Mount Pleasant High School WEEKLY CALENDAR

2/26/17 thru 3/4/17

Monday, February 27, 2017
Lady Tiger Golf vs. Lindale @ Hide-a-Way Lake – 9:00
MPISD Board Meeting 5:30

Tuesday, February 28, 2017
*Lady Tiger Soccer vs. Marshall THERE – 5:30/7:00
*Tiger Soccer vs. Marshall HERE – 5:30/7:00
Lady Tiger Softball vs. Wills Point HERE – 4:30 (JV/V)

Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Stripes Opened 11:30-1:00
Tiger Golf vs. Pine Tree @ Wood Hollow – 9:00 (JV)

Thursday, March 2, 2017
NHS Meeting 7:45 - Auditorium
Lady Tiger Powerlifting Regionals @ Pine Tree – TBD
Lady Tiger Softball @ McKinney ISD Varsity Tourney – TBA (V)
Tiger Baseball @ Newman Smith Tourney in Carrollton – TBA (V)
Tiger Baseball host MP JV Tourney – TBA (JV1)

Friday, March 3, 2017
MPHS Tennis @ Atlanta Tourney – ALL DAY (JV)
*Lady Tiger Soccer vs. Texas High HERE – 5:30/7:00
*Tiger Soccer vs. Texas High THERE – 5:30/7:00
Lady Tiger Softball @ McKinney ISD Varsity Tourney – TBA (V)
Tiger Baseball @ Newman Smith Tourney in Carrollton – TBA (V)
Tiger Baseball host MP JV Tourney – TBA (JV1)
Tiger Golf vs. Pine Tree @ Wood Hollow & Pinecrest – 8:00 (V)
MPHS Track @ Sulphur Springs Meet

Saturday, March 4, 2017
Tiger Powerlifting Regionals @ Lindale – TBA
Lady Tiger Softball @ McKinney ISD Varsity Tourney – TBA (V)
Tiger Baseball @ Newman Smith Tourney in Carrollton – TBA (V)
Tiger Baseball host MP JV Tourney – TBA (JV1)
Tiger Golf vs. Pine Tree @ Wood Hollow & Pinecrest – 8:00 (V)

*denotes district game

Youthful potential aviators

Fiften very sharp and inquisitive young men from Paris (that would be Texas not France) paid a visit to the Mid America Flight Museum Friday. The Museum is glad they came and hope they will come again.

Down Memory Lane - February 25, 2017

Our random 1980s photo for today shows three young ladies in some kind of dance routine. Anyone recognize who they are, or the occasion?

$25 on the 25th

Adopt any pet at the Mount Pleasant Texas Animal Shelter TODAY, Saturday Feb. 25th, and Titus County Shelter Friends will sponsor $25 of the adoption fee.

The Shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is loocated at 1500 N Mulberry Ave, Mount Pleasant,

Business After Hours

Cypress Bank hosted the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Thursday evening! There was a fabulous turnout and wonderful wine/craft beer from The Farmer's Wife.

Possum needs help

Send some good thoughts and prayers for Possum. She was in distress at the Mount Pleasant Texas Animal Shelter Thursday morning and the staff called the Titus County Shelter Friends for help.

She had to go right away to the vet. Off she she went to see Dr Eric Bruechner, and she needed surgery for a prolapsed uterus.

Titus County Shelter Friends thanks the  kind and caring staff of Bruechner Animal Hospital for getting her right in.

If you like to help with her care, you may donate:

* By mail- TCSF, PO Box 1772, Mt Pleasant, TX, 75456

*Online at www.tituscountyshelterfriends.com; or

*Donate directly at Bruechner Animal Hospital

Way to go TIGERS!

Congratulations to the Mount Pleasant High School golf team members who took First Place in the recent tournament they hosted! Individual winners were:

* Reagan Ball 1st place Girls

* Cullen Marshall 1st place Boys

* Zach Mellor 2nd place Boys

* Conner Nelson 3rd place Boys

Just rollin' along

MPHS Seniors enjoyed the annual "Kiddie" party at the Bowling Alley last Monday!

Pilot Club feeds MPPD staff

Although it was a busy day, the members of the Mount Pleasant Police Departmenmt were able to meet with Pilot Club members who brought them lunch Wednesday. They said "Thank you for having our back."

Red Devils win!

Chapel Hill beat White Oak 65-49 in Friday night's playoff game!

Congratulations, Corey Gable!

