The Walk To Remember Main Event at The Gardens Thursday Night
Walk to Remember is an event that funds Terrific Tuesdays at First United Methodist Church. Terrific Tuesdays is a place that caregivers can bring those suffering with Alzheimer’s while they run errands, go to appointments, etc. It not only benefits the caregivers, but also allows those suffering to experience social interaction with people their age. Several volunteers and those impacted by Terrific Tuesdays came out to support the fundraising event Thursday night at The Gardens.
City of Commerce Begins Spraying for West Nile Carrying Mosquitoes, Again
According to Acting City Secretary Becky Pattillo, the City of Commerce, with the assistance of Texas A&M University-Commerce, has been trapping mosquitoes and sending them to the Department of State Health Services as a precautionary measure to test for various diseases. Emergency Management Officials have been notified that one sample has tested positive for West Nile. Additional samples have been returned with positive results for the West Nile Virus.
City staff will again spray for mosquitoes in the areas where there were positive tests and will continue for three days, beginning tonight, Oct. 6, 2016. The spraying is more effective if it takes place during peak mosquito biting hours. Crews will begin spraying around 7:30 p.m. Emergency Management Officials will continue to test for infected mosquitoes in all areas of Commerce as long as the threat continues.
The chemical used in the spray is of low toxicity to humans and pets, but it is a pesticide and direct contact should be avoided. Citizens should go indoors and stay back from the truck during spraying operations. The chemical will not be sprayed if the driver sees people outdoors. This product is extremely toxic to fish, and fishponds should be covered.
West Nile is typically spread to humans and animals via infected mosquitoes, infected by feeding on infected birds. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms. About 20 percent will develop a mild infection called West Nile Fever. Common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, back pain and occasionally a skin rash, swollen lymph glands and eye pain.
Although the chemicals will greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes, the spray will not eliminate all chances of getting bit. Residents should take the following precautionary measures to avoid being bit:
- Consider staying indoors during peak mosquito biting times – dusk and dawn.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants that are light colors. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.
- Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET.
- Limit the number of places that mosquitoes can breed by eliminating the standing water sources around your home. Drill holes in tire swings so that the water drains out and always empty children’s wading pools and store them on their side after using them.
- Try to pick a breezy location when enjoying the outdoors. Mosquitoes have a hard time flying even in a light wind.
Friday Night Lights: Texas High’s Norton, Wildcats’ Owens, Young, Abron
Wildcats are at Texas High Friday Night
The Wildcats play at Texas High Friday night and the Tigers are coached again this year by Barry Norton, now in his eighteenth year. He took over when the program was struggling and Coach Norton has turned the Tigers into a perennial playoff team. Despite his team’s 5-0 record, 1-0 in district play and a #8 rating in the AP Poll, Coach Norton says his team has a long way to go to be a good team. He says the offense has the potential to be very good. Meanwhile he says the defense just needs to keep plugging along. They have 11 new starters on defense. Coach Norton calls them a no-name bunch but he adds they are playing hard and getting better. Despite being a little smaller than most Texas High defenses, Coach Norton says his defense is quick. After allowing Marshall lots of yards on the way to an 18-0 Mavericks’ lead, the Tigers shut down the Mavericks the rest of the way in a 36-18 Tigers’ win. The Tigers have a three year starter, Cade Pearson, at quarterback. He’s a North Texas commit. Coach Norton says you can’t replace experience. He says receiver Quan Hampton is as good of a player as there is in the district. Coach Norton says the Tigers line has been solid. They also have two very solid running backs and a second outstanding wide receiver. Coach Norton says he respects the Wildcats and their ability to move the football and score points. He notes that quarterback Ryan Humphries has thrown for over a thousand yards. He calls the Wildcats’ defense an attacking defense. Coach Norton says a Greg Owens coached team will always play hard. He expects a real competitive Wildcats team to come to Tiger Stadium Friday night.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens started his media gathering Wednesday morning by saying the loss last week to Marshall was still bothering him. He said he remained concerned about some things the team needed to do better. Still Coach Owens said the team was continuing to get better and he added he could see it on tape. Coach Owens noted his team was 1-1 in district play with a tough opponent on the schedule, Texas High, on Friday. He said he looked at the game as an opportunity. It’s not lost on him that Texas High was ranked number 8 in the state. He said they are as good as they have been in a long time on offense. Coach Owens talked about the Tigers top two running backs, their top two receivers, their offensive line and quarterback Cade Pearson, who is committed to North Texas. Coach Owens called the offense the strength of the team. He said the key to the game was for the Wildcats offense and the offensive line to control the ball to keep it out of the hands of the potent Texas High offense. Coach Owens said he was hoping for some turnovers as well. He said Texas High, under Coach Barry Norton, in his 18th year, liked to run first to set up their passing game.
