Lady Cats Bi-District Playoff Opener Wednesday Is Rained Out And Is Rescheduled For Thursday
The Lady Cats’ softball bi-district playoff game scheduled for Wednesday evening, April 24, has been postponed. The game has been rescheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. in Whitehouse.
Game two will still be at Lady Cat Park Friday at 6:30 p.m. Game three, if necessary, is still scheduled for Saturday in Whitehouse. The start time Saturday has been changed to 11:30 a.m.
The Lady Cats were district champions and their district’s number one seed. The Lady Cats season record is 22-6. Whitehouse finished in fourth place in their District 16-5A. The two teams last faced each other in the playoffs back in 2015. Whitehouse won that series, two games to one.
Sulphur Springs Native Provides Endowment to A&M-Commerce
Nathan and June Finke Gift Nursing School Students with Endowed Scholarship
COMMERCE, TX—Mr. and Mrs. Nathan and June Kirkpatrick Finke visited campus on April 11 to sign an endowment agreement that will benefit nursing school students at A&M-Commerce. The Dr. Omer F. and Nell Kirkpatrick Endowed Scholarship is the third endowment that the couple has established at A&M-Commerce.
During their visit, the Finkes met with nursing student Lilia Ruiz, the 2019-2020 recipient of the LaNelle Ellison Kirkpatrick Scholarship, named after June’s mother. They also toured the new Nursing and Health Sciences Building, set to open later this year.
Dr. Barbara Tucker, professor and director of the nursing program stated, “The generosity shown by the Finke’s to the nursing department has been overwhelming. Their scholarship endowments have enabled students to devote more time to studying and being successful in the program. The first two recipients of their scholarships will be graduating this summer, adding to the cadre of BSN-prepared nurses caring for the Northeast Texas population.
The Finkes have established a rich history with A&M-Commerce and the A&M System. June graduated from East Texas State University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and history/secondary education. Her father and four of her siblings also attended ETSU. Nathan graduated from the A&M system, too, earning a BBA in finance from A&M in 1970.
The Finkes have named each of the three endowments after their late parents who valued education so highly they were willing to sacrifice for it. Nathan recounted that his father wanted to attend high school, but there was no bus system in Brenham, Texas, and it was too far to walk. So, he enrolled in the nearby Methodist boarding school and paid his tuition by cleaning the building.
June recalled that her father’s college boarding house provided weekday meals, but he went without food on the weekends because he could not afford groceries.
“He told us that by Sunday afternoon he felt kind of lightheaded and really looked forward to breakfast on Monday morning,” she said.
The Finkes are strong proponents of a debt-free education. They want to help students realize their dreams of a college education without amassing large student loan debts.
They created the Dr. Omer F. and Nell Kirkpatrick Endowed Scholarship because it is a gift that continues to give.
“Since it’s endowed, long after we’re gone, there will still be students coming to school and getting financial help,” June said. “Our purpose is to help students today as well as in the future.”
Are You Ready For A Campout Party?
Local franchise owner and Operator Bryson Bullington is inviting residents to join in the opening festivities at his new restaurant at 130 Shannon Road East by participating in a community celebration that has been a 15-year Chick-fil-A tradition.
Chick-fil-A’s First 100 celebration has given away almost $39 million through yearend 2018.
Up to 100 guests to earn free year of Chick-fil-A meals by participating in 12-hour First 100 Campout
First 100 Campout 12-hour event
The overnight First 100 Campout party includes fun, engaging activities for participants ages five and older who will enjoy Chick-fil-A treats throughout the countdown to the opening. Registration begins in the restaurant parking lot at 6 p.m., May 1, with prizes being awarded shortly before 6 a.m., May 2.
Details include:
· Up to 100 adults will win a digital offer card with a year of free Chick-fil-A meals (52 meals with each consisting of a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries and a medium beverage).
· The community event is open to guests surrounding the restaurant with a list of eligible zip codes and complete rules found at https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/News/Future-Openings.
Hospital District Board Approves Telemedicine Plan, Local Pharmacy For County Jail
Hopkins County Hospital District this week agreed to move forward with telemedicine and pharmacy services for Hopkins County jail.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom and Hopkins County Commissioner Court, and other emergency response officials in as a county delegation asked the hospital district board to consider utilizing a telemedicine provider for the jail as a cost, efficiency and safety measure as well as a step toward a state mandate which requires jails to use the remote access through the tele-link to provide psychiatric services by 2020. It’d mean fewer trips to the clinic and hospital for minor treatment, which requires law enforcement staff to drive and stay with the inmate until the inmate is seen and released back to the jail. That poses potential safety risks due to limited law enforcement available to guard the inmate, county officials said.
The telemedicine option would cut down on the trips, which rack up costs too. Smaller matters could be handled with a telemedicine consult rather than a clinic or depending on the day and hour an ER visit. Inmates who need emergency care for emergency issues would still be transported to the hospital for the appropriate care, according to the county officials.
