City Works to Replace Collapsed Storm Drain
The corner of Putman and Jackson Streets has been a buzz of activity the past few days as the City of Sulphur Springs crews rush to replace an underground storm drain that collapsed a few weeks ago during heavy rains. The enormous pipe which lies under a vacant lot owned by Mitchell Chapel Church of God in Christ is a “feeder” drain that runs into the nearby town branch. The pipe collapsed during heavier than normal rains a few weeks ago causing the ground above it to shift and sink about 24″. A concerned citizen and parishioner of the church noticed the hazard and immediately roped off the area and called the city. The City of Sulphur Springs installed a larger barricade around the area and scheduled crews to begin the repair. An enormous hole now exists as city crews wait on the replacement pipe to be installed.
Wildcats Win Game One; Host North Forney Saturday at 11:30 AM
The Wildcats’ baseball team took the first game of a best two out of three bi-district playoff series using solid pitching from Ryan Humphries and some clutch hits to defeat North Forney, 7-3 at North Forney Friday night.
Humphries got the pitching win going all seven innings allowing only two earned runs while scattering five singles. He struck out nine and walked five.
Meanwhile the Wildcats had nine hits. Triston McCormick drove home two first inning runs with a triple and hit a solo home run in the third. Easton Silman also had three RBIs with a sacrifice fly in the first and a two-run double in the sixth. Heston Golightly plated a run in the fourth with a double. Kaden Argenbright went 3 for 4 and he scored three runs. Mason Buck and Dawson Draper also had hits. Buck had the fielding gem of the night as he made a diving catch in right center field to end the fifth inning. The catch kept a run from scoring and preserved the Wildcats 5-3 lead at the time.
The Wildcats will attempt to wrap up the series as they host game two at Eagle Stadium Saturday at 11:30 a.m. A third game, if necessary, will be played 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two. Triston McCormick is expected to pitch game two for the Wildcats.
Detroit Takes Game One Over North Hopkins in Bi-District Play; Game Two At North Hopkins Saturday
Detroit took game one of a best two out of three bi-district series winning at home over the North Hopkins’ baseball team, 10-4 Friday afternoon.
The Panthers scored a run in the top of the first inning to lead 1-0. Detroit scored the next nine runs and lead 9-1 after four innings. North Hopkins fought back to within 9-4 after the top of the sixth. Detroit scored the games final run in the bottom of the sixth and the game ended up 10-4.
Colby Cameron took the pitching loss going two innings and allowing six runs, but only 3 earned, on 4 hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Chase Williams recorded no outs and gave up two hits and two runs, neither which was earned. Eastan Lewis pitched four innings and allowed two runs, both earned, on 5 hits with 2 strikeouts.
Detroit outhit North Hopkins eleven to four. The Panthers made four errors and Detroit one. The Panthers did work for seven walks. For North Hopkins, Victor Rojo was 2 for 4 with one run scored and two RBIs. Caleb Wyatt was 1 for 1 with a double, one run scored and one RBI. Williams was 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Javier Rojo and Brycen Gillespie each scored a run.
Game two in the series is at North Hopkins Saturday at 11 a.m. A third game, if necessary, will be played 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two.
Halfway Mark for Spring Football Practices
With three practices this week, the Wildcats’ football team is just about at the halfway mark for spring practice. It was an interesting three days this week.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said Tuesday was a little sloppy. It was the first outdoor practice and Coach Owens said the team did not adapt well to the humidity plus he said they had a hard time getting their rhythm back after having four days off. He said coaches challenged team members in individual meetings.
Coach Owens said Wednesday and Thursday were outstanding practices back inside the Multipurpose Building. He said practices featured energy, enthusiasm, excitement and he added players acted like they were having fun playing football. Coach Owens said that was good to see because it made things go short and quick. He said coaches were seeing improvement across the board in every kid.
Video continued to be a valuable tool according to Coach Owens. He said the players were spending a lot of time watching video and then were coming out and were making adjustments. Coach Owens commented on a few fights that broke out Wednesday and Thursday. He said that was not a bad thing for players to get after each other a little bit as long as it didn’t carry on after practice. Coach Owens called them little skirmishes that mean that players have a little fight in them.
Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron said Wednesday’s practice was one of the Wildcats’ most physical in a long time. Coach Owens agreed. He said players got after each other. He said players were flying around and having fun in the cooler weather. Even the coaches verbally tangled with each other and Coach Owens said the players seemed to feed off that as well.
He said the team definitely got better Wednesday. At about the halfway point of spring practice, Coach Owens said he is not sure if the team is where it should be. He said he didn’t know how to gauge that. He said the staff continued to take things one day at a time seeking improvement every day. Coach Owens said the staff was seeing progress.
On top of everything else, Coach Owens said he has been putting in some time on special teams. The team worked on punting and field goals this week.
Wildcats in Gilmer for Seven on Seven
The Wildcats’ seven on seven teams will open the season Saturday against several teams at Gilmer. Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the Wildcats would take six teams to Gilmer, two high school teams and four middle school teams. About 80 to 85 players are expected to go.
