Emory And Garland Men Killed In Wrong-Way Turnpike Crash
A 62-year-old Emory man and 24-year-old Garland man were killed in a two-vehicle wrong-way turnpike crash in Dallas County early Tuesday morning, according to Texas Department of Public Safety reports.
Preliminary investigation reports by DPS Trooper L. Walter indicate a 1993 Nissan pickup driven by Troy Coates of Emory was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of President George Bush Turnpike near Lakeview Parkway in Rowlett around 12:20 a.m. Nov. 29, 2022. The pickup struck a 2013 Nissan Altima head-on, according to DPS reports.
When Rowlett Fire Department arrived at the crash site, personnel reported both drivers — identified by DPS Wednesday as 62-year-old Coates and 24-year-old Travonta Williams of Garland — were deceased, authorities reported. Names of both drivers were initially withheld pending notification of their next of kin..
The crash investigation is ongoing, with no additional information released, as of Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 30, 2022, according to DPS Sgt. Josue “Tony” De La Cerda, Texas Department of Public Safety Media and Communications for the North Texas Region.
Hopkins County Historical Commission And Appraisal District Board Members Reappointed
The Commissioners Court also approved the reappointment of officers and members to Hopkins County Historical Commission as well as a representative for Hopkins County Appraisal District Board of Directors and other items.
Historical Commission
All selected indicated they are willing to serve on the County Historical Commission, according to the document listing members and officers which the Commissioners Court approved on Nov. 28.
Historical Commission officers were nominated to serve during a special meeting of Hopkins County Historical Society Board, called at the request of Texas State Historical Commission, with submissions submitted to the Commissioners Court for approval.
Historical Commission officers approved by the court included John Sellers, MC; Rick Wilson as president; Barbara Hudson as vice president; Paula Altenbaumer as secretary; and Carlie Penson as treasurer. The Historical Commission also includes Carolyn French, Bill Glover, Joyce Bateman, Micah McCarty and Major Willis as members for the 2023-2024 term; all are Historical Society Board members who were present along with Penson and Wilson at the special Nov. 19 HCHS meeting.
Appraisal District Board
Earlier this month, the Commissioners Court also approved a resolution reappointing Hopkins County Tax Assessor-Collector Debbie Pogue Mitchell to represent Hopkins County on Hopkins County Appraisal District Board of Directors.
As determined on Nov. 23, 1989, members of the Appraisal District Board serve “staggered terms. Mitchell has represented Hopkins County on the Appraisal Board for a number of years and agreed to serve one more term, which will begin Jan. 1, 2023 and end Dec 31, 2024.
Other Business
At the request of County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook, no action was taken Nov. 28, 2022, on a proposed 7% cost of living increase to the county retirement plan. Aulsbrook explained there were numerous factors that should be factored into any decision on the matter, and that information is being compiles and is expected to be presented at the next Commissioners Court meeting.
Also during the Nov. 14 Court meeting, the Commissioners Court approved the lone bid submitted by Jay Hodge Chevrolet for two new 3/4-ton crew cab 4×4 pickup trucks for the sheriff’s office. The total price for the trucks was $99,179.36. A 2022 truck was quoted at $74,685.86 and was to be available this month, whereas a 2023 model quoted at $51,493.5 won’t be available until later. HCSO plans to trade in two vehicles, which Chief Deputy Tanner Crump noted are expected to cover all except about $20,000 per vehicle. The rest of the funding will come from the seizure fund.
The Commissioners Court approved a final plat for the Diosdado Addition in Precinct 4 at the court session held earlier in the month.
A resolution passed Nov. 14 by the Commissioners Court authorizes participation in a program that provides grant funding to “help pay for court appointed attorneys.” The Texas Indigent Defense Commission assists counties in implementation and improvement in indigent criminal defense cases. Indigent defense can be very costly to the county; while not necessarily covering all funds, the grant program does provide money to cover some of those expenses, according to the county judge.
