Community Chest Announces Upcoming Closures
CHanges Are coming!!!!!!!
We will be closed for 2 weeks October 18th – 28th.
Week A clients will be allowed to receive double food on October 4th or 6th.
Week B clients will be allowed to receive double food on October 11thor 13th.
Door Dash Clients will maintain the same
scheduled deliveries during the closure.
Please make sure you
pick up food during your
week as no exceptions will be made during the closure.
Hopkins County To Observe Beef Day This Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022
Downtown Sulphur Springs will smell like a steak house tomorrow, thanks to the efforts of the 30 grilling teams competing for the cash prize and bragging rights during the 2022 NETBIO Cattleman’s Classic and Ribeye Roundup, which kicks off at noon.
The Ribeye Roundup, held the first Saturday in October, typically features 30 cook teams competing, offering their best ribeye steak, with a cash prize going to the top rated team. This year, the event will also feature a Junior Championship Steak Cookoff, with youth divided into two age divisions.
Those able to procure one of the select number of tickets, which had sold out by Monday evening, will get to enjoy the tasty grilled beef, grown by area ranchers as part of the Oct. 1 cook-off.
Even if you didn’t manage to snag tickets for the steak, there’s still plenty to do downtown, including eat in one of the restaurants Saturday evening. In addition to the grilling teams, Celebration Plaza will also be hosting beverage vendors, and educational opportunities throughout the day Oct. 1, 2022.
For instance, The Cattle Trail, scheduled from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday on Celebration Plaza, will feature several informational stations and presentations by local ranchers and agribusiness representatives. Those who complete the trail, adults and children, can receive prizes. According to Extension Agent Mario Villarino, some of the cooking teams also anticipate having small samples available throughout the afternoon for those completing the trail.
In the evening, live entertainment will be provided by Walker Ryder, and winners will be announced. After the meal, Bobby Irwin of Quitman, the 2021 National FFA Talent Contest winner, will provide a concert — free to everyone downtown Saturday evening.
Ultimately, the day serves as a showcase for the beef industry, which has a tremendous impact in Northeast Texas.
Currently, more than 400 beef cows produce more than 32,000 calves with net revenue of more than $38.4 million per year, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom noted in a proclamation issued Friday morning during Hopkins County Commissioners Court. officially declaring Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, as Hopkins County Beef Day.
Newsom said the Commissioners Court is proud to recognize “the men and women dedicated to beef production in Hopkins County.”
The Cattleman’s Classic is put on by NETBIO (North East Texas Beef Improvement Organization), a nonprofit organization comprised of independent cow-calf producers and agribusiness representatives working together to enhance the beef industry and the local economy by improving cattle genetics, management practices, enhanced production, and added value of product.
NETBIO has marketed more than 400,000 preconditioned calves for gross sales of more than $300 million.
Newsom encourages everyone to join in the Beef Day observance Oct. 1, 2022, by helping to recognize “the many men and women who have made the beef industry one of the most important agricultural industries in Northeast Texas.
The judge presented Villarino with a framed copy of the Beef Day proclamation to display.
Pedestrian Struck By Vehicle On FM 71 West
A pedestrian was reported to have been struck by a vehicle on FM 71 west Friday afternoon, Sept. 30, 2022.
Very few details had been released Friday evening. The crash was reported to still be under investigation by Texas Department of Public Safety.
County 911 dispatchers received two emergency calls about the incident. At 3:13 p.m. Friday, a female reported a person had been hit by a car on FM 71 west at the school. Deputies, park officers and a school officer responded. At 3:14 p.m., dispatchers received a second 911 call, also from a female claiming a female had fallen out of a car.
According to officials, a pedestrian was determined to have been struck by an automobile on FM 71 west, in front of the North Hopkins ISD, Friday afternoon, resulting in the pedestrian’s death at 3:15 p.m. Sept. 30, 2022.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer identified the female killed as a 75-year-old woman. Her name is being withheld pending notification of her family.
Officials remained at the crash site until 5:23 p.m. Sept. 30
Sept. 30 Is Statewide Human Trafficking Awareness Sign Day
Is Your Business Among the Commercial Operations Required To Post These Awareness Signs?
Friday, September 30, is Statewide Human Trafficking Sign Day.
All are invited to join Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force in raising awareness, and empower your community, by asking local businesses to post human trafficking awareness signs.
While some businesses are required by law (in Senate Bills 800 and 1831 and House Bills 3721 and 390 passed during the 87th Regular Legislative Session) to post human trafficking awareness signs, any business can do so voluntarily.
Various state agencies have created posters for different types of businesses that are required to post awareness signs. Some of these posters could be used by any business. Commercial businesses are recommended to post signs either near public entrances or in a private areas such as restrooms that are available to their customers or clientele so the sign can be viewed in private.