Congratulations to Mount Pleasant Police Lieutenant Corey Gable on graduating from The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas located at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

Support your local sheriff

Shan Blalock brought Sheriff Tim Ingram a special gift Wednesday, a Texas flag made of wood with the Sheriff Patch and his name engraved.

Shan is also making another flag to display in the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Ingram wants to thank Shan for her thoughts and support for Law Enforcement.

Congratulations TIGER DOLLS!

Congratulations to the Tiger Dolls who competed this past weekend at Kilgore College and brought home a ton of awards!

Team Awards
Best of the Best (Top 10 teams of the whole contest)
4-star Platinum Award for Technique, Choreography, Presentation & Precision
Best Overal Team Banner
Judges Award for Jazz, Contemporary & Hip Hop
Gussie Nell Davis Award
Division I Sweepstakes Award

Officer Awards
2nd place Officer Squad in Large Category
Best Overall Silver Star Award for Great Technique & Advanced Choreography
Judges Award for Jazz, Lyrical & Hip Hop
Gussie Nell Davis Award
Division I Sweepstakes

Individual Awards
Madison Blalock--1st runner up soloist
Abigail Amerson--2nd runner up soloist
Nikki Emory & Jaletha Heath--1st place Duet
Payton Tyler & Rachel Sharp--2nd place duet

Chamber readies 'Connection'

In late April, the Chamber of Commerce will release the "2017 Your Connection Community Book & Buyer's Guide", an 88-page magazine that includes editorials featuring area attractions and a complete list of all active Chamber members.

This year, in addition to the printed version that they distribute throughout the city and to all tourists and visitors who come to the Chamber, the magazine will be digital and all ads will be clickable straight to a website or Facebook page.

Over 3000 of these books have been distributed in years past, and with the addition of the digital format, distribution is now unlimited!

If you are a Chamber member and are interested in advertising in this year's publication, please call or email the Chamber today for rate information and to reserve your spot. 903-572-8567 or info@mtpleasanttx.com

Ahrens nabs fleeing suspect

It's been 20 years since he changed careers from law enforcement to city administration, but City Manager Mike Ahrens drew upon his previous training Wednesday in running down a suspect fleeing from police downtown.

On Wednesday at 9:40 a.m. a Mount Pleasant officer made a traffic stop at 1st Street and Madison Ave. During the stop the officer began checking the driver and occupants for warrants.

One passenger, 20-year-old Jacob Gonzalo Zambrano of Mount Pleasant, was sitting in the back seat of the car when he heard the officer checking him for warrants.

Zambrano opened the car door and ran on foot through downtown Mount Pleasant fleeing from the officer. Zambrano continued to run on foot exiting the downtown district and entered a residential neighborhood.

As officers were searching for Zambrano, Mount Pleasant Director of Community Services Jacob Hatfield saw the suspect running then hide behind a house. Hatfield saw officers running in the same direction and directed the officers to where the suspect was last seen.

Ahrens was also near the incident. He is a licensed Texas Peace Officer and is a reserve police officer with the Mount Pleasant Police Department. Ahrens prior training kicked in when he spotted the suspect hiding behind a house.

As Ahrens approached Zambrano he identified himself as an officer. Zambrano refused to cooperate and ran until Ahrens caught up with him in the 300 Blk. of N. Riddle St.

The suspect was held on the ground by Ahrens until Mount Pleasant officers arrived. Zambrano was arrested for five outstanding Mount Pleasant warrants and for evading arrest. He was transported and booked into the Titus County Jail.

Ahrens, who was city manager in Atlanta for nine years and was the assistant city manager there for two years before he took the Mount Pleasant job in 2008, has a 13-year background in law enforcement.

He received his commission as a police officer in Hereford in 1984 and rose through the ranks, serving as police chief at the Atlanta Police Department from 1995 to 1997 when he began his career in city management.

Special Adoption Day at Animal Shelter

The Animal Shelter is located at 15th and Mulberry Streets. The telephone number is 903-575-4174.

Down Memory Lane - Feb. 22, 2017

Our random 1980s photo shows a group of Scouts from Troop 206 - it looks like they are doing a roadside clean-up project. Anyone recognize the people in this picture?

MPISD Child Development Center Enrolling for 2017-2018 School Year

The MPISD Child Development Center is scheduling enrollment appointments now for the 2017-2018 School Year.

The Child Development Center offers a variety of options for children birth through five, including Early Head Start, Head Start, Pre-Kindergarten and Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities. Applications may be picked up at the CDC or printed online. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (903) 575-2092.

Applications can be found here, or under forms under important documents on the CDC MPISD website.

Congrats!

