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.
Wildcats Basketball Playoff Game Now at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Coach Cip Discusses Lufkin Saturday
The Wildcats Basketball Team’s bi-district game against Lufkin at Tyler Junior College Monday (February 24) will now start at 7:30 p.m. and will now be the second half of a doubleheader. The Wildcats are the home team. On KSST and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show, Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta discussed Luflin. He said they are really good and he noted that the Wildcats faced the Panthers in the regional quarterfinal game at TJC last year. The Wildcats won that game, 56-44. Lufkin was actually up, 18-16 at the half. The Wildcats outscored the Panthers, 40-26 in the last two quarters to get the win. Coach Cipoletta said last year’s Lufkin team was perhaps the best defensive team the Wildcats faced last year. He said the Panthers return three key players off of last year’s team. One, a big man, was the district MVP last year, and will be one of the best post players the Wildcats have faced this year, according to Coach Cip. The second returnee is a long, lanky guard and can shoot the 3. A third is the Lufkin quarterback on the football team who also has basketball skills. Coach Cipoletta said the Panthers may not be quite as good defensively as they were last year but he said they are probably better offensively. KSST Radio will bring you Lufkin and Sulphur Springs bi-district basketball with live audio streaming from Tyler Junior College beginning at around 7:30 p.m. The game will also 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.
CTE: EMT Class Offered At Sulphur Springs High School
At Sulphur Springs High School 270 students are involved in the health science programs, more than any other offered. To give as many students as possible a leg up when it comes to career training, the school works to offer as many opportunities and courses as possible. Students for a few years have had the opportunity, after successfully completing course work, to test to become a Certified Nurse Assistant or a Certified Medical Assistant.
This year, another course was offered for students interested in the emergency medical services field – an EMT program.
THE BASICS
Beginning this year, students interested in careers in emergency services who have met other requirements could apply for the practicum emergency medical technician programming. At the end of the course, students who are 18 and have satisfactorily completed the practicum will have the option to take the National Registry test to obtain EMT Basics certification.
SSHS is operating through the state to offer the class. Traditional EMT classes at a college or academy typically cost $6,000 for tuition. Books and uniforms add another couple of hundred dollars to the cost at those facilities. That’s not the case for SSHS students, instructor Brynn Smith noted.
“These kids take it for free. That’s a huge asset that we are able to do. These students could potentially walk the stage at graduation as an EMT,” Smith said. “Their only cost is uniform and the cost of the book, if they elect to buy it.”
The school provides a classroom set of text books for the EMTS students to use. However, students can opt to purchase the book to have at home so they can highlight and make notes in their own copy.
There is also a fee to take the National Registry EMT certification test.
Each EMT student has taken principles of health science, health science technology and as well as a practicum in health science and anatomy and physiology as their fourth science credit, according to SSHS College and Career Readiness/CTE Director Jenny Arledge.
Students in first practicum class shadow professionals at various medical facilities across town. At the end of the year, they then are asked to consider what particular area of medicine they want to specialize in.
This year, students like senior Reagan Kesting, who plans to one day become a trauma surgeon, and Kamryn Millard, who plans to become a registered nurse, have the option of taking the MA or EMT course. Currently, 25 are enrolled in the MA class and 10 in the EMT class. Kesting is enrolled in and could potentially earn both by the time he graduates from SSHS, according to Smith.
SSHS goes through ABC Resources, an established program with more than 20 years of success, including with Rockwall and Northwest High Schools, according to Smith, a licensed paramedic with 17 years experience.
The EMT class is a full year course available to seniors only, as students must be 18 years old to become an EMT.
Starting in December, students begin “clincials,” that is working alongside medical professionals in an emergency room and on an ambulance to practice the skills they’ve learned.
CLASS WORK
“The National Registry says we have to have so many hours of clinicals to even be able to sit on the test. So, that test is comprised of everything we’ve learned throughout the whole course, all the book work, all the things that we have seen on the clinicals,” said Kesting.
To get ready for clinical rotations the SSHS EMT students spend the first semester learning from the book information and skills that are required of an EMT. Students practice the skills they’ve learned after each chapter, gaining hands-on training in the lab in readiness for the time they will work with medical professionals in the community.
“I’ve worked in this for a long time, in it for 17 years. I’ve seen, sometimes, when students are sent out they are lacking certain skills that are essential on a truck. Loading patients up on stretcher, making a stretcher bed after a call, cleaning the equipment. So, I like to teach these students that before they go out on their clinicals so they are useful from day one,” Smith said.
