suspect who had already crossed I-30 and was now walking west. The Mount Pleasant man then reportedly walked into the woods and could no longer be seen.
Hoffman and Horton found David Lee Miles hiding in a large drainage tunnel that runs north and south under the interstate. The 40-year-old Mount Pleasant man was detained and allegedly admitted to taking the car from Mount Pleasant without permission, but noted the keys were inside the vehicle when he took it. Miles then admitted he was trying to locate another vehicle at the travel center when the stolen car was no longer operable.
Miles, who jail reports show is also known by Boo-Boo, was taken into custody in the 1600 block of West Shannon Road at 1:14 p.m. Monday on an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charge in connection with the car stolen from Mount Pleasant.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, June 1, 2021, on the felony stolen vehicle charge.
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.
Main Street Disturbance Report Results In Controlled Substance Arrest
A Main Street disturbance report resulted in a controlled substance arrest Sunday night, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Francisco Castro and Shawn Albright encountered Clayton Ryan Hanson upon arrival at the Main Street address where the possible disturbance was reported shortly before 10 p.m. The 23-year-old reportedly admitted he and his wife had engaged in a verbal dispute.
As Albright looked around the residence, he spotted two glass jars which Hanson admitted contained THC oil. The officer took Hanson into custody at 10:10 p.m. May 30, 2021, for possession of a controlled substance. The suspected THC weighed over 1 gram but less than 4 grams without packaging, resulting in Hanson being booked into jail at around 11:30 p.m. May 30, 2021, on a third-degree felony possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance.
Hanson was released from Hopkins County jail Monday, May 31, 2021 on a $5,000 bond on the third-degree felony charge.
The arrest is the second time he’s been arrested in the last 3 months. Hanson was also arrested March 9, 2021, on warrants for violation of probation on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. While in custody on March 17, he was also served with an assault causing bodily injury charge. He was released from custody on March 29, 2021 on a $5,000 bond on the assault charge, according to jail reports.
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.
Oklahoma Vehicular Homicide Suspect Surrenders In Hopkins County
An Oklahoma vehicular homicide suspect surrendered to authorities in Hopkins County during the noon hour Saturday, May 29, 2021, according to arrest reports.
Jaime Arturo Weiselogel reported to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office about the warrant. Deputy Jason Lavender was called in from patrol to escort the 47-year-old into the county jail, after the McClain County, Oklahoma, warrant was confirmed by dispatchers using his ID information. The Bogata man was booked at 12:48 p.m. May 29, on the homicide, negligent vehicular/manslaughter warrant. The charge, according to arrest reports, is alleged to have occurred on April 15, 2021.
Weiselogel was held in Hopkins County jail until Sunday, May 30; bond on the charge was set at $50,000, according to arrest and jail reports.