The Commissioners Court also at that meeting also approved a resolution accepting a transfer case from a 1994 transfer case from Shreveport Fire Department for Hopkins County Fire Department’s Engine 220. The county unit has had a hard time finding the part which allows it to switch gears. The City of Shreveport had one in a scrap yard and agreed to donate it to the county for HCFD. The parts are interchangeable and should work on Engine 220 perfectly, Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley noted. The County Attorney was working on the required document, which the court agreed to, so the fire department will have the needed item for the truck.
The Commissioners Court on Nov. 14 too approved a loan agreement with the State Energy Conservation Office and an agreement for lighting improvement services and LED lighting retrofit assessment conducted by E3 for the county jail, Civic Center and Adult Probation office. Jason Brinkley, E3 agent for the State Energy Office told the loan through the state group to convert the lighting in those county building to LED would pay for itself pay for itself in utility savings within 9-9.5 years, and the warranty on the lights would be for 15 years. The county would still be responsible for the loan payments for the length of the loan term. Retrofitting the three county facilities would be completion of the lighting conversion at all major county buildings where possible. Upon signing of the required documents, work was expected to begin within 6 weeks and would take approximately 1 month to complete.
The Commissioners Court on Nov. 14 approved a resolution authorizing a grant from Texas Department of Agriculture Texans Feeding Texans program to Lamar County Human Resources, Inc., to provide home-delivered meals to homebound elderly and/or disabled individuals in parts of Hopkins County in 2023. Program rules require that the county in which an organization such as LCHS is providing home-delivered meal services to make a grant to the organization, so the group is eligible to receive the Department of Agriculture Texas Feeding Texans funding. The resolution certifies that Hopkins County has made a $10,000 grant to LCHS to be used from fall 2022 through the end of summer 2023 for the meal program; it also certifies that the Commissioners Court has approved the group’s accounting system or fiscal agent, which meets financial management system requirements established in the Texas Grant Management Standards per the state comptroller’s office.
Photo Exhibit @123 Jefferson
10 local photographers agreed to a 5 year ‘photo marathon’ competition to win a trip to Italy. This year is the conclusion. The winner will be announced in 2023. This is an annual celebration of the work these photographers have performed.
The Gallery @123 Jefferson Street at 5:00, December 2nd, 2022
A Year in Review – Better Living for Texans
By Johanna Hicks, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Family and Community Health in Hopkins County, j[email protected]
Editor’s note: This is the 3rd in a series of program impacts, provided by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health – Hopkins County.
Relevance
Better Living for Texans is a statewide program targeted toward helping families serve healthier foods and increase physical activity. In Hopkins County, approximately 4,021 receive supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits, according to https://hhs.texas.gov.
Food insecurity, obesity, and lack of access to healthy food are other issues that impact this audience and have strong potential to negatively impact health. Obesity among adults in Hopkins County is 37% of the population. Similarly, 32% reportedly are physically inactive.
To help address these issues, the Community Health/Wellness Alliance, Master Wellness Volunteers, and Family & Community Health Committee assisted in planning, marketing, and presenting programs.
Response
The following programs were offered:
- Walk & Talk 8-week program for Head Start parents
- Healthy Snacking for preschoolers
- Better Living for Texans newsletter
- 55+ Health Fair on food budgeting and physical activity
- Be Well, Live Well series for 55+ group
- Newspaper columns on food safety, saving money at the grocery store, and meal planning
Partnerships & Collaborations:
- Sulphur Springs Head Start staff is instrumental in promoting programs to parents
- ROC (Recreational Outreach Center) allows us to use their facility for programming purposes
- Master Wellness Volunteers and Healthy Texas Youth Ambassadors assisted with programming for kids and adults
Results
- Walk & Talk 8-week series:
- 2 teams (Miles still being logged as of this writing)
- Fruits & Vegetables focus
- Weekly nutrition lesson and cooking demonstration and/or recipe sampling
- Incentive items were provided to reinforce topics covered in the series
- Information sheets and recipes distributed weekly
- Master Wellness Volunteers and Tarleton State University student intern assisted in programming
- Healthy Snacking Teach Piece:
- 175 Head Start children reached
- Incentive items were provided
- Interactive method was used\
- 55+ Health Fair:
- BLT programs were promoted (Fresh Start and Walk & Talk)
- Fruit and popcorn were provided for fair-goers as a healthy alternative to cookies and candy
- Provided display on fast food and nutrition labels
- Approximately 250 senior adults attended
- 85 small bags of popcorn and 30 pounds of apples and oranges were distributed
- Be Well, Live Well Series (BWLW):
- 7 participants; 2 volunteers
- 7 (100%) completed pre- and post-surveys
- Surveys indicated: increased fruit & vegetable consumption (6 of 7); increased physical activity (5 of 7); referring to nutrition facts label (7 of 7)
- BLT Newsletter
- 10 issues prepared
- Provided to 28 outlets for distribution to clientele reaching approximately 5,000 households
Closing Thought
Never mistake a time-out for a defeat.
