Wildcat Football First Week
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Wildcats Football Team Completes First Week of Practice Saturday With Intrasquad Scrimmage and Picture Day
Saturday (August 17) the Wildcats Football Team wrapped up their first week of practice with an intrasquad scrimmage on their practice field and then Picture Day at Prim Stadium. Despite the fact that the Wildcats have had on shoulder pads for four days, Saturday was the first day that coaches allowed contact and tackling. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said the scrimmage was sloppy. Still it featured some good moments for both offensive and defensive players. Many of the players are participating on both sides of the ball. Offensive and defensive varsity players went against each other as did JV players. A select few JV players also got some reps with the varsity players. For the varsity, the Wildcats defense forced quite a few punts and linebacker Kylan Wade picked up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. The Wildcats varsity offense also had some good moments. Quarterback Kaden Wallace threw a pair of touchdown passes, one to receiver Landry Meskimen and a second one to JV receiver J.J. Hall. There did not appear to be any injuries during the scrimmage. Next week, the Wildcats practice time will move up to 4 p.m. and school starts Tuesday. The Wildcats will be pointing toward their only formal scrimmage coming up Thursday evening at Liberty-Eylau. The Wildcats open the regular season on August 30 against Frisco Wakeland at 7:30 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium.
Wildcats Team Tennis Falls To Longview
Wildcats Team Tennis Loses to Longview JV at Whitehouse Tournament Friday
Wildcats Team Tennis wrapped up their play in a Whitehouse tournament Friday (August 16) with a 12-7 loss to the Longview JV. After a hard day of tennis in the tournament Thursday, the Wildcats were back on the Whitehouse courts by 7 a.m. Friday. The team was tired Friday according to Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez. Again this year, Coach Martinez has had his team playing a lot of matches before the start of school. On several occasions, the Wildcats played two teams on one day. The Wildcats are 1-9 after all the matches, many against tough competition. Twice the Wildcats dropped a match by a single point. With school starting Tuesday, the Wildcats play only a single match this week. On Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., the Wildcats play Pleasant Grove at the Wildcat Tennis Center. The Wildcats are gearing up for the start of district play against Lindale on September 3 in Sulphur Springs.
Lady Cats Volleyball Takes Second
Lady Cats Volleyball Takes Second Place at Wills Point Tourney
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team finished second in the 2019 Hardman/Watson Varsity Volleyball Tournament Saturday (August 17) in Wills Point winning four out of their five games. The Lady Cats lost to Commerce, 2-0 in the final game Saturday in the top Championship Bracket. The score was 17-25 and 15-25. The Lady Cats won two matches Saturday to advance to the final game. They topped district rival Texas High, 2-0 by the score of 25-14 and 25-13 and the Lady Cats defeated host Wills Point, 2-0 by the score of 25-14 and 25-21. To get into the Championship Bracket the Lady Cats won their pool with wins over Emory Rains and Tatum on Thursday. The Lady Cats season record is now 10-5. This week the Lady Cats play at Forney Tuesday at 6 p.m. and then will play in an Edgewood tournament Thursday and Saturday. Initially the Lady Cats were to play in a Tyler tournament but plans were changed after a scheduling issue.
While All SSISD Elementary Students To Receive Free Meals, Adult Lunch Going Up
All Sulphur Springs Independent School District students from pre-kindergarten and Head Start through fifth graders will receive free school meals this year. However, faculty and visitors will pay more during the 2019-2020 school year when purchasing meals at SSISD campuses.
SSISD Child Nutrition Department earlier this month announced additional campuses qualify for the Community Eligibility Provisions program. Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center, Barbara Bush Elementary, Bowie Primary, Lamar Primary, Travis Primary and Sulphur Springs Learning Center will provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to all students attending these campuses during the 2019-2020 school year. Participating in the CEP program also means parents won’t have to fill out and return meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals.
“This new approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals,” notes SSISD Child Nutrition Program Director Veronica Arnold.
