Consider Motherland Okra in 2023
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Garden
One of the more fun crops to raise is okra. Historically, Clemson spineless has been the variety to grow or purchase. Its main limitation has been it needs to be picked at a maximum of 4” in length. Recent years have seen new varieties such as Jambalaya that produces more pods per stalk. Burgundy that remains edible out to 8”; and a Louisiana variety that’s good out to 16”!!!
Well, there’s a variety I’m going to sample in 2023 called the motherland okra. It’s an heirloom variety that supposedly came out of Nigeria in the 1700-1800s and doesn’t look like any okra you’ve ever seen. It’s a very reliable and productive staple there.
My Clemson and burgundy plants in good soil reached heights of 10’ this year. Fortunately, the plants easily tolerate being bent over to reach the pods in their upper portions. That’s good, because motherland okra plants can reach 15’!!! On top of that, the leaves are edible and grow to elephant ear size! In Africa, the leaves are traditionally made into soup.
For those concerned about trying a new variety, when Clemson seed packs contain hundreds of seeds, relax. Motherland seed packets come with 10 seeds. The quantity will probably rise and the cost come down ($6 per packet) as its popularity grown in future years. Seeds are hard to find, and Baker Creek Seeds seems to be the only current source.
The okra pod is gigantic compared to Clemson pods. Though limited to the same size 4” as many other okra species, the pods are several times the diameter. It’s like taking 4-5 Clemson pods and putting them all in a new single pod. Google motherland okra to see.
Planting conditions are similar to other varieties. Soak seeds for 24 hours before planting. Plant 18” apart.
2023 CTE Month Feature 2: Digital Communications
Editor’s Note: February is Career and Technical Education Month, a public awareness campaign to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. To help Sulphur Springs High School celebrate CTE Month 2023, KSST has compiled short videos featuring a few of the CTE programs offered at SSHS.
Students interested in Audio/Video Production can take Jordan Owens’ Digital Communications classes. There are four courses in the A/V Production program, concluding with practicum students’ senior year.
Intro starts with basics, such as students becoming acclimated with editing software like Adobe Premiere and Suite. The latter is all-encompassing, including Photoshop, Illustrator (used for designing graphics). The higher up in the curriculum one is, the more in-depth these programs get taught to them.
Owens said in an interview with KSST last week that whichever focus or passion students are drawn to in this program, the curriculum is designed to embrace them on their journey.
AV1 lets students get hands-on, focusing primarily on getting out of the classroom and using camera equipment. AV2 is more of the same, with the program’s conclusion coming students’ senior year.
Practicum in the past has seen students intern at KSST and running social media accounts for different businesses around town.
The Digital Communications instructor believes the latter is particularly useful as “A/V is all encompassing,” Owens said, “it’s not just your traditional broadcast journalism, it could also just be social media videos and social media campaigns, so letting students get an opportunity to do that as well.”
Owens went to SSHS as a student, going to nearby Texas A&M Commerce and interning at KSST prior to becoming an instructor at the high school. Owens is in his fourth year teaching at SSHS.
The instructor said prior to him taking over, most of the A/V work the high school did was Wildcat TV, a student-produced newscast. Since then, Owens has grown the Digital Communications department into a full, four-year program.
Owens said the program is a great opportunity for students to learn how to operate camera equipment, then taking their footage and editing it so it can be the most compelling product it can be. He says it is a wonderful outlet for students to create.
Things students work on in the Digital Communications program include making 30 second commercials, to even making films both long and short. Owens said it allows students to get their feet wet in the creative process: from scripting, storyboarding, shooting and acting, all the way up to post-production.
Speaking more on commercials, the A/V instructor told KSST Radio in an interview that his program also has community-based work. Owens said companies and non-profits around town come to the program asking if they can shoot different events, such as banquets.
Previous promotions and shooting opportunities has linked the Digital Communications program with Heart of Hope, a non-profit prenatal care center based in Sulphur Springs, as well as working with the Veterans Memorial that has come to town. The A/V instructor said being able to go out and do events like these are not only great for all parties involved, but they help students enrolled in the program get their feet wet.
“It’s a really cool opportunity for students not just in the classroom, or on campus, but to go out into the community and get real-world experience,” Owens said Thursday.
The Digital Communications instructor said his CTE program being featured this year is big, and not just for the publicity. He says the opportunity for students to enroll in the program goes almost seamlessly with where society is today.
