Harry Honored for Her Commitment to the Protection of Children
October 30, 2018 – Jessica Harry was honored for “going above and beyond the call of duty for the citizens of Hopkins County through Child Protective Services.” The honor was bestowed by Hopkins County Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford and the Sheriff’s Department Tuesday, October 30, 2018 during a hamburger lunch at the Sheriff’s office. Members of the Sheriff’s office, CPS, and others involved in the protection of children were present for the event.
In a letter of commendation, Sheriff Lewis Tatum and Chief Investigator Weatherford noted that the Sheriff’s Office “is tasked with and routinely conducts investigations into child abuse. In many of those investigations we conduct parallel investigations in cooperation with Child Protective Services.
“We have been involved with many great Case Workers with CPS during these investigations. However, we have noticed that there is a particular person that makes herself available twenty four hours a day to our Deputies and Criminal Investigators.
“She assists in our investigations no matter what hurdles or obstacles come in an ongoing effort to protect the children in and around Hopkins County. Investigator Jessica Harry has shown that she not only cares about each and every child, she goes above and beyond to assist each child and their family. Mrs. Harry leaves no stone unturned in her pursuit of the truth to best help and protect the children of this great community.”
Pacific Park Plan Part of Parks and Open Space Master Plan
The first of three charrettes that will lead to a parks and open space master plan for the City of Sulphur Springs provided several ideas for the improvement of space and usage at Pacific Park. Two additional charrettes will focus on various parks and open spaces in the city as the city prepares to qualify for grants similar to the grants already received. In the past, the city has received a grant for Coleman Park improvements and other grants since that initial grant.
As the plan for Pacific Park develops, three specific areas will become focal points for those utilizing the park. On the south side and centered will be a new Grays Building. The new building will be larger than the present building with windows facing into the park, commercial appliances in the kitchen, and storage closets. City Manager Marc Maxwell said the new building will be used for lots of events and some regular events according to members of the community who participated in the day-long charrette.
On the other end of Pacific Park will be a covered pavilion that will be large enough for two basketball courts than can convert to volleyball courts and be used for large gatherings. In the middle of the park will be a multi-purpose space that will have an open softball field. Temporary fencing for the softball field will be available for tournament play. The open field will also be used for other activities.
Maxwell said, “This doesn’t happen overnight. The first thing to happen will be the Grays Building and funding has been planned and will be partially provided by the sale of 50 acres of land owned by the city in northern Hopkins County.” More money will also be need for the new building. Thus, the need for a parks and open space master plan to pursue grants for the projects.
First Ever “Out House Races” Part of Fall Festival Fun
Three winners were chosen during the first-ever “Outhouse Races” on October 27, 2018 the final day of the Hopkins County Fall Festival.
- First Place, Toothpick Construction “The Old Poop and Scoot”
2nd Place Clayton Homes “The Clayton Crapper”
3rd- Burnett’s Garage – The Wonder Team (not pictured)
Early Voting Numbers Remain High for 2018 Mid-Term Election
With 443 voting Monday, the total for early voting in Hopkins County continues to rise. Add to that total the 789 ballots received by mail thus far and early voting this year has already reached over 5,000 votes cast.
Debbie Shirley, Hopkins County Clerk, said her office sent out 960 requests for ballots by mail this year. Ballots by mail are available for those over 65-years of age. Shirley, who has served the county in four terms of office, did not seek re-election this term year.
Early voting continues in the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Courtroom. Early voting will also be available through November 2nd from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each weekday with the exception of Tuesday and Thursday when early ballots may be cast from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Debbie Shirley reminds voters to, please, when you enter early voting, you will receive a ticket with a code that brings up the correct ballot style for the voter’s precincts on the voting machine. Do not leave the early voting place until you have cast your ballot on a voting machine. You vote will not be valid until you see a flag at the end of your voting time. When you have voted, a review ballot summary will appear. Pressing the button to verify the summary will then bring up a second verification, “Yes, I want to cast my ballot.” When you have pressed that button, a flag will appear than that will verify to you that the vote has been counted.
Winners of Fall Festival First-Ever Hay Bale Decorating Contest
Shirley Patchen, committee chair for the 2018 Fall Festival Hay Bale Sculpture Contest, is shown with each of the winners in four categories following the announcement of winners on the grounds of the Fall Festival on October 27, 2018. There were over two dozen entries in the first-ever contest!
