Official Media Statement: Accidental Death of Franklin Mountains Goat
Sept. 11, 2024 – As Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff begin the process of moving historically native desert bighorn sheep back into the Franklin Mountains this October, they captured “Bob”, a domestic non-native goat, to minimize the risk of disease transmission to incoming bighorn populations.
Limiting disease exposure and transmission of fatal bacteria known as Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi) presents one of the biggest challenges in successfully reintroducing native desert bighorn sheep into the Franklin Mountains. M. ovi is highly transmissible between domestic and wild goat and sheep species alike, and its impact on desert bighorn sheep in Texas has been devastating.
The risk of “Bob” the goat spreading the disease was too great to allow it to remain on the mountain during restoration efforts. Keeping it there would have jeopardized the successful establishment of a healthy desert bighorn population.
A local farm owner kindly agreed to welcome the goat as a new resident, and on Aug. 13, TPWD staff captured “Bob” by roping him, but he unfortunately died during the relocation process.
The goat was known to be at least nine years old but was suspected to be significantly older. The typical life span of domestic sheep and goats in free range settings is about 10 to 13 years.
“The death of the ‘Bob’ the goat was an unfortunate and unintended result of the relocation effort,” said Froylán Hernández, TPWD Desert Bighorn Sheep Program Leader. “Staff took the opportunity to collect tissue samples to better understand the cause of death and determine if the fatal bacteria, Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi) which causes infectious pneumonia in bighorn sheep, is present in the Franklin Mountains.”
Apex Learning Lunch Program Cut Short Without Fielding Questions
September 11, 2024 – The much anticipated Lunch and Learn provided by Apex Energy left attendees with unanswered questions.
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After a free lunch of BBQ, Apex presenters took to the podium and promised to be open and honest about Wind Power Plants. They also requested attendees hold any and all questions until the end of the presentation. The presenters intimated that questions would be handled after the slide show.
The presentation was a very basic, as promised by Apex, and contained little to no information about the project slated for Hopkins County. Find out more about project by clicking here.
At the conclusion of the presentation, the presenters appeared to become nervous as they began refusing to field questions. “I hate being a gatekeeper, but we have limited time today for questions.” said one presenter.
Many attendees grumbled about the abrupt change in the promise to answer questions. The few questions they allowed to be asked, only received basic answers. It was clear the answers given did not satisfy the person that voiced them.
Apex is under no obligation to answer questions, or even participate in a Town Hall style meeting. No such event has been announced by Apex.
KSST News asked several questions of the presenters one-on-one after the presentation and did not get many answers as well. KSST did try and ascertain whether or not Apex Clean Energy would go forward with a project in Hopkins County without a tax abatement. The short answer from an Apex representative was that, “Apex considers many aspects of the project, not just the tax abatement.” When pressed for a more definitive answer, Development Manager Callie Chaplain said, “Apex will be applying for a tax abatement from Hopkins County and has already entered into discussions with Jeff Snowden, the consultant representing Hopkins County.” She continued by saying, “But the level of the tax abatement, and what it’s effect on the project are not known at this time.”
One item that is an absolute deal breaker for Apex is a road agreement with Hopkins County for the use, repair, and improvement of roads that will need to be repaired after damage during construction. Some roads may have to be widened or altered to accommodate the enormous trucking requirements during the build process as each blade of the three that make up one windmill can be over 200 feet long. Apex representatives confirmed that they cannot move forward with the project without this cruicial “road agreement” with Hopkins County. The negotiations of the road agreement will not begin until the majority of leases are in place and the layout of the entire project is known so that Apex and Hopkins County can ascertain which roads may be included in the road agreement.
Future Hopkins County work sessions including Apex will be made known through normal public notice by Hopkins County. All work sessions are open to the public.
