Wildcats Face Prosper at McKinney Boyd in Regional Semi
The Wildcats’ baseball team is one of only four teams still playing in Region II in Class 5A. Next up for the Wildcats: the Prosper Eagles, 29-3 on the season. Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack says the Eagles have a total of 20 home runs this season. He has chosen to play them on a big field at McKinney Boyd. Games are Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m. and if necessary Saturday at 2 p.m.
In game two of the best of three series, the Wildcats’ came from behind to defeat Corsicana, 6-3 Friday night in Sunnyvale. Corsicana jumped out in front in the third inning scoring three unearned runs. The Wildcats closed the gap to 3-2 as Ethan Phillips drove home two runs with a double in the fourth. In a four run sixth, the Wildcats tied the game at 3 as Larry Pryor had an RBI single. Carson Hicks’ bases loaded walk gave the Wildcats the lead. Kade Hudgins drove in two insurance runs with a double. Ben Brooks got the pitching win allowing no earned runs and five hits.
In game one, the Wildcats pitching ace Tyler Follis threw a no-hitter to defeated Corsicana, 8-0 in Sunnyvale Thursday night. Seven of nine Wildcats batters got a hit as the Wildcats pounded out 12. Ben Brooks was three for three with two runs scored. Landon Brock, Larry Pryor and Kade Hudgins drove home two runs apiece. Hudgins two RBI’s scored on his triple to the deepest part of the park in left centerfield. The Wildcats go for the clincher Friday night in Sunnyvale with Ben Brooks on the mound.
Lights of Life Receives $20,000 Donation
Friday afternoon in the lobby of Carriage House Manor, Arvis and Sheila Tanton, owners of Carriage House Manor and The Cottages, presented a check for $20,000 to the 2015-2016 Lights of Life Gala co-chairs Donna Rudzik, Polly Swatsell, and Gloria Mitchell. The Lights of Life Gala is a funding mechanism for the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Foundation. Moneys received through the gala are invested in the purchase medical equipment and other hospital-centric needs. A number of events are scheduled to increase funding including donations to the Lights of Life Christmas tree lighting, Fly Your Flag Campaign, “Sassy Classy” fall afternoon tea, a half-marathon, and a style show.
Wildcats Advance With Come From Behind Win
The Wildcats’ baseball team came from behind to defeat Corsicana, 6-3 Friday night in Sunnyvale to win the third round playoff series two games to zero.
Corsicana jumped out in front in the third inning scoring three unearned runs. The Wildcats closed the gap to 3-2 as Ethan Phillips drove home two runs with a double in the fourth. In a four run sixth, the Wildcats tied the game at 3 as Larry Pryor had an RBI single. Carson Hicks’ bases loaded walk gave the Wildcats the lead. Kade Hudgins drove in two insurance runs with a double.
Ben Brooks got the pitching win allowing no earned runs and five hits.
The Wildcats now play Prosper or Frisco in the Regional Semifinals.
Saltillo ISD 8th Grade, Senior Graduates
8th Grade Graduates
8th Grade Group L to R – Karmin Villeda (not here anymore), Monica Harvick, Ben Moore, Madai Gomez, Canyon Davis, Lorena Castro; 2nd Row L to R: Calli Calahan, Devin Pullen, Sienna Collins & Matthew Gurley; 3rd Row L to R: McKenna Wiler, Melissa Tawil, Nathan Valenzuela, Levi Hoover, Devin Matthews, Jodie Tippit, Jace Dunlap & Christy Marquez. Not Pictured – Lindsay Butler.
Sienna Collins
Sienna Collins, the 8th Grade Valedictorian, graduates from Middle School with a grade point average of 94.83. She is the daughter of Mike and Debbie Collins. her favorite subjects are Reading, American History, and Health. She was a member of Junior FFA. She won first place district in Cross Country, first place district in Basketball, as well as first place district in the 320m, 800m, and High Jump. She won first in the local Science Fair. Placed second in Social Studies and third in Mathematics in UIL. Her hobbies include running, reading, and listening to music.
Lorena Castro
Lorena Castro, the 8th Grade Salutatorian, graduates from Middle School with a grade point average of 93.16. She is the daughter of Sonia, Letty, and Raul Castro. Her favorite subjects are Math, Athletics, and Health. She was a member of UIL, Basketball, Cross Country, and Softball. Her hobbies include reading, chilling with her friends, going to the gym to play basketball, and bowling.
