Cumby High School Robotics Team Currently Qualified for National and World Competition
Two teams in the Cumby High School robotics program are now qualified for national and world competition. The world competition will be broadcast on ESPN.
Both teams developed robots that would toss 12-inch by 12-inch bean bags and jacks (as in the toy) of the same size in competition with other robots. According to Lee Gifford, robotics instructor at CHS, one team is experienced and the other is a rookie team.
Gifford said the one team would continue to compete to hold their place in the qualifying standings but the other team, the experienced team, would compete due to their win last year. She said the students have worked hard and well together to build the qualifying robots. One team has used a longer set of arms and the other, a shorter set of arms that are curved.
The teams will continue competition and, according to Gifford, sponsors are needed for the team to attend events, especially the national and world competitions. She stated the school system has given wonderful support and that other small donations have been received. Gifford said any assistance would be appreciated and sponsorships are available. Sponsors’ logos will be placed on the robots during the televised competition.
Lions Lose Close One to Bland
The Saltillo Lions’ basketball team lost a close one, 58-54, to Bland on the road on Tuesday.
The Lions led by one, 13-12, after the first quarter. Bland used a big 19 point second quarter to take a 31-24 lead at the half. The Lions fought back in the third quarter and trimmed the lead to just four, 43-39, after three quarters. Then Bland hung on to win.
The Lions got 15 points from Lyle Bench. Trevor Moore had 14 points. Adam Valenzuela added 11 points. Walker McGill had 7, Ryan Prewitt 3, Branson McGill 2 and Logan Camp 2.
The Lions play next on December 27 against Mt. Vernon in the Mt. Vernon Classic. The Lions entered the Bland game Tuesday having won the consolation championship in a McLeod tournament last weekend. They defeated DeKalb in the consolation final, 52-46. They also defeated Maud and Bloomburg and lost to Avery, Atlanta and Queen City.
Man in Empty Residence Arrested for Cocaine
Sulphur Springs Police responded to a call regarding individuals unlawfully in an empty residence on Calvert St Tuesday morning around 10:30 a.m. Carae Martez Williams, 21, met officers at the door with his clothes in his hand.
Williams was advised he was not allowed in the residence. A pat down followed resulting in the discovery of a clear baggie containing what was believed to be cocaine. A videoed field test confirmed the substance to be cocaine.
Williams is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram and is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Pickton Man Takes Shots at Repo Tow Truck
Hopkins County Deputies responded Tuesday night at 10:32 p.m. to a vehicle repossession involving shots fired on County Road 2400 in the Pickton area. The victim, a tow truck driver, stated that someone fired a weapon at him from the house where he was repossessing a vehicle.
Deputies took note of bullet holes on the rear of the tow truck. Otto Hall, Jr, 76, of Pickton admitted he took shots at the tow truck.
Hall is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and is being held on a $40,000 bond.
Two Charged in Firearms Related Arrest
As Hopkins County Deputies went to a residence in Sulphur Springs in reference to a wanted person Tuesday at 7:10 p.m., they found in plain view on the kitchen table a stolen Smith and Wesson .380 Bodyguard handgun and in plain view in the bedroom, a clear plastic baggie containing a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine.
Haylee Brooke Chester, 21, and Jaspen Quayshawn DeBase, 25, both of Sulphur Springs were arrested.
Chester was arrested for Theft of a Firearm and for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, under 1-gram. Chester’s bond is $10,000 bond for the possession charge and $10,000 for the theft of a firearm. She is also being held on a Dallas County charge.
DeBase is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Theft of a Firearm and violation of state parole. His bond is set at a total of $30,000 for the firearm charges. Bond was denied for the violation of parole.
Jail Back in Compliance; Hostage Takeover Scenario Was Bigger Test
Now that Hopkins County Jail is once again in compliance with the Texas Jail Standards Board, according to Sheriff Butch Adams, members of the Texas Rangers and DPS put the jail to one of the toughest tests they have ever experienced—an Aryan terrorist/hostage takeover. Sheriff-elect Lewis Tatum said it presented the opportunity to test his “It ends at the jail” theory for such an event. The event was a first for Hopkins County Jail and to Tatum’s knowledge a first for any jail in the Northeast Texas area.
