Meal-A-Day Needs Thursday Cook, Wednesday Driver/Delivery Person
The Meal-A-Day is in need of a weekly cook on Thursdays and a driver/delivery person for a route on Wednesdays.
Meal-A-Day is a small non-profit business in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The program is supportive, rewarding, and engaging. The goal for the program is to support the approximate 150-160 seniors receiving daily meals that desperately depend on Meal-A-Day.
Meal-A-Day depends on dedicated volunteers to provide this vital service. In a week, Meal-A-Day workers log approximately 80 volunteer hours preparing, cooking, and packaging meals; and approximately 65-80 volunteer hours delivering meals.
“This week has been especially challenging, having to find at least seven substitutes. This week, we have had to depend on a few of the same people multiple times. I feel we are hitting up the same volunteers too much, so it would be great to get some additional substitute cooks and drivers,” Phillips said.
Volunteers who donate time from 7 to 8:30 a.m. help assemble and cook casseroles and vegetables, or donate time from 8:30 to 10 a.m. to package meals, cook desserts, and sanitize kitchen are appreciated. Volunteers don’t have to know how to cook – just be able to follow directions. The head cooks know the recipes and can guide volunteers in the steps to help them get the menu items cooked and assembled for the day’s meals.
Substitute drivers and cooks are always welcome and appreciate too.
“We can still use substitute cooks and substitute drivers for any day of the week. We usually know a couple of days ahead when we need a substitute, so they don’t usually have to worry about being called the day before. Sometimes, we even know the week before,” said Tina Phillips, who has been working with Cecile Toenniges to serve as temporary coordinators for the Meal-A-Day program.
To volunteer, call the Senior Citizens Center at 903-885-1661 and ask for Cecil or Tina, or e-mail Meal-A-Day at [email protected].
“Please come be a part of Meal-A-Day! It is a rewarding experience. You meet a lot of nice volunteers who love helping our community seniors. Meal-A-Day needs 3-4 hours of 1 day out of your week to enable us to continue to bless our seniors with meals,” the coordinators urge.
Texas Sidewalks and Bike Lanes Receive Funding
TxDOT to gather local input on how best to use the funds
Dec. 2, 2022
AUSTIN – As Texas strives to reduce the rising number of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities, TxDOT is making available around $250 million for its 2023 Transportation Alternatives Call for Projects.
The federal funding will go towards sidewalks, bike lanes, shared-use paths and other projects to enhance walking and biking transportation across the state.
“Making it safer and easier to walk and bike is an important part of our mission of ‘Connecting You with Texas,’” TxDOT Transportation Commissioner Robert “Robie” Vaughn said. “I’m thrilled to see this increase in funding that’ll help communities build impactful improvements for its citizens. As a jogger and cyclist myself, I know the value these enhancements can bring to help Texans get to work, run errands, and enjoy the beautiful Texas outdoors.”
TxDOT will hold virtual workshops to help municipalities and organizations as they apply for this funding.
The number of pedestrians and cyclists killed on Texas roads has been rising over the past several years with pedestrian fatalities increasing by 15% and cyclist fatalities by 14% in 2021. This funding will help communities plan and build walking and biking infrastructure that could help reduce these incidents.
Some examples of projects that have been funded through TxDOT’s Transportation Alternatives program in the past include:
- Shared use paths for walking and bicycling in Belton, Tornillo and Van Alstyne.
- Safe and accessible pedestrian access to transit in Abilene and Amarillo.
- Multi-use rail-to-trail along the Northeast Texas Trail in Bowie, Lamar and Red River counties.
- Sidewalks to schools and downtowns in Benjamin, Hallettsville, Presidio and Taft.
- Bicycle lanes in Bryan, Kingsville, Mathis and Tyler.
For more information about the program and to learn how to apply for the funding, click here.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700.
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Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade Still Scheduled Friday Night
The Sulphur Springs Lions Club Lights Christmas Parade have become a holiday favorite. In light of Friday’s cool damp weather, it’s not surprising that community members have enquired about the status of the parade. The Lions Club, however, indicated unless the weather changes significantly, the parade will still begin at 7 p.m. Friday night, club members advised today.
The Lions Club invites everyone to join them tonight for the 16th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade presented by Carriage House Manor.
“We are still planning to have the parade as normal tonight. Any changes will be posted to our Facebook page. We look forward to seeing everyone tonight!” members said of the Dec. 2, 2022 Lighted Christmas Parade.
