Wildcats Golf Gets 3rd at State Meet
Wildcats golf ended their season at the state meet Monday and Tuesday, May 22-23 in Kingsland, where Sulphur Springs came up big in third.
It is the first time since 2015 men’s golf has qualified for state, and the Wildcats did not disappoint.
Coach Jeremy DeLorge is very happy with his team’s results.
“This year was definitely one of full success,” the Sulphur Springs golf coach said. “The guys were super happy with how it came out.”
The Wildcats coach said to come home after medaling in the state tournament for golf is a huge accomplishment.
After day one, Sulphur Springs found themselves in second place, behind only Canyon Randall. They did end up slipping down to third place, but their efforts were still more than enough to leave the state tournament in Kingsland getting bronze.
“It was good to see that they were so hungry,” Coach DeLorge said.
Even with four of five golfers shooting in the 70’s on Monday’s day one, Coach DeLorge said his guys still were not satisfied. The men’s golf coach said that is just the golfer’s mentality.
Totals from the two day state tournament were:
- Caleb Kesting — 74/81 (155)
- Nick Burney — 74/79 (153)
- Gage Gideon — 79/74 (153)
- Luke White — 82/78 (160)
- Tatum Tran — 76/83 (159)
The lone senior on the varsity squad is Kesting, headed to ETBU, but every other member will be sophomores come fall.
Coach DeLorge said he has a group of freshmen waiting in the wings all too ready to compete for the fifth spot that will be vacated once Kesting graduates.
For now though, Sulphur Springs takes a bit of time prior to summer workouts, but Coach DeLorge said his guys are already planning their summer workouts, programs and contests to keep themselves loose over the summer.
Congratulations to Wildcats golf for not only qualifying for the state meet for the first time in almost a decade, but also finishing third leaving Kingsland with bronze hardware.
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.
Egg prices plummet as supplies outpace demand
Egg prices appear to be taking a supply and demand market-driven tumble, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
Consumers might have noticed lower egg prices over recent weeks, and David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist, Bryan-College Station, expects that trend to continue.
Egg supplies are still below where production was a year ago, but supplies continue to rise amid declining purchases, he said. Rising supplies and weaker demand are driving egg prices downward.
Producers continue to rebuild the table egg-laying flock that was hit hard by the avian flu outbreak beginning in February 2022. While egg production has increased, Anderson said demand typically dips after Easter before climbing again around Thanksgiving Day and through the fall holiday season.
“Some of the demand issue is seasonal, but consumer response to higher egg prices is also part of it,” he said. “Meanwhile egg producers continue to increase production, and the market is responding to the supply and demand factors. It’s a good example of how the market works.”
Egg prices falling
The U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Marketing Service reported retail eggs nationally were $2.74 per dozen between April 14-20 and were expected to be around $1.08 per dozen this week. Egg prices peaked at $4.82 in January, according to the Consumer Price Index.
Anderson expects the cost of a dozen eggs will continue to decline in other markets around Texas and the U.S. because wholesale prices are already down to 84 cents per dozen. Prices that low could be concerning for producers and are likely to trigger thoughts about slowing production growth. Declining costs for feed like soybean meal and corn are also helping livestock and poultry producers and may contribute to even lower prices.
Anderson noted that wholesale egg prices peaked at over $5 per dozen when eggs were hitting historic highs. On the other hand, retail prices did not reach $5. He suspects contracted prices may have held back wholesale costs grocers paid or that grocery stores strategized losses on eggs to keep customers.
“Consumers don’t react well when prices are so volatile, so some stores may have taken losses on eggs to keep people in their stores,” he said. “The falling wholesale egg prices could be a good indicator that the next Consumer Price Index might show falling retail prices.”
The contributing factors – increased production and supplies coupled with lower demand – are already pushing retail egg prices below $1 per dozen in about 1% of grocery stores surveyed in the South-Central U.S.
Avian flu causes significant poultry losses
Egg prices have been historically high over the past year. The decline in the number of table egg-laying hens in the U.S. contributed to this trend.
Since February 2022, a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak has caused significant losses in the poultry industry. In total, 58.7 million poultry birds, including over 43 million laying hens, were lost in 47 states.
In December 2021, the U.S. flock had 327 million laying hens producing table eggs, and the average cost for a dozen eggs was $1.79. Egg prices climbed as outbreaks spread and reached $2.05 per dozen by March 2022. Prices continued to rise as egg-layer hen losses mounted, but historic production costs, including for feed, also contributed to the record-high prices consumers paid at grocery stores.
