Wildcats Football Season Tickets On Sale July 31st-August 4th
Sulphur Springs High School Administrative Assistant Dwayne McMeans has announced that Wildcats Football Season Ticket Week will be July 31 through August 4 at the high school Media Center. Hours will be 8:15 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:15 a.m. until noon Friday. This year’s season tickets will be for games at highly renovated Gerald Prim Stadium with a new artificial turf field, state-of-the-art press box and higher home stands that are expected to produce better visibility for every fan. Each season ticket holder will also have their own chair back seat.
The schedule for the week is a familiar one. Renewal sales for last year’s season tickets will take place on Monday, July 31 and Tuesday, August 1. Ticket holders who do not renew their season tickets by the end of Tuesday will lose their tickets. Last year’s season ticket holders who have already renewed their tickets can purchase or exchange any season tickets available on Wednesday, August 2. All season tickets remaining will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, August 3 and Friday, August 4. A season ticket packet of five home games costs $50. Patrons are encouraged to enter the high school Media Center from the Connally Street entrance to the high school.
The Wildcats home opener at the new Prim is scheduled for Friday, September 8. The Wildcats will also have home game against Paris on Homecoming and district games versus Pine Tree, Texas High and against Greenville on Senior Night.
Cat Abandoned in Park When Shelter Did Not Have Cage Large Enough to Contain; Cat Owner Charged
When the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter did not have a cage large enough for the black and white cat Denon Wolfgang Blasey, 25, sought to leave in their care, he took the cat to Coleman Park and left it there. Pictures of Blasey’s vehicle and a citizen’s report of the abandoned cat led to his arrest and Felony Charge of Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals: Fail to provide.
Blasey had a moment of fame as the picture of the abandonment was posted on social media by the individual who took them. His vehicle was recognized leading to a warrant for his arrest.
He is in Hopkins County Jail being held on a $10,000 bond for the charge.
Tampering Charge Filed for Attempt to Hide Marijuana
Montrel Jabbor Roberts of Missouri City, Texas, 23, was stopped for a minor traffic violation and officers observed him to have a green leafy substance believed to be Marijuana and a small baggy with reddish colored pills inside. Officers also found Marijuana beside the console of the vehicle where Roberts attempted to conceal it from the officers.
Roberts was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 less than 1-gram and with Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair, a Felony 3
Traffic Stop Leads to Meth Arrest; Juveniles Turned Over to the Grandmother
Casey Gween Miles, 22 of Sulphur Springs driving 2001 Hyundai Elantra was not wearing his seat belt when he passed a Cumby Police Officer sitting at the 109-mile marker. While attempting to catch up with Miles, the Cumby officer noted him following too closely and changing lanes when unsafe. That was the beginning.
Finally stopping at the 105-mile marker, the officer found Miles and two juvenile white male passengers in the vehicle. They were relatives of Miles. Miles stated there was a blunt in the area where he was sitting when questioned by the officer. A probable cause search revealed the blunt and a small bag of marijuana, a blue marijuana pipe, two glass pipes containing a white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine and a small plastic bag containing what was believed to be meth.
The juveniles were released to their grandmother. Miles is in Hopkins County jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram, a State Jail Felony.
Spend Saturday Nights On The Square
The Saturday Evening Market is definitely something worth checking out! Lots of children were dancing as “Buddy and the flashbacks” entertained the crowd with cover songs such as “Pretty Woman”, “You Send Me”, and asking for audience participation in singing the song “Doowah Diddy Dum”. The crowd clapped along to the beat and cheered after every song. People brought lawn chairs and sat listening to the live band while kids played in the splash pad.There were vendors selling fresh produce, dinner foods such as tacos and quesadillas, as well as jewelry, art, clothing, and coffee. Make sure to check it out next week!
Fall Festival: Splish Splash Water Bash
By Savannah Owens
Tracy Dennis President of the Fall Festival talked to KSST about their Summer event. “Even though the Fall Festival is not until October-We wanted to do something for the kids since it’s so hot.”
The Water Bash had two water slides, a sprinkler, snow-cones and refreshments, as well as vendors set up from the morning markets. Dennis explained “I had my cover-girls help out…and the Beta Club is [also] helping out…It’s great We’ve got a lot of kids [out enjoying the water activities].”
