Lady Cats’ Defeat Longview 42-38 in Tourney Pool Play
The Lady Cats’ basketball team got off on the right foot in the Winnsboro Hoopfest tournament with a close 42-38 win in pool play over former district foe Longview Thursday. The Lady Cats have now won 5 games since a season opening loss to Winnsboro at home. Later Thursday, the Lady Cats complete pool play against Whitehouse at 6:40 p.m. in the Winnsboro Junior High Gym. The top two teams among the Lady Cats, Longview and Whitehouse, will go into the Gold Bracket. The third place pool team will head to the Silver Bracket. Games for both those brackets get underway Friday.
Wildcats’ Basketball Scores Big Against Anna in Tourney
The Wildcats’ basketball team came roaring out of the blocks and then never slowed down as they opened a Royse City tournament Thursday morning with a solid 91-57 win over Anna, a good Class 4A team. The Wildcats jumped out to a 18-0 lead on their way to a 32-9 first quarter lead.They led 51-25 at halftime and 69-40 after three quarters.
Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said the fast tournament start was a point of emphasis for his team. He noted in the past his team had the tendency to come out flat at tourneys. Coach Cipoletta said his team got to Royse City about 45 minues before game time and had time for a tough work out before the game. Coach Cipoletta said it all led to the team being ready to play.
He said good defense led to offensive baskets and he added the team shot the ball really well. Guard Keaston Wills scored 33 points including 6 three-point baskets. It was his second game of 30 or more this season. Post Victor Iwuakor added 21 points and threw down three dunks. Bryson Lynn scored 16 points and hit 5 three-point goals.
The Wildcats improved to 5-0. They face a very good Class 6A Lufkin team in pool play Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the Royse City tournament.
18 Wildcats Named to All-District Team
The Wildcats’ football team landed 18 players on the All-District Football Team released Thursday morning by Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens.
Six Wildcats were named to the First Team All-District: quarterback Ryan Humphries, wide receiver Simeon Taylor, offensive lineman Gideon Gregory, defensive lineman D’Idrec Dugan, cornerback Terrell Turman and punter Angel Tavera.
Six Wildcats also were named to the Second Team All-District: offensive linemen Richard Green and Jessy Darrow, defensive lineman Haven Tennison, linebacker Easton Silman, safety Sebastian Adams and cornerback Damiyon Dugan.
Six Wildcats earned Honorable Mention: wide receivers D.J. Hall and Landry Tyson, offensive lineman Norris English, defensive lineman Cameron Cooks, linebacker Jaxon Reneau and cornerback Tiesan Goodson.
The All-District Team is selected by the district’s coaches who can not vote for their own players. The Wildcats qualified for the playoffs this season, one year after going 0-10 and missing the playoffs.
No Name Remains on Senior Citizens’ Center Golden Agers Tree
As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, the final name had been plucked from the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens’ Center Golden Agers Tree, according to Director Karon Weatherman. This year over 160 names were placed on the Golden Agers Tree.
Those who picked a name from the tree have until December 16th to return the wrapped gift for the Hopkins County Senior named on the card. The Senior Citizen Center will arrange deliveries for the gifts in plenty of time for Christmas.
Parking Expansion for Downtown Area Opens
A space that was used for parking but not designated for parking, at the corner of Davis and Main Streets, has been reworked is now open providing additional downtown parking. On the busiest of days the lot, before work performed by the city’s construction crew usually contained 46 vehicles. Now some 64 vehicles will be parked there. There are also eight (8) spaces designated for Tesla recharging stations bringing the total to 72 spaces.
Spaces along Main Street opened Thursday and the final constructed spaces will be opened Friday. The spaces are on both sides of Tomlinson Street as well as along Main and Davis Streets.
The open area in the planned parking area will be sodded with grass and irrigation will be added. After the first of the year, a retention pond will be built along with a rework of the drainage ditch that is near the parking lot.
