Updates Given On SSISD COVID-19 Cases, Enrollment
Sulphur Springs ISD administrators provided updates Monday evening on COVID-19 cases and enrollment in Virtual Academy and face-to-face learning.
COVID-19 Cases
Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams reported the district has had a total of 78 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, 46 students and 32 staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 since school started on Sept. 1.
He acknowledged that there were some cases before school started, but they are not included in these numbers. The district began having to report COVID-19 case information to Texas Education Agency, Texas Department of State Health Services and the Local Health Authority about the time school began, so Sept. 1 is the date used for the district reports.
Student cases span 5 different campuses: 1 case each at Douglas Early Childhood Learning Center and Travis Primary, 2 at Bowie Primary, 6 at Sulphur Springs Middle School and 36 at Sulphur Springs High School.
Staff cases have been reported on 6 different campuses: 3 each at at Douglass, Sulphur Springs Elementary and another district facility; 7 at middle school; and 8 each at Bush Primary and high school.
As of Monday, SSISD reported 3 district students have are home with positive COVID-19 cases, one at middle school and 2 at high school. The district also on Oct. 19 had 10 active staff cases: 1 at Douglass ECLC, 4 at Barbara Bush Primary (3 reported on Monday), 2 each at middle school and high school and one at another district facility.
“These are folks who have not cleared the protocol yet and are in quarantine and are home from school,” Williams said.
The active case count would have been higher if the census were for last Wednesday and Thursday. However, several followed protocol over the weekend and were able to return to school Monday.
The report shows the highest positivity rate on Monday was 1.07 percent at Bush Primary. Douglass’ positivity rate was 0.38 percent, middle school 0.27 percent and high school 0.28 percent. The positivity rate is derived by taking the total number of active positive cases (student and staff) and diving it by the sum of the number of students and staff enrolled at or working on that campus, Williams explained.
“The bottom line is our highest percentage is 1.07 percent. I think the highest percentage we have seen has been 1.4 percent at high school,” Williams said of the campus positivity rates. “That translates to an awful lot of kids who are going to school either on buildings or the remote learning academy.”
The district also has 206 students and 16 staff members who have not tested positive but were in quarantine on Oct. 19 due to a high-risk exposure to or have been sent home with symptoms of COVID-19. A high risk exposure is being within 6 feet, while unprotected, to a person who has COVID-19 for a period of 15 minutes or more.
SSHS has 70 students in quarantine, many of whom are varsity football players who had a high risk exposure and are expected to be back on campus on Friday. High school also had 3 staff members in non-positive quarantine on Monday.
Barbara Bush Primary, however, has had the most recent activity; 60 students were in quarantine on Monday, most had to go home due to high risk exposure from a teacher who has tested positive for COVID-19. On Oct. 19, Bush Primary had 5 staff members in non-positive quarantine as well.
A couple of weeks ago, middle school would have had the highest number when the 8th grade football players were in quarantine. The campus as of Monday had 20 students and 4 staff members in quarantine.
Also in quarantine were 8 students and 2 staff from Bowie Primary, 9 students from Lamar Primary, 1 student from Travis Primary, 18 students and 2 staff members at Sulphur Springs Elementary.
Austin Academic Center is the only SSISD campus that has had neither active cases nor any students or staff in quarantine.
“It’s constantly changing, literally from hour to hour,” Williams said. “I can’t say enough about our nurses and what a great job they are doing. They are working their tails off to keep this straight and put up with me, to get through it and all the different pieces that we have. They are really doing a really great job.”
Enrollment Update
Superintendent Michael Lamb Monday night reported there are 3,501 students attending face-to-face classes on SSISD campuses and another 826 students are enrolled in Virtual Academy. That’s a change of 20-30 students since his last report to the board, but still about 100 less students in 2020-21 than during the 2019-20 school year.
“That’s not bad compared to where we thought we would be. We feel good about our enrollment. It is increasing,” Lamb said.
The biggest decreases in enrollment from last year are in Douglass and kindergarten classes, SSISD Board of Trustees President Robert Cody noted.
“Yes, as we’ve seen all over the place, a lot of parents kept their kindergarteners and pre-kers home this year, all over the nation, and are going to wait a year before they enroll,” Lamb said.
