Emergency Sirens to be Tested Today
Emergency Sirens will be tested in Sulphur Springs today, Monday February 22, 2021. The test will be conducted by the Sulphur Springs Emergency Management office. The test will be conducted at noon.
The test is to gauge the reliability of the emergency warning system and is conducted to find any potential flaws in the system. Recent tests have shown the emergency sires to be a ready source of warning in case of emergencies such as weather or other threats to safety.
This is only a test.
North Hopkins Water Supply Needs Your Help
Valves Opened at 10 a.m., But It Could Be Several Hours Before Residents Have Water As the System Has To Re-pressurize First
If you live in the North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation (NHWSC) service area you are feeling the frustration of the water supply issues that are occurring. As NHWSC is the largest customer of the Sulphur Springs Water Department, and water usage overall has gone way up for everyone mainly due to water leaks. Sulphur Springs has had to cut off the supply to NHWSC in fear of Sulphur Springs running out of water. NHWSC has already issued a boil notice but that is of little consequence currently as the supply was shut off from Sulphur Springs to NHWSC after 2 1/2 hours this morning.
With over 2,500 meters and over 300 miles of water lines, NHWSC has a lot of area to cover and is working diligently to try and find any leaks that they have on their system. Over the weekend, they shut off over 100 meters that had leaks on the customer side of the meter and have been looking for leaks on their supply lines as well. NHWSC has received help from area volunteer fire departments and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office as well. Shutting off these meters has helped alleviate some of the problem but still more needs to be done.
With no pressure on the lines, it will become much more difficult to find leaks, but NHWSC is asking all of their customers to do what they can to inspect their property to see if there has been some leaks on the customer side of the meter as well as the water supply lines in their area.
According to General Manger Edgar Clements, the entire staff of NHWSC has been working around the clock to try and correct any problems on their system.
After Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell and Utilities Director James Jordan and NHWSC General Manger Edgar Clements discussed the matter during Hopkins County Commissioners Court this morning, the trio met to discuss a potential plan of action to identify any major leaks.
North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation, like the City of Sulphur Springs, is now offer a 1-million gallon reward to its customers who find a major water leak on their system. A major water leak is defined as a leak on a main line not a service lateral. Additionally, NHWSC is also offering a 100,000-gallon reward for customers who turn in a leak on a service lateral to a vacant building or vacant home.
Both reward offers are good for the next 48 hours beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22. People who identify such a leak should call it in to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office at 903-438-4040. The city will back up the Hopkins County Water Supply Corporation with the free water for those customers who identify leaks.
“Additionally, county emergency management team is sending a small army of people to North Hopkins to look for leaks,” Maxwell noted just before 10 a.m. Monday. “Naturally, they can’t find leaks if the water is not on, so the city is restoring water to the district. It could take a few hours to pressurize the entire system.”
The water valves sending water to NHWSC were reopened at 10 a.m. Feb. 22, city officials reported. However, NHWSC residents likely will not have water immediately. With so many meters and so many miles of water line, it will take a while for the system to re-pressurize, which means it likely will be 3 1/2 hours or potentially longer. for the lines to re-pressurize enough to push it to all NHWSC customers.
NHWSC asks that customers conserve water when they can so that the system can fill back up more quickly and leaks can be identified.
No School Monday At North Hopkins, Sulphur Bluff ISDs Due to NHWSC Water Issues
North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation issues are impacting not just residents but also school and business in North Hopkins as well. North Hopkins ISD at approximately 8:30 p.m. Sunday announced the district will not be able to have school Monday, or until further. Sulphur Bluff ISD also has canceled school on Monday because they won’t have water.
The notice from NHISD Superintendent Darin Jolly states: “Due to inconsistent & unstable water utility assurance at this time, we will postpone our school start until further notice, when possible. No school Monday for sure … hope to resolve ASAP. I’ll keep you posted
Customers of North Hopkins WSC had their water turned off for the second night in a row Sunday due to low water pressure, suspected to be leaks or broken lines at 9 p.m. According to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell, the water will remain off from now onw, turned on only from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily, until “until such time as North Hopkins [WSC] produces a plausible plan for locating the leak(s).”
