Wildcats Basketball in Area Round Tomorrow, Tickets Must Be Purchased Online
Men’s basketball plays in the second round of playoffs on Friday, Feb. 25 against Midlothian.
The Area round of playoffs tips off at Forney High School on Friday at 8 P.M.
Tickets for the game must be purchased online. SSISD reports no cash sales at the gate for the Wildcats’ second round game with Midlothian.
Tickets must be bought here.
Coach Brandon Shaver’s team come into the Area round rematch with the Panthers 27-9 overall (10-2 district), fresh off of Tuesday’s gritty win over Huntsville.
Sulphur Springs now has a rematch with Midlothian (20-14 overall, 9-3 district), the team who eliminated the Wildcats in the postseason last year.
That game, just like Friday’s, occurred in the second round.
Coach Shaver and his squad need all hands on deck if they hope to beat a Panthers team who eliminated Mesquite Poteet 55-53 in the Bi-District round Tuesday in a game that came down to the wire.
Friday’s Area round rematch between Sulphur Springs and Midlothian tips off on Friday, Feb. 25 at Forney HS at 8 P.M.
Again, tickets must be bought online for the second round basketball match. No cash sales will be made at Friday’s contest.
Tickets must be bought here.
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.
HHSC Recognizes Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with Virtual Conference
Series of Webinars Throughout March Focuses On ‘The Power of Prevention’
AUSTIN – During National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, the Texas Health and Human Services Office of Disability Prevention for Children is hosting a free statewide virtual conference featuring a series of weekly webinars focused on preventing intellectual and developmental disabilities in children. An estimated 485,000 children are affected by IDD in Texas.
“Our goal is promoting respect, fostering understanding and highlighting the importance of prevention and early intervention initiatives in the lives of Texas children and families,” said Keisha Rowe, HHSC associate commissioner of Rehabilitative and Independence Services. “We can change lives when we give Texans tools to support maternal health, prevent childhood injuries, and identify disabilities early.”
The second annual HHS Office of Disability Prevention for Children Statewide Virtual Conference, “The Power of Prevention: Promoting Healthy Development in Children,” aims to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including community-based organizations, government, health care professionals, educators, families, caregivers and others to discuss and learn about strategies for implementing positive change in the lives of children and families across Texas. Several state and national prevention professionals will share information about current trends, initiatives and practical information for attendees. The webinars are free and open to the public, and takes place on the first four Tuesdays in March from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required.
Keynote topics include providing equitable learning opportunities for all learners, the role of Medicaid in improving the lives of children and youth with disabilities, and addressing the impacts of COVID-19. Other topics include water safety education, Texas WIC, childhood injury prevention, Early Childhood Intervention, and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome.
The full conference agenda and registration for all four virtual sessions is here. Continuing education credits for multiple disciplines can be earned for attending this event.
About the HHS Office of Disability Prevention for Children
The Office of Disability Prevention for Children works to prevent developmental disabilities in infants and children from conception to age 12 through provider and public education, partnerships with other state agencies and stakeholders and evaluating state efforts to prevent developmental disabilities. For more information, visit PreventChildDisability.org.
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SSHS Well Represented At The 2022 HOSA Area Competition
Sulphur Springs High School was well represented at the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Area Competition in Dallas on Feb. 18-19. Two students were recognized for placing in the top 5 in their categories at the contest.
HOSA competitors were follows:
- Alex Botello 12th and Katie Henderson 10th, Researched Persuasive writing and speaking
- Maleah Doss 11th and Graham Mayo 9th, Prepared Speaking
- Bailee Burnett 12th and Kate Monk 10th, Extemporaneous Writing
- Jayden Eskew 11th, Research Poster
- Kalyssa Johnson-12th and Janiya Gatlin 12th, job Seeking Skills.
Recognized for placing four and fifth respectively in job seeking skills competition were Gatlin and Johnson.
Did You Observe – Or Even Know There Was A -National Sleep Awareness Week?
By Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Hopkins County AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, [email protected]
It seems as though there is a national recognition for just about everything – National Donut Day, National Twin Day, Dr. Seuss Day, National Taco Day, etc. However, there are those that raise awareness for health and wellness issues. An article recently came across my desk that will strike a chord in many individuals – National Sleep Awareness Week, March 13-19, 2022.
Increasing focus is being paid to quality sleep as a means of improving general health and well-being. A lack of sleep has been shown to contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of diseases, like heart disease and stroke.
With regard to our personal wellness, we often hear about the need for a good diet and an active lifestyle. Adequate sleep is a third component of a healthy lifestyle that is often overlooked or underemphasized. Getting the recommended eight hours is important.
