City Council Sets Course for Future Meetings
Tuesday night, August 21, 2018 in a special session the Sulphur Springs City Council approved placing a tax revenue increase on the September 4th Regular Session Agenda and set two public hearings regarding the increase. They approved placing raises for the City Municipal Judges and City Secretary in the 2018-2019 budget and discussed nominees for a City Charter Review Committee.
In a 5-2 vote the Sulphur Springs City Council placed a proposed tax revenue increase on a Special Session Agenda for September 11. The tax rate is proposed to remain at $0.44 per $100.00 of property evaluation. The increase for the city is based on increased property values and 75% of the proposed increase will come from new properties placed on the role this past year. The total increase in revenue will be $32,452.00 if the increase is approved.
Two public hearings for the increase are set for August 30th at noon and at 6 p.m. September 5th. Both public hearings will be in the City Council Chambers.
It was noted that a 1-cent increase to the tax rate would increase city revenue by $90,000. Again, no rate increase is planned at this time. The effective rate of the revenue increase will be .436 due to the evaluation. The proposed budget for 2018-2019 that will be presented for approval during the September 11th Special Meeting agenda will include the tax revenue increase.
The council also voted Tuesday to include a salary increase for City Municipal Judges and the City Secretary in the 2018-2019 proposed budget. Councilman Jimmy Lucas stated that the $3,800 per year increase for City Secretary Gale Roberts had already been earned due to all the help she has given him since his election to council. City Municipal Judges will receive a $350 per month increase in salary. The two judges, B. J. Teer and Brad Cummings, also serve the county as elected Justices of the Peace.
The council named names as they discussed nominees for the Charter Review Committee. The Charter Review Committee will be an action item on the September 4th Regular Session agenda for the council. Along with those who will be elected in September, the city attorney, city manager, city secretary, and a city council member will serve. Councilman Lucas stated that he would stand as a nominee from the council. Seven or eight citizens will be named to the committee based on a ranking vote by the council at the September 4th meeting. Among those nominated, former Councilman Bill Watts, Jay Julien, a local banker, Tyler Law, a local businessman, Dr. Scott McDearmont, Will Longino, Justin Davidson, and Jason Cunningham. Others will be added to the list of nominees prior to the list of nominees being presented.
The City Charter Review Committee will meet five or six times during a 60 day period. They will submit any changes for the Charter on or before the March Regular Session of the council and will the Charter revisions will be presented to the voters in the May, 2019 Municipal election.
12-Week Family Bible Study Series to Begin at Brashear Baptist Church
Taking the Brashear exit south from Interstate 30 in Hopkins County, you will see the Brashear Baptist Church on both sides of CR 3389, just a stone’s throw from the Post Office. The original part of the church and sanctuary was expanded in recent years to accommodate growth, with a new family life center, kitchen, gym and generous parking across the street. The church now serves a growing congregation pastored by David Burns, and a healthy Wednesday night ministry of about 100 youth and Awana students, directed by Youth minister Dustin Cowden. Pastor Burns recently introduced Retired US Air Force Chaplain Mark Crumpton as Sunday School Discipleship Director. Originally from the Cumby/Greenville area, Mark has returned “home” bringing experiences from his service around the world and in personal ministries. Mark will begin a Family Bible Study Series next month.
With the theme of “Experiencing God”, the Family Bible Study Series is for families and individuals of all ages. It will be an opportunity for them to spend time together in the Word of God, with worship, study and praise during the 12-week series through Fall 2018. After the holidays, a new study will begin for the New Year called “Experiencing the Cross”, followed by a third series leading into the Easter season called “Experiencing the Resurrection”. These studies will be in addition to Sunday morning Worship and Sunday School, and Wednesday night prayer, Youth services and Awana studies.
After graduation from Greenville High School, Mark joined the Air Force. During his 25-year military career as a Chaplain, he served in deployments to Iraq and assignments in Turkey, Hungary, Germany, Guam, Alaska and numerous state-side assignments. His wife Debra passed away in 2011. He is father to three children.
Lady Cats Defeat Forney
Scoring big points down the stretch proved to be the difference Tuesday night as the Lady Cats’ volleyball team defeated Forney, 3-0 at Wildcat Gym.
