SSISD: Decision Yet To Be Made Regarding The Oct. 23 Home Varsity Football Game Against Ennis
Sulphur Springs ISD officials made an announcement Thursday morning concerning two Wildcats varsity football games. SSISD, via Blackboard and on social media, announced that a determination has yet to be made concerning whether to play the Friday, Oct. 23 home varsity football game against Ennis at Gerald Prim Stadium.
SSISD officials also confirmed that Friday’s district varsity football game at Crandall has been postponed. That game may be rescheduled at a later date.
SSISD, in the notices, stated district officials will communicate further details concerning both games as they become available.
Wildcats varsity football players are quarantined until October 23. Their Homecoming game last Friday against Hallsville was canceled due to virus issues.
The Ennis Lions will also be idle this Friday. Their game against Greenville has been postponed. Greenville ISD shut down for in-person learning for on Thursday and Friday due to COVID-19 exposure, specifically “a number of COVID-19 cases and resulting close contacts on multiple campuses.” All athletic events scheduled Thursday and Friday were also canceled to allow all campuses and facilities in GISD to be deep cleaned. Classes and athletic events are scheduled to resume Monday, according to an announcement on the GISD website.
History Brought to Life at ‘The Cemetery Walk’ Nov. 1
Researchers of the Hopkins County Genealogical Society love bringing history to life, literally! Their annual Cemetery Walk event is planned for Sunday November 1, 2020 in Sulphur Springs City Cemetery. It’s vastly interesting, as well as thoughtfully-planned for 2-4pm when many people can enjoy taking a stroll through one of the most history-rich locations in town! Cost to attend is $10 person.
According to Rhonda Beachhold, a member of the Society’s board of directors, numerous former citizens who were laid to rest in the Cemetery will be portrayed during the Cemetery Walk. Costumed actors in period costume (actually Society volunteers) will present highlights of the life story of these historical characters to groups who tour the grounds that day. Be ready to be entertained, and to leave better informed about what Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County was like “back in their day”. Time periods portrayed will range from the 1890’s to the 1950’s.
“The opening session at 2pm will be at the Myra Wilson Chapel inside the City Cemetery at 2pm. There, visitors will hear a history of the chapel and cemetery by John Sellers before setting out. Tour guides will take visitors into the sections of the cemetery being used that day. Also, anyone is welcome to stroll through the historical sites within the cemetery, on their own”. You can also get information about membership, research services and assistance in doing your own research, through the local Genealogical Research Library, open weekly inside the Sulphur Springs Public Library at 611 North Davis Street.
Historic figures you will meet during this Cemetery Walk:
Amanda Pate (Mrs. O.M. Pate)
Capt. W. R. Buford
Mollie Patrick Lynch, mother of Ruth, Mrs. Charles Ashcroft
Elizabeth Coffee of the Coffee Hotel
Elizabeth and Thomas Coleman
Dasie Sellers owner of Sellers Cafeteria, downtown Dr. W. C. Hurley (Phrenologist? a process which involves feeling the skull to determine an individual’s illness or psychological attributes)
Hopkins County Resident Reportedly Among 24 Indicted On Federal Charges Related To Aryan Circle
A man reported to be a Hopkins County resident is among 24 defendants named in 6 federal indictments alleging charges of federal racketeering, firearms and drug charges across multiple states.
The indictments are part of Operation Noble Virtue, a larger investigation into the Aryan Circle which has targeted AC leadership and has resulted in 17 federal convictions in 6 jurisdictions to date, according to a new release from the Department of Justice’s Public Affairs Office.
Federal authorities attempted to locate Bobby Dayle “Bear” Boney, 50, in Hopkins County Wednesday morning, Oct. 14. Boney reportedly turned himself in to authorities later Oct. 14 and was arrested. He was being held at Hopkins County jail Wednesday night, pending transport to a federal magistrate, according to local officials.
An Oct. 14 United States Department of Justice Public Affairs Office new release states the following about the indictments and arrests:
Five indictments in three different states were unsealed today indicting a total of twenty-four defendants, including alleged Aryan Circle (AC) gang members and associates, on charges of racketeering conspiracy, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, drug conspiracy, and unlawful firearms trafficking.
