Jay Sanders Named Chief of Police
Patrol Captain Jay Sanders was appointed Police Chief by the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night. Captain Sanders, a 26-year veteran of the department, began as a patrol officer in 1988 and has now worked his way to the top. He’ll take over August 1 as current Chief Jim Bayuk moves over to the Sulphur Springs ISD Police Department. Captain Sanders says the department is in good shape in personnel and squad cars. He says some...
Abbott Announces $278 Million Loan for Freestone County Power Plant Ahead of Data Center Boom
October 15, 2025 – Governor Greg Abbott has announced a new Texas Energy Fund (TxEF) loan to support construction of a 460-megawatt natural gas power plant in Freestone County, part of Calpine Corporation’s new Pin Oak Creek Energy Center. The $278.3 million low-interest loan—covering 60% of the $464 million project—marks the fourth TxEF agreement since the program began earlier this year. Set to begin operation before summer...
Mayor Nash Presented Two Proclamations February 17th in Honor of Black History Month
February 23, 2025 – KSST’s Chief Engineer, and the Mayor of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Reverend Harold Nash, Sr., presented, on behalf of Sulphur Springs, Texas, City Council, a Proclamation to East End Allegiance: Our Youth, and a Proclamation to Navy Veteran Benjamin C. Rape, Jr., in honor of Black History Month. The presentations were held at City Hall, downtown Sulphur Springs, Texas. Below is KSST’s coverage of...
Chamber Connection – November 20, 2024
By Butch Burney The annual Economic Development Conference is just around the corner, and we have an experienced speaker and college professor, Mick Normington, to present information on jobs, housing, unemployment and education for our area. Mick has two master’s degrees, co-authored the book “Working Texas Style,” previously worked at the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Labor Market Department of the Texas Workforce...
Chamber Connection – November 13, 2024
By Butch Burney The annual Economic Development Conference is back, and we have an experienced speaker and college professor, Mick Normington, to present information on jobs, housing, unemployment and education for our area. Mick has two master’s degrees, co-authored the book “Working Texas Style,” previously worked at the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Labor Market Department of the Texas Workforce Commission, and is now a...
Solar, Wind, and Carbon, OH MY!!
August 29, 2024 – Hopkins County residents have been inundated with the promise (or threat) of green energy projects needing thousands of acres in different parts of the county. Many solar plant projects already have been approved, built, and operating, but more solar companies are leasing land and asking for tax abatements. The green energy projects keep expanding and now include wind (huge windmills), Carbon Capture (C02...
JD Franklin
Former Mayor and City Council member, Joe Davies “JD” Franklin, age 86, departed this life on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at his cherished home in Sulphur Springs, TX. Born on April 18, 1937, in Sulphur Springs to Zeb D. Franklin and Robbie Ray Kelly. JD’s legacy is deeply rooted in Sulphur Springs, and he leaves an indelible mark on the community he called home. A graduate of Douglas High School in 1956, JD, known as...
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Supports Meal-A-Day
August 14, 2023 – The Hopkins County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to support the Hopkins County based Meal-A-Day program. Director Dietlin accepts the Proclamation at Commissioners Court Monday. Meal-A-Day Director Amanda Dietlin was on hand to receive the proclamation and a check for over two thousand dollars. Dietline made a brief presentation and answered several questions from commissioners regarding where the funds...
EDC Executive Director to Retire
Roger Feagley Announces Retirement – Chris Brown Chosen As Successor The Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County EDC will see a passing of the torch after almost 2 decades of success with Roger Feagley at the helm. Roger has announced he will retire in January, 2024, which will mark 19 years of service, providing assistance and resources of over $14m to nearly 40 local companies and projects. “It has been a pleasure to serve the Sulphur...
TAMUC Awards Gala Recognizes 10 Outstanding Alumni
The Texas A&M University-Commerce Alumni Association hosted the 2023 Alumni Awards Gala on Saturday, April 29 to honor the university’s new Gold Blazers and Distinguished Alumni. The Event was held in the Sam Rayburn Student Center on the university campus. In his welcome address, President Mark Rudin emphasized that successful alumni are a reflection of a university’s quality. “There is a train of thought that says a...