Attempts to reduce weight, maintain peak performance at work, and communicate with others are all dependent on getting enough sleep. Erica Reyes, Program Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, provides three recommended practices to help obtain the rest your body requires to function healthily:
- Stick to a schedule: Our brain determines our times for day and night depending on our sleep routine and sleep cycles. When we disrupt those time frames by significantly altering our sleeping patterns for a few days, we might spend the remainder of the week off our schedule.
- Limit caffeine intake: Those who consume four or more caffeinated drinks per day are more prone to sleeplessness. Be mindful of coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, and their serving sizes.
- Exercise: Regular exercise throughout the week may help boost the production of the hormone melatonin, termed the “Sleep hormone.” Simply ensure that your activity does not take place too close to bedtime or it may have the opposite effect.
Reyes recommends that health care providers and health care professionals assist by assessing patients’ sleep habits, and discussing the importance of sleep. It is important to assist in raising awareness by discussing sleep habits.
Upcoming Extension Events
- Spring Break Sewing Workshop, March 14-16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: targeted toward youth, this workshop will focus on the basics of sewing – threading a machine, filling a bobbin, backstitching and forward stitching, etc. We will have simple make-and-take projects each day. Several sewing machines will be available to use, but youth may bring their own, as well. Fabric will be furnished, but again, if participants have a specific project in mind, they may bring their own fabric. Youth under the age of 8 must have an adult present. Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up. Spaces are limited.
- “Be Well, Live Well” 50+ Series, April 11,14,18, 21, 10 a.m.: This series is targeted toward the 50+ crowd, but is beneficial to all age groups. Topics will include Be Independent – Eat Well; Be Able – Read the Label; Be Safe – Eat Safe; Be Creative – Plan Meals; and Be Fit – Move More. There is no charge for the series. Please call to sign up.
Both of these events will take place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 West Houston St., Sulphur Springs. For more information and to sign up, call 903-885-3443.
Closing Thought
The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.
– Anne Frank
APHIS: Avian Flu Detected In Wild Birds In 3 States Not Immediate Public Health Emergency
None Found In Texas, But Implementation, Strengthening Of Biosecurity Practices Strongly Recommended By THAC
By Dr. Mario A. Villarino, Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, [email protected]
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a flock of commercial turkeys in Indiana, a flock of commercial broiler chickens in Kentucky, and a backyard flock of mixed species birds in Virginia, in February 2022.
Prior to these cases, APHIS also reported multiple confirmations of HPAI in the wild bird population, since January 2022. These findings are not unexpected, as wild birds can be infected with HPAI and can carry the disease to new areas when migrating. APHIS anticipates additional wild bird findings.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these avian influenza detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.
The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with its partners to actively surveil and test in the affected areas and look for the disease in other commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.
While avian influenza has not been detected in Texas, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) strongly encourages poultry owners to implement or strengthen biosecurity practices in both commercial and backyard flocks immediately. Creating a barrier between migratory birds and your flock is of the utmost importance due to the known HPAI in the fly ways. Practicing sound biosecurity can help keep disease away from your flock and keep your birds healthy.
NWS Feb. 24, 2022: Winter Storm Warning & Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued
Local Emergency Management Official Gives Update On Conditions Thursday Morning
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a winter storm warning and hazardous weather outlook until 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, for North and Central Texas.
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022
Today and tonight, freezing rain and freezing drizzle will continue across much of North and Central Texas, including portions of North Central and Northeast Texas from the Metroplex to the Red River and east along the I-20 corridor.
With temperatures well below freezing this morning, any accumulation will result in hazardous driving conditions. Isolated sleet showers will also be possible. New ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch. The precipitation will end from west to east during the afternoon.
A glaze of ice on area roads and bridges will make travel dangerous this morning. Travel impacts are expected to continue through midday.
The NWS recommends those who must travel to keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in their vehicles in case of an emergency. For the latest on Texas road conditions, visit drivetexas.org.
The Weather Service at 9:30 a.m. also said some should prepare for possible power outages due to the weather. According to the TXU Storm Center outage Map, 44 area power outages had been reported at 8:02 a.m. Feb. 24, 2022, impacting a total of 1,260 customers.
In the Hopkins county area, one power outage in the southern part of Sulphur Springs affected about 24 TXU customers, between I-30 and Wildcat Way, and SH 154 and Arbala Road was reported earlier this morning, but as of 8:02 a.m. Feb. 24 had been restored, according to the TXU outage map.
Friday through Wednesday
Sleet may occur in portions of Central Texas Friday morning. Little to no accumulation is expected. One final round of wintry weather will be possible Saturday morning. There is a chance of freezing rain, perhaps mixed with snow, mainly north and west of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. No significant impacts are anticipated.
