VFW Post 8560 Helps Blue Santa Get A Jump On Christmas 2022
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8560 members presented a $250 donation for the Blue Santa program to Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County law enforcement officers.
The Blue Santa program is most visible between Thanksgiving and Christmas, accepting monetary and toy donations to help Hopkins County financially disadvantaged families provide Christmas gifts for their children. However, that does not mean that’s the only time donations may be made to Blue Santa.
Blue Santa continues to accept donations throughout the year. Funds raised will allow Blue Santa and his helpers in the law enforcement community to begin working, stocking up on toys for Christmas 2022. For instance, helpers can take advantage big toy sales at events and businesses in the spring, summer and fall, purchasing gifts so Blue Santa will be that much more ahead of the game to ensure there are plenty of gifts to adequately provide for all approved families.
Donations to Blue Santa may be made by using the Blue Santa Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County QR code on Blue Santa flyers on Facebook and shown below. Donate to Blue Santa Link
Alert: Medicare Phone Scam Attempted On Hopkins County Resident
A local resident reported a Medicare phone scam, and said while she did not fall prey to it, asked KSST to let others in the community know so no one will fall victim to it.
The woman received a phone call Wednesday from someone claiming to be from the Medicare, Part B office. The caller claimed to be contacting her to schedule an annual “genetic testing.” That ,she said, was a red flag to her, even though the individual seemed to know quite a bit about her, including certain identifies such as part of a Social Security number. The caller, the woman believes, was fishing for more personal information from the resident, likely a ploy to get the necessary account information for identity theft or fraud.
The woman said not only are genetics tests no performed annually, they are typically pretty expensive. She asked for their information so she could check them out and verify they are who they claimed to be. She made a phone call and confirmed from the medical personnel she consults with that the test was not ordered by their facility nor are genetic tests standard tests. People are recommended to get annual well health screening but not genetic tests. If a person needs genetic testing per a medical professional, that healthcare worker would notify the patient directly and contact the patients insurance provider regarding any prequalification or other related needs.
Local law enforcement frequently remind people to NEVER give their personal information, especial ID and bank account identifiers to anyone unsolicited, and especially not someone demanding information over the phone, no matter how legitimate they may seem. If they ask for personal information, ask for their name, work or other ID number and a number to call to verify they are who they claim to be.
Be Well, Live Well – An Informative and Practical Program Targeted At People Age 55 and Older
By Johanna Hicks, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent/Family and Community Health Agent for Hopkins County, [email protected]
You probably know by now that Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Hopkins County offers many learning opportunities. Most recently, a basic spring break sewing workshop was held at no cost to participants, thanks to generous donations of sewing machines and fabrics from the community. Ten youth participated in the three-day workshop, assisted by volunteers. Interest has been shown for future sewing workshops, so stay tuned!
Another very informative and practical program is “Be Well, Live Well,” a 4-session series targeted toward the 55+ age group. It is well-documented that one’s attitudes toward aging may influence one’s future health and health behaviors. For example, if one expected depression to be a part of the aging process, he or she will be less inclined to seek medical help or change behavior to help reduce depression. It is worth noting that folks who are positive about aging tend to live 4 ½ years longer than those who believe negative stereotypes. Here are a few myths about aging:
- Myth: Older adults are alike. Fact: The older adult population is diverse and represents a range of races, religions, ethnic backgrounds, political preferences, educational levels and life experiences.
- Myth: With aging there is an inevitable mental decline, loss of memory, and inability to learn. Fact: If healthy, older adults remain at the same ability level until very late in life.
- Myth: Older people are senile. Fact: The vast majority of older adults are not senile.
- Myth: The elderly are difficult and rigid. Fact: Personality remains relatively constant throughout life.
- Myth: Physical decline and frequent illnesses come with aging, making old people frail. Fact: Over 75% of older adults are healthy enough to carry out normal activities without help.
- Myth: Old people live in the past. Fact: Older adults have a wider range of past experiences from which to respond and teach.
