Texas State Parks Will Celebrate 100-Year Anniversary In 2023 With Special Events
Start 2023 At Cooper Lake State Park With A Guided First Day Hike
Cooper, Texas — Cooper Lake State Park, along with our other 88 Texas State Parks, will be celebrating 100 years of Texas State Parks throughout 2023. From Franklin Mountains State Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park to Daingerfield State Park and Atlanta State Park, 2023 will be a very special, once in a lifetime 100-year experience.
All of our parks throughout 2023 will host at least one centennial branded event. Cooper Lake State Park will host three such celebrations. Doctors Creek’s celebration will be the “Festival of the Fish.” On Friday, March 31, the “Festival of the Fish” will be for our local schools followed by the “Festival of the Fish” on Saturday, April 1, for the general public. More information will follow, but let’s just say it’s all about the fish! Later in the year on Saturday, October 7, the South Sulphur Unit will host “Legions, Lore and Legacy,” a Halloween themed event.
One of the coolest events of the 100-year celebration will be Texas State Parks’ attempt, with your help, to break the world record for the most S’mores ever created at one moment in time. State parks all around Texas will gather S’mores fans for this camping culinary creation on May 13, 2023. More information will follow, but put this one on the family events calendar!
Cooper Lake State Park is an amazing place for experiencing the winter season. January in Northeast Texas is a special time of year. The leafless post oaks are dormant, but that doesn’t mean you have to be! With many clear cold nights and sunny cool days, you can still experience many outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and stargazing. January is the best month of the year for stargazing. Look for cold cloud-free nights for the very best dark sky viewing. Camping during January is enjoyed by many and is a unique experience. After a day on the trails, sharing a hearty meal around a crackling warm campfire is magical. Even in January, large blue catfish and crappie can be caught. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy one of our day-use areas on a warmer winter’s afternoon with the family as the kids play at one of our three playgrounds.
Highlighted events for the month are our “First Day Hike” and “Kids’ Trout Fishing Day”. Get 2023 started off healthier, happier, and wiser with a hiking adventure through the woods. Cooper Lake State Park is hosting two “First Day Hike” events this year on January 1 with one at South Sulphur at 10am and another at Doctors Creek at 2 p.m. Partake in one or both! If these times aren’t right for you, please take a hike on your own throughout New Years Day. In addition, the park is offering an additional 8 programs and events including our “Kids’ Trout Fishing Day” at South Sulphur on January 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fishing gear and bait will be provided for those needing it. No fishing licenses are required with your park entrance permit. Kids 12 and under are always free at Texas State Parks. Note: Adults can fish too as long as they bring a kid!
All programs are free with entrance permit. For more information on this or other events and programs at Cooper Lake State Park, please visit and like our Facebook pages (Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur 903-945-5256 and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctors Creek (903) 395-3100).
— By Steve Killian, Cooper Lake State Park Complex Superintendent
Doctors Creek Unit
- Sunday, January 1
- Guided First Day Hike! – 2 p.m. at Doctors Creek Cedar Creek North Loop – Join us on a First Day guided hike to celebrate the New Year in nature
- First Day Self-Guided Hike and or Bicycle Ride! – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Doctors Creek Cedar Creek Loops – Want to hike or ride on your own schedule? Try out our trails for your first day hike or ride! **Stop by Headquarters after your hike/ride to pick up your First Day Hike memento.
- Saturday, January 14
- Skins and Skulls – 10 a.m. Meet at Doctors Creek Headquarters – Get an inside look at a few of the local animals.
- Saturday, January 21
- Fire Building 101 – 10 a.m. Meet at Blue Bonnet Day Use Area – Learn tips and tricks on how to build a perfect fire.
- Saturday, January 28
- Walk and a Talk with a Registered Master Naturalist – 10 a.m. Doctors Creek Cedar Creek trail head. Enjoy a short walk and talk with a Registered Master Naturalist – Topic: Citizen Scientist.
South Sulphur Unit
- Sunday, January 1
- Guided First Day Hike! – 10 a.m. at South Sulphur Buggy Whip Equestrian trail– Join us on a First Day guided hike to celebrate the New Year in nature!
- First Day Self-Guided Hike, Horseback Ride, and or a Bicycle Ride! 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at South Sulphur Trails – Want to hike or ride on your own schedule? Try out our trails for your first day hike or ride! **Stop by Headquarters after your hike/ride to pick up your First Day Hike memento.
- Saturday, January 14
- Skins and Skulls – 2 p.m. Meet at Headquarters – Get an inside look at a few of the local animals.
