New Lady Cats Soccer Coach is Excited About His Team's First Scrimmage Thursday Night at The Prim
New Lady Cats Soccer Coach Javier Aguayo said it’s exciting to think about his team’s first scrimmage of the season Thursday night at Gerald Prim Atadium against a strong Kilgore team. There will be a JV scrimmage at 5 p.m. A varsity scrimmage with the Lady Bulldogs will follow at around 7:15 p.m. Coach Aguayo said he thinks his Lady Cats will be ready. They have been practicing since December 2. He said they have been working on getting off the ball movement and transitioning as a whole unit. He said practice has also featured working on corner kicks and free kicks. Coach Aguayo, a fan of Barcelona, said he is a big believer in possessing the ball. He hopes to learn which ones of his players can do the job based on the scrimmage. He said his players are excited and nervous. Coach Aguayo is urging them to just play and enjoy the competition.
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell Searching to Find Out Mystery of the Third Quarter
It’s happened several times this season and it happened again Tuesday evening as the Lady Cats led at halftime by 18 points but then came out struggling in the second half. Coach Brittney Tisdell said New Boston’s slow start could be explained by the fact that two starters missed the first quarter because of missing a recent practice. Plus in the second half, the Lady Lions put on a half court press that disrupted the Lady Cats and caused them to turn the ball over a lot. Coach Tisdell said in the first half, the Lady Cats really looked like a team and did a lot of things well. They were up 32-14 at halftime. New Boston dominated in the second half outscoring the Lady Cats, 40-15 in a 54-47 win. After the game, Coach Tisdell asked the players what happened during the second half. He said that would be a test for the rest of the year to come out and continue to play well during the second half. Coach Tisdell said freshman Addisyn Wall played perhaps her best offensive game of the year. The coach enjoyed several of Wall’s offensive moves. Wall led the Lady Cats with 15 points. The Lady Cats, now 4-10 for the season, play at Pleasant Grove Friday evening. Coach Tisdell said they are a tough team but she added she feels her team can play with them, if they play like they did in the first half of the New Boston game.
Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta Says Lack of Good Defense and Shooting Led to Tuesday Loss
The Wildcats Basketball Team’s 68-58 loss at Dallas Woodrow Wilson seemed to be the result of a lack of good defense by the Wildcats and a lack of good shooting. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said Woodrow came out and got the best of the Wildcats. He said they really played good and he added they are a good, solid team. He said they also had a lot of size that affected play around the rim and made it hard for Wildcats Cameron Kahn and Day Day Hall to score inside. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats made only 2 of 22 three-point shots. He said the game would help figure out things that the Wildcats need to clean up to get better. One thing was a lack of the usual solid Wildcats’ defense. He said the Wildcats did not put up much resistance to keep Wilson from scoring. He said the Wildcats fought back but just ran out of time. He said the Wildcats were able to cut the lead to 2 points late but could never get over the hump. Coach Cipoletta said he’s been urging his team to be a dog in the fight. It’s something they did in Mansfield last weekend but something they did not do Tuesday night. For the Wildcats against Woodrow Wilson, Hall had 18 points and Kahn scored 16. Boo Wilkerson had 11 points. Lamodrick Johnson scored 6 points. Grayson McClure had 5 points and Justin Brock scored 2 points. The Wildcats play next in a Forney tournament Thursday through Saturday.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Basketball Teams Both Come Up Short on Tuesday
New Boston Has Big Second Half to Top Lady Cats Basketball Team Tuesday Night
It was the classic tale of two halves at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School as the Lady Cats Basketball Team took on New Boston Tuesday (December 10) evening. The Lady Cats played a strong first half and led the Lady Lions, 32-14 at the break. New Boston had a big second half and the problem for the Lady Cats was that it was bigger than the Sulphur Springs first half. The Lady Lions outscored the Lady Cats 40-15 in the second half to take a 54-47 win. Lady Lion senior Carleigh Reeves only had 2 points at the half but scored 17 points in the third quarter and 6 more in the fourth to lead all scorers with 25 points. For the Lady Cats, freshman Addisyn Wall hit three three-pointers and had a team high 15 points. Freshman Serenity Lewis had 11 first half points and ended up with 13 points. Senior Kate Womack and freshman Kenzie Willis had 7 points each. Willis had a three-pointer. Junior Nylah Lindley added 5 points. The loss was the Lady Cats fourth in a row and their season record slips to 4-10. The Lady Cats play next at Pleasant Grove Friday evening at 6:15 p.m.
