Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Fannin County Charge
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Baumann took 30-year-old James Lon Keel III of Sulphur Springs man into custody at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the adult probation office in Hopkins County on a Fannin County warrant.
Keel was transported to Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center, where he was booked on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a Jan. 26, 2018 manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest report.
He remained in the county jail Thursday morning, Nov. 14, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Fund Established To Help Alberts Family
A GoFundMe account has been set up to benefit the Alberts family of Sulphur Bluff.
The Alberts family suffered a devastating loss. Not only was the family home destroyed by fire on Tuesday, Nov. 12, but Rick Alberts perished in the blaze as well, according to local officials.
According to a press release issued Wednesday evening by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, “The family is staying at a local hotel in Sulphur Springs and funeral arrangements are pending.”
The posted goal for the In Support for Alberts Family fundraiser is set at $7,000, and all funds will go to Rick Alberts’ wife, Patti.
“Patti is going to need everything and all money raised will go to her,” Jennifer Holland posted on the In Support for Alberts Family fundraising page.
“My Mom, Brothers, and I lost a lot last night. Worst of all we lost My Dad. If this wasn’t bad enough We (Mom) also lost both Dogs, and everything thing she has ever owned. Cloths, photos, antiques passed down, all things that we keep near our hearts dear to us. My heart is shattered right now as the rest of my family. If you can find it possible help please do. Thank you,” Tiffany Alberts Saul wrote in a post shared on the GoFundMe page.
Sulphur Bluff school, upon learning of the blaze Tuesday, also began accepting donations of gift cards to local stores and cash to help school employee Patti Alberts. Donations should be taken to the school office.
Sulphur Bluff Beta Club also will be hosting a fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, to help Patti Alberts. Club members will be offering taco stack ups/nachos for donations in the Sulphur Bluff ISD cafeteria
28th Annual Radio/TV Auction Starts at 5pm Sat. November 23 at KSST and Channel 18 TV Studios
It started 28 years ago, after KSST owners Bill and Patsy Bradford branched out to include local television, with KSST Cable Channel 18 . Kelly Bradford Grimes and her husband Dwayne Grimes, longtime KSST Program Director, came up with the idea and pitched the fundraising concept to the Sulphur Springs Symphony League which they were members of. The offer was quickly accepted and that same year, in the Autumn of 1991, a team of volunteer workers, guest auctioneers, phone operators and delivery drivers put on the first ever 6-hour monster-size event! Bidders at home called on their land lines to place bids, they watched the live studio action on their living room TV set, and they listened to the radio through the night to see if they were top bidder on the dozens of choice items! Although today we have more conveniences, like using cell phones, viewing items online and streaming the action on ksstradio.com, it should be a very exciting night for bidders as well as a successful one for the League. Plan to tune in starting at 5pm and place bids on your favorite Christmas-themed items, trips and stays, and gift cards from favorite eateries and shops. You will also need to know the phone number, 903-885-0700, for placing bids by phone on Auction night.
League President Sharla Campbell and League Secretary Maleta Reynolds explained that it takes the annual Auction, League membership fees and sponsorships to bring in funds needed for providing art, music and cultural experiences which enhance the lives of the public and especially the children of the Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County community. Fundraising dollars are applied to provide an annual Children’s Concert for elementary-age youngsters, a Dallas Opera performance for Middle Schoolers, and the Independence Symphony Orchestra Concert each summer for everyone in downtown Sulphur Springs. If you would like to become a member or sponsor of the Northeast Texas Symphony League, please contact Sharla Campbell at 903-243-8388.
Chamber Connection – Nov. 14, 2019
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
I’m excited to let you know that we have begun work on the 2020 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business. LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you in the next few weeks to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory. The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. I hope you will consider this a wise investment with over 7,000 opportunities for business exposure. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her. I’m proud to produce this book telling all about the place we love. I hope you will join me in the journey!
The Sulphur Springs Hopkins County EDC and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce are hosting their annual Economic Outlook Conference at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are so excited to welcome Mr. Christopher Slijk, assistant economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as our keynote speaker at the 2019 Economic Outlook Conference. Sponsorships of the conference and tickets are available. Lunch will be provided. For further information, please call the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515.
18th Semi-Annual History By Foot is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16
History by Foot with John Sellers is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. Cost is $10 per person. Make reservations by emailing John Sellers at [email protected] or call CNB at 903-885-7523. Reservations are filling up fast!
Chaffer’s Place to host fundraiser
Chaffer’s Place is hosting a fundraising dinner on Monday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at the ROC in Sulphur Springs. This fundraiser will allow for assistance with alternative schooling, higher learning, arts and culture in the community. For more information, please visit www.ckproductions.info or call 470-848-2246.
UPRA Rodeo Finals come to Sulphur Springs
The UPRA Rodeo Finals will be held on Nov. 21, 22, and 23 at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. The rodeo finals will be held at 7 p.m. nightly, and tickets are on sale at the Civic Center Box Office.
