Hopkins County United Way Campaign Continues
Another successful Report Meeting for Hopkins County United Way Campaign volunteers. With Campaign pledges reported Wednesday of $22,793 and a campaign total to date of $49,558.20, the campaign is one step closer their their $165,000 goal.
The next report meeting is planned for Tuesday, October 23, at 9:00 a.m., at the Texas AgriLife Extension office.
A Give Back Event is set for Panda Express next Thursday, Oct. 25, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. A copy of the flier below must be presented to assure the give back of a 20% donation to Hopkins County United Way.
Flood Warning Issued for South Sulphur River Through Thursday
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning from 2:24 p.m. Wednesday, October 17 to Thursday, October 18th or until further notice. The South Sulphur River near Cooper affecting Delta and Hopkins Counties is expected to crest Wednesday afternoon and continue to rise to 18 feet by Thursday after midnight. The South Sulphur River flood stage is 16 feet.
The weather service cautions against walking near the riverbanks are driving through the flooded area.
This graphic warns about driving around barricades during a flood, and encourages people to be safe. The text reads as follows: “Please do not drive around barricades. Be safe.”
Cushman Show 2018
Doors open 8:00AM Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Participants from all over the region will be showing off these classic scooters. This is the 36th Annual State Meet for the Texas Cushman Club.
Hopes are high that the weather won’t keep Cushman owners from driving in. If the weather does clear, there is a good chance riders will appear around town, and in the Saturday morning Fall Festival parade. The Meet ends on Sunday.
The scooters are confined to the tiled surfaces inside the Civic Center. It was hoped that they would be allowed in other areas. Cardboard or another absorbent material is typically placed beneath each one. A miscommunication between Civic Center Staff and Texas Cushman Club Officials, combined with other activities at the Civic Center has unfortunately limited the display space available.
City Council Approves Development Agreement to Acquire Over 4000 Acres
A unanimous vote of the Sulphur Springs City Council to approve a development agreement between Luminant Mining Company LLC and the city that will lead to the city owning over 4,000 acres located between FM 1870 and State Highway 11 that was once a coal mining operation owned by Luminant. A formal signing of the development agreement followed the close of the session.
City Manager Marc Maxwell said it will take 12-18 months to satisfy the requirements to transfer water rights and other steps needed to complete the transaction. He noted that the property will improve the quality of life for the city and area. Industrial and business growth are a key product of the acquisition.
In accepting the agreement, the city grants Luminant permission to continue to reclaim land on the site according to their agreement with the Texas Railroad Commission and the city will do nothing to hamper that work. When the work is completed the Railroad Commission will release the land. The city will also release Hopkins County from any requirements to rebuild roads on the property. The city will also assume obligations regarding the overpass on FM 1870. In an agreement with Texas Department of Transportation, the overpass was to be removed and the farm to market road restored to its original route. The city will give up some water rights at Lake Sulphur Springs to have water rights on the property. Maxwell called that an easy step to perform after all legal steps are taken. He said accommodating the water rights regulation would amount to releasing an inch to an inch and a half off the top of Lake Sulphur Springs once a month. He said giving up that much water will have no effect on the city.
Maxwell praised Luminant and its predecessor TXU Mining. He noted that the state of Texas had used the reclamation work that was being performed as a template for reclamation laws that are now in place across the state.
The council also hear an end of fiscal year unaudited financial report that showed surplus in revenues and numbers reflecting less than budgeted amounts spent by the city.
Wildcat Team Tennis Season Ends at Bi-District
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad lost their bi-district match to Whitehouse, 10-0 at Texas High’s indoor tennis courts in Texarkana Tuesday (October 16). Once Whitehouse reached an advantage that could not be overcome, the other nine incomplete matches were halted.
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said three of the Wildcats’ competitions resulted in losses in third set tiebreakers. Those competitions were Jonah Kirkpatrick, in number one boys singles, Jeaux Leigh Cantu and Michael McCord in mixed doubles and Jordan Gonzales and Logan Schumacher in number three boys’ doubles.
The Wildcats ended the season with an overall record of 5-10.
Fifth Set Loss Drops Lady Cats to Fifth Place in District Race
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team lost a 3-2 five set heartbreaker at Greenville Tuesday (October 16) night that may have dealt a crushing blow to their playoff hopes. The score was 25-15, 19-25, 25-21, 16-25 and 13-15. In the fifth set, the Lady Cats led near the end 13-12 only to see Greenville score the last three points to take the set and the match.
With the win, the Lady Lions moved into third place with a 4-4 district record. The Lady Cats slip to 3-5 in district play and they are now in fifth place. Royse City, at 3-4 as the evening competition began Tuesday night was hosting Lindale, 5-2 in district play. The Lady Bulldogs will either move up to join Greenville with a win or move down with Sulphur Springs with a loss. The Lady Cats have Mount Pleasant at home Friday (October 19) at 5 p.m. Mount Pleasant is 0-7 going into a Tuesday home match against Texas High, 7-0 in district play. The Lady Cats close out district play at Texas High on Tuesday, October 23.
Rain Will Not Deter… They Are Arriving
The Cushman Are Coming.. The Cushman are Coming.
Rain soaked from traveling from far West Texas, dedicated Cushman owners are arriving at the Sulphur Springs Civic Center. They have chosen Sulphur Springs as the site for their 2018 State Meet. The event begins in earnest October 17th. Keep an eye out for these classics, as they hit the streets of Sulphur Springs.
Corsicana Is Best Team Wildcats Have Faced So Far According to Wildcat Coach Owens; Game at Prim Friday
At his weekly media gathering Tuesday (October 16) morning, Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said Corsicana is the best team the Wildcats have faced so far this season. He used the word athletic over and over to describe them.
Coach Owens said Corsicana’s talented quarterback and head coach’s son Blake Hoffman, is a point of emphasis for the Wildcats this week. He said Hoffman was the MVP of the Tigers’ district last year. Coach Owens said Hoffman is a better runner than passer but he added he can throw very well also. He said the Tigers also have a solid running back in Dajioun Nathan. Coach Owens said the Corsicana offensive line is not as big as Ennis’ but he said they are long guys that understand their scheme.
He said it would be very important for the Wildcats to tackle very well. Coach Owens said a missed tackle could mean six points against Corsicana. He said the Tigers’ defense has athleticism. Coach Owens said they are not super big but he added they are quick.
For the third district game in a row, he said a key to the game would be physicality in the offensive and defensive lines. Coach Owens said our district is all about being physical. He expects a great ballgame between two teams that are undefeated in district play and who will be battling for first place. He said he liked where the Wildcats are right now adding they control their own destiny.
FM 71 Near Cooper Lake Closed Due to Flooding; Flood Watch Continues Tuesday
As the rains continue Tuesday afternoon, FM 900 between Saltillo and Dike is now temporarily close along with FM 71 at Sulphur River near Cooper Lake. The closures are a result of flooding.
Hopkins County and parts of Northeast Texas area remains under a flood watch until 7 p.m. today. Widespread rain will continue today which may lead to additional flooding.
Other roads in the Paris District for TxDOT closed includes FM 100 near Telephone, Texas in Fannin County and in Hunt County: FM 36 South of I-30, and FM 1565 South of State Highway 276 and Union Valley.
