City of Sulphur Springs Hoping to Resurface 4.5 Miles of Streets Under Street Improvement Plan
March 7, 2024 – During the March city council meeting, Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell revelaed the tentative list of streets designated on the Street Improvement Plan for 2024. Although the list is not yet finalized, more than four and a half miles of city streets are slated for repair or resurfacing around Sulphur Springs. Bid packets will be sent out to contractors on March 15 and those bids will then be opened on April 12th. The final list of streets and how much will be repaired will be determined as those asphalt bids get returned.
| Street | Between | Length |
| League | Asphalt Repairs | 1000 |
| League | Connally to KCS Rail | 1200 |
| W.A. | MLK to end | 2223 |
| Cranford | Robertson to Beasley | 1287 |
| S. Moore | Bellview to Tate | 449 |
| Oak | Gilmer to College | 3446 |
| Pollard | Mulberry to end | 211 |
| N. Davis | Glover to Airport Rd. | 1728 |
| Kirtley | Bellview to Nicholson | 412 |
| Ninth | Woodlawn to VanSickle | 845 |
| Carter | Bill Bradford to Whitworth | 2000 |
| Henderson | Craig to League | 449 |
| Melony | Azalea to end | 1215 |
| Jennings | Jefferson to College | 929 |
| Beckworth | Whitworth to College | 690 |
| Sharon | W. Industrial to W. Pampa | 803 |
| Spence | Lemon to Carter | 639 |
| Weaver | Jackson to Teer | 2877 |
| Shook | Weaver to Jefferson | 536 |
| Jacobs | Houston to Bonner | 848 |
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – March 2024
March 7, 2024 – The following report was presented Tuesday to the Sulphur Springs City Council by City Manager Marc Maxwell.
CLAIMS – We did not have any liability claims in February. We had one minor worker’s compensation claim.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – We have applied for a $250,000 grant from the General Land Office to perform the plan. I had previously reported that we should know before this council meeting whether we got the grant. The General Land Office requested a few minor clarifications from us, and we responded last week. I like our chances on this one! We should know soon.
SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER – They are painting and installing flooring now. The contractor still says he will be done by March 31st. We shall see.
COLLEGE STREET – The Como/College intersection has been poured so that we can restore circulation to Como Street. The Capital Construction Division will tie-in the intersection to Como Street and College Street (eastward) next week. We will then open the 3-way intersection. The contractor has already begun working westward toward Rookson Street. At the present rate, the project should be finished by June.
HOLIDAY DRIVE – Capital Construction Division crews have nearly finished installing the water main. I expect them to begin installing the sewer main next week. This is a complete reconstruction project, like College Street.
WATER FILTER REHABILITATION – This $3.2 million project will rehabilitate all 6 filters at the water treatment plant. Work is completed on filters 2, 3 and 4. Filters 1, 5 and 6 remain to be rehabilitated.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PLAN (SIP) – Following is a proposed list of streets to be repaved in the 2024 Street Improvement Program. The list is not yet finalized, The list may shrink or grow depending on how the asphalt bids come in. We will send the bid packets out on March 15 and open bids on April 12th.
| Street | Between | Length |
| League | Asphalt Repairs | 1000 |
| League | Connally to KCS Rail | 1200 |
| W.A. | MLK to end | 2223 |
| Cranford | Robertson to Beasley | 1287 |
| S. Moore | Bellview to Tate | 449 |
| Oak | Gilmer to College | 3446 |
| Pollard | Mulberry to end | 211 |
| N. Davis | Glover to Airport Rd. | 1728 |
| Kirtley | Bellview to Nicholson | 412 |
| Ninth | Woodlawn to VanSickle | 845 |
| Carter | Bill Bradford to Whitworth | 2000 |
| Henderson | Craig to League | 449 |
| Melony | Azalea to end | 1215 |
| Jennings | Jefferson to College | 929 |
| Beckworth | Whitworth to College | 690 |
| Sharon | W. Industrial to W. Pampa | 803 |
| Spence | Lemon to Carter | 639 |
| Weaver | Jackson to Teer | 2877 |
| Shook | Weaver to Jefferson | 536 |
| Jacobs | Houston to Bonner | 848 |
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will present the usual report of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Installed new gate at Coleman Park.