Chamber Connection December 1, 2016
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 11th Annual Economic Outlook Conference on Tuesday, December 13th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Dr. Perryman is returning to discuss the economic outlook for Hopkins County and surrounding areas. This year, you may email specific questions to [email protected], and we will ask Dr. Perryman to address these. Tickets are $15 which includes a wonderful lunch, catered by Big Smith’s BBQ & Catfish. For more information, please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515! Deadline to order tickets is Thursday, December 8th!
Attention All Chamber Members…. Membership Directories are being prepared NOW!!!
Chamber Members, we are going to print a little earlier than normal for the 2017 Membership Directory. We are going to have it ready for distribution the first part of January, so we need you to do a few things…
- Please go to sulphursprings-tx.com and click on the membership directory. Please check to make sure that we have the correct information for your business. We have been trying to check and recheck it, but I’m sure we have overlooked some things.
- If your membership investment is past due, payment arrangements need to be made prior to
December 9th.
- If you find information that needs to be corrected, please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515. If you want to place an ad in the directory, please contact Lee Ann Peugh at Echo Publishing at 903-885-8663.
Merle Norman is hosting an Open House November 29th -December 3rd
Merle Norman is hosting an Open House from November 29th to December 3rd. Tuesday the 29th through Friday the 2nd, the Open House is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, December 3rd, please pop in the Open House between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Merle Norman will give 10% off retain during the Open House hours. Be the first to shop limited-edition gift sets and experience festive makeup looks at the year’s most special beauty event for Merle Norman. Merle Norman is located at 202 Davis Street North in Sulphur Springs.
Phinesse’ Farms Winery will host a Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Thursday, December 1st at 5 p.m.
Phinesse Farms Winery, located at 223 Main Street in Sulphur Springs, will host their Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Thursday, December 1st at 5 p.m. They will have refreshments and samples of their Hopkins County grown wines. Please make plans to stop in, check it out, and welcome Phinesse Farms Winery!
Lights of Life Tree Lighting is scheduled for Thursday, December 1st, at 6 p.m. in the Gardens at Christus
The Lights of Life Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 1st, at 6 p.m. in the Gardens at Christus. You can make a $25 donation to be given in honor or memory of someone. This donation will be represented as a light on the Lights of Life Christmas tree, and with a luminary that will line the walkway leading to the Christmas tree. You can take the luminary home as a remembrance of your loved one. There will also be pictures with Santa, Christmas carols, cookies and hot chocolate. Please contact the Healthcare Foundation for additional information, (903) 438-4799. Please mail your donations to: 115 Airport Road, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 75482. The deadline for luminaries is November 30th.
Community Seeds will hold 7th Annual Christmas Benefit on Thursday, December 1st, 2016
Community Seeds will hold their 7th Annual Christmas Benefit including prime rib and live entertainment on Thursday, December 1st at 6:00 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Greenville, Texas. The proceeds will benefit the poor and underserved people of Hunt, Rains, and Hopkins Counties. Individual seating is $75 per seat, table sponsorship is $2500 to seat eight, and corporate sponsorship is $2500 and seats 12. Please RSVP by phone or email by November 12th. The number to call is (903) 634-5673 and the email is [email protected].
The CASA Cookie Walk is scheduled for Friday, December 2nd from 9 a.m. to noon
CASA will host the annual Cookie Walk on Friday, December 2nd from 9 a.m. to noon at First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs in the Family Life Center. Cookies are $5.00 per pound. You can choose the cookies you would like to take home. Make plans to cookie shop on December 2nd!
Lion’s Club will host the 9th Annual Christmas Parade on Friday, December 2nd at 6:30 p.m.
The Lion’s Club is hosting the 9th Annual Christmas Parade presented by Carriage House Manor on Friday, December 2nd at 6:30 p.m. The parade begins at Buford Park and goes East on Connally Street to the square. It turns left onto Church Street and left on Houston Street to end in the Gerald Prim Stadium parking lot. Line-up begins at 3:00 p.m. on December 2nd. Registrations are due by noon on Tuesday, November 29th. There is no entry fee, but donations are accepted if made payable to the Sulphur Springs Lions Club. All entries must be decorated with working Christmas lights.
