Former Wildcat Football Player And Defensive Coordinator Has Paul Pewitt In State Semifinal Game
Former Wildcat football standout and Wildcat assistant coach and defensive coordinator Triston Abron is in his second year as Head Football Coach for the Paul Pewitt Brahmas.
It will be Brahmas versus Brahmas Friday night, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m., as Paul Pewitt plays East Bernard at Waco ISD Stadium in a State Semifinal Game in Class 3A, Division II.
In a radio interview by phone with Coach Abron Thursday morning, he credits big buy-in from his players. He is also hoping to keep on proving some doubters wrong.
Paul Pewitt was picked by some experts to finish fourth in their district. They ended up with just a single loss in district play, to Daingerfield, and tied for first place.
Coach Abron still does not believe Paul Pewitt is getting the respect they deserve as a 13-1 team. He says the Brahmas are big up front which makes their running game go. The former defensive coordinator says Paul Pewitt has played decent defense. He adds he still can’t stand to give up touchdowns; he wants to shut out every team.
Coach Abron says beating Daingerfield in a playoff rematch last week was fun. He says it was Pewitt’s first win over Daingerfield since either 2005 or 1998. Coach Abron feels the Brahmas should have defeated Daingerfield the first time. They led them at home at halftime, before giving up the lead.
Last week, in the rematch, the Brahmas trailed at halftime. He says he challenged his team at halftime and they responded.
Concerning East Bernard, Coach Abron sees more similarities with Paul Pewitt than just the same mascot. He calls the teams clones of each other and has cast the game as Rocky versus Apollo.
Coach Abron discussed some coaches that have inspired him and mentored him. He tells his Brahmas every game something he heard about from James Cameron: Be humble in victory and give God the glory. He says wins don’t come easy and he says they take a lot of work to achieve.
Other coaches who have influenced him include Chuck King, Dwayne McMeans, Greg Owens, Brad Turner, Steve Hale, Matt Young, Rodney Bartholemus and Dean Lassiter; also Chris Owens, Coach Chris Valdovinos, Bruce Silman, Cameron Warren and Kurt McCain. He says he appreciates all the support he gets from Sulphur Springs.
Saltillo Lady Lions Basketball Team Overcomes Slow Start To Get Win Tuesday
The #16 ranked Saltillo Lady Lions Basketball Team overcame a very slow start and then did enough in the second half to defeat Lone Oak, 43-35 at home Tuesday night, Dec. 10. The Lady Lions improved their season record to 12-6.
The Lady Lions trailed 13-8 at halftime. Anna Reeder led Saltillo with 15 points. Chandler Bain scored 11 points. Kristina Wade scored 9 points. Julianna Giles had 5 points. Brittney Peeples added 2 points. Maddy Smith scored 1 point.
Lady Lions Coach Bill Giles said the Lady Lions did a good job hanging in there after a terrible first half. He added the Lady Lions did enough good things to win it. The Lady Lions play at Union Grove Friday evening.
The NETBIO Cattle Sale Was Held Wednesday
Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission
Public Information Services
Producers sold 5,062 head of pre-conditioned cattle at the December Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization’s (NETBIO) Pre-conditioned Calf and Yearling Sale held Wednesday (Dec. 11) at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission. A total of 208 producer/members consigned cattle to sell in the sale, and despite the chilly weather, a good crowd of buyers, sellers and visitors showed up for the sale.
“The cattle held up very good through the colder weather — mainly because they were all pre-conditioned and in excellent health,” said David Fowler, co-owner of the livestock commission and a NETBIO director.
“The buyers who come to the NETBIO sales look for quality cattle, and it was again evident that our producers offered the quality cattle they were looking for,” Fowler said. “We even had a good amount of bidding and buying activity over the Internet.”
Fowler said most of the cattle in the sale were destined for the feed yards in the Panhandle. He added that there were some new buyers who took a lot of interest in the pre-conditioned cattle.
When the sale was over, a total of 28 buyers had paid an average of $733.15 per head for the nearly 5,100 head of cattle.
The NETBIO Pre-Conditioned Stocker and Feeder Calf Sale gives producers a market to offer their pre-conditioned calves and yearlings in load lot quantities. NETBIO holds six pre-conditioned calf sales per year, which is the marketing arm for members of the organization.
The next sale will be held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission on Wednesday, January 15, 2020. The weaning deadline for the cattle selling in this sale will be Dec. 1 and the boosting shot deadline is Dec. 16.
Auctioneer Joe Don Pogue calls for bids on this pen of cattle at the December NETBIO sale held Wednesday (Dec. 11) at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission. Producers sold 5,062 head of pre-conditioned cattle at the sale.