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent at the Hopkins County office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or j[email protected].
5th Annual Hopkins County Chamber Christmas Ornament Celebrates Heritage Park
If you’re decorating your Christmas tree and you’re looking for that special ornament, come see our local one.
For the fifth year, the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce has commissioned a Christmas ornament, and this year it celebrates Heritage Park!
The shipment is expected on Wednesday and there is a limited supply (70) and the cost is $40. If you would like to purchase one, drop by our office at 110 Main St. while supplies last!
Directories
Work has started on the 2023 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business.
LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you in the next few weeks to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory.
The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her.
Economic Development Conference
If you would like a crystal ball to see into the economic future, then you’ll want to get a glimpse of what the experts are saying at the annual Economic Development Conference, set for Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Aaron Demerson, commissioner representing employers of the Texas Workforce Commission, is our keynote speaker. Mr. Demerson will present to Hopkins County the economic outlook for Northeast Texas for 2023. He serves as an advocate for over 555,000 Texas employers and his office provides a variety of resources, including training and assistance with hiring, managing and recruitment.
Tickets and tables are both available, but the deadline is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, for tables. Sponsorship tables are available on three different levels and individual tickets are sold for $20 each. Contact the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected] for more information.
Cookie Walk
The annual Lake Country Cookie Walk is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Dec. 2, at First United Methodist Church. It’s a great time to stock up on treats for yourself, your business or your friends and neighbors.
For more information, call 903-885-1173 or go to LakeCountryCASA.org.
Sock Drive
Dierksen Hospice is hosting a sock drive benefitting our area oncology clinics, dialysis centers, and nursing homes. They will accepting the socks through the month of December. Drop off locations will be their office at 1304 Church St. and the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizen Center on MLK Drive.
Christmas Activities
If it’s November, it means Christmas is coming, and the Lions Club will help you get in the Christmas spirit when they host their 16th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 2.The parade will start at 7 p.m. from Buford Park.
- Also on that day, the city’s Christmas tree will be lit at 5:45 p.m. downtown.
- The Chamber will also be offering free photos with Santa at the Chamber office, 110 Main St., from 5-6 p.m.
- Christmas in Heritage Park will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Admission is $3; children under 7 are free. You can visit with Santa, see light displays and live nativity, roast marshmallows and enjoy free hot cocoa and old fashioned cider. You can also start your Christmas shopping in the country store!
- RPM Staffing Professionals will host its 2nd Annual Stockings for Seniors, with donations directly benefitting Rock Creek Health and Rehabilitation. Donations items include but are not limited to Chapstick, books, socks, denture cleaner, hand lotion, etc. Contact RPM at 903-439-1022 or drop off donations at 401 Church St., Suite B.
- First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs will present Christmas at First, a celebration of the sights, sounds and the true meaning of Christmas, at 6 p.m. each day Dec. 10 and 11. Reserve your free tickets are SSFBC.org.
Caring by Preparing
Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home is offering a Caring By Preparing seminar on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 112:30 a.m. at the their new building at 876 Wildcat Way.
The complimentary lunch is provided by Murray-Orwosky, and RSVPs are needed by calling 903-885-3133.
