Ratcliffe Supports Kavanaugh Nomination to Supreme Court
Following President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the U S Supreme Court Monday, U S Congressman John Ratcliffe, R-Texas District 4, expressed his support of the nomination.
In a letter to constituents, Ratcliffe stated:
“I could not be more pleased with President Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.Judge Kavanaugh’s extensive legal experience, including his service as a federal appellate judge on the D.C. Circuit Court, qualifies him as an excellent candidate for this important position that will have a lasting impact on our country. His longstanding and unwavering commitment to upholding justice makes me confident that Judge Kavanaugh will work diligently to uphold the Constitution as a Justice on the highest court of the land. I urge my Senate colleagues to move swiftly on his confirmation and stand strong against any pushback … to delay this process.“
Friddle’s Death Called Great Loss to Law Enforcement
Cumby Police officer Jarrod Friddle, 40, died Monday night of a sudden medical event following his return home from his work shift. Friddle, a former SSISD Police Officer had been with the Cumby Department for approximately two years.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said that the death of Friddle is a great loss to law enforcement. The sudden shock of his death adds to the grief of law enforcement but more so to Friddle’s family. Lewis stated that local law enforcement will remember his service. The Hunt County Honor Guard and other law enforcement agencies from around the area will assist at his memorial service.
Scam Alert: Calls Regarding Medical Bill Collection Being Made to Local Residents
Another scam and this time the attempt to dupe the elderly is focused on doctor bills. Sheriff Lewis Tatum told KSST News Tuesday afternoon that scam calls in which to caller poses as a representative of a collection agency calling regarding unpaid doctor bills are being made to county residents. Sheriff Tatum says that if you are unaware of owning a medical bill, hand up and block the number.
He advises that if you have a question regarding any money owed to a doctor; call your doctor’s office regarding any bill. He stated that if you do not recognized the number calling you, do not answer the call. Noting that people know who and what they owe, this type of call should be ignored.
Lady Cat Assistant Basketball Coach Wells Named Head Coach at Winona
Lady Cats Assistant Basketball Coach Ashton Wells has been named the head girls basketball coach at Winona. The Sulphur Springs School Board accepted Coach Wells’ resignation Monday night.
Coach Wells has been with the Lady Cats since the 2009-2010 season. She was an assistant coach for Head Coach Jeff Chapman for all of his eight years here. Coach Wells was also an assistant for Head Coach Phil Hale in 2009-2010.
Wildcats Athletic Director Greg Owens said Coach Wells has been an exceptional teacher and coach at Sulphur Springs High School. Coach Owens called Coach Wells conscientious and one who cared about helping students reach their fullest potential. He said she will be missed. Coach Owens added he was excited about Coach Wells’ opportunity at Winona.
New Wildcat Football Defensive Coordinator On Job
The new Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra is now on the job. Coach Guerra was at the Multipurpose Building Monday. Guerra, in his twenty-first year of coaching, replaces Triston Abron, who left to take the head football job at Paul Pewitt High School. Coach Guerra comes to the Wildcats from Nevada Community, where he was defensive coordinator and inside linebacker coach.
The San Antonio native played college football and baseball at Texas A&I in Kingsville, now known as Texas A&M-Kingsville. Coach Guerra was a head football coach for four and a half years at San Antonio Memorial. He was also a defensive coordinator at Pittsburg. Coach Guerra has also had coaching stops at Royse City, Rockwall and LaVilla.
He said he was excited and happy to be in Sulphur Springs. His wife is from North Hopkins. Concerning the Wildcats’ defense, Coach Guerra says he likes the three-four defense.
For a month and a half, he’s been watching the Wildcats defense on tape and he said he has some adjustments he believes will be beneficial. He added he saw lots of positive things. Coach Guerra said he wants the Wildcats defense to play fast. Coach Guerra described himself on the sideline as fast and loud, crazy and emotional. He has known Coach Owens for over ten years. Coach Guerra said when he was a head coach, he would occasionally call Coach Owens seeking advice.
SSISD Board Approves Change in Pro Rata Agreement With City During Monday Regular Session
In less than 30 minutes the Sulphur Springs School Board had completed much of the work of the evening Monday, July 9, 2018.
In regular session, the board reviewed the 2018-2019 employee handbook, appointed a delegate to the 2018 TASB Delegate Assembly in September, approved the 2018-2019 Student Code of Conduct Handbook, approved revisions to local policies and approved the Superintendent and School District Attorney to make changes to the Pro Rata agreement with the City of Sulphur Springs. They also conducted a budget work session as they prepare for the 2018-2019 budget year that will extend from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019.
Superintendent Lamb and Attorney James Litzler were approved to make a change in the Pro Rata agreement with the City of Sulphur Springs regarding businesses and other developments tapping into the water line that the district installed and paid for to connect the Middle School building to the city utilities. The water line extends along undeveloped properties and, currently, any development on those properties is required to pay the school to tap into the line. The school district believes that the tax revenue from development will be more advantageous to the district than the amount received in accessing the water line. The district will renew the contract taking two years off the 10 year agreement. The new end date to the Pro Rata agreement with the city will be February, 2019.
