5 SSMS Teams Advancing To State Destination Imagination Contest
Sulphur Springs Middle School will be well represented at the State Destination Imagination Contest April 3-4. Overall, SSMS came home from the regional DI contest in Mesquite Feb. 22 with six teams earning first and second place honors, five of which qualify to compete at state, and four earned special recognition as well.
“SSMS had a great weekend at the East Region Tournament in Mesquite. The Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, Improv and Engineering are all advancing State which is April 3-4,” said teacher Brooke Howard.
Technical Challenge
The Technical Team consisting of Annalissa Tanton, Catherine Starzyk, Kody Barclay, Aspen Mayhew, Lucy McKenzie, Kannon Gibson and Mac McCoy won first place and High IC. The students also earned a DaVinci Award. Coaches for this team are Brooke Howard and Clay Hansford.
For the Technical challenge, students must complete tasks using engineering, research, strategic planning and related skills. This year’s theme is “The Big Fix” Each team it challenged to:
- Design and build an invention.
- Create and present a story about how a problem is solved with the use of the invention.
- Integrate an invention artifact to highlight the development process.
- Design and build scenery that shows the impact of solving the problem.
- Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas
- of strength, and talents.
DaVinci Awards are named in honor of one of humanity’s greatest creative thinkers, Leonardo Da Vinci. They are awarded by DI to individuals and teams who most clearly demonstrate the spirit of adventurous risk in their solutions
Scientific Challenge
The Scientific Team consisting of Carter Charlton, Kami White, Aiden Riley, Brody Emmert, Nathan Bilyew, Jocelyn Arenas, and Abbey Williams won first place and earned a Davinci Award as well. Coaches for this team are Bryan Cole and Gerson Salvatoreh.
The 2019-2020 Scientific Challenge blends the curiosity of scientific research with the creative expression of performance art. The theme is “First Encounter.” Each team is challenged to:
- Research a real species and a real habitat.
- Create and present a story about the first encounter between the species and the habitat.
- Show how the species and the habitat change as a result of the encounter.
- Present the story in theater in the round.
- Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.
Fine Arts Challenge
The Fine Arts Team made up of Lorelai Lilley, Jordan VanWinkle, Giovanni Hernandez, Barrett Thesing, Alyson Thomas, Anniston Price, and Brooks Burgin won first place and High IC. Coaches are Adrienne Lilley and Beth Cole.
The Fine Arts Challenge helps students develop acting and creative skills through artistic media, theater arts, script writing, and prop design. The t theme is “Picture This.”
Teams are challenged to:
- Create and present a story that features an unseen character and its impact on a team-selected photograph.
- Theatrically recreate the photograph during the Presentation.
- Create and present a visual effect that includes a photographic technique.
- Show how the visual effect changes the perspective of one or more characters.
- Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strenth, and talents.
Engineering Challenge
The Engineering Team composed of Lane Hunt, Gracelynn Johnson, Emmy Penny, Ben Brown, Levi Caton, Justin Chen, and Sienna Posey won first place and a DaVinci award. Team coaches include Jamilyn Hunt, Rachael Johnson, and Ryan Watt.
The Engineering Challenge asks students to design, build, and test load-bearing structures created from specific materials. The theme is “In The Cards.”
Teams are challenged to:
- Design and build a bridge that will be assembled during the Presentation.
- Move weight across the bridge to test its strength.
- Create and present a story about an unexpected connection and its outcome.
- Design and create a set piece that transitions between settings.
- Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off your team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.
Improv Team
The Improv Team made up of Jolene Reed, Asia Chen, Logan McCain, Katie Henderson, Crawford Johnson, Gage Williams and Rhett Williams finished in second place. Jeffery Denton is the team coach
The Improvisational Challenge is all about research, spontaneity, and storytelling. Teams receive topics and produce skits right on the spot. The 2019-20 them is “To The Rescue.”
Teams are challenged to:
- Research superpowers and how they are portrayed in comic books, literature, film, and other media.
- Create and present an improvisational skit about a villain who uses a superpower to cause an unexpected situation.
- Include a hero who uses an underwhelming power to try to overcome the unexpected situation.
- Enhance the skit with sound effects.
