Texas Woman Accused of Hiding Razor Blades in Walmart Bread
December 17, 2025 – A 33-year-old Texas woman, identified as Camille Benson, was arrested Tuesday in Biloxi, Mississippi, after authorities say she placed razor blades inside loaves of bread sold at two Walmart stores.
Customers first discovered blades in bread at the Walmart Supercenter on December 5 and again at a Walmart Neighborhood Market on December 8. After additional complaints surfaced on December 14, store employees inspected stock and found multiple loaves that had allegedly been tampered with.
Benson was charged with attempted mayhem and is being held on a $100,000 bond. Police have not publicly identified a motive for the alleged food tampering.
The Biloxi Police Department has urged anyone who purchased bread from the two affected stores to carefully check their products and report any signs of tampering. Law enforcement officials believe that no other Walmart locations beyond the Biloxi stores were targeted.
In a statement, Walmart said it has removed and thoroughly inspected all potentially affected bread products and is cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues. Customers who believe they bought a compromised item were advised to discard it and seek a refund from the store.
So far, there are no reported injuries linked to the alleged tampering.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Launches Tip Line to Enforce Texas Women’s Privacy Act
December 17, 2025 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced the launch of an online complaint system intended to help enforce the recently enacted Texas Women’s Privacy Act, or Senate Bill 8. The initiative is designed to allow Texans to report alleged violations by state agencies or political subdivisions that fail to restrict multi-occupancy restrooms, locker rooms, and similar facilities to individuals based on biological sex.
SB 8, approved by the Texas Legislature, requires state agencies—including public schools, charter schools, and state colleges and universities—to designate private spaces for use exclusively by individuals of one sex. The law also directs these entities to take reasonable measures to prevent individuals from entering facilities that do not correspond to their sex. The act took effect on December 4, 2025.
Paxton framed the law and the new tip line as necessary measures to preserve women’s privacy and safety. In announcing the initiative, he said SB 8 was passed to ensure “women and girls in Texas are protected,” and criticized what he described as contemporary cultural and political pressures. His remarks reflect ongoing national debates over gender identity policies in public spaces, particularly in schools and government-run facilities.
Supporters of the bill argue that it safeguards privacy rights and reduces the potential for misconduct in gender-segregated spaces. Critics contend the law targets transgender individuals and could lead to discrimination, adding that existing laws already address safety concerns. Legal analysts note that the measure may face constitutional or civil rights challenges, given ongoing litigation in other states with similar policies.
Paxton encouraged Texans to use the online complaint portal to report suspected violations. The Office of the Attorney General has not indicated how many complaints would trigger investigations or what penalties agencies might face, but officials say the system will assist in identifying noncompliance and guiding enforcement efforts as the law is implemented statewide.
Hopkins County Genealogical Society 2025 State Award Winners
December 16, 2025 – Congratulations to our 2nd place Winners from the Texas State Genealogical Society awards.
Carol Ann Dixon – Quarterly Editor was awarded 2nd place for the Hopkins county Heritage Quarterly .
Larry Pettit- Web Master awarded 2nd place for our website Hopkins County Genealogical Society
Library. https://hcgstx.org.
Thank you both for all your hard work.
Razor Blades Found in Bread at Mississippi Walmart Stores; No Texas Cases Reported
December 16, 2025 – BILOXI, Miss. — Police are investigating after razor blades were discovered inside baked goods at two Walmart locations in Biloxi, Mississippi, prompting a store-wide removal of bakery items and heightened safety warnings for customers.
According to authorities, customers and employees found razor blades embedded in loaves of bread and muffins at a Walmart Supercenter on CT Switzer Sr. Drive and a Walmart Neighborhood Market on Pass Road. Reports began around December 5, with additional items discovered by employees over the past week.
Biloxi Police say no injuries have been reported, but the investigation remains active. Officers are reviewing security footage and asking the public to provide any information that could help identify a suspect. The incidents appear to be intentional tampering, though police have not released details on how the items were altered.
Walmart confirmed that all potentially affected bakery products were immediately removed from shelves at both locations. The company said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and reviewing in-store surveillance footage as part of its internal review.
Authorities are urging customers who may have purchased bread or muffins from the affected stores during the time frame to carefully inspect the products and avoid consuming them if anything appears suspicious.
Officials emphasized that the incidents appear isolated to the two Biloxi locations. There have been no reports of similar tampering at Walmart stores in Texas or elsewhere.
