Humphries, Buck Combine for Shut Out; Wildcats in Lindale Tourney
Eagle Stadium
The Wildcats Baseball Team won one and lost one in a Lindale tournament Friday. The Wildcats have now won two our of three during the first two days of the tourney. Friday the Wildcats got a combined shutout from Ryan Humphries and Mason Buck to squeeze by Van, 1-0. Humphries got the win and Buck the save. Humphries was also the batting hero driving in the only run of the game. Humphries had a second inning single that scored Easton Silman.
Later unearned runs did in the Wildcats as they lost a slugfest to Brownsboro, 11-8. In the sixth inning, Brownsboro broke a 5-5 tie by scoring six unearned runs to take an 11-5 lead. The Wildcats scored three runs in the final two innings but fell short, 11-8. Ryder Caddell took the loss for the Wildcats. Garrett Jones drove home two runs for the Wildcats. His second inning sacrifice fly scored Richard Green. In the seventh inning Jones’ double plated Gavin Millsap. Other Wildcats RBIs came from Kyle Dodd, Ryan Humphries, Mason Buck and Tyler Follis. The Wildcats also hurt their cause by leaving a dozen winners on base. The Wildcats are now 3-4-1 for the season. The Wildcats will face Atlanta at 1 p.m. Saturday in their final game of the Lindale tournament.
“Updated” Seven Arrested for Burglarizing a Business in County
March 4, 2016 – Friday morning Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies executed a warrant roundup that resulted in the arrest of five juveniles and two adults for a February burglary of a business located in Hopkins County. Some of the seven took a company vehicle for a joy ride over the weekend following the burglary and also took firearms from the business.
Charles Chason Williams
The two adults arrested were 18-year old Samantha Pennington and 17-year old Charles Chason Williams. Both received a magistrates hearing Saturday morning in Hopkins County Jail where they had been held since Friday. Both were charged with engaging in organized crime. Bond was set at $20,000 each by Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings.
According to Corley Weatherford, with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office, the seven warrants followed a series of interviews with those involved. The case was assisted by a selfie post on Facebook by one of the individuals driving the stolen vehicle.
Samantha Pennington
Routine Traffic Stop Leads To Felony Arrests
A routine traffic stop near the 2100 block of South Broadway Street late Thursday evening led to the arrest of two individuals wanted on felony warrants for Abandonment and Endangerment of a Child and Delivery and Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance. Sulphur Springs Police Department Investigator Mark Estes and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Tony Crouse arrested Katelin Leann Gumpert, 24, and James Christopher Castleberry, 31, in connection with a previous incident that occurred at a Kasie Street residence in Sulphur Springs.
During the book in at the Hopkins County Jail, Gumpert was found to be in possession of an off-white, crystal like substance suspected to be methamphetamine. A charge for Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 1 gram was added to Gumpert’s previous offenses.
Bond for Gumpert was set at $40,000 total: $20,000 for Abandonment and Endangerment of a Child, $10,000 for Delivery and Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance, and $10,000 for Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 1 gram. Castleberry sits on $30,000 bond: $20,000 for Abandonment and Endangerment of a Child and $10,000 for Delivery and Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance. All of the charges for Gumpert and Castleberry are felony offenses.
Business History Month: Big Smith’s Bar-B-Q & Catfish
Big Smith’s is owned and operated by Steve and Donna Smith of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Steve and Donna have been married for 30 years. They have lived in Hopkins County for 27 years, raised their two sons there, and lovingly call it their home. Steve and Donna are very active with the Boy Scouts. They’ve been leaders for 16 years. The two believe very strongly in being positive role models and helping mold young men with high morals and positive outlooks on their futures.
Before Steve and Donna’s dream of owning a restaurant became a reality, Steve cooked for several events and was employed at a meat packing house while Donna was an FDA meat inspector. The two soon decided to let their dream take flight and rented a dairy barn on Highway 154, right outside of Sulphur Springs. They complied a menu of BBQ, brisket, hamburgers, ribs, sausage, ham, turkey, potato salad, beans, and french fries. About 6 to 8 months in the Smith’s hired their first employee and continued to grow. Big Smith’s resided in that same dairy barn for 24 years.
In 2014, the construction of the new building, located at 4858 TX-154 just outside of Sulphur Springs, was completed. The Smith’s wanted a quaint look to the outside of their building, but shot for a wow factor on the interior of their building. Everything used to decorate the interior is refurbished and reused. Along with the new kitchen came a new, expanded menu. Big Smith’s then began serving catfish, shrimp, steak, and many more side dishes.
