Christmas at Heritage Park Rescheduled
Originally set for November 26 and December 3rd, 2022, Christmas at Heritage park will now be December 3rd, and December 10th.
Saturday December 3rd & Saturday December 10th 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Admission – $3 per person, children under 7 are free.
Visit Santa, 🎅 see lighted displays and a live Nativity, enjoy live music, roast marshmallows on an open fire, buy homemade Christmas candy at the Candy Store in the Atkins House and more!
All proceeds go to Heritage Park
FDA Approves First Gene Therapy To Treat Adults With Hemophilia B
This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Hemgenix (etranacogene dezaparvovec), an adeno-associated virus vector-based gene therapy for the treatment of adults with Hemophilia B (congenital Factor IX deficiency) who currently use Factor IX prophylaxis therapy, or have current or historical life-threatening hemorrhage, or have repeated, serious spontaneous bleeding episodes.
“Gene therapy for hemophilia has been on the horizon for more than two decades. Despite advancements in the treatment of hemophilia, the prevention and treatment of bleeding episodes can adversely impact individuals’ quality of life,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Today’s approval provides a new treatment option for patients with Hemophilia B and represents important progress in the development of innovative therapies for those experiencing a high burden of disease associated with this form of hemophilia.”
Hemophilia B is a genetic bleeding disorder resulting from missing or insufficient levels of blood clotting Factor IX, a protein needed to produce blood clots to stop bleeding. Symptoms can include prolonged or heavy bleeding after an injury, surgery, or dental procedure; in severe cases, bleeding episodes can occur spontaneously without a clear cause. Prolonged bleeding episodes can lead to serious complications, such as bleeding into joints, muscles or internal organs, including the brain.
Most individuals who have Hemophilia B and experience symptoms are men. The prevalence of Hemophilia B in the population is about one in 40,000; Hemophilia B represents about 15% of patients with hemophilia. Many women carriers of the disease have no symptoms. However, an estimated 10-25% of women carriers have mild symptoms; in rare cases, women may have moderate or severe symptoms.
Treatment typically involves replacing the missing or deficient clotting factor to improve the body’s ability to stop bleeding and promote healing. Patients with severe Hemophilia B typically require a routine treatment regimen of intravenous (IV) infusions of Factor IX replacement products to maintain sufficient levels of clotting factor to prevent bleeding episodes.
Hemgenix is a one-time gene therapy product given as a single dose by IV infusion. Hemgenix consists of a viral vector carrying a gene for clotting Factor IX. The gene is expressed in the liver to produce Factor IX protein, to increase blood levels of Factor IX and thereby limit bleeding episodes.
The safety and effectiveness of Hemgenix were evaluated in two studies of 57 adult men 18 to 75 years of age with severe or moderately severe Hemophilia B. Effectiveness was established based on decreases in the men’s annualized bleeding rate (ABR). In one study, which had 54 participants, the subjects had increases in Factor IX activity levels, a decreased need for routine Factor IX replacement prophylaxis, and a 54% reduction in ABR compared to baseline.
The most common adverse reactions associated with Hemgenix included liver enzyme elevations, headache, mild infusion-related reactions and flu-like symptoms. Patients should be monitored for adverse infusion reactions and liver enzyme elevations (transaminitis) in their blood.
This application received Priority Review, Orphan and Breakthrough Therapy designations.
The FDA granted approval of Hemgenix to CSL Behring LLC.
This & That for Thanksgiving
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
Sweet potatoes come from South America, and while regular potatoes are tubers or underground stems, sweet potatoes are actually roots. For any recipe that calls for apples, white potatoes or squash, you can substitute sweet potatoes. They have a 5,000-year history.
White potatoes also come from South America and have a 400+ year history. Today, they’re the number one side dish in restaurants. The French fry option was introduced by Thomas Jefferson while President. They were the first vegetable astronauts grew in outer space.
Pumpkins originally came from Central America and have a 7,000-year history. Size varies by type and care and can range from less than one pound to over 1,000. The origin of the pumpkin pie began with colonialists filling a gutted pumpkin with spices, honey and milk, and baked/roasted in hot ashes. The largest pumpkin pie weighed 350+ pounds and was more than 5′ in diameter.
Green beans apparently originated in Mexico some 7,000 years ago. Today, some 40 million casseroles are served every Thanksgiving.
