Coach Owens Says Wildcats Must Win Out to Secure Playoff Spot
At his weekly media gathering Wednesday (October 23), Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said the Wildcats must win the last three district games to have a shot at the playoffs. He said the Wildcats control their destiny as long as there are no upsets. Coach Owens said in his opinion the Wildcats are competing with Greenville and North Forney for the last playoff spot. The Wildcats will play those two over the next three weeks along with Kaufman. He said the Wildcats have to keep from shooting themselves in the foot. Coach Owens said the Wildcats have a chance and have been competing in every game. He expects a spirited game against Greenville Friday at Gerald Prim Stadium. Like in past years, a playoff spot is on the line and in past years it’s usually been the Wildcats winning and knocking the Lions out of the playoffs. Coach Owens said this year’s Greenville team is the best Coach Darren Duke has had in the past 4 or5 years. Coach Owens said the Lions have an electric quarterback and are confident and winning. He said they have more speed, more skill and are healthier. Coach Owens said Greenville has a lot of juniors and seniors on their roster and have not had to bring up lots of younger players like the Wildcats and other district teams. Coach Owens said the Wildcats need to win the turnover battle. He expects both teams to be fired up Friday night. Coach Owens gave players a new mantra this week: one more mile, just run the next mile. He said they have had good practices this week and he said they appear to be loose. He hopes that’s a good thing.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Disappointed With Loss But Said Team Played Well Tuesday Night
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner said she saw some good things in the Lady Cats 3-2 home loss to Greenville Tuesday night (October 22). She said the Lady Cats fought back from a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth set. Coach Dorner said the Lady Cats just made too many mistakes at the end including some costly missed serves. She said she was proud the team played well noting that they did not play well the first time the two teams met in Greenville. She said her team fought to the end. Concerning what appeared to be a bad official’s call late in set five, Coach Dorner said she does not think that libero Paris Pickett touched a ball that Greenville hit long. A flag official ruled a deflection. Coach Dorner said you have to let kids decide the game adding that was taken away from her team Tuesday night. Team video was said to show no deflection. Coach Dorner said no one saw the deflection except for the flag official. The Lady Cats are in fourth place with a 3-4 district record. Coach Dorner said they have two district games left and they need to win them both to ensure a playoff spot. The Lady Cats play at Mount Pleasant on Friday.
Sports Notes Have Band Performance Time Saturday and Wildcats Basketball Team Ranked #5
The Wildcat Band travels to Mesquite Memorial Stadium Saturday (October 26) for big UIL Area Competition. When KSST talked with Band Director Spencer Emmert Monday he was not sure when his band would be performing. He supplied the answer Tuesday. The Wildcat Band will play at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Mesquite Memorial Stadium. Emmert said his band students have had a great contest season so far and are continuing to work hard for Saturday. Several bands will be qualifying for state competition at Area. Emmert said any and all support from fans of the band is greatly appreciated.
One of Sulphur Springs’ super fans told KSST something we did not know at Tuesday night’s (October 22) Lady Cats Volleyball match. Coach Clark Cipoletta’s Wildcats Basketball Team is preseason ranked #5 in the state according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches poll. Lancaster, a team the Wildcats missed out playing in last year’s Regional Tournament is ranked #1. San Antonio Wagner, who knocked the Wildcats out of the state tournament in San Antonio last March, is ranked #2. Last Year’s state champ Mansfield Timberview is ranked #3. Manor is ranked #4. Three more ranked teams are ones the Wildcats beat last year: #10 Highland Park, #11 Frisco Lone Star and #14 Midlothian. Also on this year’s Wildcats schedule are Class 6A ranked teams, #6 Denton Guyer and #20 Dallas Jesuit. Both will be coming to Sulphur Springs this season. The Wildcats will also face two Class 4A ranked teams this season: #7 Decatur and #17 Paris. The Wildcats begin practice on October 30.
Texas A&M-Commerce Grad Named Top Urban Teacher In The Nation
“If you are coming from a traumatic, impoverished situation, you are my family.”
