The Tenth Annual “Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic” Pageant is June 1
Karon Weatherman, Director of the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center, has a soft place in her heart for the local senior population, and she fully demonstrates that daily. Along with providing a pleasant location for fellowship, recreation and nutritious hand-prepared lunches, Weatherman has also created numerous public events to honor Hopkins County’s most seasoned residents. The most glamorous is the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic” Pageant. How and when did this successful pageant begin? Nine years ago at the request of Peggy Wagner, then Director of the Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant, Karon put out a call for local ladies over age 60 who would volunteer to help her celebrate the “changing face of aging” by appearing in a beauty pageant. From that first year, lovely and talented senior women have stepped forward “out of their comfort zone” to perform talent, express their philosophy of life and appear in evening gown competition before an audience. Karon also treats the contestants to an “afternoon tea” prior to the pageant where they can meet and visit with one another as well as participate in a full rehearsal.
The nine contestants for the 2019 crown are: Jan Massey, Nancy Bolton, Valerie Ross, Majel Reddick, Linda Pickle Hill, Marjean Allen, Pam George, Jan Gray and Elizabeth Wilburn. Former “queens” Ina Gore, Patsy Crist, Lavonne Elam and Stella Bagley will also appear. Returning emcees are Enola Gay Mathews and Chuck Roy. Following the competition, the judges scores will determine two runners-up, the talent, congeniality and evening gown winners. A new honor, the Memorial Leadership Award, will be given in honor of the late Clydene Fielden, Ms. Sr. Classic 2014. Finally, reigning Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Mary Ivey will crown the new ‘queen’ who earns the right to advance to the Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant this summer.
The event will begin at 6 pm on Saturday June 1, 2019 in the Banquet hall of the Hopkins County Civic Center. Admission is free to the public, and attendance is encouraged to show support for the contestants and to enjoy the variety of talent. There will plenty of photo opportunities for families of contestants, and videotaping is also permitted.
Wednesday Morning Crash Results In 1 Death
A 57-year-old Sulphur Springs man reportedly died as a result of a crash in the intersection at South Broadway Street at Wildcat Way Wednesday morning.
According to Sulphur Springs Police Interim Chief Jason Ricketson, authorities were notified at 8:08 a.m. May 8 of a crash involving a sport utility vehicle and an 18-wheeler in the South Broadway Street-Wildcat Way intersection.
The crash is still under investigation. Initial reports were that the 18-wheeler was southbound and the SUV was northbound. The vehicles collided in the intersection.
The truck driver was not injured in the crash. Both the 57-year-old Sulphur Springs male passenger and 49-year-old Sulphur Springs woman in the SUV were transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs. The passenger died later Wednesday morning at the hospital. The woman has remained in the hospital, where she was reported to be in stable condition, Ricketson reported shortly before noon.
No names are being released at this time as the family of those involved is still being notified, according to Ricketson.
City Council Approves Architect for Grays Building Design, Tables Abatement Issue
Sulphur Springs City Council approved all items proposed on Tuesday night’s agenda, except one. The council considered, but opted not to take action Tuesday night, regarding a tax abatement, the terms of which have not been fully met.
The Economic Development Corporation notified the city by letter that, during a review of tax abatement certifications, Ocean Spray Cranberries was found to not be in compliance with the terms of the agreement, with fewer than the required jobs on the payroll for 2018,. The abatement, for 2018-22, was contingent on the company maintaining its labor force of 143 employees. The company had a labor reduction of 13 employees, City Manager Marc Maxwell told council members at their regular May meeting Tuesday night.
City Finance Director Lesa Smith reported the company also had an earlier abatement, for 2016-2020.
“They both have the same requirements of 143 jobs and a payroll of $8.1 million each year,” Smith said.
“The decision before you is: do you wish to cancel the abatement due to noncompliance, do you wish to modify the requirements or do you want to do some type of pro rata percentage?” Maxwell said.
The council could opt to hold the company to 130 employees, opt to reduce the abatement by the percent of job loss, or say there is no agreement because the terms were not met, Maxwell said.
Place 1 Councilwoman Erica Armstrong pointed out that Ocean Spray Cranberries representatives, in a response letter to the EDC regarding the matter, indicated they are trying to find a place for the employees whose jobs were lost
“In their request, they did ask us to consider reducing the percent of the abatement. I think that would be a fair option in that they are trying to fulfill,” Armstrong said.