- Sunday, January 15
- Wildlife Detectives – 10 a.m. Meet at Coyote Run Trail Head. We’ll take a short walk on Coyote Run Trail. Explore how to determine the types of animals that may have been here from the signs they leave behind.
- Friday, January 20
- Stargazing – 6 p.m. meet at Gulls Bluff Boat Launch Parking Lot. Join us as we explore the night sky.
- Saturday, January 21
- Annual Kid’s Trout Fishing Day – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Park at Headquarters and walk to the Event Pond. Experience the joy of catching trout. No rod and reel, no worries we have a few loaners available. Remember your trout bait.
- Saturday, January 28
- Archery 101: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at Buggy Whip Restroom. Registration is required, program limited to 12 participants. Reserve your spot by calling (903) 945-5256 or email Alicia O’Connor at Alicia.O’[email protected]. No experience needed. Ages 10 and up. All equipment provided.
Saltillo Homecoming Celebration
The Annual Saltillo Homecoming celebration night schedule included 3 basketball games. The Junior Varsity and Varsity Boys played Pittsburg, while the Varsity Lady Lions played Campbell. Following, then continued that celebration with a reception in the school library.
Another big part of the Dec. 16, 2022, festivities is recognition of the Saltillo Homecoming Queen and Court.
Saltillo High School senior Yadhira Alonso was announced as the 2023 Saltillo Homecoming Queen; she was escorted by sophomore Heston Peeples. The Homecoming Court also included freshman Duchess Lani Dean, Junior Duchess Harley Perez, Crown Bearer Wyatt Litrell, Flowergirl Audrey Campos, and Duchess Jordan Cartwright. Also participating was 2022 Homecoming Queen McKenna Gurley, escorted by Jordan Metcalf.
Additional nominees included Amira Terry and Allie Lane. Escorts also included freshman Tobin Potter, junior David Whitworth, senior Ethan White, senior Jacob Sexton, senior Luke Ritter and Junior Caden McGill.
Among the members of the Saltillo Class of 2002 recognized were Kelli (Brewer) Olvera, Josh Redar and Jenna (White) DeLange; while the Saltillo Class of 2003 participants included Willie Dean, Branda (McClure) Redar, Claudia (Martinez) Pomales, and Cassie (Thompson) Garmon.
Saltillo Homecoming Queen 2023 Senior Yadhira Alonso escorted by Sophomore Heston Peeples. 
Homecoming Court (from left) Freshman Tobin Potter escorting Freshman Duchess Lani Dean, Junior David Whitworth escorting Junior Duchess Harley Perez, Senior Ethan White escorting Senior Julianna Giles, Senior Jacob Sexton escorting Senior Amira Terry, Crown Bearer Wyatt Litrell, Flowergirl Audrey Campos, Sophomore Heston Peeples escorting senior and 2023 Homecoming Queen Yadhira Alonso, Jordan Metcalf escorting Homecoming Queen 2022 McKenna Gurley, Senior Luke Ritter escorting Allie Lane, Junior Caden McGill escorting Duchess Jordan Cartwright. 
Class of 2002 members attending Homecoming included Kelli (Brewer) Olvera, Josh Redar and Jenna (White) DeLange. 
Saltillo Class of 2003 members attending Homecoming 2022 Willie Dean, Branda (McClure) Redar, Claudia (Martinez) Pomales & Cassie (Thompson) Garmon.
Wildcats Basketball Places 5th in Allen In-n-Out Invitational
Sulphur Springs wrapped up an incredibly successful outing in Allen’s In-n-Out Invitational on Thursday, Dec. 29, winning their final game to place 5th in the holiday tournament.
The Wildcats played a scrappy Rowlett team to round out their final tournament on the season, beating the Eagles 61-52 in Allen.
Rowlett played it close throughout the majority of Thursday’s contest, but a surge in the third quarter, which saw Sulphur Springs outscore their opponents 20-11, paved the way to a second-straight victory in Allen.
Coach Brandon Shaver had three players finish in double-figures. Kordrick Turner had his third 20-point game in the tournament in the win over the Eagles.
The senior forward was followed closely by SG/PG Branson Lynn with 18 in the victory over Rowlett.
Malachi Myles got consistent good looks in the paint thanks to beautiful passing from the Wildcats. The 6’2″ senior scored 16 points on Thursday in Allen’s auxiliary gym.
The 61-52 win over Rowlett wraps up the Allen tournament for Sulphur Springs, who went 3-1 over the three-day holiday invitational. Day-by-day breakdowns of the In-n-Out Invitational:
- Thursday: Coach Shaver’s team beats Tyler Legacy 75-55
- Friday: Sulphur Springs goes 1-1, losing to a buzzer beater but recovering by blowing out their second opponent
Men’s basketball is 18-5 heading into 2023.
