CANCELLED: Young Eagles Rally Originally Scheduled for Saturday, April 23, 2022, Has Been Cancelled
Ben Scarborough with the Sulphur Springs Aviation Association and the Young Eagles Project reports that the EAA 1094 Young Eagles Rally originally scheduled to be held Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, has been cancelled due to issues with high winds.
As of April 21, 2022, according to Ben Scarborough, an alternative date and location is planned to be May 21, 2022, in Quitman. However, this could change, so it is encouraged that interested persons continue to check youngeaglesday.org for more information.
10 SSHS Students Among Only 24 State Finalists In UIL Essay Contests
Ten students from Sulphur Springs High School are among only 24 state finalists in UIL’s Barbara Jordan Historical and Latino History Essay competitions.
UIL Academics sponsors the two essay competitions tp provide opportunities for students to explore the contributions of historically underrepresented groups to the history and culture of Texas. With a focus on original research and the use of primary sources, students are encouraged to look to their own communities in finding topics for their essays.
Twelve students are chosen as finalists in each of two essay competitions, the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition and the Latino History Essay Competition. Students from across the state in all classifications participate in these competitions.
This year, Sulphur Springs High School had 10 students named as state finalists.
Alexander Cooper, Lexi McCoy, Addisyn Wall, and Anna Williams were named as finalists in the Barbara Jordan Essay Competition.
The Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition provides students an opportunity to explore the contributions of African Americans to Texas history. The theme of the competition is “African Americans in Texas: Past and Present.”
Carlos Alba, Andres Flores, Mali Maeker, Lausen Ost, Lindsey Plumley, and Alexis Villarino were named as finalists in the Latino History Essay Competition.
The Latino History Essay Competition provides students the opportunity to explore the “historical and cultural legacies of Latinos in Texas history.”
These SSHS students, along with the other 14 finalists, will attend an awards ceremony at the UIL Academic State Meet in May, where 6 students in each event will receive state medals. Miss Gail Herman is sponsor for the essay competitions.
Congratulations to each of the students and their sponsor for these accomplishments.
Community Invited To First Responders Meet And Greet Event This Saturday
Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County residents are invited to two first responders events: a First Responders Meet & Greet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the new Grays Building, located at 413 Beckham Street, on the south side of in Pacific Park; and to a Battle of the Badges Softball Tournament Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Sulphur Springs High School softball field.
“We invite everyone out, the more the merrier. If you’re in for a good time and a lot of smiles, then come out and hang out,” Sulphur Springs Police Lt. Brad Horton said.
In addition to becoming acquainted with the first responders from Sulphur Springs Police and Fire Departments, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, EMS and Fire Department, the community can enjoy a free barbecue lunch during the family-friendly event.
“It’s going to be catered by Bodacious Bar-B-Q. The city is taking care of the bill. The city manager really wanted to give something to community,” said Horton, during a recent Morning Show broadcast at KSST. “Bodacious barbecue is providing barbecue and all the sides, and it’s free of charge to whoever wants it. They will be there starting around 10 o’clock as well.”
There will a bounce houses for kids to enjoy. Weather permitting, the first responders hope to be able to have a medical helicopter land behind the Grays building, alongside fire trucks, police vehicles and ambulances for kids and families to check out.
There might event be some popcorn available, for free, for kids to enjoy as well.
Although City of Sulphur Springs staff have been working hard the last couple of weeks installing the new playground in Pacific Park, it is, unfortunately, not quite ready for children to enjoy, City Manager Marc Maxwell reported Friday. But, community members can get a peak at it from outside the fencing.
Kids can still enjoy the grounds, an up close look at emergency apparatus and get to know the local responders. It’s also an opportunity for the first responders to get to know the people in the community they serve outside of an official call.
Horton said this is an opportunity for first responders to give back to the community that gives so much to them, and a great opportunity for community members to become acquainted with officers, firefighters and paramedics. Many people wouldn’t otherwise encounter these first responders unless there is an emergency situation or or official call for service – often scary times, especially for kids.