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Just three years ago, Dallas first-grade teacher Eric Hale earned his master’s degree in education from Texas A&M University-Commerce to advance his career.
Friday, Hale will be honored as the nation’s top educator working in an urban district.
Hale, who teaches at David Burnet Elementary School, has been selected by The Council of The Great City Schools and McGraw-Hill Education to receive the 2019 Annual Queen Smith Award on Oct. 25.
It’s an honor the 40-year-old first-grade teacher never imagined while attending school himself in a high crime, low-income neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona.
“I grew up in such a rough situation, I didn’t really have any expectations of going to college. I was just trying to not go to jail, or end up dead to be honest with you,” Hale said.
Hale credits his success to a teacher who helped him discover his self-esteem, the support of Dallas Independent School District and a graduate school program that helped him understand the important role of an educator, beyond the classroom.
“At Commerce, I got a much broader perspective, an understanding that education is basically like the lighthouse for the whole community,” Hale said. “I learned that I was more than just a teacher, working in this system.”
That perspective, and his passion for helping others living in poverty, set him and his students up for a lifetime of success.
But Hale didn’t always want to be a teacher. After working his way through school, he got a job in healthcare that paid well, but left him searching for more.
“I was successful, but I didn’t have any passion for it,” Hale said. “And I’ve always had a passion for my community and helping kids who grew up like me, in poverty. Black, white, brown, purple, it didn’t matter. If you are coming from a traumatic, impoverished situation, you are my family.”
The idea of becoming a teacher only came after some serious soul-searching.
“I asked, ‘What can I do that I would love to do, that I feel like wouldn’t just be a job?” Hale said. “The answer was clear: Teaching.”
Hale earned his alternative teaching certificate before entering the masters in educational administration program at Texas A&M-Commerce.
“How I teach is not traditional, but I get phenomenal results,” Hale said. “Everything I do is about building my kid’s emotional, social and then educational self-esteem,” Hale said. “I am fostering leaders. One of the sayings in my classroom is: ‘Speak what you seek until you see what you say.’”
John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, said growing educational and community leaders like Hale is the primary goal of the 11 education colleges in The Texas A&M University System.
“Eric’s story is inspiring, and we are proud to have been a part of it,” Sharp said. “We also hope it will inspire others.”
School districts across Texas are scrambling to hire qualified teachers.
“Every success story starts in the classroom,” Sharp said. “If you want to teach, The Texas A&M University System’s 11 colleges of education across the state can help you make that dream real. We are committed to your success.”
For more information about how to become a teacher in Texas, visit https://weteachtexas.org.
About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $4.7 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities and seven state agencies, the Texas A&M System educates more than 153,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $996 million in FY 2017 and helped drive the state’s economy.
Contact: Laylan Copelin
Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications
(979) 458-6425
(512) 289-2782 cell
[email protected]
Man Reported For Intoxication, Sleeping On Sidewalk Jailed For Resisting Arrest
A public intoxication complaint resulted in a 29-year-old Sulphur Springs man going to jail not only for being intoxicated but also on a resisting arrest or detention charge as well.
Sulphur Springs police officers were dispatched downtown to look for a person in blue jeans and a black jacket who was suspected to be intoxicated and reported to be asleep on the sidewalk.
They found the 29-year-old man at 3:10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, on Oak Avenue at Jefferson Street. When they contacted him, police alleged the man to have slurred speech and confusion about his location. When asked where he lived, the man reportedly gave two different addresses. When asked to stand up, officers reported he did not have the physical capacity to stand on his own, so they had him sit back down for his safety.
After determining the man to be intoxicated in a public place, police reportedly assisted him to his feet and advised him to place his hand behind his back. At that point, the man allegedly began resisting arrest by locking his arms in place and pulling away from officers.
Police alleged they used the minimal amount of force necessary to place the man back onto the ground to effectively secure him in handcuffs. However, when he was put on the ground, the man reportedly sustained a small laceration on the lip, which was bleeding, so they called for EMS, police alleged in arrest reports.
