Lady Cats Basketball Tipped Off Season Saturday, First Home Scrimmage on Tuesday
The Lady Cats basketball team were all too ready to start their fall 2021 season last Saturday when they travelled to Lone Oak for a tri-match between the Lady Cats, Lone Oak, and Cumby.
Not only that, but after Saturday’s trip to Lone Oak on this Tuesday game day new head coach Erica Delley and her squad will be back at home to host a tri-match of their own.
Sulphur Springs will host Paris and Rains High Schools at the SSHS Main Gym for their first home match of the season.
Tuesday’s tri-match is a scrimmage for the women’s basketball team.
The matches today will get underway at 5 P.M.
Lady Cats basketball returns a number of talented players from last year’s team that made it to the Area round before falling to Royse City.
One player they will sorely miss this season is Kenzie Willis, an offensive juggernaut who was injured in the Bi-District win over Nacogdoches last year.
Coach Delley does not expect Willis to play for the squad this year, but continues to wish her the best in her rehab.
Regardless of the junior’s return date, these Lady Cats under coach Delley will be all too ready to be back at home for their first home contest of the season.
Tuesday’s tri-match between Sulphur Springs, Paris and Rains will tip-off at 5 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.
4-H Exhibitors Should Contact Extension Office By Nov. 29 Regarding NETLA Broiler Projects
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Hopkins County Agent, Natural Resource/Agriculture
Broiler projects are popular with 4-H and FFA members and are an integral part of most youth livestock shows. Broiler projects are especially suitable for youngsters with limited space. Most shows limit the number of chicks ordered to 25 per exhibitor. When planning to start a project, contact the county Extension Office, a 4-H leader or an agricultural science instructor. Birds not shown can be slaughtered for home use or donated to local organizations.
NETLA broiler project orders for 4-H exhibitors are needed before November 29, 2021, and at the Hopkins County Extension Office.
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].
Hopkins County Master Gardener: Why Do Leaves Change Color?
By Phyllis Kitten, Hopkins County Master Gardener
What makes all that color happen? The whole image of falling leaves and gorgeous color begins with the deciduous trees. Those are the trees that shed their leaves each year in the fall season. These trees tend to have an appearance of a round shape with branches that spread outward as the tree grows. The leaves of these trees are mostly broad and flat. Fall enthusiasts begin to watch for the leaves to change near the end of September when the daylight begins to shorten.
The fall leaf life cycle starts with the end of summer and the shortening of the days. As the days get shorter, the tree does not have enough sunlight to make food for itself. But, technically, it is not the shortened daylight that matters, it is that darkness has increased and continues to increase into the winter season affecting the cycle.
Rather than struggle to make food through the winter, the leaf shuts down. It stops producing chlorophyll and allows its fall leaves to die. Chlorophyll is a pigment that gives plants their green color, and it helps plants create their own food through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct.
In summary, green generally means a plant is growing, or at least making sugar. Any other color is a result of that process stopping or being interrupted in some way.
For additional information, go to Agrilifextension.tamu.edu
Lady Cats Volleyball Season Ends in Bi-District Round Loss to Lufkin
The Lady Cats volleyball team fought hard and never quit, but were swept at the hands of the Lady Panthers 3-0 in Tyler.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair, as neither team wanted to give up an inch. For every Lady Cat point scored there was a Lufkin score, but ultimately the Lady Panthers pulled ahead and won the set 25-22.
Set two saw Lufkin storm out to a big lead, and while Sulphur Springs pulled it close they ended up dropping the set 25-19.
The Lady Cats, realizing their season was on the verge of ending fought relentlessly, leading by six at one point, only for the Lady Panthers to rally back to lead at 21-20 and eventually taking a nail-biter 27-25.
The win in the third set gave Lufkin a 3-0 sweep of Sulphur Springs in the Bi-District round of playoffs.
While it was a tough way to end the season, the Lady Cats fought all season long, all up until the very end.
Coach Bailey Dorner will be sad to watch seven seniors graduate in the spring, but she has a lot of talent returning that saw increasing playing time this year.
