Texas Conference For Employers Hosting Virtual Seminar on Employment Law
The Texas Conference For Employers will be hosting a 90-minute law session later this month.
The session in question is a free virtual employment law session hosted by the Office of Commissioner Representing Employers. The session will include lessons on Wage & Hour Law, Medical Leave, and Payroll Tax 101.
Attendance is free, and the link to sign-up can be found here. More information for the Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas, which serves Hopkins County, can be found on their Facebook.
Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas‘s mission is to be a “driving” force in the area to provide employers with workforce support for the economic benefit of the communities served.
Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas provides workforce development services in Bowie, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River, and Titus Counties. The agency links employers to a large pool of skilled workers and connects job seekers to training opportunities. They help young adults identify career and training optioSns for their future. The agency links employers to training options for their workforce and link workforce, economic, and community development for the continued growth of the region.
Sept. 14-18, 2020 Meal A Day Menu
Although the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center remains closed due to COVID-19, volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The Sept. 14-18, 2020 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday — Cornflake Chicken Casserole, Stewed Squash and Pinto Beans
Tuesday — Sloppy Joe Sandwich, Potato Chips and a Pickle Spear
Wednesday — Chicken Pot Pie, Broccoli and Pickled Beets
Thursday — Swedish Meatballs on a Bed of Rice, Normandy Vegetables and a Roll
Friday — Chili Cheese Dogs, Tater Tots and Cole Slaw
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
2020 Creative Arts Contest, Arts & Crafts Show Slated Oct. 23-24
By Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Family & Community Health — Hopkins County
Excitement is building for the 2020 Creative Arts Contest and Arts & Crafts Show. Both events are scheduled to take place October 23 and 24, at the Sulphur Springs High School. Questions have been coming in about the Creative Arts Contest, so I thought it would be beneficial to provide some information and encourage Hopkins County folks to consider entering!
The Creative Arts Contest is for Hopkins County residents to showcase their talents in various categories. Items will be awarded with appropriate ribbons, followed by public viewing. All ages are encouraged to enter: Children (ages 10 and under), Youth (ages 11-19), Adult (ages 20-69), Mature Texans (ages 70 and up).
Below are the entry divisions (please note that the bake show is cancelled this year):
- Art: oil, water color, ink, rub outs, pencil, acrylic, paper tole, crayon/marker, spray paint art, chalk, misc. All entries must be suitable for hanging or display on a rack (except for children’s entries)
- Clothing: classic (tailored/detailed), after-five, children’s wear (up to size 14), everyday casual (includes pajamas), and wearable art – must have made or decorated the clothing item (decorated vests, shirt/t-shirt, jacket)
- Creative Crafts: Crafts (candles, plastics, metal, leather); ceramics; stained glass (cut and leaded or soldered); painted household accessories (birdhouses, wall accessories); Miscellaneous (glass, mosaics, paper mach
, collage, scrap art)
- Decorated Cakes (will not be cut): judged on workmanship, difficulty, appearance, and originality. All items will be discarded if not picked up at the conclusion of the show.
- Food Preservation: all items must be in official canning jars. Foods processed in mayonnaise jars, pickle jars, etc. will not be judges. Items will not be opened, but a two-part lid must be used for judging purposes. Foods must have been canned September, 2019 to October 2020. Entry divisions are: canned vegetables; canned fruits; jams; preserves; butters (apple, pear, peach, plum); jellies; pickles (preserved in a brine or vinegar solution); relish; pickled vegetables (okra, beets, peppers, etc.); dehydrated foods; miscellaneous (honey, fruit/tomato juice, mincemeat, canned meats, flavored vinegars)
- Handiwork: knit; crochet; embroidery; needlepoint; sewn items; beadwork; jewelry; other fabric/fiber work – string art, latch-hook, macramé, weaving, etc.)
- Holiday/seasonal
- Horticulture: No artificial plants allowed. Entries must have been in exhibitor’s possession at least 3 months prior to the fair. Exhibitor is responsible for upkeep of the entry during the fair. Entry categories include: Agriculture (fruits, vegetables, nuts, acorns); cut flowers; potted plants; hanging baskets; succulents; dried (arrangements, potpourri, wreaths, swags); gourds; herbs
- Photography: Entries should be appropriate mounted or framed and suitable for hanging on exhibiting on a stand. Color and black/white will be accepted in the following categories: portrait, scenic, still life, people, special effects, floral, architectural, grouping/collage.
