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]
Friday Gameday Has Four Teams in Action
Friday, Feb. 24 is another busy gameday for Sulphur Springs, with four different teams all playing. First team to get underway Friday is tennis, in Corpus Christi for yet another tourney.
Catch Martinez and his squad look forward to taking on talented programs from across Texas in a tournament they do not normally play in.
Action gets going early Friday at 8 A.M.
Following their tourney in Corpus Christi, Wildcats tennis plays just three more prior to their district tournament.
Also in action on this edition of Friday gameday is Wildcats baseball, in Mount Pleasant for day two of their tourney.
Coach Jerrod Hammack and his squad play two games Friday and Saturday:
- Friday, at 6:30 P.M. vs. host Mount Pleasant
- and Saturday, at 11 A.M. vs Tyler Grace
Also in Mount Pleasant Friday is Lady Cats softball, who are also prepped for day two of their tournament.
Coach Carrillo and his squad play three games over Friday and Saturday:
- Friday, at 12:30 P.M. vs. Prairiland
- Friday at 4 P.M. vs. Farmersville
- and Saturday at 12:30 P.M. vs. host Mount Pleasant
Sulphur Springs went a perfect 2-0 on Thursday, beating Hooks and Rains 3-1 and 1-0, respectively. They are 9-0 heading into Friday, going 7-0 last weekend.
Both soccer teams are off Friday.
Lady Cats soccer won big again on Tuesday, beating Lindale 3-1 at the Prim.
Following that win though, Sulphur Springs observes their bye on Friday, Feb. 24 prior to the start of round two of district play.
A huge duel in Texarkana comes Tuesday as Coach Adriana Brena and her squad head to Pleasant Grove. That district match-up Tuesday at PG may very well be for the district championship.
Both teams enter Tuesday’s duel atop 15-4A, with Sulphur Springs first (4-0) and PG second (3-1).
The Lady Cats are 12-5 on the season.
Wildcats soccer now has a bye on Friday. Coach Alexi Upton notified KSST throughout the week of several schedule changes involving JV and the freshman squad. However, the decision finally came down that all three levels of men’s soccer have a bye Friday.
Liberty Eylau, who was scheduled to host Sulphur Springs Friday, had to forfeit their home match with the Wildcats. As a result, Coach Upton’s squad takes the 4-0 forfeit win over the Leopards.
Men’s soccer is still perfect at 7-0 in district play heading into a Tuesday home duel with Pleasant Grove. PG heads into their game Friday at 4-2, second in 15-4A.
A win on Tuesday versus the Hawks would go a long way towards securing a potential district title.
Sulphur Springs is now 14-7-1 with LE’s forfeit.
Also on deck Friday is Wildcats basketball, playing in Royse City for their Area playoff game.
Coach Brandon Shaver’s team secured a sixth-straight Bi-District championship Tuesday as they escaped Forney with a win.
Their first-round foe, Lindale, came excruciatingly close to eliminating a Wildcat squad that went a perfect 10-0 in district play. They missed a game-tying free throw as the clock expired for a huge potential upset. Eking by the Eagles in Bi-District, 54-53, Sulphur Springs now plays in the second round Friday.
Taking on the Wildcats basketball team is Wilmer-Hutchins, the third-seeded school from 13-4A. Hutch went 14-15 over the regular season, but a 6-4 district record was more than enough to secure them the third playoff seed.
Coach Shaver, his program and followers of the team know all too well not to judge a team from its record, as Sulphur Springs faced an intensely well-coached squad in Lindale Tuesday. Friday’s area match-up should be more of the same, as Hutch plays in the same district as Carter (#2 in all of 4A according to TABC) and Pinkston (#6).
If Wildcats basketball has aspirations of making a deep playoff push, they not only have to beat Wilmer-Hutchins Friday, but they will almost certainly have to go through both Carter and Pinkston.
In fact, Sulphur Springs, if they move on with a win Friday, could play Pinkston in round three early next week. They play 16-4A winner Canton Friday.
But before they can shift their focus to a potential rematch, Wildcats basketball takes on Wilmer-Hutchins Friday.
The area playoff game tips off in Royse City Friday at 7 P.M. Friday’s playoff match-up 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.
NETLA Friday Show Kicks Off With Poultry
The NETLA Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show 2023 Poultry Contest lead Friday’s activities. Youth filled the arena with pens, buckets, boxes and other containers filled with the chickens the students raised. As the judging of the chickens commenced, cattle was being brought in the other end of the arena in preparation for their time to be judged. Local Hopkins County Extension Agent Mario Villarino was on hand to oversee the festivities and told KSST News that this year’s show and sale is bigger than ever and running smoothly thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers.
