Spelling Bee Postponed
The anticipated annual Rotary Spelling Bee will NOT happen tonight and has been postponed to a date to be named later. Hold your tickets as they will be good for admission when the new date is determined.
City and County Offices Closed Today
Although the City and County offices are closed today, one city worker was working hard to get some of the snow off of the pathways of Celebration Plaza. As of 9 a.m. most city roads were still covered with slush and there was very little traffic in town.
BARKSDALE – MARCH 5, 2015 by Eddie Trapp
1373 BARKSDALE MARCH 5, 2015
Each time I float Red River to Shreveport/Bossier City I can tell when I am getting close because one or more of the giant B-52’s are roaring across the sky as they land or take off from their home at Barksdale Air Force Base. The base was established in 1932 and covers several thousand acres in the edge of Bossier City. It is named for WW1 aviator and test pilot Eugene Hoy Barksdale, 1896-1926, who died over Ohio when a test plane malfunctioned and his parachute hung on the aircraft as he ejected.
These huge jets have eight engines, can carry 70,000 pounds of bombs, have a 185 foot wingspan, weigh 390,000 pounds, can cruise at 300 mph, have a combat radius of 5000 miles, and can carry up to twenty nuclear missiles. 744 of these bombers were built and many of them are still in use with a life expectancy that goes into the 2040’s. There have been several variations of the bombers over the years so the stats won’t fit every B-52. Bossier City is considered “the home” of the giant planes with a few more stationed in North Dakota. A testimony to Barksdale’s security is during the Twin Towers incident President Bush was reportedly hidden and protected on the base. Most of the base is off limits to civilians but there is a next door, interesting museum that is open from 9:30 to 4:00 each day except holidays.
My interest in the base was aroused as Jean, Granddaughter Harley, and I went to Bossier City to see Harley’s dad, Greg, his girlfriend Tricia, and Tricia’s son Bryan on February 21. Not only does Greg live very close to the base but works for North Shreve Welding, one of the biggest welding/metal building companies in the area. Currently Greg and his crew are working on the base constructing metal buildings. His job on the base has been ongoing for several months and he has told me several interesting stories. Just inside the gate at the base is a pit like at oil change places. Each morning Greg pulls the company truck over the pit then goes with his crew into a nearby building to wait while the truck is checked bumper to bumper for bombs. After about twenty minutes he gets the all clear and they proceed to the jobsite.
That may have sounded like strict security, but wait. Lately his crew has been working closer to some of the big jets and bombs. Each worker walks to the job site with a guard on each side carrying a machine gun. Two guards and two machine guns beside each worker. Additionally there are five hidden snipers nearby. Crosshairs are on each worker who has been instructed that for no reason are they to run. If they see a snake or if a bee gets after them they are not to run or they will be shot.
After we visited awhile we drove to Farmers Sea Food and checked on live crawfish. On the way we drove through historic downtown Shreveport. Greg showed us two bars that stay open late. They are the Blind Tiger and The Sandbar Club. The latter stays open until 6:00 in the morning. Greg passes by at 5:30 each morning on his way to work. Said he has seen several fights outside the club as he passes by —at 5:30 in the morning. At the market we found live crawfish still pretty high at $4.49 a pound but the price usually drops after Easter. A sign on the wall showed a gallon of raw oysters were $77.50. The smell of crawfish cooking filled the market and enticed us to buy a few pounds to eat. Thanks Greg for showing us around town and I’m waiting on the weather to float the river this spring.
Tricia’s dad is Mike Echols, a D J for radio station KWKH, 1130,The Tiger, and he, along with Steve Graf has an outdoor type program Wednesday’s from 11:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. and another program Saturdays from 6-8 a.m. Years ago I would listen to KWKH playing old country western songs each time I visited Robert Dupont. Sunday morning we ate at IHOP with Mike and his wife and they are very interesting folks. You can listen to these outdoor type programs live on the internet by going to HookNup@trackNdown If your schedule doesn’t fit their live programs you can still go to the website, click on the archives, and listen to many outdoor type programs.
Cabela’s King Kat Lake Tawakoni Tournament went on last Saturday in the rain and a high of thirty four degrees. About seventy people in thirty four boats braved the elements and caught a lot of blue catfish. The top five fish weighed 194 pounds and were caught by Justin Cook of New Franklin, Missouri and Gary Ryan from Columbia, Missouri. Second place, with a weight of 186 went to John Allen of Detroit, Texas and Matthew Allen of Barnsdall, Texas. Biggest fish weighed 56 pounds and was caught by Jerod Mounger of Lone Oak and Dave Thomas of Brownwood, Texas. Remember the catfish tournament on Cooper Lake May 9 sponsored by Friends of Doctors Creek. Several big fish have been caught this year and a fish in the forty or fifty pound range could be caught in the tournament.
For you young guys that are beginning to date and maybe even consider marriage, here are a few words or phrases that you will need to understand. FINE—The word used by a woman when she knows she is right and you need to shut up. NOTHING—This word means you should be worried. GO AHEAD—One of the most dangerous. If you “go ahead” you will pay dearly. THAT’S OKAY—Danger! That is definitely not okay. When you hear that phrase immediately change your attitude.
Flooding Possible !
With the constant rain of the past few days, sleet and ice are not the only things to worry about. Streams have reached capacity all over Hopkins County, and County officials warn drivers to take extra caution when traveling all roadways but especially the County Road system, as bridges could be compromised due to high water. As always, NEVER drive around barricades and ALWAYS find an alternate route to avoid high water or unfamiliar roads that may be covered with water. As the temperature drops tonight, bridges will be the first areas to freeze over, but all roadways will be subject to slick spots so please drive carefully.
