2024 Wildcat Hall of Honor Inductees – Induction Ceremony Scheduled for October 11th
October 5, 2024 – Four former Sulphur Springs Wildcat greats – two All-State players who were integral in the 2008 state football championship, the first NFL player from SSHS and a state tennis qualifier — will be inducted next Friday in the Wildcat Hall of Honor.
Going into the prestigious hall will be 2010 graduate and All-State football player Bryant “Day Day” Jackson, 2011 graduate and two-sport All-Stater Fernando Arellano, 1975 graduate and state tennis qualifier Mark Peugh, and William “Tex” Holcomb, the first Wildcat to play in the National Football League.
The foursome will be inducted in a ceremony at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in the Hopkins County Civic Center. Fans, family and friends are all invited to the ceremony in which the Hall of Honor recipients will receive a plaque and a commemorative shirt. They will also be recognized before the kickoff of the Wildcats’ game against Celina at Gerald Prim Stadium.
100th Anniversary Cookout at Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center on October 15
October 4, 2024 – As part of the year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary, Paris Junior College is holding a 100th anniversary cookout and open house at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We hope to see everyone enjoy a free lunch with us on October 15 as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Paris Junior College,” said Dr. Stephen Benson, PJC President. “This will be a great time to connect with those in the Sulphur Springs area.”
In addition to free hot dogs and hamburgers, snacks and drinks, there will be games, music, and tours of the facility.
The PJC-Sulphur Springs Center is located at 1137 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs. For more information, 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.
Paris Junior College is Holding 100th Anniversary Homecoming November 1-2
October 4, 2024 – Paris Junior College is inviting all alumni to Come Home for the 100th Anniversary alumni weekend and Homecoming Celebration on November 1-2, 2024. PJC’s Halloween Carnival at Noyes Stadium will take place from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, but is not officially part of Homecoming though alumni are welcome to bring their families to the free event.
Official Homecoming events begin with the First Annual Dragon Golf Tournament, with check-in starting at 9 a.m. at the Paris Golf and Country Club on FM 195 in Paris. All proceeds will benefit Dragon athletics, including baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s basketball and soccer.
At 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 1, the McLemore Student Center Ballroom will host the Hall of Honor/Hall of Fame Induction & Reception. The 2013 PJC softball team is set to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, and Don Kosterman and Sheila Reece (posthumous) will be inducted into the Academic Hall of Honor.
PJC’s Homecoming Parade is set to start off a full slate of events on Saturday, Nov. 2, leaving from the Lamar County Courthouse north parking lot at 10:00 a.m. Local high schools student organizations and groups are welcome to join in the parade; contact PJC Student Life Director Kenneth Webb at [email protected] for more information.
The Love Civic Center is the site for the Distinguished Alumni Awards Reunion Luncheon starting at noon. All formerly recognized Distinguished Alumni honorees and their families will be celebrated as we take a special time to recognize these outstanding individuals honored in years past. Complimentary reserved seating and tickets will be provided.
A special Homecoming Tailgate will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Hunt Center parking lot. Philip Nance will perform during the tailgate (thanks to a sponsorship by Unruh Concrete Pumping).
The Hunt Center is also the location of the women’s and men’s basketball games against Southwestern Christian College at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at halftime of the men’s game.
Country music singer Clay Hollis will perform at the Love Civic Center that evening at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door; those with valid PJC ID may enter free.
Those wishing to attend the Distinguished Alumni Awards Reunion Luncheon on Nov. 2 are asked to contact the PJC Alumni Affairs office by October 25, 2024. Email [email protected] or [email protected], or call 903-782-0315.
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.
Guaranty Bank and Trust Offers Cyber Security Tips as part of Their Goal to Help You Grow
October 4, 2024 – Even though Cyber threats sound like something from science fiction, these threats are real and are occurring today. The experts report that there were over 2,300 cyberattacks reported last year. The number of reported victims reached at least 343,338,964. Guaranty Bank and Trust takes your Cyber Security very seriously.
As part of their goal to “… help you grow,” Guaranty Bank and Trust offers the following Cyber Security Tips.
Think Before You Click
Stay cautious of the unknown links you receive through emails, messages, or while your visiting other webpages that aren’t secure.
Use Strong And Varied Passwords
You should use distinct passwords for all your different accounts. You can use a password manager tool.
Set Up Two-Factor Authentication
With this, you will receive a prompt to add another method of authentication along with the password, like a code, fingerprint, or onetime password sent to your phone number, or email, etc…
Be Aware Of Phishing And Email Scams
Always be cautious of unexpected emails asking for personal information. If something feels off, it probably is – verify the source before taking any action. Stay alert and protect your data.
