Today is Texas Independence Day
By Savannah Owens
Today many Texans are celebrating the 182nd anniversary of Texas Independence Day. This official state holiday began when Texas first declared independence from Mexico on March 2nd, 1836. This occurred at the same time as the Siege of the Alamo, which started on Feburary 23rd and ended on March 6th. Santa Anna refused to recognize Texas’s independence until he was captured, about six weeks later by Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto. Texas was an independent Republic for nine years before it eventually became annexed to the United States as the 28th state. For more on the History of the Alamo and Texas click here.
While there are many myths about Texas, that many prideful Texans perpetuate, here are the facts: After the Civil War, Texas (as well as all other states) cannot secede, but Texas can still split and become five separate states. Also, the Texas Flag cannot be flown at the same height as an American Flag. There are actually a lot of regulations when it comes to flying the American Flag. Did you know the state insect is the Monarch Butterfly? The State Song is “Texas, Our Texas,”. Texas also has a state flower (Bluebonnet), state tree (Pecan), state small mammal (armadillo), large mammal (Longhorns) and flying mammal (Mexican free-tailed Bat). For those who love food, “the state snack is chips and salsa and the state vegetable is the Texas sweet onion”. For more facts about Texas click here.
Popular ways to celebrate include re-enactments, memorials, parades, live entertainment, chili-cook offs, and more.
Happy Texas Independence Day from your Family at KSST.
Lady Cat Softball at Wylie Tournament
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo continues to evaluate all the players on his team as his team is involved in their last tournament of the season before district play gets underway next week.
On Thursday (March 1), the Lady Cats shutout McKinney Boyd, 8-0 and then lost to Sachse, 7-6. The Lady Cats trailed 7-0 entering the top of the sixth and almost pulled the game out before falling short, 7-6. Coach Carrillo said he is asking his players to take a We over Me, or a team first approach. He said it’s all about the group. Coach Carrillo said he believes he is getting buy-in from the players. He said over the course of a long season everybody needs to be ready to play. Coach Carrillo said everybody’s role on the team is valuable.
Friday (March 2) at Wylie East, the Lady Cats play Lubbock Cooper at 5 p.m. and Sherman at 7 p.m. On Saturday (March 3) at Founders’ Field in Wylie, the Lady Cats take on Burleson Centennial at 1 p.m. and Rockwall at 5 p.m. The Lady Cats enter play Friday with a season record of 9-3.
Wildcats at Lindale Tournament
The Wildcats’ baseball team has two games in a Lindale tournament on this Friday (March 2) game day. The Wildcats got started at 10:30 a.m. Friday with a game against The Brook Hill School of Bullard. At 1 p.m. Friday, the Wildcats will take on All Saints Episcopal School of Tyler. The Wildcats wrap up play in the Lindale tournament with a game against host Lindale on Saturday (March 3) starting at 6 p.m.
Thursday (March 1) the Wildcats dropped a game at Atlanta, 5-3.
The Wildcats enter play Friday with a 2-3 season record.
SSHS Tennis, Golf Game Day
There is also tennis and golf on this Friday (March 2) game day.
Sulphur Springs High School is hosting the Sulphur Springs Invitational Tennis Tournament on this game day Friday. All the tennis action will be taking place at the beautiful Wildcats Tennis Complex on the high school campus. Matches got underway at 8 a.m. Friday morning and will continue until well into the afternoon. This is the fourth tournament of the season for the Wildcats varsity tennis team. The Wildcats Tennis Complex was also the site for a JV tournament on Thursday March 1.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ golf team will finally have the opportunity to get involved in their first varsity tournament of the season. Bad weather prevented them from playing at a Longview sponsored tournament back on February 12 at Pinecrest Country Club. Friday (March 2) the Wildcats will play in the grueling two-day Twisted 54 golf tourney sponsored by Longview Pine Tree. The Wildcats are playing 36 holes of golf on Friday. They will return to the Wood Hollow Golf Course in Longview to play 18 more holes Saturday. This tournament is the first of four for the Wildcats before they play in the district tournament in Rockwall on April 4-5.
Soccer Game Day: Wildcats at Home; Lady Cats in Marshall
The Wildcats and Lady Cats’ soccer teams are taking on Marshall in district action on this game day Friday (March 2).
The Wildcats face the Mavericks at Gerald Prim Stadium. There will be a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. Friday followed by the varsity match at 7 p.m. The Wildcats are coming off of a big road win, 1-0 at Pine Tree on Monday (February 26). The win gave the Wildcats a 3-point boost in the district standings as they try to get back into the playoff picture. The Wildcats are 3-4 in district play and 10-10 for the season. The last time these two teams played, the Wildcats defeated the Mavericks in Marshall, 2-0 in overtime back on February 6. We will bring you the Wildcats and Mavericks soccer match live from The Prim starting at around 7 p.m. on KSST Radio. We will also videotape the game for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats are traveling to Marshall to face the Lady Mavs. The schedule calls for a JV match at 5:30 p.m. followed by a varsity contest at 7 p.m. The Lady Cats will be be attempting to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Pine Tree at Gerald Prim Stadium on Monday (February 26). The last time these two teams played, the Lady Cats dominated the action and won 5-0 at The Prim back on February 6. The Lady Cats enter play Friday with a district record 4-3 and a season mark of 12-5-3.
Road Closed Due to Flooding
On HWY 71 near FM 3134 near the Hopkins and Hunt County line, the road has been reported to be flooded. As a reminder always be cautious when flooding occurs on roads, and do not try to drive through the water. It can be deceptively deep or mess up your car or leave you stranded. 
Meal A Day Looking for Volunteer Drivers
Meal A Day is looking for a Tuesday Driver for the Como/Pickton Route. The current driver will drive until the end of March. Please let Karen Weatherman know if you are interested in taking this route in April. Call her at (903) 885-1661
Local Woman Arrested on Manufacture Delivery Controlled Substance Warrant
Demetria Lashunda Rivers, 47, was arrested around 9 a.m. Thursday at her residence on Beckham by Sulphur Spring Police. She was wanted on a warrant for Felony 3 Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone.
Rivers is in Hopkins County Jail held on a $25,000 bond.
Crack Rock in Plain View Adds to Charges of Local Woman
As the Special Crimes Unit served three felony warrants for the arrest of Wanda Denise McDaniels for Manufacture Delivery of Crack Cocaine in a Drug Free Zone, the officer noted in plain view a large crack rock known to be cocaine weighing less than 1-gram.
McDaniels was booked into Hopkins County Jail on three charges of Felony 3 Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone and one charge of Possession f a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone. She is in Hopkins County Jail held on bonds totaling $100,000.