Wildcats Offense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young says the Wildcats are improving on offense. He says they were better last Friday than when they played Whitehouse at home a couple of weeks ago. Coach Young says he’s hoping the offense can build on that improvement. Concerning the Texas High defense, Coach Young they are good as always but in a different way. He says the Tigers defense has no standout. He calls them eleven really good high school football players. Coach Young says they are undersized by Texas High standards but adds they make up for it with quickness. He says when they see something, they react at full speed.
Wildcats Defense
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron says the three-man defensive line did a great job last Friday night against Marshall. But he adds those behind the line needed to do better. Coach Abron says the defense has to put it all together to do a better job of stopping offenses. Coach Abron says he is looking for improvement in two areas. He says he defense must create turnovers. Coach Abron calls third downs the defense’s Kryptonite. He calls the Texas High offense extremely talented. Coach Abron calls their two top running backs thunder and lightning. He says the offensive line does a great job. Coach Abron remembers how well the Tigers quarterback played against the Wildcats last year. He says the quarterback has a lot of talented receivers to throw to. Coach Abron says in the past, the Tigers defense defined the team but he says the Tigers offense is doing that this year.
9th Annual Help-A-Child Benefit Saturday, October 8, 2016
On Saturday, October 8, 2016, the 9th Annual Tractor Pull and Chili and Brisket Cook-off will be held at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. All proceeds benefit children at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, and the Southern Christian Home for Children in Arkansas.
At 9 a.m., the Antique Tractor Pull & Show will be held inside the Civic Center and conducted by the Lake County Antique Tractor Association. There is no admission fee but donations will be accepted for the charities. At 11:30 a.m., chili will be served from the Chili Cook-off. $5 is All-You-Can-Eat chili and Dutch Oven cobbler. At noon, a live public auction of donated items will take place. Ira Black FFA Mechanics Project Auction will follow, as well as the Allarea Black Home Economics contest, and Ag project show winners will be announced. At 3 p.m., there will be the Brisket Cook-Off Judging. The winner of the Brisket Cook-Off will be announced and brisket will be sold in concessions starting at 5 p.m.. The Stone Groove Band featuring Sadie Evans, Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen 2016, will perform at 5 p.m.. The last event of the day will be the Hot-Rod Garden Tractor Pull inside the Civic Center at 6 p.m., admission will be $10 at the gate. The Hot-Rod Garden Tractor Pull will be conducted by the Lone Star Garden Tractor Pullers Association. For more information, contact Wade Bartley at 903-348-1878.
Animal of the Week: Ginger
Ginger is a sweet, female that has been with the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter since August 22nd, 2016. She was picked up at Douglas Intermediate School and an owner never claimed her. During the Animal of the Week interview, Ginger was playful and full of energy! She loves her head scratched, has a sweet temperament, and would be a perfect family dog! Ginger has visited a local vet to be spayed and get her shots. Her adoption fee is $100. To add Ginger to your family, contact the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter at 903-438-9369.
High School Pitchers Face Pitch Count Rule Change
The UIL in Texas seems poised to adopt a 110 pitch count for all high school baseball pitchers for either a game or a series by this school year’s season. Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack says the proposal should not have much impact on his program. Coach Hammack already uses a standard of 100 pitches.
He admits the new rule may have an impact in a series where an ace throws on Thursday and then wants to come back for one final inning to close out a game Saturday. That may put the pitcher a few pitches over the limit. Coach Hammack says most coaches use good common sense when it comes to pitch counts. He admits to hearing the stories about the excesses.
Coach Hammack says he mostly uses a pitcher just once a week. He says the proposed pitch count is designed to protect coaches and players alike. There are some questions as to who would keep the pitch count. Coach Hammack keeps his pitchers’ count in the dugout during the game.
