Wildcats Return to Hardwood Monday Night in Lindale
After an absence of almost a week, the Wildcats’ basketball team will return to action for a regular season game Monday night. The 1-0 Wildcats will play at Lindale. Freshmen play at 5 p.m., then the JV team at around 6:15 p.m. with the varsity game expected to start at around 7:30 p.m. The game is a special one for Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta. He will be facing a Lindale team whose head coach Scott Albritton, coached Cipoletta in high school at West Rusk.
The Wildcats only regular season game so far was a 74-59 win at Athens last Tuesday night. Sophomore Victor Iwuakor led the Wildcats with 18 points and senior K’Ontae Dunn added 15. Freshman Michael Jefferson scored 10. Bryson Lynn and Dedric Goldbolt had 9 points and Keaston Willis had 8 points.
The Wildcats will have their home opener Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. as they host Wills Point in Wildcats Gym.
Lady Cats Defeat Hugo; Face Paris Tuesday
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Jeff Chapman discussed his team’s 51-40 win over Hugo, Oklahoma on the road Friday night on KSST Radio and Channel 18 TV’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show. Coach Chapman said Hugo was an athletic team that had been practicing for quite some time and had had six scrimmages. Friday’s game however was their season opener. Coach Chapman said Hugo creates a special atmosphere with rabid fans and loud music. Some fans evened made a lot of noise behind the Lady Cats’ bench, which made it hard for Coach Chapman to communicate with his players on the court.
The Lady Cats jumped out to a 6-0 lead and led 18-11 after one quarter. The Lady Cats outscored Hugo in every quarter. Coach Chapman said the Lady Cats played good defense. The Lady Cats won despite making 26 turnovers. Hugo had more according to Coach Chapman. The Lady Cats did shoot 53% from the field. They managed a sub par 7 of 15 from the free throw line and hit just 2 of 11 from three point range. Tori Moore and Sadavia Porter made the threes. Coach Chapman said he expected three point shooting to improve as the girls get more into shape. Kaylee Jefferson and Sadavia Porter had 15 points each. Tori Moore had 8. Autumn Tanton and Destinee Weeks added 4 each. Imani Taylor had 3 points and Daieyshia Pruitt had 2 points. Jefferson had 8 rebounds and Pruitt 7.
The Lady Cats now play Paris Tuesday afternoon. Freshmen play at 1 p.m. The JV game should start at around 2:15 p.m. The varsity contest should get underway at around 3:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. The Lady Cats are 3-1 so far this season.
Hopkins County Mourns Passing of Bobby McDonald
Hopkins County mourns the passing of Bobby McDonald, who blogged Hopkins County features on Front Porch News Texas. Funeral services have not been set. McDonald died Monday afternoon, November 21, 2016 following complications from emergency surgery to remove his appendix on November 8th.
A family member noted to KSST News that McDonald loved and promoted Hopkins County. He grew up in rural Hopkins County. His father, Pete McDonald owned and operated a store on State Highway 154 in Southern Hopkins County.
McDonald attended Texas A & M University on an academic scholarship along with others from Hopkins County. He wrote more than one book on Hopkins County Life. One of his books, Black History of Hopkins County, was well received. A Saturday prayer time on Celebration Plaza led by members of the county identified McDonald as one who united the communities of the county as one.
His work ethic was untiring. On Monday, November 7th, his morning blog update included the weather for the General Election Day on Tuesday, November 8 and a review of his weekend—“a busy day on Sunday that began with posting stories and photos for a busy Saturday….going to church…..returning home for a quick lunch and then working additional football photos and tending to some chores…..an afternoon nap that was badly needed…..then some quality time spent with my dogs.” His church activities, community youth activities, and promotion of various county and school activities occupied his time.
Three hours later on Monday, November 7, his health issues began. “Folks…….is there some kind of “stomach bug” going around?…..I’m someone that is never sick and have a “stomach of iron,” but during church yesterday morning my stomach started cramping and it has continued to off and on since then. I don’t know if it’s something that I ate or if it is some virus that is going around!”
On Tuesday, Election Day, he blogged, “Me, I’ve been ‘sick at my stomach’ over this election, and now I’ve literally gotten sick…….I’m headed to the doctor after while….it just doesn’t seem to get much better…” Tests were run just before 10 a.m. Tuesday and at 12:30 p.m. he announced, “It’s my appendix……. emergency surgery this afternoon!!!!!” During his surgery, his blood pressure became an issue. He was placed on a ventilator and later dialysis would be tried when his kidneys failed. He remained in the local hospital until being moved to Dallas for various treatments.
Funeral service location, time and date will be posted on ksstradio.com as soon as it is available.
Beloved Hopkins County Blogger Passes Away
Bobby McDonald has passed away today after a brief illness.
Stay tuned to KSST for details as they are available. See update here.
Christmas in Heritage Park 2016
Don’t miss the charming Christmas setting in a winter wonderland of lights at Heritage Park in Sulphur Springs, at 416 Jackson Street. You’ll have a photo-op with Santa, enjoy some cocoa or wassail and cookies, hear traditional carols played on a mountain dulcimer, and take a lighted stroll through the grounds of Heritage Park for a memorable home-town Christmas experience. The event is a project of the Hopkins County Historical Society. Admission is $3 per adult, with children under 7 admitted free on Saturday November 27 and Saturday December 3, from 5:30-7:30pm.