On any given day, both Donna and Steve are present and working hard at their restaurant. They now employ 17 people who the Smith’s consider their family. Donna explained that she takes great pride in the people they employ and the work they do. “Most of the people we employ are young adults getting their education. We encourage our employees to go out and go to college, to make an honest living for themselves. It’s important to Steve and I to be able to take a step back on a really busy night and see our customers laughing, relaxing, and talking and us know that we played a part in providing them with great service, great food, and a place they feel comfortable. This is what makes owning a restaurant exciting,” said Donna Smith.
Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes by Johanna Hicks
Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes
Have you or a loved one been told you have diabetes? Do you want to learn how to recognize high carbohydrate foods? Do you need the skills to manage diabetes? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has the solution – Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes. A spring series will be held on Mondays and Thursdays, April 4, 7, 11, 14, and 18, at the Hopkins County Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. All sessions will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cost for the series is $25, which includes materials, refreshments, door prizes, and terrific information presented by experts in the field.
The session topics and descriptions are:
1) “How Food Affects Your Blood Glucose” We’ll discuss foods that are high in carbohydrates and foods that are low in carbohydrates, how to plan meals, and nutrition labels.
2) “Are You Eating the Correct Number of Carbohydrates?” Discussion will focus on self-monitoring, how often to test, and proper methods of testing. We’ll also discuss carbohydrate choices.
3) “Improving Your Blood Glucose with Physical Activity” We’ll discuss the types of physical activity, precautions while exercising, and review meal choices.
4) “Improving Your Blood Glucose with Medication” Discussion will be on recommended A1c levels, function of diabetes pills and insulin, managing low blood sugar, and more.
5) “Celebrating Diabetes Control While Avoiding Complications” We’ll discuss various tests and immunizations you should have and how often they should be done. We’ll also talk about risk factors for complications for people with diabetes and how to delay or prevent them.
Here are some comments from past participants:
“ I really learned a lot! I enjoyed the snacks and visiting with others.”
“I learned so much about food choices and ways to control my blood sugar. Thank you!”
“Diabetes is not a ‘one size fits all’ disease. Thanks for helping me understand that what works for one person might not work for me!”
“I’m more aware of the foods I eat and I make the effort to exercise more.”
As you can see, this series is a valuable resource for not only people who have diabetes, but for their loved ones. If you are interested in participating, please contact my office at 903-885-3443 and leave your name, address, and phone number. We will send you the registration form, or you may stop by my office, 1200-B W. Houston, to pick up a registration form. The $25 fee is payable at the first session.
Learn to take charge of your diabetes!
Cooking Through the Seasons
Here’s a little teaser! May 20, Recreation Outreach Center (ROC), 115 Putman, Sulphur Springs, 9:00 to noon, $15 – cooking demonstrations, knife skills demonstration, kitchen gadgets & gizmos, table scapes, baking, door prizes, vendors, goody bags. Trust me – you don’t want to miss this one! Registration forms and more information available at the Hopkins, Rains, and Wood County Extension offices.
Closing Thought
Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss – Andy Rooney
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]
Sulphur Springs ISD Open House Schedule
Sulphur Springs Independent School District invites student parents and the community to visit their schools next week for Open House. Open House is a celebration of Public Schools Week in Texas. Classrooms will display work submitted by students and will give parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss life in the classroom.
Below is the schedule for each campus.
ECLC – Monday, March 7, 2016 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Douglas – Monday, March 7, 2016 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
SS High School – Monday, March 7, 2016 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
( 8th graders will also be working on their 4 year endorsement plans )
SS Middle School – Tuesday, March 8, 2016 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
SS Elementary – Tuesday, March 8, 2016 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Bowie Primary – Thursday, March 10, 2016 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Lamar Primary – Thursday, March 10, 2016 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Travis Primary – Thursday, March 10, 2016 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
The Tira City Council met on Tuesday, March 1, at the Community Center and discussed routine business and made plans to move forward with the installation of the playground set, which was approved at a prior meeting. The project was delayed due to wet weather in the fall.
Robert, Yvonne, and Wesley Weir spent Saturday visiting Destri in Dallas. Yvonne also shared, “All the pansies Robert planted for me are blooming beautifully.”
Open House at North Hopkins Elementary School will be held on Thursday, March 10, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Also, a book fair will be going on in the school library (High School building). Parents, grandparents, and others are encouraged to come see the classrooms, visit with the teachers, and take their students shopping at the book fair.
Linda Ellen Vaughn, of Dallas, and Grace Vaughn, of Sulphur Springs, had lunch with us on Sunday. Tiffany, Jaidyn, and Darris were here, too, and we played games after lunch.
I attended training at the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) conference in Dallas on Wednesday and Thursday.
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].
Miller Grove News by Brandon Darrow
I don’t know about you, but I have really enjoyed the spring-time weather we have been having. It feels nice to leave the house in the mornings and not have to put on a jacket. The days are getting longer and daylight savings time will be here next weekend – Sunday, March 13 to be exact. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour on the night of Mar. 12.