Detailed NWS Forecast For Feb. 24-March 2, 2022
- Today
- Freezing rain before 3 p.m., then a chance of rain between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Some thunder is also possible. High near 34. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible.
- Tonight
- Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 24. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Friday
- Partly sunny, with a high near 46. North northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Friday Night
- A chance of rain and snow after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
- Saturday
- A chance of rain and snow before 7 a.m., then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 44. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Saturday Night
- A 50 percent chance of rain before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday
- Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night
- Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Monday
- Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Monday Night
- Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Tuesday
- Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
- Tuesday Night
- Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
- Wednesday
- Sunny, with a high near 71.
Lady Cats Powerlifting Have Good Outing in Commerce
While Lady Cats powerlifting did not have their best outing in Commerce last Friday, finishing in the middle of the pack in a crowded meet of 154 lifters, several lifters are moving on to the Regional meet held next week.
Two powerlifters, Machelle Allen and Anna Adair, move on to Regionals and Coach Casey Jeter believes several more will make it as well.
“We had more girls pushing than before trying to get in,” Coach Jeter said. Nine Lady Cats traveled to Commerce in hopes of moving on to the next competition in Pine Tree.
The top 12 powerlifters get to compete in Regionals, but the top two lifters at the Regional meet move on to the state competition. Two powerlifters ended up placing in Commerce; Brooklynn Shackleford and Anna Adair.
Brooklynn Shackleford of the 123 weight class placed 12th squatting 175 and bench pressing 110 pounds. Mary Taylor, also 123, finished right behind Shackleford in 13th and as a result narrowly missed out on placing. She squatted 190 and benched 80 in Commerce last Friday.
Anna Adair of 148 got a top three finish in Commerce, squatting 300 pounds and bench pressing 145. Max Bailey, the second Lady Cat in the 148 designation placed seventh with squats and benches of 250 and 130 pounds, respectively.
Machelle Allen placed second in the 259+ weight class.
Adair and Allen both advance to Regionals held next Thursday, Mar. 3 at Pine Tree.
Sulphur Springs having many move on to the Regional meet came in spite of mixed performances in Commerce.
Four athletes from Sulphur Springs bombed-out in Commerce. Caelyn Pilette (97), Haylee Schultz (105), Addyson Lamb (148), and Reese Offutt (259) all bombed-out last Friday.
In spite of a few rough lifts, the way it looks right now according to Coach Jeter, additional Lady Cat powerlifters moving on to the Regional meet are Schultz, Pilette (current at No. 4 in the region), and Offutt.
Coach Jeter says there is a real chance a couple of Lady Cats can make state.
For now, Sulphur Springs waits to hear the final news on who all travels on to the Regional meet held next Thursday in Pine Tree.
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.
Feb. 24 Weather-Related Closures, Delayed Starts, Schedule Changes
The frigid temperatures and precipitation Wednesday and overnight resulted in a thin sheet of ice on many road surfaces. At 8:30 a.m. Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County emergency responders were working several motor vehicle crashes, including one involving an 18-wheeler at mile 114 on Interstate 30 west, according to Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley. One crash involved 8 vehicles, but has the roadway was clearing at 8:45 a.m.
City and state crews are out treating roads as needed with a sand and rock mix. County Precinct workers and Cumby city crews are on standby if needed. Emergency services are responding to calls. Sulphur Springs water and waste water employees are working as well
Due to the current forecast and conditions, a number of Feb. 24 weather-related closures, delayed start times and schedule changes have been reported for Hopkins County. Those KSST has been made aware of are listed below. These lists will be updated Thursday as new information is reported to KSST.
CLOSED Thursday
- City of Como office will close at noon Feb. 24.
- Como-Pickton CISD
- Cumby ISD
- Texas A&M University-Commerce main campus and Dallas site
- Paris Junior College
- Sulphur Springs City Offices including City Hall, Municipal Court, Water Office, Senior Citizens Center, Sulphur Springs Public Library, Sulphur Springs Airport.
- Hopkins County Genealogical Library, located inside Sulphur Springs Public Library
- Cumby City Hall (Essential personnel will be on duty. Contact the mayor at [email protected] or call City Hall, option 5, and follow the instructions for any water/sewer afterhours emergencies.)
- Yantis ISD
- Sulphur Bluff ISD
- Pioneer Café
- Sulphur Springs ISD – all school events are cancelled Thursday as well.