The seminar will including understanding your options for cremation and burial, how to plan and protect your funeral dollars and what most people don’t know about pre-planning.
Ribbon Cutting
Hampton House Jewelry and Rock Shop celebrated its 30th year in business last Tuesday, at the shop on Main Street. Stop by and visit with the Hamptons year-round.
Study: Texas Traffic Congestion Rebounded In 2021
TxDOT: Annual Study Underscores Continued Need For Mobility Investment
COVID-19’s effects on Texas traffic levels lingered throughout 2021, with delays on the state’s most congested roadways growing but still below pre-pandemic gridlock conditions, according to a new study performed by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI).
The review of the state’s most crowded street and highway segments – 1,860 roadways in all – has been conducted by TTI each year since 2009. The study measures traffic congestion by determining delay per mile of travel – how much longer it takes for motorists to travel on a gridlocked road than to make the same trip in uncongested conditions.
Houston’s West Loop was the state’s most gridlocked stretch in 2021, as it was the previous year. The Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Dallas, Interstate Highway 35 in Austin, and Houston’s Eastex and Southwest Freeways rounded out the top five. Austin’s IH-35 had the most severe truck freight congestion in 2021 – also a repeat from the previous year.
The analysis, funded by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), noted little change in rankings from 2020 to 2021. Eight of the ten most overcrowded road sections have stayed in the top ten for the last three years. And researchers emphasize that traffic will eventually return to familiar intensity as the state’s population grows and its economy remains strong.
“Traffic congestion isn’t just a big-city problem, and that problem is almost sure to get worse as our population surges by almost 20 million in the next 25 years,” says David Schrank, TTI’s lead researcher on the annual study. “With that kind of growth, Texas needs to use every possible means to keep people and goods moving. We need to add capacity, operate the system efficiently, and give people options for how to travel.”
Those strategies, researchers say, will require road building at a brisk pace – an approach the Texas Department of Transportation is taking through its Texas Clear Lanes initiative, launched in 2015. Funding for that effort is supplemented by a pair of voter-approved actions designed to funnel more cash to the State Highway Fund. As of this year, $29 billion has been assigned to Texas Clear Lanes non-tolled projects in the four largest metro regions. Since 2015, 13 projects have been completed, 27 are under construction, and another 58 projects are planned.
U.S. Census Bureau Data“Texas Clear Lanes is paying off in a big way, as we estimate $4 in benefits for every $1 spent on road expansion projects,” says TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “That helps us achieve our mission – connecting Texans with their state. TxDOT is all about making personal travel safer and smoother, along with efficiently moving freight to support greater supply chain efficiency and economic growth.”
Researchers note that traffic delays impose an immense financial burden. Those costs – a result of lost time and wasted fuel – totaled more than $3.8 billion on the state’s 100 most traffic-choked road sections during 2021, about 10 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels. Truck congestion costs were $620 million in the same year, essentially unchanged since 2019.
Though the worst stretches are concentrated in Texas’ biggest population centers, gridlock affects areas of all sizes, as illustrated by TTI’s complete list of 1,860 road segments in 23 urban regions across the state.
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, maritime, rail, and public transportation across the state. Through collaboration and leadership, we deliver a safe, reliable, and integrated transportation system that enables the movement of people and goods.
Teen Accused Of Injuring An 11-Year-Old Sibling And Assaulting His Father
1 Sulphur Springs Man Allegedly Choked Female Household Member; Another Allegedly Assaulted A Juvenile
November 29, 2022 – Three Sulphur Springs residents were jailed on assault charges following three unrelated altercations over the past two days. A Sulphur Springs teen was accused of assaulting his father and injuring an 11-year-old sibling Monday evening. A 36-year-old man allegedly choked a female household member Monday afternoon. A 43-year-old Sulphur Springs man was also accused of assaulting a juvenile, according to arrest reports.
Tanglewood Drive Assaults
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Justin Wilkerson, Ryan Reed and Josh Davis responded to a report of an active disturbance at a Tanglewood Drive residence at 5:55 p.m. Nov. 28, 2022. Upon arrival, they contact a man who they noted was out of breath, his wife and 18-year-old son, Wilkerson noted in arrest reports.
