Wright Resignation Accepted, Johnson Appointed In Tuesday School Board Meeting
Enrollment in Sulphur Springs Schools has increased over all and as of Friday, September 2, 4,415 students are of on the roll according to Superintendent Michael Lamb, who gave a report on district-wide student enrollment to the SSISD Board during their September regular session. The Board also accepted the resignation of longtime board member, Kerry Wright.
With much reluctance, the Board accepted Mr. Wright’s resignation. “I don’t have to be a part of the board to continue to serve the district,” explained Kerry Wright. The nomination of Clay Johnson, previous board member, was then accepted.
Consideration regarding the approval of the extracurricular status of 4-H in connection with the Ag-Extension Office and the district took place and was accepted. Discussion and consideration to the approval of authorizing the acquisition of the Technology Center located next to the Sulphur Springs High School was discussed and accepted.
The Sulphur Springs School Board held their first meeting since the start of the school year on Tuesday, September 6th in the Board Room. The Pledge to the American Flag was led by SSMS students Jillian Jumper and Campbell Smith. ECLC T-1 students Peyton and Colton Mercer, Camilla Perez, Kayla Slaughter, and Samantha Smith then led the Pledge to the Texas Flag.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
Resignations
Hailey Tucker SpEd Aide Douglas
New Personnel
John Wilder Math Teacher High School
TEAM OF 8 TRAINING
The Board participated in required “Team of 8” training, conducted by Region 8 staff.
City of Commerce Reports Two Confirmed Cases of Human West Nile Virus
COMMERCE, TX—Emergency Management Officials are reporting two confirmed cases of human West Nile Virus within the city limits of Commerce.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 70 to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile Virus will exhibit no symptoms. One out of five people will develop symptoms such as a fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. Less than one percent of people who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness.
In our ongoing effort to combat mosquitoes, city staff will once again spray in the areas where human cases of West Nile have been reported beginning tonight, Sept. 6, and will continue for three days. The spraying is more effective if it takes place during peak mosquito biting hours, so spraying will begin around 7:30 p.m. each night.
The chemical used in the spray is of low toxicity to humans and pets, but it is a pesticide and direct contact should be avoided. Citizens should go indoors and stay back from the truck during spraying operations. The chemical will not be sprayed if the driver sees people outdoors. This product is extremely toxic to fish, and fishponds should be covered.
Although the chemicals will greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes, the spray will not eliminate all chances of getting bit. Emergency Management Officials urge residents to take precautionary measures, such as using an insect repellant containing DEET.
City of Commerce and Texas A&M University-Commerce Emergency Management Officials will continue to trap and test mosquitoes in all areas of Commerce as long as the threat continues. For additional information on West Nile visit www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/westnile/information OR www.cdc.gov/westnile.
Game Day Tuesday: SSHS Volleyball Hosts Royce City; Team Tennis at Hallsville
There is volleyball and team tennis on the sports menu on this Tuesday game day. The Lady Cats’ volleyball team has one more non-district match to get ready for district play coming up on Friday in Hallsville. Tuesday evening the Lady Cats welcome former district opponent Royse City into Wildcats Gym. The Lady Cats will enter play this Tuesday with a 20-7 record. They also have a six match winning streak. The Lady Bulldogs have always been a tough opponent for the Lady Cats. The Tuesday match schedule has changed slightly. The Lady Cats JV and freshmen teams will be playing Royse City starting at 5:30 p.m. Then the varsity match will follow. We’ll bring you Lady Cats’ volleyball Tuesday at around 7 p.m. on KSST radio. We will also videotape the match for replay on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable at a later date.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ tennis squad will open district play Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Hallsville. The Wildcats have a 2-1 season record. They played last on August 25 at Terrell where they defeated the Tigers squad, 19-0.
Wildcats at Disney World, Video Story by Lauren Humphries
KSST thanks Lauren Humphries and Coach Greg Owens for this video.
House Fire in County Under Investigation
A house fire this weekend near Birthright at County Road 4587 and CR 4582 is under investigation by the Hopkins County Fire Marshall. The structure, vacant for several years, was fully engulfed when county firemen responded to a grass fire and found the structure as they began their work. According to Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley said anyone with information regarding the structure or fire is encouraged to call the county fire department. He stated no arrests have been made at this time.
Similar Equipment Raises Questions for Commissioner
Although it looked like County equipment was being used in building a shooting range and building a new driveway at the home of a county commissioner while the county road where the commissioner lives is being upgraded for the first time in 20 years, Beth Wisenbaker, Commissioner Precinct 1 says she and her husband, County Republican Chair Donnie Wisenbaker are paying for the work performing at the residence by a private contractor from personal funds.
John McClain, who is doing the work, owns and operates equipment that not only looks similar to county equipment, it is the same make and model as the equipment used by the county in that precinct. A county resident taking pictures of the work was approached by McClain, who explained the circumstances. However, McClain was not convinced he had convinced the resident of the particulars of the situation.
Wisenbaker wants to assure residents in the county and especially in her precinct that she will not use county equipment or personnel for personal work.
Fictitious Registration Leads to Discovery of Drugs in Auto
When a Hopkins County Deputy stopped Sharron Donice Simmons, 47, of Sulphur Springs for a traffic violation on State Highway 154 near FM 1567, the fact that she was nervous, had a suspended driver’s license, and no insurance card led to further investigation.
As the deputy checked the registration of the vehicle, it was found to be fictitious. The registration was for a totally different vehicle. With consent to search, it was found that Simmons was in possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1, over 4-grams but less than 200-grams. She is charged with the possession, driving while license is invalid and displaying fictitious altered registration.
Simmons is in Hopkins County Jail on a Felony 2 drug charge and held on a $20,000 bond.
DPS Unit Involved in Accident During County Pursuit
Fleeing a Hopkins County Deputy, avoiding DPS spikes by driving in the ditches or into oncoming traffic, using a church parking lot and the pasture surrounding were just a few of the reasons Scott Allen Moore, 19, is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Evading Arrest Detention with a Motor Vehicle, a Felony 3, and is being held on a $35,000 bond.
The deputy attempted to stop Moore for a traffic violation. When the officer turned on his overhead lights, Moore sped off on FM 69 and turning down a county road 2320. He continued to use various county roads passing several people on riding lawn mowers on the roadways. DPS troopers attempted to use spikes but Moore utilized the ditches and oncoming traffic, driving though the parking lot at Elm Ridge Baptist Church and the pasture next to the church. Then he continued onto State Highway 11, FM 1870 and was finally stopped and arrested.
During the chase a DPS patrol unit was involved in a minor accident.
