Miller Grove News April 22, 2016
by Brandon Darrow
I guess the biggest news I have this week is the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Miller Grove Elementary addition. Of course with all of the rain in the forcast everyone was worried that it wouldn’t be dry enough to conduct any type of ceremony outside, but good fortune prevailed and the weather couldn’t have been better.
People began to gather in the front yard of the school around 11:45 am. By noon there was a nice crowd that had formed. Several notables were there. We had Dan Flynn (State Representative), Robert Newsome (County Judge), Meredith Caddell (Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce), and Beth Wisenbaker (Hopkins County Precinct 1 Commissioner) on site for the ceremony. Of course the media was there – Enola Gay Matthews (KSST Radio), Bobby McDonald (Front Porch News), and Kay Thompson (Rains County Leader). We had quite a few students and faculty on the scene to help usher in the construction site. We were very fortunate to have 3 special Miller Grove Alumni on hand to help us shovel our way to success. The Alumni I am speaking of were Hollis Garmon (1938 MG Graduate), Olivia Mahand Manning (1939 MG Graduate), and Thelya White Bone (1936 MG Graduate) – our eldest graduates who lived in the area that could come out and enjoy the day.
MGISD Superintendent, Steve Johnson, welcomed the crowd of onlookers and announced how proud he was of the new elementary addition that was forthcoming. He also let everyone know how carefully things had been planned to make sure the financial stability of the district was still going to be intact while adding a building to the campus makeup. He then turned the floor over to Jaime Fox, Elementary Principal and 1994 graduate, who relayed that she went to school for a time in the portable buildings that had been recently been moved so that construction on the elementary could begin.
School Board Trustees were recognized and asked to make their way in front of the audience. Mrs. Fox asked that each board member say their name followed by the year they graduated from Miller Grove; if they graduated from our school. All board members were present and were as follows: Doug Hall (1985), myself (2001), Brian Lennon (1983), Bret Garrett (1984), Kristi Burnett, Eric Mabe (1982) and Lewis Russell (1971).
I had the honor of being asked to announce our three special guests for the day. Hollis Garmon was first in line and was introduced as being a previous educator and later a judge but foremost a MGHS graduate. The next graduate that I recognized was Olivia Manning who was wearing the first school ring that was ever handed out at Miller Grove, in 1939. Finally I had the privilege of calling on my good friend, Thelya Bone, who graduated from MG in 1936.
Then Mrs. Fox asked the teacher with the longest tenure at the district to come forward. Mrs. Ginger (Harris) McCreight has taught at Miller Grove since 1988, making this her 28th year of service in the district.
With hardhats on and shovels in hand the board members, the 3 alumni, principal, superintendent and Mrs. McCreight all posed for photos with the backdrop of rough ground that will soon be a concrete pad and foundation for the new school. Looking behind us, there was also the machinery that would soon be making this construction reality.
Cake was served to everyone from IdziBitzi Bakery in Sulphur Springs. There was enough for all guests and students to get a taste of the culinary confection. This day was also special for Mrs. Manning, being her 95th birthday. Students lead us all in singing Happy Birthday to her.
As things settled down several reminisced about days gone by at Miller Grove School. Hollis Garmon mentioned the school busses they had to ride – much like an old pickup truck. Olivia remembered playing for 2 years with the girl’s basketball team that went to state. Thelya told of how she went to school in the two-story wooden school house and how different things were for students in these days. By 1:00 pm the guests were slowly drifting away and the ceremony disbanded. The day was a success and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves – especially our honored alumni guests.
Happy Birthday this week to Lethia Ferguson on Apr. 24, Derick Petty and my niece Savanna Darrow on Apr. 25, Fred Moseley Jr on Apr. 28, and Natalie Darrow & Dwayne Wren on Apr. 29.
