Looking Back at the Early Years of the Foundation Gala in Advance of its 20th Anniversary
October 15, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, TX – The year was 2006, and the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation was relatively new, having begun in 1997. Jackie Voss Thornton had returned to her hometown to care for her mother a few years earlier and had been selected to serve the Foundation as its second director.
If you know Jackie, you know that she came back to town with tons of energy and a friendly personality, but she also had many years of Dallas area fundraising experience in her arsenal. Seeing how well the annual Lights of Life Christmas tree fundraiser (now known as the Snowflake Campaign) was doing, she thought back to her experiences with the annual balls and galas in the Metroplex.
Jackie recalls, “I thought a gala would be a great way to expand on the Lights of Life campaign’s success and was thinking of how we could expand on that. The Crystal Charity Ball and other Dallas fundraising balls and galas seemed like a way to have a fun event and give money to the hospital (then known as Hopkins County Memorial Hospital and operated by the Hopkins County Hospital District)”.
Sharing some of the early challenges to that idea, Jackie laughed as she recounted how some people were concerned that tickets would cost $100 each, and she planned to serve beer and wine at the event! Nevertheless, the community supported the Gala and loved it.
She also shared fond memories of Mickey Masters Barnett who worked with Jackie as the first volunteer chair. Mickey and Jackie designed the stylized tree logo that local citizens all associate with the Foundation Gala and the Lights of Life Campaign.
The first two events were held in December 2006 and 2007 at the Lodge. The successful community response necessitated a move to the Civic Center for the third Gala. It was also moved from December to January. This meant there was no Gala held in the calendar year 2008, but the January 2009 event filled the Civic Center’s exhibit hall.
Wanda Galyean served as the volunteer chair for the second Gala, Peggy and Dr. Bill Dietze chaired the third, and Pam and Tom Sellers chaired the fourth.
“The whole thing was a God thing. I asked ladies from my Church and Pilot Club to help us with the committee, and I asked everyone in town to sponsor. I asked everybody and anybody to help,” shared Jackie.
She saw herself in the cheerleader role, asking committee members to lean into their strong suits with their Gala volunteer contributions. She let them do their thing while she shared the importance of the Gala with the community.
“If someone asked why we needed to raise money for the hospital, I told them it was because we wanted to keep the hospital here. We need the hospital here and ready to help them when they need it,” shared Jackie with as much enthusiasm today as she had in 2006.
“Everybody’s heart is to make a difference for someone else today or in the community. The Gala allows them to see tangible results of their donations and efforts.”
Jackie expressed how those who have followed her in the staff role with the Foundation have continued to add and strengthen the Gala and Foundation. She was happy to know about the event’s longevity and to learn about its positive impact on Hopkins County’s healthcare, which has included funding 35 projects that cost over $3.3 million.
The 20th Gala will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with the theme, A Celebration of Twenty Years. Proceeds will be used to advance local medical offerings with $250,000 going to the Spreading Our Wings campaign to help purchase new medical equipment for the surgical wing expansion at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
A few special throwback moments are in the works to celebrate the people and outcomes of two decades of the Gala. Jackie has made plans to be there and hopes to see lots of folks from past Galas in attendance. She is also excited to meet some new community members as well!
The Hopkins County Heath Care Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. In addition to funding its own free clinics and educational programs, the Foundation also raises money for special projects at the local non-profit hospital, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, and the State special district, the Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS. The funds are used by these two entities to purchase equipment or provide services that a community the size of Hopkins County would not normally have available. The Foundation does this because they believe each and every community member deserves great local health care.
For more information on the Gala, visit the website at Gala2026.Givesmart.com.
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The Foundation will celebrate its next Gala, A Celebration of Twenty Years, on January 24, 2026. Sponsorships, underwriting, and ticket information are available at Gala2026.GiveSmart.com. Please join the Foundation as they continue to improve local healthcare opportunities.
