Fake Temporary Tag Ultimately Leads Dallas Pair to Local Jail
October 20, 2024 – An eagle-eyed Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy on patrol spotted a black Ford Focus with a temporary tag on Interstate 30 Saturday afternoon. A records check of the temporary tag number did not yield a result leading the deputy to believe the paper plate could be fradulent. A traffic stop was initiated for further investigation as the officer retrieved the VIN on the 4-door Ford. The resulting records check on the vehicle came back showing the black Focus was reported stolen from Fort Worth. The two occupants of the vehicle were detained as a probable cause search was initiated on the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle admitted to having an electric marijuana cigarette in her purse, but the search turned up additional controlled substances as well as drug paraphernalia.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies uncovered suspected drugs including crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, and ecstasy. A suspected liquid controlled substance was also found weighing 9.635 grams. The driver of the vehicle, Lashunta Marie Jones, age 33, was transported and booked into the Hopkins County jail on one charge of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle as well as 5 Controlled Substance Charges. The passenger in the vehicle, Margeta Deann Robinson, age 40, was also transported to the Hopkins County Jail and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and one Controlled Substance Charge Penalty Group 1 less than 1 gram.
Both suspects listing home addresses in the Dallas area remain in the Hopkins County Jail awaiting bond to be set.
Learn When to Plant Wild Flower Seeds on this Episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With Guest Master Gardener Ronnie Wilson
On this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, John Mark had a chat with Master Gardener Ronnie Wilson. The two chat about wild flowers, where you can get wild flower seeds, when is the best time of the year to plant wild flower seeds, some of the different types of wild flowers found in North East Texas, and so much more. Check out this episode of A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey below and see what interesting facts you learn.
Timber Creek Bridge off CR 4759 set for Replacement in Hopkins County
October 19, 2024 – PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that a project to replace the Timber Creek bridge on Timber Creek Drive, off CR 4759 in Hopkins County, is set to begin Oct. 21.
THK Construction, Longview, Texas, will remove the bridge currently on Timber Creek Drive, and build a new bridge and roadway approaches. This road closure for bridge replacement is expected to last about three months, officials said.
The roadway and bridge at this location will be closed while this work is underway. A signed detour just south of the existing bridge will direct traffic during the closure to another route. Travelers are asked to pay special attention to signs while this construction is underway.
Motorists who travel frequently in these areas are asked to pay special attention to all barricades, traffic controls and signs, and to reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.For more information, contact [email protected] or (903) 737-9213.
Plans For Direct Flights from San Antonio to Washington Move Forward
Cruz-led, bipartisan provision in FAA law delivers planned slot for new SAT-DCA flight
October 18, 2024 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released the following statement after the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced their intent to award an additional, beyond perimeter slot for a nonstop flight between San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
In May, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which Sen. Cruz co-authored as the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, was signed into law allocating five new, round-trip flights between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and previously excluded beyond-perimeter locations. In July, Sen. Cruz and Reps. Roy and Castro led a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in urging the DOT to award a direct flight for the proposed SAT-DCA route.
Upon the announcement, Sen. Cruz said, “I’m proud to have led Republicans and Democrats in delivering a landmark victory not just for the City of San Antonio but the entire Lone Star State. The new American Airlines SAT-DCA flight is the culmination of a years-long effort to connect our nation’s capital with the fastest-growing city in the country. My bipartisan provision adding five long-haul slots in this year’s FAA reauthorization bill overcame fierce, well-funded opposition. I am thankful to the many city leaders, partners, and stakeholders across the greater San Antonio region who entrusted me with this responsibility and united behind our effort to deliver for Military City USA. I am looking forward to soon celebrating with my friends in San Antonio as we step foot onto the very first direct flight from SAT to DCA.”
Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System said, “The City of San Antonio has been fighting for a direct flight to Washington, D.C. for decades. Today’s announcement from the Department of Transportation is tremendous news for San Antonians and Texans and would not have been possible without the strong leadership of Senator Ted Cruz and Representatives Chip Roy and Joaquin Castro. San Antonio is excited for American Airlines to begin flying from Military City USA to Washington, D.C. very soon.”
Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, President and CEO, greater:SATX said, “Today is monumental for San Antonio with the approval of a new nonstop route from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. We are grateful to Senator Ted Cruz who championed this effort and to the Texas congressional delegation. San Antonio—previously the largest U.S. city without nonstop DCA service—now gains critical access to D.C. and Northern Virginia. This route will boost corporate retention, expansion, and recruitment, supporting San Antonio’s rapid growth and future development.”