Service Learning
The SSMS Service Learning Team consisting of Alexis Villarino, Kate Hurley, Katelyn Noe, Jessie Li, Kylie Brice, Claire Monk, and Cambria Jiminez also finished second place. Hollie Watson is the team coach.
The Service Learning Challenge is designed to engage students in public service that addresses real-life community issues. The 2019-20 theme is “It’s About Time.”
Teams are challenged to:
- Identify, design, carry out, and evaluate a project that addresses a need in a real community.
- Create and present a story that shows at least one character in a race against time.
- Integrate information about the project into the story.
- Design and build a device that represents time and highlights milestones from the project.
- Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off your team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.
1,061 Ballots Cast During First Week Of Early Voting
After one full week of early voting, 1,061 ballots had been cast in the March 3, 20202 Republican and Democratic Party Primary Elections, according to the official totals posted by the early voting judges.
Of those, 924 had been cast in the Republican Primary and 137 in the Democratic Primary at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24.
In the Democratic Primary, 23 voters had cast ballots by 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 19, the second day of voting. That number had increased to 107 by 11:03 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. Only 10 more voters were counted through 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 24. Twenty votes were recorded by 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Democratic Primary.
The Republican Primary started out with 131 voters casting ballots by 9:30 a.m. Feb. 19. By 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, a total of 650 ballots had been cast in the Republican Primary. An additional 73 voters went to the pole over the weekend, bringing the overall total to 723 votes to start out the week. On Feb. 24, 201 voters cast ballots for a total of 924 voters exercising their right to vote in the Republican Party Primary.
Early voting continues through Friday, Feb. 28, with extended voting hours on two of those days. All early voting in both primary elections in Hopkins County will conducted in the Justice of the Peace #2 Courtroom at the Hopkins County Tax Office/Justice of the Peace Offices, 128 Jefferson St. in Sulphur Springs.
Voting will be conducted as follow:
- Tuesday, Feb. 25 — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 26 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 27 — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 28 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 3 — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Election Day voting in Hopkins County will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 3 at the 12 voting center locations throughout the county:
- Our Savior Lutheran Church
- Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
- Hopkins County Courthouse
- Grace Family Church
- Hopkins County Regional Civic Center
- League Street Church of Christ
- Saltillo ISD
- Cumby Municipal Building
- Sulphur Bluff ISD
- Como-Pickton CISD
- Miller Grove ISD
- North Hopkins ISD
Unlike state and national offices, only contested election at the county-level is between Charles Humphries and John Brian Beadle for the Republican nomination for Precinct 2 Constable. Bill Allan opted not to seek election to another term as Constable, Precinct 2.
Democrats are also asked to consider 11 propositions and Republicans to consider 9 propositions.
Yantis Woman Jailed On Felony Hopkins County Child Endangerment Warrant
A 35-year-old Yantis woman was booked into Hopkins County jail Monday afternoon on a felony warrant.
Brandi Christine Potts was taken into custody at 1:28 p.m. Feb. 24. She was escorted into the jail by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Marney and booked at 1:41 p.m. on a warrant alleging abandoning or endangering of a child-criminal negligence, according to arrest reports.
Potts, who is also known by Brandi Christine Pullen Allen and Brandi Christine Allen Pullen, remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Feb. 25. Bond was set at $15,000 on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
AG Paxton Announces Framework Agreement For $1.6 Billion Global Settlement With Opioid Manufacturer
AG Press Release: AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced a global settlement framework agreement between state attorneys general, local subdivisions, and Mallinckrodt (MNK), its subsidiaries, and certain other affiliates. MNK is currently the largest generic opioid manufacturer in the United States. In the agreement, MNK agrees to pay $1.6 billion in cash to a trust that will cover the costs of opioid addiction treatment and related efforts, with the potential for increased payment to the trust. MNK also agrees that its future generics opioid business will be subject to stringent injunctive relief that, among other things, will prevent marketing and ensure systems are in place to prevent diversion.
Opioids are a family of drugs including prescription painkillers and illegal drugs like heroin. Nationwide, prescription and illegal opioids are the main cause of drug overdose deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioids were involved in more than 47,600 overdose deaths in 2017. From 1999 to 2017, more than 702,000 people have died from a drug overdose.
