City Council Approves Ordinance for Street Maintenance Fees to Be Added to Water Bills
After approximately 20 minutes of discussion and answering questions by one local resident, the Sulphur Springs City Council approved on second reading a Street Maintenance Fee Ordnance that will add additional funds to the Street Paving Project and sets up a separate designated account for the funds. Sulphur Springs City Council met in regular session Tuesday evening in Council Chambers. The Street Maintenance Fee Ordinance was not the only item on the agenda but did consume more time than any other subject.
The fees set by council to be applied to water bills in the city will be $5 for residential and $5 for multifamily, $12.50 for commercial, and $30 for industrial. The original motion for approval would have contained lower fees for multifamily and industrial. However, a substitute motion that would have increased fees to $10 for residential and multifamily was defeated 2-4 by vote of council. The fees set were a second amendment to the original motion passed 5-2 with Jimmy Lucas, who wanted to retain the original fee scale, and Doug Moore, who had offered the first amendment for the higher fees, voting against. Voting on the motion as amended the council again voted 5-2.
During conversation a local citizen asked several questions regarding the designation of the funds and the manner in which accountability would made for the use of the fees. The ordinance calls for a designated account for the fees to be deposited to with the fees only used to purchase materials and pay for work performed. It was also noted that the council can revisit the ordinance and change fee scales and rates at any time.
In other action, the council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance expanding the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction of the city to include the property once used as a mining operation by Luminant. The property is being given to the city by Luminant.
The council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances for the city updating the building codes, electrical code and the property maintenance code. The city council revisits the codes every three years to update.
Revisiting the adoption of a Tax Abatement/Rebate Policy first considered in the November regular session, council determined to not set a specific policy but to allow negotiations with each prospective industry and business that would seek tax abatement or rebates on taxes. Industries considering a prospective location often seek the abatements or rebates based on number of people they will employ and other considerations. City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that rebates are often better than abatements. He said the rebates cause the industry to provide needed accountability in a more timely manner. He said each industry or business should be considered based on what they bring to the city.
The city will abate the burned out house at 917 Church Street. The property was deemed dangerous. The vacated building has been a concern for residents neighboring the property. The city will place a lien on the property to recover costs of demolition.
A public hearing will be conducted January 8 and January 9, 2019 regarding the annexation of Pioneer Business Park and Heritage Business Park and certain adjacent parcels to both. Prior to setting the public hearings, the council voted to not propose to annex any property or territory that is required to offer a development agreement.
City Manager Maxwell was authorized as the signatory for documents regarding the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality water rights permit application. The act will allow the manager to move forward with documents that allow the city to receive the Luminant property which contains approximately 20 ponds or lakes on the property.
The council also voted to move their January regular session from January 1 to January 8, 2019.
Hall Scores 36 in Wildcat Win Tuesday Night
The Wildcats’ basketball team used a huge 31 point fourth quarter to break open a tight game with Dallas Woodrow Wilson to win, 84-70 Tuesday night (December 4) at Wildcats Gym. The Wildcats had 6 three-point baskets in the big fourth quarter.
Sadaidriene Day Day Hall led the Wildcats with 36 points including 2 three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Keaston Willis added 20 points including 3 three-point baskets. Jeremiah Roland had 10 points. Cameron Kahn 9 points before he was forced from the game with a severe leg cramp. Duece Berry came off the bench to hit 3 big three-pointers in the fourth quarter to help the Wildcats pull away from Woodrow Wilson. Beau Becker led Wood Wilson with 23 points and 3 three-point baskets.
The Wildcats led 20-17 after the first quarter, 38-31 at the half and 53-50 after three quarters. The Wildcats outscored Woodrow Wilson, 31-20 in the final period.
The Wildcats improved to 8-2 for the season. They play next in the three-day Forney ISD Winter Classic beginning Thursday. In pool play, the Wildcats play North Mesquite at 12:30 p.m. and McKinney Boyd at 3:30 p.m. with both games in the North Forney High School Main Gym. McKinney Boyd’s head coach is former Wildcats head basketball coach Jeremy Josey.
