Graduations Moving Indoors For Local Schools Due To Predicted Wet Weather
With predictions of rain and storm up to 80 percent this Friday and 40 percent on Saturday for the area, most schools that had planned to host outdoor commencement exercises have made the decision for those graduations to move inside this week.
Below are locations and dates for graduations and related events that KSST has been notified about, including those graduations moving indoors, with most schedule changes in italics.
Thursday, May 27
- Como-Pickton 8th Grade Graduation – 6 p.m. in the secondary cafeteria.
- Miller Grove Kindergarten Graduation – 9 a.m. in the High School Gym.
- Miller Grove Junior High Graduation – 6 p.m. in the High School Gym.
- North Hopkins Elementary Kindergarten Graduation – 10 a.m. in the gym; no limit on number attending, but all guests will be required to wear a mask.
- Saltillo 8th Grade Graduation – 7 p.m. In the Gym.
Friday, May 28
- Como-Pickton Kindergarten Graduation – 8:30-9 a.m. in the secondary cafeteria
- Como-Pickton High School Graduation – 7:30 p.m. in the secondary cafeteria due to anticipated weather. Seating will be open. No tickets necessary.
- Miller Grove High School Graduation – 7 p.m. in the High School Gym.
- North Hopkins Junior High Graduation – 7 p.m. in the gym; no limit on number attending, but all guests will be required to wear a mask.
- Saltillo High School Graduation – 7 p.m. in the Gym.
- Sulphur Springs High School Graduation – 8 p.m. in the Civic Center Arena
- Winnsboro High School Graduation – 8 p.m. Red Raider Stadium
Saturday, May 29
- North Hopkins High School Graduation – 3 p.m. in the gym; no limit on number attending, but all guests will be required to wear a mask.
Thursday, June 3
- Cumby 8th Grade Graduation – 7 p.m. in the school gym
Friday, June 4
- Cumby High School Graduation – 7 p.m. in the school gym; the graduation will also be streamed live on the district website as well as on YouTube Watch on the Cumby ISD Youtube channel, which can also be found by searching Cumby ISD High School Graduation.
If your school has made changes or has scheduled a graduation not reflected above, please contact KSST at 903-885-3111 or send an email to [email protected] so we can help let the community know.
Chamber Connection – May 26
By Butch Burney
The Sulphur Springs High School honor graduates were feted last week at the Honors Breakfast, but they
weren’t the only SSHS students who had a part in the event.
The entire breakfast, which was held at the Hopkins County Civic Center, was student-driven, including decorations, food, centerpieces and even charcuterie boards. Education at the high school level isn’t just English and history nowadays. It’s a full curriculum designed to prepare students for college, the workforce or the military, whichever they choose.
The Honors Breakfast not only feted the cream of the crop academically, but showed us how diversified
the SSHS student body is.
Chamber Showcase
The Third Annual Chamber Showcase is scheduled 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 on Wednesday, Sept. 15. More details will be coming soon, but mark that on your calendar for a comprehensive update on the business issues that the State Legislature has tackled this year.
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for May 10, the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial and Freedom Ball. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Ribbon Cutting
Brookshire’s Food Store in Sulphur Springs hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its updated store, located at 809 Gilmer St., on Wednesday, May 19. Included in the ceremony was the 13-foot motorized grocery cart.
Davison’s Development and Building hosted a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, May 18, that included a barbecue lunch. The Davison home office is located at 204B Linda Drive.
CHRISTUS Facilities Offer COVID-19 Vaccine, Dermatology and Primary Care
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Business News, May 25, 2021
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs, Texas – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
COVID Vaccine Clinic
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will host a COVID Vaccine Clinic at the Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (208 Fuller Street) on Saturday, June 5, 2021 from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. Several of the vaccine brands will be available. No appointment required.
Contact Holly Ragan at 903-439-4033 to find out about future vaccine schedules.
