North Hopkins FFA September Report by Breanna Hicks
During the month of September, the North Hopkins FFA Chapter was relatively busy with several projects.
After a successful Kick-off to start the year, the chapter held a community wide collection for items to take to the Hurricane Harvey victims. To help get students involved, an ice cream party was promised to the class that could collect the most items. Out of highschool and junior high, the junior class won with 152 items. For the elementary classes, Pre-k won with 147 items. Altogether, the North Hopkins ISD donated a total of 1,005 items.
In an effort to involve the community, the North Hopkins chapter officers set up a donation drive at the Tractor Supply in Sulphur Springs. 40 bags of assorted animal feed was donated and other various items such as feed and water buckets, vet wrap, shavings, hay, flashlights, batteries, water and gloves. All of the items were then added to the other donations collected by all of the FFA chapters in the district. Everything was loaded onto a trailer and hauled to check-point to be dispersed to those in need.
As the month of October begins, the chapter officers will be planning a meeting on October 25 for all members of our chapter. Being so close to Halloween, there will be a costume contest that all members of North Hopkins FFA are welcome to enter.
We hope that this month proves to be as productive and successful as the last. We will continue to keep you updated on anything recent or coming up soon. Thank you for your involvement and support!
Lady Cats’ Volleyball over Hallsville
In a unusual way, Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness says the Lady Cats playing poorly in a losing set four may have helped them win a decisive set five at Hallsville Tuesday night. He says Hallsville may have been a little overconfident in set 5.
Coach Maness says the poor set got the Lady Cats mentally ready for set five. He says the Lady Cats came out and set the tone in set five and got on the Lady Bobcats early. They took the set, 15-6. Coach Maness says Kaylee Jefferson had a huge fifth set continuously hammering the ball down to the court on kills. He adds Autumn Tanton played a complete game. Coach Maness says the result was a huge win that bolstered the Lady Cats confidence. He says he believes the Lady Cats enjoyed taking their game on the road at a tough place and winning.
The Lady Cats have won five straight district matches after opening district play 0-2. The Lady Cats play at Marshall Friday at 4:30 p.m.
North Hopkins Election is Friday
The regular election day for a tax ratification election in the North Hopkins ISD is Friday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. with voting in the North Hopkins ISD Admin Building Board Room. School Superintendent Darin Jolly says voters will really be approving a swap. 13-cents will be added to the district’s Maintenance and Operation raising its’ rate from $1.04 to $1.17 per $100 valuation. The Interest and Sinking Fund rate would decrease from 21.5-cents to 8.5-cents per $100 valuation. Jolly says that means no change in the total tax rate for taxpayers. He says the increase in the M&O rate will mean an additional $250,000 in state funding for North Hopkins ISD or half a million dollars over two years. State funding is determined by a district’s M&O rate. Despite the decrease in the I&S rate, Jolly says North Hopkins ISD will be able to continue to meet their $307,000 annual bond obligation. Jolly says the district will use the additional state funds for transportation fleet upgrades and improvements, for parking upgrades and improvements and for maintenance.
He adds the district also needs to replace some aging air conditioning units. Jolly says the district would also like to go to LED lights, which would save the district $45,000 annually. He adds there is an initial expense required to achieve the savings. Jolly says he is hopeful and optimistic the voters will approve the plan. He says he knows there are always naysayers and skeptics when elections are involved. Jolly says he has spent a lot of time asking questions and explaining the swap. He says once people have had their questions answered, they understand what the district is hoping to accomplish. Increased state funding with no increase in the district overall tax rate.
ECLC Kids Visit SOC Pumpkin Patch
On Oct. 5th 2017, a group of students from Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) visited the Shannon Oaks Church Pumpkin Patch for a day of fun activities, including a barrel train, bean bag tosses, and a hay maze, along with other games.
Tira News October 5, 2017
By Jan Vaughn
Sherry Smiddy reports, “The Cross Spur Cowboy Church will be hosting a Trunk or Treat on October 25th at the church arena from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Hot dogs and drinks will be served.” She adds, “Bring your car or truck and decorate to hand out candy to ghosts and goblins, or bring your ghosts and goblins and enjoy the fellowship.”
The North Hopkins Alumni Association will have their annual school homecoming on Saturday, October 14th. Registration and bingo will begin at 4:30, followed by a barbecue meal at 5:30 in the school cafeteria. The cost for the meal is $12.50 per person and may be paid at the door. After the meal there will be a program honoring the Classes of 1967, 1977, and 1987 for their 50-, 40-, and 30-year reunion, and then the Monday Night Jam Band will provide entertainment, while ex-students and guests enjoy listening and visiting. Please help spread the word to all former North Hopkins students and staff.
I haven’t had much news lately. I always look forward to reports from our neighbors and hope to have more next time.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at (903)945-2190 or (903)438-6688 or [email protected].