Being able to consult via telemedicine should also be more efficient as far as ambulance and ER services go too, Director of EMS Services Brent Smith said.
The county will purchase the equipment for the telemedicine service; the equipment that had previously been suggested and considered would work with any of the services, regardless which telemedicine service provider is contracted, reported Smith. The agreement for the service, and a service contract would be determined at a later time.
Tommy Allison suggested reviewing contracts for these types of services used at another similar nearby facility for reference when drafting agreements or contracts related to telemedicine services, with appropriate wording included in the contract to protect the hospital board and physician.
HCHD Board President Dr. Suzanne Thomas pointed out that when telemedicine is used at the hospital for specialized services, there are trained staff member on hand to run equipment. She asked who would be responsible for equipment operations at the county jail.
“We would have a dedicated staff member to do that. We’d train him or her to use the instruments. If we get to the point where we need a nurse, we’ll cross that when we get there,” Hopkins County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tanner Crump said.
The jail population determines whether a nurse is required to be at the facility, he explained.
“I’m all for telemedicine portal, there are things to work out, parameters,” said HCHD Board member Joe Bob Burgin.
Allison also asked what the jail’s procedure will be if an inmate doesn’t want to use the telemedicine service.
Tatum explained that the county, according to jail standards, is required to provide medical service, but is not required to transport them to the emergency room for day-to-day minor complaints such as a sore throat, if another option is available. Inmates would still be treated at the appropriate facility for more emergent medical needs and issues as they arise.
At the hospital district’s January meeting, the Hopkins County Commissioners Court, Sheriff’s Office and other emergency response representatives also asked the hospital district to consider going with a local pharmacy instead of the contracted one for more efficiency, and potentially less waste of medication.
Crump told the HCHD board Monday night that, after more research, it was discovered there is no waste of medication because of the way the medication is packaged. However, the county would still like to move the jail pharmacy service to Medicine Chest, where smaller quantities could be dispensed and received quicker. There’s a bigger consideration for individuals who require medicines, which have to be sent to the jail for distribution. Unless a life or death medication, all medications are currently shipped, which means it may be a day or two before they arrive. That could mean medications arrive after an inmate has been released from custody or transferred to another facility. Switching to the local pharmacy service would have medication arriving quicker and in smaller quantities to fit the needs of those in custody.
HCHD Board voted at the April 22 meeting to move forward with the telemedicine plan, with CEO Ron Folwell to look over any agreements or contracts, and to switch to the local pharmacy provider, for the county jail.
Folwell also during the meeting presented to the board financial statements for February and March for the hospital district. Smith reported on EMS services for the last quarter.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs President/CEO Paul Harvey reported things were good from a patient census standpoint in the last reporting period, with no heavy influenza season the first few months of the year.
Harvey said the outpatient volume has increased in a positive way, lead by cardiology, intervention pain management and GI services.
“There are three months left in the fiscal year. It’s looking very good,” Harvey said.
He also said the hospital is closer to attaining certification as a designated primary stroke center. The data analysis and paperwork are done, Harvey reported.
Following an executive session, the hospital district board opted to delay making a decision to select someone to replace Dan Roper, who resigned, for the remainder of his unexpired term, and no action was taken regarding a property acquisition the HCHD has been pursuing, reported HCHD Board President Suzanne Thomas.
The Wait Is Over — ALMOST
In a press release received by KSST News, the opening day for Chick-fil-A has been announced by local operator, Bryson Bullington. May 2nd will be the day that local residents of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County can finally enjoy Chick-fil-A. On that day, Bryson will be holding a community celebration and campout where upwards of 100 participants will earn a year supply of Chick-fil-A.
Como-Pickton Gets Big District Win at North Hopkins Tuesday Night
Como-Pickton Baseball 3, North Hopkins 1
The Como-Pickton Eagles won a big low scoring district game at North Hopkins, winning 3-1 Tuesday.
The Eagles broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the fifth inning to go up, 2-0. North Hopkins got a run in the bottom of the sixth to trim their deficit to 2-1. The Eagles added an insurance run in the top of the seventh to go up, 3-1. The Eagles outhit the Panthers 7 to 5.
Dylan Wiggins got the pitching win for Como-Pickton going 6 2/3 innings allowing five hits and one unearned run while striking out four and walking four. Blaine Flemens came in to get the last out and earned a save.
Caleb Wyatt pitched a complete game but, got the loss allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out nine and walking only one.
Jackson Monk swung a big bat for the Eagles going 2 for 3 with two runs scored and two RBI’s. Monk also hit a home run. Flemens also had a RBI for the Eagles and Josh Martin scored a run and got a hit. Other Eagles with one hit included Andrew Rasgado, Micah Flemens and Wiggins who had a double.
The Eagles stole five bases: Monk had two and Martin, Kris Mayfield and Blaine Flemens had one each.