- Quilts: hand-quilted, machine quilted, combination (hand and machine – embroidery, applique, etc.); baby quilts; quilted items (pillows, table runners, wall hangings)
- Woodworking: kits, inlaid wood, mosaics (using different woods for color), furniture, wall hanging/crosses, wood carvings, yard art, rustic arts, birdhouses, toys
- Nursing home: items entered by residents or Assisted Living facilities and nursing homes will include many of the above categories, but will be judged separately
Registration of items will begin on Thursday, October 22, 4 to 6 p.m. in the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center and continue Friday, October 23, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Items will be judged at 10:15 a.m. and opened for public viewing Friday afternoon, and Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pictures will not be taken of winners, but all winning entries will announced in mass media. Due to COVIC-19 and to avoid crowded conditions, pick up time for entries will be expanded to 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on October 24.
For a detailed description of all entry categories, feel free to contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
Arts & Crafts Show
Applications for the Arts & Crafts Show are coming in on a regular basis now, but we still have room for more! If you and someone you know would be interested in selling their hand-made, hand-crafted items, this is the perfect opportunity! This is a highlight of the Hopkins County Fall Festival, and I always find that one-of-a-kind item, perfect for gift-giving (or keeping!)
Applications are available in the Extension Office, on-line at https://hopkins.agrilife.org/publications, or by calling 903-885-3443 and we can e-mail the application. No commercially made items will be accepted. This show is for home artisans. Both indoor and outdoor spaces are available.
Concession Stand
We are looking for a group or organization to run a concession stand in the high school during these events. All proceeds go to the group or organization. Please call the Extension Office, 903-885-3443, for details.
Live as long as you can and make the best of it. Nobody gets a do-over.
Tim Moffett
Youth Livestock Projects Validation Dates
By Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D., Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
The mission of the youth livestock validation program is to promote a positive youth development environment focused on ensuring rules for livestock exhibition are being followed under the supervision of County Extension Agents and Agricultural Science Teachers. This helps to foster integrity, virtues, and values of youth and families.
The purpose of validation is to encourage positive relationships with County Extension Agents, Agricultural Science Teachers and local stakeholders, create a level playing field for youth livestock projects, maximize youth experience and life skill development, and facilitate youth engagement with livestock projects.
Validation allows youth to build on life skills such as responsibility, respect, teamwork and communication. By participating in the livestock project, youth exhibitors learn daily care, nutrition, reproduction, and production practices specific to livestock projects.
To accomplish these objectives, Hopkins County 4-H and FFA chapters partner with the Northeast Texas Livestock Association to conduct livestock project validations. The upcoming validation dates are as follows:
The mission of the youth livestock validation program is to promote a positive youth development environment focused on ensuring rules for livestock exhibition are being followed under the supervision of County Extension Agents and Agricultural Science Teachers. This helps to foster integrity, virtues, and values of youth and families.
The purpose of validation is to encourage positive relationships with County Extension Agents, Agricultural Science Teachers and local stakeholders, create a level playing field for youth livestock projects, maximize youth experience and life skill development, and facilitate youth engagement with livestock projects.
Validation allows youth to build on life skills such as responsibility, respect, teamwork and communication. By participating in the livestock project, youth exhibitors learn daily care, nutrition, reproduction, and production practices specific to livestock projects.
To accomplish these objectives, Hopkins County 4-H and FFA chapters partner with the Northeast Texas Livestock Association to conduct livestock project validations. The upcoming validation dates are as follows:
- Lambs and Goats: October 14, 2020. Regional Civic Center. 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- County Steers: Oct. 15, 2020. Live at Cattlemen’s Veterinary Clinic. 6-7 p,m.
- County and State Heifers: October 15, 2020. Live at Cattlemen/s Veterinary Clinic. 6-7 p.m.
- Swine (4-H Projects for NETLA Jr. Livestock Show): November 23, 2020- Live at the Extension Office. 4 to 5:30 p.m.
- Poultry (for NETLA Jr Livestock Show- 4-H only): by November 30, 2020 at the Extension Office.
- For more information on this or any other agricultural related topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at m-villarino@ tamu.edu.
