Wildcats End Season With Loss to Marshall
The Wildcats Basketball Team got off to another slow start Tuesday night that again proved too much to overcome as Marshall claimed the district championship with a 89-64 win in Marshall. It seemed after the Wildcats warmed up, they had one of their best shooting nights of the season. The Wildcats end district play with a 3-11 record. The final season mark is 10-20. That’s one more win than they had last year.
Watch out for the Wildcats next year as their athletic JV freshman Victor Iwaukor will be able to play varsity ball. They could be one of the district’s best next year.
Lady Cats Win Bi-District in Overtime; Play Mansfield Summit Thursday
The Lady Cats Basketball Team, trailing by ten points after the third quarter, staged a ferocious fourth quarter comeback to force overtime where they claimed a 58-52 win over Lindale Tuesday night at Grand Saline.
Sophomore Kaylee Jefferson had been held to only six points through three quarters but then took charge scoring 15 fourth quarter points. Daieyshia Pruitt hit two big three point shots in the fourth quarter including the one that tied the game, 49-49 with just seconds left. Pruitt also drove to the basket and scored the first two points of overtime as the Lady Cats outscored the Lady Eagles, 9-3 in the overtime. Jefferson added four more points in overtime and led the Lady cats with 25 points. Pruitt ended up with 11 points as did senior Lexie Moore who had three clutch overtime free throws.
It seemed the fourth quarter wouldn’t mean much as the Lady Cats scored only 13 points at the half and 26 after three quarters. The Lady Cats are now 26-6 for the season. They will meet Mansfield Summit Thursday night at 7 p.m. at North Forney in Area action.
Now the Lady Cats prepare for Mansfield Summit Thursday night, 7 p.m. at North Forney High Gym in Area action. The game was first set for Rockwall High School Gym but due to the teams in the first game not agreeing to a doubleheader, the game was moved.
Local Voters Question Aggressive Electioneering Near Early Voting Poll
Stock Photo; Names changed to protect candidates
Political aggressiveness that has been unknown to Hopkins County has finally arrived from the big city and areas of the nation where last minute effort outweighs common courtesy. According to Debbie Shirley, Hopkins County Clerk, and county Republican Party leadership, voters are complaining about candidates and/or their representatives standing outside the non-electioneering boundaries. According to law, those seeking a political office and those who represent them are not allowed within a 100 feet boundary around the polling place. According to Shirley, no one is electioneering inside the polling boundaries. However, there are those who are electioneering outside the boundary.
Shirley said that some signs were posted today but that the signs are on school property and it is the jurisdiction of SSISD that would decide the fate of the signs. Shirley said she has been told the signs were removed after she contacted the school regarding their rights. Candidates may also stand on the sidewalk if the property owner does not allow them on the property for their electioneering activity.
Early voters going to the SSISD Administration Board Room on Connally Street will simply have to prepare themselves for a greeting from candidates. Voters have the right to not take literature, speak a kind word whether it’s your candidate or not, or simply ignore the candidate or their representative.
Primary Election: Places to Vote; The Ballot
With Early Voting underway, attention turns to the Democrat and Republican Primary elections in Texas. Early voting is available at only one place in Hopkins County–the Sulphur Springs ISD Administration Building on Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. However, on the day of the Primary, there are 14 polling places scattered across the county where a Hopkins County voter can cast their ballot.
On Tuesday, March 1st, registered voters will be able to cast their election day ballots at any of these Vote Centers from 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. Below are voting locations in Hopkins County. Registered voters may cast their party primary ballot at any of the 14 listed polling places. During the November 3, 2015 Constitutional Amendments Election, the county reduced the number of polling places from 21 to 14 providing the option to vote at a place nearby instead of having to travel to the assigned poling place. That system proved successful. Paper ballots are no longer used in this system of electronic voting machines only.
In order to assist voters, here are the 14 polling places in Hopkins County for the Primary election. Also following the list of the polling places are sample ballots for both the Democratic and Republican Primaries including referendums.
