Saltillo Lions Win LeTourneau Cross Country Meet and Lady Lions Finish Second
The Saltillo Lions and Lady Lions Cross Country Teams had another impressive showing at a LeTourneau Cross Country Meet in Longview Saturday (August 31). The Lions finished first ahead of some larger schools like Kilgore and Carthage while the Lady Lions were second behind Kilgore but ahead of third place Waskom and others. Lion Garrett Tarver also finished first with a time of 17:00 flat. Gunner Tarver was seventh, Coy Collins was eighth, Dillon Beadle was ninth, Jayden Holloway was 11th, Beckham Hoover was 24th and Andrew Redburn was 27th. For the Lady Lions, Reagon Spear was fifth with a time of 13:42. Kristina Wade was eighth, Briana Tawil was 14th, Yadirra Alonso was 15th, Makensa Morris was 28th, Ofelia Cabrera was 33rd and Chandler Bain was 38th.
Lady Cats Volleyball and Wildcats Team Tennis are on Tuesday Game Day
There is volleyball and team tennis on this Tuesday game day (September 3). The Lady Cats Volleyball Team has already played 23 regular season matches this season and all of them have been on the road. That changes on this game day Tuesday as the Lady Cats will be playing their home opener in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School. Wills Point will be in town. There will be a freshmen match in the Auxiliary Gym at SSHS at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Cats JV will play Wills Point JV at 4:30 p.m. in the main gym at SSHS. The varsity Lady Cats play Wills Point in the main gym at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Cats have a 15-8 season record. The two teams played in a Wills Point tournament on August 17 and the Lady Cats won, 2-0 by the score of 25-14 and 25-21. KSST Radio will bring you Lady Cats’ volleyball from the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School starting at 5:30 p.m. The match will also be videotaped for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Meanwhile Wildcats Team Tennis opens district play against Lindale at 3:30 p.m. at the Wildcats Tennis Center. The Eagles are coached by former Wildcats Team Tennis Coach Randy Namanny. The Wildcats are 3-9 for the season but they have won their last two matches against Pleasant Grove and Bullard. The Wildcats have played much better since their schedule began featuring fewer matches a week and more practice.
Open House Scheduled Saturday For Fore Street Home Built by SSHS Class
Anyone interested in purchasing a 1500-square foot farm-style home is encouraged to attend the open house scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at 128 Fore Street.
The home was constructed during the course of two school years by Sulphur Springs High School students under the supervision of skilled instructors, with required work such as plumbing and electrical conducted by licensed professional.
The house, unlike most new homes, must be sold by bid process instead of listed with a firm on the market. Texas Education Code 44.031 requires that competitive sealed bids be sought for the sale of the property.
Bids were sought for the house over the summer. When Sulphur Springs Independent School District did not receive any acceptable bids, the minimum asking price for the home was reduced to $134,900 and the bid process started anew.
Signed, sealed bids may be submitted to SSISD Business Office, 631 Connally St., from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday-Friday. Bids must be received no later than 3 p.m. Sept. 27.
The house showcases the craftsmanship of the SSHS students. In addition to two bedrooms and two baths, the home also includes a third bonus room suitable for use as an office, media area or third bedroom. The open concept kitchen features granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. The home includes a separate laundry room, easy-care wood-look vinyl plank and tile floors, with granite and custom tile in both bathrooms, a wrap-around porch and detached one-car garage.
For additional information or a bid packet, visit the School webite and enter an email where designated, or contact Sherry McGraw at 903-885-2153 or SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St.
Mesquite Woman Arrested Following Disturbance Complaint In Cumby
September 3, 2019 – Cumby police responded to a disturbance complaint but ended up taking a Mesquite woman to jail on a controlled substance charge Monday evening.
Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson was dispatched at 6:52 p.m. Sept. 2 to the 400 block of East Main Street, where 911 dispatchers were told a man had hit his wife in the back of the head several times.
Upon arrival at the residence, Robertson began investigating the family violence assault claim. However, instead of taking a person to jail for assault, Robertson took 31-year-old Pamela Kristyn Evans of Mesquite into custody at 7:30 p.m. for possession of a less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Evans allegedly told the policeman that she was in possession of a controlled substance, showed him the substance in her purse, and admitted it was hers, Robertson alleged in arrest reports.
