Lord’s Way COGIC Community Outreach 2023
The Annual Community Outreach provided by the Lord’s Way COGIC will be August 6, 2023. Stop by 806 Freeman St in Sulphur Springs to start getting your children ready for the 2023-2024 academic year.
August Brings Multiple Astronomical Adventures to Cooper Lake State Park
August Astronomical Adventures at Cooper Lake State Park
Cooper, TX— August in Texas is usually extremely hot! As a result, why not experience the park after sunset? August has at least three astronomical events that will amaze you. Have you ever heard about a blue moon, supermoon, or the Perseids; well get ready, because this month has all three! The term “blue moon” refers to two full moons within a single month and August has that one on August 1st and another on August 30th. A “supermoon” is when the moon is closest to earth and full at the same time. On August 1st we will experience a blue supermoon! The South Sulphur Unit of Cooper Lake State Park is the perfect place to experience this astronomical oddity rising over the lake. A moonrise over the lake is an amazing sight to behold. Also, this is the month for the Perseids meteor shower. This year the Perseids will not have to compete with a full or near full moon making it much easier to see and enjoy the show. The peak of this celestial event will be the night of August 12th and the wee hours of August 13th. Park HQ’s will have self-guided materials to use aiding you in your view fun. The park will be open all night for the event.
This summer has been a hot one but thankfully, we have gotten plenty of rain, so the lake is full. The swimming areas at both park units await you to experience the relatively cool waters and sandy beach. Many people swim after work in the evenings to sunset relaxing and recharging. It is always a good idea during a Texas summer to schedule your most active outdoor times earlier in the day. The Park opens for day-use at 6am and I promise, you won’t be disappointed with the cooler temps and the glorious sunrises over the lake.
This August we are presenting 12 interpretative programs. Our programs are always free with your park admission. This month’s highlighted program is, “Kayaking 101”. Signup for this fun adventure learning about the aquatic environment (space is limited). If you aren’t an expert with a kayak, no worries! A park ranger will teach you all the needed basics to enjoy your newfound activity.
Park entrance fees are $5 for adults; kids 12 and under are always free. Senior Texans 65 or older will only pay $3 to enter the park daily with a Bluebonnet Pass (your guest also pays $3 too independent of age). Unlimited park entrances for you and everyone in your vehicle can be accomplished with the purchase of a Texas State Park Annual Pass for $70. This pass is good for over 12 months. Buy your pass and let your Texas adventuring begin!
For more information, please visit and like our Facebook pages, visit our TPWD website, or give us a call Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur (903)-945-5256 and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctor’s Creek (903) 395-3100).
Doctors Creek
Saturday, August 5 – DC
Skins and Skulls – 11 a.m. Who is the fastest or the furriest? Meet at Headquarters – Get an inside look at some of the mammals of the park.
Saturday, August 12 – DC
Amphibians – 9 a.m. Meet at Bluebonnet Day Use Area.
Amphibians adapt to their environments to survive and are indicators of the local environment.
Self-guided Stargazing – Perseids Meteor Shower – pick up an informational flyer at Headquarters.
Saturday, August 19 – DC
Kayaking 101 – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Registration required if borrowing one of our kayaks – Meet at Lone Pine Kayak Launch – Learn to kayak, then go for an instructor lead paddle around the cove. Children under ten years old must be with an adult in kayak. Life jackets will be provided and worn by all participants. You are welcome to bring your own kayak(s) and life jackets. Please ask about available kayaks to use when registering. Contact Alicia O’Connor – alicia.o’[email protected] or call (903) 395-3100 to register.
Saturday, August 26 — DC
Nature Walk – 9 a.m. Meet at Pelican Point Parking Lot. Join a Ranger on a short leisurely hike on Cedar Creek South Loop getting a first-hand look at the shoreline inhabitants, the pocket prairie, varied insects, and the flora of the park.
Self-Guided Nature Journaling –Let’s sit a spell and record the nature around us. Pick up a nature journal at Headquarters.
South Sulphur
Saturday, August 5 – SS
Skins and Skulls – 9 a.m. Who is the fastest or the furriest? Meet at Headquarters – Get an inside look at some of the mammals of the park.
Saturday, August 12 — SS
Becoming a Junior Ranger – 11 a.m. Meet at Headquarters. Do you have what it takes to become a Jr. Ranger? Check your skills and complete the tasks.
Self-guided Stargazing – Perseids Meteor Shower – pick up an informational flyer at Headquarters.
Friday, August 18 – SS
Friday Night Frog Talks: 8:30 p.m. Meet at Sunset Cove. Hop on over to discover the frog making that call. Bring bug spray, and a sense of adventure.
Saturday, August 19 – SS
Fishing with the Ranger: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Fishing Wall in the Day Use Area. Bring your own fishing gear or we have a few fishing poles available to borrow. No experience needed.
