Quarterly Tira City Council Meeting Slated Sept. 14
Tira News For Aug. 20, 2020
By Jan Vaughn
The next quarterly Tira City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 14, due to Labor Day falling on the regularly scheduled first Monday meeting date.

We want to express our sympathy to the family of Troy Watson of Edgewood. He was the son of Leveta (Chapman) Watson and the late William Troy Watson. A private graveside service was held at the Tira Cemetery on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Please be in prayer for Leveta and all of the family.
Wesley and Yvonne Weir went to Destri’s and spent the night on Wednesday, Aug. 1. They stopped on the way to wish Elise (Dacy’s daughter) a happy 12th birthday. On Sunday, Aug. 16, they went back to Dacy’s to see Eli to wish him a happy birthday, too.
Yvonne and Wesley, also, spent the night at Destri’s on Wednesday night, July 29. They swam and walked on a trail in their neighborhood. Dustin and Everly visited while they were there. Sarah and Lucas visited the Weirs on that Saturday.
Linda Ellen Vaughn of Dallas came to visit with Grace, Chip and me over the weekend. She is leaving for a trip up the California coast by train later this month, then, she will visit a long-time friend in Seattle.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected]

Day Of Prayer, Fasting Observed Aug. 19 In Sulphur Springs
More than 50 people gathered around the courthouse steps on Celebration Plaza at lunch Wednesday in observance of a “Day of Prayer and Fasting” in Hopkins County. The prayer session was held in accord with similar prayer meetings conducted across Northeast Texas during the noon hour on Aug. 19, 2020.
Religious leaders from local churches lead the prayer, asking God for the “healing that we need in our nation in both physical coronavirus and spiritual and other ways.”
Judge Robert Newsom said historically, especially in American history over the centuries, when “people of God have been lead by their governmental leaders to humble themselves to pray and seek His face and fast, God has responded.”
“That’s what we’re counting on today. It’s not anything that any of us can do. It’s God. There is no vaccine on the horizons right now for the COVID-19. We need an intervention by God Himself. So that’s what we’re counting on today,” Newsom said, prior to reading a proclamation calling for the day of prayer and fasting. “So as I read this I want you to understand that I am very humbled to be here today, as we all are, before a mighty God, who can stop the COVID-19.”
Newsom started the proclamation citing 2 Corinthians 7:14, scripture for healing of the land. He then noted the manner in which the novel coronavirus 2019 has spread from its detection in China in December 2019 across the world, including to Hopkins County and Texas, to the point it was declared a world-wide pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11

The virus has affected the general health of people of all ages and groups, especially the elderly, at school, work, churches. It’s affected the economic stability of citizens, homes and families.
Newsom called on the “Creator of All to extend His Favor and Blessings upon the government, the schools, the economy, the health of our community, the businesses, the farmers, our children, our elderly, and all of our citizens with the prosperity, joy and peace that only God can give.”
Newsom concluded the proclamation by urging county residents to “set aside the day of August 19, 2020 as a historic day of humility, prayer, and fasting before God that, by His mercy and grace upon this county, the plague of Covid-19 be broken and that this day we, as His people, repent of our sins personally and as a community, that He might send His refreshing Holy Spirit upon us and heal our people and heal our land.”
The Way Bible Church Pastor Joel Tiemeyer, who helped promote the prayer session, cited James 5:16-18, which emphasizes the power of prayer, “as we gather together and as we unite our faith together.”
In addition to Tiemeyer and Newsom, pastors from 4 local churches and Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley were among those to offer up a prayer in humbleness for a common cause, in hope for healing through Christ. The session closed with those gathered reciting the Lord’s Prayer.


Wildcats Team Tennis Continues To Prepare For Season Opener On Sept. 8
Wildcats Team Tennis Coach Tony Martinez is playing the cards he has been dealt. Along with other Sulphur Springs High School fall sports, the team tennis season has been delayed until Sept. 8.
Coach Martinez continues to meet with his team for skill work several times a week at the Wildcats Tennis Center. He says the delay for the season has actually been beneficial for his program. Coach Martinez says the team has been able to do a lot of good things this summer.
He says team members have had the option of attending sessions three times a week since The Edge got started on June 8. He has mixed in a week off from time to time.
Coach Martinez says he has watched his players grow and get better this summer. He says the kids want to be there and, he adds, he does too. He says the players have been very coachable this summer.
Coach Martinez usually spends a lot of June and July at University of Texas’ tennis camps. This summer’s experience has been such a productive one, he says he may spend future summers in Sulphur Springs.
The SSHS Team Tennis fall season will begin with a bang. The Wildcats open the regular season with a home district match against Mount Pleasant on Sept. 8.

