Tennis sees their season come to a conclusion at Regionals
Coach Tony Martinez and his team wrapped up their season on Wednesday, Apr. 12 as five players failed to move on to the state meet held later this school year.
Sulphur Springs played hard and well throughout their time at the Regional tournament, but could not make enough damage to clinch a spot at the final competition for 4A tennis.
“We did well,” Coach Martinez said, adding his team did as well as they thought the team was going to do.
Their lone girls’ singles contestant at the two-day tourney, Jessie Li, fought hard but came up short.
Li fell to Kaufman in the first round of Regional play. The Lady Cat fell to a seeded player in girls’ singles, who made it all the way to the finals played Wednesday.
Coach Martinez said Li battled throughout her match, falling 6-3, 6-3 to the Kaufman tennis player moving on to state. The Lady Cat walked off the court proudly, knowing full-well that she gave it her all and played a strong match.
The mixed doubles team of Ella Sant and Ian Westlund fell in their first match in a duel with the #3 seeded team from Van. The Sulphur Springs duo won the first set in a tie breaker, only to fall down the stretch.
Coach Martinez said his players throughout their match continued to mesh, grow and improve in their contest at Regionals.
The tennis coach said the team played well all year long, coming up short in heartbreaker.
Moving over to girls’ doubles, Mykylie Meador and Trynity Luckett really played their hearts out. They first won a match against the #2 team from Wills Point, coming up big with a set three victory.
The Sulphur Springs athletes won their round two game against an upstart Dallas program, with Coach Martinez calling that match the lone easy one of the tourney, winning 6-1, 6-1.
In the semifinals, against #1 Lindale, the Lady Cat duo fell in two straight sets to end the season for Sulphur Springs tennis.
Coach Martinez said his kids were nervous heading into the penultimate tournament of 4A tennis in Texas. The coach said Thursday morning the team may have not played as well as they had hoped, but such an experience at the playoff tourney is great experience for his players.
He said after the tourney concluded every player was fired up and ready to begin the next year of tennis.
The Sulphur Springs coach anticipates twice as many players making it to Regionals next year as they had qualify this season.
For now, the tennis program takes a bit of a breather prior to starting summer workouts in May.
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.
Buy a Lake Country CASA Shirt and Support Victims of Abuse
April 13, 2023 – April is Child Abuse Awareness month, and Lake Country CASA is raising money for their organization, and raising awareness of the critical issue of child abuse at the same time.
Lake Country CASA Executive Director Amy Glenn told KSST, “We will gladly accept donations anytime, but we are doing something extra special this month to help bring awareness.” Lake Country CASA is selling t-shirts from their Sulphur Springs Office. All proceeds go to support their worthy endeavors.
Lake Country CASA serves Hopkins, Rains, and Franklin counties in North East Texas. Their court appointed special advocates help take some of the trauma away for children as they progress through the legal system. Find out more by going to their website, Lake Country CASA.
Lake Country CASA is Calling All Superheroes
April 13, 2023 – Lake Country CASA is calling all Superheroes. Put on your best superhero costume and join Lake Country CASA at Chick-Fil-A on April 27th. If you dont have a costume, or it’s at the cleaners, be one of the first people to the event and receive a free cape.
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and this event hopes to bring awareness to that critical issue.
Chick-Fil-A of Sulphur Springs will be donating a percentage of sales directly to Lake Country CASA. That organization serves Hopkins, Franklin, and Rains counties.
Math Class at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Center
MATH CLASS
Robert Talley, instructor of mathematics at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center, answers questions for some of the students during a recent class.
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.
Sulphur Springs Spring Market On Main St.
April 12, 2023- Spring Market will be open on Saturday, April 22 from 9am to 4pm on Main St. Spring items inside and out with clothing, crafts, décor, food and even gifts available. Entry is free for all those who wish to attend.
This event is sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance.
Mexican National Arrested For Aggravated Sexual Assault
April 13, 2023 – Efrain Ranjel-Corral was arrested this week on warrants for Aggravated Sexual Assault and Assault Family Violence Impeding Breathing/Circulation.