Medical personnel reportedly cleaned the man’s wound, said he needed no further medical attention and released him to police. The man was transported to jail, police noted in arrest reports.
However, upon arrival at the jail, the man reportedly was uncooperative with officials, resulting in him being placed into a “holding tank,” police alleged in arrest reports.
The 29-year-old man remained in the county jail Wednesday morning, Oct. 23, on public intoxication and resisting arrest, search or transport charges. Bond on the resisting arrest charge was set at $2,000, according to jail reports.
Tuesday marked the third time this year that the man has been arrested locally on an intoxication charge; he was also arrested Jan. 6 for PI, and Jan. 18 on a warrant for third or more driving while intoxicated offense, according to jail reports.
Lady Cats Volleyball Falls To Greenville Amid Controversial Call
Greenville, Aided by Controversial Call, Tops Lady Cats Volleyball, 3-2 Tuesday
It will go in the record books as a Greenville 3-2 win over the Lady Cats Volleyball Team in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School Tuesday night. But the game may always be remembered locally as the match where the final set may well have been tainted by an apparent blown officials call. With the score tied 13-13 in set five, it certainly appeared that Lady Cats libero Paris Pickett failed to touch a Greenville hit ball that ended up going long for an apparent Lady Cats point. A flag official nearest the ball called a deflection by Pickett and a Greenville point giving the Lady Lions a 14-13 lead. Greenville won the next point to take the set, 15-13 and the match 3-2. Pickett indicated she did not touch the ball. Team video seemed to back her up. Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner said she did not think that Pickett touched it. She added you have to let kids decide the game. The controversial call tainted a very good volleyball game that was full of ups and downs. Greenville appeared to be on their way to a 3-0 win after taking the first two sets, 25-21 and 25-19. The Lady Cats fought back to take set three, 25-20 and then forced set five with a 25-18 set four win. The nip and tuck set five was tied ten times. Sadie Washburn had a team high 18 kills for the Lady Cats and Sydney Washburn had 8. Pickett had a season high 24 digs. Greenville improved their district record to 7-1 and their season record to 25-13. The Lady Lions remained tied for first in district with Lindale. The Lady Cats remain in fourth place in district with a 3-5 record and their season record is 21-16. The Lady Cats play at Mount Pleasant Friday at 5 p.m.
You can view the entire match on our YouTube channel or by clicking on this link: SS vs Greenville Volleyball
6 Arrested Following 2-Month Investigation Into Methamphetamine Sales
October 23, 2010 – A two-month investigation by Sulphur Springs Special Crimes Unit into the alleged sale of methamphetamines by six different individuals concluded Tuesday with a warrant round up and six arrests, according to SCU investigators.
During their investigation, undercover drug buys resulted in seizure of 41.3 grams of methamphetamine obtained during 12 separate undercover buys, according to SCU Lt. Mark Estes.
“The majority of the methamphetamine delivery cases originated at the Ferrari Inn, located at 1495 East Industrial Drive in Sulphur Springs,” Estes stated.
The SCU investigators obtained felony arrest warrants and prepared the Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County SWAT Team, Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies and Sulphur Springs Police patrol officers to “assist in a felony drug raid.”
“On Oct. 22, 2019, in the early morning hours, the SWAT Team and assisting officers executed the raid and arrested five of the six defendants for manufacture or delivery of methamphetamine and a few new charges for possession in which narcotics were located during the raid,” Estes stated.
Officers arrested Dante Lamar Crosby, 29, of Sulphur Springs Tuesday on two second-degree felony warrants for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than four grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and one warrant for second-degree felony warrant for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. SCU investigators allege 3.7 grams, 3.2 grams and 2 grams of methamphetamine were obtained during buys from Dante Crosby, resulting in the warrants. Crosby’s bond was set at $50,000 on each of those charges.
Dante Crosby also was charged Tuesday with possession of less than 1 gram of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone; SCU officers allege he had 0.2 gram of cocaine in his possession Tuesday, resulting in the third-degree felony charge. Bond was set at $15,000 on the third-degree felony possession charge.
