Budget Set, Master Plan Commissioned; Part of Litigation Settled; Sidewalk Grant Sought
It took less than 30 minutes for the Sulphur Springs City Council to race through and approve all items on their 17 item agenda the last Tuesday night in September. The meeting takes the place of the council’s October regular session. The council will be attending a state-wide conference for city councils during the week of usually reserved for their October meeting.
Toole Design was approved to begin in October and take four to five months to complete a Comprehensive Master Plan for the city. Ian Lockwood will lead the work locally for Toole Design. Lockwood is the individual that designed Main Street, Connally Street, and the Celebration Plaza/square. The current Master Plan was designed 20 years ago and changes in the city dictate the need for a new study. The study will cost $99,900. Now that the plan for the downtown area is in full swing, the city staff and council are turning their attention in a look at the whole city.
The segment of the Library roof that is metal will not be replaced when the remainder of the roof is repaired. Damage to the metal roof during a hailstorm is only cosmetic and only noticed when flying over the library according to City Finance Director Peter Karsten. Not replacing the metal roof will garner a savings of $15,000 for the city.
The city will apply for a sidewalk grant through the Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Capital Fund, Downtown Revitalization Program. Various areas of sidewalk are included in the request including new sidewalk around the currently under construction parking lot between Tomlinson, Main, and Davis Street. The grant request is for $250,000 with the city contributing $75,000. Shane Shepard spent much of Tuesday gathering signatures from business and property owners in support of the grant. Grant Works will administer the grant for the city. The Grant Works representative present Tuesday night has worked with the city on previous grants and the company is one of the largest grant writing groups in the state. When the sidewalks are completed, business owners will be responsible for the sidewalks on their property.
Although a part of the litigation brought by the city and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been settled, the council worded their acceptance following the suggested reading of City Attorney Jim McLeroy. With the wording, the litigation continues to hold liable the entities that have yet to settle the matter. The lawsuit names as defendants SS Seniors, LLC, Accent Developers, LLC, and others. The lawsuit was brought after an illegal tap in a sewer line was performed by a developer when apartments for seniors were built near Coleman Park. The illegal tap is said to have been the cause of death for a city worker.
With the second reading of city rates approved, rates for residents will slightly increase—water rate will increase 2.25%, sewer rate 2.25%, and sanitation rate 2%. The tax rate will remain at .44 cents per $100 valuation but the exact wording required by the State of Texas will show an increase in city taxes of .99% due to the increase in property values.
The Food and Food establishments ordinance approved has been in the works for some time, according to City Manager Maxwell. The new ordinance will replace an ordinance that dates back to 1954. The new ordinance allows suspending or revoking the permit to be open for the establishment. Investigations using the state inspection work sheet that has been used for several years and the number and kinds of inspections will remain the same under the new ordinance. A restaurant located on the I-30 service road south of Broadway has failed continually to maintain a proper temperature for food served on their buffet line creating the need for a stronger ordinance.
Lady Cats Now 4-1 in District Following Win in Mt Pleasant
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team defeated Mt. Pleasant, 3-1 on the road Tuesday night. The Lady Cats won, 25-15, 27-25, 21-25 and 28-26. Coach Justin Maness said it was a hard fought match on the road and he added Mt. Pleasant was ready to play. He said his team persevered and got the win. Coach Maness said he would take a win on the road in district play.
Lady Cat Autumn Tanton led the Lady Cats with 13 kills and Sheretta Hill had 11. Also with kills, Kaylee Jefferson had 9, Abbi Baier had 5 and Mieke VanBenthem added 4. Tori Moore had a team-leading 41 assists and Anden Hammack had 2. Hammack led the team in digs with 14 and Moore had 10. The team totaled 20 block assists.
The Lady Cats are now 4-1 in district play and 25-8 for the season. The Lady Cats will play host to Marshall Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Wildcats Gym and Coach Maness said he expects his team to be ready.
Freshman Kirkpatrick’s Decisive Point Give Wildcats Team Tennis Win in Mt Pleasant
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad eked out a 10-9 district victory on the road at Mt. Pleasant Tuesday. The Wildcats had easily defeated the Tigers in a non-district match back on August 9 but Mt. Pleasant played more tougher this time with more on the line.
