Primary Run-off Election Today
Primary Run-off election is today and the five polling places are open until 7 p.m. The 5 polling places in the county are Wesley Methodist Church, VFW Bingo Hall, Courthouse, League Street Church of Christ, and, specifically open with Precinct 1 voters, Miller Grove ISD. Voter registration card and a photo ID are required. Tonight, KSST News will announce the winner of the Precinct 1 Commissioner Republican run-off as soon as votes are counted. We will announce both on the air and on ksstradio.com
Saltillo ISD graduates 17 Seniors on May 27, 2016
There are 17 Saltillo seniors in the Lions Class of 2016. Graduation will be held on Friday May 27, 2016 at 7pm in the Kerry Garmon Memorial Gymnasium. Three students will be awarded scholarships of $2,000 each on graduation night, from the Kerry Garmon Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Senior Class members (listed alphabetically) Jorge Alvarez, Lane Bench, Paula Boekhorst (Val), Haylee Clover, Pascual Fiscal, Oscar Garcia, Kendall Hayley, Malori Hogue, Claire Jones, Jordan Lane, Mason McGill (Sal), Joel Palmer, Katy Perea, Cheyenne Reynolds, Walter Tippit, Jonathan Van Holten, Kortne Wilson.
Paula Maria Boekhorst was named Saltillo ISD’s Valedictorian for the Class of 2016. Paula Boekhorst is the daughter of Peter and Tallie Boekhorst. She is graduating with a grade point average of 3.889. Ms. Boekhorst is Relay For Life Captain, FCCLA President, Beta Vice President, Class President, and Yearbook Editor. She is an A Honor Roll student, Regional Cross Country Runner-up and State Qualifier junior and senior year, basketball District-Defensive Player sophomore year, basketball 1st team All-District junior year, basketball MVP senior year, basketball team Regional Quarter Finalist sophomore, junior, and senior year, basketball team State Runner-up freshman year. In UIL, she placed second with her team in Math and Current Events and third in Math and also in Current Events individually her senior year. She was a FCSA Gold Medalist at the FCCLA State Convention her sophomore, junior, and senior year. She was awarded the Blue & Gold Scholarship of $26,400, Morningside Athletic Scholarship of $2,500, Morningside Founder Scholarship of $10,000, Morningside Scholarship of $1,000, and the PTO Booster Scholarship of $250. Ms. Boekhorst enjoys playing basketball, spending time with her family and friends, and baking. She will be attending Southern Arkansas University in the fall to play basketball and will majoring in Nursing.
Mason Baileigh McGill was named Saltillo ISD’s Salutatorian for the Class of 2016. Mason McGill is the daughter of Ashley McGill and Jason Cravy. She is graduating with a grade point average of 3.749. Ms. McGill is Beta Secretary, an FCCLA member, FFA member, Yearbook Editor, Choir member, and was Student Government Secretary freshman, sophomore, and junior year. Mason McGill was awarded A Honor Roll freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year, Perfect Attendance sophomore year, Volunteer of the Year junior year, Homecoming Queen 2016, Prom Queen 2016, Miss SHS, Most Dependable and Best Personality. She received the CNB Scholarship of $2500, Pride Scholarship $12,000, Professional Land and Title Company of $250, Regents’ Scholarship of $43,108, and Saltillo PTO Booster of $250. Ms. McGill enjoys reading, singing, and hanging out with her friends and family. She will go on to attend college to attain her degree in Nursing with a focus in becoming a Nurse Practitioner, and will later become a licensed counselor.
SIA Report Commends Hospital, Directs Response to CMS Survey at Monday Night Board Meeting
During Monday night’s Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board meeting, the board swore in Joe Bob Burgin to another term, honored outgoing member Ralph Preuss, and heard compliments regarding the hospital and staff from Greely, the company serving the Systems Improvement Agreement(Hospital Receives Extension of Medicare/Medicaid Program) that will answer the questions of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services raised in October, 2015 (see story here).