Evans remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Sept. 3. Bond on the controlled substance charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Debbie Mitchell: Proposed County Property Tax Rate To Remain Same for 2019-2020
State officials urge agencies to take ‘aggressive action’ to stop FM 71 flooding
The regular portion of Tuesday’s Hopkins County Commissioners Court meeting took only about 10 minutes, just long enough to hold a brief public hearing for the county property tax rate, and for commissioners to approve one line item transfer and acknowledge a resolution made by Sen. Bob Hall. The commissioners court then entered into an executive session.
Tax hearing
A public hearing was held for the county tax rate. No citizens were present to speak or comment on the proposed tax rate.
“We are proposing a tax rate $0.624892, the same as the preceding year’s tax rate. The county’s effective rate was $0.577457 and the rollback rate was 0.625556. So we are above our effective rate and below our rollback rate. That is what we are having the hearing for,” said Hopkins County Tax Assessor-Collector Debbie Pogue Mitchell.
“A lot of things we put off until next Monday, which will be the day we plan at this time to pass the budget for 2019-2020,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said.
If the budget is adopted during the Sept. 9 meeting, which begins at 9 a.m., the court will then consider approving the county property tax rate as recommended, according to Mitchell.
Fire Inspection
The judge entered into the public record the annual inspection of county buildings conducted by Sulphur Springs Fire Department.
The report, the judge said, revealed the courthouse to be in good shape, with no violations. The sprinkler system and alarms were serviced in August 2019.
“These days, I’m putting a lot of things in the record because a lot of times we at the courthouse will go, ‘What happened back then?’ If it’s in the record, we have it. So, we’re going to go ahead and put that report in,” said Newsom.
Line Item Transfer
Commissioners also approved a request for a line item transfer of $1,500 from the veterans affairs office’s schools and training fund to the treasurer’s office.
“It’s for training that he’s about to attend. He needs to get a rental car, etc. So, he needs the funds,” said County Auditor Shannah Walker.
FM 71 Bridge Resolution
The Commissioners Court also acknowledged and entered into the public record Resolution passed by Sen. Bob Hall and Rep. Reggie Smith urging Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army “Corps of Engineers to “take aggressive action regarding the obstruction of the South Sulphur River in order to alleviate flooding and environmental hazards.”
Newsom said the resolution resulted from a meeting held in Greenville, where the FM 71 flooding, including the bridge that crosses the Sulphur River Basin south of Cooper Lake near the Delta and Hopkins County boundary.
Executive Session
The court then adjourned the regular session to move to the third floor for an executive session, which the court agenda indicated was to discuss a real property matter and contract negotiation.
Newsom said matters would be discussed, but he did not at that time anticipate being ready to take action on any of the items discussed during the closed session. The sheriff and county fire chief were requested for the executive session, along with one other person, reportedly a Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation representative.
When the closed session concluded, the court reported not action from the session and the court adjourned.
Work Session
Following the executive session, the commissioner court was slated to enter into a work session.
Tom Glosup was slated to discuss maintenance and construction of county buildings. Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley was slated to discuss fire department operations, revenue and expenditures, and any proposals for improvements and repairs for HCFD.
Commissioners also during the session have the option of entering into a routine budget work session.
“Greater Tuna” Onstage at Main Street Theater in Six Performances Sept. 6 – 15
The hilarious stageplay “Greater Tuna” by Samuel French is the first in a series of four comedic plays, each set in the small town of Tuna, Texas the ‘third-smallest town in the state’. The play was written in 1981 and debuted in Austin with Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard. It debuted on Broadway in 1982. Although having presented two others in the Tuna series in recent years, the Sulphur Springs Community Players is now presenting the original comedy at Main Street Theater on September 6,7, 8 and 13, 14, 15. Director David Woody and local actor Brian Deterding visited the KSST Good Morning Show to invite everyone, teens to adults, to the show!
Deterding plays Arles Struvie and Loyd Turney plays Thurston Wheelis, the announcer team on OKKK, a 275-watt radio station serving ‘the Greater Tuna area’. Between them, these two actors also portray twenty other eccentric characters, both men and women, requiring a variety of voices, costumes and special effects. What do Struvie, Wheelis, Aunt Pearl, Petey Fisk, Phineas Blye, Vera Carp and Rev. Spikes have in common? In this hilarious send-up of small-town morals and mores, they are all among the upstanding citizens of Tuna, Texas’ third-smallest town. A nimble backstage crew assists with quick costume and prop changes, keeping the action, and the laughter, going non-stop! Reserve your seats at communityplayersinc.com or at 903-885-0107. Tickets are $10 each.