- Hopkins County offices
- Miller Grove ISD
- Saltillo ISD
- Hopkins County Early Voting Center due to the public safety issue caused by the winter storm
- North Hopkins ISD
- Texas Department of Public Safety Driver’s License Office
Delayed Starts
- Alliance Bank locations open at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 24,
- CNB lobbies and drive-throughs will open at 9 a.m.
- Guaranty Bank & Trust Paris, Bogata, Mount Vernon, Sulphur Springs, Ft. Worth, Denton, Dallas, Addison, Commerce, Rockwall and Royse City will open at 10 a.m. All other locations will be operating at normal hours.
- NETLA is monitoring the weather, but are still planning to hold the Hopkins County Junior Livestock Show and Sale. However, weights will not be due until 3 p.m. All planning to participate and attend are reminded to take their time and travel with care.
Schedule Changes
- No trash service in Sulphur Springs Thursday, according to city officials
- North Hopkins Basketball Area Playoff v. Bland will be played at Commerce High School at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25. NH will be the home team.
- TRAX will only run a couple of critical routes Thursday, and those are subject to change, at the discretion of the lead driver for safety of all who would be traveling on the bus.
Dr. Mary Annette Horne
Memorial services for Dr. Mary Annette Horne, age 63, of Sulphur Springs, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 5, 2022, at First United Methodist Church with Bro. Ed Lantz officiating. There will be a reception to follow. Annette passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022, at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs.
She was born on September 4, 1958, in Dallas, TX, the daughter of Joseph E. and Dorothy Whittaker Bunch. She married Steve Horne on August 16, 1980, in Paris, TX. She received her license to practice medicine in 1998 and from then on she faithfully served her patients in Hopkins county until 2022.
She is survived by daughters, Lara Julianne Davis and husband Trevor of Lavon, Leslie Deann Forshee and
husband Bryan of Texarkana, sisters, Nancy Rooks of Sulphur Springs, Vicki Stallings and husband Terry of Colleyville, Christi Hardy and husband Mark of Philladelphia, PA, grandchildren, Clark Stephen Davis, Joseph Ray Forshee, Stevi Lucille Forshee, great-grandson, Jaxon Ray Forshee, and her everything, Ester Vaughn.
Annette was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and brother-in-law, Jim Rooks.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation at https://msfocus.org/ or to the First United Methodist Church, 301 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home.
www.westoaksfuneralhome.com
Wildcats Powerlifting Win Commerce Tiger Meet, Sweeping All Three Spring Contests
Men’s powerlifting won their third straight meet of the spring season in Commerce last Saturday.
The win gives Sulphur Springs the season sweep of all three of their competitions.
25 schools made the trip to Commerce HS, packed with over 200 powerlifters.
The Wildcats won the meet in a landslide, crushing the competition with 46 points. The closest team in second, Farmersville, got 19.
Powerlifting coach for Sulphur Springs Casey Jeter said his boys did a great job.
Max Williamson won the 114 weight class, squatting 280 and benching 175.
Juan Santacruz placed 5th in the 124 designation.
Three Wildcats in the 132 class fared well:
- Abe Banueloz got third, squatting 320 and benching 175
- Christobal Torres not far behind, finishing seventh
- Evan Patrick in 11th squatted 245 pounds and bench pressed 155
Juan Hernandez of 148 won his designation, squatting 500 and benching 260 pounds in the Conmerce Tiger Invitational.
Matthew Mitchell also won his weight class (181), squatting 500 pounds and bench pressing 315. Cameron Jefferson, like Mitchell in the 181 designation, got seventh place with 420 and 240 pounds squatted and benched, respectively.
Ben Hatcher at 198 lbs is the third Wildcat to win his weight class, squatting 540 and benching 305 pounds.
Chad Maynard, the fifth Wildcat to place first in his class (242), squatted 625 and bench pressed 340.
The sixth and final athlete from Sulphur Springs to win his weight class is Sean Dial, 275, squatting 545 and benching 315 lbs. Aydan Whittle got 24th (165).
With six Wildcats winning their weight class, and several more getting top-10 finishes, Sulphur Springs won the Commerce meet.
The six powerlifters who won their weight class (Williamson, Hernandez, Mitchell, Hatcher, Maynard and Dial) all move on to lift in the Regional meet.
“We’ve got five or six boys with a chance to go to state,” Coach Jeter said Monday afternoon.
The powerlifting coach said Hernandez (132), Williamson (114), Mitchell (181) and Hatcher (198), and Maynard (242) all have a chance at state.
To do that Coach Jeter said those six “gotta lift and they gotta get it right at Regionals.”
Regionals for Sulphur Springs takes place on Thursday, Mar. 10 at Whitehouse.
The state tournament for men’s powerlifting is Friday and Saturday, Mar. 25 and 26.
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.
