Marijuana Legalization On Oklahoma Ballot Measure
March 7, 2023- Oklahoma has proposed a new ballot measure -State Question 820- that could allow marijuana to be grown and used recreationally within state lines. Currently Oklahoma allows the use of medical marijuana, allowing those with prescriptions the ability to purchase marijuana.
Just like alcohol, recreational marijuana will only be available to be purchased by a individual over the age of 21 years of age, up to one ounce, plus concentrates and marijuana-infused products. People would also be legally allowed to grow up to 12 plants of marijuana at one time, for personal use only. The measure would allow sales to residents out-of-state.
Sulphur Springs Corvette Club Announces 2023 Show
March 7, 2023 – The annual Sulphur Springs Corvette Club show is scheduled for October 28, 2023 on Celebration Plaza in downtown Sulphur Springs. This year’s show date will coincide with the World Champion Hopkins County Stew Cook-Off that will be held in Buford Park giving participants in either event more options of things to do while in Sulphur Springs. The local Corvette Club will be hosting a Friday night event for participating Corvette owners at Clarion Pointe hotel. All car enthusiasts are invited to attend the Corvette Show Saturday morning on Celebration Plaza as entered cars will be judged and compete for prizes.
All Corvettes of any year are invited to attend this judged show. Prospective attendees can find more information on the flyer below about entering this year’s show.
Lady Cats Basketball Players Earn All-District Honors
The fourth seeded Lady Cats basketball team fared very well on the All-District list released recently by Lady Cats basketball coach Bryan Jones.
Seniors Kenzie Willis and Addisyn Wall were chosen to the All-District First team. Sophomores Trinity Jefferson as well as Kyra and Kaylee Carter all made the All-District Second Team.
Another one, Codee Roland, was voted by her peers as 15-4A Sixth Man of the Year.
Freshman Rainey Johnson was selected for the Newcomer of the Year award. Aaliyah Cheatum was chosen as Honorable Mention All-District.
Four Lady Cats made the All-District Academic Team: Wall, Willis, Johnson, as well as team manager Tatum Thompson.
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 ISD Early Retirement, Resignations, and Position change
March 7, 2023- Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees met Monday March 6th. During their regular monthly meeting several personnel changes were announced. A total of 7 employees announced early of their intentions to retire at the end of the school year. Another 7 employees are resigning from the district, as well as two job changes were announced. The full list approved by the Board of Trustees is as follows.
Early Retirement:
- Baxley, Carla – English Teacher SSHS
- Cowley, Carol – Counselor SSHS
- Meador, Mindy – Librarian SSHS
- McCrary, Angie – Read 180 Teacher SSMS
- Mejia, Lidia – DLE Kinder Teacher Travis
- Miller, Peggy – Food Service
- Arledge, Jenny – CTE Director SSHS
Resignations:
- Farrar Walters, Jennifer – Math/Science Teacher SSES
- Price, Lauren – Reading/SS Teacher SSES
- Rodgers, Nancy – Resource Teacher SSMS
- Mata, Yesenia – SPED Aide Barbara Bush Primary
- Salas, Cinthia – SPED Aide Barbara Bush Primary
- Early, Bailey – Aide Douglass
- Orozco, Nadia – Educational Aide SSMS
Position Changes:
- Geeslin, Laura (Former Position) Title 1 Aide/Bowie (New Position) SPED Aide/Bowie
- Giguere, Bryan (Former Position) SPED Aide/Bowie (New Position) Title 1 Aide/Bowie
Hopkins County Man Arrested for Assault and Criminal Mischief
March 7, 2023 – Miguel Angel Mejia was arrested on March 6 around 10pm after he allegedly returned home to find his wife cheating on him. When Mejia arrived, he apparently saw a man leaving his house via a bedroom window. Mejia allegedly used a shotgun to damage the pickup his wife’s lover arrived in, fired shots at his wife’s lover as he fled north towards Sulphur Springs, pointed a firearm at his wife and pushed her down. Mejia, armed with a 9mm handgun and a 30-06 rifle pursued the would-be suitor in his own pickup, but was unable to locate the man.
