Woman and Veteran Owned Helicopter Tours Near Hopkins County
March 6, 2023 – Pilots from Semper Fly Helicopter Tours, a woman and veteran owned business, stopped by the KSST Studios for an interview on Monday. Brandi Rector and Mike Sanford own and operate several flight related businesses that are based in Southern Oklahoma. They are both veterans of the armed forces. More details on their individual services in the armed forces are available on their website.
Bob Kerr, Judge Advocate of the Hopkins County Marine Corp League, recently took advantage of their services. Because Bob is a veteran, he received a discount. Kerr, who also does KSST’s Veteran Voices program each Monday morning, enjoyed his flight so much, he wanted to help spread the word.
Brandi Rector, pictured above, wants to welcome everyone, especially veterans, to join her in the air. Semper fly tries to accommodate special requests such as high altitude marriage proposals and airtours of real estate for potential buyers and sellers.
Brandi and Mike’s business is also expanding. Helicopter based skydiving is coming soon. They operate out of Mc Curtain County Regional Airport near Idabel, Ok. They own a hanger there, and currently have two helicopters. The airport’s FAA Identifier: 4O4.
Semper Fly
The Helicopter Rides on Semper Fly Helicopters are the ultimate way to explore Oklahoma and Texas with Veteran pilots that have decades of experience. They fly a Bell 206 L3 on helicopter rides and offer customizable tours of Broken Bow Lake, Beavers Bend, Mountain Fork River, and more. Just tell them where you want to go!
Skyhunter Outfitters
Skyhunter Outfitters offer all-inclusive hog hunts. You have a choice of daytime aerial hunts, or night time hunts. Either way, all your party needs to do is show up. The packages are all inclusive (Rifles, Ammo, Thermal Scopes, etc). You can also bring your own hardware if you like. On the night hunts, be ready to do some walking. Processing of animals, harvested during night hunts only, is available.
If you would like to take a tour, or know a veteran that would enjoy a flight, contact Semper Fly at 903 870 8222.
Sulphur Springs Total Eclipse Meeting
March 6, 2023- Butch Burney met on the Hopkins County Courthouse steps today to discuss the upcoming eclipse set in April of 2024. Burney talked about a couple from Seattle, Washington who visited the Chamber Of Commerce, the couple wanted to come down to ask about a place to stay during the week of the eclipse.
Burney discussed that the possible amount of visiters from all over could double the total population of Hopkins County. Astronomy Magazine has placed Sulphur Springs as the 8th best place to watch the celestial event in America. Burney discussed that people from all across the world will be coming to visit our little town to watch this event.
Butch Burney also discussed a plan to host a 4 day festival starting April 5th 2024 and culminating on the day of the eclipse. The festival will include games, movies, concerts, educational talks and more, planned all by business’s and individual organizations.
SSTotalEclipse.com will have all the information on the 2024 eclipse and the events that will be available during the festival. Members of the community can contact the Chamber Of Commerce through the website as well.
Burney has also discussed encouraging the closing of schools on that Monday of the event to avoid the traffic that will certainly come before and after the eclipse.
There are currently 300 hotel rooms within Sulphur Springs, along with several RV parks. Burney asks that all members of the community to open their doors and to help rent out any spare rooms to any visitors to help with the lack of accommodations. Listings of accommodations will be listed on the SStotaleclipse website as well.
Signature Solar has committed to purchasing 50,000 special eclipse glasses to be distributed in ways that will be announced at a later date. These will be vital for those wanting to view the eclipse without damaging their eyes.
Below is a map of the path of the 2024 eclipse as it crosses North America, the yellow line representing the path of the total eclipse. The middle of the yellow path will have a longer period of totality and as Sulphur Springs is on that middle line, the total time of the eclipse will be 4 mins, 21 seconds.
