UPRA Rodeo Royalty, Hopefuls Make Promotional Visit to KSST, Channel 18
With the “Cinch” United Professional Rodeo Finals in town this weekend, the nine candidates for UPRA titles were making their way around town prior to arena competitions during the rodeo’s three performances. These young ladies range in age from thirteen to eighteen and represent rodeos and cattle companies in Texas and Louisiana. All of them are already seasoned rodeo competitors who aspire to represent the UPRA’s five-state circuit. Both the current Miss UPRA and Miss Teen UPRA are actually from the same community, the Scroggins area of Hopkins County, the first time that has ever occurred in Finals history! Both these girls will have to pass their crowns to new winners during this rodeo.
The finalists are pictured here, left to right;
FRONT ROW
Amber Simmons of Needville, Tx Miss Teen Jasper Rodeo Queen
Rebeccah McQueen now of Brock, Tx, reigning Miss Teen UPRA
Josie Neal of Scroggins, Tx, reigning Miss UPRA Rodeo
Dixie Tabb of Bagota, Tx, Miss Wing Rodeo Company
BACK ROW
Bobbi Loran of Scotland, Tx Miss Champion Rodeo Company
Allie McGaha of Childress, Tx, Miss Old Settlers Reunion Association
Savannah Stafford of La Ranger, La, Miss Junior Crossbrand Rodeo Queen
Colleen Crumpton of Dekalb, Rx, Miss Naples Rodeo
Kendall Blake of Sulphur Springs, Mt. Vernon Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo Queen
UPRA Royalty and contestants in the KSST studios in Sulphur Springs
SSISD Tax Office Closed During Week of Thanksgiving
According to Sandra Gibby, Tax Assessor-Collector for the Sulphur Springs Independent School District, the school tax office will be closed the following days for the Thanksgiving Holiday:
Monday, November 20th through Friday, November 24th
Vote for Local Teen Syndee Hawkins to Sing National Anthem Contest at Cattle Industry Convention in Phoenix, Az.
Nineteen year-old Sydnee Hawkins of Sulphur Springs, Texas is one of four finalists vying for the privilege of singing the National Anthem at the Spring convention of one of the oldest and largest cattleman’s organizations in the United States. The National Beef Cattleman’s Association sponsors the singing contest each year, the winner earning the honor of appearing at the convention and trade show in Phoenix in early 2018. Voting is a simple and quick process, so please help Sydnee get the most votes by voting daily through early December.
Sydnee is well-known locally for roles in SSHS Thespian productions, in Haystack Youth Choir and as a soloist with the NE Texas Choral Society. Supporters of Sydnee can vote once each day at the link to the NCBA contest. You can Vote for Sydnee by clicking on the following link: Vote Here and clicking on Sydnee’s video, then click on the blue “Vote” button.
CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVENTION & NCBA TRADE SHOW
JANUARY 31 – FEBRUARY 2, 2018
PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER DOWNTOWN
PHOENIX, AZ
The Cattle Industry Convention is the oldest and largest national convention for the cattle business. The 2018 convention will be the 121st annual convention. The convention and trade show create a unique, fun environment for cattle industry members to come together to network, create policy for the industry and to have some fun! If you’re in the cattle business, then you need to be in Phoenix.
Harrison Seeks Republican Nomination for County Court at Law Judge
SULPHUR SPRINGS – November 13, 2017 – On the first official day of filing, Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison filed to run for County Court at Law Judge with the Republican Party. The position is currently held by Judge Amy Smith, who will retire when her term expires in December 2018.
Harrison, a life-long resident of Hopkins County, graduated from Sulphur Springs High School and attended The University of Texas at Austin where he was a Group Commander in the University’s Air Force ROTC program. After graduating from college, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force at age 20. He then attended Baylor University’s law school on a full academic scholarship.
After taking the bar exam, Harrison joined the Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps and served as a military attorney at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia. For two years, he practiced a variety of law on behalf of U.S. service members including wills, probate, family law, and civil law.
Harrison was later assigned to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the Chief of Military Justice for one of the Air Force’s largest overseas bases. He supervised a team of attorneys, paralegals, and clerks and oversaw criminal cases for the 7,500 member base. He prosecuted numerous criminal cases involving child pornography, sexual assault, drugs, and theft.
In 2010, he was deployed to the tropical island of Mindanao in the Southern Philippines in support of counterinsurgency operations against the Abu Sayyaf (“Bearer of the Sword”) terror group. The Abu Sayyaf organization made its reputation as a particularly violent jihadist threat, specializing in kidnapping for ransom operations. As the lone attorney for a joint special operations unit of Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, and other combat soldiers, he advised military commanders on the law of war and rules of engagement. He also directed an intelligence program that rewarded local civilians for providing information on high value enemy targets.
