Wildcats Basketball Coach Cipoletta Talks Teamwork
Wildcats Basketball Coach Delighted With the Way His Team Shared the Basketball In Big Win
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta says he had not had a team score 100 points since he’s been Head Coach in Sulphur Springs, until Tuesday night. The Wildcats defeated Pleasant Grove, 103-52 Tuesday night at home. Coach Cipoletta’s Wildcats did score 94 points in a win over Princeton last season back in January. After the game Tuesday, Coach Cipoletta was much more interested in discussing how his team played Tuesday. He says just about everyone on his team has the ability to shoot the ball well enough to extend defenses. Coach Cipoletta says the Wildcats were hitting on all cylinders Tuesday night. He says his team loves to share the ball finding teammates who have better shots than the passes does. Coach Cipoletta says if the Wildcats keep doing that, they can really be a special team. He comments on the break out night for point guard Lamodrick Johnson, who scored 20 points. He says Johnson is very dynamic with the ball and is a nightmare to guard one on one. He says the Wildcats hit some outside shots early that caused the Hawks’ defense to spread out. Coach Cipoletta says Johnson took advantage of that to penetrate inside. He says he was pleased with the effort and results he got from bench players Ja’Tavian Hall, Caleb Alexander and Malique Cole. Coach Cipoletta also comments on senior Grayson McClure who hit 4 three pointers Tuesday night. He says McClure went 0 for 6 during the Decatur game last Saturday. He says he was pleased when McClure’s first three point shot went in Tuesday. McClure seemed to get into a special zone in a third quarter stretch when he hit three three-pointers. The 2-0 Wildcats, ranked #5 in Class 5A, play Byron Nelson Tuesday in Trophy Club, located 20 miles north of Fort Worth near Denton.
Douglass ECLC Partnering With Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Families Invited To Register All Children Age 4 Or Younger To Receive Free Books
Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center has partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and hopes to get all Hopkins County children, 4 years old or younger, registered to receive free books.
“Two years ago, Mothers’ Culture Club generously provided seed money to get the program up and running. With the district’s decision to restructure, kickoff was postponed. We are excited to say that Douglass ECLC students are now registered and currently receiving books!” said Kristin Monk, Sulphur Springs ISD assistant superintendent of elementary education and learner services.
Each child with a completed registration form will begin receiving one book per month throughout the fourth year of life. A child enrolled at birth will own a personal library of 60 books by the time he or she enters kindergarten. Siblings in the home may also be registered.
The are no qualifying or disqualifying components for participation other than the child must be four years of age or younger. ANY child, no matter the economic status, nor how many children reside in the home, may be registered to receive books. There is zero cost for participation.
Additional information about the program can be found at the following link: https://imaginationlibrary.com/letter-
Parents may complete the registration form, which may be delivered to the attention of Amanda Ridner, education specialist, at Douglass ECLC, 600 Calvert St.
“Should you be unable to deliver the registration form, please call! I will personally make sure forms are picked up and delivered. Amanda will enter each child into the system and books will begin arriving in the mail at the home address listed on the form!” said Monk, who may be reached at 903-885-2153, extension 1106.
Saltillo Lady Lions Win Big
Saltillo Lady Lions Get Big Win in Regular Season Home Opener Tuesday Night
The Saltillo Lady Lions Basketball Team improved their season record to 2-1 with a regular season home opener win over Maud 64-8 Tuesday (November 19) in Kerry Garmon Gym. The Lady Lions outscored Maud in the first quarter 24-0 and led at the half 37-5. The Lady Lions led after three quarters 51-8. For the Lady Lions, Chandler Bain led all scorers with 14 points. Kristina Wade and Anna Reeder had 10 points each. Allie Lane and Maddy Smith scored 8 points apiece. Paisley Kastner scored 5 points. Britney Peeples had 4 points. Julianna Giles added 3 points and McKenna Gurley scored 2 points. The Lady Lions play next in their own Saltillo Varsity Girls Tournament with games against Clarksville and Prairiland on Thursday. The Saltillo Lady Lions JV also topped Maud, 48-13 Tuesday at home to improve their season record to 4-1.
Bright Star VIP Event Success
While not all theaters were filled to capacity, they did pack quite a crowd for Bright Star’s Red Carpet VIP Event Wednesday night.
Community members had begun arriving at the East Shannon Road movie theater by 4 p.m. and by the official opening of the newly renovated facility, the entry lines stretched into the parking lot.
ShowBiz Cinemas Director of Marketing Beth Miska welcomed everyone to the kickoff event. Ashley and Sloan Wynn, daughter and granddaughter of cinema owner Kathy Lee, officiating at the ribbon cutting.
