Wildcats Offense, Defense Gain Experience in 7 on 7
Matt Young, Wildcats Offensive Coordinator on 7 on 7 Offense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young says the greatest asset of 7 on 7 football is that lots of quarterbacks get to throw passes and lots of receivers get to catch them. The Wildcats hosted Gilmer for a 7 on 7 competition Tuesday in the Multipurpose Building. Two high school varsity teams and two eighth grade teams got to play two games each against talented Gilmer. Coach Young estimates 50 high school players and 40 middle schoolers participated. He says it was a great chance to see kids on a bigger stage for the first time and see how they react. The #1 Varsity team ended up losing two close games to Gilmer. Coach Young was pleased with the quarterback play of Ryan Humphries and Tyler Armstrong. Among receivers making impressions were Simeon Taylor, Tyrese Peters, Landry Tyson, D.J. Hall and Matt Reynolds. Coach Young says the team played with great emotion and scored lots of points. He says the #2 Varsity unit split their two games. Coach Young says they dominated in game two. #2 unit QB’s included DeCorian Young, Connor Nix and Wayne Hohenberger. He adds there was a long list of receivers making catches. The competition marked the end of competition for eighth graders. The two Wildcats’ varsity units and two seventh grade teams will travel to a Gilmer 7 on 7 tournament Saturday.
Triston Abron on 7 on 7 Defense
7 on 7 football is a game for offenses with rules stacked against defenses. Quarterbacks have four full seconds to throw with no pass rush. Defenders are greatly restricted from using their hands on receivers. Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron says 7 on 7 does give defensive players a chance to work on pass coverage and drops. Coach Abron says some teams utilize all defensive backs on their 7 on 7 defenses. Coach Abron says the Wildcats use not only cornerbacks and safeties but also linebackers. With rules against them, Coach Abron says he hopes defenders can just slow 7 on 7 offenses down. He adds if defenders can stop one drive in three, he’s pleased. Coach Abron names several players who stood out during the 7 on 7 games against Gilmer Tuesday. First and foremost he mentions Terrell Turman. Coach Abron says Turman did a good job at corner last year. He adds he has had a good off season and has looked good in spring football Coach Abron was also impressed with Trey Dial, a player he says has with no varsity experience but he adds you couldn’t tell it Tuesday night. He was also impressed with D.J. Abron, Colton Allen, DeQuarian Pitts and Landry Tyson.
TxDOT Seeks Public Input on Future of I-30
Texas Department of Transportation and other officials are encouraging the public to share their opinions and concerns about the future of Interstate Highway 30 in East Texas.
I-30 is an important connection for travel and trade. But as the interstate highway system ages and population and trade increase in Texas, it is necessary to assess the current safety and capacity of this highway. The I-30 East Texas Corridor Study is being undertaken to identify rural transportation needs along I-30 from the Rockwall-Hunt county line to the Texas-Arkansas border.
The study area spans 145 miles across six counties and lies within TxDOT’s Paris and Atlanta Districts. TxDOT’s Dallas District meanwhile is undertaking separate studies to identify improvements from the Rockwall-Hunt county line into the Dallas Metropolitan Area.
The study will address and focus on:
- Existing and future traffic volumes, including trucks
- Crash statistics and safety needs
- Economic development opportunities
- Highway characteristics such as overpass clearances, bridge & structure ratings, pavement condition, median treatments, truck parking, lane and shoulder widths, and frontage roads
- Community needs
- Environmental features
TxDOT officials said the public can provide its input and feedback on the future of I-30 by participating in an online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/I-30EastTexas
Local communities and leaders will also be involved to better incorporate community needs and concerns in the study. The I-30 Working Group comprised of local stakeholders will help TxDOT identify and assess transportation needs along the corridor. It will also provide an avenue to engage and inform the public, gather input and provide recommendations. The working group includes a cross-section of elected officials and other stakeholders along the I-30 corridor.
The I-30 East Texas Corridor Study working group will conduct a series of virtual and in-person meetings during the study, which is expected to be completed in Fall 2016. Working group members will also conduct public outreach activities which will be incorporated into the study’s analyses and recommendations.
