City Manager’s Report – Feb. 1, 2022
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell presented the following report to the City Council during the regular monthly council meeting on Feb. 1, 2022.
COVID-19 RESPONSE
We really don’t know the number of active COVID cases in Hopkins County. The state has once again changed its system for tracking COVID, and staff has lost confidence in the state’s numbers. Our most reliable indicator is the number of covid patients in the hospital. Today we have 24 patients in the covid unit, down from 35 two weeks ago. We saw quite a few employees out with COVID a couple of weeks ago, but things seem to be returning to normal (relatively) now.
CLAIMS
We did not have any liability claims in January. We did have 3 workers compensation claims from police officers involved in an arrest that turned violent. The officers all sustained minor injuries and have been released to work.
SENIOR CITIZENS BUILDING
We have applied for $2.4 million in grant funding for the project in addition to the $1.5 million already allotted from bond proceeds.
PACIFIC PARK
The fitness court is completed. We will likely hold a ribbon cutting/opening event in early March. Thank you to Saputo and Christus Trinity Mother Frances for making the project possible with your generosity.
The Capital Construction Division recently installed 680 feet of sub-surface drainage system for the playground, and water and sewer taps for the new bathrooms.
COLLEGE STREET
Atmos has relocated the gas main that was holding up the project, and now the project will continue eastward. Expect to see some drainage work just west of the rail spur.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a report of year-to-date revenues and expenditures.
RUNWAY/TAXIWAY REHAB
This $1.9 million project is completed.
LIBRARY REMODEL
Contractors recently replaced carpet and repainted the library interior. Library staff also took delivery of new furniture in January. The update is funded by the Friends of the Library Foundation. Stay tuned for more exciting developments.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Texana land and Asphalt has begun the Lee Street project. They have already ground off the asphalt surface. Next, they will cement stabilize the road base, followed by a new asphalt driving surface. In next month’s manager’s report, I will publish the list of 2022 Street Improvement Program Projects.
MISCELLANEOUS
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
• Made 20 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
• Repaired a storm drain/sink hole in the Stonebriar addition.
• Repaired 201 potholes.
• Hauled street sweeper spoils to the landfill.
• Sold 2,574 gallons of AvGas and 12,120 gallons of JetA fuel.
• Accommodated 1,160 operations at the Airport.
• Responded to 361 fire/rescue calls including 7 structure fires and 1 vehicle fire.
• Responded to 156 animal control calls while achieving a 92% adoption rate
• Made 4 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
• Responded to 29 accidents, wrote 479 traffic citations, recorded 42 offences, and made 31 arrests in the Patrol Division.
• Repaired glass bathroom windows.
• Removed Christmas decorations downtown.
• Trimmed trees and undergrowth at Buford Park.
• Cleaned shoreline at Coleman Lake.
• Conducted 30 building inspections, 10 electrical inspections, 12 plumbing inspections, 4 mechanical inspections and issued 23 building permits.
• Checked out 2,938 materials and 795 eBooks from the library.
• Replaced carpet in and repainted the library.
• Repaired the tornado siren at Fire Station #2.
• Installed new lighting at the library, Imagination Mountain parking lot, Department #60 on Middle Street and Fire Station #1.
• Made preparations for upcoming cold weather.
• Performed preventative maintenance on numerous items at the Wastewater
Treatment Plant and the Water Treatment Plant.
• Treated wastewater to a daily average total suspended solids value of .56 mg/L
• Learned the wastewater treatment plant is a candidate for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year from the Water Environmental Association of Texas.
• Sent 187 tons of wastewater sludge out for composting and sent another 46 tons to the landfill.
• Repaired 14 ruptured water mains and replaced 5 water meters.
• Unstopped 44 sewer mains.
• Washed 75,000 feet of water mains.
• Flushed 36 dead-end water mains.
• Sold 145 million gallons of potable water
Wildcats Colt Silman and Jakobe Yarbrough Sign On to Play at Next Level
Wildcats football players Colt Silman and Jakobe Yarbrough both signed their national letters of intent Wednesday, Feb. 2 at the Multi Purpose Building to play football at the next level.
