Landscape & Gardening Tips To Help Your Plants Weather Cooler Months Of The Year
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Don’t forget to give your landscape a steady amount of water, through irrigation or by hand, if there is not adequate rain.
As soon as the November weather appears to be settled, it is time to select and plant such annuals as pansies, violas and ornamental cabbages and kale. Plan now for your spring flowering season with a mixture of annuals and perennials.
Don’t get in a hurry to prune woody plants. Late December through February is usually the best time to prune them.
Place orders for seeds this month so you will have them available when you are ready to plant. By ordering early, you will be more certain of getting the varieties you want. In addition to ordering seeds that you are already familiar with, try a few new kinds each year to broaden your garden contents.
November through February is a good time to plant trees and shrubs. In the Panhandle, planting is often delayed until February or early March. Bring in late-blooming plants such as decorative kalanchoes or Christmas cactus so they may finish flowering in the warmth of the house.
Reduce the fertilization of indoor plants from late October to mid-March. An exception would be plants in an atrium or a well-lighted window.
Drain gasoline from power tools and run the engine until fuel in the carburetor is used up.
Drain and store garden hoses and watering equipment in a readily accessible location. The lawn and plants may need water during a prolonged dry spell. Continue to set out cool-season bedding plants, such as pansies, violas, stock, snapdragons, and dianthus.
Prepare beds and individual holes for rose planting in January and February. Use composted manure, pine bark, and similar materials mixed with existing soil.
Use good pruning practices when selecting Christmas greenery from landscape plants. Don’t destroy the natural form and beauty of the plant. Prolong the life of holiday-season gift plants by providing proper care. Check to see if the pot wrap has plugged up the bottom drainage. Don’t overwater. Keep out of drafts from heating vents and opening doorways. Fertilizer is seldom needed the first few months. Take advantage of good weather to prepare garden beds for spring planting. Work in any needed organic matter, and have beds ready to plant when needed.
Don’t forget tulip and hyacinth bulbs in the refrigerator. They can be planted any time in December if they have received 60 or more days of chilling.
Want to start cuttings of your favorite Christmas cactus? As soon as it has finished blooming, select a cutting with 4 or 5 joints, break or cut it off, and insert the basal end into a pot of moderately moist soil. Place it on a windowsill or other brightly lit area. The cuttings should be rooted within 3 to 4 weeks.
Don’t spare the pruning shears when transplanting bare-rooted woody plants. Cut the tops back at least one-third to one-half, to compensate for the roots lost when digging the plant. Take advantage of bad weather and holiday time to study seed and nursery catalogs as well as good gardening books. Berrying plants, such as holly and yaupon, may be pruned now while they can be enjoyed as cut material inside the house.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Coming Up
- DOPA Training – October 26, 2022, at Southwest Dairy Museum. Cost: $10. Register at 903-885-3443.
- Private Applicator CEUs – November 2, 2022. Cost: $30. Register at 903-885-3443.
Man Accused Of Injuring His Mother During A Disturbance
A 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused of injuring his mother during a disturbance at their rural residence Monday morning. A Como couple was jailed Sunday night on assault charges following what was reported as a rolling disturbance on State Highway 11 east.
Injury to An Elderly Complaint
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Elijah Fite and Kevin Lester, and Sgt. Richard Greer responded at 9:47 a.m. Oct. 17, 2022, at a State Highway 19 south residence, where a son was reported to have physically picked up his mother and pushed her out of their RV, according to dispatch reports.
When deputies arrived at 10 a.m. Monday, they were told the woman’s son, Trenis Newman Turner, had wrapped her up and physically removed her from her residence, then refused to allow her back in. When she tried to re-enter her residence, Turner intentionally pushed his 74-year-old mother back onto the porch, causing her to fall on her knees, causing visible injuries and bruising, deputies were told.
Deputies called to the 52-year-old to try to get him to come out of the residence. Turner failed to come out or respond to the deputies’ prompts after what was reported to be an ample amount of time. The woman wanted her biological son removed from the residence and charges pressed, so the deputies forced entry into the residence, where they found Turner lying on a bed, according to arrest reports.
Turner reportedly complied with deputies’ commands without further incident, was taken into custody for injuring his mother at 10:53 a.m. and transported to Hopkins County jail. The 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man was booked into jail a 12:01 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, on an injury to an elderly charge, according to arrest reports. He remained in the county jail Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2022 on the third-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
Rolling Domestic Disturbance
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Drew Fisher and Sgt. Tanner Steward responded at 9:21 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, to a report of a domestic disturbance in which the pair in question had reportedly pulled over on the side of State Highway 11 east near County Road 2401, and were fighting. Mail and miscellaneous other items were found on the side of the road where the pair was believed to have tussled.