Deputies arrived at the Yantis, TX residence after the gun play had subsided. Mejia was located and arrested without incident. He was given a Miranda warning and he consented to speak with deputies. His wife gave deputies the information needed to locate her lover and he was found uninjured. Law enforcement was able to interview all three individuals. The interviews and surveillance footage helped piece together the entire exchange.
The owner of the damaged pickup informed deputies he wanted to pursue charges against Mejia due to the extensive damage. The fleeing man also wished to pursue charges against Mejia.
Thirty-one year-old Mexico born Mejia reports himself a self employed in the concrete business. Mejia’s charges (two of which are felonies) include:
- AGG ASSAULT DATE/FAMILY/HOUSE W/WEAPON
- CRIMINAL MISCHIEF >=$2,500<$30K
- AGG ASSLT W/DEADLY WEAPON
Mejia remains in Hopkins County jail as of Tuesday morning. No bail information is available.
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.
Main Street Theatre Looking For Actors To Play Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
Sulphur Springs’ Main Street Theatre, operated by the Community Players, Inc., is looking for nine actors for its upcoming production of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, directed by Lyndie Mansfield.
Auditions will be held at Main Street Theatre, 225 Main Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas, on Thursday, March 9th @ 6:30 p.m. & Saturday, March 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Performances are May 12-14, 19-21 (Friday/Saturday evenings, Sunday matinee). No experience is required. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Bring your current headshot and resume if you have them. If you don’t have a headshot and/or resume, don’t let that stop you! Come and audition!
Please visit www.communityplayersinc.com to sign up for an audition slot or to find additional information.
No experience is required.
(Due to the nature of this particular play, actors must be able to realistically portray the character’s gender, race, and approximate age as written.)We are looking for five women, ages 25-60 (3 White/European descent, 2 Black/African descent) and four men, ages 30-70 (2 White/European descent, 2 Black/African descent). * Due to the nature of this particular play, actors must be able to realistically portray the character’s gender, race, and approximate age as written.The Story: A progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter brings her black fiance home to meet them in this fresh and relevant stage adaptation of the iconic film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Blindsided by their daughter’s whirlwind romance and fearful for her future, Matt and Christina Drayton quickly come to realize the difference between supporting a mixed-race couple in your newspaper and welcoming one into your family–especially in 1967. But they’re surprised to find they aren’t the only ones with concerns about the match, and it’s not long before a multi-family clash of racial and generational difference sweeps across the Draytons’ idyllic San Francisco terrace. At the end of the day, will the love between young Joanna and John prevail? With humor and insight, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner begins a conversation sure to continue at dinner tables long after the curtain comes down.
Rehearsals begin the week of March 27. The rehearsal schedule will accommodate as many conflicts as possible.
Performance dates and times are:
- Friday, May 12 / May 19 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, May 13 / May 20 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, May 14 / May 21 at 2 p.m.
EAA 34 Fly-out To Redbarn Cafe
March 7, 2023- Chapter 34 of the Experimental Aircraft Association will be flying into the Sulphur Springs Airport Saturday March 11. EAA 34 will be departing from Arlington and Grand Prairie Airports at 8am with breakfast at Redbarn Cafe starting at 9 am. Redbarn Cafe is a CASH ONLY restaurant so don’t forget to stop by and pick some cash up.
Please RSVP to [email protected] if interested in going. If you have an open seat to take a passenger or if you don’t have a plane and would like to fly with someone else
The EAA organization was founded in 1953 by a bunch of guys and gals driven by their passion to design, build and fly their own airplanes. The organization has since evolved to encompass all things aviation related and is today one of the largest and strongest General Aviation communities supporting over 1,000 chapters and 200,000+ members throughout the world.
