Water Oak Students Help Dinner Bell
Students from Water Oak Elementary School in Sulphur Springs made their yearly trip Wednesday to First United Methodist Church. The eager volunteers took part in Dinner Bell duties. Clad in latex gloves, the students made sure everyone had a desert. Once everyone was served, they sat down to a plate of spaghetti and had a few cookies too.
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
7th Annual Tanner Higgins Warrior Run Will Take Place This Saturday, Rain Or Shine
The 7th Annual Tanner Higgins Warrior Run will take place Saturday morning at Cooper Lake State Park-South Sulphur Unit, rain or shine.
“Our military men and women are on dangerous missions and fighting for our freedom no matter what weather conditions they face, so we can tough it out Saturday morning at Cooper Lake. But, I’m praying weekend weather conditions change,” said Patti Stone Sells, mother of Sgt. Tanner Stone Higgins, for whom the annual fund raiser is named.
Race day registration and packet pick up begin at 7 a.m. April 13, at Heron Harbor in Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur Unit, located at 1690 FM 3505. Opening ceremonies will begin at 8:15 a.m. Saturday with the Posting of Colors by Hopkins County Military Coalition. The 5-mile Trail Challenge and the 1-mile Grunt Run begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
The Warrior Run was created to honor the memory of local hero, Sgt. Tanner Stone Higgins, killed at age 23 by enemy forces during a heavy firefight while conducting combat operations in Logar Province, Afghanistan April 14, 2012. Higgins was a team leader for 175th Ranger Regiment, Delta Company.
The Warrior Run allows Higgins’ family, friends and military “brothers” to gather with the community to remember and honor him.
“We have 131 registered representing 10 states. Five of Tanner’s military brothers will be in attendance from Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio and Germany, as well as seven of his 18 namesake babies,” Sells said.
It also raises funds for The Tanner Higgins Military Memorial Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to offering financial and social support beyond what the government offers to veterans, Gold Star families, wounded warriors, transitioning soldiers and active military men and women. It also provides monetary awards to selected local seniors who have enlisted in one of the various branches of armed forces.
“We recently handed over the keys to a smart home we helped build partnering with the Gary Sinise Foundation for the Jake Murphy family, a disabled veteran. So proud of what Our little hometown organization is doing for our veterans,” Sells said.
The funds also helped a disabled veteran with relocation costs and another with temporary housing near Vanderbilt University in Tennessee to undergo a heart transplant, in addition to local scholarships which serve as monetary bonuses for selected graduating seniors enlisting in various branches of service, according to Sells.
To participate in the Warrior Run, go online to the http://www.TannerStoneHiggins.com and click on the Warrior Run tab.
Prices are $45 the 5-mile Trail Challenge through 11:59 p.m. April 11 and $50 the day of the race. The 1-mile Grunt Run is a set fee of $25.
An EMT will be on-site during the run and water stations will be provided.
The Branch Family will provide entertainment.
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.