Lamar Smith, Former U.S. Representative, 21st Congressional District of Texas said, “Today’s announcement that the Department of Transportation will award a direct flight from Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport to San Antonio is a tremendous win for Texans, and especially for the people of San Antonio. This victory is the result of years of hard work and a united effort from countless stakeholders, including the City of San Antonio and organizations across South Texas. I was proud to play a part in that effort during the years I represented Texas’s 21st congressional district, and I am delighted to see it finally come to a positive resolution. The strong, bipartisan leadership from Senator Ted Cruz, who authored the provision and fought to include it in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, deserves special recognition as well. His relentless advocacy for San Antonio ensured this got over the finish line, even in the face of stiff opposition. This new, direct flight will help provide lower prices for consumers, bolster Military City USA’s connection to D.C., and grow the region’s leadership in healthcare, science, and defense sectors, and that is something we can all be proud of.”
Wayne Peacock, CEO, USAA said, “Nonstop air service connecting Military City, USA to DCA in our nation’s capital has been a top priority for our region for decades. Securing direct-service flights will have a significant impact on the military community and their families serving here, as well as our fast-growing business community. This is a phenomenal milestone and the culmination of decades of persistent effort by local and statewide leaders working on behalf of our San Antonio region. Business leaders stand ready to support this new nonstop route and continue to build San Antonio’s presence as one of America’s leading cities for economic growth and development.”
Joe Straus, Former Speaker, Texas House of Representatives said, “San Antonians have long sought nonstop air service to the heart of our nation’s capital and today is a victory in that effort. Nonstop air service to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is critical to San Antonio’s economic strength — especially in the sectors of cybersecurity, defense contracting, aerospace and financial services. Thanks to the dedicated advocacy of our elected leaders in Washington and key voices here in our community, our region is now positioned for continued opportunity and economic activity.”
Commissioner Sid Miller Issues Executive Order to Secure Water Use in the Rio Grand Valley
Reservoir overflow will be redirected for irrigation purposes amid heavy rainfall in Mexico
October 18, 2024 – AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued an executive order giving Texas farmers and ranchers the green light to tap into the Rio Grande for irrigation. The recent heavy rains in Mexico have caused significant runoff from the reservoir Marte Gomez, and too much water is currently flowing into the Gulf of Mexico—wasted. This executive order provides a timely solution for utilizing excess water, which would otherwise be lost. Water will now flow where needed most—to Texas communities, farmers, and ranchers along the Rio Grande Valley. During this critical time, the agriculture community will now have the means to continue serving as a vital component of the state’s diversified economy and to renew the state’s natural resources.
“Enough is enough,” said Commissioner Miller. “We’re done sitting around waiting for someone else to act. There is no reason the water overflow south of the Amistad and Falcon international reservoirs should go down the Rio San Juan to the Rio Grande and be wasted. The water belongs in the hands of those who need it most, not lost to the Gulf.”
The decision to authorize water use from the Rio Grande is part of Commissioner Miller’s ongoing efforts to protect the State of Texas’s water supply. This is especially important given the recent challenges with Mexico’s underdelivered water agreements through the 1944 Water Treaty.
“Our farmers and ranchers have needed water for far too long, and this is just another way we’re supporting them,” Miller added. “Texas should always take care of Texans.”
2024 United Way Pledges Continue to Come in as Officials Hold Their Third Meeting
October 17, 2024 – The Hopkins County 2024-2025 United Way officials held their third Campaign Pledge Meeting October 15th at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension building in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Executive Secretary Susan Berning reported to KSST that “… Campaign pledges to date total $41,349.22. We look forward to adding to that number at our meeting next Tues., Oct. 22…” Stay tuned for future updates.
Dinner Bell for October 23, 2024
The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal.
The City National Bank of Sulphur Springs was chartered in 1889 making it the oldest banking institution in Hopkins County. As of June 2024 it has grown to 241 employees at 17 locations. It is the 75th largest bank in the State of Texas.
In March of 1889 the lot on the square and Connally Street was purchased for $3,350.00, and the two-story building, which housed the bank until 1968, was opened for business in June 1889. The original vault door is still in use today and is in perfect working order.
1993 saw growth in the bank outside Hopkins County with the opening of a branch in Winnsboro. The South Town Branch was opened in 1998 by acquiring First National Bank; and, a separate Mortgage Branch was opened in 2000. With acquisitions and openings the bank has a strong presence in the Northeast Texas Counties of Hopkins, Franklin, Rains, Van Zandt and Wood.
