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.
Volunteer Firefighters Recognized at Reilly Springs Jamboree on November 16
Nine firefighters from various Hopkins County volunteer departments attended the Reilly Springs Jamboree on November 16, 2019 to tell the audience why they serve as first responders. Their individual responses were well received and applause went up in appreciation of their courageous work. This visit was by invitation following a rough week of fire fighting across the county, which included four separate structure fires handled by multiple units within a 12-hour period. Their fellow firefighters toil in all types of weather conditions and in dangerous settings to put out fires, prevent loss of life and damage to structures and surrounding property. It is risky and perilous work, and it’s not for everybody. Hopkins County appreciates their fire fighters!
Jamboree host Enola Gay Mathews invited the volunteers up onto the stage. Arbala Fire Department Chief Brian Fairchild spoke first, about the department where he serves as Chief and where his wife Christy also volunteers. “There’s a lot of co-operation between the departments here in Hopkins County. We all work together. Many of the units are getting a wider range of equipment and for some, their own headquarters, but these improvements come gradually. The response time is what is so vital. We are trained for very quick response time, no matter where in the county our stations are located. And there are places where additional substations are needed”. Christie Springfield is onstaff at Hopkins County Fire Department and comes from an EMS background. Also Assistant Emergency Management Co-ordinator for Hopkins County, she stated “all the units work together when more force is needed. They’re ready to pitch in when they get the order for backup. That makes a good working atmosphere amongst all the members of the departments in Hopkins County”. The seven male and two female firefighters received “thank you’s” shouted out from the audience as well as accolades from members of the band onstage. As they each introduced themselves and the departments in which they serve, some expressed that they knew they wanted to be a firefighter since youth. Others credit the example of family members who put them on the path. One mentioned that “the rush of adrenaline when the call comes in and everybody is ready to get to the scene” is what continues to motivate him. All seemed truly dedicated to serving their community in this essential way, and all seemed touched by the earnest and sincere appreciation from the Reilly Springs Jamboree.
Wesley UMC Invites Community to 41st Annual ‘Fall Roundup’ on Nov. 23
Carol Ann O’Dell is a tireless worker for Wesley United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs, and she enjoys her work! She plays organ for Sunday Morning Worship as well as assisting with Wesley’s Wednesday Night Supper and services. Now she is helping promote the annual Fall Roundup church fundraiser set for Saturday November 23, 2019, and stopped by to chat about it on the KSST Good Morning Show with Enola Gay.
“Wesley is a joyful church and we love to share it! Stew-making is a big tradition and there have been some wonderful stew cooks at Wesley over the past 40 years. Some have passed on now, but their apprentices or family members just step in and take their place. Those good family recipes are preserved, as is the fellowship that Fall Roundup is so well known for! Chicken stew, beef stew and a pot of chili cooked outdoors will be ready to serve at 4:30pm. Your $6 ticket gets you all-you-can eat plus all the other exciting activities of the evening, too. Kids tickets are $4 for age 10 and under, and free for age 5 and under. The live auction at 6:30 pm is another exciting feature of Fall Roundup, and auctioneer Loyd Lennon keeps it moving and a lot of fun! We have some nice items too, including an Apple watch, a day use of The Venue downtown, a series of guitar lessons by Joe Clark, an Italian dinner for 6-8 persons and a Mexican dinner for 6-8 persons, plus lots of fun and useful auction items. The old-fashioned Country Store will be stocked with homemade jams, jellies, aprons, linens and more, and a Silent Auction will also be up and running when Fall Roundup opens at 4:30 pm. Child care will also be provided that evening. We want to invite the public who may be new to town or new to Wesley. We especially invite former Wesley members to “come home” for the evening and enjoy great fellowship with old friends. Wesley United Methodist Church is located at 614 Texas Street in Sulphur Springs. Find out more at wesleysst.org.”
Wildcats Soccer Player Manuel Esparza Signs With Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Wildcats Soccer player Manuel Esparza, the son of Liliana Sanchez, signed a letter of intent to play college soccer at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie Tuesday morning. Esparza says he filled out a recruiting profile that drew the attention of SAGU coaches. After a visit, a deal was struck. Esparza says the Waxahachie campus is beautiful and has a good atmosphere. Esparza says the coaches told him they like his strength and height and his ability to see things on the field before they happen. Esparza, plays as a center back defender for the Wildcats, and he says SAGU is also looking for him to play that position. Esparza says he is currently undecided about what he will major in at SAGU. He says he has played soccer most of his life and he adds he likes playing defense. Esparza says he hopes the Wildcats can win a district championship and advance to the regional tournament this season. Wildcats Coach Alexi Upton calls Esparza a good kid with talent and a hard worker. Coach Upton says after Esparza did not play a lot his junior year, he has worked hard to improve himself. He says getting a scholarship is all Esparza’s doing. Esparza is Coach Upton’s first college signee and the second year coach says he expects quite a few more.