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts by our Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe, and apparently lasted for three days. Regardless of what we were told in history classes, there was no corn, let alone pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, bread, butter, or milk at this first Thanksgiving. While this may sound like a bland feast, the first feast is thought to have included eggs, carrots, cabbage, beans, onions, chestnuts, goat cheese, honey, rabbit, chicken, dried fruits, and even lobster!
Interestingly, Pilgrims didn’t have forks. Rather, they used spoons, knives, and their fingers! Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, and the setting aside of the fourth Thursday of November to celebrate Thanksgiving in the USA was enacted by Congress in December 1941.
This year, some 46 million turkeys are expected to be sold for Thanksgiving.
2022: Year In Review – Child Health/Wellness
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County, [email protected]
This is the second of the program impact summaries provided by Hopkins County Family & Community Health Extension.Â
Relevance
According to https://nccd.cdc.gov, Hopkins County has a population of approximately 37,211, with 19% of children living in poverty an average of 21% of youth ages 6-19 are overweight. Additionally, approximately 24% achieve 1 hour or less moderate physical activity; an average of 45% consume less than 1 serving of fruit per day; and 50% consume less than 1 serving of vegetables per day. Other factors that can be a detriment to youth health and wellness include:
- adult obesity (32% of Hopkins County population)
- adult smoking (20%)
- uninsured (24%)
Response
The Community Health/Wellness Alliance and Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers identified the need to continue addressing childhood health in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and well-being. This was accomplished by partnering with the Sulphur Springs and Cumby ISD’s for their 2022 summer day camp program.  The target audience was students grades 1-5. Collaborators in the effort were:
- Department of State Health Services (session on water/sun safety)
- United Healthcare (session on dental care)
- Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center (sessions on stranger danger)
- Barbara Bush Primary Campus (facilities for sessions)
- League Street Church of Christ (facilities for hands-on cooking session)
- Cumby School campus (facilities for sessions)
- Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers
- Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador
Results
A total of nine sessions were provided, including a 2 ½ hour hands-on cooking session for Sulphur Springs students. Sessions included: physical activity at each session, “Color Me Healthy” curriculum, nutrition, importance of breakfast,  MyPlate, sun safety, water safety, stranger danger and more. The hands-on cooking session included reading and following a recipe, food safety, hand hygiene, and kitchen safety. Incentive items were distributed to reinforce information learned: MyPlate plates, exercise bands, MyPlate flying discs, sports bottles, aprons, and more.
A retrospective 11-question post survey was distributed to 2 Sulphur Springs classes (30 returned) and 14-question post survey to 2 Cumby classes (20 returned). Surveys included multiple choice questions, true/false questions, and intent to adopt practices learned during the sessions. Students indicated learning:
- 100% (50/50) were able to identify dairy products from a list
- 100% (50/50) were able to identify recommended number of minutes of physical activity
- 100% (50/50) were able to identify the best beverage for hot days
- 90% (45/50) were able to identify what to do in the event of severe weather
- 88% (44/50) were able to identify sedentary behavior vs. physical activity
- 88% (44/50) were able to identify foods in the protein group
Intent to adopt practices:
- 100% (50/50) indicated that they will drink more water and fewer sweetened beverages
- 96% (48/50) indicated that they plan to eat breakfast every morning
- 88% (44/50) indicated that they plan to eat more fruits & vegetables
I know statistics can be boring, but they certainly help tell the story about the impact of these programs! Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is all about education and helping people have better lives. I want to thank the two schools for allowing me to be part of their very successful summer camp program!
Closing Thought
A year is basically 365 opportunities for something great to happen!
Contact Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent in Hopkins County, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected].
Tips For A Safer Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays for most brings to mind for most a smorgasbord of rich foods, including turkey and dressing with giblet gravy, ham, rolls and plenty of sweet desserts and snacks. However, for some, the the holidays are marked by devastation — home fires.
Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires year-round in the US, and accounts for 45 percent of all home fire injuries and 21 percent of home fire deaths. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires and fire deaths; 15 percent of the fatalities are attributed to clothing ignitions, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for US home cooking fires, with more than three times as many home cooking fires occurring on Thanksgiving as a typical day of the year, the NFPA reports.
Below are a few safety reminders heading into the holidays to help keep residents and properties safer.
