Lady Cat Cross Country Finishes 15th at State Meet
Lady Cat cross country last week ran in the 4A state championship meet held at Old Settlers Park.
It’s the first time in Sulphur Springs history that Lady Cat XC has qualified for state.
Coach Ross Hicks said his team put in good effort all season long and are happy with the results.
The XC coach said his squad had to deal with a steady downpour of rain on Friday, Nov. 4 in Round Rock.
Even so, Sulphur Springs got off to a roaring start but ultimately falling behind the pack. Coach Hicks said his team gave it their all.
The Lady Cats were led by Haylee Schultz. The junior finished 85th at the state meet with a time of 13:16.60. Not even 30 seconds later came Edith Martinez. The sophomore finished 112th in Round Rock.
Laney Hurst crossed the line third for the team, at 13:54.50. The Senior placed 121st at the state meet. Coach Hicks said Hurst ran the race of her life and applauded her effort at Old Settlers Park.
Five spots later came Jolea Moore, a freshman, who ended up finishing 126th for the Lady Cats.
The final three runners all finished in the final eight spots:
- Jaicee Jasmer — 14:50.60 (145)
- Abby Williams — 15:06.70 (147)
- Dylan McKinney — 16:02.60 (152)
With 401 points, Lady Cat XC finished 15th at the 4A girls’ state meet.
Coach Hicks said he is very proud of his team for making it to state for the first time in Sulphur Springs history.
The cross country coach complimented his team for their fast start, saying Lady Cat XC was right in the thick of the competition. Coach Hicks said the squad may have given a little too much effort as they ran out of gas along the way. The Sulphur Springs coach said his team may have not been as prepared as they perhaps could have been, but still enjoyed the experience even after being drenched come race-time.
He did say the squad is not disappointed with their 15th place finish, instead that they are thrilled to be able to compete at the state competition and hopeful that they may return next year.
With only one senior graduating in Laney Hurst, Coach Hicks expects another strong year from Lady Cat XC next season.
For now though, the cross country coach shifts over to track and field come springtime.
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.
Close Finish For Sulphur Springs ISD Bond Proposition Election
North Hopkins, Saltillo, Miller Grove Elect Trustees To School Boards
The election for the Sulphur Springs ISD bond proposition was a close finish, with 50.6% of district voters casting ballots against Proposition A and 49.4% casting ballots in favor of the proposed $81.5 million bond. Voters in Saltillo, North Hopkins and Miller Grove also selected their choices to fill school board seats as well.
It should be noted that all election results are considered unofficial until canvassed by the elected entities for the various races.
Sulphur Springs ISD
Voters within Sulphur Springs ISD were asked to vote either for or against Proposition A, the issuance of $81,500,000 of bonds for facilities improvements and purchase of school buses, and levying an additional 1-cent tax to pay for it.
According to the preliminary voting results reported after all voting boxes were in and ballots counted, a total of 3,901 SSISD voters cast ballots against Proposition A, 132absentee ballots, 2,489 during early voting and 1,280 on Election Day. Another 3,809 voters cast ballots in favor of Proposition A, 114 absentee ballots, 2,541 during early voting and 1,154 on Election Day. Overall, that’s 50.6% of the total ballots cast in the SSISD bond election against the proposal and 49.4 for it.
This was the second bond proposal SSISD voters were asked to consider this year. In May, 1,191 voters cast ballots against and 956 voters cast ballots for a $93 million bond bond proposition. That’s 55.47% against and 44.51% in favor of the bond, pretty closely mirroring early voting and absentee voting percentages as well.
North Hopkins ISD
Voters in North Hopkins ISD were asked to choose up to three of the four candidates seeking one of the three full-term seats on the school board. Because the election is at-large, the three candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the school board.
Charles C. Vaughn received 462 votes. Vaughn received 231 during the early voting period, 10 absentee ballots and 221 votes on election day, giving him 35.7% of the total votes, securing one of the three at-large seats on NHISD Board of Trustees.