He separated honorably from the Air Force in 2012 in order to return home to Texas. After prosecuting criminal cases in Tyler, he returned to his home town in 2014 and joined Will Ramsay’s team at the District Attorney’s office in October 2014. Since then, he has tried 28 fully litigated cases to the jury or to the court, written 13 appeals, and had several notable jury trials.
In November 2015, he tried Mark Covington, a captain in the Aryan Circle according to gang experts, for witness tampering. Covington received a life sentence from a jury.
In January 2016, he tried Stanton Yates as the leader of a home burglary ring that spread across Hopkins County. Yates received a life sentence from a jury.
In March 2016, he tried Hunter Dixon for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. After initially pleading Not Guilty, Dixon changed his plea during trial to guilty and agreed to 40 years in prison without parole.
Also in March 2016, Harrison tried Scott Shine for Engaging in Organized Crime. Texas DPS Narcotics officers dubbed Shine “the biggest meth dealer in Franklin County.” Shine was sentenced to life in prison by a jury.
In December 2016, Harrison worked closely with law enforcement to secure guilty pleas from Dustin Garcia, Christopher Chambers, and several other members of an organized ATV theft ring. Garcia received a 28 year sentence and Chambers received 15 years. Due to aggravated parole rules, both leaders will have to serve half of their sentences before being eligible for parole.
Also in December 2016, Harrison tried Daniel Arnold of Franklin County for shaving the heads of his two children while a CPS investigation was pending into methamphetamine use. Arnold was sentenced by Judge Eddie Northcutt to the maximum of 10 years in prison.
In June 2017, Harrison tried professional swindler Chad Cappiello for a contracting remodel scam in Hopkins County. Mr. Cappiello was convicted by a jury and sentenced to the maximum of 2 years in state jail by Judge Northcutt.
Last week, Harrison prosecuted Dana Gandy for felony theft. She was convicted by a Hopkins County jury in 13.5 minutes. Sentencing will take place on November 28.
Harrison has published two books, including The Stubborn Texan, which is a conservative defense of the U.S. Constitution.
Outside of work, Harrison and his wife lead the Crossover young adult ministry at The Way Bible Church, are active in Crossfit, and are the proud parents of a 7 month old girl. Harrison is the son of Dr. Juan and Mrs. Sheri Harrison, both career educators, and the grandson of Jim Weeks and the late Darlene Weeks. His wife Tara is the daughter of Mike and Sandra Gibby, and the granddaughter of Jerry Don and Peggy Goldsmith of Birthright.
Contact: Clay Harrison 903-243-3118
Email: [email protected]
Main Street Uncorked Presents $5,000 to Veterans’ Memorial
Jeana Penny presents 5,000 check from Main Street Uncorked a fundraiser for the Hopkins County Veterans’ Memorial.
NETBIO Anniversary Sale Averages $906.48 per Head
The cattle industry in Northeast Texas celebrated a milestone at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Wednesday when the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) launched the beginning of its 20th year of operation with a big barbecue luncheon and a pre-conditioned calf and yearling sale.
NETBIO is a group of independent cow/calf producers and agribusiness representatives who work together to enhance the beef industry in Northeast Texas. The organization is recognized across the State of Texas and the Southern United States as the leader in its reputable offering of pre-conditioned calves.
The anniversary celebration kicked off with a barbecue meal that was enjoyed by approximately 475 producers, buyers, family and friends. Following the lunch, auctioneer Joe Don Pogue gaveled the sale of 7,758 head of cattle into action.
BIDDING GOES ON Auctioneer and Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission co-owner Joe Don Pogue, at the microphone, takes bids on a pen of Tiger stripe heifers during Wednesday’s NETBIO pre-conditioned cattle sale.
“It was a very good sale to mark the anniversary of NETBIO,” Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission co-owner and NETBIO board member said. “There were producers and buyers here from throughout the region and from the adjoining states.”
Fowler said the 246 producers who consigned cattle to the sale did their usual great job of pre-conditioning their cattle and getting them ready for the sale. He added that the demand was good and the cattle sold at a premium. A total of 38 buyers paid an average of $906.48 per head.
“There was a lot of interest from the buyers — both those at the sale and several who were buying over the Internet,” Fowler said.
Those who missed this sale have an opportunity to attend a second NETBIO anniversary sale on November 29 at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission.
Due to the increased demand that made it necessary to close the consignment books early on the Nov. 15 sale, NETBIO directors scheduled this second sale, which will be offering over 7,000 head of pre-conditioned cattle. This second edition of the anniversary-month sale will begin at 1 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled NETBIO sale will be held on January 17. The deadline for weaning calves for that sale is Dec. 3, and the booster shot deadline is Dec. 18.
QUALITY CATTLE A total of 7,758 head of pre-conditioned cattle like these sold at the NETBIO anniversary sale this week. Another special NETBIO sale, with over 7,000 head consigned, will be held Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission.