Hospitals & medical facilities
- Texans Are Not for Sale (general purpose)
- Need Help?
Hotels, motels, etc.
- Commercial Lodging posters
Salons, barbershops, and cosmetology schools
Massage businesses & schools
Bars, liquor stores, restaurants (licensed to sell alcohol)
Sexually oriented businesses
State parks and recreational facilities
Allen Man Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison On Indecency Charges
A 64-year-old Allen, Texas man was sentenced Thursday afternoon to a total of 30 years in prison on two indecency with a child charges, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kevin Lester took Christopher Lee Vail into custody at 4 p.m. Sept. 29, 2022, in the 8th judicial District Courtroom after the man was sentenced to a 20-year commitment in Texas Department of Criminal Justice on an indecency with a child by sexual contact conviction and to a 10-year prison sentence on an indecency with a child by exposure conviction; he was booked into Hopkins County jail on both charges at 5:33 p.m. Sept. 29, 2022, according to arrest reports.
Vail was scheduled to appear in district court at 9 a.m. Sept. 29, 2022, for a trail before the court on a motion to proceed on both charges, according to the court docket.
The charges stemmed from an HCSO investigation into allegations Vail committed indecency with a child. When contacted, Vail reportedly agreed to be interviewed by HCSO Investigator Dennis Findley. Due to information obtained during the interview, Findley filed for arrest warrants. The warrants were executed at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, by HCSO Deputy Chris Baumann at the sheriff’s office.
The 64-year-old Allen man arrested on warrants for both charges on Sept. 24, 2022, indicted during the December 2020 Grand Jury session and remained in custody in Hopkins County until Feb. 22, 2021, in lieu of the $100,000 in bonds set for the charges.
Vail returned to the county jail March 8-May 13, 2021, for bond revocation on both charges.
He was scheduled to appear in district court at 1:30 p.m. April 28, 2022, on a motion to proceed on an indecency with a child by sexual contact.
Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dan Turrentine took Vail into custody at 5:10 p.m. April 28 and escorted him into Hopkins County jail on an order from the 8th Judicial District Court on both indecency with a child charges, according to arrest reports. He was released from jail the next day, according to HCSO jail records.
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.
Hicks Recognized With National Master Volunteer Excellence In Programming Award
The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences meets annually to conduct professional development, networking, and recognition for Extension Agents. The 2022 conference was held in Raleigh, North Carolina September 11-16. Over 750 Extension family and consumer sciences professionals and administrators from across the nation attended the conference.
Johanna Hicks, Extension Agent for family and community health in Hopkins County, attended the conference as a presenter and award recipient. Hicks was named as recipient of the Master Volunteer Excellence in Programming award for the 4-H Grab-and-Go Foods Project kits, spearheaded by the Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers (MWV) in 2021.
Knowing that the usual face-to-face 4-H foods project meeting could not take place in the midst of COVID, Hicks’ team of volunteers suggested providing kits for the youth to complete at home. Each 4-H member who signed up for the project received five separate kits along with everything needed to complete the tasks:
- Set the Table; Read the Label;
- Mix and Measure;
- Gadgets and Gizmos;
- Herbs, and Spices, and Extracts, Oh My!; and
- Crockin’ Kids.
Volunteers researched ideas, recipes, activities, and assisted in preparing and labeling the kits. The goal was to provide a strong 4-H Foods and Nutrition experience during COVID while allowing the Master Wellness Volunteers to use their strengths in planning and preparation. Sixteen youth participated in the project. Results indicated that 100% increased understanding on how to read a nutrition label and increased knowledge in recognizing various kitchen tools as well as how to use them. Ninety-four percent increased knowledge of using herbs, spices, and extracts, and learned to correctly measure dry and liquid ingredients using the appropriate measuring utensils. Ninety-four percent increased understanding of the food groups in MyPlate.
As an award recipient, Hicks was asked to lead a session on the project during the conference. She shared other activities in which the Master Wellness Volunteers are involved, the training they receive, and copies of the Volunteer Connection newsletter which she sends to all trained volunteers 6 to 8 times per year.
During the conference, Hicks received first place honors on the Southern Region and National levels for the Master Volunteer Excellence in Programming Award.
1 Flown To Area Trauma Center Following One-Vehicle Rollover On I-30
At least one person was flown to an area trauma center following a one-vehicle rollover on Interstate 30 just west of Sulphur Springs early Friday morning, Sept. 30, 2022.
According to dispatch reports, authorities were first notified of a major one-vehicle crash on Interstate 30 east near mile marker 119 at 1 a.m. The caller reported the vehicle had rolled over multiple times before resting on its top.