The indictments were announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox of the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. of the Eastern District of Kentucky, and U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst of the Southern District of Mississippi. These indictments are part of a larger investigation into the AC, Operation Noble Virtue, that has targeted AC leadership and has resulted in seventeen federal convictions in six jurisdictions to date.
One of the indictments in the Eastern District of Texas charges six alleged AC members and associates with a racketeering conspiracy that includes acts involving murder, five alleged AC members with assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering, and two alleged AC members with kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering. Among those charged are alleged current and former high-ranking gang leaders including William Glenn Chunn, aka “Big Head,” 38, of Texas; Michael Martin, aka “Aryan Prodigy,” aka “AP,” 37, of Texas; Kevin Kent, aka “Big Kev,” 35, of Indiana; and Malachi David Wren, 51, of Texas. Other alleged AC members charged include Jesse Paul Blankenship, aka “JP,” 39, of Missouri; Timothy Long, aka “Timmy,” 41, of Arkansas; Jeremy Chad Dennis, aka “JD,” 43, of Texas; Becky Westbrook, 49, of Mississippi; Rodney Holt, aka “Turbo,” 48, of Texas; Bobby Dayle Boney, aka “Bear,” 50, of Texas; and Glynnwood Derrick, 46, of Texas. One additional defendant remains at large.
Another indictment in the Eastern District of Texas charges Rodney Holt, aka “Turbo”; as well as his associate who is not known to be an AC member, Eric Hoccheim, 39, of Texas, with five counts including firearms trafficking and conspiracy. Operation Noble Virtue also resulted in a third indictment in the Eastern District of Texas, which charges Jeremy Klintman, aka “Shamrock,” 37, of Texas; Eulalio Torres-Cadenas, aka “Yayo,” 43, of Mexico; Shane Louque, 45, of Lousiana; and Breanna Beckley, 39, of Texas, with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. These defendants are not known to be afilliated with the AC.
The indictment in the Southern District of Mississippi charges William Glenn Chunn, aka “Big Head”; Aaron Matthew Rentfrow, aka “Mongo,” 40, of Indiana; Jeremy Chad Dennis, aka “JD”; and Johnathon Aaron Reynolds, 38, of Tennessee with violent crimes in aid of racketeering relating to the stabbing of an inmate at USP Yazoo. That indictment also charges Daniel Wade Holler, aka “Knucklehead,” 34, of Texas, with accessory after the fact relating to the same attack.
The indictment in the Eastern District of Kentucky charges Mitchell Leon Farkas, aka “Lifter,” 51, of Louisiana; Jonathan Tucker Gober, aka “Tucker,” 36, of Texas; James Matthew Poole, aka “Redwood,” 35, of Texas; and Andrew Dwayne Tinlin, aka “Tin,” 39, of Iowa, with violent crimes in aid of racketeering relating to the stabbing of an inmate at USP Big Sandy.
According to court documents, the AC is a violent, race‑based organization that operates inside federal prisons across the country and outside prisons in states including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri. The AC was established in the mid‑1980s within the Texas state prison system (TDCJ) after a period of turmoil within the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) resulted in rejected and ex-ABT members creating the AC. The AC was relatively small in comparison to other prison‑based gangs, but grew in stature and influence within TDCJ in the 1990s, largely through violent conflict with other gangs, white and non-white alike. In recent years, the AC’s structure and influence expanded outside of prisons to rural and suburban areas in numerous states.
Court records further indicate that the AC enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, assault, and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the organization. Members, and oftentimes associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members without question. The criminal acts charged in the indictments described above include shootings, stabbings, beatings, and “patch-burnings,” which are violent attacks that result in removal of a victim’s gang tattoo.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
This case is being investigated by an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) consisting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Prisons; Texas Department of Public Safety; Houston Police Department-Gang Division; Montgomery County (TX) Precinct One Constable’s Office; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; New Jersey Department of Corrections-Special Investigations Division; Indiana State Police; Fort Smith (AR) Police Department; Arkansas Department of Corrections; Arnold (MO) Police Department; Jefferson County (MO) Sheriff’s Department; St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; St. Louis County (MO) Police Department; Indiana Department of Corrections; Carrollton (TX) Police Department; Waller (TX) Police Department; Montgomery County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; Travis County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; Tarrant County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; Evangeline Parish (LA) Sheriff’s Office; Smith County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; McCurtain County (OK) Sheriff’s Office; Montgomery County (TX) District Attorney’s Office; Liberty County (TX) District Attorney’s Office; Harris County (TX) District Attorney’s Office; Mercer County (NJ) District Attorney’s Office; Evangeline Parish (LA) District Attorney’s Office; and the Sebastian County (AR) District Attorney’s Office.
