Can you feel it?
My high school won nearly 9 football games during my 4 years of study. You might imagine my attitude was dismal. I attended the games because I played tuba in the marching band. I am not ashamed to admit than once the 4rd quarter started, and the band was dismissed, I left campus.
ssisd football wildcats
Not here in Sulphur Springs, TX! I can honestly say that I have looked forward to tonight for several months now.
Let’s play some football! Go Wildcats!
Budgets, Tax Rate, Sewer Rate and Rezoning On City Council September 1st Agenda
The regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will be held at 7:00 p. m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 in the Council Room at 201 North Davis Street.
The following items will be discussed:
- Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag, Texas Flag, and invocation.
- Presentations, proclamations, and announcements.
- Manager’s report will include status report of capital improvements, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the month, and a review of expenditures and revenues.
- Discussion/action on Consent Agenda.
- Discussion/action on first reading of Ordinance No. 2667, the appropriations ordinance for the City of Sulphur Springs fiscal year 2015-2016.
- Discussion/action on first reading of Ordinance No. 2668, setting the tax rate for the City of Sulphur Springs for 2015.
- Discussion/action on first reading of Ordinance No. 2669, setting the sewer rate for the City of Sulphur Springs for 2015
- Discussion/action on first reading of Ordinance No. 2670, authorization of updated service credits.
- Discussion/action on the first reading of Ordinance No. 2671, a request by Hopkins County Memorial Hospital to rezone property located at 100 through 120 Airport Road and the adjacent lot to the south from Single Family (SF) to Light Commercial (LC).
- Discussion/action on a request by Hopkins County Memorial Hospital to plat property at 100 Airport Road, being further described at Lots 1, 3, 3-10, 4, 5, and .21 acres of Block 409.
- Discussion/action on first reading of Ordinance No. 2672, a rezoning request by owner Tim Kelty for property located at 810 Gilmer Street, being further described as Lot 18 of Block 47-002, from heavy Commercial (HC) to Light Commercial (LC).
- Discussion/action on Asset Forfeiture Budget.
- Discussion/action on the Economic Development Corporation Budget.
- Visitors/public forum.
- Adjourn.
Tira News by Jan Vaughn
Tira News by Jan Vaughn
The Tira City Council will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at the Tira Community Center. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
Congratulations are in store for the Tira Volunteer Fire Department! They took first place with their barbecued brisket at the Hot August Night cook-off on August 15th.
Yvonne Weir reports that “last weekend was a red letter one.” They got to see all five of their children and their grandchildren, too. Dacy, Elise, and Eli Campbell joined Robert , Yvonne, and Wesley at the Embassy Suites Airport South, where they spent the night. They enjoyed swimming and playing on the elevator. Yvonne comments, “It was a good end-of-summer get-away.
Joanna Comer would like to get several Tira residents to participate in a community garage sale on October 2nd and 3rd. Folks would set up their sales at their homes and chip in on a newspaper ad. Each sale site would need to have a large, bold sign. If you are interested in participating, please leave a message for Johanna at 903-945-3075.
The North Hopkins Alumni Officers met on Tuesday afternoon and made plans for the upcoming school homecoming, which will be held in the school cafeteria on Saturday, October 10th. The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with registration and Bingo. A barbecue meal will be served at 5:30. Following the meal, guests will be treated to a video presentation honoring the Classes of 1965, 1975, and 1985. A group of former North Hopkins students (and others) gather on Monday nights to jam and they will be sharing their musical talents with the group at the homecoming. All former students, staff members, and their guests are encouraged to attend. We are asking that everyone help us pass the word.
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
903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
After a long wait…. Miller Grove News is Back!
Miller Grove News by Brandon Darrow
Since school has started back this week I believe it is time to fire up the old computer and start writing the Miller Grove news once again. I took a small break from writing the column back in May when things started getting very busy for me. I also knew with school not in session during the summer there wouldn’t be very much information that would be newsworthy.
We were blessed with a large amount of rain this spring and early summer but from the looks of the brown, crispy grass in some areas we are still in need of a few good showers to green things back up.