He remained in jail Wednesday morning on all four charges.
Kandaris Antoine Crosby, 32, of Sulphur Springs was arrested Tuesday morning on a first-degree felony warrant for manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug free zone and a second-degree felony warrant for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. SCU officers allege 5.8 grams and 4.1 grams of methamphetamine were obtained from the man during undercover buys. His bond was set at $75,000 on the 4-200 grams charge and $50,000 on the other.
Kandaris Crosby also was charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance; he allegedly had 0.1 gram of meth in his possession when arrested, according to SCU reports. His bond on the state jail felony offense was set at $5,000. He remained in jail Wednesday morning.
April Cerana Martin, 42, of Sulphur Springs was also arrested Tuesday morning. She was not one of the six defendants officials were trying to locate and arrest on warrants. She was, however, at the same location as Kandaris Crosby when he was arrested. She allegedly allowed officers to search the room, where they found a small amount of suspected meth.
April Martin was charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Her bond was set at $5,000 on the state jail felony charge. She remained in jail Wednesday morning.
Martin Russell McQueen, 21, of Sulphur Springs was arrested Tuesday morning on one warrant for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Officials alleged 4.1 grams of meth were obtained from McQueen during an undercover buy. McQueen remained in the county jail Wednesday morning in lieu of $50,000 on the second-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
Casey Delayne Tucker, 36, of Sulphur Springs was arrested Tuesday morning on two manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance warrants; 2.8 grams and 3.4 grams of meth were allegedly obtained from her during the investigation, according to SCU reports. Tucker remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning in lieu of $50,000 bond each on the two second-degree felony charges, according to jail reports.
Dustin Wayne Wren, 20, of Sulphur Springs was arrested Tuesday afternoon on a first-degree felony warrant for manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, a second-degree felony warrant for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and a third-degree felony warrant for manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. Officials allege 8 grams, 4.1 grams and 1 gram of meth were obtained from him during the investigation.
Wren remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Oct. 23, in lieu of $75,000 bond on the first-degree felony charge, $50,000 bond on the second-degree felony charge and $15,000 bond on the third-degree felony charge.
The sixth person officials were looking for remained at large Wednesday morning, according to Estes.
Fall Tree Planting
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
The fall season is one of the most underutilized planting season for trees. In our county, the majority of the trees available for planting are offered in the spring season, although some retailers are slowly offering trees for sale during the fall. The biological reasoning for planting trees during the fall is to provide enough time for the tree to grow before the winter and to avoid scorching hot days of the summer. It is according to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, the fall season the most effective time to plant trees. In Hopkins County, trees play a significant role in the landscape. Many home sites rely and depend on trees to highlight the gardens. There are many reasons for maintaining trees, too many to get into here. One of the most significant challenges when maintaining trees in landscapes is proper plant sucession and this is my topic today. Regardless of the expectation of the tree (shade, nut production, flowering, etc) trees even in the best case scenario will eventually age and die. One of the responsibilities as home owners is to actively plant trees that eventually take the place of mature ones. Many tree species available in the market have specific attributes and finding the “perfect” tree is almost imposible. But a combination of trees can certainly as a group easily satisfy the requirements of the home owner. When looking for tree varieties to purchase, I like to have a clear definition of those attributes wanted and find the best option or combination of trees. Look for several trees species and combine them to get the best performance. Once you find the trees you want, start the planting process. According Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, start by selecting a site that is in full sun. Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball (container), and no deeper than the height of the root ball. The soil that you dig out of the hole is what you use to backfill around the root ball. No soil amendments are recommended when planting a tree; Therefore, no compost, peat moss, or shredded pine bark should be added to the backfill.After planting the tree, build a 4-inch tall berm around the edge of the hole. Fill the berm with a mulch (i.e. shredded bark or compost). The mulch and berm make it easier to water the tree and reduce weed competition.For most trees, staking is not recommended; however, if the tree trunk is not sturdy enough, use two stakes, one on either side of the tree, and give the trunk support for the first year only. Below are diagrams of a typical tree planting. Right after planting, water the tree in by filling the bermed basin with water. This will settle the existing soil around the root ball. For the first week after planting, lightly water the tree every day (about one pint to one quart of water each day). The second week, water every other day with about one to two quarts of water. During week three, water every third day with two to three quarts of water. Week four and beyond, water once a week if needed. The goal is to wean the tree slowly off of supplemental irrigation, and produce a root system large enough for the tree to thrive on natural rainfall.