The cases are being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Bethany Lipman, Rebecca Dunnan, Lakeita Rox-Love, and Alexander Gottfried of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Rapp of the Eastern District of Texas, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah Johnson of the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael FiggsGanter of the Southern District of Mississippi, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.
On Hopkins County Ballots: School, City, District, County, State, National Elections
At least 15 state, national and federal races are on Nov. 3 Hopkins County ballots. Overall, there are 38 different ballots, including elections for 7 county and 3 district positions with only one candidate; and 3 school board and 2 city elections which have drawn multiple candidates.
Local elections include those for Sulphur Springs City Council, Cumby City Council, Miller Grove ISD Board of Trustees and North Hopkins ISD Board of Trustees.
All early voting by personal appearance in Hopkins County is being conducted at The ROC in Sulphur Springs.
City Elections
Sulphur Springs
On the Sulphur Springs Special City Council ballot vying for Place 1 are Jay W. Julian, Mark Bradley, Vanessa Diosdado and Justin M. Brown; and for Place 5 are Ricardo Chavarria and Gary Spraggins.
Unchallenged on the special election ballot for Place 2 on Sulphur Springs City Council is Harold Nash Sr., who was appointed in December by the City Council to fill the seat until the election, and for Place 3 is Oscar Aguilar, who also was unchallenged and took the oath for the seat in May.
(Click here to read candidate profiles for Places 1 and 5. See KSST Radio’s YouTube channel to view video interviews with some candidates.)
Cumby
Candidates on the Cumby City Council ballot for Place 1 are Sheryl Lackey and Wayne Mobley, and for Place 2 are Amber Hardy and Audri Mayo. Unchallenged in his bid for election as mayor of Cumby is Doug Simmerman.
Also on the Cumby City Council ballot is Proposition A, which asks voters to vote for or against reauthorizing a local sale and use tax of 1/4 of one percent within the city to help fund street maintenance and repairs. (Click here to read candidate profiles for Place 1 and 2 candidates.)
School Elections
Miller Grove ISD
The Miller Grove ISD Trustee election for four full-term at-large seats on the school board drew five candidates: incumbent Clark L. May, Lee Roy Stracener, Mike Hasten, Cole W. Middleton and Ryan Claxton.
North Hopkins ISD
On the North Hopkins ISD Board of Trustees election ballot, vying for 2 full-term at-large seats on the school board are Jackie F. Boles Jr., incumbent David P. James and incumbent Brian Lewis.
Yantis ISD
Although on a separate paper ballot in Hopkins County, the Yantis ISD Trustees election ballot features 4 candidates for 2 full 3-year at-large seats on the school board Jennifer Larkin, Teresa Starrett, Jennifer McKeever and Melissa Stephens.
This election includes voters in both Hopkins and Wood County. Wood County voters will cast early ballots at the Annex Building, located at 200 West Bermuda St. in Quitman. (Click here to view Yantis ISD school board candidate profiles.