Fire officials recommend planning to cook a turkey outdoors for Thanksgiving, especially those planning to deep fry, to make sure it’s cooked away from patios, porches, garages, structures and awnings. He suggests testing the turkey to fluid ratio before putting oil into it; put the turkey in water before firing the cooker up. If water splashes out, that is an indicator there’s too much liquid. Remove some of the water. When the turkey fits without significant amount of water overflowing, that’s a good indicator of how much oil to put in the fryer, the fire chief suggested.
Also, to avoid an explosion, avoid dropping a frozen turkey into hot oil. Make sure the turkey is thawed before attempting to cook it. The cooler the turkey the hotter the oil and fire, the more chances of splashing or burning.
The US Fire Administration also reminds turkey chefs to make sure their fryer is level, and away from children and animals, to avoid it tipping over or popping and burning. Keeping a 3-foot safety zone around stoves (when cooking indoors) and outdoor grills is recommended.
Things that can catch fire — like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels– should be kept a minimum of 3 feet from the cooking area. Shirt sleeves should be pushed up and billowy clothing should be worn after the food is prepared to keep it from coming into contact with open flames or other heat sources, the NFPA recommends.
Cooking food shouldn’t be left on the stove top unattended, especially when frying and sautĂ©ing with oil. Stay near and check the turkey frequently while it is cooking.
Home Heating Tips
Precautions are also needed for heating structures during cooler temperatures. Heaters are to be plugged directly into outlets. Extension cords should not be used for electric heaters, as doing so can easily overload the source and result in melted cords and fires.
Natural heating should include proper ventilation, method to extinguish a blaze in a fireplace or wood burning store. Check to be sure there are no gas leaks for natural gas heaters. Objects should not be placed too close to any heaters or heating sources as a precaution as well.
Upcoming Activities: CASA Cookie Walk, Christmas Activities, Economic Conference
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!
The Chamber office will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.
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. Sponsorship tables are available on three different levels and individual tickets are sold for $20 each. For sponsorship opportunities or individual tickets, contact the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
Sponsorships must be in by Nov. 30 to be included in the program.
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.
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.
If you’d like to register for the parade, contact the Chamber at [email protected] and we can email you a form. Entries will be graded in three categories: large business, small business and non-profit.
The parade will start at 7 p.m.
- 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 5-7 p.m.
- Christmas in Heritage Park will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 and 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 2 nd 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 903-885-133.
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 Cuttings
- The Barn of Emory, located at 550 Rains County Road 3425 in Emory, hosted an open house and ribbon cutting on Friday, Nov. 18. Following the ribbon cutting, there was visitation with vendors, music and a movie.
- Corner Grubhouse hosted a ribbon cutting for their new breakfast menu, located next door to the main restaurant on Connally Street, on Thursday, Nov. 17. The new venue is also available for meetings and gatherings.
- At noon on Thursday, Nov. 17, 101 Barbershop, located at 101 Bill Bradford Drive, hosted a ribbon cutting. Please welcome them.
- Top Notch Realty, located at 468 Shannon Road, Suite 14B, hosted a ribbon cutting on Tuesday,
Nov. 15. - Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home debuted its new facility on Wildcat Way with an open house on
Tuesday, Nov. 15.
CEFCO Convenience Store Sign Variance Request Receives Limited Conditional Approval
A convenience store sign variance request received limited conditional approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals Tuesday evening.
CEFCO asked to be allowed two signs for a total of 465.7-square feet of signage, including a high rise sign 100 feet tall with 144-square feet of sign, plus a price sign that is 321.7-square feet. The city’s sign ordinance caps pole signs at 150 square feet in size, requires a 15-foot setback from the property line and 40 foot height limitation.
That means CEFCO asks for a variance of 60 feet in height and 315.7-square feet in size, which would be 150% in excessive height and 210.5% in excess of size requirements.
Assistant City Manager Manager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski said the city sent certified letters to 14 residents within 200 feet of the property, notifying them of the variance request. The city received one response in favor of, and one in opposition to the request. The opposition expressed concern about light being detrimental to the residential neighborhood that backs up to the site.
Niewiadomski told the ZBA at the board’s Nov. 22 meeting that the airport director was consulted. He reviewed an aeronautical study for the site and found that the proposal does not present a hazard to air navigation. However, if approved, any temporary construction equipment that exceeds 100 feet above grade level would require additional notice to the FAA.