Mayor John Sellers asked if there were any other precedents in the city regarding action taken when requirements of a tax abatement have not been met.
City Attorney Jim McLeroy said he can recall only one other time in the past when the city rescinded an abatement. In that instance, the company did not ask for modifications or other terms paid, but paid all of the taxes owed.
Place 6 Councilman Doug Moore said based on the amount the city would receive if a pro rata option were granted, “I’m not sure that’s the way to go.” He asked if the abatement could be suspended for a year, to be evaluated at the end of the year, with the abatement granted then only if all the terms were met.
“I haven’t looked at that, but I’m assuming we could modify it, yes,” McLeroy said.
Armstrong asked if the payroll requirement was met.
Smith said she wasn’t sure what their current payroll is.
McLeroy suggested tabling the item until EDC staff, who work directly with industries, can be consulted for a recommendation regarding the abatement.
Armstrong made a motion, seconded by Place 2 Councilman Jimmy Lucas, to table the matter pending a recommendation by the EDC. The motion passed.
In other business Tuesday night, Inceptive was approved to design and produce construction drawings for the H.W. Grays Building in Pacific Park, based on the recommendations of the selection committee, after the architecture firm’s qualifications were reviewed and rated.
The city council approved Ordinance 2744, and selling of a limited tax note for $445,000, with $9,000 going toward note costs and $436,000 toward equipment purchase costs. It will be financed through City National Bank at a 1.88 percent interest rate. The equipment was purchased out of the city’s fund balance, the bonds are now sold to reimburse the expenditure, Maxwell explained.
The city also is refinancing two existing bond notes. The previous average rate on the old bonds was 5.42 percent. The new rate is 2.78 percent, which will save the city approximately $50,000 a year in bond payments, city officials reported.
The city also approved Resolution 1167, which denies the distribution cost recovery factor to increase distribution rates for Oncor Electric Delivery. That’s a $29 million increase across the state, according to Maxwell. The resolution authorizes the city to join with the Steering Committee of Cities Served by Oncor to evaluate the filing, determine whether the filing complies with law, and if lawful, to determine further strategy, including a possible settlement, to pursue.
Smith reported “almost everything on the revenue side is tracking to budget” as of the end of the seventh month in the fiscal year.
“We are still up on sales tax. We are up 9.71 percent over this time last year. So, that around $217,000 up,” Smith said.
She included projects for the end of the year in her budget report to the council.
“There are a couple of budgets that look to be over, two of them significantly,” Smith reported.
She estimated the fire department will be $91,000 over budget this year and the police department will be $46,000 over budget. If that’s the case, the council will be asked at a later time to amend the budget to reflect the additional expenses.
“There are a couple of reasons I pinpointed my overages accounting for those two departments mainly. The main issue with fire department is they changed the minimum staff from five to six per 24-hour shift. It’s good news for the fire department, but it does have an impact on our budget. So, that’s one of the main reasons there,” Smith said.
The anticipated increase in spending in the police department could be due to the change from an 8-hour shift to a 12-hour shift, and having to pay the public safety director a salary while he was on leave and having to paying “a little bit extra for the increase in duties for the interim chief,” Smith said.
Public Safety Director James “Jay” Sanders was on administrative leave with pay from March 22 to May 3, while being investigated by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement for allegedly providing “false information to pay for a couple of people to go to academy.” The TCOLE investigation concluded on May 2, with Sanders surrendering his peace officer license, TCOLE spokeswoman Gretchen Grigsby said Tuesday. Sanders handed in his resignation to the city on May 3.
Sulphur Springs Police Capt. Jason Ricketson stepped up to serve as acting police chief when Sanders was placed on leave and continues to serve in that capacity. No timeline has been announced by city officials regarding when a permanent police chief and fire chief or public safety director will be appointed or selected. Tim Vaughn is serving as acting chief of Sulphur Springs Fire Department.
City Manager’s Report Presented in May Council Meeting
City Manager Marc Maxwell’s Report presented in the May City Council meeting included:
CROSSTOWN TRAIL – The Capital Construction Division constructed a retaining wall at Coleman Park. Otherwise, the project is on hold until Connally is done or nearly done.
SPRING CLEANUP – The annual spring cleanup was a successful event. In total, Sanitation Solutions hauled off 1,970 cubic yards of debris. We also accumulated a significant pile of brush and tree limbs to be burned later. We counted 643 vehicles bringing debris to the cleanup.
