Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs News
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center
Public Information Services
Summer II at PJC offers students options
Whether home from university for the summer or just graduated from high school, students will benefit by taking Summer II classes at Paris Junior College starting Monday, July 12.
Graduating seniors from area high schools who have yet to apply to PJC may use the scholarship covering tuition to a Summer II class.
“We’re offering classes required in PJC degree plans,” said Dr. Pam Anglin, PJC President. “Why not take advantage of a free class that applies to your degree?”
The five-week classes are designed for transfer to public universities in Texas, helping students reach their education goals more quickly. Many in-person classes are available for those who prefer to learn that way, and online classes for students more partial to that mode of learning.
Sulphur Springs in-person classes offer biology, anatomy, microeconomics, composition, federal and Texas government, U.S. history, multiple levels of math, sociology, music appreciation, psychology, public speaking, and wellness.
In Greenville, in-person classes include business computer applications, biology, anatomy, introduction to computers, microeconomics, composition, federal and Texas government, U.S. history, multiple levels of math, sociology, psychology, and wellness.
In-person classes in Paris cover biology, anatomy, theater appreciation, microeconomics, composition, federal and Texas government, U.S. history, multiple levels of math, sociology, and wellness.
Online classes include art, music and theater appreciation; business computer applications, nutrition, anatomy, biology, microbiology, mass communications, introduction to computing, macroeconomics, composition, literature, government, history, world civilization, multiple levels of math classes; kinesiology subjects, physics, sociology, Spanish, and public speaking.Students who have not yet applied may go to www.parisjc.edu/apply or contact [email protected], 903-885-1232 in Sulphur Springs, 903-454-9333 in Greenville, or 903-782-0425 in Paris. Scholarship information is available at www.parisjc.edu/scholarships.
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.
Commerce Baseball Has Eight Athletes Chosen to All-District Team
A total of eight Tigers earned spots on the District 12-3A All-District Baseball Team released recently by Coach Britt Melton.
One tiger made the First Team All-District: senior infielder Gauge Elliott.
Chosen Second Team All-District are pitchers Colby Lewis, catcher Brody Baumann, IF Wade Nicholson, OF J’den Wilson, who signed to play QB at Stephen F. Austin earlier this year, and finally DH Myles Boyd.
Honorable Mention selections for District 12-3A from Commerce are Darren Beal and Alec Moseley.
Tigers earning Academic All-District status were Alec Moseley, IF Gauge Elliott, IF Wade Nicholson, OF J’den Wilson, and catcher Brody Baumann.
The Commerce Tigers baseball team missed out on the postseason during the 2020-2021 school year after the team struggled down the home stretch.
While they were able to close out their season with a blow-out victory at Lone Oak on Apr. 30, the Tigers went 3-5 during the month of April, according to their gamechanger page.
The Commerce Tigers baseball team concluded their 2021 season with a 6-16-2 overall record, according to their gamechanger page.
Health Insurance, New Equipment, Printer Contracts Approved
Hopkins County Commissioners approved an employee health insurance plan, printer contract, and a new equipment purchase during Friday’s regular court session.
Health Insurance
The Commissioners Court approved the Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool plan, the health insurance program for county employees. The plan will provide the same coverage that county employees currently receive. The plan will begin on Oct. 1, 2021. To keep the deductible the same will cost an addition $52.04 per employee. The total will be $727.96 per employee per month. The increase will cost the county an additional $9,107 per month, County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook told the Commissioners Court.
“I was at a meeting earlier this week with a number of county judges. Some counties pay part of the fees of employees. Hopkins County is able to pay 100 percent for the employees, however, not of their children or spouse,” County Judge Robert Newsom noted.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker made a motion, which was seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin, to approve the TAC HEBP plan for Hopkins County. The motion for health insurance at the same coverage level for an increase in cost to the county was unanimously approved by the Commissioners Court.
