Rains County Residents Near Emory Were Evacuated Due to Gas Leak
Wednesday morning, a number of Rains County residents who live east of the City of Emory were evacuated from their homes following a gas leak in their area, according to Jon Wedeking, Rains County Environmental Office and Emergency Management Coordinator.
Wedeking said no residents were injured; however, a Rains County Deputy was transported to hospital after he inhaling the gas fumes.
Wedeking stated the gas company had responded quickly to make repairs and residents have been allowed to return to their homes Wednesday afternoon.
Team Tennis Season Begins With Loss; District Meet Set for Local Courts
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad opened the season in Tyler Tuesday (August 15) with a 17-1 loss to host John Tyler and a 18-0 loss to Jacksonville. The mixed doubles team of junior Chase Crouch and sophomore Heather Harris got a win for the Wildcats. Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said Crouch, a two-year veteran, and Harris, with one year of varsity tennis under her belt, were really confident on the court Tuesday. Coach Martinez said boys doubles players Alex Benitez and Jonah Kirkpatrick came close to victory.
Despite the scores, Coach Martinez said all his players from the top seeds to lower seeds competed and fought for every point all day long even when they were way behind. The Wildcats also played shorthanded Tuesday having only six boys and girls players instead of a full team of seven each. Coach Martinez said a seventh boy and girl would be joining the team when school starts next week. He said he expects his team to be very competitive once district play begins on September 5.
The Wildcats are hosting Tyler Lee at the Wildcats Tennis Complex Wednesday (August 16). The match has been moved up to 2 p.m. Coach Martinez also mentioned that the tennis complex will be the site of the district tournament this spring. He said all the district’s coaches voted to bring the district tournament here.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center On Campus Registration for Fall Semester is August 23rd
RETURNING FOR FALL These two students are planning their return to the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center for the fall semester with the help of advisor Carey Gable, at left. Kayla McQueen is returning to continue her studies to become a radiologist. Bryan Tovar, right, is an accounting major. Both are from Sulphur Springs. Fall on-campus registration day will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 23). For more information call l903-885-1232.
Freezer Purchased for County Jail Saves Taxpayer Dollars
The freezer purchased at a cost near $40,000 for use by Hopkins County Jail will save the county thousands of dollars and according to Sheriff Lewis Tatum, will prove storage for meat and vegetables produced by local inmates for meals at the jail. Tatum said currently some 900 chickens have been stored courtesy of a local business and those will be moved to the freezer. He also said that about $70,000 of meat has been processed since the first of the year and much of that can be stored in the freezer along with vegetables.
The purpose of the freezer is to keep items through the winter months as well as during production. A seal pack unit prepares the items for the freezer and all the work is performed by trusted inmates. The freezer is installed at the jail facility near the kitchen area.
Tatum stated that when the jail was built no one knew the freezer would be needed. However, Commissioners Court has dipped into funds secured but not used for the building of the jail facility to assist in funding the freezer.
Garland Bomb Squad Called When Suspicious Items Found Near Saltillo
The Garland Bomb Squad was called to the Saltillo area to assist Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators when four items that looked like homemade explosive devices were found in a storage building seldom used by the family that was inventorying the contents and cleaning the building. The family notified the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office when the items were found.
Sheriff Lewis Tatum said two of his deputies, who are former military and have served in current war zones, said the items looked suspiciously like explosive devices. Sheriff Tatum then called the Garland Bomb Squad. He stated that the Garland officers responded quickly and agreed that the devices looked suspicious. Using their equipment, they found that the devices did not contain explosive materials but the squad did clear the area and destroyed the items.
Sheriff Tatum stated an investigation continues into the matter. He stated that the residence near the storage building had been the home of a current inmate at the jail.
For all Sheriff Tatum’s comments view Channel 18 News Wednesday, August 16, 2017 to be posted this afternoon.
The Vintage Side of Celebration City: Quilt Show and Brick Street Market
Billie Ruth Standbridge, known as “B.R.” to her friends, and Danna Bain of “Danna’s Southern Charm and The Florist” are members of the Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance. DBA membership is made up of individuals and businesspeople from all over town, not just downtown. So, it was with great enthusiasm that these ladies stopped by the studio to share the news about a fun, colorful public event being hosted in mid-September that everyone is invited to come downtown for. With Wildcat Homecoming that same weekend, the influx of out-of-towners will want to know about it too!
The 18th year of the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild’s “Quilt Show” is set for September 15 and 16 at The Roc, just steps from downtown Sulphur Springs. Patrons from all over NE Texas know that this show usually hangs over 100 beautiful handmade quilts for judging and viewing, and is a wellspring of interest for quilt lovers who come to view antique and vintage quilts and those stitched from modern patterns by quilters of all ages. Cost is $5 person admission to enter the show Friday September 15 from 9-5 and Saturday September 16 from 9-3.