KCS Holiday Express Makes Stops in Area Cities
Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express will arrive in Greenville at Stonewall Street Under Johnson Street Overpass at 4 p.m. November 26 and in Winnsboro Between Walnut and Main Street (Behind the Old Depot) November 27 at 4 p.m. The 16th annual Holiday Express will distribute a total of $153,290 in gift cards to The Salvation Army at stops along the Holiday Express route that begins in Wylie, Texas November 5th and ends in Kansas City, Missouri December 20th. The gift cards are designated for the purchase of warm clothing and other necessities for kids in need. The train will stop in 22 communities in seven states on 26 dates. The complete schedule is available on the KCS website. At each stop, visitors can board the train, visit with Santa and his elves and tour the inside of three cars of the festive six-car train. Each event is free and open to the public.
Led by KCS’ Southern Belle business train, the Holiday Express train includes a smiling tank car “Rudy”; a flatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a gingerbread box car; an elves’ workshop; the reindeer stable; and a little red caboose. Each car is dressed in lights.
The KCS Holiday Express was built on the tradition of the Santa Train, which ran on a rail line bought by KCS in 1997. In 2000, a group of warm-hearted KCS employees noticed that the Santa Train was the only Christmas some kids had, and that some kids did not have essential items like coats, hats and gloves, so they committed to elevating the project. In 2001, volunteers transformed a retired freight train into the experience that communities enjoy today.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., KCS is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lazaro Cardenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS’ North American rail holdings and strategic alliances are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Three Structure Fires in County Under Investigation
Three structure fires, including one Monday morning, are under investigation by the Hopkins County Fire Marshall’s office.
A fire Saturday morning on Main Street in Cumby, a house fire in the middle of the night in the Birch Creek area, and a house fire Monday morning on CR 3512 just off FM 69N required the services of both county firemen and volunteer firemen. The fire Monday morning was contained to one room.
County Fire Chief Andy Endsley reminds county residents to have heating units professionally inspected for homes at this time of year. Cooler weather has come later this year due to a warm Fall. Endsley also reminds those who are deep-frying turkeys to take every precaution during the Thanksgiving season. With the approach of the Christmas season, he also warns that strings of lights should be examined and electrical plugs should not be overloaded.
Felony Warrant Arrest Leads to Additional Charges
A Hopkins County Deputy noted a pickup truck belonging to Rex Wayne Reiber, Jr., 32, who had an active warrant and the deputy stopped the vehicle on FM 499E.
Rex Wayne Reiber
Ashley Denise Haynes
Reiber was wanted for an Indictment Theft of Property over $2500 but less than $30,000. A female passenger in the truck, Ashley Denis Haynes, 32, of Cumby was also arrested when neither Reiber nor Haynes claimed a small black box containing a small amount of both methamphetamine and marijuana. At Hopkins County Jail, as Haynes changed into jail clothing, she handed the female jailer a green pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. The pipe had been hidden in her clothing.
Reiber is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Theft of Service over $2500 but less than $30,000, Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram, and possession of marijuana under 2 oz. His bonds total $16,000.
Haynes is being held for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair, Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram, and possession of marijuana under 2 oz. Her bonds total $26,000.
PJC Named To Schools.com Top 10 Texas Community Colleges List
Paris Junior College has been named to the Top 10 Texas community colleges in 2016 by Schools.com.
Ranked seventh on the list, PJC was included in part because it tied for fifth-highest graduation rate of all Texas community colleges in 2015, and for its status as a Pathways Project institution.
The Pathways Project is an American Association of Community Colleges initiative that aims to improve student success both in the classroom and in the field. PJC was one of only 30 colleges in the country selected to implement guided academic and career pathways — a model establishing coherent and easy-to-follow programs of study that align with requirements for success in employment and at the next stage of education.
Pathways provides support services and re-aligns curricula and instruction to help students master the knowledge and skills they need to meet their ultimate career goals. Students can earn certificates and degrees in several unique disciplines on-site or online.
Schools.com also lauded PJC for making online education more convenient through an app that lets students access books, databases and other library services from any iOS or Android device.
“Paris Junior College focuses on student access and success and on personalized attention for each student, at an affordable price,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “Scholarships are available, in addition to state and federal financial aid.Data is monitored and evaluated each year as we monitor our progress towards our student access and success goals. We are honored for our focus on student access and success to be recognized by Schools.com.”
The ranking of 60 community colleges in Texas was based on multiple factors related to educational opportunity, student performance and student services. (See Schools.com story here)Each school was scored on a 10-point scale, using the following six data points and the weights specified:
- The percentage of students enrolled in distance education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2014: 15 percent
- Cost of attendance, based on the average net price for students receiving scholarship and grant aid, and the total cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies, National Center for Education Statistics, 2014 and 2015: 30 percent
- Student-to-faculty ratio, National Center for Education Statistics, 2014: 5 percent
- The graduation rate in 150 percent time, National Center for Education Statistics, 2014: 5 percent
- The number of transfers per 1,000 students to public four-year universities in Texas and the graduation rate over three years for past transfers, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2011-2014: 30 percent
- Flexibility, based on whether the school offers credit for life experiences; whether the school offers programs of study that can be completed entirely in the evenings and on weekends; whether the school offers on-campus day care for students’ children, and whether the school offers any kind of alternative tuition plan.
