Wildcat Team Tennis Exhibit Improvement
Since Tony Martinez has been tennis coach at Sulphur Springs, the past few years his Wildcats’ team tennis squad has opened the regular season against Denison and Sherman, two pretty good tennis programs. During that time, the Wildcats have been lucky to win a match or two against them. There is a tennis term called being “skunked” and it refers to getting beaten badly and there has been a lot of that for the Wildcats’ team tennis squad in the past against Denison and Sherman. That made what happened Monday (August 6) take on added significance as the Wildcats opened the regular season at Denison and at Sherman.
Coach Martinez said the Wildcats played every match against Denison and Sherman competitively. Denison won, 12-7 while Sherman just survived to win, 10-9. Coach Martinez said the close matches were indicators that this year will feature a much improved Wildcats’ team tennis squad. Coach Martinez credited the Wildcats’ improved play to how hard they worked this summer.
Against Denison, Coach Martinez said his top boys doubles team of Aaron Lucas and Jonah Kirkpatrick won handily against the Yellow Jackets, 8-2. Wildcats #1 girls singles player, freshman Jeaux Leigh Cantu defeated Denison’s top girl, a senior, 8-6. Coach Martinez said other freshman girls led the charge against Sherman and many of them won their first matches of the season. The girls doubles team of freshmen Savannah Lilly and Page Meeson rallied from behind to win. Freshman Emily Dick won her singles match.
PJC Workforce and Continuing Education Departments Offer Three Medical Education Programs at Sulphur Springs Center
The Paris Junior College Workforce and Continuing Education Departments are offering three medical education programs at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center. Classes for Clinical Medical Assistant, Medication Aide, and Nurse Aide will begin in August at the Sulphur Springs campus.
A Medication Aide course will begin August 20 and continue through October 18. Classes will be meet from Monday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m.
A Nurse Aide course will begin on August 27 and continue through October 9. Classes will meet from Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A Clinical Medical Assistant course will be conducted from August 31 through January 18. This class will meet on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information and to register for these classes, call 903-885-1232 or go by the campus located at 1137 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs.
Louisiana Man Flees Hopkins County Deputy; Speeds Reach 120 mph
When the Hopkins County Deputy asked consent to search the 2009 Buick LaCrosse driven by Michael David Alderson of Lillie, Louisiana, not only was consent denied but Alderson fled the scene of the traffic stop.
The deputy was standing at the passenger side window of the LaCrosse near the 141 mile marker on I-30 when he informed Alderson that he would deploy his K9 for a free air sniff of the vehicle due to the fact that consent to search had been denied. At that time, Alderson placed the vehicle in drive and left the scene. The deputy pursued with lights and siren. Speeds reach 120 miles per hour before Alderson stopped three miles later.
Alderson is in Hopkins County Jail Charged with Evade Arrest Detention with a Vehicle and is held on a $30,000 bond.
Murder Trial Begins with 911 Tape Played for Jury
The second floor courtroom of the Hopkins County Courthouse was crowded Tuesday morning for opening arguments and the first witnesses called by the Prosecution as Gavin Heath Gilbert, 17, is being tried for the murder of 18-year old Tyrese Prior, 18. Gilbert has been charged with one count of Murder and four counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon but is only being tried on the murder charge. The trial is expected to continue until the end of the week. Gilbert has been held in Hopkins County Jail since his arrest in December of this year at his home in rural Hopkins County.
In opening statements the District Attorney’s office noted that the sale of marijuana was involved in the shooting. It was stated that on two previous occasions at least one of those in the vehicle that Gilbert allegedly fired upon had purchased marijuana but had received less than the amount promised in the sale. This time, a scale to weigh the substance was used and again it was short. As the vehicle drove away, Gilbert fired shots into the vehicle striking Pryor twice in the back.
The first witness called was the dispatch officer on duty at the time of the 911 call from the vehicle carrying Pryor to seek aide. A recording of the call was played for the jury. Following a recess, District Attorney Will Ramsey called a witness regarding the autopsy findings. Law enforcement witnesses were scheduled to follow. Both D. A. Ramsey and Assistant D. A. Clay Harrison are conducting the case for the prosecution. Former District Attorney, and now defense lawyer, Frank Long is representing Gilbert.
All entrance to Hopkins County Courthouse during the trial will be through a metal detector at the basement entrance as security is tightened throughout the time of the trial.
All entrance to Hopkins County Courthouse during the trial will be through a metal detector at the basement entrance as security is tightened throughout the time of the trial.
The incident occurred on County Road 1185 near the South Liberty Community in December. Pryor was taken first to Hopkins County Fire Station 20 as directed by the dispatcher in the 911 call. From there, he was met by ambulance and transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital where he was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer.
Gilbert was arrested when the Texas Ranger, DPS, and the combined Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs SWAT team served a warrant at the Gilbert home around 2 a.m. the next day following the shooting.
Winnsboro Police Report July 30-August 5, 2018
Winnsboro Police made no arrests, investigated one non-injury accident, responded to 178 calls for service, issued 31 citations and wrote 80 warnings during the July 30-August 5, 2018 report period.
A minor two vehicle accident took place in the 200 block of Locust Street July 30th.