Closings And Delayed Openings for Wednesday-Thursday
Check back often for changes to closings and delayed openings for Wednesday-Thursday
Only Delayed Openings and Closings for Thursday:
Rotary Spelling Bee: Rescheduled to later date TBA
Sulphur Springs City Offices: Closed Thursday
Hopkins County Courthouse and Annex offices: Closed Thursday
Goodwill Processing Center and Goodwill Retail Store: Closed Thursday
TRAX Bus: Beings service at 10 a.m.
Clayton Homes Manufacturing: Opening at 8 a.m.
City of Sulphur Springs: Offices closed Thursday.
Texas A & M Commerce: Close all day
PJC Paris, Greenville, Sulphur Springs: Closed Thursday
Yantis ISD: Closed and School Board, Elementary Musical, plus Open House Activities are canceld for Thursday
North Hopkins ISD: Closed Thursday
Sulphur Bluff ISD: Closed Thursday
Rains ISD: Closed Thursday
Mount Vernon ISD: Closed Thursday
Miller Grove ISD: Closed Thursday
Cumby ISD: Closed Thursday. Open House scheduled for tonight has been moved to next Thursday.
Saltillo ISD: Closed Thursday
Como Pickton ISD: Closed Thursday
Sulphur Springs ISD: Closed/No classes Thursday
Winnsboro ISD: Closed Thursday
Central Christian Academy: Closed Thursday
Bright Star Christian School: Closed Thursday
Water Oak Elementary: Opens at 10 am
Little Texan Learning Center: Closed
His Kids Learning Center: Closed
Sulphur Springs Christian Pre-School: Closed today
Memorial Clinic: All Offices will open at 10 a.m. Thursday–Primary Care, Pediatrics, Church Street Clinic, OBGYN, Urology, ENT, Surgery, Orthopedics
Tonight’s the Night ?????
Hannah Kirby
If you caught a glimpse of Hannah Kirby at the end of last night’s airing of “The Voice”, you were not alone. We are thinking she will be on Tonight’s show even though tonight’s show is supposed to be a recap show. Kirby Fever is high as everyone is on the edge of their seat waiting to see her highly anticipated audition in front of the four judges. Everyone is hoping she gets at least ONE judge to turn their chair around when she performs, although each judges’ team is getting pretty full. Did Adam Levine say that “he loved her”????? Tune in tonight !!!
Update: A recent post on Hannah Kirby’s Facebook page confirms that tonight’s show is a RECAP show and the last night of the Blind Auditions will be Monday night’s show!!
It’s a Bug’s Life” Spelling Bee on Thursday March 5 at SS Middle School !
WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 AM CST THUR
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has Issued a Wind Advisory, Which is in effect from 5pm this Afternoon to 6 Am CST Thursday.
* Timing, Late this Afternoon Through Early tomorrow Morning. * winds, Sustained North winds of 25 to 35 MPH with Wind Gusts Between 35 and 40 MPH. * Impacts, Strong North winds May Result in Driving Difficulties on East – West Oriented Roadways, for Lightweight And High – Profile Vehicles. Strong North winds Combined With Expected Wintry Precipitation will Reduce Visibilities. In Addition, Strong North winds Combined with Cold Temperatures will Result in Wind Chill Values in the Single Digits and Teens.
Precautionary/preparedness Actions A Wind Advisory Means That Sustained winds of at Least 20 to 30 MPH are Expected. Residents May Wish to Take Action to Secure Trash Cans, Lawn Furniture, and Other Lightweight Outdoor Objects That May be Blown around in the Strong winds. Individuals Outdoors Should Also be Prepared for Wind Chill Values in The
Single Digits and Teens.
Winter Weather Warning 3 PM Wednesday – Noon Thursday
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a winter storm warning for freezing rain, sleet, and snow, which is in effect from 3pm this afternoon to noon CST Thursday. The Winter Weather Advisory is no longer in effect. Accumulation of one tenth to one quarter inch of ice and then up to 3 inches of sleet and snow are possible.
Temperatures will fall below freezing late afternoon to early evening with lows in the mid to upper 20s Wednesday night .
Hazardous travel conditions, beginning Wednesday evening and continuing through Thursday morning. Slow down and use caution while driving. Bridges and overpasses will be the first places that icy spots will develop. Do not slam on the brakes when approaching an icy bridge or overpass. Instead, maintain a constant safe speed and coast across the ice. If you start to slide or skid, calmly steer in the direction of the skid to straighten the vehicle out and regain control.
Winter Weather Advisory for Wednesday Through Thursday at Noon
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a Winter Weather Advisory which is in effect from 3pm Wednesday to noon CST Thursday. Freezing rain, becoming a mix of light sleet and light snow with accumulations up to one tenth of an inch of ice, up to one half inch of sleet and less than one inch of snow is possible and will create hazardous driving conditions.
An Arctic cold front will move across North Texas overnight Tuesday through Wednesday morning. Temperatures will steadily cool behind the front with the freezing line progressing steadily southward across North Texas Wednesday.
Periods of rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected with the cold front on Wednesday. A stead transition from freezing rain to sleet will occur from northwest to southeast. A wintry mix will continue across the entire region Wednesday night through Thursday morning with all precipitation ending by Midday Thursdays. Temperatures should warm above freezing across all of North Texas Thursday afternoon.
