Almost Full Moon Telescope Viewing with VR Social
Join us on the downtown square October 16, 7:30 to 10 p.m. We’ll have our large telescope set up on the lawn where you can see close up details of the lunar surface.
This is a FREE event, we just want to share the wonder of seeing the moon up close with you!
You will be able to take photos through the telescope lens with your phone. We have many eyepieces that will give different magnification options to see the craters up close!
The sun sets at 6:47 p.m. The moon will have risen at 5:10 p.m. By 7:30 p.m. it will have an altitude of 25 degrees with a heading of 126 degrees SE.
For more information click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/606566277184831?ref=newsfeed
Tira News – Oct. 14, 2021: All Former North Hopkins Students And Faculty Invited To Alumni Homecoming
By Jan Vaughn
The North Hopkins Alumni Association would like to encourage all former students and faculty to attend the NH Alumni Homecoming on Saturday evening, October 23, in the school cafeteria from 5 to 8 p.m. Since there was no homecoming in 2020, the classes of 1970, 1971, 1980, 1981, and 1990, 1991 will be honored for their 50-, 40-, and 30-year class reunion. The North Hopkins Culinary Arts department will be serving a delicious meal. Also, there will be Bingo and prizes! The cost is $15 per person. Please help spread the word.
Nicolaas Esterhuyse stayed with his grandparents, Yvonne and Robert Weir, over the weekend then Yvonne stayed with him at his home until the following Saturday night. His parents, Destri and Eben, were on a working vacation. Yvonne reports, “Nico had lots of flag football practice and one game.” Dustin, Natalie and Everly, also, visited them, and on Saturday Yvonne took Nico and Everly to Chuck E Cheese. Yvonne adds, “We all had Thai food later.”
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
HHS Observes Ombuds Day By Highlighting The Agencies 100 Patient Advocates
Agency Ombuds Handled More Than 90,000 Inquiries During Past Year
AUSTIN – In commemoration of Ombuds Day on Oct. 14, Texas Health and Human Services is highlighting the dedicated work of the agency’s ombudsmen who serve as advocates for people using HHS services and licensed long-term care facilities, and their families.
“HHSC works hard to provide critical life-saving and life sustaining services to Texans in need and our ombuds collaborate to ensure these services meet the expectations of the people who rely on them. It is a privilege to serve in such an important role when Texans need our help the most,” said HHS Ombudsman Joel Schwartz.
The HHS Office of the Ombudsman is a team of nearly 100 working to resolve consumer issues with nursing facilities, mental health and substance use disorder services, Medicaid and benefits assistance, foster care and other HHS programs. In fiscal year 2021, the ombuds handled more than 90,000 complaints, inquiries and legislative concerns.
Ombuds Day is celebrated on the second Thursday of each October to raise awareness about assistance available through ombudsmen. This year’s theme is “Ombuds: Exploring Options to Resolve Conflict Together.” Ombuds from around the world will mark the day by commemorating their work in all levels of government, institutions of higher education, and the private sector.
In recognition of Ombuds Day, Governor Greg Abbott has signed a proclamation to formally announce his support of the work of ombuds in Texas.
People who need help with HHS services can visit the HHS Office of the Ombudsman webpage or call 877-787-8999.
2 Sulphur Springs Men Jailed In Hopkins County Tuesday On Controlled Substance Charges
Two Sulphur Springs men were jailed in Hopkins County Tuesday on controlled substance charges, according to arrest reports.
Jail Transfer
Deputy Steve Huffman traveled to Hunt County jail in Greenville, where Kedaron Dion Franklin was being held on four Hopkins County warrants. Huffman took custody of Franklin at 12:09 p.m. Oct. 12, 2021, and transported the 35-year-old Sulphur Springs man to Hopkins County jail.
Franklin, who is also known by Frank Franklin, Kedaron Deon Franklin and KD, was booked in at 1:26 p.m. on two warrants for manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, and one warrant each for manufacture or delivery of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3/4 controlled substance and 1 gram ore more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2021, in lieu of $400,000 bond, $100 per charge.
Como Street Traffic Stop
(HCSO jail photo)
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Dustin Green conducted a traffic stop on a black Dodge 1500 at 5:21 p.m. Oct. 12, 2021, on Como Street at Whitworth Street. Upon contact, Green observed the driver to appear nervous and that the man was digging around in the vehicle, so Green had the 61-year-old Sulphur Springs man get out of the truck/
William David Baxter reportedly gave Green permission to search his pockets. Green found a glass container with a green, leafy substance he believed to be marijuana in Baxter’s shirt pocket and an eyeglass case with a clear container with a crystal-like substance he relieved to be methamphetamine in Baxter’s pocket.