Overall, 279 students are enrolled in kindergarten as of Oct. 19, 2020, two more than during the second week of school.
The superintendent pointed out that the total number of SSISD students enrolled in Virtual Academy has been reduced from 20 to 19 percent.
“Some are coming back, slowly but surely,” Lamb said.
The number fluctuate by campus, as does overall enrollment.
At Douglas ECLC, enrollment has increased from 198 to 207 students, with 4 fewer students attending VA and 13 additional students attending classes on campus. This campus previously had 224 students last year.
Three fewer students were enrolled at Bowie Primary on Oct. 19 than the 312 reported the second week of school. Overall, 258 students attend classes on campus, two more than in September, while 51 students attend VA, which is 5 fewer students overall. That decreases the VA population at Bowie from 18 to 17 percent.
Barbara Bush Primary has an overall enrollment of 328, which is 8 fewer students attending than in September. Seven fewer students were enrolled in VA and 5 more were enrolled in face-to-face classes. That decreased the VA percent from 18 to 14 at Bush Primary.
Lamar Primary had 293 students, 59 less enrolled overall on Oct. 19 than in September. Overall, 264 students were enrolled in face-to-face classes, 21 more students than in September. VA enrollment declined 21 percent to 10 percent. Only 29 Lamar students enrolled in virtual classes on Oct. 19 compared to 109 taking VA classes the second week of school.
Travis Primary had 1 less student in October than the enrollment of 290 reported in September. VA enrollment dropped from 61 to 58 in October, while enrollment in face-to-face classes grew from 229 students in September to 233 in Otober, a 1 percent decrease to 20 percent overall.
Enrollment in VA increased 1 percent at middle school, where the overall enrollment was 1,013 on Oct. 19, an increase of 4 students. Only 809 students were enrolled face-to-face classes, down from 816 the second week of school. The district had 204 VA students on Oct. 19, up from 193 in September.
At high school, 3 percent more students are attending VA in October. Enrollment on that campus as a whole decreased from 1,271 to 1,259 on Oct. 19. Enrollment went from 1,011 on-campus and 260 VA students the second week of school to 956 on-campus and 294 VA students Oct. 19.
SSES’ student population increased by 15 students to 627. A dozen more students were attending face-to-face classes in October than the 505 reported in September, while 110 students were enrolled in VA, 3 more than in September. That increased the VA population by 1 percent to 18 percent.
At Sulphur Springs Country Club Golf Tourneys Monday, Wildcats Take 1st and Lady Cats are 2nd
There’s no place like home. Wildcats Golf Coach Jeremy DeLorge and Lady Cats Golf Coach Whitney Spigener enjoyed opening their fall golf season with small tournaments at their home course, at the Sulphur Springs Country Club, on Monday (October 19). Both local teams had good days.
The Wildcats, playing in a six team field, shot 304 and took first place, Two Wildcats seniors, Kip Childress and Grant Mohesky, both shot the day’s best score of 3-under 69. Childress was declared the winner due to a scorecard playoff. Senior Rylan Brewer and sophomore Caleb Kesting both shot 83’s and ended up tied for 11th place. Junior Luke Dietze carded a 95 for 23rd place. The Wildcats 304 first place team score topped district foes Mount Pleasant, Hallsville and Longview. The Wildcats came in 6 shots ahead of the Tigers, a dozen shots better than the Bobcats and 44 strokes ahead of the Lobos. Coach DeLorge said all of his golfers bettered scores that they shot there last year. He said they have worked hard this fall to get better. Coach DeLorge said they did what they were expected to do on their home course and now he wants them to have similar success at the Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club course next Monday.
The Lady Cats, playing in a four team field, finished second with a team score of 422. Longview took first with a 384 score. Lady Cats senior Mariam Tran took first place with a 74, 4 shots ahead of the field. Sophomore Mykylie Meador was fifth with her personal best round of 91. Coach Spigener said Meador shows tremendous potential and improvement over last year’s results. Sophomore Mattye Schmidt was 14th shooting 128. Makayla Pullen was 15th shooting 129. After only taking up golf very recently, freshman Autumn Allen also finished her first round as a Lady Cat. Coach Spigener said to Allen’s credit she did not have to take the 9 stroke limit on several holes during the round. The Lady Cats topped Mount Pleasant and Lindale. Just like the Wildcats, the Lady Cats will also play in a tournament at the Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club next Monday.
