Game Day: Wildcat Baseball Scrimmage Hallsville At Wildcat Park
The Wildcats’ baseball team will be having their second scrimmage of the season on this Thursday game day (February 14). The Wildcats will be scrimmaging old district foe Hallsville at Wildcat Park beginning at 5 p.m. The scrimmage was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was delayed two days so Wildcat Park could dry out.
Also the Wildcats Friday scrimmage against North Lamar at 6 p.m. has been moved to Wildcat Park. The move was made after North Lamar reported that their baseball field was too wet to play on. The Thursday and Friday home scrimmages are the final tune ups for the Wildcats’ baseball team before they start the regular season next week.
The Wildcats will open the season in the 28th Annual Rose City Classic at Tyler’s Mike Carter Field February 21-23. The Wildcats are scheduled to play five games over three days.
Game Day: Lady Cat Softball Opens Three Day Tournament at Lady Cat Park
After their regular season opener was rained out Monday, the Lady Cats’ softball team will now open the regular season in a big way Thursday (February 14) in their own three day Sulphur Springs Varsity Softball Tournament. The Lady Cats play three games Thursday.
The Lady Cats take on Commerce in a game that will start at 11:30 a.m. Shortly after the first game, the Lady play Canton at 1 p.m. The Lady Cats also face Mount Vernon at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Cats will also play Peaster Friday at 10 a.m. and Duncanville Saturday at 11:30 a.m. All the Lady Cats games are at Lady Cat Park.
Tournament games Thursday through Saturday are also scheduled on two fields at Coleman Park. The Lady Cats planned season opener against THESA, Texas Homeschool Educators Sports Association, was rained out Monday. The Lady Cats prepared for the season by playing seven teams at four scrimmages.
Local Performer Don Woods Jr. Signs Recording Contract with Sony Records
Don Woods Jr. from the Yantis area of Wood County, Texas has signed a recording contract with Sony Music as a recording artist. The event took place at a contract signing in Sulphur Springs, Texas on February 12, 2019. It is the next step in a few years of tireless work by the artist and his agent. Woods is very happy to have reached this milestone, but realizes that his actual work has just begun. Writing new songs, being part of multi-genre appearances on tour and trips to Nashville will be the next phase of his career.
Don is a home-grown Texas country music singer who has been busy writing and performing his music locally for a number of years as he worked to become noticed on a national level. His appearances at local fairs and fundraisers have made fans and friends and his regular performances on the Reilly Springs Jamboree’s monthly country-and-gospel shows have further created a local fan base. He has headlined with his “Stone-Cold Country” act at various venues around Lake Fork, Northeast Texas and into surrounding states. His songs “Everyday Hero”, “Whiskey Melody” and “More than Dallas” from his “90 Proof” album have enjoyed some radio play. And more than once, Don has been showcased in front of music executives in Anaheim,California and in Nashville, Tennessee where he and his agent Clay Dustin made valuable connections. But up until now, the national exposure he’s been seeking has been a dream he is chasing.
Clay Dustin, President of SM1 Music Group, a subsidiary of Sony, has also been Woods’ agent for the past several years. The breakthrough actually came about through Dustin’s 20-year career in and around Nashville.
Dustin said, “I’ve made friends with hundreds of the people in Nashville, through my own songwriting and performing in early years, to now representing talent that I believe in, like Don Woods. Through the lean times and when Don wasn’t getting booked much, I told him it would happen, so don’t quit. And I applied the same advice to myself. Now, looks like it was good advice!”
Earlier this month, when Sony accepted Dustin’s SM1 Music Group as a subsidiary, he immediately reached for the phone to tell Don the good news for both of them. Asked what he will do next, Don smilingly replied “Now I switch into high gear, writing more songs and preparing for performance tours. I’m even being considered for acting work in films! Sony will probably pair me first with other Sony artists in mixed-genre concerts for awhile, where ‘new acts’ get big-city exposure. Hey, I’m not new by any means, but I’m ready to sing and I’m ready to go to work! At home in Golden, Texas, my wife Dana and I have been reading all these posts and messages from people congratulating me. The Keith Whitley family as well as George Jones’ band members are among them, and people have been sending me songs to record. Getting this news has been super emotional for us because of the support it shows that we have. I thank God, we are so blessed!”.
You can meet Don Woods Jr. in person at the Reilly Springs Jamboree on Saturday night February 16, 2019 at 6pm. The historic venue is at 109 CR 1439 in southeastern Hopkins County inside the Reilly Springs Community Center.
PJC Holding Men/Women Open Soccer Tryouts Feb. 23
Sophomore Gerardo Guzman of Amarillo is shown in a fall game against Murray State College.
Open tryouts for the Paris Junior College men’s and women’s soccer teams will be held at Noyes Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 23. The women’s tryout will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and the men’s tryout will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Participants should bring cleats, shin guards, and water. A campus tour will be available to them during the day.
