Presley Cummins of Como-Pickton Named FFA Vice-President of Paris District
According to a report from FFA Sponsor and Ag Science teacher Chanda Neal, the Como-Pickton FFA Chapter was well represented at the Paris District FFA Convention January 9th, 2020.
Como-Pickton FFA’s very own Presley Cummins was elected to serve as the 2020-2021 Paris District FFA Vice President. Cummins was required to participate in an interview and testing process prior to the convention. She also delivered a speech on stage at the convention where she talked about how the FFA makes you One in a Billion.
The Como-Pickton FFA Chapter had 13 Students in attendance at the district convention. Four students were members of the Voting Delegate body, responsible for representing their chapter by voting for the newly elected District and Area Officer candidates, as well as the Talent team who will represent Paris District FFA at the Area 6 convention later this year.
SSISD Board Of Trustees Jan. 13 Agenda Includes Lamar Primary Improvement Plan, Special Education Program Report, Trustees Election, Open House, Solar Farms
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees has a packed agenda for the regular January meeting, which will begin 1 hour earlier than usual Monday.
The board will hear a number of reports, including a special education program report from Director Susan Johnston, a presentation by Lamar students and music department, a presentation from Assistant Superintendent Kristin Monk about the Lamar Primary Improvement Turn Around Plan draft, and an update and discussion on current board goals with Superintendent Michael Lamb.
Monk too is presenting to the board dates for SSISD 2020 Open House activities. Lamb is also scheduled to recognize the board for School Board Appreciation Month during public forum.
Information about the filing dates for the May 2 school board trustees election is also on the school board agenda under the administrative reports and information items portion of the meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams at a previous meeting presented for board review recommended changes to at least 18 legal and local polices. The board will be asked to approve those additional and revisions to legal and local polices as recommended by Texas Association of School Boards Policy Services in Localized Policy Manual Update 114.
Trustees will be asked to consider approving an application asking Texas Education Agency for an expedited Teacher Data Portal of the Texas Assessment Management System waiver. Jason Evans who oversees PEIMS, testing and accountability is scheduled to present this to the board.
The majority of action items on Monday’s agenda have to do with Solemio LLC and Hopkins Energy LLC. The school board was scheduled during a Dec. 19 board meeting to consider an amended reinvestment zone and agreement for the proposed Solemio LLC, and a reinvestment zone and application for appraised value limitation on qualified property for school maintenance and operations taxes for Hopkins Energy LLC.
However, after hearing concerns and opposition voiced by at least seven community members regarding the proposed solar projects — especially the Solemio solar project — and an executive session discussion, the school trustees voted Dec. 19 unanimously to postpone all actions regarding the requests.
The Solemio LLC project agreement received approval from SSISD on Dec. 10, 2018, after the Comptroller’s Officer reported it met the Chapter 313 agreement requirements, provided total employment requirement is waived. Pattern Development took over the former Alpin Sun project for the Arbala solar farm.
Pattern Development officials in January 2019 said Solemio LLC 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.
SSISD is now being asked to consider approving an amended appraised value limitation application based on changes, which required the Dec. 19 public hearing for the now proposed reinvestment zone for the Solemio project and to approve amended findings of fact and amended agreement.
The prior agreement for Solemio, however, remains in place, even without the amendment, according to Rick Lambert with Powell, Youngblood and Taylor, attorneys for SSISD on the solar projects.
The proposed Hopkins Energy LLC project is to be located in Dike. The school board will be asked to consider approving a reinvestment zone, findings of fact related to their application for and a property value limitation agreement for the proposed Dike solar farm.
During executive session, the trustees are slated Monday night to discuss any personnel or real property matters presented since their last regular meeting, as well as the superintendent’s evaluation and consider offering him a contract extension and compensation. For any items pushed forward for action, the school board would need to reconvene in open session to do so.
SSISD Board of Trustees regular meetings are typically held at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the Board Room, located at the back of SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St. However, the Jan. 13 meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
Wildcats Power Lifters Take Fourth Place At Sulphur Springs Meet Saturday
Wildcats’ power lifters took fourth place at their own Sulphur Springs Meet Saturday, January 11, held in the Multipurpose Building on the SSHS campus. Wildcats Coach Casey Jeter said the Wildcats were just four points out of third place.
