Bookworm Box Initiates Texas Hurricane Relief By Matching Donations
The Bookworm Box in downtown Sulphur Spring is organizing a relief fund for Texas victims of Hurricane Harvey. An initial goal of $10,000 was set on Monday August 28, and in 24 hours, a flood of support caused that goal to be met. It was then matched by the Bookworm Box, and $20,000 in funds has already been dispatched. A second goal of $10,000 has now been set. Anyone who wishes to donate to the fund can do so by going to The Bookworm Box Facebook page and follow the link to make your donation. Organizers of this relief fund selected the Louisiana Cajun Navy as the organization to direct utilization of the funds. The Louisiana Cajun Navy was first formed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but gained national attention during Louisiana’s Great Flood of 2016. It is made up of individuals who own boats and are willing to help in a time of need. Members of the Cajun Navy arrived in Texas over the past weekend in a caravan of pickups and boat trailers. The group is about a thousand members strong, and includes boaters and volunteers from neighboring states as well. Not a typical Navy, these are hard working men and women who assist in rescue efforts by using their own fishing boats, hunting boats, airboats, canoes and kayaks.
Wildcats Football Coordinators Talk Friday Night at Sherman
Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Matt Young
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young compared his offense’s play in a Liberty-Eylau scrimmage last Friday to a roller coaster. Full of ups and downs, good things and bad things. He said the offense saw the consequences of not being consistent. Coach Young said he did see some positives, such as running backs running well and quarterbacks doing a good job of delivering the ball. He said he’s excited where the offense can go down the road. Here’s why. Coach Young said during the scrimmage, the Wildcats’ offense was limited to 30% to 40% of what was available. Know one shows you the good stuff at a scrimmage. He said the players are excited because the Wildcats are unleashing the full package on offense this week. Coach Young said a lot of players will be involved. He said expect 5 or 6 running backs and 5 or 6 receivers to be involved each game. Coach Young said he’s excited by the potential of the Wildcats’ offense this year.
Wildcats Football Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron.
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron said the scoreboard at the Liberty-Eylau scrimmage last Friday told a deceptive story. He added when the Wildcats had their core defensive group on the field, they made it tough for the Leopards to move the football. He said they might have scored once on his core group and he added he is pleased with that. Coach Abron does concede that the Wildcats’ defense has to do a better job of preventing big plays. He said all the errors made by the defense in the scrimmage were fixable. The first regular season assignment for the Wildcats is Sherman this Friday on the road. Last year big running back Nathiel Omayebu rambled through the Wildcats for three long touchdown runs. He is back. Coach Abron said the big back is hard to simulate in practice. To hold him down Friday, Coach Abron said the Wildcats must do a solid job of tackling. He told his defense to put their big boy pants on because Omayebu will be bringing it. Coach Abron said he saw two quarterback candidates for Sherman on tape from a scrimmage against Kinnedale last Friday. One is a big tall guy who does a good job in the pocket and has a quick release. A second quarterback is smaller but is a better run threat. Coach Abron said he was impressed with the Bearcats’ receivers. One in particular got his attention. He called him extremely active. Coach Abron also said Sherman effectively uses an H back as a wide receiver or tight end. The Bearcats’ offensive line also comes off the ball very well. Coach Abron said the Wildcats’ defense would have their hands full Friday so they better come ready to play.
Sherman Coach Expects Bearcats Improvement This Season; Wildcats vs. Sherman Friday 7 p.m.
The head football coach of the Sherman Bearcats is J.D. Martinez. He’s in his second year at Sherman. Coach Martinez is a veteran coach. Sherman is his ninth coaching stop and he’s been in coaching 25 yards.The Wildcats face the Bearcats at Sherman Friday, 7 p.m.
He expects his team to be better this year as his coaches have been on the job working with the players all this past year. Coach Martinez says his number one goal is to make the playoffs. He also wants some playoff success. An improved Sherman should have a good chance at a playoff spot. Powerful Denton Ryan is expected to dominate the district but after that the rest of the district should battle for the other three spots. Coach Martinez also wants Sherman to reclaim the ax from rival Denison.
On offense, the Bearcats have a big running back returning, Nat Omayebu. Coach Martinez says Omayebu carried about 18 times a game last year and he says that number may increase this season. Ben Cross and Blaise Bentsen are competing to be the starting Sherman quarterback. All-district wide receiver Rashawn Wilson, also a tremendous Bearcat basketball player, also returns. A couple more basketball standouts have joined the Bearcats football receiver corp this year. Four players who started or played significant minutes return on the offensive line.
On defense, the Bearcats are expected to be a lot more aggressive and physical this season according to Coach Martinez. Coach Martinez says if Sherman and the Wildcats play another 43-42 game this year, he hopes the Bearcats can make a few stops and come out on top this year.