Sulphur Springs Law Enforcement Association and Firefighters, and Hopkins County Sheriff, are donating about 10 bicycles, boys and girls, which will be awarded as door prizes during the meet and greet event on April 23.
“The major goal of it is to not giveaway things as much as communicating with the community, giving back to the community that gives so much to us – just trying to build better bonds,” Horton said. “One of the things that’s always easy for people whenever you show up in terrified moments for them is to see a face they know. Hopefully, this helps to build that trust… More than anything this is just to give us an opportunity to stand around in a not so formal way, be able to sit down and let people get to know us.”
The community is also invited to another fun event hosted by local first responders the following Saturday, April 30, at 10 a.m. on the SSHS girls varsity softball field. All are invited to stop by and watch the Battle of the Badges Softball Tournament.
This year’s tourney, Horton noted, will be a little different than the Battle of the Badges tournaments held locally in the past. In 2022, athletes and students will be playing alongside the first responders, filling out teams during the tourney and bonding with the officers and emergency responders.
“Due to manpower issues, trying to get all the shifts covered, we talked with the high school softball and baseball coaches and they are going to allow the kids to play with the officers and firemen on those days too. It’ll be a good community event, getting everybody together,” SSPD Chief Jason Ricketson explained earlier in the month when inviting the Sulphur Springs City Council and community members to both events.
“They’re just setting it up to be a good time to come out and have fund. It’s open to the public. Come and join,” Horton said. “It’ll be fun, a lot of laughs, hopefully, a lot of smiling. Again, it’ll be something that helps form bonds between the first responders of the county and city and the citizens.”
Lady Cats Softball Bi-District Dates Firmed Up
Coach David Carrillo announced Wednesday that Lady Cats softball takes on Whitehouse in the opening round of playoffs.
The best-of-three series has the Lady Cats with home field advantage, hosting games one and three of the Bi-District round.
Game one of the opening round has Sulphur Springs at home on Wednesday, Apr. 27 teeing off at 7 P.M.
The second game of the series has the Lady Cats traveling to Whitehouse on Friday, Apr. 29 with that one set to begin at 6:30 P.M.
Game three, if necessary, has softball back at home on Saturday, Apr. 30 hosting Whitehouse at 2 P.M.
Coach David Carrillo’s team enters the playoffs sporting a 21-1-2 record, having completed a perfect 12-0 district season.
Whitehouse enters their season finale with Tyler High on Friday, Apr. 22 a touch over .500 at 17-14 (4-5 in District 16-5A).
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.
Pickup-Motorcycle Crash Results In One Fatality
A pickup-motorcycle crash near Como resulted in one fatality Thursday morning, according to officials.
A 2019 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 43-year-old Kale Tifft of Sulphur Springs was stopped at the intersection of County Road 3425 and FM 1567 at around 8:30 a.m. April 21, 2022. John Kaleb Mund was traveling west on FM 1567 on a 2021 Harley Davidson Street Glider, according to Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Sgt. Gregg Williams, Media Communications for the Texarkana/Mount Pleasant-North Texas Region.
The motorcycle and pickup collided at the intersection of FM 1567 and CR 2435. Mund was pronounced deceased at the crash site at 8:51 a.m. by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings. An autopsy was ordered as is standard procedure in fatal crashes. The driver of the pickup was not injured, according to DPS and county reports.
The pickup-motorcycle crash remains under investigation; DPS Highway Patrol Trooper Gerardo Rodriguez was the investigating trooper.
The crash was one of several local authorities responded to Thursday. Crashes were also reported on State Highway 19 south at 8:10 a.m., a crash involving an 18-wheeler on Interstate 30 in Cumby at 4:27 p.m., FM 71 west at 9:04 p.m., Interstate 30 east at 9:1 p.m. and FM 900 north at 10:22 p.m., according to dispatch reports.
Sulphur Springs Woman Served With Felony Warrant
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chris Baumann was made aware of a warrant for a 31-year-old Sulphur Springs woman’s arrest on a child endangerment warrant. He located Ilse Grisel Soto-Angel at a North Locust Street residence, served the felony warrant and transported her to the county jail at 12:45 p.m. April 20, 2022, according to arrest reports.
