North Hopkins ISD Superintendent Resigns To Accept Administrative Post At Ennis ISD
School Board Launches Search For New Superintendent; Applications Accepted Through March 17
In a press release Tuesday morning, North Hopkins ISD Superintendent Darin Jolly and Board of Trustees President Sherry Smiddy announced Jolly’s resignation and the launch of a search for a new superintendent.
According to the release, the North Hopkins ISD Board of Trustees approved Dr. Darin Jolly’s resignation, effective March 4, 2021, during a Special 6:30 p.m. board meeting Monday, March 1.
Jolly accepted an administrative position in Ennis ISD, south of Dallas, closer to several relatives and family members. Jolly will serve as Assistant Superintendent of Accountability and Operations, overseeing the daily operation of Ennis ISD, beginning March 5, the new release stated.
Jolly is scheduled to return to North Hopkins the week of March 15, during Ennis’ spring break, to provide transitional leadership for the district and will conclude his services to NHISD on March 23. Jolly has offered to be available, as needed, periodically in future days this semester, to assist the district and help a new superintendent become acclimated to NHISD.
The school board has launched the search for a new North Hopkins ISD superintendent, with a deadline of March 17, for applications. A board committee is currently exploring interim superintendent possibilities to add district leadership and support during the search process time.
“I am thankful for five great years in North Hopkins ISD. I have enjoyed leading this great district and community where so many great accomplishments were achieved for the amazing students in Panther Land. I’m thankful to have served with the North Hopkins ISD Board of Trustees in the constant quest for excellence. I will miss everyone and look forward to hearing of the many future successes of the district,” Dr. Darin Jolly stated.
“With heavy hearts our North Hopkins Board is thankful for the success of our school under the leadership of Dr. Darin Jolly. We are thankful for his service and his willingness to help provide a smooth search and leadership transition for our next superintendent. Our board is unified in continuing our tradition of excellence with high expectations of leadership for our next
Superintendent of Schools,” NHISD Board of Trustees President Sherry Smiddy stated.
Sulphur Springs ISD Employees Will Receive Pay, Some At Premium, For Days School Was Closed Due To Weather
District Applying To TEA For Waivers For 5 Missed School Days
Sulphur Springs ISD employees will receive pay for the days school was closed due to winter weather; the district will also seek state waivers for 5 missed school days due to extreme, dangerous road and other conditions due to ice and snow last month.
SSISD Board of Trustees held a special meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in the Hopkins County Civic Center Exhibit Hall to consider wage payments during emergency school closings. They were asked and agreed to approve Resolution 1-21, which essentially says employees will not lose pay for time they were instructed not to work and were idle during the emergency school closings between Feb. 11and Feb. 19, 2021, due to extreme weather conditions, which not only made roads dangerous for travel, but also left many without water and power.
The resolution stipulates that wage payments will continue for all regular employees, contractual and noncontractual, salaried and non-salaried.
While many employees were home, there were some who were required to work during the emergency closings. Nonexempt employees who were called on to provide emergency-related services as part of the district’s response to the inclement weather and its effects from Feb. 11-Feb. 19 will be paid at premium rate as outlined in DEA(Local) policy for that time.
Administrators noted that some staff, especially Dan Froneberger and his staff, really stepped up during the closures to help address needs, which included some weather-related damages. Superintendent Mike Lamb noted that metal pipes were determined to no necessarily be the best type during extremely cold temperatures.
The trustees also approved submission of an application to Texas Education Agency requesting waivers for 5 days school was closed due to the weather emergency. The district plans to ask for a waiver which would exempt the district from having to make up Thursday, Feb. 11, and Tuesday-Friday, Feb. 16-19, later this year.
Following the very brief special school board meeting, the trustees entered into a work session with the Strategic Planning Committee to review the strategic plan developed one year ago, just before spring break, and determine what if any adjustments need to be made to the plan moving forward.
Lamb asked the committee and trustees to consider the major events that have occurred over the last 12 months, how that has impacted community members’ feelings toward educator and the social, emotional and learning impact of various events.
The district had planned to implement the strategic plan following spring break 2020, however, the pandemic closed schools for the rest of the school year, forced districts to use and attain technology quicker and provided some additional funding to enable districts to better do so. It also gave many a different perspective on all virtual and at-school learning environments and social interactions. The extreme winter weather last month showed the stress it has on infrastructure.
