Residents Discuss What To Do Next In Fight Against Planned Dike Solar Plant
Battle Over Proposed Solar Plant In Dike Receives Attention From National Media Monday
Dike residents Sunday discussed the next round in their fight to prevent a solar plant from being constructed in their community. Cynthia Martin’s petition to the 62nd Judicial District Court for a temporary restraining order and injunction were denied last month, but neither she nor the Dike residents in opposition allowed Judge Will Biard’s order deter them for long.
Martin, following the July 19 hearing, indicated to KSST that the lawsuit filed to stop Hopkins Energy LLC and Hopkins County from building the solar facility is still on. Her attorney, Joanne Hatton of Braun & Gresham Attorneys at Law, in a prepared statement said the judge’s order “does not speak to the merits of the case, which will be determined at trial.”
Hatton contends the primary issue of the case is whether the law was followed when the county approved a tax incentive for the solar company “without any due diligence to protect the community,” including failing to require the company to provide information about any possible impacts to surrounding landowners and roadways.
“There are numerous requirements for tax abatement agreements under the Local Government Code and the Texas Tax Code enacted by the Legislature to protect the public. The agreement between the county and the solar power plant company does not contain these required terms,” Hatton stated.
One point in the lengthy statement Hatton issued explaining her client’s cause for filing and continuing to pursue a suit against Hopkins County and Hopkins Energy LLC, appears to have resounded with Dike residents. They see an opportunity that could allow them to protect their small community moving forward from a solar plant as well as any other perceived threats or potentially provide added benefits for the community.
“However, it is apparent that the location of this extremely large project, which will contain a sea of nearly one million solar panels in a small, unincorporated town, next to county roads that already experience flooding, is not the proper place,” Hatton stated.
The battle between the county officials and Engie, the international company behind the Dike solar project, in addition to generating local media attention, also garnered a national headline this week.
Dallas writer Mary Beth Gahan, Monday in an article in Washington Post Magazine, entitled “A battle of green against green in this Texas community,” reported on the struggle between those in favor of and those against a solar complex in Dike. Gahan reported that the “magic rabbit” the Dike residents pulled out of a metaphorical magic hat Sunday is taking the required steps needed to legally make Dike an incorporated area.
Gahan reported that not only have members compiled enough signatures in support of incorporating Dike as a city, they’ve already collected at lease $3,000 of the $12,000 needed to hire a surveyor and are making plans to hold a fundraiser soon to raise more money
According to the Aug. 2, 2021, Washington Post Magazine story:
“If the vote goes their way, the residents hope to annex land that has been leased for the solar facility. “We’re just going to tax them out,” [Dike resident Michele] Barnes says.
(Barnes regularly speaks out during public forum at Hopkins County Commissioners Court meetings against the proposed solar plant and at the regular meeting of residents determined to Save Dike From Solar
There are still many details to be worked out regarding incorporation, according to Martin, the Dike residents are “going through with incorporation regardless, and then we will be annexing after that.” As of Tuesday, over 200 signatures had been collected from Dike residents, which they have been advised should be enough to meet the requirement to call for incorporation.
Once the Dike residents get everything in order, they will need to contact the county judge, with required documentation, to ask him to set a date for an election for the proposed incorporation of Dike.
Team Tennis Schedule Released by Coach Tony Martinez
Team Tennis, helmed by head coach Tony Martinez, has released the schedule for the 2020 fall season.
Tennis, in fact, has already held their first competition.
Team tennis hosted two DFW schools, Sherman and Denison, at the tennis center in the SSISD Athletic Complex on Monday, Aug. 2 at 9 A.M. and 2 P.M., respectively.
The Wildcats lost the meet versus Sherman, but edged out a victory against Denison in the afternoon. More to come on those matches on Monday after meeting with Coach Martinez tomorrow morning.
It is a busy time for the tennis team, coached by Tony Martinez, as they will compete against four more schools before the school year begins on Aug. 18.
Those teams are:
- at Mesquite Poteet, on 08/09 at 9 A.M.
