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.
Crew Working Water Break on Davis Street At Fleming Street.
A City of Sulphur Springs crew was working a water break on Davis Street at Fleming street at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday; the repair is ongoing, according to the city manager. A motorist reported water was streaming down Davis Street just off the downtown square. While Davis Street is not closed, motorists and pedestrians traveling the area should plan with that in mind.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report For Feb. 8-14
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of Feb. 1-7, 2021, included the following activity:
Arrests
- Preston Harris, 21 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 2/10/2021 on Upshur County warrants for bond forfeiture and motion to revoke – aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
- Anthony Stout, 37 years of age, of Quitman, was arrested on 2/13/2021 on an Upshur County warrant for theft of property and a Wood County warrant for violation of probation.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 122 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 34 citations and 44 warnings during this reporting period.
SSHS FFA Chapter Members in Diverse, Rewarding Projects
From nurturing greenhouse seedlings into mature plants to artful creation of fresh floral arrangements for fundraising, FFA students do it all. From learning welding basics to designing and creating valuable farm equipment, FFA students do it. From purchasing and raising livestock to exhibit across the state, Sulphur Springs High School FFA students do that too. In fact, the 250-plus membership of the SSHS Future Farmers of America Chapter makes it’s mark on the community in diverse ways all year round. Four instructors share the various teaching duties. On February 12, three were interviewed by KSST and Channel 18TV at the school Ag Department while John Holland was on a trip with students and Dairy cattle projects to the San Antonio Livestock Show. A number of the Ag students will also be showing Ag Mechanics and livestock projects locally during portions of Feb 23, 25, 26 and 27 during the Hopkins County show, sponsored by the NE Texas Livestock Association and numerous industries and individuals in Hopkins County.
Ag instructor Lindsey Arthur’s Floral Design class has been preparing a different arrangement design each month since school got started, and they call it Floral Shop. Since there are 110 students, they make up about 110 identically-designed arrangements which can be reserved by school employees and teachers, then purchased which helps fund the Floral Design class and the Chapter. The massed Valentine bouquets of pink, red and white roses, baby’s breath and large bow were so beautiful and made the Floral Shop workroom wonderfully fragrant! This Spring, the class plans to compete in the Area 6 CDE (Career Development Education) Meet in April, and enter a “Floral Cups” themed contest which will be virtual. Maurie Flecker and Hanna Simmons explained that Advanced Floral Design students also learn the business basics of running or managing a floral business, and are required to earn a certificate during high school which will help them in landing a job in floral design after high school.
Ag instructor Taylor Thompson teaches a Vet Science class for Juniors. She grew up in Winnsboro and her family raised pigs, so she had a lot of early training in the care of that species of livestock. She answered an advertisement from SSHS and was hired in 2020. Out of 50 students raising livestock projects, 17 have swine projects and Thompson helps them individually by weighing the pigs and adjusting their feed when needed, to bring them to optimum weight for the county market show later this month. In addition to Vet Science in the classroom and working with livestock, Thompson also works with FFA Chapter members in Creed competitions and other Public Speaking opportunities in FFA. One of her students, Jude Vititow, actually works part-time at a local Vet’s office. Another of the class members, Giselle Montes De Oca, used a replica to explain the reproductive tract of a cow. She plans to earn a Vet Assistant’s License during High School and study at Texas A&M University in Kingsville to become a Veterinarian.
Ag Instructor J.T. Luper is in his third year working with SSHS students on Ag Mechanics projects. This year, one of his 3-member teams customized a heavy duty bumper pull trailer which earned a blue ribbon at the San Angelo show earlier this year. The team consists of Kevin Perez, Beau Bankston and Bradley Futch, all Junior students. Another team built a large gooseneck trailer for the school which will be used to haul Ag Mechanics projects to the bigger shows, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo coming up in March 2021. That same trailer, built by Jr. Cash Vititow and Sr. Enrique Torres, was entered at San Angelo and took 3rd in Class. Vititow also shows livestock; his current projects are a pen of chickens and a red Brahman heifer. Be sure and watch for these students during the local Ag Mechanics Show on Feb 23 and Livestock Show Feb 25 and 26 in the Hopkins County Civic Center arena. Instructor Luper noted that all classes are geared to helping students prepare for employment after high school and during college if they choose to pursue a degree. He enjoys teaching Fabrication and Welding and assisting students to earn their Welding Certificate during high school, a plus in the job market.
Two Freshmen students, Braddox Rawson and Caroline Coker, explained what they like about studying Ag Sciences and being in the SSHS FFA Chapter. Rawson especially enjoys welding and Ag Mechanics and raising different animal projects. He is currently raising three pigs and out of those three, he hopes to show his best two in the local NETLA show Friday February 26 when Swine and Poultry are judged. He also has a Duroc swine to enter in the Houston show in March. Besides the Leadership Development that FFA offers, Caroline also enjoys showing goats. Her previous goat projects have made the local Sale of Champions. Plan to watch for them on Thursday February 25 in the Hopkins County Civic Center arena during the Lamb and Goat judging. After high school, Caroline plans to go to college to study Veterinary and Equine Science.