Ryan Humphries and Brady Crouse will miss the seven on seven competition because of baseball bi-district action. With prom Saturday evening, Coach Young said there were a few less players going than usual. The varsity team will only play pool play games Saturday. They are scheduled to face Gilmer, Lindale and Spring Hill. Coach Young said players would get the chance for a lot of throwing and catching. He said his goal for one receiver is 40 catches Saturday. Coach Young said quarterbacks would have the opportunity to get more comfortable with the Wildcats’ passing attack.
With seven on seven season starting earlier than usual this year, Coach Young said all of the seven on seven offense is not in yet. He said he would be looking to see which players were making plays and which were not. Coach Young said some players soar during seven on seven and surprise him every year.
Game Day: Wildcats, North Forney Bi-District Game Live on KSST 7 p.m. Friday
The Wildcats’ baseball team opens a bi-district playoff series against the North Forney Falcons at North Forney Friday at 7 p.m. The playoff game will mark the first playoff game ever for the Falcons. They got hot just in time this season to earn a playoff berth.
In their last scheduled district game last Friday, they trailed highly rated cross town rival Forney 3-0 before scoring four late runs to shock the Jackrabbits, 4-3. Then the following day, North Forney defeated Wylie East and Lovejoy to not only make the playoffs but wind up as the number three seed in their district.
While the Falcons come in with three straight wins, the Wildcats lost games to Hallsville last Friday and Saturday. The Friday loss to the Bobcats made both teams co-district champs with 10-2 district records. The Wildcats also lost a seeding game the next day in Tyler. Coach Jerrod Hammack is certain his team will bounce back. The Wildcats have a 16-8-2 season record.
We will have Wildcats’ bi-district playoff baseball at North Forney Friday at 7 p.m. on KSST Radio. Don Julian will do play by play with expert commentary from former Wildcats coach Eric Buck. Doug Haston will also videotape the game for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Sudddenlink Cable.
Downtown Plaza Gets Ready for Busy Weekend
City crews and event volunteers were getting ready for the busy weekend on Celebration Plaza. The weekend kicks off on Friday night at 5pm with a Cinco de Mayo celebration hosted by the Celebration Association. A quick turnaround tomorrow morning will have volunteers and city workers busy with setting up the vendors for the Reds, Whites, and Brews festival which will start at 2pm and run until 7pm. Wine and beer vendors will offer their products and live musical entertainment will also be enjoyed. Then yet another turnaround for a Sunday morning event starting at 11am. The Enchanted Bride Festival will host vendors for everything a bride would need to host the perfect wedding and reception. Florists, photographers, rental vendors, and more will display their offerings around the plaza until 5pm.
In addition to the events on the plaza, other events going on nearby include the Community Players production of “Dearly Departed” with shows at 7pm on Friday and Saturday, as well as another performance on Sunday at 2pm. The Northeast Texas Choral Society will also be performing at the Hopkins County Civic Center on Saturday night 7pm as well as a Sunday performance at 2pm.
Fund Established for Tanner Gilbreath of Como
Como resident Tanner Gilbreath, 24, was critically injured in a vehicle accident in Como on April 22, 2017. The accident resulted in a broken neck and partial paralysis for Gilbreath. He required emergency surgery on his spine. According to his doctor in Tyler, he will require months of therapy to regain the use of his arms and legs. Because the driver of the vehicle did not have insurance, his family will bear the cost and provide his medical care at home.
A fund has been established at City National Bank in the name of Diane George Busby Medical-Gilbreath. Also an online account has been established at YouCaring, Tanner Gilbreath.
TANNER GILBREATH AND HIS MOM DIANE GEORGE BUSBY
City Council, School Board Polling Places for Saturday, May 6th
In the city of Sulphur Springs, residents will be electing two city council places. Candidates for Place 6 are Brad Burgin and Dan Froneburger. Charles Oxford’s name will appear on the ballot but he withdrew from the race after the ballots were printed. Kayla Price-Mitchell, current Place 6 Councilperson decided early on to not seek re-election. Candidates for Place 7 are incumbent John Sellers and Andy Lowen. Voting takes place at the SSISD Administration Building Board Room, 631 Connally Street.
A record Early Voting turnout of 851 in person and 20 by mail ballots have been cast for a total of 871 Early Voting in the Mount Vernon ISD Board election. Saturday, those living in voting precincts 101, 201, 301, 401, and 202 will cast ballots at the Mount Vernon City Hall, 109 North Kaufman Street. Those living in precinct 102 will vote at the Hagansport Community Center, 10284 State Highway 37N, Talco. Those casting ballots in precinct 402 will vote at the South Franklin Community Center., 3150 FM 1448, Scroggins. The Mt Vernon ISD election features 12 candidates seeking the three places on the board.
In Yantis, the school board election will be conducted in the front lobby of the Imogene Glenn Elementary School.
At Como-Pickton, the high school cafeteria is the location for voting.
KSST radio and ksstradio.com will be reporting the results of each election as soon as votes are counted and results in each election are forwarded to us .