Game Day: Lady Cats’ Volleyball, Team Tennis
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team and the Wildcats’ team tennis squad have matches on this Tuesday game day. The Lady Cats will be renewing an old rivalry with Paris. The action will be in Paris. There will be a Freshman match at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday with JV and Varsity matches to follow. The Varsity match should begin at around 6:30 p.m. The Lady Cats’ varsity has a four game win streak. They defeated Caddo Mills at home Friday and then won all three matches they played in a Tyler tournament Saturday. The Lady Cats have faced Paris once already this season picking up a win in a Wills Point tournament in mid-August. The Lady Cats have a 14-9 season record going into the match Tuesday night.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ team tennis squad will be playing at Princeton Tuesday starting at around 3:30 p.m. The Wildcats have one win and four losses so far this season. This non-district match will be the Wildcats final tuneup before district play gets underway next Tuesday (September 5) against Hallsville at the Wildcat Tennis Complex.
Toliver Ford Receiving Donations for Dallas Help for Harvey Shelters
Brian Toliver Ford Lincoln in cooperation with Dallas’ Help for Harvey will be taking donations for those displaced by flooding and the damage created by Hurricane Harvey that is once again a tropical storm. The items will be taken by the Toliver Family to Dallas this weekend for distribution in shelters there.
Among items needed are:
- new underwear and new socks,
- warm ups for men women and children,
- pillows, pillow cases, and blankets,
- flip-flops for showers,
- towels and wash cloths,
- toiletries and hygiene products,
- baby formula, wipes, bottles, diapers,
- Graco Pack n’ Plays for babies to sleep in
Items donated may be dropped off at the receiving station next to the front desk at Brian Toliver Ford Lincoln, 1040 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs.
Council Conducts Final Public Hearing on Tax Revenue Rate; Property Values Noted
There were two that addressed the Sulphur Springs City Council during the public hearing last week on tax revenue increase for 2017 but Tuesday, August 29th, no one was present to address the council in the second and final public hearing on the tax revenue rate.
In comments to the council, City Finance Director Peter Karsten noted that the Texas Legislature requires cities, counties, schools, and other taxing entities to conduct two public hearings each year when tax revenues increase either by tax increase or property value increase. He noted that the state is not required to conduct such hearings when tax revenue increases for the state due to more received from sales that affect sales tax revenues.
Mayor John Sellers questioned Chief Appraiser Cathy Singleton with the Hopkins County Tax Appraisal District regarding the total property values in the state. As reported by KSST News recently:
For the City of Sulphur Springs the total market value is $1,152,212,307. Exempt property totals $148,524,481 and value lost to agricultural usage is $19,934,180. Disabled veterans exemptions total $852,370 and exemption for over 65 is $12,824,320. Lost to tax abatement is $48,368,177. Other losses and exemptions leave a net taxable value for 2017 of $915,445,602 compared to a net of $892,859,072 for 2016. New construction in the city of Sulphur Springs during 2017 valued at $3,581,200 is included in the net taxable value.
The council will conduct two meetings in September to approve the 2017 tax rate and budget.
Johanna Hicks Earns State and National Award as Texas Agri-Life Agent
Johanna Hicks is in her twentieth year serving Hopkins County as an Extension Agent. She actually worked here in the mid 1980’s, sharing the Home Economics office with agent Janie Crump. At that time, there were five agents in Hopkins County…two for Home Economics, two Agriculture agents and one 4H Agent. After about five years, Johanna’s husband Jay Hicks was transferred to Stephenville and so they moved there where she taught at Tarleton State University and was Director of a Children’s program at First Baptist Church. In time, her husband was transferred back to Sulphur Springs, and once again, an agent’s position opened up. She was hired at about the time that Janie Crump retired. During the ensuing fifteen years, the numbers of agents serving counties has been reduced and today Johanna is Family and Consumer Sciences Agent sharing the office with Mario Villarino, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent. Both agents work in the 4H program.
One of the five awards Johanna brought home from a recent State conference at Round Rock, Texas was the Mary W. Wells Diversity (National) Award, a recognition of excellent work by an individual agent. She also earned State and National awards for the office. Along with her husband Jay, a loan officer for DFA Financial Services, Johanna has raised their three children in Hopkins County, putting down roots and making it her home.
City Fire Department Water Rescue Team Deployed to Harris County
According to City Manager Marc Maxwell, the City of Sulphur Springs will deploy four (4) fire fighters and the water rescue boat to the staging area in Humble, Texas, where they will report to the Harris County Fire Marshall. The fire fighters leave Tuesday for the deployment that will be for five (5) to six (6) days.
The water rescue unit will be coordinated through the Ark-Tex Council of Governments with cost for the deployment being reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Maxwell stated that while the four full time professional fire fighters are away, the city will call in a part time crew to continue a fully staffed local fire department.
Line Dancing Lessons at Seniors Center Begin September 5!
Karon Weatherman, Director of the Sulphur Springs Seniors Center, encourages you to take advantage of this fun and healthy way to get exercise! Men and women are welcome to take the class. Sharon Jones is a great teacher, and she will travel to Sulphur Springs for a class of at least a half dozen regular students. If you’ve been thinking about joining a class, this one may be perfect for you. Contact Karon at 903-885-1661 or come to the class held at 150 MLK Drive in Sulphur Springs.