Soto-Angel, who jail reports show is also known by Ilse Soto, was booked into Hopkins County jail at 1:05 p.m. on the warrant for child abandonment-endangerment charge. The offense, Baumann wrote in arrest reports, is alleged to have occurred on Feb. 14, 2022. She was released from the county jail on a $15,000 bond on the charge Thursday, April 21, 2022, according to jail reports.
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.
Cumby Spring Cleanup Days Continue
The City of Cumby Spring Cleanup began April 21, and will continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22-23 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28-30.
Two dumpsters will be placed inside the fencing of the City of Cumby Water Tank on Barker Street for use by residents of the City of Cumby. Those dropping off items should be prepared to present a copy of their City of Cumby water bill or a driver’s license with the Cumby address.
While the dumpsters are provided for the convenience of residents who need to get rid of more items than will fill their trash cans during Cumby Spring Cleanup, there are some items that will not be allowed. No chemicals, paint, tree limbs, car batteries, tires or hazardous wastes may be disposed of in the city dumpsters.
FDA Warns Consumers Artri and Ortiga Products May Contain Hidden Active Drug Ingredients
The FDA issued a warning Wednesday to consumers not to purchase or use products marketed with variations of the names “Artri” or “Ortiga” due to potentially dangerous hidden active drug ingredients not listed on the product label. FDA urges consumers taking these products to immediately talk to their health care professional (e.g., doctor) to safely discontinue use of the product because suddenly stopping these drugs may be dangerous.
These products are promoted for treating arthritis, muscle pain, osteoporosis, bone cancer, and other conditions and are sold on various websites and in some retail stores.
FDA laboratory analyses revealed certain Artri and Ortiga products contain the undeclared drug ingredients:
- Dexamethasone (a corticosteroid) that can cause serious adverse events, including infections, increased blood glucose (sugar) levels, changes in blood pressure, damage to bones, psychiatric problems, and adrenal dysfunction;
- Diclofenac sodium (an anti-inflammatory drug) that can lead to adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, or serious gastrointestinal damage, including bleeding, ulceration, and fatal tears of the stomach and intestines, or liver toxicity including liver failure that can cause the need for a liver transplant or death
- Methocarbamol (a muscle relaxant) that can cause sedation, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
These drug ingredients, which are not listed on the product label, can also interact with other drugs a consumer is taking.
FDA has received adverse event reports, including of liver toxicity and death, associated with the use of Artri King products, since the agency issued its first warning about an Artri Ajo King product on January 5, 2022.
Suddenly stopping corticosteroids after long-term use or high doses can result in a serious withdrawal syndrome that includes fatigue, nausea, low blood pressure, low blood glucose levels, fever, dizziness, muscle and joint pain, and shortness of breath. These risks depend on several factors that a health care professional must assess. Medical intervention may be necessary.
Health care professionals should evaluate patients who have used Artri and Ortiga products for drug and disease interactions involving diclofenac, methocarbamol, and corticosteroids, and treat accordingly.
FDA has identified the following Artri and Ortiga products containing hidden drug ingredients:
- Artri Ajo King – a product promoted and sold on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.
- Artri King – a product promoted and sold on various websites, including www.amazon.com, www.latinfoodsmarket.com, and www.walmart.com and possibly in some retail stores.
- Ortiga Mas Ajo Rey – product promoted and sold on various websites, including www.amazon.com, and possibly in some retail stores.
- Ortiga Mas Ajo Rey Extra Forte – a product promoted and sold on various websites, including www.ebay.com, and possibly in some retail stores.
FDA analyses reflect only the undeclared ingredients discovered in one product from a specific lot, but ingredients may vary from product to product or from lot to lot. Products marketed as dietary supplements that are found to have hidden drug ingredients generally fail to comply with most current good manufacturing practices designed to ensure product quality and safety. Therefore, consumers should expect the manufacturing processes for Artri and Ortiga products are unreliable in providing consistent amounts of active ingredients or to prevent the introduction of unknown chemicals or other impurities.
