Sixteen Named to SSHS Homecoming Court
Next week is Homecoming week at Sulphur Springs High School. Sixteen Homecoming nominees, who are hoping to be selected as Homecoming queen, have been chosen by the high school student body. High School Assistant Principal Vanessa Abron coordinates Homecoming activities and she says this is the largest Homecoming court that she can recall since she got involved with Homecoming back in 1998.
The nominees are Alyssa Abron, Karlee Adams, Makenzie Alexander, Allie Avery, Gracie Boyer, Vanessa Diosdado, Hannah Dixon, N’sya Dugan, Aubrey Faulks, Anden Hammack, Maggie McGlamery, Jacie McKinney, Kate Potts, Anna Sapaugh, Imani Taylor and Mieke VanBenthem. The nominees will have interviews with news media members next Tuesday morning at around 10:35 a.m. Interviews and pictures of the homecoming court will be available next week on KSST, ksstradio.com, and Suddenlink Cable Channel 18. Wednesday morning, September 13 at 7:30 a.m. before school, they will have a practice at the indoor facility. They will be at a Homecoming Pep Rally Friday afternoon at around 3 p.m. on September 15.
Also on Friday evening, September 15, pre-game activities will begin at 6:40 p.m. for the Homecoming court. Homecoming princesses and the queen will be named. The Wildcats will be playing Paris on Friday night, September 15.
SSISD Students Collecting Donations for Calhoun County ISD in “Fill the Bus” Campaign
Calhoun County ISD was greatly impacted by Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent flooding. Dr. James Cowley, a former Sulphur Springs ISD employee, is currently the superintendent at CCISD. They are in need of basic school supplies as they prepare to begin their school year on September 11th. Sulphur Springs ISD would like to invite the community to help them by collecting needed school supplies. Please help us “Fill the Bus” by donating the following items! Items can be dropped off at the Administration Building by September 11th. The address is 631 Connally St.
- Pencils/Pens
- Construction paper/ manila paper
- Spiral notebooks
- Crayons
- Dry erase markers
- Folders
- White copy paper
- Notebook paper
- Glue or glue sticks
- Map colors
- Kleenex
- Mosquito Spray
Christian Home Educators (CHESS) Conducts Informal Introduction to Basketball Program
The Christian Home Educators of Sulphur Springs (CHESS) will be holding an informational meeting for its basketball program on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 6:00 PM at Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, TX. At that meeting the CHESS Sports Committee will give an overview of plans for the Knights’ 2017-18 season and discuss polices, fees and expectations related to the program. This will be a good opportunity for any local homeschool families who are considering participating in CHESS basketball learn more about the program. In order to participate in CHESS basketball student athletes must adhere to both local (available upon request) and NCHC national eligibility guidelines (http://nchclive.com/
CHESS basketball is available for boys and girls who are age 8 and up as of September 1, 2017. Students ages of 12 and up are eligible to participate in our regular basketball program, while the younger children can participate in our developmental program. Developmental teams will not play as rigorous a schedule as the regular teams and they will have a different fee structure than teams in the regular program.
Prior to the parents’ meeting there will be a player evaluation for boys ages 8 and up. This will be an informal time for the coaches to assess numbers and talent. Evaluations will begin at 5:00 PM on September 8 at Central Baptist Church. Evaluations for the girls’ teams will take place during regular practices, which will begin next week for most teams.
For more information contact CHESS Knight Athletic Director, Danny Caldwell at [email protected].
CHESS Sports Guidelines for Competitive Teams
Revised September 4, 2013
Sports Coordinator Guidelines
1. Coordinates Sports Banquet in the spring.
2. Assists coaches as needed.
3. Purchases/distributes supplies, equipment, uniforms, etc.
4. Responsible for overseeing all Chess sporting events, games, practices,
etc.
5. Communicates with coaches and families in a timely manner concerning new
opportunities for students as the Lord leads.