The notice from Sulphur Bluff School states that there will be “No school Monday based on new information from NH Water Supply Company. No running water will be available during the day to the school district; thus requiring the change.”
SBISD administrators anticipates providing another update Monay afternoon regarding classes Tuesday and thereafter.
North Hopkins WSC Water To Be Shut Off Again Sunday Night
The North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation‘s water is to be shut off again by the City of Sulphur Springs at 9 p.m. Feb. 21, the second night in a row the city has done so at that time. The City of Sulphur Springs plans to turn th ewater back on for two hours a day only moving forward until issues are addressed, according to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell.
The City of Sulphur Springs also shut off NHWSC’s water from 9 p.m. Saturday to 4:30 a.m. Sunday. NHWSC had low water pressure and the City of Sulphur Springs was having trouble filling the water towers because so much water was going out. The city also asked Sulphur Springs residents to report any major water breaks in the city to make sure the city continues to have a sufficient supply of water. The water supply in the city’s water towers, Maxwell explained Saturday night, was low.
“Between our water breaks and water supply corporations water breaks, we are losing water faster than we can pump it into the towers. That is not a sustainable situation. We are investigating use of water supply corporations and will turn them off if there are problems,” Maxwell said when announcing the a reward of 1 million gallons free to city water customers who report major leaks in the city limits in a 24-hour period, which has since been extended until 7:08 p.m. Monday. “We have water and are trying to keep it that way.”
The city turned off North Hopkins Water Supply Corp.’s water at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, as the rural water supplier had very low water pressure, until the source of leak was found.
Three leaks had been discovered within the city limits by 8:20 a.m. Sunday, and the city’s water towers had filled to 2/3 full. NHWSC’s water was turned back on at 4:30 a.m. Sunday.
Just after 8 p.m. Sunday, Maxwell reported, “North Hopkins water Supply Corporation still hasn’t found their leak(s), and they have no plan to do so. The city is going to shut off their water at 9 p.m. tonight. Water service will be restored for 2 hours each morning from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. until such time as North Hopkins produces a plausible plan for locating the leak(s). “
NHWSC on Feb. 19 posted a boil water notice, stating that Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is requiring North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption.
“Our usage demand at this time is great. If you are able to conserve/cut back your usage at all, it would benefit NHWSC customers, All of our equipment is working at this time but is having trouble keeping up with the high demand,” the notice stated.
According to the NHWSC notice, questions concerning the matter may be addressed to North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation Manager Edgar Clements, 9364 Texas Highway 19 N, Sulphur Springs, 903-945-2619; or if a customer, individual, or employee wishes to contact the TCEQ executive director regarding the police water notice at (512)239-4691.
CTE Month Feature 3: SSHS Exercise Science And Wellness, And Health Science Programs
February is Career and Technical Education Month, a public awareness campaign that takes place each February to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. To help Sulphur Springs High School celebrate CTE Month, KSST’s high school interns have compiled short videos featuring a few of the CTE programs offered at SSHS. One will be featured each week during CTE Month.
Principles of Health Science, Principles of Exercise Science and Wellness, & Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness Classes
KSST intern Jamie Cervantes interviewed Principles of Health Science, Principles of Exercise Science and Wellness, and Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness teacher Briana Williams about the Exercise Science and Wellness program and the Health Science program, which allows seniors to apply to participate in a practicum to work toward attaining a Certified Medical Assistant certification
A career path in Exercise Science is geared more toward personal training, how the body works, the biomechanics of it and how to break it down, and how to build a rehabilitation program. The career path for Exercise Science and Wellness is geared more toward attaining certification to work as a personal trainer once they graduate; which with postsecondary training can lead toward careers in physical therapy, athletic training or as an orthopedic doctor. The Exercise Science and wellness class is new this year. This class does not include the traditional types of testing and notetaking, but students are required to complete a type of assessment ot show they are retaining the material and able to demonstrate it.