The Hillcrest Drive overpass and trees along I-30 west were sited as hardships which could limit visibility of the sign to interstate traffic, which could be a difficulty in being competitive with other surrounding businesses.
The planned convenience store will have four lanes of diesel for vehicles powered by the fuel, but would not be a truck stop as it does not have long-term parking for trucks to lodge overnight.
Niewiadomski noted there are some trees blocking exposure of the sign from the east, however, some of those trees likely will be removed when the store is built and signs go up. Currently, the existing billboard can be seen by traffic from the west despite the overpass, and the sign is not 100 feet tall. City staff recommended the sign be 40 feet tall, which should still make the sign visible for convenience store, while protecting the neighborhood to the north from light pollution.
It is customary for stations that sell fuel to advertise gas prices on a sign, the assistant city manager noted. For instance, Love’s was granted a variance for a sign and ended up putting up a digital sign that’s 9-feet, 8 inches by 19 foot, four inches for a total of 187 square feet and changes between diesel and gas prices, Niewiadomski noted.
Elevation and trees were reported to be factors in granting a sign variance for Love’s, on the southwest side of I-30 and the Hillcrest Drive (SH 19) overpass.
CEFCO representative Guy Slimp noted the existing billboard at the location presents difficulty, as it can’t be placed in front of the billboard, but still needs to be seen from I-30. CEFCO tried to buy the billboard but the owner does not want to sell it. He said the business is primarily focusing on westbound traffic as eastbound traffic on I-30 would be more likely to frequent the businesses on the south side of I-30. He indicated a desire to alert motorists, especially trucks, far enough prior to the exit that they have time to safely get over and exit I-30.
Texas Department of Transportation is still scheduled to evaluate the exit, and is expected to move hte exit back further east, which would require motorist to be able to see the signs even further back so they can get over sooner to exit, officials noted. Niewiadomski said TxDOT has been amenable to a traffic light in the area to help with traffic direction on SH 19 in the area of the overpass.
ZBA member Kyle Robinson said more information is needed regarding elevations in the area compared to other signs approved for similar businesses. ZBA member Kevin Mohl said the station’s location in relationship to the sign should also be considered. It would not be fair to give say Love’s a variance but not CEFCO. Both said they could approve the size recommended by the city staff, then if the sign isn’t visible the business could return before the city officials to note that and again request a variance based on that.
The ZBA agreed with the recommendation of city staff, approving up to a 40-foot tall pole sign along Industrial Drive, with up to 331 square feet of total sign area to balance communications efficiency and to preserve environmental quality and preservation. The business will be required to follow any and all requirements of the FAA for constructing the sign as referenced to the communication for the airport director.
Other Business
The Zoning Board of Adjustments also welcomed Gary Clem to the board Tuesday night, approved the minutes of the last meeting on Jan. 25, 2022, a temporary use permit for a construction trailer during construction of a on Wildcat Way and modifications to a special use permit for Ladera RV Resort to be constructed at 1229 Loop 301.
Niewiadomski noted that board likely will be called to meet in December to discuss at least one variance. ZBA meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month, when needed.
4 Fields Discipleship Training Seminar to be Held January 2023
Zoning Board Approves Special Use Permit For RV Resort, Temporary Construction Trailer
Sulphur Springs Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals Tuesday night, Nov. 22, approved a special use permit for an RV Resort and another for a temporary construction trailer for a bank.
Construction Trailer For New Bank
The ZBA approved a request for a special use permit allowing First National Bank of East Texas to have a temporary construction trailer on property located on Wildcat Way, west of the new Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home property west to State Highway 19 and north to Rockdale Road. The trailer would be a mobile building, on the site temporarily while a new bank building is being constructed on the property.
Jonathan Jackson of Quitman this week reported the trailer will be a manufactured home, it will be up to building and utility standards, only to be while the permanent bank is being built. The trailer would more or less be located in the center of the 20-acre property, with the permanent building to be built further northwest, closer to Rockdale Road. Once the trailer is removed the pad it sat on and remainder of the property be used either for future development in the area or, if needed, for bank expansion, so a concrete pad site for the trailer should not be an issue.
According to Jackson, the plan is to begin work on the site immediately, and have the bank branch up within 12 months of the actual start of construction.
