Big Weekend For Area FFA Students At Fort Worth Stock Show Ag Mechanics Show, District FFA Convention
Jan. 12-15, 2023 was a big weekend for local agriculture students. Many agriculture students and FFA members from area schools not only participated in the Fort Worth Agriculture Mechanics Show and Goat Judging Contest, and the District FFA Convention, but also earned leadership positions and recognition for their projects. Of course, Jan. 13-14 was only the start of the Fort Worth stock Show and Rodeo. The event continues through Feb. 4, 2023. This year’s theme is “Show Life.”
Sulphur Springs FFA
Two Sulphur Springs FFA members not only ran for district and area officer positions, but earned leadership positions at the District FFA Convention held Jan. 12, 2023, in Mount Vernon. Jordan VanWinkle was named District FFA President and Tracey Shackelford was selected as an Area officer.
Sulphur Springs High School’s new ag mechanics teacher, Stephen Shelby, reported the SSFFA students also enjoyed success at the state show.
At the Fort Worth Ag Mechanics Show, Garrett Tubb, Tate Bradford, Jose Flores, and Wayne Hinton received a blue ribbon for their 36-foot trailer. Kohen Moss, Braxton Wall, and Jayden Arledge received a blue ribbon for their project as did Jake Henderson and Jaxson Harville.
Cash Gamblin and Braddox Rawson brought home reserve champion in the livestock equipment division at the Fort Worth Ag Mechanics Show.
“There are 4 unsung hero’s in our success story and I’d just like to acknowledge them and say a big thank you to my teaching partners, Mr. John Holland and Mrs. Lindsey Arthur, and Mr. Trevor King; as well as our CTE director, Mrs. Jenny Arledge. Please shake their hands and tell them thank you. There are several others who have invested countless hours in our students’ lives. It would take hours to thank them all. We greatly appreciate all the support we receive in my class from our Sulphur Springs HS family and all of the community members who have offered their time and talents to help us succeed,” Shelby said.
Miller Grove FFA
Miller Grove FFA took four teams to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Ag Mechanics Show over the weekend, and all four received blue ribbons for their projects.
Two projects also placed in their class at the Fort Worth show. Braxton Northcutt placed third in class with a truck bed, and Riley and Cage Hasten placed third in their class with a hopper feeder.
North Hopkins FFA
North Hopkins FFA members participated in the goat judging contest at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo over the weekend, with several earning team recognition.
Recognized as the Senior High Point Individual was Jesse Bearden, and as Junior High Point Individual was Julie Harrington.
Senior Team 1 included Jesse Bearden, Kaitlyn Myers, Ashley Pace and Rachel Davidson.
Junior Team 1 consisted of Jaci Watson, Julie Harrington, Keegan Callihan and Leah Hatley.
Junior Team 2 included Lila Bettes, Joseph Hatley, Laken Callihan and Charlie Hatley.
Saltillo FFA
Saltillo students Shawn Dennis and Angel Interiano received a red ribbon for their deer feeder at the For Worth Ag Mechanics Show over the weekend. Also receiving red ribbons were Coy Collins with a glider swing; Jordan Cartwright with her saddle rack; Jonas Beadle and Adrian Don Juan with their horse stock; Landon Peeples with front hay forks;
Ridge Johnson was awarded a blue ribbon for his shooting table. Also receiving blue ribbons were Kolbe Cook, Kayden VanRijn and Dakoda Womack with their feeder; Brandon Metcalf, Grayson Gurley and Kason DeLeon with their RTV Cattleguard; and Kason DeLeon and Eathan Rees with a goat stand.
Sulphur Bluff FFA
The Sulphur Bluff Ag Mechanics Team consisting of Dalton Klemptner, Jase Cunningham, Jess Cunningham and Dakota Klemptner earned a blue ribbon with their hydraulic grader.
Yantis FFA
Clifton Gamblin, Dallas Bowring, Brant Harville and Rowdy Bowring won a blue ribbon for their double axle utility trailer in the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Ag Mechanics Contest over the weekend. Judges told them it’s one of the stoutest trailers they’ve ever seen, school advisors reported Saturday, Jan. 14, 2022.
Traffic Stop Near Yantis Nets Residential Search, Seizure Of More Than 1 Pound Of Meth, 3 Arrests
A traffic stop led to a residential search, seizure of more than 1 pound of methamphetamine and three arrests over the weekend, according to Wood County Sheriff’s Office.
