Hopkins County United Way Adds Nearly $4,000 Toward 2019-2020 Campaign Goal
Hopkins County United Way campaign workers turned in nearly $4,000 in additional pledges and donations collected during week three of the 2019-2020 campaign to benefit 20 local organizations.
As of the Oct. 15 report meeting $45,812.54 of the overall $165,000 goal had been reached, up $3,962 from last week.
Bill Owens, HCUW campaign co-chair, thanked all of the volunteers out there working hard getting packets out to local businesses and organizations and collecting their donations. He expressed appreciation to all for their contributions.
Campaign Co-Chair Beverley Owens encourages campaign workers who have yet to do so to go out and pickup donation packets that are ready to turn in.
Tim Glenn turned in a number of packets including those for Legacy Ag Credit, Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission and Southwest Dairy Museum. He reported City National Bank will start their campaign push soon.
Kayla Price Mitchell reported Corner Grub and Professional Land Title met goal.
HCUW Presidents Mike Jumper turned in packets for Dr. Daniel Siriphongs as well as a private donation.
Beverley reported a number of others contributed, including Summit Dental, Dr. Daniel Lawrence and Dr. Will Longino and Everything Unique.
The HCUW officers extended thanks to Carolyn McKinney and Southwest Dairy Museum for providing the location for Tuesday’s meeting, including a table with fall decor.
The next HCUW campaign report meeting is scheduled to return to the Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Office at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Panda Express has scheduled a Give Back Day, Thursday, Oct. 17, with 20 percent of sales of orders placed with an event flyer going to HCUW. Customers must show either a paper or digital copy of the event flyer, or mention HCUW for 20 percent of their purchase to go to HCUW.
Commissioners Court Agrees To Partner With City To Use Mechanical Concrete To Stabilize Some Roads
Inter-local Agreement To Be Presented To Sulphur Springs City Council in November
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday agreed Monday to partner with the City of Sulphur Springs to re-use parts of scrap tires utilizing the process called mechanical concrete to help improve some city and county roads.
Essentially, the county will collect scrap automobile and light truck tires at regular intervals, approximately twice a month. The scrap tire generator would pay the county a $1 per tire disposal fee, according to the agreement approved by the Commissioners Court.
Inmates from Hopkins County jail would remove the sidewalls from tires on Houston Street by the jail, using a $4,500 tire ring removal device purchased and jointly owned by both the city and county.
The tire rings would then be used in road rebuilding to help stabilize the road bases, a process called mechanical concrete. Ideally, it will save money in the rebuilding process, help stabilize and extend the life of some roads, while helping to get rid of scrap tires as well, according to city and county officials.
Mechanical concrete serves as a good road base, especially if there’s not much on top such as asphalt or concrete, which are designed to keep water out to keep the road base from eroding. With mechanical concrete, that’s not an issue; it holds up even with water, according to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell.
One of the prime roads considered by both entities for use of mechanical concrete, if all parties involved agree, is Pipeline Road. Of course thousands of tire cylinders would be needed for a project like that, Maxwell and Commissioners Court members noted.
Maxwell said the road repair process on Pipeline would not be repaired with paving right off. The mechanical concrete would be used to stabilize the road, opening it up enough so that it’d be passable if say an ambulance needed to use it to shave a few minutes off its response time.
Maxwell said that a smaller road, one in Precinct 3 that is low and often has water crossing it following a downpour, would likely be used to test the mechanical concrete process.
The city would not use the process for every city street that is rebuilt, but it could provide a suitable base for a street that’s not asphalt or concrete paved and has a bar ditch, Maxwell said.
The cylinders would be stored at a city site. The sidewalls would be disposed of in roll-off trash containers provided by the city, according to the agreement.
The initial length for the agreement, as approved by the Commissioner Court, would be 1 year. Initially, the proposal was for 5 years, however, until the process is tested, it was recommended that the agreement be for one year. However, the agreement would be automatically renewed from year to year unless terminated earlier by either the city or county, the document approved by the county states.
The scrap tire generator would pay the county a $1 per tire disposal fee, which would be used to pay licensing fees for the patented mechanical concrete process, disposal of sidewalls and for jailers to supervise trusties.
While the Commissioners Court unanimously approved the inter-local agreement with the city, the proposed agreement will still have to be presented to and approved by Sulphur Springs City Council, County Judge Robert Newsom pointed out Monday.
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell said the agreement seems like a reasonable one and he anticipates an agreement to be present to the City Council at their regular November meeting for consideration.
Pecan Season! Corsicana Shelled Pecans Offered Through the Sr’s Center
Karon Weatherman, Director of the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center, knows that the good cooks of Hopkins County want fresh pecans for their holiday baking, and she is making it easy to get the freshest from Northeast Texas trees. She also knows the community is eager to help with fundraising for the proposed Senior Citizens Center, so here is a great way to do both!