Total solar eclipse visible (100.00% coverage of sun)
- Duration: 2 hours, 39 minutes, 16 seconds
- Duration of totality: 4 minutes, 21 seconds
- Partial Begins: Apr 8, 2024 at 12:25:42 pm
- Full begins: Apr 8, 2024 at 1:42:58 pm
- Maximum: Apr 8, 2024 at 1:45:09 pm
- Full ends: Apr 8, 2024 at 1:47:19 pm
- Partial ends: Apr 8, 2024 at 3:04:58 pm
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital News Release March 6, 2023
Sulphur Springs, Texas, March 6, 2023 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.
New Staff
We have a new Primary Care provider at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic! We are excited to welcome Rebecca Couch, Nurse Practitioner, to our team of Primary Care providers. Rebecca is eager to treat new patients in the Sulphur Springs area. She is accepting new patients at 105 Medical Circle, (Medical Building 1). To schedule an appointment, please call 903.885.3181.
Outpatient Physical Therapy
When you need rehabilitation and therapy services – the more convenient, the better. Our CHRISTUS physical therapy department is conveniently located on the bottom floor of our Medical Plaza building at 113 Airport Rd. With a goal to return patients to normal function as quickly and safely as possible, our rehabilitation professionals provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to all ages. Our staff are specialized in skills such as orthopedic and sports rehabilitation treating injuries or following surgery, swallowing and speech disorders, balance disorders, strokes and other neurological conditions, hand therapy, pool therapy, and much more. We even have an Anti-Gravity Treadmill – an innovative technology. If you would like more information on available services, please call our team at 903.439.4053.
Lights of Life Gala
We are looking forward to the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Lights of Life Gala, from dancing to last year’s band High Def, to delicious food from Festive Kitchen. Have you bought your tickets yet? This year’s event will be on April 22, 2023 and will include live and silent auctions. You are sure to have a great time and all for a good cause. All money raised in Hopkins County stays in Hopkins County. For tickets, please visit the Gala website: LOLGala2023.givesmart.com. For more information, please contact the Foundation at [email protected] or 903.438.4799.
Sulphur Springs Celebration Market And Family Movie Night Coming Up Soon
March 6, 2023- Coming up on May 20 Celebration Market will be open each Saturday through September 16 and Family Movie Night will begin from June 2 through August 11. The arts are encouraged throughout the Market, giving the talented community a cultivated, public environment to sell, network, perform and grow. Sponsorship provides free live music from amazing local musicians, as well as free admission movies for families, every Friday evening.
Mark your calendars for fun activites at Celebration Plaza.
Wildcats Baseball Goes 2-2 in Wylie East Tourney, Plays Three Games Series Starting Thursday
Coach Jerrod Hammack and his squad wrap up tourney play with their recent outing in Wylie East.
At the Raider Invitational, Sulphur Springs went 2-2.
Friday saw nothing but success for the baseball team as they beat both of their foes on the day.
In their first game, the Wildcats faced Royse City. They dispatched the Bulldogs 3-0 for their first win at the Wylie East invitational.
Later Friday though, Sulphur Springs faced Frisco Liberty and unlike their win over Royse City, the Wildcats found themselves trailing early.
The Redhawks got out on top first, leading 1-0 after three.
It was not until the fifth inning that Coach Hammack’s squad struck back, putting two runs in en route to a 2-1, come-from-behind win versus Liberty. Four singles and a Wildcat hit by a pitch put Sulphur Springs up 2-1, more than enough to win over the Redhawks.
While Friday was fun for the baseball team, Saturday saw two losses for the Wildcats.
The second and final day for the Wylie East tourney had Sulphur Springs pitted against Plano West and Lake Highlands.
First, against the Wolves, Plano West scored early and often in a 8-0 rout of the Wildcats. Coach Hammack’s squad managed just three hits in the loss.
Game four saw more offense from Sulphur Springs, but pitching & defense gave up just as many runs as the Wildcats picked up a second straight loss, 8-3.
While Lake Highlands (6) made contact with the ball half as many times as the Wolves did (12), a costly three errors combined with the hits allowed the Scots to propel themselves to the 8-3 win over Sulphur Springs. Coach Hammack’s squad did strike first in their final game in the tourney, but eight of the next 10 runs being scored by Lake Highlands certainly did not help the Wildcats’ case.