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.
Lady Cats Volleyball and Wildcats Team Tennis Have District matches on Tuesday Game Day
On this Tuesday (October 20) game day, there is district volleyball and team tennis.
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team will wrap up the first half of district play with a road match at Longview. The Lady Cats JV Gold Team plays Longview at 4:30 p.m. Then the Lady Cats JV Blue Team plays the Lady Lobos at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Cats Varsity plays Longview at around 6:30 p.m. The Lady Cats are 4-1 in district play and 7-6 for the season.
The Wildcats Team Tennis squad completes district play at Marshall at 4 p.m. on this Tuesday game day. The Wildcats are 2-3 in district play and 3-3 so far this season. Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez says the Wildcats will be in the playoffs. Three weeks ago, the Wildcats won a crucial match at Pine Tree that secured the district’s fourth playoff spot.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
TxDOT Urges Drivers to ‘End The Streak’ of Daily Deaths on Texas Roads as 20TH Anniversary Approaches
| NEWS RELEASE PARIS DISTRICT Tim McAlavy (903) 737-9213 [email protected] | |
| TxDOT URGES DRIVERS TO ‘END THE STREAK’ OF DAILY DEATHS ON TEXAS ROADS AS 20TH ANNIVERSARY APPROACHES November 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways AUSTIN – The sound of baseball and the smell of barbecue fills a North Austin neighborhood. It’s the start of a new summer and 14-year-old Alexei Bauereis is walking his best friend home through a crosswalk. Filled with the excitement only a new summer can bring, Alexei likely didn’t see the car speeding toward the crosswalk. The 19-year-old driver didn’t see Alexei either, because he was changing the music on his phone. Alexei died instantly, along with his dream of becoming a world class ballet dancer. “It’s a terrible tragedy not just for the person involved and not even just their family, but a much broader community,” said his father, Eric Bauereis. This November 7, Texas marks 20 years of daily deaths on our roadways with more than 70,000 innocent lives like Alexei’s lost to preventable fatal crashes. Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan, a champion for road safety and TxDOT’s #EndTheStreakTX campaign, believes ending this streak is attainable, but will require every Texan’s commitment. “Last year, 20 Texas counties actually had zero deaths on their roadways – that tells me we can end the streak of daily deaths in Texas,” Ryan said. “This is why in 2019 the Texas Transportation Commission adopted a new goal of having zero deaths on our roadways by 2050, and to cut the number of fatalities in half by 2035. We will do our part; and we need drivers to do theirs.” An average of 10 people die every day in crashes in the state. “The effort to end the streak of daily deaths in Texas is a shared responsibility and we are committed to including safety enhancements in every project we build or maintain,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “It’s going to take education, engineering and enforcement to get this done, and that’s why this call to action to every Texan is so imperative.” What we’re asking is simple: when you get behind the wheel buckle up; pay attention and avoid all distractions like phones; never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs; watch your speed, and always drive to the conditions around you. Because #EndTheStreakTX is a social media, grassroots and word-of-mouth effort, Texans are being asked to do any or all the following to raise awareness: • Post pictures on social media with this downloadable sign displaying the hashtag #EndTheStreakTX • Use one of our social media profile filters • Join the #TexasTagTen challenge on social media and tag ten family members or friends and encourage them to say what they will do differently to avoid a fatal crash on our roads. Earlier this year, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic levels on Texas highways dropped nearly 44 percent in some parts of the state. This decrease in traffic encouraged TxDOT to think the horrific streak might finally come to an end. Instead, the death rate was unchanged, even with fewer drivers on Texas roads. “We can and we must do better,” said Ryan. For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700. ### |
Winnsboro Police Department Report For Oct. 12-18, 2020
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of Oct. 12-18, 2020, included the following activity:
Arrests
No arrests
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 127 calls for
service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 18 citations and 37 warnings
during this reporting period.