SSISD Clarifies Rules For Student Bus Transportation
September 11, 2024 – Effective Monday, September 16, 2024, SSISD Transportation Department will only provide before and after school bus services for students to and from their place of residence (or designated bus stop). Public school districts in the state of Texas receive funds allotted for the transportation of students from home to school or from school to home. These funds cannot be used to transport students to a destination other than their place of residence or designated bus stop. In some cases, a student may qualify to be transported to a grandparent residence. Students cannot be dropped off at a parent’s workplace, dance class, medical appointment, etc.
Separate from this not being allowable transportation costs for reimbursement, it poses a safety hazard for our students. Thank you for your continued support as we work to ensure the highest level of safety standards for our Wildcats.
New Concessions Join the 2024 State Fair of Texas Food Lineup
September 11, 2024 – The State Fair of Texas is proud to announce six brand new food vendors, a new seating area, and seven new food stands for the 2024 lineup. Offering new and unique foods and experiences for all at the Most Texan Place on Earth, the Fair prides itself on its hand-picked selection of vendors and concessionaires who bring in droves of fairgoers each year and keep them high tailing it back for more with their delicious fare. Enjoy some of the best eats the Lone Star State has up its sleeve at the 2024 State Fair of Texas, themed “24 Days of Fun!”
The following new concessions that are “fixin’” to be at the 2024 State Fair of Texas:
New 2024 State Fair of Texas Vendors
Rita’s Italian Ice
Located on Grand Avenue
Rita’s Italian Ice is serving up the ultimate refreshment with their Fair-ly new signature menu item the Cool Combo. This layered treat features freshly made Italian ice paired with a generous layer of rich, creamy vanilla frozen custard. Made fresh daily, the Italian ice is crafted with gluten-free ingredients and fresh fruit, offering a refreshing option for everyone. Fairgoers can choose from five delicious flavors: blue raspberry, cotton candy, mango, mango-strawberry, and sugar-free dragon fruit. It’s the perfect blend of smooth, sweet, and icy to cool you down on a hot day!
Korean Corn Dogs
Located on Coliseum Drive
Corn dogs are a fair food staple, and this year, we’re kicking it up a notch. Korean corn dogs are making their hot and spicy State Fair debut with the introduction of the Hot Cheetos® Korean Corn Dog. These Korean corn dogs are half hot dog and half mozzarella cheese, battered with wheat and rice flour, coated with panko breadcrumbs, and deep-fried for an extra crispy crunch. The fun doesn’t stop there! This delectable dog gets an even tangier flavor once it is coated with spicy mayo. To tie it all together, it is then coated with Hot Cheetos® crumbs.
Crepes and Co.
Located in the Tower Building
Crepes and Co. is ready to wow your taste buds with their new Fried Apple Cinnamon Crepe, a deep-fried masterpiece that takes indulgence to the next level. A crisp, golden crepe is filled with creamy Biscoff® cookie butter spread and sweet, caramelized apple cinnamon. It’s then topped with additional caramelized apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon, creating layers of flavor and texture. To elevate this treat even further, it’s served with Biscoff® mousse, fluffy whipped cream, and a crunchy Biscoff® cookie on the side. This creation is all about adding a Texas twist to a French favorite. Get ready for a truly magnifique dessert experience that combines crispy, sweet, and creamy in every bite. À la vôtre!
So Eggciting Deviled Eggs
Located in the Tower Building
Introducing So Eggciting Deviled Eggs, here to bring bold flavors to beloved classics! Their signature creation, the Texas BBQ Rib Deviled Eggs, is a mouthwatering twist on the classic deviled egg. With the creamy, savory traditional deviled egg filling you know and love, this treat is topped with crisp coleslaw and tender barbecue rib meat tossed in a beer barbecue sauce. It’s the perfect mix of smoky, tangy, and rich flavors all in one bite. Get ready to indulge in an egg-cellent experience that’s sure to be a State Fair favorite!
Smith Spot BBQ
Located in the Tower Building
Smith Spot BBQ is serving up something unforgettable for their debut at the State Fair of Texas. Their signature dish, “The Nephew,” is inspired by owner Terrance Smith’s nephew and combines the best of sweet and savory. Picture this: a warm glazed donut topped with tender brisket, gooey mozzarella cheese, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. It’s a flavor-packed creation that’s sure to satisfy every craving. Get ready to dig into a truly unique Fair treat that’ll leave your taste buds wanting more!
