Sulphur Springs High School HOSA News
Two Sulphur Springs High School students placed and one advanced to State this past weekend in the HOSA Leadership Competition. HOSA is the statewide program of student lead activities designed to develop future leaders for the health care system. SSHS students Mac McCoy placed 4th on Round two in Healthy Lifestyles and Aubrey Crawford placed 2nd and advanced to State in speaking skills where she will compete in March in Round Rock, Texas. Sponsors took an amazing group of kids, and they ALL did a great job. Due to district placement by HOSA, SSHS studests were competing against 6A schools and preparatory schools. Jenny Arledge, SSHS CTE director said, “We have never been prouder to be a part of SSHS!!!”
Faculty Sponsors for HOSA Students:
Amy Ridner
Karla Martinez
Shannon Welch
TxDOT to Join First Lady Cecilla Abbott for Human Trafficking Awareness
WHEN:
Jan. 20, 2023, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Texas State Capitol, Extension Auditorium, E1.004
AUSTIN — TxDOT, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, and members of the Governor’s Commission for Women are joining together in the fight against human trafficking.
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and Texas is at the forefront of the battle against human trafficking. Hear from First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott, TxDOT, and the Governor’s Commission for Women as we all work together to raise awareness.
Governor Abbott is also doing his part in the fight against Human Trafficking. Governor Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced the State of Texas’ new “Stop Human Trafficking” specialty license plate. The license plate is to bring awareness to human trafficking, support survivors, and encourage Texans to report suspicious activity to the Texas Department of Public Safety through the iWatchTexas community reporting system.
Starting February 20, 2023, Texas drivers can purchase the “Stop Human Trafficking” specialty license plate from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Stop Human Trafficking donation account, which pays for treatment services, shelter, and support for youth survivors of human trafficking.
As part of its fight to end human trafficking, TXDOT is asking the public to utilize its online reporting system. iWatchTexas is a community reporting system used for non-emergency reports. The Texas Suspicious Activity Reporting Network iWatchTexas website allows individuals to report suspicious activities or behaviors that may indicate a crime is taking place or future criminal or terrorist activity. Reports usually just take less than five minutes to complete and are confidential. However, providing contact info can help for follow-ups. Those who prefer to report by phone can can call (844) 643-2251.
For more information, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700.
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Houston Man Arrested on Possession Charges
January 19, 2023 – A Houston man was arrested on IH-30 East near mile marker 136. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy J. Davis pulled over a Honda Sedan for speeding on IH-30 at 9:59 p.m. Wednesday, which he identified as belonging to Manuel Esequiel Cotiy-Ixtos. Deputy Davis noticed several discrepancies in Ixtos travel plans leading to a consent search of the vehicle. During the search Deputy Davis located a rolled up dollar bill containing a white powdery substance he believed to be cocaine. Upon further inspection the Deputy located a cigarette pack containing a small baggie with a crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine.
The suspected contraband was field tested and results showed that both substances were correctly analyzed by the Deputy. The Honda Sedan was impounded and Ixtos was placed under arrest and transported to the Hopkins County Jail at 11:02 p.m.
Ixtos was booked into the county jail with two counts of possession of a controlled substance pentalty group 1 less than 1 gram. No suspect photo provided by law enforcement.
Local 911 Is Service Down Again, Call Provided Numbers For Emergencies
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson on January 19, 2023, reported that the local 911 service is down again. City and county residents should store alternate emergency numbers to call in the event of an emergency in Sulphur Springs or Hopkins County.
“Once again, we have an interruption in our area and our 911 system is not receiving all calls. Please call 903-439-3719 for city emergencies and 903-885-2768 for county emergencies. Please save these numbers should they be needed in the future,” Ricketson stated, and posted on the city’s social media account.
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.
Work Begins at the New Senior Center
Work has begun at the new Senior Center here in Sulphur Springs. A crew started dirt work on the Oak Ave site this week.
