Coach’s Show: Turnovers Plague Wildcats Against Texas High; Open Week Helps Prepare for Remainder of District Season
On KSST and Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coach’s Show, Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said the Wildcats were struggling and were trying to get the wheels back on. He said the opponents were not helping the Wildcats out and he said the Wildcats were not helping with the way they were starting games. Friday night in a 35-21 loss to Texas High, Coach Owens noted the Wildcats fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter.
Still Coach Owens said he saw some positive things. The Wildcats scored right before halftime to cut the Tigers lead to 21-7. Coach Owens said Texas High was a good football team. He called receiver Tevailance Hunt, committed to TCU, the real deal. Hunt caught a 94-yard TD pass. The Wildcats also had a bad start to the third quarter as the Tigers’ quarterback ran for a 68-yard TD on the first play of the quarter. Coach Owens said there was a missed tackle in the backfield. The Wildcats again battled back with a nice long TD pass from quarterback D’Corian Young to receiver Simeon Taylor. Coach Owens said Ryan Humphries had a slow start at quarterback but then had a good night catching passes as a slot receiver. Coach Owens also liked the running of backs Colton Allen and Lawrence Worth. He said kicker and punter Angel Tavera had a good night.
Coach Owens credited Texas High with being able to get off blocks and make tackles. Coach Owens liked the consistency the offense showed with a 16 play drive. He thought the jumbo package did well on short yardage plays. He said the most consistent unit on the team so far has been the defensive line. Coach Owens said the bottom line was that the Wildcats offense has been hurt by turnovers and the defense by big plays.
The Wildcats have an off week this week. Coach Owens is hoping to get some injured players back. The Wildcats will return to action against Mt. Pleasant on the road on October 27. Coach Owens said the Wildcats now have their backs to the wall and they have to win their three remaining games to have any chance to make the playoffs. He said playoff spots may come down to points scored and points allowed.
Hay Rides and Fun Times at the Shannon Oaks Pumpkin Patch
Around 30 children and their parents had a blast today at the Shannon Oaks Church Pumpkin Patch participating in the many activities offered, including a barrel train, hay rides, and a hay maze. The “Pumpkin Park” is open to the public with an admission fee of $5 for everyone over the age of 2 yrs. Pumpkins, gourds, and squash of all sizes and colors are available for purchase to all, with or without the admission fee.
For more information look here.
Farm Service Agency: Pasture and Hay Acreage Reporting Deadline; Loans for Under-Served Producers
The Hopkins-Delta/Wood-Rains County Farm Service Agency (FSA) has released their October updates. Pasture and hay upcoming acreage reporting deadline and loans for targeted under-served producers are emphasized.
Pasture and hay upcoming acreage reporting deadline:
November 15, 2017 is the 2018 grass certification acreage reporting deadline. In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit the Hopkins-Delta or Wood-Rains County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline. Acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after plantings is completed if planting follows the November deadline.
If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendars days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.
If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of “cover only”, “green manure”, “left standing:, or “seed”, then the acreage must be reported by July 15th.
Loans for targeted under-served producers:
FSA has a number of loan programs available to assist applicants to begin or continue in agriculture production. Loans are available for operating purposes and/or to purchase or improve farms or ranches. While all qualified producers are eligible to apply for these loan programs, the FSA has provided priority funding for under-served applicants . And under-served applicant is one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as members of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities. For purposes of this program, under-served groups are women, African American, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. If producers or their spouses believe they would qualify as under-served, they should contact their local FSA officer for details.
FSA loans are only available to applicants who meet all eligibility requirements and are unable to obtain the needed credit elsewhere.
For more information on these or other programs contact the Hopkins-Delta/Wood-Rains County FSA Office at 903-885-4433 or visit the office at 530 N. Hillcrest Dr. Sulphur Springs.
CHESS Fishing Team
There were 179 boats participating in the tournament which was at Cedar Creek. This past weekend was the 2nd tournament of the year for the local team. The next tournament for Triple F is November 11th at Lake Fork.TxDOT Crews From Around the State Work Hurricane Clean-up
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation has collected more than 10 million cubic feet of debris – or the equivalent of about 186 football fields – in the four districts most impacted by Hurricane Harvey since landfall August 25. From Corpus Christi to Houston and numerous towns in between, TxDOT crews have worked tirelessly to help clear roadways and help citizens in their ongoing recovery efforts.
“We continue to deliver much needed service to those communities seeking our assistance,” said TxDOT Deputy Executive Director Marc Williams. “I am so proud of the men and women of TxDOT who have so selflessly given their time and energy to this clean-up effort, even while many of them continue coping with their own personal losses.”