The seating is as comfortable as promised, with comfortable reclining seating, great sound and a good visuals on the new systems. The lines of movie-goers taking advantage of the free popcorn and drinks during the red carpet event spanned the lobby, but the mood was friendly while waiting.
Afterward, those in attendance offered praise for the new system and “great” experience in the renovated screening rooms and facilities.
Many Excited For Opening Event For Bright Star Cinema
Anticipation is building for the VIP Red-Carpet event for the newly renovated Bright Star Cinema. The theater will be officially open Thursday, but many dedicated movie fans were in line by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in hopes of being among the individuals who will enjoy a free movie, popcorn and sodas at the Nov. 20 event. Although invitations were handed out in the community, the event will be first come, first served until each screening room is filled.
Bright Star Cinemas Poised For Wednesday VIP Event, Official Nov. 21 Opening
Bright Star Cinemas is poised for their 6:30 p.m. VIP Red Carpet Event tonight, and KSST got a sneak peak at the newly renovated building as well as information local movie-goers are dying to know.
First, the Nov. 20 event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a ribbon cutting and few remarks. Those interested will be invited to look around the updated lobby and concessions area, which includes an expanded menu that still includes a $1 hot dog. There will be free popcorn and soda at the opening event.
Playing tonight around 7 p.m. will be Countdown, Toy Story 4, Charlie’s Angels, 21 Bridges, Addams Family and Lion King. The first to arrive and fill the theaters this evening will be treated to a free movie, according to Beth Miska, ShowBiz Cinemas director of marketing.
Bright Star Cinemas purchased the 20,000 square-foot freestanding movie theater in Sulphur Springs in early September and has invested approximately $4.5 million in the theater project. Bright Star Cinemas also hired Dallas-based ShowBiz Cinemas to assist with management at the home office level.
The renovation includes new seating, new Dolby 5.1 sound and new, bigger floating screens. Seating is luxury reclining, adjustable with a foot rest and plenty of room for those with longer legs, and a sliding table top with a couple of cup and snack containers.
However, there are fewer seats available in each viewing room, due to the space needed for the larger recliner seats, so the maximum capacity of the newly renovated facility is about half the former seating.
There are three screens: two each of large, medium and intimate sizes; including at least one screen on which 3D flicks may be viewed. The theater is ADA compliant, with the required closed captioning and other assisted products available by request at the box office.
Technicians were working through the day Wednesday to make sure the necessary adjustments are made to the new equipment for optimum movie enjoyment.
The theater will then officially be open for ticket purchases starting Thursday, Nov. 21. Tickets will be available for purchase for less than $10 per seat. Pricing will range from about $4.50 for week day early bird viewing before 6 p.m. upward. Tickets may be purchased online at brightstarcinemas.com, at the ticket booth outside the theater or inside the lobby from one of the kiosks. Specific seats are selected at the time of purchase, eliminating the need to find a seat or certain number of seats together for those who arrive at the last minute.
Tickets purchased online may be printed and brought to the theater, or a confirmation number can be used at the kiosk in the lobby or the control board where tickets are collected.
Special discounts will be offered for all shows, even on weekends and evening. Discount Tuesday offers all seats are $5 all day long, with the exclusion of 3-D movies, which will cost a little more.
Special discounts will also be offered for senior citizens and children. Police and firefighters will be admitted free of charge upon showing ID, a show of appreciation from Bright Star Cinemas for their service to the community; this applies only to the police or firefighter, not their family.
For discounted seats, simply select the seat and denote the special rates, which should be applied for the purchase.
For more information, visit the 621 East Shannon Road theater, or go online to brightstarcinemas.com or check out their Facebook page.
*Updated* Former Commissioner Injured In Tractor Accident
*Updated Information* Mike Odell was in stable condition as of 4:30pm Wednesday afternoon (November 20th) following surgery on pelvis.
Former Hopkins County Commissioner Mike Odell was reportedly injured Tuesday evening in a tractor accident.
Emergency officials dispatched at 5:15 p.m. Nov. 19. Emergency dispatchers were told a where a man had been run over by a tractor in the area of County Road 2431, south of Como, according to sheriff’s reports. The injured was identified as Mike Odell, former Precinct 2 commissioner.
Odell was flown by medical helicopter to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, where he remained Wednesday morning, according to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum.
“As of the last update this morning, we are told he is going to make it. He has sustained several severe injuries. We will keep the Odells in our prayers and hope others will too,” Tatum said Wednesday morning.
Zoning Board Grants Special Permit For Houston Street Tattoo Studio, Variance For Church Street Covered Porch
Robert Cote’s request for a special use permit to move his tattoo studio into suite 4 at 201 Houston St. in Sulphur Springs was granted by the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals Tuesday evening. Approval was also given to a variance request which would allow a covered porch to be built at 804 Church Street.