More information on the I-30 East Texas Corridor Study is available online at: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/statewide/i30-east-texas-corridor.html
Burglary Suspect Gives False Information, Narcotics Found
Damian Demon Hart, 19, of Denison was arrested Tuesday evening on three charges. Hart, who was a suspect in a Burglary of a Habitation and Motor Vehicle at a Beckham Street residence, was contacted by a Sulphur Springs Police Department officer. Hart falsely identified himself as “Darnel Sabastion Franklin” with a date of birth May 3rd, 1994. A short time later the officer realized he knew the man Hart was pretending to be and advised Hart that he knew the information was false. Hart then shared his correct name and birth date with the officer. The officer then transported Hart to the Hopkins County Jail where it was discovered that Hart was hiding narcotics in his shoes. Special Crimes Unit Sergeant Mark Estes found several crushed, red pills identified as MDMA or Ecstasy, 7 Alprazolam pills, and a clear capsule containing a white substance that tested to also be MDMA. Hart now sits on $26,000 total bond: $15,000 for a 3rd degree felony Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Drug Free Zone greater than 1 gram but less than 4 grams, $10,000 for a State Jail felony Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Drug Free Zone less than 28 grams, and $1,000 for Failure to Identify by Providing False Information.
“The Beat Goes On” Themed Gala Set for January 2017
hospital
2016-2017 Lights of Life Campaign Chairs, Sam and Sher Sevier announced the campaign & gala theme, goal and projects to the committee at the first campaign meeting which was held on Tuesday, May 17th at noon at the Southwest Dairy Museum. The committee was excited to learn the theme of this years Gala: THE BEAT GOES ON.
Long time Gala Designer Kent Smith explained the vision of the gala decorations to the committee. “Gala attendees will defiantly notice a change as soon as they enter the venue this year”, explained Smith, “It’s going to be outstanding.” Eddie Deen catering will once again provide an amazing dining experience for the over 550 expected guests on Saturday January 28, 2017. The fun will begin at 6:00 p.m. and continue through out the night with dinner, live and silent auction bidding and dancing. This year’s entertainment band will be Downtown Fever. The band knows how to bring a party to life and the crowd to their feet. The professional eleven-piece party band provides a musical range that spans decades of standards and classics to the current hits of today.
“We feel like we are on top of a well oiled machine”, joked Sam Sevier. “This is not our comfort zone, but we are honored and we are going to embrace it. We we took the job because of what the community has meant to us and we wanted to work with and give back to the community that has given so much to us”
“The Foundation board set the campaign goal at $250,000 again and I’m certain with Sam and Sher’s “positive attitude this will be another successful year. Of course we couldn’t reach our goal without the generosity of this wonderful and supportive community. We are blessed every year to have dedicated leaders chair the campaign and I’m certain Sam and Sher will do an outstanding job”, said Meredith Caddell, Foundation Director.
On April 5th, the Foundation board approved the projects that will be funded with the money raised through the campaign this year. With the continued generous support from the community the Foundation will be able to purchase;
- AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill $46,537.00
Using NASA Differential Air Pressure technology, the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill comfortably supports the user and “unweights” them by as much as 80%. Benefits include reducing ground reaction forces, minimizing discomfort, creating safe environments to work on technique and allowing increased training with less impact. Estimated to help 70% of the current rehabilitation patients and essential to those with spinal, hip and lower body issues, the machine will be available for rehabilitation patients as well as the public.
- 2 Giraffe OmniBeds for Nursery Department $76,584.00
The Giraffe OmniBeds are a combination system that brings together features of a traditional incubator and a radiant warmer that will serve both premature as well as full term newborns. These beds will support our Level II Special Care Nursery designation allowing our facility to care for almost all newborns born at greater than 32 weeks with a range of medical issues, rather than being transferred to other hospitals.
- Endowment Fund $50,000.00
The Foundation is committed to adding additional funds to the Foundation’s Leaving a Legacy Endowment Fund.
“Sponsor solicitation letters will go out June 1st but we’re already receiving calls and commitments, which means the Gala will probably be sold out again. It’s a wonderful problem to have, I think? The community has certainly embraced this campaign over the past years and together we have made a huge difference for our hospital and our community” continued Caddell.
“We’ve finished 10 years,” continued Sevier, “and we are transitioning a lot of things. The concept of generosity in the community and how they have addressed changes of all kinds is what inspired this year’s theme: THE BEAT GOES ON. Businesses change, our downtown is revitalized, the hospital transitions to a new system and the Health Care Foundation evolves…THE BEAT GOES ON!”
If you cannot attend the gala but still want to support your local hospital and the campaign, contributions may be made with a donation to the Lights of Life Christmas tree lighting event that will be held December 1st at 6 p.m. in The Gardens at Memorial. A $25 donation given in memory or honor of someone special is represented by a light on the Lights of Life Christmas tree.
