Lady Cats Delay District Game Until Monday
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo said Thursday that the Marshall district game originally planned for Lady Cat Park will now be played Monday afternoon in Marshall. A JV game is set for 1 p.m. with the Varsity game to follow at 2:30 p.m. Both schools have spring break next week.
Coach Carrillo said Marshall’s field is currently covered with a tarp. He said if rain ended over the weekend, it wouldn’t have the field long to be ready once the tarp is removed. Lady Cat Park is supersaturated with water after several days of rain. Coach Carrillo said he would start to think about the scheduled Tuesday night home game with Texas High on Friday. He said he might end up moving that game to Texarkana if Lady Cat Park can’t be made playable in time. He added the game could be kept here but moved to Wednesday or Thursday.
Although the Lady Cats will be on spring break next week, Texas High will be in school after having spring break this week. Coach Carrillo said whatever happened with the weather this year is bound to be better than last year. He said last year was the worst weather experience he had ever had in his softball coaching career. In typical Coach Carrillo fashion, he said life sometimes throws you curve balls and you just do what you have to do.
Wildcats Open Season at Texas High Tuesday; No Tourney Due to Rain
For the second year in a row, the Texarkana baseball tournament has been rained out but things look different to Wildcats Coach Jerrod Hammack this year. Last year he had a senior-laden team that started district play off strongly despite losing the tournament games. This year’s team has only one returning starter and is loaded with underclassmen. Coach Hammack said he still had decisions to make and he could have used four more games in the tournament to help make them. He added perhaps he had seen enough however with practices, scrimmages and nine games so far. Coach Hammack said he was grateful to have the indoor facility to practice in. He noted that many schools do not have such a facility.
Wednesday Coach Hammack went looking for a turfed field where he might be able to squeeze in a game or two on Saturday. He found out that all those fields are in great demand right now.
Coach Hammack has now turned his attention to the district opener Tuesday night at Texas High. As usual Texas High’s top two pitchers are lefthanders. Wildcats’ practices will stress the proper approach to face lefthanders.
Bryant Sentenced to 15 Years; Oboyle to 5
Thursday morning, March 10, 2016, in Eighth Judicial District Court, Caleb James Bryant, 21, entered a guilty plea to engaging in organized crime and to retaliation. In the plea agreement, Brant also took responsibility for his activity in possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to 15 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
On Monday, November 17, 2015, an undercover buy-bust created the necessity for the Special Crimes Unit to rush a house located at 734 I-30 East. An individual, an informant for law enforcement, was assaulted. The informant was assaulted and his communication devices including cell phone were taken from him by force. Four individuals, including Caleb James Bryant, 21 and Morgan Leigh Oboyle, 23, were arrested at that time. The Special Crimes Unit rescued the informant. The four were all charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.
O’Boyle recently received a five year sentence to TDCJ in a plea agreement.
Morgan Leigh Oboyle
Teen Arrested For Assault Of A Family Member
Clayton Ryan Hanson, 18, of Sulphur Springs was arrested on Tuesday, March 8th after being involved in a dispute that resulted in assault of a family member. Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson responded to a call of an assault in Cumby that occurred early Tuesday afternoon.
Upon arrival, Hanson was found on the property located on the 300 block of Frisco Street in Cumby. Hanson was transported to the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital to be treated for injuries.
After further investigation, Hanson was placed in custody while at Memorial Hospital on a charge for Aggravated Assault of a Family Member with a Weapon. After receiving treatment, Hanson was transported to the Hopkins County Jail where he now sits on $50,000 bond.
Business History Month: Shoe Inn Etc.
The Shoe Inn began exactly where it is now: The Windsor Plaza. The Shoe Inn first opened it’s doors in February of 1986 as one of the first businesses in the plaza, offering the best location to be had in Sulphur Springs at that time. “Everything was new in our shopping center,” Owens said. “That created a lot of curiosity for people, and people just came to check us out and they’re still with us.”
The Shoe Inn first began as a store for shoes, jewelry, and handbags. Owens eventually began expanding her product base as it became necessary to both attract more business and to provide tuxedos for customers after other establishments closed their doors. “There were two businesses here that had tuxedos and they went out of business,” Owens said. “As they left, that’s when I came into the tuxedo business. It has been very good to us since then.”
One consistent customer-base has been students from both middle school and high school students looking for formal attire for special events. This customer-base has helped Owens spread the word about to business all over the county. “I advertised in the Cats’ Tale, spread it by word-of-mouth, and always had a high school girl working here that would generate the news to the students,” Owens said. “I did a lot of advertising for it, and then it just kind of boomed.”
Rather than simply ordering tuxedos online and handing them off to the customer, Owens had made her business personalized by working with the customer to deliver a tuxedo that is a perfect fit.