Fun for Students, Families Aug 10 During Back to School Fair at Hopkins County Civic Center
The 2nd annual Back to School Fair for all Hopkins County students and families is set for Friday August 10, 2018 inside and outside the Hopkins County Civic Center. Between 3 pm and 6 pm, in addition to distribution of backpacks and school supplies, there will be free health services, food and entertainment.
Qualifying families will have packets reserved for them at the Back to School Fair on August 10th.
For the kids, there will be free hot dogs, snow-cones and drinks, school physicals, vision checkups and haircuts. Parents and adults can receive free screenings for diabetes, blood sugar and blood pressure. Adults can also visit college booths for continuing education, also Job Corps and the TRIO program. The play zones outdoors will feature bounce houses, puppet shows, face painting and kid-friendly booths. For Hopkins County churches and non-profits with programs directed at the youth population, booth space is available. There is no booth fee, but please bring packages of hot dogs for the grill. According to Director Shanna Martin, the annual county-wide free event is put on by CANHelp and participating sponsors.
If you are the parent of a student in need of a back pack or school supplies, apply now at CANHelp by August 6. Qualifying families will have packets reserved for them at the Back to School Fair on August 10th. There will be backpacks and supply packets for elementary, middle and high school age students in all Hopkins County schools.
If you would like to help provide school supplies, help is needed. You can donate as little as $20 to pay for one packet, or you can donate any amount you like. Individual, business and corporate sponsorships are also welcomed. Contact CANHelp at 903-885-9797, stop by the 613 Gilmer Street offices, go to canhelponline.org or check the CANHelp Facebook page for more information.
Wildcat Team Tennis Begins Competition; Freshman Football Workouts Underway
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad got SSHS athletic competition started this school year with a match at Denison that got underway at 8:30 a.m. Monday (August 6). The Wildcats continue their Grayson County tour Monday with a 1:30 p.m. match at Sherman. The two match day is part of a six match schedule this week. The Wildcats play at Waxahachie Tuesday (August 7) at 10 a.m. Then the Wildcats have three straight matches at home, against Spring Hill Wednesday (August 8) at 10 a.m., versus John Tyler Thursday (August 9) at 8:30 a.m. and against Terrell Saturday (August 11) at 9:30 a.m.
Meanwhile ninth grade football players will have special workouts all this week inside and outside the Multipurpose Building. Monday’s (August 6) workout will get underway at around 4:30 p.m. and is expected to wrap up around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. The UIL created this opportunity for freshmen at schools that had spring football for their sophomores, juniors and seniors last spring. The older players can not begin practice until next Monday (August 13) so varsity coaches along with freshmen coaches will be spending quality time with the ninth graders this week.
Lady Cats Down Cumby Lady Trojans in First Scrimmage of 2018 Season
The defending district champion Lady Cats’ volleyball team proved to be much too much for a scrappy Cumby team in the Lady Cats’ scrimmage opener at the main Sulphur Springs Middle School Gym Monday morning (August 6). Lady Cats Coach Justin Maness played all eleven current members of the varsity and it seemed that everyone played well.
Senior Autumn Tanton delivered numerous kills and also served well. Returners Madison Vickery and Lexi Whisenhunt both had strong games at the net. Exciting newcomer Sadie Washburn, a sophomore, showed a big potential upside with several kills. Her older sister, Sydney Washburn also had some good moments at the net. Libero Sadie Stroud was solid and had nine straight points off of her serve early in the scrimmage.
Varsity newcomer Maddie Millsap brought out some left handed curving serves that were very hard for the Lady Trojans to return. Newcomer Taylor McElfresh also served some aces. New varsity player Kate Womack also had some good moments serving and finishing. Last year’s district Newcomer of the Year, Erika VanBenthem was unable to play due to an injured ankle.
Coach Maness said the Lady Cats probably had the best first scrimmage he has seen here. He said he was impressed with the Lady Cats passing and serving. Coach Maness said he was excited to see what the season brings. He referred to Sadie Washburn as a high flyer who worked hard on the outside position this summer. Coach Maness said he expects she will get better and better as the season progresses. The Lady Cats also scrimmaged Commerce Monday afternoon.
The Lady Cats open the regular season Tuesday at Sherman. They will face the host Lady Bearcats at 4 p.m. and will take on North Lamar at 5:30 p.m. in the tri-match. The teams will play best three out of five matches.
Watch for Night Work on I-30 in Hopkins and Hunt Counties in August
PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials today alerted drivers who frequently travel on Interstate Highway 30 in Hunt and Hopkins Counties that work will begin Aug. 13 to re-stripe that highway.
Contractor Stripe-A-Zone Inc. will be re-striping main travel lanes along I-30 at night, working from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., from Aug. 13 through Aug. 24, weather permitting.
This work will extend from the Hunt-Rockwall County line eastward to the Hopkins-Franklin County line. This is a mobile operation that will affect only one lane of travel at any given time, but the contractor will cover both main lanes of east- and west-bound travel on I-30 during the contract work period.
Motorists who travel along I-30 in Hunt and Hopkins County at this time are asked to pay special attention to all signs and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel cautiously through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