Coach Guidelines
1. Coach is supportive of Sports Coordinator.
2. Coach is responsible for setting the schedule for practices.
3. Coach has the right to play students at his/her discretion (due to
attitude, ability, missed practices, goofing off during practices, etc.)
4. Coach starts/ends all practices and games in prayer. Keeps athletes
focused on pleasing God! Coach may bring devotions or have an athlete offer
one at his or her discretion.
5. Depending on the level of response from CHESS athletes, additional tryouts
may be used by the coach to fill the teams.
6. Each year the Coach will set the dates for the beginning of practices and
the cutoff for accepting additional players.
Athlete Guidelines
1. In order to play sports with CHESS, the athlete’s family must be a current
member of CHESS (i.e. family must have turned in completed application and
liability form and must have paid their CHESS dues.)
2. Shows respect to coach at all times.
3. Will listen to instruction and put forth his/her best effort.
4. Will do his/her best to attend all scheduled practices.
5. The athlete must be at least 12 years old on September 1 (at the beginning
of the school year).
6. If wearing shorts, athlete will only wear shorts that are at fingertip
length or longer. Athlete will not wear any clothing that shows or reveals
undergarments. These dress guidelines are for practices and games.
7. In order to be eligible to play sports with CHESS, an athlete needs to be
at least 51% home schooled and in compliance with the National Christian
Homeschool Championship player guidelines. Their eligibility policy can be
found on their website at www.nchclive.com. Select “Eligibility” from the
menu bar across the top of the home page and then select “Guidelines” to see
all the details.
Local Doctor in Stable Condition Following Heart Attack
Following a severe heart attack, Dr. I L Balkcom is in stable condition in Baylor, Scott & White Medical Center, Plano, also known as The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, according to a member of the board of the Hopkins County Hospital District. Dr. Balkcom is a family practice physician at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic in Sulphur Springs and is well known for his performances with the Northeast Texas Choral Society.
Dr. Balkcom suffered his heart attack Tuesday afternoon, according to the Hospital District board member. Dr. Balkcom was treated locally by Advanced Heart Care’s Dr. Jai Varma. Dr Varma will continue his care for Dr. Balkcom at Plano Heart Hospital.
Three Local Men Arrested for Heroin Possession
Three men were arrested following a traffic stop by Hopkins County Deputies Tuesday night on the South Service Road at FM 2653. A search of the vehicle and surrounding area resulted in finding a clear plastic baggy with a brown substance believed to be heroin.
Reed Ballard, 25
The baggy was located on the ground near the passenger side of the suspect’s vehicle. No one admitted to ownership of the narcotics, therefore all three were placed under arrest and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Noe Gutierrez Sanchez, 22
Arrested were Alain Gutierrez-Sanches, 19, of Brashear, Noe Gutierrez Sanchez, 22, of Brashear, and Reed Ballard, 25, of Como.
Alain Gutierrez-Sanchez, 19
Local Man Arrested for Sexual Assault of a Minor
Casey Gween Miles, 22, of Sulphur Springs is in Hopkins County jail after he spoke with investigators at the Sheriff’s Office. He is charged with six (6) counts of Sexual Assault of a Child, a Felony 2 on each count.
Advised of his rights when he arrived at the Sheriff’ Office, Miles admitted his sexual activities with a 15-year old minor. The sexual involvement took place in Miles home.
City Council Approve Rates, Fees, Rezoning; Manager Reports Start of Reconstruction on Pampa Street, Completion of Locust Street
Attendance was sparse at the Sulphur Springs City Council meeting Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. All council members and members of city staff attended but few members of the public were present as the council approved on first reading ordinances that set the tax rate and water, sewer, and sanitation fees for the city for the new budget year. The second reading of ordinances establishing a tax increment reinvestment zone and the rezoning of property on Wildcat Way from single family to heavy commercial were also approved.
The rezoning will allow the building of an air conditioned storage facility on Wildcat Way. It will be a second location for Landmark Storage. Wayne Cooper is the builder.