Saturday, August 26 — SS
Self-Guided Nature Journaling –Let’s sit a spell and record the nature around us. Pick up a nature journal at Headquarters.
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Driver of Fatal Rollover Crash Identified
According to DPS accident report, Stephen F. Sherman, 59, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on FM 269, the vehicle went off the roadway and hit a culvert which caused the vehicle to roll over and eject Sherman. Sherman was pronounced dead at the scence by Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings. The accident occurred three miles south of Pickton on FM 269.
Full Moon Tonight Is First of Two For August 2023
Ever heard of “once in a blue moon”? This month will give you the opportunity to witness this rare event although the second moon of the month occurring on August 30th will not actually be blue in color. The term “blue moon” references the rare occurrence when two full moons appear in the same month. With the time between full moons being 29 and a half days, there can never be a blue moon in the month of February, and the first of the two moons in other months needs to occur on the first or second day of the month. As the first full moon this month falls on the first, the second full moon will fall on the 30th and this will give us a “blue moon”. In addition to the “once in a blue moon” event this month, the second moon will be in a closer proximity to the earth than normal (about 14,000 miles closer) which will make the moon to appear larger than normal which is referred to as a supermoon. On average there are 3-4 supermoons each year, but the occurrence of a supermoon coinciding with a blue moon only happens once every two and a half years. You can catch the first full moon tonight, and compare it to the blue supermoon later this month.
Diatomaceous Earth to Get Rid of Pests By David Wall
An easy, safe, and effective ways to prevent garden pest outbreaks and prevent them from starting, is to use food grade diatomaceous earth (DE). It’s harmless to humans and safe for animals. The pest list that
DE is effective on is long, while the time to control is short. It’s a jack of all trades and master of all of them.
For those unaware, DE is fossilized algae in powder form. The fossils were tiny creatures once living in water. Most later broke down into silica, so much so that silica now makes up just over a fourth of our
earth’s surface. Ironically, this “powder” is fatal to many garden pests. Even though tiny and soft for humans and pests, DE has sharp edges that cut into the soft insect bodies which fatally dehydrates
them.
Ironically, DE, sprinkled over your yard can be an effective mole control. It doesn’t hurt them but kills the grubs (not earthworms) they eat. On top of that, it gets between clay particles and helps break up their heavy soil. This helps the soil better absorb water and nutrients. It can help deodorize a compost pile while killing gnats and flies.
There are DEs that are not safe, so always purchase food grade DE. To avoid breathing the dust into your lungs, use a dust mask as well as glove when applying DE.
So, how do we use DE? Use only in dry weather. Moisture on DE dulls the sharp edges. Simply take DE and sprinkle around your plants base. Also, you can sprinkle it directly of the foliage. Reapply if rain or heavy dews occur. For aphids, a powder sprayer works best. It doesn’t kill slugs, but on the ground, they will not cross it.
Use only if needed, as it can kill pollinators.
Page Arrested; Faces Adjudication on Two Charges
August 1, 2023 – Melissa Kathleen Page was arrested at the Adult Probation office after being notified of warrants for her arrest.
Page was taken into custody and transported to Hopkins County Jail without incident.
Page was arrested in 2018 after all four of her children tested positive for methamphetamine. The Special Crimes Unit worked with Child Protective Services on the case. See that story here.
In 2022 Page was arrested and charged with theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 and failure to maintain financial responsibility. See that story here.
Page faces adjudication on these charges.
1826941 1 22.041(F) ABANDON ENDANGER CHILD INT/KNOW/RECK/CRIM NEG
2229245 1 1020 THEFT OF PROPERTY 2500 TO 30K
Previously, Page’s pleas of no contest were deferred on the two charges. Instead of immediate sentencing, she received probation. However, motions to proceed with adjudication have been issued. This happens when a court determines an individual may have violated the terms of probation. A person in this situation can face the maximum penalties allowed on all charges.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Hopkins County Chamber Connection August 1st
Lunch and Learn
The Eclipse is coming, and so are the visitors. If you have an extra space to rent out to visitors the weekend before the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, you will want to sign up for our Lunch and Learn this month.
The Chamber is sponsoring a Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, Aug. 16, to explain how to get your property ready for a possible rental. AirBnB entrepreneur Callie Bradshaw will be on hand to help explain the process of putting rental property on the website. We will also discuss insurance and other peripheral information.
The Lunch and Learn will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at a venue to be determined by the number of participants. Cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non members. Call us at 903-885-6515 or email us at [email protected] to sign up.
Eclipse Information
When April 8, 2024 rolls around, get ready!
Almost weekly, we are messaged, called or visited by people who will be coming to Hopkins County for the total solar eclipse on that date. They are coming from around the country and literally around the world. Our latest message was from Karen Ridgway in the United Kingdom, who said she was coming to Sulphur Springs for the eclipse. “Can’t wait!” she wrote.
