Sign Up Dates Extended For Dike Incorporation Election
Feb. 9, 2023 – The Dike community’s upcoming County election for mayor and two commissioners has been pushed back. The candidacy deadline is now 5pm on March 6, 2023. All applications are to be submitted to the Office of the County Clerk, located at 128 Jefferson St E #C in Sulphur Springs, TX.
Lights of Life Gala Seeks Silent Auction Items
Feb. 9, 2023- Plans for the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s 17th Annual Lights of Life Gala are well underway. The caterer and band have been secured for this April 22, 2023 event to be held at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Now, the silent auction committee is seeking gifts of items to be auctioned off as part of the festivities. Items will be available for both in person as well as remote bidders to compete for the winning bid.
Approximately 120 items are sought. Last year’s silent auction brought in over $30,000, and this year committee members are hoping for the same amount or more.
Funds raised through the silent auction are combined with other proceeds from the event to purchase much-needed equipment and programs which will benefit Hopkins County citizens.
Last year’s auction items included unique photography, gift certificates, grills, sports memorabilia, grass fed beef, home décor, experiences, themed baskets, and even edible delights. This year’s offerings will be equally diverse and enticing.
To donate an item, contact the Foundation at 903-438-4799. For sponsorship opportunities or tickets, visit https://LOLGala2023.givesmart.com.
Donations of all sizes are welcome and impactful. The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is an IRS recognized 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.
displayed in the Civic Center Board Room.
contained items from sports figures, music icons, and movie stars.
Shavers Charged with Felony Assault
February 9, 2023 – TALAILA SHANNEA SHAVERS was arrested in Sulphur Springs after a brief chase and charged with a felony assault on a public servant.
Officers were dispatched to an Spence St address on a report of a disturbance. Once on Spence, officers observed two individuals walking from the reported address. The suspects ignored commands to stop and talk to the officers. The pair continued to walk to a nearby street where police caught up with them. They continued to attempt to walk away, and were uncooperative with police. Shavers was eventually held by police and, during her attempt to break free, injured an officer.
Shavers was eventually subdued, handcuffed and transported to Hopkins County Jail. She was placed in a V-Cell due to her behavior. Shavers has not been charged with anything related to the initial disturbance on Spence St.
Her charges include:
- Resisting Arrest
- Evading Arrest
- Felony Assault of a Public Servant
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.
Rep. Slaton Issues Statement On House Committee Chair Appointments
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Today, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan announced committee appointments for the 88th legislative session. Representative Bryan Slaton was appointed to the County Affairs Committee and Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Despite overwhelming calls from voters and grassroots across the State to stop the practice of appointing Democrats to committee chair positions, Speaker Phelan appointed eight Democrats to committee chairmanships.
In response to today’s committee appointments, Representative Slaton said the following:
“Today the Texas Grassroots experienced some victories. Our push took Democrats from 13 chairmanships down to 8. The pressure from the grassroots led to Democrats not being appointed as chairs to key committees such as Public Education and Pensions & investments.
Unfortunately, Speaker Phelan appointed some very radical Democrats to chair committees handling our criminal justice system and the family courts as just a few examples. Today’s partial win has invigorated many of us to continue our pressure until we have zero Democrats chairing committees in the Texas House.
I look forward to working with the grassroots to help pass the other seven legislative priorities of the Texas GOP this session.”
PJC Spanish Class Helping Students Achieve Success
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Spanish Instructor Mayra Cummings works with students Lindsey Welch, left, and Ofelia Cabrera, both of Sulphur Springs, 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.