Tuesday afternoon a number of officers acting as terrorists took over Hopkins County Jail presenting a scenario of beating and killing jailers and taking over the central controls to the jail. Tatum told KSST News that the planning and training for such an event had been studied for about six weeks but the event itself came as a surprise to jail staff and the Sheriff’s office. He said that responding to the hostage take over were Texas Rangers, DPS, Hopkins County Sheriff’s investigators and deputies, Sulphur Springs Police, and members of the SWAT Team.
Tatum said the recent training had included hostage negotiations and steps to take during such an event. He stated that one piece of the training including allowing an avenue of escape for the terrorists. However, Tatum does not see that as an option for the local jail. He pointed out that if the hostages leave the jail the possibility of local citizens being injured or killed would be high. He stated that “it ends at the jail”. Noting that in the scenario, law enforcement and some inmates would have died; he said the price outweighed the potential of citizens being harmed. He pointed out that in the initial takeover, some jailers were killed in the enactment as the terrorists entered and began their assault.
The training proved beneficial to the various law enforcement agencies included in the action. He stated that what was learned was not pleasant but was most helpful in preparing for a hostage event should one take place. Tatum said even in a community such as Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs, this type of event is no out of the realm of possibility.
SSMS Orchestra Christmas Concert Showcased Strings
Story and Photo Slide Show by Allison Bledsoe
The Sulphur Springs High School and Middle School Orchestras showcased their stringed skills on Tuesday night. In the newly renovated auditorium, the musicians played pieces that reflected the holiday spirit and the advancements they have made during the semester. Several students were presented with Level Mastery Certificates from their check-off charts. Mr. Zander Smith, Orchestra Director, explained that the “check-off” charts encourage students to not only practice their concert music, but also other pieces that broaden their music horizons.
Lady Cats Open District Play with Win in Greenville
The Lady Cats’ basketball team got off to a slow start but once again depended on tenacious defense to open district play with a solid 40-17 win over Greenville on the road.
The Lady Lions actually led the Lady Cats 8-5 after the first quarter. Then the Lady Cats defense took over allowing Greenville only 2 points in the second quarter, 7 points in the third quarter and no points in the fourth quarter. The Lady Cats had their largest scoring quarter, 19 points, in the second quarter to take a 24-10 half time lead. Ten third quarter points by the Lady Cats gave them a 34-17 lead after three quarters. The Lady Cats scored the only 6 points tallied in the fourth quarter.
Kaylee Jefferson had another quality game with 16 points including a three pointer plus 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 4 steals 4 deflections and 2 assists. Tori Moore had 7 points and Daieyshia Pruitt had 5. The Lady Cats had only 9 turnovers and committed only 4 fouls.
The Lady Cats are now 1-0 in district play and 12-3 for the season. They have a big showdown with Hallsville Friday at 5 p.m. in Wildcats Gym.
Paris Eked Out Win Over Wildcats
With 2:34 to play in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats and Paris had fought to a 60-60 tie at Paris Tuesday night. Paris made a few more things happen at the end and eked out a 67-64 win. The Wildcats entered the fourth quarter down by 8 but fought back.
Victor Iwuakor led the Wildcats with 20 points. Keaston Willis added 15. Ke’Ontae Dunn had 11, Bryson Lynn 9 and Michael Jefferson 7. Paris got huge games from their talented guards. Josh Robinson scored 28 points and Jalon Pipkins had 14. Three point shots were flying all night long as Paris netted 10 and the Wildcats 9. The Wildcats opened the game well and led 19-17 after the first quarter. Paris outscored the Wildcats in the second quarter 21-12 t take a 38-31 halftime lead. Paris edged by the Wildcats 15-14 in the third quarter to lead 53-45 after three. That set the stage for the fourth quarter happenings.
The Wildcats season mark is now 12-2. Paris improved to 9-1.
The Wildcats will play Royse City Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Middle School Gym. The Wildcats Freshmen and JV teams both got wins at Paris Tuesday. The Freshmen Wildcats won 58-45 and the JV Wildcats came out on top 56-46.
