Fog Expected to Develop Overnight in Region
Fog is expected to develop overnight in the North and Northeast Texas area including the Hopkins County area. Some of this fog could become dense reducing visibility to under one (1) mile.
Counties included in the area are:
Montague-Cooke-Grayson-Fannin-Lamar-Young-Jack-Wise-Denton-Collin- Hunt-Delta-Hopkins-Stephens-Palo Pinto-Parker-Tarrant-Dallas- Rockwall-Kaufman-Van Zandt-Rains-Eastland-Erath-Hood-Somervell- Johnson-Ellis-Henderson-Comanche-Mills-Hamilton-Bosque-Hill-Navarro- Freestone-Anderson-Lampasas-Coryell-Bell-McLennan-Falls-Limestone- Leon-Milam-Robertson
Lady Cats Face Class 5A #3 Frisco Lone Star Thursday
Lady Cats Coach Jeff Chapman, enjoying Monday night’s bi-district win over Mesquite Poteet, 52-30, said playing Texas High in a seeding game on Friday helped the Lady Cats believe in themselves. Doubts may have crept in after the Lady Cats lost to Texas High by a large margin at home on January 30. It’s almost enough to convert Coach Chapman to a fan of warm up games. Still he said he’s glad the Lady Cats played Texas High last Friday in a game to determine the district’s number one and two seeds.
Coach Chapman agreed a big moment in the bi-district win over Mesquite Poteet Monday occurred in the second quarter when the Lady Cats outscored the Lady Pirates, 17-0. The Lady Cats went from one point down after one quarter to a 16-point lead at the half. Coach Chapman said the Lady Cats cut off a three-point shooter that was having success against them. He noted a Lady Pirates’ post player also had to sit due to fouls. Her backup was unavailable due to a torn ACL.
Next up for the Lady Cats will be a huge challenge in an Area game. Frisco Lone Star is ranked #3 in Class 5A and they have only 3 losses this season. The coaches have decided to play a Thursday game at 7 p.m. but other details of the match up are still being ironed out at last report.
Lady Cats Defeat Athens 10-0
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo said his team played very well in their season opening 10-0 win in Athens Monday afternoon. The game was moved up to a 4:30 p.m. start to try and have better weather.
Coach Carrillo said he was pleased with the Lady Cats’ pitching, hitting and defense Monday. Bailey Haggerty threw a one hit shutout over five innings and struck out five. Brinklee Driver clubbed a home run over the center field wall. Landri Bell and Alli Fite had multiple hit games. Lady Cat fielders committed only one error.
The only thing that is currently displeasing Coach Carrillo is the weather forecast for the rest of the week with the Sulphur Springs Tournament planned Thursday through Saturday. Coach Carrillo continues to monitor weather apps and he is not liking what he’s seeing.
Wildcat Baseball Seeks to Narrow Pitching Staff to Five
The Wildcats’ baseball team had a second scrimmage Friday at Terrell and Wildcats Coach Jerrod Hammack said he got to evaluate four more pitchers. Coach Hammack said he has ten pitchers he is looking at, perhaps the most pitching he’s ever had.
Four pitchers worked Thursday night in Sherman. Friday Coach Hammack looked at Kamren Harrison, Brady Crouse, Dawson Draper and Pacen Edwards. Coach Hammack said they all threw pretty well. Terrell managed only three hits. Coach Hammack said he still wants to see Jase Thompson and Kaden Argenbright on the mound.
He said everyone also got a couple of at bats against live pitching Friday night and he added some of them did some good things at the plate. Coach Hammack said the pitchers were doing so well he hasn’t had much of a chance to see the Wildcats’ fielders in action. Coach Hammack said he would be looking for about five main pitchers to use in district games. He said all of his pitchers would get some action during five game tournaments coming up before district play.
The Wildcats have a scheduled third scrimmage Tuesday evening in Royse City weather permitting.