The teen was determined to have been in the kitchen of the home, where a verbal argument had occurred. The teen, identified in arrest reports as Bradyn James Toles, then engaged in a verbal altercation with his 11-year-old brother. Their father allegedly attempted to intervene in the fight between his sons. Deputies, in arrest reports, noted the disarray in the kitchen appeared to support the claims.
During the fight, the teen was reportedly struck his father using his hand. The 18-year-old Toles also allegedly kicked his 11-year-old brother, while the younger sibling was on the floor. Both sustained injuries from the incident. The altercation continued to a bedroom, where the teen is accused of using a door to pin his 11-year-old brother against the wall.
Eighteen-year-old Bradyn James Toles was taken into custody at 6:12 p.m. Monday at his Tanglewood Drive residence for the assaults. Toles was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked in at 8:45 p.m. Nov. 28, 2022, on a third-degree felony injury to a child charge for the alleged assault of the younger brother and a Class A misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury to a family member (his father) charge, according to arrest reports.
Johnson Lane Assault
HCSO Deputy Zack Steward responded at 3:53 p.m. Nov. 28, 2022, to a complaint of an assault on Johnson Lane.
Upon arrival, Steward was told 36-year-old Nicholas Allen Shepherd and a female resident had argued about the female leaving him. The altercation escalated, with Shepherd physically grabbing the woman by her throat and choking her, the deputy noted in arrest reports. Steward also reported several bruises were visible on both of the woman’s arms and her chest.
After the injuries were photographed as evidence of the alleged choking assault, Deputies Steward and Kevin Lester then went to a West Industrial Drive apartment in Sulphur Springs, where they contacted Shepherd. The 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody at 4:50 p.m. Monday.
Nicholas Allen Shepherd was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:35 p.m. Nov. 28, 2022, on a third-degree felony family violence assault that impeded breathing charge; deputies requested an emergency protective order, according to arrest reports.
CR 4711 Assault
HCSO deputies responded to a disturbance at a County Road 4711 residence at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022.
Upon arrival, deputies spoke with two people said to have been involved in the disturbance. Based on their findings, they believed the 43-year-old male resident to have assaulted a juvenile at the location, deputies noted in arrest reports. The juvenile was alleged to have visible marking on her forehead, which supported that conclusion, according to the deputies’ reports.
As a result, the Sulphur Springs man was arrested at 10:08 p.m. Nov. 27, on a misdemeanor family violence assault charge, according to arrest reports.
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.
Information From an English Class on the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
AN ENGLISH LESSON
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center English Instructor Ken Haley gives students Keith Kirkland and Mykala Maddox a little help during a recent class.
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.
Pine Bark Beetles Are Relatively Common Pests That Can Quickly Kill Pine Trees
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Pine bark beetles attack and kill pine trees, and are relatively common pests of pine forests. The feeding and tunneling activities of adult and larval pine bark beetles eventually girdles an infested tree (e.g., disrupts the transport of water and nutrients up and down the stem) and quickly kills it.
Pine bark beetles live under the bark of pine trees. Adults infest new trees by chewing through the outer bark, leaving small round holes in the bark that may ooze pine resin (called “pitch tubes”). Adult pine bark beetles create tunnels or galleries under the bark where they mate and lay eggs. Larval beetles hatch from the egg galleries and create new tunnels, feeding on the inner bark of the tree. When the larvae finally develop into adults, they bore a hole out of the tree and fly to another. The life cycle for these beetles can be as short as 21 days in the summer months. Pine bark beetle activity generally stops when temperatures drop lower than 50º F.
Pine trees that are stressed or weakened are most vulnerable to attack by pine bark beetles. Only the southern pine beetle is known to attack healthy trees. Drought, flooding, disease, or damage from fire, lightening, hail, wind, human activity, and other sources can make a tree susceptible to infestation. In residential areas, construction activities can stress existing pine trees and create opportunities for infestation by pine bark beetles. Damage or stress can result from soil compaction, surface grade changes, or bark injury by vehicles or heavy equipment.