Equipment Purchase
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price presented for court approval the purchase of an $82,975 backhoe from Nor-Tex through BuyBoard. The contract will have a warranty that extends beyond the term outlined in the factory warranty.
“We got three of them. Some of them have got as high as 6,000 hours on them. We’ve had trouble here lately with one or two that weren’t running at all. We felt like we needed one more to make sure we’ve got one that will run,” Price said.
The county is not required to go out for bids on the purchase because it is through the purchasing cooperative, Aulsbrook noted.
Price made the motion, which was seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin, to approve the purchase of a B96C backhoe for Precinct 4 from Nor-Texas through BuyBoard cooperative. The motion received the unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court.
Copier/Printer Contracts
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tanner Crump told deputies the copier/printer units at HCSO “keep malfunctioning.” That has required the company they are leased from to be called to the sheriff’s office to check and work on the units to ensure they are functional.
The sheriff’s office’s current lease agreement was made with Advantage Copy Systems, a local company reported in the fall to have been acquired by Datamax. Newsom said Datamax contacted him directly about the serious problem the sheriff’s office has been experiencing with the printer/copier equipment and has proposed two new lease agreements for new Cannon copier/printers, one for the main HCSO use and another for the department’s CID department, at a rate that will be lower than is currently being paid for the service.
“If the price went down, that’s very positive,” Crump said.
“My understanding is this is going to be even better than what you had before,” Newsom said.
Crump noted the monthly fee includes toner, which can be expensive to replace. The sheriff’s offices, Crump estimated, uses about as much toner each month to equal the $165.59 per month lease contract per unit.
Newsom made the motion, which was seconded by Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley, to approve the 60-month lease agreements for copier/printer units for HCSO and the department CID as proposed. The motion received unanimous approval from the Commissioners Court.
Other Items
The Commissioners Court approved the consent agenda which included the minutes from the June 14 regular Commissioners Court meeting and the work session which immediately followed that meeting that Monday morning as well as a request from Oncor Electric Delivery Company to construct electrical power distribution facilities that will cross under Shiloh Road, northeast of Loop 301 in Precinct 3, just outside Sulphur Springs city limits. The court too agreed to payment of bills, revenues and expenses, payroll and financial statements.
Reports from both constables’ offices, district clerk, environmental inspector and environmental law enforcement, AgriLife Extension office, fire department, both justices of the peace offices, sheriff, tax assessor collector and treasurer’s office were received by the Commissioners Court and entered into the official record.
Don Julian Retiring After 41 Years In Broadcasting
Community Invited To Join Julian’s KSST Family and Friends On Monday As They Celebrate The Sports Director
Don Julian has turned in his microphone and press pass to enjoy life and games on his own schedule after more than 40 years in broadcasting, the last 15 of which have been as news and sports broadcaster for KSST/Channel 18. While he won’t be gracing the airwaves, retirement doesn’t mean Julian is giving up sports for good. You’re likely to see him in the stands at a few games, out on his usual walk, and about town.
Looking Back
Julian received his formal training at Baylor University, graduating in 1973. He graduated and had an interview on a Friday, then reported for work on Monday morning. With the exception of a few gaps between jobs, he has worked consistently in broadcasting ever since. He spent 1973-1990 working in Central Texas, in the Killeen and Waco areas, worked for 7 years in the Sacramento area before returning to Texas, including time working in public TV.
He had moved to Sulphur Springs, where his parents lived, and was working at Walmart when he was encouraged to submit a resume at KSST. Before too long, he got the call to join KSST where he has spent what he calls the final 15-year chapter of his career in public broadcasting.
Typically, the times between radio and TV jobs were due to radio stations selling and changing formatting and staffing. At least twice, the radio station he was working for sold and his position as a health broadcaster and news broadcaster were eliminated, leaving him without work, Julian noted.
That, he said, was not the case for KSST, when the station sold to Chad and Rhonda Young, after the passing of station founder Bill Bradford. The KSST employees kept their jobs.