- at Bullard High School, on 08/11 at 9 A.M.
- and versus Greenville, on 08/12 at 4 P.M.
The tennis schedule can be found below or here.
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.
A&M-Commerce Recognized with Vetted Teacher Residency Distinction
| A&M-Commerce Recognized with Vetted Teacher Residency Distinction |
| COMMERCE, TX—The Texas Education Agency recently designated Texas A&M University-Commerce with the Vetted Teacher Residency distinction along with nine other programs in Texas. Sherri Harwell, director of the Office of Educator Certification and Academic Services at A&M-Commerce, lead efforts to secure the designation. “The Department of Curriculum and Instruction at A&M-Commerce is tirelessly driven to provide world-class preparation for educators,” Harwell said. “It’s a joy to assist them from the certification office as part of that process.” She continued: “It is an honor to have our transformative teacher residency program recognized by the TEA. We are excited for this opportunity to deepen our partnerships with school districts and continue to implement innovative clinical experiences for our preservice teachers.” Programs are selected through a rigorous application process. Qualifying programs must offer high-quality, yearlong teacher residency programs that pair teaching candidates with experienced, highly effective mentor teachers for a full year of clinical training or co-teaching in K-12 classrooms, with a minimum of three days per week. Dr. Kathryn V. Dixon, associate professor of curriculum and instruction at A&M-Commerce, said the department is honored and excited to receive the designation. “With help from the University-School Partnerships for the Renewal of Educator Preparation program (US PREP), we have made substantial strides in transforming our educator preparation program to realize our vision for preparing teacher candidates to meet the needs of their K-12 students from their very first day on the job,” Dixon said. “This is a natural and much-needed next step in meeting our joint goal of preparing and retaining highly qualified K-12 teachers in Texas.” A&M-Commerce is currently working with several school district partners to investigate grant opportunities related to the Vetted Teacher Residency distinction. (TAMUC Signage Image download) ### About Texas A&M University-Commerce Texas A&M University-Commerce serves rural and metropolitan East Texas with a dedicated mission to Educate. Discover. Achieve. With an enrollment of 11,624 students, the university is the third-largest member of The Texas A&M University System. The 2,100-acre Commerce campus provides many opportunities for students to learn and grow. The university offers more than 130 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A vibrant student experience includes 14 NCAA Division II athletic teams, a thriving Greek system and more than 120 student-led organizations. Classes are delivered on-site in Commerce, Corsicana, Dallas, McKinney, Frisco and Mesquite. In November 2021, the university will open A&M-Commerce at Dallas, located at 8750 North Central Expressway. Contact: Michael Johnson Executive Director of Marketing and Communications 903.886.5128 [email protected] |
Paris SBDC Offering Training to Assist Restaurants, Other Businesses
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center
Public Information Services
Paris SBDC offering training to assist restaurants, other businesses
The Paris Small Business Development Center is offering free in-person and online training events next week, one on building restaurant staff recession-proof tips for small business, and the other on getting, managing and spending money.
Delivering 99 recession-proof tips for small business success is the subject of a live webinar co-hosted by Paris SBDC and Rhonda Abrams, “America’s Best-Read Small Business Expert.” The online event will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3.
Abrams is a national speaker, author, and small business expert and will address how the business world as we know it was turned upside down overnight by Covid-19. Perhaps there has never been a time when the economy has changed so radically so fast. Customers changed buying patterns. Online companies ate even more market share. Many employees got used to working from home, while other employees were overstretched.
How does a small business owner navigate this new world? In this presentation, Abrams will share strategies for how small businesses can survive and even thrive in this new world. The first 25 individuals who register for the Aug. 3 session and attend online will be eligible to receive a free copy of Abrams’ book, “Now What?!.” Register at https://bit.ly/2V6XgHJ.
Building restaurant staff in today’s market is the subject of the in-person training session Wednesday, August 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Paris Junior College – Greenville Center, 6500 Monty Stratton Parkway.