Universal Masking Still in Place at all CHRISTUS Facilities
We are glad to see that the CDC continues to update its guidance about COVID-19 vaccines as more research and information become available. This week, that included guidance for fully vaccinated people (over two weeks after their final vaccine dose) who now no longer need masks indoors or outdoors in most cases.
However, this guidance does not apply to health care settings, so we will continue to require all those in our hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and other locations where care is provided to remain masked. As these locations remain open to the public, and as we will continue treating all those who need us, including those with COVID-19 and those without, it is important that we ask our Associates, physicians, volunteers, patients and visitors to remain masked while in our facilities for now.
We will also continue to require masks in our offices and administrative areas. While we remain open to considering changes for these areas, we are evaluating this new guidance while we wait for further instruction from OSHA. What won’t change is our commitment to serving all those who need us. CHRISTUS will continue to provide COVID-safe care and offering life-saving vaccinations across our system. We remain committed to continuing to update our policies and procedures as more data becomes available and look forward to emerging from this pandemic together with the communities we are privileged to serve.
Hospital Visitation
We continue to ensure a safe and compassionate process for families and essential support persons to visit patients, while preventing person-to-person transmission of infectious diseases in our acute care settings. All visitors will continue to be screened to make certain they do not fit a COVID-19 profile, based on CDC guidelines. To safely regulate access to patient care areas
within our hospital, visitor-screening stations are placed at the entrance of our facilities.
Please note the following guidelines:
- Visitors must acquire masks themselves prior to entering our facility; cloth masks are
- acceptable
- Masks must cover both the nose and the mouth
- Visitors must pass screening before entry
- Emergency Department entrance open 24/7
- Main Entrance open 7am to 2pm, Monday – Friday
- Gift Shop open
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7am to 9pm
- COVID Unit limited to (1) visitor (age 16 and over)
- ER and ICU limited to (2) visitors
- ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Effective March 17, 2021: We will no longer restrict the number of visitors per patient, however, we strongly encourage to limit visitors to ONE (1) essential support person and for all other visitors – continue utilizing virtual communication through mobile devices to monitor your loved ones in our care. Clinic Services New Staff CHRISTUS Trinity Orthopedic Clinic is excited to welcome Christopher Lutz, PA-C, our new Orthopedic Physician Assistant. He will work collaboratively with Dr. Chris Meltsakos, Orthopedic Surgeon. Lutz will be accepting new patients at 103B Medical Circle, beginning on Tuesday, June 2. To schedule an appointment, call 903-885-6688.
Primary Care
Do you have a Primary Care Provider? As part of our ongoing commitment to the health and wellness of our community, we partner with you to maintain your health with preventative care and treatment of illnesses and injuries. With a number of providers to serve you close to home, we are happy to assist with annual well visits, sick visits, and much more. Call our office today to be established with a local provider: 903-885-3181.
Dermatology
Dermatology & Skin Cancer Surgery Center in Sulphur Springs is accepting patients under the care of Roxanne Swafford, FNP. Their office is located at 1228 Church St. Suite D. To schedule your appointment, call 903-689-7272. You may also visit them online at www.mdbarrows.com
COVID-19
Don’t Delay Care:
We want to be perfectly clear – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances remains a safe place for all
to receive quality care. Go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 if you are urgently ill.
While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and
preventing the spread of illness are not. To learn more about COVID-19, go to ChristusTMF.org
or www.cdc.gov
###
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Two Traffic Stops By Police Resulted In Two Arrests Each
Two traffic stops by police resulted in two arrests each Monday, officers noted in arrest reports.
I-30 Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Cleve Williams stopped a Chevrolet Malibu at mile marker 117 on Interstate 30 east at 9:35 a.m. May 24 for a traffic violation. The driver, identified in arrest reports as 23-year-old Ka’Jsean Tyrece Gude of Columbia, Tennessee, reportedly fled the scene and was pursued to the 126 mile marker, where he was arrested.