Congratulations to Priefert Ranch Equipment President Eddie and his wife Randa! They will be having a baby girl in August!

See you there!

Like Gospel music? Know somebody who does? Everybody's welcome! No charge. No tickets.

Just great Gospel music in a welcoming church.

Discount Dog Day at Animal Shelter

The Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter is having a special Pet Adoption Day on Saturday, Feb. 25 - Get $25.00 off the adoption fee. It will be from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The shelter is located at 1500 N Mulberry Ave, Mount Pleasant,Call 903-575-4174 for more information.

Evening of Art planned

The Friends of the Mount Pleasant Library's annual Evening of Art @ the Library is set for Saturday, March 11, from 6-8 p.m.

Come for a wonderful evening of celebrating local artists. Jared Chapman will be doing "live" drawing demonstrations and his books will be available.

There will be chocolate and sparkling refreshments, dulcimer music, beautiful artwork and a silent auction.

Tickets are just $10 and are available now in the library or that night at the door. Don't miss this!

Mark your calendars

Something fun is coming!

Playoff game tonight

Congratulations to the MPHS Boys' Basketball team who finished District play Tuesday night UNDEFEATED! We are so proud of you! Playoffs start tomorrow night, Tuesday, February 21st at 7:00 pm at Rains High School Gym. The Tigers will face Lovejoy. Get there early and GO TIGERS!

New in downtown

The City of Mount Pleasant has rebuilt an alley on 3rd Street to become an outdoor venue for people to congregate downtown - for lunch, dinner, or even music.

NTCC spring graduation deadlines approaching

NTCC student who plan to graduate this May should save these important dates in their calendars:

• March 3 – Deadline to Apply for Graduation (login to the MyEagle portal and look for Forms)
• March 24 – Deadline to Order Graduation Announcements from the College Store
• April 3 – Begin Picking up Caps and Gowns at the College Store
• May 13 – Graduation Ceremony at the Whatley Center

Down Memory Lane - Feb. 19, 2017

Our random 1980s photo today looks like some young ladies in a hair salon of some sort. Does anyone recognize the people or the setting?

NTCC Baseball goes 3-1 in weekend series

The Northeast Texas Community College Eagles baseball team hosted two Kansas teams, Pratt Community College and Hutchinson Community College, over the past weekend. The Eagles came out on top 3-1 for the four-game stretch. Home runs, which included a walk-off by Kyle Moos in the tenth inning, helped lead to the Eagles’ success.

The team got off to a great start on Friday as pitchers Brady Batten, Max Martinez and Tommy Kay combined to deliver a shutout, helping the team defeat the Pratt Beavers, 13-0.

The Eagles caught an early lead in the first inning of Friday’s game after Nelson Torres homered to left field, scoring Will Dawson.

Bats came to life for Northeast in the second and fifth innings. Chase Talbot and Jhosmel Rodriguez both doubled in the second and Darien Simms singled to left field, cushioning the lead.

Torres opened up the fifth with a home run, and Kyle Moos scored for the Eagles after Rodriguez singled to left field. With two outs, Simms tacked on two more runs to the scoreboard with a hard ground ball.

Northeast ended the game with 14 hits and didn’t commit a single error.

The first game of Saturday’s doubleheader proved to be a challenge for the Eagles. Pratt proved to be too much for Northeast and ended the seven-inning game, 14-2.

The Beavers snagged the lead, gaining three runs in the top of the third. Taylor Barber tried to get things going for the Eagles in the fifth with a hard ground ball to right field, scoring Jhosmel Rodriguez. But pitcher Tanner Kleinsasser quickly closed out the inning, striking out Eagles’ Will Dawson. Pratt secured their win in the seventh with another four runs in the top and a quick three-out performance.

In Saturday’s nightcap, the Eagles looked to win the tied series and took control late in the game. The team dominated the sixth inning, adding eight more runs to their three runs in the fifth. With only one out, Northeast’s Manny Garcia grounded into a fielder’s choice, sending Chandler Dean home. The Eagles continued to capitalize off hits by Nelson Torres, Justin Bundy, Kyle Moos, and Dean. Pratt managed to put one on the board in the seventh, but Northeast was able to match and secured a 12-5 win.

Fresh off a winning series, the Northeast Eagles faced the Hutchinson Blue Dragons on Sunday afternoon. A walk-off home run by Kyle Moos led the Eagles to victory in the tenth inning. Manny Garcia also homered in the second, putting Northeast on the board. Chandler Dean recorded the win for the team. He pitched three innings, gave up zero runs, struck out two, and allowed two hits and one walk.