The water bash had 200+ people in attendance, standing in line for water slides or purchasing snow-cones- everyone was trying to stay cool as they enjoyed the summer fun. Kids 12 and under get in free; kids 13 and up pay $5. Proceeds from ticket sales and water sales will go towards the Fall Festival and “maybe [provide] school supplies” for organizations. The event was scheduled from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
“I just want the kids to have fun.” Dennis said.
Beta club members: Jessica Garcia and Monse Lozano were helping run one of the water slides. Beta club is “basically for people who do well in school, and when you do [well academically] you get treated for your hard work.” Jessica explained. The two friends were having a lot of fun, Jessica said her favorite thing about the event was the “Snow cones!” She got a pink-lemonade snow cone, that tasted delicious.
Bri Duffey’s favorite part was the “big waterslide.”
Brothers Nathan and Justin Estrada were having fun standing in the sprinklers while waiting in line for the big water slide. Nathan’s favorite part was the “waterslides”, while Justin liked “that we’re getting wet!” Soaked was more accurate, but the two brothers were having a blast.
One of the morning market vendors, Amanda Treadaway from “Cool Beans Coffee” was out, watching her son Jaxson play in the water, while Gary Simmons watched their booth. They were selling lemonade and iced coffees to help people beat the heat. Amanda said the Water Bash was “something that is free that your children can do in town; it’s something unique the town has to offer; plus its hot so [the cool water] is nice. ”
CHESS Plans Homeschool Book Fair and Open House
CHESS (Christian Home Educators of Sulphur Springs) invites you to attend the CHESS Homeschool Book Fair & Open House on Saturday, July 29, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. Booths with information regarding what CHESS has to offer, such as homeschool co-op, robotics, sports, and much more will be offered at the event. New and used homeschool curriculum for children will be available.
For those who currently homeschool and are looking for help keeping things organized,a short informational workshop entitled, “How to Organize Your Homeschool Year” will be available. Questions about this event may be directed to Shelley Turner at 903-366-1627.
Shelly Turner, President of the CHESS Group, says CHESS was organized for two reasons. According to their by-laws, the organization “…provide(s) support to parents and others involved and/or interested in educating children at home and to further the appreciation of home schooling in the community through education and media communication.” (CHESS By-laws)
The CHESS group offers girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball, robotics, co-op, and graduation ceremonies. CHESS also takes part in a homeschool prom alongside homeschool groups from neighboring cities. CHESS upholds Christian values above all else. The doctrines of Christianity form the foundation of CHESS.
Highway 11 Construction Projects
By Savannah Owens 
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot) has been out working on the roads on Highway 11 west. Construction crews just finished strip filling-which is a temporary asphalt service that places tar and gravel over the older parts of the road. “That stretch is due for rehabilitation. [TxDot is] trying to do something besides filling the pot holes.” TxDot Public Information Specialist for Paris Texas, Tim McAlavy said.
The unusual July rain has also affected the road construction on Highway 11. “Bad weather always delays progress. Asphalt is temperature dependent.” Which means if the roads are to continue on schedule and be completed by November 2017 then there needs to be good warm weather, to dry the asphalt and keep progress moving. “It is simpler to rebuild existing roads [than build a] new highway, which is an extensive process lasting 4-5 years long, depending on the road and what its designed to do.” McAlavy said.
TxDot is in charge of 80 thousand miles of roads, and repair work is completed by contractors. Problem areas that go beyond regular maintenance are bid on by contractors, TxDot simply oversees the construction work.
“Contractor AK Gillis Inc., Sulphur Springs, Texas, was awarded the contract for this project valued at more than $5.5 million. The contractor has 231 working days, weather permitting, to complete this project. This work will take place along State Highway 11 from .08 miles southeast of Hopkins-Hunt County line to 3.03 miles west of FM 2653 South. The contractor will regrade the road bed, install drainage structures, apply treated and non-treated flexible road base, repave the road surface and install pavement markings in order to widen and upgrade the roadway.”
The Highway 11 projects are “Summer work.” Which means it is expected to last all summer. When driving through work zones “pay attention [to signs and be extra cautious in construction areas], if delays are unmanageable find other routes.” Tim McAlavy compared road repairs to “a pair of shoes” saying when you wear a single pair of shoes over and over they will eventually wear out. Similarly when a road gets a lot of traffic it wears down and “needs to be fixed. [TxDot] asks for people’s patience as the roads are getting more traffic than they were initially built for.”