COLEMAN PIER – The Pier at Coleman Park has finally been rebuilt. JH3 Construction built the pier at a cost of $26,342. We purchased the Cypress lumber at a cost of $9,494.60. Insurance paid $7,500 as a result of our claim for fire damage. Our net cost was $28,336.60.
SUNSET STREET – Cement stabilization did not occur in April as planned. I am hopeful it will happen this month, and then the concrete work will begin.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Rainy weather is beginning to take its toll on the wastewater plant reconstruction project. We had planned to have the new aeration basins operational in June. It will likely be July before they are completed. Once all of this is completed our aeration capacity will be greatly enhanced. This is the heart of our wastewater treatment process.
CONNALLY STREET – Water main installation is under way. Atmos is also replacing their gas main at this time.
CLAIMS – We had one workers compensation claim in April. A police officer twisted his knee during a traffic stop. He has not returned to work, and no estimated return to work date has been determined.
We had one small liability claim for a plumbing bill. TML denied the claim.
We submitted a claim for hail damage. TML has identified several roofs at Coleman Park that need to be replaced.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will give a year-to-date report of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Sold 3,212 gallons of AvGas and 11,095 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Cleaned storm drains and catch basins 3 times.
- Repaired 921 potholes.
- Replaced 6 stop signs and 2 street signs.
- Hauled street sweeper material to the landfill.
- Cleaned out a drainage area at the end of Lakeview Drive.
- Demolished a burned house at 114 S. League.
- Demolished entry signs at the entrance to Stonebriar subdivision due to safety concern.
- Repaired one aerator, one bar screen and one sludge pump at the wastewater treatment plant.
- Repaired the airport fountain.
- Treated wastewater effluent to a daily average total suspended solids reading of 1.34 mg/L.
- Repaired 5 water mains and replaced 15 water meters.
- Unstopped 32 sewer mains.
- Repaired 10 sewer mains.
- Washed 70,000 feet of sewer main.
- Operated Lake Sulphur Spring’s flood gates 8 times due to rain.
- Treated 124 million gallons of potable water.
- Responded to 210 calls for fire/rescue including 1 structure fire and 3 vehicle fires.
- Conducted 39 fire inspections and reviewed 39 pre-fire plans.
- Responded to 184 calls for animal control and achieved a 44% adoption rate.
- Responded to 2,241 calls for police, responded to 44 accidents, made 72 arrests, recorded 70 offences and wrote 460 citations.
- Conducted 47 building inspections, 22 electrical inspections, 20 plumbing inspections, 2 mechanical inspections, and issued 45 building permits.
- Checked out 2,738 items from the library, and an additional 700 eBooks.
- Prepared all softball/baseball fields for league play.
Fish Fry Athletic Fundraiser Planned May 17 For Jay’den Holly
A fish fry fundraiser is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 17, at the H.W. Grays Building in Pacific Park.
Funds will go to help Jay’den Holly with athletic expenses associated with participating in Texas Amateur Athletic Union and Texas Amateur Athletic Federation.
Jay’den Holly, daughter of Sonja Rush of Sulphur Springs and Christopher Holly of Dallas, is an eighth grader at Sulphur Springs Middle School. She is currently ranked in the top 20 in the state in shot put in her age division in TAAF, according to her mom.
A meal of fried fish, slaw, fries and a drink is offered for a $10 donation. Food will be prepared by June Person. Meals are available at the event as long as the food lasts, or may be reserved. Delivery is available in town for two or more meals per location by pre-order. Pies and sweets, including strawberry crunch, are also available when ordered in advance.
Contact 214-938-1461 to reserve a meal, pre-order a dessert or schedule delivery.