District & County Elections
Unchallenged at the County and District level and appearing on all Hopkins County ballot are the following incumbent Republican candidates:
- 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt
- 62nd Judicial District Judge Will Biard
- 8th Judicial District Attorney Will Ramsay
- Hopkins County Attorney Dustanna “Dusty” Hyde Rabe
- Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum
- Hopkins County Tax Assessor-Collector Debbie Pogue Mitchell
Unchallenged on ballots by precinct for county precinct positions are the following Republicans:
- Hopkins County Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker, incumbent
- Hopkins County Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley, incumbent
- Hopkins County Precinct 1 Constable Norman Colyer, incumbent
- Hopkins County Precinct 2 Constable John Brian Beadle
State, Local and National Elections
Candidates on all Hopkins County ballots include, by ballot order and election:
President/Vice-President
- Donald J. Trump/Michael R. Pence, Republican
- Joseph R. Biden/Kamala D. Harris, Democratic
- Jo Jorgensen/Jeremy “SPIKE” Cohen, Libertarian
- Howie Hawkins/Angela Walker, Green
U. S. Senator
- John Cornyn, Republican
- Mary “MJ” Hegar, Democratic
- Kerry Douglas McKennon, Libertarian
- David B. Collins, Green
U. S. Representative District 4
Railroad Commissioner
- James “JIM” Wright, Republican
- Chrysta Castañeda, Democratic
- Matt Sterett, Libertarian
- Katija “KAT” Gruene, Green
Chief Justice, Supreme Court
- Nathan Hecht, Republican
- Amy Clark Meachum, Democratic
- Mark Ash, Libertarian
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6 – Unexpired Term
- Jane Bland, Republican
- Kathy Cheng, Democratic
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7
- Jeff Boyd, Republican
- Staci Williams, Democratic
- William Bryan Strange III, Libertarian
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8
- Brett Busby, Republican
- Gisela D. Triana, Democratic
- Tom Oxford, Libertarian
Judge, Court Of Criminal Appeals Place 3
- Bert Richardson, Republican
- Elizabeth Davis Frizell, Democratic
Judge, Court Of Criminal Appeals Place 4
- Kevin Patrick Yeary, Republican
- Tina Clinton, Democratic
Judge, Court Of Criminal Appeals Place 9
- David Newell, Republican
- Brandon Birmingham, Democratic
Member, State Board Of Education, District 9
- Keven M. Ellis, Republican
- Brenda Davis, Democratic
State Representative District 2
Justice, 6th Court Of Appeals District, Place 3
- Ralph K. Burgess, Republican
Candidate Profiles: Yantis ISD Board of Trustees, Early Voting information
Yantis Independent School District has four candidates running for two full-term 3-year at-large seats on the school board in the Nov. 3 election. The Yantis ISD Board of Trustees Election was originally scheduled in May, but due to COVID-19 had to be postponed until November.
Early Voting
Early voting by personal appearance for Nov. 3 elections began Oct. 13, and will continue through Oct. 30, with Election Day following on Nov. 3.
Hopkins County residents who reside within Yantis ISD will vote in Sulphur Springs. All early voting by personal appearance in Hopkins County will be conducted in the Game Room at The ROC, First Baptist Church’s Recreational Outreach Building, located on 115 Putman St., about a block of the downtown square, in Sulphur Springs. Voting will be continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Friday, Oct. 30. Extended voting hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25; and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 and Thursday, Oct. 29.
Due to a communication mix-up the Yantis ISD Board of Trustees election does not appear on voting machine ballots. Any registered Hopkins County voter living within the boundary of YISD who attempted but was unable to cast a ballot in the YISD trustees election may stop by the early voting site during election hours to vote by paper ballot at the YISD election booth.
The last day an application for a ballot by mail for those who qualify will be accepted is Friday, Oct. 23; that means the application must be received by Oct. 23, not just postmarked. The last day to receive a ballot by mail will be Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. The Hopkins County early voting clerk’s address is: Tracy Smith, Hopkins County Clerk, 128 Jefferson St., Suite C, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. She may be contacted at phone weekdays at 903-438-4074, by fax at 903-438-4110 or email at [email protected]. Additional voter information can be found under the Voter Information link on the Hopkins County website, www.hopkinscountytx.org
Registered voters who reside in Wood County may cast an early ballot in person for the Yantis ISD Board of Trustees election from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14-17, Oct. 19-24, and Oct. 30, including on Saturdays Oct. 17 and Oct. 24. Extended voting hours in Wood County will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 26-29. All early voting will be conducted at the Annex Building, located at 200 West Bermuda St. in Quitman, according to Wood County Voter/ Elections Information.
Wood County voters may download an Application for Ballot by Mail from MyWoodCounty.com or submit an order online to have one mailed to the Early Voting Clerk. For more information about ballots by mail, visit MyWood
Candidates
To help voters learn a little more about the people seeking office, each school board candidate was asked to provide information about themselves and their candidacy, including their reasons for seeking a seat on the school board. KSST receives responses from 3 of the 4 candidates. Those responses are shared in ballot order below:
Jennifer Larkin
Name and office sought:
Jennifer Larkin – Seat on Yantis ISD School Board
Family information:
Son, Brant 13 years old, 8th grader at Yantis Middle School
Daughter, Kennlee 8 years old, 3rd grader at Yantis Elementary
Occupation, brief job description:
Sales Support Coordinator at M&F Western Products for 8 years.