It is nearly impossible to save a tree that has been infested with pine bark beetles, so preventing attacks is extremely important. Keeping pine trees healthy and in good condition is the best way to help prevent infestations of pine bark beetles and other insects and diseases. Practice appropriate tree protection practices during home construction and landscape maintenance. Applying water and fertilizer to important trees in your landscape can also help them deal with the stress of construction activities and natural events, such as drought.
The Texas Forest Service recommends that landowners promptly cut down pine trees that are visibly infested with pine bark beetles (e.g., some life stage of the beetle is currently in the tree). However, care should be taken to make sure that felling an infested tree does not damage surrounding trees, since damaged trees are more susceptible to infestation. Once the larvae have matured and emerged from an infested tree, removing the tree will no longer provide any control benefits. Removal may still be warranted if the dead tree poses a safety risk (dead pine trees become quite brittle in 6 to 10 months)
Cut trees and limbs that are infested with pine bark beetles should be burned as soon as possible, since the beetles may continue to emerge from the cut wood. If burning is not an option due to burn bans or other factors, place cut wood in a sunny area and wrap it with a tarp. The tarp may help prevent adults from moving to new trees, and the heat generated by the sun may help kill remaining beetles and larvae under the tarp. There are a few pesticides currently registered for use to control pine bark beetles. However, chemical treatments are not recommended for controlling pine bark beetle infestations in residential settings.
For more information on these or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
The 2022 Holiday Season Will Officially Kickoff Friday For SSISD Fine Arts Students
Sulphur Springs ISD fine arts students are gearing up for the 2022 holiday season, which will officially kickoff Friday night. The next two weeks will be packed with opportunities for community members to enjoy the sounds of the district’s accomplished band and choir students.
The festivities begin Friday evening, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. with music played by the state-ranked Wildcat Band as the students join friends and fellow participants in the Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade, and the 2022 holiday season will conclude with a special presentation at Hopkins County Courthouse on Dec. 12.
The Wildcat Jazz Band is slated to perform at 7 p.m. Saturday Dec. 3 the Chapel in Heritage Park during Christmas in the Park, then will follow that up at noon Dec. 5 with a performance in the Alliance Bank lobby. Students have also been invited to give a special private concert at Central Baptist Church on Dec. 6.
The SSISD Band Christmas Concert is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 8 in the SSHS Auditorium. Students from various Middle and High School bands will have an opportunity to put in practice the skills they’ve attained over the last year while helping entertain with sounds of the season. Slated to perform in the Band Christmas Concert are the SSHS Band, Wildcat Jazz, Sulphur Springs Middle School Concert Band, SSMS Symphonic Band, SSMS Wind Ensemble and the SSMS Beginner Band.
The SSMS All-Region Band students will perform in concert at 5 p.m. Dec. 10 at Paris Junior High Auditorium.
And, the bands aren’t the only SSISD fine arts students who will be performing beginning this weekend. The SSHS Choir students, accomplished in their own right, are slated to perform at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in Heritage Park during Christmas in the Park.
Then, SSISD choir like band 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 SSHS, SSMS and fifth grade choirs.
SSISD Fine Arts Holiday Performance Schedule
- Dec 2
- Band at Christmas Parade at 7 p.m. — Downtown
- Dec 3
- HS Choir perform at 5:30 p.m. — Heritage Park
- Wildcat Jazz Band performs at 7 p.m. — Heritage Park Chapel
- Dec 5
- Wildcat Jazz Band performs at noon — in Alliance Bank lobby
- Dec 6
- SSHS/SSMS/5th Grade Choirs Concert at 6 p.m. — SSHS Auditorium
- Dec 8
- SSISD Band Christmas Concert at 6 p.m. – SSHS Auditorium
- Dec 10
- SSMS All-Region Band Concert at 5 p.m. – in Paris Junior High Auditorium
- Dec 12
- Commissioner’s Court Proclamation for SSHS Band’s State ranking during the 9 a.m. court meeting — Hopkins County Courthouse
