Dinner Bell for February 26, 2025
DINNER BELL, First United Methodist Church
SPONSORS: Discount Wheel & Tire
of Sulphur Springs
The doors to the kitchen of the First United Methodist Church will reopen at 11:00 a.m., for meal service beginning at 11:30 a.m. Doors will close at 12:45 p.m.
Discount Wheel & Tire of Sulphur Springs is a tire shop and auto service center located at 1432 S. Broadway Street in Sulphur Springs, TX. Since they first opened their doors in 1994, they have built a solid base of customers and established the reputation of being an automotive repair facility with service you can count on—even on short notice! Today, drivers in Sulphur Springs, Quitman, Emory, and all across Hopkins County and Northeast Texas consider them their one-stop shop for tires, wheels, and full under-car auto repairs.
Whether you’re looking to shop for new tires or are interested in customizing your ride with a suspension lift kit, you can rely on Discount Wheel & Tire of Sulphur Springs for accurate, knowledgeable and friendly automotive and tire services. They also offer preventative maintenance and general repairs.
Discount Wheel & Tire is a second generation, family owned business, and Kristin and Jared Richmond consider it an honor to serve you and your community.
We plan to continue fellowship and dining inside every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Parking is available at the church parking lots.
MENU:
- Chicken Spaghetti
- Arkansas Green Beans
- Garden Salad
- Buttered French Bread Slices
- Bread pudding
The Dinner Bell Ministry
First United Methodist Church
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Dan Patrick Investigates Lottery Ticket Reseller After $83M Jackpot Win
February 20, 2025 – Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has launched an investigation into Winners Corner, an Austin-based store, after it sold an $83.5 million winning Lotto Texas ticket. The store is owned by Jackpocket, a lottery courier service that buys tickets on behalf of customers. The investigation stems from concerns over potential conflicts of interest, as Jackpocket operates both as a ticket purchaser and retailer at its own locations.
Patrick expressed worries about maintaining public trust in the state’s lottery system, emphasizing the importance of transparency. “Texans must have confidence in the integrity of our lottery,” Patrick stated. The issue raises ethical questions about whether companies like Jackpocket should be allowed to profit from both ends of the lottery process.
Winners Corner has a notable history of selling winning tickets. In addition to the recent $83.5 million jackpot, the store sold a $2 million winning ticket in December 2024 and another $2 million Texas Two-Step ticket in March 2021. This pattern of high-value wins at the same location has further fueled scrutiny.
In 2023, a proposed bill aimed at banning lottery courier services failed to pass in the Texas House, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding such businesses. Following the recent jackpot controversy, the Texas Lottery Commission has sought guidance from the Attorney General to determine how best to regulate these services moving forward.
The investigation underscores the broader concerns about ensuring fair play in state-sponsored gambling. While Jackpocket maintains that its operations comply with existing laws, Patrick’s inquiry signals that Texas may tighten oversight to prevent any potential exploitation of the lottery system.
As the investigation unfolds, Texans await the outcome, hoping for clearer regulations that balance technological convenience with the integrity of lottery operations.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Activity Center is a Happening Place in March
February 18, 2025 – Your Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Activity Center is a happening place. Just see what they have planned for just the month of March 2025! Meet new friends, unleash your artistic skills you didn’t even know you had, and get down and party in the month of March 2025 at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Activity Center! You’re sure to have a blast!
Paris Junior College wins Community Investment Award in Greenville
February 18, 2025 – Paris Junior College was honored with the 2024 Community Investment Award from the Greenville Board of Development (GBOD) at the Greenville Chamber of Commerce/GBOD’s annual banquet held on Feb. 7, 2025.
PJC President, Dr. Stephen Benson, was joined at the awards dinner by PJC Board of Regents Secretary Berdie Gibson and Regents Josh Bray, Dr. Linda Kapp, Charles Lynch, Ginna Bowman, and Taylor Slagle.
Realtor Holly Gray, Greenville Board of Development Chair, presented the award to PJC.
“This award is given each year to at least one company who has made a huge impact in our community and is worthy of such an award,” Gray said. “I am very honored tonight to introduce your winner and that is Paris Junior College with their new workforce training center.”
