Wildcats Spring Game Features Six Quarters
For those planning to attend the Wildcats first spring football game in over a decade Thursday evening at 6 p.m., Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens told media members Wednesday what to expect. He said the coaching staff has seen a lot already this spring and has observed tons of improvement. Coach Owens described the game as a finale for spring football and a chance for players to show their parents what they have been doing and how they have been playing. He said parents and fans would be able to see a precursor of what’s coming this fall. Coach Owens said coaches have worked to have Blue and White teams that are balanced. Each team has about 45 players. Coach Owens said they want to create balanced match ups during the game.
They are planning on playing six quarters. Referees will be calling the game. The clock might run a lot of the time or coaches might choose to stop it on occasions. Like a scrimmage, there will be time for special teams for punts, field goals and extra points. Some players with minor injuries might not play or might only play a series or two. A late afternoon decision is expected concerning whether the game will be at Prim Stadium or in the Multipurpose Building.
AgriLife Extension Service Promotes Click It or Ticket Campaign
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Click it or Ticket Campaign
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is helping promote the Click it or Ticket campaign which actually started May 23 and runs through June 5. This includes the Memorial Day Weekend. The campaign is working to get more pickup truck drivers to buckle up.
Taking about three seconds to buckle your seat belt is the most important step you can take to protect yourself in a crash. Bev Kellner, AgriLife Extension vehicle safety specialist states, “While most Texans now routinely buckle up, some groups of motorists still aren’t consistently using seat belts. Statistics show those most likely to be unrestrained are men and young adults, especially pickup truck drivers and passengers.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nationally about 50% of those killed in crashes are unrestrained – and it’s about 61% for pickup truck occupants. The Texas Department of Transportation reported last year that 40 percent of those killed in Texas crashes were unrestrained.
NHTSA reports that in 2015 along, seat belts prevented 370 fatalities and 6,652 serious injuries in Texas. When the Click it or Ticket Campaign began in 2002, the percentage of people using seat belts jumped from 76 percent to more than 90 percent. Pickup drivers and their passengers typically depend on their vehicle’s larger size to protect them in a crash, but the fact is that pickup trucks are twice as likely to roll over than passenger cars, and pickup truck crashes can be especially serious – even deadly – due to their tendency to roll over and unbelted occupants to be thrown from the vehicle.
Kellner states that most people are not aware of the dangers posed by unbuckled backseat passengers. In a crash, they can become projectiles that are tossed around inside the vehicle, injuring or killing those in the front seat. NHTSA and Texas Department of Transportation statistics show riders in the back seat who use lap and shoulder belts are 44% more likely to survive in a crash than unrestrained occupants in passenger cars, and they are 73% more likely to survive a crash in passenger vans or SUV’s.
There is another good reason for people to use their seat belts – it’s the law. Unbelted drivers and adults passengers can face fines and court costs of up to $200. Children younger than eight must be in a child safety seat or booster seat unless that are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Fines issued to drivers for unrestrained children in their vehicle can be as high as $250 plus court costs.
Since this year’s campaign time frame includes Memorial Day weekend – a time many people take to the road to enjoy the long weekend – drivers can expect to encounter additional law enforcement activity, including checking seat belts and child restraints.
These officers are not out just to write tickets, but want to help prevent the needless tragedy from motor vehicles accidents. It only take a few seconds to buckle up. Buckling up isn’t something to do just during the Click it or Ticket campaign. It is something everyone should do every time they get into a vehicle.
On another note, be a courteous driver. On a recent trip to my district office in Dallas, a driver whizzed in and out of lanes, tailgating, and narrowly missing other vehicles. That is the cause for many crashes. Watch out for the other driver, use your signal light to change lanes or turn, and if you are going below the speed limit, please use the right lane to prevent traffic backups on busy highways.
Be courteous, be cautious, be kind, and buckle up!
Master Wellness Volunteers
Each year, I treat my Master Wellness Volunteers are recognized for the contributions they have made in our community. In March, April, and May, Master Wellness Volunteers contributed over 70 hours of service in and around Hopkins County by assisting with Kids’ Safe Saturday, Region 8 Education Service Center Parent Fair, 55+ Health Fair, District 4-H Contests, Kids’ Camp planning sessions, Skills Camp planning sessions, 8th Grade Career Day at TAMU-Commerce, and many more.
I will be treating the Hopkins County MWV’s to a luncheon on Wednesday, June 1, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston in Sulphur Springs. I want to invite anyone else who is interested in learning more about the Master Wellness Volunteer program to join us! A regional conference will take place in July, and I plan to take a car full of volunteers! Give us a call if you would like to attend the luncheon or learn more about the Master Wellness Volunteer program.
