Northeast Texas Livestock Association Sponsors the Junior Market Livestock Show for Hopkins County
It’s almost time for the Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show and Sale, a fun, exciting and profitable event for local youth interested in agriculture. One of the most important functions performed by the 501C-3 NETLA organization is to oversee and sponsor this annual show and sale. Youngsters who are in 4H, Jr. FFA and high school FFA chapters in Hopkins County schools are invited to take part in the exciting event. Doing so helps them learn about animals and how to successfully raise and show a livestock project. NETLA’s year-round efforts also provide an opportunity for youth to earn scholarship money for their college fund and future interests in a career in agriculture.
Chuck Askins is a 17-year member of NETLA, and for the past twelve years has also served as Swine Superintendent. What does a livestock Superintendent do? In the autumn, Superintendents identify and validate the healthy project pigs registered by the students, following their inspection by the 4H or FFA leader. In the Spring, Superintendents conduct the check-in and weigh-in process on the morning of the NETLA Show. Askins also located and confirmed a judge for the Swine Show, and he helps explain the rules of showing to the youngsters prior to the Show. For 2019, 118 Swine projects were validated, owned by 71 youth exhibitors.
Following two days of animal shows for lambs, goats, poultry, swine, steers and heifers, the judging scores of these animals are tabulated and compared by NETLA. The top-scoring animals are selected to go into the Sale of Champions, and the top exhibitors and projects are announced by posting an Order of Sale at the event. Askins explained “normally, about half the number of animals in each specie are selected for the Sale, and never fewer than 15 of each specie. For example, for the 2019 Show, only 28 steers were validated. Therefore, 15 of these will be offered for bidding in the Sale of Champions. Last year, over $440,000 total was raised from the auction of the livestock projects, with every penny of that money going back to the exhibitors. And each year, the total amount of money raised is a little more, thanks to the generosity of our bidders and to those who provide add-on money”. Persons who attend the Sale of Champions on Saturday February 23 can enjoy a stew and chili lunch by donation, prepared by the Young Farmers organization in the arena of the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Hopkins County Jail Houses Hunt County Inmates Due to Hunt County Jail Gas Leak
Due to a gas leak at the Hunt County Jail, approximately 15 inmates were transferred to Hopkins County Jail and others to Tarrant County early this week.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said the transfers were received without incident and that the courtesy holds were necessitated by the danger to the inmates at the Hunt County facility. Although the county does charge for courtesy holds, he stated that these inmates would be housed at a lesser fee. He said it is possible that Hopkins County will have need of assistance from Hunt County at some time and that good relationships with the neighboring county were important.
Powerlifting Qualifies Two Girls for Regional Powerlifting Meet
The Sulphur Springs High School Powerlifting Team will be sending two girls to the Girls Regional Powerlifting Meet held at Pine Tree in Longview on February 28. Qualifying are freshman Addyson Lamb, ranked #9 in the region in the 123-pound weight class and Sable Erdmier , ranked #4 in the region in the 165-pound weight class. Both girls had lifts that were personal records at a meet in Commerce Friday. In Commerce, Erdmier had a 250 pound squat, a 100 pound bench press and a very impressive 325 pound dead lift.
The Wildcats Powerlifting Team competed in a boys meet Saturday in Commerce. SSHS Powerlifting Coach Casey Jeter said Oscar Yanez was able to lose weight to get into the 114-pound weight class Saturday. He said usually a lifter losing weight struggles but that was not the case for Yanez. Coach Jeter said Yanez had personal record lifts in all categories and now is ranked #1 in the region in the 114-pound weight class. Jacob Semler took 5th place in the 114-pound weight class in Commerce and he is ranked #6 in the region. In Commerce, George Greenway was 3rd in the 198-pound weight class, Caden Davis was 5th in the 198-pound weight class and Carson Bridges took 1st in the 181-pound weight class. Coach Jeter said Bridges is ranked #1 in the region in his weight class. Coach Jeter said he has high hopes that Yanez and Bridges can qualify for the State Powerlifting Meet March 23 in Abilene.
Seven members of the SSHS Boys Powerlifting Team will be competing at a last chance qualifier meet Thursday in Maud. Coach Jeter said the seven are ranked high in the region or are just outside those that are currently qualified for the regional meet. He said he hopes to qualify seven or eight Wildcats for the Boys Regional Powerlifting Meet held at Tyler Lee on March 7.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Chamber Connection February 21, 2019
We enjoyed a wonderful 93rd Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet! “Love Makes the World Go ‘Round!” dinner and community awards banquet was held at the Hopkins County Civic Center on Thursday, February 14th at 6:00 p.m. Here is a comprehensive list of award winners from the evening: Caregivers of the Year, Gladys Howell, Bernie Beers; Growth and Renewal Award, Lynda Hager; Community Pride, Hopkins County United Way; Agriculturalist of the Year, Keith Edwards; Educator of the Year, Harold Smithson; Woman of the Year, Beverley Owens; Small Business of the Year, Hopkins County EMS; Large Business of the Year, Jay Hodge Chevrolet; Ambassador of the Year, Kasey Knotts; and Citizen of the Year, Craig Roberts.