In Texas, CAFOs Are Regulated by the TCEQ by Mario Villarino
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
In Texas, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Any CAFO with more than 300 animal units (more than 200 mature dairy cows) located in the dairy outreach program area (DOPA) must meet the following training and educational requirements (the DOPA includes Bosque, Comanche, Erath, Hamilton, Hopkins, Johnson, Rains, and Wood Counties):• Complete an initial 8-hour training course on animal waste management within 12 months after permitting or authorization.• Receive an additional 8 hours of continuing education in animal waste management for each subsequent 24-month period. Important: A CAFO may be considered out of compliance if these requirements are not met within the time periods specified. To Satisfy these requirements, Hopkins, Wood and Rains counties have scheduled the 2020 Northeast Texas Fall Dairy Conference at the Regional Civic Center in Sulphur Springs, Texas for October 28, 2020 starting at 9:30 AM. The conference will include 4 DOPA credits with the topics of recycled manure bedding, use of biochar, manure management options and soil testing for manure management plans. The cost of the conference is $10 with lunch sponsored by the Southwest Dairy Museum. To register to the event or more information please call the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email [email protected].
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
City, County Recognized For Sharing CARES Funds For Devices For SSISD Students
The city and county were recognized by Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees and administrators Monday evening for CARES Act fund contributions for devices for SSISD students.
“We have the wonderful honor of being able to recognize the City of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County for contributions to the Sulphur Springs Independent School District,” SSISD Board of Trustees President Robert Cody said during Monday evening’s trustees meeting.
Superintendent Michael Lamb explained the process that lead to SSISD asking for and receiving CARES Act funding from both the city and county.
“With COVID-19, as you know, we needed more devices for our students, computer devices. We ended up with so much of this COVID situation has been about doing something then, figuring out how to do it later. We needed the technology. We purchased it, but it was going to hit hard on our budget,” Lamb said. “We spent $255,600 to get some laptops and some hotspots.”
The devices were needed for classroom use as well as for use by Virtual Academy students and so that the district will have them should on-campus learning have to transition to at-home learning due to illness or weather issues.
The state then indicated possibly up half of the cost of laptops and hotspots could be reimbursed by the state. SSISD was awarded $127,000 from the state.
The state then announced that the state would match dollar for dollar any CARES Act funding the city and county would be willing to share with the school district. SSISD officials contacted both the city and county to see if each would be willing to share some of the CARES Act funding allocated to each to help the school district purchase devices.
The Sulphur Springs City Council agreed to allocated $31,950 in CARES Act funding to SSISD to help with the technology purchase for SSISD students.
Hopkins County Commissioner Court also agreed to help, but weren’t initially sure how much would be allocated to SSISD. There are 6 rural school districts in Hopkins County that also have technology needs, perhaps even greater needs since some are not located within a city limit that has CARES funding that can be shared. After consideration, Hopkins County allocated $5,000 to SSISD to help with the purchase.
“Which means that same amount both times the state gave again, for a grand total that the state gave us of $164,750, which means we are getting $255,000 worth of technology and we, SSISD, are spending $53,000 of our own money. We can’t say thank you enough to the county and city for helping us do this in a tough time,” Lamb said.
Lamb presented Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers and County Judge Robert Newsom with certificates of appreciation for the City of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, respectively, in recognition of CARES Act funds contributions made by each toward the purchase of technology devices for the benefit of SSISD students.
“You guys have really supported us well and we really appreciate it,” Lamb said. “Thank you in all you were able to do and pull off with your group on behalf of all of our kids.”
“Yall are the ones doing all of the work and you’re doing a great job,” Newsom said, expressing appreciation to the school personnel in the room for caring so much for the students.
“We just couldn’t stand the idea of leaving state money on the table,” Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell said.
“It didn’t take long for them to jump onto this offer so I appreciate it very much,” Lamb said.
7 Personnel Changes Approved For SSISD
Trustees Also Approve Membership In Legal Program, Head Start Policy Council Appointment
Seven personnel changes were approved for SSISD Monday evening. The Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees also made a council appointment and renewed district membership in a legal program. An ESL/bilingual report too was presented during the 6 p.m. meeting Oct. 19.
Personnel, Appointment
Personnel changes approved for SSISD included three resignations, 3 new hires and acceptance of a pending retirement, impacting 5 campuses.
Alma Ramirez resigned as campus secretary at Travis Primary.