“We’re losing over half the team next year,” the Sulphur Springs coach said.
The good news is that this year there were a lot of new faces with those folks getting more playing time, and with that those same players had to step up. Coach Dorner expects the aforementioned volleyball players to step up even more with so many seniors graduating in the spring.
The Lady Cats coach said she was proud of the way her team did not give up Monday night.
“We played hard from the get-go,” Coach Dorner said, but acknowledged the talent that Lufkin has.
The Sulphur Springs coach said the Lady Panthers are very athletic and very talented, so for her team to continuously go out and keep pushing, Coach Dorner was proud of her team’s effort.
The loss in the first round ends the season for the volleyball team.
They end the season with a 21-18 overall record (7-5 district).
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.
Man Who Escaped District Courtroom In Handcuffs Served With Warrants For The Oct. 20 Incident
The 59-year-old Sulphur Springs man who escaped the district courtroom in handcuffs was served Monday with three warrants for the Oct. 20 incident, according to sheriff’s and jail reports.
(HCSO jail photo)
Daryl Christopher Simmons has remained in Hopkins County jail since about 1a.m. the morning after he fled from authorities. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson served him at the county jail Nov. 1 with warrants for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, escape while arrested or confined as well as a theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions warrant.
Simmons was scheduled during the 9 a.m. court session Oct. 20 in the 8th Judicial District Court for arraignment on manufacture or delivery and possession of Penalty Group 1 controlled substances in drug-free zones charges. At some point he was placed into handcuffs, but managed to escape from custody, not returning after reportedly being allowed to take care of a matter on the grounds but not in the courtroom.
At 10:27 a.m. Oct. 20, Lake Country Crime Stoppers issued a social media post with photo of Simmons, and two images taken from area video of a white 2001 Mitsubishi car with body damage he was reportedly last seen driving east on Jefferson Street. The community was asked to assist law enforcement in their efforts to locate Simmons.
When the vehicle was located later in the day near Simmons’ residence, Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s tracking canines were called in to help search the area for the man. The search was unsuccessful during the day Oct. 20, 2021.
During his shift, HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward contacted Simmons by cell phone, pretending to be an acquaintance of Simmons. The pair allegedly discussed narcotic-related information. During the conversation, Simmons reportedly told the officer he was at his rural residence.
Steward and Deputies Zack Horne and Josh Davis went to the man’s residence late Wednesday night. The front door on Simmons’ CR 2310 residence was breached. Simmons was walking down the hallway of the residence; he still wore the handcuffs put on him in district court, the deputies alleged in arrest reports. Simmons was arrested around midnight on warrants revoking his bond two controlled substance charges, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs City Council To Consider Making Section Of South Service Road No Parking Zone
Sulphur Springs City Council at the regular Tuesday meeting will consider as well as hear a proposal for an ordinance which would establish a no parking zone on a section of East Shannon Road, action to obtain engineering services for water treatment plant improvements, and conduct public hearings then consider granting final approval of two additional ordinances.
The council will be asked to consider Ordinance No. 2794 establishing a no parking zone on the south service road (East Shannon Road) between South Broadway Street and Mockingbird Lane. In the last year, more than one 18-wheeler has become stuck or overturned after parking along the service road while the driver grabs a meal at restaurants on the south side of the road. There have also been a few near misses when people park along the busy section of roadway.
The council is also slated to hear and discuss Ordinance No. 2793, which has to do with the City of Sulphur Springs Code of Ordinance.
Public hearings in which anyone who has comments or questions regarding the proposed Ordinance No. 2791, which would establish a reinvestments zone for J-B Weld LLC, and Ordinance No. 2792, the issuance of general obligation refunding bonds and related documents and processes. Both ordinances were introduced on first reading at the last council meeting. Essentially, Ordinance No. 2791 would allow J-B Weld to apply for a tax incentive from the Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors, for an expansion of the business’ Sulphur Springs plant. The hospital district can’t establish a reinvestment zone, but one is required. The city and county have already considered economic development agreements with the business.