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said his team was really into the match and showed a lot of camaraderie. Freshman Jonah Kirkpatrick won the decisive point in dramatic fashion.
The Wildcats evened their district record at 2-2 and they are now 4-3 for the season. They will host Greenville in a big match with playoff implications next Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Wildcats Tennis Complex.
Tuesday Game Day: Volleyball and Tennis at Mt Pleasant
There is volleyball and team tennis on this Tuesday game day. The Lady Cats’ volleyball team is tied for first place in the district and they will be on the road Tuesday evening at Mt. Pleasant. Since opening district play with a loss at Hallsville, the Lady Cats have won three straight district games. Their most recent victory was at Pine Tree Friday, where the Lady Cats took a thrilling 3-2 win. The action begins Tuesday with a freshman contest at 4:30 p.m., then a JV match at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity game to follow at around 6:30 p.m. The Lady Cats have a 24-8 season record.
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad will also be in Mt. Pleasant on this Tuesday game day. They play the Tigers on the road starting at 3:30 p.m.. It’s a match the Wildcats need to win to stay in the playoff hunt. The Wildcats are 1-2 in district play but they have lost to perhaps the district’s top two teams in Hallsville and Texas High. The Wildcats’ team tennis squad is 3-3 for the season.
Winnsboro Police Report for September 19-25, 2016
Winnsboro Police Department made three arrests, investigated one accident, answered 170 calls for service, issued 61 citations and wrote 49 warnings during the seven day period, September 19-25.
Nikolas Rakich, 20, of Winnsboro was arrested for Manufacture/Deliver/Sell Controlled Substance and Possession of marijuana in a drug free zone on Monday the 19th.
Pedro Guerrer, 47 of Saltillo was arrested Wednesday the 21st for No Drivers License.
Tori Johnson, 25, of Leesburg was arrested on Friday the 23rd on a Wood County warrant.
On Friday, a two vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of FM 515 and FM 312. A vehicle traveling east on Coke Rd (FM 515) disregarded a red signal light and struck a second vehicle making a left hand turn from South Walnut (FM 312) onto East Coke Rd (FM 515).
“Updated” Sheriff’s Service SUVs Are Welcomed Addition to County Law Enforcement
Stock photo of the Sheriff’s Service SUV that will be delivered to Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies soon.
When the three new Sheriff’s Service SUVs arrive and are put in service by Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies, the level of law enforcement will add another layer of diversity for the county according to Sheriff-elect Lewis Tatum. The new Pursuit SUVs were approved Monday by Hopkins County Commissioners court.
Tatum told KSST News that the new SUVs will be police pursuit vehicles and therefore better prepared for the task of police work. He stated that the three new vehicles will be assigned to supervisors and members of the SWAT team to afford better preparation for immediate need. Not only will the vehicles be equipped with pursuit brakes, alternators, and other high quality parts that will take the wear and tear of police work, they will also provide better storage for equipment needed in the field. Tatum said Deputy Tanner Crump has done his homework to find the best quality, efficient storage, and lowest price allowing, as he said, “More bang for the buck.”
The SUVs will carry equipment that will provide a faster response to investigation at the crime scene, said Tatum. He said officers have stored needed items in tool boxes in the back of the current pickups used by the Sheriff’s office. He called the SUVs better equipped to store and protect the instruments and items needed for investigation in the field.
Tatum stated that the department will continue to use pickups as well. He said that the pickups assist in transporting recovered items such as those items taken in burglaries. Utilizing the pickups will mean not having to pay impound or storage fees on recovered items that would need to await a means of transport back to Hopkins County or to the Sheriff’s Office. Farm work also necessitates the use of pickups. The Sheriff’s Office recent gardening venture and the raising of hogs on county land for meals at the jail necessitate the use of pickups. Tatum did say that in the future the department will be purchasing pursuit equipped pickups as well.
World Wide Photo Walk in Sulphur Springs!
PICTURE THIS…. THE ANNUAL WORLD WIDE PHOTO WALK IN SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS!