City staff have received some modular drawings for the project and are comfortable with the request, but with a stipulation the construction trailer can only remain on the site for 18 month.
The Zoning Board approved the request for the special use permit allowing the construction trailer on site for up to 18 months, during construction of the bank only. If construction is not completed within 18 months, the applicant would be required to again submit for consideration, by both the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board, another request to extend the special use permit allowing the construction trailer to remain on site.
RV Resort Modification
The Zoning Board of Adjustments approved a request from Cole Heitman to modify the special use permit he was granted in July 2021 for construction of Ladera RV Resort on approximately 49 acres of land located at 1229 Loop 301, which wraps around other properties from Jefferson Street to Loop 301 east. The permit is contingent upon a few requirements, including the stipulation that Heitman will be required to reapply for another special use permit if any adjustments are made to the plan, as was the case with approval of the initial permit in 2021 after a detailed plan and concept drawings were presented.
This week’s request was due to 10 modifications, made after consulting with engineers. Engineered drawings of the site required adjustments to the original concept plan approved by city officials in July 2021.
Notices were sent by the city to 22 property owners within 200 feet of the planned RV site but ,as was the case with notices sent for the construction trailer at the proposed bank site, the city received no responses either for or against the special use permit request for Ladera.
After reviewing the modification request, Assistant City MAnager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski said he felt comfortable with modifications 1-4, but felt that modification 5 should remain in place to help ensure the park remains a recreational site and not a residence.
- Modification 1 — The site layout changed. No longer are sites planned compact in the middle of the property. The current proposal is to have a cul-de-sac along the west property line which would extend closer to Jefferson Street.
- Modification 2 — The number of slips planned changed. Instead of a 100 total slips, the current plan is for 128 slips.
- Modification 3 — The size and type of fence changed as well. In July 2021, Heitman proposed a 6.5-foot tall masonry fence abutting residential properties and a 6-foot wooden fence around the rest of the property. The modification would be for an 8-foot tall wooden fence abutting residential properties.
Niewiadomski said city staff members are comfortable with the fencing change since the overall change puts more distance between the planned property use and abutting residential property. The fence also would be 8 feet tall, creating more privacy for all.
Heitman noted the wooden fence is better for drainage beneath it. There are also trees which provide a 5-6-foot buffer from nearby houses. Also, a fence with tall vegetation obscuring the view between the planned RV park property and Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center currently is to remain in place. At the other end of the property a 4.5 foot tall fence with barbed wire atop it would allow those staying in the park to view and enjoy watching cattle kept nearby.
When asked what action could be taken if a fence, wooden or other, is allowed to deteriorate without improvements, Niewiadomski noted those could be addressed in accordance with City Codes by a Code Enforcement officer.
- Modification 4 — The size or RV sites would be smaller to allow for the 28 additional slips. Previously, RV sites were planned at 35×65-feet, with pull-through slips averaging 75-feet, concrete pads that are 16×50 feet long and east site would accommodate a Class A vehicle 48-foot in length. The modification would reduce RV sites to 34×60-feet, with pull through slips an average of 5-feet smaller, concrete pads reduced to 10×40 feet long and will be able to accommodate a 40-foot RV.
- Modification 5 — The restriction on long-term stays was changed in the modification request. Instead of limiting long-term stays to 40% of resort capacity, Heitman proposed having no restriction on percentage.
Concern was expressed that, without a restriction on long-term stays, the park could potentially become a permanent residential site for some or even all of the property. A mobile home park would not be consistent with city plans for the area. Spaces can be rented for up 1 month, but not in longer increments, and only 48 slips would be available for long-term rentals, which would still be less than 40% of the total capacity, which would be 51 slips.
RVs will need to be 10 years or newer, to meet all utility and other required codes, and renters must showing proof, Heitman noted.
- Modification 6 — Staff hours are proposed to be expanded to have staff on site 7-days a week. Previously, the front desk was to open only from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The new proposal would have someone on duty to work the front desk from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
Niewiadomski said he sees have more staff on-site for longer periods 7-days a week as an improvement. He also received confirmation that quiet hours also are still planned to begin at 10 p.m. and end at 8 a.m. daily at Ladera RV Resort.
- Modification 7 — The redesign does not include a kids splash pad.