You can place your orders for 1-pound bags of freshly shelled pecans now at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center. Orders must be in by October 31, 2019 at the Senior Center. Cost is $11.00 per bag. Orders must be pre-paid. One trip will be made to pick up pecans at Green Tree Pecan Farm near Corsicana, during the first week of November. When the pecans arrive back in Sulphur Springs, you can pick up your orders at the Seniors Center at 150 MLK Drive. With questions, call Karon at 903-885-1661 or email her at [email protected]. Checks should be made out to Susan Vaughn, the volunteer handling the pecan orders.
These pecans are large and delicious, and come from the Green Tree Pecan Farm located near Corsicana, Texas. All of the proceeds from this year’s Pecan orders will go toward the Building Fund for a new Senior Citizens Center for Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Retaliation While In County Jail
A 27-year-old Sulphur Springs man in custody at the county jail was subsequently charged with obstruction or retaliation Monday, according to arrest reports.
Darien Tre Sims has been in the county jail since his arrest Oct. 9 on a couple of traffic warrants, one warrant for violating probation on a burglary of a habitation charge and for tampering with evidence, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Special Crimes Unit Sgt. Joe Scott and Lt. Mark Estes charged Sims at 8:55 a.m. Oct. 14 with retaliation, according to arrest reports.
The investigators alleged Sims made threats toward a state witness on a recorded jail phone. They obtained a warrant for the charge and served it Monday morning, the SCU officers alleged in police reports.
Sim remained in the county jail Tuesday, Oct. 15. Bond on the third-degree felony retaliation charge was set at $10,000, according to jail reports.
Take Diabetes To Heart
By Johanna Hicks
November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. In partnership with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), this year’s focus is on the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease or stroke as people without diabetes. This is because over time, high blood glucose from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart. The good news is that the steps you take to manage your diabetes can also help lower your chances of having heart disease or a stroke:
- Stop smoking or using other tobacco products. Smoking raises your risk of developing heart disease. If you have diabetes, it is important to stop smoking because both smoking and diabetes narrow blood vessels. Smoking also increases your chances of developing other long-term problems such as lung disease. Smoking also can damage the blood vessels in your legs and increase the risk of lower leg infections, ulcers, and amputation.
- Manage your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. The A1C test shows your average blood glucose level over the past 3 months. This is different from the blood glucose checks that you do every day. The higher your A1C number, the higher your blood glucose levels have been during the past 3 months. High levels of blood glucose can harm your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.
The A1C goal for many people with diabetes is below 7 percent. Some people may do better with a slightly higher A1C goal. Ask your health care team what your goal should be.
Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the wall of your blood vessels. If your blood pressure gets too high, it makes your heart work too hard. High blood pressure can cause a heart attack or stroke and damage your kidneys and eyes.
The blood pressure goal for most people with diabetes is below 140/90 mm Hg. Ask what your goal should be.
You have two kinds of cholesterol in your blood: LDL and HDL. LDL or “bad” (lousy) cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels. Too much bad cholesterol can cause a heart attack or stroke. HDL or “good” (happy) cholesterol helps remove the “bad” cholesterol from your blood vessels.
- Develop or maintain healthy lifestyle habits – be more physically active and learn ways to manage stress. Follow your healthy eating plan. Make physical activity part of your routine. Stay at or get to a healthy weight. Get enough sleep. Managing diabetes is not always easy. Feeling stressed, sad, or angry is common when you are living with diabetes. You may know what to do to stay healthy but may have trouble sticking with your plan over time. Long-term stress can raise your blood glucose and blood pressure, but you can learn ways to lower your stress. Try deep breathing, gardening, taking a walk, doing yoga, meditating, doing a hobby, or listening to your favorite music
- Take medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Medicines may be an important part of your treatment plan. Your doctor will prescribe medicine based on your specific needs. Medicine may help you meet your A1C (blood glucose), blood pressure, and cholesterol goals, reduce your risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke and treat angina, or chest pain that is often a symptom of heart disease. (Angina can also be an early symptom of a heart attack.) Ask your doctor whether you should take aspirin. Aspirin is not safe for everyone. Your doctor can tell you whether taking aspirin is right for you and exactly how much to take.
Common symptoms of diabetes are:
- Urinating often.
- Feeling very thirsty.
- Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating.
- Extreme fatigue.
- Blurry vision.
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal.
- Weight loss—even though you are eating more (type 1)
- Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)
What causes type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system, the body’s system for fighting infection, attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Scientists think type 1 diabetes is caused by genes and environmental factors, such as viruses, that might trigger the disease.
Type 2 means that your body doesn’t use insulin properly, and while some people can control their blood sugar levels with healthy eating and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to manage it.