Prigmore Family and Friends to Host the 8th Annual Wounded Heroes Concert at Campbell, Texas Sept. 6, 7
Frank Prigmore, a retired infantry veteran and volunteer firefighter who resides with his family in the Campbell, Texas area, wanted to assist wounded heroes and their families using his gift of music. Eight years ago, he created the local Wounded Heroes Benefit Concert to raise funds for a national non profit, ‘Hope For the Warriors’, organization founded in 2006 and dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family and hope for veterans, service members and military families. Prigmore humbly counts himself among first responders, both community and military, who remain prepared to serve when needs arise in areas of Texas where they live. His network of musician friends, including country star Neal McCoy, are on board to help make the two-day fundraising event a success.
Prigmore’s Hunt County property, the Bar-Double Horseshoe Ranch at 4984 CR 4112 at Campbell, Texas will be the site of the 2-day event. The outdoor venue called Clancy’s Saloon and Stage is not a bar but an outdoor stage and dance floor under a shady stand of massive oak trees. The event is family-friendly and all ages are welcome. On Friday September 6, admission is free for live music, the dance party starting at 7pm and a fire pit pickin party at 11pm. Saturday’s event will begin at 2:30pm with a suggested donation of $10 person at the gate. Police, Fire and military personnel will be admitted free with valid ID. Saturday’s music lineup will bring a number of local and Metroplex bands and performers to the spacious outdoor stage. Guests will include at least one veterans motorcycle club. Neal McCoy will address the crowd briefly via live feed from an engagement where he is booked to appear that night. An auction will take place onstage at 7pm, and an after-hours Pickin Party will follow at 11pm to extend the event. BBQ vendors, a taco food truck, homemade ice cream and shaved ice will be on site, ice chests are welcome and RV and tent camping space will be available on site. Power for the stage and vendors will be provided by generator truck donated by Sunbelt Rentals, and use of port a potties has also been donated.
Prigmore and his family held the early concerts during springtime, but decided to move the date to the weekend nearest 9-11, or ‘Patriot Day Weekend’. During the past seven years, Prigmore has been able to donate more than $96,000 to Hope for the Warriors organization and hopes that the 2019 concert will be the biggest one yet for attendance and for fundraising. Hope for the Warriors assists veterans, service members and military families with an array of programming including clinical health and wellness, sports and recreations, and transition services. Find out more at hopeforthewarriors.org, at clancyssaloon.blogspot.com and on Facebook at Wounded Heroes Benefit Concert. Reach organizer Frank Prigmore at [email protected].
Arkansas Woman Allegedly Caught With THC Wax, Marijuana, Paraphernalia
A traffic stop by state troopers Sunday morning resulted in a 29-year-old Arkansas woman’s arrest after THC wax, suspected marijuana and paraphernalia were found in her vehicle.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Aaron Hanna stopped a Ford Fusion at 11:08 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2, on Interstate 30 at mile post 130 for speeding. On contact, Hanna alleged he could smell a strong marijuana odor coming from inside the car.
A probable cause search of the car allegedly revealed three glass containers of suspected THC wax, a bag containing suspected marijuana, a partially smoked marijuana cigar, a marijuana grinder, a marijuana pipe and other assorted marijuana paraphernalia, Hanna alleged in arrest reports.
Consequently, Kayla Jalesa Watkins, 29, of Pine Bluff Arkansas was arrested for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and possession or delivery of drug paraphernalia, according to arrest reports.
Police Arrest 3 Sulphur Springs Residents On Controlled Substance Charge
Cody Lee Huddleston 
Billy Lenard Baxley 
Shelby Jo Williamson
Two Sulphur Springs men and a woman were arrested Monday night after a narcotics detection canine alerted on their vehicle.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Zach Brown stopped a white Dodge pickup at 9:12 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, on College Street at Como Street for an equipment violation. The driver was identified as 40-year-old Cody Lee Huddleston of Sulphur Springs. Passengers were identified as 50-year-old Billy Lenard Baxley and 33-year-old Shelby Jo Williamson, both also of Sulphur Springs, according to arrest reports.
Brown alleged he requested and was denied consent to search the truck, so he called for the on-duty sheriff’s canine. The deputy reportedly brought his canine to the location and had the narcotics detecting canine conduct a sniff search around the car for contraband. A probable cause search of the pickup was conducted after the deputy advised the police K-9 gave a positive alert, Brown noted in arrest reports.
Officers alleged finding just less than 4 grams of suspected methamphetamine in the vehicle. All three occupants were arrested for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, Brown alleged in arrest reports.
All three remained in the county jail Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, on the charge, according to jail reports.
