Corvette Club Continues Christmas Cheer
Some members of the local Corvette Club sped by the Senior Citizen’s Center to drop of a check of $1,000 in support of the wonderful efforts made by Karon Weatherman and the staff of the center. The local Senior Citizen’s Center not only provides a wealth of activities for seniors in our area but also prepares over 160 meals each weekday for the Meal-A-Day program. Pictured below is Director Karon Weatherman accepting the check from Corvette Club Treasurer Mike Hart.
PJC Nears Fall Graduation
Delivery of caps and gowns signals the end of the fall semester at Paris Junior College, as does an increase in the number of students studying for next week’s final exams.
GRADUATION TIME PJC-Sulphur Springs Center student Dylin Gosart gets assistance from welding instructor John Plemons as he tries on a graduation robe to ensure a correct fit as he prepares for fall graduation ceremonies. Gosart, of Sulphur Springs, is completing his certificate in the welding program. Fall graduation will be held in the PJC Hunt Center in Paris at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15.
The fall graduation ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. in the Hunt Athletic Center in Paris on Friday, Dec. 15. Students should arrive at the Rheudasil Learning Center by 6 p.m.
Family and friends are encouraged to arrive early to find seating in the Hunt Center. They are also invited to join graduates in a reception afterwards in the McLemore Student Center Ballroom.
As the fall semester winds down, registration continues for both the Winter Mini-Term and the Spring 2018 Semester and will continue until PJC closes for Winter Break at 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 15.
“The Winter Mini-Term offers core curriculum courses which transfer to all public Texas universities,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “Families welcoming students home for the holidays from a university could find this a great way to save on tuition for a basic class. The online classes run Dec. 18 to Jan. 5, 2018, but registration must be taken care of before PJC closes for Winter Break.”
Spring registration will resume when PJC reopens on Jan. 2, 2018. The 16-week semester will continue until May 11, 2018. A flex term will also offer 8-week courses that begin on March 19 and end May 11.
To learn more about graduation or registration, contact the Office of Admissions and Records at 903-782-0425.
Reilly Springs Jamboree Dance Benefits Senior Citizens Building Fund
CENTER: Roger Reed and Enola Gay present Karon Weatherman with a donation of $450 for the Senior Building Fund
Producers of the Reilly Springs Jamboree brought the show to town with a Christmas Dance on Saturday December 9, 2017 at the Sulphur Springs Senior Center as a benefit the building fund for a new Senior Center.
Classic country music ruled the evening as Roger Reed and the Sunshine Band’s Gary Jones and Bill Langley kept the couples dancing. Guest singers Shanna Carter and Janet Reed performed favorite Christmas songs, Don Woods Jr. delivered traditional and redneck country, and Enola Gay sang the blues. There was also more than a little comedy and laughter. Center Director Karon Weatherman and volunteer Jan Massey spread good cheer with punch and cookies amid the beautiful holiday decorations throughout the center.
About forty persons attended the dance and others stopped by with checks to donate to the cause. At the end of the evening, the Jamboree was able to donate $450 to further the plans for building a more spacious building to better serve the needs of the Senior Citizen community in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
Plan to follow the Reilly Springs Jamboree back to their home stage in the New Year, with a country music stage show on the third-Saturday night of every month at the Reilly Springs Community Center, Hopkins County’s original music venue. The January 20, 2018 Jamboree will be a Gospel Extravaganza featuring Psalms 100 and Dallas artist Mary Fay Jackson.
Two Arrested After Causing Alarm to Homeowner
Two men were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams, a Felony 2, when a Honda Civic was stopped for a traffic violation at Main and Mark Streets by Sulphur Springs police.
The vehicle had been reported to police as suspicious when it had pulled into a residence drive causing alarm to the homeowner. The two in the vehicle exhibited signs of nervousness, excessive, rapid talking, breathing heavily and uncontrolled shaking. Narcotics were found in the vehicle.
Brandon Reid Black
Brandon Reid Black, 31, of Eustace, and Christopher Michael Morgan, 34, of Gun Barrel City, are in Hopkins County Jail with each held on $35,000 bond.
Christopher Michael Morgan
Woman Arrested for Intoxication Assault Following Injury Accident on I-30
Texas Department of Safety Trooper responded to an accident on I-30 at the 109 mile marker around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Two vehicles were involved and injuries were reported. Also Victoria Grace Brawley, 26, of Azle was arrested for Intoxication Assault.