If you and your business aren’t already thinking about what to do when literally tens of thousands of visitors will be here for that weekend leading up to the Monday eclipse, now is the time to start! The Chamber is making plans for a weekend market and is looking for sponsors to help us bring a concert to town for the Sunday evening before the eclipse. But, there are plenty of options and opportunities available for all businesses.
If you have an idea or an event, please contact us at the Chamber and we will help promote it on the website TotalEclipseSSTX.com. It’s not only time to start planning, it’s time to start getting things ready for our visitors.
Stewcomers Meeting
We will have a Stewcomers meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8 in the Chamber of Commerce Conference Room for first-year cooks and those who want more information about the 54 th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival. Please call us at 903-885-6515 or email us at [email protected] for more information or to let us know you’re coming. The meeting will be brief but informative, and those who attend are not required to come to the new cooks meeting in October.
Stewing It up
If you are a returning stew cook or a new cook who wants to get in on the biggest annual event in Hopkins County, it’s time to start registering. Registration for stew cooks is now available online at HopkinsChamber.org. The cost remains the same for our cooks — $100 registration fee. You can also pre-order this year’s T-shirt with Stew Cook on the back for just $20 each. If you are a returning stew cook, check your email account for a form sent from us, and if you don’t do email, then you should have received a registration form in the mail.
The 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, presented by Alliance Bank, has been able to keep its costs down because of our generous businesses in the community, and the cost just got even cheaper for some families. Signature Solar and the Chamber announced last week that children 12 and under will eat free at the festival on Saturday, Oct. 28, due to Signature Solar’s generous sponsorship. Children will still need tickets, which can be obtained either online or via paper tickets. Online tickets, which are $8 each for everyone 13 years and older, are available at HopkinsChamber.org. Paper tickets will be available in early August at the Chamber and local banks.
City National Bank will be sponsoring the Friday night festivities, Oct. 27, and we will be announcing that line-up soon. Thanks to all of our sponsors who make the stew festival affordable for families in Hopkins
County. Follow the Chamber’s Instagram and Facebook accounts for spotlights on our sponsors and updates on the stew festival.
Hopkins County Law Enforcement
The Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association will have a Golf Tournament fundraiser at the Sulphur Springs Country Club on Aug. 21. The four-person teams will tee off at 10 a.m. For sponsor or player information, call Michael Russell at 903-438-4040 or email [email protected].
Candidate Forum
A forum for those running for Texas House District 2 is set for Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Hot dogs and homemade ice cream will be available at 5 p.m., followed by the candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. District 2 covers Hopkins, Hunt and Van Zandt counties. If you have questions for the candidates, send them to Donnie Wisenbaker at [email protected]; Lance Lenz a [email protected]; or David Hale at [email protected].
Wedding Expo
The DIY Wedding Expo is coming back to the Civic Center from noon to 5 p.m. on Sept. 23. For more information on sponsorships or vendor spaces, contact Tracey Treadway at 214-683-7669 or [email protected].
Ribbon Cutting
Goodwill Industries, 1320 Shannon Road, will host a grand reopening after making improvements to its facility at noon on Friday, Aug. 4. Please join us for this event.
Bearden Arrested; Charged with Theft
August 1, 2023 – CLASTON WAYNE BEARDEN was arrested this week and charged with theft.
At around 9AM Monday, Bearden was observed to be in possession of a trailer with a four-wheeler on it. The items did not belong to him. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies questioned Bearden about the items. He denied stealing them.
While arresting Bearden, he attempted to resist, was uncooperative and allegedly threatened one of the Deputies. Another Deputy pulled his Taser, and Bearden then immediately complied. His Chevy pickup was impounded. Bearden is charged with:
1 31.03(F) THEFT PROP >=$2500<$30K ENH IAT
This is not the first time Bearden has been in jail:
In 2010 he was indicted by a Wood County Grand Jury on assault, with previous convictions, causing bodily injury to a family member.
In 2016 he was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a convicted felon. He was indicted by a Hopkins County Grand Jury on the charges. See that story here.
In 2018 he was arrested in Franklin County Texas and charged with Probation/parole violation; Theft of property $2500<$30k; Possession of controlled substance PG 1<1G
In 2020 he was arrested and charged with possession of controlled substances. See that story here.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Morning Trip Lands Bucher in Jail
August 1, 2023 – With the help of a Texas State Park Police Officer, ZACKERY MICHAEL BUCHER was arrested after he tore through a local truck stop parking lot.
At around 10AM Monday, A Texas State Park Police Officer observed a black Ford Mustang enter a local truck stop at a high rate of speed. The Ford nearly missed an SUV pulling out of a parking space. The driver then barreled in a packing space nearly colliding with an adjacent vehicle’s open door. The driver, 30 year-old Bucher, did back up and allow the other driver to open their door and exit their vehicle.