Jane Claypool resigned as at-risk aide at middle school.
Chainie Collins resigned as special education teacher at Austin Academic Center.
Belinda Perdue turned in her notification of retirement as a Title I aide Lamar Primary, effective at the end of the first semester. Misty Cline was approved to become a new Title I aide at Lamar.
Ashley Gilstrap and Ronald Jackson were approved to join the high school staff as special education aides.
Lamb noted that SSISD tries to maintain as much consistency in programs as possible, so when a person can serve again it is encouraged and appreciated
Robbin Vaughn was nominated to again represent the school board on the Head Start Policy Council for the 2020-21 school year.
Legal Program
Trustees were also asked by Superintendent Michael Lamb to consider renewing membership in Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Russo & Kyle, PC’s legal retainer program for the 2020-21 school year.
Lamb noted that the district works with different law firms for different things during the year. The district has, every year he’s been with the district, renewed membership in the Walsh, Gallegos group’s legal retainer program so the district can continue to use the service.
For a $1,000 retainer, school officials can consult with firm representatives for general routine legal matters using the firm’s toll free number. This telephone consultation can be for day-to-day general and special education matters.
For time spent on research, opinion letters, office visits, board meetings and other general work, the firm would charge $230 an hour to consult with associates licensed for less than 1 year, $240 an hour for associates licensed 1-2 years, $295 an hour for associates licensed over 2 years or $315 an hour for shareholders.
Matters requiring more in-depth work, such as documentation review, negotiation of a contract, grievance, nonrenewal, review of construction documents, litigation, administrative appeals and things of that nature, including telephone calls, those hourly retainer rates plus expenses would be charged.
Those not on the retainer program pay $230 a hour for services from an associate licensed less than a year, $240 an hour for work by associates licensed 1-2 years, $315 an hour for work by associates licensed for over 2 years and $335 an hour for work by shareholders, according to the information submitted to the school board.
The district will also pay reduced rates for products such as web-based Student Code of Conduct, The Legal Guide to DAEP and Expulsion and the Extracurricular Code of Conduct; free subscriptions to the firm’s bi-monthly newsletter, “Time Out with Walsh Gallegos,” and monthly special education newsletter, “This Just In”; and email updates regarding developments in education law; and one free on-demand webinar for school administrators training.
ESL/Bilingual Report
The new director for the bilingual/ESL program, Craig Toney, introduced himself to the school board, and thanked them for the opportunity to work in Sulphur Springs, where he lives.
Toney also submitted a printed educational performance report for the bilingual/ESL program for the2019-20 school year, noting the report does not contain a lot of data. Because of the shortened in-class spring semester due to COVID-19, officials were unable to complete Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System tests for grades 4-8and there were no STAAR tests and no Idea Proficiency Test (IPT)on Oral Language Proficiency Assessments.
During the 2019-2020 school year, SSISD provided services to 661 students designated as English learners. Bilingual and ESL programs served 643 of those students. Parent denials accounted for 18 students and 62 students were monitored in their first or second year after meeting state and federal program exit criteria, according to the bilingual/ESL report.
United Way At Almost 30 Percent Of Goal Halfway Through Campaign
Hopkins County United Way is at almost 30 percent of the $150,000 goal to benefit 19 local agencies, halfway through the campaign.
Campaign workers turned in another $10,892.85 in donations and pledges from businesses, individuals, elected officials, healthcare professionals and agencies during Tuesday morning’s campaign workers meeting. That raises the total collected so far to $42,694.42.
HCUW has scheduled three additional meetings in an effort to raise the $150,000 goal to benefit 19 local nonprofit agencies and organizations.
Charlotte Henderson turned in contributions from Super Handy and Joe Bob’s convenience stores. Henderson noted Joe Bob’s, a long time HCUW supporter, did very, very well in contributions this year.
HCUW Co-President with wife Beverley Owens, commended Scott Nottingham for making a very generous pledge for at Sulphur Springs Dodge.
CANHelp Thift Store was commended for doubling their amount. Donations of clothing, house hold items, furniture, electronics, and other items to the Thrift Store stay local and are either sold to raise money for CANHelp programs, or go directly to CANHelp clients when a need is identified. Many items that can’t be used in our store, such as an excess in clothing and shoes, are sent to Charity Shoes and Clothing to be recycled and repurposed in third world countries.