The Brick Street Vintage Market is the first of it’s kind in the shopping district of downtown Sulphur Springs. It is set for one day only, Saturday September 16 starting at 8am and within a half-block walking area will offer a kaleidoscope of vintage, antique and repurposed items, artisan products, arts and crafts, country and holiday decor. You can stroll the streets and shop inside the businesses. Booth space is available for individuals and businesses to set up shop and display their vintage-theme wares. Contact DBA President Judy Heilman at Gourmet Kitchen and Company at 217 Main Street or Danna at 438 Gilmer Street or any member of DBA for quilt tickets, entry form and to answer questions.
DANNA AND BILLIE RUTH DISPLAYING THE RAFFLE QUILT FOR THE 2017 QUILT SHOW
Lady Cats Volleyball 3, McKinney North 1
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team took an impressive 3-1 win over McKinney North on the road Tuesday night (August 15). Lady Cats Coach Justin Maness called it the best win of the year so far. It was not easy.
The Lady Cats actually lost the first set, 25-23. The Lady Cats led at one point, 20-16 but the Lady Bulldogs rallied to tie the set at 23-23. McKinney North then captured the last two points of the set to grab the lead, 1-0. The second set went back and forth. This time with the set tied at 26-26, the Lady Cats took the last two points to take a 28-26 win to even the match at 1-1. In the third set, the Lady Cats appeared to be in trouble early trailing by five points on two occasions, the last time at 11-6. The Lady Cats finally evened the score at 16-16. They later went up 24-20 and then held on to win, 25-22 to take a 2-1 lead. The Lady Cats got out to a big lead in set four, 16-7. McKinney North rallied getting within two points at 20-18. The Lady Cats dominated down the stretch to win set four 25-19 and take the match 3-1.
Nine Lady Cats played and all of them seemed to contribute to the victory. Three players collected a team leading 8 kills: Abbi Baier, Kaylee Jefferson and Madi Vickery. Autumn Tanton contributed five kills. Lexie Whisenhunt had 25 assists. Jefferson led the Lady Cats in digs with 22. Anden Hammack had 15 digs and Imani Taylor and Whisenhunt had 12 digs apiece.
The Lady Cats improved their season record to 5-4. They will play in a Wills Point tournament on Friday and Saturday (August 18-19).
Photo from scrimmage action earlier in season
Winnsboro Police Report August 7-13, 2017
Winnsboro Police arrested four, investigated one accident, responded to 217 calls for service, issued 77 citations and wrote 70 warnings during the report period August 7-13, 2017.
Richard Bailey, 40, of Winnsboro was arrested August 7th on a Wood County warrant.
Tina Stringer, 43, of Pattonville was arrested August 7th on a Hopkins County warrant.
Alan Bernal, 22, of Winnsboro was arrested on August 8th for Criminal Mischief.
James Kidd, 35, of Winnsboro was arrested on August 11th for a DWI 3rd or more.
WPD responded to a minor two vehicle accident on August 7th in the 300 block of South Main. Both vehicles were north bound and one vehicle had stopped for traffic at Myrtle Street when the second vehicle, towing a trailer, failed to control speed and struck the first rear of the first vehicle.
First Day of Wildcat Football Practice Called Very Good
It was a very good first day of practice for the Wildcats’ football team Monday evening in the Multipurpose Building. Wildcats Head Football Coach Greg Owens said it was one of the smoothest first days he could remember. He attributed that to good attendance at freshman football camp and some things that were done during the spring. Coach Owens said the energy level was super Monday with players flying around.
He said he was disappointed the team wasn’t able to practice outside due to mushy, wet ground. Coach Owens said he was glad to have the indoor facility to practice in. He said he was impressed with the team’s retention level of things learned during spring football.
Coach Owens said with 27 seniors, perhaps that was to be expected. He used an example of a special team punting drill. He said they went over it quickly Monday and knew what they were supposed to do. Coach Owens said the offense was sloppy and rusty in spots. He cited some off sides, bad snaps and mishandling the football in the backfield. One thing that did look sharp was throwing and catching. Quarterback Ryan Humphries had a good night hitting several long passes and receiver Simeon Taylor continued to catch everything thrown his way. Coach Owens said the offense has been throwing and catching all summer. He said he’s looking for improvement from the offensive line. Coach Owens said the defense looked really good. He said they usually do especially early and without pads on.
Players will be able to put pads on the for the first time Friday. Concerning conditioning, Coach Owens said several athletes had to take gasser tests after a two and a half hour practice Monday because they missed out on The Edge summer conditioning program. Again In in all, Coach Owens called it a really good first day.