Wide receiver and corner Colt Silman heads to ETBU in nearby Marshall and Yarbrough is a bit further from home in Conway, AR to play at Hendrix College.
Silman is set to play WR at ETBU.
The senior slot receiver is the son of Bruce and Julie Silman.
Silman had the chance to visit the campus about a month ago, when he also met the coaching staff.
The senior said ETBU felt like a good fit for him. The senior is undeclared with his major.
The second signee on Wednesday Feb. 2, Jakobe Yarbrough, signed his NLI to play at Hendrix College.
The center is the son of Miguel and Cassandra Yarbrough.
While Hendrix may be a four hour drive, it is not too far removed that Yarbrough could not make the trip back to Sulphur Springs if need be.
Yarbrough will continue playing center as he did for the previous two seasons for the varsity football team.
The senior said Hendrix was the only college that gave him an offer to play in college, but was told by the coaching staff that he has a good chance of starting for the Warriors his freshman year.
Yarbrough said he wants to be a coach, so he expects to go through education and training courses to prepare for such a profession.
Current head football coach and athletic director of SSISD Greg Owens talked about his football players before they signed the dotted line.
“Any time you can advance yourself and can go and have a higher academic opportunity and you can also get to play sports along with it, what a great opportunity,” Coach Owens said. “These guys are going to phenomenal universities [and] they’re gonna have a great time,” the head football coach said.
Coach Keenan Clayton spoke fondly of his time with Colt.
He said that while he only got to coach the senior for one year, he talked of how hard-working and teachable the senior wideout was.
“[Colt is] a great worker… hard worker, [and did] anything I asked him to do,” Coach Clayton said. “Whenever you go to the next level take that with you,” the Wildcats coach said, “…the hard work, the learning, take all that with you. Use them to the best of your ability and have fun,” Coach Clayton said.
Coach Jeremy Offutt coached Yarbrough for four years, and saw an incredible amount of growth over that time. The OL coach said Yarbrough’s freshman year he lacked confidence, even going into his sophomore year.
That all changed his junior year, when all of a sudden “[Yarbrough’s] Light just came on, and from that moment, it was like every single game was better, everything he did was better, and all of a sudden you start seeing a confident guy,” Coach Offutt said.
The OL coach said he was proud of who he is and proud of everything he has accomplished in his time in Sulphur Springs.
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.
SSISD, Other Weather Closures & Preparations
As the winter storm approaches, schools and businesses are evaluating conditions and making preparations and decisions regarding operations. Below are some of those changes and preparations that have been reported to KSST.
- CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs is cancelling this week’s COVID vaccine clinic that was schedule for Friday, Feb. 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. Clinics will resume as usual on Friday, Feb. 11, from 9 to 11 a.m.
- The NETX Public Health District will NOT be providing pediatric or adult COVID vaccines on Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4, 2022.
- There will be no activities at Central Baptist Church Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
- No classes will be held or meal served at League Street Church of Christ Feb. 2.
- All Sulphur Springs ISD campuses and offices will be closed Thursday, February 3, due to inclement weather. All school activities are canceled or postponed. All school activities will continue as scheduled Wednesday and after school Wednesday, February 2. District administrators had not yet decided whether it will be necessary to close school Friday. SSISD officials said at noon they will communicate that decision as soon as possible.
- Due to the dangerous road conditions anticipated for later Wednesday and Thursday by the accumulation of ice and snow, all classes on the main Texas A&M University-Commerce campus and the Dallas site are canceled for Wednesday evening (effective at 5 p.m.) and the University will be closed through Thursday, February 3.
- Paris Junior College will be closed Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3-4, due to winter weather. Updates will be posted on PJD Dragon Alerts and on the PJC Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.
- Como-Pickton CISD will be closed this Thursday and Friday. All varsity games will be rescheduled for make-up. Junior High and JV games will not. Administrators built the school calendar to anticipate days like these are predicted to be. CPCISD will not have to make up Feb. 3-4. Classes will resume at normal time on Monday, February 7, CPCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Bower announced.
- All Hopkins County offices except emergency responders will be closed on Thursday. County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office staff will report for duty, as will precinct road hands. A decision regarding Friday will be made and announced by Thursday afternoon, according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
- Little Acorn will be closed Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022.
