5,634 Head Sells at Second November NETBIO Sale
The second edition of the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization’s November anniversary stocker and feeder calf sale was held Wednesday, and producers sold 5,639 head of pre-conditioned cattle.
An additional November sale had to be held due to the increased consignment demand. The first sale held on Nov. 15 sold nearly 8,000 head of cattle. Producers sold a total of 13,392 head of cattle at the two anniversary sales held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission.
A total of 225 producer-members of NETBIO sold cattle at the sale. Bidding was active with 31 buyers paying an average of $878.91 per head for the cattle. Some cattle were also sold over the Internet.
TALKING CATTLE David Fowler, center, co-owner of the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission, discusses the NETBIO Pre-conditioned Calf and Yearling sale with NETBIO CEO Dwyatt Bell, right, and Koby Long. The second November NETBIO sale held Wednesday sold nearly 5,700 head.
“We had some very nice weather for the sale and buyer attendance was good,” Livestock Commission co-owner David Fowler said. “Producers offered a lot of quality cattle and the buyers liked them. Some of the cattle went to several feed yards in the Texas Panhandle and Kansas.”
Fowler said several local buyers bought some very nice replacement heifers. “It was a good sale and our producers continue to do a great job raising and pre-conditioning their cattle,” he said.
The NETBIO organization and the Pre-Conditioned Stocker and Feeder Calf Sale, which began in November 1998, gives producers a market to offer their pre-conditioned calves and yearlings in load lot quantities. NETBIO holds seven pre-conditioned calf sales per year, which is the marketing arm for members of the organization.
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.
READY TO SELL Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization member producers consigned nearly 5,700 head of cattle to the NETBIO sale held on Wednesday. It was the second November sale for the organization, made necessary because of the large number of beef cattle being raised in the region. The first November Anniversary sale held two weeks earlier sold 7,758 head.
CASA Cookie Walk on Dec. 1 is Annual Fundraiser for Lake Country CASA
Gina Law is Executive Director for Lake Country Casa, headquartered in Sulphur Springs at 216 Connally Street. For more than 25 years, the Cookie Walk has been the sole fundraiser for the non-profit Court Appointed Special Advocate. Gina, her staff and volunteers will stage the Cookie Walk on Friday December 1 in the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church starting at 9am. You can select homemade Christmas cookies of all types at $5 per pound. One word of caution..don’t arrive late! Even with more than two dozen volunteers on the baking committee, the morning’s supply of homemade cookies still sells out quickly!
Gina Law, Executive Director of Lake Country CASA
In a KSST Morning Show interview, Gina shed some light on what CASA does, the job description and the urgent need for qualified, trained CASA volunteers. Originally formed in 1976, the organization operates through volunteers who serve, one on one, as a constant familiar face for a child caught up in the child protective legal system due to abuse and/or neglect in the home. The first Texas chapter was formed in 1979, and a Hopkins County chapter began work 27 years ago with Eddie Jo Edge as Executive Director. Later, taking in Rains and Franklin County cases, the organization became Lake Country CASA, where Gina Law has served as director for 18 years. She and her staff; Sharla Evans, Peggy Walker and Sherry Jordan are headquartered in offices in downtown Sulphur Springs. A board of directors lends business expertise to the success of the organization. Lake Country CASA functions through grants, United Way funding, private donations and the Cookie Walk fundraiser.
In 2017, some 26 local volunteers have handled 134 cases total, with 80 of these involving Hopkins County children. These individual volunteers appointed by a judge not only monitor the progress of the case but have oversight of special services such as counseling, medical, educational, transportation, safety and other issues for the long-term welfare of the child. Judges typically assign CASA volunteers to the most difficult and complex cases involving physical or sexual abuse and neglect.
Lake Country CASA is seeking volunteers who can be committed to their assignment. Each case typically lasts one to two years, and the amount of time spent on a case per month averages 10 hours. In many cases, these children may eventually return to their home, be placed with another family member or find a foster home or adoptive family. In order to help achieve this goal and provide quality advocacy, volunteers must make case time a priority. If you are interested in finding out more, contact Gina Law at 903-885-1173 or see her at the Lake Country CASA office, 216 Connally Street, downtown Sulphur Springs.