Miller Grove FFA 2023-2024 Chapter Officers
May 24, 2023- Miller Groves FFA Chapter Officers have been announced. Chapter officers serve a vital function in FFA. By taking a major leadership role, these students grow from the experience and benefit the chapter.
President – Grant Anderson
Vice President – Mika Gray
Secretary – Emma Knight
Treasurer – Brooke Anderson
Reporter – Danielle Garrett
Sentinel – Bella Vaculik
Student Advisor – Janie Alberts
Lang Stopped with Methamphetamine
May 24, 2023 – Richard Lee Lang, age 45, was driving north on Highway 19, north of Sulphur Springs this week. Lang, who reports himself as unemployed, failed to signal a right turn onto a County Road. A Sheriff’s Office Deputy observed the infraction and initiated a traffic stop on the Chevrolet Trax Lang was driving.
During the traffic stop, Lang exhibited signs of nervousness and failed to maintain eye contact with the deputy. When asked, Lang gave permission for a vehicle search. Lang existed the Chevrolet and was given a pat down for weapons. When asked if there was anything illegal inside the vehicle, Lang allegedly admitted that there was methamphetamine in the vehicle.
A bag containing meth was located inside the car. Lang was arrested and transported to Hopkins County Jail without incident. The vehicle was impounded. The meth weighed over 7 grams. Lang is charged with:
481.115(D) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G F2322336 1 31.03(E)(4)(D) THEFT PROP <$2,500 2/MORE PREV CONV
This not the first time Lang has been in Jail. He was arrested in Iowa, his birth state, in 2018 for delivering meth to a truck stop. See that story here.
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.
Fatal Car Crashes Surging In Texas
May 24, 2023 – Within the past few months several car crashes have had unfortunate fatal outcomes. Several of these unfortunate crashes involve occupants who are not wearing their seat belts. Our condolences to those who have lost a loved one during this time due to crashes.
Sgt. Adam Albritton of the Texas Department of Public Safety spoke out about the recent incline in crash fatalities “Just in the East Texas area alone we’ve had numerous crashes, There’s various factors that go into that,” Albritton Stated
“Speed is one of them. Another one that we see a lot is not wearing your seatbelt.” Albritton further explained. He said first responders have been overwhelmed with all of the crashes.
“When you go arrive on scene when there’s someone who has died in a crash, it’s tragic,” he said. “But when there’s kids involved, you know it makes it even worse.”
Albritton also said parents should be concerned about this recent trend of young people in fatal wrecks and added it’s so important to educate your children on how to be safe out on the roads.
Self Uses Cousin’s Name; Almost Escapes Warrants
May 24, 2023 – Heather Lashay Self, a 32 year-old resident of Sulphur Springs, was driving on Wildcat Way in Sulphur Springs around midnight yesterday. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy noticed the vehicle she was driving had an obscured licence plate, and a green light pointing toward the rear of the car. Self was taken into custody without incident.
At the Hopkins County Jail she plead guilty to a charge of Defective Equipment and given time served. Self, who lists herself as unemployed, provided the identity of her cousin, and signed her cousin’s name on several legal documents. She was released from custody.
The cousin was informed that she was listed on the County’s Inmate list as currently arrested. She contacted the Jail, explained the situation, and Deputies immediately began to search for Self.
Self was located on Jail property and rearrested. Even after the second arrest and new charges, Self maintained her cousin’s identity. Eventually, when confronted with all the evidence, Self gave her true name. The reason she lied was that she had multiple warrants for her arrest.
Self is charged with:
32.21(e) FORGERY GOVT/NATIONAL INST/MONEY/SECURITY
38.02(D)(2) FAIL TO ID FUGITIVE INTENT GIVE FALSE INFO
DEFECTIVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Her outstanding warrants are:
221683 1 CPF CUT CORNER LEFT TURN (SSPD)
221684 1 CPF FTMFR (SSPD)
This is not the first time Self has been in jail. Self was arrested by Sulphur Springs Police in 2021 for no driving licence and leaving the scene of an accident.
Self was also arrested in 2019 by Greenville, TX police and charged with THEFT PROP <$100 W/PREV CONVICTION
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.
UIL Academics Awards and Results
Students Abigail Bautista, Nathan Bilyeau, Betzy Chacon, Artesia Cheak, Asia Chen, Austin Crump, Craig
Draper, Celeste Hernandez, Camila Hidalgo, Payton Hooks, Alyssa Isonhood, Crawford Johnson, Jessi Li, Alexis McCoy, Lausen Ost, Alfredo Renteria, Jaya Smith, Alan Tellez, Jordan VanWinkle, Alexis Villarino, Kami White, Addisyn Wall, and Aiden Woodard all competed at the 2023 UIL State Academic competition and faired very well.