On Saturday, January 14, Wood County sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop near Yantis. The traffic stop resulted in the seizure of 1.6 pounds of methamphetamine, according to WCSO.
Later that evening, deputies and members of the criminal investigations division, assisted by Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol, reportedly executed a search warrant on County Road 1858 in Wood County. The search resulted in a seizure of over 3.5 ounces of methamphetamine, Wood County Sheriff’s Office alleged in reports.
Three people were arrested and jailed in Wood County on manufacture and delivery of methamphetamine charges, a first-degree felony offense, according to WCSO reports. The names of the jailed individuals had not been released late Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, by the sheriff’s office.
Lady Cats Soccer Goes Undefeated in Lady Pirate Showcase
Coach Adriana Brena and her squad hope to keep the ball rolling their way after picking up three solid wins over the weekend.
Sulphur Springs went a perfect 3-0.
Last Thursday saw the Lady Cats rough up Spring Hill, pummeling them 5-0.
Anna Williams and Haylee Schultz both scored twice in the rout.
Friday, against Tyler Legacy’s JVA, Sulphur Springs decimated the Lady Raiders 6-1. Schultz came up huge in the victory with a hat trick. Also scoring in the huge win was Jolea Moore, Addy Fenton and Rebekah Stanley.
Saturday, wrapping up the tournament, the Lady Cats could have cruised, riding the coattails of their previous two wins, but they saved the best for last.
Coach Brena’s team instead proceeded to take Lancaster out back, putting them down to the tune of an 8-0 demolishing.
Kaylee Clark got the second hat trick that weekend, scoring thrice and assisting once more. Anna Williams scored twice with Fenton, Moore, and Stanley also putting the ball in the net.
After going 3-0, women’s soccer is now 4-3 on the season heading into their final tournament.
The team takes Tuesday, Jan. 17 off before heading back to Longview for the last time this season.
Just like last weekend at the Pine Tree Lady Pirate Showcase, the Lady Cats play three games over as many days, starting Thursday Jan. 19 against Texas High. That game with their former district foe kicks off Thursday at 11 A.M.
Friday, Jan. 20 has Sulphur Springs playing Kilgore at 5 P.M. with the final contest for women’s soccer in Longview coming Saturday against Sabine.
The final match, in their final tournament on Saturday, Jan. 21 kicks off at 3 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.
Planning & Zoning Commission To Consider Final Plat For Ladera RV Resort, 2 Rezoning Requests
The Sulphur Springs Planning & Zoning Commission is slated to consider approving a final plat for Ladera RV Resort, and two rezoning requests during the regular monthly meeting, slated to begin at 6 p.m. Jan. 16, 2023, in Sulphur Springs Municipal Building, 201 North Davis St.
Ladera RV Resort
Cole Heitman is requesting approval of a final plat for Ladera RV Resort, to be located at 1229 Loop 301. A special use permit was approved for hte project. However, after getting a little further into the design and planning process, the developer determined the RV Resort would need to be turned. The entry is to be off of Loop 301, just down from the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center campus, and would wrap around behind it back toward Jefferson Street, where the original proposal called for an emergency-only exit was expected to be designated.
The plat combines several acres and lots across 48.476 acres of land. A special permit has been granted by the city to Heitman for the RV resort, which called for up to 128 RV sites, to be constructed in two phases.
The RV resort, as proposed, is expected to distinguish itself with a number of guest amenities. The facility would have a welcome center, pavilion, retention pond to manage storm-water runoff that will be surrounded by a walking track, pool and splash pad, playgrounds, cabins, laundry and washroom facility made from reconfigured rectangular containers (if they meet standards), a dog park, general store, free WiFi with a reservation, and RV and trailer storage, Heitman told the city’s Zoning Board when submitting his initial concept design for the project along with the special use permit request in July 2021.
In November, engineered drawings of the site had been prepared, which required adjustments to the original concept plan approved by the city board, with conditions, including the requirement to reapply for a special use permit if adjustments were made.
The site layout changed. No longer are sites planned to be compacted in the middle of the property. The current proposal is to have a cul de sac along the west property line which would extend closer to Jefferson Street. The number of slips planned changed. Instead of a 100 total slips, the current plan is for 128 slips.