The number one goal, Lamb told the group is to pick up the ball and move forward. Administrators have met with district leadership groups to talk of ways to move forward following COVID, and what if any changes will be need once more are vaccinated and the number of infected individuals declines to a level that some pandemic measures can be relaxed or lifted.
The work session concluded with the committee deciding that the plans developed one year ago are appropriate and giving approval to begin implementing the plan.
Plant Some Trees This Winter! by Mario Villarino
According to King A.R former graduate student in the horticulture department in Texas A&M University and contributor for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, from the gardening perspective, the cold months of the year can seem to be relatively mundane.
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, garden activities seem less numerous and important. These cold months have been reserved for planting bulbs, soil preparation, and a few other garden chores. This year, why not think about taking advantage of this time to plant some trees.
When you plant a container-grown tree, there is often transplant stress as the tree acclimates to a different environment. Some species react more negatively than others to this change, but almost all trees suffer aesthetically and stop growth.
Winter is a wonderful time to plant trees and shrubs because cooler temperatures, though not ideal for growth, provide a much-needed time for root development and acclimation for the new tree, thus reducing transplant stress. Winter is also often a time of ample rainfall, resulting in even less tree stress. Local nurseries have a good selection of trees during winter.
When deciding which tree(s) to plant, you should take into account the characteristics of the proposed planting site, such as the amount of sun the site receives, the soil drainage, and the amount of room the tree will have to spread. Ask local nursery professionals about trees that are particularly well adapted for your area.
Here are a few safe options when looking for trees that thrive in Texas:
Consider these large trees:
- Baldcypress provides a glimpse of the South, with its picturesque pyramidal shape and fine foliage. Contrary to popular belief it will only grow knees (plant structures that pop out of the soil around the plant) if it is not receiving enough oxygen in the soil, such as in very wet conditions.
- Live Oak has a beautifully-rounded habit, and is well-adapted to most of Texas which makes it a natural for planting in landscapes.
- Shumard Oak is a wonderful species of Oak for our area, and it is one of the most dependable Oaks for red fall color in Texas.
For more confined spaces, consider some very attractive small trees:
- Crape Myrtles come in almost all colors and sizes, so it is a great choice for a number of different uses.
- Chinese Fringe Tree, although more rare, is a good small tree that puts on a spectacular show of refined, white flowers for two weeks in the spring. During the rest of the year, it has deep, dark, glossy green foliage and a nice shape that will certainly enhance any landscape.
- Redbud is also a wonderful choice for Texas plantings. It is typical in the fact that it has pink blooms in early spring, but it differs from other Redbuds by its beautiful dark purple or even maroon foliage. This deep, lush foliage makes for an interesting specimen and along with its eclectic seed pods provides interest throughout the year.
Winter buying and planting of trees also lends itself to another use; even if the people you are buying for do not garden, you could plant the tree for them and provide enjoyment and added character to the landscape.
As I prepare this article, the Hopkins County Master Gardeners had planted a Royal Empress Tree (Paulowinia Elongata) at the Regional Civic Center in memory of Robert “Bob” Suson, former Hopkins County Master Gardener president and Hopkins County Master Gardener who recently pass away By planting a tree, Bob Suson will be remembered in a very special way. So, brave the cool weather and plant some trees. Come spring, you willl be glad you did!
SNAP Benefit Replacement for SNAP Users from Winter Storm
This information was submitted to KSST on March 1, 2021 by Karon Weatherman, Director of the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center
SNAP Benefit Replacement – If you, someone you know, or people in your community lost food during Winter Storm Uri, purchased with SNAP EBT dollars, they are eligible to have those food expenses put back on their SNAP EBT card.
This claim must be completed by March 31st.
Here’s how:
By Phone – (recommended)SNAP customers can request a benefit replacement for food lost or destroyed due to the winter storm in February 2021 by calling 2-1-1 You do not need to go to an HHSC local office.Call 2-1-1, select a language and then choose Option 2.