The Health Science program is geared more toward nursing, medical assisting and orthopedic or other type of specialty doctor. There are multiple programs of study within the Health Science program, which students may discuss with SSHS Director of College and Career Readiness/Career and Technical Education Jenny Arledge to determine the best track to meet their goals.
Be sure to stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230, check out www.KSSTradio.com and the KSST social media accounts to ensure you don’t miss these weekly CTE features. If you missed the first two, be sure to the check them out at the links below:
Week 1: Interior Design Class – Architecture Program
Week 2: Design and Multimedia Arts Program – Graphic Design I and Advanced Graphic Design
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Feb. 22, 2021 Agenda
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING
TIME: 9:00 A.M.
DATE: Monday, February 22, 2021
PLACE: In The Commissioners’ Courtroom On The First Floor Of The Hopkins County Courthouse Located At 118 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX.
I. Invocation
II. Pledge Of Allegiance To The Flag
- A. AMERICAN FLAG
- B. TEXAS FLAG: “Honor The Texas Flag; I Pledge Allegiance To Thee, Texas, One State Under God, One And Indivisible.”
The Following Items Will Be Considered By Commissioners’ Court For Discussion And/Or Action: The Court May Go Into Executive Session To Discuss Legal And/Or Personnel Matters.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
- The Court To Declare A Quorum.
- Consent Agenda.
- i) Approve Previous Meeting Minutes.
- ii) Approval Of Utility Easements, Burial Of Telephone Cables And Construction Of Water Distribution Facilities:
- a) The Court To Consider And Approve A Request From Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. To Construct Electrical Power Distribution Facilities Which Will Cross County Road 2301 Which Is Located 302 Feet South Of CR 2304 In Precinct 2.
- b) The Court To Consider And Approve A Request From Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. To Construct Electrical Power Distribution Facilities Which Will Cross County Road 4804 Which Is Located 4000 Feet Northeast From CR 4745 In Precinct 4.
- c) The Court To Consider And Approve A Request From Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. To Construct Electrical Power Distribution Facilities Which Will Cross County Road 4747 Which Is Located 0.3 Miles South Of FM 71 In Precinct 4.
- The Court To Consider Citizens Comments.
- Other County Business.
- i) The Court To Make A Matter Of Record For The Full Exemption Racial Profiling Report For John Beadle, Hopkins County Constable, Precinct 2
- ii) The Court To Consider And Approve A Request For Refund On Property Taxes Pursuant Property Tax Code 31.11.
- iii) The Court To Recognize Justice Of The Peace – Precinct 1 Judge BJ Teer For Successfully Completing The Death Investigation Training Basics Course Presented By The University Of North Dakota School Of Medicine And Health Sciences Held May 22, 2020 Along With The Spotter Training Program Presented By The National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas, Texas Held January 27, 2021.
- iv) The Court To Review Monthly Reports From County Offices.
- The Court To Consider Approving Budget Amendments And Line Item Transfers.
- The Court Will Consider And Act On Payment Of Bills, Revenues And Expenses, Payroll And Financial Statements.
- The Court To Consider Approving Grants.
- The Court To Consider Accepting Donations.
- The Court To Consider Contracts.
- i) The Court To Consider And Approve The Draft Of An Advance Funding Agreement For Bridge Replacement Or Rehabilitation Off The State System.
- The Court Will Consider And Act On Personnel Matters.
- The Court To Consider Disposal Of Asset Request.
- The Court To Approve Resolutions And Proclamations.
- i) Resolution – The Court To Consider And Approve A Resolution To Perform Authorized Equivalent Match Projects (EMP) In Return For Waiver Of The Local Match Fund Participation Requirement.