Saltillo Lady Lions Defeated CHESS in Area Playoff Warm Up Game
The Saltillo Lady Lions got ready for their Area playoff game with a warm up game win over CHESS, 50-41 Tuesday. CHESS led after one quarter, 14-13. The Lady Lions had a big second quarter and led 26-18 at halftime.
CHESS reduced the deficit in the third quarter but still trailed the Lady Lions 34-32 after three quarters. The Lady Lions pulled away in the fourth quarter. Tori Mobley led the Lady Lions with 12 points. Chandler Bain scored 11 points. Madison Simmons and Maddy Smith had 10 points each. Christie Gurley scored 5 points and Jordan Sustaire had 2 points.
The Lady Lions improved their season record to 19-15. Details of the Lady Lions Area playoff game are TBA.
Sulphur Springs Public Library Director’s Notebook
by Hope Cain
A little fun library trivia for today…
- Which superheroine works as a librarian during the day? Batgirl
- Although he was well-known for being a drinker and for having scandalous love affairs with numerous women, Cassanova also worked as a librarian for the Count of Waldstein in Bohemia.
Beside trivia, the library can bring you many things…reading for recreation, reading for current events or history. Reading can now come in many forms, books, audiobooks on CD, Large Print, digital eBooks, eAudiobooks. The library is also a place that offers meeting space, free internet access, and computer assistance for those unsure of technology. Do you want to know the most recently published books or are you looking for knowledge on a specific subject to improve your life? We are always happy to assist with any information you need.
February and March bring more opportunities to be together as a community and celebrate local businesses.
- Head2Toe Nutrition will be here with a Nutrition & Wellness Workshop Thursday February 22, at 6pm
- Desinie Dunn with Studio 9 will be here with a Massage Information Workshop on Thursday March 1, at 6pm
- Local Attorney Erwin Cain will be here answering questions on Estate Planning and Wills on Thursday March 15, at 6pm
- Phinesse Farms Winery will be here with a Food and Wine pairing on Thursday March 22, at 6pm
We are open 6 days a week (MTWF 9-6, TH 11-8 and Sat 9-1) We are on Facebook at Sulphur Springs Public Library. Visit us at 611 North Davis, Sulphur Springs, www.sslibrary.org 903-885-4926.
New Voting Machines Will Be Ready for Early Voting and the March 6th Primary
The new voting machines are in and are being readied for the March 6th Primary Election. Election judges are being trained to use the new voting machines prior to early voting and election day.
Election worker training at the Civic Center being held on Tuesday, February 13 and Wednesday, February 14.
County Clerk Debbie Shirley says that the training is going very smoothly and expects a problem-free Hopkins County Primary Election. The new election machines are working well and the County Clerk’s Office will be prepared for early voting beginning next Tuesday, February 20.
Early voting begins February 20th with March 2nd the final day for early voting. The Early Voting location for the March Primary for all Hopkins County voters who wish to cast a ballot in either primary election is the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Courtroom, 128 Jefferson Street.
March 6 is primary election day for Republicans and Democrats.
Registered voters over the age of 65 are receiving mailings that allow the voter to request a ballot by mail as the March Primary election season begins. Those requesting ballot by mail may request only the ballot specific to the party primary, Democrat or Republican, in which the voter wishes to cast the ballot. Last day to accept application for a ballot by mail is Friday, February 23rd.
Winnsboro Police Report February 5-11, 2018
Winnsboro Police made one (1) arrest, responded to 111 calls for service, issued 18 citations, and wrote 31 warnings during the February 5-11, 2018 report period. There were no accidents reported.
Nicole Williams, 44, of Winnsboro, was arrested February 10th for interfering with public duties and tamper/fabricate physical evidence with intent to impair.
SSISD Board of Trustees Approve Amended General Fund Budget; Hear Reports; Celebrate Individual School Success
Sulphur Springs Schools Board of Trustees approved an amended general fund budget, heard numerous reports, and celebrated the successes at Travis Elementary School Tuesday night during their February board meeting.