With tournament play coming and going, Sulphur Springs plays a three game series prior to the start of district play.
Matt Mitchell leads the team in batting, now 8 for 18 on the season, with six runs batted in and crossing home himself four times.
Going 2-2 over the two-day tourney, Wildcats baseball is now 4-3-1 on the season.
Next up, Coach Hammack and his squad have a three-game series with Gilmer this week, starting Thursday.
The schedule for those games is as follows:
- Thursday vs. Gilmer (6:30 P.M.)
- Friday @ Gilmer (6:30 P.M.)
- Saturday vs Gilmer (12 P.M.)
Fans who cannot attend the three-game series with the Buckeyes starting Thursday may be surprised to learn that district play starts next week for Sulphur Springs.
They tee off their district season next Tuesday, Mar. 14 at Liberty Eylau.
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.
Don’t Forget To Spring Your Clocks Forward For Daylight Saving Time
Just a friendly reminder: don’t forget to adjust your clocks (if they don’t change automatically) when you head to bed Sunday. It’s time to spring forward 1 hour for Daylight Saving Time. Otherwise, you’ll likely arrive an hour late for church or any other appointments or activities you have scheduled Sunday.
Those who are not at their best first thing in the morning might consider going to bed an hour or so earlier Saturday night to make up for the hour of sleep lost springing forward tonight.
While most change the time before turning in for the night, the official time change for most of the United States will take place at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, March 12, 2023.
If you’re in the US, (with only a two exceptions) DST begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. In other words, time officially advances forward one hour from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. local time on the second Sunday in March and then during late fall, goes back fan hour from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. on the first Sunday in November.
Texas and most of the central part of the US is located in the Central Time Zone. The East Coast will change their clocks an hour before we do, and California and the West Coast will spring forward two hours after we do.
While you lose an hour of sleep tonight, you’ll be gaining an hour of daylight starting Sunday, allowing people to take advantage of the natural daylight, especially for outdoor activities. The main impetus for DST first being enacted was to save energy.
Some believe, based on studies, that the extra hour of daylight could be beneficial in reducing the number of road accidents and injuries during the hours more people use the roads. The Transportation Department touts DST as a means to reduce crime, as more people tend to be out and about during daylight hours as opposed to night time. Others claim changing time messes with circadian rhythms and therefore sleep patterns, which could contribute to more crashes and workplace injuries due to tiredness.
Approximately 40% of the (more than 70) countries in the world observe Daylight Saving Time, moving their clocks forward to take advantage of the natural light. Whether you are on DST or Standard time depends on which hemisphere you are in, as the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are opposite those in the Northern Hemisphere, and the date varies by and within countries.
DST began in the USA in 1918. The current federal policy – the Uniform Time Act, has been in effect since 1966. While beginning and end dates have varied by a few weeks, the current time change dates have remained firm since the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was enacted, with the US Department of Transportation designated to oversee DST and US time zones.
In the US and Canada, DST will begin on March 12, 2023. However, most states at one time or another have proposed do away with the twice yearly time change, to remain on DST all year in the US.
In fact, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 350 Daylight Saving Time-related bills and resolutions have been introduced in virtually every state since 2015. But, non of significance passed until 2018, when Florida became the first state to enact legislation to permanently observe DST. Since then, 18 states have enacted legislation or passed resolutions to try to do away with biannual time changes, each proposing either DST or Standard Time be observed year-round. However, Congress must change the law which does not currently allow full DST before states can adopt those proposed changes. Legislative action still pending on the issue.
This year alone, according to the NCSL, 68 pieces of legislation, counting carry over bills from 2021, have been submitted for consideration in at least 28 US states; Texas was not one of them in 2022. However, Texas was one of 33 states in which legislation addressing DST was proposed in 2021. In fact, of the 80 pieces of legislation filed in 2021, nearly a dozen documents were submitted to Texas Senate and House combined; but all 11 failed in Texas..
