PJC-Sulphur Springs Early Registration for Spring Underway
GETTING ADVICE
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Educational Advisor Tonya Armstrong of EOC discusses spring class options with Jessica Vaculik of Sulphur Springs during early registration that is now underway at the campus. The last day to register is Jan. 19. Spring classes will begin on Jan. 22. For more information, call 903-885-1232.
Video Presentation: Chamber of Commerce Opens T-Shirt Contest for 2019 Stew; Prepares for Move; Plans Banquet
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce has begun 2019 with a number of activities already consuming their time.
2019 will be the 50th Anniversary of the Hopkins County Stew. October 26th, is the date this year and the T-shirt contest is open now. Lesley Brown, Executive Director of the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, said theme ideas are open and may be submitted through January 31st. Submissions are to be sent to [email protected]. The board of directors will vote on the best theme.
2019 will be a year of major change for the Chamber. The building the Chamber will move into is not ready for the Chamber. The District Attorney Offices on Main Street will be the new permanent home for the Chamber. However, the new offices for the DA are not completed. Therefore, the Chamber will move to a temporary location on January 21st. The temporary location will be at the Red Cross offices on Jefferson Street. The current Chamber building has been purchased and the new occupants will be opening a food and beverage business there.
When the Chamber moves to their new location, they will establish an incubator for baby businesses in the building. Space for four or five new businesses will be available.
With the Chamber Membership Banquet always on the second Thursday each year, this year the date is Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Theme for this year is “Love Makes the World Go Round”, a voyage around the world theme. Brown said those present will enjoy a delicious dinner and the presentation of annual awards. The event begins with a Networking Happy Half-Hour and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.
Donation Leads to Creation of College of Science and Engineering Makerspace
COMMERCE, TX— Jimmy Shirley, a 1967 graduate of East Texas State University, now A&M-Commerce, and his wife Sherroll donated $25,000 to assist in the creation of a Makerspace in the College of Science and Engineering at A&M-Commerce. The Makerspace will enable engineering and technology students to explore and create beyond the classroom.
“The Makerspace creates a space for creativity and innovation,” said Dr. Andrea Graham, department head for engineering and technology. “It’s a place where students, faculty and staff of the university get to explore their ideas, learn to use tools and materials, and develop creative projects.”
Shirley, who majored in math and physics while at ETSU, never imagined that he would be able to make this donation. “When I was growing up in the cotton field, I never thought this was possible. To be able to do something like this is a miracle.”
“The generous donors who allowed this space to be created are tinkerers at heart. They clearly understand that in order to succeed, you have to be willing to try something and fail,” Graham said.
In the longer term, with future expansion of the current space, the Makerspace will open to a broader audience, including the Commerce community, to create an environment of collaborative learning and sharing.
The Makerspace will also help the Department of Engineering and Technology achieve its primary mission of focusing on practical ingenuity. According to Graham, “The framework of the Department of Engineering & Technology, built upon instruction, research and infusion of real-world experiences, fosters the development of effective problem solvers.”
“In this department, we want to educate the next generation of innovators,” Graham concluded.
Dinner Bell Menu For January 9, 2019
Dinner Bell January 9, 2019
Community Partner:
JHH Investments (Johnny Heilman)
Menu:
New Year’s Day Stew
Super, Super Salad
Chili Cheese Cornbread Muffins
Lemon Cake To Die For
Cottage Pudding (the no added sugar dessert)
Same time (11:45 a.m.). Same place (Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church). Join us and enjoy a hearty stew to warm you from your head to your toes. See you on January 9th.
“Hopkins County Reads” Library Project Brings Local Author Jim Ainsworth Jan 10
Guest author Jim Ainsworth will conduct a fascinating discussion on the book “True Grit” on Thursday January 10, 2019 at 6pm inside the Sulphur Springs Public Library. The free discussion will also cover the two movie versions that have been made about the popular Charles Portis novel. Ainsworth’s discussion will focus on what is truth vs. what is fiction in the making of both movies, as well as historical facts of interest about the time, location and characters in the story. A table will be set up with Hopkins County reads information, email registration and book giveaways.
Hopkins County Reads is a year-long opportunity by the Sulphur Springs Public Library to encourage community members to interact with neighbors, friends and family about the book True Grit, as well as the benefits of reading and of the library. Those on the email list will be the first to know about other opportunities through the year like book giveaways, library pop ups and author visits.
