Friday: Weather-Related Closures, Schedule Changes, Postponements
With several inches of snow already covering the ground, another wintry storm on Wednesday night brought more snow and ice making travel difficult and dangerous until temperatures rise to allow thaw. Schools and organizations have reported weather-related closures and schedule changes as a safety precaution. Those weather-related schedule changes reported to KSST include:
Schools
Sulphur Springs ISD will remain closed and remote instruction is canceled through Feb. 19, due to power outages and dangerous weather, Classes should begin again Monday February 22 in the Sulphur Springs school district.
- Cumby ISD will be remain closed through Friday, and resume normal school hours on Monday, Feb. 22.
- Miller Grove ISD will be closed through Friday due to the expected winter weather, and hopes to be back to the regular schedule on Monday.
- North Hopkins ISD has closed on-site classes until Monday. Remote learning will not be provided online, according to Superintendent Darin Jolly.
- Como-Pickton CISD will remain closed all week.
- Sulphur Buff School will remain closed all week to reopen Monday. No make up days will be required and at this time no remote learning for the kids.
- Saltillo ISD to reopen Monday February 22.
- Yantis ISD to reopen on Monday February 22.
- All Paris Junior College locations were to remain closed through Thursday.
- Texas A&M University Commerce was closed through Thursday and possibly Friday. This includes all daily business operations and remote work, except essential services already approved. This closure means no academic activities, including online or face to face classes. The only essential buildings that will remain open are Rayburn Student Center, all residential living and learning Buildings and the University Police Department. The off-site locations will adhere to the decision of their host institution or local school district.
Other Closures
- All CHRISTUS Trinity Clinics were reported closed through Thursday.
- Hopkins County Genealogical Society will not conduct the Zoom meeting on Thursday February 18, and hopes to reschedule the speaker in the near future.
- Republic is suspending trash pickup this week in Cumby. They will resume trash service next week, according to Cumby Mayor Doug Simmerman.
- Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is closed this week due to weather impacts and will re-open on Monday, February 22. Business ribbon cuttings scheduled this week are also canceled.
- Little Texans Learning Center will be closed through Friday, February 20, 2021.
- Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom last reported that Hopkins County Office Buildings will be closed the rest of this week, due to weather-related power outages. Emergency personnel will continue to work as scheduled. County offices are scheduled to reopen on Monday morning Feb 22.
- City of Sulphur Springs There will be no trash pickup in Sulphur Springs the remainder of this week.
- Meal A Day will remain closed this week due to the weather and road conditions. Meal a Day should be back in operation on Monday, according to Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman.
- Como City Hall was closed due to bad weather, to reopen when the roads are better. The late charge for this week will be extended.
- First UMC Sulphur Springs Office reports all activities scheduled through Friday have been cancelled.
- The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that all DPS Offices in the North Texas Region will be closed on Friday February 19, due to the impact of severe winter weather on roadways and concern for the safety of both the public and employees. The 42 North Texas Region (Region 1) counties affected by this closure may be found on the DPS Regional Map. Driver License customers with appointments will be contacted to reschedule. Emergency DPS operations are not affected by this closure.
Other Scheduling Notices
- Due to the inclement weather, the 2nd dose COVID vaccine clinic scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Sulphur Springs Primary Care has been rescheduled for Saturday, 2/20, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The patients scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 17, will be receiving a call to reschedule their vaccine appointment.
- Northeast Texas Farmer’s Co-op has cancelled the annual Inventory set for Saturday, and the Co-op will be open for business on Saturday February 20, 2021.
- The Gala Unmasked Virtual Gala and Auction is Postponed for now, and will not be held as planned on Saturday February 20, 2021. The decision to postpone was made in light of weather hardships on the community. Find out more on the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation Facebook page.
If your school or organization is cancelling, delaying or has a scheduling change due to the weather, contact KSST so we can help get the word out.
Stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230 AM for the latest weather reports and updates for school start delays and closings.
‘Gala Unmasked’ Postponed for Now by HC Healthcare Foundation
2021 Gala Unmasked Postponed
Sulphur Springs, Texas, February 17, 2021 – In light of the hardships we have all faced this
week with the unprecedented weather, the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Board and
Gala Committee have decided to postpone Gala Unmasked. As we always do, let’s circle the
wagons and take care of our friends and neighbors that have met challenges this week. We are so proud of the efforts our first responders, electric companies, line repairmen, Civic Center
employees, farmers, and neighbors have already taken to care for us. We are planning on running the Gala exactly as planned in a few short weeks. So, stay tuned and stay safe!
Wildcats Basketball Bi-District Information Has Been Firmed Up
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta announced Wednesday, February 17 that the Wildcats would be playing Jacksonville in the Bi-District round playoff game Monday at 7:30 P.M. in Hallsville.
The Wildcats beat the Anna Coyotes 64-56 at Anna on Saturday, Feb. 13 in a warm-up game in preparation for the play-offs. Jacksonville, the #3 seed team from District 16-5A, will be looking to get the upset against a well-coached Cipoletta-led Sulphur Springs team. The Wildcats, the #2 seed from District 15-5A, are 17-9 for the season.
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.
TxDOT Urges Drivers to Stay Home, Delay Travel
NEWS RELEASE — PARIS DISTRICT
Tim McAlavy (903) 737-9213 [email protected]
PARIS — Texas Department of Transportation officials are urging drivers to stay home and delay travel during this unprecedented statewide winter storm. Additional snow, sleet and ice remain in the forecast for much of the state through Feb. 17.
These conditions make travel unsafe and risky, despite the agency’s best efforts to keep roadways open and passable.
TxDOT crews statewide are working 24/7 in 12-hour shifts to treat, plow and blade the state’s roadways, and remain on the job until this weather passes.
