Commissioners Court Approves Disaster Relief grant services provider, Communications Funding
Hopkins County Commissioners approved disposal of property for three of the four county precincts, requests from an electric company to put distribution facilities across two county roads, removal of a beaver dam in Saltillo, a contract with TCEQ, lease agreements for printer/copier/scanner units for three sties at Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center and two resolutions.
Approval was given for Farmers Electric Company Inc. to construct electrical power distribution facilities, which will cross County Road 2333 and County Road 3520.
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley asked the court to consider a contract with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality through the local Planning Committee. Endsley explained a few years ago, the county received a grant through this program to obtain portable radios.
“What we’ll do with this, is we’ll finish our programming sequence with all of our four repeater towers where we can go fully digital on our fire department side. This will help to complete this process, a much needed $5,000,” Endlsey said.
The grant would require no county match either in funds, labor or property, Endsley added. The court approved the contract.
Commissioners approved lease agreements with Advantage Copy Systems for copier/printer/scanner units for the jail, dispatch and arraignment room at HCLEC. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tanner Crump said the ink and toner are included in the lease agreement, which when coupled with the advantage of owning the units, is a saving to the county.
Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Pogue Mitchell received approval to begin the hiring process of finding a replacement an employee in the motor vehicle division who will be stepping up to replace the department’s “top hand” in property tax and voter registration, who is retiring on July 31. Beginning the hiring process now should provide ample time to not only hire, but train individuals working with current staff to do those jobs. Mitchell said her department does have the funding required to have an extra employee during that time of transition.
Precinct 4 will be selling at auction a 2000 half-ton Chevrolet pickup, a 1997 backhoe, a Catterpillar with a back-blade and a few other items, most of which were not operational until recently, when precinct workers got all except two working. Most have not been operational for 7-8 years. The current precinct workers got all except two working. They’re to be sold at auction
Precinct 1 will be auctioning a pickup bed. A 1994 Ford dump truck from Precinct 3 will be sent to auction as well.
The piano that’d been in the basement of the courthouse has yet to be sold. It is tentatively scheduled for auction on May 2 in Commerce. The auction scheduled at the facility had to be postponed due to the rainy weather. The parking area is not paved, and thus can become too muddy during rainy weather, Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley.
Commissioners passed resolution designating GrantsWork as management service provider to draft and or a Community Development Block Grant for disaster relief.
The court also designated May 2 as National Day of Prayer in Hopkins County. A gathering for prayer for the county will be held on the downtown square at 5 p.m. that day, Newsom said.
Precinct 3 staff removed a beaver dam on private property on County Road 3357 in Saltillo, which was backing up onto the right-of-way causing issues on the road.
Hopkins County Extension Agents johanna Hicks, Mario Villarino and Jessica Taylor gave an update on programs that’d occurred in the last 3-4 months and a few upcoming projects.
Hopkins County Commissioners entered into a work session immediately following the regular court meeting. Tom Glosup was scheduled to give maintenance and construction update. The new Civic Center manager was to discuss events, repairs and improvements for the facility as well as revenues and expenditures. Additional topics to be discussed included environmental concerns, appointment of members to the Historical Commission, , courthouse security, employee safety equipment program, feral hog grant, modifications of economic development agreements and a budget work session.
Jay Hodge Chevrolet to Host Corvette Club
The Sulphur Springs Corvette Club is teaming up with Jay Hodge Chevrolet in Sulphur Springs for a Corvette show April 27th, 2019 from 10:00 am till 2:00 pm. The Dealership will furnish hot dogs, burgers and drinks.
The public is welcome to join in the fun.
There will be designated parking areas for display Corvettes. Club members should start arriving around 9:45 am.
All area Corvettes are welcome to attend.
Yantis ISD Board of Trustees Candidate Profiles
Yantis Independent School District has three candidates running for two full-term at-large seats on the school board.
Early voting by personal appearance in the election began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 7 p.m. April 22; resume from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, April 22-26 and April 30; from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 29, in the Early Voting Room inside Wood County Courthouse, 100 South Main St. in Quitman. Election Day voting will be conducted from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in Yantis Elementary School foyer.