For more information about diabetes, an excellent website is www.diabetes.org. This is the official website for the National Diabetes Association. With diligence, diabetes can be managed!
Closing Thought
Time is non-refundable. Use it with intention. – National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences
Sulphur Bluff Volleyball Tops Rivercrest at Home
Chalk up another win for the Sulphur Bluff Volleyball Team. Friday (October 11) they won at home over Rivercrest, 3-0. The score was 25-18, 25-17 and 25-23. Lady Bears Coach Zandra Peyton says her team keeps getting better each game they play. She notes the last time the two teams met, it took four sets to win. Coach Peyton praised the passing of Dalena di Donato and Angel Brown. Di Donato also had 5 service points and 4 kills. Setter Alley Collett had 10 service points, 2 kills and 17 assists. Coach Peyton says Ann Dorner has also played big the last several games. Against Rivercrest, Dorner had 13 service points, 5 kills and 1 assist. C.J. Johnson had 3 service points and a kill. Tori Raine had 3 service points and 4 kills. Jada Wade had 2 service points and a kill. Skylar Stanley had 3 blocks and 6 kills. Hannah Byrd had 9 service points. The Lady Bears play at Clarksville Tuesday.
PJC Sulphur Springs News
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Director Rob Stanley (standing right) visits Instructor Robbie Padgett Tapp’s dental assistance class on its first day at the campus. For information about workforce education classes offered at PJC, call 903-885-1232.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens Comments on Loss to Ennis Friday at The Prim
Despite a 42-14 loss to Ennis at Gerald Prim Stadium last Friday (October 11), Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens on KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show said his team played their tails off and played with heart. He said the Wildcats had a very emotional week after going through the trauma of a fatal vehicle accident that occurred near their school buses on the way home from Forney last week. Coach Owens said his team was juiced up and did some healing by being able to play football. He said the Wildcats are undersized and play with a chip on their shoulder. However Coach Owens said the Wildcats are playing good teams that will expose your weaknesses. He said turnovers and a missed field goal put daggers in the Wildcats. He said if some of that stuff turns out different, it makes for a different game. Coach Owens said he was proud of the way the defense played. He added the offensive line played well at times. He was especially impressed with Giovanni Pizano. He added Ryan Hammonds also had some good moments. On defense Coach Owens liked the play of inside linebacker Eleazer Brena. He was happy to see receiver Weston Fields catch his first TD pass. Youngster B Back Carson Fenton also had some catches. He said running backs Caden Davis and Da’Korian Choc Sims ran hard. Coach Owens said quarterback Kaden Wallace played an exceptional game until turnovers cropped up. He said receiver Zach Tiemeyer had a super catch. He said the Wildcats played with tremendous effort and fought until a couple of players lost their minds and were ejected. He said some stuff was not called early that allowed the game to get chippy later on. He said players have to harness their aggression. Coach Owens said Corsicana will be be refocused this week due to a wake up call loss to Royse City last Friday. He said the Wildcats are not out of things right now but he said they have to start winning games.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner Liked What She Saw From Her Team in Friday Win
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner said it felt good to pick up a 3-0 district victory Friday (October 11) over Texas High in a tough place to win. She said the game was very important since the teams were in a third place tie going into the last game of the first half of district play. Coach Dorner said the Lady Cats played well and passed the ball well. She said the team still has things to improve on and they were busy working on some of those things at Monday morning practice. Coach Dorner said all of the Lady Cats played well Friday led by junior Sadie Washburn. She acknowledged that this would be a tough week for the Lady Cats. She said Royse City is a tough place to play and the Lady Cats play there Tuesday night. Friday the Lady Cats travel to Lindale. The Lady Eagles got by the Lady Cats in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School in the first half of district play. Royse City started slowly in district play but they have won their last two district games.
Wildcat Band Places Fourth at Royse City Contest Saturday
Wildcat Band Director Spencer Emmert called Saturday (October 12) a great day for the band as they performed in Royse City at the second contest of the season. He said the Wildcats went against a good field of fifteen bands in prelims. Emmert added the weather was great. He said the Wildcats finished in fourth place during prelims advancing to Saturday night’s finals. The Wildcats finished fourth overall behind Garland Lakeview Centennial, North Forney and West Mesquite. Emmert said he told the band going into the contest to do their absolute best, continue to make their next performance better than the last one and strive to reach their potential. Emmert said the Wildcat Band performances earned lots of compliments from other directors. Next for the Wildcats is the UIL Region Contest Tuesday at Mount Pleasant. If the Wildcats earn a first division rating at that contest, they will advance to Area competition. The Wildcats are scheduled to perform at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Pleasant. Emmert said there might be delays due to some expected stormy weather.
