Basketball and Soccer on Tap on Tuesday Game Day
There is Lady Cats Basketball and Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer on this Tuesday game day.
The Lady Cats Basketball Team hopes to even their season record in district play as they play host to the Lindale Lady Eagles Tuesday evening in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School. There will be a JV game at 5 p.m. with the varsity game to follow at around 6:15 p.m. The Lady Eagles come in 1-0 in district play after a win on Friday against Mount Pleasant, 59-57. The Lady Cats are 0-1 in district play after their loss to #12 ranked Royse City, 65-41 Saturday at home. The Lady Cats are having a tough time with injuries. Saturday senior Colbria Harrison injured an ankle right before halftime against the Lady Bulldogs. Saturday the Lady Cats were also missing freshmen Kenzie Willis, out with an ankle injury, and Serenity Lewis, out with a bone bruise in a foot. The Lady Cats still have seven players based on the roster for Saturday’s game. Several JV players have been promoted. KSST Radio will bring you the Lindale and Lady Cats varsity game Tuesday at around 6:15 p.m. featuring live video and audio streaming. After the game, the contest will be posted to YouTube and will be broadcast at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
The Lady Cats Soccer Team will be at home at Gerald Prim Stadium hosting the Princeton Lady Panthers. There will be a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. The varsity match starts at around 7:15 p.m. The Lady Cats are hoping to get their first victory of the season. They tied North Lamar, 2-2 at home on January 7 and then went 0-2 in the Pine Tree Lady Pirate Showcase this past weekend losing to Jacksonville and host Pine Tree. The Lady Cats are 0-2-1
Meanwhile the Wildcats Soccer Team is playing at West Mesquite. There will be a JV game at 5:30 p.m. The varsity is set to begin at around 7:15 p.m. The Wildcats are 2-4-1 for the season. They were 1-2 in the 2020 Lobo Invitational Tournament in Longview this past weekend losing close games to Lufkin and Forney and getting a big win against Jacksonville.
SSISD Declines Requests To Amend Agreements For Arbala Solar Farm, Approve Agreement For Another
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Monday night declined the amended agreements for one solar farm but approved those for another.
SSISD school board on Dec. 10, 2018, approved an agreement for Solemio, after the Comptroller’s Officer reported it met the Chapter 313 agreement requirements, provided total employment requirement is waived. The project was to be for a 100 MW solar electric generating facility to be constructed on four properties in the Arbala area which would provide full-time jobs with competitive salaries. It was to have a 100 megawatt capacity, feature 277,812 photovoltaic panels and 32 central inverters. The project was formerly an Alpin Sun project, but shortly thereafter was picked up by Pattern Development.
Pattern Development officials in January 2019 said the project is actually a $65 million project due to limited topographical issues. The Pattern representatives at that time said they were looking for more land to add to the solar farm project. They have since presented amended reinvestment zone and agreements with adjustment made to incorporate the adjustments.
The school board was scheduled to vote on documents regarding the solar farms at a special Dec. 19 meeting. However, following concerns voiced by several community members during public forum, and a nearly 30 minute executive session, the trustees voted to table the action items until further discussion and consideration.
SSISD Superintendent Michael Lamb told trustees Monday night that he met Dec. 23 with four of the community members who voiced concerns during the Dec. 19 meeting regarding the proposed solar farms, especially Solemio LLC in Arbala.
“We had great dialog. We visited back and forth on why its a benefit to us, what they don’t care, don’t like about it. We just ended up having really good dialog, coming to some places of agreement, and I think as represented by nobody here to be upset about it tonight is a sign that what they told me was true,” Lamb said.
Monday night, the items regarding the solar farms were again on the agenda for trustees’ consideration. At that time, Lamb noted that the time limit on the Solemio application for an amended reinvestment zone and agreement for limited property tax value had expired.
Solemio LLC
“I’m going to recommend for C, D and E, that’s the Solemio project, we ran out of time. We couldn’t say yes to that if we wanted to, so we either just have no action or actually make a recommendation to vote no. Just for easiness, my recommendation is that you make a recommendation as a group C, D and E, you vote no on those,” Lamb told the trustees.