Neighboring Fannin County Institutes Burn Ban
October 15, 2025 – Hopkins County has yet to issue a burn ban this fall, but our neighboring county to the northwest issued one today. Residents of Fannin County are now prohibited from outdoor burning.
Due to dangerous conditions that could lead to fast-moving grassfires, Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to implement a countywide ban on all outdoor burning. That decision came during a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court held Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Fannin County residents are asked to be particularly mindful of any equipment or outdoor work that may cause a spark or ignition source that could go unnoticed.
High winds can cause grassfires to spread very quickly and can cause firefighting to be difficult and dangerous, as well. Please help keep our county safe!
WHEREAS, in accordance with provision of Section 352.081 of the Texas Local Government Code, the Fannin County Judge has found that circumstances present in all or part of the unincorporated area of Fannin County create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning; and
WHEREAS, a finding of such public safety hazard authorizes the imposition of controls on activities which tend to increase the likelihood of such fires;
BE IT THEREFORE ORDERED that the following regulations are hereby established for all unincorporated areas of Fannin County, Texas for the duration of this Order:
(1) Actions Prohibited:
A person violates this Order if the person burns any combustible material (including burn barrels for trash) or orders such burning by others.
(2) Exceptions:
This Order does not apply to outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for (1) firefighter training, (2) public utility, natural gas pipeline, or mining operations, (3) burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Section 153.048, Natural Resources Code, and meet the standards of Section 153.047, Natural Resources Code.
(4) This Order also does not apply to any burns that are conducted in accordance with a plan that has been approved by the natural Resources Conservation Service or by the directors of the Fannin Soil & Water Conservation District.
(5) US-Forest Service employees with RXB2 Burn authority for Caddo Grasslands only.
(6) Welding, including cutting and grinding with the following restrictions: areas 10 ft. radius altered with the fire retardant or non-combustible material, fire fighting capability of 100 gallons of water, fire watch with cell phone, winds less than 20 mph, call into the County Judge or Commissioner AND Local Fire Department (closest to work location), to provide work location address before work begins.
(7) NTMWD may burn within the permanent water area of the Bois d’ Arc Lake with advanced notice to the Sheriff’s office, local fire department(s) for that area and the Emergency Management Office before work begins
(8) UTRWD may burn within the permanent water area of Lake Ralph Hall with advanced notice to the Sheriff’s office, local fire department(s) for that area and the Emergency Management Office before work begins.
Sheriff: 903-583-2143
Emergency Management: 903-640-8484
County Judge: 903-583-7455(3) Enforcement:
(a) Upon notification of suspected outdoor burning, the fire department assigned to the location of the fire shall respond to the scene and take immediate measures to contain and/or extinguish the fire.
(b) As soon as possible, a duly-commissioned peace officer shall be sent to the scene to investigate the nature of the fire.
(c) This Order may be enforced in accordance with section 352.081 of the Texas Local Government Code. An offense based on a violation of this Order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00.
(4) Duration:
This order shall remain in effect from the effective and extended dates listed below, and shall continue upon determination by the Commissioners Court, either by its own action, or through the County Judge as its authorized agent, in which the circumstances referred to herein no longer exist, whichever is earlier.
So ordered and effective immediately this 14th day of October, 2025 for 7 days.
In Texas, local governments are empowered to take action on the behalf of those they serve. When drought conditions exist, a burn ban can be put in place by a county judge or county commissioners court prohibiting or restricting outdoor burning for public safety.
A burn ban means no outdoor burning is allowed, except in an enclosure that contains all flames and/or sparks. Non-commercial cooking, such as backyard cookouts and barbeques, are still allowed. Any outdoor welding and/or other “hot work” must be performed in accordance with fire code requirements.
As of this posting, there is no significant precipitation in the 7 day forecast.
Texas Data Center Boom Looks to Natural Gas For Power
October 15, 2025 – Texas’ data center boom is pushing the state closer to new natural gas generation as the only fast, reliable way to meet unprecedented power demand`s. With AI compute farms and hyperscale server hubs sprouting up across the state, industry and grid operators are raising concerns about whether existing electricity infrastructure can keep up.