Education, training, special skills, experience:
Currently President of Yantis Baseball Association and also board member for Yantis Little Dribblers.
Why are you seeking this office?
- to appreciate and care for every student
- to elevate out schools programs to offer more opportunities for all students
- to invest in our students by hiring the best teachers
- to improve the communication and involvement with parents and the community
- to work with staff and parents to combat bullying
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them:
Getting the community/parents more involved
Take polls to hear from the community on what type of parent student activities and programs they would like to see in our district. Collaborate with members of local government and businesses, inviting them to share their visions for the community and discuss the importance of their fields.
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy?
My efforts as board member would focus on serving all the children in the community and being a voice for the community. By working together we can all share in the knowledge and satisfaction that we have provided for the educational needs of all children and build a district where students, parents, teachers and staff ALL feel they are welcome and belong. I ask for your support because Team Work makes the Dream Work. We are a team!!
Teresa Starrett
Name and office sought:
Teresa Starrett – School Board Member
Family information:
My family consists of my husband, my two daughters, my son in law and my two grand-daughters.
Occupation, brief job description:
I have been a registered nurse for over 7 years now. As a registered nurse I have cared for many people in various locations in our surrounding area. I have worked in such areas as long term care centers also known as nursing homes, home health agencies providing care to the our surrounding community, hospital nurse helping those who were facing crisis of care and life and for the last two years in the mental health field. I love nursing in all its facets and I love taking care of people. This is why I am running for Yantis ISD school board. I would love to have a hand in the care and education of our future generations.
Education, training, special skills, experience:
I received my education, training and special skills in nursing not only in local colleges and educational institutions, but also in the homes and hospitals in local communities.
Why are you seeking this office?
Like any other candidate, I am seeking a seat on the Yantis ISD school board because I believe in change. I believe in the future and I believe the future requires change. Our schools are the catalysts for that change. I wish to be a catalyst toward positive change as well, for our children, our future, and our communities.
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them:
I feel that teachers aren’t properly recognized for the care, love and education they provide to our students. I feel that students are led into their education by a state mandated test, which incarcerates the spirit and creativeness of teachers with a passion to educate. I believe educators are a primary resource toward our futures. They are teaching the next generations and should be given full creative, educational and passions to teach they were born with.
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy?
I am a Starrett. I married into the family going on 13 years ago. Although most of you may know a Starrett, you do not know me. I am wholeheartedly a Starrett. Like the Starretts I married into, I am strong, generous, passionate, community conscious, educated and I am not afraid to show it. So if you see me in public, say “Hi”, shake my hand and let’s set down and talk a bit.
Jennifer McKeever
KSST did not receive information from YISD Board of Trustee incumbent candidate Jennifer McKeever. She is seeking a second term on the school board. She was currently serves as vice president.
Melissa Stephens
Melissa Stephens
Name and office sought:
Melissa Stephens
YISD SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
Family information:
I have two beautiful daughters, Samantha Morgan and Kaylyn Nunez! I’m a very proud Nanna of 10!
Occupation, brief job description:
I am the owner of the Yantis Cafe! I have owned it for almost 13 years!! I love seeing our community come together for coffee and breakfast, or a great, hot lunch!
Education, training, special skills, experience:
Graduated high school in 1988! Vocational, Business training certificate in 1994! Local business owner!
I have been on the YISD school board for almost 3 years, I was VP my second year, I am President currently!
Why are you seeking this office?
I love being a part of this Board… We have come very far the past 3 years! We work well with our Superintendent, and are United in decision making! My main goal is to give our children a safe place to learn, and provide them the opportunity for the best education possible!
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them:
Our school is always looking to improve our campuses for safety issues. … we are already talking about that! Our mission is to make sure our kids get the best education possible! Getting our community involved, as much as possible, is also another area we are working on!
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy?
