Phase One of The Edge Ends; Resumes in Two Weeks
Thursday morning at The Edge conditioning program marked the end of phase one for high school athletes and the completion of The Edge for middle school athletes. After a two-week hiatus, The Edge for high school athletes only will resume on Monday, July 24.
At the end of The Edge for high school athletes Thursday morning, Wildcats Football Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens told them they had a good first four weeks. He encouraged them to continue to work on their fitness during the break. Coach Owens said the weight room would be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon for the next two weeks. He said the indoor facility should only be used for conditioning work instead of a punt, pass and kick playtime. It made it clear the facility should not be considered a kid sitting service for parents. Coach Owens said what an athlete put into the first four weeks of The Edge is what they got out of it. He noted participants are gaining confidence in themselves. Coach Owens said he was pleased by attendance during the week of the fourth of July holiday.
Around the fourth, about 75 athletes were present with about 50 high school athletes and around 25 from middle school.
“The Dog Days of Summer”-What Does the Term Mean?
By Savannah Owens
The term “Dog Days”-what does it really mean?
Being from Texas, I always assumed the term “dog days” was talking about the days when it’s so hot, not even the dogs can do anything but lay around and try to stay cool or when dogs go crazy from the heat.
But it’s actually based on the stars. Between July and August, the star Sirius from the Canis Major, and the Star Procyon from Canis Minor are visible. Canis Major and Minor are constellations that looks like dogs. Coincidentally, the star patterns typically appear in the Northern Hemisphere during the hottest time in the year, but are visible in other places at various times throughout the year. 
The dog constellations are typically thought to be following Orion, the famous Greek hunter, as they are his hunting dogs, and the three search for the rabbit constellation named Lepus. 
It is highly likely that in a few thousand years, with the slight shifting from the Earth on its axis and the stars moving slightly, we could be seeing the Canis Major star in winter. Then we’ll call it “the dog days of winter. When it’s so cold that even the dogs lie around the fire, trying to stay warm.”
For more information check out: this link.
BGCT Executive Director to Speak at FBC Sunday
Dr. David Hardage, former Pastor of First Baptist Church and now Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will be the guest speaker Sunday morning, July 9th, at First Baptist Church Sulphur Springs. Dr. Hardage will speak in both the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. morning worship services.
Dr. Hardage is the longest serving full-time pastor of First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs. He and his wife, Kathleen, currently live in Dallas.
Lady Cats Volleyball Campers
Submitted Photo
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness recently (June 26-28) offered an SSISD summer girls volleyball camp in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School that drew a nice group of campers. There was a morning session for girls entering the fourth through the seventh grade and an afternoon camp for girls entering eighth and ninth grade. Coach Maness was assisted by his wife Brittany, Lady Cats Assistant Coaches David Carrillo and Jerrod Hammack and Middle School Coach Josh Neill.
Submitted photo
Mother Arrested for Child Endangerment; Family Tested Positive for Meth
July 6, 2017 – Special Crimes Unit, working with Child Protective Services, arrested Dana Gandy-Haynsworth, 26, of Mt Vernon at CPS office Thursday afternoon. Gandy-Haynesworth was arrested for Child Endangerment, a State Jail Felony.
CPS opened an investigation in June of this year testing Gandy-Haynesworth, her husband and their 4-year old child. The 4-year old child tested positive for Methamphetamine. Both the biological mother and the biological father tested positive for a variety of controlled substances.
The investigation continues according to Special Crimes Unit.
Dana Lynn Gandy-Haynsworth
Gandy-Haynesworth is in Hopkins County Jail being held on a $25,000 bond. The biological father is in a drug rehab program at this time. His arrest is pending his release. The 4-yr old child has been placed with relatives.
Two Day Community Outreach, Praise in Pacific Park Mission to Prevent Drug Use Set For this Weekend
The local Brothers Against Drugs (B.A.D.) is composed of laymen of Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Their mission is to aid in the prevention of illegal drugs and criminal activity in our community. The group plans a county-wide event in Pacific Park on Saturday July 8 and Sunday July 9 for individuals, families and churches to attend. This outreach came about as a vision of late member Mark Wayne Johnson and carried on by current pastor H.B. Nash Sr. and laymen, including Deacon Ronald Lewis, former Layman’s President Corey Spigner and current Layman’s President Clifton Nash. Assisting the Morning Chapel family is Kyle Ray, pastor of Journey Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs. Families, churches and individuals are all invited to attend, free of charge.
Starting at noon on Saturday, there will be hamburgers and hot dogs, 3 on 3 basketball, domino tournaments, dodge ball, water fun and bounce houses. Pastor Kyle Ray will be speaker on Saturday evening, and on Sunday evening, Brother Aaron Ray of Ft. Worth will be speaker after musical praise by church choirs and soloists. This is the 20th year for Praise in the Park.
Community outreach like this event is vital to youth and families, stated Corey Spigner, “…because our youth are so pressured by drugs today”. Parents who were familiar with common drugs back in their day may be out of touch with the lethal dangers of today’s drugs, including new synthetic ones being created and manufactured. According to Spigner, the new drug flakka has effects worse than the worst that were previously available, imparting users with super human strength and demonic actions. It is the hope of Brothers Against Drugs that this drug does not make it’s appearance in our community. He further hopes that parents and others realize the importance of monitoring their children’s friends and activities. He drew a parallel in the recent case of a young teen’s drug-related kidnap and murder in the Metroplex…this young woman was not into drug use herself, but because someone in her family was, she paid the consequences with her life. Brothers Against Drugs is inviting parents, grandparents, neighbors, church family and others to join them in becoming aware and pro-active concerning our youth and others. Find out how you can help by attending the free event in Pacific Park during the weekend of July 8 and 9, or by contacting Morning Chapel Baptist Church at 903-885-4978.