For more information on this or any other agricultural related topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at m-villarino@ tamu.edu.
Fort Worth Man Arrested On Assault Warrant, Arkansas Woman For Marijuana Possession
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde stopped a Toyota Camry for speeding on Interstate 30 near mile marker 120 around 1 p.m. Friday. A Forth Worth man was arrested on a felony assault warrant and an Arkansas woman was jailed for marijuana possession, according to arrest reports.
Ugalde reported smelling a marijuana odor coming from the Toyota Camry as he contacted the occupants. A records check showed a Grand Prairie warrant for the driver’s arrest. After the warrant was confirmed, 23-year-old Jaron Lakwan Hill of Fort Worth was taken into custody for family violence assault – impeding breath or circulation.
A bag of marijuana and a small metal container with more marijuana were allegedly found in the passenger’s purse during a vehicle search, and a rolled marijuana cigarette was found under her seat. Consequently, the 18-year-old Magnolia, Arkansas woman was arrested on a possession of marijuana charge.
Hill remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday; bond on the warrant was set at $5,000, according to jail reports. The passenger was released from jail Saturday, Sept. 12, on a $1,000 bond, according to jail reports.
Wood County Sheriff’s Office Report For Sept. 2-8, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Sept. 2-8, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 6
- Shots Fired: 3
- Alarm: 14
- Suspicious Activity: 31
- Animal Complaint: 10
- Terroristic Threat: 1
- Arrest/Warrant Service: 10
- Theft: 10
- Assault: 2
- Traffic Hazard: 2
- Criminal Mischief: 2
- Traffic Stop with Arrest: 1
- Criminal Trespass: 12
- Unauthorized Use of Vehicle: 1
- Disturbances/Disputes: 18
- Welfare Check: 18
- Fraud: 1
- 911 Violation/Abandon Call: 1
- Harassment: 4
- Livestock At Large: 14
- Motorist Assit: 3
- Noise Complaint: 2
- Reckless Driver: 6
Dispatch Protocols, New System Discussed at VFD Chiefs Meeting
Dispatch protocols and system were central topics discussed recently during the first meeting conducted between volunteer fire department chiefs and county officials since the coronavirus pandemic began in March.
Dispatch Protocols
Hopkins County Fire Department Chief Andy Endsley said one reason the meeting was called at the EOC/training center at the sheriff’s office instead of its usual location at Hopkins County Fire Station was to address issues that have come up regarding dispatch protocols.
“Some people — other chiefs that aren’t here tonight, and it’s really just one individual — are having trouble with our dispatch protocols,” Endsley said. “Of course, we know we sometimes have issues with our dispatch, but all dispatched have issues. We’re human. We all make errors. But, we wanted to be sure you are all comfortable and feel good about the dispatch protocols put in place when [former HCFD Chief Kevin ] Yates left.”
Endsley asked the volunteer fire department chiefs and representatives if they were all “good with” the protocols, if any of the protocols by which volunteer fire departments are dispatched to calls need to be discussed or if any need to be changed.
The HCFD chief noted that he had checked with the Ark-Tex Council of Governments representative who is over all of the Public-Safety Answering Points (PSAP), which governs how information is disseminated out.
The COG representative reported the fire districts each VFD is dispatched to, including which nearest station around is selected to respond along with each VFD, are checked annually. An agreement then is signed by each VFD and must be passed by the Commissioners Court. Those agreements can’t be changed without being presented again for court approval, Endsley reported.
There are two PSAPs in Hopkins County, the dispatch center at the sheriff’s office and one at Sulphur Springs Police Department. Hopkins County EMS is a ring-down facility, not a PSAP. Sheriff Lewis Tatum, Endsley said, is over every aspect of dispatch from law enforcement and fire to EMS for the county..
“There’s a lot to it across the hallway in that room, how it gets dispatched out and how a call comes in, how it gets put out,” Endsley said, pointing to the county’s dispatch center, located across the hall from the EOC/training room. “If you’ve seen all the steps to how all that works, you can see where sometimes, mistakes are made.”
“Fire dispatch is one small item that dispatch deals with. While they are dealing with your fire, they are running traffic for four or five deputies. They’re running DPS, they’re running jail and all incoming calls from complainants out in the county. That thing is like a beehive in there,” Tatum said of the county communications center. “It’s very, very busy. Considering, what all they go through, I think they do a very good job. I wouldn’t do it — I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t even know where to start up in there. They do go through a lot.”