Consequently, Baxter was arrested at 5:48 p.m. and booked into the county jail at 6:56 p.m. Tuesday on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. He was released from jail Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, on a $5,000 bond set on the felony controlled substance charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
The 2022 Women’s Rodeo World Championship Moves to Fort Worth in May with New Competition Format Updates
Richest Women’s Rodeo Event in History moves to Texas with PBR World Finals in 2022
The WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) and PBR (Professional Bull Riders) announced that the largest payout event in the history of Women’s Rodeo, the Women’s Rodeo World Championship (WRWC), will move to Fort Worth, Texas, starting in May 2022.
The relocation and dates will go into effect immediately after the 2021 WRWC which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, at South Point Arena Oct. 26-29.
The championship event will be split between The Historic Cowtown Coliseum and Dickies Arena. The first three rounds of competition will be at Cowtown Coliseum May 16-17, with the final two rounds held at Dickies Arena in conjunction with PBR World Finals. 2022 Women’s Rodeo World Champions will now be crowned in the same arena as the PBR World Champion.
“We are ecstatic about this forever home for the WRWC in the heart of cowboy country as we continue to change the landscape of women’s rodeo offering the world’s largest payout in the history of women’s rodeo and showcasing these atheltes to the world on national television broadcast,” said WCRA President Bobby Mote. “Ushering in this new era of women’s rodeo at an event with this level of payout and visibility is something we take great pride in.”
At the inaugural event in 2020, four women became the first in history to claim the coveted title of Women’s Rodeo World Champion and took home a minimum of $60,000 each while the All-Around Champion collected a $20,000 cash bonus. The championship event dished out equal money in all disciplines and cut checks to more than 250 female athletes.
WRWC is the largest annual purse for a women’s rodeo event and will again payout $750,000 in 2021 while crowning World Champions in the Women’s Rodeo disciplines; Team Roping, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing. An all-around champion will also be crowned.
Athletes have two opportunities to earn a position to the event: The WRWC Leaderboard or through a WRWC Qualifiers Series event.
WRWC is a culmination of a leaderboard race of rodeo events worldwide for female rodeo athletes at both Pro and Challenger levels. Athletes can qualify by nominating their rodeo efforts and earning points for the 2022 WRWC leaderboard positions using the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier). Athletes have until April 17, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. to nominate and earn points. The top 20 on both the Pro and Challenger leaderboards will qualify for the event. Athletes can learn how to nominate and earn points HERE. Nominations are open now.
In addition to the leaderboards, athletes can earn a generic qualification to the WRWC by participating in Qualifier Series events. The Qualifier Series is a string of events held prior to the 2022 WRWC where athletes who nominate and place in the top spot in their respected discipline will earn a generic qualification to the 2022 WRWC. All 2022 WRWC Qualifier Series events will be announced in the coming weeks.
More information about the event including payout, and format can be found at womensrodeoworldchampionship.com or contact [email protected].
About WRWC:
In February 2020, WCRA and PBR announced a revolutionary event in women’s rodeo- the Women’s Rodeo World Championship. A first-of-its-kind, the event is open to any female athlete in the world competing in breakaway roping, barrel racing, and team roping.
The 2021 Women’s Rodeo World Championship, scheduled for South Point Arena in Las Vegas, in conjunction with the PBR World Finals Nov 1-6 is the largest annual payout for a Women’s Rodeo event and will payout over $750,000 while crowning World Champions in the Women’s Rodeo disciplines; Team Roping, Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing.
Distinguished SSHS Stringed Orchestra Students
Five Sulphur Springs High School Stringed Orchestra students distinguished themselves over the weekend at Region Audition.
This list of accomplished strings musicians includes Jonathan Gloar, Daphne Valles, Daniel Elam, Khira Young, and Marco Rivera. Johnathan Gloar made 7th chair viola, Daniel Elam made viola alternate and Daphne Valles made 6th chair cello, according to SSMS & SSHSString Orchestra Director Hannah Kirby.
Gloar and Valles have had past successes with their stringed instruments. As a freshman in the spring of 2020, violist Gloar received a 2nd division or excellent rating for his performances at the Solo and Ensemble competition as well as a 2 for his viola solo.
Congratulations to all five of these musicians for their achievements in orchestral music.
Eighth Grade A and B Football Teams Wins Fifth Straight
The 8th Grade Wildcats A and B Team faced the Texas High Middle School Tigers and both Wildcats teams emerged victorious.
Both the A and B team middle school football teams continue their winning streak with 5-0 records on the season.
The eighth grade A team won 26-14 versus the Tigers.
On offense, quarterback Gage Gideon had a huge game, throwing for 3 TD passes and had 20 yards rushing for the game.
