Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County EDC Receives Texas Economic Development Corporation 2018 Community Economic Development Award
During the E-Commerce, Technology and Innovations: The Future of Business sponsored by Texas Economic Development Council Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation received the 2018 Community Economic Development Award for cities with population 10,001 to 20,000. The October 18th award program named recipients in six population categories.
The Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County EDC spearheaded a complex, multi-faceted project that included the purchase of land from one major industry to support the expansion of another, the use of a Texas Capitol Fund grant to upgrade the city’s wastewater pre-treatment plant, and working with Oncor to acquire a site for the expansion of a major Sulphur Springs industry. Eventually the land purchase and infrastructure improvement led to an expansion of 61 jobs at Saputo, a major specialty foods manufacturer. An ancillary part of the land acquisition process enabled one of Sulphur Springs oldest employers, JB Weld, to build a new 78,000 square foot facility while also adding 13 new jobs.
Other nominees for the award in the population class included: Boerne/Kendall County EDC, Giddings EDC, City of Nederland, and Tomball EDC.
“Christmas Joys” Program Helps Prepare for Holiday Baking, Decorating, Crafts
Johanna Hicks, local Extension Agent, always puts on a choice program to help get you ready for the holidays. The demonstration program is always well-attended, so reserve your space early at one of the two presentations of “Christmas Joys” set for Monday November 5, 2018 at the SW Dairy Museum in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Each presentation will seat 75 persons. Cost to attend is $5 per person, with children under 5 admitted free.
Tira News for Oct 19th, 2018
By Jan Vaughn
Michael and Shelia Boyd enjoyed a trip to Branson, Missouri. Shelia reports, “We got to spend time with his sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Gary Furzman. They fed us and we had time with our niece and nephews. At Branson, we caught a show called Absolutely Country Definitely Gospel dinner show with Faith’s Journey. It was great. The cooler weather hit there first, so Michael loved it. We hadn’t been to Silver Dollar City since the kids were little. Had a ball, but I would suggest the two day pass, that is what we did. That way, the first day you can find your bearings, stay until you get tired and then finish up the next day.”
Robert Weir celebrated his 70th birthday (October 6th ) with his children and grandchildren in Durant. Yvonne says, “Lots of swimming and arcades for the kids.” She adds, “Wesley played Bright Star baseball Monday and had a good time. Hit the first ball both times.” Yvonne attended a ladies retreat in May Pearl with her church the 12th and 13th.
Tommy and Carolyn Long met their son Reid in Waco and they went to Austin last weekend. They, also, met their other son, John, and his wife and son, Stephanie and Quentin and celebrated John and Stephanie’s birthdays. While there they attended the Texas Longhorns football game against the Baylor Bears.
Our granddaughter, Jaidyn Joslin, and I celebrated our birthdays together on Friday, October 5th . Mine is October 6th and hers is October 9th . Chip grilled steaks and Tiffany made the birthday cake and helped with the meal preparation. Also joining us were Tiffany’s friend, Perry, from Arkansas, Malcolm and Kenden Joslin and Kenden’s friend, Whitney, and Landon, Laiken, Rylan, Morgan, and Slaiden Joslin.
I met my friends, Yvonne Weir, Brenda Allen, and Regina Taylor for a birthday lunch at Roma’s in Sulphur Springs on Tuesday, October 16th .
A small group gathered for the North Hopkins Alumni Association homecoming on Saturday. I’m sure the weather kept many away. They missed an evening of good food, prepared by Andy and Mary Lou Wright, good music by the Monday Night Jam Band, a good video honoring the Classes of 1968, 1978, and 1988, prepared by Amie Davidson and her students, and a good time of visiting with old friends. Mark your calendar for next year. The homecoming will be on Saturday, October 12th.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected] .
Field Day for Producers and Grasslands Managers By Mario Villarino
Field Day for Producers and Grasslands Managers October 26, 2018
Managing of grasslands involves several alternative methods that can influence the way the ranch produces. To learn the benefits and potential challenges of using native grasses the 2018 Field Day for Producers and Grassland Managers has been scheduled for October 26, 2018 at Ebel Grasslands Ranch, Sulphur Bluff, Texas. Topics will include Native Grasslands: Environmental benefits, Economic benefits and sustainability- Rotational / prescribed grazing -Optimizing various grass/forage types -Water development.Lunch sponsored by NETBIO
Followed by Fencing options, Rotational and other challenging pasture moves-Calving seasons. Limited to 25 attendees. The location of the field day is 225 CR 3611, Sulphur Bluff, TX 75481. Call 903-885-3443 to RSVP.
Coming Up:
Field Day for Producers and Grasslands Managers- October 26, 2018- Free
DOPA Training- Southwest Dairy Museum, October 31, 2018- $10.
