Lady Cat Volleyball Gains Experience in Garland Tourney
Playing tough competition in the championship bracket of a Garland tournament Saturday (August 12), the Lady Cats’ volleyball team lost matches to Sachse and Wylie. The Lady Cats lost to Sachse, 25-12, 25-14 and to Wylie, 25-16, 25-16. The Lady Cats ended up winning three matches and losing three matches in the tournament.
One of the wins was a championship bracket victory over district foe Hallsville. The Lady Cats had been 0-15 against the Lady Bobcats during the past 11 years coming into this season. The Lady Cats are now 4-4 for the season. Lady Cats Coach Justin Maness said competition was strong in the championship bracket but he added he wants his team to experience this. He said playing teams like Sachse and Wylie would only make the Lady Cats better.
Coach Maness said the tournament play revealed several things the Lady Cats need to work on and he said they would begin to address those things Monday. On Saturday, Coach Maness said Kaylee Jefferson led the team in kills with 15 while Autumn Tanton added 10. Lexie Whisenhunt had 25 assists. Anden Hammack led the team with 15 digs. This week the Lady Cats play at McKinney North Tuesday (August 15) at 6:30 p.m.
They will compete in a Wills Point tournament this Friday and Saturday (August 18-19).
County Commissioners Begin Assessment, Repair on Flooded Roads
Monday morning Hopkins County Commissioners and crews were surveying each of the roads in their precincts for flooding and water damage. Heavy rains between 8-9-inches fell in the northern sections of the county and the remainder of the county also received heavy rains. Sunday morning, Sulphur Springs Police and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department were alerting local residents to stay off the streets and county roadways if possible until waters recede from flooding. The National Weather Service also issued a flood warning for the county Sunday morning.
Commissioner Precinct 4 Danny Evans said his precinct had 12-15 roads closed due to flooding and one culvert washed out. The culvert was replaced Sunday afternoon. He said he has had no calls of any roads completely washed out.
Commissioner Precinct 3 Wade Bartley said the roads in his precinct are in pretty good shape. He said a road he built two weeks ago had washed out and his crews were checking other areas that had been inaccessible Sunday.
Commissioner Precinct 2 Mike O’Dell said a couple of roads had washed out but his crews were working on those roads Monday.
Several culverts washed out in Precinct 1, according to Commissioner Mickey Barker. Some of the culverts were newly placed but he said his crews are working on those Monday.
Among roads reported under water Sunday morning:
HWY 19 North of Sulphur Springs
FM 69 North of Fm 1537 and North of I-30
FM 269 South of I-30
FM 2653 North of Brashear
FM 3134 between Hwy 11 West and FM 71
FM 71 West at the County Line
FM 3236 1.5 foot over roadway
FM 900 now underwater
Rains continued Monday morning delaying some work.
Woman Found In Woods With Prohibited Weapon
Shannara Marchell Stevenson, 36, was the subject of a welfare check by Hopkins County Sheriff’s officers in the area of I-30 and CR 3354. The vehicle of located near the 140-mile marker and she was located “in some trees west of the 139-mile marker on the westbound I-30,” according to the report made by the arresting officer.
Stevenson was found with her “bug out bag” and to be nervous and talkative. During their talk, she was found to have a pistol wrapped up in a shirt. The officer asked her about possible drugs and she said she might have some inside her bag. No drugs were found in the bag but a large knife approximately 12-14 inches long was found. She did remove marijuana, less than 2 oz from her clothing and gave it to the officer.
Stevenson, who gave no address, is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Unlawful Carrying Weapon, Prohibited Weapon, and Possession of Marijuana less than 2 oz.
UPDATED: Flood Warning; County and City Law Enforcement Urge Citizens to Stay Off Streets and Roadways
August 13, 2017 – Hwy 19 North and a lot of County Roads North of Sulphur Springs are under water. Please do not drive through water over the road! If you can, please stay home! List of roads closed are below. Updates will be posted here.
24 hr rain total at the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is currently 8.63 in.
Roads under water:
HWY 19 North of Sulphur Springs
FM 69 North of Fm 1537 and North of I-30
FM 269 South of I-30
FM 2653 North of Brashear
FM 3134 between Hwy 11 West and FM 71
FM 71 West at the County Line
FM 3236 1.5 foot over roadway
FM 900 now underwater
Numerous County Roads
Sulphur Springs Police and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department are asking local residents to stay off the streets and county roadways if possible until waters recede from flooding. Due to rains overnight and into the morning, flooding is occurring throughout the county and cities in the county. The National Weather Service has also just issued a flood warning for the county.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a Flood Warning for the following areas in Texas… North Sulphur River Near Cooper Affecting Delta and Lamar Counties South Sulphur River Near Cooper Affecting Delta and Hopkins Counties The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a * Flood Warning for The South Sulphur River Near Cooper. * from late tonight to Monday afternoon…Or until the warning is cancelled. * At 715 AM Sunday the stage was 4.38 feet. * Flood stage is 16.0 feet. * Minor flooding is forecast. * Forecast…The river should rise above flood stage late tonight and crest near 16 feet overnight. The river should fall below flood stage overnight. * At 16 feet, Minor out of bank flooding will occur. A few rural roads will begin to flood. Minor flooding will occur to farm and ranch land adjacent to the river. Do not drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Stay tuned to NOAA All Hazards Radio for the latest river forecasts.
