Next Hopkins County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting to be Held February 26th
February 13, 2026 – A reminder! This month we will meet on the fourth Thursday of the month instead of the third.
Jim Thornhill will be our speaker on Thursday, February 26, 2026. We will meet at 611 N. Davis, Sulphur Springs, TX., at 7:00 p.m. or you may join us via Zoom that evening. (See the Zoom link below).
In Jim’s presentation, “Runaway Scrape,” he will relate events that began in Coahuila y Tejas in 1835, which led to the mass exodus of Texas refugees toward the Louisiana border. He will be giving a brief overview of the events in Mexico that caused the panic in Texas. He will tell the story of the people of Texas and their difficult escape to the safety of the United States, and their return back home. You will learn how studying this and similar events can reveal information about your easily Texas ancestors.
Jim Thornhill has been researching his family’s history for 20 years, six of those as a professional genealogist. He is chief researcher for Heroes of the Past, a company that seeks to delight clients, provide context in our ancestor’s lives, and show how we all have Heroes in our Pasts. He is a past president of the Dallas Genealogical Society, an author for Srirpes, the Journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society, and has spoken for the Narional Genealogical Society, the Texas State Genealogical Society, and many local societies in North Texas.
Jim is a native Texan who has been living in the Dallas area his entire life and has roots in pre=vivil war Texas and Mississippi.You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Feb 26, 2026 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/whnp9FL_SoSQticbugoHig
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Drug Trafficking Location Shut Down on Nicholson St.
February 13, 2026 – SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX – On the evening of February 12, 2026, the Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County Joint SWAT team, in coordination with local narcotics investigators, executed a high-profile search warrant at 216 Nicholson. The operation was the culmination of an investigation into suspected drug distribution at the property.
Two individuals located inside the residence were taken into custody without incident:
Jaylon Dugan: Charged with Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Man/Del) and Possession of Marijuana (POM).
Brandon Frazier: Charged with Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Man/Del).
Two others were arrested on lessor charges when they came to the address to buy narcotics at the location during the operation.
Department Acknowledgments
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the Hunt County Narcotics Investigators and the Sulphur Springs / Hopkins County Joint SWAT Team for their professional assistance and seamless collaboration in removing these substances from our community.
Chief Deputy Tanner Crump
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office
298 Rosemont St.
Sulphur Springs Tx, 75482
903-438-4054
Ken Paxton Backs Mary Talley Bowden in Legal Fight Against Medical Board
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action to support Houston physician Mary Talley Bowden in her lawsuit against the Texas Medical Board, arguing the board violated her constitutional rights by issuing an administrative penalty and public reprimand.
Throughout the pandemic, Dr. Bowden heavily promoted the use of ivermectin for early treatment of COVID-19, often criticizing federal health guidelines.
The dispute stems from a 2021 case in which the family of a hospitalized first responder sought a court order directing Bowden, or a nurse under her supervision, to administer ivermectin to a COVID-19 patient who was on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma. A state district court granted the order, but an appeals court later blocked it. Bowden has said she was unaware of the stay and continued efforts to provide treatment in good faith. Hospital staff ultimately refused entry to the nurse and contacted law enforcement.
Major health organizations, including the FDA, WHO, and NIH, advise against using ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 outside of clinical trials. Numerous large-scale, well-designed clinical trials have concluded that ivermectin provides no clinically meaningful benefit for COVID-19 patients.
Despite Bowden’s claim she relied on a court order and legal advice, the Medical Board issued a public reprimand. Bowden has sued to overturn that action.
Paxton has declined to represent the Medical Board in the case and has filed an intervention in support of Bowden. He is also declining to represent the board in another related lawsuit brought by her.
“I will not stand by as Dr. Bowden has her constitutional rights trampled,” Paxton said, calling the reprimand illegal and procedurally flawed.
Paxton’s filing argues the board ignored medical expert testimony, failed to consider Bowden’s reliance on legal guidance, and denied her due process.
Burn Ban Continues
February 12, 2026 – Donna Goins, the Administrative Assistant to Hopkins County Judge Newsom, reached out to KSST to inform the public of the following.