Victoria Grace Brawley
The trooper talked to Ms. Brawley, who was standing next to an ambulance. He detected the odor of alcoholic beverage coming from her person. She told the trooper that she was driving the white Crown Vic when it crashed into the minivan. There were three adults and one child in the van. All three adults were transported via helicopter to metroplex hospitals with incapacitating injuries. The trooper noted that Ms. Brawley had slurred speech and difficulty maintaining her balance. She refused to provide a breath sample and a blood warrant was obtained. After the warrant was executed at 11:50 p.m. she was transported to Hopkins County Jail.
Ms. Brawley is in Hopkins County jail charged with Intoxication Assault and is being held on a $50,000 bond.
Dinner Bell Menu For December 13, 2017
Dinner Bell Menu for
December 13, 2017
Guaranty Bond Bank
this week’s Community Partner.
Meat Loaf
Mexican Hominy
Garlic Green Beans
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread
Peach Cobbler Crisp
Chocolate Sugar Free Dessert
Same time (11:45 a.m.). Same place (Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church).
Join us for a great meal and good companionship. Tell your friends about us. Hope to see you.
Rains County Woman Files for Democrat Primary for Congress
By Kimberly McClenney
Catherine Krantz, a small business owner and dedicated community volunteer, has announced her candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in the 4th District of Texas. The Rains County Democrat will be looking to unseat two term incumbent, John Ratcliff (R Rockwall). She is the first to file as a Democrat for the congressional seat in over 20 years.
“I am running because I am tired of rural communities getting the short end of the stick,” says Krantz, “We are not asking for a handout, we have been taking care of ourselves for a long time. What we want is investment. Rural communities are underfunded in almost everything. It’s time to invest in America again. We have some real challenges out here, with jobs, with education, with infrastructure, and anyone who has spent even five minutes in America’s small towns can see that. I see all of the money that is being wasted in Washington right now, just millions thrown away for pointless party politics, when we have real issues that need to be addressed. All I can think of is these guys don’t represent us. They don’t understand our problems or they just don’t care.”
Krantz came back to Rains County full time almost four years ago to help run her family business, an RV Park and Campground on Lake Fork, and she has been very active in the community ever since. She calls herself a professional volunteer. She has been very active in the Methodist Church, multiple area Chambers of Commerce, the Good Samaritans thrift store and food bank, as well as organizing community events and helping out with Rowlett’s “no kill” animal shelter, among other issues close to her heart.
Krantz is passionate about people and brings over 20 years of experience in Community Development to the table. She published an internationally renowned tourism magazine and founded an award winning international music festival in a little beach town in Mexico where she lived for 15 years. She not only promoted her small town to an international audience that brought huge returns in tourism dollars, but she also created economic development projects that sent out millions of dollars into her community.
As an entrepreneur and a hard working small business owner, from a family of small business owners, Krantz believes that small businesses– not corporations–are the life blood of the American economy, “That’s where we should be investing: in our own communities. Why not spend some money on small business loans or business incubators for the amazing entrepreneurs and small business owners we already have in our communities? We don’t need more corporate welfare we need to invest in our own people.”
Congressional District 4 stretches all across North East Texas from Sherman to Texarkana, Rockwall to Louisiana. “District 4 is a huge district, a beautiful and green part of Texas with some amazing things going on. We have great communities, charming small towns, great businesses with world class products and innovations. I am excited to find ways to bring more investment and prosperity into our communities.” Krantz promises an enthusiastic campaign that reaches out to all corners of the district and indicates that if she hasn’t been to your community yet she will be soon.
**Catherine Krantz will hosting her Campaign Kickoff Party on December 16, at the Londoner Pub in downtown Rockwall, from 4pm – 6pm.**
Sister Babyz Fashion Show: The Perfect Combination of Fun and Fashion
Sister Babyz Fashion Show was held Saturday Dec. 9th and was a huge success. The popular Venue 219 was packed with standing room only. Local members from the community modeled creatively paired outfits. Plaids and velvet trends as well as sparkly ideas for the holidays were highlights of the show. These new trends were matched with Sister Babyz staples of sassy sweaters, distressed jeans, and miles of various boots and booties. It was a night to remember, with multiple door prizes, as Sister Babyz rolled out styles to look forward to this winter.