Fire Station # 20 Marks 20 Years Service on Southside
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley was joined by Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom in welcoming guests to the Open House and and Anniversary Celebration of the Southside Fire Station on Texas Street on Friday January 4, 2019. Also present were several volunteers of county Fire units, Chamber of Commerce representatives, Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum and numerous current and past elected county officials.
Interesting bits of background on it’s history was supplied by former Commissioners Danny Evans, Don Patterson and Beth Wisenbaker who were in support of the new facility while they were in office. Each of them praised the vision and the teamwork by individuals and offices from City, County, Fire, Law Enforcement, EMS and Volunteer Departments who each contributed and worked together to expand the vital fire and rescue services to the south side of the Interstate. The success was also the result of more than a decade of of lobbying, seeking grants, repaying debts and upgrading equipment. As Chief Endsley observed, “Since I arrived in Hopkins County, this station has been a project in progress that we believed could be a reality. In 2006, there were only five counties in the State of Texas with a paid Fire Department. We are actually now the envy of many departments near us and all over the state. When our citizens see our uniformed employees and our shiny well-equipped firetrucks out around town, their cleanliness and order shows our pride in having a Department like we have. We are all proud of this facility and it’s ability to handle our community’s firefighting and rescue needs at any hour. Sulphur Springs was once rated by ISO as a 10 in our abilities to serve our population. Now we have come up to a 4 in ISO ratings, and that’s a huge improvement.” Judge Newsom added that with the improved ISO rating, citizens may be able to see the cost of their homeowners insurance come down during 2019. Policyholders may need to bring the improved rating to the attention of their insurers.
Area TxDOT Work Planned for Week Beginning January 7, 2019
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in Franklin and Hopkins Counties during the week of Jan. 7, 2019. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
SH 37, Franklin County: From Mt. Vernon to Winnsboro. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform surfacing operations; flaggers will direct traffic.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties):
SH 24 expansion, Delta County: from Cooper, Texas, southwestward towards Commerce. Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas while this roadway is being widened and improved. The inside southbound lane remains closed.
SH 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for work zones as workers upgrade metal-beam guard fence, replace or extend new structures and install safety end treatments.
US 271 pavement repair, Lamar and Red River Counties: from Loop 286 in Paris southeastward to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and/or shoulder closures as metal beam guard fence replacement begins. This work will begin at the north end of the project and move south to Loop 286 in Paris.
US 271 safety upgrades, Red River County: from FM 410 to the Red River-Titus County line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures as workers upgrade metal guard fence and bridge rails, and extend and safety-treat drainage structures.
FM 2648 widening, Lamar County: Watch for temporary, one-lane daytime closures as workers widen and rehabilitate the roadway, and safety treat cross drainage structures.
Basketball: Lady Cats Stats in Royse City Loss
Against Royse City in a 69-53 Lady Cats’ loss on Friday evening (January 4), the Lady Cats were led in scoring by point guard Sadavia Porter who scored 26 points. 15 of those points came during a strong third quarter for the Lady Cats that saw them cut their deficit from 13 to 9 points against the Lady Bulldogs. Porter picked up her fifth foul early in the fourth quarter.
Autumn Tanton scored 14 points and had 11 rebounds for a double double. Danielle Godbolt had 6 points. Kate Womack scored 5 points and Nylah Lindley added 2 points. Porter and Womack had a three point basket each. Both teams shot 40% from the field.
Royse City hit 30% from three-point range making 6 of 20. The Lady Cats shot 18% from three-point land making only 2 of 11. The Lady Cats made 11 of 20 free throws for 55%. Royse City made 23 of 35 free throws for 65%.
The Lady Cats were out rebounded 28 to 37. The Lady Cats had 21 turnovers and Royse City had only 10. The Lady Cats picked up 26 fouls and the Lady Bulldogs had 18.
The Lady Cats are 0-1 in district play and 18-4 for the season. They play at Lindale Tuesday evening at 6:15 p.m. Lindale is also 0-1 in district play losing to Mount Pleasant on Friday.
Soccer: Wildcats Defeat Princeton 2-1
The Wildcats’ soccer team evened their season record at 1-1 with a 2-1 win over Princeton Saturday (January 5) morning in a Princeton tournament.
The Wildcats got goals from Isaac Gutierrez and from Alejandro Diosdado. The win wrapped up the Wildcats’ play in the tournament.
Next the Wildcats have their home opener Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium against Nevada Community.
