United Way $5,600 Closer To $165,000 Campaign Goal
Hopkins County United Way campaign worker collected $5,689.46 in campaign contributions and pledges, for a total of $41,410.54 of the $165,000 goal met so far.
HCUW President Mike Jumper turned in four packets this week and reported he still has two donation packets out at local dentists offices and that for BackStory Brewer is still out too.
Jumper reported Triple Crown Roofing, Miss Behavin’ (collected by another campaign worker), and Wayne Cooper Construction all met their goal. Freedom Realty was “just under 100 percent” of the requested goal, but Jumper noted HCUW is still “very happy to have every donation.”
Amy Griggs reported Chad Cable’s office met their goal.
Susan Berning reported Joel Tiemeyer was sad not to be able to be at the meeting, but has a “full plate this week. However, she reported Tiemeyer had collected all of the donation packets he distributed in the community. East Texas Line-X, Commercial Glass and Mirror, West Oaks Funeral Home, Larry Vititow Trucking, Circle E Western Store, M&F Western Products and Interstate Body Shop were among the businesses he collected that met their goal. Bobby Kerby Garage also made a great donation, Berning reported.
HCUW Campaign Co-Chair Beverley Owens commended Tiemeyer for doing such an “awesome” job for HCUW. He is the first to turn in all of his packets.
Berning too reported being contacted by Helen Sapaugh, who wanted to either mail or drop off a check for what turned out to be a very generous donation. HCUW is “very grateful,” Berning said.
Debra Evans turned in one packet; Pilot Club not only met but exceeded the goal set for the group.
Beverley Owens also noted Brumley Uniforms met goal.
Charlotte Henderson reported Joe Bob’s was about 100 percent of its goal.
Kayla Price reported Hopkins County Food Locker met goal.
Beth Wisenbaker turned in numerous packets. She distributes packets to and collects donations in them from the various county officials, offices and departments.
She noted only the law enforcement, Civic Center and fire department packets remained out. Officials and fire personnel have been tied up since Thursday cleaning up a diesel spill in the Miller Grove area. The Civic Center is under new management so it’s taking them a little longer than usual, Wisenbaker reported. She hopes to get those packets in soon.
“Everybody’s done good. Some exceeded, some hit close, some hit under. But, we are proud of everything we can get. They were very proud to participate,” Wisenbaker said.
HCUW Campaign Co-Chair Bill Owens reported the owners of Rail 19, a new meat processing business, “very supportive” and met the goal set for the business.
Beverley Owens offered thanks to Larry Crowson and the employees of Sulta Manufacturing for putting up the traditional Thermometer on Gilmer Street across from CVS, near Sulphur Springs Fire Department Station 2.
She expressed appreciation to Chaney and Craig Johnson for posting campaign percent totals on the digital billboard by Chili’s.
Beverley Owens too expressed appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce for allowing HCUW campaign workers to hold their first two weekly report meeting in their building, and to the Dairy Museum for agreeing to host the next HCUW meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Jumper commended the campaign cochairs for their “excellent” work giving speeches about HCUW at the banks, businesses and group meetings across the city and county.
Beverley Owens noted a Panda Express plans 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.
2019 NETBIO Cattleman’s Classic, Ribeye Round-Up A Success, Results
The 2019 NETBIO Cattleman’s Classic and Ribeye Round-Up was a huge hit Saturday, with thousands of people filling downtown to sample their picks from various contestants.
The event offered 1,200 tickets and all were sold out by the start of the event. A drawing was held for a raffled item, 12 additional donated prizes, including a $15,000 gift card to the sale barn to purchase livestock.
Event coordinators reported the event to be a success, with lines filling the street with people eager to enjoy the meat prepared for the occasion. Afterward, many stayed downtown for the free Mike Ryan Band concert.
Dwight Bell, COO and event planning committee chair, noted the committee works year round to put the event on. Bell extended special thanks to the sponsors without whom the event would not have be possible. Thanks were also given for those who participated in the cook-off, coordinated, contributed and attended the event.
This year, the contest featured a special category for youth, a Jr. Burger Cook Off. Brody Jack Spraggins was the winner of that, he took home a NETBIO belt buckle and braggin rights! Other winners were:
RESTAURANT DIVISION:
Grand Champion: Seth’s Lake Fork Creek
Reserve Grand Champion: Bear Litteton’s State Farm, Ben Spraggins, cook
Thirds Place, Slaughter’s BBQ Oasis
OPEN (NON-RESTAURANT) DIVISION
- Smoke House Rats #4, prize $2,000 cash
- Smoke House Rats #2, prize $1500 cash
- The Udder Team, prize $750 cash
Hors d’oeuvre Division: Seth’s Lake Fork Creek
PJC Sulphur Springs News
WRITING EXERCISE
Dr. Ken Haley’s English 1302 class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center had a special assignment last week — writing an essay in class. These class members and others gathered in the computer lab to complete their narratives.