The protocols require VFD members to be “dispatched” or “toned” to a call. “Freelancing” or self-dispatching is not allowed, according to the dispatch protocols. If a call is dispatched and a VFD member thinks his or her department should also have been dispatched, the members may contact the dispatcher via the radio to be acknowledged or toned to the call, according to Endsley.
“That tone is your authority to respond. Without that authority to respond, if you have an accident, it is not good. They’re not going to cover it or anything,” Endsley said.
When an “all-call” is toned, it means just that. All available departments are allowed and encouraged to respond, the HCFD chief added.
Contacting a dispatchers to let them know a department is available, or that a fire department call is within the district of a VFD that wasn’t toned to a call is acceptable, according to the protocols. However, deciding to go and doing so, without being toned to the call by dispatch is “100 percent freelancing,” as is not disregarding when told to do so by another VFD in the call district or by HCFD.
“I will say, since we talked with [Communications Supervisor] David [Ray] that night, when a VFD requests another department through dispatch, it has gone smooth as silk since that day. They’ve not had an issue with dispatch at all,” John Brian Beadle with Saltillo VFD said.
Another chief asked about a situation that occurred about a few month ago. He was on his way home, when another department very nearby gave a size up for a fire behind a church. He radioed that he was behind them and asked if they wanted him to grab a booster and respond. They gave an affirmative response, so he did. He asked, since no tones were ever dropped for his department, but he did respond, if that violated protocol.
Endsley said that the dispatcher may have missed that radio traffic, depending on how many other tings were going on, and, thus, did not drop a tone. Responding at the request of another department, with the request recorded over the radio is OK.
That, Endsley said, should also served as a reminder that everything voiced over the radio is recorded. Those responding should keep that in mind if they ever feel themselves loosing their cool on a call, and pause before reacting.
“We have a majority of the chiefs here, are we OK with dispatch?” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom also asked after some discuss on the matter of dispatch protocols.”I don’t hear any objection.”
(The Arbala, Brinker, Miller Grove and Pickton-Pine Forest VFD chiefs were not present at the meeting; they attended heir own meeting, scheduled at the same time as the chiefs meeting with local official. Another PPFVFD officer did attend the meeting at HCSO, however.)
AG Sandifeer with Dike VFD asked for dispatchers to be clear on calls as to which radio tower responding VFDs should work off of and when the responding departments are to switch to that radio tower or channel.
“If you’re going to be doing multiple calls, you’ve got to assign which tower we’re going to be working off of,” Sandifeer noted.
David Ray with HCSO (former communications supervisor) noted that assigning the different towers is relatively new for the dispatchers to have to do, so there have been a few who haven’t immediately remembered to assign a tower on which responders to a particular call should communicate.
Ray also asked the VFD chiefs to please be patient with dispatchers when they are “working multiple fires on multiple channels.”
“It may take them a minute to answer it, because they may have to go back and listen [to the recording of your radio traffic.]. Because, if two departments talk at once, they may not be able to tell who is talking, so it may take them a second to answer,” Ray said.
Sandifeer asked also when departments are supposed to switch their radios to the tower assigned for a particular call. For instance, if Dike VFD, which typically works off of the north tower, is told by dispatch to switch to east, when, he asked, should Dike VFD switch to east?
Ray said the appropriate time is the moment “when you check in route. When you start the truck and go to that call, if you are going to east, you change to that channel and check in route.”
“Go to that channel as you’re leaving, check in route, that way the other departments or Engine 20 know you are in route,” Ray said.
Sandifeer asked how another VFD member, who may just be around the corner, would know they were en route already, if they have already switched to the new assigned channel.
Ray said it would be appropriate to say on the normally designated channel, “Brush, 15, I’m en route, switching to east tower,” then switch.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tanner Crump announced that David Ray will no longer be the dispatch supervisor at the sheriff’s office. He will be handling other matters technical matters, including dealing with radios. A current dispatcher has been selected to serve as a working supervisor. Crump encouraged anyone who has any problems with dispatch to follow the grievance protocol for dispatch; radio issues should be addressed to Endsley using a work request form that will be made available to the VFDs soon.