Julian confided his career began with work behind the scenes, as there were no news jobs there at that time, only production jobs. Others had already filled all the news jobs. He spent three or four months doing production work before someone left, so he auditioned for a news job. After some persistence, he was in.
Julian has worked both in radio and TV, for public and private broadcasting over the last 40-plus years. Most of his career he worked in broadcast news. He’s worked for PBS and in Waco was on the Morning Show. Aside for the last few years at KSST, he recalls filling in one time on a sports desk.
During the last five decades, Julian said, the industry – radio especially has changed so much. When he first began his career, there used to be more radio news staff. He recalls a time when radio news personnel from three to four different radio stations staffed every commissioners court and city council meeting in the cities where he worked. By his second go round in Temple, however, that had changed. The focus was more on TV news, and he often found himself the only radio news reporter present. When he was hired in 2006, he quickly learned KSST Radio was and remains a vital source of local news and sports.
“Bill Bradford was the exception. He was a big believer of covering news and gatherings,” Julian noted. Bradford, Julian noted, would give as much recognition to as many as possible when covering a competitive event, whether reading off the name of each student involved in sports or to recognize academic UIL, band, FFA or 4-H accomplishments.
Don Julian’s regular beat at KSST has included visits with the school board, county officials, police and sheriff’s office staff to collect crime news, which he noted were briefer, with just the pertinent important details.
KSST and Sulphur Springs, Julian found, are unique – the focus remains on community. On Channel 18, instead of the usual 10-to-15- second sound bites that many news outlets give, the team is afforded the opportunity to conduct longer interviews.
It was not uncommon, back in the days when Patsy Bolton was a top administrator at Sulphur Springs ISD, to stop by and talk to her from 1 to 3 or even 5 minutes at a time, he recalled. With 30-minute news slots to fill on Channel 18, interviews could be up to 10 minutes each.
Julian followed in Bradford’s tradition when calling games; he tried to mention as many participants as possible who contributed. Instead of focusing more on their troubles on the field, he tried to find something positive to say. He relishes good stories, and tries to remember that while not every story seems of earth-shattering importance to many, a good solid story is important to the person you are talking to.
While the very nature of sports is competition, Julian’s game reporting is also a reflection of the man himself – always quick to offer praise to those who work hard for their valuable contributions to the team. He offers credit to the top scorers and outstanding athletes on the home team as well as their opponents.
Julian said when he gets in a groove, and may get a little excited during a game, he tries to be fair to both teams. “There’s no doubt who I support. I try not to be 100 percent the home team. I try not to fry the competition; I try to keep it down the middle. For instance, if a player makes a great catch, I do not care which uniform they have on. I might say a player was robbed, but I try not to cross the line,” Julian said.
Julian always makes a concerted effort to acknowledge those students who go the extra mile on the field and off. He recognizes that while not all students can make the scoring basket or be the ace pitcher, without the contribution of all participants, the team could not be successful. He celebrates the personal victories and achievements for the students and coaches.
He has spent untold hours at event practices, in the stands and press box, calling games, collecting stories, noting when students beat their own personal best record. He learns about the students, shares anecdotes and offers encouragement. He tracks those personal victories, and not just those of athletes.
“I have been here 13 years working with Don. What a blessing to this community he has been. Don knows it is and always will be about the kids. He always wanted to highlight their effort and representation of our community. He knew the value of a player’s family hearing good things about their kid,” said SSHS Math Teacher and Football/ Track Coach Matt Young.
“Don’s first interview on the coach’s show was my first time as well,” said Jerrod Hammack, Head Baseball Coach at Sulphur Springs High School for the last 16 years. “Over the course of these last 16 years, we have become good friends. Whenever we see one another at other sports games, we always talk at length. Many times, after the coach’s show, we would sit and talk for another hour. Don has always been professional yet with a down home touch. He really cares about Sulphur Springs athletics and does a great job of putting the spotlight on our athletes.”
Coach Young said a few “great things” about working with Don Julian at soccer games are his stories and his patience. He explained that he learned so much about the game and Julians’ “attention to detail” while running the clock next to Juian, who was “doing radio, at the games.