#3 Ranked Wildcats Are Upset on the Road, 68-58
The #3 ranked Class 5A Wildcats were upset, 68-58 at Dallas Woodrow Wilson Tuesday (December 10) night in Dallas. Woodrow outscored the Wildcats in three quarters and the two teams broke even in the second quarter. Wilson led 19-15 after one quarter and 33-29 at the half. Woodrow Wilson extended their lead to 8 after three quarters, 52-44 and increased their lead to 10 at the end. The Wildcats season record dips to 8-3. The Wildcats play next in a three-day Forney tournament starting Thursday. They will have pool play games Thursday against Ennis at 4:30 p.m. and against Rockwall Heath at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be play at the Forney High School Gym.
Houston-Rosemont Building Razed
Hopkins County Trustees could be seen mopping up the remains of the building that stood at Rosemont and Houston Streets Wednesday afternoon. Bundles of salvaged lumber were being loaded onto flatbed trailers.
This is another step toward the construction of a new building on the site. County officials determined the cost to renovate the existing building was greater than tearing it down and constructing a new building.
The structure, which had a hole in the roof, was purchased by the county prior to the construction of the new Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center, District Court, Clerk and Attorney buildings. It was used to store items during the transition and continues to house some county property.
Oklahoma Man Jailed On Hopkins County Trafficking Of Person Charge
Raymond Antywan Larry III, 19, of Idabel, Oklahoma was booked into Hopkins County jail Tuesday on a warrant alleging trafficking of a person, a female runaway, according to sheriff’s and arrest reports.
“We had a female subject run away. The subject was transported to the Idabel area. He is believed the person responsible for the transporting and harboring of the subject. He has been arrested and charged with trafficking,” Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said Wednesday morning.
Hopkins County Chief Sheriff’s Investigator Corley Weatherford said based on their investigation, officials believe Larry “arranged it.”
According to a a press release from HCSO, a sheriff’s deputy immediately began “locating people that may have information and interviewing each person he could locate” when the child was reported as a runaway or to be missing in mid-November.
Deputy Colt Patterson uncovered information that the child was likely in South Eastern Oklahoma. HCSO Criminal Investigation Division was called in to assist with the investigation. Patterson and investigators began a broader search for the child, including working with officials in Southeast Oklahoma. “Officials of the local Police Department and Sheriff’s Office in Oklahoma assisted with making contact and searching houses associated with the minor. However, initial locations did not lead to locating the minor,” the HCSO press release stated.
HCSO officials “developed several suspects and involved persons, we then began to monitor these individuals.” Eventually officials learned of the an exact location for minor and the information was relayed to Oklahoma authorities, who located the child, the press release noted.
“Additional interviews and review of the evidence in this case revealed that Raymond Larry communicated with the child and arranged her transport to his location in Oklahoma. Information was found of acts that occurred outside of the State of Texas, due to these acts Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is pursuing charges of Human Trafficking for the transportation of a minor out of Hopkins County for these specific acts,” the HCSO release stated.
Larry was arrested in Oklahoma on the Hopkins County charge, the HCSO officials said. He was transported at 7 a.m. Dec. 10 by HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite from McCurtain County jail in Oklahoma to Hopkins County jail, according to arrest and jail reports.
Larry, who is also reportedly known by Larry Antywan Raymond, remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Dec. 11; bond was set at $100,000 on the trafficking charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County sheriff’s officials will continue to work with Oklahoma officials and forward any evidence to them if the Oklahoma authorities “desire to pursue charges for acts that occurred in their jurisdiction,” the press release stated.
At Cooper Lake State Park, 'Life's Better Outside' Even During the Holidays!
Cooper Lake State Park Complex Manager Steve Killian has good news if you want to get away during the holidays; there are more than 90 State Parks in Texas offering magnificent sights, exciting events as well as wide open spaces for you and your family. Here’s a great Christmas gift idea…an Annual Pass which gives you free entrance to any and all State Parks in Texas for an entire year. And not only you, but anyone in your vehicle when you come through the Park’s gate with your Pass and ID. The Annual Pass is only $70, and talk about getting a lot for your dollar, that could be the best present you give this Christmas!