Arkansas Pair Arrested for Marijuana Possession
A Hopkins County Deputy stopped a 2012 Chevrolet Cruz when he observed an obscured license plate on the vehicle traveling in the left lane of I-30 not for the purpose of passing another. The stop resulted in two Arkansas individuals being charged with Possession of Marijuana more than 5lbs but less than 50lbs.
As the officer approached the vehicle he noted the strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle had a green leafy like substance believed to be marijuana on his shirt. The driver and passenger were unable to sit still or make eye contact. During a search of the vehicle, the deputy discovered a brown cardboard box in the trunk and in the box, seven clear plastic wrapped packages of a green leafy substance. Both driver and passenger denied any knowledge of the illegal narcotics.
Tevin Niqholas Smedley, 24, of Huttig, Arkansas and 
Olivia Nicole Lacy, 24, of Texarkana, Arkansas are in Hopkins County Jail being held on $10,000 bond each.
THC Oil, Wax, Marijuana Found in Traffic Stop
Justin Paul McLean, 34, of Corpus Christi, was speeding along at 80 mph on I30 near the 137-mile marker with no license plate on the front of his auto. The Texas Department of Public Safety trooper that observed his speed and no license plate stopped McLean and upon contact noted the smell of burnt Marijuana in the 2015 Toyota Scion.
A probable cause search revealed a clear baggie of Marijuana, 2 vials of THC oil, and THC wax. The oil and wax had a combined weight of 8.4 grams.
McLean is in Hopkins Country Jail charged with Possession of Marijuana under 2 oz and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 more than 4-grams but less than 400-grams. He is being held on bonds totaling $20,500.
Fuentes Appointed to Texas Assocation of Chicanos in Higher Education State Board
COMMERCE, TX—Assistant Dean of Enrollment Dr. Fred Fuentes was appointed by the president of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE) to serve on the State Board and regional representative of the Northeast Texas area.
Fuentes is a 2012 recipient of the TACHE Graduate Fellowship Award and has presented at TACHE’s annual conferences in the past. In 2010 he co-presented with colleagues Luis Franco and Gilbert Hernandez on The SALSA Project (Success & Access for Latino Students Ahora), and presented on “The Self-Anglicization of Latino Names to Acculturate Into American Society” in 2013. Last year, he co-presented with Dr. Chris Green and Julian Sanchez on the Latino American Mentorship Program, bilingual mentorship programs, and grant funding.
Mrs. Belinda Harmon, TACHE President and Director of Community Outreach at the University of Texas-San Antonio, stated, “Not only will Dr. Fuentes be an excellent representative, but the fact that he has been a TACHE Fellow and now comes back to serve on the board makes him a great role model for our members.”
TACHE was established in 1974 and has been a significant resource for students, staff, faculty and institutions alike. In 2002, TACHE issued a series of report cards on the status of employment and educational access of institutions of higher education in Texas. Each institution is given a performance grade based on Hispanic student enrollment, as well as the extent to which faculty and administrative employment at these universities reflect the student demographics of the respective institution. The report cards have helped diversify the staff and faculty at institutions of higher learning. The state board also earned accolades for its annual conference that recognizes distinguished scholars, faculty and staff.
“Dr. Fuentes will be an active participant on the TACHE Board and will serve as an outstanding representative for the Northeast Texas area,” said Dr. Lee Young, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management & Retention at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Dr. Young adds that in this role, Dr. Fuentes will continue to be an advocate and strong supporter of higher education, inclusion and student engagement as critical strategies for increasing student success and goal attainment.
SSHS FFA Leadership Development Event Team Competes at State
FFA Leadership Development Events qualify Sulphur Springs High School Chapter Members for State!
by John Holland, SSHS FFA Advisor
Over the past few weeks, we have had lots of students competing in LDE for Sulphur Springs FFA. We traveled to the Alba-Golden Invitational bringing home banners and Lindale Invitational bringing home some plaques. In addition to the invitationals we had 8 teams compete at the Paris District LDE contest Nov. 3rd. at this contest we placed 1st in the Greenhand Quiz contest and advanced to the Area Contest. Greenhand team members were Annie Horton, Maurie Flecker, Elida Miller, and Savannah Allen.