Several Roads Closed Due To Flooding
Feb. 8, 2023- Several roads have been closed as of late due to mass flooding on multiple roads. Several roads are currently impassable and others are covered in water and may become impassable. Also, FM2285 is closed behind the dam of lake Sulphur Springs as water has flowed through emergency spillway crossing the roadway
Impassable:
- FM 1567 W at county line
- FM 3236 around CR 4508 & CR 3512
- CR 4766
- FM 2653 just north of I-30
- CR 3512
- FM 69 N near CR 3513
- I-30 service roads at FM 900 North and South
Potentially impassable:
- HWY 19 N near roadside Park
- CR 1180 near FM 2297
- CR 4586 near CR 4591
- CR 3525 South of FM 69
- CR 3518 W
- CR 3520
- CR 3504 W
- CR 3546 S
Meal-A-Day Menu And Senior Citizen Center Calendar Feb. 13-17, 2023
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for the week of Feb. 13-17, 2023 includes:
- MONDAY, Feb. 13- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Green Beans and a Roll
- TUESDAY, Feb. 14- Southwest Baked Omelette, Seasoned Potatoes and a Strawberry Smoothie
- WEDNESDAY, Feb. 15- Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables and a Roll
- THURSDAY, Feb. 16- Cheese Tamales, Refried Beans and Spanish Rice
- FRIDAY, Feb. 17- Hot Dog Mac & Cheese, Butternut Squash and Broccoli
Limb Removal Safety, By Mario Villarino
Feb. 7, 2023- The recent ice storm created a lot of damage in aged and mature trees. From “up the hill” where I live in Sulphur Springs, I could see the extreme damage of weight of the ice in power lines and tree branches. Life with many others properties, I started the recovery process after the storm by evaluated the magnitude and type of damage suffered. Upon evaluation, it was clear to us that the removal of tree material was too much to be handled with hand tools and that a power chainsaw was needed. .According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, is important that before starting tree work with powered chainsaws, remove any broken or dead limbs that could fall from the tree. Take your time. Watch for trees with tension that could spring when cut. Clear any underbrush from around the tree that might be struck by the chainsaw and cause it to kick back. Make sure there are no bystanders, animals, cars, buildings, or power lines that may be struck by the falling tree. Clear an escape path 45 degrees to the rear of the tree fall line. Locate the best direction for the tree to fall, and plan your cut accordingly. Rain, snow, or high wind conditions increase the risk of accidents. Rain results in poor footing. Snow may accumulate in the trees and make it difficult to locate the tree’s center of gravity. Trees with thick canopies can be redirected by high winds. Many chainsaw accidents can be avoided using safe felling, limbing, and bucking techniques. Felling is the act of cutting down trees. Limbing is the act of removing limbs from the main trunk. Bucking is the act of cutting felled trees into smaller pieces for removal and transport. Small trees less than six inches caliper (diameter) may be cut all the way through with one cut. However, larger trees should be cut using a front-cut and back-cut to establish a notch and hinge to control the tree’s line of fall. Three common cutting patterns, Conventional, Humboldt, and open face.These techniques will greatly reduce the need to stay near the tree to physically guide the direction of the fall. Do not try to cut down a tree with caliper greater than the length of the chainsaw guide bar. This will increase the risk of kickback injury. Most accidents occur during limbing operations. A small chainsaw is generally easier to maneuver through thick branches. Long chainsaws increase fatigue and are more likely to contact other branches, resulting in kickbacks. Stand at an angle to the limbs you are cutting, so that if the chainsaw suddenly kicks back or cuts through a limb, the chainsaw will not strike you. Plan each cut. Beware of shifts in the main trunk that will result from cutting weight-bearing limbs. Clear the area periodically of cut limbs so that you don’t accidentally step on cut limbs and lose your balance during a cut. Grasp the forward handle with the left hand, palm down. Wrap your fingers around the handle bar, and keep it between your index finger and thumb. Firmly grasp the rear handle with the right hand. Never stand directly behind a cut. Stand on one side of the cut. Saw only with the bottom part of the chain using the part close to the bumper. Never use the tip or nose of the chain to cut. Maintain two hands on the chainsaw at all times. Extend the left arm while gripping the front handle. If the chainsaw does kick back, it will kick up over your shoulder instead of directly at you. Never attempt to cut a limb above mid-chest level. In this position, your strength is limited and you are more likely to lose balance if the chainsaw kicks back. Instead, use a sturdy ladder to reach high limbs. Always work with someone watching each other and keeping safe.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Chamber Connection – Feb. 8
The date is April 8, 2024, and it’s happening in Sulphur Springs. We are talking about the next total solar eclipse that is visible in the United States.
Sulphur Springs is on the centerline for that eclipse, and we are expecting that Hopkins County will double its population for that weekend with people traveling literally from around the world to view the spectacular natural event. Sulphur Springs has one of the longest viewing times in the nation, has historically clear weather on that date and is close to international airports, so we are set up to be one of the feature destinations. It’s time to get involved.