I think that I help make a difference at our school, by being a part of the YISD SCHOOL BOARD! As I mentioned earlier, the children are why I am volunteering to help create the best place for them!!!
Attention Veterans: Local Post Wants YOU !
Attention Veterans of Hopkins County. Are you looking for more like minded people? If your answer is yes then now is the time to join your local American Legion Post. Meetings are held every third Tuesday of the month. Fellowship begins at 6:30 pm and Business Meeting to be held at 7 pm. The meeting is held at VFW Patriots Hall. All eras of service are now accepted.
We look forward to meeting you!
United Way Campaign At 21 Percent Of Goal On Oct. 13
The Hopkins County United Way campaign had reached 21 percent of the goal on Oct. 13. At the conclusion of the second campaign workers report meeting, 2020-21 HCUW Campaign Chair Mike Horne reported another $11425.57 had been collected over the last week, increasing the overall pledge to $31,831.57.
“We are well on the way,” Horne said of the campaign’s efforts to collect $150,000 to benefit 19 local agencies.
He offered thanks to the many campaign workers who have already turned in donation packets from local businesses and industries as well as those who are still out delivering packet and collecting donations, and to those who have generously contributed to help HCUW meet the goal to help thousands of county residents of all ages through the 19 agencies that have been allocated funds through the annual campaign.
“Everyone has done a great job. We are so grateful,” HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning added.
More than 2 dozen businesses, organizations and elected officials contributed toward this week’s total and were recognized (see video above) for their donations.
Horne also offered appreciation to Craig and Chaney Johnson for the billboard which promotes the HCUW campaign, local media partners and Jay Hodge Chevrolet for loaning someone to provide videos to be distributed on the HCUW social media account to let people know more about HCUW and how it helps the community.
Panda Express at 150 East Shannon Road in Sulphur Springs will also be holding a giveaway on Oct. 20. Those who eat at the business and show a paper or digital copy of the flyer for HCUW Fundraiser Event and those who enter the promo code “317614” from the flyer on online orders at checkout can help 20 percent of event day sales go to HCUW. The business will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Jay Hodge Chevrolet is also holding a giveback event, contributing $100 for every vehicle sold at the dealership this month. The business hopes to be able to contribute $10,000 to HCUW. The business had achieved a quarter of it’s goal as of Oct. 13, Bill Owens reported.
Owens and Horne encourage those who are not in the market for a new car and don’t contribute through a business or organization to consider making a contribution through the “Shop Now” link on the Hopkins County United Way Facebook page. Donations to HCUW may be made by contacting any campaign worker; mailing a check to HCUW Headquarters at PO Box 735, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75483; calling 903-243-4066; or bring the donation to Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Office on Houston Street to turn in during an upcoming weekly campaign workers report meeting, at 9 a.m. Oct. 20 and Oct. 27.
Early Voting Off To Brisk Start In Hopkins County
Paper Ballots, Separate Booth Designated For Voting In Yantis ISD Trustees Election In Hopkins County
Early voting got off to a brisk start in Hopkins County Tuesday with 1,020 ballots cast at The ROC, the early voting center, by the end of the day.
As was the case in many places Tuesday, there were times when voters had to wait in line to cast ballots, according to the County Clerk’s Office. COVID-19 precautions are strongly encouraged and those required are followed.
Hopkins County voters had cast 176 ballots by 9:30 a.m. Oct. 13, 410 by 11:30 a.m., 643 by 1:30 p.m., 885 by 3:30 p.m. and 1,070 voters had cast ballots by the close of the voting center at 5 p.m. Oct. 13. That’s 4.25 percent of the 23,977 registered voters in Hopkins County who cast ballots during the first day of early voting.
The Secretary of State’s Office reported another 254 ballot-by-mail voters. That’s 1,274 cumulative in-person and by mail voters, representing 5.31 percent of registered voters, casting ballots in Hopkins County as of Oct. 13.
Voting went pretty smoothly, with one exception. The Yantis ISD trustees election was left off the ballot for voters who reside in the far southern part of Hopkins County within that school district, Hopkins County and YISD election officials reported.