In the Quiz contest FFA members must take a 100 question test over Parliamentary Procedure, the FFA Manual and History, as well as the Leadership Guide. Savannah Allen also placed 3rd at District in Greenhand Creed and advanced to Area Contest.
The Creed contest is an individual event where the student must recite the FFA Creed from memory and then answer questions about what the creed means. They are scored on how well they present the creed as well as how well they answer the questions.
Upon arriving at the Area 6 LDE contest the GH Quiz team and Creed Speaker Savannah Allen competed against the 12 best FFA teams/members in the North East Texas area for a chance to advance to State Contest. The quiz team gave it everything they had but sadly did not advance even though they did extremely well with every team being within 20 points of each other.
Savannah Allen placed 1st overall at Area Contest earning her spot to compete with the 20 best Greenhand Creed Speakers in the State of Texas on December 1st!!!! Let that sink in; Area 6 had 67 GH creed speakers at the District levels before Area 6 Contest and we had 10 Areas in the State of Texas. This means that only 20 out of approximately 600-700 competitors make it to State and Sulphur Springs FFA’s own Savannah Allen is one of the 20!!
The Advisor’s of Sulphur Springs are extremely proud of all of our students that have competed this year and we are extremly excited for Savannah Allen who to our knowledge is the first Greenhand Creed Speaker to go to State for Sulphur Springs FFA in over 30 years!!!!!!
Thanks,
John Holland
SS FFA
Annie Horton, Maurie Flecker, Elida Miller, Savannah Allen
SSHS FFA LDE Team at Paris District meet
Lady Cat Hoopfest Schedule Changes; First Pool Game at 2:40 p.m. Thursday
There are some changes for the Lady Cats in the Winnsboro Hoopfest. The Lady Cats and Mount Pleasant have switched pools. The Lady Cats are now in Pool D with Gilmer and Emory Rains. Mount Pleasant moves to Pool C with Lindale and Tyler Grace Community School. The Lady Cats now have pool games at 2:40 p.m. Thursday against Gilmer in the Winnsboro High School Gym and at 5:20 p.m. Thursday against Emory Rains in the Winnsboro Junior High Gym. Mount Pleasant now takes on Lindale Thursday at 8 a.m. in the Junior High Gym and Tyler Grace at 1:20 p.m. Thursday in the High School Gym.
Saltillo Lions, Lady Lions Drop Games to Celeste
Both the Saltillo Lions and Lady Lions had a tough time with Celeste at Kerry Garmon Gym in Saltillo Tuesday evening (November 28). The Lions hung with Celeste for one quarter trailing only 14-12. After that Celeste steadily pulled ahead winning 64-36. The Lions are now 1-4 for the season. For the Lions Chris Boekhorst had a team high 9 points. Trevor Moore scored 8, Lyle Bench had 5 points, Levi Hoover and Mike Simmons had 4 points apiece, Matt Gurley and Walker McGill had 3 points each. The Lions play next in a Miller Grove tournament. They face Cooper and Ector Thursday.
Meanwhile the Saltillo Lady Lions dropped a close one to Celeste, 61-56 in overtime. The Lady Lions were up 18-15 after one quarter, led 27-26 at halftime and 41-35 after three quarters. Celeste rallied to tie the game 49-49 after four quarters. The Lady Lions were outscored 12-7 in overtime. They were led by Madison Simmons with 16 points. Tori Mobley had 15, Jocelyn Ochoa scored 12. Maddie Smith had 8 points. Kristina Wade, Anna Reeder and Christie Gurley all had one point. The Lady Lions are now 4-7 for the season. Next the Lady Lions play Winnsboro in the Winnsboro Hoopfest Thursday morning.
Meal-A-Day Menu: December 4th-December 8th
Meal A Day Menu
December 4th – December 8th
Monday
Chicken Breast on Bed of Rice
Provence Vegetables
Pickled Beets
Roll
Tuesday
King Ranch Casserole
Pinto Beans
Corn
Wednesday
Ham and Cheese Omelet
Broccoli
Roll
Thursday
Beef Patty with Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Roll
Friday
Pork Chops with Gravy
Sweet Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts
Roll
