The Edge Training Ended Thursday
The Edge conditioning program wrapped up its’ six week run Thursday morning in the Multipurpose Building. There were 24 workouts in all. Wildcats Athletic Director Greg Owens said things went pretty well. He said he would have liked to have seen more athletes participate. Coach Owens said most of the guys he would be counting on in football showed up. He admitted being disappointed in some that stayed away. Coach Owens estimated about 80% of his varsity players attended The Edge.
He said the athletes, boys and girls, who attended did a great job and had great attitudes. Several of them attended all 24 sessions. Coach Owens pointed out benefits of The Edge by praising Sheretta Hill. He said she was pounding the volleyball down onto the court at a camp this week. Coach Owens said the challenge now is for athletes to stay in shape until their season gets underway.
Animal of the Week: Frasier
Frasier is a two year old Rottweiler mix that has resided at the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter for roughly a month. He was brought to the Shelter by a woman who was concerned for his safety. “He was supposedly running around the Pilot station, and she was afraid that she was going to get hit,”Animal Shelter Officer Annie Patridge said. “He’s turned out to be a sweetheart. He just wants a playmate”
The playful Rottweiler is named after the fictional character Dr. Frasier Crane from the popular ’90s sitcom TV show “Frasier,” the story of a radio-psychiatrist living in Seattle who struggles with taking his own advice. Frasier (the dog) shows no signs of training or obedience, but possesses playful and non-violent tendencies. “He would need a little bit of obedience, but I think he would be just fine,” Officer Patridge said. “He wants you to be happy, and if you’re happy then he’s happy. If you’re upset with him, then he’s going to get upset with himself.”
His month-long stay at the Shelter was due to the time he spent under watch as a possible lost dog, and he was further delayed from being adoptable after he experienced stomach issues. He is described as rambunctious when playful and enjoys playing with other dogs of his size. He has been trying to make friends with the dog in the kennel next to his. “I think that he could learn to play gently, but right now he still has so much energy in him,” Officer Patridge said. “The little girl next to him, Lacie, has been there the entire time. He’s gotten to know her pretty well while sniffing through the chain-link. But he’s been pretty much by himself the whole time.”
Frasier has his rabies shot, but still requires his basic shots and needs to be neutered. Frasier has been involved in off-site adoptions in the past, but he was often overlooked due to his age, size, breed, and coloration. He will remain at the Shelter this weekend as there will be no off-site adoption this Saturday, July 23. Instead, the Shelter will remain open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. “He’s just a big lovebug that needs a good home,” Shelter Officer Patridge said.
From the Convention Floor; Cruz Failure to Endorse Trump Displeased Texas Delegation
Texas Senator Ted Cruz addresses a Wednesday morning gathering telling them to vote their conscience. He repeated the phrase Wednesday night to the displeasure of the Texas Delegation to the RNC.
“Last year Texas Senator Ted Cruz stood on that very place and said he would support the nominee of the Republican National Convention. Wednesday morning at a Cruz event he said ‘vote conscience,’” according to Hopkins County Republican Chairman and RNC delegate from Texas Donnie Wisenbaker. Wisenbaker and many in the Texas delegation were not pleased that Cruz told the convention crowd Wednesday to “vote your conscience” and did not endorse Donald Trump for President.
Wisenbaker said a grass roots Cruz supporter from Kaufman County and delegate to the convention, Doc Collins, told Wisenbaker that if Cruz had said he forgave Trump for what his disparaging remarks against the Cruz family and had endorsed Trump, it would united the party and would have been the right thing to do. Wisenbaker said Cruz could have been the man of the hour but in Texas delegation, a lot are disappointed for what he said. “Those of us who do think are disappointed.”
Wisenbaker said the cameras will be on the Texas delegation tonight after what the Senator said and with Trump speaking tonight. He pointed out that media of various varieties from print, digital, and audio and/or video were already surrounding the group. It was hard to get to a seat in the Texas delegation for all the press that surrounded. “The delegation is being watched and watching closely,” said Wisenbaker. The Texas delegation is determined to show unity for Trump, he said.
Wisenbaker commended Indiana governor and Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Mike Pence. Even though there were problems with lights, cameras, and audio during Pence’s speech, he did well. It may have lost some of the effect of the moment but the content of his speech was spot on, according to Wisenbaker. He called Pence, a rock-solid conservative, the saving grace of the ticket.
“There as a lot of energy on the floor last night and should be even more tonight with Trump speaking. Wisenbaker said last night felt more like what a political convention should even with the Cruz gaffe.
Schlotzsky’s Ribbon Cutting
On Wednesday evening, Schlotzsky’s held a friends and family VIP event. The Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting was first on the list of events followed by a presentation from a representative from the State Senate. After ceremonies, those who were in attendance were offered a free meal. This was the first time the Schlotzsky’s team of employees got hands on experience with serving customers. Schlotzsky’s grand opening took place Thursday morning and produced quite a turn out of customers, some even forming a line in front of the doors at 11 p.m. Wednesday night.
Physical Bruising, Scarring and Tearing Leads to Arrest of Man for Two Counts of Injury to a Child
Keidrick Dewayne Green, 28 of Sulphur Springs was arrested by Hopkins County Deputy Scott Davis on Sulphur Springs Police Department warrants for injury to a child, a felony 3. Deputy Davis located Green at a residence on County Road 3562 about 12:45 a.m. Thursday morning.