By Paper – To request a benefit replacement using form H1855:Complete Form H1855, Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed Food Stamp BenefitsSubmit it by mail or fax.Many smartphones have free downloadable FAX Apps that use your phone’s cameraLink to forms here (.docx, .pdf, Spanish and English)
Mail: Texas Health & Human Services Commission, PO Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027Fax: 1-877-447-2839
If you still need additional assistance, you can contact NTFB at 214-269-0906 or [email protected] to speak to our social service team
Karon Weatherman, Program and Marketing Director
Senior Citizen’s Center, 150 Martin Luther King Blvd
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482 (903) 885-1661
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Feb. 22-28, 2021
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of Feb. 22-28, 2021, included the following activity:
Arrests
- Melissa Griffin, 48 years of age, of Quinlan was arrested on Feb. 23, 2021, for Possession of a Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance, 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams.
- David Sanders, 51 years of age, of Leesburg was arrested on Feb. 28, 2021, on a Tarrant County warrant for Possession of a Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance, 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 128 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 42 citations and 37 warnings during this reporting period.
County Commissioners Consider Request For A Property Tax Payment Refund
Hopkins County Commissioners during a special court session called Monday, the Commissioners Court acted on a request for a property tax payment refund, accepted a donation and tabled a a contract to obtain new equipment for Precinct 1.
Tax Payment Refunding Request
On Feb. 22, the Commissioners Court was asked to consider a request from Carlos Whitaker for the $5,367.16 he paid on someone else’s taxes to be refunded to him.
Hopkins County Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Pogue Mitchell at the Feb. 22 meeting explained that the county had received a letter requesting the refund.
“Someone had told the man if he paid the taxes, it was going to be his. He didn’t pay Sulphur Springs ISD because they were quite a bit more than ours, but he did pay Hopkins County for three accounts in the amount of $5,367.16. So, they are asking for a refund of that money back to Mr. Whitaker,” Mitchell explained to the Commissioners one week ago.
Mitchell directed the request to the Commissioners Court because the amount paid is over $500; any refund above $500 requires a ruling by the Commissioners Court.
“I have to do refunds all the time for things from the Appraisal District, but I don’t ever have customers that pay other people’s accounts that come back and ask for a refund. That’s also very unusual,” Mitchell noted.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley pointed out the man did not go through the proper channels regarding the matter and asked why he didn’t go through his attorney to handle that transaction.
“I don’t know,” Mitchell replied to Bartley. “I didn’t wait on him. I don’t know what his intent was. The first story that I was kinda involved with, this man thought his house was built on one of these tracks. It is not, had nothing to do with it. The one acre that his house is on is like three tracts over. I don’t know where he got his information. I have no idea what the man had in his mind.”
Mitchell recommended that the $5,367.16 paid by Whitaker on the other person’s taxes be refunded to him.
“He should get his money back. He’s not going to get the property,” Mitchell said on Feb. 22, noting that approximately $10,000 in taxes are still owed to Sulphur Springs ISD for the properties in question. “Just because he paid me, he’s not going to get the property, and it wouldn’t matter if he paid the school, he’s not going to get the property. It does have a suit on it, but he was way out of line in paying the taxes.”
“My opinion is he was not trying to pay the taxes for someone. His intent was not to pay the taxes for someone. His intent was to gain the land so he was misinformed,” County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook told the court last week.
Bartley said he’d like to have more time to think about the matter, and made a motion Feb. 22 to table the matter. Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price seconded the motion, and the Commissioners Court unanimously agreed to table the request.
Monday, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom noted that the commissioners had time a work session last week to take a closer look at the situation and discuss it.
They “un-tabled” the request, with Price making the motion to return the money to Whitaker as requested. Bartley seconded the motion, which then received unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court.
Other Court Business
The agenda called for the Commissioners Court to consider approving the purchase of a 2019 Volvo pneumatic roller for Precinct 1 through Buyboard cotnract with Romco Equipment Company. However, at the March 1, 2021 meeting, Barker asked that the request be tabled. He noted that he needed to gather more information regarding the matter. Barker said he had planned to rent the needed equipment, but may still propose something different. He noted the Aulsbrook is checking into the matter for him.
Aulsbrook recommended accepting a donation of $41,538 from Summit Ranch Investments to Precinct 4 for road repairs on County Road 4721, and approving a budget amendment to move that funding from the general fund to the Precinct 4 road building fund to be used to make road repairs on CR 4721.
“I have a gentleman who bought some property down there. He’s wanting to be able to access Interstate 30, so he’s going to pay to have it rocked,” Price said, noting that there’s a house and the intend to add at 1-2 more homes along that stretch.
The court agreed and approved the budget amendment.