Because SSMS and SSHS do not qualify for the CEP program, students enrolled at these campuses will still need to complete and return to school the application for free and reduced meals to purchase and receive breakfast and lunch at their campus.
Arnold reported that adults, faculty or visitors, will pay a 25-cents more for a lunch purchases from SSISD cafeterias. The rate increase is based on USDA reimbursement rates, released Aug. 7 for the 2019-2020 school year. Based on that information, school Child Nutrition programs are required to recalculae adult and visitor prices using the USDA formula for minimum allowed pricing, according to Arnold.
The cost for faculty and visitor breakfast prices will remain $2.25. However, adult lunch prices will increase to $4 per meal, Arnold reports.
SSISD will once again participate in Region VII Education Service Center Inter-local Purchasing System to purchase food and supplies at the bid rates. SSISD will purchase certain foods and servicese through the food cooperative as follows:
- Fresh bread: Kurz and Company
- General grocery such as canned and dry goods, fresh and frozen meats: Sysco ETX
- Fluid milk, dairy products and juice: Hiland Dairy and Sysco East TX
- Snack foods and beverages: Sysco East Texas
- Catering and special event grocery: Sysco East TX
- Paper, plastic, chemicals and equipment such as dish machine chemicals and servicing: Systco East TX, Kirby Restaurant Supply and Abernathy
- Frozen Desserts: Sysco East Tx
- Beverages and dispensed drinks: Sysco ETX, Coca-Cola, Hiland Dairy and Trident
- Fresh produce: Sysco, Brother’s Produce and BTB Hot Sauce LLC
Cumby ISD Switching Up Food Service Program To Give More Meal Options
Not only will Cumby Independent School District students still be able to enjoy a free breakfast and pre-kindergarten students free lunches too this year, but all Cumby ISD students will have more choices when they go through the line for lunch.
Recognizing the importance of quality meals to students’ learning development, Cumby ISD administrators were given approval to enter into a partnership with FoodService Peeps to improve the school meal program, by offering more options to temp students’ appetites.
“FSP brings many years of experience and expertise in managing Child Nutrition programs. FSP will be working to identify opportunities to improve our Child Nutrition Program to better serve our students body, teacher, parents and administrators,” CISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter stated in a letter to parents of CISD students.
All full elementary menus include one entree choice with meat and grain, one fruit choice, two vegetable choices, and a milk choice.
For instance, Monday, Aug. 19, the main lunch menu for elementary and junior high students includes a chicken burrito, seasoned carrots, seasoned black beans and chilled applesauce. The Peeps eats also offers an alternate menu of turkey and cheese on a bun, crunch coleslaw, lettuce and tomato cup, and chilled applesauce.
High school students on will have a choice of one entree with meat and grain offering, two fruit choices, two vegetable choices and milk. They will have chef’s choice, pies, grilled, fresh grabs and garden sides to choose from. For Monday, Aug. 19, their options will be chicken stir fry with Asian brown rice, an egg roll and green beans; cheese pie (pizza); a grilled chicken wrap with chips and salsa, and lettuce and tomato; a chef salad with croutons and crackers; and a salad with cucumber coins, carrot sticks, raisins and chilled peaches.
Lunch prices for 2019-2020 for junior high and high school students will be $2.40. Lunch for elementary students, with the exception of pre-k kids, will be $2.15 this year. However, some students may qualify for free or reduced lunch prices through the National School Lunch program. Those who qualify for reduce meals will pay on 40-cents for lunch, and free pay no fee.
Any parents who have yet to complete and return a National School Lunch Application for their students are urged to do so as soon as possible to “avoid any unnecessary hardship on your students.”
“It is critical that all parents complete the National School Lunch Application since it will provide additional streams of federal funding to Cumby ISD,” Slaughter noted.
Cumby ISD also implemented a “Charge Policy of up to $ $20.00,” effective as the Aug. 15 start of classes for all students.