Aviation History: C-130 Hercules
The following information comes from local Sulphur Springs resident Tony Hughes. Mr Hughes worked on, performed engine run up, pre-flight/post flight and flew as an aircraft mechanic observer on FCF’s (functional check flight) at the Greenville, Tx. plant, formerly known as TEMCO. The Greenville plant started as Temco (Texas Engineering & Manufacturing Co.) then changed to Ling-Temco Electronics, Inc. in 1960, then Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc. in 1961. The company then changed it’s name to LTV Electrosystems, Inc. in 1965, then E-Systems, Inc. in 1972. A merger changed the name to Raytheon E-Systems in 1995, and now the company has been managed by L-3 Communications since 2002.
The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the intra theater portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for para dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. Basic and specialized versions perform a diversity of roles, including airlift support, DEW Line and Arctic ice resupply, aeromedical missions, aerial spray missions, fire-fighting duties for the US Forest Service, and natural disaster relief missions. In recent years, they have been used to bring humanitarian relief to many countries, including Haiti, Bosnia, Somalia, and Rwanda.
Four decades have elapsed since the Air Force issued its original design specification, yet the remarkable C-130 remains in production. The turbo-prop, high-wing, versatile “Herc” has accumulated over 20 million flight hours. It is the preferred transport aircraft for many US Government services and over 60 foreign countries. The basic airframe has been modified to hundreds of different configurations to meet an ever-changing environment and mission requirement. The C-130 Hercules has unsurpassed versatility, performance, and mission effectiveness.
The initial production model was the C-130A, with four Allison T56-A-11 or -9 turboprops. Conceptual studies of the C-130A, were initiated in 1951. The first prototype flight took place in 1954 and the first production flight followed on April 7, 1955. A total of 219 were ordered and the C-130A joined the U.S. Air Force inventory in December 1956.
The C-130B introduced Allison T56-A-7 turboprops and the first of 134 entered Air Force service in April-June 1959. The B model carries additional fuel in the wings, and has upgraded engines and strengthened landing gear. Now over forty models and variants of the Hercules, including a civilian one marketed as Lockheed L-100, operate in more than sixty nations. The C-130 Hercules is the longest continuously produced military aircraft at over 60 years, with the updated C-130J Super Hercules being produced today.
TEMCO/Ling-TEMCO Electronics/LTV Electrosystems/E-Systems in Greenville, TX. performed maintenance and modification on well over 600 C-130 various models starting in 1955.
Thunderstorm Warning, Gusty Winds, Heavy Rain Until 8 p.m. for Hopkins County
At 649 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Commerce to Lake Tawakoni to Wills Point.
Movement was east at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms.
Strong thunderstorms will be near…
Commerce around 655 PM CDT.
Cumby around 700 PM CDT.
Fruitvale around 710 PM CDT.
Grand Saline around 725 PM CDT.
Cooper Lake Park South Sulphur around 730 PM CDT.
Como around 745 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Lone Oak, Point and
Tira.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning South Hopkins County Until 3 p.m.
At 231 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Cumby, or 9 miles southwest of Sulphur Springs,
moving east at 10 mph.
Dime size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include…
Sulphur Springs, Cumby and Como.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Seek
a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
Hopkins and Delta Counties Under Flash Flood Watch Saturday Night
With an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms for Saturday night now in the forecast, the National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a:
* Flash Flood Watch for portions of north central Texas and northeast Texas, including the following areas, in north central Texas, Cooke, Fannin, Grayson, and Hunt. In northeast Texas, Delta, Hopkins, and Lamar.
* From 7 PM CDT this evening through Sunday morning
* Numerous thunderstorms are expected to affect areas near the Red River overnight. Localized rainfall totals over 3 inches are possible in the Watch area which may lead to flash flooding.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions are favorable for heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. You should monitor the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued for your area.
Texas is #13 in Strictest DUI Laws: You May Be Surprised Where Hopkins County Fits In
Many courts are issuing ignition interlock devices, to prevent offenders from starting their cars when they might be drunk. Texas Drunk Driving Statistics stated “On June 19, 2015, Texas became the 25th state to pass an all-offender ignition interlock law. It requires all people caught driving while intoxicated (DWI) to have an ignition interlock installed on their vehicles in order to have their driving privileges restored following an arrest. Since then, Texas drunk driving deaths have decreased by 8.5% ”
KSST contacted local law enforcement to find out how Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County compares to the entire state.