“I loved hearing stories about Don’s past. From small town TV to covering and attending various athletic events to his interaction with Temple football to being in California, he has seen and been a part of a ton. Finally, he was so patient with all of us – definitely a blessing to work with,” Coach Young said.
Over the last 15 years and 3 months, Julian said by his rough calculations, he has had the pleasure of calling over 300 Wildcat and LadyCat Basketball games, approximately 200 football games, more than 100 baseball and softball games, as well as a number of volleyball games for KSST. Some have only been radio broadcasts and some TV only, sometimes due to the conflict of KSST staff or Channel 18 as a Rangers affiliate.
For especially big events such as the annual Chamber Banquet, they’d standby to do cut-ins about the game. Other times Channel 18/KSST Videographer Doug Haston wasn’t able to attend some games, so Julian did those by himself. Those times, as in all events, he worked to the best of his ability to give as good a broadcast as possible.
Some things, such as equipment failure or service outages, just can’t be controlled. For instance, he and Haston were out at an event when the equipment malfunctioned, scorching it. They brought it back to Bradford, who had a knack for making things work and building things. They expected to have to replace the unit entirely, lamented Julian. However, about a week later Bradford brought it back, saying simply, “I fixed it.”
“He made the equipment. He could work on any of it,” Julian recalled with a grin.
(That’s Don, though, always ready to share a smile and laugh, noticing and acknowledging even the small kindnesses and the contributions of all of his coworkers.)
“Don is a kind and professional man and will be missed,” said Matt Janson, KSST production manager.
In 2016, Julian decided to “semi” retire – which meant he planned to reduce his workload to 30-40 hours a week. To him, that meant covering only sports – and band, of course, because Charles McCauley would have had it no other way.
He has, however, stepped up for KSST’s broadcast of Sulphur Springs and Cumby high school graduations and even a parade or two, when he had time.
Over the past few years, another challenge KSST has taken on has been the addition of live streaming of Wildcat and Lady Cat games, Julian noted. During the regular season, that means obtaining additional permission from coaches and schools involved to broadcast via radio, livestream and tape for replay prior to each match.
KSST personnel soon learned that streaming does not extend to playoff games, which require jumping through hoops and fees to UIL, who has exclusive rights to those matchups. Even submitting the required paperwork and paying the fee doesn’t guarantee UIL will grant permission to broadcast playoff or postseason sports matchups. So, Julian said, KSST hasn’t streamed playoff games in a while.
During the pandemic, UIL bent the rules a bit, allowing certain streaming as a COVID-19 safety precaution. Fan seating was limited to provide the recommended social distancing at sporting events. Those who were unable or chose not to travel to see the game could catch the livestream on KSST. Still live football, however, is not televised. Even when ESPN televised them, the football games were not televised on Friday nights; those games were on Thursday and Friday. Julian noted one player’s father told him that his child’s grandparents enjoy seeing the grandkids play, but live in West Texas and were unable to travel this fall to see the games. They were able to tune in to the livestream, and didn’t miss the game. He said he was glad to be able to provide that valuable service for families.
Another challenge of livestreaming is that some venues are just not equipped for effective live-streaming. For instance, KSST attempted to live stream the high school graduation this year on YouTube. During test runs the equipment worked as it should. However, having thousands of cell phones in use at one time impacted the WiFi, hotspot and signal. Thus, the attempt to livestream, broadcast on radio and video for playback on KSST was interrupted.
Looking Ahead
After a full career and much consideration, Julian decided this spring was his last season as sports director at KSST.
“This has been a good final chapter to close out my career. The people I work with are great,” Julian said, referring to the many coaches, sponsors, parents and students he’s encountered over the last 15 years as well as the KSST team. “I’ve worked with some great coaches.”