Adult lunch prices this year will be $3.75 and breakfast $1.50.
The campus will, however, be closed to all outside food vendors and deliveries as part of new safety initiatives to strengthen overall campus security, according to Slaughter.
Sulphur Springs ISD Agrees To ‘Strike Off’ Oak Avenue Property To City For New Senior Citizens Center
House Built By CTE Students Still Unsold
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees were asked during their regular August meeting to consider taking action regarding two different properties owned by the school.
Oak Avenue Properties
Trustees agreed to “strike off” and give to the city tracts of property located on Oak Avenue, where a nursing home used to be located. The property has been abandoned and now jointly owned by the taxing entities.
The city manager asked that the local taxing entities, including the school district, to give the property to the city for construction of a new senior citizens activities building, a project that would be funded through taxes dedicated for economic development should the measure receive voter approval in the Nov. 5 election, according to school officials.
For anything to be done on the property will require abatement, which will be very costly. Currently, no tax funds are being received for the property. Giving it to the city would benefit the community, at no monetary cost to the school. The district’s attorneys were consulted and strongly recommend “striking off” the properties, school officials told the school board.
The county earlier this summer also agreed to give their part in the land to the city for that purpose. Hopkins County Hospital District has yet to vote on the matter.
SSISD trustees gave unanimous approval for the city to have the land to construct a Senior Citizens Center on.
Fore Street Property
Trustees were also slated to vote on bids for the farm-style home constructed on Fore Street over the last two years by Sulphur Springs High School students in construction classes.
Because of the value of the property which was offered for purchase by the school district, law required bids be sought for it. Unfortunately, Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams reported, the district did not receive any bids for the property. Thus, no action could be taken on the measure.
Trustees and school officials are to discuss at a later school board meeting what to do about the Fore Street property.
CTE
This year and moving forward, SSHS students in career and technology education construction classes are slated to construct a “tiny” house, according to Jenny Arledge, SSHS Director of College and Career Readiness and Career & Technical Education.
Arledge at the Aug. 12 board meeting also presented the annual CTE program evaluation to the school board. She said the state accountability focus is moving more toward helping students attain as many certifications as possible. SSHS is working to meet that focus, by offering even more potential certifications students can attain in future years, which will mean some change in the way the program is reported and structured.
The school is working with Fire in Texas academy to try to be able to offer in the 2020-21 school year two additional program: EMT certification and basic firefighter certification for students who complete all course requirements and pass state and/or national testing requirements for certification, according to Arledge.
The complete CTE annual evaluation report can be views on the SSISD website.
2 Sulphur Springs Residents, Oklahoma Woman Jailed On Unrelated Felony Warrants
Two women and one man were taken into custody by sheriff’s officers. All three were booked into the county jail Friday on felony warrants, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Transport Deputy Jason Poteet traveled Friday to San Saba unit of Texas Department of Criminal Justice, where Madison Marie Olivia Darst was being held. Poteet took the 20-year-old Enid, Oklahoma woman into custody at 11:15 a.m. Aug. 16 and transported her to Hopkins County jail, where she was booked at 4:18 p.m. Aug. 16 on a bench warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for having a prohibited substance in a correctional facility, according to arrest reports.
Darst was originally arrested on at least two other charges on Sept. 26, 2017, and released from jail Dec. 21, 2017. She had been placed on probation. A warrant was issued Oct. 22, 2018, for her arrest, for violating the terms of her probation, according to arrest, jail and court reports.
A Crime Stoppers tip lead to the arrest of Lauren Leighann Duckworth. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office arrested the wanted 29-year-old Sulphur Springs woman. She was found at an East Industrial Drive residence.
HCSO Sgt. Michael Russell and Deputy D. Fisher confirmed the warrant to be active and served it at the location, where Duckworth had been living. She was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 for violation of probation. Her probation was for a 2014 burglary of a building charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sgt. Russell and Deputy Fisher also took Ricky Lee Wyly II into custody at 10:32 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16. The sheriff’s officers were reportedly alerted to Wyly was wanted for an assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing indictment. They located the 41-year-old Sulphur Springs man on FM 71 west and took him into custody.