- Saltillo ISD will be closed tomorrow Thursday, Feb. 3, and will have a 10 start Friday, Feb. 4. In order to meet mandatory minutes required by TEA, Presidents Day will no longer be a school holiday. Saltillo ISD will have school Monday, Feb. 21.
- All Cumby ISD campuses and offices will be closed Thursday, Feb. 3. All activities are also cancelled and will be rescheduled. School officials will continue to assess the situation and make a decision by noon Thursday regarding Friday.
- Sulphur Bluff ISD will close Thursday and Friday. Basketball has been rescheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m.
- North Hopkins ISD will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 3, 2022. All scheduled activities for Thursday will be cancelled. A determination for the status for Friday will be released later.
- Yantis ISD will be closed Thursday, February 3, 2022. All after school activities for Thursday are canceled and will be rescheduled. YISD officials will assess the weather situation Thursday regarding a school closure for Friday and provide updates throughout the day Feb. 3.
- Miller Grove ISD will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, and a school holiday is scheduled Friday, so students won’t return to classes until Monday. The high school basketball games scheduled for Friday will be rescheduled later.
- Sulphur Springs City Hall including the Municipal Court, City Utilities Office, Sulphur Springs Public Library, Municipal Airport and Senior Citizens Center will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, during the predicted winter weather, according to City Manager Marc Maxwell. Sulphur Springs Fire Department and Police Department, services, utilities and public works will still report for work Thursday. BINGO and Learning with Libby will also be cancelled on Friday.
- Meal A Day will not be cooking or delivering lunches on Thursday or Friday. Meal A Day driver delivered cans of soup and stew to all of the seniors citizens on the Meal A Day routes Wednesday to provide them with something they can eat on Thursday and Friday.
City staff have trucks ready to go in the morning to sand and salt city intersections. Public utilities staff are checking generators to make sure they are ready to go if needed and response vehicles are being equipped with chains, according to the city manager.
Maxwell encourages those who can to run their errands on Wednesday ahead of the icy storm front and to stay home off the roads Thursday if possible.
Plans are in place if it become necessary to provide shelter for residents should the storm knock out power for an extended period of time in the city. That will be announced if the need arises.
Texas Department of Transportation crews are pretreating roads in all parts of the state for the winter storm expected, but driving can still be hazardous. TxDOT officials recommend everyone stay home if they can, and those would can’t avoid driving in wintry weather should stay informed by visiting DriveTexas.org for the latest road conditions.
City Applying For 2 Grants Which Would Provide 18 New Portable Radios For SSPD Patrol Officers
Contractor Selected for Phase I of College Street rebuilding & Sidewalk Project, Reinvestment Zone For Designated For D6, Industrial Drive Property Rezoned
Sulphur Springs City Council worked through the regular meeting agenda – which included application for two grants for portable radios, selecting a contractor for Phase I of College Street rebuilding and sidewalk project, and approval of a reinvestment zone and zoning request – in 40 minutes Tuesday night.
Radio Grants
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson asked the City Council to approve Resolutions No. 1288 and 1289 allowing city staff to submit two grant applications to the Office of the Governor, one to the Homeland Security Division for $19,000 for 10 new portable radios and another to the Criminal Justice Division $15,200 for eight portable radios, to be used by police patrol officers. to replace radios which have all but outlived their useful lives. The city typically applies for these grants annually. If awarded, there is not fund match required for the grants. The Council gave full approval of both.
Profiling Report, Mitigation Action Plan
Ricketson also asked the council to adopt the Hopkins County Mitigation Action Plan Municipalities and other entities are required to update and adopt a plan every 5 years in order to apply for certain grants, such as funding received last year to a assist with costs associated with the 2021 winter storm which shut down most everything for several days. While the plan must be on file, the city does discretion regarding how and whether all portions are followed or not, based on needs at the time. The council approved the plan, just as Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved the plan last month as well.
Ricketson also provided City Council members with a 7-page racial profiling report, which he asked them to approve so that the required document can be submitted to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He reported more traffic stops were made in 2021 than 2020, up from around 9,000 in 2020 to about 10,200 in 2021. Precinct 2 Councilman Harold Nash asked if the report details the reasons for the various stops. Ricketson noted that page 2 give a generic overview of that information. He said every time an officer makes a traffic stop, the information is pulled from the report by the electronic system, and at the end of the year, that information is pooled into one composite report. The council approved the submission of the report.