Since my last writing we have had a few people with MG connections who have passed. Darrell May, Delouris (Russell) Akins (wife of Freeman Akins) and Dessie Hamrick in June, Mary Mercer in July, and Edgar Franks Sr. and Kenneth Stripling in August. All with the exception of Dessie Hamrick and Mary Mercer were buried in Miller Grove Cemetery.
Happy Birthday last week to Jarred Jennings on Aug. 19, Kathy Wren on Aug. 20, and Leanne Bryant on Aug. 22.
This week I will wish Happy Birthday to Ruby (Ferguson) Long on Aug. 23; Kyle Crow, Linzy Harland & Darin Petty on Aug. 24; Barbara (Spinks) Lynn on Aug. 25; and Richelle (Flecker) Johnson on Aug. 29.
Happy Belated 50th Anniversary to Glen and Carolyn (Bearden) George! The longevity of marriage has somewhat diminished with a larger part of the population so it is always a special occasion to get to celebrate a milestone such as a Golden Anniversary.
Speaking of birthdays, the Weaver family just welcomed the newest member of their family last Friday. Blakely Reese Weaver, daughter of James and Kayla Weaver, was born Friday, Aug. 21. She weighed 5 lbs, 11 oz, and was 18 inches long. From all accounts father, mother, and brother (Jaxson) are all doing well and enjoying little Blakely. Grandparents are Ernie and Vicki Weaver of the County Line community.
Happy 23rd Anniversary to Monty and Vanessa (Boss) Tipps on Aug. 22. Sunday, Aug. 23, was the 46th Anniversary of Fred and Ann Moseley of the Palestine community.
A very special celebration was held two weekends ago at County Line Baptist Church. Geneva (Garmon) Stripling was honored with a 100th birthday celebration. Relatives from near and far joined together in the Family Life Center at County Line to congratulate Mrs. Geneva on her milestone birthday. Geneva was born in neighboring Rains County on Aug. 16, 1915, the oldest daughter of Russell Frank Garmon and Ola (Landrum) Garmon. After a short stint of living in Post, Texas, the family returned to Rains County where Geneva and the rest of the Garmon family were reared in the Prospect community. Geneva attended the Waskom school and after completing her course of education the family moved to Miller Grove (abt 1937). In our small community is where she met her future husband, James Wesley Stripling. They were married in Cumby on July 23, 1939. The couple moved to Lancaster after the birth of their three children (Jeanetta, Kay, and Richard) and later returned to Miller Grove after their retirement in 1980. James passed in 1999 and is buried in Miller Grove Cemetery. Many friends and family were on hand Sunday to share in Geneva’s special day. Congratulations on your 100th birthday, Geneva, and many more!
The Garmon and Stripling families also suffered a loss in their family this last week. Kenneth Paul Stripling passed Aug. 18, in DeSoto, TX and was buried in Miller Grove Cemetery on Aug. 22. He was born the son of Bruce Curtis Stripling and Leona Louise (Garmon) Stripling on July 5, 1943, in Dallas. He was retired USMC after 22 years of service defending our country. He is survived by his wife, Joann Stripling; several children, grandchildren, and cousins. Visitation was held at West Oaks Funeral Home on Aug. 21 with funeral services being conducted in the Miller Grove Methodist Church on Aug. 22.
School started for students on Monday, Aug. 24. I know faculty members and administration have been working very hard to prepare for another successful school year. PTO hosted a “Meet the Teacher/Family Night” on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 5:30 pm. There were a good showing of students and parents and I was glad to see a lot of the faculty that I worked with while I was employed at the school. The PTO served BBQ and encouraged parents to volunteer for work times during the Fall Carnival in October.
Good luck to all students, parents, and employees at the district in what is hoped to be a very successful school year!
In closing, a note to thank all of the people who inquired about why I wasn’t writing the Miller Grove News this summer. I thought about not starting the column back during the fall but several people encouraged me and said that they enjoyed what I had to report, so here I am – reporting once again.
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
Reach Brandon at [email protected].