Police say consumer safety remains the top priority as the investigation continues.
An Important Aspect of the Gala: The Honorees
December 16, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, TX – The very first Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Gala featured an honoree chairperson. As folks gathered for the first Gala on December 8, 2006 at the Lodge,
the emcees for the evening were Honoree Chair Bill Bradford and the Hopkins County Memorial
Hospital Board President Chad Young.
Bill Bradford, beloved local radio personality, station owner and champion of rural radio outlets, was recognized by this honorary distinction at that very first Gala. He did have to work a bit for the honor by serving as emcee along with Chad Young.
For the second Gala, held in December of 2007, Carolyn Stewart was tapped as the Honorary Gala Chair. Stewart, also a community leader and prominent newspaper owner, from the beginning was a loyal supporter of the Foundation and its need for a strong endowment to ensure the Foundation’s long-term success.
For the next Gala which was held in January, 2009, the phrasing was changed to Gala Honorees. Through the years the recognized individuals and organizations have included Mary Bonham, Hopkins County Veterans, Lynda Hager, HCMH Volunteer Auxiliary, Wanda and Wayne Galyean, Dee and Roger Elliott, Barbara and Mickey McKenzie, HCMH Board of Directors, Linda and Joe Bob Burgin, Past Gala Chairs, Peggy and Dr. Dietze, Leesa and Brian Toliver, Pam and Tom Sellers, Hopkins County EMS, Deborah and Dr. I.L. Balkcom, all medical care providers, and “all good things Hopkins County” including community Bible study, Echo Publishing and SS News Telegram, Hopkins County Chamber, Hopkins County Courthouse and Commissioners Court, Hopkins County Historical Society – Museum and Heritage Park, Hopkins County Memorial Hospital and Volunteer Auxiliary, Hospital County Regional Civic Center, Hopkins County United Way, KSST Radio and Bill Bradford, NE TX Choral Society, Southwest Dairy Museum, and Sulphur Springs Public Library.
This year’s honorees have a long family history of service to Hopkins County. Many big projects had involvement from one or both of these honorees or their family. As kind as they are compassionate, Sharon and Charles Helm are the very definition of philanthropic. Whether it is offering time, creativity, outside-the-box thinking, or just showing up to help, these two are there. Making connections and seeing things from a different angle are their fortés. They are both keen business people who can readily apply that structure to building community.
The Helms passion is to see CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs become a regional hospital. With the addition of more providers, new programs, and a litany of awards, the hospital is well on its way.
But the Helms recognize that the hospital needs community support as well. They graciously agreed to serve as chairs of the Spreading Our Wings Campaign that is bringing in funding to create a state-of-the art, expanded surgery wing to our community. Not only that, they have provided the lead gift while encouraging others to join them.
Upon hearing the news of the recognition, Charles said, “Wow. We didn’t expect that.” Just one more example of the humility Sharon and Charles are known for.
The Helms will be part of the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Gala slated for Saturday, January 24, 2026. Please join us as we look back at twenty years of fun, fundraising, and lifesaving impacts due to the Gala. It isn’t an event to be missed!
The Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization founded in 1997 by a group of Hopkins County visionary leaders. Still governed by all Hopkins County residents, the Foundation has donated of $8.3 million to Hopkins County healthcare.
Photo 1: The 2026 Gala Honorees are Sharon and Charles Helm! They have provided years of leadership,
support, and funding to help improve Hopkins County healthcare. Join the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation on January 24, 2026 to learn more about the impact that the Helms, the Foundation, and the Gala have had on local healthcare. The Helms are photographed here at the 2013 Gala, themed Puttin’ On the Ritz. Visit Gala2026.GiveSmart.com for sponsorships, tickets, or underwriting opportunities.
Photo 2: Sharon and Charles Helm chaired the 2018 Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Gala,
Jewel of the Nile. Proceeds of that Gala were used to purchase a High-Density Surgery Monitor, Pre-Vacuum Steam Sterilizer, LUCAS CPR device, Newborn hearing screening, ambulance cardiac monitor, and pressure sensor bed alarms.
The Helms are photographed here at the 2018 Gala with past chairs of this annual event. Front row, left to right, are Barbara McKenzie, Rhonda Young, Mary Bonham, Charles Helm, Sharon Helm, Peggy Dietze, Sheila Tanton, and Donna Rudzik. Back row are Mickey McKenzie, Craig Roberts, Pam Sellers, Tom Sellers, Dr. Bill Dietze, and Arvis Tanton.