To help voters learn a little more about the people seeking office, each school board candidate was asked to provide information about themselves and their candidacy, including their reasons for seeking a seat on the school board. Those responses are shared here, in no particular order, in two separate posts.
APRIL JOHNSON
Family: I am married to Cole, and we have 3 children. Nikolas is 13 and is in the eighth grade here at Yantis Middle School. Lucas, my step-son, is 18 and attends SSISD High School and is a senior. We also have a 2 year old little girl, Rudi Jo, which will be a future Owl.
How long have you lived in the district? I have lived in Yantis since 2005, and my husband is from Yantis.
Education, training, special skills: I graduated from TAMU-C in 2006 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. I have been on YISD school board for 2 years and currently hold the Secretary position
Occupation, job description: I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry since 1995, and have been a Certified/Registered Pharmacy Technician since 1999. I currently am a stay-at-home mom; as well as run our local business. Cole and I run/own/operate Johnsonville Mx Farm, a motocross track, here in Yantis. We have several races and practices throughout the year.
Why are you seeking this office? I’m seeking re-election for a seat on the school board for numerous reasons.
I, along with my fellow board members, want to continue to have a great environment that encourages learning and attracts the best teachers and administrators.
I care about the health, welfare and safety of the children and staff at YISD. I have had a child in YISD since he was in pre-k (10 years), as well as one that will be attending in the future.
Compliance is very important to me. I performed daily audits and assisted insurance companies in pharmacy audits for 30 pharmacy locations as well as keeping those pharmacies compliant with DEA, TXDPS, TSBP and all insurance companies for Medicine Chest for 10 years.
What do you think is most important for voters to know about your or your candidacy? I will continue to strive to make sure the taxes that are paid are being spent wisely and in the best interest of the students/district.
I am also involved with the Yantis Area Chamber of Commerce. I am the secretary/treasurer.
JENNIFER LARKIN
Occuation, job description: I am the Sales Support Coordinator at M&F Western Products in Sulphur Springs where I have worked for 7 years.
Family information/how long have your lived in Yantis ISD? I have lived in Yantis for 8 years with my son Brant, 12 and daughter Kennlee, 7. They both attend school at Yantis ISD.
Education, training, special skills: I am a member of Trinity Harvest Church in Sulphur Springs and my children also attend Wednesday Night Live at First Baptist in Yantis. I have served on our church infant and toddler ministry team for 5 years. I am an active member of my community. I am currently the president of Yantis Baseball Association and have served on the board for three years. My family and I also enjoying helping with the annual Hoops Dreams buddy basketball.
Why are you seeking this office? I am running for school board because I would like to be a voice for children’s education in our community.
What do you think is most important for voters to know about your or your candidacy? I am passionate about helping our children grow through a positive community based school district. I would also be a strong supporter in helping our teachers and administers in reaching and exceeding their educational goals. I look forward to hearing suggestions and ideas to help move our children forward and always build them up.
JEFF QUINN
Family information: wife Christie, high school science teacher at Yantis ISD; 2 boys, Creager 13, 7th grade and Jorie, 8, third grade
How long have you lived in the district? I have lived in the Yantis area going on 24 years.
Why are you seeking this office? I’ve been off of it for a year. My first term was for 3 years. I didn’t seek election again at that time in order to study for driver and was busy on TIFMAS. As a fireman I know how to work as a team. Now days, with the state trying to take funding from our smaller schools to give to bigger schools, we need to look out for the kids. My wife was raised and graduated YHS, so our connection goes way back. We have a hreat admin right now. The teachers, administrators –everybody’s awesome. I’m try again, because as a public servant, it’s my job to serve our community.
Education, training, special skills: I am a member of the Yantis VFD . I have a Bachelor in Agricultural Science. I am a firefighter, paramedic with wildland and other specialized training for TIFMAS .