North Hopkins had no errors while Como-Pickton made three.
Five different Panthers had one hit apiece: Wyatt Wharton had a double, Geoffrey Stewart had a single, Wyatt had a double, Colby Cameron had a single and Victor Rojo hit a double and had the Panthers only RBI. Brycen Gillespie scored the lone Panthers’ run.
North Hopkins had two stolen bases, one each for Cameron and Rojo.
The two teams will play again Saturday. The winner of this series will be the district champion.
Wildcats Rally in Last Inning to Get Big Road District Win
Wildcats Baseball 4, Texas High 2
Things looked bleak for the Wildcats’ baseball team as they came to bat in the top of the seventh inning Tuesday night, April 23, at Texas High. Texas High had just scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 2-1 lead and they were just three outs away from a win.
The Wildcats managed only six hits in the game but, they got four of them in a big seventh inning rally that carried them to victory.
Jaxon Chaney led off the seventh with a single. Kamren Harrison followed with a single to put runners on first and second. Then, Chaney and Harrison executed a double steal to put runners on third and second. Austin Dodd’s huge single into center field drove home both Chaney and the fleet-footed Harrison, and the Wildcats were up 3-2. Later, Will Sims drove a ball into the left field corner for a double that easily scored Dodd from third base.
Texas High went three up and three down in the bottom of the seventh and the Wildcats won, 4-2. Jaxon Chaney got the Wildcats into the scoring column with a home run over the right center field wall to make it a 1-0 game in the top of the fourth. That run was enough until the Tigers’ sixth inning rally.
Will Sims pitched well for the Wildcats, getting a complete game win. In seven innings, Sims allowed the Tigers only six hits and two unearned runs. Sims issued no walks and struck out 4.
The Texas High loss not only spoiled their Senior Night but, also dropped the Tigers into a first place tie with Lindale. Both have 10-4 records. The Eagles own the tiebreaker over the Tigers in their head to head series.
The Wildcats win improved their district record to 6-8. They are now tied for fourth place with Royse City. However, the Bulldogs own the tiebreaker against the Wildcats.
Mount Pleasant is in third place at 7-7, after defeating Royse City Tuesday night. Lindale defeated Greenville, 3-11 in district play, Tuesday night.
Depending how they do Friday night at Wildcat Park against Texas High, the Wildcats can finish third, fourth or fifth in the standing and either in or out of the playoffs. One thing is certain. The Wildcats must win Friday night to have any hope of getting into the playoffs.
223 Hopkins County Residents To Be Honored At 14th Annual Clara Bridges 90-Plus Banquet April 27
The 14th Annual Clara Bridges 90+ Banquet will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, X at First Baptist Church’s “The ROC,” located at 115 Putman St. in Sulphur Spring.
“We will be honoring 223 Hopkins County senior citizens who have made it to the 90 year milestone. We also have 10 seniors that have made it to 100 years of age. They will each be presented with a Certificate of Recognition. Those that have made it to 100 years of age will also be presented with a certificate from Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, and a Letter of Greetings and a signed photograph from Donald Trump, President of the United States of America. I think they will all be excited,” said Karon Weatherman, Senior Citizens Center program and marketing director, an event coordinator.
The honorees and their family members will also be treated to a lunch of cheesy chicken spaghetti, green beans with bacon, garlic sticks, garden salad with tomato wedges. Dessert will be cream banana pudding, chocolate cake and vanilla cake. Diabetics will be treated to diabetic banana pudding and a variety of diabetic cream pies.
“If you would like to come and Celebrate with us, you are welcome,” Weatherman said in invitation to all county residents who are age 90 and older.
The mistress of ceremonies will be Joann Kelly-Hunter, with music provided by Ina and Buddy Gore from Psalm 100. The special speaker this year will be Karon Weatherman’s daughter, Tiffany Weatherman Jones.
“A special thank you to all of our sponsors. This event could not happen without your support,” said Weatherman.
For additional information or to register a person age 90 and family so space and meals can be reserved for them, contact Weatherman at the Senior Citizens Center, call 903-885-1661 or by email at [email protected].
NETBIO Sale Coming May 15
Over 6,000 head of pre-conditioned calves and yearlings will be offered at the May 15 NETBIO Sale at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Market Center
The Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization is preparing for its next pre-conditioned calf and yearling sale to be held on Wednesday, May 15.
Over 6,000 head of cattle that have been weaned and raised through the NETBIO pre- conditioning program have already been consigned to the sale.
The sale, held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Market, will begin at 1 p.m. The cafe will be open and the cattle will be penned for viewing, so come out early and make a day of it.
This auction will be broadcast on the Internet and the Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction will be accepting bids at LMA Auctions.com. Internet buyers should register in advance in order to bid.
For more information on these sales, call the Sulphur Springs Livestock office at 903-885-2455 or visit their Web Site at www.sslivestockauctions.com.