Basic Tree Care Training- November 1, 2018, 6:00 PM $10.
Private Applicator Credits- Regional Civic Center- November 7, 2018- $30 10:00 AM
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training- November 14, 2018- $40 8:30 AM
For more information on this or for registration contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
Corsicana Coach Steve Hoffman Looks Forward to Battle for First Place at The Prim Friday
The Wildcats’ football team has a battle for first place in district Friday (October 19) night at Gerald Prim Stadium as they host Corsicana. The Tigers are 5-0 in district play and 6-1 overall. The Wildcats are 4-0 in district play and 5-0 overall. Corsicana’s coach is Steve Hoffman, in his sixth year as Tigers’ head coach.
The Tigers only loss was in week one to Burleson Centennial, 28-26. Coach Hoffman said his team just came up a little short against a triple option team. He said he was proud of his team this season as they have done a good job and have played hard.
Coach Hoffman said his defense has improved each week while the offense has been explosive for most of the season.
The Tigers do it all quarterback is Coach Hoffman’s son Blake. Coach Hoffman said Blake is a tough kid who plays hard and is smart. He said Blake is helped by two good running backs who have gained around 500 yards apiece. Coach Hoffman said the offensive line has also played pretty well and he added they have receivers who have done a good job. He called Corsicana’s offensive success a group effort. He added their plan is to get the ball to a lot of different people.
The Tigers defense has kept three district teams from scoring. Coach Hoffman said the two Greenville touchdowns occurred on a kickoff return and a fumble return. They too did not score on the Tigers defense. He said the Tigers’ leaders on defense are middle linebacker Tyler Farmer and defensive end Melvin Martin, a three year starter and All-State selection.
Coach Hoffman is impressed by Sulphur Springs. He said they play extremely hard and are well coached. Coach Hoffman mentioned the offensive line and running backs and then said they have everything. He said the Wildcats’ defense plays hard and makes very few mistakes. Coach Hoffman said he also likes the Wildcats kicking game.
He said the battle for first place is exactly what you want as a coach. Coach Hoffman said coaching in football tradition rich Corsicana has been a great experience.
Wildcat Band Earns Highest Score at UIL Regional Marching Contest
Wildcats Band Director Spencer Emmert said the Wildcats Marching Band’s performance was fantastic at the UIL Regional Marching Competition held at the Sulphur Springs Multipurpose Building field Tuesday (October 16). The event was moved indoors due to rain.
Emmert said the band’s performance was also their best of the year, which is what he wanted to see. He was pleased that each judge gave the Wildcats Marching Band a highest score of 1. Emmert said the judges’ critiques were full of compliments.
He said band officials turned to Sulphur Springs as an alternative host for the event because it has perhaps the largest indoor facility in the entire region. Emmert said when the decision was made Monday for Sulphur Springs to host, he said staff and students jumped into action working on logistics. Band parents also helped out. 26 bands attended the contest. Required were two warm areas out of the rain, parking had to be handled and lots of equipment and props had to be moved in and out in a timely manner. A hospitality area was also set up. Emmert said it was a big undertaking but he added everything went well. He thanked Athletic Director Greg Owens and Superintendent Michael Lamb.
This is a year where bands do not advance beyond regional competition. Emmert said he is treating a final contest Saturday (October 20) as if it was an advancement. Weather permitting, the Wildcats Marching Band will play at Prairieland in preliminaries at 3:45 p.m. Saturday. Emmert hopes the band will also have a performance in evening finals.
Hopkins County Grand Jury Hands Up 19 Indictments
Nineteen Indictments were handed up by a Hopkins County Grand Jury this week. Those indicted and who have been arrested include:
Jeremy Lee McIntyre indicted on two counts of Injury Child/Elderly Disabled Reckless and one count of Assault Family/House Member Impede Breath/Circulation.
Wayne Ray Campbell indicted for Sex Offenders Duty to Register Life/Annually. Campbell, 28, of Sulphur Springs, failed to register his social media account and had begun to ask the wrong/inappropriate questions regarding a child in conversations on the account. Campbell was seeking someone to care for a relative that is in ill health but during a social media conversation with an individual about the position, he began asking questions about that individual’s child, according to Charles Humphreys with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Campbell had failed to register a change of his online identifiers and admitted to the offense during an interview. In April, 2017, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies served an indictment warrant for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under 14, according to Investigator Humphries. Campbell was arrested at his home on Country Road 3128 in Hopkins County.
