'Christmas Market on Main' a Success for Local Small Biz and Cavanaugh/Reed Fund
More than 25 Christmas vendors spread their tables and displays out on Main Street during Saturday’s second annual ‘Christmas Market on Main”! The event not only boosted foot traffic in the downtown Sulphur Springs shopping district, but shoppers from other towns got to know our merchant shops and eateries even better. Professional photos with Santa was another draw for families in the Christmas spirit. And although the morning started out chilly, people were already milling early and making selections on Main Street and beyond it’s borders.
The Main Street merchant team of Marlene DeYong and Katy Moss Steelman, owners of Marlene’s Sass and Class and of Simply Spoiled hatched the plan, contacted the vendors and did the footwork and promotion of the event. In a gesture of love and concern, the two women also wanted to be part of fundraising for the Cavanaugh/Reed families following the tragic loss and injury suffered by those families back in October 2019. So they invited all the Main Street merchants to pitch in, and they did, with the fundraising effort amounting to a total of $1,265.00.
‘Christmas Market on Main’ vendors offered Chrismas ornaments, jewelry, holiday fashions, customized clothing, handmade soaps and lotions, jams and relishes, pillows, repurposed suitcases, hand painted signs and more. One local artisan offered scented loofah bath sponges which fuel her savings for her annual mission trip to Haiti! Another crafty local vendor designs interesting “christmas vintage’ decorations from re-purposed and salvaged household items we probably all have on hand. Also during the morning, a line formed with individuals and families who wanted ‘Christmas moments with Santa’ by Photographer Rocky Hoops. And anybody who wanted to sit down for coffee, cocoa or a delicious meal found it among the various eateries and coffee shops downtown!
SSISD Bands Offer Christmas Concert Dec. 10; Auction Will Help Fund Orlando Trip
Sulphur Springs ISD Bands will perform a Christmas concert is Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Sulphur Springs High School Auditorium. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will feature “Sounds of the Season” performed by the SSISD Jazz, Middle School and High School Band programs.
Admission is free to all. However, a silent auction to help fund the band’s planned spring performance trip to Orlando will also be held beginning at 6 p.m. that night in the foyer of the SSHS Auditorium.
“We have lots of great items to bid on, including a weekend at a Lake House on Lake Bob Sandlin and the privilege of conducting the high school band on the final piece of the concert, complete with your very own golden baton,” said SSISD Director of Bands Spencer Emmert.
This will follow the Region Try-outs for ninth graders in Mount Pleasant Monday.
See the Fine Arts calendar on the district website for additional information about the “Sights and Sounds of the Season” performances and activities this month.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Stabbing Stepfather During Argument
A 31-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused Sunday evening of stabbing his stepfather with a knife during an argument, according to sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 5:09 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 to County Road 1136, where a man was alleged to have stabbed his former stepfather’s hand with a knife. While responding, officials were told the suspect had locked himself inside the residence, according to arrest reports.
Upon arrival, Deputy Lance Burdick reported seeing what appeared to be a victim, a man with several lacerations to his hand and forearm. The deputy attempted to contact with Jeffery Marcus Sackett, but the 31-year-old did not comply, Burdick alleged in arrest reports. A short time later other deputies and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arrived on scene to assist. Deputies again attempted to make contact with Sackett, who came to the front door and exited with his hands in the air. Sackett was taken into custody, Burdick alleged in arrest reports.
Upon further investigation, deputies learned Sackett and his stepfather lived together, despite the other man asking Sackett multiple times to move out, Burdick reported. The pair was alleged to have been arguing when Sackett pulled a knife on the other man and attempted to stab him. The other man then allegedly grabbed a baseball bat to defend himself, striking Sackett several times. Photos and statements were taken from the other man, a witness and Sackett.
Sackett was taken to jail, where he was booked for aggravated assault of a family or household member with a deadly weapon. He remained in the county jail Monday morning, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Sulphur Springs ISD Board To Consider 2 New CTE Courses, Annual Audit
School trustees to hold monthly meeting during lunch Monday
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees will still hold the monthly meeting on its usual day and place, the second Monday of the month. The meeting will take place in the board room of SSISD Administration Building. However, the board meeting will convene at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9, instead of the usual monthly 6 p.m. meeting scheduled earlier than usual.
A representative from Rutherford, Taylor and Company PC is scheduled to present for trustees’ approval the Annual Financial and Compliance Report for fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2019.
