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.
Houseguest Wields Machete: Arrested with 10 grams of Meth
April 20, 2023 – Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a welfare concern around 6pm on Wednesday. The concerned homeowner told deputies that a houseguest, given permission to stay at the residence for a few weeks, was acting strange.
The homeowner reported PEREZ-ENCIZO, ROSALIO, age 39, was climbing trees, hiding in bushes and wielding a machete. Deputies attempt to locate the accused behind the residence. Once located, he was observed looking into the sky and acting as if he was under the influence.
Deputies were unable to verify if he still carried the machete or other potential weapon. Deputies began to give verbal commands to PEREZ-ENCIZO to exit the woods and to come out with his hands up. He eventually exited the woods with what appeared to be a piece of metal in his hands.
Deputies advised PEREZ-ENCIZO to get onto the ground for both everyone’s safety.. He complied partially by laying on the ground, but attempted to return to the woods. Deputies were still unsure if he had a weapon.
Deputies deployed a single duty issued taser in order to gain compliance. They were able to place PEREZ-ENCIZO into double locking handcuffs. After placing him into handcuffs Deputies began to conducted a frisk in attempt to locate any weapons. During the search, Deputies felt a baggie containing a substance believed to be methamphetamine. Deputies removed the baggie and escorted him to a patrol car.
PEREZ-ENCIZO was reluctant to cooperate with Deputies. Deputies placed him in the rear of a patrol car and transported him to the Hopkins County Jail where he was placed into a violent cell due to being extremely intoxicated.
Deputies processed the evidence which field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 10.038 including packaging. A/P was booked into the Jail for possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1 greater than 4 grams less than 200 grams.
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.
Lady Cats Softball Completes Back-to-Back Undefeated District Seasons
Lady Cats softball for the second season in a row has completed a perfect district season.
Excluding a suspended 2020 season due to the coronavirus, Sulphur Springs has now won five straight district championships.
Softball head coach David Carrillo said his players almost expect to win district championships, but that is because his team knows the third part of the season for the sport, playoffs, is the most important part of the season.
“They want the real prize, [in that] they want to go as far as we can go,” the softball coach said Thursday afternoon.
The Sulphur Springs coach said his program has a bad taste in their mouths from last year’s early exit from the postseason, so they want and expect to make it further this time around.
Tuesday, Apr. 18 saw Coach Carrillo’s team head out to Liberty Eylau for their last contest in 15-4A play. Lady Cats softball clinched a playoff spot in the second district win in the month of April, back when Sulphur Springs shut out Pittsburg 10-0. In Tuesday’s district finale Sulphur Springs powered their way to a devastating lead early on.
Not only did Coach Carrillo’s squad lead-off the game with three runs in the first at-bat for either team, but the second is when the visiting Lady Cats really did some damage. Sulphur Springs scored a dumbfounding 13 runs in their second at-bat. Seven hits, two walks, and a ghastly six errors all given up by L.E.
In the second inning blew the game open as the Lady Cats led big, 16-0. Two errors, a walk and a double opened the first part of the scoring frenzy at that point 6-0 in favor of Sulphur Springs.
The next set of runs really showed the hitting prowess of the Lady Cats. Two doubles, three singles, coupled with four more errors, saw Coach Carrillo’s team storm out to another huge lead, this time at 15-0. Add in another single and a wild pitch getting Reese Ragan home, and Sulphur Springs found themselves cruising en route to a 19-0 win in their district finale.
Emmerson Thompson continues to hit well for the Lady Cats, going 2 for 4 with three runs and an RBI.
Bayler Boatman went 2 for 3 with an RBI, crossing home twice, and Gracie Adair did the same 2 for 3 in her at-bats, crossing home once but batting in three runs in the 19-0 win Tuesday. Crimson Bryant went 3 for 4 with an RBI.
Jadyn Harper had the biggest day of all though, going 3 for 3 with three RBI and three runs to boot.
As has been the case for three years now, Crimson Bryant was stellar in the circle.
