Channel 18 News – City Trails Charrette: Sunday, March 31, 2019
Johanna Hicks: 4-H Members Excel; Extension, TxDOT Partnering For Child Safety Seat Check-up Event
By Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent
HOPKINS COUNTY 4-H MEMBERS EXCEL
Spring is a busy month for Hopkins County 4-H members. Thanks to all the leaders, parents, and grandparents who support these youth in their endeavors. Below are some highlights from the month of March:
The 4-H Food Challenge is a popular event. The district contest takes place at the State Fair Grounds in Dallas. A record number of teams participated this year, and Hopkins County was proud to send a team of four to participate. Under the leadership of Tammy Jones (a former Hopkins County 4-H member, I might add), the team practiced each week leading up to the March 22 contest. The team was comprised of Marilena Reyes, Rylie Carroll, Diego Childs, and Eliana Moreland. They placed 5th in their age group and category.
The 4-H Food Challenge involves a mystery bag of ingredients from which the team prepares a dish. They have access to a “pantry” of additional ingredients that can be added to the dish. The team is given 40 minutes to plan, prepare and plate the dish. They must also give a presentation to a panel of judges on the steps of preparation, nutritional value, safety concerns, and recommended number of servings needed according to the MyPlate system.
The Hopkins County team’s name was Super Foodies, and they expressed having fun and learning a lot during their first year of participation. Congratulations to the team!
On March 26, several 4-H contests took place at the Extension Office. Each of these involved speaking in front of an audiences or panel of judges. This is a valuable learning tool for youth, and many have expressed appreciation for the opportunity! Below are the contests that were implemented. Each 4-H member qualified to compete at the District 4-H Contests to take place in May at Texas A&M University – Commerce
Food Show
- Titus Bessonett, Clover Kid – Fruit/Veggie
- Marilena Reyes, Junior – Breads & Cereals
- Eliana Moreland, Intermediate – Main Dish
- Ethan George, Intermediate – Main Dish
- Rylie Carroll, Intermediate – Nutritious Snack
- Jorja Bessonett, Senior – Fruit/Veggie
Fashion Show
- Marilena Reyes, Junior – Under $25
- Ethan George, Intermediate – Everyday Living
- Eliana Moreland, Intermediate – Under $25
- Rylie Carrol, Intermediate – Special Interest
- Jorja Bessonett, Senior – Formal
- Elida Miller, Senior – Under $25
Public Speaking
- Elida Miller, Senior
- Rylie Carroll, Intermediate
Educational Presentation
- Natalie Vaughn, Junior
- Rylie Carroll, Intermediate
- Ethan George, Intermediate
Share-the-Fun
- Nathan Bilyeu, Emma Boatman, Junior – Vocal duet
- Diego Child, Intermediate – poetry/prose
Other 4-H members who will be presenting at district contests are Christian Ebel, Zia Miller, and Savannah Allen.
Congratulations to each of these 4-H members!
CHILD SAFETY SEAT CHECK-UP REMINDER
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Texas Department of Transportation are partnering to bring this event back to Sulphur Springs. It will take place on Wednesday, April 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Lowe’s parking lot.
Technicians will be on hand to inspect the current car seats to make sure they are installed correctly and are the correct size for the child.
New car seats will be given as necessary.
Participants must bring the child, and know the height and weight of the child. Expectant mothers within the last month of pregnancy are also welcome to come.
New car seats and booster seats will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
CLOSING THOUGHT
Life happens between an inhale and an exhale. – Breanna Nevada
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Beefy Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 head Boston lettuce, leaves separated, washed and patted dry
Directions:
- Brown beef over medium-high heat. While browning, combine ginger, green onions, garlic, pepper flakes, peanuts and carrots in a bowl.
- After beef is browned, drain excess fat and add carrot mixture to the skillet. Stir to combine flavors.
- Add lime juice and soy sauce; continue cooking for 5 minutes, or until carrots are soft.
- In the hollow of each leaf of lettuce, place approximately ¼ cup of beef mixture. Fold and enjoy! Makes 6 servings.
Nutrition per serving: 120 calories, 4 grams total fat, 50 mg cholesterol, 4 g carbohydrate, 18 g protein
Source: Dinner Tonight
Sheriff’s Office Investigates Report Of Possible Bomb Found at Rural Residence
A bomb squad from Garland was called in Friday to assist, after Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible bomb found in a rural residence.
Deputies were dispatched shortly before 7 p.m. to the rural residence, where an individual alleged a friend reported finding what was thought to be a bomb in a closet.
Instead of risking potential danger, Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said, the a bomb squad out of Garland was contacted to respond. The unit used their equipment to remove and destroy the item, the contents of which officials were unsure, as a precaution.
“No charges have been filed in connection with this incident at this time,” Tatum said.
Local Golf Tournament Planned For June 3rd
A golf tournament planned for June 3rd, 2019 to benefit local D.A.R.E. program and the Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association. The tournament will be held at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Only 144 players will be accepted (36 teams of 4 players) in the “Florida Scramble” format tourney. Trophies will be awarded for various categories, and registration includes lunch. For more information, contact Steve Shing at [email protected].
The Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association is a non profit organization that is made up of Sheriff’s office staff and support the daily operation of the Sheriff’s office and other groups in the community.
Donald Washington Sworn In Friday As Director of United States Marshals Service
Donald W. Washington, a Hopkins County native, has been affirmed and was officially sworn in as the new director of the United States Marshals Service during a ceremony Friday.
