National 4-H Week Oct 7-13
October 7 thru 13 is being celebrated all across the United States as National 4-H Week. The Hopkins County Extension staff members – Johanna Hicks, Mario Villarino, and Barbara Sanders – invite everyone to view the 4-H Project Show entries this week, Monday thru Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston Street, in Sulphur Springs. Art, photography, leather work, sewing, metal work, horticulture, wood work, and many other items made by Hopkins County 4-H members are in display for public viewing.
I-30 West Shutdown During Wednesday Morning Due to Accidents in Hunt County
Interstate 30 Westbound will be shut down on Wednesday October 10, 2018, starting at Mile Marker 101 due to a multiple vehicle accident on Interstate 30 West in Hunt County. The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department and Sulphur Springs Police Department were assisting along with Campbell Fire and Cash Fire Departments. Numerous vehicles were involved in the accident, and ambulances from Hopkins County were dispatched to assist victims, along with other units.
If possible, please avoid traveling Interstate 30 Westbound through the morning of Wednesday October 10 as first responders work to assist victims and clear the roadway.
Team Effort Enables Lady Cats Defeat of Royse City
For the third straight district match in Wildcat Gym, the Lady Cats’ volleyball team went into a fifth set with their opponent Tuesday night (October 9). After losses in the first two, the Lady Cats had one go their way against Royse City Tuesday night. The Lady Cats won 3-2 over the Lady Bulldogs. The score was 25-21, 15-25, 23-25, 25-21 and 15-11.
Big games by several Lady Cats put them over the top. Autumn Tanton had her usual solid game with a team high 13 kills, a service ace, 12 digs and a block solo. Abbi Baier had 12 kills and most of them were struck real hard. She also had 7 digs. Sydney Washburn was solid with 9 kills and a block assist. Madi Vickery had 8 kills and 2 digs. Again Lexi Whisenhunt contributed in many ways with 4 kills, 26 assists, 12 digs and a block solo. Sadie Washburn had 3 kills, 3 service aces and a block assist. Kate Womack made her time on the court count with 2 kills, 4 service aces with three coming in the decisive fifth set and 3 digs. Aubreigh Oliver chipped in 14 assists, 2 service aces and 5 digs. Maddie Millsap had a service ace and 4 digs. Sadie Stroud had a team high 17 digs. Taylor McElfresh had 4 digs.
The Lady Cats improve to 2-4 in district play. A loss by Greenville puts the Lady Cats and Lady Lions into a tie for the fourth playoff spot. The Lady Cats are now 26-11 for the season. The Lady Cats play second place Lindale Friday (October 12) at 5 p.m. in Wildcat Gym.
Owens Says Wildcats Biggest Challenge Friday Night is Knowing What Ennis Will Run
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens talked about Lions and Wildcats at his weekly media gathering Tuesday (October 9) morning. He said Sam Harrell is back in charge at Ennis after battling multiple sclerosis for several years. Coach Owens said Coach Harrell is still trying to figure out the identity of this year’s Ennis team. He said the Lions are changing their offense every week. Coach Owens said that puts in the Wildcats’ coaches in a bind trying to figure out what Ennis will run this week.
He said the Lions have a very talented quarterback, Dyllan Santos. Coach Owens said back James Harris will be the best back we have faced this year. He said the Lions’ offensive line really comes off the ball. Coach Owens said Zion Dove is a good receiver for Ennis. He said Ennis has not scored lot of points this season and he is not sure why. Coach Owens said they appear to be shortening games with their strong running game. He said the Lions have fifteen sophomores and a freshman on its varsity roster. Coach Owens said he’s heard that the Ennis sophomore class is being called the most talented Lions class to ever come through the program.
On defense, Coach Owens said the Lions defensive front is not that big but is very quick. He is impressed by sophomore Deryous Stokes. Coach Owens believes the Lions’ secondary has not been tested yet but he says the Wildcats will try to test them Friday night. The Lions lost their first two games to arch rival Waxahachie and to talented district foe Kaufman. Coach Owens said those two teams will beat a lot of people. Ennis has won three games in a row.