Tax Abatement Policy
Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Roger Feagley reported that the Legislature stipulates that Tax Abatement Policies expire every 2 years, unless reauthorized by each taxing entity biennially.
He submitted a policy ne said is almost exactly the same as in the past. The exception is that the policy approved Tuesday night removes a 7-year abatement from the schedule of options and changes the amount of new investment required before a business can apply for a tax incentive from $300,000 to $500,000 for a 5-year abatement and from $3 million to $5 million investment for a 10-year tax abatement. Feagley said in is 17 years with the EDC, he has never had anyone request a 7-year abatement, so the option was removed.
The amount of abatement of ad valorem taxes for a 5-year agreement would decrease by 20 % each year and for a 10-year abatement would be reduced by 10% each year of the agreement. In other words, the abatement for a 5-year agreement would start at 100% on year 1, then reduce to 80% in year 2, 60% in year 3, 40 % in year 4 and 20% in year 5. Similarly, a business granted a 10-year agreement would have 100% abated in year 1, 90% year 2, and decreasing each year by 10%.
Feagley said he uses the policy when negotiating with companies, offering incentives for the business to open new facilities in Sulphur Springs or to expand existing facilities. There must be a policy in place before he can speak with businesses about economic development in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. Hopkins County Hospital District and Hopkins County Commissioners Court last month approved similar tax abatement policies as well.
The City Council approved the tax abatement policy as presented.
The City Council authorized the city manager to negotiate a real estate acquisition for drainage purposes discussed during an executive session prior to the open council meeting.
Zoning Matters
Ordinance No. 2796 establishing a reinvestment zone for D6, Inc., also was approved by the City Council at the Feb. 1, 2022 meeting. The business opened a branch in Sulphur Springs on Industrial Drive in December 2020. In October, the Governor announced the business had been awarded grants to help D6 relocate its headquarters from Portland, Oregon to Sulphur Springs, Texas, as well as an expansion, on property just across the road from the current facility. In order to apply for a tax abatement from Hopkins county Hospital District, a reinvestment zone must be established for the project.
College Street Project
During his monthly report, City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that Atmos has relocated the gas main that was holding up the College Street project, and now the project will continue eastward. Residents should expect to see some drainage work just west of the rail spur.
Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Lesa Smith reported the city received 2 bids for excavation, stabilization, concrete pavement and sidewalks for Phase I of the College Street project. She reported Highway 19 Construction bid $767,519.48 and Drake Construction bid $936,818.50. She said city staff felt fortunate to receive the two bids; some other contractors in the industry declined to bid on the project, some citing being too busy to take it on and others not having enough workers. Smith said the city engineer was pleased with the low bid and city staff recommended accepting it.
The City Council approved the low bid from Highway 19 Construction for excavation, stabilization, concrete pavement and sidewalks for Phase I of the College Street improvement project.
Other Business
The City Council too approved Resolution No. 1294 authorizing the city’s continued participation in the Atmos Cities Steering Committee, and authorizing the payment of 5-cents per capita to the committee to fund regulatory and related activities related to Atmos Energy corporation.
Adam Henry with the USDA Texas Wildlife Program-Fort Worth Metro Area via Zoom told the council that his department could train city staff in tactics, and where to buy and how to use pyro hand harassment tools to help move black vultures from trees in the Fore and Garrison Street area. Ideally, the tools would be used for about 5 days to run the vultures off their roosts and get them moving another direction. He said there would be no fee charged by his department to train city staff, but there would be a fee if his department came in a conducted the work.
Maxwell asked how soon they could begin the process. Henry said in about 2 weeks, which should provide time for the tools to be obtained. He’d have the city crew chief set up with Henry a schedule for city staff to be trained.
Gene White, who approached the City Council during public forum at the January 4 meeting about the buzzards or black vultures creating a problem in the area, complimented and expressed appreciation to the city for moving quickly to find a remedy for the issue and expressed appreciation to Place 1 Councilman Jay Julian for his call regarding the issue.