Coach Carrillo said the coaching staff for softball has thrown everything they could at Bryant, because in the coach’s eyes, “if you have a horse, you let it run.”
In the three innings played in Tuesday’s win at L.E. Bryant struck out eight of the nine batters she faced, walking none nor allowing a single hit or run. The Sulphur Springs coach said Coach Bailey Dorner has done an excellent job working with the senior ace to bring out the best version of Bryant that she can be.
Carrillo said Bryant will have to be just as impressive if not more going forward if the Lady Cats hope to make a deep run in the playoffs.
With the 19-0 dismantling of the Lady Leopards, Coach Carrillo and his program have clinched back-to-back undefeated district seasons. It is also the fifth straight* district championship won by Sulphur Springs.
The Lady Cats end their district season heading into a playoff warm-up game 24-4 overall (10-0 district).
All ten of Sulphur Springs wins:
- Wednesday, 03/15 vs Paris, 18-1
- Tuesday, 03/21 @ Pittsburg, 21-4
- Monday, 03/27 vs North Lamar, 12-2
- Tuesday, 03/28 @ Pleasant Grove, 6-1
- Friday, 03/31 vs LE, 13-3
- Tuesday, 04/04 @ Paris, 14-1
- Thursday, 04/06 vs Pittsburg, 10-0
- Tuesday, 04/11 @ North Lamar, 6-0
- Friday, 04/14 vs PG, Senior Night, 10-0
Next up, Coach Carrillo and his back-to-back undefeated district champs host Frisco Heritage for their playoff warm-up game on Friday, Apr. 21.
The postseason tune-up for Lady Cats softball tees off Friday at 6 P.M.
The Sulphur Springs coach said he anticipates some rain to roll through tomorrow, and will have an update first thing Friday morning. If Friday’s postseason tune-up is to be played, Friday’s playoff warm-up game will be broadcasted onto KSST 1230 AM.
It will also be live-streamed onto KSST Radio’s Youtube channel.
* — 2020 COVID cancelled season excluded
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.
Sulphur Springs Police Address Scam Calls
April 20, 2023- Sulphur Springs Police Department made a post on Facebook Tuesday addressing the several scam calls that residents have been receiving. Several residents of Sulphur Springs have been struck by these phone calls claiming to be the Police Department or any other law enforcement agency threating to arrest individuals unless they pay false fines for missing jury duty that they never had.
Sulphur Springs Police Department released the following statement on Facebook Tuesday:
The Sulphur Springs Police Department is aware there is a **scam** going on where citizens are receiving calls or messages on social media from someone claiming to be with law enforcement and threatening to arrest them if they did not pay a fine for missing jury duty. ***This is a scam**! The Sulphur Springs Police Department or any other Law Enforcement Agency will not contact you and request any type of payment over the phone or on social media. Do not respond to these calls or messages on social media. Remember, this is a SCAM! If you receive one of these calls, just hang up. Please don’t give them any money. If you have any questions, contact us at 903-885-7602.
SSISD Aide Jailed for Tampering With Evidence
April 20, 2023 – Anna-Marie Francis Moreland, age 35, was arrested at her residence this week. That arrest took place early in the morning. She faces a charge of Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence.
Moreland, who reports herself as an employee of the Sulphur Springs ISD, has been charged in connection to her husband’s recent arrest.
Mathew Earl Moreland, age 27, was arrested in Delta County on 03/24/2023. He faces two charges of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, and Burglary of a Habitation. Mathew Moreland, who reports himself as unemployed, is in Hopkins County Jail. His bond on these three charges total $100,000. Mathew also accumulated a Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence charge, but bond has not been set. Additional charges for the husband and wife team may coming, as the investigation continues.
This is not the first time Mathew Earl Moreland has been in jail. In late 2020, Mathew Earl Moreland was arrested in Hunt County Tx and charged with:
- EVADING ARREST DET W/VEH
- POSS CS PG 3 < 28G
- RECKLESS DRIVING
In early 2020, Mathew Earl Moreland was arrested in Delta County Tx and charged with Unauthorized Use of Vehicle – Enhanced.
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.
