New! A 50-Plus Health Fair Set for April 2 at The Roc
For seven years, there has been a local springtime Health Fair for persons age 55 and older. Now, it has a new name, the 50 Plus Health Fair, and will be held during a new afternoon and early evening time frame on Tuesday April 2, 2019 at The Roc of First Baptist Church, 115 Putman Street near downtown Sulphur Springs. The Health Fair will be held from 4:30 until 6:30 pm, and is absolutely free for persons age 50 and older.
According to Fred Lewis, Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church, the afternoon/evening hours were selected because a good number of Senior-age people are still working at jobs. And the age of 50 Plus was needed, because many middle-aged people are now caring for elderly parents, and making important decisions for these Seniors under their care. Thus, the Health Fair will offer valuable information for them, too. Anyone age 50 and older is encouraged to visit with the over 40 vendors who will dispense free screenings and information from their booths and tables. At each booth is a door prize of over $25 value, which you are encouraged to sign up for. The door prizes will be awarded at 6:30 pm. Also new this year is a Hot Dog Supper provided as a quick meal for busy Seniors who may be coming right from work during the dinner hour, 4:30 until 6:30 pm.
Lady Cats Soccer Playoff Warm-Up
Lady Cats Soccer 2, Athens 2
The Lady Cats’ soccer team fell behind 2-0 to Athens in a playoff warm-up game at Gerald Prim Stadium Monday evening (March 25) but then rallied in the games final 24 minutes scoring twice to tie the match 2-2. Athens scored the first half’s only goal at 23:20 on a long accurate shot. The Lady Cats came close to tying the score but Haley Robinson hit the crossbar with a shot. Athens went up 2-0 on a header into the net after a corner kick. The goal seemed to energize the Lady Cats. Less than four minutes later, at 20:14 Janine Yamaguchi scored for the Lady Cats. She broke away from the defense went in on the keeper and put the ball into the net. The Lady Cats got the equalizer at 10:26. After a corner kick the Lady Cats kept the ball in front of the net. Eventually it found it’s way to Baylie Arrington who kicked the ball into the net. McKenna Gammill preserved the tie with a diving stop of an Athens shot at 6:04. It was one of several diving stops by Gammill. The Lady Cats and Athens ended the evening with each side taking eight penalty kicks. Lady Cats Coach Joel Bailey was glad his team could get back on the field. They have not played since March 19, which was Senior Night against Royse City. The Lady Cats play Hallsville Friday at 6 p.m. at Mount Pleasant’s Sam Parker Field. Their last trip there was on March 8 as the Lady Cats won in dramatic fashion over Mount Pleasant on penalty kicks.
Scottish “Royalty” To Preside at High Tea Event Downtown Sulphur Springs on March 31
On the KSST Good Morning Show with Enola Gay, we met Murdoch Blackadder, the Marquis of Clencoe (Jason Brumfield) and Laird Marquis Dunan (Jack Bolowskie), Renaissance royalty who will be present at a ‘High Tea’ fundraiser for Shadow Ranch, scheduled for Sunday March 31, 2019. Accompanying them were a Shield Maiden (Kris Cobb) and a Tavern Wench (Barbara Palmer), local business owners who will also appear in costume at the renaissance-style High Tea event. The public is invited to attend for entertainment, a delicious array of scones, meat pastries and luncheon sandwiches, an assortment of teas and a wine tasting. Attendees are also invited to dress in Renaissance-style costume, or in Sunday clothes, when attending the tea. It will be held at The Venue at 219, on Main Street downtown Sulphur Springs, from 3-6 pm. Tickets are $25 each, available online at shadowrenfest.com, at Pioneer Cafe downtown, and at Sulphur Springs Sign Shop through March 29. The event is a fundraiser for Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center of Hopkins County, and will also serve as a pre-event for the Shadow Renaissance Festival set for July 26-28 at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Last summer, the first Shadow Renaissance Festival had a successful turnout. This year, organizers speculate that more than 6,000 persons could attend the three-day event, on the final weekend of July 2019 on the grounds and inside the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. In place of the jousting events held last year, the Festival’s Main Event entertainment will be “Knight Fights”, a full-contact medieval sport with fighters from all over the United States as well as contestants from the History Channel’s “KnightFights” expected to compete.