He recalled being told after he completed one Saturday morning Coaches’ Show that his father had died. It meant a lot to him that SSISD Athletic Director Greg Owens, who’d been the featured guest on the show, took the time to offer a prayer for him and to attend his dad’s funeral too. Julian said it has been great working with all of the local coaches, whose goals are to glorify and honor the men and women, boys and girls who play sports for their athletic accomplishments.
Julian explained that the pandemic last year pretty much put him out of business for a few months, forcing him like many others to be at home because there were no sporting events to cover after spring break of 2020. It gave him a small taste of what life in retirement might be like.
He noted that his brother, who retired about a year ago, has also inspired him to retire. His brother has enjoyed several day trips and has even traveled from Colorado Springs to Texas to visit Don a few times.
“This has been a fun, interesting chapter in this book of life. It’s later but not the last chapter. From play by play, sports coverage, watching baseball – it’s been wonderful,” Julian said.
It afforded him the opportunity to work for KSST founder, the late Bill Bradford. Not many, Julian said, can say they’ve worked with legendary Texas broadcasters. Bradford, he said, was very supportive, complimentary, making a point after a game to tell him he sounded good, smooth. It made him feel like a VIP.
“He thought we were the best team in Texas. He was wonderful to work with. Chad was the same way. With the pandemic, he told us to stay safe, work from home as much as possible. He sent us home, but I was not contributing because the coaches weren’t doing anything,” Julian noted. “The schedule I have can be brutal in spring and fall. He never complained when there wasn’t much to do in the summer — I took vacation. He never complained during the slow months — June and July.”
“Don Julian is a seasoned broadcaster who is very good at his craft. We will miss him,” said KSST’s James Terry, who has often worked the control board at KSST when Julian is calling games and announcing at live events.
Don, unlike his predecessors, did not per se have to find his replacement before leaving, KSST Morning Show host Enola Gay Mathews said, referring to what she calls a “long-standing” KSST tradition for permanent employees. Former Sports Director Cecil Savage brought in Jimmy Rogers, then years later, Rogers found Don.
“Fast forward to 2021, Don did not have to seek his own replacement, but that would have been impossible anyway because he could not be duplicated. With a vast knowledge of sports and decades of experience in the television and radio broadcast industry, Don is a total professional and a class act, plus, a heckuva nice guy to work with!” said Mathews.
While he was not responsible for finding his replacement, Julian has been working with Ross Labenske over the last couple of years. Labenske has been gradually increasing his duties at KSST from college intern to staff member, posting stories to www.ksstradio.com, helping call football games and calling LadyCats softball games, enabling KSST to broadcast LadyCat and Wildcat games simultaneously on KSST’s sister station, KRVA.
“Don has been an asset to KSST for the last 15 years, but has decided to enjoy full retirement,” KSST owner Chad Young said. ”We wish him well in all his future endeavors.”
This month, Julian passed the sports microphone off to Labenske, Julian has shown Labenske the ropes of sports broadcasting at KSST, which should make the transition of sports director from Julian to Labenske easier.
“It will be interesting to see,’ Julian said. “They are putting a lot on him quickly. He can handle it. It should be a smooth transition. The boss did not have to do a wide search. This youngster will keep things going.”
Julian will continue to be a part of the community and looks forward to sleeping in a little, fewer late hours unless he chooses them, getting in his regular walks and enjoying the great people of Sulphur Springs – his adopted hometown.
“I have no big plans. I’d like to continue seeing athletic events, sporting events. I hope to continue to do that kind of thing, relax,” Julian said of his plans during retirement. “I felt like it was the right time. I don’t want to stay too long.… The time is right.”
And, who knows, you might see him once in a while at the mic, lending his talents for special events or in the event a little extra help is needed for broadcasts.
KSST will be hosting an appreciation reception Monday, June 28, from 11am to 1pm to allow community members to stop by the studio and wish Don Julian well in his retirement and meet the new sports director, Ross Labenske
Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs News
COMPUTER CODING
Sixth, seventh and eighth graders in the Sulphur Springs area interested in computer coding/programming had the opportunity to learn some of the concepts at a coding camp conducted at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center. Cedric Crawford, instructor in computer information systems at PJC, pictured above with two young campers, is instructing the course along with assistant Alexis Rodriquez.