Wildcats senior George Greenway took first place in the 198 pound class. Greenway lifted a total of 1450 pounds including 600 pounds in squat, 300 pounds in bench press and 550 pounds in dead lift.
Jesse Carrillo was second in the 148 pound weight class with 1170 pounds with 435 pounds in squat, 275 pounds in bench press and 460 pounds in dead lift.
Lady Cat Sable Erdmier was second in the 165 pound weight class. She lifted a total 765 pounds including 300 pounds in squat, 115 pounds in bench press and 350 pounds in dead lift.
Wildcat Ryan Carrillo was third in the in the 181 pound weight class lifting 1135 pounds including 470 pounds in squat, 300 pounds in bench press and 365 pounds in dead lift.
Chad Maynard was fifth in the 220 pound weight class with 1170 pounds including 475 pounds in squat, 250 pounds in bench press and 445 pounds in dead lift.
Raydon McCormack was seventh in the 275 pound weight class with 1225 pounds including 520 pounds in squat, 240 pounds in bench press and 465 pounds in dead lift.
Austin McCain was ninth in the 114 pound weight class with 400 pounds including 135 pounds in squat, 90 pounds in bench press and 175 pounds in dead lift.
Wyatt Smithson was 10th in the 198 pound weight class with 1015 pounds including 415 pounds in squat, 215 pounds in bench press and 385 pounds in dead lift.
Lady Cat Addy Lamb was 11th in the 123 pound weight class with 530 pounds total including 225 pounds in squat, 105 pounds in bench press and 200 pounds in dead lift.
Wildcat Matthew Mitchell was 13th in the 181 pound weight class with 990 pounds including 355 pounds in squat, 215 pounds in bench press and 420 pounds in dead lift.
Camden Fuller was 16th in the 165 pound weight class with 900 pounds including 350 pounds in squat, 215 pounds in bench press and 335 pounds in dead lift.
Lady Cat Rory Young was twentieth in the 148 pound weight class with 445 pounds including 170 pounds in squat, 100 pounds in bench press and 175 pounds in dead lift.
Wildcat Clayton Boykin was twenty-third in the 181 pound weight class with 745 pounds including 250 pounds in squat, 180 pounds in bench press and 315 pounds in dead lift.
Coach Jeter said 25 teams entered the meet and some 450 lifters participated in both boys and girls competition.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Has Trouble With State Ranked Royse City In District Opener Saturday
By Don Julian
A tough first quarter was more than the Lady Cats Basketball Team could overcome as they lost their district opener to Royse City, 65-41 in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School Saturday afternoon, January 11.
The Lady CIats fell behind after the first quarter, 25-7 as they had trouble with the Royse City press. The #14 ranked Lady Bulldogs only outscored the Lady Cats by six points over the last three quarters. After the first quarter, the Lady Cats could get no closer than 15 points the rest of the way.
The Lady Cats were led in scoring by junior Nylah Lindley and sophomore Hannah Cordell with 11 points each. Junior Bre’Asia Ivery, junior Dalanee Myles and sophomore Addy Lamb all had 4 points. Freshman Addisyn Wall scored 3 points. Senior Kate Womack and senior Colbria Harrison had 2 points each.
The Lady Cats played without freshmen Kenzie Willis and Serenity Lewis, both out with injuries.
Royse City’s leading scorers were senior Maci Bookout with 18 points and sophomore Maggie Hutka with 17 pounts.
The Lady Cats are 0-1 in district play and 7-17 for the season. The Lady Cats play host to Lindale next Tuesday evening in a district game in the main gym at SSHS.
Commissioners Court To Consider Land Plat Request, 2 Agreements
When Hopkins County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Monday, the agenda shows a number of items the court will be asked to consider approving, including a land plat request, and agreements with the American Red Cross and volunteer fire departments.
The court is being asked to consider and approve a plat of Together Good Deeds II Addition.
Also, two contracts have been presented for approval, a space license agreement with the American National Red Cross and first protection agreement with volunteer fire departments.
In addition to routine matters such as bills, meeting minutes, and resolutions or proclamations, the Commissioners Court also is slated at the 9 a.m. meeting Jan. 13 to consider approving requests from Farmers Electric Cooperative Inc. to construct electric power distribution facilities across County Road 3310, southwest of County Road 3378, and across County Road 3530, northwest of County Road 3532.