The bulk of the time spent in open session Monday night focused on the SIA report that pointed to positives in the local hospital and pointed out the steps being taken to develop and implement systemic correction at the hospital. The representative of Greely said they found HCMH provides good care although vulnerabilities that were noted are being corrected with the implementation of an action plan put in place in April 2016. She emphasized that the Greely team and CMS have been in constant communication as the local hospital makes progress through the action plan. Problems that could jeopardize the plan have been identified and are being addressed. A framework for sustainability of the implemented plan is being created to ensure the improvements are working.
Among problems encountered that had raised the CMS threat of termination for Medicare/Medicaid payments was the need for documentation for event management. The Greely representative pointed out that many of the documents used in the local hospital were redundant. Therefore, the number of documents has been reduced and the information that was gathered would now be getting to the proper workers. Physicians will now do family health history as revised policies have been simplified.
The Quality Safety Department has been restructured with a new plan and program prepared. Infection Prevention has been restructured with a revised program and plan developed. Clinical education has also been restructured. Medication management including administration of drugs in three areas—dispensing, ordering, and filling—have also been restructured. Food and Dietetic services have added a food production manager. They are also restructuring emergency food supplies and taking specific steps in patient nourishment.
One of the major areas of concern in any future CMS survey is the restraint of a patient. Personnel are being trained in restraint management that complies with federal and state requirements. This includes revising policy to align with the requirements and revising documents to match the current practice.
Environment of care is also being examined with one individual appointed to maintain the current level of smoke barriers, fire barriers, electrical equipment and medical equipment.
A contract has been made with a new anesthesia provider group and proper documentation and monitoring are in place. The sedation and anesthesia issues were also a part of the process in meeting CMS requirements, according to the Greely team.
Michael McAndrew, hospital CEO, told the board that he is interviewing an interim manager for Memorial Clinic on Tuesday of this week. The Chief Administrative Officer for the clinic interim is recommended to the local clinic by CHRISTUS, according to McAndrew. He stated that CHRISTUS is seeking to assist the local hospital in working with other CHRISTUS partners in working together.
As the meeting began, Preuss was presented a plaque for his many years of service by Board President Tim Kelty. Kelty made mention that when Preuss had been approached to seek the seat on the board several years ago, he had been told it was only one meeting a month. That proved to not be true. Preuss chose not to seek re-election this year.
Burgin was sworn in after his default election due to the fact he had no opponent for the board seat he has held for several years. There was no need for a board election this year since no other filed for a seat.
The board chose to purchase three (3) power stretchers for ambulances for a total of $44,934 and to purchase a remount for Medic 5 at a cost of $102,078.
The hospital continues to seek additional doctors. Recently two orthopedic interviews have been conducted and one general surgeon interview.
Cumby ISD graduates 21 Seniors on May 27
Cumby ISD will hold Commencement on Friday May 27 at 7 pm in the Ferguson Building of Texas A and M University-Commerce. There are 21 graduates in the Class of 2016. Valedictorian is Landon Mabe, who plans to attend Rice University with a goal of becoming a pediatrician. Salutatorian Brent Brewer plans to go to Lake Forest College in Chicago, Ill.
L to R (Front Row) Madison Leigh Thomas, Julia Goncalves, Bailey Shay Braddock, Jordan Joyce Patterson, Vivian Karen Ugalde, Jessica Danielle McGinn, Cara Lynne Cirkles, Mackenzie Laine Fyke, Erin Leigh Vaughan, Shannon Nicole Clark
L to R (Back Row) Preston Joe Salinas, Brent Allen Brewer, Ashton Smith-Peacock, Marcos Osornio, Landon Asher Mabe, Ryan McKenzie Pullen, Triston Lee Hearn, Kacey Maclay Waxler, Cody Earl Lee, Jax Albert Allen (not pictured; Travis Taylor)
Landon Mabe, Valedictorian
Brent Brewer, Salutatorian
Sulphur Bluff has 18 Graduates
There are 18 seniors in the 2016 graduating class at Sulphur Bluff High School. Two young men are at the top of their class. Valedictorian is Cody Vance and Salutatorian is Taylor Self. Commencement is Friday June 3 at 6:30 in the new Bears gym.