You won’t want to miss this wonderful 20 th anniversary celebration! Get you tickets now at
Gala2026.GiveSmart.com.
Texas DPS Shares Holiday Gun Storage Safety Tips for Families
December 16, 2025 – CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As families gather for the holidays, the Texas Department of Public Safety is reminding gun owners to prioritize safe firearm storage, especially in homes with children or visiting guests.
As part of its Safe Gun Storage Campaign, DPS officials say the holiday season often brings increased risk as firearms may be left unsecured during busy travel, celebrations, or when relatives unfamiliar with a home’s safety practices are present. DPS encourages gun owners to take extra precautions to prevent accidental injuries or unauthorized access.
Key recommendations include keeping firearms locked in a gun safe, lockbox, or secured with a trigger or cable lock. Ammunition should be stored separately, and keys or access codes should be kept out of reach of children. DPS also urges adults to have open, age-appropriate conversations with children about what to do if they encounter a firearm.
“Safe storage saves lives,” DPS officials said, noting that many unintentional shootings involving children occur when a firearm is left loaded and unsecured. Officials stress that responsible gun ownership includes ensuring firearms are inaccessible to those who should not handle them.
The department also reminds gun owners traveling for the holidays to secure firearms before leaving home and to follow all state and federal laws when transporting weapons.
DPS says the Safe Gun Storage Campaign is not about limiting legal gun ownership, but about promoting responsible practices that protect families and communities.
Additional safety resources and free gun locks are available through DPS partners and local law enforcement agencies across Texas.
Trump Declares Fentanyl a ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction’
December 16, 2025 – WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order formally designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as “weapons of mass destruction,” a move that significantly escalates how the federal government treats the deadly synthetic opioid and the criminal networks that traffic it.
The order links fentanyl production and distribution to organized criminal groups, foreign terrorist organizations, and drug cartels whose operations include assassinations, terror tactics, and activities that undermine U.S. security. By elevating fentanyl to a national security threat, the administration signals a shift away from treating the drug crisis solely as a public health and criminal justice issue.
For Texas, the designation could carry wide-ranging implications. Federal authorities may gain broader legal and intelligence tools to target cartel operations that move fentanyl across the southern border and through Texas communities. That could include expanded surveillance authorities, enhanced financial sanctions, and increased pressure on foreign governments and international banks accused of allowing precursor chemicals to reach cartel labs.
State health officials say the threat is real. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 606 fentanyl poisoning deaths have been recorded so far in 2025, underscoring the drug’s deadly reach across urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state.
At the same time, some legal experts and advocates question whether the “weapon of mass destruction” label is excessive, warning it could blur the line between drug enforcement and national security policy. Others note that fentanyl’s dangers are already well known, and that illegal drug use carries severe legal and health consequences regardless of the classification.
Still, Texas officials are watching closely. The new designation could mean increased federal involvement along the border, more aggressive action against trafficking networks operating inside the state, and heightened cooperation between law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Whether the move results in fewer overdoses remains to be seen. For Texans, the message from state and federal leaders is clear: fentanyl is illegal, extraordinarily dangerous, and now being treated as one of the most serious threats facing the country.
The Power of the Health Care Foundation’s Snowflakes
December 15, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, TX – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation has learned how something as small and fragile as a snowflake can be harnessed to make a mighty impact on Hopkins
County healthcare.
The annual Snowflake Campaign has been accomplishing this feat of engineering for over twenty-five years. It was the original fundraising campaign for the Foundation, and through the years has made lasting contributions to the local healthcare scene.
In the early years, funds were added with income from other events and campaigns to cover the costs of the funding goals for the year…generally purchasing equipment for the local hospital.
In 2022, the Foundation Board of Directors voted to use funds from this campaign to conduct a mid-year project for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. That year, the Foundation used the money to help purchase a new ICU bed which was equipped to help patients heal and stay calm while also preventing employee injury.
In 2023, the funds were used to purchase a SureWash GO hand hygiene training station that not only taught but also tested employees and the community on proper handwashing techniques. Believe it or not, there are some spots you are probably missing when you wash your hands!
The 2024 campaign allowed the Foundation to purchase two cooling tents to prevent heat related injuries. These will be used along with the Mobile Athletic Training Room that is provided by the CMF-SS training staff at local high school sporting and community events.
This year the Foundation Board plans to purchase a new blanket warmer for the expanded surgical wing at CMF-SS. It will provide soothing comfort for countless patients for many years to come.