“Every student nowadays are on their phone: TikTok, Snapchat, Youtube… ya know, they their favorite YouTube stars, and some students might think, ‘wow, that’s something I might be interested in doing, I just don’t know how to do it or don’t have the means to do it, or I don’t have the equipment to do it,'” Owens said Thursday.
That is where the beauty of this program comes.
“We provide you with that here at the high school. You get to use industry-standard equipment, not just the editing software but the cameras themselves… and you get to put your hands [on them] and go out and work with and produce content for the school, for community members, and then also we do passion projects,” Owens said.
This is particularly of interest to students because the program allows them the freedom to go out and not just do course-work.
“It’s a great out to be creative. To take that creative space in your head and put it out there and create things on a daily basis, and that’s why I love the class, it’s not just textbook-oriented… it’s a chance for them to come in and it’s kind of a free-reign, just be creative. Have a process with that, but be creative in the outcome,” Owens said.
Be sure to stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230 and Suddenlink Channel 18, check out www.KSSTradio.com, the KSST Radio 1230 AM YouTube Channel and other KSST social media accounts to ensure you don’t miss these 2023 CTE features. Just watch for the “2023 CTE” heading throughout the month.
If you missed any of the features, be sure to click the links below to catch up:
Kick Off Event: Sulphur Springs High School Kicks Off CTE Month 2023 With Mayoral Proclamation
Feature 1: Applied Agricultural Engineering
Wildcats Basketball Faces Dallas Pinkston in Regional Quarterfinals
February 26, 2023 – Coach Brandon Shaver and his team are thrilled following Friday’s second-round win.
Friday, Feb. 24 in Royse City, the Wildcats dispatched Wilmer-Hutchins 56-44 for an Area championship.
That win Friday marks the second straight year under Shaver that men’s basketball has clinched a ticket to the Regional Quarterfinals.
It’s also the fourth time in six seasons that Sulphur Springs heads to the third round.
A big storyline from the Area win over the Eagles saw Coach Shaver win his 100th career game. Last season saw him lead the program to 28 wins, with 30 this year for a total of 58 wins in Sulphur Springs.
Congratulations to the men’s basketball coach for winning his 100th career game as head coach, with almost 60 percent of those wins leading Sulphur Springs.
But following the big win for the program Friday in the Area round, Tuesday has the Wildcats taking on Pinkston at Rockwall Heath.
In the Area game on Friday, Feb. 24, Sulphur Springs and the Eagles kept neck-and-neck throughout a vast majority of the second-round playoff contest.
Much like the Tuesday before, in Bi-District, Wildcats basketball found themselves a decent lead over their foes, only for the opposing squad to battle back.
Coach Shaver says the sport is a game of runs, so his team has to do their best to weather the storm and strike back with equal ferocity. His squad did just that in the second-round playoff game, using a strong closing quarter to win over the Eagles 56-44.
Sulphur Springs shot much better in their Area game, with five different Wildcats contributing to scoring in the win.
Kordrick Turner had a second-straight big playoff game, surpassing his 17 points in Bi-District with 20 against Hutch. Closely behind Turner was another senior, Parker Whisenhunt, who scored 17 Friday over three quarters. Malachi Myles finished just shy of double-figures at nine, followed by Cole Theofiledes with seven. Branson Lynn rounded out scoring Friday with two free throws in the fourth.
The 56-44 win over Wilmer-Hutchins in the Area playoff game clinches a third-round ticket for Sulphur Springs.
Next up, Coach Shaver and his squad take on Dallas Pinkston in the Regional Quarterfinals.
The two schools met earlier this year, in the final non-district contest for Wildcats basketball, falling in Dallas 80-71. Sulphur Springs looks to win the crucial rematch on Tuesday for the right to move on to the Regional Semifinals.
That game tips off Tuesday, Feb. 28 at Rockwall Heath at 7 P.M.
Tuesday’s Regional Quarterfinal contest will be broadcasted onto KSST 1230 AM.
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.
Lady Cats Softball Goes 5-1 in Mount Pleasant Tournament
Lady Cats softball travelled east on I-30 for their second tournament, in Mount Pleasant Thursday through Saturday.
The squad went 4-1, falling in a shutout Friday morning but recovering well from there.
Coach David Carrillo and his squad almost matched their results from last weekend’s home tourney, which saw Sulphur Springs go a perfect 6-0.
The festivities for the Lady Cats began bright and early Thursday morning in Mount Pleasant.