For more information on EAA visit: EAA34.com
Block Supplements For Grazing Cattle By Mario Villarino
Supplementing (adding nutrients to an existing diet) is a common nutritional tool to provide extra nutrients to improve cattle body condition. Block supplements are a convenient mechanism for delivering supplemental nutrients to grazing beef cattle. As the labels on most blocks or tubs state, they are meant to be used as supplements, not feeds. Success or failure of a block/tub supplementation program will depend on the availability of forage. If forage is limited or of poor quality, self-fed blocks or tubs cannot make up the nutrient deficit and are not formulated to do so. Blocks and tubs have become increasingly popular because: They are easy to store and handle. They are easily accessible. They require little labor. Minimal equipment is required. Consumption is self-limiting. Blocks are particularly appealing to owners of the smallest herds of cattle (fewer than 50 cows) and owners of large operations of more than 300 cows. Many small producers have off-ranch employment and like the convenience and comfort of knowing supplement is continuously available. Large operators use blocks because they save time and labor. As with other supplements, blocks and tubs can vary widely in their cost, ingredient composition, nutrient content, storage requirements and consumption characteristics. Blocks and tubs generally can be divided into three categories based on the manufacturing method used:
a) Pressed blocks b) Chemically hardened blocks c) Tubs and low moisture (cooked) blocks and tubs.
Pressed Blocks: Pressed blocks are formed by blending ingredients, conditioning the mix with steam and compressing this mix under 2,000-3,000 psi of pressure. The manufacturing process is similar to that used in making pelleted feeds and supplements. Pressed protein (33 to 250 pounds) and 50 pound mineral blocks are familiar options as grazing cattle supplements. Advantages: A distinct advantage is the ability to use ingredients commonly found in dry feed mills. Disadvantages: Formulations are somewhat restrictive; ingredients that are difficult to pellet generally do not make good blocks. For example, adding high levels of fat will jeopardize block integrity. Pressed blocks may deteriorate in humid climates or if exposed to moisture. If blocks take up moisture and soften, intakes will likely be higher than predicted and increase product waste. Intake: Mature cattle generally average a daily intake of 1- 4 pounds of pressed blocks, depending on the hardness of the block and the availability (number fed per unit time).
Chemically Hardened Blocks and Tubs: Chemical blocks are manufactured by combining liquid and dry ingredients into a slurry. The slurry is dispensed into cardboard containers or plastic tubs and allowed to cure. The block hardens as a result of chemical reactions between water and metal oxides such as calcium oxide or magnesium oxide.Hardness of the block or tub is regulated by altering the concentration of metal oxides.Once hard, chemically set blocks do not change shape. Advantages: Chemical process blocks use many ingredients common to both liquid and dry feed manufacturing. Formulation is more flexible than the other two processes. Disadvantages: Chemical blocks may have a high ash (mineral) content. Ingredients such as magnesium oxide may limit intake because of their objectionable flavor. These blocks can deteriorate during prolonged inclement weather, especially if packaged in cardboard. Intake — Mature cattle normally consume an average of 1-3 pounds daily.
Low Moisture (Cooked) Tubs: This is the most expensive tub manufacturing process, requiring specialized blending, evaporating and packaging equipment. Liquid ingredients are heated to 240-280 degrees F (cooked), subjected to a vacuum to remove moisture, combined with dry ingredients in a blender and poured into rigid containers. Advantages: Low moisture tubs result in uniform consumption rates when used in intensive grazing environments. Also, consumption levels tend to be the lowest of the three types of blocks. Disadvantages: Packaging options are limited because these blocks tend to absorb moisture from the air. Due to the consistency of the products and their tendency to change shape, containers must be stored in the upright position. In addition, the process is somewhat restrictive in the proportions of dry ingredients that can be incorporated. Specialized manufacturing equipment is also required.
Intake: Low moisture blocks soften or liquify on the surface as they absorb moisture from the air, which controls intake. Average daily intake by mature cattle generally ranges from 0.5-1.5 pounds. If forage quality is low (for example, dormant, weathered native grasses or dormant mature bermudagrass), intake of low moisture products may not provide the necessary amount of supplemental protein. When supplements are fed in extensive grazing situations (large pastures with low stock density), consumption can vary greatly.
Effective Use of Block and Tub Supplements
Read and follow label instructions. Provide blocks or tubs as soon as protein or energy deficiency is suspected and before noticeable loss of body condition. Young cattle grazing mature forages may require continuous access, regardless of expected diet/forage quality. Proper placement of the supplement in a pasture affects consumption. Cattle will visit more frequently and consume more of supplements placed near water or loafing areas. If consumption is lower than expected, increase the number of tubs. If aggressive animals dominate the tubs, spread the tubs out to discourage social interactions between competing animals. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3445 or email me at [email protected].
