The Pumpkin Patch at Shannon Oaks Church Open Each Saturday in October!
Eric Godwin, Pastor of Shannon Oaks Church and his son Evan stopped by the KSST Studios during the Good Morning Show to share some great news…the long-awaited Pumpkin Patch is about to open! In fact, it will be open to the public every Saturday in October from 10am until sunset. “We want the citizens and families of our area to come out and have a full share of wholesome Pumpkin Patch fun, games, activities. There’s about 3,000 pumpkins and gourds out there, so the color of the pumpkins and flowers really give it an inviting appeal. You can even bring a picnic and enjoy a meal together at the outdoor seating area. And, admission to the Pumpkin Patch is affordable, only $5 per person, ages 2 and up”.
As Evan Godwin explained, activities on the grounds include hayrides, a hay maze and a massive hay slide with at least four separate slides. There’s a newly-built dual-car barrel train for 12-14 persons which takes a looping course around the grounds. And there’s horse rides, too! You can put on “hamster wheel races” with friends in the three different human-sized hamster wheels. In the Pumpkin Patch, meet special scarecrows “Scare”, “Crow” and “Patches” in the Pumpkin Patch, and you can take part in a “Jack Attack”. According to Pastor Godwin, all the attractions were designed and constructed with an emphasis on safe fun by the church’ Pumpkin Patch design team. “There’s activities for all ages, young children through teen-agers and adults. There’s a concession stand, tree-shaded seating areas, open play areas and room to just stroll and enjoy the Autumn displays. And you can pick from a huge assortment of pumpkins and gourds for sale. There’s baking, carving, Jack o’Lantern and princess pumpkins, plus various interesting colors of gourds”. For photos and details, visit: facebook soc pumpkin patch
Pumpkin Patch is actually a church fundraiser, with this year’s yield earmarked for a twofold purpose; funding facility/grounds development and for global church partnerships. The initial year of Pumpkin Patch in 2017 was successful, with proceeds used to help retire the church debt. Pastor Godwin admits that Shannon Oaks is blessed with a congregation of people who love to help and who display a joy and willingness to share their talents and resources. “They can team together and take ownership of projects like this, which in turn bless God’s people and the community”.
Council Takes Steps for Improvements to Pacific Park, Ordinance for Mobile Food Units, and Rezoning Along Wildcat Way
Tuesday night during the regular session of the Sulphur Springs City Council, the council approved two items that will lead to improvements at Pacific Park, two items that will facilitate the relocation of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home, and discussed the development of an ordinance regarding mobile food units.
The council approved a motion to solicit bids on 50 acres of property on County Road 4738 and to set a minimum bid of $150,000. The property, owned by the city, had been purchased to be used as a landfill but is now no longer needed. City Manager Marc Maxwell told the council that a neighbor to the property has a desire to purchase the land but, by law, the property can only be sold at auction or by sealed bids. He expects the property to sell for around $200,000.
The sale of the property will be used to fund a second item on the council’s agenda that will allow the city to seek grants funds for parks, recreation, and open spaces. The council approved a contract between the City and MHS Planning and Design, LLC, for a Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. The master plan will encompass all city open space development but the council will focus on improvements to Pacific Park in the beginning of implementing any plan. City Council members heard from leadership of and Eastside Development group that seek improvements to the park as they set goals for improvements in the area. Among improvements named by the city staff and council are an upgrade to the Greys Building and other physical changes to the park. Part of the money from the sale of the 50 acres of property to be sold by sealed bid at the next council meeting would fund the improvements to the building. Council member Norman Sanders, a former SSPD officer, noted that he had spent much of his career as a community officer in the Pacific Park neighborhood and council member Jimmy Lucas stated that he had spent several years of his youth at the park or walking through the park. Council’s unanimity in approving the steps needed to begin improvements to the park was met by the applause of a rather large number of Pacific Park supporters present.
Just over 10 acres of Property on Wildcat Way will now be known as Jeff-Sue Orwosky Addition and the property will be rezoned from Heavy Commercial to Light Commercial. The property at 848 Wildcat Way is located on the north side of Wildcat Way and west of Vaughn Drive. The property will be the location for a funeral home.
Council members and city staff are working together to develop an ordinance that will govern mobile food units. Staff presented a 3-page summary of an ordinance under construction. Questions regarding permit display and inspection of trucks have been answered. Mobile food units must meet the same requirements as restaurants regarding qualifications of food handlers and the inspection of kitchen areas. Council members stated they wanted to insure the safety of the patrons while not over regulating the mobile units. Parking of the mobile units was a concern. One mobile food unit that will remain mobile is the ice cream truck. The ordinance will be on a council special session agenda October 16th.
Two Arrested for Fraudulent Use/Possession of Identifying Information
Sulphur Springs Police stopped a 2001Chevrolet pickup in the 800 block of Fisher Street Tuesday.
The driver of the vehicle, Jose Alejandro Gomez Murillo, 19, of Sulphur Springs, and a passenger in the vehicle, Christian Alan Cortez, 18, of Sulphur Springs, were found to have fraudulent possession of identifying information for another individual and were in possession of a small amount of marijuana. Gomez Murillo and Cortez are in Hopkins County jail charged with Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information less than 5 items, a State Jail Felony.
