Spraggins Files For Place 5 On Sulphur Springs City Council
Place 5 on the May 2 City Council Election in Sulphur Springs is now contested.
Ricardo Chavarria
Gary Spraggins signed up shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, to run for Place 5. He faces Ricardo Chavarria, who filed candidacy for Place 5 on Jan. 23.
That is the second contested race to develop for City Council this spring.
Justin M.Brown and Jay W. Julian both filed candidacy Jan. 27 for Place 1 on the May 2 Sulphur Springs City Council Election.
Both Places 1 and 5 are for unexpired term seats, as are Places 2 and 3. Place 6 and 7 for full term seats on the council are also on the May 2 ballot.
Candidates who are uncontested, with three full days left in the filing period, include:
- Place 2
- Place 3
- Place 6
- Place 7
Candidate filing for Places 1-3 seats and Place 5-7 on the May 2 Sulphur Springs City Council Election ballot continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Feb. 14, at City Hall, 201 North Davis St. Residents should see City Secretary Gale Roberts for an application packet.
Wildcats Varsity and JV Tennis Teams Get Lots of Medals at Tournaments in Paris Last Week
Last week, the Wildcats Tennis Team’s varsity and JV teams played in Paris tournaments, the JV on Thursday (February 6) and the varsity on Friday (February 7). Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said the teams did really well and earned some medals. He said the varsity mixed doubles team of Jonah Kirkpatrick and Jeauxleigh Cantu took first place. Coach Martinez said the pair have been solid together and had no losses during fall team tennis. In a semifinal match against Princeton, Kirkpatrick and Cantu trailed 7-6 before rallying to take an 8-7 win. They then won a finals match against a Greenville duo. Coach Martinez said the varsity boys doubles team of Logan Schumacher and Aaron Lucas took first place. Schumacher and Lucas have played as a team for three years now. They had to get by Princeton’s #2 and #1 boys doubles teams to win the tournament. They won the final match, 8-4. Coach Martinez said Schumacher and Lucas played smart tennis. He added they never quit, even when they were down 40-love with the match tied 3-3. Coach Martinez said they rallied to win the point. He said they continuously got first serves in. Coach Martinez said he was happy for Kirkpatrick and Schumacher who have committed to colleges to continue their tennis’ careers. Kirkpatrick plans to go to East Texas Baptist University in Marshall and Schumacher to Sul Ross University in Alpine. Coach Martinez said the players can be more relaxed as they play after making their recruiting choices. Friday the Wildcats are headed to a Tyler Lee tournament. Coach Martinez said it’s going to be big and tough and the hardest tournament on the Wildcats schedule this season. He said 25 schools would be sending a total of 400 players. He called the field a who’s who for East Texas tennis including Longview, Texas High, Kilgore, All Saints, Rockwall-Heath, Hallsville, Lindale, Van and Wills Point. He said the Wildcats would be challenged but added that’s what they want as they prepare for the district tournament in April.
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 Basketball Team Claims Second Place in District With Win Over Avinger Monday
The Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears won a seeding game Monday night (February 10) against Avinger, 54-38, to wrap up a second place finish in district. The Lady Bears will be making their first playoff appearance in 8 years. Lady Bears Coach Zandra Peyton said her team played solid defense and worked together as a team. He added it was a great game played by both teams. In the big game, the two teams were tied after one quarter, 13-13. Sulphur Bluff went up by 5 at the half, 28-23. They increased their lead to 9 points, 28-29, after three quarters. The Lady Bears outscored Avinger 16-9 in the fourth quarter to wrap up the win. For Sulphur Bluff, senior Ann Dorner scored 14 points and had 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Coach Peyton said Dorner has only been back from injury for a few weeks adding that her leadership skills and ability to see the floor has really helped out the team. Tori Raine had 10 points and 2 steals. Coach Peyton said Raine has really stepped up and had several great games. Bailey Neal had 9 points and 5 rebounds. Coach Peyton said Raine and Neal, both sophomores, have really helped the team this year as they have improved greatly over the season. Angel Brown had 7 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Coach Peyton said Brown really reads the defense and helps set up her team to score. Jada Wade scored 6 points with 5 rebounds and 2 steals while holding Avinger’s top player to only 12 points. Alley Collett had 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 3 assists. Collett also played great defense according to Coach Peyton. Skylar Stanley had 4 points and 12 rebounds. Coach Peyton said Stanley helped protect the basket and made it hard for Avinger to score.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Basketball and Soccer and Wildcats Golf on Tuesday Game Day
There is basketball, soccer and golf on this game day Tuesday. There is also have some softball rescheduling news.
Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats Basketball Teams will be playing Texas High at home Tuesday. The Lady Cats play the Lady Tigers at 6:15 p.m. in the main Sulphur Springs High School Gym and then the Wildcats will play the Tigers at around 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats JV plays the Texas High JV at 5 p.m. in the main gym. The Lady Cats JV and Wildcats freshmen teams play Texas High in back to back games in the SSHS Auxiliary Gym beginning at 5 p.m.
The Wildcats, ranked #10 in Class 5A, have a season record of 23-8. The Wildcats are in second place in district with a 5-2 record. District leader Mount Pleasant, ranked #24, is 6-1 in district play and they will travel to Royse City for a district contest Tuesday night.
The Lady Cats are currently in the fourth place playoff spot in district with their 3-6 record. Texas High is tied for second place in district with Mount Pleasant. Both have 6-3 district marks. Lindale, one game behind the Lady Cats at 2-7, plays last place Greenville, 1-8 in district play, in Lindale Tuesday night. The Lady Cats hope to secure the fourth place spot with a win Tuesday.
KSST Radio will have both the Lady Cats and Wildcats games starting at 6:15 p.m. with live streaming video and audio. The games will also be videotaped for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer Teams open district play against Greenville Tuesday night. The Wildcats are at Greenville and the Lady Cats host the Lady Lions at Gerald Prim Stadium. Both have JV contests at 5:30 p.m. with varsity matches to follow at around 7:15 p.m.
The Wildcats Golf Team is also trying to get in a tournament on this rainy game day Tuesday at Heritage Ranch Golf and Country Club in McKinney. Earlier today the Wildcats were in a rain delay.
The Lady Cats Softball scrimmage at Wylie East scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed. The two teams will try against Thursday at Wylie East with JV and Varsity scrimmages starting at 5 p.m.
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.
Annual 5th Grade Bash February 15th, 2020
The annual 5th Grade Bash will be held at the ROC, 115 Putman St. in Sulphur Springs from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. The event is a fun filled night of games for all 5th graders in our community.
Kids Celebration of Afton Oklahoma, will be leading the game. Instead of individual games spread around the facility, Kids Celebration puts on a game show. They work to get everyone up on stage and involved during the evening. “It’s the largest group of 5th graders we have even seen!” says Bill Buchanan. “Our game show is boys v.s. girls. That age group really gets into it.” Bill’s company travels the country conducting events with fun games and activities for state fairs, schools, churches and other events.
Free Pizza Inn pizza will be served and thousands of dollars in door prizes will be given away.
Some of the prizes include
- Segway Mini Pros
- Hoverboard Go Karts
- drones
- electric scooters and wheelies
- arcade games
- gift certificates to Shenaniganz
- gift certificate to Academy sports
- Six-Flags Family Packs
- Splash Kingdom
- I-Fly Vouchers and more.
All fifth graders in our community are invited to attend. Everyone will leave with a $25-plus gift to take home. Contact First Baptist Church at 903-885-0646 or visit ssfbc.org for additional details.
Kenny Chesney Chillaxin Ticket Giveaway: IV
KSST and KRVA are giving away tickets to the Kenny Chesney Chillaxin Concert at AT&T Stadium.
Chillaxification 2020 kicks off Saturday, April 18 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – and culminates Friday, August 28 with his 20th show at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. Tickets are on sale at seatgeek.com.
Rules and Information:
The passes must NOT be resold!
Unclaimed passes will be dispersed by KSST.
Employees of KSST/KRVA can’t win.
Winner’s names and picture will be posted on Facebook.
Previous Winners
Results From February UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest
Last Thursday February 6th, 2020, the Sulphur Springs High school Band hosted a UIL District Solo and Ensemble Contest. The event took place at the First Baptist Church here in Sulphur Springs. Overall, SSISD students received 34 first medals. Of that 34, 23 students qualify for state. The UIL State Contest will be held in May, in Austin, TX.
