Small Stream Flood Advisory for Hopkins County
The National Weather Service issued a small stream flood advisory for Hopkins County and North Central Rains County until 8:45 p.m. At 5:48 p.m. Dopler radar indicated thunderstorms that were producing heavy rainfall across Hopkins County… Specifically North and East of the city of Sulphur Springs. Heavy rain was also likely falling near and just south of the city of Cumby. Excessive runoff from these thunderstorms will cause minor flooding. Areas that are low lying or usually experience poor drainage are most likely to experience flooding. Low water crossings int the region may become impassable.
The Life Of Camels!
Camels are desert mammals with long legs, a big- lipped snout and humped back. There are two different types on camels, Dromedary (one hump) and Bactrian (two humps). Camels humps consist of stored fat, which they can metabolize when food and water is scarce.
Besides their humps they have many other ways to adapt to their environment. They have a third eyelid that protects their eyes from the blowing sand. They also have two rows of long eyelashes also to protect their eyes. You would also think that sand in the nose would be a problem but not for camels, they can shut their nostrils during sand storms.
Camels aren’t picky about what they eat. Their thick lips allow them to eat things that most other animals couldn’t, such as thorny plants. Camels are herbivores so you probably won’t find them eating meat. Filling up on water, when it’s available, is also very important for camels. They can drink 30 gallons of water in just 13 minutes. Their bodies re-hydrate faster than any other mammal. When there is little food and water, the camel uses the fat stored in their humps to get them through the tough times.
Humans have used camels as a source of transport for thousands of years. They can carry about 500 pounds on their backs, earning camels a nickname, “ships of the desert.” Domestic camels are often the main source of meat, milk and even leather or wool products. Most camels tower above humans. A Bactrian camel, grows to a shoulder height of 6 feet (1.8 meters) and a body length of 10 feet (3 m). They normally weigh 1,320 to 2,200 pounds when they are fully grown. Dromedary camels get up to about 6.5 feet (2 m) tall at the shoulder and weigh 880 to 1,325 pounds.
Camels are very unique animals and are born with a very skilled mind set to help get through tough times.
Wildcat Freshmen Football Camp Vital This Year
Wildcats Head Football Coach Greg Owens feels this year’s Freshmen Football Camp is an especially important one this year. The incoming ninth graders will lose one week of practice along with all the returning varsity players even though the freshmen didn’t go through spring football in May. The three-day camp started Tuesday and will wrap up Thursday. Coach Owens says the freshmen will get back three days of the five they will lose in August. He says the camp is another opportunity for the young players to get used to the coaching staff and for coaches to learn more about the players. Coach Owens says they are already quite familiar with those who attended sessions of The Edge conditioning program this summer. He hopes when football practice gets underway on August 8, the ninth graders will be more comfortable with things. Some 50 to 60 freshmen are expected at the camp this week.
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2016 Wildcat Varsity and Sub-Varsity Schedule
Counting today, Wednesday, July 27th, there are only 24 days remaining before the Wildcats take the field in scrimmage action at Liberty Eylau High School in Texarkana. The following Friday, August 26th, the Wildcats host Sherman in the first pre-district game of the season. Junior Varsity and Freshmen teams will also begin their play with the LE scrimmage and then begin pre-district on Thursday, August 25. Seventh and 8th grade teams begin play after school begins in September.
With the Wildcats traveling to Orlando, Florida to face Seminole Ridge, Florida, September 2 at 8 p.m. in a game that will be heard on KSST radio and streamed on ksstradio.com, the Junior Varsity is also scheduled to play at Orlando but the Freshmen will face area teams and be at Prim Stadium that week.
Friday Night Movie!
Friday the 29th is movie night on Celebration Plaza!
Guardians of the Galaxy is about Brash space adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the quarry of relentless bounty hunters after he steals an orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain. To evade Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with four disparate misfits: gun-toting Rocket Raccoon, treelike-humanoid Groot, enigmatic Gamora, and vengeance-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when he discovers the orb’s true power and the cosmic threat it poses, Quill must rally his ragtag group to save the universe.
This movie is rated PG-13 and is great for people of all ages. Grab your friends, family, and come on down to Celebration Plaza Friday night for a fantastic movie experience!
Rains County Woman Tries to Evade Arrest, Placed on Watch by Jail Staff
A 40-year old Rains County woman is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Evading Arrest/Detention with a Motor Vehicle (a State Jail Felony) after a Hopkins County Deputy initiated a traffic stop on State Highway 19, just north of CR 1170 Tuesday.
The deputy attempted to stop the motorist after noting no license plate lights. The woman moved to the southbound shoulder of the state highway and continued driving. The deputy pursued her into Rains County and the vehicle turned eastbound on Rains County Road 3325. She drove to a trailer park and stopped there. The officer attempted a felony takedown but the driver locked the car doors and refused to exit. He noted no weapons visible in the auto and waited on additional patrol units for assistance. The driver was crying, shaking, and yelling. She eventually exited the vehicle and Rain EMS evaluated her at the scene.
She was taken into custody and transferred to Hopkins County Jail where she refused to answer any questions. Due to her actions, she was placed on watch by jail staff. Her vehicle was inventoried and nothing incriminating was found. She is being held on a $5,000 bond.
Local Man Arrested on Van Zandt County Warrants for Sexual Assault
Jesus Rubio-Rodriquez, 46, of Sulphur Springs was arrested by Hopkins County Deputies at his residence in the 600 block of Main Street Tuesday. The arrest came as a result of warrants out of Van Zandt County. Rubio-Rodriquez is in Hopkins County Jail awaiting transfer to Van Zandt County Jail. The two warrants included Sexual Assault and Assault Family/House Member with previous conviction. He is being held on a total of $60,000 bond.
Color Guard, Percussion Camps as Wildcats Marching Season Nears Start
Mostly freshmen members of the percussion group and all of the thirteen-member Color Guard for the Wildcats Marching Band are in camps this week to give them a head start for the start of summer band practice, which begins Monday. It’s the second week of camp for percussion members and the first week for Color Guard members.
Zander Smith, the school district’s Strings Director, is helping Percussion Director Jeffrey Garza, with percussion camp. Smith says he is teaching the mostly freshmen group how to march. He notes drumline members have to learn a specific technique since they march differently than other band members due to the heavy weights they must carry. The percussion camp is featuring not only marching but also working on the music that must be learned. Also helping is senior Sam Robinson, the band’s Drumline Section Leader. He notes that progress is being made. After a few mishaps early, Robinson says the young band members are now getting it. Robinson feels this year’s drumline will be the best since he has been here.
Meanwhile Assistant Band Director Jennifer Turner was busy working with the thirteen-member Color Guard Tuesday. After watching them struggle in the heat during rifle twirling drills, she decided to handle dropped rifles by squirting those involved with water from a nozzled water hose. She admits some guard members dropped rifles at first just to get squirted. Some members that did not wish to get wet were put in a dry zone. Color Guard members will also be working with flags and on their routines for the fall show during camp this week. This year’s Color Guard is a young one featuring only two seniors.