FDA is investigating the distribution of these products in the United States and has advised certain companies not to sell or distribute these products. The agency may take additional enforcement steps that may include warning letters, seizure, injunction, or criminal charges.
Health care professionals and consumers should report adverse events or side effects related to the use of this product to FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
- Complete and submit the report online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm; or
- Download and complete the form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.
Administrators Discuss P-Tech Program At Cumby ISD, Sulphur Springs ISD’s $93 Million Bond Election
Over a salad lunch Wednesday, school administrators discussed with interested community members the P-Tech Program at Cumby ISD and Sulphur Springs ISD’s $93 million bond election. The educational Lunch & Learn was hosted by Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce at The Oaks April 20, 2022.
Cumby Programs
Cumby ISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter and High School Principal Donna George introduced the PTech program, part of Collegiate EduNation which the school’s been doing for 2 years, by playing a short video featuring another CEN school. (Click here to view it)
The video explains that rural schools are having to restructure not only their schools but the way they do things in order to adequately prepare students for the future.
P-Tech is basically CTE and early college courses combined, Slaughter noted. Students earn not only a high school diploma but every student also has the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized certification and an associate degree and gain relevant work experience in their chosen field free of charge to the student. The school partners with businesses and industries to provide students with internships and externships that are paid. Cumby EduNation’s goal is to have 90% of seniors graduating with an associate degree in the next 3 years. Then, they hope to have 80% of students with associate going on to attain a master’s degree, then later 70% of the master’s recipient group to attain a doctorate.
The school has opted to be part of P-20, which allows CISD students to continue work toward a bachelor’s degree and beyond for a couple of years after graduation. While some opt to continue their education with a traditional university experience when they graduate, others opt to stay on at Cumby ISD as adult learners in various fields to benefit from that opportunity.
Slaughter noted that P-Tech is a great opportunity to “grow your own.” Ideally, students complete the courses or training, then want to return to give back to the district opportunities they had to other students. This year, has a student who will receive her associate’s degree two weeks before she graduates from high school. She will be hired next year by Cumby ISD as a paraprofessional and, as an adult learner for the district, go through an alternative program through A&M Commerce. At age 20, on her current track, she will have earned her bachelor’s degree at no cost to her. Then, as teaching positions open up, Cumby ISD can hire her.
Schools participating in Collegiate EduNation can share instructors through the network, ideas about programs, professional development and costs of different programs to make the schools stronger, Slaughter said. Doing so can also help break a generational cycle of poverty, gives back to rural communities, growing them so they don’t die and go away.
“We’re starting a lot things earlier to prepare our kids to be ready to take college classes as freshmen. We’ve seen some success with some things there as well,” Slaughter said.
Students spend three hours each morning of Montessori methods for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 2 and traditional activities in the afternoon. Students in grades 3-7 will engage in blended learning (more individualized learning). Students then begin college classes as high school freshman. Students begin high school course work in eighth grade, and some as early as 7th grade in order to receive CTE credit for high school. Students may also attain dual credit for college courses beginning in 9th grade.
The district too is implementing an AVID program, which is college and career preparation so the students are on track to be ready for the courses they will be taking in later years.
“We want our kids to have every opportunity that kids everywhere have. Just because you’re in a small school does not mean that there is not opportunity and that you’re not producing awesome students who go out and give back,” Slaughter said. “The other thing that we teach is job skills; social and emotional things go into all of this.”
Cumby ISD also is a National Showcase District; they are trying some new things that should be in place by 2025, which would allow representatives from other schools to come in an replicate those things.
George noted that P-Tech is the instructional piece while CEN is the organizational part of the program. CEN is how Cumby ISD organizes the district in the P-20 model. P-Tech is also a P-20 model, the instructional part of it. P-Tech provides additional funding to pay for the students’ education, so they do not have to pay a cent for the college courses they take at Cumby ISD.