“There are still scholarships available,” said Coach Evan Michael Camperell. “Incoming freshmen will have the opportunity to challenge for a starting roster spot.”
Freshman Uva Alcantara of Mesquite is show in a fall game against Western Texas College.
Those wishing to try out should already be a high school graduate or a 2019 graduating senior and arrive 15 minutes early to fill out the necessary paperwork. Those under 18 need to be accompanied by their guardian, who must fill out the appropriate paperwork in order for them to participate. For further information about the tryouts call Coach Camperell at 903-782-0398 or emal him at [email protected]
PJC soccer teams compete in Region XIV of the National Junior College Athletic Association, Division I. Noyes Stadium is on the west side of the Paris Junior College campus at 2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, Texas, 75460.
Sulphur Springs Couple Charged with Endangering Child
Feb 14, 2019 – Micheal and Donna Mollenhour were involved in an investigation by Child Protective Services and the Sulphur Springs Special Crimes Unit for methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that a 10-month old had been exposed to methamphetamine and that both parents also tested positive for meth.
When arrested, a quantity of methamphetamine was found in the bra area of the mother, Donna, during book-in. It was also found that Michael had traffic warrants. Both are in Hopkins County Jail.
Donna Rae Mollenhour, 38, is charged with Abandon/Endanger Child and with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram. She is held on bonds totaling $20,000.
Micheal Dwayne Mollenhour, 44, is charged with Endangering a Child and the traffic warrants. He is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Chamber Connection February 14, 2019
Ribbon Cuttings:
Flowerland Florist will host a ribbon cutting celebration
Flowerland Florist, located at 411 Gilmer in Sulphur Springs, will host a ribbon cutting celebration with their new owners on Monday, February 11th at noon. Please make plans to attend and welcome the new owners to Flowerland.
Hopkins County hosts ribbon cutting for new courtroom
The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court is hosting a ribbon cutting for their newly constructed courtroom located at 282 Rosemont Street in Sulphur Springs. It will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13th. Please join us!
Soccer: Coaches Review Losses to Greenville
Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton Has Healthy Respect for Powerful Greenville Lions
After the senior-laden Greenville Lions defeated the Wildcats, 5-1 in the district opener for both teams at Gerald Prim Stadium Tuesday night (February 12), Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton called the Lions incredible and out of this world. Coach Upton noted that top Lions’ goal scorer Ian Miller would be playing college soccer at Furman. Miller had a three-goal hat trick Tuesday against the Wildcats. Coach Upton called Miller something else and phenomenal. He said the Wildcats would need to change some things when they play Greenville again. Coach Upton said the Wildcats would have to be more defensive minded and eliminate some of the mistakes they made Tuesday. Coach Upton also said Lions midfielder Payton Franklin was a phenomenal player. He said Kevin Zavala and Kevin Jasso work well up top with Miller. Jasso scored the first Greenville goal Tuesday. All of Greenville’s varsity players are seniors except for their freshman goalkeeper Greg Just. Daniel Moreno scored the Wildcats lone goal. Coach Upton said he put Moreno in because he is physical and aggressive. He said the Wildcats need to bounce back Friday night at home against Lindale. Coach Upton called it a must win. Lindale is 1-0 in district play. They edged past Royse City at home, 3-2 on Tuesday.
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Joel Bailey Said Greatly Improved Greenville Team Bested Them Tuesday
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Joel Bailey said it was a much improved Greenville team that defeated the Lady Cats, 3-0 at Greenville Tuesday night (February 12). He said the Lady Lions had players who did well passing and moving the ball around, counterattacking and transitioning from attack to defense and from defense to attack. Still the score was 0-0 at halftime and Coach Bailey said each team seemed to have the ball half the time and each also had scoring opportunities. He said the Lady Lions scored a goal in the second half. Coach Bailey called it an innocent looking shot that found the net. A second and third goal followed and Coach Bailey said the Lady Cats made some mistakes and Greenville capitalized on them. He called it a tough loss adding the Lady Cats have been successful against them recently. Coach Bailey said the Lady Lions earned the win Tuesday night. The Lady Cats play Lindale Friday night at 7 p.m. Lindale is 0-1 in district play after an 8-0 loss at Royse City Tuesday. Coach Bailey called the Lady Bulldogs one of the district’s teams to beat along with Mount Pleasant. Lindale’s field is undergoing renovation so the Lady Cats and Lady Eagles match will be played at the Pat Hartley Complex at Tyler Junior College.
Lady Lions Face Bryson Thursday at 6 p.m. at Tioga in Area Playoff; Lions Face Avinger Friday
The first playoff game for the #20 ranked Saltillo Lady Lions has been firmed up. After getting a bye in bi-district action due to being a district champion, the Lady Lions now face Bryson Thursday (February 14) at 6 p.m. at Tioga High School in an Area round game.