Best of Show – East Texas Physical Therapy – Star Wars theme
- Janeen’s Country Cottage “Beauty Shop Lady” theme
2. All World Travel “Airplane” theme
3. CNB “Tin Man” theme
Tracy Dennis Sent from my iPhone
4 Attachments
Wildcats Focus on Kaufman Following Win at Greenville
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said a win is a win as the Wildcats got by Greenville, 21-14 last Friday night (October 26) in Greenville. Coach Owens was on KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coach’s Show. He said the win secured a playoff spot for the Wildcats. They will either be the number two or number three seed in the playoffs.
Coach Owens said the win concluded a crazy day Friday that was a school holiday for Fall Festival. He said he warned the team that they better be ready because Greenville would show up ready to play. Coach Owens said it is hard to win in Greenville. He sensed a big sigh of relief from Wildcats’ fans after a Greenville pass into the end zone fell incomplete.
Concerning the offense, Coach Owens said Greenville frustrated the Wildcats with some coverages they had not used before. He said the offensive line played well all night. Coach Owens said back Choc Sims did a real good job of finishing runs with solid effort. He said a Sims fumble appeared to be a case where the ground caused the fumble which should be no fumble. Coach Owens said the other backs also ran well.
He said receiver Connor Burgin made a big catch. Coach Owens said again Austin Dodd was good on offense and defense. He said receiver Landry Tyson made a lot of yards after his receptions. Coach Owens liked the blocking by B-back Jermond Bryant-Amos. On defense, Coach Owens said they played well all night. Corner back Andy Eddins broke up the final pass play in the end zone. Burgin defended against a Lions’ receiver who was forced out of bounds after a catch. Bryce McQueen was a big part of the defensive effort on a fourth and two play deep in Wildcats’ territory. Coach Owens also mentioned safety Jase Thompson who had an interception, Damiyon Dugan who broke up several passes and also linebackers Kylan Wade, DQ Pitts and Daniel Moreno. He said a lot of the players he mentioned were seniors.
Coach Owens said the Wildcats need to stay healthy, get better and stay focused. He said a good Kaufman team the Wildcats face on Friday at The Prim will help keep the Wildcats focused. Coach Owen said they were fast and he added they have the best athletes in the district. He said they have a quarterback who plays with poise. The Kaufman head football coach is Jeramy Burleson, who was an assistant coach for the Wildcats at one time.
Game Day: Wildcat Golf at Pine Tree Tourney
The Wildcats’ golf team is playing in their second fall tournament on this Monday (October 29) game day. The Wildcats are playing on a new course, at Tempest Golf Club in Gladewater in a tournament sponsored by Longview Pine Tree.
Back on October 18, the Wildcats played in a tournament at their home course at Sulphur Springs Country Club. In that one the Wildcats shot 313 as a team and finished in second place. Wildcat Carter Lewis shot a 73 to finish in second place.
The Wildcats will complete their fall schedule next Monday (November 5) at a tournament at Mount Pleasant Country Club.
Weekend Early Voting Adds to Total for November 6th Election
Weekend early voting for the November 6th mid-term election netted an additional 417 votes. Saturday, 265 voted. Sunday, 152 voted. Early voting continues in the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Courtroom. Early voting will also be available through November 2nd from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each weekday with the exception of Tuesday and Thursday when early ballots may be cast from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Debbie Shirley reminds voters to, please, when you enter early voting, you will receive a ticket with a code that brings up the correct ballot style for the voter’s precincts on the voting machine. Do not leave the early voting place until you have cast your ballot on a voting machine. You vote will not be valid until you see a flag at the end of your voting time. When you have voted, a review ballot summary will appear. Pressing the button to verify the summary will then bring up a second verification, “Yes, I want to cast my ballot.” When you have pressed that button, a flag will appear than that will verify to you that the vote has been counted.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Stew Team Named Honorable Mention Beef Stew
GOOD COOKS
The PJC-Sulphur Springs Center “stew crew” turned out some delicious beef stew at the Hopkins County Fall Festival’s 49th annual stew contest over the weekend. The cooks captured an honorable mention ribbon on their first try in the cook-off. The crew, from left, includes PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Director Rob Stanley, students and PTK members Sylvia Feijen and Parker Cummings, PJC-Sulphur Springs campus Assistant Director Iris Gutierrez, and Academic/Financial Aid Advisor Carey Gable.
Carey Gable and Rob Stanley at work
