Lady Cats Face Waxahachie Friday at Terrell in Area Play
Lady Cats’ soccer team will face Waxahachie Friday 8 p.m. at Terrell in an Area contest. Lady Cats are the home team. Waxahachie was the fourth place team in their district.
The Lady Cats’ soccer team advanced to the Area round of the playoffs Friday night by defeating Whitehouse in a shootout, 3 goals to 2. The bi-district game ended in a 2-2 tie in regulation. Neither team could score in 20-minutes of overtime. Kam Wimberly, the Lady Cats’ fifth and last penalty kick taker, put the ball in the net to give the Lady Cats the win. Earlier Mary McMillan and Makenna Kager made their penalty kicks. Whitehouse could make only two of their five.
Waxahachie defeated Dallas Molina, 3-1 in bi-district.
KSST will broadcast the game live and video record the game for replay on Suddenlink Cable Channel 18.
FEMA Provides over $2-Million in Disaster Relief to Hopkins County for May, 2015 Storm Damage
Hopkins County will receive $2,098,103.80 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with county road repair. Each precinct will share in this according to the specific damage from flooding and storm damage that occurred in May, 2015, according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom and the four county commissioners who spoke during a news conference at the Courthouse Monday morning at 9 a.m. following their weekly court meeting.
The County has sought the money from FEMA since the May 2015 storms that produced heavy rainfall and flooding that damaged a number of roads. Newsom said the commissioners had worked together with FEMA representatives to qualify for the provided funds. Newsom praised commissioners for their work on local roads and their commitment to utilizing funds available in a prudent manner.
Precincts 1 and 2 sustained the greatest damage and will receive the greater amount. Precinct 1 will receive $859,014.28 with Precinct 2 receiving $767,702.05. Precinct 3 will receive $235,847.00 and Precinct 4, $235,541.47.
Commissioner Precinct 1, Beth Wisenbaker said this one a time when FEMA stepped up to assist with disaster relief. She pointed out that funds for each precinct represented a 75-25 percent split. The FEMA funds represent 75% of the money that will be spent on road repair and the precinct will provide 25%. The 25% provided by the county can utilize manpower and hours worked as specific funds used. She called the work with FEMA challenging, yet pleasant. She thanked the FEMA crew for seeing the road damage through the eyes of the local commissioner and residents. Wisenbaker asked that everyone remember each commissioner has only a six man crew to do the work and that the work must be performed within the GPS coordinates that FEMA has established as the section of road funded. Wisenbaker asks that everyone know that the GPS coordinates will make much of the work look like patchwork. This is mandated by FEMA.
“This is not going to fix every road in Precinct 2,” said Mike O’Dell, commissioner. He stated that he had taken FEMA down some roads that they said they would not fund to repair. “Theydo not fix potholes,” according to O’Dell. He said a lot of oil mix and gravel have washed away that the county will not get back. He asked for patience as he seeks to repair the roadways.
Wade Bartley, Commissioner Precinct 3, said this will give relief to the annual budget of each precinct and that he and crews are awaiting good weather to repair the roads. He stated that it takes $60,000 to $70,000 to repair a mile of county road, so the funds received will not go far but it will help.
Commissioner Precinct 4 Danny Evans said everything helps when you are operating on a tight budget. Evans said the rainfall amounts should have been considered when looking at pothole damage on County Roads. Evans stated that 50-60 percent of the work needed in his precinct had been performed. Money that he will receive will go back into his budget with the exception of the few areas remaining to be repaired.
Evans may have much of his work but for other commissioners there is still much to do. Funding was need in Precincts 1 and 2 due to the great amount of damage in the south section of the county. For Precinct 3, some work has been completed but much awaits, according to Bartley.
Judge Newsom pointed out that a number of area counties did not seek the FEMA funding due to the amount of paperwork. However, Newsom pointed out that local commissioners worked hard to achieve the funding. He stated that now the county will begin again as they seek FEMA funds for the December 26 and 27, 2015 storm damage. All new paperwork and all new meetings are now underway, although the funds that will be received this go-round will be less than the current amount received.
FM1870 Improvements Begin Monday
TxDot logo
PARIS – The Texas Department of Transportation today announced that contractor Highway 19 Construction LLC will begin improving FM 1870 in Hopkins County on Monday, March 28.
