Thursday Night at the Library
Please note the date this week of our last Hopkins County Reads program for our current book selections.
We will welcome Ken Hanushek, PJC History professor, to talk about past Olympic inspirational moments along with the wonderful book, Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown.
All this will happen at the library Thursday night February 27 at 6pm. Don’t miss it!
Everyone Counts In The US Census, Which Begins In March
It’s time for the U.S. Census. Everyone who lives in the United States is required by law to participate.
The Census Bureau is also required by law to protect all answers. Responses are only used to produce statistics; no personal information is allowed to be disclosed, according to the Census Bureau website.
The results of the U.S. Census 2020 are used to determine how much funding local communities receive for key public services.
“Correct apportionment of federal dollars for health, education, transportation, child and elder care, emergency preparation and response, public and social support programs of all kinds depends on complete and accurate age, population and other ethnic and demographic information gathered every 10 years,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said in October, when the Commissioners Court signed a resolution calling for a Census 2020 Complete Count Committee.
“It’s very important to get a good count of the citizens we have,” because those counts impact grants as well as other state and federal programs and funding, Newsom noted.
Among the 132 federal programs impacted by on census data are:
- Medicaid
- Medicare Part B
- State Children’s Health Insurance
- Federal Pell Grant Program
- National School Lunch Program
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Head Start
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants, and Children (WIC) - School Breakfast Program
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
- Unemployment Insurance
- Adoption Assistance
- Crime Victim Assistance
- Assistance to Firefighters Grant
- Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants
- Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse
- Social Services Block Grant
- Career and Technical Education – Basic Grants to States
- Adult Education – Basic Grants to States
- Child Welfare Services State Grants
- Special Education Preschool Grants
- Family Violence Prevention and Services/Grants for
Battered Women’s Shelters Grants to States and Indian
Tribes - State Wildlife Grants
- Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities State Grants
- Child Abuse and Neglect State Grants
- Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault,
and Stalking Assistance Program - Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities – Grants for
Protection and Advocacy Systems
The Census is used for the allocation of representatives with the legislative bodies of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Texas State Legislature and within the Hopkins County voting districts.
The Census is also used in planning for future growth, development and social needs of Hopkins County,
In March, Texas households will begin receive mail from the Census Bureau explaining how to complete the 2020 survey. U.S. residents will have three options for reporting their information to the Census Bureau: respond online, by phone or by mail.
No permanent address? No problem. Even people who are experiencing homelessness are to be counted in the Census. From March 30 – April 1, the Census Bureau is scheduled to count people in shelters, at soup kitchens and mobile food vans, on the streets, and at non-sheltered, outdoor locations such as tent encampments.
April 1 has been designated as Census Day. Every home should have received an invitation to by April 1 to participate in the 2020 Census. Residents are asked to respond by that date.
In April, Census takers are scheduled to begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.
Census takers are scheduled from May through July to begin visiting homes that haven’t responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted.
All information will be tallied, with apportionment counts delivered in December to the President and Congress, as required by law.
By March 31, 2021, the Census Bureau states will use census data to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.
State agencies are not only urging residents to participate but to encourage their family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to do so as well. For those who use social media, officials encourage them to use #ShapeYourFuture.
To learn more, visit the United States Census 2020 website or click here to view a sample copy of the Census
Wildcats Tennis Player Jonah Kirkpatrick Signs Letter With East Texas Baptist University Tuesday
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez was afraid he might choke up while talking about senior Jonah Kirkpatrick, who signed a letter of intent Tuesday morning (February 25) to attend and play college tennis at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall. Coach Martinez said he began coaching Kirkpatrick in his first year playing tennis in the seventh grade at Sulphur Springs Middle School. Now Kirkpatrick is the captain of the varsity Wildcats Tennis Team. He’s been a varsity tennis team member for four years. Kirkpatrick says he has wanted to play tennis in college since the seventh grade. He learned more about the ETBU program at a showcase event in August. They liked him and gave him an offer which he accepted. Kirkpatrick says ETBU has a good program and he adds he’s excited to be a part of it. Kirkpatrick has excelled at both singles and doubles as a Wildcat. He says he may well continue to play both singles and doubles at ETBU but he says he prefers doubles. Kirkpatrick is currently matched with sophomore Jeauxleigh Cantu on the Wildcats highly successful mixed doubles team. They took first place at a John Tyler sponsored Tyler tournament on Friday. Kirkpatrick says Cantu is a solid player and a great doubles partner. He says she covers parts of the court he can’t get to and he notes they have each other’s back. Kirkpatrick has high hopes the duo will be advancing from district to regional and perhaps even state this season. Kirkpatrick likes the town of Marshall and especially the university there, He says he wants to become a tennis coach. Coach Martinez is not surprised by that. He says Kirkpatrick is always available to help younger members of the team. Coach Martinez says Kirkpatrick will do well at ETBU. He says he excels at all facets of tennis and is good at both singles and doubles. He says Kirkpatrick has good hands that tennis coaches are looking for.