Wyly is accused in an indictment of impeding the breathing or circulation of a female household member by applying pressure to her neck or throat during the assault on July 5. The indictment was signed during the Aug. 1 Grand Jury session, and the warrant for his arrest was issued on Aug. 15, according to jail and arrest 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.
Mount Vernon Man Arrested In Sulphur Springs By Deputies On 4th DWI Charge
A 69-year-old Mount Vernon man was arrested early Saturday morning on Church Street in Sulphur Springs by deputies for driving while intoxicated, marking the fourth time he’s been arrested on the offense, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Lance Burdick alleged in arrest reports.
Sheriff’s dispatchers were contacted following a complaint transferred from Delta County officials regarding a reckless driver, someone traveling south in the northbound lane of State Highway 19 at the Delta-Hopkins County line at 12:35 a.m. Aug. 17, according to sheriff’s reports. HCSO Deputies Aaron Chaney and Zack Horne responded to attempt to locate the vehicle. A short time later, both deputies reported spotting a white Ford Crown Victoria and stopping it on Church Street.
The deputies requested Burdick to respond at the location shortly thereafter to conduct a DWI investigation. Upon arrival, Burdick spoke to both deputies and the driver of the car, identified in arrest reports as 69-year-old LG Fountain. Burdick reported smelling a faint alcohol odor on the Mount Vernon man and noted that Fountain had glassy, bloodshot eyes. Fountain allegedly agreed to field sobriety tests, on which he showed 7 clues of intoxication. Burdick reported two open containers located.
Fountain was arrested at 1:18 Aug. 17 for DWI, third or more offense. A records check showed the man to have three prior DWI arrests, resulting in the charge being enhanced to a felony offense, Burdick alleged in arrest reports. Fountain reportedly agreed to a blood test, which was taken at the hospital, then he was transported to jail and booked on the charge. He remained in the county jail later Saturday morning on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Man Arrested After He And His 1-Year-Old Test Positive For Methamphetamine
An investigation by Child Protective Services and Special Crimes Unit Investigators lead to the arrest of a 29-year-old Sulphur Springs man, after he and his 1-year-old tested positive for methamphetamine, police officers alleged in arrest reports.
SCU Lt. Mark Estes and Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman took Herman Lee Morris Jr. into custody at 9 a.m. at the local CPS office on an endangering a child warrant, according to jail reports.
Estes reported being contacted by a CPS agent on Aug. 14 regarding a 1-year-old child who tested positive for methamphetamine. The agent alleged, during her investigation, Herman was found to be the person entrusted with the care, custody and control of his 1-year-old child, who tested positive for meth. The child’s mother, who was reportedly pregnant at the time of the investigation, was also tested, but the result was negative for meth, according to reports. The offense is alleged, in arrest reports, to have occurred on June 30.
The child was removed from the home and placed in the are of CPS. A felony warrant was sought by Estes and granted by Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer on Aug. 15. Estes and Hoffman served Morris with the warrant at the CPS office on Friday, Aug. 16, according the police reports.
Morris remained in the county jail Saturday morning, Aug. 17, on the felony charge of endangering a child, according to arrest reports.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Cooks Up Classes
By Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent
Hopkins County residents enjoy good food. However, many recipes we see on Facebook and other internet sites are not necessarily the healthiest. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has a solution! Two upcoming programs will feature cooking demonstrations and sampling – and the recipes are both tasty and healthy!
