Commerce Tigers Football Earns Two Superlatives, Plus Five Make All-District Team
The Commerce Tigers football team received three superlatives and five Tigers made the 5-3A All-District Team selected by the district’s head coaches Tuesday.
Senior Ashton Seale was named the District’s Utility Player of the Year. Junior Moses Branch was selected as the district’s special teams MVP.
Juniors WR Da’Shawn Jackson and LB Kendrick Greer were chosen to the All-District first team.
Two seniors and a junior were the Tigers to make the All-District second team. Seniors OL Noah Howell and DL Henry Serrano, and junior OLB Carlos Aubrey were the Commerce athletes to make the 5-3A All-District second team.
Baumann and sophomore offensive/defensive linemen Cody Jenkins and Jack Nichols were awarded academic All-District.
Jenkins also made the academic All-State second team.
Two players were honorable mentions for academic All-State; Nichols and Baumann.
Mount Pleasant Man Caught In Hopkins County With Firearm Stolen from Marshall
A 23-year-old Mount Pleasant man was caught in Hopkins County with a firearm stolen from Marshall, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite reported stopping a gray Dodge Charger at 1:18 a.m. Dec. 13, 2021, on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 140 for a defective head light. Upon contact with the driver and passenger, he asked of there were any weapons in the car.
Tydarious Dandre Brooks produced a handgun from the driver’s side of the car and placed it on the front passenger’s seat. A records check revealed the firearm had been reported to Marshall Police Department as stolen. Marshall Police confirmed the status of the warrant.
Deputy Zack Horne arrived and helped Fite detain both occupants of the car. Brooks allegedly admitted he knew the gun was in the car but claimed it wasn’t his. The passenger in the car claimed to have no knowledge of the gun, deputies alleged in arrest reports. Brooks was arrested for theft of a firearm. He was released from Hopkins County jail later Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, on the felony theft charge.
Lady Cats Basketball Begins District Play in Mount Pleasant, Plus Two More Teams on the Road for Tuesday Game Day
Three teams are in action for this Tuesday, Dec. 14 game day, and all three are on the road.
The women’s basketball team find themselves already in district-play, and are all set to make the trip out to Mount Pleasant for their first district contest on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
Coach Erica Delley’s squad will tip-off their district season tonight when they take on the Lady Tigers at 6:15 P.M.
The Lady Cats will be looking to get both their first win in district and first win on the season.
Sulphur Springs comes in to tonight’s road-opening district match with an 0-14 record.
Junior varsity will tip-off the action today in Mount Pleasant at 5 P.M. followed by the varsity at 6:15 P.M.
The other two teams in action; Wildcats soccer and basketball, both are on the road for this Tuesday game day.
Wildcats soccer is the next game up, and while all three teams are on the road Coach Alexi Upton’s squad will be the closest to home in Greenville.
The men’s soccer team went 1-1-1 on Saturday, opening their pre-season with a round-robin scrimmage tournament against Celina, Pittsburg and Lindale. Sulphur Springs won their first and last game, and tied Pittsburg in their second contest to end the tourney 1-1-1 and be crowned Sulphur Springs tournament champions.
Coach Upton’s team no doubt had their sights set on Greenville once the tournament concluded Saturday, Dec. 11 as the two schools have a long-standing rivalry.
The fourth scrimmage (of nine) begins today, Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 7:15 P.M. in Greenville.
JV2/freshman will take on the Lions at 4 P.M. followed by JV1 at 5:30 P.M.
Last but certainly not least the Wildcats basketball team will be back in the DFW metroplex tonight to take on Fort Worth’s Arlington Heights HS at 7:30 P.M.
Sulphur Springs for the second week in a row went 4-2 Tuesday through Saturday.
Much like their previous tournament held the weekend before last in Mansfield, the men’s basketball team lost their tourney-opener before rattling off three wins Thursday through Friday and falling Saturday morning to end their participation in each tournament.
Coach Brandon Shaver’s squad went 3-2 last weekend in the Forney tournament, taking on stiff competition across all classifications 4A and up.
And while they rounded out the tourney with a 2OT loss to top-10 ranked 6A Lake Highlands, the men’s basketball team will no doubt be looking to return to their winning ways later today when they travel to Cowtown to take on Arlington Heights.