If you would like to participate in the Snowflake Campaign, visit Snowflake2025.GiveSmart.com or call 903-438-4799 to learn more. The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is a 28-year-old IRS nonprofit founded by a group of visionary Hopkins County residents to benefit the health of our community.
Photo 1: A new ICU bed was the outcome of the 2022 Foundation Snowflake Campaign. The more snowflake donations received, the larger the impact. Won’t you join us as we raise funds for a new blanket warmer for the expanded surgical wing at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs?
Photographed here with the new bed when it was received in early 2023 is the then ICU staff at CMF-SS.
Donate to the campaign by visiting Snowflake2025.GiveSmart.com.
Photo 2: We aren’t afraid of no germs! The Foundation Board of Directors and CMF-SS’ April Gammill show their clean hands as they pose with the portable handwash training station. The 2023 Snowflake Campaign allowed the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation to purchase the training station for the Infection Control Department at CMF-SS. This equipment helps to keep our community healthy by teaching proper handwashing techniques.
Shown here are Foundation Board Members joined by CMF-SS administrators, from left to right: Kenny Rogers, Pam Black, Brad Johnson, Mickey McKenzie, Charles Helm, CMF-SS’s April Gammill, Steve Rutherford, Heather Johnson, and CMF-SS CEO/President Paul Harvey.
To honor or memorialize a special person or persons with a snowflake, visit Snowflake2025.GiveSmart.com or call 903-438-4799.
Germinating Your 2026 Vegetable Seeds By Master Gardener David Wall
December 11, 2025 – Many gardeners like myself enjoy starting their vegetable garden plants with seed. A good seed soaking in late January ensures great germination ratees and allows for an early start instead of waiting to buy plants themselves in late April or early May. Starting seeds in starter soil is OK, but soaking seeds in water first for specified times (from 2-24 hours depending on the vegetable) increases the germination rate. I usually buy my seeds NLT early December and store in a refrigeration until I’m ready for the soaking process.
Seed germination begins when a seed absorbs water, and subsequent swelling breaks the outer shell. Oxygen availability is a major factor in germination and growth beginnings. Increased oxygen improves germination rates and reduces pathogen occurrences. So, how do we get more oxygen?
Actually, it’s very simple. Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) contains extra oxygen which improves the seed’s ability to absorb water, and helps to eliminate resident pathogens that may be in the soil.
The procedure is simple. Take a small container that can hold the seeds in water. Now, fill the container with water and hydrogen peroxide on a ratio of 10 parts water to one part hydrogen peroxide. The ratio is important, because too much peroxide may damage the seeds and not enough won’t provide enough oxygen. Seeds need to be fully submerged. Use your own judgement, but if my seeds are still floating after an hour or two, I simply remove them. Soak only for the needed time. If you don’t know the time requirement, google soaking time for any particular vegetable. After soaking, rinse them thoroughly with fresh water.
After soaking, dry the seeds. Once dry, they need to be placed in starter soil in less than 24 hours (my preference) for the germination process to be completed.
Homeschool Mom Sues Sam Houston State Over Dual-Credit Access for Son
December 15, 2025 – A Huntsville-area mother has filed a lawsuit against Sam Houston State University, alleging the school is unlawfully restricting homeschool students’ access to dual-credit courses despite a recent change in state law intended to guarantee equal treatment.
Autumn Selman claims the university is refusing to comply with the new statute by limiting the dual-credit options available to her homeschooled son. According to the lawsuit, Selman’s son was told he could enroll only in a narrow selection of courses, while students enrolled in public schools are allowed to take a full slate of core curriculum classes for college credit.
Selman argues the policy creates an unequal system that discriminates against homeschool students and undermines the intent of the law, which was passed to ensure they are treated the same as their public and private school peers when seeking access to college-level instruction.
In her filing, Selman is asking the court to order Sam Houston State to provide her son full access to its dual-credit catalog, identical to what is offered to other eligible students. The university has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.
The case comes as homeschooling continues to grow rapidly across Texas. While the state does not require families to register as homeschoolers, education researchers estimate that between 5 and 7 percent of Texas students are now educated at home, up sharply from pre-pandemic levels. Some estimates place the total number of homeschooled students statewide well above 500,000.
Advocates say dual-credit access is increasingly important as more homeschool families seek affordable pathways to college. The lawsuit could have statewide implications for how universities implement dual-credit programs under the new law.