Both were also charged for the misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report October 2, 2018
CANTEX FORCE MAIN – This project is completed. The Capital Construction division connected the final segment of sewer main to the Cantex Lift Station and began pumping through the new force main Monday night. This was the final capital improvement project in the 2013-2017 C.I.P. It replaces 2,400 linear feet of aging sewer force main and 2,900 feet of gravity main. The sewer main did pass through the middle of the hospital complex. The new route passes around the hospital complex. One-third of the city’s sewage passes through this line.
CROSSTOWN TRAIL – Now that the Cantex project is completed we will return to the Crosstown Trail project. We are still waiting for delivery of the flashing lights for the Main Street crossing, and we expect delivery on Wednesday. When finished, this grant-funded project will connect Buford Park to Coleman Park and the high school/civic center complex. It will also replace the sidewalk on the north side of Connally Street.
SUNSET STREET – We will open bids for materials for this project on October 24th. Expect to approve the low bids at the November 6 council meeting. This project was delayed 30 days to give bidders more time to review and comply with the extensive certifications mandated by the grant. The project will include new water mains, new sewer mains and a new concrete street from Connally to Houston. The $275, 000 CDBG grant is matched with $132, 000 of city funding. We have submitted construction drawings for approval. Work will begin in the fall.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Phase 2 is well under way. The contractor has begun the construction of the aeration basins; in fact, the first concrete was poured today.
CLAIMS – We had four workers compensation claims in September. All were for police officers. Three were exposed to blood and were treated as a precautionary measure. Another officer was exposed to methamphetamine smoke during arrest. He was treated and released. We received 3 liability claims in September. Two were sewer overflows and those claims were submitted to TML. The other claim was from a driver who was rear-ended by one of our patrol cars. The driver and passenger in the other vehicle claimed to be injured. The City submitted 3 claims to the TML Risk Pool in September. One was for the aforementioned accident. Another was for yet another police accident (single car). The third was for damages to a light post and seat wall on Celebration Plaza caused by a vehicle accident/domestic dispute. We were also served a lawsuit for an accident that occurred in 2016.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will not give a year-to-date report of revenues and expenditures since the month just closed on Sunday. Elsewhere around the city, employees: . Sold 1,381 gallons of AvGas and 8,546 gallons of JetA fuel. . Made 18 street repairs following utility repairs. . Replaced 4 “Stop” signs and 10 “No Parking” signs. . Removed 3 trees that had fallen in the streets. . Treated downtown plaza and athletic fields for army worms. . Rebuild the brick seat wall behind the veterans memorial. . Conducted 42 building inspections, 29 electrical inspections, 21 plumbing inspections, 8 mechanical inspections and issued 25 building permits. . Installed airport cameras. . Repaired the fountain on Celebration Plaza. . Repaired storm damage to the animal shelter’s electrical service. . Produced wastewater treated effluent with a daily average total suspended solids reading of 1. 17 mg/L. . Repaired 22 water main ruptures. . Replaced 10 water meters. . Unstopped 7 sewer mains. . Repaired 4 sewer mains.. Washed 75, 000′ of sewer mains. Flushed 33 dead-end water mains. Performed preventative on several items at the water treatment plant and the wastewater treatment plant. Treated 150 million gallons of potable water. Responded to 175 fire/rescue calls including 1 structure fire and 1 vehicle fire. Performed preventative maintenance on 70 fire hydrants. Reviewed 71 pre-fire plans. Issued 20 weed violation notices and 4 citations. Checked out 3,034 items from the library and an additional 553 eBooks. Recorded 53 offences, wrote 539 citations, made 81 arrests and responded to 32 accidents in the Patrol Division. Made 7 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit. Responded to 200 animal control calls while achieving an adoption rate of 27%.
Lady Cats Defeat Mt Pleasant to Enter District Win Column
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team broke into the district win column in a big way with a commanding 3-0 win at Mount Pleasant Tuesday evening (October 2). The score was 25-12, 25-15 and 25-12.
The Lady Cats got off to a strong start right away. The Lady Cats jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first set. Six of the points came after Lexi Whisenhunt serves. The Lady Cats built an eleven point lead at 14-3 and 22-11. The largest lead was 13 points as they closed out the set, 25-12. The second set looked like it was going to be a much closer one. The Lady Cats actually trailed 1-0 and 2-1 early. The Lady Cats only led 7-6 and 15-13 during the set. But the Lady Cats closed with a 10-2 rush to wrap to set two, 25-15. Whisenhunt closed out the set with three straight serves that handcuffed the Lady Tigers. Set three also started strongly for the Lady Cats as they had a string of eight straight points off of Whisenhunt serves that gave them a 9-0 lead. Abbi Baier and Autumn Tanton provide two kills apiece during that stretch and Madi Vickery added one. The closest Mount Pleasant got to the lead in the set was a six point deficit at 11-5. Sadie Stroud had the final four serves that led to Lady Cats’ points to wrap up set three, 25-12 and the match, 3-0.