SSHS Choir Sending 12 To TMEA Area Contest
3 Singers Earn Top Scores In Section and Make First Chair At Pre-Area
On Thursday, December 1, 15 SSHS Choir students competed at the Texas Music Educators Association Region 4 Pre-Area Contest. These students were region qualifiers or alternates from a contest in October. Twelve of these students earned one of the top five chairs in their section to advance to Area auditions on January 7, at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Area is the last step to becoming a member of the All State Choir. They will compete against students from regions 2, 3, and 25 to earn one of the top 8 tenor/bass spots or 10 soprano/alto spots.
Most of their music learning and rehearsal was done in rehearsals after school, on Saturdays, and over break. Students worked diligently to absorb French, Brazilian Portuguese, and Latin diction to earn their spot. Of the 12 students who advanced, three students — Lausen Ost, Colbie Glenn and Alan Guzman — earned the top score in their section and received 1st chair.
Also advancing are Reese Offutt, Mika Boren, Sean Dial, Axel Garcia, Solar Driver, Celeste McCoy, Danielle Verlander, Chloe Kerns and Jamie Tavera.
“They put in the effort and prioritize time to study and rehearse and receive feedback as tools for learning. These accolades are the fruition of their commitment to greatness. They always impress, but I’m little extra proud after seeing students succeed in a tangible way. The SSHS choir program has never sent this many students to Area. What a great group of musicians to shatter a record and set the bar for future classes,” said Beth Cole, Sulphur Springs High School Choir instructor.
Congratulations to these hard working vocalists for these choral music achievements.
Be sure to visit Christmas in the Park at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. Some SSHS Choir students are schedule to sing at this Heritage Park event.
As part of the Sulphur Springs ISD fine arts program’s holiday schedule, district choir students will also put on a concert for community members to enjoy. Among those scheduled to perform in the Choir Concert which begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, in SSHS Auditorium are the High School, Middle School and fifth grade choirs.
Titus Regional Medical Center Named EMS Provider Of The Year
Titus Regional Medical Center EMS in Mount Pleasant was named EMS Provider of the Year at the Texas EMS Conference in Austin.
The Texas Department of State Health Services EMS-Trauma Systems Program presented its annual emergency medical services awards on Nov. 22, 2022 at the conference. Each of the award categories honors a person or organization that exemplifies the highest standards of the Texas EMS/Trauma System.
Winners recognized at the awards ceremony during the conference were:
- EMS Public Information/Injury Prevention
Chief Lee Richardson – Sachse - EMS Educator
Roy Hunter, LP – Friendswood - EMS Telecommunicator
Alexis Perez – Austin - EMS Administrator
Xavier De La Rosa, LP – Spring - EMS Air Medical
Travis County STAR Flight – Austin - EMS Medical Director
Casey Patrick, MD – Spring - EMS Citizen
Joseph Wenske – Waelder - EMS Provider
Titus Regional Medical Center EMS – Mount Pleasant - EMS Person of the Year
Gentry O’Connor, EMT – Kingwood - Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC) Journey of Excellence
Neal Rutledge, MD – Austin - Lifetime Achievement Award
John Hellerstedt, MD – Austin
Texas To Receive $168M Of $3.1B Opioid Agreement with Walmart — Hopkins County Could Receive Portion of Funds
Another opioid lawsuit settlement was announced Friday. Walmart agreed to a planned $3.1 billion settlement for the business’ “role in the nationwide opioid epidemic.” That amount is to be divided among 17 states, with $168 million designated for Texas, Non-Litigating Threshold Subdivisions, Texas Attorney General’s Office reported in a news release Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Hopkins County is listed among 2,411 entities on the “Non-Litigating Threshold Subdivisions” list to potentially receive a small portion of the funding awarded to the state.
The agreement will largely track the terms of the Global Prescription Opioid Litigation Settlement Agreement with the opioids distributors that was executed in July 2021.
“The opioid epidemic has had devastating impacts on millions of Americans, and we are hopeful that we will reach a final agreement on all terms to ensure that Walmart is held responsible for their role in it,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was quoted in the release. “This settlement is yet another example of my office’s commitment to protecting the people of Texas and ensuring that we hold accountable those who have violated the law and worsened the effects of the opioid epidemic.”
This agreement is the latest opioid settlement negotiated for Texas. To date, approximately $2.4 billion has been secured for Texas from the manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and others that caused the opioid crisis, including Walmart, Allergan, Mallinckrodt, Teva, Endo, Johnson & Johnson, and McKinsey.
Attorneys General from Texas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee worked closely on the negotiations, according to the release from Paxton’s office.
