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.
“Walk Like Madd” Brought Crowds to Shannon Oaks
The actual walking portion of the “Walk Like Madd” Mothers Against Drunk Driving event in Sulphur Springs on September 29 began after dark with a glow walk at 8pm. However, two hours prior to that, crowds were already flocking in to the grounds of Shannon Oaks Church. Numerous food and cold drink vendors were set up alongside a burger grilling team from Clayton Homes. A barrel train and comic entertainment by clowns from the local Clown Alley helped to keep the atmosphere positive for the 10th annual Walk Like Madd in Hopkins County. Live music for listening and dancing was provided by a very upbeat DJ, and the Blue Blazes Drill members and the Sulphur Springs High School Cheerleaders performed some high-energy routines for the crowds of supporters. During the evening, most people strolled out to observe the Victim Tribute Area which was graphically illustrated by dozens of pairs of shoes, depicting victims of drunk driving crashes. Organizers presented a brief program about prevention of drunk and drugged driving just before the walk began.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigation of Online Solicitation of a Minor Leads to Arrest of Man in Alabama
Hopkins County Chief Criminal Investigator Corley Weatherford told KSST News Tuesday morning that an Alabama man, Jacob Piper, 20, of Boaz, Alabama has been arrested in Marshall County, Alabama on warrants for Online Solicitation of a Minor. Weatherford said Piper had been in contact online with a minor locally but the solicitation had been reported to the Sheriff’s office before any further contact between Piper and the victim took place.
Weatherford said he believes Piper will be found to have contacted additional victims in multiple states. Weatherford said he, along with other law enforcement authorities, had begun the legal process that led to the warrants and the arrest.
County Clerk Office Finding Duplicate Applications for Ballot by Mail
As the November General Election deadlines approach, applications by mail for ballots by mail are being received by residents and many are forgetting that they have already applied in March, according to Debbie Shirley, Hopkins County Clerk.
Shirley said those 65-years of age and older are eligible to receive ballots by mail. She noted that there are three different types of applications being received by local residents. Each states that it is an annual application. However, Shirley noted that an annual application ends on the last day of the calendar year. Those who registered in March are still registered. Those who register for the first time now will have to register again in January, 2019.
The big problem for the county clerk’s office is the duplicate applications that are being received. She said her office has received a large stack of duplicate applications. She did point out that at least one of the cards being received is misleading. The postcard has both the age qualification and the annual application box checked.
She encourages people to call her office if they question whether or not they have filed an annual application.
Ballots for the November General Election will be posted on the County website and on ksstradio.com within the next week. Ballots will differ according to precinct. City and School Board elections that are conducted in November will also be on the same ballot for those living within those voting areas. You will receive the proper code for your ballot when you sign in to vote.
Last day to register to vote in the November election is, due to Columbus Day, Tuesday, October 9th. Early voting begins Monday, October 22nd. The last day for early voting is Friday, November 2nd. General Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th.
Video Presentation: Commissioners Proclaim October 7-13 Hopkins County 4-H Week
Hopkins County Commissioners Court proclaimed October 7-13, National 4-H Week in the county. County Judge Robert Newsom read the proclamation on the courthouse steps Monday afternoon, October 1, 2018
WHEREAS, The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court is proud to honor the 4-H Youth Development Program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for 111 years of providing experience-based education to youngsters throughout the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, This admirable program, which seeks to provide a learning experience for the whole child, including head, heart, hands, and health, helps young Texans to acquire knowledge, develop life skills, and form attitudes to enable them to become self-directed, productive, and contributing members of our society; and
WHEREAS, Its more than 550,000 urban, suburban, and rural youth participants, ranging in age from eight to nineteen, hail from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and truly represent a cross-section of the state; and
WHEREAS, The program undoubtedly could not have achieved the success that it has today were it not for the service of its more than 22,000 volunteers, who have given generously of their time, talents, energies, and resources to the youth of Texas; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its proud history, the 4-H program has developed positive role models for countless Texans and through its innovative and inspiring programs, continues to build character and to instill the values that have made our state strong and great; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court, hereby designates October 7-13, 2018 as National 4-H Week in Texas and commend the 4-H Youth Development Program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the many men and women who made the program a success.
Video Presentation: Cumby Safety Rest Stop
Texas Department of Transportation officials and staff, elected representatives, and county officials officially opened the new $23 million Hopkins County Safety Rest Areas on Interstate Highway 30 near Cumby. Noel Paramanantham, TxDOT Paris District Engineer said,“More than 31,000 vehicles a day, including 11,000-plus big trucks, travel on I-30 every day. It is a major traffic and corridor in Texas… This new facility, one of 78 statewide, will provide a welcome break for all kinds of travelers in a safe, convenient environment.”
State Rep. Dan Flynn, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom and Commissioner Danny Evans addressed the history of the partnership with TxDOT that sited the safety rest areas in Hopkins County. Flynn and Newsom then cut the ceremonial ribbon opening the facility to the traveling public at 11:30 a.m. The new facility replaces the aging rest area facilities in Franklin County, which closed the same afternoon.
Designed by SLA Architects and constructed by general contractor Haydon Building Corporation, the dual facility rest areas are 1 mile east of Cumby, Texas. A rest area north of the I-30 frontage road serves west-bound traffic, and one south of the I-30 frontage road serves east-bound traffic. Each 49-acre site is equipped with restrooms, vending, a Texas Department of Public Safety office, playgrounds and picnic arbors, and walking and exercise areas.
Each site also includes separate parking for 25 cars and 28 trucks, on-site security surveillance, an irrigation system that uses recycled storm water, and on-site aeration treatment system for wastewater.
The main lobby at each site features interpretive exhibits on natural surroundings and flora and fauna found in Hopkins County, as well as information on notable people and historic places in Hopkins and nearby counties. Other exhibits focus on the dangers of driving, and encourage visitors to travel safely by making driving their only objective when behind the wheel.
