Nine Wildcasts Named to All-District Soccer Team
Nine Wildcats were named to the All-District Soccer Team recently selected by the district’s soccer coaches. Midfielder Angel Tavera received a superlative as he was named Sophomore of the Year.
Making the First Team All District were defender Tanner Ramirez, forward Chris Espinoza, midfielder Gerardo Arellano and goal keeper Dakota Stalcup.
Making the Second Team All District were forward Scott Galarza and defender Julio Robles. Honorable Mention selections were defender Ignacio Orozco and defender Daniel Sosa.
Coach Andy Holt said he was pleased that the district’s coaches recognized the talent on the Wildcats’ team. He added the team had a good year earning third place in the district race, returning to the playoffs and playing Lufkin tough in the bi-district game. The Wildcats were mostly a young team and lots of them will be returning. Coach Holt said they would be senior heavy next year. He added some talented JV players would be challenging the returning players for starting jobs.
Sulphur Springs High School Band Takes Sweepstakes
A special year for the Sulphur Springs High School Band continued this week as the band wrapped up its 2016 concert season at the UIL Concert Band Competition in Mount Pleasant on Wednesday and Thursday. The varsity symphonic band earned straight 1 ratings in both stage performance and sight reading competition resulting in a Sweepstakes Award for the second consecutive year. The junior varsity concert band received a 2 rating in both stage and sight reading.
Sulphur Springs High School Band and Fine Arts Director Charles McCauley told KSST that one of the judges atthe competition told him that “He felt that was the best he had ever heard the Sulphur Springs band.”
“He may not be wrong. It was really good. We’ve had some good performances in the past, but yesterday was really special,” McCauley added. “I think our preparation really showed in the performance.” McCauley praised the support shown by all of the parents, family, and SSISD faculty who attended the competitions.
In addition to the Sweepstakes Award received on Thursday, the Sulphur Springs High School Band won two marching contests in 2015, had the most students make All-Region and Area Band since McCauley’s arrival at the school, and had the most students make 1st Division at solo and ensemble competition in McCauley’s 18 years as Band Director. “It’s been a really special year. We’re super proud of the kids…and the whole staff. It’s a team effort.”
57 Head of Livestock Recovered in Arrest of Ledesma
Franco Ledesma, 54, of Pickton, has been charged with the theft of 57 Head of livestock that have now been recovered by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and more charges could follow according to County Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum. Ledesma is in Hopkins County jail charged with three counts of theft of livestock under $150,000 facing a total of $90,000 in bond. Ledesma will not be the only one charged, according to Tatum.
Moises Lopez aka Hector Santiago
On the night of April 6th, a dairyman made contact with individuals caught trying to steal cattle from his property. As they fled from the scene, the dairyman was able to gain the license plate number from the vehicle. He reported this to Hopkins County Sheriff’s officers. The next day, Tatum went to the Mt Pleasant address of the vehicle but no one was there nor did they arrive. He was told that the subject sought was on a dairy south of Saltillo. There Tatum found the vehicle. After interviewing Moises Lopez, who was using the alias Hector Santiago, it was found that Lopez had outstanding warrants. Lopez was booked into Hopkins County jail on the warrants out of Dallas County for possession of a controlled substance.
The following morning, Tatum was contacted by the land owner who had been talking to other dairymen in the area. They gave Tatum the location of the farm to which they thought the cattle had been taken near Pickton. Tatum said he was given permission to see the cattle in question by the resident at the farm. Tatum invited the dairymen to identify their cattle, which they did by the ear tags. A variety of ear tags on the cattle led to a successful sort and return of 17 head to one dairyman, 31 head to another, and nine (9) head to a third dairyman. At that time Ledesma was placed in custody. Ledesma has been charged with three counts of theft of livestock and Lopez will also be charged with the same according to Tatum.
Tatum stated that there are more cattle that have been stolen and he awaits the return of Special Ranger Tony Hurley to continue the investigation and search for the remaining cattle. Hurley is currently away from the area on another investigation. Tatum said that Hopkins County Deputies Corley Weatherford and Richard Greer assisted with the arrest of Ledesma and Lopez and the return of the cattle to their owners.
