Chamber Connection – Sept. 21, 2022
By Butch Burney, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, [email protected]
Tickets for this year’s 53rd Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, sponsored by Alliance Bank, will go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the Chamber of Commerce office, local banks and online!
This year, tickets are $8 each or four tickets for $28. You can purchase them at Alliance Bank locations, City National Bank locations, Texas Heritage Bank and Pilgrim Bank, or at the Chamber office, 110 Main St. You can also purchase them online at HopkinsChamber.org.
Quart tickets are $15 this year. They can only be purchased at the Chamber office or the day of the stew, which is Saturday, Oct. 22.
Stew Cook Registration
Past cooks have until Friday, Sept. 23, to register for Stew Festival and retain their site from last year.
If you have cooked stew in the past or want to for the first time, now is the time to register for Stew Fest, presented by Alliance Bank. Friday night activities, hosted by Bob Evans Foods, will be going on the night before at Buford Park.
To register for a cook site, go online to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org/stewcooks, email [email protected] or call 903-885-6515. The cost to enter is $100 per stew pot, with $150 coming from the sponsor to pay for ingredients.
Volunteer Opportunity
If a person or group would like to volunteer to work in one of the service tents at the Stew Festival, please contact me at [email protected] or by calling 903-885-6515. Volunteers can help from 9 a.m. to about 12:15 p.m.
Homecoming Parade
The Dial Study Club is bringing back the Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming Parade at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. The parade, sponsored by Triple Crown Roofing, will begin at Buford Park, go east down Connally Street, turn north on Davis Street and then west on Houston Street to end at the park. It will not go around the square.
Ribeye Roundup
If you’re looking for a great steak, you don’t want to miss the Cattleman’s Classic and Ribeye Roundup on Saturday, Oct. 1, on the downtown plaza.
The event features a steak cook-off which will include an expected 40-plus cook teams, educational trade show, free Bobby Irwin concert and more.
You can also get a blue Ribeye Roundup T-shirt for just $14 at the Chamber of Commerce, 110 Main St. Come by to pick one up!
Main Street Uncorked
Main Street Uncorked Wine and Music Festival is ready to go from 1-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, downtown. There will be wine samples from some of the best Texas wineries, local vendors and musical artists including Jeb Brooks Band and Twisted Whisky.
Tickets are available for $10 online at MainStreetUncorked2022.eventbrite.com. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Quilt Show
The 21st Annual Quilt Show, presented by the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild, is set for Sept. 23-24 at First Baptist Church’s The ROC. Admission is $5 per person (under 12 are free). It will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Lisa Erlandson, AQS certified appraiser of Quilted Textiles and historian, will be the special speaker. There will be more than 100 quilts along with door prizes and vendors. For more information, go to SulphurSpringsTxQuilts.com.
Ribbon Cutting
The Reserve at Sulphur Springs, an apartment complex on League Street, hosted a ribbon cutting at noon, Wednesday, Sept. 14. Please welcome them to the community.
CHRISTUS Business News: NetHealth Offering Bivalent COVID Vaccines At Final Week Of Clinics
New Orthopedic Surgeon, Providers at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Primary Care in Sulphur Springs Now Accepting New Patients
By Jennifer Heitman, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, September 19, 2022 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Bivalent COVID Vaccines Available This Week
NetHealth will have both the Moderna and Pfizer Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters available this week in addition to regular Adult and Pediatric vaccines and boosters. This week (September 19-23) will be our last COVID vaccine clinic this year provided by NetHealth.
The vaccine clinic is located at 100 Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs. You may walk in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily; no appointment is necessary.
Homecoming Parade- September 22, 2022
We are excited to have our CHRISTUS Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Mobile Athletic Training Room be a part of the DIAL Study Club- Sulphur Springs Wildcat Homecoming Parade!
CHRISTUS values our partnership with SSISD and keeping our athletes healthy.
We hope to see you all at the parade.
Primary Care
Do you have a Primary Care Provider? Turn over a new leaf this Fall season by getting established with one of our Primary Care Providers at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Primary Care in Sulphur Springs. At CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, our distinguished providers are dedicated to efficiently meeting the healthcare needs of the patients we serve with compassionate, quality care.