Lexi McCoy, Alan Tellez, Kami White, Betzy Chacon, Abigail Bautista, Asia Chen, and Payton Hooks all are state champions in their respective events.
McCoy, Hooks and Ost are state champions in two events, but Alexis Villarino leaves the UIL state meet as a 4x state champ.
Here are the 2023 Awards and Results for UIL Academic Year.
Medalists – UIL State Academic Meet 2023
UIL FILM (Coaches – Phillip Dick, Jordan Owens):
Traditional Animation Alexis Villarino – State Champion (Animation)
Narrative:
Nathan Bilyeau – 6th Place (Narrative)
ESSAYS (Coach – Gail Herman):
Barbara Jordan Historical Essay
Lexi McCoy – State Champion
Jaya Smith – 2nd Place
Latino History Essay
Alexis Villarino – State Champion
Camilla Hidalgo – 3rd Place
JOURNALISM (Coaches – Madison Millsap, Gail Herman
News Writing
Lexi McCoy – 3rd Place
Feature Writing
Payton Hooks – State Champion
Editorial Writing-
Asia Chen – 4th Place
Headline Writing
Lausen Ost – State Champion*
Abigail Bautista – 5th Place
Copy Editing
Lexi McCoy – 2nd Place
Journalism Team – State Champion
Abigail Bautista, Asia Chen, Payton Hooks, Lexi McCoy, and Lausen Ost
SPELLING & VOCABULARY (Coach – Gail Herman)
Spelling Team – 2nd Place
Abigail Bautista, Kami White, Celeste Hernandez, and Allyssa Isonhood
READY WRITING (Coach – Gail Herman)
Alexis Villarino – State Champion
SOCIAL STUDIES (Coach – Madison Millsap)
Alfredo Renteria – 6th Place
LITERARY CRITICISM (Coach – Gail Herman)
Alexis Villarino – 2nd Place
Alan Tellez – 4th Place
Kami White – 5th Place
Literary Criticism Team – State Champions
Alexis Villarino, Alan Tellez, Kami White, and Betzy Chacon
The UIL academic team is coached by Philip Dick, Gerald Grafton, Gail Herman, Madison Millsap, Jordan Owens, Lesha Woodard.
The coordinators of the SSHS UIL Academic team had this to say following their outing at the state meet:
“I am so proud of the way our competitors and coaches have represented Sulphur Springs this year. We had 24 students qualify and compete at the state level in UIL Academics throughout the year. SSHS had 5 state champion individuals and 2 state champion teams. In all our students earned 17 individual medals. Each of our competitors and coach invested quality time and effort in a very competitive setting. We salute all our 2023 state qualifiers and we say congratulations to all our state medalists. We are proud of you all.
Thanks again to all the administration and staff of SSHS and SSISD for your support of our team. You set the atmosphere that allows students to succeed.
*TOPS – Best Score in All Conferences
Judge Robert Newsom Signed On To Winter Storm Documents
May 22, 2023 – Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom has been signed on as the signatory for any FEMA documents pertaining to the winter storm that swept through Texas in late January. One such document, FEMA-DR-4705, will provide financial support from the government to help repair any damages that may have been caused to the storm.
FEMA released this statement regarding the Document:
“FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Texas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2023.
Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the counties of Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Hays, Henderson, Kendall, Lee, Leon, Milam, Robertson, Travis and Williamson.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Gerard M. Stolar has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.”
The counties that were claimed to have been adversely affected by this major disaster were Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Hays, Henderson, Kendall, Lee, Leon, Milam, Robertson, Travis, and Williamson Counties. However, all areas within the State of Texas are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Judge Robert Newsom will be responsible for signing any documents pertaining to the FEMA winter storm disaster documents.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Recognize The Month Of June As Elder Abuse Awareness Month
May 23, 2023 – Hopkins County Commissioners has declared the month of June 2023 as elder abuse awareness month. Members of the Adult Protective Services came down to commissioners court to hear the proclamation read by Judge Newsom. The proclamation reads as follows:
Adult Protective Services (APS) is working with community partners and professional groups around the state to raise awareness about adult abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
Black Oak Cemetery Memorial Day
May 23, 2023 – Memorial Service for Black Oak Cemetery will be held Sunday, May 28th at the black Oak Baptist Church 6 miles south of Como off FM 69. Service starts at 10:30 am. Reverend B. J. Teer will be the speaker for the service.
Families are asked to bring covered lunches and lunch will be served in the fellowship hall after the services.