That match will begin at 7:30 P.M. and will be preceded by freshman at 5 P.M. and JV at 6:15 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.
Rep. Fallon To Hold Town Hall Meeting Dec. 21 In Rockwall County
Pat Fallon, Congressman for the 4th Congressional District will hold a Town Hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 2021, at Heath City Hall Community Room, 200 Laurence Drive in Heath to give an update on the latest in federal legislation. For more information, visit fallon.house.gov or visit Rep. Fallon’s social media pages @Reppatfallon.
The Fourth Congressional district encompasses the 18 counties across Northeast Texas, including all or part of the counties of Bowie, Camp, Cass, Collin, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Rains, Red River, Rockwall, Titus, and Upshur.
Congressman Pat Fallon has represented North Texans in the Texas Legislature since 2013, first as Senator for District 30. In August 2020, Fallon received the Republican Party’s nomination for Congressional District 4 in August 2020. Fallon replaced John Ratcliffe on the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot. Ratcliffe resigned the position upon being confirmed in May as the director of national intelligence. A total of 73 votes was be needed to secure over 50 percent of votes cast for an outright win. Fallon received 82 votes at the August 2020 district delegation. He beat out Democratic nominee Russell Foster in November 2020.
Lady Cats Soccer Goes 1-1 Through First Two Scrimmages
With Christmas approaching, both soccer teams in Sulphur Springs are now in action, getting their pre-season (or scrimmage play) underway on Saturday, Dec. 11.
The Lady Cats opened their season last Saturday in Athens by beating the Lady Hornets 3-2 thanks to last-minute score by Sulphur Springs.
Coach Javier Aguayo said his team played well.
“They went out there and gave it their all,” the Lady Cats coach said. Coach Aguayo said his student-athletes were all too ready to get back on the pitch.
Last night on Monday, Dec. 13 the women’s soccer team made the short trip west on I-30 to take on a good Royse City team, falling to the Lady Bulldogs 2-1.
“They’ve always been a tough opponent to play against,” Coach Aguayo said.
Royse City got the scoring going to take a 1-0 lead over Sulphur Springs, but his team was able to tie the match 1-1.
Halfway through the second though, the Lady Bulldogs scored their second and final goal to take the 2-1 win over the Lady Cats soccer team.
Coach Aguayo said the last two games proves his team can hang with the best of them.
He complimented his squad for their touches with the ball and playing as a team, all while giving the two aforementioned season-opening scrimmages their all.
He said that while the scrimmage-opening win last Saturday was invigorating for his team, the loss brought his team back down to Earth a bit.
Coach Aguayo said that even though his squad lost on Monday, his athletes were excited.
The Lady Cats soccer coach said the loss to a talented Royse City squad gives the team a good gauge of what they can work on moving forward as the season continues to roll.
“We have a long road ahead of us,” Coach Aguayo said.
The road continues Saturday when women’s soccer hosts a tournament on Saturday, Dec. 18 when they host a slew of talented (and ranked) 4A schools at Gerald Prim Stadium.
The tourney will run from 9 A.M. to 3 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.
At Advanced Heart Care & CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Our Hearts Are Here For Yours
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Flu Shots: Do not Delay, Get Yours Today!
Flu shots are available at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, 105 Medical Plaza. We welcome walk-ins or by appointment; to schedule call 903.885.3181.
Thank you for your patience!
With a spike in COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County, please expect “longer than usual” wait times in the Emergency Department. Rest assured we are doing everything we can to provide high quality care in a timely manner. Thank you in advance for allowing us to provide for your healthcare needs, while extending grace to our staff.
COVID Vaccine Clinics
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs offers a COVID Vaccine Clinic every Friday morning from 9am to 12pm in the main lobby of the hospital until further notice. The available vaccines include Moderna (2-doses, ages 18 and older) and Pfizer (2-doses, ages 12 and older) and Johnson & Johnson (1-dose, ages 18 and older). ***This includes all three brands of boosters for fully vaccinated people. Appointments not required, but parent/guardian must accompany anyone 17 and younger.
Please note: There will be NO COVID Vaccine Clinic on December 24 or 31, due to the holidays.