The board awaits the release of anticipated tax revenues from the Tax Appraisal District. With the increase in property values, it is anticipated that tax revenues for the school district will increase. Currently, the developing budget for 2018-2019 school year shows expenses over revenue with an estimated net fund balance decrease of $42,266. Superintendent Lamb told the board that when final tax revenue numbers for next year are released, the budget will be adjusted to reflect a balanced budget. Estimated expenditures for 2018-2019 is $37,707,408. Transportation reflects the largest increase. The district plans to purchase three buses in the next budget period.
No significant changes were made to the employee handbook. The only changes were made to the Local Leave policy found on pages 36-37 of the handbook. All school employees will earn three paid local leave days per school year after one year of full time employment with the district. All regular employees will also be granted a maximum of 30 leave days of extended sick leave in a 12-month period. The employee handbook is located on the district website.
No significant changes were made to the Student Code of Conduct Handbook which is also located on the District’s website.
SSISD
Work Continues to Improve KRVA Signal
Like most renovation projects, there are always a few surprises. KSST’s sister station KRVA 107.1 FM, Young Country, remains off the air as work to increase signal quality continues. KRVA 107.1 FM will return to the air as soon as the work is completed. Additional work on the antenna will be required to improve the quality.
Although the FM radio signal will not be heard, KRVA FM will continue to be heard as a ksstradio.com live streaming option and on the Simply Sulphur Springs App for smartphones. The live stream can be heard streaming on computer, tablet, or smartphone and can be sent to your favorite sound system and/or vehicle radio via bluetooth, as available. Using the streaming option, you can continue to hear your favorite Young Country artists including Lady Antebellum, Rascall Flats, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean and more.
SSISD Board Approves Resignations, New Personnel, Assignment Changes
Personnel changes were approved Monday evening, July 9, 2018 during the regular session of the Sulphur Springs ISD Board meeting. Those changes include resignations approved, new personnel hired and position moves:
Resignations
Kristen Downs Kindergarten Teacher Bowie Primary
Kelsey Kraemer Kindergarten Teacher Bowie Primary
Timothy Thomas Science Teacher SS Elementary
Paige Cooksey ELAR/SpEd Teacher Middle School
Connie Ruiz ELAR Co-Teacher Middle School
Lani Williams Math Teacher Middle School
Ashton Wells Science Teacher/Coach High School
New Personnel
Morgan Davis Grade 2 Math Teacher Bowie Primary
Xenia Franco Grade 1 ELAR Teacher Lamar Primary
Tammy Gamblin Grade 4 Math & Science SS Elementary
Marsha Jackson Special Ed. Teacher Middle School
Jana Satterfield Special Ed. Teacher Middle School
April Offutt Campus Police Secretary/ High School Receptionist
Personnel Change New Position/Campus Former Position/Campus
Lucia Hickman Head Start 3 Teacher/Douglass ECLC Pre-K Aide/Douglass ECLC
Amber Landers Special Ed. Teacher/SS Elementary Grade 1 ELAR Teacher/Lamar
Marcie Stewart Special Ed. Teacher/SS Elementary Special Ed. Aide/Middle School
Joshua Peugh Math Teacher/Middle School Math Teacher/High School
Jacie Reger English Teacher/Middle School Grade 3 ELAR Teacher/Travis
Cecelia Echols Special Ed. Teacher/High School Special Ed. Teacher/SS Elem
Calling All Seniors! Summer Olympics Set for August 23 at The Roc
Sulphur Springs Senior Citizen’s Center Director Karon Weatherman is now taking Registrations for the 2018 Senior Summer Olympics, to be held Thursday August 23, 2018. No pole vaulting or synchronized swimming…just friendly competition in Horse Shoes, Washer Pitching, Scooter Race, Nerf Javelin Throw, Bean Bag Toss, Unassisted Walk/Race and Assisted Walk/Race. These games begin at 10am, with a 1K Race that gets underway at 9:30am. All events will be held at The Roc at First Baptist Church, 115 Putman Street. There will be medals and recognition for winners!
Everyone competes in their OWN age category.. the age categories are
50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 and Up. There are also Walker, Wheelchair and Cane categories to
make everything fair.
Registration forms are available at the Seniors Center, 150 MLK Drive in Sulphur Springs, Texas. These can be picked up and mailed in c/o Karon Weatherman.
The first 200 People that sign up will get a FREE Olympic T-shirt to wear on the day of the Olympics. The shirts will be a beautiful Tropical Blue this year. There will also be snacks provided for competitors.
Thanks goes out to all of the Sponsors for helping make this event gratifying possible for the local Senior Citizens community!
SSISD Boys Basketball Camp K-9th Grade Underway
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta said there was a pretty good group of youngsters that showed up for the first session of his four-day SSISD Boys Basketball Camp Monday (July 9) at the Auxiliary Gym on the High School Campus.
The first session, from 10 a.m. until noon Monday, is designed for boys who will enter kindergarten through the fifth grade this fall. Coach Cipoletta said the largest turnout was from future third and fourth graders.
Afternoons this week will feature sessions for boys entering sixth grade through 9th grade. Coach Cipoletta said he really enjoys working with the young boys. He said that’s when he fell in love with basketball and he is hoping his campers do the same.
Coach Cipoletta said his goal is to teach them the fundamentals of the game while providing them with drills they can work on at home. He said he sees a lot of improvement from the youngest campers over the four days of the camp.