Yantis ISD Election Voting
Typically, Yantis ISD contracts with Wood County for school district elections. When the election was postponed per the governor from May until November, to be held along with the General Election, that required voting for Hopkins County residents in Hopkins County. Between the many adjustments related to that change, some of the paperwork did not make it to Hopkins County Clerk’s Office and, thus, the election didn’t make it on Hopkins County ballots.
“We are always with Wood County, through them. With all of the changes from May to November and to the General Election, because this is a General Election, we have to have Hopkins County too,” Kristi Beech, Yantis ISD’s Election Officer said.
An order of election was sent by YISD to the County Clerk’s Office in August, but nothing else. A contract for election was also needed for Hopkins County to hold the YISD Election, as is the case for other school districts and local municipalities such as Miller Grove and North Hopkins ISD for trustees elections and the cities of Cumby and Sulphur Springs for council elections, according to Leslie Cannon, a deputy clerk at Hopkins County Clerk’s Office.
After a Yantis ISD voter realized the election was not on the ballot, he contacted officials, who worked with the Secretary of State’s Office to determine the proper procedure for the situation.
It was determined that the best solution for early voting would be for YISD to set up a station inside Hopkins County’s early voting center and provide knowledgeable election workers to man the Yantis school board election booth to conduct voting by paper ballot during early voting. Hopkins County did not have any spare election workers available to help out. By the end of the first day of early voting, YISD had secured workers for a YISD polling booth starting Oct. 14. YISD and Hopkins County will work together for a solution for Election Day voting.
There are only about 70 registered voters in Hopkins County who reside within YISD. Any Hopkins County voter who cast a ballot on Tuesday will be able to return to the early voting location inside the Game Room at The ROC in Sulphur Springs any time during early voting and visit the YISD voting booth to cast a paper ballot in the school board election. The election workers for YISD will have a voter list which will be used to verify voting, according to Beech.
“If they were in yesterday to vote they can go back and vote for the school board part,” Beech said.
On the ballot are 4 candidates for 2 full 3-year at-large seats on the school board. Candidates include: Jennifer Larkin, Teresa Starrett, Jennifer McKeever and Melissa Stephens.
Early Voting Information
All early voting by personal appearance in the Nov. 3 elections in Hopkins County will be conducted in the Game Room at The ROC, First Baptist Church’s Recreational Outreach Building, located on 115 Putman St., about near the downtown square in Sulphur Springs. Voting will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Friday, Oct. 30. Extended voting will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24; from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25; and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 and Thursday, Oct. 29.
The last day an application for a ballot by mail will be accepted is Friday, Oct. 23; that means the application must be received by Oct. 23, not just postmarked. The last day to receive a ballot by mail will be Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.
To qualify for an absentee ballot, the registered voter must be:
- Absent from the county of residence on Election Day and during the early voting period
- Sick or have a disability that prevents the voter from voting in person without assistance
- 65 or older
- Confined to jail serving a misdemeanor sentence; or confined to jail without bail pending trial for a felony or appeal of a felony conviction
The early voting clerk’s address is: Tracy Smith, Hopkins County Clerk, 128 Jefferson St., Suite C, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. She may be contacted at phone weekdays at 903-438-4074, by fax at 903-438-4110 or email at [email protected].
Sample ballots may be viewed on the Voter Information tab on the Hopkins County website. There are 38 different ballots this go round., which the County Clerk has condensed to 12 sample ballots so voters will have an idea what to expect.
Local Health Authority Sounds Alarm
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Local Health Authority has been working diligently to help combat the virus. With the current spike in cases Hopkins County is currently experiencing, Brynn Smith who serves as the Local Health Authority Nurse for Hopkins and Delta Counties has become very concerned.
She shared her concerns with KSST News, drawing a direct correlation between the public’s lax participation of social distancing and mask wearing to the higher number of positive COVID-19 cases as well as fatalities.
Smith stated in part, “My goal is to mitigate the spread of infection in the counties that we cover and do what I can in an effort to allow life to continue as close to normal. That cannot happen if people within our community are working in opposition to this goal. If one person is determined to be infectious, has not been wearing their mask or following social distancing recommendations it puts those around them in a position to where they must quarantine and could potentially become sick themselves.”
During the past few weeks, Hopkins County has had entire grade levels, sports teams, and workforce at businesses sent home for quarantine because of exposure. This could have been avoided by proper social distancing and the wearing of masks, according to the LHA nurse.
