Saltillo ISD 8th Grade Graduates
Valedictorian Brooke Stacy GPA: 92.636
Salutatorian Graycie Hodges GPA: 92.039
1st Row L to R: Brooke Stacy, Graycie Hodges, Michael Clover, Joe Tippit, Ryan Prewitt & Robbie White; 2nd Row L to R: Alexis Mars, Thomas Coleman, Zane Underwood, Cheyenne Neal, Danielle Ross, Michael Gray & Chaeli Spear; 3rd Row L to R: Erik Heukels, Keondre Wilkerson, Jocelyn Ochoa, Dillon Beadle, Hannah Wartenbee, Christopher Smith & Amber Liedtke
North Hopkins Valedictorian and Salutatorian named
North Hopkins ISD has named their Class of 2016 Valedictorian, Allegra Thomas, and Salutatorian, Katerin Flores.
Allegra Thomas has attended North Hopkins since pre-k. In high school, she has been involved in many activities, including Beta Club, volleyball, One-Act Play, and UIL academics. She has competed at the state UIL academic meet all four years of high school and placed first in both ready writing and spelling her junior year. Her senior year, she was a member of the filmmaking team behind the short film “HEIST!” which advanced to state in the UIL Young Filmmakers Festival and placed fifth. After graduating high school, she plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and major in computer engineering. She is a recipient of the Terry Foundation Scholarship, which covers the cost of college tuition, housing, and fees not covered by other scholarships.
Katerin Flores has attended North Hopkins since her freshman year. In high school, she has been involved in many activities, including Beta Club, One-Act Play, and UIL academics. Her senior year, she was a member of the filmmaking team behind the short film “HEIST!” which advanced to state in the UIL Young Filmmakers Festival and placed fifth. After graduating high school, she plans to attend the University of Texas at Dallas and major in neuroscience to pursue medical school and become a doctor.
Wildcats Spring Game Showcased 2016 Season Expectations
The Wildcats’ football team wrapped up spring practice with a Spring Game as the White Team defeated the Blue Team, 29-3 at Gerald Prim Stadium Thursday night.
The White Team scored on their first drive going 70 yards for the touchdown. Quarterback Ryan Humphries was completing his passes and back Lawrence Worth got the touchdown on a 9-yard run. Angel Tavera kicked the extra point and White Team led 7-0. Later the White Team’s defense scored two points on a safety as they sacked a quarterback in the end zone.
The Blue Team got on the scoreboard in the third quarter as kicker Tavera delivered on a 33-year field goal.
Perhaps the games most exciting play occurred in the fifth quarter out of six as quarterback White Team Quarterback Tyler Armstrong threw a 49-yard TD pass to receiver D.J. Abron. Abron outfought a defender for the ball and then raced into the end zone. The White Team led 16-3.
In the sixth quarter, the White Team added TD’s on two short runs. Back Colton Allen ran one in from two yards out and back Daniel Moreno scored on a 14-yard run. The game served as somewhat of a showcase for next year’s sophomore class as they made up about half of the 91 players on the roster of the two teams. 
Meth in Sock Results in Three Years in TDCJ
Thursday afternoon in 8th Judicial District Court, Christian Dior Young, 26, was sentenced to three (3) years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 1 (methamphetamine) more than 4 grams and less than 200 grams. He was indicted in February of this year for the possession.
Christian Dior Young
Young had meth in his sock when arrested near the Douglas School campus, a drug free zone. He has been in prison once before and after today, if he is convicted of a third degree felony again, he will be sentenced to 25 years to life under the habitual offender statute.
A count of engaging in organized crime was dismissed against Young as a part of the plea bargain. His co-defendant in the engaging in organized crime case, Joseph Rashad Washington pled to three (3) years in TDCJ.
Young will report for prison on August 4, 2016.
AgriLife: Dealing With Uncertainty
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
As we celebrate our memorial day, I have taken the time to reflect over the multiple sacrifices done by humanity to overcome adversity. Overcome challenges require audacity, tenacity and courage. Our armed forces are a prime example of such commitment. It is important to recognize their commitment and most important, I believe is to learn from it and try to adopt such principles as we face challenges. An important part of such process is to realize that the process of adapting and overcoming challenges could become scary and painful. So it is human growth.
Just like a child faces different challenges thru his or her development, businesses and farms do thru out their productive life. Recently I had an opportunity to visit with dairy producers related to economic challenges in and learned about methods to adapt to their uncertainty. As producers become more familiar with options-based marketing, they can use more sophisticated trading techniques to offset some of the drawbacks inherent with options. Hybrid trading strategies that buy or sell additional puts or calls in addition to the basic price protection provided by the purchase of a single option can lower the net amount paid for option premiums while still limiting exposure to margin calls. Such strategies are often referred to as windows or spreads. They are more complex than straightforward hedging strategies and often establish price ceilings as well as price floors. Other combinations of option strategies become profitable if prices move significantly either up or down, but not if prices remain stable (called straddles).
Options create a form of price insurance. The higher the price insured, the greater the premium. If prices increase, the price insurance is not needed and the producer lets the option expire and sells at the higher price. If prices decline, the producer exercises his right to sell at the guaranteed price established by the option contract. Of course, the producer may also sell any option he has purchased prior to the expiration date. The profit or loss from this trade is the difference between the premium paid for the option and the premium received when it is sold, less-commissions, interest, and any other fees. Crop insurance products can also provide substantial security to farm income and are a vital part of overall risk management. Agricultural producers today face volatile markets, tight credit, economic uncertainty and escalating input costs. Understanding and using risk management tools in this environment can reduce much of the price risk and may improve financial returns. Another important aspect of agriculture is to maintain a heathy diverse agricultural community.
The good old advice of “not putting all the eggs in the same basket” is really becoming more important recently. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
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.