Sulphur Springs High School Director of College & Career Readiness/Career & Technical Education Director Jenny Arledge is scheduled to present for board consideration two innovative courses for two different CTE programs of study that will be offered to SSISD students. Those proposed programs are advanced floral design and emergency medical technician-basic.
Trustees too will be asked to approve a resolution to appoint a SSISD representative to served on the Hopkins County Appraisal District Board of Directors from Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021.
The board is expected to hear at least four administrative and informational reports, including information from Lisa Robinson regarding the Education Performance of Bilingual/ESL Program students for 2018-19, a presentation by Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams regarding Texas Association of School Boards Localized Manual Update 114, and elementary and secondary campus highlights from Assistant Superintendents Williams and Kristin Monk.
Commissioners Court To Recognize Miller Grove, Saltillo Cross Country Teams
Hopkins County Commissioners Court is scheduled Monday to recognize two groups of youth for their athletic achievements during their regular court session, which begins Monday at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse.
In addition to the proclamations for the Miller Grove Girls and Boys and Saltillo Boys Cross Country teams, the court will be asked to consider approving the fire protection agreement with the volunteer fire departments. Resolutions and agreements regarding FEMA Hazardous Mitigation Grant Projects are also slated to be presented for approval by the commissioners court.
A request to construct an electric power distribution facility across County Road 1165, southeast of State Highway 11 has also been submitted for consideration.
An announcement too is expected to be made Monday morning regarding public dumpsters at county barns.
Immediately following the regular court meeting, the commissioners will move to the Meeting Room on the third floor of the courthouse, to begin a work session.
In addition to the routine updates regarding building maintenance, and departmental updates from the fire chief, sheriff and Civic Center manager, representatives from Freese and Nichols, Inc. are scheduled to meet with the court Monday during the work session as well
5 Hopkins County Residents Jailed On Felony Warrants
December 8, 2019 – At least five people were jailed locally overnight Friday on felony warrants.
Elmer Junior Crosby III, 25, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody at 11 a.m. Dec. 6, at Polunsky Unit by Deputy Elijah Fite and transported to the county jail, where he was held warrants for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone and family violence assault causing bodily injury, according to arrest reports.
Crosby remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday; his bond was set at $40,000 on the controlled substance charge and $5,000 on the assault charge, according to jail reports.
Cody Earl Lee, 22, of Cumby was taken into custody by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Chris Baumann at 1:34 p.m. Dec. 6 at his residence. Lee was transported to jail, where he held on a warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Thea Colynn Patterson, 18, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody at 1:38 p.m. Dec. 6 by Sulphur Springs Police Officers Victor Reyna and Nick Floyd at the adult probation office, where they took her into custody on a warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair. The officers transported her to jail on the charge, according to arrest reports.
Justin Scott Sewell, 26, of Como was transported at 2 p.m. Dec. 6, by Deputy Elijah Fite from Luther Unit to Hopkins County jail, where he was held on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance warrant, according to jail reports. He remained in jail Saturday, according to jail reports.
Shelby Jo Williamson, 33, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody at her residence at 4:07 p.m. Dec. 6, HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward and SSPD Officer Nick Floyd, for surety off bond on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports. Williamson remained in the county jail Saturday; her new bond was set at $20,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Como Man Jailed On Felony Charges Following Crash Report
A 26-year-old Como man was jailed on two felony charges, following a report of a vehicle crash Friday night, according to sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies, along with Hopkins County, Brinker and Como firefighters, were dispatched at 8:57 p.m. Dec. 6 to what was reported as a one-car crash into a ditch on FM 69 south, according to dispatch reports.
Upon arrival at FM 69 south at Smith Street, deputies were advised the driver of a black Honda was walking south on Smith Street, according to arrest reports. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Drew Fisher reportedly detained the man and placed him into custody pending further investigation.
The man was allegedly seen digging through his vehicle before walking away from it. Other deputies searched the ditch; they found a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, a lighter, a package of swisher sweets, and a clear plastic baggie containing methamphetamine, Fisher alleged in arrest reports.
Consequently, 26-year-old Rowdy Lee Hargett of Como was taken to jail, where he was booked on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and a tampering with evidence charge, according to arrest and jail reports. Hargett remained in the county jail Saturday, Dec. 7; bond on the charge was set at $10,000 per charge, according to jail reports.
