Pet Photos With Santa Benefits Hearts of Life
Pet photos with Santa at PetSense in Sulphur Springs will benefit Hearts of Life Animal Rescue. Cost of the photo is a donation with $10 as the suggested donation. According to Hearts of Life even if you do not have a pet, you can have your picture made with Santa for a donation. Hearts of Life Animal Rescue provides opportunities to adopt a pet as well.
SSISD Trustee Participates in Leadership Program
(Austin) –Leesa Toliver, trustee from Sulphur Springs ISD joined 30 other school board members from across Texas November 15-18 at the second session of the Leadership TASB class of 2018. Selected by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), the group is participating in a yearlong education leadership study program. These trustees represent school districts of all sizes, with student populations of 184 to 83,270, and reflect a similar range of property wealth.
Participants who complete all required elements of the study will graduate next year by earning Master Trustee status. This is the highest designation recognized by TASB.
Meeting in Odessa, the trustees heard featured speaker Lloyd B. Potter, PhD, Texas state demographer, whose presentation focused on current trends in the Texas population and how demographic shifts impact Texas school districts. Also during the session, the class visited Ector County ISD schools and learned how the district is implementing interventions to assist campuses with low academic performance ratings.
Other Leadership TASB sessions are scheduled for Galveston, March 1-3; El Paso, April 19-21; and Fort Worth, June 28-30. Each session has a unique theme that builds on the previous session and features nationally recognized experts in the fields of leadership development and education. Teams also work throughout the year on extended learning assignments between meetings. Created in 1993, Leadership TASB has more than 800 graduates to date.
TASB is a voluntary, nonprofit association established in 1949 to serve local Texas school boards. School board members are the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state. The districts they represent serve more than 5.3 million public school students.
Basketball Tournaments: Miller Grove; Wildcats in Garland; Lady Cats in Winnsboro
MILLER GROVE TOURNEY
Miller Grove is hosting a three-day boys invitational tournament that is underway Thursday and will continue through Saturday. Games start each day at 9:30 a.m. with the last game beginning at around 7:30 p.m. Nine teams are participating and each is expected to get in six games during the busy tournament. Tournament teams include CHESS, Trenton, White Oak, Sulphur Springs JV, Miller Grove, Boyd JV, Cooper, Ector and Saltillo.
WILDCATS IN GARLAND
The Wildcats’ basketball team, ranked #13 in the state and 5-0 so far this season, open play Thursday in the three-day Curtis Culwell Invitational in Garland. The Wildcats play Garland Lakeview Centennial Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the Garland Naaman Forest Gym. Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta called Lakeview Centennial very athletic and scrappy. He added they would try to put pressure on the Wildcats. Coach Cipoletta said one of the Lakeview Centennial players was an exceptional scorer. If the Wildcats win, they will play again Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the Curtis Culwell Center against the winner of the Richardson J.J. Pearce and Garland game. If the Wildcats lose Thursday, they will play Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the Curtis Culwell Center against the loser of the J.J. Pearce and Garland game.
LADY CATS IN WINNSBORO
The Lady Cats’ basketball team will be hoping for some bounce back wins Thursday in the Winnsboro Hoopfest after suffering their first defeat of the season Tuesday night in Idabel, Oklahoma. The Lady Cats play two pool play games Thursday at the three-day Winnsboro Hoopfest. The Lady Cats take on Gilmer Thursday at 2:40 p.m. in the Winnsboro High School Gym. Later Thursday they have a rematch with Emory Rains at 5:20 p.m. in the Winnsboro Junior High Gym. The Lady Cats opened the regular season with a road win at Emory Rains back on November 11. The Lady Cats come into the tournament ranked #18 in the state and 4-1 so far this season.
Wildcats Named to All-District Team
The Wildcats’ football team was very well represented on the All-District Football Team selected by the district’s coaches and released Thursday by Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens.
Six Wildcats were named to the First Team All-District: senior wide receiver Simeon Taylor, senior offensive lineman Jesus Olivo, senior defensive lineman D’Idrec Dugan, senior inside linebacker K.J. Abron, sophomore outside linebacker Kylan Wade amd senior cornerback Terrell Turman.