The trustees, on a motion by Board Vice President Robert Cody and seconded by John Prickette, unanimously declined the resolution designating a new reinvestment zone for the Solemio project.
Cody made the motion, seconded by Leesa Toliver to decline amended findings of fact in connection with the application to amend the agreement for the Solemio project. It also received unanimous approval from the school board.
Cody then made the motion, seconded by Kerry Wright, declining the requested amendment to the agreement for a limitation on appraised value of property for school district maintenance and operations taxes for the Solemio project.
That leaves in place the original Solemio LLC project agreement approved by SSISD Board of Trustees on Dec. 10, 2018, after the Comptroller’s Officer reported it met the Chapter 313 agreement requirements, provided total employment requirement is waived. It will be up to the developer whether to continue the project without incentives for additional property added to the proposal.
Hopkins Energy LLC
The trustees then were asked Monday night, Jan. 13, to considered for Hopkins Energy LLC a proposed reinvestment zone, findings of fact in connection with and an application for a limitation on appraised property value for school district maintenance and operations taxes reviewed by the Comptroller’s Office, and an agreement under Texas Economic Development Act for limited appraised value for SSISD M&O taxes.
Lamb recommended approving those agreements for the solar farm proposed for the Dike area, 60 percent of which would be located within the boundaries of Sulphur Bluff ISD and the remaining 40 percent would be within the boundaries of SSISD.
“I think everybody agrees those are beneficial for us and we want to go in that direction,” Lamb said.
Trustee Jason Dietze made the motion, which Craig Roberts seconded, to adopt Resolution 2-20 designating Hopkins Energy LLC Reinvestment Zone #2. The motion received unanimous approval.
Dietze also made the motion, seconded by Cody, to accept the Findings of Fact in connection with Hopkins Energy LLC’s application to the comptroller for limitation on appraised value of property for the school district M&O taxes. The motion receive unanimous approval of the board.
Dietze and Cody too made the motion to grant an agreement with Hopkins Energy LLC for a limitation on appraised value of property for SSISD M&O taxes.
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Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Child Porn Charges
An investigation by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office reportedly resulted in a 38-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s arrest on two child pornography charges Monday night.
The investigation was launched after sheriff’s investigators received cyber tips of suspected child pornography. The information was linked to a local internet account. During the investigation, through the legal process, the account was found to be registered to Julian Kesten Freeman Jr. at a Merrell Drive address, a Hopkins County sheriff’s investigator reported Tuesday morning.
Sheriff’s officers obtained and served a warrant to search for digital, videography, photography and additional items of child pornography at the Merrell Drive residence. Officials found and recovered items for further investigation, HCSO Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford and Deputy Chris Baumann alleged in arrest reports.
The officers were made aware when Freeman was expected to return to the residence, contacted him and detained him at about 9:15 p.m. Jan. 13. When questioned, Freeman admitted to being in possession of child pornography, Weatherford and Baumann alleged in arrest reports. A check of Freeman’s phone allegedly confirmed his admission that it contained more than one image of child pornography.
Freeman was arrested and jailed on two charges of possession of child pornography. He remained in the county jail Tuesday morning, Jan. 14; his bond was set at $100,000 per charge.
3 Arrested For Violating Probation
Two Commerce men and a Sulphur Springs man were taken into custody Monday at the adult probation office on warrants.
Rian Auriel Ramirez, 26, of Commerce was taken into custody Monday morning, and transported by Cpl. Todd Evans to the county jail. He was held for violation of probation on an intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury, according to arrest reports.
Ramirez’s arrest Jan. 13 marks the second time in less than a year he has been jailed in Hopkins County for violation of probation on the charge. He was also arrested May 6, 2019, for violating probation on the charge, and remained in the county jail until June 27, 2019, according to jail reports.
Marc Anthony Flannigan, 31, of Commerce was taken into custody at 4:45 p.m. by Deputy Dan Turrentine and transported to the county jail for violation of probation, which he was on for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Flannigan’s arrest Jan. 13 marks the second time in less than a month he was booked into Hopkins County jail. He was also arrested Dec. 22, 2019, on a second offense driving while intoxicated charge and a possession of marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
Lanny Dale Hill, 54, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody at 9:15 a.m. by Deputy Dan Turrentine for violation of probation, according to arrest reports.
