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.
Lady Cats Basketball Again at Home Tuesday
Coach Bryan Jones and his team wrap-up a two-game home-stand Tuesday, Jan. 17 as they host Liberty Eylau.
Tuesday’s game hosting the Lady Leopards is the fourth district game for Sulphur Springs, looking to rebound from Friday’s home loss to Paris.
Friday, Jan. 13 had women’s basketball in the SSHS Main Gym for their first home district game.
The Lady Cats came into Friday’s district match-up sporting an 11-game winning streak. It’s the longest consecutive win total since the 2016-17 season under former Coach Jeff Chapman in which women’s basketball was able to reel off 15 straight.
However, Friday the 13th did not go as planned for Sulphur Springs as the Lady Cats fell at home to Paris, 52-39.
The visiting Lady Cats made a number of heat-check shots, keeping Coach Bryan Jones’s squad at bay for a majority of the final three quarters.
The two teams had it tied heading into the second, but from there it was a rather one-sided affair. Paris was able to sink buckets whereas the Lady Cats struggled to put the rock in the net. In the middle two quarters, Paris outscored Sulphur Springs 21-12, a big reason why they led big after three 36-27.
While only a nine point game, the deficit felt larger than it actually was due to shots not falling for Sulphur Springs.
Scoring 12 points in the fourth did little to make a difference on the scoreboard, as Paris continued shooting very well en route to a 52-39 win on Friday, Jan. 13.
Paris sank seven three-pointers in the game. That, and three players for the victors finishing in double figures allowed them to get a big upset win over Sulphur Springs 52-39.
Kenzie Willis led the way with 11 points. Kyra Carter and Addisyn Wall scored nine and eight points, respectively. Rounding out scoring in the Friday loss to Paris was Codee Roland (seven) and Kaylee Carter (four).
The loss on Friday the 13th brings the Lady Cats season record to 19-5 (2-1 district). Friday’s loss also snaps an 11-game winning streak for the women’s basketball team.
Next up, Coach Jones and his team are once again at home on Tuesday, Jan. 17 when they host L.E.
That game tips off on Tuesday in the SSHS Main Gym at 6:30 P.M.
Tuesday’s district match-up with the Lady Leopards will be broadcasted onto KSST 1230 AM. That game will also be li esteemed onto KSST Radio’s Youtube channel.
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.
City Recognizes Employees Reaching 5-Year Milestones Over the Past 3 Years
The City of Sulphur Springs has many dedicated individuals who have continued to serve city residents for numerous years. To recognize those individuals for their work, the city presents service pins for each 5-year milestone an employee works. Earlier this month, Sulphur Springs City Council recognized 10 of those employees who were able to attend the regular monthly council meeting; 16 were not able to attend, however.
Typically, service awards are presented during the annual Christmas program hosted by the City. However, for the last three years the City did not have Christmas parties due to COVID-19. Therefore, 24 employees reaching 5-year milestones in the two prior years have not been publicly acknowledged for their service either, according to Sulphur Springs Assistant City Manager/Human Resources Director Gordon Frazier.
KSST extends congratulations and recognition to all 50 City employees for their dedication and commitment to service over the past 3 years.
2023 Service Awards
The average number of years of employment for all 137 City of Sulphur Springs employees as of Jan. 1, 2023, was 11.43 years with time of employment ranging from four months to over 45 years.
The following 26 individuals reached new 5-year milestones during the calendar year beginning Jan. 1, 2023:
45 Years of Service
- James Moten
40 Years of Service
- Tony Wilks
35 Years Of Service
- Gordon Frazier
25 Years of Service
- Jason Ricketson
- Russ Nuss, posthumously
- Duane Sprague
20 Years of Service
- David James
- Brian Adams
- David James
- Jennifer Graham
15 Years Of Service
- Jesus Diosdado
- John Lambert
- Steven Boyd
- Joseph Evans
10 Years of Service
- Joel Vaquera
- Jason Reneau
- Hope Cain
- Adriel Ramirez
- Manuel Hernandez Jr.