Arneson, Brooklyn Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist
Arroyo, Anthony Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist
Baugh Miranda State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Beard, Cameron Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Botello, Alex Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist
Boykin, Clayton State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Braddy, Nathan Solo: 1st div
Burnett, Tyler Solo: 1st div
Capobianco, Phoenix State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Chisom, Quincey Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist
Connally, Ty Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist State Qualifying Ensemble Member
De La Cruz, Anayeli State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Eddins, Emma: State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Goggans, James State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Harper, Matthew Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Hughes, Hannah Solo: 1st div
Kirkland Kaden Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Little, Kendall State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Lopez, Elizabeth Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist
Lovelady, Nate State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Mayo, Clancy Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Ensemble Member
McCain, Austin: State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Mejia, Jose: State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Moss, Avery Solo: 1st div
O’Bier, Harley Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Ost, Adam Solo: 1st div
Petry, Anna Solo: 1st div
Phillips, Zach Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist
Ray, Shelby Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Renteria, Alfredo Solo: 1st div
Rissman, Cait Solo: 1st div
Rodriguez, Ashley Solo: 1st div
Ruiz, Luis State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Santacruz, Uriel: State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Sherman, Matthew Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Sherman, Trinity State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Sosa, Galilea Solo: 1st div
Stewart, Tristen Solo: 1st div
Villarino, Joel Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist
Westlund, Andrew Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist
Williams, Brandon Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Williams, Aubrey Solo: 1st div State Qualifying Soloist State Qualifying Ensemble Member
Subdivision Variance, Contracts With LexisNexis And Firetrol Approved
A subdivision variance request, the sale and removal of a home from Precinct 1 county property, an agreement for a security access control system, a budget amendment for purchase of a tractor for the jail trustees farm, and a contract for additional research tools for judges and prosecutors were approved by Hopkins County Commissioner Court during their regular meeting Monday
Brinker Water Supply request
Brinker Water Supply was given permission to lay a 4-inch water line on the east side of right-of-way on County Road 3528 starting at County Road 3600, and continuing north about 2,580 feet; and for a few road bores on County Road 3531.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley told commissioners that the water supply company is looking to improve a water line in the area. One landowner would not grant permission for the WSC to cross the property, so permission was being sought to let the water workers do the work needed along the county road to proceed with the project.
Bartley recommended the court allow the request. The motion received unanimous approval from the court.
Water Group Appointment
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said Bartley had been serving as the county’s representative on the North East Regional Water Planning Group. Bartley, he said, had indicated he does not wish to continue serving on the board. Thus, a new member would need to be appointed.
Newsom recommended Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker to serve as the representative, and said he’d be willing to serve as an alternate for the group.
The county judge said the group has some hard issues ahead to consider, including protecting local water rights while considering the needs of those in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for water.
The Commissioner Court approved Barker as the county’s representative and Newsom as alternate for the group.
Precinct 1 Home Sale Removal
Barker recommended accepting the high bid from among four received for the sale of a home to be moved from the Precinct 1 barn property.
The Precinct 1 Commissioner explained that when four acres of land was purchased for the barn years ago the property had a house on it. The house has been a county rent house. Barker decided to sell and have the house moved.
Bids included: Johnny Northcutt $1,250, Michael Northcutt $2,500, Debora Clements $3,001.50 and Cydney Williams $8,520. Barker recommended the bid from Williams be approved. The court accepted the bid from Williams.
Williams will be contacted and have 30 days to remove the home from the property. The funds received will go against the bond to repay the funding; it will not go to Precinct 1, according to Barker.
Budget Amendment
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office plans to utilize an unexpected $10,000 tech grant received from NCIC to the jail administrator, with no earmark on it, to apply toward purchase of a tractor for the jail Trustee Farm.
The total cost of the Kubota tractor is estimated at $30,250. Sheriff Lewis Tatum and Chief Deputy Tanner Crump proposed using the funds from NCIC, along with about $10,000 from the jail commissary fund and the rest from the seizure fund to purchase the tractor without using any taxpayer dollars.
Tatum said his office has been looking to purchase a tractor for the farm for a while. In the past, one has been borrowed from the Civic Center when needed at the farm. If they get one now, they should have it in time to plant potatoes on Friday in the farm garden.
Crump said the county changed companies Jan. 1 for the jail phone system. The county jail will receive more per call using the current system through NCIC. The new equipment arrived in January. The system should make it easier for families of inmates to add funding for inmates to use to make calls, and is better for investigative purposes as well, Tatum pointed out
To use the grant funding, the court had to agree to amend the budget to move the $10,000 from revenue to a farm expense line item, County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook noted. The court gave full approval for the amendment, so the tractor can be purchased for the jail.
Legal Research Tools
A subscription agreement with LexisNexis, Inc. for legal research tools for judges and prosecutors to use, as well as any others if necessary.
“I met with the judges last week, District Judge Eddie Northcutt and Clay Harrison, our county court-at-law judge. They asked for add a whole lot more research material for a little bit more amount of money. So, our price will go up in the contract,” Newsom.
The fee will increase from $609 a month to $638 a month this year and $657 a month next year under the agreement.
“We are saving probably saving $5,000 to $10,000 a year over what we used to do with West. We are parting company with West. We have left West and were are with Lexis only. I believe it’s a good buy,” Newsom said. “The judges say this should satisfy them to have all of the resources they need.
Funding for the resource is paid out of the law library fund, not the general fund, Aulsbrook noted. Filing fees through the court system have been appropriated for this fund, according to Newsom. Approximately $18,500 have been appropriated for the law library fund, according to Aulsbrook.
Subdivision Variance
Laura Peek asked for a variance from the county’s subdivision regulations.
