Gilmore, Matthews’ Service To SSPD Celebrated At Retirement Reception
Thursday was a bittersweet day for Sulphur Springs Police Department. Officers, staff, city employees and friends gathered at City Hall to celebrate the service of two tenured public servants who collectively have dedicated more than 58 years to the police department and to wish the pair well as they begin the next chapter in their lives — retirement.
Cynthia “Cyndi” Matthews on June 29, 2021, submitted to SSPD Chief Jason Ricketson and Communications Supervisor Nancy Stillwagoner written notice that she will be retiring on July 31, 2021. She noted the decision was a hard one, after serving 26 years as a communications operator for SSPD, but felt the time was right to retire from dispatch.
Detective Sgt. David Gilmore then notified Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson July 22 of his intent to retire after 32 years and 4 months service at SSPD. He completed the last day of his tenured career with the department on July 29, 2021. While technically retiring, Gilmore is more or less trading in one badge for another. He has accepted the position of chief of North Hopkins ISD Police Department.
“This is a good day and a bad day. I know David is going to do good things at North Hopkins and. Cyndi, I know it’s a good day for you because of no more shift work, no more midnights. I know you’ll enjoy that,” Chief Ricketson said during Thursday’s retirement reception for Matthews and Gilmore. “It’s a bad day for the department because there’s no way you can replace 32 and 26 years of experience. There’s no way we can replace that — something we’ve lost that we can never get back.”
Ricketson said for him personally, the retirements mean even less of the “original crew” he worked with 25 years ago in the beginning of his career who are still in law enforcement.
“That’s kind of a sad day for me because there’s only a handful of us left. It’s a different time. You know that. I want to wish you the best,” Ricketson told Matthews and Gilmore.
The chief presented her with a plaque of recognition for “26 years of unwavering commitment to public service, sound judgement, calm demeanor and team work. Your dedicated service played an integral role in the success of this department.” He then congratulated her on her “well-deserved retirement.”
Ricketson asked those attending the retirement reception July 29 to sign a mat, which was taken Thursday afternoon to be sealed with a wooden badge and Matthews’ name placed in the center, a keepsake she can hang on her wall to commemorate the occasion.
Used to giving short directives to officers behind the scenes or interacting one-on-one with them when they visit the communications center, Matthews kept her remarks short.
“I appreciate everybody that came today. I’ve enjoyed working with all of you. I’m going to miss yall. Thank you,” Matthews said simply.
Ricketson too presented a plaque to Gilmore in recognition of “32 years of professionalism, dedication and service to the citizens of Sulphur Springs and Sulphur Springs Police Department.”
Gilmore also received from the Law Enforcement Association, in appreciation for his years of service, a shadow box featuring badges, patches, name tags and pins worn during his years at SSPD.
Gilmore first thanked God for “for keeping me safe and my family safe, for just giving me the knowledge and ability to be able to do this job for 32 years. I know I’ve needed it at times. We all do, most of the guys in here are public servants — police or dispatchers, some firemen. You’ve got to have help from a higher power sometimes and I needed it. I thank Him for that,” Sgt. Det. Gilmore said.
Gilmore has dedicated more than half of his life to SSPD, where he served under four chiefs: Donnie Lewis, Jim Bayuk, Jay Sanders and Jason Ricketson. He worked his way up from patrol officer to officer and detective sergeant.
He began is career on March 16, 1989, working as a patrol officer on the midnight shift with Andy Chester as his first training officer and really “loved it.” He recalled one of his first nights on patrol, driving down Oak Avenue in a patrol vehicle with Chester with the Fine Young Cannibals song, ‘You Drive Me Crazy,” playing, each shaking his head and rocking in their seats along with the music. At that point, he decided he “might stay here a while.”
However, Gilmore credited Jay Owens as his favorite supervisor, one of the most serious people you’ll meet but also one who can be funny.
Gilmore recalled earlier days on patrol, when he, Owens, Steve Hudson and even Lewis Tatum were on patrol, ensuring people who “needed attention” got it.
He then turned to address Matthews: “And Cyndi, you helped, by either sending me on a portable call or sending me backup units. I want to thank you for doing that and taking care of us, and all the dispatchers that did it over the years. And to all the officers that were there, we had each others’ backs,” he noted.