Remember Saturday, May 7, as the day of Miller Grove FFA’s Stew & Auction as well as the Miller Grove Cemetery Memorial Day. More information on those events as they get closer.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
Baier, Gatewood Qualify for Regional Track Meet
Lady Cat hurdler Abbi Baier and Wildcat distance runner Jacob Gatewood were big winners at the area track meet at Whitehouse Thursday. They will advance to the regional track meet April 29-30 at Arlington. Baier took first place in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. Gatewood captured first place in the grueling 3200-meter run. He defeated a runner who has bested him all year long. The Lady Cats also had a good showing from two hurdlers that earned alternate or second alternate status. Mackenzie Moore was sixth in the 100-meter hurdles and Faith Hatley was fifth in the 300-meter hurdles.
Friday Gatewood will attempt to qualify for the regional meet in the 1600-meter run. Lady Cat Imani Taylor will also compete in the long jump and the triple jump. She is the district champ in the long jump and was second in the triple jump.
Lady Cats in Playoffs, Defeat Hallsville in District Play for First Time in Ten Years
softball
The Lady Cats’ softball team made history as they defeated Hallsville 7-4 in a district game at Texas A&M-Commerce Thursday night. The win marked the first time the Lady Cats had ever defeated Hallsville in district play in the ten-year tenure of Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo. Coach Carrillo added this Lady Cats’ team is the first he has ever had that won as many as 25 games. The Lady Cats are now 25-6 for the season. They are 9-4 in district play. They clinched a playoff berth and will play for third or fourth place in district on Senior Night coming up. Coach Carrillo is leaning toward playing Saturday at 5 p.m. at Lady Cat Park. The Wildcats’ baseball team will be playing Hallsville Saturday at 2 p.m. at Eagle Stadium.
On Thursday night, the Lady Cats got solid pitching to defeat one of the state’s top rated teams. Hallsville falls to 28-2 for the season and 12-1 in district play. Landri Bell got the win throwing five innings allowing four runs on only 3 hits with a strikeout and two walks. Bailey Haggerty earned a save pitching two scoreless innings and allowing only 1 hit. She struck out 2. The Lady Cats pounded out eight hits. Allysa Abron was two for three with two runs scored and two RBIs on a triple. Brinklee Driver was 3 for 3 with a run scored and two RBIs. Sarah Womack was one for three with a walk and she had two RBIs. Hannah Crowson was 2 for 4 with a run scored and Jaye Dougthtie scored a run. After Hallsville opened the scoring with a run in the top of the third, the Lady Cats struck back with three runs in the bottom of the third. Abron, Driver and Womack all had singles. The Lady Cats scored three more times in the bottojm of the fourth. Abron had her two-RBI triple and Driver drove home another run with a single. After Hallsville closed the gap to 6-4 with three in the top of the fifth, the Lady Cats added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Womack drew a walk with the bases load to plate another run. Haggerty surrendered a hit in the seventh but retired the other three hitters and the Lady Cats celebrated.
Bankhead Highway 100th Anniversary
Bankhead Highway Centennial Celebration Members
Today, April 21, the Bankhead Highway Centennial Celebration stopped at Celebration Plaza to showcase their selection of classic automobiles and to interact with the people of Hopkins County. Roughly 50 to 60 cars from 1919 through 1933 were involved in the celebration. The showcase was part of a celebration for the 100th Anniversary of the Bankhead Highway. The Bankhead Highway Centennial Celebration left Texarkana, TX at 8 a.m. and will end in Odessa, TX Sunday night, a 620 mile long trip. Those involved in the celebration have stopped in multiple towns since departing and have even stopped at schools to allow the children to come out and view the cars. When not stopping, the cars took a scenic route through each town in order to showcase the cars and allow children to see the cars as they drove by.
The cars and their drivers were welcomed to Sulphur Springs by Mayor Kayla Price-Mitchell and City Councilman and local historian John Sellers. “It is great to know that we are part of such an important event as the commemoration of 100 years of the Bankhead Highway,” Councilman Sellers said. “It makes me reflect on how important this highway has been to the development of our city and our county, and how small business owners over the years from 1920 forward prospered and raised and fed their families based on traffic through the south on the Bankhead Highway. Also, how it brought the county and the city closer together and gave us a means of transportation to go see extended family and friends.”
