Hopkins County Teens Face Threats and Public Shaming as They Enter the Workforce
As a parent in Hopkins County I could do nothing when my teen started talking about an incident at her Fast Food Restaurant job. Here is the Reader’s Digest Version: She was yelled at and humiliated in front of the entire team and a few customers. My daughter is old enough to face these things on her own. I can not simply call and chew out her manager. I sincerely hope she wouldn’t want me to. My wife and I can only listen and offer a some advice. We let her know we too have faced similar situations in our jobs.
I have never worked in the Fast Food Industry. Based on what my teen has reported about the conditions at various establishments, and the way she has been treated, I consider myself very lucky. See McJob.
These work place nightmares are not limited to Fast Food. Another teen friend of the family, employed at a grocery store, talks about being threatened with physical violence if work is not done correctly and on time. Not the “I was just kidding” kinda threat, a threat that is followed with “…and I’ll do it and no one will believe you because you are just a kid.” kind of threat.
Teens can be hard to motivate, I can attest to this first hand. Before I call these managers ‘Evil Overlords’, perhaps they were treated in a similar manor. It could be all they know. I doubt there is corporate training that provides these motivational techniques. It’s probably part of the ‘Fast Food Management’ culture. It’s a supply and demand situation. Demand for these jobs are high (many teens looking for a job), and businesses can ‘fire and hire’ as needed.
I am desperately hoping that these negative experiences will serve to motivate my daughter. I remind her that college awaits and I hope to provide her with options when it comes to choosing a career. College may not be for everyone, but post high school training should always be on the table. Nothing is worse than working at a job you hate.
City of Mt Vernon Issues Boil Water Prior to Consumption Alert to Their Customers
Due to a line break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the City of Mount Vernon water system to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. An alert was issued at 3:31 a.m. Sunday morning, January 29, 2017.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil, then boiled for 2 minutes.
In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the form of phone, email, and other alerts.
Mt Vernon residents who have any questions concerning this matter, tmay contact City Administrator Tina Rose at 903-717-4489 or Director of Public Works Jeremy Cox at 903-285-3423.
4-H Food Challenge Practice Run
The 4-H Food Challenge competition is coming up this spring, and Johanna Hicks want’s 4-H’ers to be ready. In order to prepare, participants were given a few hints, a bunch of ingredients, and instructed to make something delicious. There was plenty of guidance, and the crowd also go involved. Food safety was also discussed and practiced. A brief presentation about the creations ingredients, and nutritional values was also given.
I learned that avocados can go in smoothies, and almond slivers are a nice crunchy addition to chicken salad wraps. I also learned that lettuce wraps are not to be feared. Everyone got to sample the finished dishes, and I had seconds.
Johanna said that teams in competition usually have matching aprons, and really put on a show.
4-H Sewing Day at the AgriLife Extension Building
With every machine occupied, and ironing stations at the ready, 4-H’ers worked diligently on projects. Activity mats for Alzheimer patients, and Prayer Quilts were the main focus.
Johanna Hicks displays a 4-H quilt made last year that won many competitions.
Alexis hand stitches the opening on her project.
Boots off, it’s getting serious.
Dusty and Katie O’Brien working together on an activity mat.
Stephanie and Kadence Ross and Volunteer Joanna Brennan.
Penelope ties knots in a Prayer Quilt.
Lady Lions Score Big in Win Over Sulphur Bluff
The Saltillo Lady Lions defeated Sulphur Bluff, 76-24 on the road Friday night. The Lady Lions led 21-5 after the first quarter and continued to build their lead throughout the game.
Madison Simmons of Saltillo led all scorers with 17 points. Other Lady Lions’ scorers included Jocelyn Ochoa with 9 points, Sienna Collins with 8 points, Melissa Groenewold with 7 points, Ana Gallegos and Christie Gurley with 6 points each, Rainie English and Tori Mobley with 5 points apiece, Brenda Castro with 4 points, Melissa Tawil with 3 points and Jordan Sustaire with 2 points.
Sulphur Bluff got 13 points from Katlyn White.
Filing Underway for Area School Board and City Council May 6th Elections
Interest in the May 6th school board and municipal elections has garnered several applicants in Sulphur Springs, Como-Pickton, and Yantis.
In Sulphur Springs City Council filing, incumbent John Sellers and former council member Brad Burgin have filed. Burgin has been on the Planning and Zoning Board and then served on the council. Sellers has been a member of the council for two terms. Kayla Price, Place 6, will not seek re-election. Three others have picked up applications but have not returned them at this time. For School Board, both incumbents, Robbin Vaughn and Robert Cody, filed for re-election on the first day available. No others have filed at this time. Mrs. Vaughn has served as board secretary and currently serves as vice-president of the board. She was elected to the Board in 2014. She was elected as Vice President in 2016. Mrs. Vaughn is a Juvenile Probation Officer with the 8th Judicial District Juvenile Probation Office in Sulphur Springs. Cody is board secretary. Robert Cody was elected to the Board in 2014. He was elected board secretary in 2016. Mr. Cody is the Corporate Controller for GSC Enterprises, Inc. in Sulphur Springs.