Brian A. Lewis received 317 votes in the Nov. 8 trustees election. Lewis received 154 votes during the early voting period, eight absentee ballots and 155 votes on Election Day. That put him in second place in the election with 24.54% of the total ballots cast for NHISD Board of Trustees election, securing one of the at-large seats as well.
Sherry Smiddy Clair secured the third at-large seat with a total of 273 votes or 21.13% of the total ballots cast in the NHISD school board election. Clair received 151 votes during the early voting period, 11 absentee ballots, and 111 votes on Election Day.
Michael S. James wasn’t too far behind with 240 votes — 116 during early voting, two absentee ballots and 122 ballots on Election Day. At 18.58% that wasn’t enough to secure a seat on the board during the Nov. 8 election.
NHISD also had one unexpired term seat to fill. Robert McPherson was the only candidate to file for election so the seat goes to him. With no opponent, McPherson still received 580 votes, according to the voting totals released for Hopkins County Tuesday.
Miller Grove ISD
Voters within MGISD were asked to cast ballots for up to three candidates for full-term, at-large seats on MGISD Board of Trustees. Voters for MGISD did have the option to write-in a fourth candidate, Collin Alexander.
Although MGISD is located primarily in Hopkins County, a small portion of the southern end of the school district is located within Rains County, requiring elections in both counties. Neither county reported any results for the write-in candidate.
Brandon Darrow received 35.59%, Bret Garrett 34.49% and Ray Sparks, 29.2% of the total votes cast in the MGISD Board of Trustees Election in Hopkins County. In Rains County, Sparks lead with 36.59% of the total votes cast in the election, with Darrow and Sparks each receiving 31.71% of the total ballots cast for MGISD Board of Trustees, according to the unofficial cumulative election results posted reported by both Rains and Hopkins counties.
Darrow received a total of 389 ballots in Hopkins County — 184 during early voting, six absentee ballots and 199 on Election Day — and 13 votes in Rains County — one absentee ballot, four early votes and eight votes on Election Day. Garrett received 377 votes in Hopkins County — 176 during early voting, seven absentee ballots and 194 on Election Day — and 15 votes in Rains County — one absentee ballot, four early votes and 10 votes on election Day. Ray Sparks received 147 early votes, four absentee and 176 on Election Day, giving him a total of 327 votes in Hopkins County; and one absentee ballot, three early votes and nine votes on Election Day, giving him a total of 13 votes in Rains County.
Saltillo ISD
Saltillo ISD held an election fNov.8 for 4 four-year places on the school board.
Ryan Garmon was unopposed for Place 2 and Barry Brewer drew no opponent for Place 4, so they were certified to serve in those seats.
Places 6 and 7 drew two candidates each, however.
When all ballots were in, Mason Littrell won Place 6 on Saltillo ISD Board of Trustees with 64.04% of the vote to Josh Redar’s 35.96% . Littrell received a total of 244 votes to Redar’s 137 votes. Littrell also lead in early voting, receiving 88 votes to Redar’s 53 votes. Each candidate also received six absentee ballots.
Jason Tully won Place 7 on Saltillo ISD school board, receiving 245 votes to Phillip Alcorn’s 146 votes. Tully received eight absentee ballots, 92 ballots during early voting and 145 ballots on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. Alcorn received three absentee ballots, 53 ballots during early voting and 88 votes on Election Day. Overall, that put Tully ahead with 62.66% of the total votes cast for Place 7 and Alcorn 37.34%.
Hopkins County, 8th District
Among the certified unopposed incumbent candidates for county and precinct offices in Hopkins County, include the following Republicans:
- County Judge — Robert Newsom
- County Court At Law Judge — Clay Harrison
- District Clerk — Cheryl Fulcher
- County Clerk — Tracy Orr Smith
- County Treasurer — Danny Davis
- County Commissioner Precinct 2 — Greg Anglin
- County Commissioner Precinct 4 — Joe Price
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 — BJ Teer
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 — Brad Cummings
Saltillo Boys XC Wins State Championship
Coach Bill Giles and his squad had themselves a day at the 1A state meet.
The boys varsity cross country team won the 1A State Championship.
Four seniors led the way for the Lions.