Often, he said, officers are told not to take the job home with them. He challenged each public servant there to show him the man or woman who can truly abide by that.
“You can’t not take stuff home. You can compartmentalize it, put it in, but when you get home and you’re in the idle time, that’s when stuff replays in your mind – or at least that’s how it was for me,” Gilmore noted.
The detective sergeant said retirement from SSPD has seemed a bit surreal, although filling out the required paperwork with the city’s human resources officer cemented the decision. While going through desk drawers over the last week, he ran across folders and files, containing various old cases and photos. Some were funny, personal photos involving longtime and former coworkers.
Others represented the many milestones that have occurred while he has worked for SSPD. During his years with the police department, his two children were born. He’s also been blessed with “two good wives,” Sallie who passed away in 2007, and Angie, who Gilmore acknowledge has “put up with me for 14 years.”
Gilmore noted a memo he found while cleaning out his desk this week signaled another huge marker not only in his life but those of all US residents old enough to remember 2001. Issued just after 9/11 by SSPD Chief Jim Bayuk, who had assigned at least one officer to every school in Sulphur Springs following the terrorist attacks and sent the memo addressing “suspicious substances,” particularly anthrax. He recalled responding shortly thereafter at the hospital, where a white powdery substance had been found on a pallet on a loading dock.
“I remember standing there with the fire chief and with the administrator of the hospital district. There were no detectives there — everybody was busy doing something. We were fixing to decide whether to evacuate Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, and all I could remember thinking was David don’t screw this up, because that was going to be a major deal,” Gilmore recalled. “Fortunately, we decided against doing that.”
That, he noted just shows that “in law enforcement, whether an officer or a dispatcher,” the job affects you.
“This job affects you mentally and physically. There’s some rewarding sides to law enforcement, but there are also times that there are some major events in our city and our citizens’ lives, and we’ve dealt with it,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore concluded by expressing appreciation to “every officer who’s ever helped me along the way,” past and present. He also offered thanks to wife Angie “for what you do.”
“I thank everybody for everything. I’m just moving up north, not going fishing – I wish I was,” Gilmore said of his new duties as chief of NHISD Police Department. “If you need cover, I’ll be there.”
In addition to a cake, a poster featuring photos of each retiree at various stages of their careers at SSPD, the celebration included a fajita meal from Los Mochis.
CHRISTUS-Sulphur Springs COVID Counts: 9,200 Vaccines Administered, 1,233 Inpatient & 75 Outpatient Infusions, 507 Inpatients Treated
Local Blood Supply At An All-Time Low creating Serious Supply Issue – Aug. 18 Drive Slated
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, July 30, 2021 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Giving the Community Our Best Shot
Our Sulphur Springs ministry is happy to report that we have administered approximately 9,200 COVID vaccines (the combination of all three brands), as well as 1,233 inpatient infusions of Remdesivir to patients in the hospital. We have also administered around 75 outpatient infusions of the MABs (Bamlanivimab/Regeneron combo). In total, we have treated 507 inpatients with COVID, 498 ER patients, and 85 observation patients, since January 1, 2020.
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 beginning 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 are not required.
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 clinical use, 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 .pm.
- 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
Tira News – July 29, 2021: A 100 Year Old Woman Kayaks At Cooper Lake
By Jan Vaughn
Landon, Laiken, Dixie, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin camped at Cooper Lake State Park last week. Chip, Grace, and I visited them on Saturday evening and swam with the kids. Grace (100) and Chip paddled on the kayaks for a little while, and then we got supper from Tejano’s Mexican Restaurant in Cooper and all enjoyed eating together at the camp site. Laiken’s aunt, Rhonda Harness, brought her grandchildren, Brailee and Levi, over to visit, swim, and play on the kayaks on Friday.
Jason Beck, son of Kim & Lee Beck, will be wrapping up his Naval career and will be heading home from Japan next week. He will have a stop in Washington and then making his way to Dallas to start his new chapter. Kim shared, “We are excited to see him and want to thank Jason for his service!” I know I speak for many others in expressing our appreciation for his service, as well!