REMEMBER: These are just guidelines. Use your index finger to check the soil moisture under the mulch. If the soil is cool to the touch, do not water. If it is warm and dry, then water. More plants are killed by over-watering than by under-watering.
Coming Up:
Northeast Texas Dairy Producers Conference (DOPA) October 30, 2019- $10 Register by calling 903-885-3443.
PAT CEU Credits: November 6, 2019 $30, Register by calling 903-885-3443.
Pesticide Applicator Certification (new licensee only): November 13, 2019. $30, Lunch included. Register by calling 903-885-3443.
Early Voting Begins Monday In Cumby Mayor, NHISD School Board, Cumby ISD Bond And Constitutional Amendment Elections
Early voting begins Monday in three local elections — the North Hopkins Independent School District Board of Trustees, City of Cumby Mayor and Cumby ISD bond — as well as for 10 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.
All Texas voters are asked to cast ballots for 10 proposed Constitutional Amendments. Only North Hopkins ISD, Cumby ISD and Cumby residents will vote in the other elections.
Voting information
Early voting by personal appearance for Hopkins County voters in these elections will be conducted in the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Courtroom inside the Hopkins County Courthouse Annex, located at 128 Jefferson St. in Sulphur Springs.
Hopkins County voting hours are:
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Oct. 21-26; Monday, Oct. 28; Wednesday, Oct. 30; and Friday, Nov. 1.
- Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27;
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, and Thursday, Oct. 31.
- Election Day voting will be at the designated polling locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 5.
Voting for Cumby ISD voters who reside in Hunt County may cast early votes by personal appearance at Hunt County Voter Administration, 2217 Washington St., in Greenville.
Early voting by personal appearance in Hunt County will be conducted:
- each weekday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21-Nov. 1.
- extended early voting hour of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Thursday, Oct. 31
The last day to accept applications for a ballot by mail is Oct. 25.
North Hopkins ISD
Voters within the boundaries of North Hopkins ISD will be asked to select up to three candidates to fill three at-large full three-year term seats on the school board.
The even candidates seeking a place on the ballot in the North Hopkins Independent School District Board of Trustees Election are, including incumbents, D. Ellis Dicus, Vicki Hillis Ferrell, Justin Holland, Andy Kendall, Robert McPherson, Sherry Smiddy and Charlie Vaughn.
City of Cumby
Residents who live in Cumby city limits are asked to select their choice of two candidates for mayor, incumbent Place 1 Alderman Doug Simmerman, who serves on the mayor pro tem, and challenger Ryan Horne. Unchallenged for seats on the City Council are incumbent Betty McCarter for Place 4, incumbent Julie Morris for Place 5 and Guy Butler for Place 3.
Cumby ISD
Cumby ISD was able to cancel it’s trustees election; incumbents Tony Aguilar, Jody Jarvis and Jason Hudson were the only ones to turn in applications for the seats, so they will serve anther term.
Cumby ISD is still conducting a bond election, however. Voters are asked to vote for or against a $6.2 million bond package, which will fund additions and renovations to Cumby Elementary, the elementary playground and cafeteria, an additional agriculture shop and ag/CTE facilities renovation, relocation of the football field to include a compressed surface track, demolition and abatement.
Additional information about the Cumby ISD bond election can be found on the CISD website.
Constitutional Amendments
For a full list and information about the Constitutional Amendments Election, visit the Secretary of State website