Cody Lee Jordan indicted on one count Evading Arrest Detention with Vehicle or Watercraft. A DPS Trooper observed a 2005 ZX-6 Kawasaki motorcycle exceeding the speed limit on State Highway 154 at the 672 milepost. When he attempted to stop the motorcycle, the driver evaded in a high speed pursuit into Wood County. Jordan, 20, of Yantis, the driver of the motorcycle, turned down a Farm to Market road and then a county road before returning to Hopkins County on CR 1439. He lost control of the motorcycle and crashed on the county road just south of FM 1567. Jordan was found to have an expired driver’s license and did not have proof of financial responsibility for the motorcycle.
Eric Wayne Lewis indicted on one count Unauthorized Use of Vehicle.
Patricia Jeanne Gonzales indicted on one count for Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More.
Alonzo Bradley, Jr. indicted for one count of Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More.
Sharita Charmaine Givens indicted on one count Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence With Intent to Impair. Givens, 43, of Sulphur Springs, attempted to hide a clear baggie containing Methamphetamine in her mouth during an arrest early Thursday morning. A Hopkins County Deputy observed a vehicle parked on County Road 4703 with no lights on. With consent to search the vehicle, the deputy found two glass pipes commonly used to smoke meth in the backseat inside a purse. Two individuals in the vehicle were transported to Hopkins County Jail for the misdemeanor offense. However, at the jail the baggie of meth was found in the mouth of Givens.
Jake Adam Blount indicted on one count Theft Property more than $2,500 but less than $30,000.
Monica Renee Millan indicted on two counts of Manufacture Deliver Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200 grams. Special Crimes Unit began an investigation into the possession and sale of methamphetamine by Millan, 24, of Sulphur Springs. During the investigation, SCU observed Millan in the 1300 block of South League Street and made contact to arrest based on two warrants. During the arrest, she produced a clear plastic bag containing a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine. The substance weighed 5.47 grams including the packaging.
Dylan Brianna Wolver indicted on one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2, more than 4-grams but less than 400-grams and one count of Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram. As a result of a Special Crimes Unit investigation concerning the manufacture and sale of drugs at a Hodge Street residence, Wolver, 26, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2, more than 4-grams but less than 400 grams, a felony 2, and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-grams, a state jail felony.
Danny Joe Woodard indicted on one count of Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram. During an investigation, Special Crimes Unit purchased Methamphetamine from Woodard, 31, of Sulphur Springs. A warrant was obtained and Woodard was arrested. His numerous arrests for illegal substances began in 2004 in Hopkins County. An attempt to serve the felony arrest warrant began when SCU and the Sulphur Springs patrol division were unable to get anyone to open the door at Woodard’s home on Cottonwood Street. However, family members advised officers that he was inside the residence and provided officers with a key to the residence to make entry. Woodard was located in a back bedroom.
Laurie Ann Jordan indicted for Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
5,555 Head of Preconditioned Cattle Sold at NETBIO October Sale
Producers sold 5,555 head of preconditioned cattle at the October Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) sale held Wednesday at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission.
A total of 246 producers had cattle selling in the sale, and despite the rainy and cooler weather, a big crowd of buyers, sellers and visitors showed up for the sale.
Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission co-owner and auctioneer Joe Don Pogue, left, visits with cattle producer and NETBIO member Jim Stewart before the sale held Wednesday.
“The weather was not good, and it is hard to keep the cattle looking good when it has rained on them for five days,” said David Fowler, co-owner of the livestock commission.
“We had a lot of good cattle consigned to the sale and they held up good despite the weather conditions,” Fowler added. “The market was steady overall.”
Some cattle were sold over the Internet, but co-owner and auctioneer Joe Don Pogue said, “there were numerous bids Online that didn’t win.”
Fowler added that there was not the usual strong activity on light cattle since weather conditions have slowed the progress of winter pastures where they would be shipped.
The NETBIO Pre-Conditioned Stocker and Feeder Calf Sale gives producers a market to offer their preconditioned calves and yearlings in load lot quantities. NETBIO holds six preconditioned calf sales per year, which is the marketing arm for members of the organization.
The next sale will be the 20th anniversary sale that will be held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission on Wednesday, November 14. The consignment book has been closed for some time on that sale.
Hearts of Life Presents Diesel for Adoption
Diesel
Diesel is approximately 1-2 years old, medium in size and believed to be a Shepherd/Cattle dog mix. He seeks your approval with almost everything he does. Diesel is very well behaved. He will walk and run with you on the leash as commanded. He is not very fond of cats however. Diesel’s adoption fee is $100.00 which includes all previous vetting, neuter and rabies shot.
Please contact Hearts of Life Animal Rescue by phone at 903-439-5019, email at [email protected], www.facebook.com/heartsoflife or Petfinder.com!
Hearts of Life Animal Rescue will be at Petsense Saturday October 20th from 10:00-4:00 for an adoption event, bake sale and costume contest for your cats and dogs! The costume contest begins at 2:00! We hope to see you there!