Through P-Tech, Cumby ISD can hire professional skilled individuals who are not certified teacher to come in to help teach the students in their skill area. For instance a welder could be hired to teach a welding class or a financier to teach financial classes. Also some teacher can have industry experience which would enable them to teach dual credit courses. She said Cumby ISD would like to be able to send teachers to work or job shadow at industries to attain the requisite industry experience and in some cases certification required to be able to teach a dual credit class for which a student receives dual credit.
Even having business people to visit classrooms to explain what they do and the different career options industry certification and an associates can open the doors to.
Slaughter said while Cumby wants these opportunities for students in that school district, but wants it for all local schools and children, to grow programs and direct students toward careers in Hopkins County, to grow the community so that it flourishes and thrives.
SSISD Bond Proposal
Sulphur Springs ISD Superintendent Michael Lamb explained the basics of the May 7 bond election, called so voters can determine whether or not the district goes out for $93 million in bonds to fund school improvements including construction of a new elementary campus and CTE Center, and purchase of 20 buses. The bonds would be paid back with an 8.5-cent increase on SSISD ad valorem taxes.
Lamb explained that the bond is part of a 20-30 year plan to update and in some cases replace aging district facilities. The oldest district building, the administration building, is 100 years old. The two newest, Middle School and Bush Primary, are 9 and 25 years old. The next oldest building, High School, is 43 years old, while the rest have been in service 55-67 years.
Forty years is the recommended lifespan for an elementary school before it is replaced. Houston and Austin Elementary were about 80 years old when they were closed, with Houston eventually completely demolished and the worst parts of Austin were torn down and other parts refurbished. Since, 80 years seems to have become the accepted standard for school building in the district. SSISD will have six campuses that turn 80 within the next 20-30 years; as is, the district will still in no way be in a position to replace that many schools at one time or within a 10 year time span. Thus, the plan proposed to gradually over that time make repairs and refurbishments that will extend the life of campuses as much as possible and replace others on a schedule.
As more and more electricity is needed in educational settings, the bigger a challenge powering all of the needed devices in classrooms becomes. Travis Primary, the campus to be replaced with a new facility, for instance, has cords running down and along walls to fully meet district classroom needs. This became a potential hazard last year when some flooding occurred at high school, where power strips were run throughout to power the laptops used for classwork.
Eventually, district facilities planners would like to have four elementary campuses which each housing students from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Lamb explained that the maintenance and operations school tax rate has gone down over the last few years, based on a state formula, over the last 3 years. Tax appraisals have gone up, however, so some people have still experienced an increase in their tax bills.
Also on May 7 ballots cross the state are two constitutional propositions. One would increase the homestead exemption eligible property owners receive for their taxes from $25,000 to $40,000. If passed, that would apply to school taxes beginning in tax year 2022. The state would make up the difference in revenue for school districts. If the homestead amendment is approved one person’s monthly tax bill could actually decrease, if there’s no change in appraisal value of the property.
The owner of a $200,000 home would only pay taxes on $160,000 with a $40,000 homestead exemption (if it passes). Even with an 8.5-cent tax increase, that tax payer would actually see their tax bill decrease by $3.45 per month.
Eligible property owners who have applied for homestead exemptions for people age 65 and older, under the state law, would not see the dollar amount of school taxes imposed increase above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65 or disabled. That doesn’t mean these individuals’ taxes won’t increase, it just won’t increase above the amount it was the year they turned 65.
The planned new Travis Elementary would be constructed where the community walking track now sits down the property from the current Sulphur Springs Elementary. The district plan to put a lighted walking trail around the entire school block where SSES and the new Travis would be located.
School officials believe traffic will not be an issue. SSES, when previously used as a middle school for three grade levels totaling more than 1,000 students, there was no traffic issue. Even constructing Travis in the same school-owned block, the two facilities would still house less than 1,000 students. A cut-through street also is planned to help with traffic flow between the two facilities as well, Lamb explained. Lamb said based on the current plan, SSES likely will continue to serve as a student campus for only 10-15 more years.