Wildcats Basketball Home Opener Features Game With Pleasant Grove Hawks Tuesday Night
The #5 ranked Wildcats Basketball Team has their home opener for the season on this Tuesday game day (November 19) at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High as they take on the Pleasant Grove Hawks. There will be a JV game at 5 p.m. with the varsity game to follow at around 6:30 p.m. The Hawks come in 0-1 for the season after a loss to Class 6A Longview, 82-59 on Saturday. The Wildcats are 1-0 after their overtime win over Decatur, 73-71 Saturday at the Cowtown Showdown in North Crowley. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta notes Pleasant Grove almost went to the State Tournament last year. The Hawks lost by four points to eventual state champ, Faith Family Academy of Oak Cliff. He says the Hawks are athletic adding they have a big kid inside. Coach Cipoletta says they like to press all over the court and double team. He says the Hawks like things as chaotic and fast as possible. Coach Cipoletta says the Wildcats will need to play under control and take care of the basketball. KSST Radio will bring you Wildcats and Pleasant Grove basketball tonight including live video and audio streaming. The game will be posted to You Tube and will also be videotaped for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Special Use Permit For Houston Street Tattoo Studio On Zoning Commission, Board Agendas This Week
Sulphur Springs’ Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals are slated Tuesday night to consider two items, a front yard setback variance on Church Street and a special use permit for a tattoo studio on Houston Street.
The board will be asked tonight to consider a variance to a front yard setback to construct a covered porch on property located at 804 Church St.
The Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night recommended a special use permit be issued to allow a tattoo studio to set up operations at 201 Houston St., Suit 4, provided the business agrees to the same provisions outlined in a previous special use permit issued for a tattoo studio elsewhere in town. The business would need to agree to certain hours of operation and limited loitering. Three complaints within the same year would send the permit back to the city, where the permit could then be revoked, Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
The city sent letters addresses for 16 properties around the proposed site. they received no response in favor of the business, but did receive two letters opposed to it, including one from the county. In the past, similar types of requests had been denied, except for one tattoo business on West Industrial Drive, according to Niewiadomski.
“I tip my hat to the city staff. I understand their recommendation against. There’s been some precedent again. I ask you to look at this from a different perspective. We require a special use permit. This is to regulate placement of tattoo shops, and other things as well, not to prohibit,” City Manager Marc Maxwell said.
Property owner Ben Spraggins said he had contacted the others leasing the building. They were in favor of the business, not against it, including the church. He had letters from three of the four occupants noting their favor of the tattoo parlor being located on the premises.
Spraggins pointed out that many of businesses in the area are 24-hour businesses, including a bail bond business, the sheriff’s office and the co-operative and their feed mill business. He noted all have traffic at various hours. The area was light commercial prior to the construction of the multifamily units about 20 years ago or more.
“It’s already an industrial, commercial area. I feel Legacy 13 will be a good addition to the neighborhood,” Spraggins said.
Robert Cote said he is trying to move his tattoo studio to the Houston Street location due to the State Highway 19 south property he’s currently operating out just outside of town is being sold. He assured his staff is top notch, and subject to drug testing; one of his staff leads music at church. He said his business is not a typical tattoo shop. He does business all over, traveling in an 18-wheeler to conventions, and his time is typically reserved at least 1-2 weeks in advance in the studio. He said his pricing, upwards of $100 per hour, typically weeds out any riffraff. His hours are typically Tuesday-Thursday from 2 to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to midnight.
Cote said he’d be willing to meet their conditions, even if it means adjusting his hours a little bit.
The Planning and Zoning Commission gave its recommendation for the special permit request to be forwarded to the Planning and Board of Adjustments and Appeals during their regular meeting at 5:30 this evening, Nov. 19, at City Hall, 201 North Davis St.
Niewiadomski and Maxwell also asked the Planning and Zoning Commission Monday to start considering possibly allowing accessory dwelling units — this could be a potential answer to future housing and infrastructure needs. These could include single person or smaller housing on the same property as an existing home or structure, and could include what are referred to as granny flats, in-law’s suites, guest housing or garage apartments. The last 50 years of so, those have not been allowed. However, this could provide additional housing on a smaller scale.