Thursday’s win also wraps up tournament play for Coach Shaver’s squad.
After playing four games in under three days, men’s basketball takes a break prior to their next contest on Friday, Jan. 6
Wildcats basketball hits the road that Friday taking on Anna, with the first game in 2023 for this team tipping off 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.
*** Updated 911 Landline Service Restored In Sulphur Springs
***Update: 911 Landline service had been restored in Sulphur Springs and was fully operational around 10 p.m. Thursday, according to the Sulphur Springs police chief.
The outage was first reported by Sulphur Springs Police Department just before 4:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 2022. Officials released the following public service announcement regarding local 911 service:
* 911 LANDLINE SERVICE IS DOWN
* CELL PHONE 911 SERVICE IS STILL WORKING*
Again, We are currently experiencing a 911 outage for landline telephone service. 911 service for cell phones is still operational. We will update (on SSPD Facebook) when 911 landline service is restored. If you have an emergency, use your cell phone, or please call our office line at 903-439-3719, SSPD officials stated. The outage marked the second time this month, as landline service in the city was down Dec. 20 for several hours as well.
A Year In Review: 2021-2022 4-H Grows
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected]
RELEVANCE
The 4-H program in Hopkins County is multi-faceted. 4-H members and leaders participate in a variety of educational events, projects and activities. Youth gain leadership skills as they participate in youth based programs. The goal of this plan is to promote youth development in to responsible, contributing members of the society. Integration of members taking active role in leadership and public speaking events will be promoted. The enrollment goal for 2021 was 200 youth.
RESPONSE
County Staff implemented the 4- H and Youth Development Program in Hopkins Count y including communication with Club Managers, County 4-H Council, volunteer leaders, record book training, special events. FCH and Ag related 4-H Projects will be covered in discipline specific plans.
The Hopkins County Youth Program Area Committee provided leadership for the planning and implementation of this plan. Promotion of projects and events was conducted using technology based platforms (Youtube, Facebook, newspaper, radio, 4-H gazette) by program participants.
The following activities were conducted during 2021-2022:
- Quarterly 4-H Council Meetings.
- Bimonthly 4-H Gazette.
- School ISDs Networking with school board participation.
- District Work Days.
- National 4-H Week. 4-H Project Show.
- 4-H Recognition Banquet.
- Hopkins County Christmas Party.
- 4 Program Area Committee Meetings.
- Cumby Edunation Initiative Meetings.
- Rural Student Services Initiative meetings.
- 4-H Club Chartering.
- Multi-County Camp planning sessions.
- Hopkins County 4-H Round-Up.
- 4-H Record Book training.
- United Way Support preparation.
- TSC clover campaigns.
- Hopkins County 4-H Project Tour.
RESULTS
Programs and activities were evaluated based on members participation and direct feedback. Since many activities were planned and Implemented by 4-H council members, their opinion during the planning process was Included. Five clubs were chartered and populated during 2021-2022. All planned activities were well attended (more than 50% expected attendance).
Johnson Announces Plan To Retire As Miller Grove ISD Superintendent
Steve Johnson has announced his plan to retire as Superintendent for the Miller Grove Independent School District. After 19 years and 3 months, Mr. Johnson will be the longest sitting superintendent in Miller Grove history by lasting three months longer than his predecessor, Tommy Turner. Johnson also served as the Miller Grove High School Principal for a year and nine months before accepting the position of Superintendent of Miller Grove ISD giving him a total of 21 years with the district by the end of June in 2023.
On behalf of the entire District, the Miller Grove ISD Board of Trustees expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr. Johnson for his efforts while serving as Superintendent of the school district and its students, parents and administrators, and for the many achievements and accomplishments of the entire District team during Mr. Johnson’s tenure as superintendent.
Johnson has agreed to stay on until the end of June, to finish out the current school year, which should give the school board time to conduct a thorough candidate search to find the best candidate to lead the district. The school board met last week with a group of educators to begin determining search criteria by creating a list of criteria for the superintendent candidate.
Johnson thanks the present and past Board of Trustees for providing him with the opportunity to serve in the Miller Grove Independent School District. He said he has been “very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such a good board over the years. This helped lead MG ISD to the successes that we have experienced because it is all about our students and staff.”
It has been said “a school district is measured by the commitment of the Board, staff, and community to its children and their achievement.” MGISD Board, from their press release about Johnson’s planned retirement, stated the “District is indeed so committed.”