SSPD Sgt. Brandon Mayes transported Gude to jail on an evading arrest or detention with a previous conviction charge. The passenger, a 22-year-old Dallas woman, was found to be in possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and was transported to jail by SSPD Officer Derrick Williams on the charge.
Police also received records confirmations showing each of the pair to have a warrant out of Pulaski County, Arkansas, and the driver also was shown to have a warrant out of a Saline County for his arrest, and both were noted in arrest reports. However, the woman was not formally booked on the warrant, as the other agency only confirms for in-state arrests only, and no decision was made by the issuing agency for Gude, according to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office.
Consequently, Gude was released from Hopkins County jail Tuesday, May 25, on a $10,000 bond on the felony evading arrest charge and the woman was released on a $1,000 bond on the Class B misdemeanor marijuana charge.
Davis Street Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro reported making a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Silverado around 7:35 p.m. May 24, in the 400 block of South Davis Street. The driver, identified as 40-year-old Amanda Kamile Clawson of Yantis, displayed “bad nervous tendencies” while talking to police, resulting in Castro obtaining permission to search the pickup, the officer noted in arrest reports.
A search revealed bag containing more than 1 gram of a clear, crystal substance the officer believed to be methamphetamine in the truck. A field test on the substance came back as positive for methamphetamine.
When neither Clawson nor the passenger, identified in reports as 58-year-old Terry Ray Boles of Yantis, both were arrested at 8:10 p.m. May 24, 2021, on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge.
Both Boles and Clawson remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in lieu of $10,000 bond set on the felony controlled substance charge.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
Truck Driving at PJC-Sulphur Springs
Members of the truck driving class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center, taught by Bob Ashbreck (seated left), heard from a trucking company official at a recent classroom session.
Dale Hunt (seated right), an official with Werner Trucking, told the future truck drivers about the business.
For information about attending the Center, visit the campus at 1137 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs.
To obtain more information about this or other workforce programs offered at PJC, call 903-885-1232.
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.
Wildcats Varsity 7 on 7 Football Team Shows Improvement During State Qualifier Tourney Saturday
The Wildcats Varsity 7 on 7 Football Team played in their first state qualifier tournament this past Saturday (May 22) in Gravevine.
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the Wildcats did not qualify winning 1 and losing 2 but he added the Wildcats showed a lot of improvement in their play from several days before at home against Lindale and Gilmer.
Coach Young said the Wildcats opened Saturday against Princeton.
He said the Wildcats were tied 19-19 late in the game when they threw a pass into the end zone that was knocked away.
The game went into overtime and Princeton scored and added an extra point (on a short pass) to go up 26-19.
The Wildcats also scored on a Matthew Mitchell pass to Colby Albritton but when they were stopped on the 1 point extra point (also a short pass), Princeton had a 26-25 overtime win.
Coach Young said Carson Fenton was impressive catching the ball and quarterback Mitchell led the Wildcats on three scoring drives. Brady Driver also took turns running the offense at quarterback.
Coach Young said the Wildcats did not play well in their second game against Frisco Wakeland. He said Colt Silman caught a TD pass but that was about it. Coach Young said Wakeland played a non-traditional defense that was unfamiliar to his young quarterbacks.
He added he did not have much of a chance to go over it with them with only a 1 minute halftime between two 15 minute halves.
The Wildcats ended the day with a win over host Grapevine. That game too went back and forth. Coach Young said Grapevine was up 21-14 with about 3 minutes left. Then Driver threw a TD pass to C.J. Williams.
The Wildcats then went for two (on a longer pass) and got it to take a 22-21 lead.
Coach Young said Grapevine threw a late pass into the end zone but it was broken up by defensive backs Dominique Sims and Aiden Stribling and the Wildcats got the win. He said the Wildcats ended up on a high note.