First up came Gunner Tarver, finishing fourth at 17:28. The second senior, and second to finish for Saltillo, Coy Collins, came 15 seconds after Tarver and placed 12th at the state meet.
Another senior, Luke Ritter, finished 19th with a time of 17:50. All three of the aforementioned runners qualified as All-State.
The fourth and final senior to cross the line for Saltillo, Jacob Sexton, finished at 17:57, good enough for 22nd.
Christian Trejo had a time of 18:40. The junior runner placed 42nd.
The final two runners for Saltillo XC, Adrian Don Juan and Tobin Potter got 75th and 88th, respectively.
Coach Bill Giles’s team (73) edged out Miller Grove (75) for their second state title in the coach’s tenure. Lion cross country won state in 2016.
Saltillo finished runner-up at the state meet the last three seasons prior to the 2022 state championship. On top of that, the Lions have qualified for the state meet 11 of the last 13 seasons.
Congratulations to Saltillo’s boys cross country team for securing a second state title in seven seasons.
Hopkins County Nov. 8, 2022 Election Results
Results for Hopkins County in the Nov. 8, 2022 General Election ballots are listed below. All results are considered preliminary or unofficial until canvassed.
(If the Hopkins County result you are looking for isn’t up yet, keep checking back for updates.)
Sulphur Springs ISD
Voters within Sulphur Springs ISD were asked to vote either for or against Proposition A, the issuance of $81,500,000 of bonds for facilities improvements and purchase of school buses, levying the an additional 1-cent to pay for it.
- For — Early Voting: 2,541 (50.52%); Absentee Voting: 114 (46.34%); Election Day: 1,154 (47.41%); TOTAL: 3,809 (49.4%)
- Against — Early Voting: 2,489 (49.48%); Absentee Voting: 132 (53.66%); Election Day: 1,280 (52.59%); TOTAL: 3,901 (50.6%)
Saltillo ISD
Saltillo ISD school board election for four four-year places on the school board:
- Place 2 — Ryan Garmon, unopposed
- Place 4 — Barry Brewer, unopposed
- Place 6
- Mason Littrell — Early Voting, 89 (62.68%); Absentee Voting, 6 (50%); Election Day Voting, 149 (65.65%); TOTAL: 244 (64.04%)
- Josh Redar — Early Voting, 53 (37.32%); Absentee Voting, 6 (50%); Election Day Voting, 78 (34.36%); TOTAL: 137 (35.96%)
- Place 7
- Jason Tully — Early Voting, 92 (36.55%); Absentee, 8 (61.54%); Election Day, 145 (52.23%); TOTAL, 245 (62.66%)
- Phillip Alcorn — Early Voting, 53 (38.46%); Absentee, 3 (38.46%); Election Day, 88 (37.77%); TOTAL: 146 (37.34%)
North Hopkins ISD
Voters in North Hopkins ISD were asked to choose up to three of the four candidates seeking one of the three full-term seats on the school board. Because the election is at-large, the three candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the school board.
- Unexpired Term
- Robert E. McPherson — unopposed: 15 Absentee, 293 Early Voting; 272 Election Day; TOTAL: 580
- Full Term Seats
- Charles C. Vaughn — Early Voting, 231 (35.43%); Absentee Voting, 10 (32.26%), Election Day 2221 (36.29%); Total: 462 (35.76%)
- Brian A. Lewis — Early Voting, 154 (23.62%); Absentee Voting, 8 (25.81%); Election Day, 155 (25.45%); TOTAL: 317 (24.54%)
- Sherry Smiddy Clair — Early Voting, 151 (23.16%); Absentee Voting, 11 (35.48%); Election Day, 111 (18.23%); TOTAL: 273 (21.13%)
- Michael S. James — Early Voting, 116 (17.79%); Absentee Voting, 2 (6.45%); Election Day, 122 (20.03%); TOTAL: 240 (18.58%)
Miller Grove ISD
Voters within MGISD are asked to cast ballots for up to three candidates for full term seats on MGISD Board of Trustees.