- Russell Ham
- Bruce Millard
5 Years of Service
- Jameison Hawkins
- Tory Niewiadomski
- Jason George
- Chris Rosamond
- Jerry Maynard
2022 Service Awards
The average number of years of service of all 142 individuals employed by the City of Sulphur Springs in 202 was 11.04 years.
The following 12 individuals had achieved 5-year mile stones of employment on or during the year leading up to Jan. 1, 2022:
40 Years of Service
- Kerry Carson
35 Years of Service
- Michael Allen
25 Years of Service
- Natalie Darrow
15 Years of Service
- Michael Booth
- James Jordan
- Matt Glenn
5 Years of Service
- Joshua Winnett
- Sean Hoffman
- Mitchell Vaughn
- Charles Fails
- Sarah Dicus
- Edgar Rocha Palacios
2021 Service Awards
The average length of employment among the city’s 141 employees in 2021 was 10.69 years. The following 12 individuals are recognized for reaching a new 5-year milestone either on or leading up to Jan. 1, 2021:
25 Years of Service
- Cynthia Matthews
- Marc Maxwell
20 Years of Service
- Clay Earl
15 Years of Service
- Karon Weatherman
- Joey Baker
10 Years of Service
- Lesa Smith
5 Years of Service
- Karen Newsom
- Bryan Craig
- Donnie Powers
- Buddy Williams
- Jessica Guajardo
- Ashley Floyd
Hopkins County Records — Jan. 13, 2023
Land Deed Transactions
- Joe Darrel Jackson and Reta Jackson to the Jackson Irrevocable Trust. Joe Derrell Jackson and Reta Jackson co-trustees; tract MA Bowlin survey
- A&S Entertainment of Sulphur Springs Inc. to Sabino’s Italian Restaurant LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Brandon Michael Washington and Jennifer Washington to Chloe A Perez and Robert J. Perez; tract in the
- Steve Manual Bloyed to Clarence JG Clinton and Rita Gail Clinton; tract in the DF Clendennen survey
- Amanda Pickett and Jarred Pickett to Ma Del Carmen Mondragon Figueroa and Jose Salvador Ruiz Soto; tract in the T. Dorsey survey
- Shalsam LLC to Jose Alberto Torres; tract in Cassidy Addition
- Emily Ann Petty to Rikalla Rose Lowe; tract Nacogdoches University survey
- Joe Dimock and Clara B Smith, Lonnie Durwood Smith to Kimberly Screws and Paul Allen Screws; tract MA Bowlin survey
- Russell Trust Boyd Trust, Frances McCreight Successor Trustee, to Jennifer Ogle, FKA Jennifer McCreight; tract in the Thomas Alders survey
- Rhonda K. Bawcum, independent executive for the Walter B Pair Estate, to Amy Marie Newsom and Joel Daniel Newsom; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Danny Weems and Lynda Kay Weems to Cornerstone Land & Cattle LLC; tract M Y’Barbo survey
- Lori Formby and Michael Formby to Amanda Pickett and Jarred I Pickett; tract in the Thomas Lee survey
- Katheryn R Rutherford to Jana Dodd; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Sarah Vo and Tony Vo to Brad Morris and Terry Morris; tract in the Country Club Estates
- Lyrae Reece to Dreamland Property Sales LLC; tract in the Agaton Caro survey
- Yakalene Marie Zack, independently and as permanent guardian for the Carileta Ross Estate, to Billy Harold McCoy and Lori Ann McCoy; tract in the A Hurley survey
- K-Too L.P. to VETX Properties; tract in the JF Beasley survey
- Baylee Payge Daehn and Michael Steven Daehn II to Garrett Vickery and Lindsey Vickery; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Anita Stapleton and Johnny Stapleton to Michael Williams; tract in the Thomas Lee survey
- Andrea Hinton and Wayne E Hinton III to Coen James Price and Lauren Ashley Price; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- LaVelle Hendricks to Gina Jorge and Alberto Torres
- Ladonna Brandenburgh to Julian Ramirez Junior and Lindsay G Ramirez; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Santos Alfredo Cruz to Baylee Deahn and Steven Deahn II; tract in the Woodcreek Addition
- Rebecca Thompson Clark to Sarah Thompson; tract in the John J Gant survey
- Penny Jetton to Pamela Morris; tract E Melton survey
- Jorge A Chavez and Maria E Chavez to Yoanna Chavez and Manuel Rodriguez; tract in the James C Sanders survey
- B & M Cars And Salvage to Complete Homes LLC; tract in the John A Winn survey