Tanton continues her strong play during district matches. She had a team high 16 kills and she added 5 digs. Other Lady Cats with kills included Baier and Sydney Washburn with 7 each, Vickery with 6, Sadie Washburn with 4, Whisenhunt with 3 and Kate Womack with 1. Whisenhunt had a team high 23 assists and Aubreigh Oliver added 13. Whisenhunt had 2 service aces and Stroud had 1. Stroud led the Lady Cats with 18 digs. Other Lady Cats with digs included Oliver had 6, Maddie Millsap and Whisenhunt with 4 each, Sadie Washburn with 2 and Baier with 1.
The Lady Cats improved to 1-3 in district play and 25-10 for the season. Next the Lady Cats play host to Texas High in Wildcat Gym Friday (October 5) at 5 p.m. That match will mark the end of the first half of district play.
Hopkins County United Way Campaign First Report: $22,644 toward $165,000 Goal
Hopkins County United Way report meeting Tuesday, October 2nd delighted UW leadership with pledges totaling $22,644.20 toward the 2018 Campaign Goal of $165,000.
Those businesses meeting or exceeding their posted goal thus far include:
Plain and Fancy
City of Sulphur Springs Employees
The Plan Shop
Gregg Price
Lee’s Hallmark
Janitorial Supply
Janet Martin Realty
Farmers Insurance; John Berning Agency
Ponder’s Mower and Saw
Financial Solutions
Larry Vititow Trucking
Wilk’s Car Wash
Discount Wheel and Tire
Town and Country Cleaners
Freedom Realty
Rick’s Oil Depot
Triple Crown Roofing
Hopkins County Vet Clinic
Jim McLeroy
Preuss, Flecker and Associates
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
Wildcat Football: Coordinators Prepare for Forney
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator on Bye Week and Forney Defense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the off week was really good for the Wildcats’ offense. H said some coaches thought it was possibly the best bye week they had ever been a part of. Coach Young said the Wildcats practiced with great energy and showed good attention to details. He said he felt the Wildcats got better last week and he added he hoped the team would reap the benefits of that Friday night against Forney at The Prim. That being said, Coach Young said he and the players would like to be playing a game tonight (Wednesday). He said the Jackrabbits’ defense has kept them in games this season with every Forney game coming down to less than a touchdown difference. Coach Young said he thought the Forney defensive line, collectively, is the best the Wildcats have faced this season. He said he has challenged the offensive line to dominate the line of scrimmage. Coach Young said Forney has done a good job of forcing turnovers. He said they also vary their defensive look. Coach Young said the way Forney runs their defense, they make it hard to block linebacker Graham Burns, who had 32 tackles going into play last Friday night. He say the Jackrabbit secondary features multiple coverages. Coach Young said the Wildcats need to play with more pace while executing and protecting the football.
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Discusses the Bye Week and the Run Oriented Forney Offense
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra said the bye week was good but he added his defensive players are getting antsy and are ready to play a game. Friday (October 5) the Wildcats play a rare game against Forney. The teams played in 2004 and 2005 with the Wildcats winning both games. Those are the only two games the teams have played going back to 1956. The current Forney team features senior running back Sean Stephens. Coach Guerra said Stephens does a good job but he added he can’t say enough about the Forney offensive line. He called the Jackrabbits’ running game solid. Coach Guerra said they don’t do a lot on offense but he said they do it right. He said the Forney quarterback Campbell Anderson is a good leader and can be dangerous throwing the football. However Coach Guerra said Forney mainly likes to run the football. He called the Jackrabbits competitive and well coached.
Game Day: Lady Cat Volleyball in Mt Pleasant Seeking Win
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team is looking to break a four game losing streak that includes three straight losses to start district play as they travel to Mount Pleasant Tuesday night (October 2). The Lady Cats lost their final non-district game to Nevada Community and then dropped district games at Royse City, at Lindale and at home to Greenville. The Lady Cats season record is 24-10.
There will be freshmen and JV games starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The varsity match is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Mount Pleasant has also started slowly in district play so both teams are very hungry for a win.
Miller Grove Hornets Finish 2nd, Lady Hornets 10th at Nike South Invitational at The Woodlands
Once again the Miller Grove’ cross country teams went far from home for competition. The Hornets and the Lady Hornets ran at the Nike South Invitational at The Woodlands this past weekend (September 29).
The Hornets finished seventh out of 22 teams. Isaiah Billingley finished 2nd with a time of 16:02. Grant Earp was 60th. Kobe Robertson was 73rd. Lance Davis was 76th. Tanner Hensley was 82nd. Matt Brignon was 110th. Lexton Sly finished 174th.
The Lady Hornets were tenth out of 25 teams. Jolee Fox finished 31st with a time of 20:57. Lauren Bullard was 44th. Jorja Bessonett was 57th. Alexa Pelerose was 149th. Lainy Burnett was 164th. Harli Watson was 172nd.
Miller Grove Cross Country Coach Gary Billingsley said both teams competed well. He added the teams were finally getting healthy and he said that has helped the team split get closer. Coach Billingley said the meet was a great experience for his runners.