Coach Young also praised the receiving of Weston Fields, Cable Glenn, Reed Williams and Malachi Roland. He said other defensive standouts were Landry Fields, Roland, Silman, Douglas Deloney, J.J. Hall, Luke Caton and Madison Martin.
The Wildcats 7 on 7 Team is scheduled to play next in a Tyler state qualifier tournament on June 12.
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.
KRVA Summer Fun Giveaway: Part 2
The Next KRVA Summer Fun Giveaway package is here! You could win 6 tickets to Hawaiian Falls, and the tickets can be used at the Garland or Colony Locations! All you have to do to be entered to win is like the post on KRVA and the KRVA Homepage-It’s that easy!
The tickets can be used any normal operating day during the summer. This is a great way to beat the heat and enjoy the day as a whole family!
Winners will be announced Friday at 7am on the Savannah in the Morning Show. Keep liking KRVA’s posts all Summer for chances to win more great prizes!
Information For Livestock Show, by Mario Villarino
Officials of major livestock shows in Texas are participating in a program supported by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Education Agency, Department of Agricultural Education, whereby all 4-H and FFA steers exhibited at their shows will be required to be identified appropriately with an official Texas Steer Visual/Electronic Identification (EID) Tag, tattoo, and DNA Assay.
A special tag has been designed specifically for the Texas 4-H/FFA Steer Validation Program.
To comply with this requirement, the 2021-22 Hopkins County Steer Committee has scheduled a County and State Validation for June 24, 2021 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and the Cattlemen’s Veterinary Service.
All state steer validation tags are already ordered. Steers intendent to be exhibited at the NETLA Show in 2022 can be validated also ($25 fee).
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Jennifer Rock Returning To Como-Pickton As Junior High Principal
Jennifer Rock is excited to soon be returning to Hopkins County to work in the district where she first began her education – Como-Pickton Consolidated Independent School District. Como-Pickton CISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously, 6-0 (board member JJ Cummings was unable to attend), during a special school board meeting on Monday, May, 24, to hire Rock as the new junior high principal.
“We had several highly qualified candidates apply for the position since we are the best school in Hopkins County and one of the best schools in the state of Texas. We were impressed to have so many high quality candidates. Of those, several rose to the top. The one that rose to the very top happened to be Ms. Jennifer Rock,” Como-Pickton CISD Superintendent Greg Bower said. “She interviewed well and the school in which she’s coming from, she’s leaving there on good terms. They speak extremely highly of her there. She had a great future there. She has family and relationships here and chose to relocated to our area.”
“I’m just excited to be back in a small hometown where farming and hard work is important to the people living here. I was raised on a farm. We still have a farm and it’s a 24/7 job. You have to have a solid work ethic to survive. I’m already impressed with the families and students here because I feel like they have that hard work ethic to be successful,” Rock said.
While Rock won’t official begin serving as the new junior high principal until July 1, 2021, she plans to begin visiting the school some before then to begin filling staff positions, to work on scheduling and planning so that things are ready for classes to begin for the 2021-22 school year, Bower noted.
“I went to school here from kindergarten through third grade so I feel like I’m coming back home here. My dad still lives here in the area and he served on the board here,” Rock said, noting her dad, Gene Rose’s service of more than a decade on the CP school board. “So, this place is very special to me. I’ve been away for a long time but I’m glad to be back,” Rock said.
Rock has more than a vested interest in CPCISD. She has a daughter who will be attending 5th grade next year, and is excited about the move.
The educator comes to Como-Pickton CISD with 12 years of administrative experience, the most recent at the White Oak Intermediate campus as a principal for the last 7 years. Prior to that, Rock served as an assistant principal at Sabine Elementary.
Rock said she began her career in the classroom, and spent 15 years teaching before transitioning to administration. She started out teaching 6th-12th grade content master and reading. She followed that up with 2 years in a self-contained 4th grade classroom. She spent seven years teaching various subject to 5th graders at Hawkins Elementary, the last and her favorite was science, where she and her students had a good time conducting science experiments.
