Cross Country Team Prepares for First Meet
Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks said his teams would be having a three-mile time trial at Coleman Park on Saturday (August 18). He said the event would determine the top seven on each team that will run as varsity members at the first meet of the season. The first meet is the Tiger Invitational at Commerce High School on August 25.
Coach Hicks said he wants the runners to enjoy the event. Parents will be invited to attend. Coach Hicks said a lot of his runners have been running during the summer. He has encouraged them to run more days during the week during August.
There are two senior Lady Cats runners: Caitlyn Ferrell and Bailey Arrington. Also returning are juniors Sydney Washburn and Ashley Noe.
Coach Hicks said he has seven senior Wildcats returning. Among runners he expects to count on are Landon Thornton, Eli Sellers, Andrew Escobar, Felipe Alba, Rhett Reid, Christian Palomino and brothers Nabian and A.J. Ramirez.
TxDOT Reminds to “Plan While You Can” For Labor Day
AUSTIN – Laura Gonzalez celebrates her birthday every Labor Day weekend, commemorating the start of a new year and the end of summer alongside friends and family. Her husband Rico, however, will forever be absent from these celebrations as he was killed when he was hit head-on by a drunk driver, leaving behind his wife of less than a year and countless other family members and friends.
“We were just starting our lives together,” Laura said. “We had everything to look forward to — our careers, a home of our own, starting a family. All of those hopes were ruined in an instant. The life we dreamed of for our family would only remain a dream. A drunk driver took all of that away from us.”
Laura now shares her story through the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Plan While You Can” campaign to communicate the devastating consequences of drinking and driving. The goal is to save lives and decrease alcohol-related crashes, with special emphasis during holidays when alcohol consumption is more prevalent.
As a combined result of the “Plan While You Can” campaign and the efforts of many state and local community partners, including law enforcement, Texas experienced a 23-percent decrease in alcohol-related crashes over the 2017 Labor Day weekend* compared to the 2016 holiday weekend. Still, during last year’s Labor Day weekend, there were 264 alcohol-related crashes in Texas, resulting in 14 fatalities and 19 serious injuries.
“It’s completely irresponsible and absolutely inexcusable to drink and drive,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “Finding a sober ride is easy, and it can save you from being arrested or from injuring or killing yourself or others. Make an effort to plan ahead for a sober ride this Labor Day weekend. You owe it to yourself and everyone else on the road.”
The “Plan While You Can” campaign includes a statewide tour featuring an interactive dodgeball game where participants avoid incoming “dodgeballs” as virtual drinks are added to the screen. As more drinks are added, participants experience how drinking can slow their reaction times as on-screen avatars begin responding more slowly to their players’ movements.
Drivers under the influence of alcohol can face up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time and loss of their driver’s license. Visit SoberRides.org to find alternatives to drinking and driving, such as:
- Designating a sober driver or calling someone for a sober ride home
- Contacting a cab or ride-share service
- Using mass transit
- Spending the night
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Brings Highly Specialized Physician to the Sulphur Springs & Winnsboro
Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro TX – Patients seeking relief from gastrointestinal and liver ailment in the Sulphur Springs and Winnsboro areas will now have expert help with the addition of Mena Milad, M.D., to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs medical staff, and the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro medical staff.
“CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, Dr. Milad and the everyone on the Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs hospitals and clinics teams are dedicated to providing excellent, compassionate care to the people of this area,” said Kristi Stern, Administrative Director of Operations, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic in Sulphur Springs and Winnsboro. “Dr. Milad and team provide treatment of the full range of digestive and liver problems, offering a full scope of diagnostic and treatment options in a compassionate and caring environment.”
Dr. Milad joins CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic after completing his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He earned his undergraduate degree at Baylor University and received his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Scott and White Memorial Hospital /Texas A&M Health Science Center in College Station. Dr. Milad is board certified in Internal Medicine and is a member of the Texas Medical Association; the American College of Physicians, Internal Medicine; American College of Gastroenterology; American Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy; and the Texas Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy.
“We have an outstanding team here, and Dr. Milad brings an outstanding attitude and incredible skill set to the patients and communities we serve,” said Stern. “He will be an invaluable asset to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic and an important resource in offering the highest levels of care to our patients.”