Law Enforcement Association Endorses Glass For City Council
Emily Glass, center, standing with members of the Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association
Members of the Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association have officially endorsed Emily Glass’ campaign for re-election to the Sulphur Springs City Council. Emily is running for Place 5 on the council.
“We stand behind Emily Glass for City Council based upon her integrity, honesty, and the ideas that she promoted here throughout her tenure,” said Dennis Findley with the HCLEA. “We look forward to everybody coming out to vote for the best person for the job and we feel that she is that person.”
In the city of Sulphur Springs, early voting will take place at City Hall in the second floor conference room. Hours for early voting in the city election are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day except Tuesday, April 26th and Thursday, 28th when early voting is from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Election day is May 7th when the polling place is open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. KSST will broadcast election returns and post to ksstradio.com as soon as they are available.
Area Track Meet For Wildcats and Lady Cats
The Area Track Meet for Wildcats and Lady Cats begins today at Whitehouse. It pits district qualifiers from our district against the East Texas district down south. Running events take place at 2 p.m. today with field events schedule for tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m. For the Wildcats, Jacob Gatewood will be running both the 1600-meters and 3200-meters. He was second in both at district. The Wildcats 4 X 100-meter relay team of Lawrence Worth, Bubba Hall, Ryan Humphries and Jaylon Hawkins will compete after their fourth place district finish. For the Lady Cats, Imani Taylor will compete in long jump and triple jump. She was first in long jump and second in triple jump at district. Abbi Baier will compete in the 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles after winning both at district. Mackenzie Moore will also run in 100-meter hurdles after her 4th place district finish and Faith Hatley will run the 300-meter hurdles after her third place district finish.
Lady Cat Softball Game Moved, Plans Made For Senior Night
The Lady Cats’ softball team is scheduled to play Hallsville at the Texas A&M-Commerce softball field at 5:30 p.m. this evening. The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday night but has been postponed and moved because Lady Cat Park is too wet to play on. Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo hopes to have the field ready by Friday evening at 6 p.m. for the Senior Night game against Pine Tree that could have very big playoff implications. If the field is still too wet Friday, that game could get moved to Saturday. The Lady Cats’ seniors are Molly Johnston and Sarah Womack.
Miller Grove ISD Breaks Ground for New Elementary Building
Miller Grove School board members along with three (3) past board members, all MG alumnus who grad from 1936-2001, broke ground for a new elementary facility for the school district. Several elementary classes and students lined up around the flagpole area along with Superintendent of Miller Grove Schools Steve Johnson, Elementary Principal Ms. Jamie Fox, community and county dignitaries, elect officials and Chamber of Commerce CEO Meredith Caddell assembled for a ribbon cutting. Ms. Fox said she went to elementary school in the portable buildings that the new facility will replace and that she is so glad to leave them behind. The new building is scheduled for completion during the 2016\2017 school year.
Woman, Child Injured; Man Arrested
Robert Jay Aaron, 27, was arrested Wednesday night for Assault and Family Violence and Injury to a Child. Both of the charges are third degree felonies.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call from a third party complainant in reference to a possible assault at an FM 3505 residence in Hopkins County. Upon arrival, deputies observed the other party involved sitting with her child in a vehicle outside the residence. Both the female and the child were found crying.
While being questioned by deputies, the woman advised that she and Aaron had been involved in an ongoing argument and that she and the child had been kicked out of the residence. The woman stated that Aaron choked and hit her. Deputies observed red markings on the woman’s neck that supported the claims, but the mother stated that she did not want medical attention.
The woman stated that she was holding her child when Aaron pushed her against a wall and that the child had been complaining that her right arm had been hurting. An examination of the child showed that her arm from the elbow to the shoulder was red and swelling had occurred.
When deputies made contact with Aaron he admitted to choking the female, but stated that she had struck him first. Aaron was then transported to the Hopkins County Jail and placed on $20,000 total bond: $10,000 for third degree felony Injury to a Child and $10,000 for third degree felony Assault and Family Violence by Impeding Breath.