Police observed this reckless behavior and performed a records check on the vehicle. The owner was found to have warrants. Bucher was then observed exiting the parking lot in the same reckless manner. A traffic stop was initiated a few block away. Bucher admitted to not having a valid driving licence, and no insurance. He was then arrested and taken to Hopkins County jail without incident. His mustang was released to a friend.
Bucher is charged with:
22A1217 1 FAIL TO MAINTAIN FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Z55357 1 CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR
22A1216 1 DRIVING WHILE LICENSE INVALID
213315 1 CPF DWLI (SSPD)
230504 1 DWLI (SSPD)
230505 1 FTMFR (SSPD)
This is not the first time Bucher has been in Hopkins County Jail. In February of 2023 he was arrested and charged with:
3656 EXPIRED REGISTRATION
521.457 DRIVING WHILE LICENSE INVALID
3001 SPEEDING >10% POSTED SPEED LIMIT
521.457 DRIVING WHILE LICENSE INVALID
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Amanda Lowe Selected as Texas A&M University-Commerce Director of Alumni Engagement
COMMERCE, TX—Texas A&M University-Commerce has hired Amanda Lowe as the new Director of Alumni Engagement. Lowe will assume the role on Monday, July 31.
As the new director, Lowe will lead the university’s alumni engagement programming and serve as executive director of the A&M-Commerce Alumni Association. She has served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors for the past six years.
“I have been blessed to already understand the inner workings of the board. I’ve met amazing alumni through that connection, so I’m super excited to continue those relationships and build more,” she said.
A&M-Commerce President Mark Rudin said he looks forward to working with Amanda as she continues to expand Alumni Engagement.
“A strong alumni base is the backbone of a great university,” Rudin said. “Amanda is a talented leader who will help us grow our Alumni Association as we increase engagement with and participation from our Lion alums around the world.”
A proud A&M-Commerce alumna, Lowe earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from A&M-Commerce. She also earned a Master of Education from Texas Tech University.
Lowe comes to her new role from Greenville ISD, where she devoted 18 years to her career in public education. Most recently, she served as the district’s dean of instruction, where she analyzed student data and implemented classroom intervention programs.
Lowe set her sights on the alumni director position for several reasons. Foremost, she is passionate about A&M-Commerce and wants to continue giving back to her alma mater. She is especially excited about directing alumni initiatives to support students in their pursuit of higher education.
“Giving back is important, so I’m ready to do that,” Lowe said. “Moving from K-12 into higher education, I can still impact students’ lives. As a first-generation college graduate, I know how difficult it is. When I was a college student, I knew nothing, but through the support of advisors and people at A&M-Commerce who cared, I was successful.”
She also loves connecting with alumni and hearing their stories.
“Coming back to the university and reconnecting with the people who set me on my path and mentored me—like Jency Holbert—make Lion alumni special to me,” she said. “I enjoy listening to all the stories and legacies people have created here, and I love hearing about the connections that were made here.”
As the new director, Lowe aims to increase alumni engagement levels. To that end, she is designing outreach campaigns, planning events and updating database systems to connect with more alumni. She is also planning initiatives to introduce the Alumni Association to current students.
“I want our students to get to know the Alumni Association as soon as they set foot on campus, not just upon graduation,” she said.
Devin Girod, vice president of Philanthropy and Engagement at A&M-Commerce, said Lowe is well positioned for the directorship.
“We are thrilled that Amanda is joining our team to lead Alumni Engagement for the Lion community. As an alumna and former Alumni Association board member, she understands our vision for advancing all facets of a top-tier, Division I university through the support of our alumni and friends,” Girod said.
The previous director, Derryle Peace, retired in May 2023 after leading Alumni Engagement for more than 18 years.
Lowe has been married for 18 years to Kyle, assistant chief of police at A&M-Commerce. The couple have a 10-year-old daughter, McKenna. The family makes their home in Commerce. Lowe enjoys gardening (her back porch is her solitude and her happy place), singing (she has a music theatre background) and spending time with her family and their core group of friends, most of whom are Lion alumni.
About Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce serves rural and metropolitan East Texas with a dedicated mission to Educate. Discover. Achieve. With an enrollment of 10,754 students, A&M-Commerce is the fourth-largest member of The Texas A&M University System. Students choose from among 135+ academic degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels and learn from world-class faculty who conduct nationally recognized research. A vibrant student experience includes a thriving Greek community and more than 100 student-led organizations. As a member of the Southland Conference, A&M-Commerce features 14 NCAA Division I athletic teams. The university offers classes online and on-site in Commerce, Corsicana, McKinney, Mesquite, Bryan (RELLIS) and the newest location at 8750 North Central Expressway in Dallas.
Contact: Michael Johnson
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
903.886.5128
