Brashear Residents To Discuss Incorporation; Protecting Lifestyle Primary Purpose
A group of Brashear residents are testing the interest level of fellow area residents regarding the incorporation of Brashear into a town or village, according to Hugh Pettigrew, one of several who desire to incorporate. Those receiving mail with the Brashear zip code have received a mailing sent out announcing a meeting Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 5 p.m. at the Brashear Baptist Church Family Life Center.
Pettigrew said four or five residents decided that it was time to create a community that maintains all that we like and enjoy living in and to protect the residential community atmosphere. He said the way to accomplish this task is to incorporate. He stressed this is a community conversation and all who are interested in the community are invited to attend the meeting. He hopes to have a good turnout of those who live in the area to gain a cross section of opinion. He stated that all who received the letter would not be included in the incorporation. He noted that the conversation is needed to test the level of interest.
Pettigrew believes the positive for incorporation is for the incorporated area to have control of land use, expansion of industry, and other restrictions inside city limits. Noting the law requires that the area cannot be larger than two square miles for the initial incorporation, Pettigrew pointed out that the area would basically include the downtown area and some surrounding area. He said it is not a big area. The negative, as seen by Pettigrew, is the cost to land owners in taxes and the general sentiment of distrust of and intrusion of government into private lives. He said not many in the area are willing to sanction more government. “People in our area won’t welcome that,” he said.
There are limits to their incorporation according to Pettigrew. He said that no more than 2 square miles may be incorporated and there must be a minimum of 200 residents and 50 registered voters living in the 2 sq. mile area. He noted that to accomplish this, the geographic area will have to be drawn based on either roads or property lines. He said the local tax appraisal district has assisted in providing a possible plot for the incorporation lines but he is unsure if there are sufficient residents and/or voters living within the bounds. He said the meeting will provide some answers as they “…get a feel for sentiment…” and create the geographic area to include the correct numbers. If the local residents are interested, the only economical way to draw lines for the incorporated area is by using roads and or property lines and that will mandate a survey or the use of meets and bounds as identified on landowner deeds.
He also point out that Brashear area residents are not interested in their community being taken over by another entity, especially those entities that would allow the sale of alcohol. Pettigrew noted at Sulphur Springs has stated the city is not interested in expanding into Brashear. However, he noted that Cumby is rapidly expanding in their direction.
Chamber Connection March 23, 2017
It’s time for the 28th Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament on Friday, April 14th at the Sulphur Springs Country Club!! We are currently accepting teams for morning and afternoon tee off times. The teams are first come, first served, so make sure and make your reservation today! Please see our website for more information… www.HopkinsChamber.org, or call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515.
Hopkins Place Senior Living is hosting at Blood Drive on Friday, March 24th from 10 a.m. to 3 pm.
Hopkins Place Senior Living is hosting a Celebration of Life Carter Blood Drive on Friday, March 24th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are located at 890 Camp Street in Sulphur Springs. For more information, call Shelly Scheckel at (903) 926-6688.
Shannon Oaks Church is holding a screening of A Heart That Forgives on Saturday, April 1st
A Heart That Forgives is being shown at Shannon Oaks Church, 1113 Shannon Oaks in Sulphur Springs, on Saturday, April 1st. The doors will open at 5:15 p.m., and the movie begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15. The movie is directed by M. Legend Brown. For more information, email [email protected].
Tanner Higgins Warrior Run is Scheduled for Saturday, April 8
The 5th Annual Tanner Higgins Warrior Run is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, at Cooper Lake State Park. There will be a 5 Mile Warrior Run and a One Mile Grunt Run. The entry fee is $40 from March 27th through April 7th. The fee will increase to $50 on the day of the race for the Warrior Run, and $25 for the Grunt Run. For additional information, please visit www.tannerstonehiggins.com.
The Largest Exhibitor Expo for Hopkins County is Returning on Saturday, April 1st
The 2nd Annual Home & Outdoor Expo will be held on Saturday, April 1st from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. The Home & Outdoor Expo is presented by The Way Radio Group and Jay Hodge Chevrolet. Vendors and guests are welcomed.