For this free event, the Paris SBDC partnered with hospitality consultant Chris Tripoli, founder of A’la Carte Consulting. Tripoli has been sharing resources and strategies with restaurant owners transitioning and retaining their business staff through the pandemic. Participants will find out what how to overcome these obstacles when opening a new concept or operating an existing one. Register at https://bit.ly/3lipF8m.
These training sessions are provided by CARES Act funding to deliver services and webinars to small businesses in support of business recovery. The Paris SBDC is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Texas, and Paris Junior College. Advising services are offered by the Paris SBDC without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, sex, or disability. Special provisions will be made for limited English speaking individuals and those with disabilities. Those interested may contact the Paris SBDC at 903-782-0224.
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.
CHRISTUS Sulphur Springs Hosts COVID Vaccine Clinic Fridays in Hospital Lobby, Blood Drive Aug. 18 In Front Parking Lot
Sulphur Springs, Texas, August 3, 2021 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Thank you for your patience!
Due to a sharp increase in Emergency Room visits as a result of the spike in COVID-19, please expect longer wait times than normal. Rest assured we are doing everything we can to provide high quality care in a timely manner. Thank you in advance for allowing us to provide for your healthcare needs, while extending grace to our staff.
COVID Vaccine Clinics
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will host a COVID Vaccine Clinic every Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the main lobby of the hospital through August 27, 2021. The available vaccines include Moderna (2-doses, ages 18 and older), Pfizer (2-doses, ages 12 and older) and Johnson & Johnson (1-dose, ages 18 and older), Appointments not required, but parent/guardian must accompany anyone 17 and younger.
Carter BloodCare Blood Drive
The Carter BloodCare Bus will be parked in the front parking lot of our hospital in Sulphur Springs on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Our local blood supply is at an all-time low creating a serious supply issue.
To sign up to give blood, or for questions, please call Yeon Mi Kim at 903.438.4380 or call/text Carter BloodCare at 800.366.2834. All donors will receive a free t-shirt.
Please help us preserve our masks for our healthcare providers, and BRING YOUR OWN MASK
With COVID cases rapidly increasing in our community, the hospital requires all visitor to wear a mask while in the facility. There is no entry into the hospital without a mask. Visitors may wear a cloth or medical mask. Thank you for your continued support of the safety of our patients and associates.
Hospital Visitation
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 remain masked during their time in the hospital.
- Emergency Department entrance open 24/7
- Main Entrance open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
- Gift Shop open
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Types of Visitors:
- COVID receiving aerosol treatments: via tele-visitation only;
- COVID not receiving aerosol treatments: 1 Essential support person at a time – Essential support person will be given a visible wrist band
- ICU/ER: 1 Essential support person only
- All other patients may have 1 Essential support person and 1 visitor (up to 2 persons in room at a time)
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
KRVA SUMMER FUN GIVEAWAY- Part 4
The Final KRVA Summer Fun Giveaway package is here! TWO lucky winners will receive our Family Fun ticket package!
The Family Fun Ticket Package includes: 5 tickets for Hawaiian Falls, 4 Tickets to the Rangers game on August 8th, 2 tickets for Mom and Dad to see Cheap Trick at Billy Bobs on August 6th, 4 tickets to the John Wayne: An American Experience, and 4 tickets to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
This is a great way to have some last minute summer fun as a whole family!
All you have to do to be entered to win is like the post on KRVA and the KRVA Homepage-It’s that easy!
Click here to enter for a chance to win!
Winners will be announced Friday at 7:25 am on the Savannah in the Morning Show on 107.1 KRVA FM.
**Note** Hawaiian Falls tickets can be used at the Garland or Colony Locations. The tickets can be used any normal operating day during the summer.
August Brings Build Up to Regular Season for Sports Teams
At the end of July, a few teams enjoyed some much needed time off after the Edge and summer workouts ended.
But with August now upon us, a number of fall sports teams; tennis, volleyball, football and cross country, are all ramping up for their respective regular seasons.
Tennis, in fact, has already held their first competition.
