Warrant Sought for the Arrest of Suspect in Cattle Panel Theft
Wedneday morning Sulphur Springs Police Detective Monty Tipps was securing a warrant for the arrest of an individual for the theft of cattle panels from Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. A lead suspect was developed late Tuesday and an arrest is expected soon. As local law enforcement continue their investigation, Sulphur Springs Police and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigators would like to speak to anyone who purchased Priefert panels on or after Sunday March 27, 2016. The panels would have been offered for sale by a black male in or from Sulphur Springs. If you or anyone purchased panels, please contact Detective Monty Tipps or County Chief Investigator Lewis Tatum.
For some time now, cattle panels worth approximately $15,000 have gone missing from the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, according to civic center staff. This has prompted the Civic Center to install security cameras. The cameras have provided information.
The latest theft occurred this past weekend according to the cameras. At 11 p.m. Saturday night the thief stacked the panels behind the building and returned at 6 a.m. the next morning to pick up the panels.
If you have any information regarding the thefts, contact the Sulphur Springs Police Department or Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office.
EDC Votes to Make Offer to Two California Companies
During recent board meeting, the Sulphur Springs Economic Development Corporation voted to make two offers to companies in California. Representatives of the two companies have visited Sulphur Springs in 2016 and are impressed with the community. One of the companies was so impressed by the people of Sulphur Springs and, in the individuals own words, “felt at home” to the point that the owner of one company suggested Sulphur Springs as a possible relocate to the other company owner. In this instance, one company is a supplier to the other and both are considering a move from California.
Roger Feagley, Executive Director of the EDC, said that representatives of the company had visited the Dining District at Celebration Plaza and continued talk about how nice the people that they met were. Feagley says that is a vital part of drawing a company to a community but there are other important concerns for companies as well. He stated that the EDC is in a distance race not a sprint as other communities vie for these companies.
Location for or relocation of a company involves cost of materials, transportation of good and/or services, and labor force factor heavily into the decision, according to Feagley. He used the analogy of an individual purchasing a house. One purchases a new home based on location, size of house, number of specific rooms, and size of lot or acreage attached. After choosing the new home, if the owner becomes dissatisfied, they may sell and purchase a new home. However, according to Feagley, companies chose new locations for their business or the expansion of their business knowing that if they chose wrong it will lead to economic failure and could end the company itself. “Companies do not have second options,” he said. He pointed out that if an owner makes the decision, the owner faces the trauma of the decision. If an employee of the company suggests the decision to be made and the move fails, it could mean his or her job. Therefore, Feagley stressed, the decisions for re-location can take up to a year or more. With both of these companies to whom the offer has been made, the owners are making the decision based on their own investigations.
There is no time-line for the decision to be made by the two companies. The EDC will remain in contact with the owners to answer any further questions or provide further information as needed.
Business History Month: Celebration Antiques
The Colbys feel they “came home” to Hopkins County when they moved to the area and became business people in downtown Sulphur Springs . Their store “Celebration Antiques” occupies historic space at 210 Connally Street, having been home to Haggar’s Dry Goods store in the 1920’s and Roberts Jewelers and Taking Care of Business in more recent years. Adam and Lara’s handiwork on the lofty, weathered surroundings makes a perfect showcase for antiques and the heritage of furniture craftsmanship. The Colby’s have hundreds of “finds” for you to discover, from fine antiques to primitives, collectibles and pieces that need a little TLC to re-purpose or refinish in your favorite style.
Lara has gathered a wide array of furniture dating from the early to mid-20th century…bureaus, buffets, secretarys, curios and armoires where beauty meets function…rockers, graceful tables and formal dining sets, all from a more genteel era. Beautifully framed artwork and vintage photographs can lend your family “instant heritage”. At Celebration Antiques, the affordability of these treasures is a pleasant surprise! Part of the shopping experience is the creak of the wood floor while a clock strikes the hour. Take your time and browse the upper and lower levels of the spacious store.
More will be added in time, including homemade soaps, beeswax furniture care products and greeting cards. Visit the store often and see what’s new, and old, inside the doors of Celebration Antiques! Located across from historic City National Bank in the heart of the city’s celebration district. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, and Sunday 11am-3pm. Phone 903-919-5053, and shop on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Celebration-Antiques-Inc-1202378879773588/ and at celebratetreasures.com
Pine Tree Rally Leads to Extra Inning Loss for Lady Cats
Defeats seem to hurt more when the game is one where you have already mentally put it in the win column prematurely. The Lady Cats of Sulphur Springs seemed to be cruising toward a certain victory Tuesday night against Pine Tree on the road. The Lady Cats jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the fifth inning. When the Lady Pirates got a single run in the fifth, it looked like too little too late. The Lady Pirates continued to chip away until they hit a dramatic three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the score 7-7. Pine Tree then won the game, 8-7 with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The Lady Cats slipped to 4-3 in district play after the first half of games. The Lady Cats have lost two games in a row and three of the last four. Their season record is 20-5. The Lady Cats are now tied for third in district. Pine Tree is one of the teams tied with the Lady Cats in third place. The Lady Cats begin the second half of district play as they will host Longview on Friday.
