Local Walk Like MADD Event by Mothers Against Drunk (and Drugged) Driving Reaches 2019 Goal
The annual Walk Like MADD event was staged in Sulphur Springs on the beautiful evening of Saturday September 28, 2019. The grounds of Shannon Oaks Church became filled with people of all ages who came out to walk as a statement and to raise awareness with “Not One More Victim!”, the 2019 slogan for the annual campaign. As well as raising awareness, the event also raises money for the non-profit organization operating in the United States and Canada.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and strive for stricter impaired driving policy, whether that impairment is caused by alcohol or any other drug. The Irving, Texas–based organization was founded in 1980 in California by a mother whose young daughter was killed by a drunk driver. There is at least one MADD office in every state of the United States and at least one in each province of Canada.These offices offer victim services and many resources involving alcohol safety. MADD has claimed that drunk driving has been reduced by half since its founding. Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped save more than 370,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and passionately served over 840,000 victims. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.
MADD Northeast Texas, which Hopkins County forms a part of, set a 2019 goal of $15,000 to raise for the organization, and was successful in reaching it. In donations prior to the Walk and during the Walk, the total came to $15,760, or %105% of the goal. There were 89 participants and twelve teams which signed up for the Walk.
Lady Cats Volleyball Opens District Play With Very Solid 3-0 Win Over Royse City at Home
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team picked a good time to play perhaps their most consistent and best volleyball of the season on Friday (September 27). The Lady Cats won their district opener at home against Royse City, 3-0 by the score of 25-9, 25-16 and 25-18 completing the task in one hour flat. The Lady Cats got off to a strong start and never took their foot off of the accelerator. With the Lady Cats only ahead 3-2 in set one, senior Sydney Washburn collected 10 straight points serving. At 13-2 the Lady Cats were on their way to a 25-9 win. In set two, Paris Pickett’s string of successful serves took the score from 16-12 to 20-12. The Lady Cats took set two, 25-16. In set three the Lady Cats went from up 4 at 16-12 to 21-12. They closed out the match with a 25-18 set three win. How dominant were the Lady Cats? They never at any time trailed during the entire match. The score was only tied four times total. Every Lady Cat played well. Sydney Washburn had another very good game. Sadie Washburn showed no ill effects from an ankle injury Tuesday night and had awesome kills. Brooklyn Burnside was solid at the net as was Erika VanBenthem. Nylah Lindley contributed good minutes. Peyton Hammack had consistent strong sets and Lady Cats passes to her were greatly improved from Tuesday night. Czhela Moya and Pickett provided digs and good serves. Aliyah Abron had some good digs. Kaylee Malone avoided mistakes. The Lady Cats, ranked #15 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association Volleyball Poll, are 1-0 in district play and 19-11 for the season. The Lady Cats continue district play at home Tuesday night as they play Lindale.
Pictures provided by Sheri Looney.
New Signal Light Installed In Cumby
Friday Cumby school and county officials gathered just down from Cumby school for the official installation of a new signal light.
This is a safety feature local entities have worked together to better warn people traveling just down from the school to stop and be alert for the railroad crossing just down from the Cumby ISD football stadium and school. The crossing is one that doesn’t have the warning cross arms, so this should help warn motorists when trains are on the tracks.
The project is one that multiple local officials have collaborated for a couple of months to achieve for the safety of Cumby students, staff, residents and other motorists who pass through the area.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Oct. 1 Meeting Agendas
House Bids, Planning Session Included on Monday’s SSISD Board Of Trustees Agenda
The fate of the Fore Street home constructed by the Sulphur Springs High School is to be discussed during a special Monday night school board meeting. A planning work shop is to be held during the Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting as well.
The district had put the property up for bid, due to the appraised value, per education rules. The first go-round the district received no bids. The starting asking price for the property was lowered, and bids were accepted this month. Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams is slated to report on this last bidding period, and if acceptable bids were received, present them for board consideration.
The agenda shows only two other action items before the trustees enter into executive session for any personnel items that might be submitted for consideration since their September meeting. A beverage contract is slated to be presented by Business Manager Sherry McGraw and a Superintendent Michael Lamb is slated to present a contract renewing SSISD’s membership in Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Russo & Kyle, PC’s retainer program for 2019-2020.
After resuming from executive session, and voting on any matters pushed forward for consideration, SSISD trustees are slated to enter into a work session for strategic planning and district goals assessment.
The Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, in the Board Room of SSISD Administration Building, located at 631 Connally St.
Parks Planning; Curb and Wheeled Conveyance Ordinances Top Oct. 1 City Council Agenda
Parks planning and grant applications, and ordinances regarding curbside parking and wheeled conveyances in commercial areas are among the items to be discussed and considered by Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night, Oct. 1.
