Tough Night for Lady Cats at Hallsville
softball
The Lady Cats’ softball team continues to seek the key to a district victory against Hallsville. The Lady Bobcats, rated #2 in the state in one poll, took a dominating 11-0 win over the Lady Cats at home Thursday night. The game was moved to Hallsville because Lady Cat Park was too wet after overnight rain.
Hallsville scored in four straight innings getting one in the first, six runs in a big second, one more in the third and three in the fourth. The game was called after four and a half innings due to the ten-run rule. Hallsville had eight hits and the Lady Cats collected six. Jaye Doughtie and Molly Johnston led the Lady Cats with two hits apiece. Sarah Womack and Landri Bell each pitched two innings for the Lady Cats. The Lady Cats had two errors.
The Lady Cats are now 4-2 in district play and 20-4 for the season. The Lady Cats will play at Pine Tree Tuesday night. That game will mark the end of the first half of district play.
Wildcats Lose on the Road in Hallsville
The Wildcats’ baseball team was defeated by Hallsville, 6-1 on the road Thursday night. The Bobcats scored a pair of runs in the first and second inning to jump out to a 4-0 lead. The Wildcats narrowed the margin to 4-1 in the fourth inning but the Bobcats tacked on two final runs in the sixth inning.
Ryan Humphries took the loss for the Wildcats giving up four runs on eight hits in four innings of work. He did strike out 6. Heston Golightly worked the last two innings giving up two runs and two hits. The Wildcats got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning as Golightly and Mason Buck singled and then Easton Silman drove home a run with a sacrifice fly. The Wildcats also threatened putting two runners on base in the second and the sixth inning but they could not bring them home. Mason Buck had two singles. Michael Arnold hit a double. The Wildcats also got singles from Tyler Follis, Golightly and Triston McCormack. The Wildcats got six hits. Hallsville had ten. The Bobcats commited the games only error.
The Wildcats and Bobcats now both have 2-2 records in district play. The Wildcats season record is now 5-7-1.
The Wildcats will host Pine Tree at Eagle Stadium Tuesday night.
Business History Month: Yard By Yard
Henry and Janice Keller had humble beginnings with their nursery business. In 1979, the Keller’s had a greenhouse in their backyard on Morris Dr. in Sulphur Springs, Texas and began to sell plants they had raised themselves. Ten years later, in 1989, the two had a full grown business and decided to move to a separate location. Henry Keller, a Vietnam War veteran and plant enthusiast, bought a house with an acre lot on Church St. He turned the house into a gift shop and office for the business and moved his greenhouse onto the land next to the building.
Now, twenty seven years later, the Keller’s have a thriving business and have expanded immensely. The two employ several people and their business is on about three and a half acres of land. Yard By Yard offers a large selection of flowers, shrubs, trees, and arrangements. Yard By Yard grows about 90% of their own color plants and have added a landscaping branch. The original building has recently been remolded with a more open concept and a rustic decor feel. In their gift shop, they offer fresh flower arrangements, pottery, crosses, yard art, and wind chimes. The two have also incorporated their hobbies into their business and sell fresh eggs from their free range chickens.
Have an Egg-cellent Spring
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]
by Johanna Hicks
Happy Spring and Easter from our Staff
It’s spring – – the season to enjoy the great outdoors and to celebrate special occasions like Easter, Mother’s Day, and graduation. While eggs are used all year, they are especially popular for many spring and summertime activities. They are used for cooking festive delights and for decorating and hiding just before the big Easter egg hunt.
Eggs are perishable and need to be handled properly to prevent foodborne illness. There are many cute decorating ideas on Pinterest and Facebook, but be cautious when using alternate methods of dying eggs. Some methods may render the egg inedible, while others are perfectly safe. So if you plan to actually eat the decorated hard-cooked eggs, you might want to stick with the traditional food coloring and save the cute designer egg ideas for decorating.
Here’s what you can do to have a safe and egg-cellent spring!
- Clean up, clean up…Clean hands are key! Always wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after food handling. Beware of cross-contamination. Foodborne illness can occur when kitchen equipment is not thoroughly washed between uses. Always wash food contact surfaces and cooking equipment in hot water and soap.
- Cook and keep cool…Refrigeration slows bacterial growth, so it’s important to refrigerate eggs and egg-containing foods. Your refrigerator should be at 40°F or below. Remember the 2-hour rule: don’t leave perishables out at room temperature for more than two hours. The temperature danger zone for perishable foods is 40° to 140°F. If the temperature is over 90 degrees outside and you are having a picnic, perishables should be refrigerated or cooled within one hour.