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.
Lady Cats Head Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell Heading Home to North Lamar
Lady Cats Head Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell has accepted the position as Head Basketball Coach at North Lamar High School. Coach Tisdell confirmed the news by text Wednesday, June 23.
Coach Tisdell created a winning basketball culture in Sulphur Springs as Head Lady Cats Coach for the past 3 seasons.
She had a record of 52-40 overall as Lady Cats Coach but was 15-7 in district play for two of the previous three seasons. Her team captured a Tri-District championship in the 2020-2021 season, sharing the District 15-5A championship with Mt. Pleasant and the Hallsvile Lady Cats.
Coach Tisdell’s highlight season was the most recent season, 2020-2021, as the Lady Cats advanced to the Area round of playoffs for the first time in a long time.
The Lady Cats lost to Royce City in the third round last season 43-21 as they could not overcome the injury sophomore Kenzie Willis suffered in the Bi-District round.
The Lady Cats under Coach Tisdell also advanced to the Bi-District game in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.
The 2018-2019 team set the highest number of wins for a Tisdell-coached squad at 24-8. The Lady Cats lost the Bi-District game versus Jacksonville, the same team that would eliminate them in 2019-2020.
Last season, the Lady Cats were 17-8 and made it to Area. Coach Tisdell’s Lady Cats never missed out on the playoffs in the three years Coach Tisdell coached in Sulphur Springs.
The eight losses from the 2020-2021 match the 2018-2019 season for the lowest number of losses that a Tisdell squad has surrendered in a season.
She is excited about the opportunity to return to North Lamar to coach at her alma mater. Coach Tisdell said she is going to miss the Lady Cats players, Sulphur Springs, and Lady Cats fans for continuously supporting and helping lift the program to new heights.
Coach Tisdell leaves behind a wonderful foundation of a winning culture.
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.
Tira News – June 25, 2021: Tira Residents Enjoy Spending Father’s Day Together
By Jan Vaughn, Tira News Correspondent
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Billy Crowson. He passed away on Sunday, June 20, with the funeral being held at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs on Friday, June 24, at 9 a.m., under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home, and burial in the Tira Cemetery. Please be in prayer for his wife, Nell, and all of his family.
Billy Moss reported that his new granddaughter, Caroline, is “doing great.” He said her siblings, Celia – 3 years old and Matt – 8 years old, are good helpers with caring for her. He shared that his mother, Mamie Jo, is ready for a trip to visit them and enjoy the cooler weather in St. Louis, which they plan to do soon.
Joyce and William Dodd celebrated Father’s Day at their house with a delicious brisket, smoked by their son Brad. Those joining Joyce and William were Brad, Tanya, and Matthew Dodd, and Jerry and Tonja Lucas. Joyce reported that later in the day William got “Happy Father’s Day calls” from their son, Michael, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and Joyce’s sister, Mary Helen Moss. Also, Rob Dodd visited them when he got off work. Joyce commented, “We enjoyed the freedom to be together to enjoy the special day.”
Yvonne Weir has been vacationing in Belize with her daughter, Destri, and her family. She commented, “I love it here!”
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Journey Road Ministries Plans Golf Tourney
This well deserving ministry for foster families is hosting it’s first annual golf tournament July 19, 2021 at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Interested golfers or sponsors can click here to register: Journey Road Golf Tournament.
Journey Road Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that covers multiple counties in East Texas. Their mission is to build a community where foster children feel supported, empowered and loved. They hope to strengthen foster families in their ministry to foster children. Their farm facility provides a place for foster children to run, play, fish, ride horses, and enjoy other activities.