The city tax rate will remain at .44 per $100 valuation but will increase 2.66% as final property values set by the Hopkins County Appraisal District were presented to the city. Citizen Jay Julien addressed the council regarding the property tax. He requested the council to consider lowering the tax rate in proportion to the increase in value. Councilman Clay Walker noted that tax revenue is not keeping up with what it costs to run the city as it is. The council approved the revenue increase with only Councilman Dan Froneburger opposing.
Froneburger also voted his opposition to the increase in water rates. The rate will increase 2.25%, which means an approximate $117,000 increase in water revenue. However, all members of the council voted to approve the 3.5% sewer rate increase due to required operational fund and loan balance for the wastewater treatment plant and the recommended sanitation rate increase of 2.25%.
MANAGER’S REPORT
LOCUST STREET – This project is completed.
MOORE STREET. – Utility work is completed, and street reconstruction has begun. The concrete contractor, Highway 19 Construction LLC, has begun soil stabilization. Expect concrete forms in the next few weeks.
PAMPA STREET – The reconstruction of Pampa Street has begun. The Capital Construction Division is currently replacing the sewer line. After that, the water line will be replaced, followed by cement stabilization and an asphalt overlay.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – The work at the wastewater treatment plant is on schedule despite all the summer rains. The three primary clarifier basins have been constructed, and backfilling is about to begin. The building which will house all of the blower controllers has also been erected.
CLAIMS – We had one liability claim in August for a sewer overflow. We did not have any liability claims.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director, Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Conducted 21 building inspections, 21 electrical inspections, 17 plumbing inspections, 5 mechanical inspections, and issued 31 building permits.
- Made 15 major street repairs following utility repairs.
- Patched 302 potholes.
- Cleaned storm drains twice.
- Replaced various street signs and stop signs.
- Sold 1,720 gallons of AvGas and 4,150 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Responded to 195 animal control calls and achieved a 41% adoption rate.
- Recorded 63 offenses, wrote 504 traffic citations, made 49 felony arrests and responded to 38 accidents.
- Made 10 felony arrests in the special crimes unit.
- Checked out 3,181 items from the library, and served 1,375 computer users.
- Achieved a Total Suspended Solids count at the wastewater treatment plant of 0.83 mg/L.
- Repaired 12 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 21 water meters.
- Unstopped 20 sewer mains.
- Repaired 13 sewer mains.
- Washed 80,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Treated 147 million gallons of potable water.
- Flushed 35 dead-end water mains.
- Made repairs to the spillway gates at Lake Sulphur Springs.
- Drained and disinfected Carter Street water tower.
- Repaired various items at the water treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant.
- Responded to 148 fire/rescue calls including 4 structure fires.
- Sent the swift water rescue team to Houston to assist with rescue efforts.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 85 fire hydrants.
- Suppressed 3 invasions of army worms at Buford Park.
- Removed dead trees at Buford Park.
State Ranked Lake Ridge Defeats Lady Cats; Locals Face Pleasant Grove Friday
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team took on a tough, strong team on the road and lost a match to talented Mansfield Lake Ridge, 3-0 Tuesday night. Score was 25-15, 25-12 and 25-22. The loss dropped the Lady Cats season record to 16-10. Lake Ridge is now 21-7 according to Max Preps.
After the game, Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness said Lake Ridge was a tough team but he said playing them was a great experience for the Lady Cats. He said Lake Ridge is a top 20 team in Texas and is ranked #117 nationally. Coach Maness said they have players committed to Texas, TCU and Nebraska. He said despite the scores, the Lady Cats did compete.
Stats for the Lady Cats, Kaylee Jefferson led the team in kills with 6. Madi Vickery had 4. Abbi Baier, Erika VanBenthem and Mieke VanBenthem had 3 apiece. Anden Hammack had 13 assists and Lexie Whisenhunt had 4.
Coach Maness had added a game to the team’s schedule. Instead of a bye Friday, the Lady Cats will play Pleasant Grove at 4:30 p.m. JV and freshmen games will follow.