Familiar with the involved parties due to past calls at their residence, deputies then drove to their address to try to locate them. While there, the deputies reported seeing the pair, noted in arrest reports to be common-law spouses who share at lease one child, drive by, continuing down the road instead of returning home. The pair allegedly sped away in a white Dodge Ram until deputies activated the lights on their patrol vehicle, then pulled over on County Road 2329.
After talking to both common-law spouses in the truck, deputies determined the rolling disturbance initiated from West Main Street in Como and each had assaulted the other. Consequently, the 40-year-old Como man and 34-year-old Como woman were both arrested at 10:48 p.m. Oct. 16, and jailed around midnight on County Road 2329 for family violence assault.
The Como woman was released from Hopkins County jail Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, on a $2,000 bond on the Class A misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury to a family member charge. The Como man, however, remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, in lieu of the $5,000 bond set on the Class A misdemeanor assault charge, according to jail reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
SSISD To Hear Property Value Study, Emergency Operations Updates, Consider Grant For Police
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled Wednesday evening to hear a report on a property value study, review emergency operation updates, and receive required training; and consider renewing membership in a legal retainer program and approving committee appointments, legal and cooperative agreements, and a grant application.
During the administrative reports portion of the meeting, Douglas Early Childhood Learning Center Principal Sherry Sinclair is slated to present via PowerPoint the Head Start training the school board is required to have.
Assistant Superintendent Jeremy Lopez is scheduled, during the 6 p.m. meeting, to report on district Red Ribbon Week activities. Lopez too is expected to present for board approval the 2022-2023 School Health Advisory Committee members list.
Trustees are asked Wednesday to appoint a school board liaison to the Head Start Policy Council, to approve.
The board also is scheduled to receive a report on property value study from Linebarger Goggan Blain & Sampson, LLP, during the administrative and informative reports.
SSISD Police Officer Pat Leber is slated to review emergency operations updates. during the reports portion of the Oct. 19 board meeting, then, present for board consideration a resolution approving the submission of a grant application for the Bullet Resistant Shield Program during the action items later in the meeting.
Jason Evans, SSISD state and federal programs director, is scheduled to present for board approval campus and district improvement plans for 2022-2023 school year.
Business Manager Sherry McGraw is asking the trustees to consider adding board president Craig Roberts to the City National Bank signature cards and to consider approving the Region 8 ESC Plan Cooperative (employee handbook) interlocal agreement and board resolution.
Superintendent Michael Lamb will discuss renewing membership in Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson, L.P,, for the legal retainer program. Lamb too will ask the board, in place of Assistant Superintendent Justin Cowart, to once again appoint Texas Cooperative Extension staff adjunct faculty members.
Submitted for approval under one motion as part of the consent agenda, unless otherwise requested by the board to vote on an item separately: tax credits and supplements, delinquent tax collections, financial statements and bills payable for Sept. 2022; and for Head Start program Policy Council by-laws, an organizational flow chart, mission statement and philosophy, and personnel policy summary.
The board also is slated to enter into executive session toward the end of the board meeting to consider personnel and real property matters presented since the last meeting. The board then would reconvene from the closed session to vote on any items pushed forward for action before adjourning.
The regular SSISD Board of Trustees meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, in the Board Room of SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St.
Lady Cat Volleyball Hits The Road For Huge Duel with North Lamar
Coach Bailey Dorner’s team plays a crucial two-game stretch this week that has them going up against the top two teams in District 15-4A.
Starting with Tuesday, Sulphur Springs heads to Paris for a duel with North Lamar.
The Pantherettes come into Tuesday, Oct. 18’s game at 6-1, tied for first in the district and a full game ahead of third place Sulphur Springs. Tuesday’s game at North Lamar is the lone away game during the second half of district play.
Friday begins the home stretch for volleyball, as they play two-straight home games to round out the regular season.
A win on Tuesday in Paris would be huge for Lady Cat volleyball, as they would not only avenge their loss to North Lamar earlier this season on their home floor, but if Sulphur Springs could win out from there they would be the No. 2 seed come playoff time.
That game begins in Paris on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 5:30 P.M.
Coach Dorner’s squad comes into Tuesday’s game riding high on a three-game winning streak.