Hill was on probation for aggravated assault of a date, family or household member with a weapon charge, according to arrest and jail reports. At the time of his arrest on Feb. 12, 2019 on the charge, Hill was accused of threatening to kill a female with a hammer.
Sulphur Springs Resident Accused Of Aggravated Sexual Assault
A 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody at his residence early Tuesday morning on a warrant for aggravated sexual assault, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County sheriff’s office became involved Monday when an outcry was made by a female connected to his family alleging aggravated sexual assault, according to sheriff’s reports.
The alleged victim reportedly spoke with investigators. The investigation team determined the elements of an aggravated sexual assault were present.
Sheriff’s officers sought a warrant for suspect Charles Edward Horne Jr.’s arrest. Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings signed the warrant around midnight. Deputies Bobby Osornio, Zach Horne and Sgt. Scott Davis served the man with the warrant and took him into custody at 12:23 a.m. Jan. 14 at his rural Sulphur Springs address, according to arrest reports.
Wildcats Basketball Team Rides Stifling Second Half Defense To Victory Over McKinney North
For the first half of the #4 ranked Wildcats Basketball Team’s home game against McKinney North Monday evening, January 13, the Bulldogs deliberate offense looked to be a key to success.
The Bulldogs led the Wildcats 11-7 after the first quarter and 21-17 at halftime. During the second half, the Wildcats got some key steals, pounded the offensive glass and most importantly turned up the defensive pressure. As a result, the Wildcats yielded only 4 third quarter points and 4 more in the fourth quarter to take a 40-29 victory at the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School Monday night.
Cameron Kahn, held to just 2 first half points, chipped in ten second half points. Kahn and Day Day Hall crashed the offensive boards during the second half. Hall led the Wildcats with 13 points and Kahn had 12. Grayson McClure had 6 points on two three-pointers. Boo Wilkerson had 5 points including a trey. Justin Haire and Lamodrick Johnson has 2 points each. The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Chase Antosca with 9 points.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 18-6. Next the Wildcats open district play at Greenville Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Cats will also play Greenville that night starting at 6:15 p.m.
Injury Bug Biting Lady Cats Basketball Team Hard
The Lady Cats Basketball Team is going through a rough stretch of injuries as key district games are coming up.
Saturday, January 10, senior Colbria Harrison suffered an ankle injury very late in the second quarter of the Lady Cats, 65-41 loss to #12 ranked Royse City. The Lady Cats were already having to do without freshman Kenzie Willis, out with an ankle injury, and freshman Serenity Lewis, out with a bone bruise on a foot. The Lady Cats are down to 7 players based on players that were available Saturday.
Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell was proud of her team for hanging with Royse City for the last three quarters after falling behind by 18 points in the first quarter. Somehow the Lady Cats managed to score 41 points Saturday despite missing two of their best scorers.
Key scorers Saturday were 6-foot-2 post Hannah Cordell, a sophomore, and this year’s only returning starter, junior Nylah Lindley. Coach Tisdell said Lindley, who played with determination, had one of her best games of the season. Coach Tisdell said Cordell is beginning to figure things out in her first year of playing high school basketball.
The Lady Cats are 0-1 in district play and 7-17 for the season. The Lady Cats play Lindale Tuesday evening at home in both teams’ second district game of the season.
Plat Request Tabled; Red Cross, Fire Protection Agreements Approved By Hopkins County Commissioners Court
January 13, 2020 – Hopkins County Commissioner Court made short work of Monday’s regular meeting, going through the agenda in about 15 minutes.
Plat Request
The court was asked to consider approving a plat request to separate two lots in Together Good Deeds II Addition to sell. County Clerk Tracy Smith told the court the land in question is located in Cumby and had received approval from the City of Cumby to provide sewer and water services. County rules require commissioners approval for the action. The county guidelines require proof of provision of water and resources.
When asked about the property and request Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price said he hadn’t viewed the property and wasn’t familiar with the request. He made the motion for the plat request to be tabled. The motion was seconded by Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley and approved by the court.
Red Cross Agreement
The Commissioners Court approved a space license agreement with the American Red Cross, for the agency to use and assume responsibility for insurance a county office space.
