Downtown Business Alliance Plans Four Fall Projects with Fun for Everyone!
Jason Tully, President of the Downtown Business Alliance, addressed the DBA members who gathered on Tuesday September 10, 2019 at a new downtown business, VR Social at 317 Spring Street, located just behind the Sulphur Springs Police Department and Water Department. VR Social describes itself as “a collaborative space for Nerds, Artists, Geeks and Gamers”. Owners Scott Hanson and Gina Ross invite all ages to check out the Virtual Reality games which can be played at numerous stations inside the building. DBA projects including World Wide Photo Walk, the Heritage Square Car Show, the Fall Decorating Contest and the Brick Street Vintage Market were discussed during the meeting. Afterwards, members were invited to try out the VR stations!
Bricks Street Vintage Market will take place on Saturday September 21, 2019 from 8am til 6pm along Connally Street and portions of Celebration Plaza. Already over 40 vendors have reserved booth space, and more vendors can be accommodated, offering antique, re-purposed, shabby chic and handmade goods. Find the entry form at sulphurspringsdba.com. Entries are also being sought in the first-ever Bicycle Decorating Contest, open to all ages. Bring your decorated bicycle that morning to the Vintage Market, park it in the judging area. Winners will be announced at noon, with a $100 top prize. Also, the first 100 shoppers who check in at the Vintage Market Information Center at The Magic Scoop that morning will receive a goodie bag stuffed with coupons and special offers.
The popular Heritage Square Car Show is set for Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Celebration Plaza. To find out more or get an entry form, Contact Jason Tully at 903-440-6650 or [email protected].
Sulphur Springs joined in the World Wide Photo Walk several years ago, and the DBA is once again encouraging local amateur photographers to get involved for fun and prizes. The starting point for the group photo day on Saturday October 5 is Whimsey Boutique and Wine Bar at 9am. The suggested path includes Heritage Park and the downtown area, ending back at Whimsey at 11:30am. Interested persons need to sign up for the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk at https://worldwidephotowalk.com/
The Fall Decorating Contest is another DBA event that will be starting up soon. It will be open to businesses who will decorate the front of their business and help create a lovely backdrop for visitors and residents to enjoy during the Harvest season. Sign up at sulphurspringsdba.com.
Meetings of the Downtown Business Alliance are held on the second Tuesday at 5:30pm at a member location. Interested persons are welcome to attend.
Lady Cats Volleyball Defeat Emory Rains
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Gets By Scrappy Emory Rains Team, 3-1 Tuesday at Home
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team defeated a scrappy Emory Rains team, 3-1 Tuesday (September 10) evening at the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School. Despite the score, the Lady Cats narrowly avoided being forced into a fifth set. The Lady Cats got off to a good start winning the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-20. In set two, the Lady Cats fell behind 4-0 before coming back. They also had to stave off Rains who got to within two at 22-20. The Lady Cats got the last three points to go up in sets, 2-0. Then things began to get interesting. In set three, the Lady Cats had a tough time. They started off falling behind 4-1. They trailed by as many as nine points before dropping set three, 17-25. The Lady Cats got off to a good start in set four going up 6-1. Rains eventually tied the set at 14-14. Rains build their largest lead in the set at 21-18. The Lady Cats got hot at just the right time and tied the match at 21-21. It began to look like a fifth set was coming as Rains got the next two points to lead 23-21. After the Lady Cats tied the match at 23-23, Rains got the next point for a set point situation and a 24-23 lead. One more Rains point would force a fifth and deciding set. But the Lady Cats survived the set point and evened the set at 24-24. The set was also tied at 25-25 and 26-26 with Rains surviving a couple of match points. Finally the Lady Cats got the final two points to win the set, 28-26 and the match, 3-1. All ten Lady Cats on the roster played. Junior Sadie Washburn had another strong night with a lot of kills. Senior Sydney Washburn, sophomore Brooklyn Burnside and senior Erika VanBenthem also had good moments at the net. Peyton Hammack provided a bevy of sets for assists. Senior Kate Womack had some good serves that resulted in points. The Lady Cats improved their season record to 17-9. The Lady Cats travel to Texarkana Friday at 4:30 p.m. to take on Pleasant Grove. The Lady Cats won a five-set knock down drag out over the Lady Hawks last year in the main SSHS gym
U.S. Flags To Be Flown At Half-Staff On Patriot Day To Honor Lives Lost On 9/11
Most Americans can recall exactly what they were doing at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Sept. 11, 2001. As the anniversary approaches, many will take time to remember and honor those who lost their lives that day due to the terrorist attacks.