The Eagles will travel to Ranger, TX on Feb. 17 and 18 for a three-game series against Ranger College and will return home Feb 21. to face TCS Post Grad.

New downtown restaurant

An outdoor patio is being constructed for the new restaurant - Jimmy Nardello's Pixzza Tavern - mat the corner of Madison and 1st Street at the southwest corner of the downtown Mount Pleasant square.

NTCC Adult Education student, instructor honored with state awards

The Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education recently lauded a Northeast Texas Community College Adult Education Student, Jose Martinez, and an instructor Jaudon Wilhite, with two separate but distinctive honors.

Martinez, an NTCC ESL (English as a Second Language) student from Mount Pleasant has received the Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education (TALAE) ESL Persistence Award.  This statewide honor is awarded to students who exhibit personal accountability and commitment to pursuing their education while maintaining their family and civic responsibilities.

A cash award of $500. was given to Martinez during the TALAE Awards Dinner in San Antonio earlier this month.  Martinez was nominated by Freda Duncan, Community Resource Center Coordinator.  He is currently pursuing his GED.

ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor, Jaudon Wilhite, of Mount Vernon, has received the Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education (TALAE) Adult Education Teacher of the Year Award.  Wilhite, who has taught adult education ESL since 2004, was nominated for this honor by colleagues and students.  She received the award and $1,000 at the annual TALAE Awards Dinner on February 3 in San Antonio.

“We were so thrilled to hear that Jaudon was being honored with this award.  Her hard work and dedication to the cause of adult literacy has made a difference in so many lives in our area,” Sue Barker, NTCC Director of Adult Education, said.

One of her students stated: “Ms. Jaudon has been the best teacher because she is an excellent, wonderful, and friendly teacher.  She always attends our classes and she makes sure that we all learn.  Never has she ever doubted us.”

Wilhite currently teaches ESL classes two mornings a week at the Community Resource Center located in downtown Mt. Pleasant at 105 North Riddle.

NTCC offers both GED and ESL classes free of charge to adult students at various locations. Students are currently being accepted throughout the area.  For more information about either of these programs, please call 903-434-8252 or follow us on FACEBOOK at Adult Education Program at Northeast Texas Community College.

Chapel Hill students visit

Chapel Hill Junior High Choir students visited the Lodge Assisted living & Memory Care Center on Friday.

Mount Pleasant PD now offering FREE Child Safety Seat Inspections. Call 903-575-4186 for an appointment.

Down Memory Lane - Feb. 17, 2017

Our random 1980s photo shows a city council meeting - we can tell because of the name plates in the front. Robert Nance (left) is still on the city council. The other men are James Smith and Grady Homer Jr. We don't know who is speaking at the podium.

Possible exemption

The Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation notes veteran-owned businesses may be eligible for exemption from the franchise tax.

Art exhibit

Northeast Texas Community College hosted a great artist reception Thursday with Linda Lucas Hardy! Her work will be on display through Feb. 22 in the Whatley Foyer.

New sidewalk construction

Work continues as the City of Mount Pleasant pours new sidewalks on Third Street downtown between Jefferson and Madison Streets.

Best in Show winners

Congrats to the MPHS Electrical Trades Program! MP Electrical took two exhibits to contest at Texas State Technical College where Sergio Flores, Brandon Steinmetz, and Hugo Valdez won "Best of Show" for their exhibit!

City battles vandalism

This shows graffiti scratched into the concrete at a newly-poured slab on a bridge in Dellwood Park

The Mount Pleasant Police Department says city renovations at Park  leads to costly repairs because people aren’t using their heads.

The City of Mount Pleasant is working to make our parks and sidewalks enjoyable for all. The city is having to provide surveillance on locations when new concrete is being poured because people are not thinking. 

If you are found to have vandalized city property you will be charged with a crime. Don’t be a vandal.

Hands on experience

February is CTE (Career Technical Education) Month in public schools. Mount Pleasant High School would like to highlight its Aircraft Technology program.

Pictured are Thomas Spann, Francisco Lopez, and Jason Alvarado getting hands on experience with an airplane motor with Matt Bonger – Aircraft Mechanic and program instructor.

Congratulations Christian!

Congratulations to Mount Pleasant Tiger Christian Ingram, who signed with East Texas Baptist University to play football!

MPHS is so proud of you!

Congratulations to the Mount Pleasant High School Tiger basketball team who finished District play Tuesday night undefeated!

Playoffs start Tuesday, Feb. 21st at 7 p.m. at Rains High School in Emory.. The Tigers will face Lovejoy. Good Luck!