This project has been in the works for several years. The most recent hurdle was a acquiring a $2.4 million grant. City Manager Marc Maxwell signed the contract with Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Thursday, Sept. 13, 2022. Once signed, it took several months for the funding to become available. Other issues included steel price fluctuations, asbestos and design considerations.
The now vacant lot previously had a healthcare related building on it. That structure had to be cleared of asbestos before it was razed.
Bond Set for Sulphur Springs School Bomb Threat Suspect
According to jail reports, a bond has been set at $100,000 for the suspect, Morgan Rechelle Durrett, on the felony charge of terroristic threat. As of Thursday morning, January 19th, Durrett remained in the Hopkins County Jail on the charge and it is unclear if she has retained an attorney. A felony warrant was issued after quick investigative work by the Sulphur Springs Police Department in the case of a bomb threat made against Sulphur Springs Elementary School prompting an evacuation of the campus.
Sulphur Springs Police identified a suspect very quickly in the case of a bomb threat at Sulphur Springs Elementary School on January 18th. Sulphur Springs police then issued a warrant for Morgan Rechelle Durrett of Dallas, located the suspect and arrested her. It is not known at this time what connection, if any, that Durrett has with any student, teacher or staff member at SSES. The bomb threat was called in to the main office of the campus around 7:55am Wednesday morning, which sent teachers, staff, and police into an evacuation protocol with all students quickly and safely evacuated out of the buildings and evcntually across League Street to the League Street Church of Christ which provided a safe haven for those affected. Parents were notified via Skyward about the threat and that the remainder of the class day would be cancelled, and instructing parents to come pick up their children in the church parking lot.
Sulphur Springs Police, Sulphur Springs Fire, and Hopkins County EMS personnel all continued on the scene for several hours as they continued the search of the building for any explosive devices. Special canines were brought in to assist in the search. The investigation into who made the call was an ongoing event simulataneous with the bomb search and eventually yielded the suspect.
SSISD administration praised all of the first responders that assisted in the event on the campus, as well as the investigative team who quickly identified a suspect.
Both Soccer Teams Begin Final Tourneys Thursday, Powerlifting Begins Season
Thursday, Jan. 19 brings both Wildcats and Lady Cats soccer squads beginning their final tournaments of the 2022-23 season. Powerlifting also gets underway on this edition of Thursday gameday.
Coach Adriana Brena and women’s soccer head back to Longview for the second weekend in a row for their final tourney, this weekend playing in the 2023 Longview Lobo showcase.
All three games for Sulphur Springs are played at Lobo Stadium in Longview.
The first match for the Lady Cats comes Thursday at 11 A.M. at Lobo Stadium against former district foe Texas High. Sulphur Springs was originally slated to play the Lady Tigers last Tuesday but after changes, such as varsity only, the game was ultimately cancelled.
Game two in Longview for women’s soccer doesn’t come until Friday, but the Lady Cats play Kilgore at 5 P.M.
The Lady Bulldogs are ranked #16 in 4A Region II as of Wednesday, according to Lethal Enforcer.
Saturday, Jan. 21 wraps up the final tournament for Coach Brena’s squad when they take on Sabine at 3 P.M.
Sulphur Springs is 4-3 on the season, fresh off going undefeated in the 2023 Pine Tree Lady Pirate Showcase.
Wildcats soccer also begins their final tournament on Thursday, Jan. 19 when they head to Terrell.
Coach Alexi Upton and his team take on host Terrell at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday.
The Sulphur Springs coach said following his team’s Tuesday win over Henderson that the Tigers should give his Wildcats a good challenge.
After taking on Terrell, men’s soccer next plays Friday, Jan. 20 playing now 5A Sunnyvale at 12:30 P.M. Their Friday foe is something of a familiar opponent as Sunnyvale came to town for the Sulphur Springs 4A Elite Invitational.