“This agreement with MNK is just one example of the timely solutions needed in our fight against the opioid epidemic. My office has been aggressively working to hold opioid manufacturers accountable for their deceptive marketing of highly-addictive pain pills, which spurred an epidemic and left victims and families with unimaginable consequences,” said Attorney General Paxton. “My focus is on not only accountability, but also obtaining the resources we need to get victims of this epidemic the help they deserve. This agreement is a significant step in the right direction, and my office will continue to do everything it can to protect Texans and help our state heal from this life-destroying crisis.”
In 2017, Attorney General Paxton and a bipartisan coalition of 40 states served investigative subpoenas on eight companies that manufacture or distribute highly addictive painkillers. Since then, Attorney General Paxton also initiated lawsuits against both Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson for misleading marketing and sale of opioids.
Artwork Of 3 SSHS Students To Be Featured March 3-21 In TVAA Showcase At UTD
The artwork of three Sulphur Springs students will be featured at The University of Texas-Dallas next month. The art will be among approximately 150 pieces selected from those entered in the Texas Visual Arts Association 2020 High School Competition.
“The Texas Visual Arts Association holds one of the most competitive art shows in the state each year at UTD,” said Dr. Philip Dick, Sulphur Springs High School art instructor.
The contest is open to high school student in Texas and is designed to feature young Texans’ talents in all manner of media. While the competition typically features more than 1,000 submissions, only about 150 pieces are selected for the exhibition.
Selections in the various media categories will be highlighted with awards. Dean and sponsor awards are also presented.
While the final tallies aren’t yet in the 2020 contest and award winners, six pieces of artwork from SSHS students were accepted over the weekend to the competition.
Callie Harvey had three art works accepted, according to Dr. Dick. Her works use colored pencil and acrylic to depict dogs and horse.
Abby Scott had two portrait paintings accepted and Kennedy Lee had a graphite drawing of hands accepted, the art teacher reported.
The TVAA exhibit will be on display at the UTD SP/N Gallery from March 3 until March 21.
High Point Re-plat Request Approved By Hopkins County Commissioners Court
Lakes Regional Community Center Board Appointment Tabled
Hopkins County Commissioners Court had a full agenda Monday. They approved two items regarding solar panels, a resolution regarding related to a proposed solar farm, a re-plat request, line item transfer and received the annual audit. Decision on a proposed board appointment was tabled, however.
Replat Request
A request was made for the Commissioners to approve replatting of Lots 1 and 2 at High Point Estates, for Phase 2 of the project.
Steve Hudson explained the replatting would allow for needed easements. The owners of Phase 2 at High Point Estates were contacted. An easement is needed along the south property line of Lot 1 for electric and to put up an Internet tower in the southwest corner so that residents can receive Internet. That made that parcel under the 1 acre clearance requirement to be able to use the OSF for sewer on the lot, he explained.
‘We simply pivoted that lot between lots 1 and 2 to regain in lot 1 the square footage,” Hudson said.
Bartley said the property is in Precinct 3. The tower is going in behind some houses. Work has just begun to rock a new street going in at the addition. Bartley recommended approving the request
Solar Panels, Contracts
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin noted that proposed was having one service contract for maintenance of solar panels on top of the jail and Civic Center instead of separate contracts for each. The court approved the contract.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tanner Crump reminded the Commissioners that at their last work session James Showalter explained that he would need the courts approval to apply for grants for solar panels on county facilities.
Also proposed was allowing solar construction on two new buildings, the one in Heritage Park and Hopkins County Law Enforcement Courtroom. Commissioners approved the motion to allow panels on those facilities.
Annual Audit
Auditor Lewis Crain of Rutledge, Crain & Company presented the annual audit of county finances. presented the county’s annual financial audit to the commissioners on Monday.
“Overall, the county had a good year. Things look positive,” Crain said.
The county’s general fund and road and bridge fund are in “good shape” Crain told Hopkins county Commissioners Court during their regular meeting Monday, Feb. 24. The county received nearly $1 million more than expected in revenues, due in part to conservative budgeting, increased growth an economic activity.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley said increased property values generated more funding, which allowed the county to put funding back into road and bridge funds. A few years before, when revenues weren’t as good, the county precincts suffered to keep other county functions operating. Those funds went back to roads in 2019. Additional projected revenues for the future should help put more toward roads too.