A 9:30 A.M. start time made little difference for Sulphur Springs, beating Hooks 3-1 in the first of two games.
The softball team went up for good int he third thanks to Jayden Harper and Kylie Montgomery singling. Combined with a Reese Ragan double, and the Lady Cats went up 3-0 and never looked back.
Later Thursday had Sulphur Springs dueling with Rains, and it quickly became a pitchers duel. The Lady Cats got just two hits in the entire game, but they made them count.
Gracie Adair, in the bottom of the sixth with two outs and Emma Thompson on second, hit a ground ball getting the 2B home, giving Coach Carrillo’s team the 1-0 walk-off win.
Friday saw Thursday night’s hitting struggles carry over for Sulphur Springs. The Lady Cats managed just five hits in a 5-0 shutout loss to Prairiland.
The loss would be the lone one on the weekend for Coach Carrillo’s squad.
Following that loss to the Lady Patriots, the bats really came alive in a 13-0 drubbing of Farmersville. The softball team scored early and often against the Fightin’ Farmers, scoring in all six innings except for the fifth.
In the second though, Reese Ragan got the biggest hit of the tournament for Sulphur Springs, sending one over the left field fences for a grand slam, putting the game well out of reach for an outmatched Farmersville squad.
Saturday brought the conclusion of the Lady Cats second tournament, as Sulphur Springs easily dispatched former district foe and tourney host Mount Pleasant 8-2.
Taking care of the Lady Tigers meant Coach Carrillo’s team went 4-1 over three days in Mount Pleasant.
Some hitting highlights from the tournament:
- Emma Thompson — 6 for 12, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Reese Ragan — 6 for 17, 4 RBI, 3 R
- Bayler Boatman — 4 for 13, 3 RBI, 3 R
- Jayden Harper — 6 for 15, 2 RBI, 3 R
- Gracie Adair — 4 for 11, 5 RBI, 2 R
Following the tourney, Sulphur Springs is now 11-1 on the season.
They next head to Sherman on Tuesday, Feb. 28 for their second non-district contest.
That game is scheduled to tee off Tuesday at 6:30 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.
Both Track Teams Come Up Fifth in Season-Opening Meet
Track and field held their season-opener in Lindale on Thursday, Feb. 23.
Both teams finished fifth Thursday in the Blackberry Relays.
Lady Cats Track & Field
Running Events
Vanessa Wayne got second in the 100 M dash, coming in at 13.411. Wayne, finishing second, got eight points for Sulphur Springs.
In the 400 M dash, Laney Hurst picked up four more points for the Lady Cats, crossing the line at 1:06.743.
Two more Sulphur Springs runners picked up points in the 800 M dash, with Abigail Williams getting sixth in the event and picking up a point. Rainey Johnson is the first of three Lady Cats to win an event, crossing the line at 2:32.410.
In the 3200 M run, Edith Martinez got fourth with a time of 13:02.
While just missing out on medaling, the runner got four points Thursday.
Moving over to relays, Sulphur Springs won bronze in the 4x100M run as Vanessa Wayne, Codee Roland, Trinity Jefferson and Jaicee Jasmer crossed the line at 52.20, getting 12 points for their efforts.
The Lady Cat team of Jolea Moore, Rainey Johnson, Laney Hurst, and Madison Jeter placed fifth in the 4×400 M relays, the final four points for Coach Ross Hicks’ squad in running events.
Field Events
Moving over to field events, the Lady Cats had a solid outing, getting 27 points throughout in their first meet on the season.
Jayden Holly won the shotput event, becoming the second athlete from Sulphur Springs to win one Thursday.
Throwing it 33′ 7 3/4″ got her a gold medal and 10 points for her squad. Holly also placed sixth in discus, getting six more for a total of 16 for the Lady Cats in the season-opener.
Trinity Jefferson placed sixth in high jump, going 4’8″ and getting a point for her effort.
Jaicee Jasmer, the third and final Lady Cat to win an event Thursday, did so in pole vault.
Her winning mark of 11′ flat got the Sulphur Springs athlete the gold medal and 10 more points for her team.
Compiling 70 points, Sulphur Springs has a country mile between them and sixth place Whitehouse (53).
Wildcats Track & Field
Running Events
Riley Hammonds got fifth in the 100 M dash, crossing the line at 11.847. In the 800 M run, Trenton McKinney got a time of 2:19.22, getting fourth.