The Hopkins County Commissioners Court declares an urgent public necessity; and whereas, an emergency exists only if immediate action is required of a governmental body because of an imminent threat to public health and safety or a reasonable unforeseeable situation; the Commissioners Court finds that circumstances present in all or part of the unincorporated area of the county create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor buming; and IT IS HEREBY ORDERED by the Commissioners Court of Hopkins County that all outdoor burning is prohibited in all areas of the county for 90 days from the date of adoption of this Order, unless the restrictions are terminated earlier based on a determination made by: (1) the Texas Forest Service that drought conditions no longer exist; or (2) the County Judge and the County Fire Marshal based on a determination that the circumstances that required the Order no longer exist.
See below for more details.
PJC African American Club Invites Community to Attend Informational Session with Texas Ranger Gregory Wilson
February 12, 2026 – Paris, Texas — The Paris Junior College African American Club invites students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to attend a special informational session featuring Texas Ranger Gregory Wilson, a Paris native and distinguished member of the Texas Rangers.
The event will take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Math and Science room 101 on the Paris Junior College campus.
During the session, Ranger Wilson will share insight into his career with the Texas Rangers, discuss the role of the Texas Rangers within the Texas Department of Public Safety, and offer guidance for those interested in careers in law enforcement and public service. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear firsthand about Ranger Wilson’s journey from Paris to one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the state.
“This event is an opportunity not only to learn about the Texas Rangers, but also to engage with a hometown leader who represents service, dedication, and excellence,” said representatives of the PJC African American Club. “We are proud to welcome Ranger Wilson back to our community and campus.”
The event is free and open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and participate.
For more information, please contact Paris Junior College or the PJC African American Club.
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ETAMU Adds Elite King Ranch Cattle to University Herd
February 12, 2026 – University collaborating with one of the largest ranches in the nation
COMMERCE, TX, February 12, 2026— East Texas A&M University’s cattle herd got a significant upgrade recently as the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) accepted delivery of 30 American Cruz heifers from the King Ranch elite herd.
Introducing the American Cruz
The American Cruz is a composite breed developed by King Ranch with a focus on maternal traits, efficiency and feedlot performance. The breed combines genetics from the historic King Ranch Santa Gertrudis herd with superior individuals in the Red Angus Breed.
According to King Ranch, annual production costs for American Cruz cattle are consistently below the industry average, with feed costs 28% lower while still producing calves that grade USDA Choice+ or Prime.
“These American Cruz heifers represent our most progressive genetics and come from the same herd we use for our own replacements,” said Darrell White, King Ranch cattle manager.
He added that the American Cruz cattle were developed to thrive with minimal inputs while still producing high-quality beef.
“These cattle were bred to be efficient and maintain carcass quality without sacrificing fertility and longevity,” White said.
Integrating Into the Herd
The 30 heifers will replace underperforming cattle that were recently sold from the university’s herd. Dr. Bryan Rank, dean of CASNR, said there are several future possibilities for the new livestock.
“First and foremost, we need to focus on education and research. These cattle were developed with a focus on economically important traits,” Rank said. “Tracking the efficiency of these cattle under real-world conditions, as well as marketing their offspring as breeding stock or beef, are fantastic learning opportunities for our students. This herd, as well as our registered Angus herd, will give us many new avenues for teaching and research.”
The university’s registered Angus program, still in its infancy, is focused on developing elite breeding stock.
The King Ranch: A National Heritage
With this collaboration, East Texas A&M is working with one of the leading names in U.S. cattle ranching. Established in South Texas in the 1850s, King Ranch has grown to become one of the largest ranching operations in the United States, spanning 825,000 acres across six Texas counties. Considered the Birthplace of American Ranching, King Ranch has a storied history of combining innovation with tradition and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961.
Rank said the decision to do business with King Ranch made sense on several levels.
“King Ranch and I both thought there would be some great opportunities to work together. This initial purchase is a first step that I hope will lead to future collaboration,” he said.
Heath Grigg, vice president and general manager of the Home Ranches, added that, “The direction that East Texas A&M is taking with their cattle is a real-world industry focus. We are looking forward to finding more opportunities to work together.”
What’s Next for Ag at ETAMU?