Congress in a joint resolution on Dec. 18, 2001, designated Sept. 11 as “Patriot Day,” a day to remember and honor the nearly 3,000 people who died as a result of those attacks. Many remembrances, special ceremonies, services and observances will be held across the nation.
“With gratitude, we honor the brave first responders, resolute members of our military, and ordinary Americans who showed extraordinary courage to save others on that fateful day. We will always be grateful for the heroic men and women of our Armed Forces who fought in defense of our country in the aftermath of the largest terrorist attack on American soil, and we will never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our liberty and freedom,” states a proclamation issued Sept. 10 by President Donald Trump.
The Presidential Proclamation also asks the people of the United States to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time “to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.” All departments, agencies, instrumentalities” governors of the United States and it’s territories, interested organizations and individuals” too are asked to “display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.”
Locally, Hopkins County Marine Corps League Detachment 1357 will be lowering the flags in our community beginning at 8 a.m. Sept. 11, in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation on Sept. 10.
A “short but emotional and important ceremony” will be held at 0800 Sept. 11, 2019, at the Veteran’s Memorial, on Celebration Plaza in Sulphur Springs, as the flags are lowered. The Hopkins County Marine Corps League Detachment 1357’s Judge Advocate will offer a presentation to honor those lost as a result of the tragic attack on our nation 18 years ago.
A 9/11 tribute is also planned at Hopkins County Fire Station on Texas Street at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Cumby Alderman Julie Morris on the city’s Facebook page encourages community members to heed the president’s request and #neverforget343 by flying flags at half-mast and observing a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EDT, the time the first plane struck the north tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Many schools will have programs to honor those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks. For instance, those at Barbara Bush Primary are encouraged to wear red white and blue clothing on Wednesday in observance of Patriot Day.
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Shares Thoughts of Defense Against Lovejoy and on Terrell Offense
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra is hard to please. Still he said the Wildcats’ defense played well in spots against Lovejoy last Friday (September 6) night. He said they played a physical game but had a couple of breakdowns. He noted the Leopard’s have a quality receiver who was good. Overall Coach Guerra said he was pleased with the Wildcats defensive effort. Against a big Lovejoy offensive line, Coach Guerra said his defensive line is not big but they are quick and he said they held up well and battled. He noted that both safeties had big moments defending passes. He said senior Chase Haney is like a coach on the field and has taken sophomore safety Korderrian “Bull” Turner under his wing. Coach Guerra said the Wing T offense seems to be making a comeback and that is what Terrell runs. He said he cut his teeth as a young defensive coach on the Wing-T offense in south Texas. Coach Guerra said defenders have to be super disciplined and super physical. He said a single misstep can result in an offensive player taking the ball to the house. He said Terrell has speedy backs with ability that run behind a big offensive line. Coach Guerra agreed that the defense is showing improvement. He also had something else to tell them this week. Coach Guerra told defenders this we are young stuff is over. He said defenders have responded. He called his defensive Wildcats a good group and coachable.