Wide receiver Jaxson Haire also had a great game with 2 TDs receiving and also a rushing TD. Two-way player Julian Clayton also contributed at the wide out position with 1 receiving TD and played well at the Middle Linebacker position delivering huge hits to the Texas High offense skill players, Coach Flores said.
The middle school Wildcats football coach said running backs Keyshaun John and Alex King did a great job of running the ball hard all night, and combined for over 150 yards rushing for the game.
The offensive line, led by Justin Strickland, Jeffrey Stevenson, Dallin Horton, Lucas Shirley, Anthony Solis, Michael Walker, Trey Pannel, Vincient Johnson, Kase Temples, and Aiden Mccarroll all did a great job of executing the blocking scheme and causing trouble for the Texas High defense.
Alex McCormick, Gio Ibarra, Austin Crocker, Matthew Jeter, Corbin Argenbright, and Juan Reyes were relentless on the defensive side causing huge stops for the Texas High offense.
The eighth grade B team, like the A team, got a victory versus the Tigers, beating Texas High 16-6.
On offense, RB Cazden Holton ran the ball hard and finished the game with 40 yards rushing. Running back Logan Lowrance also ran the ball hard with 1 TD rushing.
QB Deuce Timmons had a great game and rushed for 75 yards and also contributed with 1 rushing TD.
Both lines were led by TJ Abron, Jermiah Robinson, Bryson Reyes, Aiden Koon, Kendrick Harris, Marcos Ramirez, Blaine Allen, Jacolby Arceneaux, who did a great job of blocking on offense and getting in the backfield of the Texas High offense.
Defenders Issiac Ray, TJ Bolden and Mack Barrett played well, swarming to the football. Mack Barrett also contributed with an INT.
Coach Flores said he would like to thank all the fans and parents that came out and supported the Middle School Football teams last Tuesday at the Prim.
The Middle School Wildcats A and B team will travel to Pine Tree on Tuesday, Oct. 19 to face the Pirates, action begins at 5:30 P.M. with the B team and follows with the A team at 6:30 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.
Commissioners Court Has Busy Weekend Planned – Court and Work Session, Attending Park Celebration And Saturday Benefit
Hopkins County Commissioners Court has a busy weekend planned, with two court sessions and plans to attend two community events.
Park Celebration
The Commissioners Court plans to help Coper Lake State Park celebrate its 25th anniversary Friday morning, with the big kickoff event at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 at the park. Opened to the public in 1996, Cooper Lake State Park is one of the newest parks in the vast Texas State Park System. The festivities will take place on October 15-16 at the park, and all entrance fees will be waived during the two-day event.
Hokins County Judge Robert Newsom, along with Texas State Park Director Rodney Franklin, Cooper Mayor Darren Braddy, Army Corps of Engineer Lake Manager Matt Seavey and others, are scheduled to speak at the 10 a.m. event Friday. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Doctors Creek, Inc., with Cooper and North Hopkins ISDs lending support for the event.
Click here for more information about the Oct. 15-16 Cooper Lake State Park 25th Anniversary Celebration.
Regular Meeting, Work Session
The commissioners and county judge then are slated to formally meet in regular session at 1 p.m. Friday, in the Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse, 118 Church St.
The court will be asked to consider a number of items related to road and bridge repairs, including bids for road materials, road oil and culverts, clear span concrete bridges and concrete culverts and asphalt paving; purchase of two work trucks, two dump trucks and a tractor/loader through purchasing cooperatives.
The agenda also calls for action in response to Arbala Volunteer Fire Department’s violation of Section 16 of the contract struck with the county.
Variances to subdivision rules are requested for property located at 605 County Road 4743 and at 346 County Road 3501. Another request submitted to the Commissioners Court for consideration Friday afternoon is closure of a portion of County Road 3507. Farmers’ Electric Cooperative has requested permission to build Electrical power distribution facilities across County Road 1216, just north of County Road 1214 in Precinct 1.
The Commissioners Court will also be asked to consider a user license agreement between Hopkins County Clerk and Permitium LLC.
After the regular 1 p.m. court session adjourns Friday, the Commissioners Court is slated to immediately head upstairs to the third floor meeting room in the courthouse for a work session. Commissioners are slated to talk with the fire marshal about fire department operations. with the sheriff about operations of his department including the jail, and with Zach Collett.
Juror reimbursement donation too is expected to be discussed during the Oct. 15 work session. The court may also discuss budgetary matters during the Friday afternoon work session.
Saturday Benefit
Court members also plan to attend the annual Help A Child Chili Cookoff to benefits children’s charities which beings around 10:30 a.m. Oct. 16 at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Bartley was one of the founding members of the annual benefit, sponsored by local Masonic Lodges to aid abused, orphaned or homeless children as well as kids with certain medical difficulties.