Eleven Wildcats were selected to the Second Team All-District: senior quarterback Ryan Humphries, junior running back Colton Allen, senior fullback Logan Caton, junior wide receiver Austin Dodd, junior wide receiver Landry Tyson, senior defensive lineman Calvin Eckert, junior defensive lineman Jose Rodriguez, senior inside linebacker Jaxon Reneau, senior safety Sebastian Adams, junior cornerback Damiyon Dugan and junior punter Jermond Bryant-Amos.
Named Honorable Mention All-District were senior running back Searn Rodgers, senior offensive lineman Norris English, senior offensive lineman Ian Blanch, sophomore offensive lineman Jaxon Chaney, senior defensive lineman Vuk Susic, senior inside linebacker Vincent Morales, junior outside linebacker Cason Churchman, senior safety D.J. Abron and junior safety Austin Dodd.
5,634 Head Sells at Second November NETBIO Sale
The second edition of the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization’s November anniversary stocker and feeder calf sale was held Wednesday, and producers sold 5,639 head of pre-conditioned cattle.
An additional November sale had to be held due to the increased consignment demand. The first sale held on Nov. 15 sold nearly 8,000 head of cattle. Producers sold a total of 13,392 head of cattle at the two anniversary sales held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission.
A total of 225 producer-members of NETBIO sold cattle at the sale. Bidding was active with 31 buyers paying an average of $878.91 per head for the cattle. Some cattle were also sold over the Internet.
TALKING CATTLE David Fowler, center, co-owner of the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission, discusses the NETBIO Pre-conditioned Calf and Yearling sale with NETBIO CEO Dwyatt Bell, right, and Koby Long. The second November NETBIO sale held Wednesday sold nearly 5,700 head.
“We had some very nice weather for the sale and buyer attendance was good,” Livestock Commission co-owner David Fowler said. “Producers offered a lot of quality cattle and the buyers liked them. Some of the cattle went to several feed yards in the Texas Panhandle and Kansas.”
Fowler said several local buyers bought some very nice replacement heifers. “It was a good sale and our producers continue to do a great job raising and pre-conditioning their cattle,” he said.
The NETBIO organization and the Pre-Conditioned Stocker and Feeder Calf Sale, which began in November 1998, gives producers a market to offer their pre-conditioned calves and yearlings in load lot quantities. NETBIO holds seven pre-conditioned calf sales per year, which is the marketing arm for members of the organization.
The next regularly scheduled NETBIO sale will be held on January 17. The deadline for weaning calves for that sale is Dec. 3, and the booster shot deadline is Dec. 18.
READY TO SELL Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization member producers consigned nearly 5,700 head of cattle to the NETBIO sale held on Wednesday. It was the second November sale for the organization, made necessary because of the large number of beef cattle being raised in the region. The first November Anniversary sale held two weeks earlier sold 7,758 head.
CASA Cookie Walk on Dec. 1 is Annual Fundraiser for Lake Country CASA
Gina Law is Executive Director for Lake Country Casa, headquartered in Sulphur Springs at 216 Connally Street. For more than 25 years, the Cookie Walk has been the sole fundraiser for the non-profit Court Appointed Special Advocate. Gina, her staff and volunteers will stage the Cookie Walk on Friday December 1 in the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church starting at 9am. You can select homemade Christmas cookies of all types at $5 per pound. One word of caution..don’t arrive late! Even with more than two dozen volunteers on the baking committee, the morning’s supply of homemade cookies still sells out quickly!
Gina Law, Executive Director of Lake Country CASA
In a KSST Morning Show interview, Gina shed some light on what CASA does, the job description and the urgent need for qualified, trained CASA volunteers. Originally formed in 1976, the organization operates through volunteers who serve, one on one, as a constant familiar face for a child caught up in the child protective legal system due to abuse and/or neglect in the home. The first Texas chapter was formed in 1979, and a Hopkins County chapter began work 27 years ago with Eddie Jo Edge as Executive Director. Later, taking in Rains and Franklin County cases, the organization became Lake Country CASA, where Gina Law has served as director for 18 years. She and her staff; Sharla Evans, Peggy Walker and Sherry Jordan are headquartered in offices in downtown Sulphur Springs. A board of directors lends business expertise to the success of the organization. Lake Country CASA functions through grants, United Way funding, private donations and the Cookie Walk fundraiser.