The agreement is more or less a formality, Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley noted. Previously, the local chapter operated from the fire station. However, when the environmental division moved to the fire department, the Red Cross was asked to move. They have been located in the old Fidelity Express drive-through building, located behind the courthouse annex, across from First Baptist Church. The agreement wasn’t enacted previously because the space was primarily occupied by the Chamber of Commerce, until their Main Street offices were ready for them to move into.
The office is provided by the count to the Red Cross at no cost, and also provides space for Salvation Army and CERT as well. The Red Cross will provide insurance in case something happens to the building during their occupancy, according to Endsley.
Bartley made the motion, seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker, approving the agreement. The motion received unanimous approval from the Commissioners Court.
Financial
Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook asked the court to allow the $1,050 Precinct 3 received from selling scrap equipment to be moved from a revenue to an equipment fund for Precinct 3. The motion, by Bartley and seconded by Barker, also received unanimous approval of the court.
Fire Departments
Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved on a motion from Price and seconded by Barker, the fire protection contract returned signed by Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department officials.
The deadline for all VFDs to return a signed fire protection contract to the county in order to receive county funding is Feb. 2. All of the other department have already gotten their contracts in and approved, except one.
Endsley said Arbala VFD, the only department that has yet to sign a contract with the county, is scheduled to hold a meeting next Sunday to discuss and approve the contract.
Also announced was that commissioners would be meeting with volunteer fire department chiefs during their monthly meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the training room at Hopkins County Fire Station.
Fire Works Sales
The Commissioners Court too was asked to approve three resolutions authorizing sales of fireworks in Hopkins County for three occasions.
“Fire work sales are a really important part of the economy for some people and for our community. If we don’t approve it, we cannot have the fireworks at other odd times,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said. “There’s three holidays that we have to approve for our fireworks sales to go forward”
Newsom proposed and Bartley seconded the motion approving the resolutions authorizing sales of fireworks for Independence Day, San Jacinto Day and Memorial Day in Hopkins County. The motion was unanimously approved.
The motion, made by Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom and seconded by Bartley, was unanimously approved.
Training Credits
Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent Johanna Hicks presents Barker and Bartley with certificates recognizing them for completion of 6 hours of educational training at the District 4 Northeast Texas Continuing Education Conference Held Dec. 5 in Mount Pleasant for commissioners and judges. She said although no certificate was provided, the county judge too attended the conference.
The commissioners noted the conference to be an “excellent” conference, and “one of the best conferences” they have attended.
Utility facilities
The commissioners court approved requests from Farmers Electric Coop to construct electric power distribution facilities over County Road 3310 and County Road 3530. Bartley said he’d looked at both and was recommending approving the request. Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin second the motion, which received unanimous approval, along with the previous meeting minutes as part of the consent agenda.
Public Forum
Candidate Bryan Slaton introduced himself during public forum and described a political situation in Austin he wanted to make those present aware of, which he said would impact cities and counties.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Powerlifters Off to a Good Start After Sulphur Springs Meet on Saturday
Sulphur Springs Powerlifting Coach Casey Jeter said he was happy with his team’s fourth place finish at the Sulphur Springs Powerlifting Meet held Saturday (January 11). He said he was proud of his lifters who he said have put in a lot of hard work, some since September. Three Lady Cats competed: Addy Lamb, Rory Young and Sable Erdmier. Coach Jeter has especially high hopes for Erdmier who he thinks can be a top five finisher at the State Meet this year. He said Erdmier shocked a lot of people with her 350 pound dead lift and how easy she made it look. Coach Jeter said senior George Greenway and Jesse Carrillo were both currently in the top five in the state after Saturday’s lifting. He said Greenway lifted 1450 pounds Saturday besting the state qualifying total by 50 pounds. Coach Jeter said right now no one in the region is even close to Greenway and Carrillo. Carrillo’s brother Ryan also had a big lifting day Saturday as did Chad Maynard. Coach Jeter said newcomer Raydon McCormack also had a good meet Saturday. Being a first meet, Coach Jeter saw lots of his lifters with the potential to lift a lot more weight in weeks ahead. The next meet for Sulphur Springs is at Emory Rains on Saturday, January 25.