Endsley reminded the VFD officers that the grievance protocols require all complaints about dispatch to be made to County Judge Robert Newsom, not over the radio, phone or directly to the dispatcher. After the complaint is made, the appropriate county officials will be notified to investigate complaints.
Tatum said the sheriff’s office also has a protocols in place for deputies to follow if they have a complaint about a dispatcher.
“If [deputies] say something to them about their problems, out of line, they will be in there dispatching. I’m not going to put up with it,” Tatum said. “Those individuals go through a lot in there. It’s not an easy job at all. I’ve never been a dispatcher, but I have been in there and I’ve seen what they go through. It is a very, very difficult job and I just want everybody to understand that there’s a whole lot more going on in there than what you hear. Anytime you’d like to come up here and sit through something, can come up here Saturday night and see what they go through. It is a lot. I’ve seen days where three people couldn’t handle it.”
New Dispatch System
The sheriff’s office plans to begin training county dispatchers in use of the new $200,000 CRIMES (Criminal Research, Information Management, and Evaluation System) computer-aided dispatch system starting Monday, with the program projected to be online and in use at the sheriff’s office within
The system could then be phased into the fire department apparatus, which would allow responders to see where a call is, and notes from dispatchers containing sensitive information responders need to know, but that does not necessarily need to be broadcast across the radio.
“It’s just really going to help out tremendously. It will automatically queue who should go. There’s no question. Those fire protocol dispatches are programmed into it. It’s already putting into the queue and already telling the dispatch who to dispatch. It takes a lot of human error side out of it,” Endsley said.
Newsom asked what it would cost to put the technology in each fire engine, to allow dispatchers to see on a map where each responding unit is during a given call.
Crump said there are several options for outfitting each county apparatus with the GPS needed for dispatchers to be able to track all units responding, and keep track of apparatus.
Crump said sheriff’s patrol vehicles are outfitted with either a laptop or tablet. GPS runs through the device to send a signal to CRIMES of where the vehicle is at.
“There are other options if you just want in fire truck just to show and not have a computer that you have to turn on each time. There are going to be ways we can just have GPS on the AVL or the map that dispatchers can see. There’s different price options, so you’re not necessarily having to put a computer in every apparatus,” Crump said.
“One thing is if you do want to put a computer in your apparatus, there is a yearly fee called Netmotion. It’s an access portal to the system. I want to say it’s around $250 a year per device,” Ray said.
“That’s going to help you with your audit also, on when that truck leaves the station and when it’s on the air or not,” Beadle noted.
“I think it will really be good if we can get it to the volunteer departments,” Newsom said. “I’d like to see somehow to get those on the trucks. I believe it’s a step up for us. We can do more with less.”
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker asked if the GPS system could be put on the members cell phones.
“There is a possibility. Crimes is its own thing. CRIMES is its own server and all the software on the server. Then there’s all kinds of other software that has that capability, like an app or a GPS on a truck. They’ll make that information talk to AVL maps system. So anything is possible,” Crump said.
“So, it’s could be in the future, near future, that all of the departments could see all the trucks headed in their direction, or where they are broke down at or what have you?” Barker said.
Ray reported that the system is Windows-based, which Crump said, means they don’t currently work well on Apple devices.
Crump said one option could be to purchase some cheap Windows tablets with a Sim card with Internet, that would allow the system to run off that tablet, and put one in every fire truck. That would allow them to see the location and information on a tablet in the truck. Ray estimated the “whole set up” could probably be purchased for $2,000-$3,000 per truck, including the mount.
Another option would be a “tattletale system like you put in a big truck,” that would would simply report the location of the apparatus to dispatch, but would not provide any information to the personnel in the truck. That system, Crump and Ray said, would be a lot cheaper.
One VFD officer pointed out that having technology that provides information to firefighters in trucks would free up dispatchers to respond to the other calls coming in, instead of answering requests for directions from multiple responders.
Endsley noted that the county currently uses e-dispatch, a call system that firefighters receive phone messages to text or call in for information about a call. More than 150 names were supplied to county officials to be added to the e-dispatch system. The county will soon switching to active 9-1-1.
Sandifeer compared the e-dispatch alert system to the old beeper call alert notification system; both have delays from the time the call goes out until the firefighter receives it.