“I feel like every student is capable of learning. I feel like if you begin with educating their heart then you can educate their mind. I always refer back to that old saying: you’ll never know how much they know until they know how much you care,” Rock said.
She has presented on Google Up with Power Drive at the state TCEA conference and a session on Google Drive at a Region 7 technology conference held in the fall. She too presented with WOISD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Mitzi Neely and Primary Principal Claire Koonce a session called “Our Story,” about the way White Oak ISD has transitioned with certain pieces over time to improve instruction.
Rock said she welcomes the opportunity to meet the CPCISD families and become reacquainted with the community.
“I feel like I’m a very friendly person. I have an open door policy and I would love to get to know each and every one,” Rock said.
The district plans to designate a time for parents and students to greet the new CP Junior High principal closer to the start of the new 2021-22 school year. That date will be announced at a later time, according to Bower.
Walk Like MADD Gets Another Boost From A Local Business
The Northeast Texas Walk Like MADD received another boost Monday from a local business to help underwrite the costs of hosting the 2021 event.
Last month, Jay Hodge Chevrolet became the premiere sponsor for the 9th annual Walk Like MADD in Sulphur Springs, donating not only $3,500 but also hosting a fundraiser inside the business, donating $25 for every test drive at the dealership on April 24 and, hosting a hot dog and hamburger lunch to raise additional funds for and awareness about MADD East Texas.
Monday, White & Roper joined Jay Hodge in their support for the organization. The attorneys office made a $1,000 donation to the local walk committee to help with costs associated with putting on “the event.
People can register a team or as individuals and raise funds to help provide victims services for victims of drunk and impaired driving, and to walk a designated path in support of MADD’s mission to end drunk and impaired driving.
“We take the funds to help fund our victim’s services. It stays within our region, which is 25 counties right now,” said Tammi Branch, MADD East Texas victim services specialist. “It helps us go to court with victims. It helps us to be able to send them free literature, free books – anything that will help them get through to the next day.”
Funds raised through Walk Like MADD events allow MADD staff and volunteers in our community to provide emotional support and assistance with medical and legal struggles that follow a drunk and or drugged driving crash; conduct awareness and research-based prevention programs to end drunk driving, fight drugged driving and prevent underage drinking; and support law enforcement who work to keep the roads safe.
While the atmosphere is one of hope, MADD East Texas and Walk Like MADD are serious in their intent to make people aware of the potential life-changing and life-ending consequences of impaired and drunk driving.
Many who participate have a common bond, they know someone who has been injured or killed in a drunk driving crash, or they feel strongly about creating a future of “No More Victims ® .”
The 2021 Northeast Texas Walk Like MADD will be held Saturday evening, Sept. 25, on the grounds at Shannon Oaks Church, located on East Shannon Road. Event organizers will begin setting up around 4 p.m. Kids Zone activities will being at 5 p.m. Sept. 25. Community members will gather at 7 p.m. or an organized walk to show solidarity in the stand against drunk and impaired driving.
Branch said MADD hopes to raise $12,000 through the Sulphur Springs walk, but would love not only to meet that, but to exceed the goal. The more funds raised the more services MADD is able to offer at not cost to victims and families of people who have been killed or injured by drunk or impaired driving.
As of 9 p.m. Monday, May 24, a total of 34 participants on 4 teams had raised a total of $9,199.
Those planning to attend the walk can register online at www.walklikemadd.org/northeasttexas, then will be given a link to accept donations. People can also search www.walklikemadd.org to search by location and state for more information.
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor for the Walk Like MADD 5K Walk in Sulphur Springs can contact either Branch at 903-534-6000, ext. 4801, or [email protected] or local walk coordinator Becky Hicks.
Victims who need immediate assistance may contact Branch at the office or call 877-MAD-Help (1-877-623-4357). Help for victims is also available through the Texas MADD Facebook page as well.