In the 1600 M run, Grahm Mayo picked up a point getting sixth.
The three aforementioned Wildcats combined for seven points for their efforts Thursday.
Hurdles saw Ty Bybee get 10 points over two events:
- 110 M: 16.774 — 3rd, six points
- 300 M: 44.50 — 4th, four points
The Wildcat team of Keyshawn John, Malachi Roland, Riley Hammonds and Cam Jefferson placed sixth in the 4×100 M relays, getting two points in Lindale.
In the 4×200 M relays, Sulphur Springs got another sixth place, two point finish.
The last running event to result in points for the Wildcats came in the 4×400 M relays, as Iverson Irvine, Preston Nottingham, Creed Whisenhunt, and Trsyten Hankins finished with a time of 4:11.57.
All three teams got two points, combining for a total of six for relay events.
Field Events
Jaxon Haire got fourth in long jump, going a distance of 18′ 10″. Trysten Hankins finished sixth.
Similar results came for Sulphur Springs in discuss, as the Wildcats got fourth and sixth again:
- 4. Diamone Gotcher — 122′ 9 1/2″
- 6. Luke Caton — 118′ 1/2″
The two previously mentioned field events cumulated five points each, for a total of 10.
In high jump, Creed Whisenhunt got a mark of 5’10”, a third place finish for the Wildcat. Lastly in pole vault, Bybee got third at 13′.
The vaulter and Whisenhunt combined for another 12 points for Sulphur Springs, the final two to do so for the track and field team.
Cumulating 45 points in Lindale, Sulphur Springs edged out Pittsburg for fifth place in the season-opening meet.
Next up, track and field are in Mount Pleasant Thursday, Mar. 3 for another competition.
The Tiger Invitational gets underway Thursday at 4 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.
Paris District Road Report for February 27, 2023
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Feb. 27, 2023. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
The eastbound entrance ramp to US 82 at the US 75 intersection will close to traffic on March 03. This ramp serves as the entrance ramp to wastbound US 82 at US 75. This closure is needed to complete the construction of the US 82 eastbound Frontage Road and new entrance ramp. Motorists are advised to use the eastbound frontage road and continue east through the Loy Lake intersection, and use the eastbound entrance ramp from Loy Lake Road to gain access to US 82.
The eastbound US 82 exit ramp to US 75 is temporarily closed in order for crews to make the connection of the new exit ramp to US 82 and the frontage roads. Motorists traveling eastbound on US 82 are advised to use the FM 131 / Travis Street exit (Exit 641) and follow the eastbound frontage road to access US 75.
North Travis Street (FM 131) is closed to through traffic at the US 75 intersection in order for crews to work on the new southbound US 75 bridge. During the closure traffic is asked to take the frontage roads to Taylor Street and Washington Street as a detour. The intersection is expected to reopen to thru traffic on March 10, weather permitting.
The northbound and southbound US 75 frontage road intersections with Center Street have been converted to an all-way stop. Traffic on the frontage roads is asked to pay attention to the advanced warning signs and new stop signs, and approach the intersection prepared for a stop there.
Lamar Street and Houston Street under US 75 are closed to through traffic with detour signs in place to guide motorists around these intersections.
Eastbound Lamar Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Center Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to eastbound Lamar Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/5LrCpdOA8OQ
Westbound Houston Street traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Washington Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to westbound Houston Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/7jCatnI3Oq4
These switches will allow crews to reconstruct the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Lamar and Houston Streets. The US 75 northbound frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for northbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the northbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/y_uO0UmpCzk
For southbound US 75 the frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for southbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the southbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/k2EG2W9rFJY
US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on construction of new frontage road lanes.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews construct the new roadway pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a four-lane divided section with turn lanes. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project. The West Cypress Grove Road intersection on the east side of FM 1417 is closed to through traffic to allow crews to work on paving at the intersection. During the closure, traffic wishing to use Cypress Grove Road is asked to use Mimosa Drive and Redbud Trail as a detour route. Mainlane traffic has been switched to the new concrete section between Lamberth Street and SH 56. The intersection of Washington Street on the west side of FM 1417 is closed to traffic in order for crews to complete the reconstruction of this intersection. During the closure, traffic wishing to use Washington Street is asked to use Taylor Street and Little Lane as a detour route. The Washington Street closure is expected to last three weeks, weather permitting.