Sister Babyz 5th Annual “Give Back” Fashion Show is scheduled for Friday, December 2nd, at 6:30 p.m.
Sister Babyz Boutique is hosting their 5th Annual Fashion Show on Friday, December 2nd, at 6:30 p.m. at The Venue at 219 on Main Street. Sister Babyz will match all contributions of up to $3,000 to benefit the Angels from the Salvation Army in our area. There will be door prizes, gift card giveaways, live music, a photo booth, refreshments, and a hot chocolate bar (provided by Idzi Bitsy Bakery).
Hopkins County presents A Christmas Carol on December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at the SSISD Auditorium
For the first time ever, the fine arts organizations of Hopkins County are coming together to bring Sulphur Springs a truly special event! The Main St. Theatre’s Community Players, Northeast Texas Symphony League, and the Northeast Texas Choral Society are joining forces to present “A Christmas Carol: The Musical”. The Bright Star League of Cultural Arts is also helping with coordinating this production. The performances will be Friday, December 2nd, Saturday, December 3rd, both at 7:30pm. There will be a third performance on Sunday, December 4th at 2pm. All performances will be held at the Sulphur Springs High School Auditorium at the Civic Center. Please help the local arts by getting your tickets at communitychristmascarol.com and come spend #ChristmasTogether! Tickets are $20 for General Admission and $35 for VIP.
Heritage Park will host Christmas in the Park on Saturday, December 3rd at 5:30 p.m.
Heritage Park will host their annual Christmas in the Park on Saturday, November 26th beginning at 5:30 p.m. While in the park, visitors can enjoy a spectacle of lights, strolling carolers, musicians, a live nativity scene, and Santa Claus. Free hot cocoa, coffee, punch, cookies and other goodies are served in various building on the grounds. Most of the historic buildings are open, with volunteers dressed in period costumes to help give the feeling of stepping into the past. The festival will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The $3 admission ticket is eligible for one of our many door prizes to be given away, compliments of local business owners.
Cedar Canyon is hosting a Bridal Extravaganza on Sunday, December 4th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Cedar Canton, located at 7435 Tx. Highway 154 S. in Sulphur Springs, is hosting a huge Bridal Extravaganza on Sunday, December 4th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be vendors, giveaways, and prizes. Then, one lucky bride will win a wedding reception for 100 guests – a $5000 value!!! Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/mytickets/572757801/.
Texas A&M-Commerce is hosting a Holiday Market on Friday, December 9th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Texas A&M-Commerce is hosting a Holiday Market for the first time on Friday, December 9th, at the Fieldhouse on campus. The Holiday Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This will be a unique experience, so make plans to drop in and shop.
Senator Bob Hall will hold a Town Hall Meeting at City Hall on Thursday, December 15th at 4:30 p.m.
Senator Bob Hall will be holding a series of public town hall meetings throughout Senate District 2 to discuss the upcoming 85th Legislative Session and to answer constituent questions. He will be in Sulphur Springs at City Hall, 201 N. Davis Street, on Thursday, December 15th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Divorce Care held weekly at First United Methodist Church at 6:00 p.m.
Divorce Care is a weekly seminar and support group that will help you heal from the hurt of divorce or separation. It’s a warm, caring environment led by people who understand what you are going through. You will learn practical information that will help you deal with the challenges of being divorced. Best of all, you will gain hope, healing, and help for your future. Divorce Care Meets every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 beginning on October 5th at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs in the Open Door Sunday School Classroom. This is found in the basement of the main building. There is childcare if needed. They will meet for 14 weeks. Contact information is Tom Young at [email protected], (903) 413-1673 or Debbie Young at [email protected]; (903) 243-1235.
New Chamber of Commerce Members:
Welcome to our newest member of the Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Small Business Advisors with Doc Flesher. We are excited to have you!