Hopkins County Deputies set out to locate 38 year-old Efrain Ranjel-Corral this week after two warrants were issued for his arrest. At around midnight, they located him at his rural Sulphur Springs residence. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and was transported to Hopkins County Jail. His bail is set at $200,000.
Efrain Ranjel-Corral reported himself a Citizen of Mexico, and employed by a Texas based paving company.
An emergency protective order was requested against Efrain Ranjel-Corral. In addition, a request for a 48-hour jail hold was also made.
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.
Texas Senate Passes Bill To Redefine Fentanyl Charges
April 13, 2023- Texas Senate has recently passed Senate Bill 645 that would redefine fentanyl poisoning as murder for purposes of prosecution and death certificates.
Over the past two years, the Texas Department of Public Safety had seized over 353 million lethal doses of fentanyl, enough to kill almost every person in the United States.
The author of the Bill Sen. Joan Huffman, attached a floor amendment to SB 645 defining the manufacturing or delivering of fentanyl as murder if someone dies from an overdose. In addition, the Bill makes possession of fentanyl with the intention of delivering prosecutable under the statute governing organized crime. Huffman stated she’d added that language at the request of prosecutors.
Huffman’s Bill would also tighten penalties for making, delivering or possessing larger quantities of fentanyl. Having between 200 and 400 grams would be considered a first-degree felony, which could lead to between 10 years and life in prison as well as a fine of up to $100,000. Having more than 400 grams would also be a first-degree felony punishable by at least 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Huffman’s Bill does have a exception however for medical professionals who prescribe fentanyl as treatment. She also changed the law so that death certificates do not classify as “fentanyl poisonings” deaths in which fentanyl is detected in the body but there is another clear cause of death.
The bill would allow emergency responders to share the date and time of the overdose incident, the approximate location of the incident, whether an opioid antagonist like naloxone was administered and the outcome of the patient. It does not allow for the sharing of the victim’s personal information.
The Senate suspended its normal rules to speed SB 645 through both its second and third readings on the same day. The bill passed 30-0 and now moves to the House.
Texans Owed Millions In 2019 Tax Refunds, Deadline July 17
April 13, 2023― The Internal Revenue Service announced today that nearly 1.5 million people across the nation have unclaimed refunds for tax year 2019 but face a July 17 deadline to submit their tax return.
The IRS estimates almost $1.5 billion in refunds remain unclaimed because people haven’t filed their 2019 tax returns yet. The average median refund is $893 for this year, and the IRS has done a special state-by-state calculation to show how many people are potentially eligible for these refunds.
There are an estimated 135,300 Texas residents throughout the state who have a chance to receive a refund. The average potential refund is $924 which equates to a total $142,235,200 refunds due to Texans.
“The 2019 tax returns came due during the pandemic, and many people may have overlooked or forgotten about these refunds,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “We want taxpayers to claim these refunds, but time is running out. People face a July 17 deadline to file their returns. We recommend taxpayers start soon to make sure they don’t miss out.”
Under the law, taxpayers usually have three years to file and claim their tax refunds. If they don’t file within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.
But for 2019 tax returns, people have more time than usual to file to claim their refunds. Usually, the normal filing deadline to claim old refunds falls around the April tax deadline, which is April 18 this year for 2022 tax returns. But the three-year window for 2019 unfiled returns was postponed to July 17, 2023, due to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. The IRS issued Notice 2023-21 on Feb. 27, 2023, providing legal guidance on claims made by the postponed deadline.
The IRS estimates the midpoint for the potential unclaimed refunds for 2019 to be $893. That means half of the refunds are more than $893 and half are less.
“With the pandemic taking place when the 2019 tax returns were originally due, people faced extremely unusual situations. People may have simply forgotten about tax refunds with the deadline that year postponed all the way into July,” Werfel said. “We frequently see students, part-time workers and others with little income overlook filing a tax return and never realize they may be owed a refund. We encourage people to review their records and start gathering records now, so they don’t run the risk of missing the July deadline.”
