Tax Rate Increase on Special Session Agenda for City Council
Tuesday evening at 6PM, the Sulphur Springs City Council will meet to discuss appointments to the Charter Review COMMITTEE, discuss a proposed tax rate increase, and set dates for the public hearings regarding the tax rate.
Council will also conduct an executive session as they begin. The executive session will focus on personnel matters related to the city municipal judges and city secretary
Two Yantis Residents Arrested in SCU Investigation
Two Yantis residents were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone, a Felony 3, Monday at 3:30 p.m.
The two were involved in an investigation by the Special Crimes Unit in the 1200 Block of League Street. During the investigation, the SCU officer located less than 1-gram of methamphetamine in the center console of the 2001 Dodge pickup they occupied.
The driver of the vehicle, Gary Lee Gibson, 42, and passenger, Tamara Michelle Fouse, 39, were arrested and placed in Hopkins County Jail.
North Hopkins Invitational Tournament
On August 17th and 19th the North Hopkins High School hosted their annual invitational volleyball tournament. Teams from all over the District and Area came out to compete and prepare for the up coming season. Sixteen teams participated, trying their luck to win the championship title. After two days and multiple rounds of volleyball, the coveted Championship plaque was between the last two teams, Community and Prairieland. The rivaling teams battled it out for two sets with Prairieland dominating the court. The tournament ended in a final score of 25-17 with Prairieland taking home the win and the Championship title.
Wildcat Football: Varsity Safeties and Cornerbacks
Last Friday I talked with Kurt McCain, who coaches safeties, and Cameron Warren, who coaches cornerbacks, for the Wildcats varsity football team.
Coach McCain is in his twelfth year in Sulphur Springs. He’s in his seventh year as safeties coach. He has six safeties this year and five are seniors. He characterizes them this way. Austin Dodd is athletic, intelligent and a playmaker. Landry Tyson is tall, very intelligent and a leader. Jase Thompson is athletic and a ballhawk. Pacen Edwards is very intelligent and athletic. Colton Allen is athletic and has a physical presence. Junior Chase Haney is very intelligent, athletic and a ball hawk. All of the safeties are expected to also play on offense. Coach McCain said the safeties are the last line of defense. He said they need to be intelligent, be physical and be athletic since they must defense the run and the pass. Coach McCain said he feels good about his group.
Cameron Warren is in his fifth year at Sulphur Springs. For the past four years, he has coached cornerbacks for the Wildcats’ varsity. He has seven varsity cornerbacks this year. Five are seniors with two underclassmen. His most experienced corner is senior Damiyon “Day Day” Dugan. Senior Connor Burgin also played some cornerback last year on varsity. Coach Warren called Burgin probably his most improved corner this year. Senior Andy Eddins is also a returner. Coach Warren said Eddins really came into his own during the spring and summer. Another senior Coach Warren is glad to have back is Christian Clayton. After playing as a freshmen, Clayton moved away but has returned for his senior year. Coach Warren said he has a big upside. Senior Marcus Hood is expected to provide quality depth. Coach Warren said underclassmen Noe Ponce and Detrick Clayton are both talented and he added they should be great players for him. Coach Warren said he too feels good about his group of cornerbacks this year.
Wildcat Football Wraps Up First Week of Practice; Scrimmage Set for Thursday
The Wildcats’ football team wrapped up their first week of practice with a two hour morning session Saturday (August 18) from 8 a.m. Until 10 a.m. It marked the first day for contact between players in pads. Varsity and JV players got into some offense versus defense scrimmaging for the last hour Saturday.
Reviewing the week, Football Coach Greg Owens said he liked the first day Monday (August 13) and the last day of the week of practice Saturday. In between, he said some days were lacking some in energy and focus. Coach Owens said Saturday was the first morning workout with slightly cooler temperatures. He said he would have to review video before discussing who did well or poorly Saturday during the inter squad scrimmage. Coach Owens said he was pretty pleased overall adding that players were grasping concepts. He added there were still lots of things to work on and to clean up. Coach Owens said there were some missed tackles and blown pass protections Saturday.
In general, offenses had several decent drives but defenders kept them out of the end zone. He said players continue to get lots of reps that are recorded so coaches can evaluate players. His final thoughts to the team Saturday before he dismissed them for a picture day was it’s all about their technique, effort and doing what coaches ask them too. Coach Owens said players that can’t do those things won’t play. Conversely guys that can do those things will get the chance to play. Coach Owens said this year’s motto is EAT. E for effort, A for attitude and T for tempo. He said that’s what he is looking for.
This is a big week for the Wildcats as school starts Tuesday and the Wildcats have a home varsity scrimmage against Liberty-Eylau Thursday at 7 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium. The JV and freshmen part of the scrimmage starts at 5 p.m. at Prim.
PJC-Sulphur Springs: Registration Underway for Dual Credit Classes
Local Senior Royalty to Compete in Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant in Tyler
Reigning Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Mary Ivey and reigning Ms. Texas Senior Classic Patsy Crist also of Hopkins County will travel to Tyler, Texas for the September 22 state title pageant. Friends, family and fans are invited to show support for them by attending the pageant at the Tyler Holiday Inn. It will be an evening of talent and charm, as well a celebration of the changing face of aging for today’s senior woman. Also competing will be the local Miss Congeniality Jan Gray, 2nd Runner Up Vender Wright, Most Talented Valerie Ross and Linda Pickle-Hill, winner of Best Evening Gown category in the 2018 local pageant.
In the Spring of 2017, Patsy Crist was named Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic during the local pageant. Judges loved her rendition of I Love Lucy’s Meatavitavegamin skit. She went on to win the title of Ms. Texas Senior Classic. In September 2018 State pageant, Patsy will transfer her crown to a new Senior Queen.
Both local and state winners receive the opportunity to represent their community and state during events like parades and other public gatherings for a year. The pageant is open to any woman age 50 or older. For more details, contact pageant sponsor Karon Weatherman at 903-885-1661.
Commissioners Court Passes on Burn Ban; Passed Resolution Supporting Highway Widening in Lamar, Red River Counties
No burn ban but Hopkins County Commissioners’ Court along with County Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley continue to monitor fire hazard conditions. The Court passed on a burn ban Monday morning during their regular session.
Endsley told KSST News that several counties in the area are removing their burn bans and there has been just enough rainfall to motivate the commissioners to wait.
The court called for a hearing on the proposed property tax rate for the county. However, with only property value increasing revenue, no citizen appeared to address the court.
A resolution in support of completely widening to 4-lanes U S Highway 271 and US Highway 82 in Lamar and Red River Counties was approved by the court during their 9 a.m. Monday session.
Hopkins County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting
HOPKINS COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETING
WHEN: Thursday, August 23, 2018 @ 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: HCGS Library, 611 N. Davis St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
WHAT: Portrayal of Historic Hopkins County Figures
PRESENTER: Paula Altenbaumer, member HCGS and HCHS
In the past our annual joint meeting with the Hopkins County Historical Society was held in the chapel at Heritage Park. However, due to the on-going construction at Heritage Park, HCGS will be hosting the event at the genealogy library.
As she did last year, Paula Altenbaumer will be portraying a historical figure from Hopkins county history. Her “special guests” will be Sarah Mary Talbot Stout and husband Henry Stout. Light refreshments will be provided following her presentation.
You do not want to miss this one!!