Variance Request
John Bobb, property owner of 804 Church St., requested a variance of approximately 6 feet to encroached into the setback, which is 25 feet, in order to add a porch to the front side of the building. The home’s construction predates a lot of the zoning requirements, including the required setback distance, according to Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
“What the applicant is proposing would not further encroach the setback than the existing home. They’re just proposing putting a covered porch on, extending along the front of the house,” Niewiadomski noted
The city sent out notices to 18 property owners within 200 feet of 804 Church St. Seven letters were returned in favor of the porch and none were received in opposition of it, according to Niewiadomski.
The property address is 804 Church St., but actually has what the city considers two “fronts,” as it’s located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets, “facing” two streets. The porch would face the side street.
Niewiadomski recommended approving the request for a variance to the front yard setback to construct a covered porch on the property.
The Zoning Board granted John Bobb’s request for a setback variance, allowing the covered porch construction at 804 Church St.
Special Use Permit
The request for a special use permit for Suite 4 at 201 Houston St. was forwarded to the Zoning Board Tuesday by the Planning and Zoning Commission, who Monday agreed to recommend it for consideration, with restrictions. However, after discussion, the Zoning Board Tuesday, opted not to impose restrictions on the business.
Niewiadomski explained property is zoned light industrial. However, the Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night had expressed concern for the hours of operation, and had recommended that the same restrictions be imposed on the salon as another approved previously for another location.
Cote had agreed Monday to the conditions if that’s what was needed. Tuesday, when asked about the restrictions, Cote said he’d prefer they not be imposed, but would follow them if that’s what it takes to get his business going at the Houston Street location. He said he’s usually closed on Sunday and Monday, but does have the occasion pre-scheduled appointment on Sunday. Requiring him to be closed on Sunday and to close at 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday night, could impact his business.
He explained he is an award-winning tattoo artist who attends many conventions as well as doing business at his salon. Cotes said he is licensed in 16 states and charges $100 an hour. He sometimes has customers who fly in from other states or cities and drive to his business for a tattoo.
Preventing Sunday operations would exclude him from helping someone like the client who flew in from another state recently to see family in Texas on Saturday, drove to his business for a scheduled a tattooing on Sunday, then went home.
It was noted there are some hair salons that have been granted permission for cosmetic tattooing. Zoning Board member Jay Julian said he had a problem with restrictions if they do not apply to all, and questioned why there were exceptions for some for cosmetic but not other tattooing.
Board member Brad Burgin too said he is “not a big fan of restrictions to Mr. Cote” and the potential success of his business.
The Zoning Board, after hearing from Cote, property owner Ben Spraggins and city staff approved the special use permit, without restrictions.
Wildcats Basketball Wins Big
Wildcats Basketball Team is on Fire at Home Defeating Pleasant Grove, 103-52 Tuesday Night
The Wildcats Basketball Team went over the century mark Tuesday night (November 19) with a 103-52 victory over Pleasant Grove at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School. The Wildcats started off hot and just got hotter throughout the game. After the game went back and forth in the early going the Wildcats built a 21-13 first quarter lead. By halftime the Wildcats were up 46-25. They stretched the lead to 74-36 after three quarters. Nine different Wildcats scored points. Senior Day Day Hall led the Wildcats with 21 points including one three-pointer. Junior Lamodrick Johnson came off the bench to score 20 points. Senior Cameron Kahn added 16 points. Senior Grayson McClure had 14 points including 4 three pointers. Junior Boo Wilkerson and sophomore Caleb Alexander had 8 points each and both had two three-point baskets. Sophomore Justin Haire had 7 points and one three-pointer. Senior Justin Brock hit two three-point baskets for 6 points. Junior Ja’Tavian Hall hit a three for 3 points total. The Wildcats hit 13 three-pointers. Pleasant Grove hit 10 three-point baskets. Aptly named Hawk’s junior Tre Stuart led all scorers with 24 points including six threes. It is believed that the previous high for a Wildcats team over at least the past 13 years was 94 points. The Wildcats outscored Princeton, 94-84 at Sulphur Springs on January 14, 2019. Former Sulphur Springs Coach Jeff Chapman’s Lady Cats clobbered Marshall 101-26 back on January 27, 2017. The Wildcats JV also had a big night Tuesday against Pleasant Grove defeating the Hawks 76-30. The Wildcats, ranked #5 in Class 5A, improve their season record to 2-0. The Wildcats next play Bryon Nelson in Trophy Club, Texas, located 20 miles north of Fort Worth.
