Student Scholarship Drive Scheduled April 16 at Como-Pickton CISD
Como-Pickton CISD Assistant Superintendent Jana Andrews invites the public to get behind the wheel to assist in the Student Scholarship “Drive” set for Tuesday, April 16, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
In an e-mail to KSST, Andrews sent this message for the public: “Como-Pickton CISD is conducting a fundraiser for our senior scholarship fund. Texas Country Ford in Winnsboro will bring several Ford vehicles to our school on April 16th, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Community members can take a spin in a new Ford vehicle. For every test-drive taken, Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to our scholarship fund. A little drive could go a long way for our students!”
EEA Easter Egg Hunt Rescheduled For April 19
Due to the 100 percent prediction of rain forecast Saturday, the Easter egg hunt planned at Pacific Park by East End Allegiance Our Youth has been pushed back one week.
” It’s important that we do something in the community for our youth! We didn’t want to cancel the event. Come out for an evening Easter egg hunt! The kids will love it,” said EEA President Bridgette Cooper.
2 Jailed Following Early Morning Traffic Stop
An early morning traffic stop Wednesday by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Davis resulted in location of a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine and another substance. Kedaron Dion Franklin, 32, and Lydia Elizabeth Monteneri, 27, both of Sulphur Springs were charged with possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
A search of the Chevrolet Impala stopped at 2:23 a.m. on College Street at Oak Avenue allegedly resulted in location of a capsule and pill the deputy believed to be Ecstasy or molly in the female passenger’s purse. Davis also reported seeing a small bag with a green leafy substance he believed to be marijuana.
The deputy, in arrest reports, stated the woman at that point tried to deny her consent to search her purse. She was placed into custody. When asked about the pills, she reportedly affirmed they were molly.
The man reportedly admitted to having an open container in the vehicle. A search of the car allegedly revealed a crystal-like rock on the driver’s side floorboard. The substance field tested positive for methamphetamine, Davis noted in arrest reports.
Both were taken to jail. The driver, identified in arrest reports as Franklin, was charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The passenger, identified as Monteneri , was charged with possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Franklin remained in the county jail at 10 a.m. Wednesday; his bond was set at $5,000 on the charge. Monteneri also remained in jail; her bond was set at $10,000, according to jail reports.
Gillis Foundation Pledges $320,000 in Bright Stars Scholarships
The recipients and their families will be recognized at a reception from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Media is invited to attend.
Ten Hopkins County high school students will get life-changing awards Tuesday evening when they are announced as the recipients of the inaugural John and Deborah Gillis Foundation Bright Stars scholarships.
Almost a third of a million dollars will be pledged to the Bright Stars recipients to fund their college educations. Each of the 10 students will receive $4,000 per semester, renewable for up to eight semesters, to pay for college.
Bright Stars is the largest single scholarship program in the county.
The recipients and their families will be recognized at a reception from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Media is invited to attend.
The Bright Stars scholarships are open each year to all graduating seniors from the seven school districts in Hopkins County: Como-Pickton, Cumby, Miller Grove, North Hopkins, Saltillo, Sulphur Bluff and Sulphur Springs.
The scholarship program is the second platform of the Gillis Foundation’s commitment to local education.
In February, the foundation awarded three county school districts (Como-Pickton, Sulphur Bluff and Cumby) a total of $100,000 for innovative programs in their schools. The purposes of the grants are to support schools are they prepare students who graduate from high school to be college and career ready whatever their life goals may be.
The foundation will consistently work closely with Hopkins County school districts to ensure a strong alignment between their own educational goals and the foundation’s mission and goals of college and career readiness. The grant funding’s intentions are ultimately to increase Hopkins County graduates’ chances of competing in a global society for college entrances of their choice and competitive career opportunities.
ABOUT THE GILLIS FOUNDATION
The foundation was developed and financially supported by the Sulphur Springs couple and is managed by former teacher, counselor and educational consultant Robin Shrode. All three are Sulphur Springs High School graduates.
John Gillis, who is Chairman/CEO of Gillis Holdings, Inc., is a fifth-generation Hopkins County native. The couple, who married in 1985, have one son and one granddaughter. John and Debbie are both graduates of East Texas State University (now Texas A&M-Commerce).
Information regarding the process of applying for the Grants to Schools and Bright Star Scholarship programs are on the foundation’s website: www.jdgillisfoundation.org
SSISD Strings Students To Perform Totally ’80s Concert April 13 On the Square
Does thinking about the 1980s, make you nostalgic for all of the wild colors and prints, not to mention the big hair and cassette tapes? Or maybe you’re too young to remember the 1980s, but really enjoy the rad music? Are you a supporter of the fine arts in schools?
You are exactly the ones the SSISD Strings Booster Club is looking for this Saturday evening as they host a Springs Fling on Celebration Plaza, featuring the sounds of the ’80s performed by the Sulphur Springs Independent School District Strings Program.