The school’s general fund budget will increase $1,706,604 bringing the general fund budget to $38,389,530. The increase in the general fund budget comes from three specific projects: a rebuild of Prim Stadium, $702,721; Improvements to Lady Cat Park, $256,320; and the new Wildcat baseball field $747,563. No other adjustments have been made to the budget other than line item changes.
Superintendent Michael Lamb reported to the board that the school’s Vision, Mission, and Values Statements have become a daily guide for the administration. He stated that the board helped forge the statement and is holding the administration accountable to the vision, mission, and values that have been set. The Vision Statement says that the school desires to become a school that is “Educating all students to their fullest potential.” He stated that “…fullest potential” is different for each student but the desire to assist students in becoming the best they can be in all areas of life is the motivation for all that is performed in the educational and extra-curricular process of the school.
He noted the Mission Statement: “Provide students with the skills that will prepare them to adapt and excel in a fast-changing world, enabling them to lead productive lives. The district shares with parents and the community the responsibility of promoting high standards and expectations as [the school] provides opportunities for all students within the diverse community to attain personal growth and to become lifelong learners.”
The Value Statements or goals for the district include four specific values:
- Students will be encouraged and challenged to meet their full potential.
- Students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug-free, and conducive to learning.
- Students will be taught by highly qualified and exceptionally trained staff.
- SSISD will encourage parent/guardian and community involvement in school activities.
Lamb and the board have set as Primary Initiatives:
- At least 95% of all students reading on grade level when they attain the 3rd grade year.
- At least 70% of all student groups will score at least “Approaches” on 2018 STAAR (all subjects), especially African-American, Economically Disadvantaged, and At-Risk.
Lamb and Assistant Josh Williams, who made a later report to the board, noted that the process of evaluating and affirming the values and initiative are in place throughout the system.
A video presentation by students from Travis Primary School informed the board regarding the audio visual skills being developed by students on the campus as they presented a video newsletter.
During the reports on each school (highlights noted here):
- Douglas Intermediate (5th Grade) is sponsoring a Spelling Bee on three Fridays with 80 participants the first week, the top 30 the second week and the top 10 students the final week. STAAR Practice Test was given February 6-7. Eighty percent (80%) of students had a higher score on the 5th grade test than the 4th grade test.
- SS Elementary UIL teams have been finalized Grades 2-4 will begin practicing together February 13th with the Elementary UIL meet at Pine Tree March 24. The book buddies program is growing with 60 book buddies and 100 students participating.
- Bowie Primary had over 170 people attend Family Fun Night. Forty (40) students tried out for four different UIL teams. Science Classes are planning the building of raised gardens.
- ECLC-K/T1 currently has 120 readers.
At Sulphur Springs Middle School:
- Academic UIL placed 2nd overall in district.
- Regional Science Fair had four students advance
- UIL Solo and Ensemble saw 123 students receive First Division Medals
- The robotics teams competed at TCEA Area and two teams will advance to state competition.
At Austin Academic Center:
- In the REACH/SEARCH program that assists non-traditional high school students, one graduate will graduate this month and 18 more are anticipated to graduate before the end of the year.
High School:
- Choir advanced 17 Solos and one Ensemble to State
- ACT/SAT Boot Camp assisted 50 students in improving college entrance test scores.
- Winter athletic programs are excelling.
Staff changes:
Retirements
*Tommy Panter Transportation Director Administration
*Lori Nix Kindergarten Teacher ECLC
*Timothy Couch ELAR Teacher Middle School
*Susan Patterson Technology Assistant Middle School
Resignations
Meghan Alcorn Elem. Instr. Tech. Spec. Administration
Kevin Bailey Aide Connections
New Personnel
Allison Fincher Math Teacher Middle School
Tracie Penny SpEd Aide Middle School
Victoria Smith SpEd Aide Middle School
Personnel Change New position/campus Former position/campus
Cristina Munoz Admin .Asst. for Child Nutrition/ Receptionist/SS Elementary
Administration
*Early retirement notification
