Wildcats Spring Football Proving Successful
The Wildcats’ football team is halfway through spring football practice. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens says it’s been great so far. It’s a good thing since the cost of spring workouts are one less week of practice in August and one less scrimmage.
The Wildcats will have only one scrimmage before diving into the regular season. Coach Owens says he has talked with several coaches who told him they had good retention of things learned in the spring during August. Coach Owens says his young team is getting lots of reps, lots of fundamentals and is getting some competition as well. He credits his coaching staff for coming up with ways every day to keep things exciting for the players.
Coach Owens says they recently featured third and long plays with the offense going against the defense for bragging rights. They also faced off on overtime situations with the ball marked at the 25 yard line. Another plus in the spring is players can focus on drills without the stress of getting ready for a Friday night opponent.
Coach Owens says he has asked the players what they think of spring football and he says he has received constant feedback that they are having a good time. He says he can see progress being made on both sides of the ball. Coach Owens hopes when August 8 rolls around, his team will just need to quick review of spring concepts to get going.
Spring football will conclude with a spring game on May 26. This week the Wildcats will practice Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from around 3:50 p.m. until about 5:45 p.m. each day. Tuesday the Wildcats 7 on 7 teams will play host to Gilmer. Games get underway at around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Relay for Life Event Raises $45,332 for Cancer Society
Amber Henry, Event Leader for Relay for Life, told KSST News that thus far $45,332 have been received for the American Cancer Society through the Saturday, May 14th event on Celebration Plaza.
Over 400 people signed up for Relay teams, and 26 teams were set up. Participants walked through the evening around the walking path in front of the courthouse and near the flagpole and Veterans Memorial. A wrap-up meeting will be called next week.
According to security at the event, almost everyone left the walk prior to the closing hour.
Only Three Applications For County Fire Chief; Application Deadline is May 26
With only 10 days left for application to be made, Hopkins Count Judge Robert Newsom has received only three (3) applications for County Fire Chief. Newsom and County Commissioners plan to have a new county fire chief in place by July 1, 2016 according to Judge Newsom. The application has been posted on the county website. Deadline for applicants will be May 26th.
Those applying for the top firefighter job in the county will be required to live in the Hopkins County area according to Newsom. He stated that he and commissioners seek one who will plant his life in the area served. A number of qualifications will be posted but Newsom pointed out that moral leadership, experience and education will be top priorities for the new chief.
Judge Newsom said he and Commissioners Court will review applications, interview the top six candidates, and hire the new chief. Newsom’s office will review applications to ensure that those forwarded to commissioners meet the criteria for the job.
The Fire Chief position opened following the resignation of Kevin Yates, after he took a Fire Chief position in Louisiana. Hopkins County Fire Marshall Mike Matthews was appointed interim Fire Chief by Judge Newsom and the Court to supervise operations for the county fire department. Matthews will serve as interim Fire Chief for the county during the search period.
Matthews is a Hopkins County native whose first full time fire-fighter job was with the county. He worked full-time with the Hopkins County Fire Department for 13 years prior to becoming a fireman in Longview. Currently, he is a driver engineer and paramedic for the Longview department and spends two (2) of every three (3) days in Hopkins County as Fire Marshall here. The third day is in Longview.
9-1-1 “The Connection” Saturday May 21
Emergency Medical Services and the Sulphur Springs Police Department are joining forces to Celebrate EMS and Law Enforcement Weeks with 9-1-1 “The Connection” Saturday, May 21st, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Celebration Plaza. The event features activities for the entire family.
Creative Writing Awards Showcased at PJC Awards Ceremony
Top winners from the Paris Junior College Creative Writing Awards included, from left, David Sleeper of Royse City for Regional Literature; Evyn McGraw of Greenville for Outstanding Student in English; Yuliana Morales of Paris for Outstanding Student in a Foreign Language; Caroline Janes of Paris for Narrative Essay; Letcia Yanez of Sulphur Springs for Outstanding Student in English as a Second Language; and Nathaniel McClain of Powderly for Short Story.