“It’s my honor to accept this award for the community investment on behalf of the College,” said Dr. Stephen Benson, president of Paris Junior College. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to Greenville and Hunt County and the surrounding regions. This project became a reality thanks to the foresight of our Board of Regents and the leadership of former President Dr. Pam Anglin who all helped set the vision in motion by making this major investment in Greenville.
“As we celebrate our 100th anniversary this year, this award carries even greater meaning,” Benson said. “It serves as both recognition of our past efforts and inspiration for our future growth. Together, with your support, we will continue to grow and meet the needs of this region. The future is bright in Greenville and Hunt County, and we are proud to be part of the journey.”
The new 23,000 square foot workforce training facility at the PJC-Greenville Center officially opened on September 30, 2024. Workforce programs housed in the new facility include mechatronics (with an industrial maintenance apprenticeship in partnership with the Greenville Board of Development); heating, air conditioning and refrigeration; electrician; and a new airframe maintenance program.
“Paris Junior College is a tremendous asset to the City of Greenville and Hunt County,” said Gray. “The investment in the Workforce Training Center is an investment in the future of our region. Paris Junior college has worked closely with GBOD and local industry to provide the highest quality of education programs and workforce certification classes that industry needs. The new Workforce Training Center is a regional catalyst for our young people to gain the knowledge and industry-based certifications to increase their employability and long-term career earnings in the Hunt County Region.”
Hunt County Judge Bobby Stovall also recognized John Dickson, GBOD Business Development Director, and Craig Driggers, L3Harris Director of Operations Management and member of the North Central Texas Workforce Development Board (and PJC alumnus), for their work on the PJC-Greenville Center project.
Greenville Mayor Jerry Ransom’s annual wrap of city affairs also included PJC’s partnership with the Greenville Fire Department and the new fire training facility located south of the PJC-Greenville Center.
PJC is seeking the public’s input across the service area to help guide the College’s next strategic plan with projects such as this. To take the online survey, go to https://www.parisjc.edu/strategic-plan-survey.html.
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.
SSISD Delay Start on Wednesday
February 18, 2025 – Due to the threat of severe winter weather, the Sulphur Springs ISD will delay the start of school for all campuses. School will start at 10 AM on Wednesday.
Stay tuned for additional information on the artic blast headed our way.
East Texas A&M Earns Coveted R2 Research Institution Status in Carnegie Classification
The R2 designation reinforces East Texas A&M’s growing reputation as a leading research university.
COMMERCE, TX, Feb. 17, 2025—
East Texas A&M University is proud to announce its designation as a Research 2 (R2) institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This recognition highlights the university’s commitment to research and innovation, placing it among an elite group of leading research institutions within The Texas A&M University System and nationwide. The R2: High Spending and Doctorate Production designation took effect on February 13.
“This prestigious designation for East Texas A&M University shows that investing in faculty and facilities really pays off,” said John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. “This is the return on investments made by the Texas Legislature and the Texas A&M System’s Board of Regents. This success reflects a focus on growing research budgets at all 11 universities in the Texas A&M System.”
Strengthening Research and Academics
Dr. Brent Donham, vice president for Research and Economic Development at East Texas A&M, said the R2 designation is highly beneficial to the university. It signals to the higher education community that East Texas A&M is committed to scholarly research and provides valuable research-oriented opportunities, support and funding. In this way, the designation can help East Texas A&M attract and retain expert faculty and enhance students’ classroom experiences through access to cutting-edge knowledge and opportunities.
Dr. Mark Rudin, East Texas A&M president, added that the university is committed to elevating research for many reasons, but enhanced student learning is at the forefront. He said hands-on research provides valuable opportunities for students in the classroom and beyond.
“There are incredible opportunities for student learning in the studio, in the field, in the lab…all part of a student’s academic career. And so, student learning is at the forefront of why we want to increase research at our university,” Rudin said.
Qualifying as an R2 Institution
To qualify as an R2 institution, East Texas A&M met several requirements, including:
- Awarding at least 20 research doctoral degrees annually as reported to the National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems (IPEDS). East Texas A&M awarded an average of 64 research doctoral degrees from 2020 to 2023.