“As with all of our construction and maintenance work on the roadways of the nine-county Paris District, we ask that motorists remain alert when traveling near our projects. Please don’t drive distracted and obey all traffic controls, signals, flaggers, etc. that may be present directing traffic. Please slow down and respect our work zones and the people working in them, they are all someone’s family and would like to go home safely at the end of every working day. If necessary, please use an alternate route and be patient while the work is underway.”
Sweet Treats at the Senior Ice Cream Freeze Off
By Savannah Owens
The Senior Center was packed full with Ice-Cream competitors and attendees. Smiles lit up the room as people chatted with friends and ate the sweet desserts, debating over the best flavors. Many attendees even brought their family and friends along! The Senior Ice Cream Freeze off was enjoyed by everyone young and old.
Dorthy Davis and Penny Wills have been coming to the Sulphur Springs Senior center for “a long time”. Penny said “It’s great fellowship for the elders; it gives them somewhere to go.” She enjoys the “Casino nights”. Her Mother, Dorthy said she enjoys playing bingo and being able to fellowship with her friends and family. Her favorite event is Senior Prom. “It’s always a lot of fun!”
Faith Pool has been coming to the S.S. Senior center for 5 years. “It gives us somewhere to go…It’s a home away from home.” Her favorite activity hosted by the Senior Center is the “42 Dominoes Tournament”. When asked about a favorite flavor of ice-cream from the Freeze off, Faith couldn’t decide saying “It’s all good!”
There was even a “Jean Reunion” Jean Johnson aka “J.J.” said, as she sat next to her friend Jean Lamarche. Jean Lamarche has been attending S.S. Senior center events for 2 years. Her favorite ice cream flavor is “something with a little chocolate.” Jean Johnson has been coming to the Sulphur Springs Senior Center for 15 years. “[The senior center] holds so much information for the seniors that they would not get otherwise, and provides a place for exercise, meals [and community]…It’s wonderful! [But] we need a new one [to be able to accommodate everyone]. If the city could see that, it would be great.” Jean said “It’s hard to choose” a favorite event put on by the senior center. “I enjoy Bingo, It’s all very good and very rewarding…It’s wonderful to have Karen and [to be apart of] everything she puts on.” Jean’s favorite ice cream flavors included: Key Lime, and Pina Colada.
Lorie Grinnan regional representative for Congressman, John Ratcliffe, was in attendance, and said “Karen Weatherman does a superb job!”
Marci Gammill and Micca Sheedy from Abacus Healthcare were dishing out Banana Nut Ice cream. Marci has been making ice cream her entire life. “My mom has always been good at making ice cream and I just tweaked her recipes. I love Banana Nut with a lot of bananas in it. Banana Nut is my personal favorite and my strongest recipe.” Marci said. “We think it’s a lot of fun; we get to mingle with the seniors and I think they enjoy it too!”
Micca explained why she enjoyed coming to the Ice Cream Freeze Off. “It’s a community event and we like to participate in all events especially senior related events!”
Sally Coston from Brook’s Hearing was serving Butterfinger ice cream. “It’s my sister’s recipe” she explained that she’d been making it for “15 or 20 years, and it is my go-to [recipe. It’s also] my family’s favorite. We usually make it on vacation.” Sally said it was important for her to be at the event because “I love seeing the senior citizens smile; It’s a fun event for them.”
Bobbi Hendricks has been making ice cream for 60 years. “I just like to participate in any of the senior activities.” She said she decided to make vanilla because its “overall a good flavor, and most everyone likes vanilla.”
Michelle Kultgen from S.S. Imaging made her new recipe of Key Lime and said she enjoys “getting out and seeing some seniors.” Michelle has been making ice cream all her life, since she was 3 or 4.
Shelly Scheckel from Hopkins Place said it was her first time making ice cream. “My residents told me I needed to learn how to make ice cream; these are their recipes. I tried to find something different; and rocky road is everyone’s favorite!” She said her ice cream was more of a “Bumpy Road” but it was still good!
Meredith Reed from Jordan Home Health and Stacey Wetzel from CIMA Hospice were also serving their Butterfinger ice cream. Stacy has been “making this ice cream recipe for 3 years, as a tribute to Jan Hawkins.” Meredith said the event was a great way to “give back to the community” and “Our Ice cream is as good as our care!”
Check out some pictures from the event!