- The Court To Adjourn.
NOTICE OF WORK SESSION(S)
DATE: Monday, February 22, 2021
TIME: Beginning Immediately Following The Regular Hopkins County Commissioners’ Court Session
PLACE: Meeting Room Located On The Third Floor Of The Hopkins County Courthouse Located At 118 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
- The Court To Meet With Chief Endsley To Discuss The County Fire Department Operations, Review Of Revenue & Expenditures, Proposed Improvements And Repairs.
- The Court To Meet With Sheriff Lewis Tatum To Discuss The Sheriff Operations, Review Of Revenue & Expenditures, Proposed Improvements And Repairs.
- The Court To Meet With The General Manager Of The Hopkins County Civic Center, To Discuss The Civic Center Events, Repair And Improvements And A Review Of Revenues And Expenditures.
- The Court To Meet With The Environmental Inspector To Discuss Environmental Concerns.
- The Court To Discuss Non-Consent Towing Plan.
- The Court To Discuss Section 381 Agreements With Businesses in Hopkins County.
- The Court To Discuss Solar Farms.
- The Court To Discuss Subdivision Regulations.
- Budget Work Session(s).
City Extends Water Reward Period 24-Hours
Locating Major Breaks, Temporarily Shutting Off WSC Water Proving Effective In Refilling Sulphur Springs’ Water Towers
The City of Sulphur Springs is extending the reward period to 7:08 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, for the 1 million gallons of free water for the first person who calls in any major water break. The award period offered for 24-hours starting Saturday night was to expire at 7:08 p.m. Sunday. While the city water towers are filled, the reward offer of free water up to the first 1 million gallons will continue through Monday night in an effort to locate all potential water issues.
“We are out of the woods, but we want to make sure that we remain there,” Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell said at 2:50 p.m. Sunday.
The reward was initiated Saturday night in an effort to head off water breaks and make sure the city continues to have a sufficient supply of water. The water supply in the city’s water towers was low.
Between water breaks in the city of Sulphur Springs and along rural water supply corporations systems, the city was losing water faster than the City of Sulphur Springs could pump it into the water towers. The city began investigating use of water supply corporations and even turned off North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation’s water from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. in an effort to build the water supply back up and give the company time to investigate for major leaks which would reduce water pressure and flow. The offer of 1 million free gallons of water for city water customers who spot and call in major water breaks in the city was also issued Saturday night.
The first confirmed report was on Church Street at California Street within 2 hours. Two city water leaks had been found by 8:30 a.m. Sunday in Sulphur Springs. At that time, Maxwell said finding the two water leaks and temporarily ceasing pumping to NHWSC were working to help refill the water towers 2/3 of the way full.
Maxwell encourages city water customers to keep watching for and reporting any major leaks they find. No only doing so ensure the towers fill to provide sufficient water to city residents but the city will continue to offer the 1 million gallon reward through 7:08 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, 2021.
“We define a major water break as any break on a city water main not a service lateral unless that lateral is four inches or greater in diameter. Any person who spots a leak should call 903-885-7602 and press 1 for dispatch. This means that a person’s or business’ water will be free until they reach the 1 million gallon mark,” Maxwell said.
While the offer does not apply to sanitation fees, it may also be applied it sewer fees on a gallon for gallon basis if the customer wishes up to a total of 1 million gallons for water and sewer combined. The reward applies to each and every major water break that occurs in the City of Sulphur Springs City limits during the 48-hours beginning Saturday, Feb 20, at 7:08 pm. and ending at 7:08 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, but only applies to the first person who calls in each break, according to Maxwell.