- Replaced flagpole at Grays Building.
- Replaced light bulbs on Hopkins County Veterans Memorial.
- Turned the waterfalls on at the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial.
- Installed Cameras at Coleman Park.
- Hauled 793 tons of sludge to the landfill.
- Treated wastewater effluent to a daily average total suspended solids reading of
0.39 mg/L. - Repaired 16 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 25 water meters.
- Unstopped 30 water mains.
- Repaired 6 sewer mains.
- Flushed 37 dead-end water mains.
- Operated water pumps at Cooper Lake on generator once due to a power outage.
- Repaired instrumentation on Coleman water tower.
- Checked out 3,611 items from the library plus 876 eBooks.
- Conducted 41 building inspections, 24 electrical inspections, 8 plumbing
inspections and 3 mechanical inspections. - Issued 21 building permits and 31 trade permits.
- Sold 2,457 gallons of AvGas and 5,735 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Accommodated 1,001 operations at the airport.
- Began preparing downtown for the busy season.
- Held 53 activities for seniors at the senior citizen center.
- Rented the Grays Building 18 times.
- Made several repairs to Kids Kingdom.
- Painted concession stands at Buford Park.
- Responded to 226 calls for fire/rescue.
- Responded to 1 structure fire and 13 grass fires.
- Conducted 15 fire inspections.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 76 fire hydrants.
- Repaired 436 potholes.
- Made 30 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Cleaned out storm catch basins twice.
- Replaced 6 stop signs and 20 street signs.
- Responded to 172 animal control calls, while achieving a 74% adoption rate.
- Made 6 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 30 accidents, issued 592 traffic citations, made 70 arrests, and
recorded 49 offences in the Patrol Division. - Responded to 2,296 911 calls.
New Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone Ordinance Gains Approval on First Reading
March 7, 2024 – The Sulphur Springs City Council approved on first reading Ordinance 2853 designating a certain area within the City of Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Texas as a tax increment financing reinvestment zone. This area will be known as Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Two, City of Sulphur Springs, Texas.
This zone contains 4,333 acres and is also known as the Old Thermo Mine Area. The intention of the Reinvestment Zone is to implement Tax Increment Financing, which would allow the City of Sulphur Springs to divert future property tax revenue increases from that zone toward an economic development project or public improvement project to help enhance the desirability of private companies to invest in that same zone.
This procedure is the same way the City of Sulphur Springs was able to revitalize the downtown area including Celebration Plaza. The second reading of Ordinance 2853 will probably appear on the April 2024 agenda for the Sulphur Springs City Council.
Community Event on Child Safety Online in Winnsboro
March 6, 2024 – You are cordially invited to attend the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center’s internet safety and awareness event Do You Know Your Kids Online ‘Friends’? on Wednesday, March 13 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 301 Church St, Winnsboro, TX 75494.
This free event is geared toward helping parents understand the dangers of technology and protecting their children’s privacy and identity online, including social media and gaming consoles. Your support at this event will help empower our community to recognize, resist, and report the threats our kids face daily in online chats, social media messaging, and gaming. Co-hosted by the First United Methodist Church, there will be a community presentation, resources for parents, and light refreshments with members of the Wood County Sheriff’s office in attendance to meet and greet the community.
For more information, please contact Caitlin Graham, Community Education Coordinator, at [email protected], or Jennifer Williams, Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator, at [email protected]. Individuals may also contact us by phone at (903) 629-7588 or www.netcac.org for more information.
Commissioner Races Still Undecided as Both Precincts 1 & 3 Head To Runoff
March 5, 2024 – Two Hopkins County Commissioners for Precincts 1 and 3 will remain undecided as neither race had a candidate that received more than 50% of the vote. Precinct 1 Incumbent Mickey Barker was unable to capture more than 50% of the total votes after receiving 567 votes (34.83%) and will now face challenger Wesley Miller in a runoff. Miller received 605 votes (37.16%). The third challenger in the Precinct 1 contest, Steven “Big” Smith received 456 votes (28.01%) missing the cut for a runoff.