- Demonstrating at least $5 million in total annual research and development expenditures as reported through the National Science Foundation Higher Education Research & Development (HERD) survey. East Texas A&M marked over $7 million in total research expenditures in 2023, the highest amount in the school’s history.
Donham, along with faculty, staff and administrators, spent several years positioning East Texas A&M for the R2 designation. Their efforts included educating faculty and staff to identify research and grant opportunities, strengthening the university’s research infrastructure to better track projects and expenditures, and increasing support for faculty engaged in research.
In 2025, there are only 139 R2 institutions, with 16 in Texas. East Texas A&M joins Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi as an R2 institution in the Texas A&M System.
Understanding the Carnegie Classification System
The Carnegie Classification system was created in 1973 to support its research and policy analysis program. The system categorizes colleges, universities and other higher education institutions in the U.S. according to the types of degrees they offer and their research focuses.
It identifies groups of comparable institutions among the thousands of colleges and universities in the U.S. The categorization is primarily used for scholarly purposes, enabling researchers to conduct focused higher-education research using Carnegie’s classification system.
Carnegie evaluates institutions every three years for the following research activity designations:
- Research 1: Very High Spending and Doctorate Production
- Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production
Donham said East Texas A&M’s Research 2 designation reflects the quality and commitment of the university community.
“Receiving the R2 designation demonstrates a commitment from the university to elevate research, but just as important, it speaks to the quality of our faculty and research support staff,” he said.
Celebrating Research Excellence
President Rudin and the university hosted a special ceremony at the Rayburn Student Center on Friday, February 14, to celebrate this milestone.
Several special guests attended the event, including:
- Dr. James Hallmark, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs | Texas A&M University System
- Dr. David Staack, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research | Texas A&M University System
- Dr. Stacy Pritt, Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Research Compliance Officer | Texas A&M University System
- Dr. Sharmila Pathikonda, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Director for Research Development | Texas A&M University System
- Meredith Noto, Director of System Research Compliance | Texas A&M University System
- Kathryn Cavanaugh, Associate Director of System Research Compliance Training & Development | Texas A&M University System
- Ms. Natalie Steinsholt, Deputy District Director, Congressman Keith Self (TX-03)
- Dr. Keith McFarland, Former President | East Texas A&M University
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor James Hallmark said, “East Texas A&M University will continue to grow, innovate and engage in meaningful research that changes the world…”
Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Man Bingo Returns April 10
February 18, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, Texas — After exceeding all expectations in its first year, Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Man Bingo is back for round two of raising money for men’s healthcare in Hopkins County. The event will take place Thursday, April 10 in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
Last year, the first Man Bingo, affectionately referred to as Mingo, significantly surpassed its goal and funds were used to provide free heart calcium exams for 60 men in Hopkins County. Bingo prizes come in a variety of categories such as sporting goods, grilling accessories, and the latest tech to ensure there’s something for everyone. There are several ways to become a part of the action, starting with sponsorships. Sponsorship opportunities are currently on sale, with the opportunity to purchase tables of eight soon to follow starting March 10, and individual ticket sales starting March 21.
Tickets include ten rounds of bingo, a Slaughter’s BBQ sandwich, chips, water, and a drink ticket for an old fashioned, beer, wine, or soda.
The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Gifts may be tax-deductible as allowed by the IRS. All funds raised are used to improve healthcare in Hopkins County.
For additional information, please contact the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation at 903-438-4799 or [email protected]
###
Hundreds Now Feared Infected With Measles in Texas
February 17, 2025 – Texas is grappling with its most severe measles outbreak in nearly three decades, with 48 confirmed cases reported. The outbreak originated in Gaines County and has since extended to neighboring Lynn, Terry, and Yoakum counties.
The counties currently experiencing the outbreak are in extreme West Texas. One borders New Mexico. It’s about a 7 hour drive straight west of Hopkins County.
Alarmingly, 13 individuals have required hospitalization. The majority of those affected are unvaccinated children and teenagers, with 13 patients aged four years or younger. Health officials attribute the rapid spread to low vaccination rates in these communities, exacerbated by a significant number of vaccine exemptions among school-aged children. The Texas Department of State Health Services emphasizes the critical importance of the MMR vaccine, which is highly effective in preventing measles.