Team tennis hosted two DFW schools, Sherman and Denison, at the tennis center in the SSISD Athletic Complex on Monday, Aug. 2 at 9 A.M. and 2 P.M., respectively.
It will be a busy time for the tennis team, coached by Tony Martinez, as they will compete against four more schools before the school year begins on Aug. 18.
To see the full tennis schedule, click here.
Volleyball will be the next busiest team; after having tryouts at the SSHS Main Gym on Aug. 2, they will be participating in some scrimmages this Saturday, Aug. 7 after having two-a-days this week.
After this week has concluded, they will turn around and host two schools; North Lamar and Sherman at 9 A.M. and 1 P.M., respectively.
Those start times on Tuesday, Aug. 10 are according to Maxpreps.com.
Next weekend, Coach Bailey Dorner’s Lady Cats will travel to the DFW metroplex when they participate in the Garland Tournament on Aug. 13-14.
To round out the pre-school semester games and scrimmages, Sulphur Springs will travel to Greenville on Tuesday, Aug. 17 to take on the Lady Lions at 5:30 P.M.
To see the volleyball schedule in its entirety, click here.
Football is also gearing up for their first scrimmage. Coach Greg Owens’ Wildcats enjoyed their time off after the Edge ended and are now entrenched in two-a-days.
The first scrimmage for the Wildcats football team is on Friday, Aug. 13 when they make the long trek out to Texarkana to take on Liberty Eylau at 7 P.M.
After that Coach Owens’ squad will take on Pleasant Grove at home on Aug. 20 in their last scrimmage of two before their home-opener on Friday, Aug. 27 versus Frisco Wakeland.
For the football schedule, click here.
Last but not least is Wildcats cross country, who will host an intra-squad meet right here in Sulphur Springs at the SSISD Athletic Complex on Saturday, Aug. 14.
The Saturday after school starts, Aug. 21, Coach Ross Hicks and his squad will make the short trip out to Commerce when they participate in the Commerce Tiger Invitational.
The cross country season schedule can be found here.
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.
Lots Of Items Exempt From Tax Aug. 6-8, For Texas Back-to-School Sales Tax Weekend
If you have kids who will soon resume classes or maybe you just need to replenish your office supplies and basics wardrobe, it could pay to wait until this weekend to make purchases. Many school supplies, clothing, shoes and student backpacks not only will be on sale, but qualifying items valued at less than $100 are exempt from local and state sales taxes as well. This year’s Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday begins Friday, Aug. 6, and goes through Sunday, Aug. 8.
This year, in order to promote social distancing, the Comptroller’s Office reports the back-to-school sales tax holiday will extend to include qualifying items purchased not only in-store, but also by telephone, mail, custom order or other means from Texas businesses. In order for online purchases and telephone orders from Texas businesses to be exempt from sales tax Aug. 6-8., the item must be both delivered to and paid for by the customer during the exemption period; or the order is made, paid for by and and accepted by the seller during the exemption period for immediate shipment even if delivery is made after the exemption period ends.
If the business offers it, customers may also put items on layaway or use rain checks to take advantage of the savings. The sales tax exemption may also apply to a final payment made for something already on layaway at a Texas business.
Qualifying items that customers buy during the holiday weekend with a rain check are exempt regardless of when they received the rain check. If, however, a customer gives a rain check during the holiday weekend, but pays for the qualifying item after the holiday, that item is not eligible for the exemption because it was purchased after the exemption period according to the Comptroller’s Office.