Many data center developers are already opting to build their own gas-fired power plants on campus, rather than wait years for grid interconnections. These plants can ramp up instantly and offer a predictable supply—advantages that wind, solar, or batteries often can’t match for heavy continuous loads. Some new projects claim they will rely heavily on renewables, but for now, most are leaning into gas to avoid delays and stability risks.
The shift raises important questions about Texas’ energy trajectory. For years, the state has celebrated its growth in wind and solar, but the rise of data centers is tilting the balance toward fossil fuels in the near term. The state’s energy planning is being tested: Can grid upgrades, transmission expansion, and cleaner technologies keep pace with both industrial demand and decarbonization goals?
If Texas is going to remain a top destination for data infrastructure, policymakers and industry must work hand in glove to coordinate power supply, streamline permitting, and invest in technology that can bridge the gap between scale and sustainability. Without that, the race to build compute may drive a parallel race toward more gas generation—just to keep the lights on.
Abbott Announces $278 Million Loan for Freestone County Power Plant Ahead of Data Center Boom
October 15, 2025 – Governor Greg Abbott has announced a new Texas Energy Fund (TxEF) loan to support construction of a 460-megawatt natural gas power plant in Freestone County, part of Calpine Corporation’s new Pin Oak Creek Energy Center. The $278.3 million low-interest loan—covering 60% of the $464 million project—marks the fourth TxEF agreement since the program began earlier this year.
Set to begin operation before summer 2026, the plant will add critical dispatchable power to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid. Governor Abbott said the investment will “keep prices affordable and ensure continued reliability for all Texans.” Public Utility Commission Chairman Thomas Gleeson noted that TxEF-backed projects have now brought nearly 1,800 MW of new generation online statewide, with more expected as 13 additional projects undergo review.
The facility, located near Calpine’s existing Freestone Energy Center, will serve the ERCOT North Load Zone, which includes the growing Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Calpine Executive Vice President Caleb Stephenson said the plant is designed to start within minutes—providing stability during peak demand periods.
Texas faces rising electricity consumption, driven in part by rapid data center expansion and new AI computing facilities that require constant high-power availability. ERCOT projects that demand could reach 218 gigawatts by 2031, making investments in fast-start natural gas plants increasingly vital.
The Texas Energy Fund, created by the Legislature and administered by the PUC, offers competitive low-interest loans to add new, reliable power to the state’s grid. As Texas continues to balance its economic and technological growth with grid stability, projects like Calpine’s Freestone County plant represent a key step in strengthening the state’s energy foundation for the future.
Ionic, Nscale Deal Highlights AI Growth as Texas Data Center Boom Accelerates
October 15, 2025 – A major lease agreement between Ionic Digital and Nscale is boosting Texas’s rising role in AI and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. Under a contract announced in mid-October 2025, Nscale will lease the full 234-megawatt capacity of Ionic Digital’s Cedarvale facility in Ward County. The agreement is a 10-year, triple-net lease valued at about $2 billion, giving Ionic steady revenue while allowing it to monetize existing infrastructure rather than relying solely on Bitcoin mining.
Under the deal, Nscale will deploy approximately 104,000 NVIDIA GB300 GPUs to support Microsoft’s AI services. The site’s power load is expected to expand over time, with options for adding more capacity.
Wider Data Center Trend in Texas
This deal is only one example of rapidly growing data center investment across Texas. A few other recent highlights:
- In Shackleford County, Vantage Data Centers is planning a massive new AI-campus (called “Frontier”) spanning roughly 1,200 acres with a projected 1.4 gigawatt capacity.
- In San Antonio, Vantage is also building several large data centers on the city’s far West Side — a 432,800 sq. ft. facility planned for 96 MW capacity is expected to break ground in October 2025 and be completed by mid-2027.