Friday had Sulphur Springs in the Main Gym hosting Liberty Eylau, and the Lady Cats made quick work of the visiting Lady Leopards. Coach Dorner’s team embarrassed L.E. 25-12 and 25-13 in sets one and three on their way to an easy sweep of the Lady Leopards.
The lone set in which the Lady Cats were tested came in the second, but L.E. still fell in that one 25-22.
That win Friday at home clinched a series-sweep of Liberty Eylau, their second straight season sweep after taking care of Paris the Tuesday before.
Now the biggest test of the season looms over volleyball as they prep for the biggest two-game stretch of the season: at North Lamar (6-1, tied for 1st) and versus Pleasant Grove (also 6-1, tied for 1st).
While winning both is preferable, even splitting this week’s games, combined with a win next Tuesday, could put the Lady Cats in a great position to steal the second seed.
First they have to get through North Lamar on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
That duel begins in Paris on Tuesday at 5:30 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.
A Student in the Paris Junior College Welding Program
SPARKS FLYING
Structural welding student Omar Teran of Quinlan prepares a welding project during a recent class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding shop. For more information about the welding program, call 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Fastpitch Softball Championship of Champions Tourney Coming to Sulphur Springs In May 2023
National Championship Sports will be hosting the LSB Tournaments Championship of Champions Softball Tournament in Sulphur Springs in May 2023; the fastpitch softball tourney is essentially a softball World Series event, according to Sulphur Springs Parks Director Jerry Maynard and City Manager Marc Maxwell.
NCS is, however, no stranger to Sulphur Springs, with at least eight other events already being hosted in Coleman Park, according to Maynard and NCS Director Matthew Bright.
“Sulphur Springs has a great facility there,” Bright said. “We come to Sulphur Springs because it is a great facility.”
Bright explained that although he’s not from Sulphur Springs, he was aware of the city because he and his dad used to frequent Cooper Lake a few times annually to fish. He said in addition to the being a “top-notch facility,” Coleman Park in Sulphur Springs is conveniently located between Tyler and the Texas-Oklahoma border, and relatively close to Dallas, without being in the middle of a the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
The May 2023 Fastpitch Softball Championship will feature various ages, starting at 6U on up to 18U, with an additional age group every 2 years. The opening ceremonies on May 19 will feature a type of skills derby, with first through third place awarded for Fastest Team, Around the Horn, Fastest Pitcher and Homerun Derby by age division.
Teams are guaranteed five games, with three pool games to double elimination, 60 minute pool pay and 70 minute brackets.
Those wishing to enter may do so now online at playncs.com/fastpitch. The number of available spots in a division may fluctuate depending on the needs of all divisions that share the same field size. Rosters will be locked in on Friday evening prior to the event. All players must be listed on the public view team page by the cutoff in order to play. Every players must have a parent/guardian-signed waiver by the cutoff in order to be eligible to play.
All first place teams and finalists will receive banners; first place teams will be awarded World Series Championship rings and and finalist will get a WS finalist ring.
A $10 gate fee will be charged per person age 12 and older. Outside food and drinks will be allowed, but no alcoholic beverages are permitted. Pets are allowed, but must be on a leash, and owners will be responsible for the pet’s behavior.
A concert featuring Sony Records recording artist Don Woods Jr. will also be held Friday night. The gate fee pays for Friday’s concert.
Currently, NCS lists eight additional events on the organization’s calendar scheduled to take place at Coleman Park in Sulphur Springs between now and the LSB Tournaments Championship of Champions May 19-21, at Coleman Park
Hallooween Havoc, a 6U-14U NCS Fastpitch Tournament, is scheduled Oct. 29, 2022 at Coleman Park. Candy will be given away to all kids present, and there will be a costume contest with awards as well. The tourney offers a 4-game guaranty, with rings for first and second place winners, and because it’s only one day, a maximum of eight teams per division.
Travel teams will can register for the May 19-21, 2023, LSB Tournaments Championship of Champions, Hallooween Havoc or other NCS Fastpitch events at Coleman Park online at playncs.com/fastpitch. Call or text 903-279-3708 for information.
These tournaments are boon for the city in that they typically feature travel teams in a wide range of age groups, according to city officials. Many of whom travel from far out-of-town, even out-of-state, so they often reserve rooms at local hotels and spend the weekend in town, including visiting local restaurants and stores, fuel up at local gas stations and take in local attractions such as Celebration Plaza between games.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Oct. 10-16, 2022
Arrests
- Theresa Wells, 57 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Oct. 14, 2022, on a Wood County Warrant for Assault Causing Bodily Injury.