“I’m very excited to work with the people of Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro and this community, and to be able to bring this needed specialty to our patients here,” said Dr. Milad. “Working with the incredible team on staff here and providing the care these patients need in their daily lives is my calling, and I’m ready to get to work!”
To schedule an appointment, please call 903-606-DOCS or for more information, visit christustrinityclinic.org.
Observing 150 Years at Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor H.B. Nash Sr. and Church Mother Mary Ross shared some of the plans for the Sesquicentennial Celebration at Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church during the KSST Good Morning Show. Celebration activities and special services will be held on Saturday August 18 and Sunday August 19, 2018, and the community is invited to share their joy.
The history of Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church reveals that the church was established in 1868 the North Caney Community as Old Tarrant Church. In 1897 a new church building was erected and renamed Morning Chapel with relocation to Sulphur Springs at the corner of Fuller and Front Street, facing Front Street. Following a fire in the 1970’s and new construction, the church now faces the other street, at 208 Fuller Street.
The Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee Chairman is Sister Lillian Fralin. Chairman of the Finance Committee is deacon Lewis Charles Hawkins. They and many other committee members have worked tirelessly during 2018 to make the celebration memorable for the many will travel to attend this Homecoming. There will be a Saturday picnic with fun, food and fellowship. On Sunday at 11am, there will be Worship services and a message by Reverend Dennis Daniels of First Baptist Church in Houston, who is a native of Sulphur Springs and Morning Chapel. At noon there will be a luncheon, and then at 3pm, a special service for the community led by Reverend Eddie L. Jenkins of Good Street Baptist Church of Dallas, who is a grandson of church member Jasper Nash. Everyone is invited to attend. Expect to be be met with warm welcomes, hearty handshakes, exuberant music and heartfelt messages at all services of Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.
Church Mother Mary Ross joined the church in 1944 when their family of 18 moved to town from East Caney. She was raised in the church and attended BTU, or Baptist Training Union, and the youth of that organization received excellent mentorship and training that would guide many into Christian adulthood. In recent years, she succeeded Clara Bridges as Church Mother.
H.B. Nash was born in Sulphur Springs and raised in Morning Chapel Baptist Church. During high school, he was a member of KSST Radio Workshop which led to career opportunities for him in the Metroplex. He returned to Sulphur Springs and succeeded the late H.B. Montgomery as Pastor at Morning Chapel in 1995.
No Newspaper Monday; Local News-Telegram Adopts Three Day Publication Schedule
There will be no newspaper Monday, Wednesday, or Friday according to the new schedule for the Sulphur Springs News Telegram. According to sources, the News Telegram will begin printing only three (3) days per week beginning Monday, August 27, 2018.
The cutbacks will create new deadlines for news and other content. Much of the content must be submitted by 7 a.m. on the day before publication. Obituaries must be submitted prior to 4 p.m. on the day before publication. Publication days will be Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The three day publishing schedule had been rumored for some time with a start date for the new schedule on September 1 of this year.
Not only is the publication schedule changed but a rigid, uniform wording of specific segments of articles and a set number of articles by each writer has also been put in place.
Send-Off Party Hosted by Baylor Parents Network
Sulphur Springs area Baylor University students and their families were treated to a Send-Off Party hosted by the Baylor Parents Network Friday evening, August 3, at the ROC at First Baptist Church Sulphur Springs. The Parents Network hosted 90 Send-Off Parties across the nation before students returned to campus for fall classes that begin on August 20.
Local Baylor students include, but are not limited to:
Caroline Berning, Senior, Elementary Education Major
Sarah Berning, Sophomore, Professional Writing and Rhetoric Major
Natalie Cruz, Freshman, Business Fellows Major
Peyton Dietze, Freshman, Pre-Business Accounting Major
Sidney Dietze, Junior, Corporate Communications/ Public Relations Major
Audrey Eddins, Senior, Social Work Major
Owen Lee, Sophomore, University Scholars Major
Ty Lopez, Freshman, Political Science Major and Baylor’s Air Force ROTC Program
Vihn Nguyen, Senior, Biology Major
Sarah Rost, Senior, Human Resource Management Major
Anna Sapaugh, Freshman, Communications Major
Guests enjoyed Baylor themed cookies decorated by Cindy Welch of Bright Star Baking Company, cupcakes, and Dr. Pepper floats. Dr. Pepper floats are a Baylor tradition, and students can enjoy them on campus every Tuesday afternoon at Dr. Pepper Hour in the Barfield Drawing Room. For more information about Baylor University and the Baylor Parents Network, please visit Baylor.edu.