Lovejoy Head Coach Resume Includes UT Quarterback; Offensive Coordinator for Southlake Carroll, UNT
The Wildcats play Lovejoy Friday at Prim Stadium in a bi-district match and the Leopards head coach is Todd Ford, in his second year. The former University of Texas quarterback in the `90s was the offensive cooordinator for Coach Todd Dodge at Southlake Carroll and the University of North Texas. Coach Ford also built the program at Round Rock Cedar Ridge leading them to the playoffs for three straight years before coming to Lovejoy.
This year Lovejoy is 5-5, just like the Wildcats. They lost five but have won the last five. Plagued by injuries and a tough schedule that include playoff teams Argyle, Frisco Wakeland, Frisco Lone Star and Highland Park, the Leopards went 0-5. After a bye week, they got healthier and have won five straight including victories over playoff teams North Forney and Mesquite Poteet.
Lovejoy’s quarterback is Carson Collins, who was injured early. Coach Ford said he is benefiting from starting ten games last season as a sophomore. Receiver Chase Van Wagoner is heading to TCU. On defense, the Leopards leader is Arkansas commit Bumper Pool, their senior middle linebacker. Coach Ford said the Wildcats are well coached and they are playing very hard. He said the Wildcats are also on a winning streak and are playing with confidence. Coach Ford said the opportunity is there for a really good football game to take place Friday night.
Miss Rodeo America, Lisa Lageschaar, Comes Home to Hopkins County
At age 26, Miss Lisa Lageschaar whose home is Pickton, Texas is about to hang up her crown and banner because she has already achieved the pinnacle of Rodeo Royalty in the United States. As Miss Rodeo America 2017, she has served as the top representative of the PRCA Rodeo world wearing the crown she earned at National Finals Rodeo in December 2016. Lisa sat down with Enola Gay in the Channel 18 TV studio for a rare hometown interview about her amazing career.
Although raised on a dairy farm, Lisa always had a horse to ride, running barrels and roping in Mt. Vernon and Winnsboro rodeos and jackpots. At age 14, she became interested in the role that college scholarship money plays in wearing a crown and sash. She was crowned Miss UPRA in the Civic Center arena in Hopkins County seven years ago during the United Professional Rodeo Association Finals. She next set her sights on the title of Miss Rodeo Austin while in college there, and in achieving that, she decided to go for Miss Rodeo Texas. She did not win on her first attempt at the state title and taking that as a sign, went back to teaching public school Ag classes at New Boston, Texas. However, when school dismissed that summer, she followed her heart and tried again, this time earning the Miss Rodeo Texas title during the San Antonio Fat Stock Show in 2016. She traveled extensively, making public speaking appearances and riding in rodeos across Texas for one year, then prayerfully approached the idea of running for the national title. Always with her parents support, Lisa competed in Las Vegas’ NFR last December and ended up winning not only the appearance, personality and written portions of the contest but the coveted title of Miss Rodeo America for 2017. One year and thousands of miles later, she is now set to get back on track to obtain her doctorate in Educational Leadership, because teaching is in her heart. Meanwhile, she is happy to be spending a little downtime at November’s end back home with her family in Hopkins County.
Lisa has a Master of Education in Secondary Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Tarleton State University. Lisa plans to obtain a doctorate in Educational Leadership to continue to provide the best opportunities possible for our youth. As a member of the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, American Quarter Horse Association and Texas CattleWomen, and a graduate of the Masters of Beef Advocacy Lisa is passionate about agriculture and the western lifestyle.
“I firmly believe that our youth are our future. My main goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I am honored to represent the western and agriculture industries and the cowboys and cowgirls who keep our western traditions alive. The equine and agriculture industries have brought me more joy and happiness than I could have ever imagined, and it is my calling to give back to the industries that have given me everything by serving as an enthusiastic, proud representative.”
Lisa has been an active member in her community, giving back to the local youth through programs like Future Farmers of America and 4-H. She has mentored many students on public speaking, veterinary science, floriculture, horse evaluation, livestock judging and more. Being a positive example is important to Lisa and this belief is what lead her to pursue her chosen profession as an educator. Not only does she teach on the importance of agriculture as it relates to our future, but she also strives to instill values like humility, hard work, and integrity. When time allows Lisa competes in team roping, barrel racing, and enjoys working on the family dairy farm.
“As a first generation American, and someone who did not come from an equestrian background, I quickly found a way into the equine industry. Through my experience and education I have evolved into a woman who is passionate about horses, rodeo, agriculture, and the western way of life. I was not chosen by this lifestyle, but I chose to make it my lifestyle. As Miss Rodeo America I will be able to serve as a spokeswoman on a larger scale, as a living example of how it doesn’t matter where someone comes from or what their circumstances are – anyone can accomplish anything they put their mind to.”
KSST’s Enola Gay with Miss Rodeo America Lisa Lageschaar at home in Hopkins County at the Channel 18 TV studio during November 2017