Wesley Methodist Church Fall Round-up
Wesley United Methodist Church is hosting their 41st Annual Fall Round Up on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be Hopkins County Stew, a silent auction, country store, and a live auction. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children. Visit www.wesleysst.org/fallroundup for more information.
Lion’s Club will host the 12th Annual Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 6
The Lion’s Club is hosting the 12th Annual Christmas Parade Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. The parade begins at Buford Park and goes East on Connally Street to the square, turns left onto Church Street, and left on Houston Street to end in the Gerald Prim Stadium parking lot (watch the Lion’s Club Facebook page for possible route changes due to construction on Connally Street). You may pick up registration forms and rules at the Chamber of Commerce. Registration forms must be received by noon on Tuesday, Dec. 4.
CASA hosts their annual Cookie Walk
CASA is hosting their annual Cookie Walk on Friday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Cookies are sold for $5 a pound. Go by there and load up on Christmas cookies while supporting our local CASA!
SSISD Receives Superior Financial Rating
Proposal Selected For 8 HVAC Replacement Units
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees heard a number of reports from school personnel and students and were asked to consider a few items, including bids for half a dozen HVAC systems.
SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw at the Nov. 11 meeting cnoducted a public meeting regarding the district’s 2019 Financial Accountability Rating. McGraw explained that the rating is based on 2017-2018 school year data and noted that SSISD received a superior rating of 100 points.
The board also approved the purchase of eight heating, ventilation, and air conditioning replacements. SSISD requested bids from three area vendors that are TIPS or BuyBoard approved vendors. A&S Air Conditioning submitted the lowest bid of $62,535, with Wood Air Conditioning Inc.’s bid of $73,100 in second and North Texas Fab LLC’s bid of $79,982 in third. A&S and Wood Air are both TIPS-approved vendors, while North Texas Fab is a BuyBoard-approved vendor.
SSISD Director of Operations Dan Froneberger recommended accepting the proposal from A&S Air Conditioning to replace three units at Austin Academic Center, one unit at the high school, two units at the elementary campus, and two units and other related items at Travis Primary. The purchase of replacements was approved by the school board at their Nov. 11 meeting. Work will be started over the Christmas break or sooner, according to information provided by SSISD.
SSISD trustees Monday night also approved an agreement with Sulphur Springs Country Club regarding use of the facility by golf students and coaches.
Also approved during the meeting were the 2018-2019 Head Start Community Assessment Update and consent agenda, which included tax credits and supplements, delinquent tax collections, and financial statements and bills payable for October 2019.
Superintendent Michael Lamb also gave an update on current board goals, and highlighted the early childhood math goal. Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams reported on elementary and secondary programs and activities since from the various campuses.
Barbara Bush Primary students lead the school board, administrators and others present in reciting the pledges to the American and Texas flags at the Nov. 11 meeting, then showed board members their Veterans Day e-books made and store in the SeeSaw app.
Board members were also provided with copies of Head Start Director’s reports and Policy Council minutes for October.
Update: Sulphur Bluff Resident Found In Debris Of Burned Home Wednesday Afternoon, Officials Report
Officials Wednesday afternoon reported the Sulphur Bluff man whose County Road 3608 residence was destroyed Tuesday by fire was located by specially trained canines inside the debris of his home.
The Search One Rescue Team, an organization with specifically trained canine handlers dedicated to search and rescue, located the deceased man inside the debris and notified his family, according to a press release issued by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday evening.
“The victim was identified as Rick Alberts, a retired Dallas fireman,” the press release stated.
Hopkins County, Sulphur Bluff, North Hopkins, Dike, Saltillo, Brinker, Arbala, Franklin County and Mount Vernon Fire Departments were dispatched at about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, to the two-story residential fire on County Road 3608 in Sulphur Bluff. Officials soon received a report that there could potentially still be a person inside of the home, according to fire and dispatch reports.
Upon arrival, firefighters reported the house to be fully involved with fire. Firefighters deployed hand lines, trying to knock the blaze down as best they could. However, those efforts were reportedly hampered due to problems getting tankers there for water supply, the county fire marshal reported Wednesday morning.
“The fire had quickly consumed the two story residence, leaving a large amount of heavy debris,” according to the HCSO press release.
Officials searched into the night, attempting to account for the male resident and returned Wednesday morning to resume searching for the man in the debris, aided by Search One Rescue Team. The rescue team located him about 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, according to sheriff’s and fire reports.
“The cause of the fire is unknown and still under investigation. The family is staying at a local hotel in Sulphur Springs and funeral arrangements are pending. Our prayers are with the family,” the HCSO press release stated.