The City Council also approved the consent agenda, which in addition to minutes from 3 past meetings, also included approval 380 agreements for 409 Sheffield Street, 115/119 Nicholson Street, 408 Houston Street, 412 Houston Street, 204 West Beckham and 950 Church Street.
Johns Sellers read a proclamation declaring February as Black History Month and encouraged others to take the time to learn more about and recognize Black Americans’ contributions, health and wellness initiatives, and honor Black American leaders’ progress in human rights and strides for minority groups.
The City Council also approved Resolution No. 1293 calling for a general election for Places 4 and 5 on council. As of Tuesday, incumbent Gary Spraggins was the only candidate reported to have filed for a place on the May 7 City Council ballot.
Wildcats Soccer Loses in Mount Pleasant 6-1
Wildcats soccer suffered their second straight defeat in Mount Pleasant 6-1 to the Tigers on Tuesday. Feb. 1.
Alex Yanez was the lone Wildcat to score in the loss.
Coach Alexi Upton’s squad suffered a tough loss on Tuesday in Mount Pleasant to the Tigers.
The men’s soccer coach said after the loss Tuesday night that the next few games (versus T-High, @ Marshall, and versus Pine Tree) are crucial if the Wildcats hope to secure the three or four spots in district in order to make the postseason.
The Feb. 1 loss to Mount Pleasant drops Sulphur Springs to 1-11-2 overall (0-2 district).
Coach Upton and his team go back to the drawing board before Friday’s match-up at home versus Texas High.
That game kicks off Friday, Feb. 4 at Gerald Prim Stadium at 7:15 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.
Lady Cats Soccer’s Comeback Falls Short to Mount Pleasant, 3-2
For most of the game Tuesday, Feb. 1 it looked as though the Mount Pleasant Lady Tigers would cruise to a shutout victory at Gerald Prim Stadium.
“Right off the bat they started moving the ball,” Lady Cats head Coach Javier Aguayo said. “They usually play a 3-4-3 [formation] which gives them more possession of the ball,” the women’s soccer coach said.
Mount Pleasant controlled both time of possession and the midfield.
The visiting Lady Tigers led scored their third goal in the 55th minute, but the final 10 minutes is when Sulphur Springs came alive.
Coach Aguayo’s Lady Cats scored two from Haylee Schultz to have a legitimate shot at tying their second district contest with Mount Pleasant.
“That’s one thing this team has is heart,” the Lady Cats coach said. “They’re gonna go out there and work their butts off,” Coach Aguayo said.
Schultz had a few more opportunities after her two goals went in to tie up the game.
Unfortunately for the Lady Cats, Sulphur Springs ran out of time and their comeback to the Lady Tigers fell short, losing to Mount Pleasant 3-2 at Gerald Prim Stadium on Tuesday, Feb. 1.
The loss at home to the Lady Tigers drops Lady Cats soccer’s season record to 3-8-2 (0-2 district).
Next up, Coach Aguayo and his Lady Cats travel to Texarkana to take on Texas High.
Opening kick is at 7:15 P.M. on Friday, Feb. 4.
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.
Chamber Connection – Feb. 2: Membership Banquet To Include Food, Music, Fun & Awards
By Butch Burney
Time is running out to get a table for the 95th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 17.
If you need incentive to get into the 1980s mood for the banquet at the Civic Center, then how about a couple of tickets to a Bon Jovi concert?
Clayton Homes is sponsoring the prize for the best 1980s-dressed person at the banquet with a pair of tickets to see Bon Jovi in concert in April.
The banquet will include food, music, fun and awards. Social networking and a cocktail hour begin at 6 p.m., with food service at 6:30, and awards beginning at 7 p.m. The awards include Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Large and Small Businesses of the Year, Educator of the Year, Agriculturalist of the Year and more!
You can reserve your seat for $30 per person or get a table for 10 for $500. The tables include preferential seating and name displays.
For more information or to reserve a table or tickets, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email me at [email protected].
Business Before Hours
Join us on your way to work for our next Business Before Hours, hosted by Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, at the Chamber office, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9. Come out to enjoy breakfast refreshments and networking with other business professionals.
Chamber Directory
Work is continuing on the 2022 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business. LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory.