The Dinner Bell Feeding Ministry has been blessed with a Partnership with City National Bank since June 8, 2016. For a number of years the bank has supplied financial support and personnel to serve meals on a quarterly basis.
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christ mas and New Years Day.
MENU:
Hopkins County Stew—
“IT IS STEW WEEK”
Crackers—Cheese—Pickles
Garden Salad
Lemon Cake To Die For
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Spring Into Action by Planting Native Wildflower Seeds in the Fall
October 17, 2024 – AUSTIN — One of the many things Texas is known for is the abundance of beautiful wildflowers that line hills and highways every spring. What many wildflower admirers may not know is that fall is the ideal time to plant wildflower seeds in preparation for those spring blooms.
Many native wildflowers, including the famed bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes, require colder soil temperatures combined with appropriate watering or rainfall for seeds to germinate in the fall and be ready to bloom in the spring. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists encourage people to do their research before buying commercially available native seeds packets and be selective to not introduce non-native plants to their property.
Native wildflowers provide critical habitat for pollinators, many of which have seen declines in their population. These important insects, birds and mammals are key to sustaining native plant species, human food crops and even crops for livestock.
“Native plants are adapted to our soils and growing conditions just as our native pollinators are adapted to those same plants,” said Craig Hensley, Texas nature tracker biologist. “Native plants form the foundation of healthy food webs and sustain pollinators who in turn provide food for other wildlife from birds to amphibians, reptiles and mammals.”
As more than 94 percent of Texas lands are privately owned, effective native pollinator conservation requires landowner engagement and involvement. Texans can play a significant role in conserving and maintaining populations of native pollinators by applying management practices that benefit these species.
Planting your own backyard wildflower pollinator garden
- Pick a spot in the yard or garden that doesn’t have preexisting turf (St. Augustine and Bermuda) or remove turf if needed.
- Scatter seed by hand. Smaller seeds are easier to handle if mixed with sand. One part seed to four parts sand.
- Rake or tamp in seeds, but make sure they are only about 1/8 inch deep; seeds will need the sun to germinate.
- Keep moist for several days unless rainfall is expected. Water every 2-3 weeks during prolonged periods of no rain during the winter.
For landowners with larger tracts of land who are interested in native pollinator conservation, the TPWD private lands program and local biologists can offer management recommendations.
Once flowers bloom in the spring, enjoy their beauty until all have bloomed, withered, dried and had an opportunity to drop their seeds before mowing fields or trimming plants back. You might also consider leaving the dead stems, as they provide nesting homes for many of our solitary bee pollinators. Typically, this occurs in late June and early July. Allowing the plants to drop their seeds creates a seed bank that will provide more plants for years.
For additional native wildflower resources, go to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center or Native Plant Society of Texas pages. To learn more about insect pollinators, go to the TPWD Monarch Butterfly and Other Insect Pollinators page.
Paxton Takes Action To Stop Biden-Harris Administration’s Targeting of Gas Appliances
October 17, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined a multistate lawsuit against the Biden-Harris Administration, suing the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit over a final rule that unlawfully imposes burdensome regulatory requirements on conventional stoves and ovens.
In February 2023, DOE proposed energy conservation standards for appliances that would functionally ban most gas stoves. After widespread outcry from consumers and industry leaders, DOE issued a slightly less stringent direct final rule that nevertheless failed to adequately respond to objections and would still place substantial economic and financial burden on American families.
Further, the DOE issued the direct final rule without any opportunity for public comment and without the support of a large majority of States, which is a statutory requirement. By using this bureaucratic maneuver, the DOE unlawfully excluded States, manufacturers, and the American people from participating in the federal rulemaking process. Attorney General Paxton and the multistate coalition asked the Fifth Circuit to open a review of the process.
“The Biden-Harris Administration’s crusade against kitchen appliances hurts American families at a time when their policies have already made the cost-of-living skyrocket,” said Attorney General Paxton. “If this rule targeting gas stoves takes effect, they will have unconstitutionally forced yet another component of their so-called ‘energy transition’ agenda onto our country without the public’s input.”
Estate Sale for Mary Bonham Estate Running Thursday, Friday & Saturday
October 17, 2024 – The estate sale for Mary Bonham started Thursday morning at 8am as folks lined up waiting for the gates to be opened and make their way behind the big house on I-30 to peruse all kinds of items from china to crystal glassware, and furniture to farm equipment. The estate sale will be open 8am until 4pm each day, October 17, 18, and 19.