Hospital Visitation
Please note the following guidelines:
- Visitors must acquire masks themselves prior to entering our facility; cloth masks are acceptable. Masks must cover both the nose and the mouth. Visitors must remain masked during their time in the hospital.
- Minor-age visitors must be accompanied by an adult, be free of symptoms and able to comply with masking and hygiene expectations throughout the visit.
- Emergency Department entrance open 24/7
- Main Entrance open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
- Gift Shop open
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Types of Visitors
- COVID receiving aerosol treatments: via tele-visitation only;
- COVID not receiving aerosol treatments: 1 Essential support person for the duration of hospital stay – Essential support person will be given a visible wrist band for identification purposes;
- ICU/ER: 1 Essential support person only;
- All other patients may have 1 Essential support person and 1 visitor (up to 2 persons in room at a time)
- Types of Visitors
Services
Our hearts are here for yours
Advanced Heart Care and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances have delivered heart care in Northeast Texas for over 40 years. Together, we will continue to provide leading-edge heart care to the communities we serve. You can be confident that your heart is in the best hands with the experienced team of board certified cardiologists at Advanced Heart Care.
The scope of their services include: Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Specialists, Concierge Services, Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention, and Second Opinion Clinic. Within the hospital, we have 24/7 STEMI coverage and 24/7 Cath Lab.
If you are experiencing signs of a heart attack, don’t wait – come see us and our team of specialists at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital. To reach Advanced Heart Care local office, call 903.885.3059.
Cardiac Calcium Score
A test that is proven to save lives is available right here in Sulphur Springs. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital offers Cardiac Calcium Scoring at a flat rate of $75.
Self-referrals are allowed for males (40-65 years) or females (45-70 years) who have at least one of the following: current smoker, obesity, family history of heart disease, cholesterol level greater than 160/LDL, blood pressure greater than 140/90. If you do not fall within these guidelines, the test is still an option, but you should visit with your Primary Care Physician for more information.
The number you should call to schedule this test is (903) 438-4543.
We love our patients, and it shows!
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs strives to make sure every patient and their family feel like they are important and receiving the highest quality of care. This success is reflected in our Patient Experience Scores.
Every patient will receive a survey following their encounter in our hospital or clinics. Please take the time to let us know how we are doing, and how we might better serve you. We appreciate your feedback!
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
SSISD Receives Superior Financial Rating, Unmodified Audit
Sulphur Springs ISD received a superior financial rating and an unmodified audit trustees were told during their regular December meeting; the school board also received an update on legal and local policies that will be presented for district approval in January and heard from a woman who expressed concern for school safety at schools
Financial Reports
Sulphur Springs ISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw during the noon board meeting on Dec. 13, reported that SSISD received a perfect score of 100 on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas.
SSISD is one of only 856 out of 1,020 districts rated across the state to receive a superior achievement rating by earning an overall 90-100 score on the FIRST criteria which includes seven indicator questions about cash investments, two indicators dealing with student ratios, and five regarding business practices.
Each year it becomes harder for schools to meet these standards as times are hard and dollars are stretched very thin, McGraw noted.
Robert Lake reported that Rutherford, Taylor and Company, PC, rendered an unmodified opinion, the best report a district can receive on its annual financial and compliance report for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2021. He reported no finding, weaknesses or significant deficiencies on overall compliance and control systems.
TASB Update
Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams presented to trustees Texas Association of School Boards Localized Policy Manual Update 118, which includes 120 legal changes and 12 local changes. Williams said campus principals and directors received the update and have looked it over. This will give trustees a month to look over the policy changes that came out of the last Legislative session.
One legal change is the policy regarding which school employees are required to have cyber security training. The updated policy does not require all faculty and staff to have the training. The district plan filed with the state, however, states that the district does require the training.
Another local policy has to do with wording of who resignation notices should be submitted to. The policy current stipulates that resignation letters should go to either the superintendent or the elementary or secondary assistant superintendents. Proposed in the policy is a language change that stipulates the documents announcing intent to leave the district go to the superintendent or an assistant superintendent.
Counselor’s work is also noted in the policy. At least 80% of their work should go toward work making sure kids’ needs are met, whether the need is phycological, physical or emotional. The district has already been working toward this, lightening additional duties so counselors are available to meet with studies regarding those needs.