Members of the Scottish royalty also appear at Renaissance festivals in Texas, like the 8-week-long Scarborough Faire in Waxahatchie during April/May and the North Texas Irish Festival held annually in March at Fair Park in Dallas. Actor Jason Brumfield is originally from Hopkins County and gives his full support to the new local Renaissance fair. Kris Cobb, one of the fair’s organizers stated that 100% of proceeds from the local Ren Fest will be donated to Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center, located in southeastern Hopkins County, for it’s ongoing work in providing handicapped persons with equine therapy. Find out more at shadowranchtrc.com or shadowrenfest
Woman Found Guilty, Sentenced To 8 Years In TDCJ For Aggravated Assault
Maurquia Inez Ford, 32, was convicted Monday, March 25, and sentenced to 8 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice for aggravated assault.
During a trial before the court, Ford and two other individuals were accused of following the victim to his uncle’s residence. Once there, one of the assailants was alleged to have hit the victim in the head with an object, causing severe injuries. The victim was later flown to a Dallas hospital for his injuries, reported Eighth Judicial District Attorney Will Ramsay.
“I feel that justice was served in this case. People should not be allowed to justify violent, assaultive behavior on the grounds of revenge,” Ramsay said.
After the district judge found her guilty, an 8 year sentence was agreed upon and approved by the judge in the punishment phase of the trial.
Diabetes Support Group Meets Today at Noon
A Diabetes Support Group for Hopkins County and surrounding areas will meet the 4th Tuesday of each month. The newly formed group will meet Tuesday, March 26, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Hopkins County, 1200 W. Houston Street, Sulphur Springs at 12:00 noon. The group is open to anyone who has diabetes or who cares for someone with diabetes. Informative topics for discussion will include nutrition, exercise, medications, complications, and more. For more information, contact Johanna Hicks, 903-885-3443 or Sue Potts, 903-348-3903.
Motor Grader, Research Resources Among Items Considered By County Commissioners Court
A new motor grader, amendments for two county precinct budgets and extended research resources for judges and the district attorney were all matters Hopkins County Commissioners Court was asked to consider approving during their regular meeting Monday.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price received approval Monday to enter into a lease-purchase agreement for a new motor grader.
The full purchase price for the motor grader is $219,500. However, Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price is putting down $50,000 from his budget, leaving only $169,500 to be financed over 7 years. Bids were sought for financing. City National Bank proposed financing at a rate of 4.25 percent while Alliance Bank proposed a 4.15 percent finance rate, Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Walker told commissioners during their regular March 25 meeting.
Both rates were lower than the financing rate quoted by Holt, Price said.
Thus, Price and Walker recommended, and Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved the purchase of the motor grader through BuyBoard, to be financed through Alliance Bank at the 4.15 percent rate.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court also agreed to amend Precinct 1 and Precinct 4 budgets. Each precinct money left over from last year’s budget. The court agreed to roll the funds over to this year into the two precinct budgets. That’s little more than $57,500 for Precinct 1 and just over $42,100 for Precinct 4, Walker said.
In other business, County Court at Law Judge Clay Harrison asked the commissioners court to consider approving a contract which would expand the research resources available to judges and court officials through a contract with LexisNexis.
The contract would run from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, at a rate of $509 a month. A $35 fee charged goes to the law library fund for library materials or equipment such as software and electronic research resources. Money from the law library fund would be used to help with that fee.
Harrison said extending the scope of subscription would “greatly benefit” him as well as the district judge and attorney, as it would allow them to “research a lot more different types of issues.”
The court gave approval to the contract, which won’t be official until its signed by LexisNexis.
North Hopkins VFD Recognized For Service
North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department was recognized Monday by Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley and the Commissioners Court for their “outstanding efforts” and “dedication in their perseverance to provide protection for the citizens of Hopkins County and their property.”
Endsley noted that each month, in order by department number, he and the commissioners court would be recognizing the volunteer departments that the county “subsidizes” and who help HCFD on calls in the county. This is part of HCFD’s 20th anniversary celebration, a way to honor the many volunteers who work side-by-side with county firemen.
The officials commended the NHVFD members present at Monday’s commissioners court meeting, especially Chief Bobby Harris for getting the department back to it’s former functionality including financially.