Lady Lions Limit CHESS to Only 10 Points in Last Three Quarters of Game
The Saltillo Lady Lions’ basketball team evened their season record at 8-8 with a lopsided 74-18 win over CHESS on Tuesday (December 4). The Lady Lions led only 11-8 after the first quarter but then limited CHESS to only 10 points over the last three quarters.
Jocelyn Ochoa had a big game for the Lady Lions with 29 points. Anna Reeder scored 18 points. Chandler Bain and Maddy Smith had 10 points apiece. Lorena Castro scored 3 points. Christy Marquez and Paisley Kastner had 2 points each.
The Lady Lions JV also topped CHESS, 24-11 to stay unbeaten with a 5-0 record. The Lady Lions play Union Grove Friday at Saltillo.
Lady Cats Defeat New Boston; Edgewood Tournament Next
The Lady Cats’ basketball team racked up another impressive win Tuesday evening (December 4) at New Boston, 64-43.
The Lady Cats had only a 1 point lead after one quarter, 12-11. They extended their lead to 12 at the half, 33-21. Both teams scored 15 points in the third quarter so the Lady Cats maintained their lead at 48-36. They outscored New Boston in the fourth quarter, 16-7 to further build their lead.
The Lady Cats are now 8-1 for the season. The Lady Cats play next in a three-day Edgewood tournament beginning Thursday. The Lady Cats have won the tournament in Edgewood the past two years.
RESCHEDULED: Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, Now December 10th 2018
Now takes place on Monday, December 10th, 2018
Hangup your Tinsel, hangup your Lights, we wanna see your tree shine bright!!!
Christmas Tree Decoration Contest/Fundraiser presented by Hopkins County Ems
Christmas Tree Decorating Rules:
- Decorate your Christmas tree using any color, theme and decorations, Christmas lights encouraged! There will be a business category as well as an individual category.
- Tree height can be 4ft-8ft tall and must be artificial. Any color you prefer.
- Decorations, Christmas tree and stand need to be provided by the individual or team and you must provide your own extension cord. Power provided on the square.
- Deadline for entry forms will be Wednesday, December 5th at 5pm. Entry forms can be picked up and turned in at the Hopkins County EMS Central Station (beside the hospital). Entry forms can be delivered personally if needed.
- Tree can be brought to the square pre-decorated or can be decorated on the square MONDAY, December 10Th starting at 10:00am but must be completed and ready to be judged by 4:30pm. Each tree will have a number provided to you the day of judging.
- All trees will be displayed to the public for judging. Judging opens up at 5:00pm and ends at 8:30pm. There will be trophies for first place, second place and third place.
- Tickets will be available the night of the judging. $1.00 buys one vote and all proceeds will be donated to the Safe-T Crisis Center to be donated to a family in need for the holidays.
- All trees need to be removed the night after the judging. Also, if you would like your tree to be donated to a family in need within the community let us know at the time of your entry for arrangements to be made for delivery.
- Be creative, have fun and show your Christmas spirit!
Click here for the official entry form. Any questions, please contact Tabitha Vaught or Heather Gaston
for the official entry form. Any questions, please contact Tabitha Vaught or Heather Gaston
Any questions, please contact Tabitha Vaught or Heather Gaston
[email protected] 903-446-8052
[email protected] 903-440-2883
Any questions, please contact Tabitha Vaught or Heather Gaston
[email protected] 903-446-8052
[email protected] 903-440-2883
Freeman Parish Tournament Boys & Girls Schedule
Where: North Hopkins High School New Guy
December 6th, Thursday
8:15 AM- Cooper vs. Yantis – Girls
9:35 AM- Cooper vs. Roxton- Boys
10:55 AM- North Hopkins vs. Trenton- Girls
12:15 PM- Campbell vs. Prairiland- Boys
1:35 PM- Saltillo vs. Yantis- Boys
2:55 PM- Cooper vs. Sam Rayburn- Boys
4:15 PM- Wolfe City vs. Commerce- Girls
5:35 PM- Yantis vs. Campbell- Boys
6:55 PM- Trenton vs. Cooper- Girls
8:15 PM- North Hopkins vs. Sam Rayburn- Boys