- Tasting is tempting, but licking a spoon or tasting raw cookie dough from a mixing bowl can be risky. Bacteria could be lurking in the raw eggs, so resist the temptation!
- Easter egg Hunt know-how…Only use eggs that have been refrigerated, and discard eggs that are cracked or dirty.
- When cooking eggs, place a single layer of eggs in a saucepan. Add water to at least one inch above the eggs. (You may also add a little vinegar to keep the eggs from cracking prematurely.) Cover the pan, bring the water to a boil, and carefully remove the pan from the heat. Let the eggs stand 18 minutes for extra-large, 15 minutes for large, or 12 minutes for medium. Immediately run cold water over the eggs. When the eggs are cool enough to handle, place them in an uncovered container in the refrigerator where they can air-dry. When decorating, be sure to use food-grade dyes. It is safe to use commercial egg dyes, liquid food coloring, and fruit-drink powders. You may also use juices from veggies, such as red cabbage.
- Hide the eggs in places that are protected from dirt, pets and other potential sources of bacteria. Remember the 2-hour rule, and make sure the “found” eggs are back in the refrigerator or consumed within two hours. Remember that hard-cooked eggs are only safe to eat for one week after cooking.
Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes
There is still time to sign up for the spring series of “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes.” This is a five-lesson series, scheduled to take place on Mondays and Thursdays, April 4, 7, 11, 14, and 18, at the Hopkins County office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 1200-B w. Houston, in Sulphur Springs. We will start at 1:30 and end at 3:30.
A $25 fee, payable at the first session, covers all five sessions, materials, refreshments, supplementary items, and door prizes. Please contact my office to sign up – 903-885-3443. Feel free to call if you have questions. This is an excellent research-based series, supported by the American Diabetes Association standards of care.
Topics include nutrition, such as carbohydrate foods and how they affect blood sugar, knowing how many carbs to consume, recognizing foods high and low in carbs, and meal planning. Self-management topics include knowing your numbers, proper method to monitor blood glucose, sick day diabetes management, traveling with diabetes, check-ups – what you need and how often, physical activity, and diabetes medicines.
Closing Thought
Remember the power behind the cross.
Sam and Sher Sevier Named 2016-2017 Lights of Life Campaign Chairs
Sam and Sher Sevier were named 2016-2017 Lights of Life Campaign Chairs and checks for $120,000 and $100,000 were presented during the Celebration Reception honoring those involved in the 2015-2016 campaign. The $120,000 check was presented to the Memorial Hospital CEO/Michael McAndrew and Memorial Hospital’s Board of Directors. The funds will be used to purchase 6 CPR devices for EMS which will provide the EMS Department the tools and abilities they need to improve survival rates during cardia arrest. The LUCAS CPR provides consistent and quality chest compressions without the need to stop compressions to perform other clinical procedures. The check for $100,000 was added to the growing Health Care Foundation “Leaving a Legacy” Endowment Fund held in trust by Guaranty Bank Trust and Wealth Management Group.
The 2015-2016 Lights of Life campaign chairs Donna Rudzik, Gloria Mitchell and Polly Swatsell, 2015-2016 Campaign Chairs, recognized and thanked the generous sponsors and guests who contributed to the overwhelming success of this year’s event.
The community is encouraged to mark their calendars now for November 1, 2016 for the official 2016-2017 Lights of Life Campaign & Gala kick-off. January 28, 2017 is the date for the 11th annual Lights of Life Gala. Previous sponsors and guests are reminded that seating is limited at the gala and it sells out every year, so sponsors and guests are encouraged to respond to the first sponsorship mailing that will go out June 1, 2016.
Storm Summary for Wednesday Night Severe Weather
Wednesday night, March 23, 2016, a band of severe thunderstorms moved into Hopkins County around 11:30 p.m. and exited shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday morning. Radar indicates a severe thunderstorm capable of 70 mph winds and hail the size of ping pong balls, according to the National Weather Service. High winds accompanied by hail and rainfall swept across much of the county. Radar showed the heaviest band of hail to have been in the Southern segment of the county around the Seymore Community proceeding to Como and then into Franklin County.