“Instead of just telling you to text, call or ask for it, when it drops, it will tell you what the call is,” Endsley aid of the active 9-1-1 system. “It will give you a map of how to get there, so your location is at the exact time.”
“When they start generating in the calls for service in the CAD system, then when they hit submit, it’ll send it out through active 911 with the address, wheat the call is and it’ll pre-map,” Ray said.
New, Refurbished Gear & Equipment Available To Volunteer Fire Departments
Hopkins County reimburses the volunteer fire departments for their vehicle insurance and fuel costs, provides workers comp if a member is injured on a call and provides them with monthly stipends. The VFDs are dependent on community donations to pay for upkeep, maintenance, protective gear and equipment, and operations.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley pointed out that the county’s 11 volunteer fire departments haven’t had the opportunity to conduct fundraisers the way they usually do this year, due to COVID-19.
Several efforts are under way at the county and community levels to help provide volunteer fire departments with the protective gear and equipment needed to safely keep their departments operational, county officials reported during a meeting with most of the county volunteer fire department chiefs.
CARES Act Funding
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley at the Sept. 9 chiefs meeting reported the CARES Act funding allocated to Hopkins County has helped provide funding for a lot of tings, including PPE distributed throughout the county, and two ventilators and a testing machine for the hospital. The VFDs will also benefit from it. CARES Act funding will be used to purchase of 49 SCBAs to be distributed as equally as possible to the volunteer fire departments.
“We are very excited to announce that side of it. We may have more stuff come down the pike. We are still waiting to see how our CARES money holds out. There are several things. Schools get some of the CARES money,” Endsley said.
Hopkins County Fire Department has also purchased an extractor and dryer, which is being installed on the TRAX portion of the intermodal facility where the fire staton is located. The extractor will benefit all county fire departments, allowing for the properly cleaning of their gear. The dryer should be able to dry 6-7 sets of gear or hoses.
The area at HCFD where the dryer and extractor will be located are being reconfigured to reduce the risk of cross contamination with additional social distancing between TRAX and the fire department as they enter the building. It should be ready in service in about a week, Endsley said.
Once the dryer and extractor are in place, VFDs can call HCFD to set up a time to bring their gear by and have the duty crew clean it for them. The crew will hen call when it’s ready to be picked up.
Refurbished, Used Items
Endsley also report that Hopkins County Fire Department has 22 good air packs left from SCBAs that were taken out of service at HCFD because they were beyond the date the Texas Fire Commission will allow the paid county fire department to use them. HCFD can send them to Texas Forest Service in Lufkin, to be refurbished at a reduced cost. TFS will even pick the packs up and bring them back.
The fee would be $105 per air pack for the VFDs, as opposed to the $1,000 per pack it would cost to send them off elsewhere for repair. There are enough for 2 packs per department. Endsley encourages any VFD that is interested in the used air packs to contact him, and he will designate them for that department.
HCFD also has 11 sets of gear that have aged out per TFC standards, so they can’t be used at HCFD, but are “still good gear.”
“It passes all the tests. So, I’ve got those sets. Y’all come see me, if you’ve got a department that needs some. If you’ve got plenty and you’re not in need, just remember some other departments have none at all,” Endsley said.
Internet Service
In another development, Endsley reported Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker has been working with NextLink to help expand high speed broadband internet service further out into the county. After surveying the county, company officials have reportedly indicated the volunteer fire stations and substations are located in area where the company hopes to expand their service. In exchange for allowing the company to put a tower on the fire department property, the VFD could receive free NextLink internet. The internet tower would be small and freestanding with no guide wires, according to Endsley.
An internet tower would be a valuable service not only to a volunteer fire station, but also to the community, especially during the COVID-19 when so many things are being done virtually, including learning. Since it would make the service available for customers in that area, Endsley pointed out.
“We’ve got it there at our Como station and it’s just as good as our Suddenlink at the house,” said Matt Green of the Nextlink tower by the Como VFD station.
“If you’re not interested in that, some of your departments may be located where there is fiber optics. I was able to get that into Arbala Fire Department. They had fiber around the corner. I contacted them. They took it right around the corner and provided fiber to Arbala,” Barker said.
County officials said the county is almost out of the radios purchase several years ago with grant funding. The commissioners and fire chief said they plan to look into other options for potentially funding more radios to make them available for any new volunteers or to replace other units.