Not Qualified For Exemption
Items that do not qualify for exemption during the sales tax holiday include:
- textbooks
- computers
- software
- clothing and footwear used primarily for athletic activities or for protective wear such as basketball uniforms, baseball cleats, football pads,, fishing boots, overshoes and galoshes, roller blades and roller skates, bowling shoes, shoulder pads, shower caps,
- clothing or footwear rentals
- dry cleaning or laundry services
- alterations (including embroidery)
- items used to make or repair clothing, such as fabric, thread, yarn, buttons, snaps, hooks and zippers, shoe laces
- jewelry, handbags, purses, briefcases, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches,, and other accessories
- framed backpacks
- luggage
- briefcases
- athletic, duffle or gym bags
- computer bags
- purses
- accessories such as barrettes, bows, ponytail holders, hair clips, headbands, and other hair accessories. belt buckles, bobby pens
- sunglasses
Qualified For Sales Tax Break
For kits of school supplies that contain exempt items, as well as taxable ones, the taxability depends on the value of exempt or taxable items in it. There is no limit on the quantity of school supplies in a kit, but if the value of the exempt items is more than the taxable ones, the kit is exempt. If the value of the taxable items is more than the exempt ones, then the kit is taxable.
School supplies that do qualify for the exemption that are priced under $100 include:
- Binders
- Blackboard chalk
- Book bags
- Calculators
- Cellophane tape
- Compasses
- Composition books
- Crayons
- Erasers
- Folders – expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila
- Glue, paste and paste sticks
- Highlighters
- Index cards
- Index card boxes
- Legal pads
- Lunch boxes
- Markers (including dry erase markers)
- Notebooks
- Paper – loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper
- Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes
- Pencil sharpeners
- Pencils
- Pens
- Protractors
- Rulers
- Scissors
- Writing tablets
Among clothes and shoes that qualify for the sales tax break are
- socks
- baby clothes and bibs
- baseball football and other jerseys
- belts with attached buckles
- blouses and shirts
- general purpose boots, cowboy boots, hiking boots
- bras
- camp clothes
- chef uniforms, shawls and wraps
- dresses
- flip-flops (rubber thongs), jellies, sneakers, tennis shoes,
- running shoes and cross trainers
- sleepwear, nightgowns, pajamas
- pants, suits, slacks, jackets, support hosiery, suspenders
- sweat shirts, sweat suits, sweaters
- swimsuits, underclothes, underpants
- uniforms
- veils
- work clothes, workout clothes, work uniforms.
- cloth and disposable fabric face masks costumes
- baby and adult diapers
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – July 26-Aug. 1, 2021
The Winnnsboro Police Department’s weekly media report for July 26-Aug. 1, 2021, included the following:
Arrests
- Jason Hooten, 33 years of age, of Sulphur Springs, was arrested on July 26, 2021, on multiple Hopkins County Warrants.
James Courson, 55 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on July 28, 2021, for driving while license invalid with previous convictions. - Tobey Bright, 48 years of age, of Kilgore, was arrested on July 31, 2021, for Tampering with Evidence.
- Jerry Spraggins, 31 years of age, of Jacksonville, was arrested on July 31, 2021, for Possession of 2 ounces or less of Marijuana in a Drug Free Zone.
- Aaron Smith, 31 years of age, of Flint, was arrested on July 31, 2021, for Possession of 2 ounces or less of Marijuana in a Drug Free Zone and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon.
- Johnathan York, 30 years of age, of Cleveland, was arrested July 31, 2021, for Possession of 2 ounces or less of Marijuana in a Drug Free Zone.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 151 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 39 citations and 67 warnings during this reporting period.
Grand Opening Planned For The Plant Niche
A grand opening and ribbon cutting for a new local business, The Plant Niche, is planned for this weekend.
Owned by Erika Mayorga and business partner Olegario Gutierrez of Como, The Plant Niche offers interior house plants, interior plant scaping, interior plant maintenance. and workshops. Mayorga, whose father was in the landscaping business, decided in 2015 to focus on interior plant scaping and obtained her business degree. The business focuses on designing home or business spaces to the aesthetics that best fits the space and lighting. She said she plans to offer some big species of plants that are typically only available from larger merchants in the Dallas area.
A soft opening for the business will be conducted at noon Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, with the grand opening to follow at noon Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at The Plant Niche, located at 222 Tomlinson St. in Sulphur Springs. Community members are invited to stop by as Mayorga presents her concept to Sulphur Springs during these openings.