Hopkins County and Cumby firefighters and sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, officials reported the vehicle was on the south I-30 service road at mile marker 120. It appeared the driver lost control while traveling east around mile marker 119, causing the vehicle to roll an estimated five times before stopping on the south service road. The driver was trapped inside the vehicle and had to be cut out by officials. He was reported to have suffered what appeared to be potentially life-threatening injuries, according to sheriff’s reports.
A medical helicopter was requested. A landing zone was established south of the crash. A section of roadway was closed down briefly to give the helicopter and crew plenty of room. The man was flown to an area trauma center. No additional information regarding the man’s condition was available Friday afternoon.
Firefighters remained on scene until 2:29 a.m. and deputies until 2:21 p.m. according to sheriff’s reports.
Last Call For Free Mammography Clinic
Sulphur Springs, Texas – Due to demand, additional appointments have been added to the Free Mammography Clinic hosted by the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation in partnership with CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
A few openings are still available. If you are an uninsured woman over 40 years of age who lives in Hopkins County, you are eligible for a free mammogram through this program.
The staff of the Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center, a part of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, will be welcoming women to the clinic on two Saturdays, October 15 and 29.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a good time to schedule an annual mammogram. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life. Risk of breast cancer increases with age, so mammograms continue to be important, as is early detection.
If you are eligible for a free mammogram, call 903-438-4325 to schedule an appointment. Don’t delay.
McKenzies Donate Painting To Courthouse
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Friday morning offered appreciation to Mickey and Barbara McKenzie for the painting they donated to Hopkins County Courthouse.
Hopkins County Veterans Services Officer Danny Davis explained the painting was created by Josey Butler, who worked from a stage from beginning to end of last year’s Hopkins County Freedom Ball, then auctioned off. The McKenzies purchased the painting, which depicts 13 horses, representing the 13 service members killed by a single detonation of a bomb in Kabul when President Joe Biden ordered withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
“Barbara and Mickey bought the painting. And not only did they buy the painting, they turned around and gave it back to the County Courthouse. We just appreciate so much that they do for us and the meaning of this and what it represents,” Davis said. “We are just so blessed people like you two in our community and we are just so thankful for all you do for us.”
“Thank you so much. We appreciate all y’all do; we really, really do,” Mickey McKenzie said.
“We appreciate it,” Barbara said.
“This couple gives and gives and gives, and they are not in the [news] very much,” County Judge Robert Newsom said, adding that this week they have been noted for the 75th anniversary of the Grocery Supply Co. They are celebrating today downtown Sept. 30, 2022. “You give and give and give and you don’t expect anything from it. We thank you so much for being that kind of people that make Sulphur Springs the great place it is.”
“Thank you, I just wish we could do more,” Mickey McKenzie said.
Davis noted that photos of the painting posted online on social media had circulated enough to reach one of the mothers of the fallen soldiers within 2 hours of being posted. Some duplicates of the painting were made for sale, and some were given to the family members of the fallen soldiers. He expressed appreciation to the McKenzies for purchasing the painting and donating it.
The mostly red and blue painting now hangs on the wall in the Hopkins County Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse, to the right of the entry door nearest the county judge’s office.
Volleyball Hosts Lone Home Match During First Half of District Play Friday
Coach Bailey Dorner and her team are excited for Friday’s match.
Sulphur Springs has their one home game during the first half of district play Friday, Sept. 30 as they host North Lamar.
The Pantherettes come into Friday’s game in the SSHS Main Gym 1-1 in district play.
They fell in five at Pleasant Grove before sweeping Pittsburg Tuesday.
Tuesday had volleyball on the road for the second-straight district game. And just like in Saturday’s road-opener in district play, Sulphur Springs came up big and got the victory.
The Lady Cats won a tight set one 25-21 before winning a similarly close 25-19 set two, getting a big 2-0 set lead. Liberty Eylau, hosting Coach Dorner’s team Tuesday, won their one and only set in the third round, flipping the script at 25-18.
Sulphur Springs then smashed their way to a set four win, 25-13 to win their second straight district road game.
North Lamar comes into this Friday gameday looking to pick up their second straight win after falling in their opener. The Pantherettes also look to pick up their first road district win if they can beat the Lady Cats on their home floor.
It will not be an easy task for the visiting Pantherettes as they take on a Sulphur Springs team that continues to heat up, winning two straight district games on the road and four overall.
The Lady Cats look to stay undefeated in district play when they host the Pantherettes on Friday, Sept. 30 in their lone home contest of the first half of district play.
Friday’s home game with North Lamar begins in the SSHS Main Gym Friday at 4:30 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.