Closing Thought
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand ore, so that we may fear less – Marie Curie
Bolt Cutters Stolen in Hopkins County, Used in Vandalism in Wood County
A group of juveniles are suspected in a series of incidents that took place in Hopkins and Wood Counties. The suspects broke into a barn and stole a pair of bolt cutters that were used to gain access to a residence and other buildings vandalized.
At one home, just across the Hopkins County line in Wood County, the suspects gained access to the property and two story brick home using the bolt cutters. At the property, they used paint on the outside brick to leave lettering and painting an unseemly mural on the side of the home. Next they went upstairs and threw cans of paint onto the patio area below.
Hopkins County investigators have identified potential suspects by checking the soles of their shoes for irregular paint that matched the paint used in the incident, according to reports.
TxDOT Offers State Travel Guide
If you’re planning a road trip this summer, the Texas Department of Transportation offers the Texas State Travel Guide, Texas Highways Events Calendar and Texas Official Travel Map to help you get where you’re going and have fun along the way.
“Whether you have a particular destination in mind or are just planning to explore Texas, these publications will help you every mile of your trip,” said Joan Henderson, TxDOT’s Travel Information Division director. “Texas is big, and so is the list of things to do and places to see offered in these publications. Plus, the travel information is free.”
The 264-page Travel Guide offers features on history, arts and culture, music, food, shopping, sports, family activities and the outdoors. In addition, you’ll find information on more than 450 cities and 3,000 attractions. The city and attraction listings are separated into regions and each has a section highlighting some of the must-see places.
The Events Calendar is published quarterly by season. The summer edition, available now, includes events ranging from festivals and fairs to rodeos, food events, music, art and museum exhibits, theatrical performances and market days.
The Texas Official Travel Map shows highways, farm/ranch roads, airports, communities and recreational areas to assist travelers in safely exploring the state.
Pick up these publications at any of the 12 Texas Travel Information Centers across the state. They also may be ordered online or by calling (800) 452-9292.
Along with the free travel publications, summer vacationers will find a wealth of destination information and colorful feature stories in Texas Highways magazine. Founded as a travel magazine in 1974, the award-winning Texas Highways today has nearly 400,000 monthly readers across the United States and around the world. Look for Texas Highways magazine at hundreds of newsstands statewide, including H-E-B, Target, Walmart, Randall’s and Barnes & Noble, or subscribe online.
Resident Fires Weapon to Scare Intruder
A call to a disturbance at a residence on CR 4131 in the Cumby area Wednesday night around 9 p.m. was answered by Cumby police and Hopkins County Sheriff’s officers. At the residence, they found and arrested Billy Carl Chapman, 27, of Sulphur Springs highly intoxicated.
According to the residents who called in the complaint, Chapman had kicked in the kitchen door and was standing in their kitchen when they first encountered him. The resident fired a weapon at the floor to scare Chapman away. It didn’t work. Instead, Chapman fought with the resident. According to the resident, Chapman struck him and stole two bottles of medication from the residence and started walking away.
When arrested and transported to Hopkins County jail, Chapman was uncooperative and threatened the arresting officer. Once at the jail, Chapman was combative and was placed in the Violent Cell. After he calmed, he was booked into jail and taken from the Violent Cell to regular confinement. Chapman awaits a magistrates hearing Thursday morning.
In April of this year, Chapman had attempted to take a weapon from a Sheriff’s officer. He had been out of jail only two days when this incident occurred.
Spring Game Thursday Rain or Shine
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said Wednesday afternoon that the Blue and White Spring Football Game will be played on Thursday at 6 p.m. The weather will determine whether it’s played at Gerald Prim Stadium or at the Multipurpose Building. There will be no admission charge to attend. Coach Owens said his goal is to play the scrimmage-like game at the Prim. He said he wanted to make a big deal out of the game since spring football hasn’t taken place here for more than a decade.
If the game is moved to the Multipurpose Building, good viewing locations will be few. When Gilmer was here for 7 on 7 games played in the Multipurpose Building, some fans lined up along the walls of the facility just off the field to watch.
SSHS Coaching Changes Set
Coaching changes tend to increase during the spring. This time of year, Wildcats Football Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens is almost always busy filling coaching vacancies at middle school and high school. Coach Owens gave the latest news to media members Wednesday morning.