SSPD Investigating Aggravated Robbery On Freeman Street
Sulphur Springs, TX – August 18th, 2020 – Sulphur Springs Police Department are investigating a suspected aggravated robbery on Freeman Street in Sulphur Springs, TX. The attack resulted in one man being transported to the hospital for what were reported to be non life-threatening injuries, according to SSPD Detective Sgt. Jason Reneau.
Police responded at approximately 12:30 p.m. August 18, 2020, to the 700 block of Freeman Street, where a man was reportedly being attacked. Upon arrival, police reported finding a man who had sustained apparent injuries. He was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs for treatment of the injuries, which included blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to one leg.
Based on their investigation, police are working the Freeman Street altercation as a suspected aggravated robbery. No arrests had been made in connection with the suspected robbery at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2020.
Police ask anyone who saw anything or who may have any information about this case to contact SSPSD Detective Sgt. Jason Reneau at 903-885-9302 or the police department, 125 South Davis St.

KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Sulphur Bluff ISD Off To A Good Start With Health, Safety Precautions In Place
District Receives Assistance Purchasing Technology; Adds Full Time Officer To Start Campus Police Department
Sulphur Bluff ISD student began the new school year Tuesday, with multiple health precautions in place, and has some additional safety precautions and renovations in the works including starting a campus police department. The district also received help with purchase of new technology.
Back to School

SBISD’s first day of classes went well, according to Superintendent Dustin Carr, with most students opting to return to campus for in-person classes on Aug. 18. This year’s high school enrollment is one of the largest groups the district has had in a while, with over 85, according to Carr.
The district has numerous safety precautions in place, including social distancing signs, requiring kids from grade four and up to wear face masks or coverings. Electrostatic disinfectant is being used to provide a protective cover on surfaces for 30 days, and daily disinfectant spraying is also being implemented. Hand wipes are used in classrooms. Hand-sanitizer is available inside and outside of each class.
Carr said there have only been a few instances where a student has forgotten to put their masks, but were quick to comply with the reminder to be diligent in the practice as an added precaution for their safety as well as that of teachers, other students and their families.
As of Tuesday afternoon, those at SBISD remain health. No one “involved with the main campus” has had health problems yet, but the district has a plan in place should someone test positive for COVID-19, Carr reported Tuesday afternoon.
Only about a dozen students have opted for the asynchronous online learning option offered this year. The district through the Operation Connectivity offered through TEA was able to order Chromebook laptops and hotspots for half the cost of the devices.
“This is a huge help to our district, by doubling the buying power,” Carr said.
This will be especially helpful for the students who live far out in the county. The district is still waiting on some of the technology to arrive, but is “making do” until then.
Teachers in addition to their conference times, will be working to carve out time during the day to help and interact with the students who are working from home, according to Carr.
He praised the teachers and staff who worked so hard the last couple of weeks to get things ready for the start of classes this year, especially the online learning aspects this year.
“I couldn’t be prouder. I appreciate them. I have a great group of folks here,” Carr said.
New District Teachers
Included among the district employees are three new teachers.

John Toppings is the new special education teacher. He is originally from Paris, where he graduate high school in 1989. He earned an Associate of Science from Paris Junior College, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at Stephen F. Austin University and a Teacher Certification in Special Education at Texas A&M-Texarkana. He has attained professional development in autism and behavior management. From 2003-2007 he was employed at Clarksville ISD as a Life Skills Instructor. He then spent the next 7 years at Paris ISD working in the area of transition, assessment, inclusion, credit recovery and life skills. For the last 4 years, he was employed as a behavior teacher at New Boston ISD.

Zachry McDaniel is the new high school science teacher and coach. This will be his first year teaching. McDaniel is a 2016 graduate of DeKalb High School. He graduated from Southern Arkansas University in 2020 with a degree in Biology.
Kayla Anderson also joins the faculty as a new elementary physical education teacher, world geography teacher. Anderson also will be the head softball coach and assistant volleyball coach. She is from the Mount Vernon area and attained her education at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Safety Renovations, Installations
Sulphur Bluff ISD also this year will be implementing several safety renovations and installations.
Film will be placed over doorway window, making visibility one way, from the inside out as a protective measure.
At the end of the month, the district will be putting up fencing thanks to a safety and security grant. The perimeter of the campus will be fenced, which will allow the district to close off the area around the playground at the front of the property, preventing people from just walking from the parking lot onto the playground.
The biggest safety addition this year is the hiring of a full time SBISD police officer, who will officially start a campus police department. SBISD for the past couple of years has worked with local law enforcement agencies, paying off-duty deputies and police officers to serve as school officers.