After the regular meeting in the Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse, the commissioners are slated to move to the third floor Meeting Room, for a standard work session.
Slated to attend or send a representative to the meeting to give updates on current operations, projects and needs of their departments Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley, Sheriff Lewis Tatum and Tom Glosup (county building maintenance and construction).
A budget work session may also be held during the work session.
Wildcats Soccer Team Wins One And Loses One Against Good Teams In Longview Tourney Saturday
By Don Julian
The Wildcats Soccer Team managed a split of two games against good competition on Saturday, January 11, in the 2020 Lobo Invitational in Longview.
In a game made up from a Friday postponement, the Wildcats got by Jacksonville, 1-0 early Saturday. The Indians were called for a penalty during the final 12 minutes of the game and Wildcat Omar Hernandez scored a goal on the penalty kick. The game was a rematch of last season’s bi-district match that Jacksonville won on penalty kicks after the two teams battled to a 0-0 tie after regulation and overtime.
Wildcats Coach Alexi Upton said Saturday’s match, against a Jacksonville team preseason ranked #3 in the region, was a great game played in a playoff atmosphere. He said the Wildcats had few turnovers.
Later Saturday, the Wildcats dropped a 2-1 match to Forney. Kevin Yanez scored the Wildcats’ goal on a penalty kick. Coach Upton said he took the opportunity to utilize players that get to play less. He said it was a great opportunity for the team to grow. He said he was more interested in developing team depth than the result.
The Wildcats season record is now 2-4-1. The Wildcats play next at West Mesquite Tuesday night.
Saltillo Lady Lions Get Lopsided District Win At Union Hill
By Don Julian
The #15 ranked Saltillo Lady Lions got their second district win in two games overwhelming Union Hill on the road, 82-7 on Saturday, January 11.
The Lady lions led 23-1 after one quarter, 41-3 at the half and 65-6 after three quarters.
Anna Reeder led the Lady Lions with 22 points. Kristina Wade scored 13 points. Brittney Peeples and Allie Lane had 11 points apiece. Jocelyn Ochoa had 8 points. Paisley Kastner added 7 points. Maddy Smith scored 6 points. Julianna Giles scored 4 points.
Coach Bill Giles said he was proud of the Lady Lions’ effort and intensity. He added they played unselfishly and shot the ball well.
The Lady Lions improved their district record to 2-0 and their season record to 20-7.
The Lady Lions play Avinger at home on Tuesday.
Lady Cats Soccer Team Wraps Up Play In Pine Tree Tournament Saturday Against Host School
By Don Julian
The Lady Cats Soccer Team finished play in the Pine Tree Lady Pirate Showcase with a 3-0 loss to Pine Tree Saturday evening, January 11.
The tournament was a tough one for the Lady Cats. They lost to Jacksonville Thursday, had a scheduled game with Cleburne canceled due to the threat of bad weather Friday and, then, came the loss Saturday to the Lady Pirates.
Lady Cats Coach Javier Aguayo said the Lady Cats made three very bad mistakes on defense against Pine Tree.
The Lady Cats season record is now 0-2-1.
The Lady Cats return to Gerald Prim Prim Stadium Tuesday for a match against another former district foe, the Princeton Lady Panthers.
Crime In 7 Major Offense Categories At 20-Year Low In Sulphur Springs
New Record Lows Set For Home, Building Burglaries
Crime declined overall in Sulphur Springs last year, setting a new 20-year record, according to data recorded by Sulphur Springs Police Department for the seven major offense categories.
Six fewer crimes were recorded by Sulphur Springs Police Department in 2019 than in 2018. That sets the 20-year record low at 162 crimes overall in the city, according to data provided by SSPD.
In fact, last year marked the fourth consecutive year in which fewer crimes overall were recorded in the seven major reporting categories. Crimes dropped from 222 offenses in 2015 to 208 in 2016, 171 offenses in 2017, 168 offenses in 2018 and the record 162 offenses overall in 2019.
That’s less than half the 20-year record high of 371 crimes overall recorded in 2004, and far less than 1999, when a whopping 375 crimes were recorded overall in the seven major crime reporting categories. Crime overall dripped to 277 in 2005 and has below 300 offenses overall ever since. Crime overall in the city dipped below 200 for the first time in 2011, and has only been higher than 200 in three of the last nine years.