US 82, Grayson County: at the Old Southmayd Road intersection. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers lengthen the existing left turn lanes on US 82 at the Old Southmayd Road intersection and add right-turn lanes.
SH 56 (Main Street), Grayson County: in Whitesboro from Union Street to Collinsville Street. Watch for daytime lane closures on SH 56 as crews work on the rehabilitation project to remove and replace the sidewalks and parking areas along the square. The contractor will work on one side at a time, with work beginning on the north side initially. During construction, the front entrances to the buildings will be temporarily closed and customers are asked to enter from the rear entrances. Occasional road closures will be required with a detour route in place to guide motorists around the project. The detour route will guide traffic along Union Street, Thode Street, and Collinsville Street to get around the project.
Roland Road, Grayson County: at the South Branch of Big Mineral Creek is closed to traffic in order for crews to replace the bridge structure and approaches. During the closure, traffic is requested to use either US 377 or County Line Road as a detour.
South Travis Street, Grayson County: in Sherman at Post Oak Creek. Construction is underway for the South Travis Street bridge over Post Oak Creek. During construction, the bridge will be reduced to one lane with traffic signals controlling traffic through the project, while the new bridge is built in phases.
Business US 377B, Grayson County: south of Whitesboro at the railroad underpass near US 377. Watch for lane closures with signals controlling traffic while crews work to upgrade the bridge railing.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Friday morning during the overnight period. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete sections. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
FS 121 (Grayson Parkway), Grayson County: from the Collin County line to FM 121. Construction is ongoing on this new-location roadway which is west of SH 289 approximately four miles. The new roadway will be two lanes with shoulders and will be an extension of the frontage road of the Dallas North Tollway. Local traffic on CR 60 (Marilee Road) and Stiff Chapel Road should expect occasional road work at those intersections, with flaggers present to control traffic. Work on FM 121 at the FS 121 intersection (formerly Scharff Road intersection) is ongoing as crews work to widen the pavement to add turn lanes. Motorists on FM 121 should expect lane shifts while crews widen the pavement and install a culvert.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday and Thursday during the nighttime.
FM 121, Grayson County: from SH 5 to US 75. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform base repairs on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 56, Grayson County: from the Fannin County line to Sherman. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform spot milling on the roadway to remove rough spots. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
US 75 frontage roads, Grayson County: from the Collin County line to FM 1417. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform base repairs on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 121, Grayson County: from US 377 to SH 289. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
CR 1320, Fannin County: at the Caney Creek Bridge is closed to traffic in order for crews to replace the bridge structure and approaches.
FM 271, Fannin County: from SH 78 to FM 68. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 34, Fannin County: from FM 64 to FM 1550. Watch for traffic shifts and traffic signal controlled lane closures as workers build the bridge approaches for the new SH 34 roadway at the future Lake Ralph Hall.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from SH 34 to CR 3544. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work on building the connection of the realigned FM 1550 to the existing roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 2645, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to FM 898. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
FM 1536, Hopkins County: from SH 19 to FM 71. Watch for lane closures and short delays as crews place pavement markings on the roadway.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to Texas-Oklahoma state line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews resurface the roadway and perform bridge maintenance.
FM 906, Lamar County: from FM 2648 to CR 47400. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from FM 1497 around the North Loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures, perform bridge maintenance and place bonded concrete surfacing.
Loop 286/US 271 South Interchange, Lamar County: from Dawn Drive going south to the North Loop 286 turn around. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, and traffic merges while crews improve guardrail and perform bridge maintenance.
FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 2675, Delta County: from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
BU 271 (North Main Street), Lamar County: from Santa Fe Street to one-quarter mile north of Stone Avenue. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews install sidewalk.
FM 411, FM 1159, FM 1699, FM 2283, US 82 and US 37, Red River County: Watch for temporary lane closures while crews remove debris from recent storm damage.
FM 1499, FM 906, FM 2820, FM 79, FM 1510, US 271 North, and FM 197, Lamar County: Watch for temporary lane closures while crews remove debris from recent storm damage.
US 82, Lamar County: at the FM 1502 intersection. Watch for temporary lane closures and traffic/lane shifts as crews widen the roadway to install a left-turn lane and improve drainage structures.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
CR 1032, 1031 and 2132 bridge replacement project, Hunt County. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor has reopened the CR 1032 bridge. The contractor has reconstructed the existing CR 2132 bridge and has completed roadway construction. Contractor will clean current area and remove barricades on CR2132 and place barricades on FM 1031 and begin work soon. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 224, Hunt County: The contractor has begun placing bridge rail, and reworking and cement-treating the existing roadway base material. Contractor has graded out the cement-treated base and is prepping for seal coat. Some riprap work is beginning and partial area clean up has begun. Please be aware of this construction, detour route and workers in the area.