Additional opportunities to become involved and support the campaign are by participating, attending and/or donating to the the Style Show, hosted by Lou Nell’s on September 15, 2016, the Half Marathon on October 1st, or the Fly Your Flag Campaign and lunch on November 15th. All contributions help to make a difference for our community.
Please join us as we work together for the benefit of the hospital and the community. Through your support of the 2016-2017 Lights of Life Campaign and Gala we will reach our $250,000 goal. Call the Health Care Foundation office at 903-439-4799 for more information.
Construction and Remodel of Sports Fields/Stadium on Special Agenda for SSISD Board Friday
A new baseball field, remodel of Prim Stadium, and drainage issues and future remodel of the current softball field along with adoption of 15 resolutions allowing for reimbursement of the General Fund from proceeds of a future financing will be the focus of the Sulphur Springs School Board when they meet in special session Friday, May 20th at noon in the Superintendent’s Conference Room.
Action items to be presented by Superintendent Michael Lamb include:
- Discuss and consider approval of the construction of a new baseball field west of the current high school track.
- Discuss and consider approval of work to address drainage issues and future remodel of current softball field.
- Discuss and consider approval of using Construction Manager Agent as the delivery method for the remodel project of the football stadium.
- Discuss and consider approval of hiring Gallagher Construction Services as the Construction Manager Agent for the remodel project of the football stadium.
- Discuss and consider approval to enter into contract with Potter Architects for design services for remodel project of football stadium.
- Discuss and consider adoption of Resolution 2-16 allowing for reimbursement of General Fund from proceeds of a future financing.
The board will also conduct an executive session to discuss purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property and to consider personnel to be employed, assigned, resignations, and other personnel matters.
Wylie Man’s Wild Ride Ends In Cumby
Morris David Roberts, 55, of Wylie, Texas was arrested Monday night after a tip was given to the Cumby Police Department. Cumby PD Sergeant Charles Walker was notified by a truck driver of a man driving naked on FM 499 in Cumby. According to the arrest report, the complainant told Sgt. Walker that she had observed Roberts “operating his vehicle naked and that he was fondling himself while driving down the road way.” Roberts was located on FM 513 at FM 499 while attempting to elude the officer to avoid being stopped. Sgt. Walker made contact with Roberts who admitted to operating his vehicle without wearing pants and also stated that he was in possession of two firearms. A .22 caliber rifle and a single shot 12 gauge shotgun were found in the vehicle. Sgt. Walker then arrested Roberts and transported him to the Hopkins County Jail where he now sits on $11,000 bond: $10,000 for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and $1,000 for Indecent Exposure. This is not the first indecent exposure incident for Roberts. KSST research found that Roberts was charged with Indecency with a Child by Exposure on March 7th, 2005 in Wylie, Texas.
SSHS Class of 2016: Valedictorian Kendall Wallace, Salutatorian Sidney Dietze
L to R, Valedictorian Kendall Wallace, SSHS Principal Derek Driver, Salutatorian Sidney Dietze
Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the 2016 Graduating Class at Sulphur Springs High School were introduced to the School Board Monday night. Tuesday morning local media spoke with Valedictorian Kendall Wallace, 18, daughter of Mark and Michelle Wallace and Salutatorian Sidney Dietze, 17, daughter of Jason and Jill Dietze.
Valedictorian Kendall Wallace, center, and parents Mark and Michelle Wallace
Kendall will graduate with a 4.35909 grade point average and plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin following graduation. Her goal is to become a surgeon. During her high school career her interests, accomplishments and activities include: National Honor Society, Health Science Technology Education Practicum, Health Occupations Students of America, Hopkins County High School Leadership Class, Hi-King Klub, and Key Club.
Salutatorian Sidney Dietze, center, and parents Jason and Jill Dietze
Sidney graduates with a 4.16905 grade point average and plans to attend Baylor University. Her career plan is to become a Cardiologist. During her high school career, she has been class president all four years, Vice President of the Gladys Alexander Chapter of the National Honor Society, Academic All-District 15 5-A Volleyball her junior and senior years, Honorable mention All-District Volleyball, 2016 Homecoming Court nominee, recipient of the James Cameron Fighting Heart Award, and Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. She is President of the Key Club this year, a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Sulphur Springs High School President’s Council Athlete’s Representative, National Thespian Society, and Hopkins County High School Leadership Class.