December 7th Friday
8:15 AM- Prairiland vs. Yantis- Boys
9:35 AM- Wolfe City vs. North Hopkins – Girls
10:55 AM- Saltillo vs. Campbell – Boys
12:15 PM- Trenton vs. Yantis – Girls
1:35 PM- North Hopkins vs. Cooper – Boys
2:55 PM- North Hopkins vs. Cooper – Girls
4:15 PM- Roxton vs. Sam Rayburn – Boys
5:35 PM- Saltillo vs. Prairiland – Boys
6:55 PM- Yantis vs. Commerce – Girls
8:15 PM- North Hopkins vs. Roxton- Boys
9:30 AM- Cooper vs. Wolfe City – Girls
December 8th, Saturday
10:45 AM-4th PLACE FROM BOTH ROUND ROBINS – Boys
12:05 PM- Commerce vs. Trenton – Girls
1:25 PM- 3rd PLACE FROM BOTH ROUND ROBINS – Boys
2:45 PM- Wolfe City vs. Yantis- Girls
4:05 PM-2nd PLACE FROM BOTH ROUND ROBINS – Boys
5:15 PM- North Hopkins vs. Commerce – Girls
6:30 PM-CHAMPIONSHIP- Boys
Pool A- Sam Rayburn, Cooper, Roxton, North Hopkins (boys)
Pool B- Prairiland, Saltillo, Yantis, Campbell (boys)
*First team listed will be home team and wear white uniform.
North Hopkins Panthers Dodd City Tournament Results
By: Cecile Lozano
From November 29th to December 1st North Hopkins basketball Panthers played five games at the Dodd City Tournament. One of those five was the championship game.
Their first game was against the Yantis Owls, defeating them by 69-26, as well as their following games against the Sam Rayburn Texans, by 74-35, and Dodd City Hornets, by 43-41. They held a close match to the Sam Rayburn Texans, but lost by 34-35.
The North Hopkins Panthers Advanced to the championship, but unfortunately lost to Sam Rayburn with the score of 39-42.
North Hopkins Panther, Caleb Wyatt earned 2nd place receiveing the Dodd City Tournament Scholarship.
Wildcats Named to Academic All-State Football Team
Ten Wildcats’ football players and a team manager made the Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State Football Team. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens released results Tuesday morning (December 4).
Making first team Academic All-State were:
Austin Dodd,
Pacen Edwards,
Ethan Rogers
Landry Tyson.
Making the second team were:
team manager Carson Bridges (no picture available)
Connor Burgin
Daniel Moreno.
Honorable Mention selections were:
Blayne Hohenberger,
Charlie Maddux,
Evan Rushing
Jase Thompson.
Coach Owens said this is a very deserving honor, which requires much dedication and hard work. He added they have learned how to balance academics and athletics.
Game Day: Wildcats Host Dallas Wilson; Lady Cats at New Boston
The Wildcats’ basketball team, ranked #8 in Class 5A in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Poll, are back on the home floor at Wildcats Gym as Dallas Woodrow Wilson provides the opposition on this Tuesday game day (December 4). The schedule has been altered this Tuesday night to accommodate transportation issues for Woodrow. There will be a freshmen game beginning at 6 p.m. in the high school Auxiliary Gym. There will be a JV contest also at 6 p.m. in Wildcats Gym. The varsity game, starting at around 7:15 p.m., will follow in Wildcats Gym. The Wildcats come in with a 7-2 season record. They went 2-2 in a Mansfield ISD tournament this past weekend. Dallas Wilson has a 4-5 record coming in according to Max Preps. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta says the Woodrow Wilson Wildcats are a very tall team. The Wildcats last played at home back on November 19 against Rockwall. The battle of Wildcats will be broadcast live on KSST Radio and via streaming video on You Tube KSST Radio Channel (connect through Facebook or Subscribe to KSST’s You Tube channel). The game will also be videotaped for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats’ basketball team hits the road on this Tuesday game day. The Lady Cats are playing at New Boston. There will be a JV game at 5 p.m. The Lady Cats’ varsity takes on New Boston at around 6:15 p.m. The Lady Cats varsity comes in with a 7-1 season mark. They are coming off a loss in the championship game of the Winnsboro Hoopfest this past weekend. Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell says her Lady Cats should match up with a New Boston team she describes as fast and athletic.