The size and type of fence changed as well. In July 2021, Heitman proposed a 6.5-foot tall masonry fence abutting residential properties and a 6-foot wooden fence around the rest of the property. The modification would be for an 8-foot tall wooden fence abutting residential properties. The overall design change puts more distance between the planned property use and abutting residential property. The increased height of the fence would also create more privacy for all. Heitman, in November 2022, to city officials. Heitman noted the wooden fence is better for drainage beneath it. Trees and vegetation will also provide a 5-6-foot buffer from the houses. Vegetation and a barbed wire fence which currently separate the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center property from the RV Resort will remain in place. Fencing on additional adjoining property would include 4 1/2 feet of barbed wire, which would allow those at the RV resort to enjoy seeing cattle across the fence in the nearby pasture.
The size of RV sites would be smaller to allow for the 28 additional slips. Previously, RV sites were planned at 35×65-feet, with pull-through slips averaging 75-feet, concrete pads that are 16×50 feet long and east site would accommodate a Class A vehicle 48-foot in length. The modification would reduce RV sites to 34×60-feet, with pull through slips an average of 5-feet smaller, concrete pads reduced to 10×40 feet long and will be able to accommodate a 40-foot RV.
The restriction on long-term stays was changed in the modification request. Instead of limiting long-term stays to 40% of resort capacity, Heitman proposed having no restriction on percentage. Heitman said he plans to have only a certain number of long-term sites, and all RVs will be required to be 10 years or newer, and must be up to all utility and other codes (especially electrical), showing proof in photos and documentation prior to arrival.
Staff hours are proposed to be expanded to have staff on site 7-days a week. Previously, the front desk was to open only from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The new proposal would have someone on duty to work the front desk from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
The redesign for Ladera does not include a kids splash pad. Eight 1-2 room cabins to be located around a retention pond also were removed from the revised proposal. Heitman noted changing up the design, moving things around, and removing some things would allow for 10 additional full hook up concrete slips and the focal point to become a swimming pool in the center of the property. The redesign plan also includes a fishing pond.
Phase 1 of construction expands the number of full hook up concrete slips from 50 to 68. Phase 1 of construction would no longer include a grand front entrance nor a gym. Instead, the proposal would include a temporary welcome center, workshop, recycled asphalt street, fencing and a playground. Phase 1 would still include all wet/dry utilities, a laundry, and restroom/shower facilities.
With the splash pad and 8 cabins removed, Phase 2 would include 60 full hook up concrete slips, 10 more than previously planned. Phase 2 would still include a Welcome Center Camp store, Grand event pavilion, a second playground on the other end of the complex and a RV trailer storage facility. Those who choose may also take advantage of a fishing pond incorporated in Phase 2.
Heitman said the plan includes adding a brick patio onto the concrete slips. The drive in would be concrete, then the roadway would be turn to recycled asphalt.
The Planning & Zoning Commission will be asked to consider approving the proposed final plat for the Ladera RV Resort during the Jan. 16, 2023 meeting.
Rezoning Requests
The P&Z Commission also will be asked to hear from two individuals who have applied for property to be rezoned. After discussion, the commission will be asked to consider whether or not to approve the two rezoning requests Monday evening. On approval, the requests would then be forwarded, with the P&Z Commission’s recommendation, to the City Council at a future meeting.
Wayne Cooper of C&C Guardian LLC is asking that 10-acres of vacant property at 2113 Main Street be rezoned from light commercial to light industrial.
Scott Hemby also is requesting to rezone a vacant property. He would like to see property at the southeast corner of Hillcrest Drive and Azalea Lane, which contains 3 parcels be rezoned from professional office to light commercial. The request spans about 1.5-acres total.
Winnsboro Police Report 01-09-2023 – 01-15-2023
Arrests:
- Villarreal, Eric, 35 years of age, of Scroggins, was arrested on 1-11-2023 on a Franklin County Warrant for Failure to Appear and Multiple Winnsboro Municipal Court Warrants.
- Moore, Randall, 38 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 1-15-2023 for Possession of Controlled Substance PG 1/1 –B > =1G <4G,
Calls for Service:
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 163 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations:
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 88 citations and 62 warnings during this reporting period.
James Moten Recognized As City’s Most Tenured Active City Employee
The City of Sulphur Springs is known for the dedicated employees. In fact, nearly 2 dozen employees have worked 20 or more years for the City. At the top of that list is James Moten, the City’s most tenured active employee, a distinction previously held by Kathie Steele until her retirement in 2021.
Health permitting, Moten said has no immediate intention of retiring. He has worked in at least three different city departments during the last 45 years. Moten started part time in the sanitation department the day after Christmas 1977. He was 17, still attending high school at Como-Pickton, and working a city job hadn’t crossed his mind.