The measles outbreak in Gaines County, West Texas, is spreading within a “close-knit, undervaccinated” Mennonite community, according to state officials. However, DSHS spokesperson Lara Anton emphasized that the church itself isn’t responsible for low vaccination rates, attributing them instead to personal choice and limited access to regular healthcare.
Efforts are underway to contain the outbreak, including increased vaccination clinics and public awareness campaigns. Neighboring New Mexico has also reported cases linked to this outbreak, raising concerns about further regional spread. Health experts warn that without prompt intervention and improved vaccination coverage, the number of infections could rise, posing a significant public health risk. The situation underscores the necessity of maintaining high immunization rates to prevent such outbreaks.
Want to own a Dairy Queen, or at least the contents? 24 stores are being auctioned off online in Texas.
February 17, 2025 – This month, multiple Dairy Queen locations across Texas are closing and liquidating their assets. An online auction is scheduled for February 20, 2025, at 12:00 PM CST, managed by LocalAuctions.com.
This event offers a unique opportunity for individuals interested in acquiring restaurant equipment and furnishings from these establishments. Each auction lot comprises the complete contents of a Dairy Queen restaurant, including kitchen equipment, dining furniture, and décor. Notably, items such as Coke machines, CO2 tanks, tea brewers, and IT equipment are excluded from the sale. Prospective bidders can view detailed listings and participate in the auction through the provided link. Additionally, for those interested in owning a Dairy Queen franchise, there are over twenty individually offered units for sale in Texas.
Where are they?
Sour Lake, Buna, Dayton and Cleveland, Dairy Queen locations in Canadian, Fritch, Panhandle, Hereford, Olton, Idalou, North Richland Hills, Hillsboro, Hewitt, Pflugerville, Franklin, Longview, Waskon, Carthage, Rusk, Nacogdoches, Diboll, Huntsville, Tomball and Huffman are on the chopping block.
These turnkey operations are currently absentee-owned and employee-operated, presenting a rare investment opportunity in the state’s bustling food service industry.
Coldest Temps of the Year Expected This Week
This week, Hopkins County, Texas, is bracing for a significant drop in temperatures as an Arctic cold front moves through the region. Residents should prepare for the coldest weather of the season, with temperatures plunging well below freezing and wind chills making conditions feel even more frigid.
On Tuesday, February 18, the cold front is expected to arrive, bringing rain and sharply colder temperatures. The high is projected to reach only 44°F (6°C), with temperatures dropping to a low of 21°F (-6°C) by nightfall. As the front passes, strong winds will contribute to wind chill values potentially falling into the single digits, creating hazardous conditions for those exposed to the elements.
Wednesday, February 19, will see continued cold with breezy conditions. Morning low clouds may give way to some afternoon sunshine, but temperatures will remain chilly, with a high near 35°F (1°C) and a low plunging to 13°F (-11°C) overnight. The combination of cold air and wind will result in wind chills near or below zero, posing a risk of frostbite and hypothermia for those unprotected.
The frigid trend persists into Thursday, February 20, with mostly sunny skies but very cold temperatures. Expect a high around 35°F (2°C) and a low near 20°F (-7°C). Friday, February 21, remains similarly cold, with highs reaching only 33°F (0°C) and lows around 28°F (-2°C). While sunshine is anticipated, it will offer little warmth against the persistent chill.
A gradual warming trend is forecasted for the weekend. Saturday, February 22, should see plenty of sunshine with a high of 46°F (8°C) and a low of 30°F (-1°C). By Sunday, February 23, temperatures are expected to climb further, with highs reaching 59°F (15°C) and lows around 41°F (5°C), providing some relief from the intense cold experienced earlier in the week.
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions during this period of extreme cold. Ensure that exposed pipes are insulated to prevent freezing, and remember the “Four Ps”: protect people, pets, plants, and pipes. Limit time spent outdoors, especially during the coldest parts of the day, and dress in layers to retain body heat. Additionally, be cautious with space heaters and other heating devices to prevent accidental fires.
Stay informed by monitoring local weather updates and heed any advisories issued by the National Weather Service. Taking proactive measures can help ensure safety and comfort during this period of severe cold in Hopkins County.