- Keri Joseph Garner, 19 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Oct. 13, 2022, for Possession of Marijuana in a Drug-Free Zone.
- Christopher Byrd, 28 years of age, of New Caney, was arrested on Oct. 11, 2022, for on a Gwinnett County Warrant for Theft by Receiving Stolen Property.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 129 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 28 citations and 25 warnings during this reporting period.
3-D Mammography Technology Offered At The Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ
Amazon Smile Program, Free Saturday Athletic Injury Clinic For Students Ongoing
By Jennifer Heitman, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Free Mammogram Clinic
Our Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Imaging Center provided 20 free mammograms on Saturday, October 15, as part of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s gift to our community (along with a donation from our hospital). They will hold another free clinic on October 29. By the end of the month October, the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation will have provided 60 free mammograms to uninsured women over forty!
We emphasize the importance of breast exams and mammograms for women and even men who have a family history of breast cancer. Our compassionate medical associates help detect breast abnormalities to ensure you receive the necessary resources, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures. The Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center inside of the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs is a state-of-the-art imaging center that includes the newest 3-D Mammography technology.
We welcome you to schedule your mammogram here today. Schedule an appointment by speaking with your physician, or call 903.438.4325.
Give Back through Amazon Smile
Did you know that you can do nothing other than your regular online shopping at Amazon and give back to our Hopkins County Health Care Foundation? The program is easy and does not cost anything to the Amazon customer.
All a person needs to do is shop through smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com.
Once on smile.amazon.com or the app, be sure to denote the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation as the beneficiary. Do this by going to “Account & Lists” then “Your Account” drop down. Click on Amazon Smile. From there a charity (Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, please) may be designated or changed. If using the app, select “Change your Charity” under Settings.
Purchase of certain products will generate a donation of 0.5% of the sale to the HCHC Foundation. It will cost nothing extra to the Amazon customer, but will be helpful to the Foundation, allowing it to do even more to promote health care initiatives in Hopkins County.
Thank you for your contribution!
Free Student Athlete Injury Clinic Continues
CHRISTUS Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Sulphur Springs continues to offer a FREE Saturday Athletic Injury Clinic for all student athletes, all sports included. The clinic is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Nov. 12. Student athletes from 7th grade to college age will be able to get a free exam and x-ray to determine a plan of care to treat their injury.
The clinic will be held at our CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Orthopedics, Medical Building 5, at 103B Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs. For more information about our Sports Medicine program, or Orthopedic services, please call 903.885.6688.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit: christustmf.org.
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
SSHS Wildcat Band Marching Through “Bandtober” With An Eye At Area UIL Next
The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Band has been on the move — traveling, performing, and competing during their busiest time of the year. The month of October brings a “culmination of all things competitive marching band,” with Friday night football game performances and Saturday contests. The weekly Saturday marching contests in October have lead to the coining of the month as “Bandtober.”
“These kids work so hard to perform for the community on Friday evenings, but a major focus of our year are our contests in October,” said Spencer Emmert, head director. “It is exciting to compete against the best bands in the area and work for success at UIL.”
The students have and will continue spending a huge amount of time working for and perfecting their show, with even the smallest details scrutinized by the judges at every contest, the band director noted.
“Marching Band is all about precision. Our continual goal is always to produce the cleanest, most precise show possible. This is what scores the best from the judging panels,” Emmert said.
The band started the contest season traveling to Princeton for their first contest of 2022 on Oct. 1. They performed well and got some outstanding comments from the judging panel and placed above several state-level bands, the band director reported.
The following Saturday, Oct. 8, the band traveled to Royse City for their second contest of the year. After their preliminary performance, the Wildcat Band was awarded a spot in the finals and placed fourth overall behind several state-level groups.
“We were incredibly proud of the results at Royse City! Our students have put themselves in the same conversation with some of the best bands in the state,” Emmert said.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 11, the Wildcat Band competed in the UIL Region Marching Contest in Mount Pleasant, “the most important contest of the year” thus far, Emmert said.
The band received straight first divisions from all judges and qualified for advancement to the Area level, which will be held in Lindale on Oct. 29. The Area performance schedule has yet to be released, but will be announced by the band program as soon as the schedule is released, Emmert noted.