Congratulations to all of the students who walked away making the sale at the local NETLA livestock show in Sulphur Springs. I hope I don’t leave anyone out but here is a list of our students who walked away with top-honors at the sale of champions: Cheyenne Gary (Grand Champion – Steer), Harli Watson (Grand Champion – Swine), Braxton Northcutt (Grand Champion – Poultry), David Winstead (Reserve Grand Champion – Swine), Parker Dyer (Reserve Grand Champion – Poultry), Shelby Lackey (Reserve Grand Champion Steer & Senior Showmanship), Hannah Caudle (Senior Showmanship – Swine), Haley Dyer (Intermediate Showmanship – Swine & Intermediate Poultry Showmanship) and Mika Gray (Junior Showmanship – Steer). From the looks of things I believe Brandon McClure (MGISD Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor) is doing a good job and has quite a few students interested in showing animals this year.
A Daddy Daughter Dance is scheduled to be hosted at the school again this year. The date will be Mar. 11. For more information you can contact the school at 903-459-3288.
MGISD Trustees approved the final floor plan and fixtures for the new elementary addition this past Monday night, Feb. 29. If rain will hold off hopefully Burnett Construction will be able to get started soon.
Those of you who like to compete in predator hunts be sure and mark your calendars for this year’s hunt that is being coordinated by the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The fundraiser hunt will be scheduled for the weekend of March 19-20. Fliers are being distributed now and the VFD is also selling raffle tickets on a .243 Savage AXISII XP. Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased from any of the volunteers. Even if you don’t like to hunt, please take the time to buy a raffle ticket. Our fire department always needs financial contributions to keep the doors open and in service for the community. As Doug Lewis said, “This is your fire department; we are just the care-takers.” And that is a very true statement. The volunteers have helped many in the community over the years.
Happy Birthday to Donna (Vititow) Mynatt on Mar. 7, Heath McCraw on Mar. 8, Tim Heijligers & Victoria (Edwards) Reeves on Mar. 10, Retha (Waskom) Heath on Mar. 11, and Lindsey (Watson) Cipoletta, Jordan Lennon & Johnny Ferguson on Mar. 12.
I am sending out a very special happy birthday wish to a young lady celebrating her 90th birthday – Mrs. Della (Wheat) Loane on Mar. 7. Della is a person that is full of life and truly loves everyone she meets. She has known me and my family for basically her whole life. When I see her I know I’m going to get a big hug and she will have some supportive and constructive things to say to me. Those little things mean a lot in a world full of negativity. This is something we can all take a lesson from. Della is a blessing to all who know her and is always a good Christian example for anyone. Happy Birthday Della and enjoy your special day!
Happy Anniversary to Heath and Sheena (Petty) McCraw on Mar. 9.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
Business History Month: Big Smith’s Bar-B-Q & Catfish
Big Smith’s is owned and operated by Steve and Donna Smith of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Steve and Donna have been married for 30 years. They have lived in Hopkins County for 27 years, raised their two sons there, and lovingly call it their home. Steve and Donna are very active with the Boy Scouts. They’ve been leaders for 16 years. The two believe very strongly in being positive role models and helping mold young men with high morals and positive outlooks on their futures.
Before Steve and Donna’s dream of owning a restaurant became a reality, Steve cooked for several events and was employed at a meat packing house while Donna was an FDA meat inspector. The two soon decided to let their dream take flight and rented a dairy barn on Highway 154, right outside of Sulphur Springs. They complied a menu of BBQ, brisket, hamburgers, ribs, sausage, ham, turkey, potato salad, beans, and french fries. About 6 to 8 months in the Smith’s hired their first employee and continued to grow. Big Smith’s resided in that same dairy barn for 24 years.
In 2014, the construction of the new building, located at 4858 TX-154 just outside of Sulphur Springs, was completed. The Smith’s wanted a quaint look to the outside of their building, but shot for a wow factor on the interior of their building. Everything used to decorate the interior is refurbished and reused. Along with the new kitchen came a new, expanded menu. Big Smith’s then began serving catfish, shrimp, steak, and many more side dishes.
On any given day, both Donna and Steve are present and working hard at their restaurant. They now employ 17 people who the Smith’s consider their family. Donna explained that she takes great pride in the people they employ and the work they do. “Most of the people we employ are young adults getting their education. We encourage our employees to go out and go to college, to make an honest living for themselves. It’s important to Steve and I to be able to take a step back on a really busy night and see our customers laughing, relaxing, and talking and us know that we played a part in providing them with great service, great food, and a place they feel comfortable. This is what makes owning a restaurant exciting,” said Donna Smith.
Delta County Fair Set for April
Delta County Fair is April 9th. Vendors and participants are needed according to representatives of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce–guests on KSST’S Morning Show.