Downtown Business Association member Perry Altenbaumer announces that Saturday October 1, 2016 is the annual World Wide Photo Walk and Sulphur Springs will again be joining in! The 7th annual Walk is sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance. Amateur and wanna-be photographers are welcome to enter in this FREE, FUN and EDUCATIONAL event.
To participate, be at Plain and Fancy Restaurant on Celebration Plaza downtown at 9 am on October 1. Be prepared to follow-the-leader with a professional photographer along the downtown photo trail, then hop on the trolley for a short ride to Heritage Park for more photo ops. You’ll be delivered back to Plain and Fancy by 11 am. Be ready to submit your three best photos (editing is OK!) by Friday October 7 to [email protected].
Winners will be selected and prizes awarded at a public reception on Saturday October 15 at 3 pm at Sulphur Springs City Hall. Prizes have been donated by Texas Art and Frame, Redneck Bar and Grill and Gourmet Kitchen and Company, so thank them when you shop these and other local merchants!
Wildcats Relentless Against Pine Tree; Face Determined Marshall
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens had a lot to talk about on KSST and Channel 18 TV Saturday Morning Coach’s Show after Friday night’s 49-21 win at Pine Tree. He said after the Wildcats fell behind the Pirates, 14-0 in the first quarter, the defense made some adjustments that helped slow Pine Tree down.
He praised the play of defensive linemen Cameron Cooks and D’Ideric Dugan who put a relentless pass rush on the Pirates’ quarterback. Defensive lineman Haven Tennison made a solid play on a goal line stand fourth down play that turned the ball over on downs. Coach Owens also praised the play of corner Terrell Turman. He said after the defense adjusted, the offense began to pour on the points.
Receiver Tyrese Peters was able to play for the first time after a season and a half of injuries and he scored three touchdowns the first three times he touched the ball. Quarterback Ryan Humphries completed 15 of 19 passes for 326 yards and five touchdowns and he also had a long run for a score. Coach Owens called Humphries extremely consistent. He also praised the offensive line for maintaining their blocks. Linemen Gideon Gregory and Richard Green had excellent games according to Coach Owens. He also liked the hard running of backs Searn Rodgers and Lawrence Worth. The coach also liked the pooch kicking of Angel Tavera.
The win put the Wildcats in a three-way tie for first place with Texas High and Hallsville. Coach Owens said one of the team’s goals is to return to the playoffs. The Marshall Mavericks come to Gerald Prim Stadium this Friday. They are 0-1 in district play after losing to Texas High. Their season record is 1-4 but Coach Owens cautioned that the Mavericks have played a very rough schedule. They have Cameron Haller back on offense. He’s the district’s leader rusher. Coach Owens called Haller the best athlete in the district and an exceptional player. He added Marshall lost a lot of players off last year’s team due to graduation. After last week’s district loss, Coach Owens expects Marshall to come into Friday’s game desperate for a win.
Lady Cats Lead District; Face Mt Pleasant Tuesday
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness said he knew the Lady Cats match at Pine Tree would be a tough one. He expected the Lady Pirates to be feeling good about themselves after the bumped off Hallsville earlier in the week. The Lady Cats lost a hard fought set 1, 32-30 and had to rally from a 2-1 deficit to take a 3-2 win.
The Lady Cats had to play without one of their best players. Center net player Mieke Van Benthem turned an ankle in practice earlier in the week could not play against Pine Tree. Madi Vickery filled in for VanBenthem and she did well according to Coach Maness.
The win put the Lady Cats into a first place tie with Hallsville. The Lady Cats will have both Hallsville and Pine Tree on their home court during the second half of district play. Coach Maness noted that if the Lady Cats can win out in district play they would be district champs.
Coach Maness praised Sheretta Hill, Vickery and Kaylee Jefferson for their offense. He added the Lady Cats played excellent defense.
The Lady Cats are now 3-1 in district play and 24-8 for the season. They will travel to Mt. Pleasant for a district contest Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. Coach Maness said the Pine Tree win on the road gave his team a lot of confidence.