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Comments on Offense Against Lovejoy and on Terrell Defense
Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the offense did things a lot better Friday night (September 6) except win the game. He said the offense wanted to eliminate foolish penalties and he said they did better but still had a couple. Coach Young said the offense must value the rock (football). He noted an interception in the red zone and a fumble in the pocket. Still Coach Young said the Wildcats’ offensive execution was way up Friday. He said it was at 47% for the entire game Friday. In week one, the Wildcats executed at 47% during the first half but only at 31% for the second half. Coach Young said the Wildcats offense must finish. He said he liked the play of quarterback Kaden Wallace. He said 10 people caught passes and three running backs had carries. Coach Young said he liked that the offense struggled but then came back and fought. He said the offensive line was required to block every defensive front imaginable. He called the Lovejoy defensive line game plan similar to a playoff game. Coach Young said the offensive line would struggle and then would gash open a hole for a big run. He praised offensive linemen Chandler Leo and Giovanni Pizano and wide receivers Detrick Clayton, Kylan Wade, Bryant Sanchez and Chase Haney. Coach Young also commented on the Terrell defense his offense will see Friday night at Terrell. He said they reminded him of a Paris defense from 5 or 6 years ago. He said they are not complicated but they play fast and hard. Coach Young said the Tigers have one of the best linebackers in the district (Jaquavious Morris) who also plays running back. He said the Tigers secondary limits space. He said eight or nine of the Tigers play both offense and defense. Coach Young hopes the Wildcats can fatigue the Tigers defense linemen. He said Terrell has been in both of their ballgames this season but have tired near the end. He said the focus is still on the Wildcats. Coach Young said if the offense does it’s job, they are hard to keep out of the end zone. He complimented the Wildcats for how well they practice.
Lady Cats Volleyball and Wildcats Team Tennis on This Tuesday Game Day
There is Lady Cats’ volleyball and Wildcats’ team tennis on this Tuesday (September 10) game day. The Lady Cats Volleyball Team is back at home Tuesday against Emory Rains. There will no freshman game. There will be a JV contest at 4:30 p.m. followed by the varsity match at around 5:30 p.m. Both games will be in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School. The Lady Cats varsity will be attempting to bounce back after a lose at Edgewood on Friday. The Lady Cats enter play Tuesday with a record of 16-9. The Lady Cats have already played Rains once this season. The Lady Cats won a match against Emory Rains, 2-1, in a Wills Point tournament back on August 15. The score was 25-17, 27-29 and 25-20. All fans who bring canned goods to the Tuesday game can get in free. The Lady Cats are collecting can goods for the local food bank. KSST Radio will bring you Lady Cats volleyball beginning at 5:30 p.m. The game will also be videotaped for replay later on Ch. 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Meanwhile Wildcats Team Tennis has a very important district match at Greenville on this Tuesday game day at 3:30 p.m. The Wildcats, 0-1 in district play after a competitive 12-7 district loss at home last Tuesday to Lindale, are expected to battle with the Lions and Mount Pleasant for a playoff spot. The Greenville team has gone through coaching changes and this season they have their third coach over the past two years.
PJC Student Wins Honor Society Scholarship
Hard work paid off for Paris Junior College student Kareyn Hellmann recently when she received the Dr. Yolanda Romero STAR Scholarship from the Texas Region of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society. Hellmann is a member of the Beta Zeta chapter of PTK, and is finishing a year serving as president of the chapter.
“I submitted an application telling about myself, the things I’ve done with PTK and volunteering in general,” said Hellmann, “the activities I’ve done and awards received. I also wrote essays about my personal experiences and who I am.”
Thirteen PTK members from across Texas received STAR scholarships in varying amounts; Hellmann was one of only two awarded $1,000, the highest bracket available.
“I was very happy, proud and grateful to the amazing people who wrote me letters of recommendation,” said Hellmann. “I cannot have been prouder for Paris Junior College, for myself, and for our Beta Zeta Chapter of PTK.”
Hellmann said she is majoring in journalism and plans to go into public relations.
“Karen has worked very diligently on the different scholarship opportunities that are associated with PTK and she has been a great role model for other students,” said PTK advisor and Geology Instructor Trina Lubbe. “Her hard work has very clearly paid off and I’m very proud of her.”
The scholarship was created to honor Dr. Yolanda Romero, the first Mexican-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in history from a Texas institution (and the 13th in the United States). She taught at North Lake College in Irving, Texas.
For more information about PTK or other student organizations at PJC, contact Director of Student Life Kenneth Webb at [email protected].
Sulphur Springs Teen Accused Of Assault
A Sulphur Springs teen was arrested Monday afternoon on a Class A misdemeanor assault charge.
Sulphur Springs police were dispatched at 12:15 p.m. to a disturbance in the 200 block of Parkins Street. Upon arrival, officers talked to the alleged victim. The female reportedly had visible injuries on her right hand, allegedly caused by the 17-year-old male.
The teen also was accused of removing a phone from her hand as she was talking with law enforcement. He allegedly admitted to removing the phone from her hands. The 17-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody for family violence assault causing bodily injury.
The teen remained in the county jail Tuesday, Sept. 10 in lieu of $2,000 bond on the assault charge. Sept. 9 marks the second time the 17-year-old has been arrested this year. He also spent March 8-11 in the county jail on an evading arrest or detention charge, according to jail reports.
SSES Students, Staff Explain Use, Impact Of Capturing Kids Hearts On Campus
Sulphur Springs Elementary students and staff Monday night demonstrated and explained to the school board the positive impact teachers’ training in and implementing of Capturing Kids Hearts program is having on that campus.
Teachers Megan Wiggins and Whitney Vaughan asked the school board members and staff to reenter the building, so the five students with them could demonstrate how students start their days. They shook hands and welcomed the school officials with positive greetings and eye contact.
Then, they engaged the school staff and officials in a game of “heads down, heads up.” The teachers explained they used this game to introduce students new to the camps to each other and to become better acquainted with their classmates.
Vaughan noted classes often start the day with “good things,” a time for students to share good things that happened to them in the last day, week or weekend. This gives teachers and other students a better idea what’s important to each student, while making them feel good by remembering and sharing. It allows the students and staff to learn much about each outside of traditional journal writing, which they still do some too.
Each class has a social contract. The teachers had the kids break into groups and come up with words for character traits and actions for them to be held accountable for and abide by. For instance, loyalty, honesty and respectful are admirable traits students aspire toward. Those words were placed on a poster to remind them the behavior to which they should strive.
Students are encouraged to offer praise, positive comments and encouragement for which a high five could be given, when the opportunities present themselves.
If a student is thought to not abide by the social contract, the youth can be asked four questions: what they are doing, what they are supposed to be doing and what they are going to do. This holds the students accountable, and can redirect negative actions. Students may first be given warnings. And, students can respectfully “check” each other for their behavior; this is not a confrontation, just a friendly reminder about the contract before a teacher must intercede, the SSES teachers noted.
Students may give a “foul” hand sign if someone has hurt another’s feelings or otherwise not lived up to their contact. However, when that’s done, the person given the foul then is to give two “put ups,” two affirmations or verbal high fives designed to encourage the hurt student. Students are encouraged to look more inward than surface compliments, such as having a nice dress. This is helping build a community.
Consequence are clearly established for failure to live up to the contract, including a “behave out” to the office or a “break,” students explained.
“You spent a lot of money getting us trained. We are appreciative. It’s making a difference for a lot of kids. Thank you very much.”
SSES Principal Holly Folmar
Another SSES student explained that each week the class rates the contract from 1-10 to see how they’ve done as a class, how they can improve.
Ultimately, they are reminded daily to keep in mind they learned from “Mr. Peabody’s Apple” by Madonna: “the power of your words.”
Wiggins said she and fellow teachers who participated in during Capturing Kids training were asked to bring a sentimental and tell about it. This was a successful ice breaker for the educators and was successful in helping students continue building their sense of community with their classmates too. Students were asked to tell why the sentimental item means so much to them. They were encouraged to bring something more sentimental than a gaming system or cell phone.
The teachers said the students did an awesome job, and learned that many of them have the same types of things going on in their homes that they deal with. It built a “family in class,” making the students more comfortable sharing information with classmates they might otherwise only share with family members or very close friends.
“You spent a lot of money getting us trained,” said SSES Principal Holly Folmar of the Capturing Kids Hearts workshops all elementary teachers were required to attend. “We are appreciative. It’s making a difference for a lot of kids. Thank you very much.”
The SSES students also lead those present at the Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees meeting in the pledges to the United States and Texas flags.