He said the Wildcats have to continue to get better and he added they can improve a lot. For keys to the game, Coach Owens said the Wildcats offensive and defensive lines must play a very physical game. He added the Wildcats must tackle much better and as always they must take care of the football.
Wildcat, Lady Cat Cross Country Teams Prepare for Regional Meet October 22
At the District 15-5A Cross Country Meet Monday at Mount Pleasant, the Wildcats won the district championship for the first time in nine years. The Wildcats finished four points ahead of host Mount Pleasant. The Lady Cats finished third behind Mount Pleasant and Royse City. Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats will advance to the regional meet on October 22 at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Coach Ross Hicks said it was a great day for his teams and he added the weather was good. The Wildcats were led by Landon Thornton, who finished second in the race. Coach Hicks said Thornton finished between two runners who went to the state meet last year as individuals. As usual, Wildcats junior Christian Palomino and senior Eli Sellers finished together in sixth and seventh place. Coach Hicks said they pushed each other and both ran personal bests. Nabian Ramirez finished tenth. Coach Hicks said Ramirez picked up valuable points by passing five or six runners during the final 800 meters of the race. Wildcats freshman Jose Mejia finished 18th with senior Andrew Escobar ending 19th. Rhett Reid also competed for the Wildcats.
The Lady Cats were led by junior Sydney Washburn who finished fourth. Lady Cats’ sophomore Maurie Flecker was 12th and Coach Hicks said she ran a gutsy race. Sophomore Landri McKinney finished 18th and senior Baylie Arrington was 19th. Next came senior Kaitlyn Ferrill, freshman Jessica Yanez and junior Ashley Noe.
The teams will compete at the regional cross country meet October 22.
Wildcat Marching Band Earn Top Ratings at Mineola Contest Despite Rain
Wildcats Band Director Spencer Emmert could probably relate with Joe Btfsplk. Joe was a comic strip character created by Al Capp in Lil’ Abner. Wherever Joe went, a dark rain cloud hovered over his head. The Wildcats Marching Band has been to two contests in three days, on Saturday (October 6) and Monday (October 8) and they were rained on at both. Emmert said the band was warmed up and ready to go both times when rains came.
The Mineola rain Monday lasted ten minutes or so but was enough the prohibit the band from using its grid tarp that Wildcats’ football fans may have seen on the field at halftime last Friday. Emmert said the grid is a big part of the show and is also a cool concept. He said the band is now 0-2 in contests as far as using the grid is concerned. Despite the distraction, once the rain stopped Monday, the band persevered and had a great performance according to Emmert.
He said all three judges at the Mineola contest gave the band the highest score of 1 or a first division rating. The percussion, color guard and drum majors also earned 1 ratings. Emmert said the contest also used a points system to determine the bands that would qualify for the finals. Out of 30 total bands, the top 8 made the finals. The Wildcats were the second ranked Class 5A band but they ended up just missing out on top eight status.
Emmert said after he reviewed tape of the band’s performance Monday, he determined that there were several levels above their performance level Saturday in Sunnyvale. He said several judges and band directors told him how well the Wildcats did, how well they communicated the concept of the show and how well they played and marched.
Emmert said contests were valuable for the judges’ critiques of the band and for performances the band gets under its belt in preparation for UIL competition, which takes place next Tuesday (October 16). Before that, the Wildcats will attend a third contest Saturday (October 13) in Mount Pleasant. Hopefully Joe Btfsplk will be far, far away.
Game Day: Lady Cats Host Royse City
There is district volleyball on this Tuesday (October 9) game day. The Lady Cats’ volleyball team begins the start of the second half of district play intent on turning their district season around and on getting into the playoff picture. The Lady Cats, 1-4 in district play and in fifth place, will play host Tuesday to the Royse City Lady Bulldogs, 3-2 in district play and in third place.
The Lady Bulldogs downed the Lady Cats 3-1 in Royse City to open district play on September 21. Three of the four matches ended up 25-23. The Lady Cats are 25-11 for the season and Royse City is 16-16.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness says he feels this match will be a lot better one for the Lady Cats with Royse City coming here. He says the Lady Cats really know what’s at stake and really want to go out and beat Royse City. Coach Maness says hopefully the Lady Cats’ intensity and energy are up and they are ready to do just that.