The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. I hope you will consider this a wise investment with over 7,000 opportunities for business exposure. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her.
Senior Citizens
The Senior Citizen Center will host a Valentine’s Day party at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, sponsored by Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab. They will also have a Hospice 101 luncheon at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, sponsored by Hospice Plus.
Contact Karon Weatherman at 903-885-1661 if you plan to attend.
Main Street Events
Next weekend will be a mixture of fashion and music on Main Street.
It begins with a fashion show at Main Street Theatre featuring Marlene’s Sass & Class clothing. The mixer starts at 6:30 p.m. with the show lasting from 7 to 8 p.m. A $5 admission fee includes wine, refreshments, door prizes and a $5 coupon.
On Saturday, Feb. 12, Main Street Theatre opens again for classic jazz with J.B. Smith and Jeff Smith. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the $15 ticket includes special refreshments.
Ribbon Cuttings
- Haystacks Restaurant will host a ribbon cutting at their location on Main Street at noon Wednesday, Feb. 2. Please join us for this event.
- USA-TaxPro.com at 457 Hillcrest Drive hosted a ribbon cutting at noon Wednesday, Jan. 26. Please welcome them to the community.
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for Jan. 26 is Alliance Bank. You can see more photos and read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Souper Bowl of Caring
By Johanna Hicks, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Now that we know who will be playing in the Super Bowl, be part of something greater by making an impact on people’s lives! Our Hopkins County 4-H Clubs are teaming up with tacklehunger.org to inspire every household that watches (or has watched) an NFL game to donate just 1 food item. If you watched a pre-play-off game, a play-off game, or plan to watch the Super Bowl, you are challenged to participate! That would provide enough food to feed many people for a long time. All foods that are donated will stay in Hopkins County. Monetary contributions will also be accepted.
There are four drop-off stations: Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 West Houston St., Sulphur Springs; Sulphur Springs High School; Alliance Bank, Sulphur Springs; and the Sulphur Springs News Telegram. Several food items have been brought to the Extension Office, but we are hoping for much more. Our County 4-H Council members will be bringing food items to the Feb. 7 meeting, so they are leading by example. Out goal is to top the previous donation of 253 pounds of food, and with your help, we can do it! Approximately 21% of the children in Hopkins County are living in poverty, and 23% of adults under the age of 25 are uninsured, so there is a definite need!
Food items will be collected through Feb. 14, and delivered to local agencies on Feb. 15 for distribution to clientele. Help us make this year’s event a huge success!
Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes Reminder
We still have a few remaining seats for the 2022 “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” series, scheduled for Feb. 14, 17, 21, 24, and 28. This series covers self-management, diabetes medicines, physical activity, meal planning, and much more. If you have diabetes or know someone who could benefit from attending this series, don’t hesitate to reach out by calling 903-885-3443. Sessions will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Hopkins County Extension Office. A small one-time fee of $20, payable at the first session, will cover materials, refreshments, door prizes, and top-notch presenters.
Closing Thought
A sympathetic heart is like a spring of pure water bursting forth from the mountain side. – Anonymous
Wildcats Powerlifting Places First, Lady Cats Third in Mount Pleasant Meet
Coach Casey Jeter confirmed both of his powerlifting squads placed top-3 in Mount Pleasant’s powerlifting meet held last Saturday, Jan. 29.
The Wildcats won the meet and the Lady Cats placed third in a crowded meet of 200 powerlifters from 15 different schools.
Matthew Mitchell and Chad Maynard won their respective weight classes at 198 and 242, with squats of 500 and 605 pounds. Max Williamson, in the second-lowest weight class of 114 narrowly missed out on a first-place finish, coming in at second.
Five more Wildcats placed in the top-5 of their class:
- Abraham Banueloz and Cristobal Torres, both in the 132 weight group, finished 3rd and 4th
- Nathan Andrews (198) placed 5th
- Ben Hatcher (220) got a top-3 finish at 3rd
- and Sean Dial (308) was the second Wildcat to place second in his weight group
Three more Wildcats finished in the top-11:
- Zachary Clark and Levi Barnes, both 165 finished 10th and 11th
- and Barrett Thesing (181) got seventh
Of the 13 men’s powerlifters that competed in Mount Pleasant, only two did not place in the top-15; Gage Williams, who narrowly missed out on at 16th and Colt Silman bombed out in Mount Pleasant.