However, road treatments will not prevent formation of ice or snow accumulation. If travel is necessary, motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution as patches of ice may be present or reappear on roadways.
In addition, TxDOT is experiencing weather-related outages to some traffic cameras, digital highway signs and traffic signals. Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution at intersections if lights are not working; treat these areas as four-way stops, per state law.
TxDOT thanks motorists for their patience, for doing their part during this weather emergency by staying home and/or driving only when necessary, and for driving cautiously to road conditions if travel is necessary. Motorists can check current road conditions online at DriveTexas.org or by calling 800-452-9292.
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, maritime, rail and public transportation across the state.
‘Benefit for Jerry Knight’, Local Musician Battling Cancer, Set for February 25 in Mineola
BENEFIT 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 February 25, 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.
Municipal Court Closed, Pretrial Hearings Cancelled Wednesday
Sulphur Springs Municipal Court, 201 North Davis St., will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 17, due to inclement weather and for safety of our employees. Pre-trials set for 2 p.m. Feb. 17 have been canceled. The Municipal Court, at a later time, will mail a rescheduled court date to those who were scheduled Wednesday.
Ribbon Cuttings Cancelled, Chamber Closed This Week Due To Hazardous Weather Conditions
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
This week is unlike any I have seen before… never have we been home from school for a solid week due to hazardous weather conditions. Snow is a rare sight around here, and it has a romantic beauty to it. By now, you are in one of two camps… Camp I Love It or Camp I’m Over It. Hopefully, this weekend will start to warm us up just a bit. Personally, I’m Camp Bring on the Spring!
This weather has caused cancellations of our ribbon cutting celebrations. As we work to reschedule those, we will update you on the time and date. We have also closed the Chamber this week and will re-open on Monday, February 22. Until then … stay safe and warm.
Charleston Sky Is Hosting A Look & Book
Charleston Sky, a local venue, is hosting a Look & Book Open House on February 28, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The address is 4274 Farm to Market Road 895, Cooper, Texas 75432. For more information, visit their website at www.charlestonsky.com or call Carol at 903-303-2711.
City Struggles to Keep up With Water Meter Shutoffs.
In a message received from Sulphur Springs City Manager, Marc Maxwell, he stated, “many people are requesting water cutoffs because of broken pipes. We are having a difficult time keeping up. We are bringing in additional personnel to help catch up. The city of Sulphur Springs is doing everything they can to get to those customers as quickly as possible.”
Atmos Urges Residents To Curb Use To Help Keep Natural Gas Supply Available
The situation for some residents could become even more uncomfortable if natural gas customers do not heed caution to conserve natural gas usage. Atmos just issued an “urgent alert” asking residents to reduce their energy use to help maintain natural gas supply for more critical human needs customers.
‘High demand of energy consumption due to historic cold weather could cause a loss of natural gas service to your home and/or business. Atmos Energy crews will be monitoring the inclement weather and assessing when service restoration can safely begin,” according an Atmos release. There are currently known outages in four areas: the Grand Prairie- Britton area, Arlington-Deer Cove area, Leander-Travisso area, University Park-Bryn Mawr area
“I just got this from Atmos,” Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell said of the urgent alert (below) he received from Atmos Energy. “I think things are getting very serious with regard to gas availability. We all need to get serious about curtailing a little usage right now before we lose gas all together for the remainder of this event. If everyone just curtails their usage a little we will get through this.”
Oncor Cites Poor Grid Conditions As Cause Of Extended Instead of Rolling Outages For Some
Civic Center Continues To Serve As Warming Center For Those Without Heat; Rides To Civic Center Available For Those Who Need To Get Warm
Power continues to be an issue for many across the state Tuesday. The numbers in Hopkins County increased from 3,109 Oncor customers and 28 Farmers Electric customers without power at 12:10 p.m.. Feb. 16 to 4,155 Oncor customers and 951 FEC customers without power in Hopkins County at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Oncor cites poor grid conditions as cause for extended rather than rolling power outages for many across the state. Oncor posted the following emergency alert on the Oncor power outage map Tuesday regarding the situation:
Due to ongoing record-low temperatures and generation, ERCOT has continued to direct Oncor and utilities across the state to drop power load through maintained controlled outages. These controlled outages are occurring across the state and the entire Oncor service territory. Oncor was able to rotate some outages overnight, but poor grid conditions have continued to prevent us and other utilities from rotating, or rolling, the entirety of these outages, leading to extended periods without power for many of our customers. At this time, ERCOT is unable to predict when grid conditions will stabilize, and urge all customers to be prepared for extended outages to continue. We also urge customers to prioritize the safety of themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors. Many local counties have also opened warming stations or shelters, which can be located online or by calling 211.
Oncor Emergency Alert
With another storm predicted later today, the number of customers who do not have power is likely to increase. Those who can are asked to remain home and encouraged to check on neighbors, especially the elderly.
Hopkins County Civic Center was opened at 5 p.m. Monday and will continue to be open and serve as a warming shelter for anyone who does not have power and needs a place to get warm. The facility served 23 people last night, and about that many at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 16, according to Sheriff Lewis Tatum.
According to City Manager Marc Maxwell, anyone in the county who needs a ride to the Civic Center to warm up may call Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 903-438-4040 to request a ride. Maxwell said it may take a little while for someone to get to them due to the conditions and emergency calls officials are responding to, but someone will come if requested as soon as safely possible.
Civic Center Manager Lonnie Fox said there’s a warm room designated at the facility for people who do not have heat to go during the outages and bad weather conditions. He recommends those who do take advantage of the warming center to bring anything they will need with them, including nonperishable food items, bedding materials such as blankets.