To schedule an appointment, call 903.885.3181 today.
New Orthopedic Surgeon Accepting New Patients
We are excited to welcome to our CHRISTUS family, Dr. Christian Douthit.
Dr. Douthit graduated from medical school and did an internship in General Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He performed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Texas Tech University Health Science Center before completing a Fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at the Hand Center of San Antonio.
Dr. Douthit cares for patients of all ages and is particularly interested in hand-to-shoulder problems, peripheral nerve surgery, orthopedic trauma, and sports injuries. Dr. Douthit will be joining Dr. Meltsakos, and PA, Chris Lutz, at our CHRISTUS Orthopedic clinic, located at 103 Medical Circle, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 75482.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 903.885.6688.
Free Student Athlete Injury Clinic Continues
CHRISTUS Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Sulphur Springs continues to offer a FREE Saturday Athletic Injury Clinic for student athletes. The clinic is open every Saturday from 9am to 11am, through November 12. Student athletes from 7th grade to college age will be able to get a free exam and x-ray to determine a plan of care to treat their injury.
The clinic will be held at our CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Orthopedics, Medical Building 5, at 103B Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs. For more information about our Sports Medicine Program or Orthopedic services, please call 903.885.6688.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long- term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Sept. 12-18, 2022
Winnsboro Police Department each week provides a media report with information about department activity. WPD activity for the week Sept. 12-18, 2022, included:
Arrests
- Makalyn Batchelor, 23 years of age, of Midland, was arrested on Sept. 14, 2022, for Possession of Dangerous Drug and Possession of a Less than 1 Gram of a Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance in a Drug Free Zone.
- Michael Wilson, 46 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Sept. 16, 2022, for Driving While Intoxicated- 2nd Offense.
- Ryan Bonner, 26 years of age, of Seabrook, Texas, was arrested on Sept. 17, 2022, for Possession of Dangerous Drug.
- Mitchell Collins, 34 years of age, of Mount Enterprise, was arrested on Sept. 17, 2022, for Driving While License Invalid with Previous Convictions/Suspensions.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 133 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 26 citations and 32 warnings during this reporting period.
Constitution Week Observed In Hopkins County
This week marks the anniversary of the framing of the United States Constitution of the United States by the Constitutional Convention.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom, along with the Commissioners Court and Daughters of the American Revolution, took time recently to encourage all citizens of the USA to reaffirm the ideals of the framers of the document had in 1787 by “vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to use through this guardian of our liberties.”
Newsom at the most recent meeting of Hopkins County Commissioners Court read a proclamation designating Sept. 17-23, 2022 as Constitution Week in the county.
“The Constitution of the United States of America, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government in a Republic dedicated to rule by law,” Newsom read from the proclamation. “It is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary, and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate it.”
Newsom also noted that Public Law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States designating Sept. 17 through Sept. 23, as Constitution Week.
After reading the proclamation, Newsom and the Commissioners Court presented the framed document to the members of the Captain David Phillips Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who were on hand for the occasion.
According to the National DAR, the aims of the Constitution Week celebration are to:
- Emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution.
- Inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life.
- Encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.
The Rotunda inside the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, is home to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. These founding documents, along with the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, the Public Vaults, and the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, featuring Records of Rights, are open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily (EST).
DAR set up a display in the Hopkins County Genealogical Society last week so those who wish to may view a copy of the USA Constitution and related materials. The research library is located inside Sulphur Springs Public Library, 611 North Davis St.
In addition to regular meetings, the Captain David Philips Chapter of DAR participates in many community and regional events. From honoring our veterans with the laying of wreaths on memorial day, to presenting scholarships to area youth, the local DAR members are dedicated to the national society objectives of promoting patriotism, historic preservation and education.
The original Constitution of the USA Constitution of the United States is displayed in its encasement in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
A Proclamation on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,
and Constitution Week, 2022
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022•PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS
America is founded on the most powerful idea in history — that we are all created equal. That idea sparked our revolution, ignited a wave of change across the world, and beats in the hearts of Americans today. It is central to our Constitution, and citizenship embodies a true faith and allegiance to give it full meaning in our everyday lives. On this Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and during this Constitution Week, we recommit to protecting and defending the very idea of America.