- In Ector County (in the Permian Basin), the joint venture Texas Critical Data Centers (TCDC), led by New Era Energy & Digital and Sharon AI, is advancing a 250 MW AI/HPC campus, including infrastructure engineering, land acquisition, and behind-the-meter power planning.
Behind-the-meter (BTM) power planning involves designing and implementing on-site energy systems, such as solar panels, battery storage, or microgrids, to power a facility directly. This type of planning aims to reduce energy costs, improve reliability during outages, and increase energy independence by minimizing reliance on the traditional electric grid. Effective BTM planning includes assessing factors like available space, site conditions, local utility rate structures, and integrating these systems with an energy management system for optimization.
Implications and Challenges
With all this growth, Texas’s power grid and regulatory framework are coming under increased scrutiny. For example, ERCOT projects that peak electricity demand could approach 218 gigawatts by 2031, driven in large part by data centers among other large-load users.
There’s also growing conversation around sustainability: energy sourcing, cooling systems, and environmental permitting are rising in importance. Some companies are pursuing onsite power, behind-the-meter generation, and streamlined permits.
Texas is clearly in the center of a major shift toward AI infrastructure and data center expansion. The Ionic/Nscale lease is a signal that infrastructure owners are rethinking business models (from crypto mining to AI hosting), while broader projects indicate Texas will increasingly see compute power and energy demand rise—along with the challenge of balancing economic potential with sustainable practices.
Target and Walmart Push Back on New Retail Theft Laws, Citing Self-Checkout Losses
October 14, 2025 – Large retailers including Target and Walmart are pushing back against a newly proposed law aimed at curbing retail theft by increasing oversight and regulation of self-checkout lanes. The proposed legislation would require stricter rules for self-checkout systems, including more staff monitoring, item caps, and possibly removing access to some kiosks altogether.
Retailers argue that while theft is a growing concern, self-checkout remains popular with customers as a convenience tool. They claim the law would raise operational costs and potentially lead to longer lines or reduced availability of self-checkout options.
The data supports some of their concerns: theft rates are significantly higher at self-checkout compared with traditional cashier-staffed lanes. Self-checkout shrinkage (losses due to theft or error) tends to average 3.5% to 4% of sales, while traditional checkouts typically lose less than 1%. Reports show many incidents involve “skip-scanning” (failing to scan items properly or intentionally) and mis-scanning — often mistakes or abuse by shoppers. Some studies estimate self-checkout sees up to four times more shrink than staffed lanes.
In response, Target has already begun implementing limits — for example, most of its stores now limit self-checkout to 10 items or fewer, paired with more staffed lanes for larger purchases. Walmart has selectively removed or reduced self-checkout kiosks in some locations experiencing high theft.
Supporters of the new law argue that stronger regulation is necessary to stop organized retail crime, which has exacerbated shrinkage across the industry. Opponents say that while theft must be addressed, the legislation should balance consumer convenience and cost. As the debate unfolds, both Target and Walmart are bracing for adjustments, both at the checkout and in lobbying efforts around the bill.
Attorney General Paxton Uncovers Illegal Activities by EPIC City Developers
October 14, 2025 – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the identification of evidence that entities connected to the East Plano Islamic Center (“EPIC”) land development project violated federal and state securities laws and regulations. Attorney General Paxton has formally requested that the Texas State Securities Board (“TSSB”) immediately review the findings and refer the matter back to the Office of the Attorney General in order to file a lawsuit against those who broke the law.
“After a thorough investigation, it has become clear that the developers behind EPIC City flagrantly and undeniably violated the law,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The bad actors behind this illegal scheme must be held accountable for ignoring state and federal regulations. In accordance with state law, the TSSB should review our findings and refer this matter to me for further legal action.”
In March, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into EPIC City. He then expanded the investigation and requested documents from local municipalities and other entities that may have coordinated with those involved in the unlawful development. This thorough investigation revealed that certain people and entities affiliated with EPIC City violated state and federal securities law.
