Hearts of Life Presents Abby for Adoption
Abby is seeking a home. You can adopt Abby at Hearts of Life Animal Rescue. To see adoptable dogs, call Hearts of Life at 903-439-5019.
Micah “The Warrior” Reed’s Party by DeQuarian Wilkerson
In Memory of Micah Reed, #MICAHSTRONG
On December 5th, 2015 Micah’s 13th birthday was held. It was at the ROC from 2pm to 4pm. Micah Reed will always be remembered here at Sulphur Springs Middle School. If you don’t know who Micah is he was a boy at our school Sulphur Springs Middle School who died of cancer at the age of 12. He loved sports, he was a great “Warrior “and a great person. I bet Micah was very happy with everyone that showed up to his birthday.
If you wanted a great time to spend with your friends and Micah’s family then you should have gone. You were all invited!!! They were asking you to bring unwrapped gifts, as a gift to the Children’s Medical Center’s Cancer & Blood Disorder Toy Closet in memory of Micah Reed. He enjoyed getting a prize out of his closet and this was a great way to give back and honor him, and also give to the hospital.
They had a lot of gifts given from students and parents from the school. Gift cards and monetary donations were also accepted. Everyone had a very great time at Micah’s party. At his party you were able to play basketball, football, jump in the bounce house, play pool, table tennis, and etc. . They also had a room to talk, eat pizza, and have refreshments. You also could listen to some of Micah’s favorite songs that he listened to all the time.
The theme of the party was some of his favorite sports teams like the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Socks. There was over 300 total people at his party and around 400 gifts, and everyone had a wonderful time. People who were at his party all received a bracelet and it said “In Memory of Micah Reed, #MICAHSTRONG”. There was also a huge cake with a huge picture of Micah on the side and they had his favorite kind chocolate. Dillon Odom said “It was fun and a wonderful time to spend with his friends and celebrate Micah’s birthday,” Kohlson, Micah’s cousin, said “He had a very great time and that he is hoping to do it again next year”.
Duct Tape and Back to Work; Man to be Charged With Assault of a Peace Officer
A piece of duct tape borrowed from the fire department first responders at the scene and it was back to work for Hopkins County Deputy Koby Hume Thursday night after he and others responded to a call on County Road 1174. A man was threatening to kill himself at a residence on the county road. When officers arrived, the man began firing his weapon at them. One of the bullets went through the windshield of a patrol vehicle and another struck and bent the radio antenna on the vehicle. The man is now in ICU at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital due to inhalation of tear gas shot into the residence to control the man’s behavior. Neither the officer nor any that responded were injured.
Responding officers requested assistance from the SWAT Team, made up of Hopkins County, Sulphur Springs, and DPS officers. “Restraint…” was the key to this situation stated Hopkins County Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum. Tatum said the seasoned officers showed a great deal of restraint in dealing with the issues surrounding this incident.
The man will be placed in Hopkins County Jail following his recovery at Memorial. He will be charged with Assault of a Peace Officer.
Unreachable February 8th? Civic Center and AgriLife Extension Office
On Monday, February 8, (and worst-case scenario, Tuesday and Wednesday) the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office will not be accessible by phone or internet due to work being done on the system. 
According to Johanna Hicks with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, individuals needing assistance are welcome to drop by in person and the staff will accommodate their requests.
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
Animal of the Week: Katie
Katie is 2-3 month old Pit Bull mix. She has been at the Animal Shelter for less than a month and is currently up to date on all of her shots.
“She is an owner give-up from January 13,” Animal Shelter Officer Barbi Blanch said. “The owner who adopted her wanted a short-haired, female dog that was going to be small. When he found out she was a Pit mix and not going to stay that small, he brought her in to us.”
Since arriving at the Shelter, Katie has been a sweet, loving and playful dog. She has had multiple roommates and has made a close friendship with her current one.
“She’s a puppy and she loves to play and she gets along with other dogs,” Officer Blanch said. “We picked up one that’s her same size, same puppy and female, and we just put them together this morning. They’re having a ball back there playing.”
Katie will be involved in an off site adoption this Saturday, February 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Animal Shelter will also be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on that same day.
Katie’s first time on a leash
Pirate “Own Goal” Aided Wildcat Win
Perhaps the luck of the Wildcats Soccer Team is turning around. It didn’t start that way Friday night at Prim Stadium as Pine Tree took a 1-0 lead about ten minutes into the first half. Wildcats Soccer Coach Andy Holt said a Pirate player was attempting a crossing pass when he mishit the ball. Instead of a pass, it turned into a high arching shot on goal that went over the Wildcats goalkeeper and settled into the back of the net. Coach Holt could just shake his head.
Fortunately the Wildcats responded quickly. Three or four minutes later, Israel Lopez hit what Coach Holt called a rocket shot that found the net to tie the score 1-1. It was tied at the half. Ten to twelve minutes into the second half, the Wildcats had better luck. Lopez got things started with a shot on goal. As Pirates defenders were scrambling to clear the ball, one Pirate kicked the ball off of another Pine Tree player with the ball ending up in their own net for an own goal. With the 2-1 lead, Coach Holt said the Wildcats played defense and held on for dear life as Pine Tree turned up the offensive intensity.
