Early Voting Available Saturday and Sunday
Early voters have an opportunity to cast ballots this weekend—Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Early voting for the March 1st Primary continues through Friday February 26th.
Thursday 229 Hopkins County voters cast their ballot. Republicans numbered 215 and Democrats 14. The first three days of early voting have allowed 873 to cast ballots—65 Democrats and 808 Republicans.
Only one local office seeker, Billy Emerson for Commissioner Precinct 3, is on the Democrat Primary ballot. He will face Republican incumbent Wade Bartlett, the only Republican seeking the office, in the November General Election. For Republicans, both the Commissioner Precinct 1 and Sheriff’s race offer four candidates in each.
Early voting in Hopkins County takes place at only one location—Sulphur Springs Administration Board Room on Connally Street. The Board Room is located at the back of the building facing Connally Street.
Miller Grove News
by Brandon Darrow
Even though the last few days have been blustery, the warmer weather has been nice. Spring is just around the corner and I, for one, am ready.
This week I know of two people with Miller Grove ties that have passed. My condolences go to their family and all who knew them.
Doyle Lane Lennon, son of Charles Lute Lennon & Mary Jane (Carter) Lennon, was born Jan. 13, 1946, in Miller Grove, Texas. He graduated from Miller Grove High School in 1963 and later married Brenda Bridges on June 11, 1971. Lane passed at his home on Feb. 15, 2016. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville and services were held at his church, Highland Terrace Baptist, in Greenville at 1 pm on Friday, Feb. 19. Interment followed at Dougherty Cemetery in Rains County. Survivors include his wife, Brenda; 4 children; 8 grandchildren; one brother, Clinton Lennon; and a host of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bonnie Nell Lennon Knowles; and brother, Jack Lennon. Mr. Lennon was owner of D.L. Lennon Incorporated-Contractor, which was formed in 1979.
I was also notified of Nell Marie (Corbet) Miller’s passing this week. She passed Feb. 16, 2016. Nell Marie was born to John Bryant Corbet and Laura Lorena (McRae) Corbet on Jan. 16, 1921, in our small community of Miller Grove. After growing up in Miller Grove, she moved to Dallas and lived in that area the majority of her life. She was a member of Jupiter Road Baptist Church in Garland. Funeral services held at 10 am, Saturday, Feb. 20, at FiveStone Community Church with burial to follow at 2:00 pm in Miller Grove Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Larry Miller; grandson, Larry Wayne Miller; and two brothers John Jr. and Dan Corbet; and one infant sister, Mildred Christine Corbet. Survivors include daughters Gail (Miller) Sides, Adina (Miller) Perry; son, David Miller; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and brother, Alton Corbet. Williams Funeral Home of Garland was in charge of arrangements.
Next week I will include some information I learned about the Miller Grove Fire Department from Doug Lewis who is one of the volunteers. He is happy to report several new things going on in the department and wanted me to help get the word out about all of the folks and what they do for our community. They will also be hosting a predator hunt to raise money the weekend of Mar. 19-20 along with a raffle.
Happy Birthday to Kelly Mabe & Oscar DelCastillo on Feb. 22, Linda Waskom Crockett & Shelly Ragan Gaston on Feb. 23, and Robin Wilcox Jordan & Janie Millsap Miller on Feb. 27.
Happy 57th Anniversary to William and Bertha Davis Sparks on Feb. 21.
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].
Lady Cats Score 37 on 35 Hits in First Two Games
softball
What an opening day of the regular season by the Lady Cats Softball Team on day one of the three day Sulphur Springs tournament Thursday at Lady Cat Park. The Lady Cats scored 37 runs and pounded out 35 hits in two wins.
Late Thursday afternoon, the Lady Cats defeated Royse City 17-4. The Lady Cats had 16 hits and made no errors. The Lady Bulldogs managed only 4 hits and committed 3 errors.Thursday morning the Lady Cats opened the tournament with a 20-6 romp over Paul Pewitt of Omaha. The Lady Cats had 19 hits while making a single error. The Lady Brahmas were limited to six hits. The Lady Cats are 2-0 for the season.
Friday the Lady Cats will face West Mesquite at 1:30 p.m. and Princeton at 5 p.m. with both games at Lady Cat Park. On Saturday, the Lady Cats will face Holliday at 10 a.m.and Prosper at 3:15 p.m. with both games at Lady Cat Park.