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson attributes the continued decline to a lot of hard work by patrol officers and detectives, as well as their proactive approach. SSPD’s response to calls and patrolling in the community also help to serve as a deterrent for crime, especially at night.
Crime in three of the four categories of offenses against people declined in 2019. Conversely, crime rose in two of the three property crime categories. However, the decline in burglaries was enough to set a new record low, according to the SSPD data.
The next largest change was the increase in vehicle theft offenses, with small upticks reported in the number of aggravated assaults and thefts as well.
Burglaries
The most significant category change from 2018 to 2019 was the number of burglaries recorded, with 13 fewer burglaries recorded by SSPD in 2019 than one year before. The new record low of 20 burglaries recorded overall last year was less than in 2017, when the previous record low was set at 27.
This category, like the overall crime tally, has declined significantly in the last 20 years, dropping from the record high of 118 burglaries set in 2002 and repeated two years later. In fact, 2002 and 2004 were the only years in which more than 100 burglaries were recorded overall. That was cut in half in 2012, and the overall burglary tally has remained below 50 since 2014.
Only six burglaries were recorded during the first half of 2019, with February and June the worst months during those six months with two burglaries recorded in each. Of the 14 burglaries recorded during the second half of 2019, August and September were the worst months, with four burglaries recorded in each, followed by October nad December with two each, according to the SSPD data.
When burglaries peaked in 2004, SSPD began tracking home and building burglaries separately. A new record low was set in each in 2019.
Only a dozen home burglaries were recorded in 2019 by SSPD, down from the previous low of 17 set in 2017 and repeated in 2018. The most home burglary recorded by SSPD in the last 20 years was 76 in 2004.
Only eight building burglaries were recorded in 2019, half the number posted in 2018. That’s also one less building burglary in 2019 than in 2013, when the previous low was set at nine building burglaries, and only about one-fifth of the record high of 42 set in 2004.
Vehicle theft
While burglaries declined in 2019, seven more vehicles were reported to SSPD as stolen last year than the 23 recorded in 2018. That’s the most vehicle vehicle thefts recorded in the city in the last 15 years. In fact, 2019 was the first year since 2004 that more than 30 were recorded.
The 31 vehicle thefts recorded last year were still 19 less than the 20-year record high set in 2001, but 21 more than the low of 9 vehicle thefts set in 2009.
Many of the vehicle thefts recorded in 2019 were crimes of opportunity. The vehicles were left parked with keys in the ignition or in the vehicle, making them easily accessible. A lot were taken without permission on short rides, then abandoned elsewhere, the chief explained. He said in some cases vehicle thefts and vehicle burglaries corresponded, and ended with multiple arrests last year.
Theft over $200
The category with the most offenses recorded overall continues to be the theft of property with a value of more than $200 offense category. Two more thefts were recorded in 2019 than in 2018, for a total of 79 thefts overall. The low was set at 75 in 2011, with 2018 second with 77.
The 20-year record for most thefts was set at 167 thefts in 2002. In only six of the last 20 years has the total in this category been less than 100: 75 in 2001, 84 in 2012, 89 in 2014, 86 in 2017, 77 in 2018 and 79 last year.
Ricketson said this category includes all other thefts with a value of more than $200 that were not recorded in the other categories. That includes thefts such as shoplifting at businesses.
Homicide
There were no homicides recorded in 2019, down from two the year before. In fact, in only eight of the last 20 years have any homicides been reported, a record three in 2003; two each in 2001, 2015 and 2018; and one each in 2002, 2005, 2009 and 2013.
Sexual Assault
One less sexual assault was recorded in 2019 than in 2018. At five, that’s still only half the record high of 10 set in 2015, the only year in the last 20 years in which the overall number of sexual assaults was a double digit). The only year in which no sexual assaults were recorded was 2012, according to SSPD data.
Robbery
Six robberies were recorded by SSPD in 2019, three fewer than in 2018, but the same as recorded in 2004, 20015 and 20016. The 20-year record for most robberies in a single year was set at 12 in 2008; the low was set at two in 2006 and repeated in 2011.
Assault
While offenses in three of the four categories of violent crimes against people dropped, three more aggravated assaults were reported in 2019 than the 18 of 2018, which incidentally was second only to the 17 assaults of 2017 for the 20-year low. The most assaults other than simple recorded in a single year since 2000 was 44 in 2000, which was still a dozen less than in 1999.