Brothers Against Drugs (B.A.D.) members Ronald Lewis, Pastor H.B.Nash Sr, Corey Spigner and Clifton Nash
Chamber Connection July 6, 2017
Have you seen the beautiful Sulphur Springs montage prints that have begun circulating Hopkins County? An artist has depicted Sulphur Springs with businesses, events, and history by creating a huge montage drawing. They are the neatest things! I keep getting lost in them each time seeing something that I have not seen before. If you would like to see one or purchase one, stop by the Chamber! We have them for sale for $10 each.
Sulphur Springs Public Library presents their Summer Reading Program for June and July
The Sulphur Springs Library is hosting a summer reading program called Knights and Princesses Summer Reading Program 2017. Every Tuesday at 3 p.m., they offer multiplayer Minecraft. Storytime for all ages will be held on Tuesday, July 11, Tuesday, July 18th, and Tuesday, July 25th at 10:30 a.m. They will also have Storytime for the Ages on Thursday, July 6th, and Thursday, July 20th at 6 p.m.
Trinity Harvest is hosting a Gospel Singing Fundraiser on July 7th
Trinity Harvest, located at 1150 Shannon Road E in Sulphur Springs, is hosting a Gospel Singing Fundraiser. They will start the evening with BBQ for $5 per person at 6 p.m. The Gospel Singing portion of the night will begin at 7 p.m., and entrance is by donation. Featured on this night are: Dustin May, The Hines Family, Laurenda Yoder. There will also be a silent auction from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please make plans to enjoy this wonderful night!
ECHO Publishing is getting ready for their Grand Re-Opening on Wednesday, July 12th at noon
ECHO Publishing is hosting their Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Wednesday, July 12th at noon. ECHO is located at 401 on Church Street. Come on by and check out remodeling of ECHO and eat some wonderful BBQ. See you there!
The Fall Festival is hosting a Splish Splash Water Bash on Saturday, July 15th
The Fall Festival is hosting a Splish Splash Water Bash on Saturday, July 15th on Celebration Plaza from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Kids 12 and under are free of charge, and age 13 and up will cost $5. Kids five and under must be accompanied by an adult. Drinks and snow cones will be for sale. Make plans to spend the afternoon enjoying a day of fun in the water!
The Venue at 219 is hosting an Open House with its new owners on Thursday, July 20th at 5 p.m.
The Venue at 219, located at 219 Main Street in Sulphur Springs, is hosting an Open House and ribbon cutting celebration with its new owners on Thursday, July 20th from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Stop by for music, food, beverages, and to check out this wonderful venue!
Etiquette by Emily is hosting a Business Etiquette Breakdown on Tuesday, July 25th
Etiquette by Emily is hosting Business Etiquette Breakdown on Tuesday, July 25th from 5:15 until 6:15 at The Oaks Bed & Breakfast. Chamber members and their employees receive “before” cost of $5 per person and “at the door” cost of $8. Non-Chamber of Commerce members’ cost will be $7 before and $10 the day of the event! This course will help you become more comfortable and confident in a business atmosphere with resume building, learning introductions and practical application with key community business leaders! Reserve your spot today by calling (903) 243-6222.
Hunt County Regional is offering July Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt County Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on July 27th in the Spring Village Shopping Center in Sulphur Springs. All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. They can also help with payment resources for uninsured/income-eligible women or those who choose to pay cash. For help with payment resources please call The Bridge Breast Network at (214) 821-3820 x 21. To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call (903) 408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
Ribbon Cuttings:
Tully Insurance hosted a Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting on Friday, June 30th at noon
Tully Insurance hosted their re-opening and anniversary with Nationwide on Friday, June 30th, at noon. They offered wonderful prizes and refreshments! Tully Insurance is located at 109 Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs, and are ready to help you with your insurance needs.
Massachusetts Man Captured in Hopkins County Has Been Indicted for Murder in Home State
July 6, 2017 – A Haverhill, Massachusetts man accused of fleeing to Texas after killing a woman and shooting another man outside a Lawrence, Massachusetts nightclub Easter Sunday has been indicted by the Essex County grand jury, according to an article in the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune. Luis Rodriguez, 24, was captured in Sulphur Springs, Texas by Hopkins County Deputies in April of this year. He was arrested just days after Aracelys Valdez Deleon, 40, was killed outside La Cava nightclub April 16. Rodriguez is accused of shooting Deleon and her companion, Jazmin Patrocino, 25, after an incident in the club that night. Patrocino, of Lawrence, survived the attack. Rodriguez was returned to Massachusetts for his initial arraignment in Lawrence District Court last month.
Luis Rodriguez
Rodriguez has been indicted on charges of murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed assault to murder and illegal possession of a firearm.
His victim, Deleon, of Lowell, was the mother of four children. Police initially said they were looking for Deleon’s “ex-boyfriend” in connection with her murder. Nine shots were fired outside the club and each victim was hit multiple times, police said.
Non-Threatening Thunderstorms Move through Hopkins County Wednesday Night
Cloud to ground lightening and moderate to heavy rainfall is the only threat of the non-severe thunderstorms moving through Hopkins County around 11 p.m. Wednesday night. No weather advisory, watch or warning has been issued for the immediate area. These storms should have passed through by midnight.
There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday and a 30-40% chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday. At KSST, as of 11 p.m., approximately one-half inch of rain has fallen in a 24-hour period.