Senior Graduates
1st Row L to R: Val – Monika Wartenbee, Sal – Moresa Shelby, Marc Boekhorst, Braden Ivy, Dylan Smith, James Stretcher & Hunter Wilson; 2nd Row L to : Robin Smith, Hannah Wade, Carlos Marquez, Lorenzo Servin, Dakota Carroll, Regan Hicks & Clarissa Gamez; 3rd Row L to R : Tommy Moore, Mackenzie Johnson, Ryon Williams, Justin Tippit, Cade Daniel, Edward Jaime, Gustavo Servin & Martin Jasso. Not Pictured is Briana Villeda and Kiersten Patriquin.
Monika Wartenbee, the Senior Valedictorian, graduates with a grade point average of 3.37. She is the daughter of Eric Wartenbee. She was a member of the FCCLA from sophomore to senior year. She was a FCCLA Officer her junior and senior year. She was also a member of BETA her junior and senior year. She joined the Hopkins County Leadership team her senior year. She played Basketball her freshman and sophomore year, Cross Country her sophomore and junior year, and was a part of the Relay for Life team from sophomore to senior year. She was on the A Honor Roll her freshman year, and the AB Honor Roll from sophomore to senior year. She placed third in creative writing at the Texas Beta Convention, as well as second in FCSA, and advanced to Nationals in the Beta Club. Her hobbies include reading, hanging out with friends, spending time with her family, and working at Brookshires. She plans to attend the University of Texas in Tyler and major in Computer Science.
Moresa Shelby, the Senior Salutatorian, graduates with a grade point average of 3.52. She is the daughter of Penny and Jayme Haley, and Joey and Christie Shelby. She was a member of FCCLA during all four years of high school. She was class Treasurer as a junior, and class President as a senior. She was a member of Beta as a freshman and senior, she was involved in FFA as a senior, as well as a member of the school yearbook her junior and senior year, and ran for Relay for Life her junior and senior year. She was on the AB Honor Roll all four years of high school, and won the FCSA gold medal. Her hobbies include reading and writing. She plans to attend the Honors College at Texas A&M Commerce to get a degree as a High School English Teacher.
Sports Coaching Changes in SSISD
This is the time of the year for coaches to make moves. Wildcats Athletic Director Greg Owens has been busy filling several spots on his staff. Defensive assistant Scott Rozell has resigned to become Defensive Coordinator at Commerce. Coach Owens has hired David Morris, a business teacher who will also coach defensive linemen. Morris has been a defensive coordinator for the past five years, most recently in Taylor. Coach Owens has also hired two Middle School girls coaches: Brittany Maness, has been the head volleyball coach at Paris and Keasa Bonds, a Longview graduate who played volleyball at LeTourneau.
Appraisal District Mails Notices to Some Property Owners
Earlier this month, notices went out to property owners whose property had had a significant change in value. Those who disagree with the findings of the Hopkins County Appraisal District Office have a deadline approaching to register a protest and seek a change. Residents have until June 4th to question or challenge the appraisal. Notices were only sent to those whose value increased, new owners, or if the property owner had requested a notice.
Chief Appraiser Cathy Singleton explained the steps taken when a challenge to an appraisal is made. An informal meeting between the property owner and the appraisal employee who conducted the appraisal is the first step. It an an agreement cannot be reached, then a formal protest is scheduled. The formal protest will allow the property owner to present their views to the Appraisal Review Board. Singleton said some have already asked to appeal to the review board.
Those contesting the appraisal will need to present evidence to support their opinion, according to Singleton. She said pictures and documentation to support their position. She said the appraisal district would support their position with documentation such as the sale price of properties in the area that had been recently sold and other evidence to reference. July 25th is the deadline for the final appraised values to be set in the county.
Summer Food Service at Travis Elementary
The Sulphur Springs Independent School District announces the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the Travis Elementary Cafeteria at 130 Garrison Street in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Dates for the program operation will be Monday through Thursday, beginning Monday, June 8, 2015 through July 9, 2015.
Children between the ages of one through 18 are invited to attend.
The cafeteria will serve breakfast from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be served from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No meals will be served after 12:30 p.m.