Carr said he feels “pretty fortunate” to be able to employ Toney Hurley as SBISD’s first full-time officer, who is tasked with obtaining certification from the state to become an officially recognized SBISD Police Department.
Hurley retired from Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a deputy and chief investigation. His career in law enforcement also includes serving Texas and Southwest Cattle Rangers Association as a special ranger. Hurley has been involved with the school district for a long time. He has served on the school board and his children grown up in the school district. He is in the process of . Hurley will serve as police chief once the department is officially established.
Sulphur Springs ISD Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program 2020-2021
Sulphur Springs ISD encourages all students and families of students to check their eligibility for the 2020-2021 Free and Reduced-Price Meals Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
The USDA has revised the application form, remember to complete it carefully.
You can request a paper copy of the application from the Child Nutrition Department, 631 Connally ST, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
The online application is available here.

Sulphur Springs Man Allegedly Rammed Pickup Into Another Motorist
Hopkins County – August 18, 2020 – Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Alvin Jordan arrested a 22-year-old Sulphur Springs man who allegedly rammed his pickup into another motorist Tuesday morning.

At 10:09 a.m. August 18th, 2020, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers received a 911 call alleging a woman was “getting jumped on by two people”. At 10:11 a.m. communications operators received a second 911 call for the County Road 4767 address, alleging a male and female were fighting. Jordan and HCSO Sgt. Shea Shaw were dispatched to check the complaint, according to sheriff’s reports.
Jordan, in arrest reports, alleged Joseph Wayne Owens used his 2001 Dodge 3500 dually extended cab pickup to ram the driver’s side front bumper of another truck headed onto County Road 4770. Owen is accused of backing up his truck, then, ramming it into the other truck a second time, causing damage to the front of the other truck and making the two occupants of the other pickup fear for their lives.
Deputy Jordan reported stopping Owens in the pickup on FM 71 west at County Road 4766 at 10:40 a.m. and took him into custody at 10:48 a.m. Owens was jailed on two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and the truck was impounded, according to arrest reports.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Aug. 19. Bond was set at $35,000 per charge, according to jail reports.

If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Winnsboro Police Department Report For Aug. 10-16, 2020
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of Aug. 10-16, 2020, included the following activity:
Arrests
No Arrests
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 128 calls for
service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 21 citations and 20 warnings
during this reporting period.

New Orthopedic Surgeon Joins CHRISTUS Hospital, Sulphur Springs
Dr. Chris Meltsakos will bring his skills in Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. His first day in the office will be September 7, 2020 at Trinity Orthopedic Clinic, 103B Medical Circle. The clinic phone number is 903-885-6688. Meanwhile, he will be relocating his family to town and getting to know some of his patients during a free Sports Clinic to be held on Saturday mornings from 9-11am from August 22-November 14, 2020 at Trinity Orthopedic Clinic.

Dr. Meltsakos is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology. He subsequently obtained his medical degree from New York Medical College. Dr. Meltsakos completed his orthopedic surgery residency at New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center. He completed his subspecialty training in Sports Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He and his family have moved here to Sulphur Springs from San Antonio: Dr. Meltsakos has a wife (Norma) and a brand new baby boy!

Co-ordinator of Sports Medicine for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs is Kyle Lemarr. Now in the second year of this program, Lemarr is is pleased to be the liaison between school athletic trainers and coaches and the CHRISTUS providers like Dr. Meltsakos as well as Primary Care physicians. He will be going out to Sulphur Springs the county schools to invite them to use the CHRISTUS Orthopedic services as well as the free Saturday Sports Clinic which will begin August 22, 2020.

All Ages Welcome To Enter 5th Annual Chamber Of Commerce Photography Contest
Chamber Connection for 8/20

By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
It’s time for the 5th Annual Chamber of Commerce Photography Contest!
Let me review the basics. Anyone of any age can enter as we have a children’s category. The picture must be newer than Jan. 1, 2018, and must have been taken in Hopkins County. The contest will be open from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. There are seven categories you may enter: Natural World, Travel, People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children’s Category. Only digital images are accepted (no prints). To submit your photograph, email the picture to [email protected]. Rules and releases will be available on the Chamber of Commerce website. I cannot wait to see your beautiful photos!
Please remember … Friday, Aug. 28 is the last day to submit your registration form to cook in this year’s Hopkins County Stew Contest. No registrations will be accepted after this date.
The Barn of Emory is hosting Saturday night movies for the family
Starting Aug. 22, you can watch a movie with your family at the Barn of Emory. Admission is free along with free popcorn, and all other concessions are half price! The movie is a digital remake of a 1984 comedy about busting ghosts, and the venue has a 15-foot screen with a Dolby-Atmos surround sound system.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and movie rolls at 7 p.m. Social distancing seating is available. For more information, please call (903) 422-2888.
Business Highlight

During the year 2020, The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week.
Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for August 20th, Bearing General Contractors. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram
page.