Longtime Soccer and Cross Country Coach Andy Holt is heading to Frisco Wakeland to be head soccer coach. Coach Owens promoted Wildcats Assistant Coach Nicky Wiggins to head soccer coach. He’s still working to hire a soccer assistant and a cross country coach.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Allison Irvin is heading to new school, Denton Braswell, to be head volleyball coach. Her husband, football and track assistant Johnny Irvin, will be leaving as he heads to Sherman as a football assistant. Coach Owens hired Justin Maness as Lady Cats volleyball coach. Maness was the head coach for the past ten years at Paris Junior College from the program’s beginning until it was recently discontinued.
Math teacher Derrick Tyson, a former offensive coordinator at Lindale and Grand Saline, has been hired to replace Johnny Irvin.
Freshman Football Assistant and Powerlifting Coach Jacob Alford is headed to Melissa near McKinney to become a varsity assistant football position coach. Coach Owens says he is still working to replace Alford.
At Middle School, 27-year coaching veteran Robbie Horton is retiring. She’ll be replaced by trainer Josh Neill, who was originally hired as a trainer and coach. Natalie Martino has been hired as middle school trainer. She is from Stephen F. Austin and her husband is an assistant baseball coach at North East Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant.
Dairy Festival Queen and Contestants
The Dairy Festival season will soon be upon Hopkins County once again. Contestants for the Dairy Festival Pageant have been announced, 8 soon-to-be senior girls from Sulphur Springs High School. The reigning Dairy Festival Queen is Ms. Sidney Elaine Dietze.
Dairy Festival Queen Sidney Dietze. Photo by Cindy Roller.
Sidney Dietze is the daughter of Jason and Jill Dietze and the sister of Peyton and Jason Luke Dietze. Sidney loves to sing, play sports, participate in theater, and work with children. She is the Salutatorian of her class, Class president, Varsity Volleyball Team Captain, Class Favorite: Most Likely To Succeed, Homecoming Court Nominee, Rotary Youth Leadership Camper 2015 and Counselor 2016, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Member, and Vice President of the National Honor Society Gladys Alexander Chapter. Sidney is also the recipient of the James Cameron Fighting Heart Award 2016. Ms. Dietze is a member of Key Club, Student Council, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce High School Leadership Class, SSHS Varsity Volleyball Team, SSHS President’s Council as an Athletics Representative, and National Thespian Society. Sidney plans to attend Baylor University with the aspirations of becoming a physician.
Sadie Evans
The first contestant is Sadie Evans, sponsored by Dial Study Club and Askins Propane Company. Sadie is the daughter of Jason and Angie Evans, and the granddaughter of Roger and Rita Wright and also Donnie and Pam Evans. Sadie enjoys performing in oprys and showcases, participating in musical theater, playing guitar, songwriting, spending time with her lovely friends, traveling, and of course, dancing. She has been in vocal training for two years with Septien Entertainment Group and prior to that she had four years of vocal and theatrical training locally with Shining Star Productions. Sadie received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, she is Student Body Vice President, Class of 2017 Parliamentarian, Head Pledge for Hi King Klub 2016, Secretary of Thespian Society, and Dare To Dream Anchor. She also is a member of Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, FCCLA, UIL Poetry and Prose, UIL One Act Play, and Hi King Klub. Sadie received Best Actress, All Star Cast, and Honorable Mention All Star Cast Awards in UIL One Act Play. She also was the winner of the Lindale Idol contest and received Best Vocalist Award at Septien Entertainment Group showcases. Sadie participated in Work Camp and attends The Way Bible Church. An extra fact about Sadie, her great grandmother, Dorothy Hinton, and family donated the holstein cow in front of the Southwest Dairy Museum in honor of her great grandfather. In the future, Sadie plans to attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a degree in Musical Performance and Songwriting.
Lauren Helm
The second contestant is Lauren Helm, sponsored by Mothers Culture Club and Sulphur Springs Chrysler Dodge Jeep. Lauren is the daughter of Jonas and Melanie Helm. Lauren enjoys running, playing soccer, babysitting, helping in the Special Education class, off road racing with her father, and going on mission trips. She participates in National Honor Society, Key Club, Cross Country, First Baptist Church Youth, and SSHS Soccer. Lauren is an academic athlete, Varsity Ladycat Soccer Captain, Cross Country MVP, and 2nd team All-District for Cross Country. This summer, Lauren plans to attend mission trips in Austin, Texas and Costa Rica. In the future, Lauren plans to go to college and pursue a degree in Psychology to become a children’s counselor.