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? To me, the important part is — being that I’ve been on the school board before — I know it’s a team effort. It takes a community to raise good kids. I’m here for the kids. My kids are at the school. I do all the fire prevention for Yantis VFD. I see how good these kids are. They just need the best opportunities.
Country’s Jake Penrod “King of Texas Twang”Appears at the Reilly Springs Jamboree
Jake Penrod’s career is climbing high in the minds and hearts of his fans, and there are a number of them in Hopkins County! At the most recent Reilly Springs Jamboree, Jake was the headliner performer. Roger Reed and the Jamboree house band got a big thrill in backing him up on traditional country standards and his original songs, compiled on his 2018 CD release, “Out of Control”. Jake travels all over the country, and particularly loves to play the Texas dance halls. With his Million Dollar Cowboys band which he often travels with, Jake is at home at world-famous venues like Goodnight Charlie’s in Houston, the Luckenbach Dance Hall in Fredericksburg, The White Horse Honky Tonk in Austin, and The Lonesome Rose in San Antonio.
Because the 34-year-old lives nearby at Athens, Texas, and because he has a particular affection for visiting halls where the country greats once played, Jake sometimes books in at small venues like the Reilly Springs Jamboree like he did over the 2019 Easter weekend. His special love is for the everyday people who come to hear his brand of “Texas Twang”. Early on, he was influenced by the late Texas country star Tony Douglas, who toured with his band The Shrimpers around NE Texas in the 1970’s and 80’s. The late Tom Perryman, radio pioneer and Tyler DJ, took Jake under his wing, helping him polish his already strong fan appeal. Another early mentor was David Stallings, a Nacodoches promoter and comedian whose prank-call character Willie P. Richardson had sold 1.25 million recordings and was heard nationally on radio for over 20 years. Stallings used his connections to help Jake gain attention in the already-crowded country music world, and Jake’s individuality generated instant appeal for people hungry for the “traditional country” sound birthed by Hank Williams Sr, Jimmie Rodgers and other early recording artists. Among awards for his music are the 2017 Ameripolitan’s Honky Tonk Male, and 2015 Pure Country Male artist by the Academy of Western Artists.
At some venues and on television, Jake has performed his one-man show, ‘The History of Country Music’ spanning the time from Jimmie Rodgers to George Strait; from it’s hillbilly start through bluegrass, honky tonk and western swing, then outlaw country and up to the present. Within this 2-hour presentation, he performs the original hits and plays twelve different instruments throughout the showcase. He says, “We can’t forget where we came from. If country music is going to carry on, you have to keep the roots alive.” So, whether playing a small concert venue, keeping the dance floor crowded in honky tonks or performing on TV, the next time Jake Penrod performs, be sure and catch his show!
Early Voting Begins Today In City Council, School Board Elections
Early voting by person appearance began at 8 this morning for Sulphur Springs City Council, Como-Pickton Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees and Yantis ISD Board of Trustees elections.
City Council
Voters in Sulphur Springs will have six choices, two per seat, for three place on the City Council. Candidates are incumbent Freddie Taylor and challenger Reiko Alexander for Place 4, incumbent Emily Glass and challenger Jeff Sanderson for Place 5, and incumbent (appointed) Doug Moore and Landon Thornton for Place 6.
Early voting will be conducted weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22-April 30, with the exception of April 23 and April 25. As is the case for Election Day, May 4, ballots may be cast from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, and Thursday, April 25. All voting in the city council election will be conducted in the conference room on the second floor of City Hall.
Como-Pickton CISD
Residents within Como-Pickton CISD may cast ballots early by personal appearance in the board of trustees election from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 22-April 30, with voting extended from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, April 22 and Thursday, April 25, in the Como-Pickton CISD Administration Office.
On Election Day, May 4, voting in the C-P CISD school board election will be conducted from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m. in Room 114 at Como-Pickton School (in front of building where the general election was held).
Voters will be asked to choose from seven candidates for four full-term at-risk seats on the school board. Candidates include incumbents JJ Cummings and D.J.Carr, and challengers Brittney Smith, Felecia Smith, James “Jim” Murray, Lee Skidmore and Shane Wilton.