Tira News by Jan Vaughn
The regular quarterly meeting of the Tira City Council will be held on Tuesday, June 2nd, at 6:00 p.m. at the Tira Community Center. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
The annual North Hopkins Cemetery Association Memorial Day will be Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the cemetery chapel. Ronny Glossup will be the speaker and the Monday Night Jammers will bring the special music. A barbecue lunch will be available for $11.00 a plate. If you are unable to attend, you may send donations to Shirley Glossup at 9118 Texas Highway 19 North, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482. All donations are needed and appreciated. In case of rain, the service will be at North Hopkins School.
Sheila Boyd reports, “We had a ‘May happenings’ get-together this weekend celebrating birthdays, graduations, etc. for April and May. Our family from Tyler and Overton made the trip. We enjoyed supper and the weather permitted several horseshoe games, then games inside. There was lots of laughter and good company.”
Yvonne Weir stayed with her grandchildren for three days, while their parents, Mike and Dacy (Weir) Campbell, celebrated their 10th anniversary, with a trip to Belize. On Saturday Robert and Wes met Yvonne, Elise and Eli at Shenaniganz Entertainment Center and they had a blast. Eli said “I wish I could play laser tag every day!” Robert, Yvonne, and Wes went to Paris on Sunday and shopped and visited Dakota and Ashley Weir.
Slaiden Creed Joslin was born to Landon and Laiken Joslin on Thursday, May 21st. He has two big brothers, Rylan and Brailon, and a big sister, Dixie.
The family of Bob and Myrtle Lawrence met at the Tira Community Center for their annual family reunion. They have been meeting for the past 32 years. There were family members from Wichita Falls, Arlington, Grapevine, Ft. Worth, Greenville, Mesquite, Sulphur Springs, Tira, and Oklahoma City. Georgia Smith reports, “We lost one member of the family this year – J. L. Lawrence. He was a good guy and will be missed.” She adds, “We enjoyed lots of good food, great memories, and really had a great time.” Guest who dropped by for a short visit with the group. included Floyd and Martha Payton, of Tira, and Murray and Dianna Smith, of Sulphur Springs.
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].
Follis Hurls No-Hitter; Wildcats Win 8-0
Wildcats pitching ace Tyler Follis threw a no-hitter as the Wildcats defeated Corsicana, 8-0 in Sunnyvale in game one of a best two out of three series Thursday night. Seven of nine Wildcats batters got a hit as the Wildcats pounded out 12. Ben Brooks was three for three with two runs scored. Landon Brock, Larry Pryor and Kade Hudgins drove home two runs apiece. Hudgins two RBI’s scored on his triple to the deepest part of the park in left centerfield. The Wildcats go for the clincher Friday night in Sunnyvale with Ben Brooks on the mound.
Diana is Available for Adoption
Deborah Balkcom, a volunteer with Hearts of Life Animal Rescue, brought Diana, who is up for adoption, to KSST Wednesday. Diana, a blue heeler mix, was found along with her puppies and another adult dog after they were dumped on the streets just before a major ice storm during the previous winter.
“Two of her puppies were actually on the show just two weeks ago, and they are still up for adoption,” Balkcom said. “Diana is a loving dog, and she likes kids and all people. She is not aggressive and very obedient. Anybody who is accustomed to dealing with the cow dog type know that they are super smart dogs, and once they attach themselves to their owner, that’s where they stay.”
Veterinarians have placed Diana’s age at around two years old making her a fairly young dog and a young mother. Diana will be at an adoption event at Petsense, 1602 S. Broadway, unless she is adopted prior to the May 30th and 31st event. Anyone interested in adopting her can call 903-439-5019, the Hearts of Life Animal Rescue Shelter. The adoption fee is $90, which covers all of Diana’s shots, and given that she is already spayed, it would also pay for another dog to be spayed.
At the adoption event May 30th and 31st, “We are going to have some puppies, including Diana’s puppies if they haven’t been adopted by then, along with three other puppies that were berthed by the other adult dog that was involved in the same dumping incident,” Balkcom said. “We will also have some older dogs, which are just wonderful dogs to have. They’re out of that puppy stage, and a little more laid back than the rest. So we will have a variety of older dogs, younger dogs, and puppies. If you don’t see what you like at Petsense, then we’ve got them at the Shelter.”