With the 2-1 win, the Wildcats improved to 2-1 in district play and to 7-6-1 for the season. Next the Wildcats play Greenville at Gerald Prim Stadium Friday night at 7 p.m. Coach Holt said the Lions seem improved over last year’s team. But Coach Holt said if his team does what they are supposed to do, the result will take care of itself.
Lady Cat Golf Placed Sixth at Spring Hill Invitational
The Lady Cats Golf Team finished sixth in their first tournament of the year Monday. Twelve teams competed in the Spring Hill Invitational played at the Wood Hollow Golf Course in Longview.
The Lady Cats shot a team total of 408. Jessie Ash was eighth in the medalist race as she led the Lady Cats with a score of 90. Alissa Sotelo shot 99, Morgan Landers had a 107 and Emma Lane shot 112.
The Lady Cats will play next at a Mt. Pleasant hosted tournament at Mt. Pleasant Country Club on February 16.
No Phone Service to Civic Center or AgriLife Extension Office Monday
On Monday, February 8, (and worst-case scenario, Tuesday and Wednesday) the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office will not be accessible by phone or internet due to work being done on the system. According to Johanna Hicks with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, individuals needing assistance are welcome to drop by in person and the staff will accommodate their requests.
TxDOT Warns Political Signs Are Illegal on or Near Right of Way
TxDot logo
PARIS – During campaign season the scenic Texas landscape blooms with a special kind of flower – the political sign. TxDOT officials remind the public that placing campaign and other signs on public lands is illegal.
Signs and other objects that encroach the right of way create safety violations and potentially dangerous situations for motorists. Consider and remember these pointers before planting any sign:
- It is illegal to place any type of sign on or within the right of way. This includes posting signs on trees, telephone poles, traffic signs and other objects on the right of way.
- Campaign signs along Texas roads can be placed on private property with the landowner’s permission. Landowners can be held liable if there is an accident and objects they place on the right of way are directly or indirectly involved.
- Campaign signs may be posted no earlier than 90 days before an election and must be removed within 10 days after the election.
- Before placing a sign inside of incorporated city limits, check with the city for applicable ordinances.
Signs must meet some basic criteria. They must be made of lightweight material and can be up to 50 square feet in size. Signs placed on the right of way or posing a traffic hazard will be removed without prior notice. All costs associated with removal will be paid by the sign owner.
Political candidates and their supporters are also reminded that it is illegal to put any sign on state highway right of way without authorization. TxDOT’s regulatory authority allows the immediate removal of a sign placed on state highway right of way without prior notice if the sign is not authorized by state law or approved by TxDOT. The penalty for violating this law is a fine of up to $500 per sign.
The law also applies to other signs. It is illegal to put any sign, including garage sale and business signs on state highway right of way without authorization. “Sign” is defined as any outdoor sign, display, light device, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, or other thing that is designed and/or intended to advertise or inform.
Right of ways vary statewide. Contact the TxDOT county maintenance office nearest you for help in determining legal sign placement.
Coach Futch by Brenden Lynn
Coach Futch
There are all kinds of coaches here in Sulphur Springs, Texas that we see each day. Each of these coaches have their own unique personalities. Well, there is at least one of these coaches that has chosen to make his new home here in Wildcat country; and, we are really pleased to welcome Coach Steven Futch to Sulphur Springs Middle School (SSMS).
Coach Futch lived in Leesburg, Georgia before he came here to Sulphur Springs, Texas. Regarding his move, Futch says, “I moved to Sulphur Springs so that I could be closer to my two kids Stephanie and Bradley Futch.” Stephanie is 13 years old and is in 8th grade, while Bradley is 12 years old and is in 6th grade, and they both have just started attending SSMS.
Coach Futch has come to SSMS from Deerfield Winter County in Georgia, and has taught for 26 years, grades k4-12. He graduated with an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in health and physical education from Darton State College, located in Albany, Georgia. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master’s degree in health and Physical Education (P.E.), which he received from Albany State University also located in Albany, Georgia.
Coach Futch enjoys many things during his free time. Deer hunting, cross fit, and reading are the main hobbies Coach Futch does when he has the time, and he really enjoys them. All three of these hobbies are favored by Coach Futch for different reasons. “My goals every time I go deer hunting is to enjoy God’s Creation and to relax.” says coach Futch. “I enjoy reading Christian living books (theology) and I enjoy cross fit because I love the challenge of it, it gets me in great physical condition, and it’s fun and I love it.
“My favorite part of being at SSMS is enjoying to teach and coach. The love of sports, the helping of others, and the teaching of valuable life lessons through sports is what inspired me to be a coach and a teacher.” says Coach Futch. “I think I effect students by encouraging them to do their best and some of these students, progress each day as athletes and students.” Coach Futch adds. Coach Futch has been a huge addition to this campus and we hope he’ll stick around here at SSMS so that he can teach others the life lessons he’s taught everyone who’s experienced his teaching and coaching.