County Judge Robert Newsom and Endsley noting the department’s rich history as part of the local system for 43 years.
NHVFD was started in 1976, by nine members. Kenneth Cockran served as president, James Lair as vice-president, Gene Dixon as secretary and treasurer, and Merrel Chester as chief; and firefighters Jesse Orr, John Martin, Jerry Don Gibby, Jimmy Goldsmith and Jerry Glossup.
That year, the county used revenue sharing money to purchase five one-ton chassis to be fully equipped to include the installation of citizens band radios. Bill Mosely also in 1976 donated the property for NHVFD, with the stipulation that the property would return to the family in the event the Volunteer Fire Department ceased to exit.
Texas Forestry Service donated a tanker. John Martin donated an EMS ambulance to serve as a rescue service truck and a rescue boat. A&S Air Conditioning Inc. gave NHVFD a brush truck.
Currently, the the department has nine members supporting four fire
apparatus – Bobby Harris as fire chief, Steve Taylor as assistant chief, Arron Daniels and Bobby Brown as lieutenants, and Debbie Harris as treasurer/bookkeeper; and firefighters, Brenten Burnside, Blake Stewart, Gary Hendricks, Lashonda Taylor, Darrell Moore.
9 SSHS BPA Members Competed At State Leadership Conference
Nine career and technical education students from Sulphur Springs High School strongly represented SSHS in their respective events at the Business Professionals of America 2019 State Leadership Conference Wednesday-Saturday, March 6-9, at the Sheraton in Dallas.
One student is advancing to the BPA National Leadership Conference May 1-5, another will run for a state officer position and two students were also named as alternates for the national convention, SSHS Career and Technology Education Director Jenny Arledge reported
Genesis Zamora won fourth place in business law and ethics, qualifying her to compete in Anaheim, California at the national conference in May.
Recognized as a national officer candidate is Emily Atkinson.
Makayla Pullen and Christian Yanez have been designated as alternates for nationals, Pullen after placing four thin administrative support research and Christian Yanez after placing seventh in graphic design promotion.
Also recognized for their participation in the state conference were: Emily Atkinson, in administrative support research; Brayden Fisher, C++ programming; Jaci Glenn , medical office procedures; David Grinnan, advanced word processing; Dakota Soles, PC servicing and troubleshooting; and Daniel Soto, payroll accounting.
Business Professionals of America is a national organization for high school, college, and middle school students preparing for careers in business and information technology. The organization’s activities and programs complement classroom instruction by giving students practical experience through application of the skills learned at school. BPA acts as a cohesive agent in the nationwide networking of education and business and industry. BPA is contributing to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic and technological skills. Today’s students. Tomorrow’s business professionals
County Commissioners Approve $1 Million For County Road Repairs
Each of the four county commissioners have been allocated an additional $250,000 to put toward road work in their precincts this spring. The $1 million allocation was approved Monday, along with a resolution granting the emergency budget expenditure.
The resolution allows Hopkins County Commissioners Court to amend the budget so funding can be transferred to each precinct’s road and bridges budget to meet the “grave public necessity” to repair roads “immeasurably negatively impacted” by September and October “rain, flooding and winds.”
“This is a serious situation. We are blessed to have a budget that allows us to do this this year. We are doing well in Hopkins County, except for the roads,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said.
The funding can be used in each precinct for materials, labor or otherwise be applied toward road repairs at each commissioner’s discretion, Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Walker said.
The road projects are expected to start and go quickly, according to Newsom.
City Council Takes No Action Regarding Public Safety Director
Sulphur Springs City Council members after a 40-minute executive session Monday opted not to take any action related to that session, nor was any statement released.
The city officials were expected to be briefed during the session about Sulphur Springs Public Safety Director James W. “Jay” Sanders being placed on administrative leave with pay at the end of last week, city officials said Monday.
The city did so due to Sanders “being involved in an ongoing criminal investigation by another agency. This action should not be viewed as an opinion on the merits of the investigation,” an official release from the city stated.
Sulphur Springs Police Capt. Jason Ricketson and SSFD Assistant Chief Tim Vaughn will step up to serve in the top jobs at their respective departments in the interim, according to the city manager.