Como In Pre-Construction Process For Sewer Plant Improvement Project
The City of Como is one step closer to officially reopening its police department, according to city staff.
The city has been working since summer to obtain an official Texas Commission On Law Enforcement number, which is required to reestablish a police department and officially operate as a recognized law enforcement agency.
TCOLE has reviewed the application, and the city officials anticipate receiving their official notification letter allowing them to operate as a recognized department in early 2020, according to the city secretary.
The TCOLE approval will allow Andy Lowen, a retired code enforcement officer, to begin enforcing city codes and other related police matters within the scope of his duties as public safety director. A car is reportedly being detailed for Lowen to use in his work two days a week.
In addition to police work, Lowen as public safety director will continue to oversee Como Volunteer Fire Department as well.
An update regarding the city’s police department was made Tuesday night, during what was scheduled as a regular City Council meeting, according to Como City Secretary Mary Doss.
No decisions requiring a council vote could be taken at the Dec. 10 meeting, however, due to a lack of a quorum. One council member was not in attendance due to an illness and another due to a crash prior to the meeting.
The council was scheduled to discuss and consider taking action regarding a sewer grant. Signing and or approval of documents related to the grant was delayed due to the lack of quorum, according to Doss.
The city has been awarded a $275,000 grant to help fund improvements at the sewer plant, which has reportedly had any significant updates in decades. City officials and staff, representatives from Grant Works, a contractor and engineers from Freeman-Millican Inc. of Dallas met recently to go over and revise the sewer improvement plan, part of the pre-construction process, according to the city secretary.
The council members are expected to sign the updated documents at a later time. Once the project begins, the contractor will have 180 days to complete the project.
On Thursday Game Day, Wildcats Basketball In Tourney, Lady Cats Soccer Has Home Scrimmage
There are basketball and soccer games scheduled on this Thursday, Dec. 12, game day.
The #3 ranked Wildcats Basketball Team opens play Thursday in the three-day 2019 Forney ISD Winter Classic with a pair of pool play games. The Wildcats play Ennis at 4:30 p.m. and then meet Rockwall-Heath at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be at Forney High School.
Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta says Ennis is athletic and will play a zone defense that the Wildcats don’t see often. He says Rockwall-Heath loves to shoot the ball and they are encouraged to do so. He adds they are a well coached team that runs a lot of sets. Coach Cipoletta also says during tournaments, he and his coaching staff have to prepare for their opponents very quickly, often right before games.
Based on pool play, teams will be assigned to either Gold, Silver or Bronze Brackets for play Friday and Saturday, either at Forney or North Forney High School.
The Wildcats come in with 8-3 record after their loss at Dallas Woodrow Wilson Tuesday night.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats Soccer Team has the first scrimmage of the season on this Thursday game day.
The Lady Cats will scrimmage Kilgore at Gerald Prim Stadium. The Lady Cats JV will play the Lady Bulldogs JV at 5 p.m. The Lady Cats Varsity and Kilgore will scrimmage at around 7:15 p.m.
The Lady Cats are coached by first year head coach Javier Aguayo, who replaces longtime Lady Cats Soccer Coach Joel Bailey.
Sheriff: 8 Kilograms Of Methamphetamine Found During I-30 Traffic Stop In Brashear
A traffic stop on Interstate 30 in Brashear, TX early Thursday morning reportedly resulted in seizure of 8 kilograms of a suspected controlled substance by interdiction officers.
A traffic stop was made near mile marker 116 on I-30 east at approximately 12:45 a.m. December 12th, 2019 by sheriff’s deputies. Officers from the Cumby Police Department assisted in the stop. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Lavender deployed his canine partner to conduct a sniff search; the dog gave a positive alert at about 1:20 a.m., according to sheriff’s and dispatch reports.
Officials located a large quantity of contraband, approximately 8 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine. The material was seized, according to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum.
Two individuals were reportedly taken into custody. No additional details regarding the pair or the traffic stop are available at this time.
DBA's 'Jingle Mingle' Ladies Night on Thursday Dec. 19 is a Holiday Shopping Event!
The Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance always encourages ‘shopping at home’ from local shops and restaurants. The December 19 ‘Ladies Night Out Jingle Mingle’ is an invitation to anyone and everyone to windowshop, shop and dine. As you go, sign up for prizes inside each store and enjoy the numerous in-store discounts, snacks and refreshments between 5:30 and 7:30 that evening. The more stores you visit, the more sign-ups you will have. Then, at 7:30pm, gather at Hope Smith Interior Designs, downtown at 115 Gilmer Street, for more refreshments and live holiday entertainment by Sentimental Journey duo. And be on hand when the lucky winner of the Grand Prize valued at over $200 is announced! Must be present to win! The Ladies Nite Out facebook page has much more information.