Parks
At least three items on the agenda deal with parks. The council is to hold a public hearing regarding plans to submit a grant application to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for funding to help with improvements at Pacific Park.
City officials have called for a special election which would allow the city to receive up to $200,000 from EDC funding per year for improvements at Pacific Park and a new senior citizens activities facility. This would be used along with the parks grant, and funding from a property sale to create a new Grays Building, construct a new pavilion and improve facilities at Pacific Park.
Following a series of public meetings over the last year, city officials also are slated to present for City Council consideration a parks and open space master plan for city recreational parks and facilities.
The City Council too will be asked to consider giving the city manager authority to prepare and submit an application a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Local Grant Program.
Ordinances
To increase visibility for safer travels, the city is being asked on second reading to approve Ordinance 2759. This would prohibit parking within 30 feet of an intersection. The city attorney explained during the September meeting that this would be implemented in phases, with those most in need of the markings for safer visibility into oncoming traffic to be addressed first. The process as proposed would be gradual due to the cost of the change.
Also proposed on second reading is Ordinance 2760, which would amend Chapter 25, Article VI, changing the title of said code to “Bicycles, Scooters and other wheeled conveyances which expands the coverage to prohibit skateboards, scooters, roller blades and other similar devices on sidewalks in commercially.” Basically, this would apply to business areas but not necessarily neighborhoods, unless the residence is within a commercially zone area.
That’d simply keep bikes and skateboards off sidewalks in commercial business areas such as downtown, as a safety precaution for people walking as well as those on wheels.
Other Items
During the presentations, proclamations, and announcements part of the council meeting, Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski is slated to discuss housing and infrastructure.
The city manager will also give his monthly report on city activities and projects, including updates on capital improvements, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the month, and a review of expenditures, revenues, purchases and abatement orders.
The City Council will also be asked to consider transfer of solid waste hauling contract from Sanitation Solutions to Waste Connections and authorizing the city manager to execute an advanced funding agreement or other similar agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation regarding FM 1870 Overpass Bridge.
Time is designated at the end of the meeting for members of the public to formally address the City Council.
Sulphur Springs High School Hosts Special Games Day Friday
Sulphur Springs High School hosted Special Games Day Friday (September 27) for local and area special needs children. Besides participants from Sulphur Springs ISD campuses, there were children from Commerce, North Hopkins and Como-Pickton. The event was coordinated by SSHS FCCLA Sponsor Debbie Stribling and by Blue Blazes Drill Team Director Christie McCullough. Ms. McCullough said it was a blessing to be a part of the event. Her Blue Blazes were a part of the event along with the SSHS Key Club, SSHS Cheerleaders and the Wildcats Band. As he has for quite a few years, former Lady Cats Soccer Coach Joel Bailey served as emcee for the special day. Each group of participants got to enter the main gym at the high school as part of a Parade of Champions/ The children can compete in about a dozen events, such as cone races, free throw shooting and football tossing. Lunch for volunteers and participants was provided by the local Kiwanis Club. The local Pilot Club gave funds for medals for the children. Key Club members assisted the children in the events as needed.
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Opens District Play at Home Friday at 5 p.m.
This is a big game day for the Lady Cats Volleyball Team as they open district play at home against the Royse City Lady Bulldogs Friday (September 27). The varsity Lady Cats take on Royse City at 5 p.m. in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School. The JV and freshmen Lady Cats play Royse City at around 6:30 p.m. The Lady Cats come in with a record of 18-11. The Lady Cats lost their last non-district match at Nevada Community, 3-0 last Tuesday evening. The Lady Cats are #15 ranked in the latest Texas Girls Coaches Association Volleyball Poll. Royse City has a record of 21-10 according to Max Preps. The two teams split two games in district play last year with both teams winning at home. KSST will bring you Lady Cats Volleyball from the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School starting at 5 p.m. Friday. The match will also be videotaped for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Friday Night Lights at The Prim as #1 Ranked Argyle Takes on Liberty-Eylau
Friday Night Lights continue at Gerald Prim Stadium despite a bye week for the Wildcats. The Prim will have a game featuring the top ranked team in Class 4A, Division I, the Argyle Eagles. They will be taking on Liberty-Eylau in a non-district game Friday night (September 27). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Argyle is 3-0 so far this season with a road win at Stephenville, 42-14, a road win at Waco LaVega, 49-35 and a home win over Tyler Chapel Hill, 62-7. Argyle had a bye last week. Liberty-Eylau, coached by former Wildcats football player Klint King, has opened the season 0-4. The Leopards lost at home to Arkansas High, 38-27. They lost at Carthage, 49-7 and at Texas High 62-13. Last week the Leopards lost at Atlanta, 41-38. L-E may have the toughest schedule in Texas. The Wildcats scrimmaged Liberty-Eylau in Texarkana back on August 22.
