“Updated” Local Dairyman Needed Assistance
According to information received Monday evening, help has been found. Thank you to all who shared the post!
Earlier today, Southwest Dairy Museum employee Kay Bannister sent out a plea for assistance for a local dairyman. A Hopkins County dairyman was careflighted to a hospital in Tyler over the weekend. Lanny Jenkins, a Hopkins County dairyman, needs milking help at his dairy. Jenkins does his own work and does not employ another to milk his cows. The request sought those who could assist with the task of milking starting with the early shift Tuesday January 19.
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Claude Lawrence “Larry” Milligan II

Memorial services for Claude Lawrence Milligan II, age 71, of Sulphur Springs will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 18, 2016 at the Myra Wilson Chapel with Rev. Charles Moore and Rev. H. P. Hosey officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 17, 2016 at West Oaks Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers will be Wanda Lair, Jim and Jo Beth Thompson, Chad Young, Bill Hodge, Danny Campbell, Betty Chapman, and David Dougan. Larry passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Clements University Hospital, UT Southwestern in Dallas. When Larry died, Sulphur Springs lost a good friend and community builder.
Larry was born on August 30, 1944 in Dallas, TX, the son of Claude Lawrence Milligan and Lois Morris Milligan. He married Mary Frances Mead Milligan on September 19, 1971 in Dallas, TX. She survives. Larry met Mary on a blind date. That first date was spent at a party of engineers watching the first lunar landing the night prior to Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon. The best man at their wedding would later be a congressman—Jim Chapman.
Larry had been a member of KSST’ Radio Workshop prior to graduating from Sulphur Springs High School in 1962. He graduated from SMU where he received his degree in electrical engineering. He then worked for Texas Instruments as a Field Applications Engineer traveling the East Coast applying integrated circuits and logic designs to solve problems for corporations served by TI. His love of computers followed him through life.
He returned to Sulphur Springs in 1970. He followed the family business and was the owner of Milligan Electric for many years. He couldn’t wait to purchase a computer for the business and wrote his own programs for the business. He loved math and design. He designed the beams and the electrical engineering for his own first house and for his parent’s house as well. He also designed the circuitry for an oscillating switch used in a stage prop for the Dairy Festival in the late 70’s. He hired a young man to work for Milligan’s Electric but found the young man working at the computer more than doing the tasks assigned. According to Mary, it was that young man, Chad Young, who pushed Larry to order the parts needed to complete their redwood hot tub.
He loved Sulphur Springs and, according to Mary, one of his happiest memories was serving a Judge for the Sesquicentennial. His courtroom on the square, under the Magnolia Tree, “brought out the ham” in him as many have observed in the Channel 18 replay of Doug Haston’s documentary. Knowing that a certain radio personality did not like to be touched, he made deputies wear white gloves to arrest Enola Gay.
He was a member of the Rotary Club where he served as president twice and was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. Larry was passionate about Rotary projects, especially providing wheel chairs for disadvantaged individuals overseas and water wells for overseas communities that did not have save water sources. He was also involved in the last years of Rotary’s worldwide polio drive.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Ann Milligan Gray.
Memorials may be made to Terrific Tuesday c/o First United Methodist Church, 301 Church St, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482, and American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, or First Presbyterian Church, 129 College St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Spring Classes Begin Tuesday

Workers were busy putting the final touches on the new Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center campus building Friday. The signs were installed and faculty, staff and maintenance began moving from the old PJC-Sulphur Springs campus on Houston Street to the new location at 1137 East Loop 301 where spring semester classes will begin on Tuesday.
Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center students will begin spring semester classes Tuesday in classrooms on the new campus located at 1137 East Loop 301 in Sulphur Springs.
The former Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company facility has been transformed into a modern and spacious college campus building and will replace the campus location on Houston Street next to the Sulphur Springs High School where the college has been located since the late 1990s.
“We are excited to get the new campus in Sulphur Springs open and ready for our students,” said PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin. “”We are proud to provide students in the Sulphur Springs area with a new and modern college learning facility where we can expand educational opportunities.”
The new campus facilities will provide additional space for academic classes, workforce development programs and continuing education classes.
The campus building has 11 classrooms, testing facilities, a library and a bookstore. In addition, a new and modern welding facility has been constructed on the campus and will be entering its second semester of operation this spring.
Also available at the new campus is a brand new parking lot that will provide ample space for student and faculty parking.