Despite negative stereotypes, retirement can have a positive effect on health including mental health. This may be due to a reduction ow work-related stress and strain. Also, on average, workers sleep less than 7 hours on weekdays while those who are retire sleep 4- minutes longer. Retirees often use their time doing more daily activities requiring physical activity and exercise more frequently than those who are employed outside the home. This could result in an increase in physical activity especially for those retiring from sedentary jobs.
“Be Well, Live Well” addresses nutrition and nutrients often missing in diets; understanding nutrition labels on food products; keeping food safe while shopping, transporting, storing, and preparing foods; meal planning using foods you already have to build a base; and being fit. There is no charge for the series, and we are currently accepting registration. Dates for the series are Mondays and Thursdays, April 11, 14, 18 and 21. Sessions are 10:00 a.m. and approximately 1 hour long and will include food sampling and some great incentive items. Call our office at 903-885-3443 to sign up.
Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador
Applications are now available for the Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador program. Youth who will be in grades 9-12 during the 2022/2023 school year are eligible to apply. Hopkins County currently has a youth who has represented us very well, and we would like to add to that number. Information was recently sent to all Hopkins County high school campuses. Youth do not have to be current 4-H members, but must register in 4-H if selected. Contact the Extension Office or your high school principal for more information.
Closing Thought
Never get tired of doing little things for others. Sometimes those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.
– Author Unknown
Contact Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County, at P.O. Box 518 or 1200-B West Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; by phone at 903-885-3443 or by email at [email protected].
Lady Cats Softball Wins Third Straight District Contest
Lady Cats softball on Tuesday, Mar. 15 beat the Lady Tigers 6-0 in Mount Pleasant.
Coach David Carrillo and his squad battled for eight innings with Mount Pleasant Tuesday.
The extra inning proved to be enough for Sulphur Springs as they batted in 6 runs en route to a 6-0 shutout victory in Mount Pleasant.
Crimson Bryant got herself her third straight win pitching for the Lady Cats. In eight innings, the junior allowed three hits and no runs or walks.
Bryant struck out 20 Lady Tiger batters Tuesday.
Tuesday’s win is the third straight district win for Bryant as she has struck out 15+ batters in all three wins since district play began (an average of 17 KO’s per game).
In hitting, 3B Addison Caddell and DP Reese Regan both managed two hits in Mount Pleasant.
Anahi Velasquez came up huge for Sulphur Springs, bringing in three other Lady Cats thanks to a grand slam.
Tuesday’s win in Mount Pleasant gives Coach David Carrillo’s squad a 12-1-2 record (3-0 district).
Next up, softball is back at home for another big test on Friday, Mar. 18 hosting Texas High.
That game tees off at Lady Cat Park Friday at 6 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.
Wildcats Baseball Falls to Mount Pleasant 9-1 in District Opener
Baseball had a tough opener to their district season, falling to Mount Pleasant 9-1 on Tuesday, Mar. 15.
Sulphur Springs could not keep up with their rival as the Tigers scored two early three runs through four innings to pull ahead 3-0.
Coach Jerrod Hammack’s squad scored a run of their own in the bottom frame of the 5th but the visiting Tigers scored three runs each in the sixth and seventh innings to win over the Wildcats in blowout fashion 9-1.
Errors proved costly for Sulphur Springs Tuesday, as the Wildcats committed seven errors that translated to a few runs for the Tigers.
Sulphur Springs managed just two hits in the win from LF Brady Driver and 3B Griffin Crawford.
Matthew Sherman got the loss Tuesday, pitching 5 2/3 innings allowing eight hits and six runs, only two of which were earned. The pitcher walked three Tigers and struck out seven in the loss.
Tuesday’s loss drops baseball’s season record to 3-9 overall (0-1 district).
Next up, Coach Hammack and his team are back at home on Friday, Mar. 18 hosting Texas High.
That game tees off at Wildcat Park Friday at 7 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.
March 16 Chamber Connection – Business After Hours, Marketing Strategy Session Coming Up
By Butch Burney, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
Spots are filling up for the 33rd Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, coming to Sulphur Springs Country Club on Friday, April 8.