The Commissioners Court also approved payment of bills, revenues and expenses, and financial statements are presented. Typically, these items would have been approved at the Feb. 22 meeting. Aulsbrook at that time explained that her office had been off last week due to the weather and asked that the court delay payment and approval of all except payroll for another week to allow time for the necessary work to prepare them.
Hopkins County Received 153 Pallets Of Water, 2 Trailers Full Of Supplies Donated Following Winter Storms
Emergency Management Officials, Businessmen Recognized For ‘Meritorious Service’ During Winter Weather Disaster
Hopkins County received 153 pallets of water and two trailers full of supplies donated to help those in need in the community following February’s extreme winter weather. Two emergency management officials, the sheriff and local businessmen were recognized Monday by Hopkins County Commissioners Court for “meritorious service” during and immediately following February’s winter disaster.
Bottled Water Distribution
Hopkins County Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator Kristy Springfield, during Mondays special called Commissioners Court meeting, reported the county received 153 pallets of water to distribute to help county residents and others in the region who either had no water, low water pressure and those under boil water orders, especially North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation customers whose water had been turned off a few times over the weekend by the City of Sulphur Springs.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley expressed appreciation to TDEM and Rep. Bryan Slaton and Senator Bob Hall’s Office for going above and beyond to help.
“They really got on the ball and really helped us get things moving, Because we weren’t projected to get water until this past Friday. So we’d have gone the whole week without anything. They made a lot of phone calls and they got things moving for us,” Endsley said. “To all the Commissioners and precinct workers, that was a huge help having them out there, and the trustees and the sheriff’s department. There’s a lot of people involved in this. They got in there and joined up together, local citizens there in North Hopkins Water [Supply Corporation district]. We really appreciate it.”
Texas Department of Emergency Management sent 151 pallets of water, each containing 50 cases of bottled water, and Texas Baptist Men donated two pallets of water as well. Three pallets of water were sent to neighboring Delta County and 48 pallets to Lamar County, which were also experiencing water issues as well. Springfield reported.
County officials staged at Joe Bob’s store in Birthright most days from 8:30 a.m. until nearly 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Feb. 22-25, handing out water two cases per household at a time to NHWSC residents. Overall, 58 pallets of water were distributed to NHWSC customers.
Five pallets of water went to North Hopkins ISD and three pallets of water to Sulphur Bluff ISD so the schools, which had to cancel classes Monday, Feb. 22, due to the lack of water, could resume classes. Precinct 1 and Precinct 3 received three pallets of water. The City of Sulphur Springs received five pallets of water for customers in the city with water issues as well.
Overall, that’s 128 pallets of water distributed last week in Hopkins County, leaving 25 pallets that are still available in the county if anyone is still in need of water. Water in the county is in the process of being relocated to Hopkins County Community Chest, and will be available by contacting the agency as soon as that process is complete. Anyone living in Sulphur Springs who is still in need of water may contact Sulphur Springs Police Department at 903-885-7602.
Rewritten Story Donation
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum also reported that The Rewritten Story Foundation from North Carolina over the weekend donated two trailers and vehicles packed full of supplies to the county to help those in need following the winter storms. The organization’s purpose is to to “provide aid in times of crisis and pay tribute to our nation’s heroes.”
The sheriff explained that the North Carolina group heard about the problems in Texas and wanted to help. Randy Vann, a new resident here in Hopkins County, reach out to them last week via Facebook and asked if he could bless some residents of Hopkins County after the winter storms.
Tracy Story, a tire shop owner in North Carolina who founded the organization and serves as a part-time deputy/drug interdiction officer at Halifax County who donates his pay from the county to charities, asked his community for donations.
Story, Thomas Barrett, Randy Rolfe, Sean Cook and Caleb Cook made the 26 hour drive from North Carolina Friday to reach Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 7:30 Saturday to deliver the two trailer loads of donated items for local individuals.
The donations included everything from water to socks, diapers, blankets, Gatorade, clothing, formula, wipes, hand sanitizer, towels, vitamins, personal hygiene products, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, batteries, paper products, pet food, peanut butter and jelly and lots of other food. Tatum said the items were donated with the condition only to that it be used for help anyone who might be in need.
The dog food has already been donated to an animal rescue group in northern Hopkins County.