We will bring you Lady Cats’ volleyball live on KSST Radio beginning at 6:30 p.m. We will also videotape the game for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Four Sentenced in Eighth Judicial District Court Tuesday, October 9, 2018
In Eighth Judicial District Court Tuesday, October 9, 2018, four sentences were handed down.
Christopher Shane Freeman was sentenced to two years day-for-day on Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Once he is released, he will be on probation for eight years for Evading Arrest with a Vehicle.
LaDarwin Green was sentenced to three years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for Possession of a Controlled Substance .
Rudolpho Gonzales pled guilty to Burglary of a Building and was sentenced to one year state jail time.
Tammy Jo Woodard agreed to six months state jail time for Theft of Property more than $2,500 two or more with Previous Conviction.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Moves Meeting to Friday, October 12
Hopkins County Commissioners’ Court will meet Friday, October 12, 2018 at 1 p.m. in the courtroom on the first floor of the county courthouse. The regular session of the court is usually on Monday mornings but due to schedule requirements the meeting has been moved to Friday. Immediately following the Friday regular session, the commissioners will meet in a series of work sessions. The work sessions will be in the courthouse third floor meeting room.
Agenda for the Regular Session
I. Invocation
II. Pledge Of Allegiance To The Flag A. AMERICAN FLAG: B. TEXAS FLAG: “Honor The Texas Flag; I Pledge Allegiance To Thee, Texas, One State Under God, One And Indivisible.”
The Following Items Will Be Considered By Commissioners’ Court For Discussion And/Or Action: The Court May Go Into Executive Session To Discuss Legal And/Or Personnel Matters.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
1) The Court To Declare A Quorum
2) Consent Agenda. i) Approve Previous Meeting Minutes. a) Regular Meeting – 8-27-2018 Work Session – 8-27-2018 Regular Meeting – 9-10-2018 Work Session – 9-10-2018 Work Session – 9-21-2018 Regular Meeting – 9-24-2018 Work Session – 9-24-2018 Special Meeting – 10-1-2018 Work Session – 10-1-2018
3) The Court To Consider Citizens Comments.
4) Other County Business. i) The Court To Consider Accepting Bids For The Purchase Of Road Materials, Road Oil And Culvert For Hopkins County Pursuant To The County Purchasing Act.
5) The Court To Consider Approving Budget Amendments And Line Item Transfers.
6) The Court Will Consider And Act On Payment Of Bills, Revenues And Expenses, Payroll And Financial Statements.
7) The Court To Consider Approving Grants.
8) The Court To Consider Accepting Donations.
9) The Court To Consider Contracts. i) The Court To Consider Authorizing The County Judge To Enter Into A Contract With Amazing Grants, Inc. For Grant Management Services For The County’s 2018 TxCDBG Award. ii) The Court To Discuss And Consider The Amazing Grants, Inc. Assignability Clause In The Professional Management Agreement In Regards To The County’s 2018 TxCDBG Award. iii) The Court To Consider And Approve The Contract With Kaybro Technology For Internet Technology.
10) The Court Will Consider And Act On Personnel Matters.
11) The Court To Consider Disposal Of Asset Request.
12) The Court To Approve Resolutions And Proclamations. i) Proclamation – Fire Prevention Week
13) The Court To Adjourn.
NOTICE OF WORK SESSION(S)
ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. The Court To Discuss The Construction Of The Courtroom Annex Adjacent To The Law Enforcement Center.
2. The Court To Meet With Sheriff Lewis Tatum To Discuss The Sheriff Operations, Review Of Revenue & Expenditures, Proposed Improvements And Repairs.
3. The Court To Meet To Discuss The County Fire Department Operations, Review Of Revenue & Expenditures, Proposed Improvements And Repairs.
4. The Court To Discuss Highway And Rail Transportation Needs In Hopkins County.
5. The Court To Meet To Discuss Maintenance Of County Buildings.
6. Budget Work Session(s).