More than 600 TxDOT employees working weekly rotations have been brought in from around the state to assist local employees with debris removal in the hardest-hit areas on the coast from Corpus Christi to Beaumont. At the height of the storm, more than 500 road closures impacted the state transportation system. Today, only one road — Park Road 1C in Buescher State Park in Bastrop County — remains closed due to damage. Additionally, more than 4,300 bridges were inspected following the storm and only 13 required some repair.
Of the 25 State of Texas Assistance Requests for debris removal TxDOT has received, work has been completed in 10 counties and cities.
As Propellant Canister is Removed the T-Shirt Launcher Explodes at Wildcat Football Game
An explosion during the second quarter of the Wildcat Friday night football game at Prim Stadium sounded like a weapon firing or even louder to many in attendance at the game and to those across the street from the stadium.
The t-shirt cannon/launcher, used by the Cat Pack to propel t-shirts into the crowd following Wildcat touchdowns, exploded causing minor injuries to two students and requiring stitches in the fingers of one, according to Rusty Harden, SSISD Assistant Superintendent. One fan in the stands sustained an injury to the face and black eyes but did not require medical attention after being struck by a piece of the PVC pipe that was shrapnel from the cannon. Pieces of the cannon “…went everywhere” according to Harden and those who observed the incident.
According to Hardin, the launcher, which has been used at all home games this year, was on the ground and the three students, members of the Cat Pac, were removing the canister of propellant when the launcher exploded. Hardin said all are thankful there were no broken bones nor any internal injuries caused by the explosion.
At this time there are no plans to replace the t-shirt cannon/launcher.
Help A Child Benefit Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Huge Event Oct. 21
Knowing that more help is always needed, Wade Bartley imagined creating an event that would assist abused, handicapped and disadvantaged children who come from the Northeast Texas area. The benefit event he had in mind would enable local individuals and businesses with a heart for helping to have greater reach with donations of money. Today, the Help-a-Child Benefit is observing it’s tenth year in sending assistance to three children’s charities…Southern Christian Home, Scottish Rite Hospital and Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center. Already a successful source of funds for these organizations, the 2017 Help-a-Child Benefit may be the biggest one yet due in part to an increased number of sponsors and one very large donation, a Bobcat 250 Welder, Job Box with Accessory Tools mounted on a 16″ trailer. Tickets to win the complete premium welding rig are available at $20 each or 6 for $100.
The 2017 Help-a-Child is set for Saturday October 21, 2017 in and around the Hopkins County Civic Center arena. Starting at 8am, the Chili and Brisket Cooking Teams will get in place, and the Antique Tractor Pull will begin. At 10am, the county-wide FFA Mechanics Project Show judging will be held. At 11:30am, Chili judging will be held followed by serving of chili and peach cobbler. Chili winners will be announced at 12:15 and an auction will begin at 12:30 noon. During the afternoon, the Brisket Cooks will go into action, with judging at 3pm. Serving of Brisket will start at 4pm while gates open for the Hot Rod Garden Tractor Pull competition that begins at 5pm. Notification of the winner of the welding prize will be announced at 6:30pm.
Bartley, who also serves as Hopkins County Commissioner Precinct 3, says that thanks to generous sponsors and loyal volunteers, the Help-a-Child Benefit will continue to assist the established charities in their work to house and educate school-age victims of neglect and abuse, to treat and cure pediatric orthopedic conditions , and to advocate and serve the best interests of child victims of abuse and violent crime. If you would like to help the fund any time of year, donations may be mailed to Help-a-Child Benefit, 161 CR 3513, Dike, Texas 75487 or by phoning Wade Bartley at 903-348-1878.
Local Man Arrested on Drug Warrant
A Hopkins County Deputy observed Nickolas Skylar White, 26, of Sulphur Springs inside a local convenience store on South Broadway. The deputy knew that White was wanted on an active warrant and after a check through Hopkins County Communications confirmed the warrant, White was arrested at the scene.
White is in Hopkins County jail charged with Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams in a Drug Free Zone. He is being held in Hopkins County Jail on a $35,000 bond.
Failure to Use Turn Signal Leads to Drug Arrest
Failure to use a turn signal resulted in the arrest of Ragan McKenzie Box, 20, of Sulphur Springs. Hopkins County Deputies made the traffic stop at the intersection of CR 3529 and FM 67 Sunday.
Box did not have a valid driver’s license and both Box and her passenger appeared nervous and their story did not seem credible. During the interview at the scene, 
Box admitted to having methamphetamine in her purse. She is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 under 1-gram and no valid driver’s license.
The passenger had a small amount of marijuana in his sock. Both driver and passenger were arrested.