In sets one and two, the score was tied 23-23 late. The Lady Cats scored the final two points in both sets to win them 25-23 and 25-23. In set three, the teams were tied 19-19 down the stretch. The Lady Cats scored six straight points to win the set, 25-19 and the match, 3-0. The win was the first by a Justin Maness-coached Lady Cats team against the Lady Rabbits. Forney had won a bi-district contest, two tournament games and a game at Forney last season.
Autumn Tanton and Abbi Baier led the Lady Cats with 7 kills. Madi Vickery had 6, Sadie Washburn had 5, Sydney Washburn had 4 and Lexi Whisenhunt had 2. Whisenhunt had a team high 25 assists and Sadie Stroud had 3. Whisenhunt and Sydney Washburn had a service ace each. Whisenhunt had 13 digs, Stroud had 11 and Tanton had 10. Sydney Washburn and Taylor McElfresh had 3 apiece, Maddie Millsap had 2 and Sadie Washburn had 1. In block assists, Tanton, Sydney Washburn, Whisenhunt and Vickery had 1 each.
The Lady Cats have now won 8 straight matches. They are 14-3 for the season. The Lady Cats will play in a Tyler tournament Thursday and Saturday and at Caddo Mills Friday night.
Winnsboro Police Report August 13-19, 2018
Winnsboro Police made five arrests, investigated two accidents, responded to 129 calls for service, issued 30 citations and 35 warnings during the August 13-19, 2018 reporting period.
Kimberly Nelson, 35, of Winnsboro, was arrested August 13th for Public Intoxication.
Dereck Applegate, 32, of Pittsburg was arrested August 14th for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 3 less than 28-grams in a Drug Free Zone.
Kara Mobley, 32, of Mineola, was arrested August 15th on a Winnsboro Municipal Warrant.
Neal Brown, 33, of Winnsboro, was arrested August 15th for Criminal Trespass.
Alfred Hass, 48, of Winnsboro, was arrested August 16th on a Winnsboro Municipal Warrant.
A two vehicle accident at the corner of Walnut and Cedar on August 14th and a major two vehicle accident on West Broadway, August 16th were investigated.
Wildcat Football Continues to Prepare for 2018 Season: Running Backs, Defensive Linemen
Editor’s Note: Wildcat Football continues to prepare for the 2018 Season. KSST Sports Director Don Julien is doing a series with various position coaches regarding players that will make an impact this season.
Young on Running Backs
Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Matt Young also coaches the varsity running back group. He has a group of four this season. Coach Young has two seniors: veteran Colton Allen and Kaleb Myles. Allen is an experienced back with three years on the varsity. He has been a team leader in carries and yards rushing. Coach Young said Allen is strong, runs low to the ground and can make cuts that seem impossible. He said Allen has converted a lot of third downs for the Wildcats. Coach Young calls him “Sunshine”. Senior Kaleb Myles is a physical runner according to Coach Young. He added that Myles is a great teammate, is pleasant to be around and really goes to work when he hits the field. Coach Young also has junior Da’Korian Sims. Coach Young said Sims weighs 190 to 195 pounds and is a load when he carries the football. He also said Sims can show explosive speed. Sims had a tremendous summer getting in shape according to Coach Young. The Wildcats fourth varsity running back is sophomore Caden Davis. Coach Young said Davis plays with a lot of energy and runs with his knees high. He said Davis’ tremendous work ethic has him in the mix for playing time. Coach Young said the running backs need to be able to pass protect and be dependable with the football.
Coach V on Defensive Linemen
Chris Valdovinos is in his fourth year coaching defensive linemen for the Wildcats varsity. The defensive line was a strength for the Wildcats last year and they lost three very good defensive linemen to graduation. Coach V said senior Jose Rodriguez is his most experienced returnee. Rodriguez has been on the varsity since he was a sophomore. Senior Evan Rushing also took some varsity snaps as a defensive lineman last season. Coach V’s largest man on the defensive line is senior Ignacio “Nacho” Guerrero. Coach Valdovinos is intrigued with junior Cameron Kaufert, a JV player last year that Coach V said is tall, long and rangy. Senior Michael Arrington also played some last year. Another of the larger defensive linemen is junior Chandler Leo. Other defensive linemen include junior Romeo Hawkins-Davis, junior Landis Holt-Hughes and senior Hunter Goodson. Coach V said most of the defensive linemen have not played on Friday night before so he is challenging them to play at that level. Coach Valdovinos said the role of the defensive linemen in the Wildcats’ 3-4 defense is to tie up as many offensive linemen as possible so Wildcats’ linebackers can run free and make tackles. He said defensive linemen must also stop the run, especially plays between the tackles. Coach Valdovinos said Sulphur Springs does not usually have prototypical defensive linemen but he said the ones he has are feisty and will fight you. Coach V said he loves football and coaching kids. He said that’s why he does what he does.