Rotary Students of the Month

Congratulations to the Mount Pleasant Rotary Club Students of the Month, Taylor Craig and Emily Brown, who were recognized at the Rotary luncheon meeting Tuesday at the Mount Pleasant Country Club.

Take Lamb Chop home!

The Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter is full, and Lamb Chop needs a home. She is a calm sweet girl who loves attention and walks well on leash. Her adoption fee is sponsored, she just needs a family to come take her home. She is a year and a half old female American Pit Bull Mix. She weighs 54 pounds and her ID number is A34474887 The shelter is located at 15th and Mulberry Streets, telephone 903-575-4174.

Burglary Suspect Arrested

Mount Pleasant Police officers responded to a burglary of a residence Tuesday evening in the 600 Block of Margaret Drive. At that time an unknown suspect had enter a residence and removed electronics.

Both officers and detectives obtained leads after speaking to several people at the residence and obtained evidentiary information from the scene. Early Wednesday, detectives located the suspect residence and question the homeowner. From that interview, detectives contacted 19-year-old Johnathan Smith of Mount Pleasant.

Smith was interviewed and stolen property was recovered in his residence. Smith was taken into custody, charged with Burglary of a Habitation, a second-degree felony, and booked into the Titus County Jail.

Bail has not been set. For more information related to his charge go to http://www.tcsoinfo.com/ inmate-lookup and search by date and inmate name.

Down Memory Lane - Feb. 15, 2017

This is an interesting photo pulled from our 1980s archives. Wonder who the elderly lady is in the middle, and what is the relationship of the children to her?

Mark your calendars

Titus County Cares' annual Claybuster Shoot is coming up Saturday, April 8, at the Mid America Flight Museum.

All shots limited to 71/2. Suggested ammo for the day: 250 rounds. Check-In for teams begins at 8:00 AM Saturday, April 8th at Clays-N-More Gun Club: FM 1402 (Harts Bluff Rd.) Mt. Pleasant.

The dinner and auction will be Friday night, April 7.

Chapel Hill playoff game set

MPJHS Students at Region 8 Science Fair

Pictured: Standing Mackenzie Lide and Anaeli Navarro; Seated Brock Shavers and Joselynn Smith

Four Mount Pleasant Junior High School students, one 7th grader and three 8th graders participated in the recent Region 8 Education Service Center Science Fair.

Seventh grader Mackenzie Lide won 2nd place for her project on Metamerism, a perceived matching of the colors that, based on differences in spectral power distribution, do not actually match.

Eighth grader Anaeli Navarro studied the defense mechanism grasshoppers use called “tobacco juice”.

Brock Shavers examined the relationship between increasing temperatures of water and evaporation rates.

 Joselynn Smith studied the ph value of water from various sources.

Save the date!

SAFE-T Crisis Center is planning its annual Super Hero Fun Run and 5K for Saturday, April 1, from at 8:30 a.m. to noon at Dellwood Park

It's a free family event with face painting. give aways, T-Shirts and lots of other fun.

Registration will be at 8:30 a.m. with the race starting at  9:00. Look for the Registration on Facebook and at www.safe-tagency.com. Call 903-572-0973 for information.

Annie Sims students compete in science fair

Four Annie Sims Elementary School 4th graders participated in the Region 8 Science Fair last week.

Tanner Marshall placed 1st in the 4th Grade Science Fair with his Electric Car and test of on which type of flooring the car would make the most donuts. Carpet won out over tile and laminate flooring.

Lizi Buck researched Water Filtration Methods and discovered that charcoal makes the best type of water filter.

McKaylie Nixon conducted Crazy Apple research and found that color can affect our perception of taste.

Brooke Bagley researched types of materials used to fill ice bags and found that ice stayed colder longer than vegetable oil or Dr. Pepper when used in an ice bag.

“I am so proud of these students and their coaches, Linda Traughber and Jeannie Pat Jaggers,” said Annie Sims Elementary Principal Tonya Murray. “They only had two weeks to get ready for the science fair. They all put in a lot of hours to get ready and all of them did a great job.”

Pardon Our Progress.

Third Street between Jefferson and Madison will be closed for the next few days for removal and replacement of sidewalks. You will still have access to each business, but parking and thru traffic is not available.

Chapel Hill FFA members compete

Great job to all of the Chapel Hill FFA members public speakers who competed this past weekend at San Antonio!

Congratulations to Avery Hall for advancing the finals round in the junior division and to Parker Laing for advancing to the finals round in the Senior division!