“Updated”Plant Process Fabrication Opens in Sulphur Springs October 1; Begins Hiring Immediately
Sulphur Springs, TX- Plant Process Fabrication will begin operations October 1 in facilities built and owned by the Sulphur Springs Economic Development Corporation, in the Pioneer Business Park.
PPF is a division of Plant Process Equipment, Inc., a privately held engineering, construction and operating company specializing in projects for the chemical, petrochemical, petroleum refining, bio-fuel and green energy industries.
EDC Director, Roger Feagley stated “We are thrilled to have a company of such high quality choosing to relocate in Hopkins County.”
The company was founded in 1974 by Clark Kennedy and is based in League City, TX.
Joe Borg, VP of Engineering for PPE, said “This facility is a perfect fit for our type of manufacturing and we look forward to getting up and running.”
PPF will begin hiring immediately and plan to employ about 150 when they reach full operations. The Sulphur Springs location will be manufacturing equipment to produce Methanol products for Ohio and Renewable fuel products for Oregon.
A job fair is set to be conducted at the new location soon, according to Feagley. He states the Texas Workforce Commission is working with PPF to assist those seeking job opportunities. One can also email resumes to [email protected]. For more information go on line: www.plant-process.com.
Game Day: Lady Cats Host Marshall; Wildcats, Marshall Meet in Bodacious Bowl
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team is also in action Friday. The first place Lady Cats bring a 4-1 district record into the 4:30 p.m. contest in Wildcats Gym. The Lady Cats are 25-8 for the season.
It’s district game number 2 for the Wildcats Friday night as the Marshall Mavericks come to Gerald Prim Stadium. The Wildcats are 1-0 in district play after defeating Pine Tree, 49-21 last week. The Mavericks are 0-1 in district play as they jumped on Texas High early last week, 18-0, only to see the Tigers rally and win, 36-18. The Wildcats are 2-3 for the season and Marshall is 1-4.
Marshall Coach Clint Harper, in his fourth year, says the Mavs have played a very tough schedule. Wildcats Coach Greg Owens is 3-3 versus Marshall since he became head coach at his alma mater. Marshall has won the last two including a 39-0 win last year.
There are all kinds of reasons to cheer for a Wildcats win and here is another. Some have dubbed Friday night’s game as the Bodacious Bowl. Jay, who owns Bodacious Barbeque in town, also owns one in Marshall. Coach Owens says the winning team will receive a trophy The winner of the Bodacious Bowl will also receive a $1,000 donation to its’ athletic booster club.
We’ll bring you all the action Friday night on KSST Radio, as Marshall and the Wildcats play with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. We will also videotape the game for replay on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable Sunday night at 8 p.m. and Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
SSPD Traffic Stop Results in Three Arrests for Drug Possession
A traffic stop on I-30 at the 115 mile marker by Sulphur Springs Police resulted in the arrest of three individuals for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 1, over 1-gram but under 4-grams.
Venessa Marie Orozco
Tyler Nathaniel Swearingin
The three were in a Chevrolet Trail Blazer when stopped for a traffic violation. Arrested were Stephen Kyule Kaye, 32, of Alvarado (not Pictured), Venessa Marie Orozco of Crowley, and Tyler Nathaniel Swearingin, 20, of Burleson. Each was in Hopkins County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
PJC Regents Note Improvement in Completion Rates; Authorize Tax Rate Decrease
Paris Junior College tracks student success and completion rates and is showing continued improvement, according to the Quality Enhancement Plan report presented to the Board of Regents by Associate Vice President of Student Access and Success Sheila Reece Monday evening.
PJC tracks student learning outcomes for new student orientation and academic advising.
“This was a really good year,” said Reece. “We did better this year than we’ve done all along. It takes time to start meeting these goals, and we have one more year to report with this QEP, so we should end on a good note.”
On her first day as PJC’s Vice President of Student Learning, Dr. Pamela Millsap was introduced to the Regents.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to work with everyone,” Millsap said.
In other business, the Regents:
- Approved an increase in the WorkKeys testing fee to $35 for a three-series test and $44 for a four-series test. The increase passes along an administrative cost increase by ACT, which administers WorkKeys.
- Gave final approval to the 2016-2017 proposed tax rate of .1773, a decrease from last year’s rate of .1875.
- Approved county election administration contracts.
- Received a report on enrollment showing a decrease of more than three percent from last fall’s enrollment numbers.