Pirates Sink Wildcats 6-2 Tuesday
The Pine Tree Pirates used a big four-run third inning to jump start a 6-2 win over the Wildcats at Eagle Stadium Tuesday night. In the third, the Pirates mixed three singles with a walk, a Wildcat error and a double steal to plate the four runs, two that were unearned. All four runs were charged to Wildcats’ starter Tyler Follis, who took the pitching loss.
Pine Tree also tacked on two more insurance runs off reliever Heston Golightly in the seventh inning. The Pirates used four hits, a balk and a wild pitch to score the two runs. The Wildcats scored twice in the bottom of the seventh but it wasn’t nearly enough. Triston McCormick, Heston Golightly and Ryan Humphries all had singles. Humphries hit drove home a run and Easton Silman drove in the second run on a fielder’s choice. The Pirates’ Jimmy Cravey got the complete game pitching win allowing the two runs on six hits.
Pine Tree improved to 3-2 in district play while the Wildcats slipped to 2-3 and 5-8-1 for the season. The Wildcats will play at Longview Friday night at 7 p.m.
Public Help Sought in Civic Center Theft
For some time now, cattle panels worth approximately $15,000 have gone missing from the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, according to civic center staff. This has prompted the civic center to install security cameras. The cameras have provided information.
The latest theft occurred this past weekend according to the cameras. At 11pm Saturday night the thief stacked the panels behind the building and returned at 6 a.m. the next morning to picked up the panels.
If you have any information regarding the thefts contact the Sulphur Springs Police Department or Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office.
Wildcats Finish Third at Paris Track Meet
The Wildcats’ track team scored 82 points and finished third at a Paris meet last Thursday. The Wildcats JV team was second in the JV Division. Wildcats Track Coach Matt Young said conditions were rough due to a 25-mile per hour wind that blew throughout the meet.
In field events, Derrick Weeks threw the discus 136 feet, his best throw of the year. Coach Young said Weeks has been improving about ten feet a week and has now put himself in the mix for honors at the District Meet next month.
In the shot putt, Coach Young was glad to have two members of the Powerlifting’ team who placed in the top six and picked up points. Isaiah Neal was fourth and Ian Blanch was fifth.
Bubba Hall scored points jumping into the wind going 20-foot 5-inches in the long jump.
Coby Hutchings also placed in the top six scoring points with an over 11-foot effort in the pole vault.
Jacob Gatewood had a big day in two distance races. He set meet records in both the 3200-meter run and the 1600-meter run. Payton Vickery also placed in the 3200-meter run. Vickery was also third and Eli Sellers was in the top six in the 1600-meters.
In the 800-meter run, Will Fain finished second and Sellers got fifth place.
In the 200-meter run, Bubba Hall placed third with a personal best time of 22.8.
Terrell Turman got good results in both hurdling events. Turman was in the top six in the 110-meter hurdles with a personal best of 16.4. Turman placed fifth in the 300-meter hurdles with a 44-second clocking.
Finally the Wildcats 4X400-meter relay team finished fifth. The relay team was made up of Fain, Lawrence Worth, Mason Cleveland and Gatewood.
The Wildcats will compete at a Mt. Pleasant meet on Friday. It’s their final meet before the District Meet in Pine Tree on April 13-14.
Game Day: Wildcats Baseball at Home; Lady Cats at Pine Tree
Both the Wildcats’ baseball team and the Lady Cats’ softball team will be playing Pine Tree in district action this Tuesday game day.
The Wildcats will be competing with the Pirates at Eagle Stadium tonight at 7 p.m. The Wildcats have split their first four district games so they are 2-2 going into tonight’s game. Three of the four games have been on the road. Tonight begins a stretch of three of the next four at home for the Wildcats. The Wildcats ace pitcher Tyler Follis will throw for the Wildcats. Pine Tree also has a 2-2 record in district play. We’ll bring you tonight’s Wildcats game beginning at 7 p.m. on KSST Radio. We’ll also videotape the game for replay at a later date on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats’ softball team will be playing the Lady Pirates at Pine Tree. It’s the fifth road contest in seven district games for the Lady Cats since two games were moved from home due to wet grounds at Lady Cat Park. The Lady Cats are 4-2 in district play and 20-4 for the season. This game marks the end of the first half for the Lady Cats who will have five home games and just two road games down the stretch in the second half.
Middle School Students Tour PJC-Sulphur Springs Campus
A COLLEGE VISIT
Students at the Sulphur Springs Middle School were given a tour of the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center campus Tuesday and Wednesday. Carey Gable, Academic/Financial Aid Advisor, pictured at right (above), talked to the students and took them on a tour through the new campus classrooms, ITV rooms, lab and the welding shop, encouraging them to prepare themselves for education beyond high school.
A tour of the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding shop (picture below) was part of their PJC-Sulphur Springs campus visit Tuesday and Wednesday. Above, welding instructor John Plemons (in cap) and Director Dr. Phil Williams talk to the middle school students about the welding shop and the career that it offers.