Family Day Activities in Mt Vernon September 12
Activities for families will be included in Mount Vernon Main Street’s regular Second Saturday on the Square, September 12, 2015 as part of the Family Day. Organizations that serve families in Franklin County will be setting up informational booths for attendees. Vendors and Farmer’s Market booths will also be on the square. Family Day activities will be featured from 10 am until 3:30 pm.
Hot dogs will be provided free of charge from 11 am until they are gone. Door prizes will also be given away throughout the afternoon.
Musical entertainment will be featured in the gazebo. The Porter Sisters will be providing classic country and gospel selections. The Hollingsworth Family will lead gospel singing beginning at 2:30 pm.
“At this time, we are still reserving booth space, free of charge, to any organization that serves families and individuals in Franklin County. In addition, we are seeking business vendors to set up booths without a fee,” stated Kathy Cannon, Main Street Volunteer and event organizer. “We are asking each booth to donate a door prize for a drawing to be held in the afternoon instead of paying a fee to set up.”
To reserve a booth space or for more information, please contact Mrs. Cannon by e-mail at [email protected].
Meeks Returns as Head Coach at Mt Vernon; Tigers Travel to Rains Friday
With a 35 year career and 245 wins on the football field, Coach Dickey Meeks will once again lead the Mount Vernon Tigers into their first preseason football game against Emory Rains on Friday, August 28, 2015 in Emory.
The Tigers are returning to the field with 18 starters including Sophomore Wide Receiver Kevi Evans. Tiger fans will also be looking at Noah Craver and Patrick Hoffman to create plays on both sides of the ball. They will be assisted by returning offensive/defensive line starters Brady Watson and Austin Decker.
Looking to improve on a 1-9 record in 2014, the Tigers are hoping to begin another winning tradition to “restore the roar” in Mount Vernon. During his previous tenure at Mount Vernon, Meeks recorded a 42-26 record including two play-off runs. Meeks led Henderson to the 2010 3A Division 1 State Title and Chapel Hill to the 4A State Title in 1989.
Fans traveling to the game will notice a change in seating since stadium construction has been completed. Visitors will be sitting on the east side of the field instead of the west as in previous years.
Emory Rains is located approximately 2 miles west of Hwy 19 and Hwy 69 intersection.
(by Kellee Cannon, a 2015 Mt Vernon High School Senior and an intern at KSST.)
Wildcats Host Heath Hawks Friday at Prim
Just like Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens, Rockwall-Heath Head Coach Mickey Moss is also coaching a young team this year. The two teams open the season at Prim Stadium Friday night. Kick off is 7:30. The Hawks return only three offensive and two defensive starters. Still Coach Moss says its fun coaching the youngsters and he adds he likes the talent he has. He believes they can compete for a district championship in a tough district against Mesquite Poteet, West Mesquite and Terrell. Typical of the talent the Hawks have is sophomore linebacker Desmond Williams at 6-foot, 240 pounds. Coach Moss says Williams has great potential. Youth will be served Friday night.
KSST will broadcast the game live. Pre-game show on KSST/ksstradio.com stream/KSST smartphone app begins at 6:30 p.m. The game will be rebroadcast on Suddenlink Cable Channel 18 Sunday night at 8 p.m., Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
Lights of Life Chairpersons Announce Half-Marathon Signup
The Lights of Life co-chairs announced Thursday on KSST’s Morning Show the second annual Lights of Life Half Marathon coming up Saturday, October 3. It will get underway at 7:30 a.m. from Celebration Plaza. Last year Run Chair Holly Ragan was able to attract a large number of runners to the event. Individuals can register for $75. Price for a two-person team is $80 and for a four-person team is $100. Those who register before September 11 will be guaranteed a t-shirt. The race will be chip timed. The course is U.S Track and Field certified. Mini-events, such as the Half Marathon, help Lights of Life and the Gala reach its overall $250,000 goal.