For now, the new King Ranch cattle will serve East Texas A&M students as research and educational tools for degree programs such as Animal Science and Agribusiness, as well as interdisciplinary research and teaching that will involve all majors in CASNR.
“These American Cruz cattle provide experiential learning opportunities across the college when we consider economically important traits such as efficiency, longevity, and other real-world variables in the cattle industry,” Rank said.
For more information on the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, visit the college’s webpage.
Photo: Jason Connel, East Texas A&M Office of Marketing and Communications
Heart Month: CHRISTUS Health Highlights Importance of Cardiac Rehabilitation
February 12, 2026 – (EAST TEXAS) – During Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, celebrated annually during the second full week of February, CHRISTUS Health is shining a spotlight on one of the most underutilized yet life-saving treatments for heart disease: cardiac rehabilitation.
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of patients survive heart attacks, heart surgery or cardiac events each year. Yet studies consistently show that only about 20–30% of eligible patients enroll in cardiac rehabilitation programs, despite overwhelming evidence of their benefits.
“Cardiac rehab is not just about getting patients back on their feet, it’s about giving them the tools to live longer, healthier lives,” said Britney Caldwell, registered nurse in cardiac rehab at CHRISTUS Health in Sulphur Springs. “It’s one of the most effective secondary prevention strategies we have in cardiovascular care.”
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program done on referral from a physician that combines exercise training, education and counseling to reduce stress and improve recovery. Evidence shows that patients who complete cardiac rehab experience up to a 30% reduction in hospital readmission and live longer than those who do not participate.
Chassity Hall, a respiratory therapist at CHRISTUS Health in Sulphur Springs, says barriers such as lack of awareness, limited referrals, transportation challenges and misconceptions about safety continue to prevent patients from enrolling. Cardiac Rehabilitation Week aims to address these gaps by educating both patients and providers on the critical role rehab plays after a cardiac event.
“Many patients think rehab is only for severe cases, but it’s really a bridge back to normal life,” Hall said. “When we explain that each small step in rehab strengthens both heart and lungs, patients start to see it as an opportunity, not an obligation.”
Beyond physical recovery, cardiac rehab addresses mental and emotional health, an often-overlooked aspect of heart disease recovery. Depression and anxiety affect a significant percentage of cardiac patients, and participation in rehab programs has been shown to improve emotional well-being and confidence.
“Patients often come in fear of exercising again,” said Kyle Kiser, a registered nurse in cardiac rehab at CHRISTUS Health in Sulphur Springs. “Through structured, supervised programs, they regain strength and confidence while learning how to manage risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol and stress.”
As health care systems continue to emphasize prevention and value-based care, cardiac rehab stands out as a proven solution that saves lives and reduces costs. During Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, providers encourage patients, caregivers and clinicians to recognize cardiac rehab not as an optional add-on, but as a vital part of recovery.
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Texas Regulators to Require Data Centers, Crypto Miners to Report Water Use
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas utility regulators will begin requiring data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations to report their water usage, as state leaders move to better understand how fast-growing technology industries are affecting Texas’ already strained water resources.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) plans to ask qualifying facilities statewide to begin sharing water-use data within a defined reporting timeframe, marking one of the first coordinated efforts to track how much water large-scale computing operations consume.
Data centers and crypto-mining facilities have expanded rapidly across Texas in recent years, drawn by relatively low energy costs and a business-friendly regulatory environment. While much attention has focused on their electricity consumption, water use — needed primarily for cooling systems — has remained largely unmeasured at the state level.
Regulators say collecting consistent data will help inform long-term water planning, infrastructure investments, and drought preparedness.
“Texas is experiencing unprecedented growth, and we need a clearer picture of where and how water is being used,” a PUC official said. “This reporting will give policymakers better tools to protect water supplies while supporting economic development.”
The new reporting requirement is expected to apply to large-scale facilities that exceed certain capacity thresholds. Officials emphasized that the measure is intended to improve transparency, not restrict operations.
Water experts have warned that clusters of data centers in drought-prone regions could place additional stress on local water systems, particularly during extended dry periods.