Wildcats Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks Discusses Last Week’s Lindale Invitational and Thursday’s District Championship Meet
Cross country coach Ross Hicks and his program are all too excited to compete in the District 15-5A championship held this Thursday in Hallsville.
But before they could set their sights on vanquishing their district foes, they first had to get through the Lindale Eagle Invitational held last Thursday.
It was a fantastic final tune-up for the cross country team, as the Lady Cats finished second and the Wildcats placed fourth.
The women’s team were led by Jaycee Jasmer who crossed the line with a time of 21:02.8, good enough for fourth place in a smaller, yet intense heat.
“She ran a really good race,” Coach Hicks said about the Lady Cat, saying she has “just been getting better and better.”
Sophomore Haylee Schultz was not far behind Jasmer as she narrowly missed out on the top five coming in at 21:32.4 for sixth place.
The Wildcats cross country coach said she admittedly didn’t have her best day, but Coach Hicks hopes she’ll use that as motivation for Thursday.
Senior Jolene Carpenter had her best finish of the year, at 10th place with a time of 22:56.7 and Jasmin Janez also medaled at fourteenth crossing the line at 23:40.4.
Coach Hicks said Janez is “The most-improved runner,” saying he is really proud of what she’s done.
Junior Rebekah Stanley narrowly missed medaling at 16th place with a time of 23:59.8.
Maddie Poskey was the final Lady Cats runner at 28th.
Moving over to the men’s team, they had a successful day as well, again coming up in fourth place.
Jose Mejia had himself another impressive day as he finished in the top-5 again, at fourth. The senior had a time of 16:45.7.
Another senior, Evan Patrick, narrowly missed out on the top-15 medalled positions when he crossed the line 18th with a finish time of 17.40.
Four more runners for Sulphur Springs placed in the top 40;
- Senior Alex Flecker, who placed 28th at 18:10.6
- Cristobal Torres, placing 30th with a time of 18:13.1
- Sophomore Erick Osornio, at 33rd at 18:31.1
- And sophomore Alex Yanez who finished 37th in the heat at 18:55.1
Candelario Monsivais and Hector Hernandez both made the top-50 at 42nd and 47th, respectively.
Seniors Jonathan Scott and Alan Hernandez were the final two runners for the Wildcats to place at 56th and 64th place.
The Wildcats cross country coach said Lindale is a hard course and he is proud of the way his kids competed.
Coach Hicks said his team is full of great kids and recognizes that it is a tough sport that makes athletes get up every morning and run and work their tails off.
He added that he was proud of this group and proud of the way they conduct themselves.
“They are great representations of what Sulphur Springs athletics is all about,” Coach Hicks said about his program.
Next up, Coach Ross Hicks and his program hope to save their best for last as they will be in Hallsville on Thursday in the District 15-5A Championship meet.
This year is the first for the cross country program in a while that their district meet will not be held in Mount Pleasant.
The cross country coach said that the hilled, curved nature of the course made competing in Lindale last week even better for his team, since it better emulated the course they would be running in Hallsville as opposed to the flat nature of the course here in Sulphur Springs.
Women will get things going at District 15-5A championship meet in Hallsville at 9 A.M. starting with varsity, followed 30 minutes later by the varsity men who will begin at 9:30 A.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.
SSHS Wildcat Band Has Great Week Of Competition
the Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Band have had a great week of competition, scoring well at both the Royse City competition Oct. 9 and UIL Contest on Oct. 11.
The band started out on Saturday winning Best In Class 5A and finishing 2nd Overall in the finals at the Royse City Contest against a “stout lineup of great bands.” According to school staff, “these students have proven that hard work pays off.”
The Wildcat Band too is to be congratulated for receiving straight first division or superior ratings at the Region UIL Contest Tuesday. The students are now working toward the Area Contest on Oct. 23.
The UIL contest Oct. 11 was the Wildcat Band’s fourth contest this month. They competed in two contests on Saturday, Oct. 2, earning first division ratings from all judges and receiving the Outstanding Music award in Class 5A at Mesquite Memorial Stadium. The band also won Best in Class 5A, earned recognition for having the most outstanding Winds and Color Guard in Class 5A, and finished third overall at the Sunnyvale High School contest Saturday evening.
In readiness for these contests, the SSHS Wildcat Band held their annual band camp weeks before classes began for the 2021-2022 school year. They have gradually worked up to their full marching routine, adding a little bit more to their show each week they performed during halftime at the Wildcats’ varsity football games.
(Click here to view halftime shows featuring the SSHS Wildcat Band.)