Sheriff Adams Tours New Jail
Thursday morning Hopkins County Sheriff Butch Adams gave KSST and Channel 18 TV a tour of the new county jail under construction. Sheriff Adams says he expects construction to be finished by mid to late October. He says construction crews are making up for rain days. The sheriff says cracks found in ornamental stones at the bottom of the building are not foundation related and are fixable. Jail capacity will be 192 including a big increase in female cells. There is lots of storage area and room for expansion. It features the latest in technology. Sheriff Adams says he won’t miss the old jail that will torn down.
Winnsboro Prepares to Host 57th Annual Autumn Trails
2015 marks the 57th annual Autumn Trails Festival of Events in beautiful Winnsboro, Texas. This big, bold tradition spans the entire month of October.
This year, the festivities will kick off with a Grand Parade through downtown, On October 2, featuring local businesses, local celebrities, school groups and a Best Dressed Jeep Contest, sponsored by Elliot Auto Group. A Best Dressed Pet Contest will follow with three trophies for the Best of the BEST. That night, a Grand Ball of the Grandest Nature will be held at the Winnsboro Civic Center featuring a local talent line up and awarding the Friends of the Autumn Trails, as well as inductions in the Autumn Trails Hall of Fame, according to Autumn Trail organizers . Also featured at the Grand Ball will be the Photo and Art Contest Exhibitions. The photo and art contest will be held that day in conjunction with the Center for the Arts in Winnsboro.
October 3 will feature the Coronation of Queen Autumn Trails at the Winnsboro High School Auditorium themed “A Cinderella Ball” to go along with the Grand Ball From the previous nights’ festivities.
The second weekend in October will feature 3 events. Winnsboro’s legendary Arts and Crafts, which will be held downtown, the Chili Cook-Off-sponsored by the Gus Garrision Masonic Lodge #1273 (featuring a $500 1st prize) and a Wild West Show featuring 5 performances by The Outlaws Reenactment group, with kids events and prizes. Wagon rides, barrel train rides, along with contests-including a stick horse race with a custom stick horse prize and much more also take place the second weekend. Vendor Spaces are available for these events and information can be found on the Autumn Trails website.
The third weekend is Trail Ride weekend. Bring your horses and wagons and plan on staying at beautiful Winnsboro City Park, one of Winnsboro’s fabulous Bed and Breakfasts, or the Trails Country Motel. Camping is permitted and this year features a new, Saturday trail to compliment the traditional, Sunday ride. The Weekend begins with a Trail ride parade on Friday at 4 pm and also features a Dance on Saturday night with the Darrin Morris Band. Trail ride awards will be given at the dance. Trail Ride Weekend also boasts the “Taste of Winnsboro” featuring food from the Autumn Trails Board of Directors and a Pie Baking Contest with prizes to the Best Bakers. Autumn Trails features a famous 42 Tournament is a favorite for miles around.
Antique Car Weekend draws thousands from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Winnsboro is well known for sporting one of the State’s largest Antique and Classic Car Parades. This Winnsboro Tradition features Model A’s, Model T’s and Classic Cars and Trucks of all types and the local merchants will have Sidewalk Sales and First National Bank is sponsoring a Kids Money Scramble! Last year Autumn Trails added a Classic Car Show after the parade and it was a huge success! They expect to doubling entry numbers this year with many awards and free entry for Classic and Antique Cars and Trucks. A big draw for the Antique Car Weekend is the Annual Trades Day and Swap Meet. People for miles around clean out their garages, barns and attics and take it to City Park to sell and swap! The motto is “ If you can’t find it here, you probably don’t need it”. This tradition is almost 40 years old!
Finally, the month concludes with the Annual Livestock and Dairy Show at the Jack Cross Pavilion and hosted by the Winnsboro FFA. With a $10 Entry fee, 8 Showmanship Classes and even Adult Showmanship, it is one of the area’s best Livestock Shows.
For more information on the Autumn Trails in Winnsboro, http://winnsboroautumntrails.com ,Facebook.com/winnsboroautumntrails or call the Autumn Trails Office at (903)342-1958. The Autumn Trails Association is a 501C(4) non-profit organization, dedicated to providing scholarships to students in addition to providing community support and development.