Hunt County Regional is offering March Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt County Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on March 23rd 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. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is offering Parenting Connections Classes Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is offering “Parenting Connections”, a 4-lesson series on Child Growth & Development, Parent-Child Communication, Positive Discipline, and Developing Your Child’s Self-Esteem. The series (2 lessons per session) will be held on Thursday, March 23 and Thursday, March 30, 6:00 p.m., at the Hopkins County Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston, Sulphur Springs. Please call 903-885-3443 to enroll. FBC will host at 55+ Health Fair on Tuesday, April 4th at the ROC from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs is hosting a 55+ Health Fair on Tuesday, April 4th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Roc, 115 Putman Street in Sulphur Springs. The 55+ Health Fair will have free health screenings and including cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, body composition, and blood oxygen. They will also have information about pre-need counseling, home health, medical equipment, chiropractic, and pharmacy information as well as deaf and hard of hearing equipment demonstrations. Door prizes will be given away at 12:00 noon. For more information please call Fred Lewis at (903) 885-0646. Cross County Cowboy Church hosts Scroggins Family Benefit on Saturday, April 8th Cross Country Cowboy Church, located at 1515 TX Hwy 19 in Sulphur Springs, will host a benefit for the Scroggins Family. Jason Scroggins was first diagnosed with brain cancer on January 18, 2013. He beat that battle but has been diagnosed again. The benefit for this family will include stew and chili by donation only starting at 4 p.m., silent auction starting at 3:00 p.m., live auction starting at 5:30 p.m., and horseshoes with a sign up at noon. To make donations, please contact Angela at (214) 755-0994, Tori at (903) 440-2588, or Richard at (469) 644-2425. |
Wesley United Methodist Church will host Free AARP Tax Aid on Saturdays until April 18th
Wesley United Methodist Church will host free AARP Tax Aide starting this Saturday, February 4th, from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They will complete your taxes for free every Saturday and Tuesday until April 18th. Each tax preparation day will last from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wesley United Methodist Church is located at 614 Texas Street in Sulphur Springs.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Lezley Brown
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
Aviation History: Douglas C-133 Cargomaster
The following information comes from local Sulphur Springs resident Tony Hughes. Mr Hughes worked on, performed engine run up, pre-flight/post flight and flew as an aircraft mechanic observer on FCF’s (functional check flight) at the Greenville, Tx. plant, formerly known as TEMCO. The Greenville plant started as Temco (Texas Engineering & Manufacturing Co.) then changed to Ling-Temco Electronics, Inc. in 1960, then Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc. in 1961. The company then changed it’s name to LTV Electrosystems, Inc. in 1965, then E-Systems, Inc. in 1972. A merger changed the name to Raytheon E-Systems in 1995, and now the company has been managed by L-3 Communications since 2002.
Douglas C-133 Cargomaster
The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster was a high-wing, four-engine turboprop transport aircraft. The huge C-133 Air Force Cargo Logistical Aircraft was the largest cargo plane in the Free World at the time, and was capable of carrying 100,000 pounds more than 2,000 nautical miles. The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster turboprop transport was larger and faster then earlier Douglas military cargo airplanes. The Cargomaster went into production without a prototype and had an unusual circular fuselage with top-mounted wings.
The C-133 could fly fully assembled tanks and transported the Douglas-built Thor intermediate range ballistic missiles.
The Douglas YC-133 Cargomaster was originally conceived as an improvement of the C-124 and later redesigned as a high-wing transport with greater performance and range than its predecessor. The Douglas Aircraft Company’s giant C-124 — “Old Shaky” — had a small cargo elevator and could be loaded from the front through clamshell doors, but it sat high off the ground and its loading ramp was steep. Most importantly, it represented 1940s technology, being powered by four 3,600 horsepower radial piston engines.
The turboprop C-133 was developed to fulfill USAF requirements for a large-capacity strategic cargo aircraft. The Air Force’s global responsibilities increased in the early 1950s, just as the advent of the fuel-efficient turboprop engine promised economical long-range transport capabilities. This led the service to issue a request for its first true strategic airlifter. The new plane would have to be capable of carrying any item of equipment in the Air Force or Army inventory — including the Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile just coming into service. Other requirements were specified as well. In order to speed loading and offloading, it must be low to the ground and have a drive-in back door with a built-in ramp. The cargo compartment must also be fully pressurized so that ground troops and their equipment could be transported.