Practice Safe Online Banking
Don’t save your login credentials on the website or app, especially if your device is accessible to others. Set up account notifications and sign up for alerts from your bank to receive notifications about unusual acidity.
Remember, Guaranty Bank and Trust will never contact you and ask for your debit card number, online banking credentials, PIN number, or any other kind of personal information. If you have any suspicions, hang up and call Guaranty Bank and Trust. When in doubt, give us a shout!
https://www.gnty.com/about/security
Health Care Foundation Appoints New Board Members
October 4, 2024 – Sulphur Springs, TX – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Board of Directors recently selected new members for a three-year term of service. The Foundation’s Bylaws call for between 9 and 15 members to serve staggered 3-year terms. Board members are allowed to serve 2 consecutive terms. All seats are filled by Hopkins County residents.
New board members are Brad Johnson, Heather Johnson, and Kenny Rogers. The new members bring valuable knowledge and skills to the Board.
Pam Black, chair of the board of directors shared, “We are so excited for Brad, Heather, and Kenny to join the board. They each bring a unique perspective which will benefit our work in the community.”
The Foundation, now in its 27th year, serves the Hopkins County community by raising funds to make the most advanced medical technology, equipment, and services available locally. The Foundation often partners with the Hopkins County Hospital District and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs to accomplish its mission.
As a recognized IRS 501 (c) 3 non-profit, gifts to the Foundation may be tax deductible. Funds are raised through events, such as the Gala, Designer Handbag Bingo, Mingo, cash gifts, and planned giving. Gifts of any amount are welcome and impactful. To learn more about the Foundation, call 903-438-4799 or email [email protected]
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Dinner Bell for October 9, 2024
The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal.
Our gracious Community Partner Fine Christian Ladies, is a many-year supporter of the Dinner Bell Feeding Ministries. The group is aware of food insufficiency in the area so it is a Community Partner several times yearly.
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
MENU:
Salad Plate: Chicken, Tuna, Pimento Cheese
Crackers
Frito Corn Salad
Cherry Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cake
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
What is a Blue Alert?
October 4, 2024 – The National Blue Alert Network supports the use and integration of Blue Alert plans throughout the United States in order to rapidly disseminate information to law enforcement agencies, the media and the public to aid in the apprehension of violent criminals who have killed, or seriously injured an officer in the line of duty. Blue Alerts can also be issued when a suspect poses an imminent and credible threat to law enforcement, or when an officer is missing in the line of duty.
Texans received an early morning Blue Alert on Friday. Suspect Seth Altman shot a law enforcement officer in the panhandle region of Texas. The injured officer was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in Amarillo. The officer’s current condition is unknown. According to DPS officials, Altman is white, 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 220 pounds. He has red or auburn hair and was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt and blue jeans.
Congress passed the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015 in order to encourage, enhance, and integrate Blue Alert plans.
The law is named in honor of New York City Police Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu who were killed in an ambush attack on December 20, 2014.
Blue Alerts can be transmitted to television and radio stations; to cellphones and wireless devices, to overhead highway message signs, and other secondary alerting mechanisms – in the same way that AMBER Alerts are commonly issued.
There are currently 37 states with Blue Alert plans. The COPS Office provides resources and technical assistance to states, territories, law enforcement agencies, and tribes seeking to establish or enhance Blue Alert plans; including, voluntary activation guidelines, examples of legislation, policies, and forms gathered from around the nation in a central Blue Alert data repository.
Paxton Sues Big Pharma and Pharmacy Benefit Managers for Conspiracy That Increased Insulin Prices by 1,000%
October 4, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued major insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (“PBMs”)—including Eli Lilly, Express Scripts, CVS Pharmacy, and others—over a conspiracy to increase prices of insulin.
Through this conspiracy, the manufacturers artificially and willingly raised the prices of insulin then paid a significant, undisclosed portion back to the PBMs as a quid pro quo for inclusion in the PBMs’ standard offerings. The PBMs then granted preferred status to the manufacturer whose drug has the highest list price while excluding lower priced drugs. These synthetic insulin drugs, which today cost the manufacturers less than $2 to produce and were originally priced at $20 when released in the late 1990s, now range between $300 and $700. In the last decade alone, the manufacturers who are defendants in the lawsuit have increased the prices of their insulins up to 1,000%. Attorney General Paxton is suing because the insulin pricing scheme violates the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, constitutes unjust enrichment, and represents an unlawful civil conspiracy.
“This is a disturbing conspiracy by which pharmaceutical companies were intentionally and artificially inflating the price of insulin. Big Pharma insulin manufacturers and PBMs worked together to take advantage of diabetes patients and drive prices as high as they could,” said Attorney General Paxton. “These companies acted illegally and unethically to enrich themselves, and we will hold them accountable.”