A requirement for an audio recording of meeting minutes is addressed in update 118.
Students 15 and older are to be excused from classes if they are out taking a driving test. Also, the policy update notes that students who miss several days due to severe personal illness that requires them to miss school will not have those absences count against them, Williams said.
One local policy would correct the address for SSISD special services department.
Public Forum
Frances Spillman addressed SSISD Board during public forum regarding concerns for children’s safety in schools, especially following a disturbance in the class her son was in. She feels that alternative classrooms should be equipped with video cameras, for the protection of kids.
She said the issue last week involved racism, which she did not appreciate, but did not elaborate further on the matter. She said with the dangerous situations reported on campuses across the country, some involving shootings, se feels the cameras are necessary, especially in ISS which can include children who are disturbed or had disabilities.. She said her aunt who was a teachers encouraged her to address the school board regarding the issue.
SSISD Board of Trustees President Robert Cody said district personnel will evaluate and investigate the incident more. They had not been briefed about any incident. Once SSISD officials have additional information, Cody told Spillman, someone will contact her about it.
Wreaths Across America Will ‘Remember, Honor and Teach’ Nationally, Locally Saturday Dec. 18
Everyone is invited to the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Saturday December 18, 2021, for an observance which honors fallen military laid to rest in cemeteries across America. At the conclusion of a brief ceremony, hundreds of beautiful live fir wreaths adorned with red bows will be distributed throughout the cemetery to be placed on graves marked with a small flag.
Anyone who would like to be part of the local observance is welcome. Families with children are welcome, as the mission of Wreaths Across America is to Remember, Honor and Teach. The act of placing the wreath and speaking the soldier’s name aloud can be a teaching moment for young Americans, as well as a rewarding act for anyone of any age. The outdoor event will begin at 11 a.m. at most locations, and conclude when all the wreaths are placed. Rain is forecast, so please bring an umbrella or rainwear and dress appropriately for wet weather.
Gafford Chapel and Shooks Chapel, however, will have their ceremonies at little bit earlier. Ceremonies at these locations will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 18, 2021.
Dena Loyd headed up the first local participation in Wreaths Across America three years ago, and she remains involved. Now, several cemeteries across Hopkins County have joined in, and volunteers will be observing the date of December 18 in those communities’ cemeteries as well.
Success! Blue Santa Serves 341 Hopkins County Families with Toys, Bicycles For Christmas While More Monetary Donations Continue to Arrive!
On Saturday December 11, 2021, the Blue Santa spirit was alive and well as Distribution Day finally arrived in Sulphur Springs! That day, volunteers had the joy of packaging and placing the asked-for items into the vehicles of the families being served. A massive process in itself, Distribution Day marked the end of a 5-week campaign involving local law enforcement, business, industry, churches, charities, non-profits and individuals in the public. It opened with a sign-up period where income-qualifying families could registered to receive Blue Santa assistance this holiday. Next was filling (and frequently emptying!) the Blue Barrels all around the county as shoppers placed new unwrapped toys inside them. Then there were two full days of the Blue Santa Toy Drive and one night at the Lions Club Christmas Parade where anyone could personally hand over the toys they’d purchased to donate. Then, after all the toys were gathered, they were taken to First United Methodist Church Gym where they were matched up with the wish-lists of the 341 families which would be served.
Last of all in the process, families lined up downtown at the CNB drive-thru lanes, then proceeded across to the FUMC west parking lot, then wound their way around the church single-file to the covered drive where their vehicle number was matched up with the numbered boxes and tagged bicycles. At the drive thru, volunteers from the Hopkins County Sheriffs Posse and Sulphur Springs Police Department placed them in the truck bed, trunk or back seat of the vehicles. The final step will take place at home, where the unwrapped toys will be safely stored, then wrapped and tucked under the Christmas tree as a surprise from Santa!
For Christmas 2021, it really took a village! Of the 341 families, it was estimated that about 800 toys and about 200 bicycles would be needed. Numbers of families applying for the assistance have grown following the effects of the COVID pandemic. Thanks go out to everyone who found it in their hearts to give! Funds for the Blue Santa campaign are accepted all year, so if you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation now or anytime, contact the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department at 903-438-4040 for details.