Statistician Eric Buck also keeps pitch counts. How strict is Coach Hammack with his 100 pitch rule? He remembers removing starter Colby Suggs from a game at Henderson in the playoffs as the tie game went into extra innings. Suggs was at the 100 pitch limit. Henderson won the game with a run in the bottom of the eighth against a relief pitcher.
SSHS Marching Band Will Compete in Four Contests in October
Wildcats Marching Band Director Charles McCauley calls October Contest Month. The Wildcats Band will have four contests, including UIL Competition, over 12 days beginning Monday. That day the band will be at a contest in Mineola.
McCauley says there will be 24 bands in all including 6A Tyler Lee, top Class 4A band Wills Point and a new powerhouse band from Melissa. He says his band kids will have the opportunity to see some fine bands. The Wildcats Band will perform at 1:45 p.m. Monday. McCauley hopes his band ends up in the top seven to qualify for the finals. Then they would get to play again before a new panel. McCauley says that will make it like an additional contest with the new judging panel.
The Wildcats Band will also go to a Commerce contest on October 15. UIL competition is in Mt. Pleasant on October 18.
The band’s fourth contest is at Prairiland on October 22. McCauley says contests are very important because of judges’ critiques of not just the band but also it’s individual parts. There will be critiques of percussion, color guard and drum majors. McCauley says he has made many tweaks to the band’s shows due to judges’ comments.
McCauley says the contests are all about the band getting as good as they can be.
Fall Festival Cover Girl Dinner and Introductions; A Video Presentation of Channel 18 News
Videography by Doug Haston… Scenes from the Cover Girl Queen’s Dinner and introductions to each of the contestants.
The reigning 2015-2016 Cover Girl, Aleigh Bessonett, a Senior at Miller Grove high school, is the daughter of Bill and Cherrie Bessonett. As a Lady Hornet, Aleigh participates in Cross Country, Basketball and Track. She is involved in National Honor Society,and 4-H, and is a member of the Brashear Baptist Youth Group. Aleigh would like to attend college to become a Social Worker or a Physical Therapist. Aleigh’s mother Cherrie George Bessonett, was the 1985 Cover Girl winner. Aleigh and Cherrie are the first Mother – Daughter Cover Girl winners in the history of the contest.
Contestants for Cover Girl this year are:
Jessica Smithers, a Junior at Sulphur Springs High School, is the daughter of Cheyenne and Lisa Smithers. Jessica plays Softball and is involved in FFA. She works after school and on weekends at Little Caesars Pizza. Jessica plans to go to college after graduation. Her window is located at Celebration Antiques located on Connally St.
Maddie Peavler, the daughter of Amber and Ken Sharp, and Tim Peavler, is a Junior at Yantis High School. She is the FFA Vice-President and on the Show Team , a Cheerleader, plays on the tennis team, and competes in UIL Feature Writing. She also works at the Brookshires in Emory. Maddie plans to go to college to become a dentist or dental hygienist. She would love to go to Texas A&M University, but Baylor has a great Dental Program. Maddie’s window is located on the square at Brumley’s Uniforms.
Demi Weatherford,is a Junior at Miller Grove High School and is the daughter of Amanda May. She plays volley ball, basketball and track, and is involved in her church, National Honor Society, Yearbook Staff, and FFA, where she is an Officer. She is also a Sunday school teacher. Demi plans to attend college. Her window is at Korr’s Health Food Store, located in the Spring Village Shopping Center.
Cami Froneberger, the daughter of Andrew and Jennifer Froneberger, is a Junior at Miller Grove High School. She is involved with her youth group and volunteers at the Hopkins County Heritage Museum and Park. Cami plans to go to Texas A&M University to pursue a degree to become a Veterinarian. Her window is located at Flowerland Florist located on Gilmer St.
Equine West Nile Increasing in East Texas
As of this time, the Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an increase in Equine West Nile cases this year. Currently they are reporting 38 horses in the state of Texas infected, compared to 25 in 2014, and 31 in 2015. Many of these horses are residents of East Texas.
Hopkins, Franklin, Hunt, Lamar, and Wood Counties have reported Equine West Nile cases. The Health Services says it is important to vaccinate for West Nile every year.