From the Texas State Parks and Wildlife website, additional information is stated. “You get free entry to state parks for one year. Some parks do not charge an entry fee. Activity and camping fees still apply. The pass applies to you and your guests who are riding in the same noncommercial car or boat. The pass holder must be present and provide valid identification.
Having your physical card will significantly speed up the check-in process and is recommended. Pass information can be looked up by staff, if the pass holder’s digital profile matches the pass holder’s identification. You will need the number printed on your pass to use “iron ranger” stations or to check-in after hours. If you enter the park by bicycle, motorcycle, or on foot, you can bring as many as 14 guests with you who are entering the same way”. Look up camping as well as educational and sporting opportunities in State Parks at the same website, tpwd.texas.gov.
On Friday and Saturday December 13 and 14, 2019, there are holiday programs and events planned for the public at Cooper Lake State Park. A free ‘winter wonderland’ with a visit from Santa will begin at 6pm both nights. Live music and hot chocolate are also planned, and camping sites will be decorated for the holiday. On Saturday December 14, a Dutch Oven Cooking event will start at 11am and at 8pm, a “night view of the heavens’ program will be conducted. Also, three “first day” hikes are planned on January 1, 2020. The hikes are planned at 10am and 2pm from the South Sulphur Unit, and a 1pm hike from Doctor’s Creek Unit. Killian wishes everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year by taking advantage of the camping, boating, hiking, birding, bicycling, horseback riding and numerous other ways to get fresh air and exercise at Cooper Lake State Park in 2020.
Blue Santa Toy Distribution Day is Saturday December 14
Empty Stocking plans to distribute the toys which Blue Santa took in from the annual Toy Drive and the blue barrels on Saturday December 14, 2019. There will be additional toys for the kids, too, purchased at Market over the summer with the monetary donations taken in last year. Also, Secret Santa shoppers went to local stores last week to supplement gifts for the teens. This years campaign will serve over 300 families which totals more than 800 children. It is a very exciting and gratifying time for local volunteers!
Actually, CANHelp finds the families in need through a sign-up held during the early Autumn. Blue Santa gathers the toys for the families through October and November and the first week of December. Then, Empty Stocking distributes the toys. According to Co-ordinator Amy Griggs, Hopkins County always hosts quite a large Blue Santa operation. During the two weeks before distribution day, numerous individuals, family groups and members of civic groups come together to sort and pack the boxes. The boxes are then distributed on a designated day to the families of the children on the sign-up list compiled by CanHelp. When we say it takes a village to do this project…we mean it to be true! This Saturday morning, the SS police department, HC sheriff office, HCSO Posse along with a group of First Baptist Church deacons will oversee the vehicle lines formed by the recipients. The boxes of unwrapped toys are donated to the families as a means to supplement their children’s Christmas.
Here is the story of how Hopkins County Empty Stocking started, as well as how it came together with Blue Santa.
Empty Stocking began in the early 1970’s as a project of the Hopkins County Ministerial Alliance. The Texas Department of Health and Human Resources asked each community to address the needs of the poor during Christmas. Several ministers asked the woman of their congregations to help and a core group was established. Pat Johnson, Carolyn Stewart, Nancy Barton, Ann Sewell and Dorothy Ponder were just a few of those that helped the program get started. Their mission was always to preserve the dignity of the family. For this reason, the toys were given to the parents a few weeks prior to Christmas so that the gifts could be from the parents and the children might not ever know where they came from. As the program grew they decided to fulfill the legal requirements to attend the Dallas Toy Market each year to buy toys in bulk. Several locations were used to store toys over the years, but the toys are now stored at Grocery Supply Company.
In the early 2000’s there were three groups essentially doing the same thing: Empty Stocking, Angel Tree and Blue Santa. These three groups finally came together into the present system of Blue Santa and Empty Stocking working together to raise money, purchase and distribute toys while Angel Tree concentrates on clothing items.
We look to serve over 300 families this year. That translates to 4,000+ toys! Signups for families are done through CanHelp. Local law enforcement and other departments put on a Toy Drive the first week of December at Lowe’s parking lot. Toy distribution will be held at FUMC in Sulphur Springs on Saturday December 14, 2019.
Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs News
PHYSICS
Students in Lee LaRue’s physics class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center get together for a study session before finals. They include, from right, Bennie Whetstone, Sarah Leano, Nathan Tlegiser, Caeden Reddick and Williams Jones.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