By missing out on filing a tax return, people stand to lose more than just their refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2019. Many low- and moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2019, the credit was worth as much as $6,557. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds in 2019. Those who are potentially eligible for EITC in 2019 had incomes below:
- $50,162 ($55,952 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children;
- $46,703 ($52,493 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children;
- $41,094 ($46,884 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and;
- $15,570 ($21,370 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children.
The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2019 tax refund that their checks may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2020 and 2021. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS or a state tax agency and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts, such as student loans.
Current and prior year tax forms (such as the tax year 2019 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR) and instructions are available on the Forms, Instructions & Publications page or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
For more information read: Time running out to claim $1.5 billion in refunds for tax year 2019, taxpayers face July 17 deadline
Texas Legislation Bill Could Overturn 4 Day School Weeks
April 12, 2023- Texas legislation has a proposed bill that could overturn the current four-day school weeks seen throughout the state of Texas. This bill could cause the several school districts who have already converted to the four-day week system to return to the previous five day week.
Several Texas School districts have changed their schedules to allow for a four-day school week, including Sulphur Bluff Independent School Distrcit. Rains County has already voted and approved a four-day week to begin next school year. The idea of a four-day school week was introduced as a means to attract teachers to the districts to fill the lack of staff left by the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about the four-day school week and to see some districts that will be affected by this change read: Texas School Districts Switching To Four Day School Weeks.
Senate Bill 2368 authored by New Braunfels Republican state Sen. Donna Campbell, requires a minimum of 175 instructional days per school year and at least 75,600 minutes of operation, including time allocated for instruction, intermissions and recesses for students. A four-day school week typically has 144 school days.
Several parents and teachers are outraged by the idea of the bill being passed, some parents stating that due to the shortage of teachers four-day school weeks could bring in potential teachers.
A national Rand Corporation report that found student outcomes were negatively impacted, stating that “the test scores for (four-day school week) districts improved, but did so more slowly than they would have if the same schools had maintained a (five-day school week).”
Senate Bill 2368 is currently in committee and has not yet been presented to the Texas Senate for a vote.
Baseball Falls in Pittsburg, Begins Round Three Friday at L.E.
Sulphur Springs dropped their district game in Pittsburg as the Pirates made some timely hits count and capitalized on some Wildcat errors en route to a 4-2 win over Coach Jerrod Hammock’s team on Tuesday, Apr. 11.
Tied at two in the bottom of the fourth, the Pirates on their home field lead off with a single, and an error by pitcher Kaden Mitchell saw two runners on for Pittsburg.
The Sulphur Springs pitcher recovered by throwing two straight four-pitch strikeouts, but following that he walked three straight batters to give the Pirates their lead en route to the win over the Wildcats.
Tuesday’s duel in Pittsburg was a tight one all the way through between two schools vying for the final playoff spot.
Both teams went four innings each going three up, three down.
The Pirates made their hits count though, adding in two costly errors and Sulphur Springs fell 4-2 on Tuesday.
Pittsburg, trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the third, used two singles and a dropped third strike to load the bases. Followed thereafter by a walk and another single, and the Pirates tied the ball game on their home field Tuesday evening.
Kaden Mitchell took the loss going four innings and allowing four hits and four runs, only one of which was earned.
He walked four but struck out seven Tuesday in Pittsburg. Ty Robinson appeared in relief for the final two, striking out four in the 4-2 loss.
Coach Jerrod Hammock’s squad did manage to outhit Pittsburg, 5-4.
Five Wildcats each got a hit Tuesday:
- Austin Chaney; 1 for 3, R, 2K
- Dane Oud; 1 for 3, RBI
- Kaden Mitchell; 1 for 3, K
- Ayden Alvarez; 1 for 2, BB
- Evan Moore; 1 for 2, R, BB, K
Falling to the Pirates is a costly one for Wildcats baseball, who are now an even 1-1 with the team Sulphur Springs is directly competing with for the final playoff spot.
The schools play one final time on Friday, Apr. 28 in Coach Hammock’s squad’s senior night. The final match-up between these two schools just might be a winner-takes-all district game for the final postseason position.
Next up, Wildcats baseball heads to L.E. Friday, Apr. 14 beginning round three of district play.
Saturday has Sulphur Springs hosting a non-district duel with Caddo Mills at 1 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.