Game Day: Lady Cats Host Forney Following Weekend Tournament Win in Wills Point
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team captured the championship of a Wills Point tournament last Friday and Saturday (August 17-18) and Coach Justin Maness said the Lady Cats played extremely well. He said they really seemed to put it all together on Saturday with victories over Wills Point, district foe Texas High and Commerce. Volleyball district includes Texas High. Football district will not in 2018.
Coach Maness said the victory over Texas High was especially big. He said he wants his team to always have the Lady Tigers on their minds. He said the Lady Tigers can explode on offense with their very good left hander. Coach Maness said the Lady Cats seemed to be able to slow her down Saturday. He said the Lady Cats were in control and did a good job executing the game plan.
Coach Maness said all of the Lady Cats played well in Wills Point and he continued to be impressed with the Lady Cats’ blocking. He said the Lady Cats, 13-3 so far, have some tough matches coming up. One is scheduled Tuesday evening (August 21) at Wildcat Gym as Forney comes to town.
The Lady Cats come in having won seven matches in a row. Their last loss was to Forney in the Garland ISD Tournament. Tuesday, freshmen and JV games start at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity match following at 6:30 p.m. We will have live coverage of Lady Cats and Forney volleyball on KSST radio. We will also videotape the game for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
School Starts and It Is Official: Wildcat Basketball Looses Three to Family Move
Tuesday (August 21) was the first day of school in the Sulphur Springs ISD, and school started Tuesday at Sulphur Springs High School without three of the school’s top basketball stars enrolled. The Jefferson family has relocated to the Waco area.
The Wildcats’ basketball team will be without senior post Victor Iwuakor, junior forward Godsgift Ezedinma and junior point guard Michael Jefferson this season. The trio are headed for Hewitt Midway near Waco. The family moved after father Michael Jefferson Sr. got a job in the Waco area earlier this year.
The loss for the Wildcats will spell opportunity for other members of the team. High scoring senior shooting guard Keaston Willis does return. Perhaps the tallest of the Wildcats, 6-foot-9 senior Xavier Cork should see increased court time. Look for bigger contributions also from juniors 6-foot-5 forward Cameron Kahn and 6-4 forward Sadaidriene “Day Day” Hall. Promising 5-foot-10 point guard Grayson McClure spent all summer in the gym putting up shots to improve his touch from behind the three point line. Other players will have the opportunity to step up as well.
SSISD Board Sets Special Meeting for Friday
AGENDA
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
SULPHUR SPRINGS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD ROOM, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2018
12:00 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER: Invocation
II. FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. Announcement by the President whether a quorum is present, that the meeting had been duly called and that the notice of the meeting had been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.
III. PUBLIC FORUM:
Public participation is limited to the designated open forum portion of a meeting per policy BED(LOCAL).
IV. ACTION ITEMS
A. Consider approval of budget amendments for the fiscal year ending August 31, (Budget amendments will be available at the meeting)
V. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive Session will be held for the purpose of consideration of matters for which closed or executive sessions are authorized by Title 5, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Section (.074).
A. Discuss and consider personnel to be employed, personnel to be assigned, acknowledge and accept resignations of personnel, and other personnel matters.
VI. RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ACTION RELATIVE TO
ITEMS COVERED DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Congressional Candidate Krantz to Attend Hopkins County Commissioners Court August 27th
Democratic Candidate for Texas Congressional District 4, Catherine Krantz will be in Hopkins County to attend the August 27th Commissioners Court meeting. She will be in Sulphur Springs from 9 a.m. until noon as part of her 18 County Listening Tour. Krantz is challenging incumbent Republican John Ratcliffe for the congressional seat.
Krantz is attending commissioners’ court meetings and city council meeting across the district to get a better understanding of the issues and challenges facing the communities that make up the district.
Krantz announced her intent to attend the court and to meet with local residents following the meeting on social media.