Tuesday: Weather-Related Closures, Schedule Changes
With several inches of snow covering the ground and another wintry storm predicted, 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 Tuesday-Friday, February 16- 19, due to power outages and dangerous weather
- North Hopkins ISD is closing on-site class until at least mid-week. NHISD administrators will provide an update when classes will resume on-site. Remote learning will be provided online via Google Classroom to allow reinforcement of learning with minimum internet availability/usage while allowing students and staff to stay safe, warm and well, according Superintendent Darin Jolly announced Sunday afternoon.
- Como-Pickton CISD will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday as a result of the winter weather that we received last night. As the temperatures will not be above freezing, and there is more winter precipitation in the forecast, it is probable that CPCISD will have to close on Thursday and Friday as well. The girls playoff game may be cancelled but has not been at this time.
- Sulphur Buff School will remain closed for Tuesday and Wednesday and school officials will evaluate again on Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures are continuing below freezing, so it is possible SBISD will be closed all week. The district has days available, so no make up days will be required and at this time no remote learning for the kids.
- Miller Grove ISD will be closed through Wednesday due to the expected winter weather. Currently, the district is planning for a 2 hour delayed start to the school day on Thursday, Feb. 18, provided the roads are safe to travel.
- Cumby ISD will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday, officials will assess for Thursday and Friday
- Saltillo ISD will close Tuesday and Wednesday, then will reevaluate for Thursday and Friday. Students have assignments.
- Yantis ISD will not have classes on Wednesday nor will there be online learning that day due to power outages in the area.
- All Paris Junior College locations will remained Tuesday, Feb. 15-16.
- Texas A&M University-Commerce will remain closed on Wednesday. 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
- 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 the weather 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 Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
- Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom last reported that Hopkins County Office Buildings will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 17, due to weather-related power outages. Emergency personnel will continue to work as scheduled. County offices are tentatively scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Thursday, depending on conditions.
- Meal A Day will be closed Wednesday due to the weather conditions and the fact that the Senior Center at last reporting did not have power or water. No decision had been made about Thursday, but given the predicted weather and conditions, there likely will not be Meal A Day on Feb. 18 either, according to Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman.
- Dinner Bell will not be served on Wednesday February 17.
- 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.
- Texas Department of Public Safety will be closing ALL DPS Offices in the North Texas Region on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 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 operations are not affected by this closure, according Sergeant Gregg Williams, Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Highway Patrol Media Communications Texarkana/ Mt. Pleasant.
- Como City Hall will be closed Tuesday and possibly Wednesday due to bad weather, and will reopen when the roads are better. The late charge for this week will be extended.
- First UMC Sulphur Springs Office will remain closed at least through Thursday. All activities scheduled through Friday have been cancelled.
- Hopkins County Genealogical Society will not be conducting a meeting this Thursday due to the adverse weather conditions, and the resulting effects on travel and power currently experienced in this area. HCGS had a great speaker lined up for an informative Zoom presentation and look forward to rescheduling him in the near future.
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 today 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 will be held as planned on Saturday February 20, 2021. The fundraising event can be seen and participated in on YouTube and 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.
Warming Station Now Open At Civic Center For Those Without Power and Heat
Power Outages Could Continue Overnight and into Tuesday in Sulphur Springs
Power continues to be out in some areas in town and around the Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County area, including downtown, leaving many without power. Encore has advised city officials that the power may continue to be out through the night and tomorrow; no estimate is available as to when the power will be restored. Thus, a warming station is now open at the Civic Center for those without warmth.
Initially, blackouts were staged throughout the area. However, there have been some areas that have been without power for a while. According to the latest Oncor update, “the length of controlled outages have been significantly extended due to the current emergency grid conditions and severe cold weather. These outages are taking place across the service territory and ERCOT has said they could be required through Tuesday. We are asking all Oncor customers to be prepared to be without power for an extended period of time. In addition, we are responding to separate outages caused by the record-breaking winter storm that continues to impact our entire service territory. Customers do not need to report their outages at this time. We are doing everything possible to respond to each of these power emergency events. We remain in close coordination with ERCOT and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we do all we can to protect the integrity of the Texas grid.”
Hopkins County Civic Center has just been opened by emergency officials at just before 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 as a warming station. People don’t have electricity for a period of time and heat can go to the Civic Center to get warm. The facility will remain open as long as the power remains out and it is needed during the winter weather, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator Jason Ricketson.
Those who do seek warmth at the Civic Center are asked to bring their own blankets and nonperishable foods items or snacks to eat, and something to do to pass the time while there such as a book, cards or other things. The Banquet hall is open for people. Those with pets may bring them, provided the pet can be secured, preferably in a pet taxi, in the Civic Center Arena.
Those do have sufficient sources of warmth and can stay home are asked to do so if possible. Those who do venture out are reminded the roads do still have accumulation of snow on them and can be slick and slippery. When driving, go slow and don’t slam on the brakes to avoid sliding onto the side of the road.
“Building owners and residents may wish to shut off water to avoid flooding after pipes thaw,” City Manager Marc Maxwell recommends.