As part of the settlement, Walmart:
"(i) denies each and all of the Claims and allegations of wrongdoing made by the States and Litigating Subdivisions in each of the Actions and maintains that it has meritorious defenses; (ii) denies all assertions of wrongdoing or liability against Walmart arising out of any of the conduct, statements, acts or omissions alleged, or that could have been alleged, in the Actions already brought or that could be brought by any State or Subdivision related to the Covered Conduct and/or Alleged Harms and contends that the factual allegations made in the current Actions relating to Walmart are false and materially inaccurate; (iii) denies that any State, Subdivision, or resident thereof, was harmed by any conduct of Walmart; (iv) denies liability,denies any wrongdoing, and denies it violated any federal or state statute or common law; and (v) maintains that Walmart would be able to successfully defend against the Claims and allegations at trial, that the facts do not support the allegations, that Walmart engaged in no misconduct or unlawful activity, and that Walmart caused no harm to any State, Subdivisions, or resident thereof."
The 238 page Walmart Settlement Agreement, also states that nationally “Walmart dispensed on average materially fewer and less potent opioids per store than other major chain pharmacies and many independent pharmacies nationwide, and Walmart’s share of opioids distributed and dispensed nationwide was substantially lower than other major chain pharmacies,” according to “objective data metrics reported in the federal ARCOS database.”
The settlement also notes that Walmart has implemented policies, procedures, and controls relating to the dispensing of prescription opioid medications and other controlled substances, including pharmacist training and empowerment programs, company-wide limitations on strength and duration of acute opioid prescriptions, and opioid data analytics, which Walmart uses to identify and investigate potentially problematic prescribing practices.
The agreement inked Nov. 15 between the state AGs and Walmart states the funds are to be used “to remediate alleged harms” related to the “opioid epidemic.” The settlement defines alleged harms as “the alleged past, present, and future financial and societal harms and related expenditures arising out of the alleged misuse and abuse of Products, nonexclusive examples of which are described in the documents listed on Exhibit A, including those expenditures that have allegedly arisen as a result of the physical and bodily injuries sustained by individuals suffering from opioid-related addiction, abuse, death, and other related diseases and disorders, and that have allegedly been caused by Walmart.“
To read the full settlement agreement, click here.
Corvette Club Donates Several Bikes To Blue Santa; Annual Campaign Still Far Behind Usual Pace
The Blue Santa Toy Drive has received several generous donations this year from businesses, individuals and groups, including several bicycles donated by Sulphur Springs Corvette Club. The drive continues until 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 2022, and as of Friday morning was still far behind the usual pace. According to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum, so far, they’ve only had about one-third of the donations the program usually receives.
Dedicated local law enforcement officials will remain in Walmart parking lot behind the South Broadway Street convenience store (on the far west side of the property) in the cool wet weather to accept both toy and monetary donations for Blue Santa Program, which benefits Hopkins County children ages 1-14 for Christmas. Those discouraged from getting out in the rain can make donations from wherever they are, if they have a smart device or internet access. Use the Blue Santa QR code (see flyer) to make a donation.
If you don’t have lunch plans already, stop by the Blue Santa Toy Drive to get a sack lunch which includes a barbecue brisket sandwich, chips, dessert and a drink provided by CJ Duffey and Choice Hospice for $5 each. All proceeds will be donated to Blue Santa. These lunches will include a barbeque sandwich, a bag of chips, dessert, and a bottle of water.
If you purchase five or more lunches and are located within the city limits of Sulphur Springs, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse, Sulphur Springs Police and Fire Department, and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and Fire Department will deliver them. Call 430-252-9096 to schedule delivery or reserve your brisket lunch.
Blue Santa program will also be participating in the Lions Club’s Annual Lighted Christmas Parade Friday night. If you miss them at Walmart, bring you new unwrapped toy donation to hand to Blue Santa’s helpers as they pass by.
The Blue Santa Toy Program has also placed blue barrels at stores, businesses, financial institutions, car dealerships, nursing homes and other facilities around the community to receive new unwrapped toy donations. These blue barrels will have the Blue Santa seal and a Blue Santa QR code should any wish to make an electronic monetary donation.
Friday, Dec. 2 is also the last day those seeking assistance in providing toys for their children for Christmas to apply to Blue Santa for help. Sign up applications are available online at www.canhelponline.org until December 2. Toy distribution for approved recipients will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at First United Methodist Church, located at 301 Church Street in Sulphur Springs.
For additional information, contact CANHelp at 903-885-9797, ext. 3, or the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 903-438-4044.
Both Basketball Teams Resume Tournament Play Friday
Both Wildcats and Lady Cats basketball teams play on the road in tournaments Friday.
Women’s basketball is nearby in Winnsboro playing in their second tournament of the season.