The Dumpling Experience
Located in the Funway
The Dumpling Experience is bringing a taste of tradition to the State Fair of Texas. Inspired by the cherished family tradition of making dumplings together, The Dumpling Experience is offering three mouthwatering varieties: pork and vegetable, chicken and vegetable, and edamame. Grilled to perfection and topped with sliced green onions and cilantro, these dumplings can be customized with one of five flavorful sauces, including ponzu lime, Thai chili, sriracha, homemade barbecue, and the fiery reaper barbecue. Get ready to explore fun new flavors and create your own perfect dumpling experience!
New 2024 State Fair of Texas Seating Area
The Cavalcade
Located on Gateway
Calling all bacon lovers! Experience everything wrapped in bacon along with their new signature menu item, the Candied Pork Belly Bacon Bites. Try your classic fair foods with a twist; funnel cake with brisket or spicy chicken and bacon-wrapped turkey legs. Inspired by the 1936 Texas Centennial, fairgoers can experience a variety of foods, from sweet and savory to hot and cold. In the meantime, relax at the large seating area with a live DJ and a wall that will showcase vintage movies. Also, don’t forget to take a selfie with Neon Big Tex and cool down with a Cavalcade Cool Down Sundae!
New 2024 State Fair of Texas Food Stands
Smashed by Nevins Concessions
Located on Gateway
Celebrating their 75th Anniversary at the State Fair, Nevins Concessions is pleased to present their reimagined food stand, Smashed by Nevins Concessions! Their menu includes five smashed patty burgers named in honor of the generational owners of Nevins Concessions: The Joe, The Gary, The Tami Jo, The Josey, and The Kent. Their signature smash burger, The Joe, is a delicious two-patty smash burger with American cheese, crispy bacon, fried jalapeño caps, and a sunny-side-up egg!
Waffle Works
Located in the Tower Building
Debuting at this year’s State Fair of Texas are the Waffle Works’ Waffle Stix– a warm, sweet, fluffy waffle on-a-stick dipped in the finest Belgian milk, white, or dark chocolate. These stix are then hand-rolled in your choice of candy toppings like crunchy salted caramel pearls, chocolate chips, M&M’S® Minis, marshmallows, and candy sprinkles, adding a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. At Waffle Works, you can find both sweet and savory delights, ranging from Waffle Stix, chicken, and waffles, fresh strawberries with Belgian chocolate, and bacon mac and cheese egg rolls.
Milton’s Amish Doughnuts
Located on Grand Avenue
Of course, everything is bigger in Texas, and these Amish sourdough, Texas-sized doughnuts are no exception! Handcrafted from scratch with the freshest ingredients, these fluffy sourdough treats are fried to golden perfection and dipped in sweet vanilla glaze, delivering a burst of intricate flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Watch the magic unfold with their viewing window, which gives you a mesmerizing look into the doughnut-making process.
DOLE SOFT SERVE®
Located on Coliseum Drive
Beat the Texas heat with a cool and spicy twist: Introducing the TAJIN™ TWIST SUNDAE! There’s nothing more satisfying than this ice-cold treat. The TAJIN™ TWIST SUNDAE is available in your choice of pineapple, strawberry, or a delightful swirl. This refreshing sundae is topped with a combination of chili lime Tajin™ seasoning and Chamoy Mega sauce, offering a perfect blend of sweet and spicy to two-step your taste buds.
Kona Ice
Located on First Avenue
Keep cool and treat your taste buds to fun and exciting flavors of shaved ice. Ten of the most popular flavors will be featured, giving you the freedom to invent your flavorful creation and enjoy endless combinations. From Tiger’s Blood to Monster Mango, create the flavor combinations of your dreams. As a one-of-a-kind, gourmet shaved ice experience, Kona Ice will keep you cool and refreshed on a hot Texas day. This refreshing treat is sure to bring a smile to your face and fun to your day!