- Brandon Darrow — Early Voting, 184 (36.29%); Absentee, 6 (35.29%); Election Day, 199 (34.97%); TOTAL: 389 (35.59%)
- Bret Garrett — Early Voting, 176 (34.71%); Absentee 7 (41.18%); Election Day, 194 (34.09%); TOTAL: 377 (34.49%)
- Ray Sparks — Early Voting, 147 (28.99%); Absentee 4 (23.53%); Election Day 176 (30.93%); TOTAL: 327 (29.2%)
The MGISD seats are at-large, so the three candidates getting the most votes in the Nov. 8 election will be elected to a full term on the school board.
Unopposed Candidates
Among the certified unopposed incumbent candidates for county and precinct offices in Hopkins County, include the following Republicans:
- County Judge — Robert Newsom
- County Court At Law Judge — Clay Harrison
- District Clerk — Cheryl Fulcher
- County Clerk — Tracy Orr Smith
- County Treasurer — Danny Davis
- County Commissioner Precinct 2 — Greg Anglin
- County Commissioner Precinct 4 — Joe Price
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 — BJ Teer
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 — Brad Cummings
Five people at the state level are also shown as “unopposed candidates declared elected-state.” Those unopposed state candidates on the Nov. ballot are the following Republicans:
- Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 2 — Mary Lou Keel
- State Senator, District No. 1 — Bryan Hughes
- State Representative, District 2 — Bryan Slaton
- 6th Court of Appeals District Chief Justice — Scott E. Stephens
- 6th Court of Appeals District, Place 3 Justice — Charles Van Cleef
All five of the unopposed state candidates which have been “declared elected” for lack of an opponent on the Nov. 8, 2022 ballot are also Republican candidates.
Voluntary Recall: Gamesa® Arcoiris Marshmallow Cookies Due to Possible Health Risk
Comercializadora PepsiCo S. de R.L. de C.V. today issued a voluntary recall for 15.5 oz, 6 count box of Gamesa Arcoiris Marshmallow Cookies due to the potential presence of Salmonella.
The recall was initiated as the result of a routine sampling program by the company, which revealed the finished product may contain Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.
The company initiated the voluntary recall on the product below out of a commitment to and concern for consumers. The product covered by this recall was distributed to warehouses in California and Texas and may have reached consumers through select retail stores.
| Product Description | Size | UPC | Best Before |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamesa Arcoiris Marshmallow Cookies, Naturally and Artificially Flavored | 15.5 Oz, 6 Count | 6 86700 10132 4 | 28MAR23 5MY228001 28MAR23 6MY128101 |
The company is working closely with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to further investigate this issue and ensure the recalled product is removed from store shelves and is no longer distributed. No illnesses related to Salmonella have been confirmed to date.
Consumers who have purchased the above product are advised not to consume it and urged to dispose of it immediately. Consumers may also contact Gamesa Consumer Relations for product questions and further details at 1-877-842-6372 (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST, Monday-Friday) or visit https://contact.pepsico.com/gamesaExternal Link Disclaimer
Company Contact Information
Consumers:Gamesa Consumer Relations 1-877-842-6372Media:Gamesa Media Relations [email protected]
Annie’s Room to be Unveiled
Sulphur Springs, Texas – The Board of Directors of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is pleased to announce the impending unveiling of Annie’s Room, located at the Medical Plaza and part of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. Annie’s Room will be officially opened on Tuesday, November 15, with the ceremony beginning at 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Annie’s Room was made possible through a generous gift from Leesa and Brian Toliver, in honor of their granddaughter, Annie.
Annie’s parents, Jonathan and Sally, learned while they were pregnant with Annie, that the then unborn baby had a congenital heart defect. This necessitated Sally to make frequent trips out of town to visit a team of specialists for checkups.
Through the 2022 Lights of Life Gala, the Foundation was able to purchase a 4D Video Sonogram machine to be used by patients in this same situation to benefit from telemedicine and to mitigate the stress, hardship and expense of frequent out of town trips for doctors’ appointments. This allows a Sulphur Springs doctor to coordinate care with the CHRISTUS Trinity Maternal – Fetal Medicine Program, located in Tyler, all while keeping the pregnant mom from having to travel.