Tatum asked the court’s approval to donate the items, which are being sorted over the next couple of days, to residents in “Section 8 apartments on Woodlawn Street.” He said the amount wasn’t enough to open to the entire county to meet needs, but officials at HCSO feel there’s enough items to put into boxes and distribute to those needy individuals at the location to help them out.
The Commissioners Court expressed appreciation to The Rewritten Story Foundation of North Carolina for their generosity and gladly approved the donations to be distributed a box each to individuals in need in the community.
Service Recognition
The Commissioners Court recognized Burgin and employees at Joe Bob’s/Burgin Pipe in Birthright for “meritorious service provided during the disaster of the winter weather of February 2021.”
“I’d like to recognize Kristy and our Fire Marshal Andy Endsley for all the work they did to get us the water and helped distribute it. I appreciate you,” Barker said.
“I’d like to thank Mr. Joe Bob Burgin for his part in this. Through Burgin Pipe out there, they loaned us their lot to distribute these about 3,000 cases of water. That was a lot of work. Without Luke, your supervisor out there helping unload that, we’d have had an awful big job on our hands. And Joe Bob, I certainly appreciate you,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price said.
“We went to Corey, when we saw we saw we were going to have a large amount of water coming in. I asked him for permission. He said, ‘Don’t ask me again, just bring whatever you’d got to do.’ So was very cooperative and helpful. I appreciate that,” Barker said.
Price expressed thanks to him for allowing the county to disrupt the flow of traffic and business, and assisting in unloading. At one point on Wednesday, eight 18-wheelers sent by TDEM arrived at one time filled with pallets of water.
Barker and Price’s precinct crews also assisted at the water distribution site, as did the jail trustees.
recognized Joe Bob and Corey Burgin for allowing the county to use the Burgin Pipe and Steel property connected to Joe Bob’s in Birthright to distribute the water at a central location for distribution to NHWSC residents last week and assistance from business employees in unloading the pallets.
Joe Bob Burgin, who was on hand at Monday’s Commissioners Court meeting, noted they were glad to be able to help.
“This has been a quite a trying time for the county, you came through and pulled together,” Newsom said.
Wildcats Golf Team Places Sixth at Two-Day Tourney at Squaw Valley Links Course in Glen Rose
Playing against a good field of 13 teams, the Wildcats Golf Team finished in sixth place at a tournament at Squaw Valley Links Course in Glen Rose this past Friday and Saturday (February 26-27).
The Wildcats shot 315 Friday and 313 Saturday for a total of 628.
Kip Childress shot 76 and 77 for a 153 total, good for 25th place. Rylan Brewer and Grant Mohesky shot 158 total and tied for 29th place. Brewer had rounds of 81 and 77 while Mohesky was consistent shooting 79 and 79. Caleb Kesting had 79 and 92 for a total of 171, good for 43rd place. Luke Dietze shot 95 and 80 for 175, good for 46th place.
The Wildcats will compete in the Pine Tree sponsored Twisted 54 Tournament with 18 holes this Friday at Wood Hollow Golf Club in Longview and then 36 holes Saturday at Tempest Golf Club in Gladewater.
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.
Dinner Bell Menu For March 3, 2021
Dinner Bell Menu for March 3, 2021
First Presbyterian Church is the Community Partner
MENU
Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Breasts
Rice Pilaf
Marinated Vegetables Over Torn Lettuce
Buttered French Bread Slices
Peach Cobbler Crisp
Dinner Bell remains a Grab and Go distribution system for meals. Meals may be secured by driving under the covered driveway on the Northeast Corner of The First United Methodist Church Campus after 11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays.
PLEASE WEAR MASKS. WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN. KEEP SIX FEET FROM OTHERS. DINNER BELL CARES! STAY HEALTHY!
Wildcats Baseball and Lady Cats Softball Games Are Washed Away on Monday
Both the Wildcats Baseball game and the Lady Cats Softball game scheduled for Monday, Mar. 1 have been wiped out by rain. The Wildcats were scheduled to play at North Lamar Monday. The Lady Cats’ schedule had them playing at Caddo Mills Monday. Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo said there was a slight chance the game could be made up Wednesday at Lady Cat Park. A decision on that game could come Tuesday.
Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats are expected to be in tournaments Thursday through Saturday this week, weather permitting. The Wildcats hope to play in the 2021 Raider Classic at Wylie East. The Lady Cats are planning to play in a tournament at Canton.
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.