The business, which had a 2020 ad valorem taxable value of just over $4.7 million, has committed to investing $4 million to expand its epoxy glue manufacturing business with construction of a 40,000 square-foot facility on the 12.24-acre tract of land, with the project to be completed by June 30, 2022, according to an ED Program agreement.
Ordinance No. 2792 would authorize refinancing of 2 bonds, debt owed by the city. By taking advantage of current rates, the city is projected to save $214,352 from 2021-2034, about $20,000 per year, on repayment of the utility bonds taken out in 2011 and 2012. Of course, refinancing by reissuing and sale of the general obligation refunding bonds would be contingent on receiving rates akin to or better than the current estimates, City Finance Director/Assistant City Manager Lesa Smith explained to the City Council at their regular October meeting.
The elected city officials too will be asked to consider approving Resolution No. 1266, authorizing the city manager to negotiate and sign a contract for engineering services for improvements to the city’s water treatment plant, to be funded using American Rescue Plan Act funding.
The City Council is slated to meet an hour prior to the 7 p.m. open portion of the Nov. 2 meeting. The agenda sites consultation with an attorney relating to pending or contemplative litigation, the city attorney (who has indicated intent to retire at the end of the year), and an economic development matter labeled “Project X.” The Council will consider any matters pushed forwarded from the 6 p.m. executive session for action during the open meeting.
A time will also be allowed before the conclusion of the City Council meeting for public forum, a time when community members may direct comments to the council for a set number of minutes.
18-Wheeler Crash Slows Traffic On Interstate 30 East
An 18-wheeler crash on Interstate 30 east at 4 p.m. Monday caused traffic to slow as emergency responders worked at the crash site.
The semi pulling a box trailer appeared to have overturned onto its side facing southwest, just west of the I-30 entrance ramp just past the Jefferson Street over pass. The front of the cab was facing southwestward at the side of I-30, just down from Texas Department of Public Safety’s Sulphur Springs offices on the edge of town. The top of the box trailer was open, spilling out contents onto the roadside. It was unclear if another vehicle with trailer was involved.
Traffic was diverted from that far right lane of traffic before the bridge. Those traveling through the area should plan to slow down or take an alternate route of travel, and are reminded to be alert for emergency responders and apparatus at work.
No additional details about the 18-wheeler crash were available at 4:40 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, 2021.
Monday Game Day Brings Wildcats Golf, Lady Cats Volleyball in Bi-District Playoffs
This week brings Game day not only on the usual suspects of Tuesday and Friday, but also today, on Monday, Nov. 1.
Seeing as how they are already halfway through their season, Coach Jeremy DeLorge and his team will no doubt be looking to finish the season strong.
The Wildcats golf team will be in their second-to-last competition of the fall 2021 season when they travel to Garland to take on Richardson High at Firewheel Golf Park Bridges Course.
Their final competition is next Monday, where they will be back in the DFW metroplex.
On Monday, Nov. 8 the Wildcats will close out their season when they travel far north of the metroplex to take on Celina at the Bridges Golf Club in Gunter, TX.
The Lady Cats golf team wrapped up their season on Tuesday when they took on Longview at 9 A.M. at Tempest Golf Club.
Moving over to the volleyball team, Game day Monday brings playoff action for the Lady Cats. Coach Bailey Dorner’s team will be ready to get back on the court after taking on Caddo Mills on Friday.
Sulphur Springs hosted the Lady Foxes at the SSMS gym on Friday for their warm-up game before today’s Bi-District contest.
While the Lady Cats won set one, Caddo Mills won sets two through four to win the match in four sets. Friday’s loss dropped Coach Dorner’s team’s season record to 21-17 heading in to the first round of the playoffs.
Today’s match will be just as tough, as they will be taking on a dominant Lufkin team in the Bi-District round.
The Lady Panthers come in to the playoffs with a 37-4 record according to MaxPreps, and won District 16-5A thanks to a perfect 10-0 season against their district foes.
Monday’s Bi-District playoff game is scheduled to begin at 7 P.M. at Tyler High School.