The Douglas C-133 appeared, at first glance, to be a “stretch” Lockheed C-130 with a lengthened fuselage, but seen side-by-side it was apparent that the C-133 was vastly larger in every dimension. The C-133 Cargomaster was a large and elegant design powered by four 6500 horsepower turboprops. Its wing was mounted high in order to keep the spars above the cargo compartment, and at a slight positive angle of attack to help the long fuselage during takeoffs.
Side-mounted landing gear also cleared the cargo bay and provided for low ground clearance as well. With its rear-loading and side-loading doors, the C-133 was capable of handling a wide variety of military cargo. Most significant was its ability to transport ballistic missiles, such as the Atlas, cheaper and more quickly than by trailer over highways. The payload area was designed around the dimensions of the Atlas, which meant that it could transport the intermediate-range Thor and Jupiter missiles as well.
The C-133A was powered by four Pratt & Whitney (T34-P-7w or WA) turboprop engines. Each engine is a multistage, axial-flow, single-compressor gas turbine which produces thrust by driving a propeller at the front of the engine and discharging high-velocity gases through the nozzle at the rear. The engine is capable of developing a static maximum power (wet) of 6,500 shp. Each engine is equipped with an 18-foot Curtiss turboelectric propeller with full feathering, reverse pitch, and negative torque control features.
The C-133A made its maiden flight on April 23, 1956, when Douglas test pilots J.G. Armstrong and Frank C. Boyer flew the new transport from Long Beach to Edwards Air Force Base for Phase I (airworthiness tests conducted by the contractor) and Phase II (contractor compliance conducted by the Air Force Flight Test Center) evaluations. Exhaustive testing, evaluation, and some design refinements eventually resulted in a combat support aircraft that served warfighters well into the Vietnam era.
Douglas built and delivered the last Cargomasters in 1961. When production ended, Douglas had built 50 Cargomasters — 35 C-133As and 15 C-133Bs incorporated more powerful engines and “clamshell” doors at the back rather than a split-ramp door, which allowed for better fitting of the Atlas missile. Other sources report that production consisted of 15 were C-133A, 18 were C-133B, and 17 were intermediate versions, and that all were eventually upgraded to the C-133B configuration. C-133s began flying Military Air Transport Service (designated Military Airlift Command on Jan. 1, 1966) air routes throughout the world in 1958. Two C-133s established trans-Atlantic speed records for transport aircraft on their first flights to Europe. In November 1962 the first air shipment of a Minuteman took place when a C-133 transported a missile from Hill to its launching site at Malmstrom AFB, Montana.
Ling-TEMCO Electronics Corporation in Greenville, TX received the contract for depot-level maintenance of the C-133 Cargomaster in 1960. The first aircraft, 56-2006, touched down at the Greenville, TX facility Aug. 15, 1960. Ling-TEMCO Electronics/LTV Electrosystems/E-Systems performed IRAN/PARC on 146 aircraft during the period 1960-1972. Temco was the only civilian contractor to ever perform depot-level maintenance on the C-133 Cargomaster.
Between 28 Aug 57 and 15 Aug 71, ten C-133 aircraft were lost in accidents. Six were A-models and four were Bs. Crew losses were 55 personnel. Causes of seven of the accidents remained undetermined, especially because four disappeared at sea and little or no recovery was possible of wreckage or crewmembers. These losses were twenty percent of the fleet, giving rise to some sardonic humor among crewmembers that continued to fly. The fleet was grounded more than once, and the level of concern reached from the squadrons to every level of the Air Force and to Congress.