“One of the things that makes our business — the tuxedo business — what it is, is that we measure you, and then you take the books and choose what you want,” Owens said. “That is then called in and the measurements are computerized, so that determines the size of suit you need. When it comes in, we want you to try it on for us so we can critique it. If it needs a hem on a sleeve or pant leg, we take care of that right here. If it’s something that we can’t do, our company is very good at re-sending.”
The Shoe Inn also prides itself on its personality in shoes. With just as much variety and choice as their tuxedos and handbags, including wedding attire such as special tuxedos for men and wedding shoes for women, the Shoe Inn always tries to unite people with the perfect shoe for the perfect occasion. Shoe brands include: Cobb Hill, Aetrex, Ros Hammerson, Romika, Vionic, Naturalizer, Clarks, Taos, Trotters, Softwalk, Dansko, Wolry, Merrell, Alegria, Helle, Vaneli, Jamba, Sperrys for men and women, and more.
“If a shoe is a medium width, you have a 2A heel, so it’s going to fit your foot better,” Owens said. “If it’s a narrow width, it’s a 4A heel. That’s an art that’s just about lost. We really take pride in the quality of shoe that we buy. We have customers from Texarkana, Oklahoma, South Texas, Dallas and Fort Worth, so we draw from a big range of territory.”
For Owens, her employees play a major role in the success of the Shoe Inn. Owens and her employees help the customer be confident in their choice of product and try to solve any problems for them.
“The number one top priority is personal service,” Owens said.”When people choose a shoe, a tuxedo, a handbag, whatever it is, it’s with our touch as well. They pick out a shoe, we go get that shoe, we bring it to them, and we fit that shoe on their foot.If they want to see a certain handbag, we get that handbag and bring it to them and they critique it themselves.”
Exterior renovations have been done to the Shoe Inn, and interior work is planned for the foreseeable future. An interior decorator will be invited by Owens to help decide how to breathe new life into the Shoe Inn. Until then, Owens and the Shoe Inn continue to help the customers find the right look for the right occasion.
“We are here for the customers,” Owens said. “What we do, we do to please them. That’s what it’s been about for 30 years. The customer is always first, and — I hope — is always treated as I have wanted them to be.”
Open Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:50 p.m. and on Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (903) 885-1053.
Wildcats Baseball, Lady Cats Softball Cancelled; Track Still a Go
softball
Rainfall has washed away all Wildcats baseball and Lady Cats softball action scheduled on Thursday and Friday. For the second year in a row, the Texas High baseball tournament in Texarkana has been cancelled due to rain. The Wildcats were supposed to play games there Thursday through Saturday. The Lady Cats home softball game against Marshall Friday evening has been postponed. They will try to reschedule the game for Monday if Lady Cat Park is dry enough. If not, the game may be moved to a nearby dry field.
The rain has also cancelled freshman baseball in a Lindale tournament Thursday through Saturday. The JV Blue Softball at Caddo Mills Thursday through Saturday has been cancelled. JV Gold Softball against Marshall scheduled to happen just prior to the varsity game has been postponed. Right now they are looking to reschedule it on Monday. JV baseball’s doublheader hosting North Lamar at Eagle Stadium at noon Saturday is still a go right now.
Wildcats and Lady Cats track at Aubrey for Thursday is still a go at last report.
Dixon Changes Plea to Guilty; Sentenced to 40 Years Without Parole
March 9, 2016 – Hunter James Dixon, 21, will serve 40 years without possibility of parole according to a plea agreement between Dixon and the District Attorney’s office.
Hunter James Dixon,
Wednesday morning in Eighth Judicial District Court the prosecution played a video of Hunter James Dixon’s interview with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigators. Investigator Dennis Findley was on the witness stand. Having begun the day’s court activities at 8:42 a.m., Judge Eddie Northcutt called for a recess exactly one hour and 30 minutes into the testimony. During the break, Dixon decided to change his plea from not guilty to guilty.
Judge Northcutt stated to the jury Wednesday afternoon that he does not usually receive a plea agreement when the trial has begun but counts this as a unique situation. Northcutt stated that the agreement reach would be 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice with no opportunity of parole based on the age of the children and the fact that it was continuous sexual assault of a minor under 14. This First Degree Felony comes with a greater penalty due to changes in the law regarding the fact that the act was continuous. No restitution, no court cost or fine was assessed in the punishment.
In speaking to the jury before thanking them for their service and dismissing them, Northcutt pointed out that Dixon was 20-years, 9-months, and 2-days old when he walked into jail and would 60-years, 9-months, and 2-days old before leaving prison.
Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison presented the jury the video of the Child Protective Services Forensic interview with the children who made an outcry that led to the arrest, indictment, and trial of Dixon.
Monday afternoon, Harrison had called as witnesses those whom he called key relationships to Dixon that were involved in the case. Harrison had diagrammed for the jury the relationships of Dixon to his sister, his parents, to the father of the children who made the outcry, and others.