“Cooking Well for Healthy Blood Pressure” is a fairly new program offered through Extension. The three-lesson series will include “DASHING Your Way to Improved Health” and will cover the DASH plan (Dietary Approach to Stopping Hypertension), definition of high blood pressure and associated risks, exploring food choices, and lifestyle changes associated with reducing blood pressure. The second lesson is “A Virtual Grocery Store Tour,” where we’ll examine each department in the grocery store to find the healthiest sources. The third and final session is “Cooking with Spices and Herbs” instead of salt to enhance flavor while reducing sodium. Cooking demonstrations will take place during each session.
“Cooking Well for Health Blood Pressure” is scheduled for Sept. 9, 12 and 16, at 1:30 p.m. at the Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office. A fee of $20, payable at the first session, will cover all materials, sampling, and door prizes. Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up.
Another cooking series is “Cooking Well with Diabetes.” Although this is not a new series, the information is always timely. The 4-session series is designed for those with diabetes, but anyone can benefit from the information! Session one covers “Carbohydrate Foods.” This session is designed to help participants recognize foods that are higher and lower in carbohydrates, since carbohydrates raise blood glucose. “Making Recipes with Fat Better for You” will examine cooking methods and shopping tips to help reduce calories ingested from high fat foods, while still maintaining delicious flavor. This session will focus on main dishes. The third session, “Double-Pleasure Side Dishes,” will focus on ways to reduce sodium and increase fiber in the diet. Side dishes will be highlighted. The final session is “Celebrating Sensibly with Diabetes.” Holidays, parties, and special celebrations can be difficult to handle, especially if you have diabetes. This session provides practical tips on making the most of these celebrations while still maintaining a health blood sugar. Two recipes will demonstrated at each session, and participants will have the opportunity to sample 3 recipes.
“Cooking Well with Diabetes” is scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays, Sept. 16, 19, 23 and 26, at 6 p.m. at the Hopkins County Extension Office. A $25 fee, payable at the first session, will cover all materials, sampling, and door prizes. Please call 903-885-3443 in advance to sign up.
4-H Enrollment Time
All across the state of Texas, counties are gearing up for a new 4-H year. Hopkins County is no exception! The registration link is now open and we welcome all youth, grades 3 thru 12, to register! From foods & nutrition to photography, from archery to animals, leadership to clothing & textiles, horticulture to horses, we offer a wide variety opportunities for involvement. Returning 4-H members are reminded to open the 4-H Connect link and update the information. New members may go to the following website and set up a profile: https://texas.4honline.com. Simply follow the on-screen instructions.
The 4-H year begins Sept. 1, 2019, and ends Aug. 31, 2020. The registration fee is $25 if paid by October 31, and goes up to $30 after that date. Through our local 4-H program, we offer workshops, camps, project meetings, community service and leadership opportunities, and more. There are several choices for 4-H club membership in Hopkins County, so if you have questions about which one to select, our staff is here to assist you.
Volunteers are always welcome! Strong volunteers are the backbone of our 4-H program, and we welcome adults who have a passion for helping our youth grow into upstanding, responsible citizens. If you have questions about the Hopkins County 4-H program, contact Mario Villarino, Jessica Taylor, Barbara Sanders, or me, and we will answer your questions – 903-885-3443.
While we’re on the subject of 4-H, our annual 4-H Achievement Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m., at the League Street Church of Christ. All current 4-H members, leaders, and families are reminded to contact the Extension Office to reserve tickets for the event. This is necessary so we can get an accurate head count for the meal. The theme is “Green Carpet Gala” as we spotlight our 4-H members who have participated in county, district, and state level activities. We’ll also recognize our 4-H Gold Star recipient, Outstanding Intermediate, and Outstanding Junior 4-H’ers, as well as Outstanding 4-H Leader of the Year.
Another event, scheduled for Sept. 14, is the 4-H Foods Fun Day, 1:30 p.m., at the Extension Office. Those interested in the 4-H Foods project are invited to this fun, hands-on workshop as we explore the world of apples – baking, decorating ideas, gift-giving ideas, and more! In order to make adequate preparations, please call 903-885-3443 to sign up.
Closing Thought
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. – Walt Disney