- Authorized purchase of a 37-passenger bus for use by PJC athletic teams, Upward Bound, Talent Search, and student clubs. Utilizing state contracts allowed PJC to find the best bus to meet college needs within the budget.
- Approved the continuing education pricing formula.
- Received a report on the visit by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges for a substantive change to the dual credit cosmetology program. All five Lamar County high schools have the opportunity to send students to the program, located at Paris Junior High School.
- Approved the employment of Felicia Cleburn as Career Navigator/Transition Specialist, Adult Education and Family Literacy and Justin Thompson as Academic Advisor, and accepted the resignation of David Nichols, Director of Information Technology, effective Oct. 7 and the retirement of Office Technology Instructor Jan Jordan, effective Dec. 31.
Happy October By Johanna Hicks
Happy October!
As I sit here typing my weekly column, I’m refreshed by the cooler temperatures and the sounds of the Sulphur Springs High School band as they practice for Friday night football. Hopkins County 4-H enrollment has gotten off to a great start, and many opportunities are available during the month of October. As promised last week, below is a list of 4-H events:
- October 2-8: National 4-H Week – our Hopkins County 4-H’ers invite everyone to join them for refreshments and the reading of the National 4-H Week proclamation, Monday, October 3, 4:30 p.m., on the courthouse steps. We’ll also have a canopy set up with photos, newsletters, and enrollment information for anyone who would like to join 4-H. Judge Newsom and a slew of 4-H members, parents, and leaders will be on hand to greet visitors.
Following the presentation, the County 4-H Council will meet at the Extension Office (approximately 5:30), to pack school supplies for students who have been affected by flooding in Louisiana. They will also discuss the county-wide 4-H Christmas party and other events.
- October 3-6: 4-H Project Show – entries will be accepted at the Extension Office. Guidelines and categories are available (and also listed in the September/October 4-H Gazette newsletter). Entries will be judged on Friday, October 7, and will be open for public viewing on Monday and Tuesday, October 10 and 11. We invite everyone to drop by the Extension Office between 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to admire the creative projects that the Hopkins County 4-H members have entered! Entries may be entered in the Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest, as well.
- October 4-5: Ag-in-the-Classroom will be held at the Civic Center for 4th grade students in Hopkins, Rains, Delta, and Franklin Counties. Extension agents, guest presenters, and volunteers will present sessions about poultry, dairy, beef, honeybees, grains, horses, wildlife, cotton, and 4-H. This is an amazing event, and 4th grade students are surprised to know that everyday living involves agriculture, from the food they eat, to the clothes they wear, to the homes in which they live.
- October 5-16: Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign – if you shop at Tractor Supply, please consider contributing $1 extra at checkout. Funds raised go toward helping local 4-H’ers with camp and registration fees. Over the past several years, Tractor Supply, Inc. has partnered with 4-H to empower more young people with the skills to succeed in life today and career tomorrow. Studies point to a yearning from youth for more guidance to become True Leaders, and with this partnership, our staff is able to assist more youth!
- October 8: “One Day 4-H” – the Dike 4-H Club will partner with the Dike Community for the annual garage sale. Concessions and miles of sales will be available. Head over toward Dike for all the action! Also, 4-H members from other clubs will be heading to the South Sulphur Unit of Cooper Lake to work on the butterfly garden near the entrance. Interested 4-H’ers may meet at the Extension Office at 9:30 to carpool, or you may meet at the site.
- Other 4-H happenings: Robotics group will meet at the Sulphur Springs Public Library on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 4:30 p.m. The Arbala Harvest 4-H Club, Infinity 4-H Club, Miller Grove 4-H Club, and Paws 4-H club will all have meetings in October. The Dike 4-H Club invites all interested students to join them for bicycle project meetings.
Contact our office for information on all these activities!
Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest
We have received some very positive feedback concerning the Creative Arts Contest. The entry divisions have been changed slightly, and we are looking forward to having many entries this year! Entry divisions are: Art, Bake Show, Clothing, Creative Crafts, Decorated Cakes, Food Preservation, Handiwork, Holiday Corner, Horticulture, Photography, Quilts/quilted items, and Woodworking. We also have a separate category for Assisted Living and Nursing Home residents. Contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 for more information, or drop by and pick up a copy.
Entries will be accepted Thursday, October 20 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., and Friday, October 21 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center. Alternate times are Monday thru Wednesday, October 17 to 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston, Sulphur Springs. Entry fee is only $1 per person (except classroom and 4-H entries).