For Como-Pickton School Board, incumbents Jim Murray, Greg Anglin, and Mark Humphrey have filed for re-election. Also filing are Jessica Pegues and Brittney Wright Smith. Como-Pickton has entered the search for a new Superintendent.
At Yantis, April Johnson and Melissa Stephens have filed.
Filing dates for the May 6th election continue through February 17.
Man Barricaded in Residence Takes Life as Police Try to Make Contact
Sulphur Springs Police, Special Response Team, and Fire Department responded to a call in the 100 block of Kyle Street Friday night around 11 p.m. A man had barricaded himself inside a residence wanting to harm himself, according to Captain Jason Ricketson with the Sulphur Springs Police Department.
Officers first on the scene attempted to make contact with the male subject by phone but were unable to make contact. That’s when the Special Response Team (SWAT) and fire department were called to the scene. Other individuals in the residence were not threatened by the man and were able to leave the house without difficulty prior to the attempt to remove the man from the house.
Unable to make contact with the man, a gas canister was fired into the house to attempt to smoke him out. The canister landed on a couch inside the house causing a fire. With the Fire Department on the scene, the blaze was quickly extinguished with minimal fire, smoke, and water damage to the structure.
Officers entered the house and found the man dead, in a bathroom, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound according to Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer. Teer ordered the body sent to Dallas for autopsy.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
#18 in State Lady Cats Basketball Scores 101-26 Win on Home Court
In perhaps the first time in history, the Lady Cats’ basketball team scored over 100 points in a 101-26 win over Marshall at home Friday night. The #18 state ranked Lady Cats had quarters of 23 points, 27 points, 25 points and 26 points.
Autumn Tanton scored on a basket as she was fouled in the final minute of play to put the Lady Cats over 100 points. The Lady Cats allowed the Lady Mavs quarters of 7 points, 7 points, 8 points and 4 points.
Three Lady Cats had more than 23 points. Sadavia Porter led the Lady Cats with 29 points, Kaylee Jefferson added 27 points and Tori Moore hit five 3-pointers and had a total of 23 points. Tanton scored 10 points. All seven Lady Cats scored. The Lady Cats hit a sizzling 61% from the field including 5 of 16 or 31% from three point range. The Lady Cats shot 58% from the foul line or 18-31. Porter hit 9 of 10 from the foul line. Jefferson had a team high 6 rebounds and one block.
The Lady Cats had 29 steals including five each from Porter, Moore and Jefferson. The Lady Cats committed only 8 turnovers and they had only 7 fouls.
The Lady Cats remain in first place in the district with a 10-0 record. Their season record is now 24-3 and the Lady Cats have won 17 straight games.
The Lady Cats will travel to Texas High next Tuesday night.
Wildcats Basketball Picks Up Big Road Win; Remain in Second Place in District
The Wildcats’ basketball team picked up a big road win in district play Friday night defeating Marshall, 55-37. The win kept the Wildcats one game back of Mt. Pleasant as the Tigers topped Pine Tree.
The Wildcats leading scorer Friday night was Keaston Willis with 20 points and Victor Iwuakor chipped in 12 points. Five other Wildcats contributed points: Michael Jefferson 8 points, Bryson Lynn 6 points, Ke-Ontae Dunn 5 points and Simeon Taylor and Xavier Cork with 2 points apiece.
The Wildcats remain alone in second place a 7-1 district record. Their season mark is 22-5.
The Wildcats play Texas High in Wildcats Gym next Tuesday night.
Soccer: Lady Cats Win in Overtime; Wildcats Lose to Pine Tree As District Season Begins
Lady Cats 1, Pine Tree 0 (Overtime)
The Lady Cats’ soccer team won a defensive struggle, 1-0 over Pine Tree at the SSHS Track Soccer Complex Field Friday night. Payton Pierce scored a close in goal after a corner kick at the 8:02 mark during the first half of overtime. The Lady Cats made the goal stand up with a little over 18 minutes of shutout soccer in the overtime.
The Lady Cats were able to overcome a yellow card at the 3:45 mark in the first half of overtime given to goalkeeper Abbi Hale, who officials said wasted time by chasing a ball to put into play, with one closer to her net. Hale set out the entire 3:45 in the first half of overtime. She returned for the second half of overtime. The Lady Cats had to play the Lady Pirates without goal scorer Mileena Zirreta, who was out with an injury.
The Lady Cats get three points for the OT win, just like an outright victory. The Lady Cats are 1-0 in district play and 6-3-2 for the season. The Lady Cats play at Marshall Tuesday night.
Pine Tree 5, Wildcats 1
The Pine Tree Pirates seem to always be at or near the top of the district standings and the Pirates opened district play with a solid 5-1 win over the Wildcats at Pine Tree Friday night. The Wildcats slip to 0-1 in district play and 7-2-1 for the season.
The Wildcats will attempt to bounce back as they host Marshall at the SSHS Track Soccer Complex Field Tuesday night.