Washington’s service to this country started at West Point, where he graduated in 1977. He served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve until 1987. He earned his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law in Houston in 1989. In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed him U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, according to www.usmarshals.gov/.
President Donald Trump selected Washington Oct. 2, 2018, to lead the U.S. Marshals and again in January. The nomination was confirmed March 14 and Washington was sworn in on March 29.
A contingent from Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, by invitation, traveled Friday to Shreveport to see Washington officially sworn in as the new director for the U.S. Marshals Service. Among those making the trip were HCSO retired Lt. Harry Washington, Sheriff Lewis Tatum and Investigator Dennis Findley.
North Hopkins Baseball Wins Big Over Sulphur Bluff
North Hopkins 11, Sulphur Bluff 1
The North Hopkins Panthers scored eight big runs in the bottom of the fourth and three more in the bottom of the fifth as they outscored Sulphur Bluff, 11-1 Friday (March 29). Wyatt Wharton got the pitching win going five innings allowing only one run and one hit while striking out 13. The Panthers had twelve hits. Branson Thomas was three for four with two runs scored and two RBIs with a double and a triple. Caleb White was 1 for 3 with a run scored and two RBI’s. Geoffrey Stewart was 2 for 3 with a run scored and two runs batted in. Victor Rojo was 1 for 3 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk. Wharton hit a double. Brycen Gillespie was 1 for 1 with a run scored and an RBI.
Sheriff: Be Wary of Unsolicited Offers To Inspect, Repair Hail Damage
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum urges local resident to be discerning regarding hail and wind repair professionals, as there have been reports of scammers impersonating repair or insurance professionals in the area.
“There are a lot of good insurance people working in the area, but we’ve gotten some scam calls too,” Tatum said.
Residents are cautioned to be leery of any unsolicited adjusters or repair people, as they could be con artists.
“If you contact your insurance representative, you should know the adjuster is coming, that they are OK. If someone calls you to tell you they are coming to check your property for hail and wind damage from the last storm, be very, very worried if you did not contact them first. If they contact you out of the blue wanting to check out your house, it is more than likely a scam,” Tatum warned.
The sheriff encourages anyone who is approached about hail damage repairs or evaluations without prompting, especially by someone who appears in person on the property, to contact Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 903-438-4040 if they live in the county or the local authorities for their jurisdiction if they live elsewhere so officials can check identify and check out that person.
Lady Cat Softball vs Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant 3, Lady Cats Softball 1
The Mount Pleasant Lady Tigers won an early district showdown of unbeaten teams in Mount Pleasant Friday night (March 29), 3-1. Both teams got good pitching but the Lady Tigers had a little better hitting. Mount Pleasant out hit the Wildcats five to three. The Lady Cats also committed three errors as compared as zero for the Lady Tigers. Lady Cats pitcher Bailey Haggerty took the hard luck loss for the Lady Cats. Haggerty went six innings allowing five hits, three runs with only two earned runs, two strikeouts and two walks. Sierra Smith was 2 for 3 at the plate for the Lady Cats. Brinklee Driver was 1 for 2 with a walk. Avery Ayers got the pitching win for Mount Pleasant going a complete game seven innings allowing three hits and one run while striking out five and walking one. Mount Pleasant is at the top of the district standings with a 4-0 record. The Lady Cats slip to 3-1 in district play an 17-5 for the season. The Lady Cats play Texas High at Lady Cat Park Tuesday evening.
Wildcat Baseball Falls To Royse City
Royse City 8, Wildcats Baseball 4
The Wildcats’ baseball team fell behind Royse City early and could never catch up as the Bulldogs swept the Wildcats in district play with an 8-4 win in Royse City Friday night (March 29). Royse City jumped out to a 4-0 lead with 2 runs in the bottom of the first and single runs in the bottom of the second and the third. The Wildcats scored three runs in the top of the fourth to slice the lead to 4-3. Royse City answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth to go up, 5-3. The Wildcats closed to within 5-4 with a single run in the top of the sixth. The Bulldogs added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth and they led 8-4. That was the final. The Bulldogs outhit the Wildcats 9 to 3. Both teams were dreadful in the field with the Wildcats committing three errors and the Bulldogs had five. Jace Burchfield took the loss for the Wildcats going just 2 2/3 innings allowing six hits and four runs, only three which were earned. Burchfield walked two batters. Jake Davis threw 3 1/3 innings allowing three hits, four runs with only one earned run with also five strike outs and two walks. Kamren Harrison drove home a Wildcats’ run with a sacrifice fly. Jace Thompson had an RBI on an Bulldog error during the Wildcats three run fourth inning. Will Sims was 2 of 3 with a double. Jaxon Chaney was one for two with a double, two runs scored and a walk. Andrew Alonzo got the win for the Bulldogs going six innings allowing three hits, four runs and six strikeouts. The Wildcats fall to 2-5 in district play and they are 10-6 for the season. The Wildcats will have Lindale week next week in district play with a home game Tuesday night and a road game Friday night.
SSHS Ladycat Soccer Season Comes To End
Hallsville 3, Lady Cats Soccer 0
The Lady Cats’ soccer team had their season end Friday night (March 29) with a 3-0 loss to former district foe Hallsville at Sam Parker Field in Mount Pleasant. The Lady Bobcats jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead before the Lady Cats settled in and made a game of it. Hallsville led 2-0 at halftime and added a third goal during the second half. The Lady Cats end the injury plagued season with a 5-17-4 record. They were 4-6 in district play as they claimed the fourth and final playoff spot.