Complimentary coffee, wine and hors d’oeuvres were served by Phinesse Winery. Many vendors had booths set up on the perimiter of the room and donated gifts for the abunant door prizes that were given out throughout the evening. Some of the participating vendors were: Revitalize coffee, Healing Hands massages, Dana’s Southern Charm, Custom Christmas wreaths, R&F facial cremes and eyelashes, and Donna’s hand crafted signs, Lipsense, Essential Oils.
Local resident, Laura Owens, won Sister Babyz grand prize: a free outfit for each month of the year from Sister Babyz valued at $1200. Congratulations to all the winners and to Sister Babyz for a smash hit on their fabulous Fashion show!
Wildcats Win Union Grove Chick-fil-A Tournament
Wildcats Basketball 79-60
The Wildcats’ basketball team won a coin flip and also took home the championship of the Union Grove Chick-fil-A Tournament with a 79-60 win over Willis Saturday afternoon. When it seemed that Mount Pleasant and the Wildcats were on a collision course for the championship game, both coaching staffs agreed to prevent that from happening. A coin was flipped and the Wildcats won the toss, which allowed them to continue on into the top Gold Bracket. Mount Pleasant went into the Silver Bracket and Lindale was elevated over the Tigers into the Gold Bracket. Lindale lost to Willis setting up the championship match up. In the championship game, the Wildcats opened slowly but still led, 11-10 after the first quarter. Wildcat Keaston Willis was bothered by a very persistent nose bleed. The Wildcats began to separated themselves from the Willis team during the second and three quarters. The Wildcats outscored Willis, 19-5 in the second quarter and 24-18 in the third quarter. Willis outscored the Wildcats, 27-25 in the fourth quarter but the Wildcats prevailed, 79-60. All thirteen Wildcats got to play. Ten of them scored. At one point, tempers boiled over in the contest. As Wildcat Victor Iwuakor headed toward the basket and went up for a shot, he was taken down to the floor hard by a Willis player. Iwuakor confronted the player but after they bumped each other, they were quickly separated. The Willis player was called for a flagrant foul and a double technical was called against the two. The Wildcats improved their season record to 13-1 and they have won 6 games in a row. The Wildcats will return home for a game Monday as they will play host to Paris with tip off at around 7:30 p.m.
Lady Cats Repeat as Edgewood Champs
Lady Cats Basketball 45, Gilmer 41, overtime (Semi-Final)
Lady Cats Basketball 59, Tenaha 50 (Championship Game)
The Lady Cats’ basketball team successfully defended their championship at an Edgewood tournament. The Lady Cats won two games Saturday (December 9) to repeat. They squeezed by Gilmer, 45-41 in overtime in the morning semi-final and then won the championship game over a good Tenaha team, 59-50 in the evening.
Against Gilmer, the Lady Cats had to overcome some sub par shooting, 20 turnovers and an ankle injury to Autumn Tanton that kept her on the bench all of the fourth quarter and in overtime. Kaylee Jefferson put the team on her back and shouldered the scoring load late in the fourth quarter and in overtime. Jefferson scored 23 points. Tanton had 10 points. Sadavia Porter and Te’Arria Rose each had 4 points. Jamia Hall had 2 points. Danielle Godbolt and Imani Taylor had 1 point apiece. The Lady Cats shot 38% for the game hitting 17 of 45 shots. They were 2 of 12 from three point range, which is 17%. Rose and Jefferson each had one successful three point shot. The Lady Cats made 9 of 21 free throws for 43%. On the positive side, the Lady Cats grabbed 30 rebounds. Jefferson had 15 boards. Tanton grabbed 6 and Godbolt had 5. The Lady Cats had 14 steals.
Just like they did against Gilmer, the Lady Cats also opened strongly against the Tenaha Tigers. The Lady Cats led 20-7 after one quarter. The lead was cut to 9 after two quarters as they Lady Cats were on top, 28-19. The Lady Cats led after three, 46-36. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Cats preserved their lead and won by 9 points, 59-50. Porter had an incredible game scoring 29 points including 6 three point baskets. Tanton was able to play on her balky ankle and was solid with 15 points and team highs with 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Jefferson scored 10 points and had 7 rebounds. Taylor had 5 points including a three-pointer. The Lady Cats hit 39% from the field hitting 21 of 54. The Lady Cats were 7 of 20, or 35%, from behind the arc. The Lady Cats were 10 of 14, or 71%, from the free throw line. The Lady Cats had 15 steals. They also did a good job of protecting the ball making only 6 turnovers. The Lady Cats season record is now 12-2 and they have won 6 games in a row. Next they open district play at home against Greenville Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