The Jingle Mingle Shopping event is for everyone! Whether an ice cream shop that specializes in toys for kids and t-shirts in all sizes, to specialty coffees and cocoas, pizza, sushi, burgers and more, to ladies fashion and shoe stops, a children’s clothing store, a men’s sporting and active wear store and a vintage collectibles merchant, you’re going to love what downtown offers. So along with the holiday music and the Christmas lights, come see what Jingle Mingle has in store for you. It is an annual presentation of the Downtown Business Alliance to say Merry Christmas.
Dike Woman Arrested For DWI Following I-30 Crash In Sulphur Springs
A 46-year-old Dike woman was reportedly jailed on a drunk driving charge Wednesday afternoon, following a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 30 in Sulphur Springs. The woman allegedly had an almost empty pint of brandy when troopers contacted her, and tested twice the legal limit on breath tests, according to arrest reports.
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper reported responding at 5:10 p.m. Dec. 11 near mile post 126 on I-30 to assist a Sulphur Springs police officer, who indicated to the trooper he suspected the driver of the vehicle to be intoxicated.
Upon arrival, the trooper reported seeing a sedan crashed in the median between the north service road and westbound lane of I-30. A female was also leaning against the driver’s side of the car, and several liquid containers, including a pint of brandy that was almost empty, were reportedly seen on the roof of the vehicle, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
The woman reportedly admitted she’d been driving the car when it crashed. When asked how much she’d had to drink, she allegedly told the trooper she’d had a few drinks. When he asked again, to clarify how much she’d consumed after the crash, she said she’d had nothing to drink after the crash, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
The woman was alleged to have bloodshot eyes, extremely slurred speech and difficulty maintaining her balance while walking. She reportedly denied being sick or injured, and said she did not have any injuries or illness that would affect her eyes or balance, nor was she taking any medication, according to arrest reports. The woman was reported to have a bloody lip but said she did not injure her head in the crash, the trooper noted in arrest reports.
The woman allegedly refused to perform standard field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for DWI. A Sulphur Springs police officer transported her to jail, according to DPS.
She reportedly agreed to perform a breath or blood test, but did not want to go to the hospital, according to arrest reports. After observing the woman for about 15 minutes, she was reportedly asked for a breath sample. The test showed the Dike woman’s blood alcohol content to be 0.19, more than twice the legal 0.08 limit, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
The 46-year-old Dike woman was booked into jail for DWI with a blood alcohol content above 0.15. She remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Dec. 12; bond on the charge was set at $2,000, according to jail reports.
Merger of Two Volunteer Fire Departments, Fundraising for New NH-SS Substation
Earlier in 2019, the North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department led by Chief Bobby Harris and the South Sulphur Volunteer Fire Department led by Chief Jim Rich merged into one department. It is now called the North Hopkins-South Sulphur Volunteer Fire Department. NH-SS VFD serves the fire region stretching from Hwy 11 West northward and northeasterly all the way to Hatchetville Road, east of Hwy. 19 North. A new sub-station for the department will be built on land in the Pleasant Grove Community, and the donated site is already prepared and ready for construction. Improved ISO ratings can help minimize the cost of homeowners insurance for homeowner living near a substation. A Photo Drive fundraising effort is going on now for purchase of needed equipment as well as construction of the new building.
The Photo Drive fundraiser is being conducted by a marketing company out of Arkansas which the fire departments have used before. Representatives identified as from the marketing company will call on every home within the department’s fire region to offer a photography package in exchange for a $40 donation to the NH-SS VFD. Customers who donate during December will receive a professional photo sitting and one quality 8×10 for the donation. Additional photos can be selected and ordered. If you don’t wish to have a photo made, you can make the donation and give the photo sitting to a friend or other family. Or when the representative calls at your home, you can make any amount of donation that you wish to the NH-SS VFD. Donations are always needed! If you miss the visit from the Photo Drive representative, call 903-348-3800 or 903-951-2282. Or mail a donation in care of Chief Harris at 1492 CR 4759, Sulphur Springs Tx 75482.
All Hopkins County VFD’s exist through grants, fundraisers and donations in addition to minimal funding from the County. As First Responders, members of VFD’s are contacted by radio when a fire, EMS call or disaster occurs in their fire region. VFD’s both provide mutual aid and receive mutual aid from other VFD’s in the county. According to Chief Harris, “all of us just want to help. Our training prepares us to help the public during dangerous situations, and volunteers get a lot out of responding to those calls and seeing them resolved. All the departments need volunteers. If you are interesting in becoming a volunteer, please call or just ask any of us. Most of us are long-term volunteers, having done it for years, and that tells you something”.