- Modification 8 — Eight 1-2 room cabins to be located around a retention pond also were removed from the revised proposal.
Changing up the design, moving things around, and removing cabins and a kids splash pad will allow for 10 additional full hook up concrete slips and the focal point and big feature will be a pool. City staff made no recommendation to the ZBA regarding modifications 7 and 8, but the P&Z Commission recommended approving the request to remove the splash pad and cabins.t to approve or deny the removal of these items as sticking points for the special use permit. The ZBA agreed with the Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation.
- Modification 9 — Phase 1 of construction expands the number of full hook up concrete slips from 50 to 68, and includes a temporary welcome center, workshop, recycled asphalt streets, fencing and a playground. Phase 1 would still include all wet/dry utilities, a laundry, and restroom/shower facilities.
Niewiadomski said city staff recommended that the developer be required to pave or concrete all driving surfaces, and stipulating the temporary welcome center be replaced with a permanent center within 24 months after completion of Phase 1.
Modification 10 — With the splash pad and 8 cabins removed, Phase 2 would include 60 full hook up concrete slips, 10 more than previously planned; Welcome Center and Camp Store; Grand Event Pavilion; a second playground on the other end of the complex; and RV trailer storage facility. Those who choose may also take advantage of a fishing pond to be incorporated in Phase 2.
Heitman said the plan includes adding a brick patio onto the concrete slips. The entrance drive would be concrete, then the roadway would be turn to recycled asphalt. The surface planned should hold a fire truck. Heitman assured the base would be 6-inches, with 5 inches of aggregate asphalt millings on top.
City officials also recommend that Phase 2 commence within 24 months of completion of Phase 1. This would ensure the amenities proposed are implemented in the project and that the temporary welcome center be removed and replaced with the permanent welcome center.
Heitman doesn’t anticipate that being an issue, as the plan is to start Phase 2 within 12 months of the first, and may even be able to start early.
An additional recommendation from city staff was that all site utilities and access be verified for adequacy of development, engineered to meet city development specifications and be approved by the city engineer, utilities department, fire department and/or City Council if deemed necessary by public utility extension.
The Zoning Board of Adjustments Tuesday evening approved the special permit modification request from Cole Heitman, as recommended by city staff, including restriction of long-term capacity to 40% or less, the removal of the splash pad and retention pond, and start of Phase 2 within 24 months of Phase 2 being completed.
Wildcats Basketball Cruises to 2-0 Finish in Thanksgiving Classic
Heading into Thanksgiving, Coach Brandon Shaver’s team has plenty to be thankful for this year as the Wildcats went a perfect 2-0 in their home holiday invitational.
Men’s basketball is also 5-0 to start the season.
And while Monday’s win over Dallas Lincoln was a hard-fought, grind-it-out type of victory, Tuesday’s game with Naaman Forest played more like a blowout as Sulphur Springs cruised to a 20-point victory at home.
The win came in large past thanks to a lights-out shooting performance in the first quarter, going 90% from the field and using good looks and great passing to power their way past their second foe in as many days.
Men’s basketball came exploding out of the gate, scoring 21 points in the first and leading big after two quarters 40-18.
Such a lead came thanks to Kordrick Turner, as the forward finished with 18 points and 15 blocks, as well as four steals in the win.
That, and even scoring all around, as every Wildcat suiting up put at least one bucket in the net in the 71-51 victory.
The points kept flowing for Sulphur Springs. They outscored visiting Naaman Forest in every quarter except the third, all while forcing turnovers and pushing the flow of the game in the Wildcats’ favor.
While the visiting Rangers continuously attempted to keep pace with Coach Brandon Shaver’s team, Sulphur Springs responded in kind and some, putting away any question of who the better team was Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Parker Whisenhunt was the final player to finish with double figures. The small forward also dished up seven assists in the win, matching a season high. His seven assists in the victory were half the team’s total at 14.
Theo Mckelvey came one point behind Whisenhunt at nine.
A huge 71-51 win on Tuesday is the fifth straight for Coach Shaver’s team, now 5-0 to start the season.
Tuesday’s win closes out the Thanksgiving Classic, as men’s basketball went a perfect 2-0 in their home tournament.
They take the rest of Thanksgiving week off and next hit the road playing at Lakeview Centennial.
That game tips off in Garland on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 P.M.
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.