Detective Sgt. David Gilmore told KSST News that Child Protective Services contacted him last week regarding the injuries sustained by a 6-year old and 3-year old. One of the children was a biological child and their other a step-child of Green. Gilmore stated that the children had sustained bruising on the chest and belt marks on their legs and abdomen, along with some scarring and tearing. The marks were a result of discipline, Green stated.
Gilmore stated that following interrogation Thursday morning, Green confessed to the acts. Green is in Hopkins County Jail on a total of $40,000 bond. He is charged with two counts of Injury to a Child, Felony 3.
Schlotzsky’s Opens to Long Line of Customers
Her name is Vanessa and she arrived just after 11 p.m. Wednesday night to be the first in line for the opening of Schlotzsky’s in Sulphur Springs. The deli, on Gilmer Street, opened at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 21. Just before the opening, near 150 people were in line to make a purchase.
The first 120 to purchase a six-pack of Cinnabon cinnamon rolls will receive one free small original sandwich per week for an entire year. The number had been 100 but local owner Charles Moore extended the number by 20. Those who were in the 50th to 60th positions in line said they had arrived prior to 8:30 Thursday morning.
The line was orderly as people were talking to one another or on cellphones. Some had umbrellas to keep the sun at bay and others had lawn chairs seating as they waited.
Federal Court of Appeals Rules Texas Photo ID Law Racially Discriminatory; Hopkins County Clerk Responds
New Orleans, La. and Washington, D.C. – The full Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals found today that Texas’s photo ID law, the strictest in the nation, is racially discriminatory. This marks the fourth court to find that the law has a disproportionate impact on African-American and Latino voters in Texas. However, Hopkins County Clerk Debbie Shirley told KSST News that almost every Hopkins County voter used their photo ID and not their voter registration card in the most recent elections.
Shirley said she didn’t think any Hopkins County citizen’s rights have been violated in past elections. She now awaits a letter from the Texas Secretary of State to give direction for the November 8th election. “I don’t know what to expect regarding an appeal,” she stated but she does expect the Secretary of State to already have a plan in place for the next election.
A federal trial court and a Fifth Circuit panel both found the law requiring a photo ID violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by denying African-American and Latino voters an equal opportunity to cast a ballot. The law was also previously blocked under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. It was implemented in 2013, immediately after the Supreme Court gutted a core provision of the Voting Rights Act.
The Texas State Conference of the NAACP and MALC challenged the Texas law in September 2013. That case was consolidated with other similar cases and is now known as Veasey v. Abbott. The attorneys representing the groups include the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the national office of the NAACP, Dechert LLP, The Bledsoe Law Firm, the Law Offices of Jose Garza, the Law Office of Robert S. Notzon, and the Covich Law Firm, P.C.
“Today’s ruling by the Fifth Circuit confirms what we have long known to be true – Texas’s voter ID law, one of the most restrictive barriers to the ballot box in the nation, has a discriminatory effect on minority voters and violates the Voting Rights Act,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “SB 14 limited or denied the right to vote to more than 600,000 registered voters in the state of Texas, a number that included African Americans, Latinos, poor people, students and the elderly. Today’s decision will have an immediate impact on the November 2016 election cycle and will help ensure that more people are able to participate and vote in elections across the state of Texas.”
Background
A federal court in Washington, D.C. blocked Texas’s voter ID law in 2012 under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, finding that the law would have a disproportionate negative impact on minority citizens in Texas. In June 2013, however, the U.S. Supreme Court (in a separate case) ruled that the formula used in the Act for specifying the states covered by Section 5 is unconstitutional. As a result, Texas is not currently required to comply with Section 5. Just hours after the Supreme Court’s decision, then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced the state would implement the voter ID law.
At the September 2014 trial, the Texas NAACP and MALC, among others, presented evidence showing the state’s ID requirement would erect discriminatory barriers to voting. At trial, experts testified that 1.2 million eligible Texas voters lack a form of government-issued photo ID that would have been accepted under the new law — and minorities would be hit the hardest. For example, the court credited testimony that African-American registered voters are 305 percent more likely and Hispanic registered voters 195 percent more likely than white registered voters to lack photo ID that can be used to vote.
Stock Photo; Names changed to protect candidates
City of Commerce Sprays Area After Trapped Mosquitos Test Positive for West Nile
By Becky Pattillo
COMMERCE, TX—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 additional mosquito samples have been returned with positive results for the West Nile Virus. At this time, no human cases of West Nile have been received in the Hunt County area.
West Nile is typically spread to humans and animals via infected mosquitoes, who are infected by feeding on infected birds. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms. About twenty 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.
City Staff will again spray for mosquitoes in the areas where there were positive tests and will continue for three days, beginning tonight, July 19, 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.
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 Movie!
This week Friday the 22nd is Movie Night on Celebration Plaza!
The good Dinosaur is this weeks movie. This movie is about luckily for young Arlo, his parents and his two siblings, the mighty dinosaurs were not wiped out 65 million years ago. When a rainstorm washes poor Arlo downriver, he ends up bruised, battered and miles away from home. Good fortune shines on the frightened dino when he meets Spot, a Neanderthal boy who offers his help and friendship. Together, the unlikely duo embark on an epic adventure to reunite Arlo with his beloved family.
The Good Dinosaur is a fantasy, comedy, and drama film. It’s great for children and even people of all ages! Just grab all your friends and family and head on down to Celebration Plaza Friday Night at dark!