Bowie Primary needs a new wing. A whole new campus could be constructed on the school property behind the gym. The district would build only about a third of a new school, then add onto it later.
Drainage and parking work and a new roof are needed at Barbara Bush Primary. Entry work is planned at Douglas ECLC.
The $9 million designated for capital improvements includes roofs for SSES, High School and Bush Primary; HVAC and plumbing work at Middle and High School; and bare-bones repairs at Austin Academic Center. Lamb said emergency plumbing repair work at high school became necessary 2 months into the school year when the pipes in the back of the cafeteria fell in.
At high school, the plan is to enclose the area between the fine arts and gym to provide additional office space, which would help solve some security issues, and free up other office space. A new band hall would free up the current band hall to become a dance studio for the Blue Blazes and provide additional choir rooms. A new CTE center would house more updated equipment and facilities for culinary arts, a new auto shop with modern computerized equipment, a woodworking shop, robotics and health science technology programs. This would allow more skills based learning. Moving those programs into a new building would free up the other 10 rooms that are needed at high school.
The district also plans to purchase 20 buses to catch up with district needs. The district has a 60 bus fleet. Buses are estimated to last 15 years each. That’s mean the district should be buying four new buses each year to keep up. The district has not over the past 20 years purchased four buses a year. Ten years ago, district purchased only two buses per year, but now is implementing a schedule and budgeting for four a year. Purchasing the 20 buses would put the district on track to keep up, Lamb said.
Similarly, a schedule is in place to replace air conditioners in the building, but that has not always been the case, hence the need to catch up, the SSISD superintendent noted.
Chapter 313 agreements can benefit school districts. One company is interested in bringing a $100 million business to Sulphur Springs, with a agreement which would require them to pay only taxes on only $25 million. A solar farm also has requested a Chapter 313 agreement. These agreements can only be made through Dec. 31, 2022. These businesses coming to town are contingent on tax incentives. These types of businesses would be granted the incentive only on the M&O portion of the school tax rate, but would still be paying on the I&S (debt service) portion of the tax rate, Lamb said.
Four Lady Cats, Three Wildcats Move on To Regional Track Meet After Wednesday’s Area Meet
Track and field had another solid outing Wednesday, Apr. 20 at the District 15/16 Area Meet.
Four Lady Cats and three Wildcats move on to Regionals.
Lady Cats Track and Field
Sulphur Springs as they have done so many times before this spring season finished with the top-2 spots in pole vault. KSU signee Claire Bybee won the event with a mark of 13′. Jaicee Jasmer at 10’6″ placed right behind Bybee in 2nd place.
The two pole vaulters compiled 18 points for the Lady Cats.
Jayden Holly placed 3rd in discuss and got six more points for Sulphur Springs after hurling it 90’6.
Haylee Schultz compiled all 10 points for the Lady Cats in running events. In the 1600 M run, the sophomore crossed the line at just past 5:38 for a 4th place finish. Schultz fared event better in the 3200 M run as she got 3rd in the event with a time of 12:19.
The four Lady Cats compiled 34 points for Sulphur Springs at the Area Track and Field meet, placing ninth as a team.
All four of the aforementioned Lady Cats move on to the Regional meet.
Wildcats Track and Field
Jose Mejia was the lone Wildcat to record points for his team in running events, placing 5th in the 3200 M run. Mejia crossed the line at 10:28, getting two points for the Wildcats.
Field events fared better for Sulphur Springs, as three Wildcats placed 4th accumulating 12 points between them:
- Bull Turner in long jump with a mark of 21’10” placed 4th
- High jump saw Weston Fields placing 4th at 6′
- Ty Bybee got 4th in pole vault going 13′ up
Coach Matt Young’s team got 14 points Wednesday for an 11th place finish at the District 15/16 Area track meet.
Mejia, combined with the three Wildcats placing 4th in their field events move on to Regionals.
The Regional track and field meet is held Friday, Apr. 29 at UT Arlington.
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.