In Precinct 3 Commisssioner race, William (Bill) Holden narrowly missed capturing an outright win receiving 707 of the total votes (48.56%) with Travis Thompson receiving 582 votes (39.97%). Lance Knotts came in a distant third in the contest with 167 votes (11.47%). Holden and Thompson will face off again in a runoff election to be held May 28, 2024.
Lewis Tatum Retains Sheriff Position, Findley Edges out Hill for Constable
March 5, 2024 – As the final votes in the March 5th primary were recorded, Incumbent Sheriff Lewis Tatum posted a big win over challenger Johnny Paul “JP” Moseley as Tatum garnered over 73% of the vote with a total of 4,311 votes to Moseley’s 1,569. In the race for Constable (Precinct 1), Dennis Findley received 1,555 votes (59.33%) edging out opponent Chris Hill who received 1,066 votes (40.67%).
Local Election Early Voting Totals – March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024 – Local election results for Super Tuesday’s March 5th election which also determined several local races. Early voting totals include mail-in ballots.
Early Voting totals in the Republican Primary leading up to the March 5th election showed a big lead in the Hopkins County Sheriff’s post for incumbent Lewis Tatum leading challenger JP Moseley 2223 to 617. Other contested races for Precinct 1 and Precinct 3 Commissioners proved to be closer contests as the early voting totals for Precinct 1 were reported as: Wesley Miller, 290 votes; Steven “Big” Smith, 202 votes; and incumbent Mickey Barker, 318 votes. The early voting spread was a little wider in the race for Precinct 3 Commissioner as those votes were as follows: Travis Thompson, 259 votes; Lance Knotts, 91 votes; William (Bill) Holden, 385 votes. The contested race for Constable Precinct 1 returned early voting totals as: Dennis Findley 825 votes; and Chris Hill 505 votes.
Pair Arrested for Drugs and Child Endangerment
March 5, 2024 – Sulphur Springs Police were dispatched to a local motel as they responded to a report of drugs in the hotel room with children present. Officers made contact with two adults in the hotel room just before 10pm Monday night and were given consent to enter the room. Officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana in the room as well as observed a clear baggie on a table containing suspected mushrooms. SSPD Officers were given consent to search the rest of the room and found a package in the nightstand containg a THC gummy. Officers noted that the contraband was within reaching distance of two children staying in the room, with the oldest child being two years of age. Both adults, Christina Marie Stockton and Tony Andrew Hitt, Jr. were placed under arrest and transported to the Hopkins County Jail. The suspected THC was weighed in it’s packaging and showed approximately 5.5 grams. The suspected mushrooms were weighed in it’s original packaging and showed approximately 3.8 grams.
Both were charged with the following felonies:
Possession of a Controlled Substance PG2>4G<400G – Second degree felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance PG2>1G<4G – Third degree felony
Abandon or Endagering Child – State Jail felony (2 counts)
Total bonds for Hitt have been set in the matter at $170,000. Stockton’s bonds total $50,000.
2024 Mr. & Miss Paris Junior College to be Announced Wednesday
March 4, 2024 – The 2024 Mr. and Miss Paris Junior College will be announced on Wednesday evening, March 6 during halftime of the 7:30 p.m. men’s basketball game against Navarro College in the Hunt Center.
Faculty and staff nominate students for this honor and the student body casts the final vote. To be nominated, students must be graduating sophomores with a minimum of 12 semester hours in the current semester and 45 hours completed, and have at least a 2.75 GPA.
The following exceptional students were nominated for Mr. and Miss PJC:
Jackson Braun is a 2022 graduate of Cypress Christian High School in Spring, Texas. He is the son of Tracy and Patrick Braun. He is a returning member of the Baseball Team which won the Regional Championship last year and the national NJCAA Academic Team for Baseball in 2023, and named a 2023 Texas New Mexico Junior College All-Star. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American Second Team and to the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. He will attend James Madison University to play baseball while getting a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing.
Dewitt Brookins is a 2022 graduate of Sulphur Bluff High School in Sulphur Bluff, Texas. He is the son of Shenita Brookins. He is the Student Government Association President, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and served last year as the African American Student Union President. He has been named to the PJC Dean’s List, and plans to transfer to a four-year university to study neuroscience.