The 14 POLLING PLACES:
Lutheran Church- 1000 Texas St. (Iglesia Luterana 1000 Texas Street)
Wesley Methodist Church- 614 Texas St. (Iglesia Metodista Wesley 614 Texas Street)
VFW- Bingo Hall- Veterans 1, Veterans Dr. (VFW Sala de bingo- Unidad de veteranos)
Senior Citizens Bldg.- 150 M L King Blvd. (Los ciudadanos de la Tercera Edad edificio de 150 M L King Blvd.)
Courthouse- 118 ChurchSt. (Juzgado- 118 Church Street)
Grace Family Church- 1901 Loop 301 E (Gracia familia Iglesia- 1901 Loop 301 East)
Civic Center- 1200 Houston St. (Centro Cívico de 1200 Houston Street)
League St. Church of Christ- 1100 S. League (Liga Calle Iglesia de Cristo 1100 League)
Saltillo ISD- 150 CR 3534 Saltillo, TX (Saltillo Escuela 150 CR 3534)
Cumby Municipal Bldg.- 100 E. Main St. Cumby, TX (Cumby Edificio Municipal 100 Main Street Cumby, TX)
Sulphur Bluff ISD- 1027 CR 3550 Sulphur Bluff, TX (Sulphur Bluff Escuela1027 CR 3550 Sulphur Bluff, TX)
Como-Pickton CISD- 13017 TX Hwy 11 E. Como, TX (Como-Pickton Escuela 13017 TX Hwy 11 East Como, TX)
Miller Grove ISD- 7819 FM 275 S. Cumby, TX (Miller Grove Escuela 7819 FM 275 South Cumby, TX
North Hopkins ISD- 1994 FM 71 W. (North Hopkins Escuela 1994 FM 71 West Sulphur Springs, TX)
SAMPLE BALLOTS:
For Voters in the Democratic Primary who are registered to vote in Precincts: 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 4, 4A, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 25, 36
For Voters in the Democratic Primary who are registered to vote in Precincts: 3, 3A, 5, 12, 23, 24
For Voters in the Republican Primary who are registered to vote in Precincts: 1, 1A, 16, 25, 36
For Voters in the Republic Primary who are registered to vote in Precincts: 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 8, 13, 14, 16, 25, 36
For Voters in the Republican Primary who are registered to vote in the Precincts: 3, 3A, 5, 12, 23, 24
For Voters in the Republican Primary who are registered to vote Precincts: 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 5, 11, 12, 17, 20, 23, 24
Lady Cats v. Lindale Bi-District Tuesday; SSHS Sports Game Day
It’s a big Tuesday game day today. Tonight’s headliner is the bi-district playoff game for the Lady Cats Basketball Team. The Lady Cats will be facing Lindale at 7 p.m. at Grand Saline. The Lady Cats are the home team. The winner of this one will meet up with a good Mansfield Summit team in round two, the area round, of the playoffs. KSST bring you tonight’s Lady Cats and Lindale game live from Grand Saline beginning at 7 p.m. on KSST 1230 AM, ksstradio.com stream, and the KSST app. We’ll also videotape the game for replay later on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable.
In other games tonight, the Wildcats Basketball Team will wrap up their season at Marshall tonight at 7:30 p.m.
The Wildcats Soccer Team, 4-2 in district play, host Hallsville at 7 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium.
The Lady Cats Soccer Team, also 4-2 in district play, will travel to Hallsville for a 7 p.m. match.
The Wildcats Baseball Team will have their penultimate scrimmage for this year as they will be at Wylie East tonight at 7 p.m.
Finally the Lady Cats Golf Team has their second tournament of the season today at the Mt. Pleasant Country Club.
Incumbent Congressman Considers Primary Election a Referendum On His First Term in Office
Incumbent Congressman John Ratcliffe considers this year’s primary election a referendum on his first term in office. Monday night, February 15, 2016, he attended the Hopkins County Republican Party President’s Day Forum. Ratcliffe called it a great opportunity to connect with Hopkins County voters.
