PET OF THE WEEK

Young students and family members were waiting in line in hot temperatures and didn't mind. The response was overwhelming at Hopkins County CANHelp's 'Backto- School' Fair event Friday. According to officials, the attendance was 1,511 persons at the event, not counting the volunteers, vendors and exhibitors. The turnout surpassed last...

Brenda Juarros of Great Clips gives a free haircut to Andrew Quntero, 13, of Miller Grove at the recent Hopkins County Back-to-School Fair. More than 1,500 parents and children attended the free event. Staff photo by Don Wallace.

Inka the Clown made balloon animals and amused the crowd of youngsters and parents at the Hopkins County Back-to-School Fair held Friday, Aug. 5 at the Civic Center. Staff photo by Don Wallace.

Phone | 903-439-4033 Email | jennifer.heitman@christushealth.org CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ. Back to School. Are you going through the checklist of things to take care of before returning your students to school? Perhaps they need their annual...

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Mary Junell Ross. She peacefully joined her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. Junell was born on May 10, 1932, in Yantis, Texas. She was the oldest child of three. Her parents, Clyde and...

Phillip Haskell Wilburn, aged 77, passed away Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, at his longtime home in Sulphur Springs. Phillip was born on Oct. 17, 1944, in Saltillo, Texas the son of J. W. Wilburn and Golden Swinford Wilburn. Phillip is survived by his wife of almost 56 years Ruby Mae Thompson. They wed on Aug. 23, 1966, in Commerce, Texas and later welcomed two sons Phillip and Adam.

Bailey Cunningham of Australia and Javier Falcon of Quinlan, Texas laugh together at the Jettribe jet ski racing event on Saturday. Javier Falcon won first in the “13-- 15 four stroke lites” race.

Shining Star Productions of Sulphur Springs premiered the showing of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” this weekend at the Sulphur Springs ISD Auditorium. The production by Andrew Lloyd Webber was brought to life in vivid color, telling the story of Joseph, his dreams and his many trials before becoming second in command of Egypt under Pharaoh. The performance featured a large cast of Sulphur Springs ISD students, bringing their best acts to the stage in the form of song and dance.

Monday, Aug. 15, is the final day to get your applications in if you are interested in being in this year’s Leadership Sulphur Springs class. Leadership Sulphur Springs is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. The course was created in 1989 with the concept of offering leadership training and community involvement for emerging business and community leaders. It is a nine-month session, with meetings held once a month. Applicants should have lived or worked in Hopkins County for at least a year, have demonstrated a concern for the community, possesses high standards of persona quality and integrity, willing to commit the time required for the program, have the endorsement of their employer to take the necessary time away from work.

County commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, yet with some very important news. The proposed tax rate for Hopkins County has now been lowered. County Judge Robert Newsom opened the discussion by stating, “we’re lowering the tax rate this year — that’s the good news out of this meeting.” Tax Assessor Debbie Mitchell first presented the voter approved tax rate at .523981. “We are asking that the proposed rate be .5239 which is lower than the voter approval rate — this brings the tax rate down from 58 to 52,” stated Mitchell. Last year the tax rate was lowered four cents, making the overall tax reduction for the last two years 10 cents. “We had an increase in values the last two years,” stated Mitchell, “and an increase in our sales tax which has helped to lower our property taxes.” County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook stated, “there are towns around us that are going up, so it’s huge that we have a decrease like this.” On Aug. 22 at 9 a.m. the court will hold a public hearing for the proposed tax rate during their next meeting. The proposed tax rate was approved by commissioners.

The Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears started their volleyball season Friday by traveling to North Hopkins High School to compete in scrimmage games. Sulphur Bluff would see action in three different games. For their first scrimmage, the Lady Bears faced Clarksville. That game would see the Lady Bears play well as a team. For their second scrimmage, they took on Trinity Christian Academy. Similar to the previous game, Sulphur Bluff played well.

The Como-Pickton Lady Eagles began their season by traveling to Mineola High School to compete in scrimmage games. The Lady Eagles would see the hard work they have put in during two-a-days immediately pay off. The Lady Eagles first game was against Kaufman Lady Lions. The Lady Eagles would win...