In 2017, some 26 local volunteers have handled 134 cases total, with 80 of these involving Hopkins County children. These individual volunteers appointed by a judge not only monitor the progress of the case but have oversight of special services such as counseling, medical, educational, transportation, safety and other issues for the long-term welfare of the child. Judges typically assign CASA volunteers to the most difficult and complex cases involving physical or sexual abuse and neglect.
Lake Country CASA is seeking volunteers who can be committed to their assignment. Each case typically lasts one to two years, and the amount of time spent on a case per month averages 10 hours. In many cases, these children may eventually return to their home, be placed with another family member or find a foster home or adoptive family. In order to help achieve this goal and provide quality advocacy, volunteers must make case time a priority. If you are interested in finding out more, contact Gina Law at 903-885-1173 or see her at the Lake Country CASA office, 216 Connally Street, downtown Sulphur Springs.
Arkansas Pair Arrested for Marijuana Possession
A Hopkins County Deputy stopped a 2012 Chevrolet Cruz when he observed an obscured license plate on the vehicle traveling in the left lane of I-30 not for the purpose of passing another. The stop resulted in two Arkansas individuals being charged with Possession of Marijuana more than 5lbs but less than 50lbs.
As the officer approached the vehicle he noted the strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle had a green leafy like substance believed to be marijuana on his shirt. The driver and passenger were unable to sit still or make eye contact. During a search of the vehicle, the deputy discovered a brown cardboard box in the trunk and in the box, seven clear plastic wrapped packages of a green leafy substance. Both driver and passenger denied any knowledge of the illegal narcotics.
Tevin Niqholas Smedley, 24, of Huttig, Arkansas and 
Olivia Nicole Lacy, 24, of Texarkana, Arkansas are in Hopkins County Jail being held on $10,000 bond each.
THC Oil, Wax, Marijuana Found in Traffic Stop
Justin Paul McLean, 34, of Corpus Christi, was speeding along at 80 mph on I30 near the 137-mile marker with no license plate on the front of his auto. The Texas Department of Public Safety trooper that observed his speed and no license plate stopped McLean and upon contact noted the smell of burnt Marijuana in the 2015 Toyota Scion.
A probable cause search revealed a clear baggie of Marijuana, 2 vials of THC oil, and THC wax. The oil and wax had a combined weight of 8.4 grams.
McLean is in Hopkins Country Jail charged with Possession of Marijuana under 2 oz and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 more than 4-grams but less than 400-grams. He is being held on bonds totaling $20,500.
Fuentes Appointed to Texas Assocation of Chicanos in Higher Education State Board
COMMERCE, TX—Assistant Dean of Enrollment Dr. Fred Fuentes was appointed by the president of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE) to serve on the State Board and regional representative of the Northeast Texas area.
Fuentes is a 2012 recipient of the TACHE Graduate Fellowship Award and has presented at TACHE’s annual conferences in the past. In 2010 he co-presented with colleagues Luis Franco and Gilbert Hernandez on The SALSA Project (Success & Access for Latino Students Ahora), and presented on “The Self-Anglicization of Latino Names to Acculturate Into American Society” in 2013. Last year, he co-presented with Dr. Chris Green and Julian Sanchez on the Latino American Mentorship Program, bilingual mentorship programs, and grant funding.
Mrs. Belinda Harmon, TACHE President and Director of Community Outreach at the University of Texas-San Antonio, stated, “Not only will Dr. Fuentes be an excellent representative, but the fact that he has been a TACHE Fellow and now comes back to serve on the board makes him a great role model for our members.”
TACHE was established in 1974 and has been a significant resource for students, staff, faculty and institutions alike. In 2002, TACHE issued a series of report cards on the status of employment and educational access of institutions of higher education in Texas. Each institution is given a performance grade based on Hispanic student enrollment, as well as the extent to which faculty and administrative employment at these universities reflect the student demographics of the respective institution. The report cards have helped diversify the staff and faculty at institutions of higher learning. The state board also earned accolades for its annual conference that recognizes distinguished scholars, faculty and staff.
“Dr. Fuentes will be an active participant on the TACHE Board and will serve as an outstanding representative for the Northeast Texas area,” said Dr. Lee Young, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management & Retention at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Dr. Young adds that in this role, Dr. Fuentes will continue to be an advocate and strong supporter of higher education, inclusion and student engagement as critical strategies for increasing student success and goal attainment.