In order to sue and hold the parties behind EPIC City accountable, the Office of the Attorney General must receive a referral from the Texas State Securities Board. Attorney General Paxton has invited Chairman E. Wally Kinney and Commissioner Travis J. Iles to examine the initial findings and corresponding evidence that demonstrates the EPIC City development project violated the law and subsequently refer the matter back to the Attorney General’s office for further legal action if the TSSB agrees with the office’s findings.
Data Center Water Use in Texas Remains Unclear Amid Limited Reporting
October 14, 2025 – State officials say Texas still does not have a clear picture of how much water its rapidly growing data center industry is consuming, raising concerns about resource management in one of the nation’s most drought-prone states.
A spokesperson for the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) confirmed that the state lacks a comprehensive list of data centers, though estimates place the total between 350 and 400 facilities. In 2024, the agency sent about 70 surveys to data centers requesting monthly water-use data and supplier information. Only 18 companies responded.
While data centers are legally required to complete the TWDB survey, failure to do so carries a modest penalty—up to $500 per violation. The agency has not disclosed how many fines, if any, have been issued.
Data centers, essential to powering cloud computing and artificial intelligence, rely heavily on water for cooling. Many companies have adopted closed-loop cooling systems to reduce usage, but others cite proprietary technology and business confidentiality to withhold details about their operations.
With drought conditions frequently affecting Texas, accurate water data is vital for long-term planning and conservation. Without improved reporting, experts warn that state officials could be underestimating industrial demand in areas already facing tight water supplies.
Governor Abbott Honors Fentanyl Victims At 3rd Annual Fentanyl Awareness Walk In San Antonio
October 14, 2025 | San Antonio, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott yesterday honored the hard work of Texas families and community members raising awareness of the nationwide fentanyl crisis at the 3rd Annual “Soles 4 Souls” Fentanyl Awareness Walk.
“We will continue to grow this movement until we purge fentanyl forever in the United States of America,” said Governor Abbott. “There’s an unfortunate fact that we all must understand—there’s more work to be done. All I can ask is that you take the message you learned today and expand it tenfold around San Antonio, around Texas, making our city and our state an ever safer place.”
The Governor was joined at the annual walk by San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz-Jones, “Soles Walking 4 Souls” Directors Kathy Drago and Christina Villagrana, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, San Antonio Police Department Chief of Police William McManus, KSAT-TV News Anchor Courtney Friedman, and other fentanyl poisoning awareness advocates.
Since the Texas Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law House Bill 3144 in 2023, Governor Abbott has proclaimed every October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month to raise awareness and educate Texans about the dangers of fentanyl to save more lives. The Governor also issued a proclamation designating October 12-18, 2025, as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week to teach Texas children about deadly fentanyl and live-saving lessons to protect their lives and their futures.
Earlier this year, Governor Abbott announced the launch of an online interactive map by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) that pinpoints where Texans can acquire for free or purchase life-saving Naloxone (NARCAN) as part of the statewide “One Pill Kills” campaign. This tool will help Texans locate over-the-counter NARCAN to prevent fentanyl poisonings and help save lives.
Since the launch of Texas’ “One Pill Kills” campaign, the state has seen a positive impact in the lives of Texans. New data published by DSHS on the Texas fentanyl data dashboard shows that fentanyl poisoning deaths from July 2024 through June 2025 decreased by more than 42% when compared with the previous 12 months. The decreases come after five straight years of increases, which saw fentanyl-related poisoning deaths in Texas rise over 600% from 2019 to 2023, taking the lives of more than 7,000 innocent Texans in just four years.
The Co-Chairs of the 2025-2026 Hopkins County United Way Dropped by for a Chat on This Second Cup Of Coffee
October 13, 2025 – The Co-Chairs of the 2025 Hopkins County United Way, Ashley Crump and Kaitlyn Hankins, sat down with John Mark Dempsey to chat about the United Way campaign on this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey. Learn how your local United Way is helping your community, see what’s new with them this year, and find out how you can help them out on this interesting episode of A Second Cup Of Coffee.