With early voting starting Tuesday, Ratcliffe said he has been in Hopkins County 30 times this past year. Local voters have been able to see his work during his past term and he says, “the hay is in the barn”. Ratcliffe said that he wants the American people to know there is a need for a Republican President. He pointed out that the Keystone Project vetoed by the sitting President, unwanted as written National Health Care, and the nuclear deal with Iran as things which the American people disagree with the President.
Regarding the death of Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Scolia, Ratcliffe stated that he griefs the loss of a Scolia whom he calls one of the most brilliant and capable jurists in American history. He said this also sets up a political aspect for the Supreme Court. Ratcliffe thinks that the next justice should be appointed by the one taking the office of President next year.
Ratcliffe said it is the constitutional right of his opponent to run even if the opponent doesn’t live in the district.
Dr. Ellis Seeks State Board of Education District 9 Post
Dr. Michael Lamb, right, Superintendent of SSISD, shares a minute with Dr. Keven Ellis, Republican candidate for District 9 Seat on Texas State Board of Education.
Long time Lufkin resident, President of the Lufkin School Board, and Chiropractor, Dr. Keven Ellis is seeking the District 9 Seat on the Texas State Board of Education. Dr. Ellis was in Sulphur Springs Monday night attending the Hopkins County Republican Party’s President’s Day event at the Regional Civic Center.
Dr. Ellis states that as a businessman, he understands the importance of a strong educational system in a community, and as a school board member, he hopes to impact and inspire the future. He says he is an advocate for conservative education principles for teachers, students, and families.
Teachers in Texas chose this profession for the love of teaching, not for the love of testing, according to Dr. Ellis. He says allowing teachers to do what they know is best for students will enable success in the classroom and for the student in life after the classroom. He says that Texans understand how best to educate Texas children without the influence of the federal government.
According to Sulphur Springs Superintendent Mike Lamb, Dr. Ellis has been endorsed by the current Texas School Board District 9 board member. Dr. Ellis is a candidate in the Republican Primary. Early voting begins Tuesday, February 16. March 1 is election day.
Bond Reduced for McQueen
A bond reduction hearing for Justin Joe McQueen will perhaps give McQueen a break from Hopkins County Jail. McQueen, 19, has been in Hopkins County Jail on a $1-million bond since October 11, 2015 when he was charged with the murder of Jesse Louis Vasquez, 25. Bond for McQueen was reduced Monday afternoon by District Judge Eddie Northcutt during a bond reduction hearing in 8th Judicial District Court. The conditions surrounding the reduction call for an ankle monitor if McQueen is released from jail on bond.
In December 15, 2015 McQueen was indicted for the murder of Vasquez. His bond remained at $1-million at that time. Vasquez died from gunshot wounds following a shootout on Ingram Street in Sulphur Springs. Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer pronounced Vasquez dead that Sunday night at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital ER. Sulphur Springs Police officers responded to a call in the 600 block of Ingram Street at 8:36 p.m. October 11. According to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders, officers found Vasquez laying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. That night, McQueen was found behind a building near Dairy Queen on Main Street and wanted to give himself up.
Detour Available for Bill Bradford Road Traffic
If you travel Bill Bradford Road as a thru street, there is a detour available according to City Manager Marc Maxwell. The detour will follow Whitworth Street to Elm Street to Bill Bradford Road. The road is now closed between Broadway and Calvert Street as the $1.4 millon project continues
Three Arrests and Other Activity for the Winnsboro Police Department February 8-14
Three arrests, a minor accident, 162 calls for service, and 57 citations and 47 warnings issued during the seven day period February 8 to February 14 kept the Winnsboro Police Department busy.
Keaton McElroy, 22, of Winnsboro, was arrested Tuesday, February 11 for Possession of marijuana under 2 oz. and unlawful carry of a weapon.
On Saturday the 13th, Joseph Bearden, 51, of Winnsboro was arrested on a Franklin County Felony Warrant.
Also on Saturday, James Kidd, 33, of Winnsboro was arrested for Public Intoxication.
A minor two vehicle accident occurred in the 200 block of West Coke Road on Monday, February 8. Injuries are unknown.