When our Founding Fathers came together nearly 250 years ago, they set in motion an experiment that changed the world. They disagreed and debated but ultimately came together to forge a new system of self-government — a system balanced between a strong Federal Government and the States, held together by co-equal branches and a separation of powers. America would not be a land of kings or dictators; it would be a Nation of laws — a Nation of order, not chaos; of peace, not violence. Here in America, the people rule through the ballot, and their will prevails.
As we have seen throughout our history, though, nothing about our democracy is guaranteed. America is an idea — one that requires constant stewardship. We have to fight for it, earn it, and renew it with each generation. That is why my Administration will do everything in our power to uphold and defend our Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to protect the rights and freedoms that it promises us all. That means we have to be firm, resolute, and unyielding in defending the right to vote and ensuring that each vote is counted. It is a sacred right from which all others flow. But last year alone, nearly 20 States passed laws to make it harder to vote — not only to suppress the vote, but to subvert it. I have directed Federal agencies to promote voting access, and I appointed top civil rights advocates to the Department of Justice, which has doubled its voting rights staff. We need the Congress to finally pass the Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts to prevent voter suppression, protect election officials, ban dark money, and end partisan gerrymandering, preserving our democracy and the spirit of our Constitution.
As we reflect today on the promise of our Nation, we also join millions of Americans in reaffirming the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and welcoming our new citizens, whose courage and faith in America has brought them here from every part of the world to start new lives. My Administration will keep working to make the naturalization process faster and more efficient and to build a more fair, orderly, and humane immigration system for all. The commitment, sacrifices, and dreams of new Americans have made us strong since our Nation’s founding, and we celebrate their optimism, drive, and contributions.
We are living at an inflection point in history, engaged in a struggle between democracy and autocracy at home and abroad. We have to show the world that democracy can deliver. Today, this week, and always, it is up to us all to stand for the rule of law, to preserve the flame of democracy, and to keep the promise of America alive.
To honor the timeless principles enshrined in our Constitution, the Congress has, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 106), designated September 17 as “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” and authorized the President to issue a proclamation calling on United States officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on that day. By joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108), the Congress further requested that the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as “Constitution Week.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2022, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23 as Constitution Week. On this day and during this week, we celebrate our Constitution and the rights of citizenship that together we enjoy as the people of this proud Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
National Voter Registration Day Highlights Statewide ‘VoteReady’ Voter Education Campaign
AUSTIN – On National Voter Registration Day, Texas Secretary of State John Scott held a press conference at the Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center in East Austin to highlight the office’s “VoteReady” voter education campaign. “VoteReady” is a statewide campaign to educate Texans about ID requirements for voting in Texas, as well as ID requirements for those who are eligible to vote by mail. Components of the “VoteReady” campaign include: a grassroots outreach tour, paid TV, radio, out-of-home and digital advertisements, as well as social media content and community partnerships to help spread the campaign’s educational materials in both English and Spanish.
“I want to ensure that all Texans are informed, prepared and ready to make their voices heard,” said Secretary Scott.
“Regardless of how you vote – whether it’s in person or by mail – you have to identify yourself when you vote in Texas. Today, we are working to make sure that all eligible Texas voters understand the ID requirements so they can vote successfully and easily in the upcoming November General Election.”
For more information on voter registration in Texas, watch Secretary Scott’s SOS 101 educational video on voter registration, or visit www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote
To watch the full video of the press conference, click here.
2022 ‘VoteReady’ Grassroots Tour
The ‘VoteReady’ grassroots tour began visiting Texas cities in late August 2022. It will remain on the road through the November 2022 election, making appearances and stops at community events including senior expos, county fairs, sporting events, and music and arts festivals.
The tour utilizes a mobile digital truck which shares messaging on the campaign as it rolls from city to city. The tour can be followed along on social media for a look at what part of the state it is at any given week.