There are many conjectures about the reasons for the various crashes. These include stall characteristics of the C-133, possible electrical arcing in radios installed in the wing “saddle back” area, and icing. Especially for the airplanes that disappeared overwater, the mysteries will never be definitively solved. The stability and control of airplanes have remained important considerations as aircraft have advanced since the Wright brothers’ flights. Stall is the peaking of aerodynamic lift, occurrence of uncommanded aircraft motion about any axis, or onset of intolerable buffet or structural vibration, due to airflow separation induced by high angle of attack. The least angle at which one of these phenomena occurs is the stall angle of attack. On long flights the C-133 would climb to an altitude approaching its absolute ceiling. Poor stall warning and a vicious stall while trying to fly there are thought to have caused the disappearance of several C-133 aircraft. An approach to stall warning system was installed along with a stall strip on each wing after extensive test flights to determine the stall characteristics of the C-133.
Although a loss of 20% of the fleet over its lifetime is perhaps uniquely high for a single aircraft type, the lifetime accident rate (accidents per 100,000 flying hours) for the C-133 was lower than that for the AF as a whole.
Another Dover C-133 crew was lost in the crash of a civilian aircraft belonging to TEMCO. The crew had delivered a C-133 to TEMCO, at Greenville, TX, where the airplane would undergo IRAN. They were going to Dallas Love Field aboard a TEMCO Aero Commander, which crashed enroute, killing all aboard. Casualties included: Vernon L. Denman (TEMCO pilot), N. E. Chappell (TEMCO employee), MAJ Jack H. Culp, Sr. (AC), CPT Donald A. Cook (CP), CPT Anthony G. Lucci (N), MSG Julius V. Lee and MSG Kenneth P. Kennedy (FET).
After 15 years of service, the C-133s were worn out. Originally built for 10,000 hours airframe use and 2,500 landings, they were life-extended three times, to 15,000, 17,000 and 19,000 hours. The C-5 finally entered service in FY 1971, and the last C-133 went to the bone yard on 02 August 1971 with the exception of 56-1999 a C-133A which remained active in Alaska until 2006. It was flown to Travis AFB Museum in August, 2008.
Tony Hughes started work at the Greenville, TX plant in June 1956, working at the same plant, other that a 3 year military leave, until retirement in 1996.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Offering CNC Machine Training
Manufacturing affects many industries that drive our local economy and this hands-on field has high demand for qualified technicians as the new technology evolves.

NEW TRAINING PROGRAM Anyone interested becoming a Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machinist can learn the technology on this machine during a training course to be offered at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center from April 3 through April 14. The technology is used in industry to make all types of objects out of metal and wood.
Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machinists literally build things from scratch using computer-enhanced machines — and now the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center is offering a course covering the basics with CNC machine training.
CNC machine training offers the chance to gain job-ready abilities by becoming skilled at working with computer numerical control (CNC) machine technologies. The technology is used to make tools, dies, molds, and other objects using high-tech lathes or milling equipment.
CNC techs produce a wide range of manufactured goods and work with a full line of raw materials – plastics, wood, metal and more. This skilled trades career calls for sophisticated programming skills to bring products from concept design to reality: from a piece of titanium, for example, to an artificial hip; from a piece of steel for gears for cars, trucks and airplanes; from a piece of wood to parts for new home construction.
This continuing education course will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, April 3 through April14.
For more information call the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center at 903-885-1232 or go by the campus, located at 1137 Loop 301 East.
Sulphur Springs FFA Teams Place at Houston Livestock Show
According to Sulphur Springs FFA Advisor John Holland, the FFA Show team traveled to Houston for the Junior Heifer show and calf scrambles.
Thursday night Blaine Flemens, Phillip Rater, and Brennan Murray all competed in the Houston Rodeo Calf Scramble. If students compete in the Calf Scramble they must catch a wild calf, halter that calf, and then lead it into the winners square in the middle of the NRG Arena (Houston Texan’s Arena). If the students are successful they are rewarded with a calf scramble certificate worth $2,000 to purchase a show heifer or steer to bring back next year. Even though we had been up for 30+ hours all three of the boys caught! Blaine was even the first one to catch and lead his calf in the winner square and he got a Belt Buckle and $100 extra dollars.
On Friday Cash Vititow exhibited his Red Brahman heifer CC and they were class winners and they went on to compete and win the Red Brahman Calf Division Champion. He went in to compete for best overall Red Brahman in entire show and placed 3rd!!