Preston Gamster is a 2022 graduate of Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas. He is the son of Grant and Kiki Gamster. He is a returning member of the Baseball Team which won the Regional Championship last year and the national NJCAA Academic Team for Baseball in 2023. In 2023 he was named Texas New Mexico Junior College All Star, Second Team All Region and First Team All Conference. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American First Team and to the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. He will attend Texas Christian University to play baseball and continue his education.
Caydence Gonzalez is a 2022 graduate of Lee High School in Midland, Texas. She is the daughter of AnnaLissa and Jesus Gonzalez. She is a returning member of the Women’s Soccer Team and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American Third Team and to the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. She plans to transfer to a four-year university and pursue a degree in nursing.
Caleb Jameson is a 2022 graduate of Prairiland High School in Pattonville, Texas. He is the son of Jeff and Katy Jameson. He is a returning member of the Baseball Team which won the Regional Championship last year and the national NJCAA Academic Team for Baseball in 2023; he was named a 2023 Texas New Mexico Junior College All-Star and 2023 All Conference Pitcher. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American First Team and the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. He will attend Baylor University to play baseball while studying kinesiology and exercise science to become a physical therapist.
Kelsey Kovar is a 2022 graduate of Thorndale High School in Thorndale, Texas and is the daughter of John and Kelly Kovar. She is a returning member of the Softball Team which came in third nationally for 2023 NJCAA Academic Team for Softball. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Student Government Association, and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American First Team, National Fastpitch Coaching Association All-America Scholar-Athlete and to the PJC President’s List. She was also named 2023 Second Team All Conference and Team Defensive MVP. She will attend the University of Louisiana Monroe to play softball while studying business and accounting.
Grace Moore is a 2022 graduate of Paris High School in Paris, Texas. She is the daughter of Alicia and Kevin Moore. She is Vice President of Service of the Beta Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and named to the 2024 PTK All-Texas Academic Team and the PJC President’s List. She plans to attend Texas A&M University – Texarkana to major in English and minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. After gaining her prerequisites, she will pursue a Master’s in Speech Language Pathology at Texas Women’s University.
Grace Pippin is a 2022 graduate of Hughes Spring High School in Hughes Spring, Texas and is the daughter of David Pippin and Leslie Pippin. She is a returning member of the Softball Team which came in third nationally for 2023 NJCAA Academic Team for Softball. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American Second Team, National Fastpitch Coaching Association All-America Scholar-Athlete and to the PJC Dean’s List. She plans to attend a four-year university to play softball and pursue a nursing degree.
Kate Rainey is a 2022 graduate of North Lamar High School in Paris, Texas and is the daughter of Brian and Ruth Rainey. She is a returning member of the Softball Team which came in third nationally for 2023 NJCAA Academic Team for Softball. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and serves as Sophomore Representative for the Student Government Association. She was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American Second Team, National Fastpitch Coaching Association All-America Scholar-Athlete and to the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. She will attend Ouachita Baptist University to play softball while finishing her kinesiology degree to become a personal trainer.
Casey Reiniche is a 2015 graduate of Stryker High School in Stryker, Ohio and the son of Anita and Harl Piety. He is President of the Beta Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and named to the 2024 PTK All-Texas Academic Team and PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists, and a member of the PJC Choir. He plans to attend TAMU – Commerce to obtain a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing.
Photo cutline: Nominees for 2024 Paris Junior College Mr. and Miss PJC include, from left, Jackson Braun, Kate Rainey, Preston Gamster, Kelsey Kovar, Dewitt Brookins, Grace Pippin, Caleb Jameson, Caydence Gonzalez, Casey Reiniche, and Grace Moore.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Mt. Vernon Masonic Lodge is Collecting for Victims and First Responders of the Panhandle Fires
March 4, 2024 – The Mount Vernon Masonic Lodge is collecting donations for victims and First Responders of the current fires in the Texas Panhandle. They are accepting donations until March 12, 2024. They are accepting donations of clothes, money, infant supplies, First Aid supplies, non-perishable foods, drink items, and pet supplies. The drop off locations are Franklin County Sheriff’s office, 2S Feed & Ranch, King’s Country Club House, and the Winfield Barber Shop. Donate whatever you can. Every little bit will help.