- McKenna Masters to Nina Masters; tract in the G Procello survey
- CMH Homes Inc. to Christopher Ewin Ross and Renee Lucila Ross; tract in the Ruthy Matthews survey
- Darla Anette Lennard Piasecki to Philip Anthony Piasecki
- Lori Ann Hall to Ashley Nicole Reppond
- Courtney Anglin, Gregory Randall Anglin, Robert S. Jones, Tylor Riane Jones, Keegan S. Morris and Savannah Cristine Ritchie to Sharleen M. Allen; tract in the David Waggoner survey
- Belinda M. Pate and Kenton N. Pate to Rebecca Berry and Rickey Berry; tract in Amberwood Court
- Kevin Mohl and Shari Mohl to Flying N Farms LLC; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Excelsior Concepts Company and Don Redfield to Fernando Cardona; tract MA Bowlin survey
- Candice Mshay Mead and Nicholas Joseph Mead to Kayce Bates and Wesley Bates; tract in the Agaton Caro survey
- Nancy Reynolds to Nathan crouch; tract MA Bowlin survey
- Randall Lynn Morrison and Michael Lee Morrison to Shaulis David Wayne Jr.; track in Mockingbird Hill Estates
- Erick Hernandez to James V. Helfferich and Tracey Helfferich; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
Application for Marriage Licenses
- Brock Addison Woodruff and Madelynn Claire Windham
Local Farmers Keep Close Eye on Dutch Protests for Free-Range Freedom
What started as a simple protest for agricultural freedom has turned into a three year endeavor amassing hundreds of thousands to support the farmers of Europe. Dutch farmers have been generating global headlines with protests described by Prime Minister Mark Rutte as “wilfully endangering others, damaging our infrastructure and threatening people who help with the clean-up”. Dutch government introduced proposals for tackling nitrogen emissions which could indicate a radical cut in livestock – they estimate 11,200 farms will have to close and another 17,600 farmers will have to significantly reduce their livestock.
The anger of the farmers is directed at the government, due to the plans announced for a national 50 percent reduction of nitrogen emissions by 2030, in line with European Union requirements to preserve protected nature reserves, that they believe unfairly targets them. Factories and cars also emit large amounts of nitrogen and have not been targeted, they say, although the government said that cuts associated with both polluters would be addressed in the future.
To realize those planned cuts, thousands of farmers will be required to significantly reduce livestock numbers and the size of their farming operations. If they cannot meet the cuts the government demands of them, they may be forced to close their operations altogether leading to hundreds of protesters to have set fire to hay and manure along highways, dumping trash on roads to create traffic jams, and blockading food distribution centers with their tractors, leading to empty shelves in supermarkets. Across the country, upside down flags wave from farmhouses in protest.
The Dutch government has set aside about 25 billion euros, about $26 billion, to carry out its plan, and some of that money will be used to help farmers build more sustainable operations — or buy them out, if possible.
Activists and ecologists say that drastic measures are needed to cut emissions and allow the Netherlands to do its part to address global warming — an aim that has become all the more urgent this summer as Europe faces record temperatures and drought.
Farmers are frustrated that the government is not doing enough to find technical innovations or other ways to cut down emissions to avoid reducing livestock numbers. But, said Mr. van der Putten from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology, technical solutions are not enough to realize the level of cuts needed given the amount of nitrogen the country pumps out, much of it from the production of eggs, dairy and meat.
Several farms across north-east Texas are watching the unfolding events with a watchful as concerns of the foreign policy reaching American shores grow ever increasing.