Shiloh Childress is unopposed for the unexpired term of Greg Anglin, who resigned at the end of 2018, after being elected county commissioner for Precinct 2. Childress was appointed to serve through the election and is unopposed for the unexpired term seat on the board. Thus, Childress will serve the remaining length of Anglin’s term on the school board.
Yantis ISD
In Yantis, voters will be asked to choose two of the three candidates for Yantis ISD Board of Trustees. Candidates include incumbent April Johnson and challengers Jennifer Larkin and Jeff Quinn.
Voters may cast ballots early by personal appearance from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, April 22 and April 29; and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Friday, April 23-26, and April 30, in the Early Voting Room inside Wood County Courthouse, 100 South Main St. in Quitman. Election Day voting will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in Yantis Elementary School foyer.
Meal a Day Menu for April 22nd-26th
Meal A Day Menu
April 22nd – April 26th
Monday
Beef Spaghetti
English Peas
Cheese Pockets
Tuesday
Hopkins County Stew
Cheese Cubes
Crackers
Tossed Salad
Wednesday
Lemon Pepper Chicken Wraps
Rice
Broccoli with Cheese Sauce
Roll
Thursday
Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Roll
Friday
Chili Cheese Dogs
Chips
Cole Slaw
Pickle Spears
North Hopkins Defeats Cumby, 15-0 as Wharton Throws Shutout
The North Hopkins Panthers had eight hits and pitcher Wyatt Wharton tossed a one-hit shutout as the Panthers defeated Cumby, 15-0 Saturday, April 20, at North Hopkins. The Panthers scored three runs in the first, five more in the second, six more in the third and a lone run in the fourth.
Cumby committed six errors. The Panthers had no errors. Wharton got the pitching win, allowing no runs and one hit over four innings while striking out seven.
Cumby’s Braden Porter broke up the no-hitter with a first inning single. Zain Strickland took the pitching loss for the Trojans.
Brycen Gillespie got North Hopkins going with a first inning RBI on a ground out. Gillespie was 1 for 2 with two runs scored and three RBIs. He also stole a base.
In the Panthers’ six run third, they got singles from Caleb Wyatt and Geoffrey Stewart, walks from Gillespie and Branson Thomas and a ground out RBI from Kevin Clement.
Wyatt was 1 for 2 with three runs scored and an RBI. Wyatt also stole two bases. Stewart was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Thomas was 1 for 2 with two runs scored and an RBI. Thomas also stole a base. Clement was 1 for 3 with two RBI’s. Jessie Rivera was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Victor Rojo had an RBI and a stolen base. The Panthers swiped a total of ten bases. Colby Cameron stole three bases to lead the Panthers.
Lady Cats Softball Bi-District Schedule versus Whitehouse Announced, Begins Wednesday
The Lady Cats’ softball team’s best two out of three bi-district series schedule with Whitehouse was announced Saturday.
Game one will be on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Whitehouse. Game two is scheduled for Friday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Lady Cat Park. Game three, if necessary, will be Saturday, April 27 at 11 a.m. at Whitehouse.
The Lady Cats are district champions and the number one playoff seed from District 15-5A. Whitehouse is the fourth place team in District 16-5A.
The teams last met in the playoffs in 2015. Whitehouse won that series two games to one. Whitehouse took game one 1-0 at Schwab Field at Brook Hill High School. The Lady Cats evened the series winning game two at Lady Cat Park, 8-3. Whitehouse won the decisive game three at Lady Cat Park 12-7.
Members of the 2015 Lady Cats included Makayla Glosson, Jaye Doughtie, Kasey Moore, Kristen Allen, Sarah Womack, Molly Johnston, Sierra Nickerson, Summer Wyatt, Hannah Crowson, Alyssa Abron, Mandi Stonaker, Ashley Moore, Jacklyn Semlar, Ragan Sachs and Macee Hollins. David Carrillo was head coach with assistants Kevin Tanton, Chris Valdovinos and Allison Irvin.