Brynn also explained how the state’s reporting data is delayed and doesn’t always give an accurate representation of what is actually occurring in our county. Unfortunately, this means that our actual cases are currently worse in Hopkins County than what the state is reporting with their delayed system. Hopkins County has been collecting and reporting positive antigen tests for the past several weeks to help residents have a clearer picture of positive cases.
KSST News also asked about those in leadership roles not adhering to State and CDC guidelines by wearing masks, etc. KSST was present at a recent Hopkins County meeting where the majority of county employees did not wear masks before, during or after the meeting. It is important to note, that the meeting was held in our County Courthouse, and everyone’s temperature is taken as they enter the courthouse.
But, the frustration of the appearance of non-participation was echoed by the Local Health Authority as Brynn Smith has seen relaxed compliance in businesses and other places as well.
“If you are in a role of leadership or mentorship, know that people look at you to see what you’re doing and will follow your direction, if you’re not masking or distancing neither will those that look up to you,” she said. “I’ve encountered many business that have stopped requiring their employees to mask and their main reason why was because those they look up to weren’t either, so why should they?”
KSST certainly agrees with her statement that in times like these we look to our leaders for this leadership. Even though these leaders may have the opportunity for more testing and monitoring than the general public, it is the appearance of their participation in all aspects of prevention that we want to follow.
Personally and professionally, those of us at KSST certainly understand that everyone has become “COVID-weary” from the pandemic. Not only, has the information been confusing but the daily barrage of too much information has made us all start to tune out listening to any information.
This is exactly the wrong time to tune out. The number of new cases is accelerating faster than ever, the number of fatalities continues to climb at the fastest rate that we have seen, and all of this is happening with delayed state data. These numbers are not wrong. These numbers have not been manipulated. Friends, family, co-workers and loved ones have died from COVID-19 in Hopkins County.
The rumors, explanations and reasons given on social media are not helping our situation. This is not a conspiracy theory that somehow every country in the world is making up the severity of this virus. Many people would like to believe that only very old and very sick people will die if infected and, although they are more likely to do so, we would hate for someone in your family who is relatively young and relatively healthy to disprove this for us all.
We all have to do our part, even if you are not 100% certain that masks are effective. I ask you to wear one for your family, friends, and even me, just in case they do prevent the spread.
Smith also reported that: “There is new evidence supporting that the virus is airborne spread during certain activities such as singing, yelling, etc. That is why, if in those situations, masks are very important. This explains why cases have spread so easily in churches, at sporting events, etc.”
She also said that personal responsibility is also key. If you know that you were around someone who has tested positive and fall within the high-risk exposure parameters, quarantine yourself. You don’t have to wait on someone to tell you that you were exposed.
Call, Stop By Chamber Of Commerce Through Oct. 21 To Pre-Order Stew
By Lezley Brown, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce CEO/President
The time has come to pre-order your stew for this year’s Stew Drive-thru! You can make your pre-order NOW by calling or coming by the Chamber, and you can select your favorite cook’s stew until October 21st . If you do
not pre-order, but drive through on Stew day, you will not be able to choose a specific cook’s stew. You will, though, get to choose chicken or beef. All quarts are $10 and will include cheese and crackers. No tickets for park admission will be sold, but the drive-through will be available while supplies last. Stew will be held on Saturday, October 24 … 2020 Stew, We’re Driving Through! Thank goodness something is finally able to happen in 2020!
The Chamber of Commerce is currently selling our 2020 Hopkins County Christmas ornament. This ornament is the third of our series and features our beautiful Dairy Museum. It is dated with the year, made with 24 karat
gold, shatterproof, and VERY limited in number. They are quite beautiful and the perfect addition to a rare collection. They are $40 each and literally flying out the door. If you would like to purchase one, please call the
Chamber at (903) 885-6515, or come by soon.
The 13th Annual Help-A-Child Tractor Pull and Cook-off will be held Saturday, Oct. 17
Help-A-Child will host their 13th Annual Tractor Pull with a Chili and Brisket Cook-off on Saturday, October 17, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. All Help-A-Child proceeds benefit the
Scottish Rite Hospital and the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center.
Business Highlight
During the year 2020, The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for October 15, Help-A-Child. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
