Radio Group Reorganizing as Day-to-Day Financial Discrepancies Led to Morgan Arrest
The Way Radio Group has begun the process of reorganizing their LLC, redoing their FCC license, and changing the format of one of the two stations they operate in Sulphur Springs. The changes come following the arrest of Craig Thomas “Moose” Morgan, who had served as president of the group and lead talent on “Moose in the Morning” on the country and western station.
Morgan has been charged with a Felony 3 Theft and with Giving False Statement to Obtain Property or Credit, a State Jail Felony. According to Dr. Darrel Pierce, now President of The Way Radio Group, the current charges stem from Morgan’s mismanagement at the radio station.
According to Pierce, a partner and spokesperson for the group, the country station format will be changed to a new format that will be introduced on Monday, March 27. According to Pierce, the Thunder Country branded station was pushed but was not making the money anticipated or needed for the progress of the group. Pierce said the country station made the group pull back.
He stated that the partners began to question Morgan as bills were not being paid. That led to an examination of three years of bank statements. There the group found day-to-day discrepancies that were on-going. Pierce said some discrepancies were blatant in the use of funds for other purposes than the radio station and its expenses. Other discrepancies were not so blatant. He said a process is in place to pay the bills and that people in the community have been helpful regarding what is owed by the group to those debtors.
Pierce noted that the radio stations have a good group of talent that will now run the programming. He stated much of the talent had been stifled but were now free to express their creativity. Three staff people remain. Heather Hutches is Production/Traffic Director and passionate about Christian radio. Pip Bickford is Promotions Director. Daniel Starks is Digital Director and responsible for news. Pierce stated one other, whom he did not name, has been employed by the station for sales and as business manager.
The Christian radio station will remain the same in format according to Pierce. He said the members of the group, which include Dr. and Mrs. Darrel Pierce, Mr. & Mrs. Mike Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Benny Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Andy Endsley, and Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sustaire, became involved in the venture specifically because of the Christian Radio Station.
Community Chest Begins “ReachOut Hopkins County”
The Hopkins County Community Chest has a new program called “ReachOut Hopkins County”. Counselors travel to sites around the county each Friday bringing to rural areas all the services offered at the Community Chest main office in Sulphur Springs . Their services include help in paying electric, water, propane or rent for low income households; hygiene items; prescriptions: eye and dental exams; enrollment into the Christian Alliance Food Pantry; and they have emergency food available. Depending on which counselor is available, they also offer free notary service for clients applying for free medical care through the Hopkins County Indigent Health Care Program.
This Friday, March 24th, (and every 4th Friday) from noon to 3 o’clock, ReachOut Hopkins County will be at the Methodist Church in Sulphur Bluff and then next Friday she will be at the Methodist Church in Miller Grove.
Schedule: Noon to 3 pm on
1st Friday each month – Miller Grove Methodist Church
2nd Friday each month – Como Methodist Church
3rd Friday each month – Peerless Assembly of God Country Store
4th Friday each month – Sulphur Bluff Methodist Church
Marijuana, Meth, Pipes Found in US Postal Service Bag
A traffic violation led to a traffic stop at the corner of Beckham at WA Street Wednesday morning at 1:20 a.m. Miles Anthony Hutchings, 24, of Sulphur Springs was exhibiting nervous shaking and clenching of the jaw, signs of methamphetamine use.
Hutchings was asked to exit the vehicle. A green leafy substance was found in the driver’s seat. The substance was believed to be marijuana. That lead to a probable cause search where the law enforcement officer found baggies containing pipes, marijuana, and a small amount of methamphetamine. These were located in a United States Postal Service Bag.
Hutchings is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving While License Invalid. He is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Disturbance Leads to Arrest on Warrant
When responding to a disturbance on McBride Street, law enforcement identified all subjects involved. Records checks showed Justin Dewayne Humphries, 23, of Sulphur Springs wanted for Violation of Parole Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Humphries is in Hopkins County Jail being held on a $30,000 bond.
Concrete Repairs Authorized for I-30 in Hopkins County
PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials recently authorized contractor O. Trevino LLC, Roanoke, Texas, to perform concrete repairs along Interstate Highway 30 in Hopkins County during the coming year on an as-needed basis.
The contractor’s crews will perform spot concrete repairs in both east- and westbound lanes during daylight hours, Monday through Thursday. No work will be done on Fridays, TxDOT officials said. The contract valued at more than $1.5 million will be in force for one year, or until the funds are expended.
The contractor anticipates starting the first phase of these repairs the week of March 22. This phase of the work will extend from the intersection of I-30 and Loop 301 in Sulphur Springs westward along the interstate to the intersection of I-30 and FM 499, TxDOT officials said.
This work will occasionally require temporary lane closures. Wherever possible, motorists are encouraged to use alternate travel routes while this work is underway. Officials requested that motorists reduce their speed, observe and obey all traffic controls and travel through work zones safely.
SSHS Wildcat Theatre’s OAP Advances To Bi-District UIL Competition
The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Theatre’s production of “Emma’s Child” advanced from UIL One Act Play District competition Tuesday to Bi-District with an excellent performance, according to Lesha Woodard, Director of Theatre.
Four members of the theatre group also earned individual awards for their outstanding contributions to the production.
Rachel Bramlett and Anthony Arroyo were awarded All-Star Cast. Chase Berry was awarded Honorable Mention All-Star Cast. Anayeli De La Cruz, stage manager for the production, was awarded Outstanding Crew Member.
Emma’s Child focuses on Jean and Henry Farrell, played by seniors Rachel Bramlett and Chase Berry. The Farrells, after years of unsuccessfully attempting to have a baby of their own, decide to adopt. Emma, portrayed by sophomore AllieGrace Woodard, is the birth mother who approves of the Farrells to adopt her child.