Meanwhile the Saltillo Lions picked up a district win Tuesday (February 12) against Union Hill, 48-40. The Lions got off to a good start leading 11-3 after one quarter and 27-15 at the half. Union Hill rallied in the third quarter and trailed only 33-32 after three periods. The Lions had a big fourth quarter outscoring Union Hill, 15-8 to secure the 8 point win. Chris Boekhorst led the Lions with 25 points. Andrew Redburn scored 11 points. Edi Olayo had 6 points. Ben Moore scored 5 points. Levi Hoover added 1 point.
The Lions are 9-1 in district play and 24-8 for the season. They play Avinger Friday at 6 p.m. at Pittsburg High School.
Sulphur Springs Downtown One of Five Finalists for National Urban Excellence Award
The 2019 RBA finalists: Beyond Walls—Lynn, MA Grassroots public art and lighting initiative revitalizing a former industrial city. (Submitted by Beyond Walls, photo bottom left); Buffalo Bayou Park—Houston, TX Enhancement of a historic waterway into a resilient public greenspace. (Submitted by SWA Group, photo top center); Crosstown Concourse—Memphis, TN Rehabilitation of an abandoned Sears, Roebuck & Co. distribution center into a mixed-use vertical village and arts, education, and healthcare destination. (Submitted by Crosstown Arts, photo top right); Parisite Skatepark—New Orleans, LA Youth-driven DIY creation of a new public park on vacant land beneath a highway overpass. (Submitted by Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund, photo bottom center); Sulphur Springs Downtown—Sulphur Springs, TX Renewal of a rural, small-town civic plaza and main street. (Submitted by Toole Design Group, photo bottom right)*
Cambridge, MA – February 13, 2019 – The Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence (RBA) announces five finalists for its 2019 Gold and Silver medal prizes. The Gold Medalist will receive $50,000, and four Silver Medalists will each receive $10,000 to enhance their projects. For more than 30 years, the biennial RBA has recognized transformative places that contribute to the economic, environmental, and social vitality of American cities. Seventy-eight projects in 27 states have been honored since its founding.
The 2019 RBA finalists: Beyond Walls—Lynn, MA Grassroots public art and lighting initiative revitalizing a former industrial city. (Submitted by Beyond Walls, photo bottom left); Buffalo Bayou Park—Houston, TX Enhancement of a historic waterway into a resilient public greenspace. (Submitted by SWA Group, photo top center); Crosstown Concourse—Memphis, TN Rehabilitation of an abandoned Sears, Roebuck & Co. distribution center into a mixed-use vertical village and arts, education, and healthcare destination. (Submitted by Crosstown Arts, photo top right); Parisite Skatepark—New Orleans, LA Youth-driven DIY creation of a new public park on vacant land beneath a highway overpass. (Submitted by Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund, photo bottom center); Sulphur Springs Downtown—Sulphur Springs, TX Renewal of a rural, small-town civic plaza and main street. (Submitted by Toole Design Group, photo bottom right)
RBA entries comprise completed projects across the contiguous United States. Finalists and medalists are chosen by a nationwide committee of urban experts through an in-depth evaluation process involving input from the award application, site visits, interviews with project participants and community members, and committee discussions. The 2019 Selection Committee: Libby Schaaf—Mayor, City of Oakland, CA; Adrian Benepe—Senior Vice President and Director of National Programs at the Trust for Public Land, New York, NY; Brenda Breaux—Executive Director for the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA), New Orleans, LA; Carol Coletta—President and CEO of the Memphis River Parks Partnership, Memphis, TN Marc Norman—Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Michigan, Taubman School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Ann Arbor, MI; Carol Ross Barney, FAIA—Principal Designer, Ross Barney Architects, Chicago, IL Next month, RBA staff will begin site visits to each finalist project in preparation for the committee’s selection of the medal winners in June.
Metropolis magazine will tell the stories of each of these sites through a series of online features. Findings and lessons learned will be relayed through detailed case studies and published in book form in 2020 as a resource for educators, practitioners, and students. Past case studies are available on the RBA website.
“The range of issues addressed in this year’s submissions reflect the evolution of our understanding of placemaking in cities,” says RBA Founder Simeon Bruner. “The five finalists illustrate the shifting role of design in response to the imperatives of social inclusivity and environmental resilience.”
About the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence The Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence (RBA) was created in 1986 by Simeon Bruner, founding principal of Bruner/Cott Architects and Planners (Cambridge, MA), and is a program of the Bruner Foundation. The RBA was named in honor of founder Simeon Bruner’s late father, who established the Foundation in 1963 with his mother, Martha. The Bruner Foundation is renowned for its pioneering approach to social issues including health care, education, evaluation, and the built environment.
*Photo Credits (clockwise from left):
Buffalo Bayou Park—Jonnu Singleton
Crosstown Concourse—Chad Mellon
Sulphur Springs Downtown—Cindy Roller
Parisite Skatepark—Michael Wong
Beyond Walls—Warren Jagger