Both squads hope for a bit better results than Thursday, which saw the teams go a combined 1-3. The sole win on day one of tournament play for both basketball teams came in the evening in a Wildcat blowout.
The Lady Cats fell in their tournament opener to Leander’s Glenn High School, 57-33.
The loss early Thursday morning is the third on the season for Sulphur Springs.
As a result from then on the squad played in the consolation bracket; but two more losses over Thursday and Friday would end the tournament appearance for Coach Bryan Jones’s team. Unfortunately for the Lady Cats, they then fell in their first game in the consolation bracket to Quitman in a tight one 40-36; back-to-back losses in the Winnsboro Hoopfest putting them on the brink of elimination.
The two-game losing streak is the first such streak on the season, now 8-4.
With that second straight defeat in the tournament, Sulphur Springs finds themselves one loss away from cutting their time in Winnsboro short.
Friday has the Lady Cats again in Winnsboro, playing in the early afternoon. Coach Jones and his team look to beat the loser of Longview/Pittsburg. That game is the first game played Friday at 8 A.M. however Sulphur Springs does not play the loser of Longview/Pittsburg until the early afternoon.
That game tips off Friday, Dec. 2 at Buddy Hawkins Gym at 1:20 P.M.
Men’s basketball continues play in the Mansfield tournament Friday.
The Wildcats, like the Lady Cats, also fell in their tournament opener, losing in a thriller to Frisco Liberty 57-55.
Sulphur Springs trailed 20-10 and 34-24 after the first two quarters, but stormed back in the second half.
The Wildcats defense shut down the Redhawks in the second half, allowing only 33 points — but men’s basketball exploded for 28 points in the fourth quarter, unfortunately falling by two in their tournament opener 57-55.
Kordrick Turner played a big part in the second-half resurgence, scoring 25 points in the game. Parker Whisenhunt was the only other Wildcat to finish in double figures with an even 10 and Branson Lynn (8), Malachi Myles (7) and Theo Mckelvy (5) rounded out the Sulphur Springs scoring in the tourney-opening loss.
The loss to Frisco Liberty is the first on the season for Coach Brandon Shaver’s team, and like the Lady Cats, they continued their appearance in the Springs Creek BBQ Classic hosted by most of the Mansfield high schools in the consolation bracket, playing Northwest later Thursday evening. Unlike the women’s team however, the men’s squad rebounded from their tournament-opening loss by winning their second game; handling the Texans 53-41.
Going 1-1 on Thursday, Dec. 1 brings the Wildcats season record to 7-1.
Friday has the Wildcats first taking on Mansfield at Legacy High School at noon. Breaking down what a victory/loss to Mansfield brings next for men’s basketball in the Spring Creek Barbecue Classic tournament later Friday evening:
- WIN: beating Mansfield Friday at noon puts them in the consolation bracket semi-finals, played later Friday at 6 P.M. at Timberview HS
- LOSS: losing puts the Wildcats in a win-or-go-home bracket, with that game also tipping off at 6 P.M., BUT at Legacy HS
Editor’s Note: The Spring Creek Barbecue Classic is hosted by four of the five Mansfield ISD schools (Mansfield, Timberview, Legacy and Summit, however, the Wildcats do not play at Summit HS Friday or Saturday)
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Hopkins County CASA Cookie Walk Returns Dec. 2, 2022
An annual Hopkins County Christmas tradition, the CASA Cookie Walk, is returning this year and will feature some special treats.
The fundraiser for the organization for more than 25 years was canceled the last couple of years due to COVID and replaced with Miracles Made on Connally Street, where people were invited to purchase tickets for $25 each for a chance to win one of 12 small decorated Christmas trees.
Lake Country CASA announced this month, however, that the annual Christmas tradition, the CASA Cookie Walk, WILL be held in 2022. It is scheduled, as is tradition, on the first Friday in December from 9 a.m. to noon (or until all the cookies and sweet confections are gone).
“We are excited to announce there will be yummy treats from some fabulous local bakers so plan to join us for some Christmas goodness! Sweets & Sunshine Shelly’s Sweets, Cinnamon Bear’s Bakery, Christy’s Piece of cake,” local CASA representatives noted.
A variety of cookies and other sweet eats will be offered for a $5 per pound donation (or more if you are feeling generous) Dec. 2, 2022, at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 301 Church St. (across from the Post Office).
All proceeds from the Cookie Walk will benefit the children Lake Country CASA serves in Hopkins, Rains, and Franklin counties. Lake Country CASA served 60 children in Hopkins County alone in 2021.