Tickets will be sold by two sellers at the door and payment must be made on Monday with a credit or debit card.
Cash will not be accepted. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults.
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.
Lee Street Vehicle-Pedestrian Crash Results In One Death
An 85-year-old Sulphur Springs woman died of injuries sustained in a Lee Street vehicle-pedestrian crash over the weekend, according to police.
Joyce Mahnke had reportedly just left an event at church and was walking aided by her walker to her residence on the opposite side of Lee Street just after 7:20 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. A man and the woman’s canine companion were also reportedly nearby. Mahnke had reportedly crossed the eastbound side of Lee Street to the westbound side of the road when the crash occurred, according to Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Terry Miller, who is leading the ongoing investigation into the crash.
A white passenger vehicle driven by a 21-year-old man traveling west on Lee Street, reported to be a dark area at that time of evening reportedly struck the Sulphur Springs woman. Emergency responders, upon arrival at the scene, attended the woman, who was reported to be in very critical condition. She was flown Saturday night to a Tyler hospital. Police were told she died at 1:31 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, according to Miller.
Neither the male assisting her nor the driver of the vehicle were reported to have been injured. Animal control was contacted to take custody of the dog due to the owner’s condition following the crash, according to Miller.
Police began an investigation at the crash site, including interviewing those involved in the crash as well as nearby witnesses. The Lee Street vehicle-pedestrian crash was still under investigation. As of late Monday morning, Nov. 1, 2021, no criminal charges had been filed in connection with the crash, police reported.
Visit Charleston, Texas, it’s a Sight!
At times, Charleston, Texas can be an exciting place! Like back in 1910 when a 500-pound meteorite fell to earth near the burg of Charleston during the passage of Halley’s Comet, bringing some publicity to the community. Nowadays, it’s exciting when hunters and fishermen come through on their way to their best spots on the South Sulphur River. And definitely during wedding season, when the Charleston Sky venue brings new folks to town. During the Halloween weekend 2021, I visited Charleston and found it to still be a ‘scream’!
HERE’S SOME FACTS ABOUT CHARLESTON, TEXAS FROM THE TEXAS STATE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
Charleston is on Farm Road 895 some nine miles east of Cooper in southeastern Delta County. It is bordered by Evans Branch on the east and McGuyer Branch on the west. The area, originally part of the D. A. Sey Survey, was within Hopkins County until Delta County was formed in 1870. Settlers in 1854 traveled from Charleston, South Carolina, and named the site for their former home. Local residents exploited the abundance of oak and elm trees, and the first local industry was hardwood lumbering.
In 1857 a post office opened at the community, with Zachariah R. Terrell as postmaster. In 1861, during the Civil War, local citizens organized the first Texas militia brigade and chose to fight for the Confederacy. The Charleston school district was organized in 1867. When Delta County and its county seat, Cooper, were established in 1870, the new shipping center attracted much of Charleston’s business. In 1884 Charleston had 250 residents, three cotton gins, several stores, two wagonmaking enterprises, a flour mill, a sawmill, a gristmill, a church, and a school.
In 1890 mail was delivered tri-weekly from Paris. The population of Charleston had increased to 400 by 1892, when the community also had a weekly newspaper, the News, and a new municipal government. From 1892 to 1897 A. J. Street conducted a teacher-training school in the community. In 1904 the town had 183 inhabitants. Near Charleston, on May 19, 1910, a 500-pound meteorite fell to earth during the passage of Halley’s Comet, bringing some publicity to the community. In the 1920s and 1930s Charleston reported a population of 225, a school, a church, a cemetery, and five or six businesses, including a factory. In 1930 the local school was merged with the Vasco, Cleveland, and Long Ridge districts. Ten years later the school was in East Delta Number 2 District.
By 1950 Charleston’s population was 150. A 1964 map showed two churches, a cemetery, and a cluster of dwellings at the site on Farm Road 895. By 1970 local children attended classes within the Cooper Independent School District. The Charleston post office closed in 1972. By 1976 area residents had built the Charleston Community Center. In 2000 the community’s population was 120.