Google is presenting locally for a Chamber Lunch + Learn
The Chamber will be hosting a Lunch + Learn presented by Google, sponsored by Chad’s Media, on Friday, March 15th at 11:30 a.m. at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Google will be presenting on “Reaching Customers Online”. Learn how customers can find your business online and how to promote your online presence using search engine optimization (SEO) and online advertising. We’ll also introduce tools that will help you run your business online, including Google Analytics and Trends. The presentation will also include telling your business story through video. It will be a great hour of useful information. Reservations are made on a first-come-first-serve basis. Cost is $20 for Chamber members, and $30 for non-Chamber members and includes lunch. Make your reservations right away by calling the Chamber at (903) 885-6515.
Family Smiles will host their ribbon cutting celebration
Family Smiles, located at 610 Gilmer #1B Street in Sulphur Springs, will host their ribbon cutting celebration on Friday, February 22nd at noon. Please make plan to join us!
Ribbon Cuttings:
The Hopkins County Commissioners Court opened the new courtroom
The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court hosted a ribbon cutting for their newly constructed courtroom located at 282 Rosemont Street in Sulphur Springs. It was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13th.
Seven Lady Cats Basketball Players Make All-District Team With One Superlative
Lady Cats senior point guard SaDavia Porter was named the district’s Defensive Player of the Year on the District 15-5A All-District Basketball Team released Wednesday (February 20). The team was selected by the district’s coaches who could not vote for members of their own team. Porter was one of seven Lady Cats named to the All District Team.
Selected First Team All District:
Senior post Autumn Tanton and
Senior guard Danielle Godbolt .
Named Second Team All District:
Sophomore forward Nylah Lindley
Junior guard Kate Womack
Honorable Mention:
Senior guard Te’Arria Rose
Junior guard Aliyah Abron
Coach Talk: Rebounding a Key in Wildcat Bi-District Win
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta said rebounding was a key to victory for the #4 ranked Wildcats in Tuesday (February 19) night’s bi-district win over John Tyler, 66-50 at Wills Point. The Wildcats now face #24 ranked Midlothian in an Area game Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Forney.
Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats had perhaps their best rebounding performance of the season Tuesday night. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats greatly limited second chance points for the Lions. He had lots of good things to say about John Tyler. He said they were really good and very athletic. Coach Cipoletta said the Lions had players that can really change the game on offense and he added they also made it tough to score.
Coach Cipoletta said Lions’ guard Michael Hogg was perhaps the quickest player the Wildcats have faced this season. He said he was proud of his Wildcats. He said they made some shots and played defense pretty well.
Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats have some things to clean up on offense for Friday night and he said the Wildcats are capable to playing defense better than they did Tuesday night. He said with Keaston Willis back the Wildcats need to get in a flow with him. Coach Cipoletta noted that Willis hit the first basket in the game just like he had never been away. He said he was glad Willis could continue his high school legacy that includes being a part of more than 90 wins the last four years.
Saltillo Lady Lions Season Ends in Regional Quarterfinal Loss
The #20 ranked Saltillo Lady Lions’ basketball team had their season come to an end Tuesday (February 19) with a regional quarterfinal loss to #17 ranked Slidell, 51-30.
Lady Lions Coach Colton Smith said Slidell is a good team coached by a good coach in Lance Shelton. Coach Smith said Slidell had only two losses on the season. He said they shot the ball well and made 9 three-point baskets. Slidell led 14-3 after one quarter, 29-11 at the half and 45-26 after three quarters.
Brittney Peeples led the Lady Lions with 8 points. Chandler Bain scored 7 points. Jocelyn Ochoa had 6 points. Maddy Smith added 5 points. Anna Reeder scored 4 points.
The Lady Lions end the season with a 28-9 record.
Home Invasion Suspect Sought by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigators
A home invasion and robbery at a residence on State Highway 11W just outside the city of Sulphur Springs has Hopkins County Investigators seeking assistance from the public. A $1,000 cash reward and possibly other reward money through Crime Stoppers are being offered.
On Tuesday a thin build masked white male believed to be between 40 and 50 years of age entered the unlocked back door of the residence and walked up behind the senior adult, who was watching TV. He had a pistol and demanded that the person not turn around. He made demands for money and jewelry. The victim did provide him the money and jewelry. He locked the victim in a bathroom and told the victim to not leave the room for 5-minutes. She waited and then contacted law enforcement who arrived within minutes of the call, according to Investigators.
A canvas of the area did not provide any leads regarding the thin build male or a vehicle. The description of the suspect was provided by the victim thanks to a brief glance even though at gunpoint and told not to turn around. Sheriff’s investigators hope the public can help with information regarding anything unusual on State Highway 11W Tuesday morning.