Wednesday evening a thunderstorm watch issued by the National Weather Service to be in effect until midnight for Hopkins County and the surrounding area thanks to a storm moving from Collin County into Hunt County. At the time of the watch issued, radar showed a line of thunderstorms stretching from Forestburg, Texas, north of Decatur, into Oklahoma as a cold front makes its way across the area. That watch was later extended to 4 a.m. Thursday morning when storms in Van Zandt and Rains Counties became more intense.
KSST began reporting the potential of severe weather approximately 30 minutes prior to the National Weather Service issuing the watch. We continued to follow the storms through the area until 1 a.m.
Walmart Theft Leads To Three Arrests
Massey
Skinner
Williams
Three individuals were arrested Wednesday afternoon for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Velvin Stewart Skinner, 45, Lucas Wayne Massey, 32, and Christopher Don Williams, 26, were all subjects involved in a theft at Walmart in Sulphur Springs.
Sulphur Springs Police Department Officers arrived at the location shortly after the theft occurred and were advised that the suspects fled the scene in a 2000 model Ford F-150 truck. A responding officer observed the vehicle and made a traffic stop at the corner of Mockingbird Lane and Duckworth Street just after 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Once the vehicle came to a stop, Skinner, who was the front passenger, exited the vehicle and fled on foot after being ordered to stop. Skinner was located in the 1200 block of Broadway by a SSPD Officer and was placed into custody.
All three individuals were identified by Walmart Loss Prevention as being involved in the theft. Massey and Williams were charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and were each placed on $2,500 bond. Massey has since posted bail. Skinner was charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Evading Arrest and Detention and sits on $5,000 total bond.
Game Day Wildcats, Lady Cats in Hallsville; Track at Paris; Tennis in Longview
Rain has made Lady Cat Park unplayable for softball tonight. JV and Varsity softball has been moved to Hallsville. The JV Blue game against the Hallsville will be played in Hallsville at 4:30 p.m. The Varsity game will follow at around 6 p.m., again in Hallsville. The Lady Cats are 4-1 in district play. Hallsville is unbeaten in district games. The Lady Cats season record is 20-3. Hallsville will return to play in Sulphur Springs on April 19, weather permitting.
The Wildcats’ baseball team is also in Hallsville tonight for a 7 p.m. game. The Wildcats are 2-1 in district play with both wins by the ten-run rule. Hallsville comes in at an unbelievable 1-2 in district play. They have lost their last two games to Texas High and Mt. Pleasant. They only lost a single district game all of last year, that one to the Wildcats at Eagle Stadium.
Meanwhile the Wildcats and Lady Cats’ track teams will be competing at a meet in Paris. Field events get underway at 3 p.m.
Finally the Wildcats’ tennis team is playing in a tournament in Longview. It got started at 8 a.m.
State Highway 37 Improvements Begin in Southern Franklin County
TxDot logo
PARIS – The Texas Department of Transportation has begun work to improve State Highway 37 in Franklin County. TxDOT officials granted the contractor 457 working days, weather permitting, to complete this project at an estimated cost of more than $20.4 million. Work will proceed as weather permits, but should be completed in January 2018.
This project will extend along State Highway 37 from its intersection with FM 21 southward to the Franklin-Wood County line. The contractor will extend drainage and other structures, add safety enhancements and 10-foot shoulders to the roadway, and install new pavement and striping. 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. Drivers should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems when driving.
Spring Expo at Co-op, Civic Center Thursday
Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op Spring Expo and members meeting will be an all-day event concluding with a hamburger supper Thursday night March 24 at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center in Sulphur Springs.
During the day in Sulphur Springs, vendors will be present at the Co-op to speak with customers regarding various products available for the farm and ranch. At the evening meeting a number of prizes will be given away including a Vet Gun, valued at $226 and HLS 125lb fly buster tub valued at $83.50.
During Thursday night’s meeting, General Manager Brad Johns will speak along with Matt Stokes, Brad Fain, Steve Freeman, David Holt, and Donnie Peters. Stokes will address the myths of electric fencing. Fain will discuss with proper handling of vaccine schedules. Holt and Freeman will discuss bulk feed. Peters will talk about getting more out of your fertilizer. Special purchase prices will also be available on some products.
Other Expos and member meetings were conducted in Greenville on March 21, Canton on March 22, and the last meeting will be in Clarksville on March 29.
KSST spent Thursday morning at the Co-op. Donnie Peters talks about the event:
