Next Meeting of the Hopkins Rains Retired School Personnel will be at the Sulphur Springs City Hall May 9, 2023
The next meeting of the Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel will be at the Sulphur Springs City Hall at 11:00 am. Join us for a presentation by City Manager, Marc Maxwell. Marc will give us an update on the new Senior Citizens Building, along with a discussion of the status and potential uses of the Thermo Mine Property.
Marc promises to make the meeting fun as well as informative. All retired school personnel are invited to attend. Tuesday, May 9 at 11:00 am; Sulphur Springs City Hall, 201 N. Davis St.
Wildcats Golf Heads to State, Winning Regional Meet
Wildcats golf has qualified for the state for the first time since 2015.
For the first time in Sulphur Springs history though, the men’s golf team are Regional champions.
“They were super pumped, they were thrilled,” Coach Jeremy DeLorge said Friday. “They were super happy with being able to not only qualify for state but be Regional champs too.”
The Sulphur Springs coach said his squad did great battling adversity in the form of howling winds in round one, so to have three scores in the 70’s against gusts of up to 35 mph is insane.
Wildctas golf stormed out to a huge lead of 14 strokes on day one.
Round two though was a whole different monster. Coming in to it, Sulphur Springs was a leg up on the competition, with second place Lindale in that aforementioned 14 stroke deficit. Their lead ballooned to 24 against Celina, and another four on district foe PG. So the message from Coach DeLorge to his team was simple: play like they did the day before, and no one is catching them.
“No one can touch us in this region, that was their mindset,” Coach DeLorge said Friday morning.
And that they did, as the team shot just two strokes worse on Thursday, Apr. 20 thanks in large part to the lone senior on the varsity team.
Caleb Kesting shot 77/71 for third place at a 148 total. Coach DeLorge said to shoot one under par at the Regional meet is phenomenal. His -1 on the back-9 was a big reason for Sulphur Springs storming out to a gargantuan 41 stroke lead over the competition.
Coach DeLorge said Friday Kesting’s performance propelled the rest of the team, thus allowing Sulphur Springs to maintain their momentum for a 322 round two team score.
The golf coach said it was just like the team thought. “No one was gonna touch us when we did that and we ended up winning by 41,” Coach DeLorge said.
The senior started out tough with a hiccup, a bit down as a result, but rebounded by firing off a birdie, closing out his front-9 with a birdie on a par-5, and holed out a bunker shot on hole No. 9 for another birdie to shoot even Wednesday. Coach DeLorge said some of Kesting’s highlights on the back-9 saw him making a number of pars, a birdie, a bogey, as well as making an incredible shot from about 220 out on a par-5, getting an eagle.
Two freshmen for Sulphur Springs, Nick Burney (78/82), tied for eighth overall and Gage Gideon (77/84) in 10th had solid outings over both rounds.
The three aforementioned Wildcats made the All-Region team.
Luke White and Tatum Tran finished five strokes apart at 173 and 178, respectively.
Some teams Sulphur Springs has begun to look at now that the state meet comes in a month are Bullard and Andrews. The Sulphur Springs golf coach said Bullard has been a team the Wildcats have kept their eye on all year.
“We feel like we can hold our own,” Coach DeLorge said, “if not catch them a little bit.”
Andrews should bring a formidable challenge as well, depending on the wave of talent they currently posses.
Regardless, Sulphur Springs varsity golf is prepped and set for what the program calls round three.
“Now what we just keep saying is part one is done, we win district, part two is done, with winning Regionals, now we got part three coming up,” Coach DeLorge said, “[so] we know what we gotta do.”
The state 4A meet for men’s golf is May 22-23 at Legends Golf Course in Kingsland, TX.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
The Spanish Class at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
Mayra Cummings, Spanish Instructor at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center, helps students, Kenia Herrera, left, and Emilia Lopez with some of their classroom assignments.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Friday From The Chamber April 21st, 2023
Upcoming Ribbon Cutting: Friday, April 28th
Business Before/After Hours
If you are a Chamber of Commerce member and want to host a Business After Hours (or Before Hours), we have some openings for you!
We are scheduling our monthly networking events for the remainder of the year, and are looking for host businesses. The cost of the event is free; we just ask that you provide some refreshments.
You simply open your business from 4:30-6 p.m. on the designated day (or 7:30-8:30 a.m.), and welcome the guests.
If you’re interested, send me an email at [email protected] or call 903-885-6515.
Don’t be caught in the dark when the April 8, 2024 eclipse happens!
Sulphur Springs is ranked as the 8th best place in North America to watch the afternoon event. Let’s get ready!
Keep up with all the latest eclipse updates here: www.sstotaleclipse.com
Facebook: @TotalEclipseSulphurSprings
Instagram: @totaleclipsesulphursprings
Want to join the efforts in preparing for this monumental event? Contact [email protected] to learn about our various eclipse committees and opportunities to get involved.
Business of the Week
To nominate your business, fill out the questionnaire here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/JCocCDk/BusinessHighlight23
Blattner Battles State of Texas on Damages From Building Solar Plant
April 21, 2023 – An investigation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is ongoing in the Dike, Texas area in response to complaints from nearby landowners. TCEQ found during an investigation between February 22, 2023 and March 6, 2023 that the construction of the solar plant by Blattner Energy, LLC is in violation of the provisions laid out in TPDES General Permit No. TXR150000.
Stormwater from the site discharges into multiple unnamed tributaries of White Oak Creek in the Sulphur River Basin. The investigation determined that due to insufficient stormwater management, the site was discharging sediment offsite. One specific violation (TCEQ Track #839615) states that Blattner Energy LLC had failed to install and maintain effective erosion controls and sediment controls on the east side of the construction project. Blattner was given a compliance date of 5/18/2023 to correct this issue.
Blattner Energy LLC was charged with a second violation (TCEQ Track #839617) regarding “failure to utilize outlet structures that withdraw water from the surface when discharging from basins”. Specifically, this refers to improper or poorly constructed retention areas that are constructed to control sediment erosion from a construction site. Due to Blattner’s failure to properly construct these basins, sediment was allowed to erode and wash into the neaby tributaries including on neighboring property owners. Blattner was given a compliance date of 5/18/2023 to correct this issue.
Blattner Energy LLC was charged and resolved a third violation (TCEQ Track #839616) regarding “failure to prevent the unauthorized discharge of sediment into or adjacent to the Waters in the State of Texas per Texas Water Code, Chapter 26.121. On March 6, 2023 Blattner satisfied the requirements of the TCEQ on this matter and were provided with a notice that their corrective action was sufficient to resolve the violation.
Scott Blattner is listed as President of Blattner Energy, LLC which is in charge of construction of the Dike Solar Plant for Hopkins Energy LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ENGIE North America Inc. Blattner Energy website touts several solar, storage and wind projects that the company is currently working on or have completed. The Dike project is not mentioned on their website. TCEQ Investigation: Hopkins Solar construction site. #1888135.
Baseball at Paris for Friday Showdown
Arguably the biggest game of the year for Wildcats baseball takes place on Friday, Apr. 21.
Sulphur Springs heads to Paris in a game that directly decides their playoff fate. Coach Jerrod Hammock’s squad must win Friday if they wish to have a shot at the postseason.
The Wildcats enter Friday’s game at Paris in fifth (2-10), and have to win out to avoid a tiebreaker scenario. Winning two of three is not only possible but plausible, however, they would need help in the form of Pittsburg losing out.
Doing so does not guarantee a playoff spot however, as Sulphur Springs would then tie Pittsburg for the final postseason spot. Since the Pirates won the first two games, the Wildcats would lose the tiebreaker due to having lost the season series, thus eliminating Sulphur Springs.
So the baseball team truly must win out for any hopes of playing in May.
Most recently on Tuesday Coach Hammock’s squad hosted Pleasant Grove, and the Hawks scored early and often in a 16-0 win at Wildcat Park.
PG was held scoreless in an inning only once in their big win Tuesday, in the third, as every other one of the five saw the Hawks score three or more runs in each.
In fact, in the fifth, Pleasant Grove doubled that with a hefty six runs scored, as they went on to crush Sulphur Springs 16-0.
Kaden Mitchell, Alex Macias and Ayden Alvarez were the only Wildcats to record a hit in the loss Tuesday. The former picked up the loss in a four inning start on the mound, coughing up 10 hits and as many runs. Only seven of his 10 overseen runs were earned. Mitchell walked three and struck out four in his start.
Carter Argenbright could not get out of the fourth inning, getting two outs but surrendering five hits and six runs in the outing. Ty Robinson got Sulphur Springs through the fifth, walking one as the Hawks won big 16-0.
Coming up on Friday, Apr. 21 Coach Hammock and his squad head to Paris for their final meeting with the opposing Wildcats.
Sulphur Springs won the first two meetings 6-4 and 3-1 and hope to complete the sweep over Paris.
More importantly though, Wildcats baseball must win Friday, and the rest of the way, if they hope to play in the postseason. Pittsburg losing out, combined with Sulphur Springs wining two of their last three to tie the Pirates for the final playoff position would give the tiebreaker to Pittsburg as the Pirates still win the season series 2-1.
Sulphur Springs enters Friday’s duel in Paris in fifth, two games back of fourth place Pittsburg. Luckily for Coach Hammock’s team, the Pirates play:
- L.E. (10-2, 2nd in district)
- Pleasant Grove (12-0, 1st)
- and Sulphur Springs the rest of the way
Before Coach Hammock’s team can check on the Pirates in their results Friday, they first have to complete the sweep over Paris on Friday, Apr. 21 to keep playoff hopes alive.
The duel in Paris tees off Friday at 7 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Senate Bill To Ban Countywide Voting Programs
April 21, 2023- Countywide voting program locations could be effectively banned in Texas under a new bill approved by Texas senate Thursday.
Senate Bill 990, authored by Republican Sen. Bob Hall of Edgewood, passed with a 17-12, just along party lines. Should the bill be approved would eliminate countywide voting centers on Election Day and require residents to vote at an assigned precinct, typically in their neighborhood. Larger voting centers would be permitted through early voting.
There are currently 90 different counties approved by the secretary of state’s office to use countywide voting centers on Election Day. Hall said on Thursday that spreading voting locations across a precinct makes it “impossible” to ensure an accurate count and that limiting voters to a central polling location would simplify the tally.
There has been no evidence of voter fraud in Texas. And each county that has been approved to use countywide voting policies must pass audits by the secretary of state’s office during two election cycles to keep the practice in place.
The Bill now moves to the House, where an identical Bill, House Bill 5231, introduced by Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, has not moved in the Elections Committee.
SSISD Board Meeting Briefs for April 2023
April 19, 2023- Dan Froneberger gave a maintenance report to the SSISD board of trustees on Monday April 10th detailing some of the several things that had been completed. Some of these completed items were:
- Knee rail added to teacher parking lot in order to keep livestock off of property during rodeos at Civic Center
- New perimeters built at Douglass ECLC
- New push bar door added to previously built tunnel entrance at high school
- New safety system is up and running at SSES
- Limb damage cleaned up on Houston Street lot
- Replaced 640 air filters on campuses during the month of March
Lyndsay Anderson, Special Services Director for the district, reported on the need for additional funds for the program based on the growing number of students in the Special Education program. It is estimated that 6 new positions need to be created in order to meet the needs of the SSISD students.
Jeremy Lopez gave an elementary campus report.
- Bilingual Teachers – working on planning for Gomez and Gomez
- Reading Teachers – studying models of different reading curriculums in order to choose one for next year
- Numerous upcoming events at all campuses
Justin Cowart gave a secondary campus report.
- SSMS DI Teams – 3 went to State and one will go to Globals
- National Junior Honor Society – 140 students will be inducted this week
- SSHS Academic UIL – District Champs
- SSHS One Act Play – Regional Alternates
- Wildcats and Ladycats Golf Teams – District Champs
- Wildcat Soccer – Bi-District Champs
- Ladycat Soccer – Area Champs
- Blue Blazes – First place in competition along with numerous other awards
- Softball – 7-0 in district currently
- Baseball – fighting for playoff spot
Man Arrested Near School With Felony Amount of Marijuana
April 21, 2023 – Charlie Ray Gibson, age 22, was stopped by Sulphur Springs Police on Calvert Street in Sulphur Springs this week. The traffic stop occurred at around 3PM.
During the stop, Sulphur Springs Police Officers detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from Gibson’s Ford Pickup. A grey sack, filled with small clear baggies each containing a green leafy substance, was located in Gibson’s vehicle. Gibson, who had two outstanding warrants, was arrested within 50 feet of a school zone.
Gibson was arrested and transported to Hopkins County Jail without incident. His pickup was impounded.
He faces these charges:
- 22-1750 1 2100 POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA (SSPD)
- 1 3009 CPF CHANGED LANE WHEN UNSAFE (SSPD)
- 21Z0736 1 OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITH EXPIRED LICENSE PLATE (JP PCT 2)
- 481.121(B)(3) POSS MARIJ <= 5LBS > 4OZ
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Solar Farm Experts To Speak at Dike Community Center
Monday April 24, 2023 head out to the Dike Community Center for information on Solar Farms and their impact on the environment. It all starts at 6pm. Andy Ivey will be speaking as an Anti-Solar and Anti-Abatement expert. You can find him on YouTube here: Andy Ivey YouTube Channel.