Pine Forest Solar Resolution
A resolution was approved by the court which would give Pine Forest Solar I, LLC, during development of the the proposed solar power project “access to, egress from, encroachments into, crossing of, and possibly upgrades to County roads, County owned right-of-way, and County-held right-of-way easements located in Hopkins County.”
Commissioners said the roads PFSI requested for use/and or maintenance if the solar project proceeds include: County Roads 2310 and 2346, in the Pine Forest area of Precinct 2; and County Roads 3342, 3351, 3340 and 3349 in the Pine Forest area of Precinct 3.
PFSI indicated potentially improving some roads in Precincts 2 and 3 in the Pickton-Pine Forest area of the proposed project. Some roads that are more sandy, PFSI proposed adding a layer of rock. That, would be at PFSI’s cost and improve roads at no cost to the county, the commissioners noted.
When the court approved tax incentives for PFSI, the agreement also included a stipulation that the business pay a specified fee the first year to help cover cost of any damages to county roads during the construct phase of the project.
If the project moves forward, work is targeted to being this spring on the Pine Forest farm.
Board Appointment
The motion to consider appointing Dana Sills to the Lakes Regional Community Center Board of Trustees was tabled until more information can be gathered about the board as well as the appointment request.
Line Item Transfer
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook reported Precinct 4 received a payment from Lacy Proffitt for $5,000 to bring County Roads 4822 and 4823. She recommended moving those funds from revenue into the Precinct 4 road building fund. The motion received approval of all four commissioners.
Consent Agenda
As part of the consent agenda, the court approved regular and work session minutes for the four most recent meetings and a request by Farmers Electric Cooperative to construct electrical power distribution facilities across County Road 3512, just north of County Road 3513 in Precinct 3.
Wildcats Basketball Team Cranks Up the Offense In 78-55 Win Over Lufkin In Bi-District Monday
The Lufkin Panthers had no answer for the offense of Wildcats senior Sadaidriene Day Day Hall who scored 34 points in the Wildcats 78-55 bi-district win at Tyler Junior College Monday night, February 24.
As a sign of things to come, Hall opened the game with a long three-point basket. Hall had 6 first quarter points, 9 points in the second quarter, 8 points in the third quarter and then capped things off with an 11 point fourth quarter.
The Wildcats led from start to finish, going up 17-12 after one quarter, 33-21 at the half and 59-35 after the third quarter. The Wildcats big 26 point third quarter gave the Wildcats a comfortable lead. The Wildcats really slowed down the Panthers in the second quarter allowing them only 9 points.
Seniors Grayson McClure and Cameron Kahn also had double figure scoring with McClure scoring 12 points on 4 three-pointers and Kahn getting 11 points. Junior La’Modrick Johnson scored 8 points. Junior Boo Wilkerson scored 6 points. Justin Haire scored 5 points all of them coming in a good first quarter off the bench. Justin Brock scored 2 points.
In the games final few minutes, Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta was pretty well able to clear his bench.
Lufkin was led in scoring by senior Jackson Parks who scored 17 points.
The Wildcats improved to 27-8 for the season. In an Area round game, the Wildcats will play the winner of a Red Oak and West Mesquite game to be played in DeSoto Tuesday evening.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats and Wildcats Powerlifters Competed at Commerce Friday and Saturday
Three Lady Cats’ powerlifters competed at a Commerce Meet Friday (February 21) and the Wildcats Powerlifting Team grabbed fourth place at a Commerce Meet on Saturday (February 22).
Coach Casey Jeter said two of his Lady Cats appear to be bound for the regional meet, Sable Erdmier and Addy Lamb. Coach Jeter said both lifters had a hard week of lifting. Erdmier, currently ranked #3 in the region, at Commerce matched her weight totals from her last meet to take first place. Coach Jeter said Lamb seemed to feel the effects of the hard work week and finished fourth. He said he hopes his third Lady Cat, Rori Young can qualify for the regional meet as well. She was just short of qualifying at Commerce.