Judging will take place on Friday, October 21 starting at 10:00 a.m. and items will be on display for public viewing that afternoon (approximately 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.) and on Saturday, October 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Entries with a purple rosette are deemed best of show or reserve best of show, and winners will have pictures taken at 1:30 p.m. Items may be picked up following pictures.
Fall Festival Arts & Crafts Show
Wow, wow, wow! We have some fantastic vendors lined up for the Arts & Crafts Show! To me, this is one of the major highlights of the Hopkins County Fall Festival. Be sure to bring your wallet and enjoy early Christmas shopping! This event will take place in the Sulphur Springs High School cafeteria, north entry hallway, north entry walkway, and grassy area beside the bus lane, on Friday, October 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
As of this writing, a few spaces still remain, so if you are interested in a space, contact me and I’ll send you a registration form and guidelines. Reminder: this is only for handmade, handcrafted items. No commercially made items will be accepted.
Closing Thought
You must do the thing you think you cannot do – Eleanor Roosevelt
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Meal-A-Day Driver Needed
Wildcats Statistics Through First Week of District
Here is the statistical look for the Wildcats after five games. The Wildcats are 2-3 overall and 1-0 in district play. For the season the Wildcats are averaging 33.6 points a game and are yielding 39.4 points per game. In district play, the Wildcats average 49 points a game and are giving up 21 points a game. The Wildcats have the district’s number 2 offense averaging 398.2 yards per game. The defense is rated fourth in district giving up 385.8 yards per game.
In plus minus for turnovers, the Wildcats have received three more turnovers than they have given up. In rushing, back Searn Rodgers is ranked number two in district with 351 yards in five games. Back Cason Goodson is tenth in district with 166 yards. Quarterback Ryan Humphries is the district’s second rated passer completing 77 of 137 passes, that’s 56%, for 1150 yards with 13 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Receiver Simeon Taylor is the district’s leading receiver with 34 catches. Receiver Calvin Eckert is tied for seventh in district with 11 catches and receiver Cor’Tavius Pruitt is tied for ninth in district with 10 catches. Kicker Angel Tavera is the second leading punter in district averaging 32.89 yards on 19 punts. In punt returns, D.Q. Pitts is fifth in district averaging 16 yards on two punt returns. Taylor is seventh in district averaging 5.75 yards on four punt returns. Taylor is also sixth in district in kickoff returns averaging 26.50 yards on 2 returns. Cason Goodson is tied for eighth in district averaging 24.33 yards on 3 kickoff returns.
Safety D.J. Abron is tied for first in district in interceptions with 2. Safety Austin Dood and linebacker Jaxon Reneau are in a tied with eight others in fifth place in district with 1 interception each. In scoring, Taylor has 30 points on five touchdowns, that’s good for a seventh place tie in district. Kicker Tavera is tie for ninth in district with 24 points on 18 extra point kicks and two field goals. Tavera is second in the district in scoring among kickers. On defense, in combined tackles and assists, linebacker Reneau leads the team with 29, safety D.J. Abron has 28, linebacker Easton Silman and cornerback Tiesan Goodson have 26, linebacker Daniel Moreno and defensive lineman Haven Tennison have 25, linebacker Lawrence Worth has 24 and defensive lineman D’Idrec Dugan has 23. Dugan is the sack leader with 3. Eight players have recovered a fumble: cornerback Terrell Turman, safety Dodd, cornerback Damiyon Dugan, safety D.J. Abron, linebacker Moreno, defensive tackle Jose Rodriquez and safety Trey Dial.
MS. Texas Senior Classic Pageant, October 1st, 2016
Earlier this year, at the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant, Lavonne Elam earned the 2016 crown and since then has stayed busy appearing at ribbon cuttings, parades, grand openings and other public events. Now, Lavonne will represent Hopkins County again as she advances to State competition on October 1 in Tyler. Along with her will be three other Hopkins County ladies, 2016 Talent winner Linda Pickle, 2014 Ms Hopkins County Senior Wanda Wilson and 2012 Ms. Texas Pageant winner Nancy Bolton. Everyone from Hopkins County is invited to attend the pageant and show support for these women who are changing the face of the “over 50” woman and making contributions to the community during their senior years. For more information, call Karon Weatherman at 903-885-1661.
2016 Second Runner-up Evelyn Horne, Ms. Senior Lavonne Elam, First Runner-up Pamela Clayton