TxDOT officials granted the contractor 120 working days, weather permitting, to complete this project at an estimated cost of more than $1.7 million. Work will proceed as weather permits, but should be completed in August 2016.
The contractor will extend drainage and other structures, widen the subgrade, and prime and apply a two-course surface treatment to the roadway from State Highway 11 to County Road 2309. TxDOT officials said some of these repairs will require temporary lane closures.
Wherever possible, motorists are urged to use alternate travel routes. If that is not possible, motorists should approach work zones cautiously, observe and obey all traffic controls and barricades, and travel through work zones at reduced speed while this work is underway. Flaggers will be present along the roadway to alert drivers to changing conditions and detours, and guide motorists through these areas safely.
They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems when driving. For more information, contact [email protected] or (903) 737-9213.
Lady Cats Advance to Area Playoffs with Shootout Victory
The Lady Cats’ soccer team advanced to the Area round of the playoffs Friday night defeating Whitehouse in a shootout, 3 goals to 2. The bi-district game ended in a 2-2 tie in regulation. Neither team could score in 20-minutes of overtime.
Kam Wimberly, the Lady Cats’ fifth and last penalty kick taker, put the ball in the net to give the Lady Cats the win. Earlier Mary McMillan and Makenna Kager made their penalty kicks. Whitehouse could make only two of their five.
The Lady Cats jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first half of regulation time. Makenna Kager scored at the 35:08 mark and Kam Wimberly added a goal at 11:10 of the first half. Whitehouse cut the deficit in half with a goal at around 34:00 in the second and then tied the contest with a goal with just :10 seconds left in regulation.
The Lady Cats will now play Waxahachie next Friday or Saturday in an Area Round match. Waxahachie defeated Dallas Molina, 3-1 in bi-district. Waxahachie was the fourth place team in their district. With the shoot out win, the Lady Cats are now 18-6-1 for the season. In district, the Lady Cats had a record of 8-5-1, good enough for third place.
Wildcats Soccer Season Ends in Bi-District Loss to Lufkin
The Wildcats’ soccer team’s season ended abruptly Friday night with a 2-1 bi-district loss to Lufkin at Rose Stadium in Tyler.
The Wildcats scored first at 19:45 in the first half as Chris Espinoza used his head to redirect a shot by Julio Robles into the net. The Panthers tied the score on a corner kick goal with just 2:37 to go before halftime. Lufkin went ahead with a goal early in the second half at the 33:48 mark. The Wildcats were unable to score the equalizer.
The Wildcats ended the season with a record of 14-10-2. They finished district play at 9-4-1, good enough for third place seeding in the playoff
Thornton Leaves Legacy as Director of Health Care Foundation
After 10-years as Director of Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, Jackie Thornton is retiring. With the mission of the foundation—“Leave a Legacy”—she was praised by board members and others for her work that, according to many, has produced a legacy that will continue to provide for the growth of Memorial Hospital and health care community. Wednesday night at the Sulphur Springs Country Club, a Celebration Reception provided a venue to present $120,000 to the local Hospital to purchase 6 CPR devices and $100,000 to the Endowment Fund managed by Guaranty Bank Trust & Wealth Management Group.
Foundation Board Chairman Bob Weaver said Thornton had had a tremendous impact on the hospital and health care locally.
Established in 1997, the Health Care Foundation was organized to secure funds from individuals, businesses and corporations, to provide, promote, maintain and improve the continual growth of Memorial Hospital to serve the area communities. One of the main funding campaigns to achieve this purpose has been the Lights of Life gala.
Hospital Chief Administrator Michael McAndrew said Thornton had helped raise the hospital’s profile in the community.
Soccer Bi-District Friday Night at Tyler Rose Stadium
Both the Wildcats and the Lady Cats’ soccer teams have bi-district playoffs game tonight. And they are playing at the same place, Tyler’s Rose Stadium. The Wildcats will get things started at 6 p.m. As they face Lufkin from district 16-5A. The Wildcats finished third in district 15-5A with a record of 9 wins, 4 losses and one tie. Their season record is 14-9-2. The Lufkin Panthers were the runner up team in their district.