Mr. Johnson also expresses heartfelt appreciation to the staff and community for their support of the district’s programs and services during his term as superintendent. He also recognizes that success requires hard work, dedication, leadership, and vision. The Board and Johnson acknowledge and recognize the teachers, principals, administrators, staff, students, parents, and patrons who have all contributed to the district’s success.
That dedication is seen in several aspects of what Miller Grove ISD stands for, Johnson noted. The first is the length of time educators remain with the district, including four who were at the district before he became top operating leader for Miller Grove ISD. The second is the fact that Johnson and his staff have created a family unit that supports each other at any given time. When staff and employees feel supported and part of a family, they tend to stay and continue to do good things, the superintendent noted.
Johnson said he has enjoyed working at MGISD, where, even as the top administrator, he still has the opportunity to interact with and get to know the students and staff he serves.
Johnson will have 21 years as an educator at MGISD – exceeding the term of his predecessor, longtime administrator Tommy Turner, by the end of June 2023. In fact, when Turner announced his intent to resign as MGISD superintendent, none of the school trustees had any prior experience hiring a superintendent. The board at that time screened approximately 50 applicants, before selecting Johnson to lead the district.
He said he’s always been told and tries to follow advice given to him long ago, to try his best to leave things better than he found them.
“It’s time,” Johnson said, when asked about the decision. “I know I was brought to Miller Grove for a reason.”
Johnson went on to explain that initially, he’d had no intention to apply at the district. He worked previously with Turner, who served as his mentor one day a month for a full year while he was earning his superintendent certification. When he began looking for a school, Turner contacted him.
Miller Grove wasn’t Johnson’s first job in education, or even his first career. His very first career was a diesel mechanic for John Deere for 7 years right out of high school. His second career was in law enforcement; he served as a police officer in Washington, his home state, for 13 years, before having to retire due to an injury.
Prior to being hired by Turner as high school principal at Miller Grove, Johnson served three years as an assistant principal and began his educational career as an English teacher in Meadow, Texas. He attained his superintendent certification in 2001 and, when appointed as superintendent, was a doctoral student at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Johnson said he started out his career as an educator at a West Texas school, then moved to Quinlan. In Quinlan, he worked on a campus that had a need for a disciplinarian. He said Quinlan was an interesting place to work which provided an experience he was grateful to have had.
Miller Grove ISD, however, proved a better fit. He said when he first showed up he had discipline slips, like the kind he’d used previously for disciplinary matters, that he put on his desk, ready to go. During his time at MGISD, Johnson said he never had occasion to use even half of them; the school rarely has disciplinary issues that can’t easily be resolved.
Since he’s been at MGISD, Johnson said enrollment has jumped each year through COVID, from 248 to a high of 356. Before COVID, the district had to implement stricter policies for transfers due to the continued growth. That meant 20 less students. During and following COVID, the district’s enrollment dipped by about 25 more kids. As of this month, MGISD’s enrollment was at 315.
Growth in the Miller Grove area in terms of new residency over the past 5-10 years meant a new elementary campus was needed to better accommodate the rise in enrollment. After careful budgeting, the district was able to finance a new building — one of Johnson’s top 3 goals upon becoming superintendent. Along with that building they were able to build an official UIL track and a multi-purpose facility which rounds out his top 3 goals.
He said he is very proud to have been part of the district when the MGISD Police Department was started and to see the start of the guardian program – selecting staff who can be armed to protect district children. He is very proud of the accomplishments of his students, especially the nine state championships and one national championship achieved during his tenure with the district. He is extremely proud of the A ranking the school has attained and being able to leave the district secure financially.
Johnson said he’d be remiss if he did not acknowledge how much he has also enjoyed working with the awesome superintendents of Hopkins County.
He said while he will be vacating his desk at MGISD, he will still remain a part of the community as he and his wife fully plan to continue living in their new house.
“I do not know what the Lord has in store for me, but I have no qualms about it. I am at peace with retirement. I would like to find something part time, perhaps do some volunteer work,” Johnson said. “It’s time for a new vision here.”
The School Board extends best wishes to Johnson in his future endeavors, and will soon begin its search for a new superintendent so as not to disrupt the district’s operations.
The trustees during their regular meeting Dec. 20 (held one day later so a search firm could attend), considered the superintendent vacancy notice. The board voted Oct. 18 to hire Powell Law Group to conduct the superintendent search.
Downtown Crash Results In Minor Damage
A downtown crash resulted in a minor damage to landscaping but no serious injuries Wednesday evening, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson.