Water Quality Among Continuing Education Classes at the PJC – Sulphur Springs Center in April
Through a new course offered by the Paris Junior College – Sulphur Springs Center Department of Continuing Education, area residents will have an opportunity to help protect water quality.
The Texas Stream Team class, offered on Friday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is a free citizen scientist program allowing volunteers to select a public waterway and monitor water quality monthly.
Stream Team monitors measure pH, dissolved oxygen, and other indicators for water quality in their favorite sites. The data collected supports academic research and serves as a de facto early warning system for water quality across Texas. Since 1991 more than 8,000 Texans have served on the team and helped to protect 191,000 miles of Texas waterways.
This and other courses will meet at the PJC – Sulphur Springs Center at 1137 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs. Call 903-885-1232 for more information or to reserve a place in a class.
The Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers – Initial teaches lifesaving skills for respiratory and cardiac emergencies and will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 8. The American Heart Association certifies the class, and has recently gone to a new program so there will not be recertification classes for the next two years.
Computer: Let’s Get Social teaches how to setup a Facebook account, define privacy settings and learn the risks. Have you wondered what Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and Pinterest are all about? The class is scheduled for Friday, April 8, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Seniorific: Computer Essentials Level 2 – Internet teaches how to surf the Internet and search with ease after learning new tips and tricks. Learn how to save money on ink and paper while printing only what you need instead of print¬ing the entire website. The class will meet Tuesdays, April 19-26, from 4 to 5 p.m.
Computer Essential Level I is designed for people with very limited computer training. The student will learn basic computer tasks, using windows, proper mouse and keyboard techniques, computer lingo and “buzz” words. The class will meet Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, April 22-29.
QuickBooks Level I will be offered on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 22-May 6. This popular record keeping software assists small businesses in managing business income and expenses. The class also covers planning and creating a company in QuickBooks; managing basic files; working with customer and vendor transactions; and banking with the software.
Last Warrant for ATV Thefts Served; Chambers is in Hopkins County Jail
Christopher Lee Chambers, 29, of Maybank (picture not available at this time) is now in Hopkins County Jail held on a $500,000 bond and a Lindale, Texas $200,000 bond for engaging in organized crime. In February, Chambers was the only remaining warrant to be served for the theft of all-terrain vehicles from Nor-Tex Tractor in Sulphur Springs. The thefts dated back to November of 2015. At that time some 20 to 21 individuals were being sought for the organized criminal activity that that stolen ATVs in at least three states–Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
In February, 2016, Christopher Brandon Garcia, 32, of Balch Springs, and Dustin Kyle “Dud” Garcia, 33, of Mesquite, were arrested in Seagoville Texas. With those two arrested on active warrants only one other active warrant for Chambers remained.
In late January, seven (7) individuals involved in the theft of utility, all-terrain vehicles in three states had been booked into Hopkins County Jail. Brian E. Wheeler of Balch Springs; David Paul Rockwell of Terrell; Ricardo Saldivar, 34, of Combine; James Lindy Minter, 37, Joshua Christopher Terry, 34, and Laronda Kaye Reed, 29, all of Kemp; and Darrell Wayne Waites from Deville, Louisiana. All have been charged locally with organized criminal activity. Hopkins County Criminal investigators, Sulphur Springs Police Department Detectives, and Investigator Tony Hurley have been working since last November with others to round up what is thought to be a ring plying their trade of theft in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas.
In late January twelve (12) Polaris Razors and two (2) Polaris Rangers had been recovered. Approximately $234,000 in stolen property has been recovered including six (6) units from the November theft at Nor-Tex Tractors totaling $74,000 and eight (8) units stolen from other jurisdictions in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas totaling $160,000.
Sergeant Bo Fox, Sulphur Springs Police Department said some of the suspects involved in the theft at Nor-Tex have been linked to burglaries in Lindale, Tyler and numerous other jurisdictions in Texas as well as other states as far east as Tennessee.