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting committee meetings for the eclipse this week. There will be a Safety and Logistics (infrastructure) meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, followed by an Events/Entertainment/Lodging committee meeting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, and an Administration/Planning meeting at 10 a.m. Friday. All meetings will be in the Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, 110 Main St.
This is an opportunity for Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County to shine, and it’s important that as many people as possible be involved.
If you are interested in any of these meetings, please show up at the appropriate time. We are especially keen on events that might be planned for the thousands of visitors we are expecting during this weekend. We are planning a four-day festival (Friday, April 5-Monday, April 8, 2024) that will draw visitors to our town and county.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at [email protected] or 903-885-6515.
Pancake Breakfast
One of the favorite Saturdays of the year is the Kiwanis Club’s Annual Pancake Breakfast, set for Feb. 18, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Tickets are $8 and children under 6 are free. It’s all you can eat pancakes, sausage and bacon. Tickets are available from any Kiwanis Club member.
DIY Wedding Expo
The East Texas DIY Wedding Expo, hosted by Frosted Whimsy, is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. March 18 at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Vendors spots are available, starting at $150. Email [email protected] for more information.
Ribbon Cuttings/Grand Opening
Werry Pools will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Chamber office. Please welcome them to the business community.
Dike Residents Clear Major Hurdle Towards Incorporation
Dike residents’ request to have an incorporation election has finally been granted by Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom after almost six months of waiting. Residents filed the necessary paperwork back in August of 2022 ahead of the deadline for the November election cycle, but were denied a spot on the ballot.
Considerable back and forth communications between Dike residents and Hopkins County culminated today as Judge Robert Newsom released the following statement through his administrative assistant Donna Goins: “County Judge Robert Newsom announces the candidacy for election of council members for the City of Dike is now open. Potential candidates have until February 17, 2023 at 5:00pm to sign up to have names placed on the May 6, 2023 election ballot. All interested should contact the County Clerk’s office for the application.” The brief announcement is now a major hurdle cleared for Dike residents as they can now vote on incorporation of their area which could give the citizens much more control over the happenings in the Dike area.
Background On Dike Incorporation Request
Residents and property owners in Dike community began researching the matter out of a desire to control what goes on in their community after they learned the Commissioners Court had approved tax incentives for a solar project planned in the Dike community.
When speaking up in Commissioners Court and a community meeting hosted by Engie and Hopkins County failed to achieve the goal of residents seeking to stop the solar project from coming to Dike, an attempt to get an injunction and other legal action also was sought. The Dike residents opposed to the solar company leasing private land and installing a solar facility in their community organized.
Initially, the Dike residents voices a hope to incorporate before construction of the solar project began, but were not able to do so. Michael Pickens, spokesperson for Save Dike from Solar, advised the Commissioners Court and County Judge in previous meetings recently that the residents in opposition to the solar facility were working on the requirements to make Dike an incorporated area, so that Dike residents have a say in decision-making that impacts their community.
During the public forum portion of the Aug. 15, 2022 Commissioners Court meeting, Reams read a letter drafted to Newsom, asking him to order an incorporation election, and appoint two election judges, and publish or post notice of the election as required, in accordance with Chapter 8 of Texas Government Code Chapter. He then presented the letter, along with a signed petition, and a map of the proposed area of Dike to be incorporated to the county judge.
Newsom mailed a response letter dated Aug. 22, 2022, to Reams regarding the incorporation election petition. The letter signed by the judge requested additional documentation for verification of petition requirements.
The judge indicated the letter, addressed to Kirk Reams who presented the petition Aug. 15 during Commissioners Court, was drafted and mailed based on recommendations from legal council.
In the letter, Newsom advises Reams that “additional documentation” is required to provide “satisfactory proof that the petition meets the statutory requirements” for a Type C General-Law Municipality” as proposed. He said the petition failed to provide detailed documentation establishing the number of inhabitants and territorial requirements for incorporation as outlined in Chapter 8 of Texas Local Government Code.
The letter calls for a detailed map or adequate descriptions are needed to tailor ballots for the registered voters within the proposed boundaries. The map submitted, according to Newsom’s letter to Reams, fails to provide adequate details in order for the Hopkins County Clerk to identify the registered voters within the proposed boundaries.
Once satisfied with documentation, Newsom said that would be used to research the cost of holding a special incorporation election and notify him of the cost estimate. Funds would have to be paid in advance to prepare for the election, and a draft order calling for an election would be needed as well.