Texas Hunt for the Cure Couple are Wish-ful Givers
Shane Webster, Vice-President and his wife Julie are co-organizers of Texas Hunt for the Cure
Shane and Julie Webster have been involved in helping Texas youngsters who have been diagnosed with chronic, terminal or life-changing illnesses since 2011. To date, they have assisted over 50 families by means of making their youngster’s wish come true in the form of hunting excursions, fishing trips and other requests. President of the inaugural chapter of Texas Hunt for the Cure is Stacy Standberry of Wills Point, who as a friend of the Websters was already assisting children in need whom they came in contact with. Then about six years ago, they formed a non-profit organization and since then have involved themselves in family projects from Texarkana to Odessa, and from Northeast Texas to the Houston area.
Becoming friends with six-year-old Dominic Ayala and his parents Juan and Tammy Ayala of Yantis, Texas was life-changing, according to Shane. While organizing the Fishing Trip Wish for Dominic, he got close to the engaging child and his family and was keeping in touch when just a month later, Dominic finally lost his battle with childhood cancer. He helped the couple organize the first Dominic Ayala Memorial Jamboree in 2016, because Dominic “liked to make people smile”. The public is invited on October 14, 2017 at the Yantis School for the second annual event, a day full of food, fun and friends. Admission is $10 adult and $8 children with age 5 and under free. There will be a BBQ cook-off, a pie and cobbler contest, a Car Show, and live music by Don Woods Jr. and other performers. Fun for the kids will include Heroes, Cops and Kids, a Wild West Show, a Gold hunt and Dino-hunt. The event opens at 8am. For information contact Tammy Ayala at 903-348-2288 or Nathan Crist 903-440-3623. Contact Texas Hunt for the Cure on Facebook.
Hopkins County Hay Show and Ag Workers Breakfast Held Oct. 5
Hay Show Auctioneer Don Sapaugh assisted by Ag Worker Gary Spraggins, who was also breakfast cook
Back during August and September 2017, local hay producers who wished to enter the Hay Show submitted hay samples from their summer cuttings. The samples were analyzed at no charge by the Northeast Texas Farmer’s Co-op for protein percentages and energy levels, and the twelve entries were ranked accordingly. Following the annual Ag Worker’s Breakfast on October 5, 2017, the top ten entries were sold to the highest bidder in an auction-style sale. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Hopkins County 4H to help fund future exchange trips. The top three hay growers won cash prizes of $100, $75 and $50 which they donated back to the cause. See the list of hay auction buyers below.
Hopkins County to Sue Big Pharma Over Opiates
Judge Robert Newson
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom says some of the earliest lawsuits naming pharmaceutical companies for violations of the Texas Controlled Substance and other laws concerning opiates might be filed in Hopkins County ahead of federal courts. He says he has received indications of this.
Last week the Hopkins County Commissioners Court decided to enter an agreement with some Smith County and Dallas area law firms pursuing violations in marketing and sales of opiate based painkillers. Newsom says opiates have brought harm to the county and some of its citizens. Judge Newsom expects litigation to go on for years, similar to tobacco-related lawsuits years ago.
Hopkins County Grand Jury Returns 30 Indictments Tuesday, October 3rd, 2017
Quentin Ty Adis Latham
A Hopkins County Grand Jury returned 30 indictments Tuesday. Among those indicted was Quentin Ty Adis Latham for sexual assault.
Larissa Jordan Benson
Larissa Jordan Benson was indicted for abandoning and endangering a child and criminal negligence and for tampering or fabricating physical evidence.
Billy Frank Harville was indicted for burglary of a habitation.
Craig Thomas “Moose” Morgan
Craig Thomas Morgan was true billed for theft of property over $2500 and under $30,000.
Isaiah Bryant-Lacy, 21
Deonte Bryant-Lacy was indicted for money laundering.
Darin Lee Gibson, 48
Indicted for two counts of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance was Darin Lee Gibson.
Billy Joe Thomas
Billy Joe Thomas was indicted for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.
Casey Gween Miles, 22
Danielle Renee Payne, 25
Rowdy Dee Duvall
Indicted for possession of a controlled substance were Casey Gween Miles, Danielle Renee Payne and Rowdy Dee Duvall.
Lazarus Amos Jehu Meek
Lazarus Amos Jehu Meek was indicted for criminal mischief over $2500 and for assault of a public servant.
Munsel Jamel Calhoun, 28
Toby Shawn Meeks, 37
Indicted for tampering or fabricating physical evidence were Munsel Jamel Calhoun and Toby Shawn Meeks.
Kibbie Darnell Stiff Cockrum
Kibbie Darnell Stiff Cockrum was indicted for two counts of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information.
Robert Christopher Stephens was indicted for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information.
Christopher Arlen Ray
Christopher Arlen Ray was indicted for driving while intoxicated with a child under the age of 15.
Cathy Sue Pichardo was indicted for credit card or debit card abuse.