SS Church of the Nazarene Annual Plant Sale
The Sulphur Springs Church of the Nazarene has kicked off their annual youth plant sale. The plant sale began Thursday and will continue through Saturday, April 9th. The funds accumulated will go towards the youth group of the church attend camp and other events through out the year. A few of the available plants are begonias, sweet potato vine, petunias, boston ferns, lantanas, marigolds, and verbenas.
The sale will be open from 8 am each morning until dusk that night. Sulphur Springs Church of the Nazarene is located at 1300 League St.
Animal of the Week: Jazz and Bella
Jazz and Bella are two female cats that were surrendered by their owner who could no longer care for them. Jazz, the black cat, is three years old, and Bella, the Siamese cat, is six years old. “From what I understand, the daughter moved off and couldn’t take them so she left them with her mother who couldn’t have indoor cats,” Animal Shelter Officer Barbi Blanch said. “She kept them in a rent house until she could bring them here.”
Both Jazz and Bella are incredibly sheltered cats, having spent the majority of their lives in one house. Since arriving at the Shelter, they have been nervous of others and frightened by their new surroundings. “Right now they’re just scared,” Officer Barbi said. “I’m sure they’d be a little more active in a more quiet setting, but the Shelter with all of the dogs barking and people coming and going, they’re just so scared.”
Both cats are spayed and only need to receive recent shots. Currently, the Animal Shelter has a special lowered adoption fee for both cats in order to keep them together. “We have a special going to try and keep them together to find them a nice home where they’ll come out of their shell,” Officer Barbi said. “It’s not that important that they stay together, but I think they’ll do better because they know each other. ”
Both cats have been at the Shelter for over a week, and during that time, Officer Blanch has worked with the cats to help them become more comfortable at the Shelter. “I try to spend some time with them and talk with them,” Officer Blanch said. “They’ll come up to the front of the cage, and Jazz has even come out of the cage when I was cleaning it, but she’s still scared of the other noises. Usually when their left alone they’ll eventually come out of their shell. A nice, quiet home would be my preference for them.”
Neither Jazz nor Bella will be at the off site adoption this Saturday, April 9 at Tractor Supply from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. due to their nervousness. The Shelter will be closed on Saturday, but anyone wishing to adopt Jazz and Bella can call Officer Barbi during the weekend. “They’re very sweet cats, and I think they just need a place where they can sit quietly,” Officer Blanch said. “They will not be at any off site, but if anybody wants to view the cats, especially on the weekends or after hours, I’ll be more than happy to meet them at the Shelter. My cell is (903) 348-1868, and I’ll be more than happy to show Bella and Jazz because I just want to find them a nice home and get them out of here.”
Meanwhile, construction on the outdoor kennels is almost complete. The last of the fencing and the overhead tarp are the last steps that need to be completed.
Wildcats Tennis Have Success in District Consolation Bracket
The Wildcats’ tennis team did not have anyone qualify for the regional tournament at the district tennis tournament Tuesday and Wednesday in Texarkana. Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said all his teams and players lost in the first round with the exception of the boys doubles team of Harrison Harbin and Blaine Flemens who defeated a Pine Tree team. Harbin and Flemens lost in the second round to a Texas High duo that ended up finishing second to a Longview team. The Wildcats did have success in the consolation bracket. The boys doubles team of Chase Crouch and Joey Gatewood took first place in consolation over a Pine Tree team, 8-3. In girls’ singles, it was an all-Sulphur Springs match up in the consolation finals. Karolina Espinoza defeated teammate Brynn Offutt, 8-4. Two Wildcats’ boys singles players, Jesse Allen and Andrew Sant both won three consolation matches before bowing out in the consolation semi-finals to Pine Tree players.
The JV district tournament took place Monday in Longview and Coach Martinez said a freshman got a big victory. Corbin Philo finished second in boys singles in the tournament. One of his victories was against a Texas High player.
The Wildcats’ tennis team will lose no one to graduation. There are no seniors on the roster. Coach Martinez has already turned his thoughts to next year. Some of his players will participate in a Pro-Am event in May. Coach Martinez said he is already looking forward to Team Tennis competition in the fall.