When the doctors from the CHRISTUS Trinity Maternal – Fetal Medicine Program need to discuss a diagnosis, treatment or follow-up with parents, a room is needed for the doctor’s tele-visit. This room needs a large monitor, comfortable seating, and the ability for the room to be closed off so parents can converse with the doctors without interruption.
The Tolivers, realizing what a benefit this would be for Hopkins County parents, graciously offered to fund the room and name it in tribute to young Annie.
To find out more about the Foundation or funding opportunities to support local health care, contact the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, an IRS 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization, at 903-438-4799.
2 Arrested Tuesday On Controlled Substance Charges
Two people were arrested in Hopkins County on controlled substance charges, according to arrest reports. A 67-year-old Sulphur Springs man was reportedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine when police served him with a warrant for selling the substance, while a 38-year-old Cumby man was alleged to have a bag of suspected meth in his pocket during a traffic stop, according to arrest reports.
CR 4131 Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Ryan Reed and Drew Fisher, and Sgt. Tanner Steward reported stopping Asa Cole Bloyed at 9:33 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, at County Road 4131 at County Road 4120 for failure to stop at a stop sign and failure to signal the proper distance prior to a turn.
Upon contact with the occupants, a records check showed the passenger, Chaney Nicole Doyle, to be wanted on Hopkins County warrants for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges, and Sulphur Springs warrants for failure to maintain financial responsibility (the charge for not having vehicle insurance) and expired registration. The 42-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was taken into custody at 9:37 p.m. on all four warrants. Fees owes on the three misdemeanor charges totaled $1,111.50, the bond on the controlled substance charge was set at $5,000, Sgt. Steward noted in arrest reports.
While talking with a deputy, 38-year-old Bloyed reportedly avoided making eye contact with him, instead looking around the Hyundai SUV. When asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and if deputies could search it, the Cumby man refused permission, Steward alleged in arrest reports.
Steward had the man step out of the SUV, then asked to search him. Bloyed immediately turned away from the deputy. As a deputy began patting the Cumby man down, he reported feeling what to him felt like a bag of rocks in Bloyed’s shorts pocket, Steward alleged in arrest reports. When confronted about it, Bloyed spun further away from the officer. The deputy noticed, however the man was holding a clear baggy in a closed hand, Steward alleged in arrest reports.
The deputy retrieved the bag from Bloyed and found it to contain a crystal-like substance that later field-tested positive for methamphetamine, Steward alleged in arrest reports. The man was placed into custody at 9:40 p.m. Nov. 7, 2022. Bloyed was allowed to contact his mother to retrieve the vehicle. After releasing it to her, the sheriff’s officers transported Bloyed to the county jail.
The suspected meth weighed 1.089 grams, including packaging. Thus, Bloyed was booked in at 11:21 p.m. Nov. 7, 2022, on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, Steward alleged in arrest reports.
Milligan Street Controlled Substance Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Brandon Mayes and Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes went to a Milligan Street address to serve Michael Gene Hadaway with a warrant for his arrest.
Estes had obtained the warrant after the 67-year-old Sulphur Springs man was involved in an undercover operation conducted by SCU in which 1.8 grams of methamphetamine was alleged to have been purchased from him, according to arrest reports.
When the officers contacted Hadaway at his residence, he allowed Lt. Estes to come inside. The SCU officer reported finding 3.4 grams of meth, according to arrest reports. They took the 67-year-old man into custody at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7, 2022.
As a result, Hadaway was booked into Hopkins County jail at 10:19 a.m. Monday not only on the manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance warrant, but also on a new possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Wildcat Band Gets Big Send-Off To State
Parents, grandparents, siblings, staff and fans lined one side of Gladys Alexander Drive Tuesday morning, Nov. 8, 2022, to show support and encouragement for the Sulphur Springs Wildcat Band with a big send-off for the musicians who are traveling Tuesday morning to San Antonio.
The Wildcat Band is scheduled to compete Nov. 9, 2022, against the best marching bands in Texas at the 2022 State Marching Band Championships. The Sulphur Springs students are slated to take the field at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday in the 4A Preliminary Round. If they score high enough from the judges, the Wildcat Band will advance to the next round of competition, where they hope to finish atop the list of finalists competing.
