Wildcats Go 2-2 in Lindale; Texarkana Tourney This Week
The Wildcats Baseball Team ended up winning two and losing two in a Lindale tournament Thursday through Saturday. On Saturday, the Wildcats lost to Atlanta, 7-3. The Rabbits scored three runs in the first and four more in the second on seven hits. The Wildcats chipped away with single runs in the second, fifth and seventh innings but it wasn’t nearly enough. Ryder Caddell drove home the Wildcats first run on a sacrifice fly. Tyler Follis, who had singled, scored. Follis drove home the second run using a squeeze bunt to score Triston McCormack, who had doubled. Easton Silman plated the Wildcats third run in the seventh with a fielder’s choice grounder that scored Michael Arnold, who had walked. Garrett Jones pitched the first two innings and took the loss. Tyler Follis and Mason Buck pitched the last five innings allowing no more runs. The Wildcats are now 3-5-1 for the season. They will play in a Texas High Tournament this coming Thursday through Saturday. They begin district play March 15 at Texas High.
Longview Lady Lobos, Lobos Overcome locals.
Friday night on the pitch belonged to Longview as both Wildcats and Lady Cats suffer losses.
The Longview Lady Lobos are far and away the district’s best team and Friday night at Gerald Prim Stadium, the Lady Lobos played like it in a 5-0 win. The Lady Lobos scored four first half goals and then scored a fifth just 28 seconds into the second half. The Lady Cats came into play Friday tied with Texas High for third place in the district. The Lady Cats district record is now 6-4-2. Their season mark is 15-5-2. After a week off during Spring Break for everybody else, the Lady Cats will resume district play at Texas High on March 15. The Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Cats at Prim Stadium on February 12
The Wildcats Soccer Team fell to Longview, 4-0 on the road Friday night. Longview got a goal in the first half and led 1-0 at halftime. The Lobos scored three unanswered goals in the second half. The loss dropped the Wildcats district record to 7-4-1. They are 12-9-2 for the season. After a week off for spring break for everyone else, the Wildcats will resume play during their spring break as they will host Texas High on Senior Night at The Prim on March 15.
Lady Cats Blitz Rockwall 12-2
It was another instance of good hitting and good pitching for the Lady Cats Softball Team. They blitzed Rockwall, 12-2 in a Wylie tournament game on Friday. The Lady Cats only led 3-2 after three innings but then they exploded for six runs in the 4th inning and three in the fifth inning. The Lady Cats hammered out 15 hits. Rightfielder Jaye Doughtie was the hitting star for the Lady Cats getting four hits while driving in 7 runs. Landri Bell was the winning pitcher throwing the first 4 innings. Brinklee Driver threw a scoreless fifth. Both pitchers gave up only 8 hits. The win improved the Lady Cats season record to 13-2.
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].