Moten explained his grandparents raised him in the Pine Forest community. In fact, he didn’t even seek the job out. When a guy his family knew happened by and asked his grandfather if he knew of anyone looking for a job, his grandfather surprised James by telling the man he’d take the job.
He started working part time in the sewer department, emptying dumpsters in the evening and night. After graduation, he had the opportunity to become employed full time and did. When the city sold out of the sanitation business, he transferred to the sewer plant.
He worked in the sewer department for a little over a year when David Duggan asked him if he’d be interested in moving into the maintenance department to fill an opening. He decided to give it a try. That’s when he learned Duggan was the one leaving. He’s continued to work out of the service center since.
His job has allowed him to work on just about every kind of construction equipment and vehicle the city has had over the years, including police patrol cars and other city vehicles, tractors, heavy equipment and even lawn mowers. The day I talked with him, he was trying to revive a lawn mower that was considered “dead” — something he apparently has an affinity for doing.
The City in the last couple of years has switched the way they purchase vehicles, replacing them more frequently so there hasn’t been as much repair work on city-owned vehicles.
Newer vehicles, Moten noted, come with a whole other set of problems thanks to the electronics and smart technology. That just means they aren’t as easy to climb under and repair. Test scanners must be connected to vehicles to get a full diagnosis of both mechanical and electronic issues.
Moten said his decision to continue working for the City of Sulphur Springs as a fulltime employee in his teens was a simple one.
“The paycheck was good, so I decided I’d just stay with it,” Moten said with a smile and a shrug.
Those paychecks have given him the funds needed to pursue his hobby — fixing up and racing Camaros.
He used the money in those early days to buy a car. And, you guessed it, his first car was a Chevy. He’s also owned at least six Chevy Camaros he’s raced over the years, often swapping out motors to achieve the desired speed and performance. He also has a 1990s model Mustang he has won several awards with also. He pointed to a stack of trophies covering the top of a cabinet in the maintenance shop at the City Service Center as proof.
Moten has competed in Cedar Creek and Hallsville, where he won second place, and even in the Dallas area venues. His preferred track is in Paris, Texas, however. He enjoys the comradery found with the regulars who compete at and visit the track. They share pointers and a friendly rivalry on the track. Moten never had children, and his family is rather small, with him, his sister and aunt left. So, his track buddies have become more like extended family.
In fact, when James Moten had a health issue that had sidelined him at home and resulted in a year away from the track while he managed it, his friends rallied to help. They collected over $800, then brought it to their friend, not only to let him know they missed him at the track, but to help him with his extra costs due to medical expenses.
He admits that he is getting a bit older, as the gray in his hair and brows denotes, but isn’t planning to retire from the City anytime in the near future — he likes his job. Moten said he’s also eyeing March or later in the spring, when temperatures rise and conditions are more favorable for racing, to make his return to Paris for the 2023 season. And, Dec. 26, 2023, will mark 46 years of service for Moten, putting him ahead of Steele as the longest known tenured employee in recent years if not city records.
Planning For A New Shade Tree
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
When a family member decides it’s time for a new yard shade tree, the next step usually involves a trip to local stores, whose employees may or not know much about what’s available and is best for your yard. The three items to consider are usually fast growth, quality, and durability. If possible, stay away from fast growth and look for quality and durability.
A huge favorite is the live oak, a tree that from a forestry standpoint I don’t like. Unless carefully groomed, major limbs will be 4-5 feet above ground level, stretching over into the neighbor’s yard, with such dense growth, even grass has difficulty surviving underneath.
I’m a big fan of oaks, and three great ones are Shumard, Chinquapin, and bur oak. All are 50 feet high and wide. Bur oaks do better in the country where the acorn (golf ball) size won’t be a problem, and will attract deer! White oaks are magnificent and taller, but slow growing. Post oaks, for me, are just not a good shade tree. They’re beautiful, but don’t even like grass growing
underneath. With connected roots, taking one down may cause the loss of others connected close by or 100 feet away! Overall, it’s just hard to beat a Shumard oak, which, by the way, grows fairly fast.
Pecan trees make great shade trees. Pruning to keep limbs at least 4-6 feet above ground makes mowing lawns easier and lets sunlight in for grass growth.
A beautiful tree resembling a pecan is the Golden raintree. It’s fast growing, matures in 4-7 years, and has the best-looking flowers (yellow) and seed pods of any tree. This is an urban tree eventually 40 feet high and wide, but generates so many viable seeds, it can become invasive in rural areas.