Lady Cats Season Ends in Loss to Summit
The Lady Cats Basketball Team had their season end in an Area game loss to Mansfield Summit, 67-32 Thursday night in the North Forney Gym. The Lady Jaguars utilized an aggressive full court press to force numerous turnovers and to take the Lady Cats out of their game.
Mansfield Summit scored the games first ten points and went on to lead, 22-10 after one quarter. The Lady Cats outscored the Lady Jaguars 13-12 in the second quarter but still trailed, 34-23 at halftime. The Lady Cats struggled in the last two quarters and were outscored, 33-9.
Kaylee Jefferson led the Lady Cats with 12 points and Tori Moore scored 8. It was the last game for Lady Cats senior Lexie Moore. The Lady Cats end the season with a 26-7 record.
The Lady Cats may not have seen a team this athletic since John Tyler, who beat them in bi-district play last year. Despite the exit, the Lady Cats 2015-2016 legacy may well be winning the school’s first district championship in fourteen years and their dramatic fourth quarter comeback earlier this week against Lindale in the bi-district game at Grand Saline.
Chamber of Commerce 90th Annual Membership Banquet Honors Presented
It was a night of unique moments during the award presentations at the 90th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet Thursday night at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. A second generation winner of Citizen of the Year, one receiving two awards, and an award given posthumously to parents and to the son and his wife who currently own and operate the business were all a part of the evening.
Markeda Fisher and Kayla Price
Following in the footsteps of their fathers, Bobby and Frankie Price, Markeda Fisher and Kayla Price were named the Echo Publishing sponsored Citizen of the Year. Mrs. Fisher not only was co-recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award but was also named Woman of the Year by Beta Sigma Phi. The pair were presented the Citizen of the Year Award by last year’s recipient Karon Weatherman. Weatherman pointed out the pair had co-chaired United Way, co-own a business, and are involved in a number of community activities giving time and energy to the betterment of the community. Pam Hollinsworth, member of Beta Sigma Phi, announced Mrs. Fisher as Woman of the Year.
The Pilot Club’s Caregiver of the Year was presented by Beverly Owens, member of the Pilot Club for 20 years, to Jan Worsham. Ms. Worsham has retired from her job to care for her son who suffered a severe injury that caused brain damage. According to Mrs. Owens, Jan spends hours researching therapy, medications, and various avenues that will create a better life for her son. She enrolls him in brain care camps and enrolls with him. Mrs. Owens says the motto of the Pilot Club is to do more, care more, and be more and that Jan Worsham embodies that motto. The Pilot Club seeks to serve the community and those with brain disorders.
The Downtown Business Alliance Growth and Renewal award was presented to the Sulphur Springs Symphony League for all they do. Noting the Symphony Leagues’ involvement in providing the Independence Day concert on Celebration Plaza, the children’s concert for students and the Dallas Opera traveling troupe; she stated that the league enhances life in the community. She also noted the League’s fundraiser, the Radio and TV auction.
The 2015 Ambassador of the Year is Debroah Huffman.
The Community Pride Award was presented to Sheriff Butch Adams by Judge Robert Newsom. Special recognition was also given to jailer Lee Glenn. (See separate story).
Professional Ag Workers of Hopkins County Sponsored Agriculturalist of the Year is Hare Family Farms (see separate story).
Educator of the Year awards were presented to Paraprofessional Sharon Cox, Sulphur Bluff ISD; Teacher of the Year, Johnny Wells who taught 31 years and since 1983, a teacher at Sulphur Springs Middle School; Educator of the Year Non-Professional: Kenneth Cochran, maintenance supervisor for North Hopkins who drives bus, is grounds care taker for sports fields and school property; and Educator of the Year: In memory of Judy Tipping and Pamela Clayton, retired from the SSISD who now teaches at PJC.
Sponsored by Chamber Workforce Committee, the Small Business of the Year is NorTex Tractors and manager Shawn Massey. NorTex was recognized for their sponsorships of recreational sports, DARE, and other community and charitable organizations. NorTex employs 18. Massey was recognized for lending tractors and equipment to farmers in distress and for going above and beyond in helping employees in need. Massey is a life-long resident of Hopkins County.
The Large Business of the Year is Sulphur Springs Livestock and Dairy Auction, Joe Don Pogue and David Fowler, owners.
Chamber Board of Directors honored the Book Worm Book Box with the Vision Award. The Book Worm Box has donated over $300,000 to charity (see separate story).
