NHJH One Act Play Presents A Seussified Christmas Carol
North Hopkins Junior High One Act Play presents A Seussified Christmas Carol Tuesday December 8th, 7 p.m. in the North Hopkins Cafeteria. The public is invited to attend the performance. Admission is $3 per person.
Saltillo Lions Win Friday Games in Tourney
Saltillo Lions picked up two wins Friday in the Miller Grove Tournament improving their overall record to 3-8. The Lions defeated Yantis 41-33 in the first game and Campbell, ranked 23rd in 1A, 46-42. Lane Bench led Lion scoring with 19 against Yantis and 18 against Campbell. Saltillo plays again at 10:45 a.m. Saturday.
In the Yantis game, the Lions trailed 13-5 at the end of the first quarter but poured in 14 while allowing Yantis only 5 in the second. With a 1 point lead at half, the Lions came out in the third with a 9-5 advantage and then bested Yantis 13-10 in the fourth for the win. Along with Bench, Michael Simmons scored 7, Logan Camp 5, Walker McGill and Lyle Bench 3 each, and Johnathon VanHolten and Clayton Wilson had 2 each. The team hit 15 of 18 at the free throw line.
Against state ranked Campbell, the lions again trailed at the end of the first quarter but only by 2, 10-8. They outscored Campbell in the second quarter 19-10 to lead 27-20 at the half. That halftime lead aided in the win when Campbell outscored the Lions 14-10 in the third. Saltillo had one more than Campbell in the fourth, 9-8 for the final 46-42. Bench led scoring with help from McGill with 9, Camp and Wilson with 4, Lyle Bench had 3, Adam Valenzuela and Johnathon VanHolten added 2 each. Out of six free throws, the team hit three.
Lighted Christmas Parade a True Area Favorite
Celebration Plaza was crowded with hundreds of people enjoying various activities including white tigers, snow slide, and a movie but when the Lion’s Club Lighted Christmas Parade started, everyone crowded the barriers to view the sights and hear the sounds of bands, shouts of Merry Christmas and personal greetings called out to friends and family. Members of the Lion’s Club and other sponsors can call the event a success.
The parade that began at Buford Park and ended at Prim Stadium parking lot included the Sulphur Springs High School and Como-Pickton High School Marching Band, 
the SSHS Blue Blazes carrying powered candles, floats from the popular Rockerettes to political candidates to local businesses and church groups.
When the parade ended, some left the downtown area but many remained to continue the evenings events and a second movie. Others journeyed to Heritage Park for the annual Christmas in the Park which continues Saturday evening.
The event was videoed for replay on Channel 18 and will be a part of the annual Christmas playback of events and activities in the community and local schools. Segments of the parade will also be posted on ksstradio.com soon.
20th Annual Lights of Life at The Gardens of Memorial
The 20th Lights of Life Tree Lighting took place Thursday evening at The Gardens of Memorial. Lights on the tree represent $25 donations made in honor or in memory of someone special. Here is some of the event.
Lady Cats Defeat Commerce, Mt Vernon, and Winnsboro in Tourney Play
The Lady Cats Basketball Team is off to a roaring start in the Winnsboro Hoop Fest winning their first three games of the tournament. Thursday the Lady Cats defeated Commerce and Mt. Vernon. Then Friday morning, they rallied in the second half against host Winnsboro to take a 58-48 win. Lady Cats trailed by four at the end of the first quarter and by one at the half. The Lady Cats outscored Winnsboro in the second, third, and fourth quarters.
Three Lady Cats scored in double figures against Winnsboro. Lexie Moore poured in 19 points including 10 from the free throw line. Daiesyshia Pruitt scored 13 and Sadavia Porter 10. Kaylee Jefferson scored 9, Tori Moore 5, and Detinee Weeks added 2.
The Lady Cats improved their record to 7-1 with the three wins. The tournament continues through Saturday.
“Updated” One Dead in One Vehicle Roll Over
A 29-year old Peerless woman was killed in a one-vehicle accident in Tira shortly after midnight Friday, December 11, 2015. The deceased has been identified as 29-year old Haylee Brooks Foutch. The accident occurred on FM 1536 near Highway 19 in Hopkins County. The woman was driving eastbound when her vehicle left the roadway, rolled over and struck a tree. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace B.J. Teer shortly after 1 a.m. Friday. The accident is being investigated by DPS Trooper Alan Hale.
A memorial service for Ms Foutch will be held at Three Rusty Nails this Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m.
She is survived by two brothers: Scott Luna and Chuck Jones both of Tulsa, Oklahoma and two daughters: Paige Jones and Rylee Roberts also from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Donations for her children will be taken at the service Sunday.
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
One last reminder about the Tira Community Christmas Party, which is this Saturday, December 5th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center. We will gather to visit and share a meal together. Brisket will be provided. Please bring a side dish and/or dessert and enjoy spending time with your neighbors. We are also bringing canned goods for the Meal-a-Day Program in Sulphur Springs. Santa Claus is planning to stop by and visit with the children.
The Tira City Council meeting was held on Tuesday evening. The group discussed regular business items, after arriving early to decorate for the Community Christmas Party.