“Once we do hands-on,” Millard said, “It makes it a bit easier to remember, that way when we go out for clinicals we’re pretty much set,” said Millard.
“These kids are neat to watch. You bring a new tool out in front of them and they are eager to put it on each other and try it out. It’s pretty neat,” Smith said.
While blood work is included in the MA program, it is not in the scope of practice for the EMT students. They will, however, bet able to give some medications, some medical interventions, a lot of patient assessment as well as the ABC (airway, breathing, circulation) essential, according to Smith.
“The students are responsible for taking care of newborn premature babies all the way up to someone who’s over 100 years old. They have to know how to take car of them medically, and if they have sustained a trauma. It definitely gives them an edge up on patient care, because they have to know all of that. It’s a hard class, probably the hardest one they’ll ever have to take because it’s not about what they know in the book. It’s about what they apply to a real life,” Smith said.
While lessons and skills practice occurs in class, the class requires a lot of dedication on the part of the students.
“It definitely does require a lot of your personal time at home, a lot of studying, and just taking the time to make sure you have your skills down,” Millard said. “You have your most major skills, you need to make sure you study and have those down.”
While the class if very time consuming, students say it’s worth the effort. And, while studying for tests is important, what’s more important are the skills and experience attained.
“We have a saying in class, we never study to pass a test. We always study for the day we’re the only thing between a patient and the grave,” Kesting explained. “That sounds a little morbid, but in real life it’s us and the patient. It’s just us and a partner in the middle of potentially nowhere with supplies only in a truck. It’s very vigorous.”
And, the clinicals that allow them to utilize those skills in the field don’t occur during regular school hours either.
“They do it when school’s not in session. Breaks or an upcoming Monday off. Anytime that school’s not in session.” Smith said. “They’ll usually do up to 14 hour shifts. They are literally putting all of this knowledge to use by saving lives. It’s a neat possibility.”
So far, only five students have done clinical rotations, but spring break is coming up and students are taking advantage of school holidays such as President’s Day to work in the ER or with EMS. They’re taking it seriously and making an impact, according to Smith.
“People that they’ve ridden out with have said these students are very mature and they can see them becoming part of the EMS family in the future. It’s neat to see that. These tenured EMS employees are seeing that these students have potential even at their young age because of their maturity level,” Smith said.
FUTURE PLANNING
Kesting said he feels very fortunate to be able to take the EMT class this year. He sees it as a “great stepping stone” to the future. Attaining the EMT certification, he can apply to work on an ambulance anywhere in the country. That will allow him to earn money while he attends college and medical school.
The students recommend the class to any SSHS students who are considering a medical career.
“I think it’s a very eye opening experience. I think you learn a lot, and you won’t regret it at all,” Millard said.
Kesting agreed, noting the exposure the class and program provide to many different medical careers while out in the community alongside Emergency Medical Services personnel as part of clinical as well as during the junior level shadowing practicum.
Millard says although she’s most interested in working as a nursery or OB nurse, she’ll gain valuable experience in the EMT class. EMTS interact with child patients and may even have expectant mothers in the back of their ambulances as patients.
“When I do go to college and I do work on the back of an ambulance, I will definitely get exposure to that. So, I don’t think it will be as hard when I actually go to work, because I already have that exposure and I already know what to do,” Millard said.
“EMTs nowadays can work in ERs, doctors’ offices, ambulance. There’s lot more to offer now than 17 years ago. I think a lot of employers are seeing the potential, how valuable they can be because they know pediatrics up to geriatrics. I think they are starting to see the asset that they are,” Smith said.
CTE PROGRAM EXPANSION
Starting next year, SSHS students on the emergency services track will also have the option of taking a firefighting course their junior year of high school then as a senior take the EMT course, according to Smith.
“These two programs work together to give students the opportunity to be EMT certified and for those in the Fire Fighter Program to be Fire certified,” Arledge noted.
As long as they are successful in the EMT course, they can become firefighters upon graduation. Students will be required to pass the Fire Commission test to earn firefighter certification and the National Registry test to for EMT certification.
“That saves them probably $9,000 by doing that in high school. Then, they can automatically go out and seek a good career. If this is not something that they build upon, it’s something they can work on forever. Some of the best doctors I know even CRNAs, even ones at our hospital, started out as an EMTs,” Smith said. “I think it just makes you a better medical provider for whatever route you decide to go on.”
KSST Radio is helping SSHS celebrate Career and Technical Education Month by featuring interviews with students highlighting a few of the CTE programs offered at school. Check out KSSTRadio.com and our YouTube Channel for more CTE features.