A black car southbound on Gilmer Street and a white Jeep westbound from Jefferson Street to Connally Street collided in the middle of the intersection. The impact caused the black vehicle to continue onto the sidewalk to the door of Corner Grub House before it stopped.
The area sustained minor damages, where the car hit the brick wall, causing minor damage to the landscaping before resting in front of Corner Grub House. Only minor injuries were sustained.
The crash was still under investigation by SSPD late Wednesday morning, according to the police chief.
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.
SSPD Asks For Assistance Locating Missing Teen
Sulphur Springs Police Department is asking the public’s assistance in locating missing/runaway juvenile, Kyliegh Marie Nelson.
Kyliegh is 15 years old and is 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighs approximately 160 pounds. She has red shoulder-length hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a white hoodie and black leggings. According to police, Kyleigh was last seen in video footage leaving her residence in a small light-colored vehicle.
If anyone has any information regarding this missing teen’s whereabouts, they are asked to please contact Sulphur Springs Police Department at 903-885-7602. Those viewing the images of the teen online or on social media are asked to please share them so the youth can be found.
County Officials Seeking Info Regarding Individual Who Broke Peerless Church Window
Hopkins County officials are seeking information regarding the individual who broke a church window late Christmas night.
The sheriff’s office posted a video, captured on a Ring recording system, of a male heard breaking out a window at Peerless Church. In the video, it appears a male walks across the church parking lot, then across grass. The suspect moves partially out of sight of the video, but can be seen raising an arm, then kicking, and glass can be heard breaking. Afterward, he walks back across the parking lot to a vehicle, where yelling and profanity can be heard.
The suspect appears to be wearing dark colored pants, lights shoes, a red or orange colored checked jacket with a dark shirt underneath.
Anyone who can help identify the male is asked to contact either Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 903-438-4040 or Lake Country Crime Stoppers at 903-885-2020. Tips called in to Crime Stoppers are handled in such a way that the caller’s identity is kept confidential. Crime Stoppers tips leading to an arrest or conviction in the case could result in a financial reward.
Sulphur Springs Wraps Up Allen Holiday Tournament Thursday
Coach Brandon Shaver’s team closes out Allen’s In-n-out Holiday Invitational on Thursday, Dec. 29 when they take on Frisco Lone Star.
Thursday’s final game in the holiday tournament is the fourth for men’s basketball in less than three days.
Wildcats basketball lost their first contest on the day to Frisco Independence. The men’s team lost 57-56 on a buzzer-beater, marking the first loss in the In-n-Out Holiday Invitational.
Sulphur Springs and the Knights traded blows all throughout Wednesday’s contest in Allen.
In game two of the holiday tournament for both teams, the schools went blow-for-blow, never extending beyond a six-point difference.
Both teams had chances at the end of the game to ice the victory, but it was Frisco Independence who had the last laugh, nailing a bucket with no time remaining to pull out the rug from Sulphur Springs.
The loss Wednesday morning put the Wildcats in the consolation brackets.
Kordrick Turner and Parker Whisenhunt again had big games in Allen, combining for most of the team’s points at 33.
SG/PG Branson Lynn also finished the game in double-figures, scoring 11 in the loss to the Knights.
While the buzzer-beating Wednesday loss to Independence was a tough pill to swallow, the Wildcats could not dwell on the defeat long for they had another game Wednesday night, playing El Paso Andress.
Sulphur Springs recovered from their last-second defeat by dispatching Andress 72-51.
Men’s basketball played in a tight contest throughout the first 20 minutes of Wednesday night’s game, but the Wildcats managed to lead heading into the locker room 35-26.
Throughout those 20 minutes, even though the Wildcats may have led by as much as 11, the game was much closer than the score indicated.
El Paso Andress played a predominantly solid game before the wheels fell off in the third as Sulphur Springs went on to win easily 72-51.
It was the final quarter and a half that men’s basketball found their groove and put the game away, as three players finished in double-figures, with one more finishing with nine points. Kordrick Turner again had a huge game, scoring 23 points. Branson Lynn and Parker Whisenhunt scored 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Malachi Myles (nine points), Theo Mckelvey (six), and DJ Wilkerson (three) rounded out scoring in the win Wednesday night at Lowery Freshman Center.
After blowing past El Paso Andress, Sulphur Springs wraps up their participation in the Allen In-n-Out Invitational when they take on Frisco Lone Star.
The winner of the Sulphur Springs/Lone Star match-up claims 5th place at the holiday tournament.
Thursday’s game tips off at 12:30 P.M. in Allen’s Auxiliary Gym.
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.
