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.
Four Transferred to Prison
Perry Jeff Yates, 31, Stanton Wayne Yates, 30, Patrick Wayne McMahan, 31, and Cody Scott Shaw, 27, were transferred to the Texas Department of Corrections Thursday morning according to Sheriff Butch Adams. Adams stated that the four were first transferred to Hunt County where they were placed on a bus for the trip to Huntsville.
The Yates brothers worked together in burglarizing several in Hopkins County and the Collin County area. McMahan and Shaw were found guilty of the murder of Hopkins County resident, Gary Maynard.
A Hopkins County jury set the punishment for Stanton Yates, 30, at four life sentences in state prison and one 20 year prison sentence with a $10,000 fine. The sentences will run concurrent by law. Perry Yates will serve 20 years in prison.
When McMahan and Shaw pled guilty to the capital murder of their employer Gary Maynard, Hopkins County breathed a sigh of relief. Citizens in the county were relieved that the event of Mr. Maynard’s murder had found a just ending and they were relieved that the bulk of the cost of a capital murder trial had been averted. Shaw was sentenced to life in prison without parole and McMahan to straight life with eligibility for parole in 30 calendar years. Shaw was the one who shot Maynard. McMahan participated in the event and the robbery that qualified the cases as Capital Murder.
Sulphur Bluff Homecoming Royalty
2016 Sulphur Bluff Basketball Homecoming Royalty were selected on January 29 in Bears Gym. Kindergarten Crown Bearers are Coda Cockrell and Evan Dugnolle, Prince and Princess are Alley Collett and Montana Hurley, Duke and Duchess are Madison Goodwin and David Rosas, and Homecoming King and Queen are Tori Dorner and Cody Vance.
Chamber Connection February 4th, 2016 by Meredith Caddell
Chamber Connection
Chamber Connection
February 4, 2016 by Meredith Caddell
Saddle Up & Save the Date…2/18 is the 90th Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet
Dust off your boots and put on your jeans for a rip-roarin’ good time at the 90th Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet/Annual Membership Meeting! This is a great night to enjoy a delicious meal and congratulate the deserving recipients of the many awards! Tickets are $25 with seating on a first come/first served basis. If you would like to reserve a table for 10, you may do so for $300. Please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 to make reservations.
Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening for Sulphur Springs Imaging Center, Thursday, Feb. 11th from 4-6
Please join us as we welcome Sulphur Springs Imaging Center to the Chamber of Commerce and to Sulphur Springs. They will be hosting their grand opening on Thursday, February 11th from 4-6pm and we will have their ribbon cutting at 5:00. This facility is able to do MRI’s, CatScans, and XRays. For more information, please call 903-919-5220! They are located at 109 Medical Circle.
Thank you to everyone who attended the ribbon cutting for BonWorth
They are a nationally recognized retailer of quality women’s fashion for over 40 years. They have more than 160 retail stores located in 33 states and maintain an online presence through this website and on Facebook. The focus of their designers is style and comfort for their customers. They want to help you look your best wherever your lifestyle may take you and we want you to be comfortable getting there. BonWorth’s new line of fashion forward designs depicts a whole new attitude in style. They have combined today’s hottest trends with traditional BonWorth quality, value and comfort. Their new line includes coordinating collections and an abundance of mix and match separates in Misses and Petite sizes. They continue to introduce new colors, fabrics and accessories into the design process while also bringing back, season after season, longtime customer favorites such as the uniquely BonWorth LeChute fabric. They are located inside the VF Outlet Mall!
Biggest Loser Community Challenge begins February 29th…Register NOW!!!
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is so excited to announce our partnership with NBC’s The Biggest Loser Community Challenge! This is a national wellness initiative designed to help employees become healthier. This company vs company competition invites teams of four to join an eight-week, online health & wellness community challenge. The challenge is for companies of all sizes (no limit to the amount of teams you can sign up!) and people of all fitness levels. It is truly designed to get our community moving, eating better and having fun!
This company vs company competition invites teams of four to join an eight-week, online health & wellness community challenge. The challenge is for companies of all sizes (no limit to the amount of teams you can sign up!) and people of all fitness levels. It is designed to get our community moving, eating better and having fun!
Business are encouraged to register teams of employees to represent their company in the challenge. For only $100 for a team of four, this exciting wellness offering is an affordable and fun way to kick start the new year for employees.
Past contestants of The Biggest Loser will guide teams through eight weekly challenges. Challengers will also receive weekly motivation and nutrition tips from trainer, Dolvett Quince. Participants will earn points for each minute of activity they engage in, as well as additional points for completing weekly tasks and logging additional challenge activities designed to improve nutrition and overall wellness. Each participant will have access to their own private wellness account and mobile app, where they will journal challenge activities, access weekly health guidance and keep their eye on friends and competitors on live leaderboards. The focus of the challenge is not on weight loss and all personal information, including weight, is completely private. WARNING: Side effects may include weight loss! Prize drawings will be made each week, with over 10,000 prizes to be won across the country, including trips to LA to see the Finale live! More information, registration and key dates can be found online at: www.biggestlosercommunity.com.
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is going to enhance this 8-week challenge! The winning team will receive $1000! Also, every week, the Chamber will offer a community-wide workout opportunity! 4 of those weeks will include an actual Biggest Loser Challenge! Winners on these dates will receive a prize. Register now!!! Healthy People. Healthy Companies. Healthy Communities!
Mother’s Culture Club “A Night in New York City – 2016 Father/Daughter Dance, Sat., February 6.
The Mother’s Culture Club presents the annual 2015 Father-Daughter Dance, “A Night in New York City”, Saturday, February 6th, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center. There will be dancing, door prizes, refreshments and an ultimate photo artistry photograph. All proceeds benefit local children’s charities. Call Ashley Ortiz, 903-348-3518 to purchase tickets.
St. Philips Episcopal Church-Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper-Feb. 9th
Don’t miss the Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, next Tuesday, February 9th from 5:30-7:30pm at St. Philips Episcopal Church, 1206 College Street. This will be a traditional pancake supper! For more information, please call 903-885-5921.
Reilly Springs Jamboree featuring Monty Tipps and Shelby Glenn & Texas Thunder, Feb. 20th
Make plans now to attend the Reilly Springs Jamboree featuring Monty Tipp along with Shelby Glenn & Texas Thunder on Saturday, February 20th at 7:00pm. Enjoy the evening of Real Country Music for just $10. The Reilly Springs Community Center is located at 109 CR 1439, Sulphur Springs. For more information, please contact Enola Gay at 903-348-3568.
Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography-Feb. 25th in Spring Village Shopping Center
All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. They can also help with payment resources for uninsured/income-eligible women or those who choose to pay cash. For help with payment resources please call Judy Quan, RN at 903-405-5720. To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call 903-408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
That’s all for now…have a GREAT week!
Meredith Caddell
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