For the Wildcats Saturday, in the 220 pound weight class, Chad Menard improved his squat 25 pounds to 550 and bench pressed 285. Coach Jeter said Menard is currently in ninth place in the tough region. Freshman Matthew Mitchell, in the 181-pound weight class, had a 470 pound squat and 240 pound bench press. In the 114-pound weight class, Austin McCain, who appears headed to regional, increased his weight lifted another 25 pounds. George Greenway in the 220 pound weight class, is currently #3 in the region. He squatted 705 pounds Saturday. That would tie the state record if done in a regional or state meet. Greenway’s total top weight lifted is 50 pounds above the state requirement. Raydon McCormack increased his squat 50 pounds to 600 pounds. He also bench pressed 285 pounds and dead lifted 460 pounds. McCormack is current #5 in the region. Jesse Carrillo also finished first in his weight class at Commerce. He’s ranked #2 in the region. His brother Ryan Carrillo is ranked #3 in rhe region. Ryan had a 505 pound squat and a 315 pound bench press Saturday. Coach Jeter said he expects to take a lot of lifters to the regional meet and he believes for the first time he may actually have a lifter score points at the State Meet. The list of those qualifying for the regional meet is due out in about a week. The Boys Regional Meet takes place March 4 in Pine Tree. The Girls Regional Meet will be on March 5 in Pine Tree.
In an interview, Greenway, ranked #3 in the region, said powerlifting requires a lot of hard work adding you have to love it. He said the amount of weight he has lifted has surprised him this year because he broke his collar bone during football season. Erdmier, said she was glad she equaled her weight total in Commerce from her last meet after a hard week or work. She looks forward to weight increases in the near future. Her bench press has increased 20 pounds this year from 115 to 135. Coach Jeter said her goal is 145. As to being ranked #3 in the region, Erdmier said it makes her want to work harder to become #1. Both Greenway and Erdmier credited Jeter with being a good coach and they both said the support of their teammates is very important. Erdmier said there is no way she could lift the weight she does without her teammates encouraging her.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Wildcats Tennis Team Has Doubles and Singles Success at John Tyler Tournament in Tyler Friday
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said his team had some good results at a John Tyler sponsored tournament in Tyler last Friday (February 21). He said the girls doubles team of Savannah Lilley and Katie Beth Herd took first place. The boys doubles team of Aaron Lucas and Logan Schumacher took fifth place. Only a loss to Whitehouse kept them from having a perfect day. The Wildcats mixed doubles team of Jeauxleigh Cantu and Jonah Kirkpatrick captured first place with a tough 7-5, 6-4 win over a good Bullard team. Carlos Lopez won first place in consolation in boys singles. This week Sulphur Springs High School is hosting a JV Tennis Tournament Wednesday with 16 teams and a Varsity Tennis Tournament Friday featuring Sherman, Denison, Rowlett and John Tyler with each player guaranteed four matches.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears Basketball Team Earns First Regional Quarterfinal Berth in 16 Years Friday
The Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears defeated Bryson, 49-44 in an Area contest at Tioga Friday night (February 21). The Lady Bears trailed at the half 28-23 but outscored Bryson 26-16 in the last two quarters to get the big win. This will be the Lady Bears first visit to the regional quarterfinals since 2004. Tim Lane was the coach then and current Coach Zandra Peyton was a senior. Coach Peyton said the girls played a great game. She said they definitely had a case of the nerves in the first half. She said they came out after halftime with confidence. Coach Peyton said the Lady Bears upperclassmen are a great bunch who have set an example for the younger girls in the program. She said her girls have heart and talent. For the Lady Bears Skylar Stanley had 18 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals. Ann Dorner had 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals. Jada Wade had 9 points, 1 steal, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Alley Collett had 7 points, 1 assist and 7 rebounds. Dalena di Donato had 2 points, 1 steal and 5 rebounds. Bailey Neal had 2 points, 2 steals and 1 rebound. Angel Brown had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Tori Raine had 3 rebounds. Lydia Drummond had a steal. The Lady Bears season record is now 23-12. The Lady Bears face #2 ranked Dodd City Monday at 6 p.m. at Chisum. Right after the Lady Bears game, the Sulphur Bluff Bears also face Dodd City also at Chisum.