Don’t overlook the cedar elm and Chinese pistachio.
Wildcats Basketball Continues Two-Game Road-Stand Tuesday
Sulphur Springs closes out a two-game road-stand Tuesday, Jan. 17 traveling to Texarkana to take on Liberty Eylau.
Coach Brandon Shaver’s squad hopes for similar efforts as their Friday road-contests, which saw the men’s basketball team beating Paris on their home court 60-53.
At times, Sulphur Springs trailed to Paris, but the men’s basketball team routinely heat-checked their district foe. In fact, the Wildcats, hoping to pull one over on Coach Shaver’s squad, lead 16-13 after the first quarter.
Paris played their hearts out, going blow-for-blow for majority of Friday’s contest. The district opener for Coach Shaver’s team stayed within a 10-point contest for a majority of Friday’s game.
The hopes of an upset for Paris died shortly thereafter as the Wildcats saved the best for last. Coach Shaver’s squad scored 20 points in the final quarter, highest for either team in any quarter, en route to a 60-53 win on Friday, Jan. 13.
Sulphur Springs did well rebounding from two-straight non-district contests over the last week. The Wildcats fell to two top-10 teams in 4A prior to their district opener, but their fierce non-district schedule prepared them well for times like these.
Three players finished in double figures for men’s basketball. Malachi Myles continues to show out for this team, setting season-high point totals in two of the last three games. The senior scored 19 in the win at Paris.
Kordrick Turner and Parker Whisenhunt scored 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Rounding out scoring for Sulphur Springs was DJ Wilkerson, Branson Lynn and Cole Theofiledes, combining for 18 points in the district-opening win.
The win on Friday the 13th brings men’s basketball’s season record to 19-7 (1-0 district). The win over Paris snaps a two-game losing skid for the Wildcats as they begin the road-to-the-playoffs.
Coach Brandon Shaver’s team his the road again Tuesday, Jan. 17 when they head east to Texarkana.
They close out their two-game road-stand on Tuesday at Liberty Eylau.
That game tips off Tuesday, Jan. 17 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.
Hopkins County Genealogical Society January 2023 Monthly Meeting
Hello to all members and non-members. You are invited to our monthly meeting to be held on January 19, 2023, at 07:00 PM Central Time(US and Canada).
Local archaeology-lover Lee Green owns an impressive collection of Caddo Indian artifacts unearthed in Hopkins County, especially from the well-watered eastern side of the county near Pine Forest. It has been several years since Mr. Green last talked to us about his collection and I’m sure he has additional artifacts to show us.
As we have done in past months, we will be hosting this meeting in person and via Zoom. If you can and would like to come to the library for the presentation, you are invited to do so. We are located at 611 N. Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Live too far away to come to the meeting? Join us via Zoom!
Register in advance for this meeting by clicking on the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.usmeeting/register/tZcpde-tpjIqGdXv4t6m9t4WLSfmQ4we4KZjAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Wanted Man Located At Local Motel
A wanted man was located at a local motel Friday evening, marking the second time in 2 weeks the 34-year-old has been booked into the county jail, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Dustin Green and Steve Lail contacted employees at an East Industrial Drive motel. A woman was reported to be in a room she’d rented with the wanted man just before 8 p.m. Jan. 13, 2023. Motel staff also reported the man was wearing glasses.
Officers contacted the woman in the motel hallway. She claimed the man they sought had run out of her room before officers’ arrival. The woman said he was wearing a blue hoody and blue jeans, that they were wasting time looking for him inside because he had gone outside
The woman did, however, agree to let the officers search her room. Then, a maintenance worker near the back door, the only available exit, said no one had gone through the back door. Police asked and received permission to review the video recording from the area. While there, another man complained a male in a blue hoody had run into his room. The man opened the door and the wanted man was located and placed into custody.
Thomas Joseph Lynch was transported to the county jail, where he was booked in on the warrant issued out of Austin for violation of parole on a resisting officer charge, according to arrest reports. The 34-year-old, who has no permanent address, was held in Hopkins County jail on the Austin Parole warrant Saturday morning, Jan. 14, 2023.
Friday was the second time in less than 2 weeks Lynch has been booked into the local jail. He also was booked in on Jan. 5, 2023, on a violation of parole warrant; however, he was released from jail on the charge within 24-hours of being arrested.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