Then, they begin awaiting the birth of their child. When the time arrives, it is not a happy occasion, however, as baby boy Robin is born hydrocephalic and will not live long. Jean falls for this child anyway; the attention she pays to Robin not only threatens to tear her marriage apart, but causes trouble at the hospital as well. Her best friend Franny, played by junior Rorie Young, and some loving nurses, portrayed by juniors Anthony Arroyo and Hannah Shultz, help Jean as she deals with the ensuing problems.
Junior Haylee Fletcher and sophomores Emilie Gotcher, Caleb Talmage, and Lucy Braddy round out the cast.
(Courtesy SSHS Wildcat Theatre Department)
Rounding out the troop are as Technical Stage Manager is sophomore Brandon Williams and the technical team consisting of senior Alex Walker; junior Gregg English; sophomore Heather Horne; and freshmen Danielle Verlander, Ricardo Chavarria, Markida Hood and Khira Young.
SSHS Wildcat Theatre students will perform next at Bi-District competition on March 26 in Whitehouse.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Seven Prospective Contestants Attend Dairy Festival Contestant/Parent Reception
Although high school junior girls in Hopkins County have until April 10th to sign up as a contestant for Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, on Monday, March 20th, 2017, seven young ladies and their parents attended the Contestant/Parent Reception for the Dairy Festival Pageant. The reception was an informational meeting for parents and young ladies who are interested in being a part of the 58th Hopkins County Dairy Festival.
Current contestants include:
- Peyton Dietze, the daughter of Jason and Jill Dietze
- Allie Avery, the daughter of Tenney andAnthony Tanton and the late Stan Avery
- Jaci Reed, the daughter of Kori and Shane Reed
- Gracie Boyer, the daughter of Rudy and Christy Boyer
- Natalie Cruz, the daughter of Curtis and Kathy Wright
- Marissa Greenway, the daughter of George and Meredith Greenway
- Kendall Blake, the daughter of Jody Blake
Again, the deadline for commitment is April 10th, 2017, and until then any Junior girl from a Hopkins County school may sign up. Each young lady that competes will be judged on talent, beauty, poise and their interview. The pageant will be held on June 17th, 2017 with “It’s Your Moo-ve” as the theme.
Humphries Pitches One Hitter as Wildcats Shut Out Tigers
The Wildcats ran their district record to 3-0 as pitcher Ryan Humphries threw a dazzling one hitter and the Wildcats shut out Texas High in Texarkana, 4-0. Humphries allowed only one walk and struck out 4 tossing only 95 pitches in seven innings.
The Wildcats managed only 4 hits but two of them came in a big 3 run top of the fourth. Kaden Argenbright walked to start the inning. Heston Golightly doubled him home. Later Humphries singled and Michael Arnold drove home two runs with a two-out single. The Wildcats scored their fourth run in the fifth inning without a hit. Gavin Millsap was hit by a pitch to start the fifth. Mason Buck walked. Two wild pitches allowed Millsap to score. The game was played in a rapid one hour and 22 minutes.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 9-5-1. They have won five straight games. The Wildcats have an open date Friday and return to district action next Tuesday as they will play Mt. Pleasant at Eagle Stadium.
Lady Cats Cannot Overcome Lady Tigers 7 Run 1st Inning
The Lady Cats’ softball team got off to a pretty good start scoring a run in the top of the first inning against Texas High in Texarkana Tuesday night. Then the Lady Tigers exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the first. The Lady Cats could only answer with a single run in the sixth inning and Texas High took a 7-2 win.
The Lady Tigers had 13 hits. The Lady Cats got 8 hits. Both teams committed an error.
Jaye Doughtie had two hits for the Lady Cats. Kristen Allen drove home a run. Allen also drew 2 walks and Brinklee Driver and Kelsey Wallace walked once each. Bailey Haggerty took the pitching loss going all six innings and getting one strikeout.
The Lady Cats are now 3-2 in district play and 16-6 for the season. The Lady Cats have an open date Friday. They will return to Lady Cat Park next Tuesday to face Mt. Pleasant in another key district game.
Legendary SSHS Football Coach James Cameron Named to Texas High School Coaches Hall of Honor
Legendary Sulphur Springs football coach James Cameron has been named to the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor. The late Coach Cameron capped his coaching career with six stellar seasons in Sulphur Springs. Between 1989 and 1994, his Wildcats’ teams captured four district championships and shared two others. His 1993 and 1994 teams both played until the regional quarterfinal game. Coach Cameron’s 1991 team was a perfect 10-0 and was rated #1 in the state before losing a bi-district game. Coach Cameron still has the highest winning percentage of any Wildcats coach with his 78.8% record of 57-15-1. Only current coach Greg Owens has exceeded his victory total with 77 wins over 11 seasons. Coach Cameron also had head coaching stops at Kilgore, Rockwall and McKinney.
Current Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Matt Young had a unique perspective to observe Coach Cameron. Young’s father Tom was a Coach Cameron assistant at Rockwall and Sulphur Springs. Matt grew up around football teams and played for Coach Cameron for four years at Sulphur Springs High School. Coach Young said Coach Cameron has had a lasting effect on a bunch of coaches. He said he was blessed of have Coach Cameron as part of his life. Coach Young remembers as a player seeing Coach Cameron deep snapping footballs into garbage cans and eating candy and then falling asleep during some film sessions. He said everyone seems to have a James Cameron story. Coach Young said Coach Cameron was a joy to play for and he made you love him. When Coach Cameron passed away between the 1994 and 1995 seasons, a large crowd of over 3,000 attended his funeral at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