Industry groups say many companies already track internal water usage and are prepared to comply, but they want assurances that proprietary information will be protected.
State officials say the data will be used to support broader efforts to ensure Texas has sufficient water supplies for communities, agriculture, and industry as population and economic growth continue.
Attorney General Paxton Sues Snapchat
For Deceiving Parents, Endangering Texas Kids by Exposing Them to Addictive Features, and Serving as a Breeding Ground for Obscene Conduct
February 12, 2026 – Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Snap, Inc. (“Snapchat”) for failing to adequately warn parents and consumers about inappropriate material on the platform and the app’s addictive design.
The lawsuit alleges that creators of Snapchat knowingly misrepresented the app’s safety to parents and consumers by promoting it as safe for children and with “12+” age ratings on app stores. This was done while simultaneously frequently exposing users to dangerous and mature content that includes profanity, sexual content, nudity, and drug use. The lawsuit cites that multiple other features of the app, including “Snapstreaks” or other incentives to use the app daily, also cause harm to young minds due to the addictive nature of the features.
“I will not allow Snapchat to harm our kids by running a business designed to get Texas children addicted to a platform filled with obscene and destructive content,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Parents have a fundamental right to know the dangers of the apps their kids are using and not be lied to by Big Tech companies. This lawsuit will hold Snapchat accountable for illegally undermining parental rights, deceiving consumers, and for putting children in danger.”
This lawsuit follows legal actions that Attorney General Paxton has taken against several Big Tech and social media companies, as well as similar suits against TikTok and Roblox.
Commissioner Miller Announces the $100 Million AgLink Continuity Grant Bolstering Food and Fiber Resilience
February 11, 2026 – AUSTIN – Today, Commissioner Miller, the Texas Department of Agriculture(TDA), and the Texas Agriculture Finance Authority (TAFA) announced the AgLink Continuity Grant (AgLink). AgLink will provide critical assistance for eligible agricultural processing and storing facilities in danger of closure due to revenue loss caused by natural disasters—preserving jobs, ensuring continuity of services, and strengthening the supply chain.
AgLink provides the working capital needed to stabilize operations, preserve jobs, and ensure continuity of services during periods of disaster-related revenue loss. Grants in amounts of up to $500,000 will be awarded through a competitive evaluation and selection process. Applications are expected to open mid- to late February 2026.
“Our ability to feed and clothe the nation depends on a strong supply chain—and that includes our processors as well as our producers,” Commissioner Miller said. “The AgLink Continuity Grant is going to strengthen the safety net for all of Texas Agriculture. Strengthening food resiliency protects our food supply and helps keep grocery costs down for Texans.”
The new grant is funded through a major reinvestment in Texas agriculture under House Bill 43, backed by the Texas Department of Agriculture and introduced by State Representative Stan Kitzman. Passed in the Texas 89th Legislative Session as HB 43, AgLink will use state funding to deliver a comprehensive package of support for farmers, ranchers, and processors who routinely face weather extremes, natural disasters, and unpredictable economic pressures. AgLink was created to close critical gaps in assistance and provide support across every segment of the agricultural sector.
AgLink will support critical agricultural processing and handling businesses, including cotton gins, grain elevators, grain warehouses, and rice dryers. When natural disasters such as drought, wildfire, flood, or winter storms strike, these operations often experience significant reductions in raw materials delivered for processing or marketing, resulting in severe financial strain.
Unlike agricultural producers, many of these facilities are ineligible for crop insurance or traditional disaster assistance. Yet their ability to continue operating is essential for producers to market, process, and sell their commodities, and closure of these facilities can leave gaps in the agricultural supply chain that remain long after disaster recovery is complete.
“The 89th Legislative session was one of the strongest ever for Texas agriculture,” Commissioner Miller said. “From historic investments into water conservation to expanded financial support for our farmers and ranchers, we fought hard, and the Legislature delivered. When critical processing or marketing operations shut down, even temporarily, producers lose affordable local access. The AgLink Continuity Grant ensures these businesses stay open, resilient, and ready to serve when producers need them most.”
For information on eligibility, application deadlines, or to sign up for updates and notifications, owners and operators of handling and processing facilities are encouraged to visit the TDA website.