Hallsville 16, Wildcats’ Team Tennis 3 as District Play Opens
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad opened district play with a 16-3 loss to Hallsville Tuesday afternoon at the Wildcat Tennis Complex. A mixed doubles match was not played.
The Wildcats won three points in boys matches. The Wildcats #1 boys doubles team of Alex Benitez and Jonah Kirkpatrick won their match. #4 boys singles player Blaine Flemens won his match as did #6 boys singles player Waylon Matlock. The Wildcats are now 0-1 in district play and 1-6 for the season.
Next, the Wildcats play a crucial district home match with Marshall next Tuesday. The Mavericks and the Wildcats are expected to be among teams battling for one of the district’s four playoff spots.
Wildcat Football Coordinators Talk Bearcats, Black Knights
Wildcats Offense
For Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young, Friday’s 42-21 victory at Sherman was a great way to start the season. He said the team was successful, lots of players got touches and the offense put points on the board. Still Coach Young said the offense still had a lot of work to do. He said he was pleased with the way the running backs ran. Coach Young used Colton Allen, Cason Goodson, Lawrence Worth, Searn Rodgers, Cortavius Pruitt, Noah Johnson and quarterbacks Ryan Humphries and D’Corian Young. He said it is important to continue to use the team’s depth because many of the players also play on defense or special teams. Coach Young said he was pleased to see receiver Simeon Taylor have a good night and receiver Landry Tyson catch a TD pass. He said the offensive line did a good job. Coach Young said he was also pleased with the play of receiver Bryce McQueen who caught two passes and blocked well, Hayden Daniel who got a start at left guard and did well and Cor’Tavius Pruitt who added a spark at running back. Coach Young pointed out that quarterback Ryan Humphries completed 81% of his passes and threw for over 200 yards. He also gave a scouting report for this Friday night’s opponent, The Avalon School of Maryland. Coach Young said they reminded him of scrimmage opponent Liberty-Eylay except they are bigger but perhaps not quite as fast. He said they had a cornerback heading for Virginia Tech and a safety-outside linebacker going to Virginia. Coach Young said the Black Knights are big up front and have a good pass rush. He said they would present a challenge for the Wildcats offense. Coach Young said the Wildcats would have to focus on technique adding their pace and execution would have to be right or they could look foolish. He said the game was an opportunity for the Wildcats to show they can compete with players who play at a high level. Coach Young said the game would be a good opportunity for the Wildcats to see where they are right now as a team.
Wildcats Defense
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron said the Wildcats’ defense did a pretty good job after they settled in Friday night at Sherman. He credited them with containing a big Sherman running back to had the potential to give the Wildcats problems. Coach Abron said the defense held him to 40 or 50 yards and no touchdowns. He said the defense still had things to work on. Coach Abron had special praise for several players including sophomore outside linebacker Kylan Wade. He said Wade played well against the Bearcats’ tight end-H back and kept containment on his side of the field. Coach Abron also praised his entire defensive line that included D’Idrec Dugan, Jose Rodriguez, Calvin Eckert and Vuk Susic. He pointed out that inside linebacker Jaxon Reneau had 15 tackles and inside linebacker K.J. Abron had 10. Coach Abron said Cason Churchman, playing his first varsity game did a great job at outside linebacker. He also liked the play of his cornerbacks. Coach Abron also credited his defensive assistants with getting players ready to play. They are Kurt McCain, Cameron Warren, Bruce Silman and Chris Valdovinos. Coach Abron also gave a scouting report on The Avalon School of Maryland, the Wildcats opponent Friday night at Prim Stadium. He said they reminded him of Liberty-Eylau with athletes everywhere. Coach Abron said the Black Knigtht’s quarterback is elusive and fast. He said the Avalon running back runs likes he’s 220 pounds. Coach Abron said Avalon had two good receivers. He called the game a good test. Coach Abron said he wants his team to play four full quarters and get some turnovers this week.