Annual Hay Clinic is March 30th
by Mario Villarino
As our winter season starts dwindling into spring, our pastures and hay meadows must be getting for the spring and summer hay season. Depending on the farmer plan our hay schedules are mainly divided in a fall-winter cycle and a spring-summer cycle. The fall-winter cycle relies on winter crops, mainly rye grass and a short crop before or wheat and oats. The rye grass crop picks during February and March and must be completely harvested before then Bermuda grass gets out from dormancy (April or May depending on weather) to avoid shading the spring cycle. The spring cycle is mainly based on Bermuda grass and its different varieties.
To further discuss our spring-summer hay cycle, the Hopkins County Extension Office in conjunction with Holt Agribusiness will be participating on the Holt Agribusiness Annual Hay Clinic March 30, 2016 at 1109 w. industrial drive from 9:00 to 2:00 PM. The topics of the Hay Clinic will be my discussion on soil fertility and the role of soil pH in weed management, Wild pig damage and control with Billy Higginbotham, wildlife specialist from Texas AgriLife Extension in Overton, Texas, a complementary lunch sponsored by Holt Agribusiness and a discussion in forage varieties for Northeast Texas by Vanessa Olsen, forage specialist from Texas AgriLife Extension in Overton, Texas. We hope to discuss several hay alternative methods during this session and I have invited hay producers to come and share their experiences with some of the innovative methods implemented during last year. Three CEU’s for private applicators will be granted. Attendees must register by calling 903-439-3007 by March 25, 2016. Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in this activity are encouraged to contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 for assistance by March 25, 2016. Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Court of Texas Cooperating.
For more information please call the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Business History Month: Bright Star Floors
Mike Miller opened Bright Star Floors nine years ago in a great business location along Interstate 30 East in Sulphur Springs. Mike possessed three decades of experience in the flooring installation business when he opened his doors, and that experience lends a priceless value to the customer who is considering a flooring decision. Today’s new products are the best ever offered because the technology is constantly improving, yet there are important factors to be considered besides color preference and pattern. That’s where Mike’s expertise and customer solutions come into play.
His career began in 1980 as a carpet and vinyl installer for Home Construction Company owners Gene Watson and Tim Kelty, as well as for Home Lumber Company owner Clovis Fox. For the next 25 years, he served as store manager for Discount Floors owned by Doc Groves and later Larry White, and flooring department manager at Foxworth Galbraith in Sulphur Springs. When the business closed its doors, Miller decided to own his own business instead of working for another.
Mike Miller is currently the sole owner of Bright Star Floors. He offers high quality carpeting, ceramic tile, wood laminates and the newest flooring choices available on the market. As well as floors, Miller does shower and backsplash tiling. His estimates are free, and he hires the best contractors and carpet crews from the local area. His floors are seen in businesses, churches, banks, offices and homes throughout the area.
He believes in giving customers the kind of value and support that he appreciates as a consumer himself, and works to provide guaranteed customer satisfaction with his product. Visit Bright Star Floors at 401 East Industrial Drive.
Monday through Friday 8:30-5 and Saturdays til noon.
Phone: (903) 885-7913
Email: [email protected]
Primary Runoff; Municipal Election On Horizon
One election has just ended and another will begin soon. In fact, more than one election is on tap.
For the Sulphur Springs School Board and Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board, no election will be held. Those races were no race since only incumbents filed… except for one seat on the hospital board where on one filed. That place will be filled by law by appointment of the board.
However, for the City of Sulphur Springs, there will be an election May 7th. For City Council Place 4, Charles G. Oxford will appear first on the ballot followed by incumbent Freddie Taylor. In the Place 5 race, incumbent and present Mayor Pro-tem Emily Glass will be first followed by Jimmy Lucas. Early voting in the city election will begin April 25th and be conducted Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through May 3rd. Early voting will be conducted at the Municipal Building, 201 North Davis Street. Tuesday, April 26th and Thursday, April 28th will allow voters to cast ballots from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. as mandated by Texas House Bill 2309. Application for ballot by mail may be made to Gale Roberts, 125 South Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Application for mail ballots must be made by April 26th.
The Republican and Democrat Primary Runoff election is May 24th, with early voting beginning May 16th and ending May 20th. Early voting will take place at the SSISD Administrative Board Room on Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. Hours for primary runoff early voting are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. Polling places will be consolidated for the Primary Runoff. Only five (5) polling places will be open on May 24th. Those five include Wesley United Methodist Church, VFW, the County Courthouse, League Street Church of Christ, and Miller Grove ISD. Both Republicans and Democrats will vote at these locations only.
The Miller Grove polling place will be open due to the Commissioner Precinct 1 runoff between Maci Mattison Newsom and Mickey Barker. Miller Grove is also the only rural school where senior graduation will not affect the primary runoff.
Other primary runoff votes will be cast in both the Republican and Democrat Railroad Commissioner races, two Republican Primary Court of Criminal Appeals (Place 2 and Place 5), and in the Republican runoff for State Board of Education Place 9.
On May 24th, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