While at events, the tour’s brand ambassadors interact with the public with an interactive game and informational materials designed to educate voters about the ID requirements for voting in person and by mail in Texas.
Voter ID Requirements in Texas
Under Texas law, you can present one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID at the polls when voting in person. If you do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID, you may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or your voter registration certificate that you receive in the mail.
The seven forms of approved photo ID are:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired up to four years. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
You can present one of supporting forms of ID if you do not not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID, including:
- copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;
- copy of or original current utility bill;
- copy of or original bank statement;
- copy of or original government check;
- copy of or original paycheck; or
- copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).
After presenting one of the forms of supporting ID listed above, you must execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF), which is made available at each polling place.
ID Requirements for Voting by Mail in Texas
To vote by mail in Texas, you must be:
- 65 years of age or older on Election Day;
- Sick or disabled;
- Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day;
- Absent from the county of registration during the Early Voting period and on Election Day;
- Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code; OR
- Confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.
You can get a formal application for a ballot by mail (ABBM) by:
- Downloading an application for a ballot by mail here (PDF);
- Requesting an application from the Texas Secretary of State’s office; or
- Requesting an application from your county’s Early Voting Clerk
To vote by mail, you must provide ONE of the following numbers on your ABBM:
- Texas Driver’s License, Texas Personal Identification Number or Election Identification Certificate Number issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (NOT your voter registration VUID number); OR
- The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
If you have both numbers, you are welcome to provide both in the ID section on your ABBM.
If you have not been issued a Texas Driver’s License, Texas Personal Identification Number or Texas Election Identification Certificate Number or a Social Security Number, you must indicate so by checking the appropriate box on the ABBM.
For the November 8, 2022 General Election, your ABBM must be received by your county’s Early Voting Clerk by Friday, October 28, 2022.
Once you receive your mail-in ballot, carefully review each choice in each race or proposition to be voted on, and mark your choices in accordance with the instructions on the ballot envelope.
After your mark your ballot, place your voted ballot in the envelope marked “BALLOT ENVELOPE” and seal the ballot envelope.
Next, place the ballot envelope in the carrier envelope (PDF). BEFORE SEALING THE CARRIER ENVELOPE, YOU MUST INCLUDE IN THE SPACE PROVIDED:
- The number of your Driver License, Personal ID Card or Election Identification Certificate issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS); OR
- The last four digits of your Social Security Number;
If you have not been issued any of those numbers, you must check the box indicating so.
Next, seal the carrier envelope, sign the carrier envelope, and return your carrier envelope to the Early Voting Clerk either by mail, by common or contract carrier, or in person on Election Day at your county’s early voting clerk’s office.
A list of Early Voting Clerk addresses in each county can be found here.
The Early Voting Clerk must receive your marked ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day, OR by 5:00 p.m. the first business day after Election Day if postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day; OR if the postmarked ballot was mailed within the United States from non-military voters and from any military voters who submitted an ABBM, or by the 5th day after Election Day if your ballot is submitted from outside the United States.
Tracking Your Ballot by Mail
Once you’ve sent your ballot by mail to your county’s Early Voting Clerk, you can check the status of your mail-in ballot through the Ballot by Mail Tracker, available on the Texas Secretary of State’s ‘My Voter Portal.’
To track your mail-in ballot, you must enter the following information:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Date of Birth
- The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
- Your Driver’s License or Department of Public Safety Personal ID number
- Your residential address (must appear exactly as listed on your voter registration record. To look up the address listed on your voter registration record, use the ‘Am I Registered?’ tool)
- City
- ZIP code
How to Correct a Defect on Your ABBM or Carrier Envelope
If you received a notice that your ABBM (PDF) or Carrier Envelope (PDF) was rejected because you did not provide an identification number you provided did not match one of the numbers associated with your voter registration record, you may correct the defect online through the Texas Secretary of State’s Ballot by Mail Tracker.
When you log in to the Ballot by Mail Tracker, you will be prompted to enter your personal identification number(s). Once your personal identification number is validated by the Mail Ballot Tracker, the ABBM or Carrier Envelope you previously submitted will be processed.
To utilize the Ballot by Mail Tracker, you must enter:
- Your Texas Driver’s License Number or Texas Personal Identification Number, AND
- The last four digits of your social security number; AND
- Your residence address as listed in your voter registration record
To confirm your information as listed on your voter registration record be sure to visit the ‘Am I Registered?’ tool on the Texas Secretary of State’s My Voter Portal.
If you have specific questions about your registration or the status of your Application for Ballot by Mail, you should contact your county elections office.
For more information, visit www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail.
A Fall Class at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Center
MAJOR PERSPECTIVES
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Psychology Instructor Marla Elliott tells her students about the major perspectives in psychology during an early fall semester 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.
Sulphur Springs XC Returning Home to Host Wildcat Invitational Saturday
Cross country continues to make solid strides as they push on towards their district competition.
Friday, Sept. 16 had Wildcats and Lady Cats XC headed to something of a familiar course in Pine Tree’s Mike Darby Invitational.
The women’s team cracked the top-5 in fourth, with the Wildcats placing eighth in Longview Friday.
Haylee Schultz and Edith Martinez finished neck-and-neck, 13th and 14th, with times of 13:24.5 and 13:25.5.
Jolea Moore got 43rd at Pine Tree’s meet, with Laney Hurst crossing the line eight seconds later at 53rd. The freshman and senior had times of 14:12 and 14.20.7, respectively.
Three freshmen Lady Cats continue to make solid strides, all placing within six spots:
- Abbey Williams, 65th — 14.36.9
- Dylan McKinney, 70th — 14:45.2
- McKenzie Buckland, 71st — 14.46.7
Cumulating 172 points, Lady Cat XC placed fourth at the Mike Darby Invitational.
The fourth place finish marks three-straight competitions in which the women’s team placed top-5. The previous two meets Lady Cat XC finished second.
The men’s side did not place top-5, but did crack the top-10 at eighth.
Freshman Gabe Mayo led the way for the Wildcats. Finishing 29th, the freshman came in at 19.14.4. Two more Wildcats finished the top-40 in Longview:
- Candelario Monsivais, 33rd — 19.15.7
- Juan Santacruz, 39th — 19.22.1
Junior Ivan Gonzalez placed 53rd for Sulphur Springs. He crossed the finish line at 19.44.9.
The final two runners for Wildcats XC, Mateo Perez and Jaydon Conner, got 61st and 67th, respectively. The freshmen runners finished within 15 seconds of one another.
The men had a score of 196 points, giving them an eighth place finish at the invitational.
Next up, Wildcat and Lady Cat XC host the Wildcat Invitational Saturday, Sept. 24.
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.
City Council Slated To Consider Setting City Utility and Tax Rates, Budget On Sept. 20
City of Sulphur Springs utility customers can expect water, sewer and sanitation rate increases in the coming fiscal year. The city finance department and officers recommend raised rates to cover utility fund expenditures, future capital and other costs of providing each service beginning in October. A budgeted 9% cost of living adjustment (COLA) and an increase to longevity pay rates for city employees; inflation of costs such as materials, chemicals, repairs and fuel, were cited as major contributing factors for the recommended city utility rate increases as well.
Sanitation Rates
The finance department recommended increasing the sanitation rates by 9.8% to reflect contract provisions. Over the past five years of annual contract increases based on the consumer price index-for urban wage earners and clerical workers (wages for hourly staff — CPI-W) in October, but the city’s rates including any increases are decided on in September. That’s 3.7% more in contract increases than the city has passed on to users, according to city staff.
| Year | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Average Increase | Total Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI-W | 2.05% | 2.69% | 1.56% | 1.27% | 6.85% | 2.89% | 14.45% |
| City Rate Increase | 2.25% | 2.00% | 1.50% | 0.00% | 5.0% | 2.15% | 10.75% |
The sanitation revenue was less than projected over the last year. Both sanitation companies serving Sulphur Springs submit rates at the end of October, which is after the annual budget is adopted and, typically utility rates for city residents as well.
The City Council opted to postpone setting a new sanitation rate until November, which would be after Republic and Sanitation Solutions have submitted their requests for increases in sanitation services, as allowed by the contracts the city has with each. They sanitation rates are scheduled to be presented for first reading in November, then, if approved by the City Council, presented for second reading in December 2022.
Sewer Rates
The City is also recommending an increase in sewer rates, even more than was originally proposed in August, when the City Council received the first full proposed draft of the budget, due to significant increases in chemical costs, higher even than were projected one month ago. This was discovered when city staff opened bids submitted for chemicals to be used to treat sewer and water in fiscal year 2022-2023, which will begin Oct. 1, 2022, along with the utility rates approved as of that time by Sulphur Springs City Council.
For instance, the city had budgeted $60,000 for a new bar screen for the wastewater treatment plan. However, when the five submitted bids were opened on Aug. 10, the lowest bid was for $81,250, two more were in the mid $90,000s, and other two over $100,000 each, the highest bid topping out at $152,000. Sulphur Springs Director of Utilities James Jordan recommended the city reject all bids because of how high there were, then wait a bit longer, in the hope the rates will come down some before bids are once again sought. The City Council did as recommended, rejecting all bids for the bar screen.
Jordan, on Sept. 6, 2022, submitted bids received by the Aug. 9 deadline for six different types of chemicals for City Council Consideration. He recommended the city accept the lowest bids in each category, noting that even doing so at the lowest quoted rate is still expected to cost over $205,600 more this year than last.
Sulphur Springs Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Lesa Smith on Aug. 2 recommended that the base sewer rate, figured based on monthly water consumption, increase from $28.10 for 0-4,000 gallons to $28.65 and the rate per gallon sewer charge increase from $4.07 to $4.15. After factoring in the new chemical bid rates on Sept. 6, Smith recommended that the base rate for all users still be increased to $28.65 for up to 4,000-gallons,but that the rate per gallon sewer charge for use increase to $4.21 for each gallon after the first 4,000 gallons.
Although the rate goes into effect Oct. 1, 2022, the residential consumption will be calculated for hte preceding calendar quarter of December, January and February of each year.
Customers who contribute higher concentrations of waste than normal domestic wastewater will be charged in accordance with the following formulas for extra strength and penalty charges, plus the basic rate:
Sulphur Springs City Council approved on first reading on Sept. 6 Ordinance No. 2814, which will amend Sections 26-2 and 26-2.2 in the city’s Code of Ordinances if approved on second reading on Sept. 20, 2022.
Water Rates
The city officials also recommended increasing the water service rates as well due to the signicantly increased costs of chemicals used to treat water delivered to city customers, some even above the August rates. Water rates for all active connections with meters less than 4-inches in size currently pay a base fixed monthly demand charge of $8.02, plus a $4.05 per 1,000 gallons water usage fee, while those with meters 4-inches or more pay a $939.52 base water charge for up to 230,000 gallons then $3.78 per 1,000 gallons of water usage above 230,000 gallons.
On Aug. 2, 2022, Smith recommended increasing the base water charge to $8.30 and the water use charge per $1,000 to $4.60 for meters less than 4-inches in size, and upping the proposed base water charge up to 230,000 gallons up to $1,066.30 and the rate to $4.27 for water use per 1,000 gallons. Factoring in the $205,600 in chemical fees above last year’s rates for meters 4-inches and over, on Sept. 6, Smith again recommended the base water charge be $8.30 per but that the water use charge per 1,000 gallons of water increase an additional 5 cents to $4.65 for meters smaller than 4 inches, and the base water charge increase to $1,077.80 minimum rate for 0-230,000 gallons of water and to $4.34 per gallon for all usage above $230,000 gallons for meters 4 inches or larger.
Rates for connections and meters outside the corporate limits of Sulphur Springs, however, would be double, according to the proposed Ordinance No. 2813.
Street Improvement Fee
Water bills would still also include as a convenience in billing the street maintenance fee, used for improvements to city streets above the amount typically budgeted from the general fund for the annual Street Improvement Program. The fee is currently $10, which essentially doubles the amount of roads the city is able to repair annually. As proposed in the master fee schedule,
The street maintenance and sidewalk rates proposed in the City of Sulphur Springs Master Fee Schedule, outlined in Ordinance No. 2816 were $10 for the per residential unit per month and per multifamily unit per month, $22.50 per commercial unit per month and $50 per industrial unit per month.
Place 1 City Councilman Jay Julian on Aug. 9 and again on Sept. 6 proposed renegotiating water sales contracts with rural water supply corporations and pass on a street maintenance fee assessment that is equal to the amount that the city residents are paying. The water supply corporations could then pass that assessment on to their customers if they choose, Julian proposed.
The Place 1 Councilman noted that every street in the city is located in the county, while not every road in the county is in the city limits. However, most county residents visit Sulphur Springs for a number of reasons on a regular basis, including to attend church, visit relatives, attend functions at the Senior Citizens Center, shop for groceries and other items, conduct personal banking, attend events at the Civic Center, work and visit city parks. Those visits contribute to some of the wear and tear on city streets. The burden of city street maintenance, however, rests on the shoulders or backs of Sulphur Springs citizens in the form of property taxes and the street maintenance fee assessed on city water bills. The street maintenance fee has increased in the last few years from $5 to $10 per meter for consumers.
According to the 2020 Census, 16,901 of the 36,708 Hopkins County population live in Sulphur Springs. That’s 20,617 people, at an average of 2.68 people per household in the county, which would average out to about 7,692.91 households in the county.
He noted that North Hopkins, Shady Grove, Brinker and Gafford Chapel Water Supply Corporations all purchase water from the City of Sulphur Springs. While his research failed to yield census data for WSCs, Julian recommended adding a street maintenance fee to the WSCs contracts, which would need to be renegotiated. The WSCs could determine how, or if, they’d pass that fee along to their customers, Julian proposed.
He said charging a $10 fee for each of the estimated 7,692.91 county households should generate an additional $923,149.20 in revenue that could be directed exclusively to street maintenance, equalizing, in Julian’s view, the burden of street maintenance among those people who might use city streets.
During the meetings, other city officials said they don’t believe it is legal to pass along that fee to people who do not reside in the city for services they are not necessarily receiving. Plus, it might discourage those county residents, who do pay fees in their taxes and other county and state fees, from visiting Sulphur Springs for shopping, to eat out, attend church or events, where they do contribute to the city for other purposes including sales taxes, donations, and other local fees. That loss of business from enough county residents would negatively affect the local economy and the businesses it supports.
Julian asked that the city attorney check into the matter before the 7 p.m. meeting Sept. 20, when ordinances for the master fee schedule and city utility rates, including water rates, are to be presented for second and, if approved, final approval.
At one point during prior discussions, Julian also proposed a fee could be added to vehicle registration fees charged to city and county residents per vehicle that would go to the city to be applied toward city street maintenance, as the county residents also use the city streets. Those rates are set by the county within certain parameters set by the state, city officials noted.
The Sept. 20 City Council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Hospital District Board To Consider Tax Rate And Budget At 6 p.m. Meeting Sept. 20, 2022
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors are scheduled to meet at tonight to review and consider approving the budget, capital items for and set a tax rate for the fiscal year 2022-2023 which will end on Sept. 30, 2023.
Proposed Tax Rate
During the regular Aug. 25, 2022, HCHD Board meeting the directors recommended a tax rate for the that is roughly 2.5 cents less than the current tax rate. The hospital district’s tax rate had remained 25 cents for several years until recently, when the rate decreased to 22-cents per $100 property valuation.
Based on the formula established by the state for taxing entities, the most the tax rate can be without having to have voter approval would be $0.209947. The tax rate can be lower than the no new revenue tax rate, but not higher. Hospital District CEO/EMS Director Brent Smith said the tax rate could be figured at 19 cents, if the board prefer that.
Board Chair Kerry Law at the August meeting said at this juncture he’d prefer to utilize the $0.192461 no-new-revenue tax rate (the amount needed to raise exactly the same from taxes in the coming year as the current tax year). Board member Joe Bob Burgin said he feels the rate doesn’t need to exceed that.