The Wildcat Band Tuesday morning met before classes started to line up at Sulphur Springs High School. They then made a round, marching before their peers, who cheers and clapped for them, a nice salute for the students’ accomplishments this year.
The students proceeded down the sidewalk, turning in front of the bus lane, where families, staff, friends and supporters clapped, cheered and played music to encourage the Wildcat musicians. The students then returned to the band hall to receive last instructions and collect their belongings and find out their seating assignments.
The students then proceeded to music, cheers and claps outside to the three Continental Touring Solutions charter buses parked in the bus driveway in front of the school, ready to carry the students in style to the state contest.
After all were loaded, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County firefighters escorted the Wildcat procession from the SSHS parking lot, where even more supporters had joined the group lining Gladys Alexander Drive. Many wore shirts proclaiming them proud parents or band supporters and held balloons, posters, wooden signs, pompoms and noisemakers to cheer the students as their bus passed.
As the buses departed from the school, the SSISD band instructors fired up the big rig and customized trailer and truck with box trailer filled with the instruments, props and uniforms the SSHS Band (which includes a few eighth graders) will need for their performance Wednesday. They then rounded the corner and joined in behind the charter buses to begin the journey Tuesday morning to San Antonio and the state marching competition.
Afterward, many who brought balloons released them, a colorful send-off for the students who they hope will soar to new personal achievements performing the “Come Fly With Us” routine.
Wildcat Football’s Bi-District Opponent Firmed Up
Wildcat football this Friday travels to Forney to play in the opening round of playoffs. Friday, November 11 has Sulphur Springs playing Dallas Carter in Bi-District.
Tickets for Friday’s postseason game can be purchased here.
It is the first time in four seasons Wildcat football has qualified for the playoffs.
The last time Sulphur Springs made a trip to the postseason came in 2018, when the Wildcats fell in the opening round to Frisco.
The Cowboys represent District 7-4A as the two seed, and look to up their win streak to three if they can dispatch the Wildcats.
Sulphur Springs on the other hand is in the midst of a two-game losing streak. Since losing QB Brady Driver in the win over Paris, Wildcat football is 0-2. Coach Brandon Faircloth’s squad played the top-2 teams from 8-4A to round out the regular season but wound up on the wrong side of two lopsided losses.
It is a tall task to right the ship in time for playoffs, but it is what Wildcat football will have to do if they hope to move on to the second round of playoffs.
Sulphur Springs takes on Dallas Carter in Bi-District playoffs Friday, November 11 at Forney’s City Bank Stadium.
That game kicks off Friday in Forney at 7:30 P.M.
Tickets for the opening round playoff game can be purchased here.
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.
Sears Retiring After 25 Years As General Manager Of Northeast Texas Municipal Water District
Northeast Texas Municipal Water District honored General Manager Walt Sears, Jr. with a retirement dinner in Hughes Springs, Texas, on Thursday, November 3, celebrating his 25 years of outstanding service to the citizens of Northeast Texas and the district.
Sears joined the district as general manager in 1998, having previously served as the attorney for the district.
In that time, the district increased its assets from $19 million to $44 million. The quality, reliability and supply of water in the Northeast Texas area was brought to levels unheard of before his tenure, according to a NETMWD.
Sears currently serves as the president of the Texas Water Conservation Association, the senior statewide water organization of Texas, and is also the Texas vice president of the Red River Valley Association, the four-state authority over the Red River.
George Otstott, president of NETMWD, said, “The board and the citizens we serve will always remember the unique contributions, accomplishments and selfless service Walt brought to us. He will be sorely missed and we wish Walt and his lovely wife Kris the happiest and most enjoyable years of retirement.”
The Northeast Municipal Water District supplies over one billion gallons of drinking water annually, as well as untreated water to 220,000 customers in eight counties in the Cypress River Valley of East Texas from the Lake O’ the Pines reservoir near Jefferson. NETMWD also provides environmental protection and recreation throughout the Cypress River Basin.