Dr. Anglin said that she is anxious for the public to see the new campus and plans to hold an open house in the near future.
Lady Cats End First Half of District Play With Huge Win
For the second district game this season, the Lady Cats’ basketball team held an opponent to only 13 points. Friday night the Lady Cats clobbered Pine Tree on the road, 60-13. Earlier this season on December 18 in Wildcats Gym, the Lady Cats defeated Marshall, 50-13.
With the win, the Lady Cats improved their district record to 5-2. This game marked the end of the first half of district play. The Lady Cats are now 18-6 for the season. The Lady Cats begin the second half Tuesday night by hosting the Longview Lady Lobos. Longview took a 41-40 victory at home to open district play for both teams on December 15.
Fourth Quarter Surge Earns Wildcats Second District Win
The Wildcats’ basketball team outscored Pine Tree 15-5 in the fourth quarter to blow open a tight game and take a 45-31 district win in Wildcats Gym Friday night. Ke’Ontae Dunn and Keaston Willis led the Wildcats with 12 points apiece. Bryson Lynn added 10 points. The Wildcats had only a 30-26 lead going into the fourth quarter.
With the win the Wildcats improve their district record to 2-3. They are 9-12 for the season. The Wildcats will travel to Longview for as district game next Tuesday night.
“Updated” Toliver Ford Relocating to Temporary Facility Following Fire
Determined to remain in Sulphur Springs following the community support expressed after a destructive fire Friday morning, Brian Toliver Ford Lincoln will relocate to the old Gober-Merrell Building located on South Broadway until a new facility is built to replace their building that was destroyed in the early morning hours Friday. Leesa Toliver told KSST News that the dealership would be opened as soon as everything can be moved to the temporary location.
Phone service is being restored for the dealership. She encouraged those who had vehicles in the service department to know they would answer their questions as soon as phone lines are restored. At this time, it will be three days before anyone can enter the service building. Fire Investigators are currently at work seeking the cause of the fire. Insurance investigators and adjusters are also present.
Anyone needing parts or warranty service are encouraged to utilize their Quitman location.
Mrs. Toliver said they were thankful for the prayers and support expressed by the local community following the fire.
Wildcats, Lady Cats Soccer Tournament Updates

WILDCAT SOCCER
Wildcats Soccer Coach Andy Holt said his team played as different as night and day Thursday in a Rockwall tournament as they split two games. In the sunlight, the Wildcats lost to McKinney North, 2-0. Coach Holt said his team’s energy level was not there out front on the attack and they didn’t create opportunities. He said the team played pretty strong in the middle and in the back. The Wildcats were a different team after the sun went down. The Wildcats bounced back to defeat Royse City, 2-0. Coach Holt said his team was flying around and created quite a few opportunities. Scott Galarza scored a first half goal on a good crossing assist. The Wildcats put pressure on the Bulldogs in the second half and benefited from a Royse City own goal. The Wildcats will play South Garland at 6:30 p.m. Friday. They have to win their pool to play any games Saturday and that appeared unlikely after Thursday games. The Wildcats have 2 wins, 4 losses and a tie so far this season.
LADY CATS SOCCER
The Lady Cats’ soccer team continues to have success in early tournaments. The Lady Cats won their opening game in a Paris tournament Thursday, 1-0 over former district foe North Lamar. The Lady Cats improved their season record to 5-1. The Lady Cats are scheduled to play Bonham in the tournament at 1 p.m. Friday afternoon. The Lady Cats have a scheduled match Saturday at 11 a.m. against host Paris. The Lady Cats are expected to play at least one more game Saturday as well.
I-30 Traffic Stops Nets Over 400 Grams of Meth
Sulphur Springs police officers Sgt. Eddie Moon and Patrolman Cleve Williams stopped a 2011 Silver Chevrolet Traverse traveling on I-30 at the 126 mile marker early Thursday morning. The two passengers, traveling from Little Rock, Arkansas were found to be in possession of over 400 grams of Methamphetamine. The driver of the vehicle and passenger were both booked into the Hopkins County Jail. Names of the pair are being withheld at the request of the SSPD.
Children’s Museum Sets Daddy Daughter Dance
When young girls wish upon a star, dreams come true. “Wish Upon a Star” has been announced as the theme of the 2016 Daddy Daughter Dance at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. “We hope to make dreams come true for young girls and their dads, granddads, uncles or brothers,” said Sharline Freeman, Executive Director of the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum.