The Windcats continued through “Bandtober” by competing in Winnsboro High School’s the first ever “Battle for the Spear” marching contest on Oct. 15. The Wildcat Band received all first divisions and was awarded “Most Outstanding Woodwinds,” “Most Outstanding Brass,” and “Best in Class 4A.” They placed third overall in the finals with two judges ranking the group’s finals performance first and second, respectively.
The band will continue working to perfect their show for the upcoming UIL Area Contest in Lindale on Oct. 29. Five groups will be certified at Area to advance to the State Marching Contest in San Antonio, which will is scheduled to be held during the second week of November in the Alamodome.
The Wildcat Band expresses gratitude to their outstanding parents who continue to help feed and support the students and offer special recognition “to our amazingly supportive principal, Josh Williams, and Superintendent Mike Lamb.”
If the band advances from Area on Oct. 29 to State in November, Sulphur Springs ISD school personnel encourage district band supporters to cast ballots in the upcoming $81.5 million SSISD Bond Election during the early voting period, so there’s no potential that they would miss voting on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in order to support the Wildcat Band at state.
Inductees For Friday’s 2022 Hall Of Honor Ceremony Revealed
Four former Sulphur Springs athletic greats will be inducted into the SSHS Hall of Honor in a pre-game ceremony on Friday, Oct. 21.
Quan Johnson, a district basketball MVP who graduated in 1990; Torio Kelly, a record-setting running back in the Class of 1996; Maegan Bell Nix, a 2003 graduate who was a two-sport MVP; and Colby Suggs, a 2010 graduate who was an All-State pitcher and won a state championship in football, will be the latest Wildcats to be honored with a Hall of Honor plaque.
A public reception will be held for the inductees at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, in the SSHS Multipurpose Building, followed by an on-field induction at 7 p.m. at Prim Stadium before the Wildcats host Paris for a district football game. Friends, family and supporters are invited to attend the reception.
Quan Johnson, Class of 1990
Quan Johnson was a two-year starter and two-time All-District selection for the Wildcats in basketball at SSHS. He was named District MVP his senior year when he averaged 18.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. He also shot 60 percent from the field and 88 percent from the free-throw line.
The 1990 season for the Wildcats can be described in no other way than simply spectacular. Winning 13 consecutive games, the Cats broke the record set in the 1964-65 season, and their 24 wins tied the school record for most wins in a single season.
The perfect 8-0 record in district set a new school record for no losses in district play. Johnson was the only nominated player for the MVP Award, a rare tribute for the versatile 6-0 senior star. He was also named 2nd Team All-Region and All-State Honorable Mention.
Johnson completed his Wildcat career with 899 points, setting the school record during that time for most career points for a two-year letterman.
During Johnson’s career, the Wildcats posted a 43-18 record.
After graduating high school, Johnson attended Navarro College.
He now resides in Sulphur Springs, where he managed at Walmart for 19 years and is currently the operations manager at High Health Cosmetics in Dallas.
Johnson’s parents are Lonnie and Joyce Shaw. He has been married for 27 years to Shondrea Johnson and has two daughters, SSHS teacher Aliah Johnson, and Tia Berry; and two sons, SSHS seniors Torris and David Johnson.
Johnson has six siblings, sisters Loretta, Sandra, and Carla, and brothers Damon, Kevin and Brandon.
His presenter will be his former high school coach, Steve Armstrong.
Torio Kelly, Class of 1996
Torio Kelly, who graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1996, was a record-setting running back in football and a state qualifier in track and field.
Kelly broke numerous school records at SSHS, earning him All-District and All-State honors as both a junior and senior. He still holds the school record for most career yards rushing with 3,555 and most carries with 563, and also held the school single-season rushing record of 1,771 yards, as well as most rushing TDs in a season and a career.
He also was a four-year track letterman, finishing sixth in state as a junior in the long jump. He qualified for Regionals his junior and senior seasons, finishing second as a junior and third as a senior.
He was a football team captain as a senior and was Co-MVP in both football and track.
Kelly notes that he was fortunate to have been coached by two Hall of Fame coaches, James Cameron and Joey Florence.
He earned a scholarship to Tyler Junior College, and then transferred to Texas A&M-Commerce in 1998, where he was an All-Conference athlete in football before graduating in 2001.
At TJC, he was Honorable Mention All-Conference as a special teams player with four blocked kicks. At TAMU-C, he is currently ranked sixth with the longest fumble returned in 2001 of 60 yards, and is also currently tied for sixth with 14 passes defended with 10 break-ups and four interceptions in 2001.
After college, Kelly caught the attention of the NFL, working out for 14 teams, and two Canadian teams, as well as three Arena football clubs.