Many volunteers and professionals representing the organizations allocated funding from the HCUW campaign also are involved in the HCUW as campaign workers.
CANHelp this year has been allocated $8,000 of the $150,000 campaign goal. CANHelp provides compassionate, comprehensive solutions to empower the underserved in the community to make positive, lasting life changes.
Tim Glenn turned in contributions from All World Travel, Schlotzky’s and Sulphur Springs Livestock, noting the businesses to be faithful contributors to HCUW. He also reported City National Bank is scheduling meetings regarding HCUW and anticipated being ready to turn in donations and pledges from the financial institution in about a week.
HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning reported donations were received from two individuals, including a generous contribution from a longtime contributor. Another individual made contributions through PayPal. She reminded that donations may be made online by following the Hopkins County United Way Facebook page and clicking on the Shop Now button to be directed to the donation site.
Campaign Chair Mike Horne reminded community members that Panda Express is holding a giveback event today, contributing 20 percent of sales from people who present a paper or electronic copy of the flyer, or who use the code 317614 when ordering online, on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Panda Express will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 20. The dining room is closed for dine-in customers, but does have outdoor seating. The flyer (above) can be shared from the HCUW Facebook page.
“This meeting marks our halfway point through our report meetings. We only have three report meetings left, so we want to make sure we work those packets, continue working them so we can finish this campaign strong,” Horne told the campaign workers.
Those who are interested in learning more about the organizations allocated funds from this year’s campaign can also check the HCUW Facebook page for videos. The first posted features Hopkins County Christian Alliance.
Berning and Horne offered thanks to all of the contributors to the campaign as well as the campaign workers, Panda Express, and community and media partners.
Award Recipients Announced in the 2020 “Help a Child” Benefit
October 20, 2020 – Each Autumn since 2007, Wade Bartley has organized the local Help a Child Benefit, designed to raise funds for important non-profit organizations which help children. Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center both provide important services in helping children who are disadvantaged due to circumstances beyond their control.
Among those services are legal assistance for children who have suffered physical or psychological abuse, and medical assistance for those with birth defects or disabling injuries. Over the years, Wade’s annual event also has become a family project. His grandson Jarrett Bartley, a Senior in the Rains ISD FFA Chapter, assisted his grandfather during Saturday’s auction and awards. Wade’s Arkansas cousin, Wayne Bartley makes an impact each year by bringing his cooking wagon and preparing quantities of dutch oven peach cobbler as a sweet treat for everyone attending. Wayne’s son-in-law Larry Rose of Oklahoma also comes along to assist with the cooking for the Help a Child Benefit. The Lake Country Tractor Club also lent their support by putting on an exciting tractor pull inside the arena. Total moneys raised for 2020 will be announced, as donations are still being accepted by check. To donate, please mail to: Wade Bartley, 161 CR 3513, Dike, Texas 75437
Each year, a family who opens their home to children in need is selected for recognition. Eric and Savannah Christian of Rains county are the recipients of the 2020 Foster Parents of the Year recognition. This young Emory couple has fostered nine children so far, and are adoptive parents of three children.
Here are the winners at this year’s “Help a Child”Benefit
WINNER OF THE RAFFLE PRIZE: Mark Fields, 4 Wheeler and Trailer
COOKING CONTEST WINNERS:
FIRST PLACE CHILI : Robert Cash
SECOND PLACE CHILI: Michael Bowen and Como Pickton FFA Chapter
THIRD PLACE CHILI: Donnie Powers and Chris Penny, SS Professional Fire Fighters Association
FIRST PLACE BEANS: Wayne Bartley and Larry Rose
IN THE IRA BLACK FFA SHOP PROJECT SHOW:
FIRST PLACE: COMO PICKTON FFA
HONORABLE MENTION: Miller Grove FFA
HONORABLE MENTION: Sulphur Springs Construction Class
According to Wade, “this annual event is to help improve the lives of children who have been impacted by negative circumstances beyond their control, and to hopefully help give them a chance at a more positive start in life. Thanks to everyone who assisted in every way, from sponsoring to physical labor and with promoting the cause. It is a community effort”.