FM 275, Rains County: from SH 19 to FM 514. The contractor worked on installing small signs and mailboxes and began project and stockpile clean up. The contractor is planning to form three driveways and install some delineation on the project cross culverts. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 276, Hunt County: from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass). The contractor worked on installing rock riprap at various locations. Contractor began sweeping and cleaning roadway surfaces in preparation for permanent striping through project. Contractor worked on top 7” of base material on Business 276 by prof rolling and watering. A traffic switch walk through was performed and prep work for 2-24 or 2-27. Please be aware of lane closures and changes to current traffic configuration and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 66, Hunt County: SH 66 at FM 1570, SH 34 at FM 1570. The contractor completed placing hot mix and milling at the intersections of SH 34 and FM 1570. The SH 34 and FM 1903 striping will begin soon at all locations. Signal poles are on hold due to supply chain issues.
Maintenance crews for both Hunt and Rains County will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads. Rains County crews will be working on various bridge and culvert maintenance projects throughout the county. Both crews are addressing potholes and roadway complaints. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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Guaranty Bank and Trust Are Proud Sponsors of the 17th Annual Lights of Life Gala
Guaranty Bank & Trust are proud sponsors of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s 17th Annual Lights of Life Gala to be held on April 22. Representing the bank for a photo presentation are (l-r) Brandon Williams, Garrett Glass and (far right) Brad Thomas photographed with the Lights of Life Chair Whitney Vaughan (second from right).
2023 CTE Month Feature 1: Applied Agricultural Engineering
Editor’s Note: February is Career and Technical Education Month, a public awareness campaign to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. To help Sulphur Springs High School celebrate CTE Month 2023, KSST has compiled short videos featuring a few of the CTE programs offered at SSHS.
Students interested in applied agricultural engineering can take Stephen Shelby’s Ag Equipment Design & Ag Structure Facilities classes.
Prior to taking to job for SSISD, Shelby worked out in West Texas.
Working construction, the Ag instructor received a call from John Clemons, instructor at the PJC welding school, and got an offer to teach the subject at SSHS along with other Ag teachers John Holland and Lindsey Arthur.
The Ag instructor at the high school took welding in high school, but when the then-22 year-old learned welders made a significant wage, even on the low-end experience-wise, he made the call to switch to welding. Shelby said in three years he went from inexperienced, helping out, to being able to weld and doing anything and everything that the job requires.
“It’s just been something that changed my life, it gave me something that I could always fall back on. It’s a trade. There’s always a demand for it, and it’s just been a big blessing to be able to have something like that…” Shelby said.
Some things the CTE-featured program offer include:
- MIG (wire-feed welding) with a gas shield
- 6011 and 7018 stick welding
- Shelby stresses that this skill can be particularly useful down the road for welders
The welding instructor this year has been wokring with students on what he calls “The plate test.” Shelby said in this one puts a back strip, bevels two pieces of plate, welding it up and cutting the strip of that plate. They then put it in the bender in the shop, bending the strips and as a result seeing if the weld passes or fails.
The welding instructor stressed both to KSST, as well as middle school students in SSISD on recruiting visits, that what Shelby and his program do in the Ag shop will always be important.
“You’ll always need a farmer, you’ll always need a welder… you’ll always need someone, somewhere to build a power plant. Those are the kinds of things that I think set our program apart,” Shelby said, “…you want a job that there’s gonna be a demand for. Whether its college-educated or not, and you want to always be able to find work. And anything that we do basically in our Ag department at the school, especially in our welding shop, are those kinds of skills that can carry people through their life.”
SSHS students Garrett Tubb, Tate Bradford, and Jose Flores are all enrolled in Shelby’s classes.
Tubb took interest in welding living on a farm, and desired to further his education in welding and agriculture mechanics so he took Shelby’s class. Bradford said his dad was into welding when he was in high school, and early on though Tate would enjoy the subject so he tried it out and shortly thereafter enrolled in the program.
Flores said something similar to Tubb, in that he grew up around animals, working on a ranch, building fences, so the SSHS student said animals and welding work hand-in-hand together. Flores said he leans more toward metal work.