On Saturday, Brennan Murray exhibited his Polled Hereford Heifer placing 6th in class, Josh Couch exhibited his Hereford heifer placing 7th in class, and Breanna Sells competed with her Beefmaster heifer placing 13th in class. Hayden Daniel competed in the Calf Scramble event in Saturday’s rodeo and he also caught, making that the 4thperson from Sulphur Springs FFA to scramble in the 2017 Rodeo and the 4th person to catch!!
On Sunday Blaine Flemens exhibited his Santa Gertrudis heifer placing 3rd in class.
All in all this is one of the best weeks in Houston that I have ever had as an Ag Teacher and I look forward to going back next year with students and repeating the results. We have begun looking for Scramble heifers to return to Houston as well.
Lady Trojans Lose District Opener at Rivercrest
The Cumby Lady Trojans’ softball team lost their district opener at Rivercrest, 10-0 Tuesday. The game was scoreless through three innings before Rivercrest scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and six more in the fifth. The game was called after five innings.
Lady Trojan Tori Mobley got the pitching loss going all five innings and striking out 8. The Lady Trojans leading hitters were Madison Simmons and Rainie English who both went 1 for 2 with singles.
Lady Cat Golf Sixth at Canton Tourney
The Lady Cats’ golf team finished in sixth place at a sixteen team tournament at Van Zandt Country Club in Canton Tuesday. It was the fifth tournament of the season for the Lady Cats. The team shot 427.
Alissa Sotelo tied her best tournament round shooting a 99. Morgan Landers shot 104 and was not pleased according to Lady Cats Golf Coach Whitney Spigener. Emma Lane shot 107. Alyssa Underwood shot 117 and she too was not happy with that score according to Coach Spigener. The Lady Cats only had four golfers. Their fifth golfer, freshman Charleigh Potts, broke an ankle earlier this week doing some tumbling during some cheerleader activities. She will be lost for the season.
The Lady Cats will actually be down to three golfers at their next tournament due to academic requirements for freshman. The Lady Cats’ trio will have a tournament next Tuesday at Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club. Coach Spigener said the tournament will serve as a preview of the course where the district tournament will be played.
Northeast Texas Children’s Museum Announces Friendship Bridge Fundraiser
(March 21, 2017 Commerce, Texas) The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum will welcome area Bridge players to “Friendship Bridge” on Monday, April 10 at 1:30. The event is the longest running fund-raising event for the Children’s Museum. “We have watched friendships grow each year around the Bridge table, “said Nancy McFarland, co-chair of the event. “We enjoy seeing returning friends and welcoming new participants each year.”
The event provides a relaxing environment for the players. Groups may rotate to other tables or stay together throughout the afternoon.“We will have a table for beginning Bridge players. Sometimes when individuals have not had the opportunity to play in the last year, they enjoy being with other players of the same level,” said Toni Deaton, the other co-chair.
The afternoon will include Bridge, dessert, and cash prizes for winners of high, second high, and low. There will also be drawings for other prizes. Tickets are $25 a person and can be purchased at the Children’s Museum or by credit card by calling the Children’s Museum at 903-886-6055.
Trojans Defeat Lions
The Cumby Trojans’ baseball team defeated Saltillo, 20-0 in a game stopped after 3 innings in Cumby Tuesday. The Trojans scored 16 runs in the first inning and added 3 runs in the second and 1 more in the third.
The Trojans had 10 hits. Elmer Rodriguez got the pitching win for the Trojans allowing 3 hits and no runs over 2 innings while striking out 4. R.J. Valentine pitched a scoreless third inning allowing no hits and striking out 2. Rodriguez was also 3 for 3 hitting. He scored 3 runs and drove home 5. Rodriguez also hit 2 doubles and a triple. Austin Thomas was 1 for 2 with three runs scored and three RBI’s with a double. Ethan Coble and Braden Coble each got 2 hits.
Saltillo got 3 hits. Michael Simmons and Trevor Moore were 1 for 1 and Mathew Gurley was 1 for 2 with stolen base. Dillon Beadle was the losing pitcher for the Lions.