Creative writing talent was showcased in a recent awards ceremony at Paris Junior College.
Ceremony organizer and PJC English instructor Marsha Dennis thanked the presenters and contestants and welcomed guest speaker Sharon Dennehy, retired PJC journalism instructor.
Evyn McGraw of Greenville received the Outstanding Student in English award.
Leticia Yanez of Sulphur Springs received the Outstanding Student in English as a Second Language for the second year in a row.
Yuliana Morales of Paris was named Outstanding Student in a Foreign Language and received her award from Spanish instructor Mayra Cummings.
Winners receiving writing awards by category include:
Regional Literature: First, “A City from Two Sides,” David Sleeper of Royse City, PJC-Greenville Center.
Poetry: First, “Sunday Morning Masquerade,” Mayzie Purviance of Bogata, PJC – Paris campus; third, “Those Winsome Days,” David Sleeper of Royse City, PJC – Greenville campus.
Short Story: Second, David Sleeper of Royse City, PJC – Greenville Center; fifth, “The Sacrifice,” Hailey Halbert of Sulphur Springs, Sulphur Bluff High School.
Argumentative/Informative Essay: First, “Illegal Immigration,” Jacob Dudley of McKinney, PJC – Greenville Center; fourth, “Martial Literature: “The Stories of War,” David Sleeper of Royse City, PJC – Greenville Center.
Research Essay with Documentation: First, “Dystopian Society,” Katelyn Allen of Sulphur Springs, Sulphur Bluff High School; second, “Dystopian Society,” Taylor Self of Sulphur Bluff, Sulphur Bluff High School; third, “The Importance of Vaccinations,” Katie Watson of Paris, Paris High School.
Apology Letter for Memorial Vandalism Promises Face to Face Apology, Take Notes of Individual’s Stories
KSST News received an email containing a letter from a juvenile who claims to have created the vandalism at Hopkins County Veteran’s Memorial last week. A request to share the letter came via a Facebook message, which stated, “Can I share an apology letter from Romeo to the citizens of Sulphur Springs. For the vandalism that he caused on the Sulphur Springs Veterans Memorial. And also maybe see if you could let some people know that he will be at the location Saturday from 12 to 4 to offer a face to face apology and take notes of anyone who want to tell their story.”
To seek verification that the letter was indeed from the juvenile, KSST News notified Police Chief Jay Sanders regarding the source of the email. His response was “very good.”
Here is a copy of the letter received:
Marine Corps League Detachment Honors Fallen Law Enforcement
At 7 a.m. Sunday morning, May 15, 2016, Marine Corps League Detachment 1537 raised and lowered the Celebration Plaza and Veteran’s Memorial flags in honor of those law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. A wreath was also placed at the base of the flag pole in honor of fallen law enforcement. At 7 p.m. Sunday evening, the Corps will return to lower the flags to the playing of taps. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and Sulphur Springs Police officers were present for the memorial Sunday morning.
Photos by Robin Minyard Williams
Crowson Offensive Player of the Year; Driver co-Newcomer of the Year; Lady Cats Named to All-District Team
softball
The Lady Cats’ softball team earned two superlatives and had a total of eleven players named to the All-District Team, recently selected by the district’s coaches.
Second baseman Hannah Crowson was named the district’s Offensive Player of the Year. Freshman Brinklee Driver was chosen as co-Newcomer of the Year.
Earning first team honors were first baseman Sarah Womack, third baseman Kristen Allen, left fielder Sadie Stroud, center fielder Alyssa Abron and catcher Molly Johnston.
Making the second team was right fielder Jaye Doughtie. Honorable mention selections included shortstop Kelsey Wallace, pitcher Landri Bell and pitcher Bailey Haggerty.
On KSST and Channel 18 TV’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show, Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo also announced that this year’s MVP was the entire team.