Alexis Howard
The third contestant is Alexis Howard, sponsored by Carriage House Manor and Cottages and Dairy Max. Alexis is the daughter of Genny and Michael Howard. Alexis loves art and dance. She participates in lyrical, jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop and pointe. Alexis is a member of National Honor Society. In the future, Alexis plans to attend nursing school and become an RN to work with children and teens who are battling cancer.
Tahtiana King
The fourth contestant is Tahtiana King, sponsored by Texas Association of Dairymen and Jay Hodge Chevrolet. Tahtiana is the daughter of Kyshia and Marcus Johnson. She enjoys singing, running track, and is interested in music. In the future, she plans to attend a 4-year college to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy.
Emma Boyett
The fifth contestant is Emma Boyett, sponsored by Southwest Dairy Farmers Museum and Texas Farm Credit. Emma Boyett is the daughter of Oran and Jeanine Boyett. Emma likes to go shopping, read, cheer, and attend church activities. She is a member of SSHS Band, UIL Solo and Ensemble, SSHS Cheer, Key Club, Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society. Emma is a member of South Garland Baptist Church and their youth group. She has been a major part of Jeans For Teens Blue Jean Drive for five years and has collected over 5,000 pairs of jeans for teenagers in shelters. She has been apart of Tornado Cleanup Assistance, Special Olympics helper, DNOW Missions, SMACK Musicals, Meals for the Multitudes, and Competitive Gymnastics. In the future, she plans to attend Texas A&M College Station for an undergraduate degree and continue on to get her doctorate in Dental Surgery.
Anne-Marie Winborn
The sixth contestant is Anne-Marie Kennedy Winborn, sponsored by Saputo and Hopkins County Minor Emergency Clinic. Anne-Marie is the daughter of Jennifer Lansou. She enjoys playing tennis, cheering, and participating in all genres of dance. Anne-Marie is a member of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, SSHS Varisty Tennis team, Key Club, and SSHS Cheer Squad. She is the Historian for Business Professionals of America and National Technical Honor Society Vice President. Anne-Marie has received the Agricultural Proficiency Award in Veterinary Science, 1st place in Presentation Management at Business Professionals of America Regional competition, and numerous dance awards from multiple regional dance competitions. She volunteers with Work Camp, Help-A-Child, Animal Shelter, Special Olympics, Salvation Army, and Bright Star Veterinary Clinic. She is working toward her Vet Assistant Certificate. In the future, Anne-Marie plans on attending college to study either Veterinary Medicine or Pharmacology.
Story Thompson
The seventh contestant is Story Elizabeth Thompson, sponsored by Junior Waverly Club and Jordan’s Place Pediatrics. Story is the daughter of Jason and Holly Thompson. Story enjoys cheer leading and playing the ukulele. Story is a member of Sulphur Springs FFA, First United Methodist Youth, SSHS Cheer, National Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society. She is the President of National Honor Society, Secretary of National Technical Honor Society, and is Varsity Cheer Captain. In the future, Story plans to attend college at TAMU-Commerce to pursue a degree in Business.
La’Mier Pryor
The eighth contestant is La’Mier Pryor, sponsored by Grocery Supply Co. and Sulphur Springs Imaging. La’Mier is the daughter of Leanetta Pryor. Her hobbies include writing poetry, singing, and drawing. La’Mier’s favorite sport is cheer leading. In the future, La’Mier plans to attend Blinn College for two years and then transfer to TAMU-College Station to pursue psychology.
Sulphur Springs High School Summer School Set
Sulphur Springs High School summer school schedule and purpose has been announced through the office of Principal Derek Driver. In 2016 Summer School has two components: 1) Credit Recovery and 2) End of Course Reviews. There is no cost for summer school. Applications must be received before the first day of the summer school session.
Credit Recovery provides for the recovery of credit not earned during the regular school year. Dates are Monday-Thursday, beginning June 13th and ending July 21st. Hours each day are 8:00 a.m. until 12 Noon or 12:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Summer School will be conducted at the Austin Academic Center, 808 S. Davis, Sulphur Springs, TX. Coursework is online. Since students will work at their own pace, it may not be necessary to attend the entire Credit Recovery time period. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
End of Course Reviews is for students who were not successful on one or more EOC exams. These will be taught at the high school building by certified teachers. Dates are June 27th through June 30th and July 5th through July 7. Sessions are two-hour blocks. Preference for time slots will be given on a first-come, first served basis. EOC retests will be given at the high school during the week of July 11th through 14th.
Students may pick up an application for summer school from a high school counselor. All applications must be signed by the student and parent as well as approved by the counselor.