Yvonne Weir reported, “Natalie picked up Everly Saturday morning. (Natalie & Dustin had been traveling in Mexico.) Dacy and the kids, also, came by and Eli fished.” She adds, “It was good to see them before I left for South Dakota.” Yvonne enjoys traveling back there to spend time at her family home place.
If you know of anyone who would be interested in a custodial job at North Hopkins ISD in the evenings – 3-11:30 p.m., please have them contact the school at 903-945-2192, Option 3.
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].
Information From the Welding Program at the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center Campus
TESTING
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Director Rob Stanley, right, helps welding student Shane Peters get started on the welding codes and standards test that he is taking so he can continue his progress in the welding program. For information about opportunities available at the campus, 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.
Volleyball Tryouts To Be Held Monday, August 2
Coach Bailey Dorner and her staff will be holding volleyball tryouts at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School on Monday, Aug. 2.
The tryouts will be held on Monday, Aug. 2, from 8 A.M. to 11 A.M. and then 12 P.M. to 1 P.M.
Coach Dorner and her staff will be looking to fill a number of positions left open due to several key seniors graduating; Nylah Lindley signed on to play softball at Tuskegee University in Alabama, Bre’Asia Ivery, Caroline Hurley, and Braylea Brewer all graduated, but arguably the biggest hole to fill is the departure of Sadie Washburn, who signed on to play volleyball at Dallas Baptist University last November.
After tryouts conclude, Coach Bailey Dorner and her volleyball squad will hit the ground running when they begin scrimmage and tournament play shortly thereafter.
The volleyball schedule, which was submitted to KSST on Monday, July 12, can be found here.
But before games get underway, Coach Dorner will again be holding volleyball tryouts starting August 2 from 8 A.M. to 11 A.M. and then 12 P.M. to 1 P.M. in the SSHS Main Gym.
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.
See You Friday at CANHelp’s Free BTS Fair at Civic Center!
In a KSST Good Morning Show interview, CANHelp’s Executive Director Shanna Martin and Development Manager Jennifer Hancock invited everyone to come to the 2021 Back to School Fair set for Friday July 30 from 3-6pm. Doors will open at 3pm. It is free for families of students in any Hopkins County, Sulphur Springs, and Yantis school district.
Inside and outside, there will be plenty of fun activities and attractions. Hopkins County EMS Ambus will bring “Dixie the Therapy Dog” and “Champ” the Dallas Mavericks mascot will be there for part of the afternoon. Bounce houses, snow cones, live music by DJ Calvin and grilled hot dogs prepared by the SS Professional Firefighters will be among the outdoor attractions. Carter Blood Care will also be holding a blood drive in the Blood Mobile. Inside, many kinds of health and wellness services will be offered including COVID vaccines, school immunizations, school physicals, dental and vision screenings and adult wellness checkups are among many services which will be present at the Fair, free of charge. Also those parents whose students are already on the list to receive backpacks and school supplies can pick them up between 3 and 6pm. Additionally, an extra pick-up time has been set, from 10am til noon on Friday July 30, for the backpacks and school supplies already reserved for the registered families. In all, 824 students from pre-K through 12th grade will receive backpacks and school supplies, and that number came from the 394 families who signed up before the July 25 deadline. Thank you CANHelp for your service to the families of our community!
MANSFIELD RED, WHITE & ROCKIN’ KIDS TRIATHLON TO BE HELD IN MANSFIELD JULY 30
Kids ages 6 – 15 to Swim Hawaiian Fall’s Lazy River as Part of the Mansfield Triathlon
Kids from across North Texas ages 6 – 15 years old will compete in a fully sanctioned USA Triathlon event in two distances.
Juniors (6 – 10 years) compete in a 130-meter swim, followed by a 3.1 mile bike ride and half-mile race.
Seniors (11 – 15 years) swim for 200 meters, bike for 6.2 miles and run a full mile.
Young athletes will swim the Lazy River at Hawaiian Falls, pedal through Mansfield National Golf Course, and then run the bases at Big League Dreams Mansfield.
After the completion of the race kids get to stay and swim/play in the water park all day.