The last opponent for the Wildcats comes Saturday when Coach Upton’s squad plays Waxahachie Life at 9:30 A.M.
Sulphur Springs is 5-4-1 following their 1-0 win over Henderson at home on Tuesday. Men’s soccer has lost 2-0 games three times in their 10 games, but the other seven the Wildcats gave up just one goal in wins or a tie.
Also on Thursday, powerlifting gets their season underway in Lindale. The first competition for Coach Casey Jeter’s teams begins at 4 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.
Arrest Made in Sulphur Springs School Bomb Threat
Sulphur Springs Police identified a suspect very quickly in the case of a bomb threat at Sulphur Springs Elementary School on January 18th. Sulphur Springs police then issued a warrant for Morgan Rechelle Durrett of Dallas, located the suspect and arrested her. It is not known at this time what connection, if any, that Durrett has with any student, teacher or staff member at SSES. The bomb threat was called in to the main office of the campus around 7:55am Wednesday morning, which sent teachers, staff, and police into an evacuation protocol with all students quickly and safely evacuated out of the buildings and evcntually across League Street to the League Street Church of Christ which provided a safe haven for those affected. Parents were notified via Skyward about the threat and that the remainder of the class day would be cancelled, and insturcting parents to come pick up their children in the church parking lot.
Sulphur Springs Police, Sulphur Springs Fire, and Hopkins County EMS personnel all continued on the scene for several hours as they continued the search of the building for any explosive devices. Special canines were brought in to assist in the search. The investigation into who made the call was an ongoing event simulataneous with the bomb search and eventually yielded the suspect.
SSISD administration praised all of the first responders that assisted in the event on the campus, as well as the investigative team who quickly identified a suspect.
Wildcats Basketball Has First Home District Contest Friday
Coach Brandon Shaver’s team makes a long-awaited return home Friday, Jan. 20 when they host North Lamar.
Sulphur Springs hopes to keep their momentum going as they are already 2-0 in district play after shellacking Liberty Eylau on Tuesday 72-47.
The Wildcats got off to a fast start and never looked back, leading big at the half 42-22. Sulphur Springs scoring that many points in the first half was only five points less than the Leopards scored in the entirety of Tuesday’s home loss to the Wildcats.
Tuesday’s victory in Texarkana was never in question for men’s basketball as they led early 19-13 after one.
If that wasn’t enough, the Wildcats raced past that point total, scoring 23 points as the game was effectively over at the half.
Halfway into the third Coach Shaver pulled his starters as his team lead by 30, 58-28. From there the men’s basketball team cruised to a demolishing win over L.E. 72-47.
Parker Whisenhunt and Kordrick Turner both had huge games in the beatdown of the Leopards, scoring 18 on Tuesday.
The only other player to end in double figures was another senior, Malachi Myles, who put up 12 in the victory.
From there it was Branson Lynn (eight), Theo Mckelvey (five), with Gavin White and DJ Wilkerson scoring four in the win. Rounding out scoring in the big night for the Wildcats was Cole Theofiledes with a three-pointer made in the first.
The win on Tuesday, Jan. 17 brings Sulphur Springs season record to 20-7 overall (2-0 district). Remaining undefeated after the win at Liberty Eylau, men’s basketball stays at least tied for first in 15-4A.
But after starting their district season with two games on the road Coach Shaver and his team next host North Lamar. Friday’s home game versus the Panthers is the first home district contest for the men’s basketball team.
That game tips off on Friday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 P.M.
Friday’s home district match-up with North Lamar will be broadcasted onto KSST 1230 AM. That game will also be live-streamed 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.
Law, Sellers Sign Up For Place 6 and Place 7 Sulphur Springs City Council
Tyler Law has signed up for Place 6 Sulphur Springs City Council. This seat is currently occupied by Doug Moore.
John A. Sellers has just filed an application for his seat which is Place 7 of the Sulphur Springs City Council. Sellers has previously served the city as mayor.