Johnz Deli
Located in Cotton Bowl Plaza
Welcoming the Big Apple to the Big D, New York City comes to the State Fair of Texas with a new concept, Johnz Deli. Their signature item, the Pastrami sandwich, features a generous portion of juicy, prime pastrami prepared in the traditional New York Deli method with the flair of a Texas smokehouse. It is then served on fresh-baked seedless rye bread with stone-grown mustard and a kosher pickle spear with a side of steak fries.
Pat’s Pizza & Subs
Located on Coliseum Drive
Say howdy to Pat’s Pizza & subs, featuring the Mexican Street Corn. This unique fusion consists of a delicious, charred crust topped with chipotle mayo, yellow corn, chili powder, cilantro, and cotija cheese. We promise you’ll want a “pizza” this and a second slice!
Another Chat with Dawna Pryor on A Second Cup Of Coffee
Below is the latest episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey. On this episode Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Activity Center Coordinator Dawna Pryor sat down with John Mark. The two talked about the upcoming Senior Olympics, the annual breakfast with the Veterans, a program on Diabetes, and much more. Give it a watch and learn what’s coming up at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Activity Center!
Voter Registration Drive to be held September 17th and 18th
September 10, 2024 – Columbia Lodge #81 will have a Voters Registration Drive on September 17th, 2024, and September 18th, 2024. The event will be held at the H. W. Grays Building at Pacific Park in Sulphur Springs, Texas. You can come register to vote between 10:00am and 4:00pm, both days, if your not already registered to vote.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Teams with the Drug Enforcement Administration for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
September 10, 2024 – [SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX] – On Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the country. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.
For more than a decade, the event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired—that too often become a gateway to addiction.
Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at close to 5,000 local drop-off locations nationwide.
What: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
When: Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Who: Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office/Posse
Where: Atwoods, 817 Gilmer St., Sulphur Springs, Tx. 75482
In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed 8,950 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.
Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
September 11, 2024; Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance
September 10, 2024 – Patriot Day and National Day of Remembrance will be recognized by the Marine Corp League on Celebration Plaza on Wednesday at 11AM.
Hopkins County Marine Corps League Detachment 1357 will perform a flag ceremony, and read a proclamation signed by the President of the United States.
To observe this day with service, find opportunities to volunteer in your community at americorps.gov/911-day.
Governor Abbott Sends Letter To President Biden, Vice President Harris On Fight To Secure Fronton Island
September 10, 2024 – Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemning their continued attempts to undercut Texas’ efforts to secure the border to keep our state and our nation safe.
“For years, the cartels were ‘running rampant’ in Fronton Island’s ‘thick vegetation’ and ‘bullet-pocked structures’ along the river to stage illegal entries, surveil state and federal law enforcement, stash weapons, plant explosives, evade apprehension, and engage in open warfare against rival cartels and against state and federal officers,” reads the letter.
“As Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of this State, I determined that Texas could not ignore an ongoing invasion of its sovereign territory. Instead, on October 5, 2023, Texas responded to this threat by moving a ‘heavily armed invasion force’ onto Fronton Island to secure it against the transnational criminal cartels. I will not cede state land to transnational criminal cartels smuggling people, weapons, and drugs. Nor will I sit idly by as these threats endanger Texas law enforcement and Texas communities.”
The Biden-Harris Administration—through its appointee to the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission—recently demanded that Texas return Fronton Island to its prior condition. Texas will not comply with President Biden and Vice President Harris’ open border policies that endanger Texans and Americans.
For more information on this issue, click here.
Meet the new Supervisor of Cooper Lake State Park in this Episode of A Second Cup of Coffee
The new Supervisor for Cooper Lake State Park, Aaron Mabe, stopped by the KSST studios to have a Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey. Aaron Mabe shares some information about himself and where he has worked in the past. John Mark and Aaron also chat about a Veterans Suicide Awareness event coming up, they chat about Christmas, and much more. Be sure to check out the video and learn about the new Supervisor, Aaron Mabe!