New Date Set for ‘Benefit for Jerry Knight’, Local Musician Battling Cancer, Now March 4 in Mineola
NEW DATE IS THURSDAY MARCH 4, 2021 FOR BENEFIT DANCE FOR JERRY KNIGHT, LOCAL MUSICIAN BATTLING CANCER
Country guitarist Jerry Knight has long been a part of the country music scene in NE
Texas, accompanying many country artists during his career. Locally, Jerry played for the
Roger Reed Band at the Reilly Springs Jamboree for over 10 years. He was a staple at Gale Hague’s Tuesday Night Dances at Arbala, Texas and Saturday nights in Greenville with the Lone Star Express Band. And for the past 8 years, he has played rhythm/lead guitar and sang vocals for the dance put on weekly in Mineola by The Country Drive Band.
If you’ve been to a dance or local event with a country band, or attended benefits for others, you’ve probably seen and heard Jerry Knight. He also loves to do country gospel music and
would frequently be asked to perform “Three Old Rusty Nails” which is his signature
inspirational song. Jerry is a loving and giving friend to everyone, and that’s why it was so
hard to hear the news about his lung cancer diagnosis in Fall 2020. The cancer had
metastasized to his liver. Now, in early 2021, no treatments are being administered for the
cancer due to higher than normal enzymes in the liver. Jerry’s friends have sought his
permission to hold a benefit for him, and just after New Year’s, he finally gave permission
to his longtime friend, drummer John Rugg to “plan the party.” Fans and friends are
invited to the Benefit Dance for Jerry Knight on Thursday March 4, 2021 from 6:30
til 10pm. The location is Hickory Village Complex, 1581 US 69 North in Mineola, Texas,
just one mile south of KMOO Radio or 7/10 mile north of Loop 564. Donations will be
accepted for Jerry’s ongoing physician and transportation expenses as he bravely battles
the cancer and it’s complications. Please come and share love and encouragement for Jerry
and Gloria. For more information on the benefit, contact John Rugg at 972-922-1933. If
you cannot attend but would like to send a donation to the Jerry Knight Benefit, the benefit
mailing address is P.O Box 626, Hawkins Texas 75765, in care of John Rugg. Make checks
payable to Jerry Knight.
FEMA Help Is On The Way For Texas, But Not For Individuals In Hopkins County
Newly elected president Joe Biden made headlines by approving Texas as a Federal Disaster Area due to the effects of the winter storm, but Hopkins County was excluded from individual assistance. Only 77 counties out of the 254 Texas counties were approved for individual assistance, where individuals (mostly without insurance) can apply for damage reimbursement directly from the federal government. Texas Governor Greg Abbott thanked Biden for the “partial assistance” and said it was an important first step. All counties in Texas are eligible for “Public Assistance” which covers emergency protective measures only. The full explanation of this public assistance was found on the FEMA website and is the following: “FEMA reimburses state and local governments and certain types of private nonprofit organizations for the cost of disaster-related debris removal, emergency protective measures to protect life and property, and permanent repair work to damaged or destroyed infrastructure.” It is unknown at this time if the city or county will have any claims to make that will qualify for reimbursement.
Hopefully the disaster declaration will be expanded at some point to include individual claims from more counties as this can be a huge help for those without insurance that have sustained damage.
Until then only residents in the following counties were approved for Individual Assistance and can apply directly to FEMA for reimbursement:
Angelina, Aransas, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Collin, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, DeWitt, Ellis, Falls, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gillespie, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hood, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lavaca, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Nueces, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rockwall, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Scurry, Shelby, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Travis, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson, and Wise Counties.
Como Is Not Under Boil Water Order
City of Como officials reported this weekend that the City of Como is not under a boil water order. The city’s well is fine and the city water is being tested regularly as scheduled.
Trash pick up will also resume next week on Wednesday as scheduled. They ask city residents to be patient Wednesday as the sanitation crews pick up from two cities on Wednesdays. They ask resident not overload their trash cans with anything over 70 pounds, as that’s the maximum the lift on the truck can support.
City officials extend thanks to city residents wor working with them during the winter weather and it’s results. Ted Joiner has gone out in the cold to cut off water at homes with leaks, but the city has and continues to have the water supply needed, according to a report from city officials Saturday.