Wildcats Basketball is Better At Second Scrimmage Tuesday Night
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta said the Wildcats played much better at a scrimmage Tuesday night (November 12) than they did on Saturday. The Wildcats scrimmaged Mesquite Poteet and Tyler Lee at Mesquite Poteet Tuesday evening. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats did not appear to be having fun on Saturday. He said he knows the team has a target on their back and will get everyone’s best shot but he said the team did not seem to handle that Saturday. He added some team members seemed to take it personally when things did not go their way. Coach Cipoletta saw a difference Tuesday night. He said the team seemed to find a way to overcome things when the team was in a tough stretch. He noticed they were having fun Tuesday night. Coach Cipoletta said he challenged Cameron Kahn after his play Saturday and he said Kahn responded Tuesday night. He said Boo Wilkerson was more focused on handling the ball. Coach Cipoletta said Lamodrick Johnson has been slowed by an ankle injury. The coach liked the play of Day Day Hall and Grayson McClure. Coach Cipoletta was really excited by the improved play of Justin Haire. He said Haire, a 6-foot-7 sophomore, had a couple of put back dunks, got some offensive rebounds and seemed more calm and poised than he was Saturday. Coach Cipoletta said he was not ready for Decatur. He said he still needed another couple of days to get ready for them. He has those days. The Wildcats open the regular season against Decatur, the #7 ranked team in Class 4A, Saturday at 11 a.m. at North Crowley at the Cowtown Showdown.
Two Basketball Wildcats Sign Letters of Intent: Hall to IUPUI and Kahn to DBU
Two Wildcats Basketball seniors signed letters of intent to play college ball Wednesday morning (November 13) in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs before a big crowd of students, friends and family.
6-foot-5 forward and guard Cameron Kahn signed to play at Dallas Baptist University. Kahn said DBU began to follow him through his AAU basketball playing. He said the religious school would allow him to follow his faith and help him be a better man. Kahn said DBU has started the season 2-0. He said they play well together, love the game, communicate and want to win. Kahn said he loves winners. He said DBU wants him to help them push the ball up court, be versatile and be the best he can be for them. Kahn said he looks forward to a good year for the Wildcats this season. He said recruiting was pretty overwhelming. He said some team’s coaches would show up and then not show up but he said Dallas Baptist stuck with him. Kahn said it is a good match for him. Plus they are close to home. He said his granny and family would be able to come see him play. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said Kahn is a big time kid with great character. He said DBU would feed Kahn spiritually, physically and mentally. Coach Cipoletta said Kahn brings a lot to the table. He noted Kahn drew a ton of interest from college recruiters. Coach Cipoletta said Kahn is only 17 years old and would be a whole different player in a couple of years. He said the sky is the limit for Kahn.
6-foot-7 forward and guard Sadaidriene Day Day Hall signed a letter of intent to play at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Hall said a coach told him if he landed the job at IUPUI, he would come back and get Day Day to play there. That’s what happened. Hall called it a dream come true. He said the IUPUI team is solid and are winners, just like the Sulphur Springs Wildcats. Hall said the Indiana college liked his basketball skills and what he can do on the court. He said they especially liked his rebounding. Hall said the key to his rebounding prowess is putting heart and effort into it. Hall said he expects to play forward and maybe a little guard at IUPUI. He said he believes eventually he will start as a freshman. Hall said he would get used to the cold weather up north. He expects another good season for the Wildcats and another run at a state championship. Coach Cipoletta has taken Hall into his home and said he is family. He called him a great kid adding he is happy for him. Coach Cipoletta said the IUPUI program would take care of Day Day. He said Hall was perhaps the best rebounder he has ever coached. Coach Cip said Hall is an unselfish player adding he sometimes has to tell him to score more.
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Saw a Lot of Improvement in Her Team Tuesday Night
Despite a 46-29 loss to Mount Vernon Tuesday Night (November 12), Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell said her team played a lot better than they did last Saturday against Mineola. She said the Lady Cats just got down by too many points in the first quarter to overcome. Coach Tisdell said her team’s play after the first quarter was outstanding. She said the Lady Cats could have won except for the bad first quarter that saw them trailing 18-5. Coach Tisdell said she got standout performances from two freshmen Tuesday night. Kenzie Willis scored 15 points and Serenity Lewis had 9. She said the pair scored 24 of the Lady Cats’ 29 points. She noted they looked much more comfortable than they did on Saturday. Coach Tisdell said it’s a big change in pace when a player jumps from the 8th grade to the varsity. The Lady Cats, 0-2 this season, play next in the Bells Invitational Tournament. They open bright and early Thursday at 9 a.m. against Pottsboro, ranked #23 in Class 3A. After the slow start at Mount Vernon, Coach Tisdell said she might need to make sure there is coffee on the bus considering the Lady Cats early start time Thursday morning.
Saltillo Lady Lions Open Regular Season With Loss to State’s #1 Class 2A Team
For an opening season game Tuesday (November 12), the Saltillo Lady Lions decided to climb the highest mountain. They took on Martin’s Mill, the #1 ranked team in Class 2A and State Champions for the past two seasons and the game was at Martin’s Mill. The result was a Martin’s Mill win over Salltillo, 53-18. Martin’s Mill went up 19-2 after one quarter and never looked back. For the Lady Lions, Allie Lane had 6 points, Chandler Bain and Jocelyn Ochoa had 4 points apiece and Anna Reeder and Maddy Smith had 2 points each. Lady Lions Coach Bill Giles said his team was a little overwhelmed but he added it was their first game and they would learn from this. The Lady Lions play next in the Rivercrest Shootout on Saturday.