Hopkins County Lt. Tanner Crump from the Sheriff’s Department explained the process. “If somebody is pulled over and suspected [for drunk driving], the officers will test a sobriety test. [If the person fails the sobriety test] then the officer will conduct a blood test. If the driver refuses, another officer will detain and take them to a hospital while the first officer gets a warrant and a phlebotomists will take the blood sample and deliver it to the DPS for testing.”
“I’ve been here 12 years, and DUI’s have been lower since we went wet. Some officers used to be afraid of the paperwork [for DUI’s] but now they enjoy it. We have 5 intoxication officers, [they have to be certified and] go to a week long school. They keep up their training and take tests to be able to operate the [breathalyzer machine].”
Lt. Crump explained the difference between a DUI and a DWI. “DUI is driving under the influence. DWI is driving while intoxicated.” Some states only use one classification but “Texas has both. 10 years ago, TX [legislature] created a DUI minor charge.” DUI’s can only be issued to people under 21 with a Blood-Alcohol Content (BAC) above .00. “It is a class C misdemeanor, and [the offender] receives a ticket and it would go on their driving history.” The misdemeanor would become a felony prosecuted by the District Attorney if: there are kids in the car, or if it is the 3rd offense (2 previous convictions). Lt. Crump estimated 75% of the DUI’s are misdemeanors, while 25% are classified as felonies. Additionally prescription drugs and illicit drugs, can impair a drivers ability to safely operate a vehicle, and you can be arrested for a DWI if you are under the influence of drugs as well.
The legal limit for persons 21 and over is .08, however even if someone is under the legal limit but can’t complete the sobriety test or are a danger to operate a motor vehicle safely, they can still be considered for a DWI. Use this chart as a guideline for safe drinking. 
Lt. Crump asked for the public’s help by “notifying the sheriffs office for even suspected texting and driving…Give us a call and we’ll check it out. I want to remind [the public] that people are still drinking an driving, and you need to report that. Anytime an innocent person loses their life, [there] is obviously a problem…Overall I think [Hopkins County] is in a good place, as we continue to grow, our numbers and percentages will increase [but we are doing all that we can to keep people safe].”
Sulphur Springs Police Department Patrol Captain, Jason Ricketson, said “I don’t think [drunk driving] is a major crime in Hopkins County, [but] it’s always a problem state and nation wide. We’re trying to prevent accidents. If you plan on drinking and driving you’re going to get caught. Don’t drink and drive. Plan ahead. Always make sure you have a designated driver.”
Mothers Against Drunk Driving Sulphur Springs president, Becky Hicks, has been putting on an awareness walk for Hopkins County “Walk Like MADD”. “Drunk driving is 100% preventable. It’s not don’t drink. It’s don’t drink and drive.” The walk is about “the victims and educating the public. We put out pairs of shoes that represent the deaths.” 2 years ago they laid out 1,360 pairs of shoes. Last year they put out 1,067 pairs, and this year they will put out 987 shoes. “Walk money goes towards victims, power of the parent, and educating the public. Form teams, remember victims, have fun, and raise money for a good cause.” North East Texas’s Walk Like MADD is on September 30th, from 5:00-6:00 pm. For registration and more information visit the Walk Like MADD website.
Lady Cats Win 3, Lose 1 in First Day at Garland Tournament
It was a good day at the office for the Lady Cats’ volleyball team as they won three matches and lost just one in a Garland tournament Friday. Playing in Rowlett, the Lady Cats finished second in their pool, which put them in the championship bracket. Once there the Lady Cats got a huge victory over a district nemesis.
In pool play, the Lady Cats opened with a win over South Garland, 2-0 by scores of 25-8 and 25-7. Then the Lady Cats got a hard fought 2-1 win against Carrollton Newman Smith, 25-19, 18-25 and 25-15. The Lady Cats lost to a big Mesquite Horn team, 2-0. The score was 17-25 and 16-25. Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness said he thought Horn was a favorite to win the tournament. In the championship bracket, the Lady Cats got a big victory over Hallsville, last year’s district champion when the Lady Cats finished second. The score Friday was 2-0 with set scores of 25-22 and 25-19.
The Lady Cats will resume play Saturday in Sachse against an opponent to be determined by later play Friday. Some coaches pleased Coach Maness by telling him the Lady Cats’ fast play made them a tough team. Coach Maness said Autumn Tanton and Kaylee Jefferson played well all day Friday.
The Lady Cats are now 4-2 for the season.