Hearts of Life Presents Butterball for Adoption
Butterball is still searching for his forever home! Butterball is a 2 year old Shepherd/Pyrenees mix. His size and his bark may be big, but he is as timid as a mouse. He loves to prance and play in the yard and search for hidden treats! He is still very shy with new people so he will need someone who is patient and understanding to help build his security and confidence. His 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 find us on Petfinder.com! Hearts of Life Animal Rescue will also be at Petsense of Sulphur Springs this Saturday, August 18th from 10:00-4:00 for an adoption event!
Chamber Connection August 16, 2018
The 3rd Annual Chamber of Commerce Photography Contest is officially under way! Let me review the basics. Anyone of any age can enter as we have a children’s category. The picture must be newer than January 1, 2016 and must have been taken in Hopkins County. The contest is open until August 31st. There are seven categories you may enter: Natural World, Travel, People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children’s Category. Only digital images are accepted (no prints). To submit your photograph, email the picture to [email protected]. Rules and releases will be available on the Chamber of Commerce website. I cannot wait to see your beautiful photos!
I have some more very exciting news! The Chamber of Commerce is currently selling the first ever Hopkins County Christmas ornament. It is the first in a series of ornaments and features the courthouse, our location in Texas, and beautiful magnolia blossoms representative of our trees downtown. It is dated with the year, made with 24 karat gold, shatterproof, and VERY limited in number. They are quite beautiful and the perfect start to a rare collection. They are $40 each and literally flying out the door. If you would like to purchase one, please call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515, or come by soon.
Just so you know… the Hopkins county Stew Contest is peering around the corner! Every year, the Chamber allows a non-profit organization to sell drinks at the Stew Cook-off. There are several rules and regulations to follow, but if you are interested in placing your organization’s name in the hat, please call the Chamber. You will be asked to come in and sign an understanding agreement in regard to rules and expectations. Deadline for volunteers is August 26th. Once we have all our volunteers in place, we will literally pick one out of a hat and award drink sales to that organization. Please call if you have any questions.
Hopkins Place Senior Living is hosting a Dog Show on August 16th at 6:30 p.m.
Hopkins Place Senior Living is hosting a Dog Show on Wednesday, August 16th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you are a dog lover, you won’t want to miss this! You may also enter YOUR dog to compete in the show! Show up by 6:00 p.m. and enter your pup on the runway. Entry fee is 10 pounds of dog food. Hopkins Place is located at 890 Camp Street in Sulphur Springs.
Reilly Springs Jamboree
The Reilly Spring Jamboree will host a special concert on Saturday, August 18th at 6 p.m. featuring the world-famous Blackwood Quartet. Tickets will be $15 general admission or $25 for the Meet-and-Greet with reserved seating for the Blackwood Quartet’s “Gospel Side of Elvis” Concert, a part of their 85th Year Anniversary Tour. For tickets and information, contact Enola Gay Mathews at (903) 438-3568.
Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, August 25th
The next Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, August 25th, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston Street, Sulphur Springs, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This free workshop will cover marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals & dreams. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Engaged couples who attend the workshop will be given a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. Contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 to enroll.
Texas A&M University – Commerce hosting fair
Kick of your 2018-2019 recruiting year on Monday, August 27th by attending this part-time job, internship, and community resource fair! Make Your Connection is part of Lion’s Roar Welcome Week activities where they introduce more than 500 students looking to get hired and be inspired! This is a great way for you to promote part-time jobs, internships, and community resources to TAMU-C students. Each vendor will have a 6ft table, 2 chairs, and a tablecloth. Promotional giveaways are strongly encouraged at your booth! However, the Residential Living and Learning Department requests that no candles and/or incense be given to on-campus residents. THIS IS A FREE EVENT – come hire and inspire a Lion. Please bring a prize/gift basket worth a minimum of $25.00 for a student raffle at the conclusion of the event. Contact Assistant Director Bethany Ferrall at 903.468.3212 or [email protected] with any questions. Additional information can be found at https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/6330/employer_preview.