All are invited to bring a chair or blanket to sit on, show your best 80s flair and tease up their hair for a Totally 80s Party on the square starting at 5:30 pm. April 13. In the event of rain, the celebration would be moved inside Sulphur Springs Middle School. This will be the strings students’ spring concert, where the those enrolled in the orchestra program (52 currently with growth anticipated) can show case their skills, which earned all first and second division ratings at UIL competition recently.
“After an evaluation of the current school-owned instruments we have discovered that the condition, approximate age and repairs needed are substantial. To keep our program strong and to continue to provide the same opportunities to all students we are reaching out to our local community for financial contributions. The goal of the SSISD Strings Booster Club is to raise $25,000 to purchase new instruments for the use of our talented student musicians,” the booster club wrote in a letter to local businesses.
Donations to help “fill the case” will be accepted during the event to help raise funds to purchase of new instruments for SSMS and High School Strings Program. While any donation is welcome, SSISD Strings Booster Club also welcomes instrument sponsors or memorial donations as well. A bass costs $1,000, a cello $800, and viola and violin $500 each. Overall, the club has set at goal of $25,000 to purchase new instruments for these young musicians.
For more information,send an email to [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/SSISDSBC.
Saltillo Lady Lions’ Softball Team Takes Hard Fought loss at Detroit Tuesday
In a game that went back and forth, the Saltillo Lady Lions’ softball team dropped a hard fought game to Detroit, 11-9 in Detroit Tuesday (April 9). Detroit led 1-0 after two innings. Saltillo tied it at 1-1 in the third but Detroit went up 5-1 in the bottom of the third. The Lady Lions scored three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to go up 6-5. Detroit had a four run bottom of the fifth to go back ahead 9-6. Saltillo rallied again with three runs in the top of the sixth to tie the game 9-9. Detroit scored two in the bottom of the sixth to lead 11-9. When Saltillo did not score in the seventh inning, Detroit had an 11-9 win. Chandler Bain got the pitching loss for Saltillo with seven strikeouts and seven walks. For the Lady Lions, Bain was 2 for 5 with two triples. Josey Bench was 2 for 3 with two singles and two walks. Paisley Kastner was 1 for 2 with a double and two walks. Anna Reeder was 1 for 3 with a double and two walks. McKenna Gurley was 2 for 4 with two singles. Brittney Peeples was 2 for 4 with a double and two walks. The Lady Lions are now 2-7 for the season. Saltillo will play at Sulphur Bluff Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
North Hopkins Gets Another Lopsided Win Over Miller Grove, 19-0 on Tuesday
Talk about a great start. The North Hopkins Panthers scored 15 runs in the bottom of the first to lead the Hornets, 15-0 after one inning on their way to a 19-0 win Tuesday (April 9). The Panthers added three runs in the second and one more run in the third. The Panthers had 15 hits. Meanwhile Panthers’ pitchers Caleb Wyatt and Wyatt Wharton combined to throw a one-hit shutout in a game that only went 3 ½ innings. Wyatt got the pitching win allowing no hits or runs over two innings with five strikeouts and no walks. Wharton also pitched two innings allowing one hit and no runs with five strikeouts and no walks. Jagger Qualis got the Hornets hit, a single in the top of the fourth inning. Qualis took the pitching loss for Miller Grove. For the Panthers, Wyatt was 2 for 4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs. Wharton was 2 for 3 with a double, three runs scored and two RBIs. Victor Rojo was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Branson Thomas was 2 for 2 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Brycen Gillespie was 2 for 2 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Geoffrey Stewart was 1 for 1 with a triple, a run scored and three RBIs. Kevin Clement was 1 for 2 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Wildcats Baseball Team Loses Wild Extra Inning Game at Greenville, 10-9
After the Wildcats’ baseball team stranded a runner at third base in the top of the eighth inning, Greenville got a clutch single in the bottom of the eighth to score the winning run in a wild, 10-9 game at Greenville Tuesday night (April 9). The Lions’ Brayden Hudspeth drove home the winning run capping a 4 for 5 performance at the plate. The Lions also trailed 9-5 going into the bottom of the seventh but scored four runs to extend the game. Several umpires’ calls did not go the Wildcats way in the bottom of the seventh and Sulphur Springs’ fans expressed their displeasure. A Wildcat player was tossed out by the field umpire and a fan was removed from the stands by the home plate umpire. Jake Davis took the loss in relief pitching 4 2/3 innings allowing eight hits and seven runs with only 3 earned, with five strikeouts and three walks. Greenville’s Landon Koger got the win. Both teams had 12 hits. The Wildcats had six errors and the Lions had three. The Wildcats’ Austin Dodd had a great game at the plate just missing a cycle. He was 5 for 5 with four RBIs. Dodd’s double in the first drove in two runs. He singled in the third, tripled in the fourth and singled in the sixth and eighth. Jaxon Chaney was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored, two doubles and two RBIs. Jase Thompson was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Kaden Argenbright was 1 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Kamren Harrison was 1 for 4 with a run scored. Kolson Hale scored two runs and Davis scored a run. Will Sims started for the Wildcats and went three innings allowing four hits and three runs with two strikeouts. The Wildcats slip to 2-8 in district play and they are 10-10 for the season. The Wildcats have lost seven straight games including six straight district games. The Wildcats play Greenville a third and final time in district this season Friday night at Wildcat Park. In the first two meetings, each team has a win.