This first annual golf tournament fundraiser will raise proceeds that will help foster families provide the necessities that every foster child needs that have been placed into a new foster home. For Golfers, registration will start at 7:15am with a shotgun start at 8:00am on July 19th. The tournament will be a 4-person scramble and raffles will also be held as well as different hole contests. The entry fee for the 4 person team is $280 and includes 2 golf carts, lunch for 4, and all green fees. Teams may upgrade their participation to “Gold Team” level and receive 8 mulligans as well as 8 raffle tickets and will receive a hole sponsorship. Gold Team participation runs $480. Click Golf Tourney Team Registration for more information.
To find out more about Journey Road Ministries, you can visit their website at https://www.journeyroadministries.com/ or contact one of their advocates, Randal Voss at (903)459-0788 or through email at: [email protected] They even have a link on their website for tax-deductible donations even if you don’t want to play golf. Journey Road Donation Link.
Regular Commissioners Court Meeting, Work Session Scheduled Friday
June 25 Agenda Includes 2 Appointments, Equipment Purchase, Office Equipment Leases
When Hopkins County Commissioners Court meets Friday for the regular court session, the elected officials will be asked to consider approving two appointments, a large equipment purchase and two office equipment leases. A work session is also scheduled for Friday morning.
Regular Meeting
The agenda calls for nomination of a county representative to the North East Regional Water Group; proposed for court approval is Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley.
Hopkins County Treasurer Danny Davis is scheduled to present to the court an appointment of a deputy treasurer.
Submitted for court approval are lease contracts with Datamax for the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and the department’s Criminal Investigations Division.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price has submitted for approval the purchase of a backhoe from Nor-Tex Tractor through BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative.
The Commissioners Court too is expected to consider approving a Texas Association of Counties Health and Employees Benefits Pool plan for 2020-2021 for Hopkins County.
The agenda also allows for discussion and consideration of the previous meeting and work session minutes of June 14, 2021; any utility easements or burial of phone and construction of utility distribution facilities requests; log for record purposes any reports submitted from county offices; budget amendments or line item transfers; grants; donations, contracts; asset disposal; resolutions or proclamations that may have been submitted for consideration since the June 14 Commissioners Court meeting.
Community members will also be allowed to address the Commissioners Court during the June 25 meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse, 118 Church St.
Work Session
Following the adjournment of the regular meeting, the Commissioners Court will move to the third floor Meeting Room, where a work session is slated to begin. The order of business for the work session includes discussions with HCFD Marshal Endsley, Sheriff Lewis Tatum and Civic Center Manager Lonnie Fox regarding operations, revenue and expenditures, improvements and repairs for each county facility.
The court too is slated to hear from the HCFD environmental inspector regarding any environmental concerns, if there are any, and meet with Chad Rawson. Discussion during the work session is also expected to include Texas Department of Transportation salvage materials and broadband internet. The commissioners and judge too will have the option of conducting a budget work session if needed or they so choose, during the work session.
Fundraising for Save Main Street Theater is Underway Online; Can You Help?
KSST Radio has long played a supportive role to local theater, going back to the 1978 founding of the Sulphur Springs Community Players. Currently, the Players’ building, Main Street Theater, is in need of certain repairs and renovations to be able to open back up and resume seasons of plays onstage for the public. We hope to bring future reports on the repair process and the fundraising efforts. The group is posting a series of “Save Our Theater” posts on the Main Street Theater Facebook page which highlights past performances and public events done by the Players, preserved through the KSST Channel 18 TV archive. These appear along with instructions on how you can donate online to “Save Our Theater”. The theater building is currently closed, however, monthly meetings of the board of directors and play selection committees are regularly being held and efforts ongoing to secure funds to complete the needed repairs and renovations, especially to the facade of the building. According to MST board President Lyndie Mansfield, ‘the purpose of the Save Our Theater messages on Facebook is to raise the money needed to rebuild the front, back and partial sidewall of the building’s facade, which has deteriorated due to age. Completion of this repair project is necessary for the safety of patrons and passersby, and so that Main Street Theater can continue bringing live community theater arts to the local community’. If you would like to donate online, please click here.