The tournament format is a six-person scramble, with the low net team putting their names on the trophy.
There are two tee times: 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The morning group is limited to 18 teams, while the afternoon group can have 25 teams maximum
Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register early to get your choice of tee times. Registration is $750 per team, and that includes three carts, 12 mulligans, six meals, range balls, company banner on hole No. 1 and sponsor list recognition.
If you aren’t a golfer, there are are also opportunities to contribute goody bag items, raffle prizes, and hole sponsorships.
To register, go to the Chamber website at HopkinsChamber.org or call the office at 903-885-
6515.
Showing Love to Kids Kingdom
Plans are coming together to re-fit and rehab Kids Kingdom in Buford Park. This year’s Leadership Class has adopted the rehabilitation of Kids Kingdom, everyone’ favorite playground as its class project. And, just like when it was constructed 25 years ago, everyone is invited to help.
The Leadership Class has designated the weekend of April 22-24 as work days to re-stain all the wood in Kids Kingdom. It will be professionally power washed before that weekend to prepare for the staining.
The class is also planning to replace and/or repair the equipment, such as the handicap swing, chains, swings, tires, etc. for the playground, restore the ground mulch and install lighting for safety and security.
The class needs your help not only with the physical part of the restoration but also the financial part. A cornhole tournament and silent auction is scheduled for March 26 at Backstory Brewery. There are also sponsorship levels for businesses/corporations that might want to pay for specific items for Kids Kingdom.
For cornhole registration or sponsorship, go to the chamber website at HopkinsChamber.org or
call the chamber at 903-885-6515.
There will also be a grand re-opening hamburger lunch at Kids Kingdom sometime in May when
the work is complete.
Thanks in advance for helping showing love to Kids Kingdom.
Patriot Sporting Challenge
The 4th Annual Lake Fork Patriot Sporting Challenge will be the day after the Chamber Golf Tournament, so you can make it a whole sporting weekend.
The Patriot Sporting Challenge, on April 9, is a special one-day event benefiting the families of military heroes with a morning competition of shooting, golfing and fishing and a celebration of patriotism. Each four-person team competes in two of the sporting challenges (shooting, golfing and fishing), and they all come together that evening at the Hopkins County Civic Center for a dinner and address from keynote speaker Greg Stube, Green Beret. Following that, there will be a concert/dance by Cooper Wade and band.
That evening’s support of patriotism is open to the public for $600 for a table for eight. The evening includes casino games, a reception, raffles and drawings and a catered dinner along with the concert and dance.
All proceeds from the event go to the Folds of Honor, a nonprofit providing education scholarships to the children and spouses of those killed or disabled in action.
For more information, go to PatriotSportingChallenge.org, email P[email protected] or text to 817-296-8985.
Lights of Life Gala
The Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation’s Lights of Life Gala is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Civic Center.
This year’s theme, “Under the Big Top,” reflects the foundation’s desire for some fun and frivolity after a long season of hardship. The gala promises to be another dazzling evening of fine dining, dancing and bidding on amazing live and silent auction items.
Money raised from the gala will go toward purchasing a 4D video sonogram machine and five state-of-the-art labor and delivery beds for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital.
For more information, contact Foundation Executive Director Shannon Barker at 903-438-4799.
Marketing Strategy
Marketing expert Melissa Forziat will be in Sulphur Springs on Thursday, March 31, for an in-person presentation on how to Create a Profitable Marketing Strategy. Her visit is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center at Paris Junior College. Forziat will speak at 5 p.m. March 31 at City Hall. There is no charge for the event, but registration is requested. To sign-up, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
The session will talk about how to build a marketing funnel for your business to grow the relationships with your audience and generate more sales. You will discover how to build more sales, referrals and loyalty from your audience.
Night With Champions
Texas A&M-Commerce is hosting a Night With Champions, celebrating student-athlete success and the university’s transition to Division I on Friday, April 8, at the Rayburn Student Center. The event starts at 5:15 with a VIP reception and the program begins at 7 p.m.