Two states — Arizona and Hawaii — and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands observe permanent standard time, NCSL reports. The Navajo Nation, which falls within more than one state and/or time zone is the exception for Arizona.
In Europe, however, DST won’t take place until March 27, 2023. Australia, New Zealand, most of South America and Southern Africa observed observe DST beginning in either September or November through March or April, when Standard Time begins.
Regardless your stance on DSL, local emergency responders remind the time change is good time to make biannual batteries changes in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to test to ensure these potentially life-saving devices in your homes functioning properly.
Wildcats Soccer Falls in PKs at Paris
Coach Alexi Upton and his squad did not have the outing they were hoping for, falling in PKs at Paris.
Friday’s loss at Wildcat Stadium is the first for the men’s soccer program since non-district play wrapped up in late-January.
In Paris Friday, Mar. 3, Sulphur Springs looked to complete the season sweep over the other Wildcats, in doing so winning the District 15-4A title.
Unfortunately for Coach Upton and his squad, falling in PKs did the opposite for the men’s soccer team.
“[It] wasn’t the result we wanted,” the men’s soccer coach said following his team’s loss in Paris.
Coach Upton said his team got little help from officiating in a wild game, but still persevered and drove the opposing Wildcats to PKs, falling there in Paris Friday.
The men’s soccer coach said his squad still has a chance to win district, having good goal differential, especially so considering Paris slipping in goals.
Edgar Salazar scored the lone goal for Sulphur Springs Friday, unassisted, as the athlete continues to have a stand-out season.
Falling in Paris though brings the men’s soccer team’s season record to 15-8-1.
Friday’s loss also snaps an eight-game winning streak for the squad.
Next up Coach Upton and his squad return to home Tuesday, Mar. 7 hosting Chapel Hill.
That game kicks off at the Prim Tuesday at 7:30 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Dike Man Arrested for Theft and Failure to Register As Sex Offender
March 6, 2023 – RUBEN JAMES ANZABDUA was arrested at the Bexar County Jail by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies after his release on March 5, 2023. He was transported to Hopkins County without incident.
He was indicted on the current charges, Theft and Failure to Register As Sex Offender, by a Hopkins County Grand Jury on January 5, 2023. The 57 year-old man reports himself as a Dike Tx resident.
ANZALDUA,RUBEN JAMES
ANZALDUA,RUBEN MORALES
RUBEN JAMES ANZABDUA, 2023
ANZABDUA was convicted of SEXUAL ASSAULT of a 14 year-old girl on August 19, 2010. He has a lengthy criminal record including convictions for Burglary and Retaliation.
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.
Member Of Texas State Senate Bryan Hughes Files Bill For Illegal Voting
March 6, 2023- Senator Bryan Hughes has filed a bill recently that would make illegal voting a state jail felony instead of a Class A misdemeanor. Examples of Illegal voting are:
- voting or attempting to vote in which the person knows they are not eligible to vote.
- Voting or trying to vote more than once in an election.
- Voting or trying to vote a ballot belonging to another person or by impersonating another person.
- Marking or attempting to mark any part of another person’s ballot without their consent or specific instruction on how to mark the ballot.
State Sen. Bryan Hughes’ bill on illegal voting was debated on Monday in the senate committee on state affairs. The bill reads as follows, “A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally: (1) votes or attempts to vote in an election in which the person knows of a particular circumstance that makes the person [is] not eligible to vote.”
Sulphur Springs Man Arrested for Solicitation of a Minor
March 3, 2023 – Bradley Cyrus Butler was arrested on March 3, 2023 and charged with Online Solicitation of a Minor. The 34 year-old man reports he is employed by a local retailer.
Hopkins County deputies were finally able to locate the accused at his place of employment. During a consensual interview, Butler allegedly confessed to the illegal online contact. Online Solicitation of a Minor is considered a third degree felony.
Butler was taken into custody and transported to Hopkins County jail without incident. Butler was released from Hopkins County jail prior to Monday March 6th, 2023.
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.