Woman and Veteran Owned Helicopter Tours Near Hopkins County
March 6, 2023 – Pilots from Semper Fly Helicopter Tours, a woman and veteran owned business, stopped by the KSST Studios for an interview on Monday. Brandi Rector and Mike Sanford own and operate several flight related businesses that are based in Southern Oklahoma. They are both veterans of the armed forces. More details on their individual services in the armed forces are available on their website.
Bob Kerr, Judge Advocate of the Hopkins County Marine Corp League, recently took advantage of their services. Because Bob is a veteran, he received a discount. Kerr, who also does KSST’s Veteran Voices program each Monday morning, enjoyed his flight so much, he wanted to help spread the word.
Brandi Rector, pictured above, wants to welcome everyone, especially veterans, to join her in the air. Semper fly tries to accommodate special requests such as high altitude marriage proposals and airtours of real estate for potential buyers and sellers.
Brandi and Mike’s business is also expanding. Helicopter based skydiving is coming soon. They operate out of Mc Curtain County Regional Airport near Idabel, Ok. They own a hanger there, and currently have two helicopters. The airport’s FAA Identifier: 4O4.
Semper Fly
The Helicopter Rides on Semper Fly Helicopters are the ultimate way to explore Oklahoma and Texas with Veteran pilots that have decades of experience. They fly a Bell 206 L3 on helicopter rides and offer customizable tours of Broken Bow Lake, Beavers Bend, Mountain Fork River, and more. Just tell them where you want to go!
Skyhunter Outfitters
Skyhunter Outfitters offer all-inclusive hog hunts. You have a choice of daytime aerial hunts, or night time hunts. Either way, all your party needs to do is show up. The packages are all inclusive (Rifles, Ammo, Thermal Scopes, etc). You can also bring your own hardware if you like. On the night hunts, be ready to do some walking. Processing of animals, harvested during night hunts only, is available.
If you would like to take a tour, or know a veteran that would enjoy a flight, contact Semper Fly at 903 870 8222.
Sulphur Springs Total Eclipse Meeting
March 6, 2023- Butch Burney met on the Hopkins County Courthouse steps today to discuss the upcoming eclipse set in April of 2024. Burney talked about a couple from Seattle, Washington who visited the Chamber Of Commerce, the couple wanted to come down to ask about a place to stay during the week of the eclipse.
Burney discussed that the possible amount of visiters from all over could double the total population of Hopkins County. Astronomy Magazine has placed Sulphur Springs as the 8th best place to watch the celestial event in America. Burney discussed that people from all across the world will be coming to visit our little town to watch this event.
Butch Burney also discussed a plan to host a 4 day festival starting April 5th 2024 and culminating on the day of the eclipse. The festival will include games, movies, concerts, educational talks and more, planned all by business’s and individual organizations.
SSTotalEclipse.com will have all the information on the 2024 eclipse and the events that will be available during the festival. Members of the community can contact the Chamber Of Commerce through the website as well.
Burney has also discussed encouraging the closing of schools on that Monday of the event to avoid the traffic that will certainly come before and after the eclipse.
There are currently 300 hotel rooms within Sulphur Springs, along with several RV parks. Burney asks that all members of the community to open their doors and to help rent out any spare rooms to any visitors to help with the lack of accommodations. Listings of accommodations will be listed on the SStotaleclipse website as well.
Signature Solar has committed to purchasing 50,000 special eclipse glasses to be distributed in ways that will be announced at a later date. These will be vital for those wanting to view the eclipse without damaging their eyes.
Below is a map of the path of the 2024 eclipse as it crosses North America, the yellow line representing the path of the total eclipse. The middle of the yellow path will have a longer period of totality and as Sulphur Springs is on that middle line, the total time of the eclipse will be 4 mins, 21 seconds.
Total solar eclipse visible (100.00% coverage of sun)
- Duration: 2 hours, 39 minutes, 16 seconds
- Duration of totality: 4 minutes, 21 seconds
- Partial Begins: Apr 8, 2024 at 12:25:42 pm
- Full begins: Apr 8, 2024 at 1:42:58 pm
- Maximum: Apr 8, 2024 at 1:45:09 pm
- Full ends: Apr 8, 2024 at 1:47:19 pm
- Partial ends: Apr 8, 2024 at 3:04:58 pm