Barker said he’d looked at the property in question. Peek is retiring and plans to sell 48 acres, keeping three for herself. There is a pool on it which would not give the full 200 feet.
“It’ll be like 13 feet less, 187 feet, than the rules require but it will not affect anything as far as emergency vehicles or anything of that nature,” Barker said.
The Commissioners Court approved the variance request.
JP security system
The court approved a $12,718 contract with Firetrol Protection Systems for a security/access control system to be put in at the Justices of the Peace and Tax Offices. The JPs have about $24,000 in a JP security fund that has not been spent; the funding would come from that fund.
This will allow a new system to be install to put the offices on the in-house system which goes directly to and is monitored by the sheriff’s office. This should mean quicker dispatch and response times should an alarm button be triggered by staff in the offices. It cuts out a step in the process. Previously a monitoring company would be alerted if an alarm is triggered, then notify the sheriff’s office, where a dispatchers would then send a deputy to check things out, according to Newsom and Tatum.
The new District Attorney and Clerk’s offices, and the District Court building are already on this system.
Affordable Housing Application
The Commissioners Court also passed a resolution supporting a housing tax credit application for Reserve at Sulphur Springs.
Newsom said that, unlike a lot of other counties, Hopkins County declared a state of disaster in 2018 due to the deluge of rainfall. As a result Hopkins County has enjoyed some benefits from the federal government. Along with that, Hopkins County has received a housing request to build a total of 80 units, rental property, in Sulphur Springs. The project needs city and county officials’ approved to submit the application for the project to proceed. The company will come in and build affordable housing for senior citizens and those in need of affordable housing, according to Newsom.
“It’s a unique opportunity and there is a particular company, which is Brian McGeady. They are going to call it the Reserve at Sulphur Springs. They are going to build it at Bell Street at League, so it’s in the city near Sulphur Springs Elementary,” Newsom said. “It’ll be a real asset to Hopkins County because we are real short of affordable housing right now.”
Newsom said with 100s projected to be coming into the area as solar farms are being constructed, affordable housing is even more of an issue to consider.
According to the resolution, McGeady plans to submit a full application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for funding through the Competitive Housing Tax Credit Program for proposed Reserve at Sulphur Springs. The resolution was read for the record and will be submitted to TDHCA.
Citizens Comments
County Road 1120 resident Dale Crumpton, during the portion of the meeting designated to citizens comments, asked why the road hasn’t received substantial improvements in the last 3 years. He said it was his understanding, FEMA funds had been awarded to the county and designated for repairs to CR 1120. He cited previous conversations and attempts which were unsuccessful in attaining an answer to that question.
Crumpton said recently his new four-wheel drive all terrain vehicle hit a pothole it just about knocked the vehicle off the road. The front end of the vehicle had to be repaired. He was asked if he’d hit a curb. He said his granddaughter’s vehicle had a tire and wheel damaged due to the road. He said he was told the road is so bad that a dump truck can’t be driven down it.
Even with precinct workers patching the road, putting gravel out it’s still like a roller coaster, according to Crumpton.
He said one neighbor had taken to painting the potholes white so people can see and try to avoid them. This has proved helpful during rain, when pot holes fill up and are hard to see.
Crumpton said he was told the road was to be fixed, ditches to be cleared and the road bed to be raised. He wanted to know why those things have not been achieved.
Barker said he couldn’t speak for anything the previous commissioner, but did know funding had been allotted by FEMA for road repairs. Oil and sand were put down to the north of the road. Crews have brush cut, picked up logs and trees and packed the roads. He said road crews are limited in what repairs can be done in winter due to the weather.
Crumpton was invited by Barker to wait until the conclusion of the regular court meeting so he could talk with him about the matter. Crumpton appeared to take him up on that offer.
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Javier Aguayo Sees Possibility of a Good Start in District Play
The Lady Cats Soccer Team picked up a win in their last game Friday (February 7) before the start of district play on Tuesday night. Friday the Lady Cats won at Gerald Prim Stadium, 2-1 over Nevada Community. The Lady Cats won despite missing several other opportunities to score. Freshman Rebekah Stanley continued to impress as she had a goal after an assist from Janine Yamaguchi. Haley Robinson also added an unassisted goal. Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats played great and controlled the game. He added Community Coach Macy Hurley, a former Lady Cats and UT-Tyler goalkeeper, is doing a good job at Community. He said the Lady Braves also had several very good players. Coach Aguayo promoted three JV players to the varsity and he said they all played well. He said the Lady Cats defense made no mistakes. From what he can determine, Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats first two district opponents have struggled to win so far this season. The Lady Cats host Greenville Tuesday night and Lindale Friday night. Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats are beginning to play better now and he added he is very proud of them.
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.