Agriculturalist of the Year: Hare Family Farms
Hopkins County Professional Ag Workers presented the 2015 Agriculturalist of the Year Award to the Hare Family Farms. Junior and Martha Hare, posthumously and Mark and Debbie Hare, who continue the tradition of the family farms, were named by Gary Spraggins, a member of the Ag Workers group, during the 90th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce membership banquet Thursday night at the Regional Civic Center.
Junior and Martha Hare began a dairy in 1953 on 76 acres. In this barn they sold Grade B milk. A few years later the built their first Grade A dairy barn. The family operation grew to include dairy barns at three sites on 1100 acres. Today they still operate Hare and Hare Dairy in Hopkins County. Wayne Foster has been employed by this family for 43 years and manages the daily work as well as being a loyal friend.
They also run a beef cattle operation. Mark raises and shows cutting horses. the Hare Family Farms is in its 63rd year of operation.
They were active in community service being a part of establishing rural water. Spurred by the need for water for dairies and other rural residents, Martha, in 1968, had a hand in chartering the North Franklin Water Supply Corporation. Chartered in July of 1969 and six months later, January 1970, water began flowing to rural customers.
Junior served on the Southeast Area Council of Dairy Farmers of America Board and Martha served in his spot after his death in April 2001 while at the Dairy Farmers of America meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee, and then she was elected to three more two-year terms on the board. From this board, she was appointed to the Dairy Max Board.
Mark and Debbie have also been active in service to the community. Mark served 18 years on the Rivercrest ISD Board of Trustees and was President for five years. Debbie helped organize the Rivercrest Education Foundation whose purpose is to raise funds and award scholarships for RHS Seniors.
In 2014,Martha was honored as the Grand Marshal of the 55th Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival and led the Dairy Festival Parade.
Sheriff Adams Presented Community Pride Award
Community Pride Award was presented to Sheriff Butch Adams during the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Banquet Thursday night at the Regional Civic Center. The Community Pride Award is presented each year to an individual or civic group that provides great service to the community. The Award was presented by County Judge Robert Newsom.
In remarks, Judge Newsom said that Sheriff Adams has served law enforcement for more than 38 years. In January 1997, he was elected as the highest law enforcement officer in Hopkins County. He has managed budgets of millions of dollars, managed over the years hundreds of officers, and helped make the county safe and secure.
One unique program developed by Adams is the county Inmate Work Program. Led by Lee Glenn, a deputy under Sheriff Adams, Lee and trustees show up, quickly do the work whether lifting, mowing, moving, or putting things together. The program has saved the city and county thousands and thousands of dollars.
Kiwanis Club Supports Youth Activities With Pancake Sale
Saturday, February 20th, is Pancake Day for the Kiwanis Club in Sulphur Springs. Pancakes will be served 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Civic Center. Funds raised by the Pancake sale benefit youth in the community. Children under 6 eat free. For all others, $7.
Friends Of The Public Library Continue Fundraising Efforts
Trice Lawrence with the Friends of the Sulphur Springs Public Library stopped by the Good Morning Show with Enola Gay on Thursday morning to discuss the group’s fundraising efforts for library events. Lawrence says that since there is not much room for library spending within the city budget, the Friends of the Library assist by raising funds year round.
People in the community can get involved by simply donating used hardback fiction and non-fiction books to be resold at the ongoing book sale in the entrance of the Sulphur Springs Public Library. The book sale typically generates upwards of $3,000 to $4,000 each year and that every penny goes back to the Public Library to be used for hosting events throughout the year.
For more information about the public library, you can visit www.sslibrary.org
Wildcats Baseball Coach Hammack Evaluates Scrimmage Play
Eagle Stadium
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack called his team’s scrimmage at Wylie East Tuesday night and early measuring stick for his team. He was mostly pleased with his team following a 3-2 loss against an always good Wylie East team.
Over 8 innings, Wylie East managed only 3 hits against Wildcats pitching. The Wildcats had five or six hits but didn’t have as many timely hits. Coach Hammack said ace pitcher Tyler Follis had six strikeouts during his two inning stint. He added pitcher Ryan Humphries was very consistent allowing no hits during two innings. Coach Hammack said he was pleased to have three scrimmages so far to evaluate this year’s young talent. Follis is the only returning starter from last year. Coach Hammack welcomed some Wildcats Basketball players to the team Wednesday. He’ll be evaluating them too at a final scrimmage Friday at 6 p.m. at North Lamar.
The Wildcats will open the regular season at a Tyler Lee tournament on February 25-27.