Wildcats Offensive And Defensive Coordinators Talk About Forney Win, The Ennis Lions Who Come To Prim Stadium Friday Night
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the Wildcats offense played with a little more tempo last Friday, Oct. 4, in the 32-13 win at Forney.
He added that quarterback Kaden Wallace made better decisions. Wallace was also a threat running the football for the first game this year and Coach Young said Wallace completed 15 of 21 passes including three drops.
He said the offensive line played well despite some injuries. Coach Young said a lot of linemen had good moments including Ryan Hammons, Michah Timmons, Raydon McCormack, who slid over to center from guard, also Giovanni Pizano, Somjai Pryor and Chandler Leo. He admitted the Wildcats offense is not a dominant one but, he noted they made nine or 10 big plays on Friday.
Coach Young liked the running of backs Caden Davis and Da’Korian Choc Sims, and big catches made by Zach Tiemeyer and Bryant Sanchez.
Concerning Ennis, Coach Young said on defense they are athletic across the board, leaving no one to target. He said they have a lot of good football players who can make plays. They return seven defensive starters from last year.
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra said he was happy with the play of the defense Friday. He said they played fast and are coachable. He said they were up to the challenge, played hard, got to the ball and hustled.
Coach Guerra called the four first-half turnovers awesome. He said some of the turnovers were caused by second and third effort.
Coach Guerra said Ennis is balanced on offense making them hard to prepare for. They said they are well coached. He said all the Wildcats coaches knew they would be one of the top district teams this year.
Ennis has had a big upgrade at quarterback with move-in Collin Drake. Coach Guerra said he throws well, sees the field well, avoids mistakes and also can run.
Lady Cats Volleyball And Wildcats Team Tennis On Tuesday Game Day
On this Tuesday, Oct. 8, game day, there is Lady Cats Volleyball and Wildcats Team Tennis.
The Lady Cats face long time foe Mount Pleasant in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School. There will be freshmen and JV matches at 5 p.m. with the varsity game at 6:30 p.m. The freshmen match will take place in the SSHS Auxiliary Gym.
The Lady Cats are holding on to the fourth and final playoff spot going into the match Tuesday. They are 1-2 in district play while the Lady Tigers come in 0-3. The Lady Cats are 19-13 for the season and Mount Pleasant is 13-17.
KSST Radio will bring you the Lady Cats varsity match beginning at around 6:30 p.m. Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be no video of the game.
Meanwhile, Wildcats Team Tennis plays one final warm up match as they get ready for a bi-district playoff match next Tuesday. They should find out who they will play late this Tuesday night. The Wildcats take on Anna at Anna beginning at 3:30 p.m. on this game day Tuesday.
The Wildcats ended up as the third seed in their district behind Texas High and Lindale. The Wildcats were 2-2 in district play and they have a 6-11 season record. However, the Wildcats have won their last two matches.
2 New Jersey Men Arrested For Giving False Names During I-30 Traffic Stop
A traffic stop on Interstate 30 early Tuesday morning resulted in the arrested of two New Jersey men, accused of falsely identifying themselves to Sulphur Springs Police during a traffic stop.
A Sulphur Springs police officer contacted the pair after conducting a traffic stop on a Kia sport utility vehicle on Interstate 30 at mile marker 122 at 2 a.m. Oct. 8.
The occupants were asked to identify themselves as a result of a probable cause search of the SUV, the officer alleged in arrest reports. A 27-year-old Newark, N.J. man in the car reportedly initially identified himself as John Johnson and gave a date of birth. A 42-year-old Edison, N.J. man in the SUV allegedly identified himself as Steven O’Donnell and gave a date of birth and ID card.
The names and information provided by the pair were found to be false, according to police. The younger man reportedly was identified by a New Jersey driver’s license photo by another name. The name and date of birth given by the older man was found to be false, and the ID to be fake, the arresting officer alleged in arrest reports.
The pair remained in the county jail late Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, for failure to identify by giving false information. Bond was set at $2,000 on the Class A misdemeanor charge, according to jail reports.
Suspicious Person Report Results In Alabama Man’s Arrest in Sulphur Spring
A complaint of a suspicious person on Wildcat Way resulted in a 61-year-old Hamilton, Alabama man’s arrest Monday evening.