School Board Hears Reports, Seeks Grants; Auditorium Nears Completion
Salutatorian Sidney Dietze, daughter of Jason and Jill Dietze
The annual Dairy Festival Queen contest should be conducted in the auditorium at the Regional Civic Center. That’s the conditional assurance given by Don Roundtree to the Sulphur Springs school board Tuesday night during their regular May meeting. The board also heard a variety of reports and approved action items including applications for Head Start and Early Head Start grants for expansion and cost of living increases for staff. Graduating Class 2016 Valedictorian Kendall Wallace and Salutatorian Sidney Dietze were introduced to the board. The board also unanimously chose KSST to serve as the official sports radio outlet for the district.
Valedictorian Kendall Wallace, daughter of Mark and Michelle Wallace
Regarding the auditorium, Don Roundtree, consultant, stated that much of the outside work, sidewalks and parking, is in place. The acoustical wall panels, ramps and stairs, seating, stage manager’s rack dimming racks, stage air conditioning, and rooftop equipment access ladders are all in place. He said 70% of the theatrical lighting is installed, mechanical and electrical systems are being installed, and the floor should be finished by the end of the week. Curtains for the stage should be hung next week.
Head Start will seek an additional $22,469 cost of living (COLA) grant that will increase the permanent annual grant to $1.4 million. The COLA will increase staff salaries.
Early head start seeks to add 24 additional students utilizing two day care centers to house infants and toddlers and staff, according to Hillary Young, Director of Head Start and Early Head Start. SSISD will supply the staff but no district money will be spent. The infants and toddlers will be brought into the program to enable parents to begin receiving the benefits of growth in parenting skills and in involvement in educating their children. School staff and day care staff will receive training, playgrounds will be maintained, a janitor will be provided, and minimum liability will cover the children; all paid for by the grant. Sulphur Springs Christian School will have 16 infants and toddlers if the grant is approved and Little Texans Learning Center will have 8 infants and toddlers. When the children reach 3-years of age, their families must re-apply for head start. Seventy-five grants will be given nationwide. The program will run 11 to 12 months each year for the five years covered in the grant. Application will be made in July and the district will know if the grant has been awarded to the local district in February, 2017.
The board voted to request waivers for two student days to be turned into staff development days focused on math and science. The application to increase professional days will be made to the state.
Josh Williams, Assistant Superintendent, reported to the board that campus plans are now aligned with district plans following the four priorities set by the board.
An easement was also granted to the City of Sulphur Springs by the board. The city will be using grant funds to connect city sidewalk to the school sidewalk in front of the school.
PERSONNEL
Resignations
Sherry McCarter LSSP Intern Dist-Wide
Randa Massey 3rd Grade Teacher SS Elementary
Amanda Pennington Library Aide High School
New Personnel
Sonia Yanez Title I Aide ECLC
Lesli Ray Grade 1 Bowie Primary
Ruth Fernandez SpEd Aide Lamar Primary
Patricia Cooper Grade 3 SS Elementary
Brittany Cox Grade 3 SS Elementary
Ellie Denton Grade 4 SS Elementary
Jessica Gilbert Grade 4 SS Elementary
Chandra Maddox Grade 4 SS Elementary
Rachel Tubb Grade 4 SS Elementary
John Mark Francis English Middle School
Hannah Garrett Science High School
Lacie Stracener HSTE High School
Meredith Townsend Digital Learning Spec. High School
Personnel Changes New position/campus Former position/campus
Carmen Hammack Dist. Math Coordinator/Admin. Math/Middle School
Jennifer Harrington Head Start 3/ECLC SpEd Aide/ECLC
Pam Tomany PPCD/ECLC Grade 4/SS Elem
Chandra Crawford Academic Spec./Bowie Literacy Support/Bowie
Kim Slaughter Grade 2/Bowie Grade 4/SS Elem
Amanda Thompson Grade 1/Bowie Grade 4/SS Elem
Tye Boatman Elem. Counselor/Lamar Trans 1st /ECLC
Teresa Parker SpEd Aide/Lamar SpEd Aide/Middle School
Joanna Foster Academic Spec./Travis Literacy Support/ECLC
Maria Rivera Bilingual & SpED/SSES & Travis Grade 1 Bilingual/Travis
Mackenzie Cross Instructional Tech. Spec/SSES Grade3/SS Elementary
Shelby Gammill Grade 3/SSES Grade 5/Douglas
Sulema Martinez Grade 3 Bilingual/SSES Bilingual & ESL Aide/SSES
Kimberly Smith Grade 3/SS Elementary Grade 5/Douglas
Tim Thomas Science/Douglas P.E./Douglas
Lance Brandenburgh Spanish/High School HS Success/Middle School
Amber Nix Art/High School Art/Middle School