Over the years, Torio has shared his passion for athletics by educating and coaching area youngsters, and he remains active in the THSCA.
Torio and his wife, LaRisa, now live in DeSoto and have four children and one grandson. They both are coaches in the DFW area. Torio is the assistant football and head boys track coach at South Garland High School.
His presenter will be his son, Jeremiah Kelly.
Maegan Bell Nix, Class of 2003
Maegan Bell Nix was a four-year letterwinner on the Lady Cats softball team, made All-District three years and was the team MVP not only in softball but in cross country as well.
She graduated from SSHS in 2003 as top 10 percent in her class.
While at SSHS, she earned six letters, four in softball and two in cross country. In softball, she was the 2001 District sophomore of the year and was first team All-District, All-Region and Academic All-State each of her last three years.
As a senior, she was also the softball MVP and recipient of the James Cameron Fighting Heart Award.
Bell Nix ran cross country her sophomore and junior years and was the district champion and state qualifier as a sophomore, when she was also named team MVP.
She was awarded a softball scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas, where she was a three-year letterman and starter for the UCA Bears softball team. She was named the 2004 Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year, and was Second Team All-Conference as a sophomore and junior. In 2006, she was the 2006 GSC crossover tournament offensive player of the tournament.
She also holds career records at UCA for top 25 in batting average, on-base percentage, stolen base percentage, most hits, and most triples. She is No. 3 in career stolen bases with 91 and No. 1 in sacrifice hits with 24. She finished her career with a .978 fielding percentage starting every game at second base.
Maegan graduated cum laude in 2008 with a Bachelors in Nursing from the University of Central Arkansas and graduated summa cum laude in 2014 with a Masters in Nurse Anesthesia from Texas Wesleyan University and was also named clinical resident of the year in 2014.
She now resides in Sulphur Springs and is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at Christus Mother Frances in Sulphur Springs. She is married to Robbie Nix, who was a letterman in baseball at the University of Central Arkansas, and they have three children: Cooper (12), Lundy (10) and Jackson (3).
Her parents are Terry and Lynn Bell, and has one brother, Tab Bell.
Maegan is currently coaching a girls 10U select softball team, Ladycat Select.
Her presenter will be her high school coach, John McCullough.
Colby Suggs, Class of 2010
Colby Suggs was an All-State Honorable Mention pitcher, a college All-Star and a second round Major League Baseball selection.
As an athlete at SSHS, he was a two-year letterman as a starting pitcher and third baseman for the Wildcat baseball team.
As an All-District pitcher in 2009, he struck out 17 batters in 7 innings in a playoff game against Henderson. As a senior in 2010, he was an Honorable Mention All-State pitcher and was also named the District 13-4A Pitcher of the Year.
Colby was also a three-year letterman in football for the Wildcats as an offensive lineman. He earned All-District honors as center for the 2008 team that won the 4A Division II state championship, defeating the Dayton Broncos 69-49 in the San Antonio Alamo Dome.
Suggs was a co-recipient of the Forrest Gregg MVP award his senior year.
He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas where he received a scholarship to play baseball for the Razorbacks. He was a relief pitcher his first two years, setting a school record for fewest runs allowed in a season (6) his sophomore year. He was privileged to pitch for Arkansas in the 2012 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, that same season, fulfilling a lifelong dream to pitch in the CWS.
Following the College World Series, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League and was named an All Star for the league.
Colby was the Razorback closer his junior year at Arkansas and was given the honor of being a team captain. In 2013, as the closer for the Razorbacks, he set a single season record for saves with a total of 13. His ERA for the 2013 season was 1.74 with 29 strikeouts in 20 2⁄3 innings pitched.
In June 2013 he was drafted 73rd overall by the Miami Marlins in the MLB draft. He pitched in the minor leagues until he suffered a career-ending elbow injury.
Colby returned to Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas and completed his degree in communications. While there, he also served as the bullpen coach for the Razorback baseball team, helping them return to the College World Series in 2018, where they finished as runners-up for the national championship.
In 2019, Colby joined the Minnesota Twins major league team as an advance scout. On July 1st of this year, he was promoted to bullpen coach for the Twins.
In the offseason he makes his home in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with his wife, Hannah, and sons Miller (4) and Gibson (2).
Colby’s parents are Joe and Kerry Suggs of Sulphur Springs, and he has one brother, Blake Weir of Royse City.
His presenter will be his high school coach, Jerrod Hammack.
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.