According to the complaint, “While the PBM Defendants represent that they perform their services on behalf of their clients (including Texas payors) and diabetics to lower drug prices, increase access to affordable drugs, and promote diabetic health, these representations are false. Rather, the PBM Defendants have worked in coordination with the Manufacturer Defendants to distort the market for diabetic treatments to their benefit at the expense of Texas diabetics and payors.”
Liston & Deas, David Nutt & Associates, the Cicala Law Firm, and Foreman Watkins Krutz are serving as outside counsel.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues TikTok for Sharing Minors’ Personal Data In Violation of Texas Parental Consent Law
October 3, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued TikTok, one of the largest social media platforms, for operating its platform in a manner that puts the online safety and privacy of Texas children at risk and violates the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (“SCOPE”) Act.
“I will continue to hold TikTok and other Big Tech companies accountable for exploiting Texas children and failing to prioritize minors’ online safety and privacy,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton. “Texas law requires social media companies to take steps to protect kids online and requires them to provide parents with tools to do the same. TikTok and other social media companies cannot ignore their duties under Texas law.”
To protect Texas children from harms associated with social media, the SCOPE Act prohibits digital service providers, such as TikTok, from sharing, disclosing, or selling a minor’s personal identifying information without permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian. Further, the SCOPE Act requires companies to provide parents with tools to manage and control the privacy and account settings on their child’s account. TikTok has failed to comply with these requirements.
Attorney General Paxton is seeking civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation and injunctive relief to prevent future violations of the SCOPE Act by TikTok.
Chamber Connection – October 3, 2024
By Butch Burney
Don’t stand in line at the 55 th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest, get your tickets online or at
any of the local banks and credit unions.
Tickets are available online at HopkinsChamber.org as well as the Chamber of Commerce office
at 110 Main Street.
Tickets are $8 each for those 13 and older and free for children 12 and under, thanks to
sponsorship from Signature Solar.
Stew Merch
Stew merch is here! Stew merch is here!
Whether you’re in the market for a Stew T-shirt, hoodie, mug, tumbler, sticker, towel or other
merchandise for the 55 th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest, sponsored by Alliance Bank, you
can find it at the Chamber of Commerce.
Stop by the Chamber office and get your gear for the Stew Contest on Saturday, Oct. 26, at
Buford Park.
Ribeye Roundup
The Cattleman’s Classic & Ribeye Roundup returns to Celebration Plaza in Sulphur Springs on
October 5. The event features a steak cook-off which will include an expected 40-plus cook
teams, educational trade show, live music and more!
What’s new for the public?
•Reduced ticket price of $20
•Bite-sized steak tasting instead of a full steak meal. Now the public has the opportunity to try
multiple cook team steaks vs. picking only one steak.
•Festival style that includes live music throughout the day.
•Public service will begin at 1pm and end at 4pm.
Main Street Uncorked
Main Street Uncorked 2024 is an annual wine and music festival in beautiful downtown Sulphur
Springs. Enjoy wine from some of the best Texas wineries, shop local vendors and enjoy
talented musical artists.
The event starts at 1 pm and runs until 7 pm on Saturday, Oct. 12. They have two great bands
lined up for entertainment throughout the day.
Tickets include participation in the wine tasting event, a souvenir glass and an insulated wine
bag. Advanced tickets purchased online are $10 each (visit their Facebook page). Tickets sold at
the event will be $15 each.
Help a Child
The annual Help a Child Benefit is set for Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Hopkins County Civic Center
to support children in need. All proceeds go to help the children of Northeast Texas.
The big ticket item this year will include a 2024 Kubota RTV-X 4×4 diesel and bumper pull trailer.
Check their Facebook page to find out locations to purchase tickets.
The event includes food, music, and live events.
Market on Main
Join downtown Sulphur Springs for music, food, shopping and fun fall festivities during Autumn
Market on Main on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What to expect:
•A wide array of artisanal crafts
•Delicious food vendors
•Live music to set the mood
•Family-friendly activities
•And so much more!
Ribbon Cuttings
The Pretty Penny Thrift Store will have a ribbon cutting at their location at 115 Industrial Drive
West, at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Everyone is invited.
Clayton Homes Retail will host a ribbon cutting at their location at 2600 Industrial Drive at 10
a.m. on Friday, Oct. 11. Please join us for their ribbon cutting.
Vino Lounge will host a ribbon cutting at their location, 223 Main Street, at noon on Friday, Oct.
Please join us for this event.