In the second half of the doubleheader, the Lady Cats’ soccer team will play Whitehouse at around 8 p.m. The Lady Cars were the third place finisher in district 15-5A with a record of 8-5-1. Their season record is 17-6-1. Whitehouse wound up second in their district 16-5A. We’ll bring you both soccer teams tonight live from Tyler Rose Stadium beginning at around 6 p.m. on KSST Radio. We’ll also videotape both games for replay at a later date on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable.
Author Gene Shelton’s “Houston Madam”
Sulphur Springs author Gene Shelton has announced the publication of his 27th book, a novel titled “Houston Madam”, the fictionalized biography of Pamelia Mann, one of the most colorful characters in Texas history. Gene has been a writer of western fiction and is retired after 35 years as newspaper journalist, having worked in Sulphur Springs and other Texas cities. He was Friday’s guest on KSST’s Morning Show with Enola Gay.
In a backstory, Gene’s newest book was ready for publication as a hardback by DoubleDay in the mid-90’s, when the publishing house folded. Gene received an advance royalty check, then shelved the manuscript where it lay dormant for 20 years. In late 2015, his publisher friend Wes Ferguson asked if Gene had a book ready for electronic publishing. This being a new medium for him, Gene offered the Houston Madam manuscript. He scanned the original type-written manuscript into his computer, re-constructed a missing couple of chapters, and had it published in a matter of weeks.
Find it on AmazonPrime this week!
Hearts of Life Presents Thumper
Thumper is a country dog that made his first trip to town this week as Hearts of Life presents Thumper for adoption. Thumper is part Lab, loves water, very active, and ready for a new home. Thumper, who is 7-years old, needs a home where he can run and play.
Last week, Hearts of Life adopt-a-thon was a big success as three dogs found their new home. April 1-2, Hearts of Life will be at Fix-N-Feed with several dogs for adoption. April 30-May 1, Hearts of Life will return to Petsense for a two day adoption event.
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
Joe Dan Karney passed away on Tuesday, March 22nd. His parents were the late Dooley and Thelma (Vandever) Karney. His wife of forty-four years, Gwendolyn Kraatz Karney, survives and we want to express our sympathy to her. Joe Dan’s funeral service was held on Thursday afternoon at the Murray-Orwosky Funeral Chapel, with burial at the Tira Cemetery. Please be in prayer for Gwen and family.
Tiffany Vaughn, Jaidyn Joslin, and Darris Cross went to Piney Shores Resort on Lake Conroe last Monday for Spring Break. They went through Tyler and did some shopping on the way. Kenden Joslin and Chip and I met them there on Wednesday. Morgan Joslin stayed home, hoping to get in some flying lessons, but weather and other issues prevented that. We enjoyed playing miniature golf, walking on the trails, swimming in the indoor & outdoor pools, and other resort amenities. On Thursday, we went to the Woodlands Children Museum for their “Irish-at-heart” tribute to Saint Patrick’s Day. The Irish dance presentation was wonderful and the juggling show was fun to watch. Jaidyn enjoyed checking out the interactive exhibits. That evening and the next day, she had fun playing with the “neighbor” kids at the resort, and we cooked hot dogs and made s’mores. Darris, Tiffany, and Kenden went shopping on Friday, and then they and Jaidyn headed home that afternoon. Chip and I shopped a little in Conroe on Friday evening and had a delicious meal at Texas Roadhouse that night. The next morning, we packed up and drove to Sour Lake, near Beaumont, to watch our great-granddaughter, Dixie, play T-ball. We had a good visit with her at the Dairy Queen following the game, and then we drove to Somerville to see Larry and Dorothy Fitzgerald. We visited and played cards that afternoon and evening. On Sunday morning, we went to First Baptist Church in Somerville with them. Larry, their new music director, led the choir in a wonderful Easter musical. We all, including another couple from their church, went to College Station for lunch at Genghis Grill. Chip and I drove back to home that afternoon.
Darris Cross and Jaidyn Joslin
On Saturday, Tiffany, Jaidyn, and Darris participated in the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Easter Egg Hunt and Meet & Greet. Darris and Jaidyn were clowns for the event.
I would like to wish you all a blessed Easter!
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