Wildcats Basketball Take Fifth
Wildcats Take Fifth Place in Mansfield Tournament with Win Over Ranked Class 6A Team
The #5 ranked Wildcats Basketball Team continues to find ways to win the close games. It happened again Saturday (December 7) in the Mansfield ISD Spring Creek Barbeque Classic Tournament as the Wildcats held on to defeat Killeen Ellison, the #6 ranked team in Class 6A, 55-53 at Mansfield Legacy. The Wildcats led 24-18 at the half and 43-36 after three quarters. The win gave the Wildcats fifth place in the prestigious tournament. The Wildcats were led in scoring by Grayson McClure with 17 points, including 4 three-point baskets. Day Day Hall and Cameron Kahn scored 12 points each. Boo Wilkerson scored 11 points including 3 three pointers. Lamodrick Johnson scored 6 points. Hall was named to the All-Tournament Team. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said the Wildcats played very well defensively, executed the scouting report well and kept Ellison off of the offensive glass. He said Ellison does a great job of pressuring yet the Wildcats were able to stay calm and enjoy the pressure.
In play Friday, despite splitting two games in the tournament, one of the wins was the Wildcats most impressive one of the season, according to Wildcats Basketball Coach Clerk Cipoletta. After losing to Waxahachie, ranked #12 in Class 6A, 62-56, at Mansfield Legacy High School, the Wildcats, ranked #5 in Class 5A, defeated Pearland Shadow Creek, ranked #2 in Class 5A, 57-46, at Mansfield Lake Ridge High School. Near the end of the game, the Wildcats led by 20 points. Against Waxahachie, Kahn led the Wildcats with 18 points, Hall had 14 points. Wilkerson added 11 points, McClure scored 6 points, Johnson scored 5 points and Justin Haire scored 2 points. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats played Waxahachie very close. He called the game a great learning opportunity for his team. Coach Cipoletta said they were difficult to guard and posed a lot of mismatch problems for the Wildcats. He said he was really proud of how the Wildcats stepped up to the challenge. Against Shadow Creek, Hall led the Wildcats with 27 points. Kahn had 9 points. McClure scored 8 points. Wilkerson had 7 points. Johnson added 5 points. Haire had 2 points. Coach Cipoletta had the Wildcats came out and executed quickly. He said they were able to handle the pressure and make them pay for over rotating. He said the Wildcats played as a complete team. In summary, Coach Cipoletta called it a great weekend for the team. He noted they won 4 of 5 games and defeated both the #2 team in Class 5A and the #6 team in Class 6A. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats competed and grew as a team. The Wildcats season record is now 8-2. Next the Wildcats play at Dallas Woodrow Wilson Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Downtown Highlighted During Christmas Festivities
A large portion of the population lined the parade route Friday evening to enjoy the Lions Club’s annual lighted Christmas procession. The route proceeded from Buford Park to Houston Street and Church, turning to highlight Celebration Plaza, packed from the Church-Jefferson Street intersection down Gilmer Street to the end of the route near The ROC.
The weekend’s festivities began with the official lighting of the Christmas tree downtown by Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance at 5:30 p.m. The display was assembled last weekend by Sulphur Springs firefighters. Families visited local restaurants, enjoyed a few vendors, took kids to see the petting zoo. The white tigers too were available and some wares were offered at half a dozen booths.
Families and kids of all ages visited Santa and Mrs. Claus, whispering Christmas wishes and taking photos in front of the lighted Christmas tree. A few even brought pets for a little attention and photo op with the Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Hopkins County EMS displayed on the square the decorated Christmas trees submitted for judging by the community. Entries were bright, creative and cheerful. Some were traditional, others looked like a Grinch, snow people, a package and one used small pieces of lumber to form a tree. Winners are slated to be announced on Monday.
Many enjoyed food, snacks or warm beverages with family and friends at downtown businesses. Children were able to purchase cotton candy and fun lighted balloons and rotating lighted toys.
The parade include a number of brightly lit conveyances, trucks and offerings from schools, businesses, agencies, churches and health groups too. Blue Santa, the Grinch, Toy Story and other Disney figures, snowmen, bears, school groups such as bands and cheerleaders, a frog, lighted unicorn and pooches were among the features sights on the floats and rides. Things wrapped up with decorated fire trucks and, of course, Santa atop one of Sulphur Springs Fire Department’s apparatus.
The area was warm, with a slight breeze to lend a more Christmasy feel to the festivities.
Downtown continues to offer holiday activities Saturday, with a Christmas Market on Main opening at 9 a.m. and offering unique goods to local shoppers until 4 p.m. Dec. 7; 26 vendors signed up to have displays open to foot traffic in the 200 block of Main Street (between Davis and Gilmer Streets) Saturday.