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
Please enjoy this week of the Christmas season… what a wonderful time of year!
–Lezley
Driver Arrested For Intentional Tampering With Warning Device at SH 19/I-30
A Sardis, Mississippi truck driver is sitting in Hopkins County Jail charged with Tampering with Warning Device. The driver of the semi-tractor/trailer combination was observed driving over and through the orange warning barrels at the intersection of State Highway 19 and I-30. The Texas Department of Public Safety does not condone that action.
A barrel was dragged underneath his trailer and down the roadway along with others being pushed into the ditch and traffic lane. During the roadside interview conducted by the DPS trooper, the 37-year old driver said he intentionally ran over the barrels with his truck because he needed to turn left. He was placed under arrest and transported to Hopkins County Jail.
Striped to allow four lanes of traffic, two in each direction, the overpass configuration now allows only right turns. Dedicated right-turn lanes provide access to State Highway 19 or State Highway 11 and the frontage roads. Vehicles on the I-30 east-bound or west-bound service roads do have traffic signs to guide the driver to SH 19 or SH 11, but many drivers are ignoring the signs. Many drivers, both semi-tractor/trailer and those driving business or personal vehicles, have stated that they are following GPS instructions and ignoring the signs.
The existing traffic signals have been programmed to function as flashing yellow lights and will continue for around 60 days and will be removed in the future. The traffic flow configuration is designed to reduce congestion at this highway interchange, TxDOT officials said.
Christmas Calendar of Events in Sulphur Springs 2016
THURSDAY DECEMBER 1….Lights of Life Tree Lighting in the Gardens at Christus Mother Frances Sulphur Springs hospital, at 6 pm. Santa will be there to visit with children, and everyone can enjoy carols, cookies and cocoa.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 2…Casa Cookie Walk from 9 am til noon at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Lots of varieties of homemade cookies at $5 per pound! This benefits Hopkins County CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates)
FRIDAY DECEMBER 2…At dark the Downtown Business Alliance will have Santa and Mrs. Claus light the Celebration Plaza Christmas Tree…the Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade will step off from Buford Park at 6:30 pm with live coverage by KSST…and the Snow Slide will entertain kids on Celebration Plaza all evening.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 2-SUNDAY DECEMBER 4….”A Christmas Carol: The Musical” will take place at the SSHS Auditorium in the Civic Center. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm, with a Sunday matinee at 2 pm. Tickets are $20 General Admission and $35 VIP. Purchase tickets at communitychristmascarol.com or at the Civic Center.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 3…Christmas in the Park at Heritage Park, 416 Jackson Street from 5:30-8:30 pm. Admission is $3 adult, children under 7 admitted free.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 6 and WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7…”Spread the Warmth” Blanket Drive on Celebration Plaza from 6-9 pm. Drive up and drop off a new blanket to be donated to a senior citizen. The annual charity event is sponsored by the SS Corvette Club and the Sulphur Springs Seniors Center.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 8…SSMS Band Christmas Concert, 7 pm
SATURDAY DECEMBER 10…Northeast Texas Choral Society FREE open-air Christmas Concert on Celebration Plaza at 3 pm. Bring the kids and a lawn chair or blanket for seating.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 10…”Fill the Trolley” Toy Drive by City of Sulphur Springs at City Hall. Bring toys from 5-7 pm , visit and take pictures with Santa. A concert by Matt Dunn will begin at 7 pm.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 10, SUNDAY DECEMBER 11…First Baptist Church Christmas Concert, 6 pm.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 13…SSMS Strings Christmas Concert, 6 pm
FRIDAY DECEMBER 16…SSES Choir Christmas Program, morning
SUNDAY DECEMBER 18…Christmas Cantata at First United Methodist Church at 10:45 am service
SSISD will begin Christmas break with one hour early dismissal on Friday December 16. Students will return to class on Wednesday January 4, 2017.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day fall on a weekend this year. May you and yours be blessed with a safe and Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
Christmas Tree Lights