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.
Softball and Soccer are on the Schedule on Game Day Tuesday
The Lady Cats Softball Team and the Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer Teams have games on this game day Tuesday (February 25).
The Lady Cats softball game scheduled for Tuesday evening in Mineola has been moved to a dryer Lady Cat Park. There will be a JV game at 5 p.m. and a varsity game at 6:30 p.m. The Lady Cats are off to a slow start going 1-4 in their own Sulphur Springs Tournament. Those games were moved to artificial turf in Grand Saline due to wet weather. Veteran Softball Coach David Carrillo is not one to hit the panic button due to the slow start.
The Wildcats Soccer Team is playing a district match at Royse City Tuesday. There is a JV match at 5:30 p.m. The varsity game will follow at 7:15 p.m. The Wildcats are 3-1 in district play and 9-5-5 for the season. This game marks the end of the first half of district play.
The Lady Cats Soccer Team hosts Royse City at Gerald Prim Stadium Tuesday night. There is a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. The varsity game is at 7:15 p.m. The Lady Cats are 3-1 in district play and 7-7-1 for the season. KSST Radio will bring you Lady Cats and Lady Bulldogs soccer from The Prim beginning at 7:15 p.m. The match will be videotaped for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
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 Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta Liked the Way the Wildcats Played Against Lufkin Monday
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta admitted the Wildcats have been up and down lately but he said he was pleased to see the team he saw Monday night (February 24) in a 78-55 bi-district win over Lufkin at Tyler Junior College. He said they played at a high level that he knows they are capable of at both ends of the floor. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats were locked in and did a good job of executing the game plan He said he believes the Wildcats are a hungry group that wants to continue their journey and are doing things to do that. Senior Day Day Hall led the Wildcats with 34 points. Coach Cipoletta said Hall played out of his mind and he called him an amazing player. He said Hall had a well balanced game both inside the out and just made play after play. Coach Cipoletta said Hall put the team on his back and set the tone from the start. He also praised the other Wildcats for their roles in the win. Coach Cipoletta said he did not know if the Wildcats became bored with district play causing up and down play but he said he saw a different team last night. Wildcats Assistant Team Sean Coleman said he detected an edge to the Wildcats play Monday night he had not seen since successful tournament play. Coach Cipoletta and his staff will be scouting their next opponent Tuesday night as Red Oak, ranked #12 in Class 5A, plays West Mesquite at DeSoto.
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.
Arkansas Woman Allegedly Gave False Name To Avoid Warrant Arrest
A 25-year-old Pine Bluff, Arkansas woman allegedly gave troopers a false name because she thought she had an outstanding warrant. While a records check did not reveal any Arkansas warrants, the woman did go to jail on marijuana possession and failure to identify charges, according to jail reports.
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper reportedly stopped a Nissan Altima driven by the woman’s fiance at 1:17 p.m. Feb. 24 on Interstate 30 at mile marker 129 for a traffic violation. Upon contact with the vehicle’s occupants, the trooper alleged he could smell a burned marijuana odor coming from inside the vehicle.
The female passenger claimed she didn’t have any identification with her. However, when the trooper asked the driver and passenger individually for the woman’s name, they gave different answers, the DPS officer alleged in arrest reports. When asked if she was being truthful, she allegedly admitted her fiance had given her correct name, not her. She reportedly told the trooper she gave a false name because she thought she had a warrant out of Arkansas for her arrest. A records check revealed no warrants, however, according to arrest reports.
A partially smoked marijuana cigar was allegedly located under the seat where she’d been sitting, resulting in not only the woman’s arrest on the misdemeanor charge of failure to identify by intentionally giving false information but also a misdemeanor possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge, according to arrest reports.
She was released from Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Feb. 25, on $2,000 bond on the failure to ID charge and $1,000 bond on the marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
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.