Bradford said earlier this week he learned of the CTE featured program coming out of eighth grade.
He received the paperwork, seeing Ag Mechanics and Welding on the list and signed right up.
Coursework includes anything from vet sciences, welding, woodworking, building benches and other little projects, up to large projects like building a trailer. Bradford said depending on which subject a student is interested in decides which field of study they focus on.
All three students in their interview with KSST said they recommend the CTE featured program if agriculture, mechanics, or a combination of the two interest any interested students.
Bradford said the program has taught him so much. Learning how to work well, lead and work as a team on projects, and how to work hard are all things the students said they have learned in their time in Stephen Shelby’s program.
Students in these classes can also potentially work toward an industry based certification, called the AWS (or American Welder Society).
When students like Bradofrd, Tate and Flores graduate, they not only get course credit for graduating, but also the certification which says students have taken the test and have been instructed by a certified instructor.
Be sure to stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230 and Suddenlink Channel 18, check out www.KSSTradio.com,the KSST Radio 1230 AM YouTube Channel and other KSST social media accounts to ensure you don’t miss these 2023 CTE features. Just watch for the “2023 CTE” heading throughout the month.
If you missed the kickoff, be sure to click the link below to catch up:
Kick Off Event: Sulphur Springs High School Kicks Off CTE Month 2023 With Mayoral Proclamation
Representative Slaton Files HB 2811, Authorizing Sheriff-Led School Protection Forces
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Today, Representative Bryan Slaton of HD-2 filed HB 2811, allowing school districts and local sheriffs to partner together to create school protection forces. The bill authorizes a school board to enter into an agreement with their county sheriff who can form and operate a Volunteer School-Protection Force, made up of former police officers, military veterans, and individuals deemed competent by the sheriff, that will assist in the protection of schools. Under control of the sheriff, the protection force would act to prevent harm to students and staff. HB 2811 is in response to the concept that was developed by the Sheriffs of HD-2, and was proposed to the Texas Sheriff’s Association in December.
Representative Slaton said: “Everyone is rightly concerned with protecting our children from harm in schools, and this is not a partisan issue. In the search for an effective method of protecting schools, I, along with each of the sheriffs in House District 2, are proposing that school boards be empowered to partner with local sheriffs to provide school protection. HB 2811 creates a flexible system that gives school boards and sheriffs the freedom to work together in a way that fits their unique local needs, and do so in a way that will not overburden the taxpayer or school board.”
Governor Greg Abbott recently made school safety an emergency item, which enables the legislature to consider and pass related legislation, including HB 2811, within the first sixty days of the legislative session.
Rep. Slaton continued: “By allowing schools boards to work with sheriffs in securing our schools, we can protect children and staff in an effective way that puts sheriffs in the driver seat of school security, and allows our schools to do what they do best, which is educate our children.”
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Community Chest Well Stocked On Food: Has Other Needs
February 24, 2023 – The Community Chest Food Bank and Hopkins County Christian Alliance Cupboard was busy this week, distributing food and other items to residents of Hopkins County. KSST was invited to take a brief tour of the Linda Drive location.
What’s In Store
Food is available for those who demonstrate need. The Bank is currently open for distribution on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can’t predict exactly what will be available, but there is always food on the shelves. Occasionally there are bonus or free items available. When we visited, cases of bottled of water were in the free area, limited to one case per family.
The Food Bank’s Needs
Clients essentially shop for food, going from aisle to aisle with a shopping cart. Some assistance is available for people who need help getting their goods to their car. Which brings us to the first need the food bank has. They need volunteers, especially on Thursday. Those interested in donating their time, even once a week, can contact the food back to set an appointment at 903-885-3452 or [email protected].
There is a constant and growing need for hygiene items. Community Chest has resorted to retail purchases of hygiene items to try to meet demand. “Sometimes we just go and clear out store shelves…” A spokesperson said the increased demand comes down to inflation and fixed income, especially for older people. “There is less money left over for things like deodorant.” The Texas food banks that supply Community Chest do not offer such items, as their focus is entirely on food. The funds to make those purchases can come from Corporate Sponsor such as Saputo and Grocery Supply. Monetary donations from generous individuals have also declined recently, possible because of inflation as well.
If you have a need, the Community Chest is ready to work with you. Reach them at 217 Linda Drive, Sulphur Springs, TX, by phone at 903-885-3452, or email at [email protected]