L to R:
Back row: Cole Massey, Isaac Bennit, Joe Granack, Hudson Northcutt, Justin Marshall
3rd Row: Lacey Calhoun, Chris Ryman
2nd Row: Yesenia Castillo, Sierra Swanson, Thomas Coberly, Ethan Brown, Edie Lambe
1st Row: Mardi Fite, Angelica Garza, Cody Vance (Val), Taylor Self (Sal), Skylar Evans, Tori Dorner
7 on 7 Goes 2 – 2 in Gilmer Tourney
football
The Wildcats’ varsity 7 on 7 football team split four games in a Gilmer tournament last Saturday. In pool play, the Wildcats opened by defeating New Diana. Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the team started slowly against Gilmer and then rallied but came up short, 38-30. The Wildcats then bounced back with a come from behind win over Tyler T.K. Gorman. The Wildcats advanced into the semifinals of the tournament where they lost to Whitehouse. Coach Young said he liked the way quarterback Ryan Humphries threw the ball. Coach Young said receiver D.J. Hall, slot receiver Cortavius Pruitt and receiver Simeon Taylor all caught the ball well. Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron said he enjoyed watching defensive back Terrell Turman. Coach Abron said Turman did a good job of shutting down a tall T.K. Gorman receiver who was giving other team’s fits. Coach Abron also had praise for Landry Tyson, D.J. Abron and Tiesan Goodson. Coach Abron said the Wildcats defense did a pretty good job of stopping teams and he added he was pleased with the way the defense competed. The Wildcats’ varsity team will head to Marshall this Saturday for an East Texas Baptist University sponsored tournament. Coach Young said they will face lots of powerhouses from east Texas.
Spring Football Game Eying Weather
Here is the latest on the Wildcats Blue and White Spring Football Game at Gerald Prim Stadium due to the chance of bad weather this week. Monday morning Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said right now the game is scheduled for Thursday evening at 6 p.m. He said the first option if there is bad weather Thursday would be to move the game to Friday at 6 p.m. If the weather is also bad Friday, Coach Owens said the next option would be to reschedule the game for Tuesday, May 31 at 6 p.m. There are good chances of rain in the forecast right now for Thursday and Friday evenings. The Blue squad and White squad will each have about 50 players.
Eight Wildcats Named to All-District Baseball Team
Ryan Humphries
Eight members of the Wildcats’ baseball team made the All-District Team recently selected by the district’s head baseball coaches. Sophomore pitcher and shortstop Ryan Humphries was named the Sophomore of the Year. Wildcats Coach Jerrod Hammack said the fact that Humphries pitched and played shortstop may have given him an advantage in the voting against some one position players. Coach Hammack noted that Humphries won four district games on the mound, had a good year at shortstop and also swung the bat pretty well.
Two Wildcats made the first team. Coach Hammack said junior centerfielder Mason Buck had a good year and was deserving of his first team selection. Coach Hammack said he was excited by the choice of senior Cole Cooper as a first team co-Designated Hitter. He noted that Cooper hit .348 while batting in the third spot in the lineup.
Two Wildcats were selected to the second team: senior infielder Tyler Follis and junior rightfielder Heston Golightly. Honorable Mention selections for the Wildcats included infielders junior Easton Silman, junior Michael Armold and sophomore Triston McCormick. Coach Hammack said the Wildcats did pretty well making the list considering the circumstances of their season. He said the good news is almost everyone on the list will be returning. Coach Hammack said returnees are already working hard looking forward to next year. He said this past season left both him and the players with a bad taste in their mouths.
Wiggins New SSHS Wildcats Soccer Coach
At a special board meeting Friday, the Sulphur Springs School Board approved the hiring of Nick Wiggins as the new Wildcats Soccer Coach. Wiggins has served as Wildcats Assistant Soccer Coach for the past several years. He”ll replace his boss, former Wildcats Head Soccer Coach Andy Holt, who will take over as Head Coach at Frisco Wakeland next year. Wiggins will continue to teach science. Recently the school board also approved the hiring of former Paris Junior College Volleyball Coach Justin Maness as Lady Cats Head Volleyball Coach. PJC just recently dropped the volleyball program. Maness had a successful ten year run as head coach for the Lady Dragons. Maness is scheduled to conduct a volleyball camp for youngsters this summer for SSHS. He is already doing some volleyball work on campus.