As police were responding to a report of a suspicious person on Wildcat Way at Arbala Road at 5:51 p.m. Oct. 7, an off-duty officer reported seeing the man walking away from a wooded area that appeared to be private property toward Wildcat Way, according to arrest reports.
When the on-duty Sulphur Springs Police Department officer arrived, he contacted the man. The officer alleged a strong alcoholic beverage odor emitted from the man’s breath. The man allegedly told police he’d been drinking alcohol at Pilot truck stop when he decided to go for a walk.
The Alabama man reportedly agreed to horizontal gaze nystagmus testing but had to be instructed several times during the process to follow instructions, according to arrest reports. The Alabama man allegedly denied he was refusing to do the test, but did instruct the officer to take him into custody, the arresting officer noted in arrest reports.
When the officer told the man he wanted him to try to perform the test, the man continue to be uncooperative and was taken into custody shortly after 6 p.m. Monday, for public intoxication, police alleged in arrest reports.
The Alabama man was released from the county jail on the charge Tuesday morning, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Lamar County Violation Of Probation Warrant
A 20-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested at his residence Monday evening on a Lamar County warrant for violating probation on a controlled substance charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
According to arrest reports, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman was made aware of the warrant for Heston Blaze Golightly’s arrest. Hoffma, in arrest reports, said he knew Golightly’s Pollard Street address and contacted him at the residence at 4:52 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7. With the warrant confirmed by communication operators as active, Hoffman took the Golightly into custody, the officer noted in arrest reports.
Golightly was booked into the county for violation of probation, which he was on for a Lamar County possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest and jail reports.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, on the charge, according to jail reports.
First Annual Walk ‘N Roll Will Be A Community Event on Saturday October 12
According to one of it’s organizers Clay Pirtle, a “Walk ‘N Roll” is a celebration for disability awareness, representing the first of it’s kind in Sulphur Springs. The free Walk ‘N Roll event will be held from 11am til 2pm on Saturday October 12, where else? but on Celebration Plaza downtown, and everyone is invited! There will be games and children’s play areas, and walking teams can register for The Walk ‘N Roll around the Plaza. Team members and everyone are encouraged to dress up. Teams can enter a Spirit Stick, and will be recognized during the Walk of Honor and Remembrance. (register at getmeregistered.com, or at the event) Everyone can enjoy a Blue Blazes Drill Team performance. Guest speakers will include Jessica Pope of Sulphur Springs and Mr. Diogo Esaki of Orlando, Florida, a young adult with cerebral palsy who is an employee of Chick Filet and a public speaker for Disability Awareness.
During a KSST Good Morning Show interview, Victoria Smith and Jessica Pope joined Pirtle to invite the public to attend for fun, music and enlightenment about the special needs population around us. “I was first enlightened when our daughter Gemma was born. She’s three years old now, and I’m a stay at home Dad because I personally want to see to her special needs. I’m watching her grow and she is teaching me a lot!” stated Clay. Victoria Smith, whose son Braydon was born with disabilities, is also excited about the local movement for disabilities awareness. “Jacoby and I continue to care for the educational and physical limitations that Braydon still struggles with. We are finding that families who are not dealing with disabilities, special needs or special abilities in their children are becoming more aware of those who are. The Walk ‘N Roll has been conceived to help break down the barriers that separate us, promoting inclusion instead of exclusion. And this event is just the start! It’s a fundraiser for the C.A.R.E. Center, which once built, will offer recreation, game nights, and a safe and caring center for special needs persons of all types, and all ages. In addition to that, it will be a place offering assistance for families seeking help with insurance or respite care or various types of therapy, and to provide a network for these services and more”. Jessica Pope, who works as a 2-1-1 Texas Lead Call Specialist at CANHelp, has been wheelchair-bound since childhood. Following graduation from SSHS and receiving her Master’s degree, Jessica sought to use her education where she could help people. She displays an effervescent and positive outlook on life, ready to use her knowledge and gifts to help others. She strongly supports the creation of the C.A.R.E Center.
The C.A.R.E Center is the vision of Rene Aguilar of Sulphur Springs, who is a caregiver for her niece Kandy Redding, a disabled individual now 40 years old. Because the C.A.R.E. Center will need a specially trained staff, Rene is pursuing higher education and certification in Special Needs Care. She also expresses hope that in time, the C.A.R.E. Center will be able to attract more medically and therapy-trained professionals to Sulphur Springs, as the special needs population grows. To find out more about the October 12 Walk ‘N Roll event and the vision of C.A.R.E, go to Care Center Sulphur Springs on Facebook, or phone Clay Pirtle at 903-243-1614.