Four Squads in Action for Friday Gameday
Friday, Jan. 13 is a busy one for Sulphur Springs sports. Both basketball and soccer squads are all in action, with the former locked up in district play.
Wildcats soccer is the first to get the action going Friday, playing in day two of the 13th Annual Wildcat Classic Soccer Tournament in Palestine.
Sulphur Springs plays two games, first taking on host Palestine at 2 P.M. at Wildcat Stadium. The hosts come into their tourney ranked #16 in 4A according to Lethal Enforcer.
A second game at the tournament on Friday has Sulphur Springs playing Lindale.
Coach Alexi Upton and his team continue the tourney Saturday, Jan. 14 playing one, but likely more games. If men’s soccer competes well enough throughout the rest of the tourney in Palestine, they could find themselves playing for 3rd or better Saturday.
Their last scheduled game kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Wildcat Stadium at 1 P.M. against Mabank.
Sulphur Springs beat Thursday foe Mexia 1-0, ranked #3 in 4A according to Lethal Enforcer. Edgar Salazar scored on an assist from Eric Rodriguez in the lone goal in the match.
Also in tournaments on Friday, Jan. 14 is Lady Cats soccer, continuing their outing at the 2023 Pine Tree Lady Pirate Showcase.
Coach Adriana Brena and her squad face more loaded competition in day two of their tournament in Longview.
While only playing one game on Friday, Sulphur Springs may find their hands full with Tyler Legacy’s JVA team. The Lady Cats play the Lady Raiders at 2 P.M. at Lear Park 2.
Even though women’s soccer plays a JVA team, Tyler Legacy is #8 in 6A according to Lethal enforcer, so even their first JV team should give Sulphur Springs a good challenge.
The tournament wraps up Saturday, Jan. 14 with Coach Brena and her squad taking on Lancaster at Field 3 (or Lear Park 2) at 5 P.M.
Also on deck on Friday, Jan. 13 is both basketball teams now locked in to district play.
The Lady Cats are the first of two squads from Sulphur Springs to tip off on Friday, hosting Paris.
Women’s basketball is a perfect 2-0 to start their district season, having won both of their first two contests on the road at Pleasant Grove and at Pittsburg.
Following their two-game roadstead, the Lady Cats host two straight in the SSHS Main Gym, starting Friday hosting Paris. Sulphur Springs wraps up the home-stand Tuesday hosting Liberty Eylau.
Coach Bryan Jones and his team are 18-4 overall.
They look to keep the good times rolling when they host Paris on Friday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 P.M.
The men’s team starts district play Friday, Jan. 13 as they hit the road and take on Paris for their opener.
Wildcats basketball looks to start off their road-to-the-playoffs 1-0, but they have a tough challenge waiting for them in Paris.
Sulphur Springs went 0-2 this past week, playing a brutal two-game stretch on the road that saw Coach Shaver’s team take on two of the top-10 teams in the state in 4A.
The Wildcats fell in Anna 60-54 before losing in similarly tight fashion at Dallas Pinkston 80-71.
Sulphur Springs is 18-7 overall.
They no doubt hope to return to their winning ways now that district play is upon them, but falling to just talented opponents is nothing to hang your head on.
Besides, as any coach would tell you, there is no better time to challenge oneself than right before district play.
Wildcats basketball begins their road-to-the-playoffs on Friday, Jan. 13 when they play their district opener in Paris on Friday at 7:30 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.
Sulphur Springs Emergency Sirens Will Be Tested January 13
January 13, 2023 – Emergency sirens will be tested in Sulphur Springs at noon today by the Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Office.
The test is to gauge the reliability of the emergency warning system and is conducted to find any potential flaws in the system so they can be corrected prior to a real emergency situation. The sirens could be sounded not only for weather warnings such as tornadoes, which are the most common in the area, but also in case of any emergency that could affect the safety and lives of citizens in Sulphur Springs.
Recent tests have shown the emergency sirens to be a ready source of warning in case of emergencies such as tornados or other threats to safety.
This will only be a test.