Race Starts 7 a.m.Friday, July 30, 2021
Hawaiian Falls Mansfield
490 Heritage Pkwy South Mansfield 76063
Terrific Tuesdays Respite Program Will Reopen on Tuesday August 3 at 9am at FUMC in Sulphur Springs
Great News! Tammy Reardon has a very special place in her heart for persons affected by Alzheimers Disease, dementia and other causes of memory loss. Upon moving to Hopkins County, Tammy began to look for ways to help in the community. Uncovering a common need among those closest to persons disabled by memory loss… their caregivers…..Tammy organized a way to offer a weekly time-out from their responsibilities as caregivers, many of whom are family members. She calls it the Terrific Tuesdays Club. Upon arrival, each attendee is paired with a caring volunteer who offers one-on-one attention and assistance to fully enjoy their time there. Although closed for one year due to COVID-19 concerns, the Sulphur Springs Terrific Tuesdays Club is back and will re-open on Tuesday August 3, 2021. Tammy and her volunteers are looking forward to helping both caregivers and those with memory loss to have a bright spot each week to look forward to. A major event is planned for the community on Thursday October 7 at 10:30am on Celebration Plaza. For details or with any questions about Terrific Tuesdays or the annual fundraiser, phone Tammy Reardon at 903-243-5620 or drop a line to 301 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482. Also see Sulphur Springs Terrific Tuesdays Club on Facebook.
Sulphur Springs Terrific Tuesdays Club Weekly meetings are held at First United Methodist Church in the common area near the Family Life Center/Gym. The spacious open area is arranged so that members can enjoy interaction with others, enjoy music and games as well as sharing a meal. Social interaction and the opportunity for safe fun are at the heart of Terrific Tuesdays. And caregivers can rest assured that their loved one is receiving quality respite care and an array of interesting and fun activities shared with loving care.
| We meet every Tuesday 9am-2pm to provide a safe environment for your loved one where they can be safely involved in a variety of social activities. | |
| Mission | To provide much needed respite to the caregivers of our community. While enriching the lives of our participants by giving them a safe place to socialize where they feel accepted and encouraged to enjoy life. |
|---|---|
| Description | Our activities are designed to help promote memory stimulation, range of motion, and circulation. |
Many Success Stories Tammy can testify to many successes of the program. She’s seen attendees who haven’t previously been sociable come out of their shell. She has witnessed others who have been fairly silent begin to talk or even sing along to a song they remembered. Others have brightened up when involved in a group game or show-and-tell session. Some caregivers report an improvement for their charges in anticipation for next week’s club meeting, and many experience a general improvement in looking forward to doing things again that they once enjoyed. Almost unanimously, caregivers relate that they appreciate the weekly hours of personal time they gain through Terrific Tuesdays. There are many happy memories and success stories among those who have experienced the Terrific Tuesdays program.
Brashear Woman Accused Of Indecency With A Child
A 32-year-old Brashear woman was jailed on an indecency with a child by exposure warrant Tuesday, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office receive an allegation that Crystal Ann Sievers had sexual contact with a minor associated with her.
“Investigator Shea Shaw investigated the case. He has done an outstanding job since he’s been in CID. He worked up the case, scheduled an interview at the Child Advocacy Center,” HCSO Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford said Wednesday.
Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that coordinates the efforts with professionals charged with the difficult work of investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases. Child advocacy centers offer a safe child-friendly environment to children between the ages of 2-17 who are alleged to have been sexually or severely physically abused or have been a witness to a violent crime. At NETCAC, children are allowed to tell their experiences in a non-leading way to a trained forensic interviewer rather than having to repeat it multiple times to multiple agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution, reducing the potential trauma to the allegedly abused children and their families.
Based on findings during his investigation, Shaw sought and obtained a search warrant for Sievers’ arrest, Weatherford noted.
Sievers, who is also known to use the name Crystal Ann Wyly, was taken into custody Tuesday, July 27, 2021, by Sgt. Richard Greer on the warrant and was transported to jail. The 32-year-old Brashear woman remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, July 28, 2021, on the indecency with a child by exposure charge. Her bond was set at $100,000 on the third-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
Investigation on the case is ongoing, according to the sheriff’s investigator.
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.