Wildcats powerlifting are back in action two weeks from Saturday on February 19, 2022 in Commerce.
Lady Cats powerlifting had an equally impressive outing in Mount Pleasant last Saturday.
Machelle Allen of 259+ won her weight class, the lone Lady Cat to do so.
Six athletes from Sulphur Springs finished in the top-4:
- Caelyn Pilette (97) narrowly missed out on medaling at 4th
- Haylee Schultz (105) placed silver
- Max Bailey (148) got third in her weight class
- Anna Adair (165) at 4th place was another Lady Cat to miss out on medaling
- and Reese Offutt (259) also finished 4th
Three more Lady Cats placed in the top-12; Mary Taylor (123) got 10th place, Brooklynn Shackelford of the 132 weight class finished 11th and Kylie Clark (165) placed 12th.
No athletes from Sulphur Springs women’s powerlifting did not place. At 21 points, Sulphur Springs edged fourth-place L.E. 21 to 20.
Next up, the women also compete in Commerce for their next meet, but on Friday, Feb. 18.
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.
Sulphur Springs High School Kicks Off CTE Month 2022 With Mayoral Proclamation
Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers helped Sulphur Springs High School students and staff kicked off Career and Technical Education Month Tuesday morning with a proclamation designating February as CTE Month 2022 in Sulphur Springs.
CTE Month, SSHS Director of College & Career Readiness/CTE Director Jenny Arledge explained, is a time for school to celebrate the accomplishments of CTE programs at SSHS and to bring community awareness to these programs.
“We are getting students ready not only for college but career,” Arledge said. “We offer 21 programs of study, with more than 90% of our students participating in career and technical education classes, and over 85% of those students are graduating with a program of study as a completer. So, I congratulate our programs of study instructors and our school district and the community for supporting us all through this.”
Sellers noted he’s had the honor on at least four occasions to return to his alma mater and that of his son, to help recognize the critical role CTE programs play in preparing students for the workforce.
“I really admire these programs and what they do for you to get you ready for life,” Sellers said, prior to reading the 2022 CTE Month proclamation.
CTE offers the opportunity to gain technical and employability skills needed for true career readiness, Seller read from the proclamation. CTE programs allow students to participate in authentic, meaningful experiences that improve the quality of their education and increases their engagement and achievement.
Students in CTE programs are afforded opportunities for career exploration earlier in their educational experience, enabling them to better make informed and beneficial decisions about their academic course work and pursue established programs of study and career pathways.
CTE programs help bridge the skills gap reported by business and industry leaders nationwide by connecting qualified professionals with available careers in critical and growing CTE-related fields such as healthcare, energy, advanced manufacturing and information technology.
Integrated programs link secondary and post secondary education and lead to the attainment of industry recognized credentials.
Sellers, upon officially proclaiming Feb. 1-28, 2022, as CTE Month in Sulphur Springs, urged all citizens to become familiar with the services and benefits of CTE programs to this community, and to support and participate in these programs in order to enhance individual skills and productivity.
Business and industry leaders interested in learning more about these programs may contact Arledge at SSHS at 903-885-2158 or visit the CTE page on the district website, www.ssisd.net.
Sellers thanked the students and staff for inviting him to the school he and three years ago his son (who is now pursuing a career in the Air Force special forces) to make the proclamation.
“It is important for all of you to think about your life, your careers, your pursuit. There is college, there are technical training. There’s a lot of ways – there’s the military, of course – that you can go forward with your education. Study hard. Think about your future and pursue your happiness,” Sellers concluded.
Arledge noted that representatives from the school’s career and technical organizations plan to update school trustees on members activities and achievements during the regular February board meeting next Monday evening, Feb. 14, 2022. Presentations will also be made by CTO officers during a Rotary Club meeting on Feb. 24.
KSST will once again be assisting SSHS in celebrating CTE programs at the school through weekly videos featuring students and instructors in their classrooms. Be sure to watch for the “2022 CTE” heading throughout the month on the KSST Radio YouTube Channel.