Beckey Thompson, President of the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum Board of Directors, will chair the event for the third year. Under her leadership, each year has surpassed the previous year. This year’s event will feature Valentine crafts, dancing, food, and balloon entertainment. Of course, the decorations will feature stars. “We are using special effects to give the Daddy Daughter Dance an entirely new look for 2016. Our goal each year is to make a girl feel special, and we feel that we will provide a special setting for this year’s dance”, said Beckey Thompson.
“There will certainly be activity on the dance floor. We like to give the young girls and their dads “dad friendly” dances”, said Daniel Starks. Daniel has been the disc jockey for the Daddy Daughter Dance for the last two years. From past observation, he is now an expert in what type of dances work best for dads and daughters.
As this year’s event approaches, the experience of the Beckey and Daniel should bring new ideas based on their past observations. Food is also part of the Daddy Daughter Dance, and food for the event will be provided by the Thalian Culture Club. Tickets are now on sale for $30 for a young lady and her dad, granddaddy, uncle, or brother. On January 23 the ticket price will be $35. On February 6, the day of the Daddy Daughter Dance, tickets will be $40. Not included in the ticket price will be an optional professional photo which will begin at $8.
Tickets may be purchased at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum or by calling 903-886-6055.
Texas Marriage Education by Johanna Hicks
Saying “I Do” in 2016? Don’t Miss this Opportunity!
One of my absolute favorite classes to teach is the Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshop. The information is so practical, and opportunities for group and couple interaction add to the fun and comradery. The state of Texas recognizes marriage education as a crucial element in the success of the marriage relationship and waives the state portion of the marriage license fee for couples who provide proof that they attended a workshop. This is where I can help!
Each year, I provide Twogether in Texas marriage education workshops and the first one for 2016 is rapidly approaching. Here are the details:
- When: Saturday, January 23
- Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs
- Cost: free
- Call: 903-885-3443 to sign up
The topics covered are very practical and relate to issues faced in every marriage relationship. 1) Marriage Expectations – what expectations does each person, whether spoken or unspoken, bring into the relationship? How will chores be divided?; 2) Communication – Who is the expander and who is the contractor when it comes to communication? What do the words “fine” and “nothing” mean to you?; 3) Conflict Resolution – Learn the steps to resolve conflict and how each person can contribute; 4) Money Management – practice team work with your “bean budget”, learn what money means to your partner; 5) Goals and Dreams – What do you want your marriage to look like 5, 10, 20 years down the road? Hear from couples who have stayed on course and learned the importance of “until death do us part.”
One of the major benefits of participating in the workshop (other than the excellent information) is that engaged couples will receive a certificate to take to the County Clerk’s office to save $60 when applying for a marriage license. The certificate is good for one year, so even couples who are planning a fall or early winter wedding may still take advantage of the savings if attending the January workshop.
Lunch, refreshments, and a special surprise will be provided, thanks to local supporters who believe in the importance and purpose of this workshop. All I ask is that couples contact the Extension Office by calling 903-885-3443 so that we may adequately prepare. Leave your name and phone number. We will call a couple of days in advance to remind you of the workshop. If the January workshop doesn’t fit your schedule, other sessions will be held on May 21 or August 20.
Growing a Healthy Texas
I recently had the privilege of attending the state-wide Extension conference in College Station. Roberta Anding led the session “Why is Nutrition So Important and What Can We Do?” Her sessions focused on a nation-wide trend that is a growing concern. She stated that children and teens who eat away from home consume 160 and 297 extra calories, respectively. Sodium intake increases by 396 mg, and soda and sweet drink intake is significantly higher when eating out.
She indicated that poor eating habits include high consumption of junk foods, lack of variety, consuming larger portion, and depending on convenience foods. Related health concerns include obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and changing the gut microbiome (70% of immune cells are in the gut). More and more children, even as young as pre-schoolers, are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes which is typically thought of as adult-onset diabetes. Nutrients of concern are vitamin D, calcium, protein, and iron.
So what can parents and grandparents do? Provide healthier food choices – milk, leafy green vegetables, fruits, and lean protein. Shop the outside aisles of the grocery store – fresh produce, dairy products, lean meats, and limit pre-packaged and processed food choices.
Closing Thought
“Be a river of blessing – not a stagnant lake” – Vicki Hitzges, author and motivational speaker

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]