William and Joyce Dodd hosted a Thanksgiving celebration on Thanksgiving Day. Those attending included Michael McNiel, Tonja Jones, Rob, Brad, Tanya, Trenton, and Matthew Dodd, Stuart, Tiffany, Emery, Tristan, and Elli McPherson. They enjoyed a big lunch and visiting. Joyce adds that they also got a call from their granddaughter Mandi Owens, in Arkansas, and from Joyce’s cousin, Larry Ward, who lives in Livingston, New York.
Our son, Delayne Vaughn, came in from Waco on Thursday evening. On Friday evening, we joined Michael, Tracy, Jordyn, Madison, and Lani Horn, of San Antonio, at the home of Liz Steinsiek to celebrate Thanksgiving. Tiffany, Morgan, Kenden, and Jaidyn also went. After a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, we enjoyed playing 42 and visiting.
On Saturday, Delayne returned home and Chip and I drove to Winnsboro and Daingerfield State Park and, in spite of the rain and clouds, we enjoyed seeing the beautiful fall foliage.
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].
Miller Grove News
Well, it seems that winter is here after the large amount of rain we received last week. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. The weekend of the 22nd we had Thanksgiving on my mother’s side of the family at the Brashear Baptist Church Family Life Center. Then, on Thanksgiving day we had a noon time meal at my uncle’s house. That night my brother and his family came over for supper.
On Nov. 21 my cousin Erin Ham was married to Josh Neill at Cedar Canyon off of Hwy 154 in Sulphur Springs. They had a very nice wedding with several family and friends in attendance. Erin was a beautiful bride and was escorted down the isle by her father, Kevin Ham. After the outdoor wedding everyone was escorted inside to reception and meal of street tacos being catered by Wright’s catering. Mother of the bride is Lisa Phillips and grandparents of the bride are Mack and Betty (Darrow) Phillips on the South Liberty Community.
I’m sorry to say we have had two more burials in the cemetery recently. Thomas Morris Pippin, Jr. passed away Nov. 18, at Lake Point Medical Center in Rowlett. He was born the son of Thomas Morris “Tommy” Pippin and Bonita Estalena Maud (Wise) Pippin on Feb. 2, 1932, in Miller Grove. Morris was in the graduating class of 1949 at Miller Grove High School. He married Joyce Worldturner on Apr. 9, 1992 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Survivors include is wife; daughter, Melissa Johnson of Burleson; and several grandchildren. Funeral services, with military honors, were held Nov. 21, in Miller Grove United Methodist Church with Bro. Howard Strickland officiating. Interment followed in Miller Grove Cemetery under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home.
Another Miller Grove resident that passed recently was James Ray Earnheart who lived on FM 1567 in our community. Graveside services with military honors were held in Miller Grove Cemetery on Sunday, Nov. 29. Rev. C.J. Duffey officiated with no formal visitation. Mr. Earnheart passed in Mount Vernon on Sunday, Nov. 15. He was born Dec. 7, 1940, the son of Raymond and Margaret Earnheart, in Dallas, Texas. He married Velina Clifton who preceded him in death in 2010. Mr. Earnheart served in the US Navy and was an electrician. Survivors include one daughter; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Happy Birthday to Bobby Weatherly, Carolyn Burns and Faye Tipps on Nov. 29; Marlin Kerby on Dec. 1; Amy Poteet Nelms on Dec. 3; and Jeremy Darrow, James Oler, William Clinton, Tyler Lennon, and Justin Shackelford on Dec. 5.
Looking to 2016, which is on the horizon, our family will have another addition in May. My brother and his wife are expecting their fourth child. Savanna is now 6, Brody is 5, and little Owen will be 2 in February so they will have a house full.
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].
Three Scams Underway in Area During Christmas Season
It’s the Christmas season and scam artists are seeking funds to purchase presents. According to Lewis Tatum, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Chief Criminal Investigator, three scams are being run throughout the county.
Phone calls are being received by area residents in which the caller offers a packet of information and seeks a donation for injured law enforcement officers. Tatum says this is a scam. He states that law enforcement will seek donations through public announcements and personal contact. He advises that you refuse to donate to the phone scam.
One scam involves those selling items on social media. A purported purchaser notifies the seller that they wish to purchase the item and will be sending a cashier’s check for more than the cost of the item. They offer to allow the seller to keep a “little extra” for themselves and send a specific amount back to the purchaser. The cashier’s check will be phony and the seller is out product, and the amount of the cashier’s check.
Another phone scam in which the perpetrator calls saying they represent the local water supply company or city water agency is being carried out. Yesterday, KSST reported that the City of Sulphur Springs water sales collectors were calling city customers. Now, according to Tatum, they are calling area water supply customers. The supposed collectors state that a payment is past due and the customer has a short time frame of just hours to pay the bill. Local water agencies send notices and do not call customers. Check with the water department office itself if you think you may owe a bill.
Hearts of Life Presents Brent for Adoption
This week’s adoptable pet of the week from Hearts of Life Animal Rescue is Brent, a three-year old black lab mix. Hearts of Life Volunteer Deborah Balkcom says Brent is a nice, happy dog who loves people. The adoption fee is $90 and will include the cost of neutering. Brent just recently received a rabies shot. Brent has just about spent his entire life at the shelter. To adopt Brent, call 903 439-5019.