Fundraiser
Commissioner Bartley noted that Jason Tully has started a program to help raise funds for the county’s 11 VFDs who are even lower on funding than usual since they weren’t able to hold their fundraisers this year.
“Local businessman Jason Tully took this initiative and came up with the program. This is another way our general public steps up to help the volunteer fire departments. I applaud him for that,” Bartley said.
“No matter the time of day or situation, we can count on our Volunteer Fire Departments to be there. It is now time for us to step up and show our appreciation,” according to a post about the fundraiser on the Tully Insurance Facebook page.
Bartley encourages community residents who are interested in contributing to the VFDs to stop by Tully Insurance on Jefferson Street or contact their local VFD to make a donation. Those donating at Tully Insurance on Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs can designate which VFD to contribute to or make a general donation to help as needed. Donations may also be made online at https://www.tullyins.com/fundraiser
Outside the Tully Insurance office, a board shows how much has been contributed so far for each department. Donors are also recognized on the company Facebook page.
In addition to taking donations for the VFDs, Tully also encourages community members to consider donating their time to become volunteer firefighters as well. Those interested can contact a VFD or Tully, and he can put them in touch with the department for their area.
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Plays 4 Short Matches During Home Scrimmage Saturday
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner knew she had scheduled some strong teams for her Lady Cats to scrimmage Saturday, September 12, at home. The Lady Cats had trouble with former district foe Greenville but held their own during short sessions with Forney and Princeton.
The Lady Cats opened the day by winning a set against Princeton before the Lady Panthers took a set to even things out. Next the Lady Cats dropped two sets against Greenville, 25-6 and 25-21. The Lady Cats were ahead, 19-16 in a third set when time expired in the 45 minute session with a running clock.
Then, in a rematch of last season’s Area playoff game, the Lady Cats and Forney Lady Rabbits split two sets. Forney won the first, 25-22, and the Lady Cats rallied to take a second set, 25-23. Forney scored a point after the final horn to take a 7-6 lead in a third set stopped by time.
In a second scrimmage with Greenville, this one reduced to just 30 minutes, the Lady Lions won the only set completed, 25-18. Greenville was ahead 17-15 in a second set when time ran out.
Senior Sadie Washburn compiled numerous kills as did junior Brooklyn Burnside.
The Lady Cats should not need a scouting report for their season opener Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. They open against Greenville on the road. The Lady Cats’ home opener in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School takes place on Saturday, September 19, at 4:30 p.m. against Paris.
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.
Wildcats Team Tennis Gets Road Win At Greenville, 13-6
Utilizing its’ strong girls group, the Wildcats Team Tennis Squad got a 13-6 non-district road win at Greenville Friday night, September 11. The ladies won all six of their singles’ matches, two out of three of their doubles’ matches and of course, contributed to the mixed doubles win.
After doubles’ matches, the Wildcats only led 4-3. Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez noted that in two of the lost matches, the Wildcats had late leads but let them slip away.
For the Wildcats, Jeauxleigh Cantu teamed up with Carlos Lopez-Sardinas for an 8-0 win in mixed doubles. Cantu also won her girls singles match, 6-2, 6-1. Lopez-Sardinas also rallied to win his boys singles match, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Savannah Lilley and Emily Dick won their girls doubles match, 8-5. Lilley won in girls singles, 6-0, 6-0.
Mykylie Meador and Trynity Luckett won their girls doubles’ match, 8-4. Meador won her girls singles match, 6-0, 6-1 and Luckett won her girls singles’ match, 6-0, 6-0.
Paige Miesse won her girls singles match, 4-6, 6-2 and 7-1 in a tiebreaker.
The Wildcats only senior, Harleigh Stegient, won her girls singles match, 6-0, 6-1.
Ella Ray won a practice match in girls singles, 8-0.
In boys doubles, Shane Hinton and Bridger Mayhew won 8-5. Hinton also took his boys singles match, 6-4, 3-6 and 8-6 in a tiebreaker.
Alex Romero was a winner in boys singles, 6-4, 3-6 and 7-4 in a tiebreaker.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 2-0. The Wildcats resume district play Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Texarkana against Texas High. The Wildcats enter the match with a district record of 1-0.
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.