This community cares about others, coming together in force time and again to help others, and especially children’s causes. The Junior market Livestock Show and Sale helps young people to become conscientious, caring and responsible adults. NETLA provides youth with the incentive, learning opportunity and business experience to grow into future community leaders for this county. Raising animals also teaches responsibility, results on their actions, and opportunities to succeed – often requiring personal and monetary sacrifices
SSISD Jazz Band Delivers the Musical Goods at CraversTX
February 24, 2023 – The SSISD Wildcat Jazz Band played a set at Craverstx Community Garden on Thursday night. Spectators filled the seats, and others stood around the fire pit. There was a good crowd despite some cooler February weather. Everyone was welcome to sample authentic King Cake and New Orleans Punch.
Spencer Emmert, Director of Bands at SSISD, had little to do during the set. His band was at ease and well rehearsed. A nod and a wave was all it took for the band to perform.
Onlookers praised the band with comments such as, “If I had turned on the radio, and heard this, I wouldn’t think they were highschool kids.”
The CraversTX Community Garden will have events throughout the year. The next event is in March. You can see their events page here.
Lady Cats Soccer Off Friday
Coach Adriana Brena and her squad look to keep the good times rolling next week.
Following a 3-1 win at home over Lindale on Tuesday, Feb. 21 Sulphur Springs takes Friday off.
They resume district play, beginning round two next Tuesday.
Lady Cats soccer following their win over Lindale are 12-5 on the season, still a perfect 4-0 in district play.
The women’s soccer program remains atop District 15-4A, 1.5 games ahead of Pleasant Grove and a full two games above third-place North Lamar (2-2).
Even with the Lady Cats getting Friday off, their next district contest, in Texarkana at PG on Tuesday, could very well be for the district crown.
Sulphur Springs, with the exception of their first match with the Lady Hawks, have outscored district foes 23-2 over four games. Including their district-opening win over PG, that margin increases to 26-3, an almost 9 to 1 goal differential.
They look to complete the season sweep over the Lady Hawks on Tuesday, Feb. 28 when Coach Brena and her squad head to Texarkana.
That duel with PG kicks off Tuesday at 7 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.
Man Accused of Multiple Felony Assaults on Spouse
February 23, 2023 – William Shawn Bloyed, a 38 year-old Cumby Tx resident was arrested and charged with multiple counts of felony assault. Those charges include assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated sexual assault, and assault impeding breathing. One count of aggravated kidnapping was also included. Bloyed’s criminal record shows he has been convicted of family violence in the past. The victim of this round of alleged abuse is Bloyed’s wife.
Deputies were dispatched to the Bloyed residence approximately one days after the alleged abuse had occurred. The victim had waited until Bloyed had fallen asleep, then made her escape. Once the victim felt safe, she called authorities to file a report.
The victim and a female friend were able to show deputies the evidence of the abuse i.e. the marks on her body and face. Photographs were taken as evidence.
Reported Abuse
The victim informed deputies her spouse was responsible for the injuries. He had become abusive the evening before at around 6pm. Bloyed had become suspicious of his wife committing adultery. Bloyed then began destroying the inside of their home. He then became enraged that the victim was not ‘cleaning up fast enough’ to suit him. Bloyed then began hitting the victim with his hands and feet. When that didn’t satisfy him, he grabbed a vacuum cleaner attachment and used that to beat her. Before Bloyed was finished, he used a broom handle, belts, and various wooden objects on his wife.
The Day After
The victim allowed deputies to enter the home and locate Bloyed. The found him asleep on the couch. He was issued a Miranda Warning, and arrested. He also granted deputies permission to photograph the residence and continue to obtain evidence. Bloyed was transported to Hopkins County jail without incident.
Due to the nature of her injuries, the victim was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Bloyed’s bail totals over $1,600,000.
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.
Wake Village Man Caught With Acid Has Bad Trip Through Cumby
February 23, 2023 – A Cumby police officer observed a black Dodge pickup truck with a defective license plate light on Interstate 30 westbound near mile marker 112 around midnight February 22, 2023 and initiated a traffic stop. The driver continued into the rest area before stopping in the roadside park. The sole occupant of the vehicle was a white male from Wake Village, Texas identified as Todd Michael Parker. A strong odor of marijuana was detected emitting from the vehicle, so the officer initiated a search of the vehicle and found 8.547 ounces of a green plant suspected to be marijuana. Parker was placed under arrest and transported to the Hopkins County jail where a subsequent search of his person revealed a baggie stuffed down the front of his pants containing suspected Lysergic Acid Diethylamide also know as Acid or LSD. Todd Michael Parker remains in the Hopkins County Jail on several charges including Possession of Marijuana >4oz<5lbs, Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1-A <20 Units, and Possessing a Prohibited Substance in a Correctional Facility. Bond has yet to be set on the charges.