As of June 2022, there are 12,128 children in Texas foster care system. Across the US, there are approximately 424,000 children in foster care, StandSunday.org reports.
CASA is dedicated to helping children who have been removed from their homes and placed into the foster care system.
In cases where children enter the foster system because their homes are deemed or alleged to be unsafe, a judge may appoint a committed volunteer whose only focus is on that child, giving hope and help in guiding the child to a safe, permanent home.
CASAs work to ensure that every child who needs an advocate to speak for his or her best interests before the courts has a caring, trained adult to help them during this difficult time in their life.
Donations are accepted to help support the CASA program, to provide funding for advocacy efforts and things the children CASA is entrusted to represent wouldn’t have if not for the organization. Donations may be made:
- At the Cookie Walk;
- By PayPal or a debit or credit card online on
- Lake Country CASA website (https://lakecountrycasa.org/get-involved/donate/) by selecting “Donate;”
- the Lake Country CASA Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/lakecountrycasa)
- By selecting Lake Country CASA as the charity of choice at AmazonSmile, to have 0.5% of purchases you make while shopping the site go to CASA to help the children the organization serves.
For more information about Lake County CASA, becoming a CASA or a foster family, call 903-885-1173 or stop by the CASA Cookie Walk Friday morning at FUMC.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Threatening Father With Deadly Weapon
Woman Accused of Child Abandonment or Endangerment
A 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused of threatening his father with a deadly weapon. A 28-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was also jailed on two felony charges after reportedly leaving her children in a unlocked car on the side of I-30 after her car ran out of gas Wednesday morning according to arrest reports
Goodman Street Assault
Sulphur Springs Police Office Cameron Robinson reported responding at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to the Goodman Street residence where concern was expressed for one person present. The father and son both reside at the address, according to arrest reports.
While talking to the parties involved in the incident, Hector Tael Zamora Vazquez Jr. was accused of exhibiting a deadly weapon, a knife. The 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man allegedly pressed the deadly weapon against his father’s chest in a threatening manner, causing his father to fear imminent bodily injury, Robinson noted in arrest reports.
Zamora Vazquez was taken into custody at 6:49 p.m. Nov. 30, 2022, and transported to the county jail, where he was booked in at 10 p.m. Wednesday on second-degree aggravated family violence assault with a deadly weapon charge for the alleged threat made to his father with the weapon. An emergency protective order was requested, Robinson alleged in arrest reports.
Abandoning or Endangering Children
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 7:17 a.m. Wednesday to request for a welfare check on a female seen walking on the shoulder of Interstate 30 west near mile marker 136. Deputy Aaron Chaney was unable to locate a woman upon arrival in the area, but did soon see a tan Ford pickup with its hazard lights on parked on the shoulder near the 136 mile marker on I-30 west. Chaney reported turning around at the next exit to return to the truck.
Dispatchers called the deputy on his cell phone before he arrived at the truck, noting that they’d received information the female that’d been seen walking had left two young children in the truck he was approaching, then began walking away from it. At some point the woman was given reportedly given a ride to the EZ Mart store near Helm Lane in Sulphur Springs, Chaney said he was told.
As the deputy approached the vehicle, he noticed two children jumping around inside of it and found the passenger’s side door unlocked. So, he opened it and began talking to the children. The kids, who said they were 5 and 6, told him they’d run out of gas and their mom had gone to get some more. When they told the deputy their mom’s name, he recognized it from previous calls he’d responded to.
Chaney asked for Deputy Richard Brantley to try to locate the children’s mother at or near the gas station. Sheriff Lewis Tatum responded with Chaney on I-30 to help transport the kids to the sheriff’s office. Brantley soon reported he was indeed able to locate the Brooke Sierra Hayward, and was instructed to take her into custody. Brantley did and transported her to the county jail. Dispatch was asked to call for a tow truck to impound the pickup and to ask Child Protective Services to respond at the sheriff’s office to take custody of the children.
The deputy, in arrest reports, noted it was apparent to him the 28-year-old woman had intentionally, knowingly or recklessly left her children, who were not of an age to be independent from their mother and care for themselves, in the truck unsecured at the side of I-30 , where vehicles traveled upwards of 75-plus miles per hour. The children also had no shoes and as far as Chaney, had not coasts or jackets even though the temperature was below 37 degrees at 7:48 a.m. Nov. 30, 2022. The vehicle was also not running so the children had no apparent source of available heat.
After the tow truck arrived, Chaney returned to the sheriff’s office, where he completed Hayward’s arrest report. She was booked into the county jail at 9:57 a.m. Nov. 30, 2022, on two abandoning or endangering of a child charges, according to arrest reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