Niewiadomski referred to a presentation he gave during the regular October City Council meeting regarding housing and infrastructure needs, and noted he’d plan to present that to the Planning and Zoning Commission at an upcoming meeting as well.
‘Thankful and Grateful’ Shopping Event at Lou Nell Fashions on Thurs Nov. 21
Carrie Crowson and her staff at Lou Nell Fashions are truly thankful and grateful for the year of loyal business by local customers as well as shoppers from other towns who return for beautiful styles season after season. Owning a full-service ladies wear store gives Carrie a chance to not only get acquainted with customers on a first-name basis and to offer friendly, personal service, but also to exercise the talents she honed for a Fashion Merchandising degree in college. Throughout the year, Carrie stays on top of the latest trends, shops at Dallas Market each year, and markets both her businesses, Lou Nell’s in Sulphur Springs and C.C. and Company in Greenville, with daily facebook posts that are fresh and informative. And 30-plus year old Lou Nell Fashions is truly a family-owned business with a history! A few years ago, Carrie and her husband Larry ‘inherited’ the business from Billy and Nell Crowson, who had opened Lou Nell’s to serve local ladies from the original location at 122 Lee Street in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
For visitors to the shop on Thursday November 21, there will be refreshments, hourly door prize drawings and storewide discounts!
Sulphur Springs Man Sentenced To Life In Prison
Terence Ramon Beachem, 47, of Sulphur Springs was sentenced by 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt Tuesday morning to life in prison.
Beachem was on 10 years deferred adjudication probation for an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon when he was arrested Aug. 28, 2019, for allegedly invading his ex-girlfriend’s home, where he attempted to gag and take her from the residence.
As he was taking her from the home, she reportedly screamed, catching others’ attention. When he tried to cover her mouth, she allegedly bit the tip of his finger off then fled. Authorities chased him from near Interstate 30 to Helm Lane, where he allegedly crashed the vehicle he was in and forced his way into another residence before being apprehended.
Beachem was on deferred adjudication probation for allegedly ramming the vehicle of a person with whom he was in an argument, causing damage to the other vehicle and city property in the downtown area on Aug. 12, 2018.
Based on the recent allegations, a motion was filed to “proceed to adjudication” or revoke his probation on the prior aggravated assault charge, according to the district attorney’s office. A hearing was held Monday and Tuesday regarding that motion.
Because Beachem has an extensive criminal history which includes previous time served in the penitentiary, if his probation was violated on the adjudicated charge, he faced a punishment range of 25 years to life in prison.
After hearing all the evidence and considering the man’s extensive criminal record, which dated back to November of 1989, Northcutt sentenced Beachem to life in the penitentiary.
“Sadly, Mr. Beachem has demonstrated over his entire adult life that he is unable to live peacefully in society. There comes a point when we must ensure that no law-abiding citizen is ever threatened by him again,” Will Ramsay, 8th Judicial District Attorney, said following the verdict Tuesday morning.
The district attorney also expressed thanks to the “brave survivor in this case for testifying in front of the man who savagely attacked her” and appreciation to the judge.
“Judge Northcutt considered all the horrendous evidence in this case and the defendant’s 30-year resumé of crime to reach a just verdict of life in the penitentiary. I appreciate his commitment to sending a statement and keeping the community safe,” Ramsay said.
ATM Stolen From Pilot Travel Center In Sulphur Springs Early Nov. 19
Police Seeking Public’s Help With Case
The front entrance at Pilot Travel Center was damaged by a van and an ATM was stolen early Tuesday morning by three people in a van, according to Sulphur Springs police.
The “smash and grab” was reported to have occurred around 3 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, while the business was open.
A light colored van pulled into the front of the store. No one was injured, but the front entrance doors and wall of the Hillcrest Drive business were damaged. At least three masked individuals, thought to be males, then allegedly proceeded to load the ATM into the back of the van and drove away, Sulphur Springs Police Detective Brian Shurtleff reported late Tuesday morning.
A short time later, authorities located the van they believe to have been used to smash the glass and haul the ATM away. The van appeared to have been abandoned on Rockdale Road, sans ATM. A records check using the vehicle ID information showed it to have been reported stolen out of Dallas, according to Shurtleff.
Sulphur Springs Police are working to try to identify and locate the individuals involved in the smashing of the front door and theft of the ATM from the South Hillcrest Drive business.
Police urge anyone with information about this case to call Lake Country Crime Stoppers at 903-885-2020. Tips made to Crime Stoppers are handled in such a way that the caller’s identify remains anonymous.