Proceeds support student-athlete scholarships. For more information, contact Lion Athletics at 903-468-8760 or email [email protected].
Grow and Go
The Chamber has a vacancy in one of our Grow and Go offices. The Grow and Go is a business incubator that is designed to help small businesses get off the ground.
The 10 ½ x 12 ½ office is housed in the Chamber building at 110 Main Street. The rent is $250 per month for the first year, and that price includes use of the Chamber WiFi and printer.
If you’re interested, contact me at [email protected]rg or call 903-885-6515.
Business After Hours
You can get your green on on St. Patrick’s Day when The Plant Niche will host the next Business After Hours, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17.
Business After Hours is a time to network and socialize in an informal setting. The Plant Niche is located at 222 Tomlinson St. The event is free and open to the public.
Business of the Week
The Plant Niche is the Business of the Week for March 9. Keep up with our Business of the Week by following the Chamber on Instagram, Facebook and by visiting our website.
Lady Cats Soccer Ends Season With 5-0 Loss in Hallsville
Women’s soccer get behind early and never recovered, losing in Hallsville 5-0 on Tuesday, Mar. 15.
Sulphur Springs coughed up four goals in the first period. The Lady Cats at home at Bobcat Stadium Tuesday scored once more in the second en route to a commanding 5-0 win over Coach Javier Aguayo’s team.
Tuesday’s loss in Hallsville (9-2-1) ends women’s soccer’s season.
Coach Aguayo’s squad dealt with a slew of missing starters, losing seven key contributors early in the season to injuries.
While Sulphur Springs got two wins over Marshall, the rest of district play the young Lady Cats struggled to put the ball in the goal.
Excluding their 11-0 and 6-0 routs of the Lady Mavs, women’s soccer were outscored 33-4 by their foes in their 10 district losses. Sulphur Springs was swept by all district foes not named Marshall.
While it was a tough season, several Lady Cats got valuable playing time they will carry into next year.
Coach Aguayo’s team ends their season with a 5-16-2 (2-10 district) record.
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.
Como-Pickton Science Fair Winners
Como-Pickton Science Fair winners were recently honored by the CPCISD Board of Trustees for their achievements.
Simon Poortvliet won first place honors, Madison Childress finished second and Maggie Flemens third. Abbi Garcia received Honorable Mention.
Maggie Flemens went on to receive first place among fifth grade competitors in the Region 8 chemical/physical science fair category, school officials reported.
Wildcats Soccer Falls to Hallsville on Senior Night, 2-1
Men’s soccer fought for three periods to get a Senior Night win but ultimately fell short in overtime.
Sulphur Springs got ahead 1-0 over the visiting Bobcats but gave up two unanswered en route to a 2-1 loss on Tuesday, Mar. 15 to end their regular season.
Edgar Salazar scored the lone goal on the night in the loss for the Wildcats in the second period.
Six Wildcats suited up for the final time at Gerald Prim Stadium; Bryan Gonzalez, Angel Andino (who assisted Salazar for the senior’s 7th assist on the season), Manuel Vega, Alan Hernandez, Erick Montalvo and Osvaldo Arellano.
Tuesday’s Senior Night loss drops Coach Alexi Upton’s squad’s season record to 7-15-2 (6-6 district).
The loss to the Bobcats drops the Wildcats to the 4 seed entering the postseason, also making men’s soccer take on a district champion in the opening round of playoffs.
Next up, Sulphur Springs waits until Friday to find out who they play in the Bi-District round of playoffs.
Regardless of who they play in the opening round next week, Coach Upton and his team play a warm-up game on Monday, Mar. 21.
The precursor to the postseason kicks off in Lindale Monday at 7 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.
Boil Water Notice Issued March 15 For Shady Grove #2 WSC
Hopkins County, Texas – Due to reduced pressure and a water leak, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Shady Grove #2 public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Customers are asked to share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Shady Grove #2 WSC Office at 903-885-7339.