At the NNR tax rate, the district anticipate $5.693 million in levied in tax revenues for the coming tax year, with $3 million in new certified values added to the tax rolls.
The board will vote on a proposed tax rate and and consider a budget during September meetings. The rate that will be advertised as the proposed tax rate will be the no new revenue rate of $0.192461, which is $5.7 cents less than in past years.
Smith said the key things driving the HCHD budget are staffing as well as cost of fuel, repairs and maintenance, which have all increased this year. The district in the 2022-2023 tax year too should receive funding from rollback taxes for the solar project just of State Highway 11 west in northwestern Hopkins County. For such projects, taxes are rollback three years and paid at the land value rate in the reinvestment zone.
Budget Planning
The hospital district board will be asked to consider capital items and the budget for FY 2022-2023 at the 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022.
HCHD CEO and Hopkins County EMS Director Brent Smith at the August meeting reported that capital improvements in the new budget to be presented for approval by HCHD Board will include the ambulance the board previously approved. However, he’s been told the wait time to get new emergency vehicles has again lengthened due to supply and demand issues. When the order bank for such items opens on Oct. 19, he’d like to have the ability to order two chassis for ambulances. He anticipated asking for approval to order a second chassis at the Sept. 20 meeting — provided he can get both orders in before the order window closes.
Additional items anticipated to be included in the budget will be expenses for routine replacements for stretchers and other supplies, including repeaters to upgrade radio communications equipment for better communications between communications operators and paramedics. Officials are hoping for a grant which could help with that, but as of Aug. 25 could not factor that in one way or the other.
Smith said he anticipates presenting for consideration a request to add two additional personnel to the FY 2022-23 budget to allow the communications department to better meet needs in the current call volume and devote the time required due to the acuity of each call.
Smith said two dispatchers are scheduled daily, one each to work a 12 hour shift, with Heather Smith, a paramedic who also assists as an administrative assistant, providing relief to the communications operator on-duty when needed so the individual can take a restroom or small break. A lot of times, she ends up in the communications center as a second dispatcher due to the high call volume. The communications center answers more than 12,000 requests per year. The center manages calls for the four counties Hopkins County EMS currently serves, manages transfers, and communicates with emergency room staff to ensure beds are available for patients, especially during high hospital census times when some facilities in neighboring counties and areas are placed on divert.
The EMS director proposed two additional communications operators who would work a split shift, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., giving some overlap during high volume or peak hours for EMS services. This would allow the communications operators to stay on the line longer and manage calls better, at a cost of $120,000 in additional salaries and benefits expended in the communications budget. EMS dispatchers in addition to their relationships with hospitals and staff, can be very critical in providing prearrival instructions to 911 callers. He said he’s aware of at least three occasions in which dispatchers helped those on scene resuscitate the patient before EMS arrived.
Also On The Agenda
Also on the agenda of the HCHD Board of Directors meeting which is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in CHRISTUS Mother Frances Medical Office Building Conference Room, 113, Airport Road, is discussion and possible action on and agreement with Benevolent doing business as Colonial Nursing and Rehab, a HCHD operational and EMS update, review and approval of August 2022 financial statements and the minutes from the Aug. 25 meeting. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs President/CEO Paul Harvey is slated to give an update on CHRISTUS ministries.
The Hospital District too is scheduled to hold an executive session at the end of the regular meeting to discuss real estate and property matters and conduct a personnel salary review. Any decisions regarding these matters would be made once the HCHD Board reconvenes in open session.
Sulphur Springs Emergency Sirens Will Be Tested September 20
9/20/2022 – Emergency sirens will be tested in Sulphur Springs at noon today by the Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Office.
The test is to gauge the reliability of the emergency warning system and is conducted to find any potential flaws in the system so they can be corrected prior to a real emergency situation. The sirens could be sounded not only for weather warnings such as tornados, which are the most common in the area, but also in case of any emergency that could affect the safety and lives of citizens in Sulphur Springs.
Recent tests have shown the emergency sirens to be a ready source of warning in case of emergencies such as tornados or other threats to safety.
This will only be a test, conducted at 12 p.m. September 20, 2022.