SSPD’s Interdiction Canine Named Top Dog At USPCA Trials, Competition
Sulphur Springs Police Department Officer Cleve “Buddy” Williams pose with the trophy and awards they earned based on their performance in the USPCA Region 20 Trials and Certifications.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Cleve “Buddy” Williams and his canine partner Kilo recently earned the “Top Dog” award based on the police canine’s overall performance during the United States Police Canine Association Region 20 Trials and Certifications held recently in Sulphur Springs.
Williams and Kilo took first place honors in the patrol contest, and initially tied with Donny Tarter and canine Dieks of McKinney Police Department for first place in narcotics. However, Dierk’s time was better than Kilo’s so top honors in the category went to the McKinney PD team, with the SSPD pair in second.
However, because Kilo’s overall points total was the highest, so the SSPD team went home with the Top Dog award.
This was quite an accomplishment for veteran canine handler and interdiction officer, who has won first place in patrol and narcotics competition several times in the past, competing with five different canine partners over the years, counting Kilo. However, this is the first time Williams and his police dog have captured the Top Dog award.
Another local canine-handler pair also was recognized for their skills. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Zach Poindexter and canine Chiv were named Rookie Dog of the Year, according to Williams.
The competition is held alongside annual USPCA trials, designed to allow canine handlers to put their dogs through the paces to earn annual certification required for officers to use the dogs in the line of work. Each canine-handler pair must first scored 70 percent or higher on the obedience test, administered first, in order to advance to the trials. That’s coupled with a friendly competition among participants.
Which of the events the police dog competes in various depending on the canine’s job. Dogs are judged on agility, evidence search, criminal apprehension with and without gunfire, narcotics and bomb detection.
In the suspect search event, six large wooden boxes are spaced out in one general area. Each box contains human scent. However, only one person will be hidden in one box, and the police canine has to figure out which box the person is in and alert their handler by whatever means the dog is trained, whether it be barking, scratching at the box or sitting down in front of it.
Tracking, Williams said, is another separate event not typically counted toward the overall points.
For the narcotics contest, substances are hid in two of five different vehicles. The police canine has to find and alert on it.
Another requires the canine to find the narcotics or “bomb” hidden in one of three 300-square foot rooms.
Kilo’s primary duties are criminal interdiction. Williams utilizes him for narcotics detection as well as handler protection.
Williams says the half Malinois and half Shepherd, like his four other canine partners and most police dogs, lives with him and has become part of the family, and is very protective of family members. However, Kilo knows when to switch off family playtime and go to work. When put into the patrol unit, he knows it’s time to be serious, Williams said.
Lady Cats Use Offense and Solid Pitching to Defeat Greenville, 11-3
For the third straight game the Lady Cats’ softball team had double digit hits and they also had very solid pitching in an 11-3 victory over Greenville in Greenville Tuesday night (April 9). Freshman Addison Caddell, who got the pitching win, had a no-hitter until the sixth inning when Lady Lion Kelsi McNair hit a double off of the center field wall. Caddell ended up with a three-hitter allowing only a single earned run. She also struck out five and walked two. The Lady Cats pounded out 14 hits and scored in every inning except the seventh. Sadie Stroud was 2 for 2 with two doubles, two runs scored and three RBIs. Allie Fite was 1 for 4 with a triple and two RBIs. Sierra Smith was 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Kelsey Wallace was 2 for 4 with three runs scored , two triples and an RBI. Landri Bell was 2 for 4 with a run scored, a triple and an RBI. Colbria Harrison was 1 for 1 with an RBI. Bricklee Driver was 1 for 5 with an RBI. Kate Womack was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Nylah Lindley was 1 for 2 with a run scored. Darby Williams was 1 for 2. The Lady Cats scored three first inning runs and added a run in the second, two runs in the third and fourth innings and one more in the sixth. The Lady Lions scored an unearned run without a hit in the second inning and added two more runs in the sixth. Only one of those runs was earned. The Lady Cats improved to 6-1 in district play. They are now 20-5 for the season. The Lady Cats play Lindale Friday evening at Lady Cat Park.
