Two local businesses will host blood drives later this month to help bolster Carter BloodCare’s supplies through the summer, when demand is high and donations are low. As if helping save lives wasn’t enough, Carter BloodCare and the Texas Rangers are offering a sweet deal to give basebll fans an extra incentive to become blood donors through the Back Yard Rewards program.

Fire investigators said Wednesday that the fire that claimed the life of a Holly Lake Ranch woman and destroyed a large part of the Best Western Trail Dust Inn started in an air conditioning unit.

Officials for Sulphur Springs Independent School District approved a few financial matters during their Monday night meeting, including budget amendments, a depository bank bid and a contract with Region VIII Education Service Center. They also discussed the refunding of bond notes, which administrators approved last week.

Just because classes at most Sulphur Springs campuses are out for the summer doesn’t mean the halls are empty or school business has shut down. In fact, Monday was just another day on some campuses.

Dairy Festival queen candidate Bailie Modesitt competes in the cow milking contest Saturday on the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center grounds.