Wildcats JV and Varsity 7 on 7 Football Teams Play in Paul Pewitt Tournament Last Saturday
The Wildcats Varsity and JV 7 on 7 Football Teams played in a Paul Pewitt tournament last Saturday (May 4). Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the Tanner Memorial Tournament was a fundraiser in memory of a young man killed five years ago in a traffic accident. He said the Wildcats were blessed to be a part of the event. The varsity won one game and lost one in early play and then lost a bracket play game. The Wildcats started with an overtime loss to Daingerfield. Coach Young said Daingerfield scored late to tie the game at 14-14. Teams then get a single play from the ten yard line in overtime. Daingerfield scored and the Wildcats did not. Coach Young said quarterbacks Kaden Wallace and Noe Ponce both led TD drives. Coach Young said the Wildcats varsity then played host Paul Pewitt. He said the Wildcats started slow and had some dropped passes. Coach Young said Wallace’s passes had better touch on them. He said receiver Campbell Cody made a one-handed catch along the sidelines and then got into the end zone for a score. Coach Young said the play lit a fire under the Wildcats and he said they might have scored on every drive after that until overtime of the next game. The Wildcats defeated Paul Pewitt, 28-7. In bracket play, the Wildcats faced Paul Pewitt again. Coach Young said offensive receiver standouts in the third game included Kylan Wade, Landry Meskimen, Brycen Lacy, Detrick Clayton, Zach Tiemeyer and Chase Haney. He said George Greenway and Ryan Carrillo were defensive standouts. The teams ended up tied, 42-42. Paul Pewitt then scored in a fourth overtime and the Wildcats did not match the score.
Coach Young said the Wildcats JV perhaps was a little over matched against varsity teams from Paul Pewitt, Alba-Golden and Mount Vernon. He said despite being on the wrong side of scores, the JV did get better as the day went along. 20-25 guys were on the JV team. Coach Young said quarterbacks Ty Stroud and Matthew Sherman got in lots of throws. He said the Wildcats are not in 7 on 7 mode right now with spring football going on. Still Coach Young said everyone got valuable reps and he added he was excited to see players improving.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens Provides Spring Football Update
The Wildcats’ football team is just a little bit past the midway point of Spring Football workouts. After Monday’s (May 6) session, Head Football Coach Greg Owens said he was not happy with Monday workouts. He said teaching was going on but he said players were dragging with not much fire or energy. Still Coach Owens said generally good stuff was happening. He said players were learning and were getting valuable reps. He said the players had been divided into two groups based on their age and experience level to avoid mismatches. Coach Owens said he could see progress. He is also beginning to mix in special teams stuff. Coach Owens said Monday they worked on extra point kicking, field goals, punting and kick offs. Large parts of practice are videotaped and he said video sessions afterward with the players are very productive.
Football, Trainers and Powerlifting Announce MVP’s at Monday Night Banquet
An athletic banquet for football, powerlifting and athletic trainers took place Monday (May 6) night at Sulphur Springs Country Club. Football MVP’s were their 32 seniors. Powerlifting MVP’s, for the Wildcats was senior Carson Bridges and for the Lady Cats Sable Erdmier. Athletic Trainers MVP’s were seniors Jacquelyn Bocanegra and Brianna Hernandez. Wildcat Head Athletic Trainer Tammy Carrell introduced all her trainers and Wildcats and Lady Cats Powerlifting Coach Casey Jeter introduced his boys and girls’ powerlifters. Girls powerlifting is new to Sulphur Springs High School this year. Wildcats Head Football Coach Greg Owens, Offensive Coordinator Matt Young, Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra and all of the Wildcats offensive and defensive assistant coaches talked at length and introduced players in their position groups. The Wildcats videotapers were also recognized. There is no longer just one large athletic banquet. Individual teams are having their own banquets this year.
TCOLE Investigation of Sanders Concludes With Surrender of License
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement’s investigation of former Sulphur Spring Public Safety Director James “Jay” Sanders concluded with Sanders voluntarily surrendering his peace officer license on May 2, TCOLE spokeswoman Gretchen Grigsby said.
Sanders, who served as the head of both the police and fire departments, was placed on administrative leave March 22, “due to his being involved in an ongoing criminal investigation by another agency,” City Manager Marc Maxwell stated in a March 25 press release.
TCOLE was investigating an allegation Sanders provided “false information to pay for a couple of people to go to academy,” the TCOLE spokeswoman said.
There is a process in which funding can be obtained to help with costs of police academy. Sanders was accused of providing false information on documentation to obtain funding for a couple of individuals to go through police academy, according to Grigsby.
TCOLE’s investigation concluded with Sanders’ voluntary surrender of his peace officer license on May 2, she said.
When asked if other agencies were involved in or investigating the allegation, Grigsby said she could speak for TCOLE; the agency’s case on Sanders is closed.
Sanders remained on administrative leave from the city until Friday, May 3, when he officially handed in his letter of resignation, according to Maxwell.
Jason Ricketson has served as acting police chief and Tim Vaughn as acting fire chief for the city since Sanders was placed on leave. Both will continue to serve in those positions at this time, Maxwell said.
