Authorities Release Names Of Children Who Perished In Moore Street House Fire
Local authorities at 11:30 a.m. Friday released the names of the two children who perished in the Moore Street house fire early Thursday morning, Jan. 20, 2022.
According to Sulphur Springs Fire Chief/Marshal David James, the two little girls found deceased inside the burned More Street structure Thursday morning are 3-year-old Heaven Lee and 1-year-old Hayden Lee.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” James said stated in a press release issued Thursday afternoon, Jan. 20.
Sulphur Springs Fire Department responded at 3:52 a.m. Jan. 20, 2022, to a structure fire on South Moore Street. The house was fully engulfed in flames when units first arrived. It was later learned that two small children were unable to escape the fire and are deceased, James reported Thursday afternoon.
The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined, and very few other details have been released by local officials. However, the investigation into the South Moore Street house fire is ongoing with the assistance of local, state and federal fire officials, according to the Jan. 21 press release.
Friday Game Day Has Both Basketball, Soccer Teams Plus Team Tennis on Deck
Friday, Jan. 21 is a busy one for Sulphur Springs sports. Five teams are on deck today and ready for action.
Team Tennis had an early start on Friday, Jan. 21 in Hallsville in the Bobcat tournament.
Contests began on this Friday game day at 8 A.M. in Hallsville.
Today’s tournament contains the first contests for Coach Tony Martinez’s program in their spring 2022 season.
They no doubt hope to get their spring season off on the right foot by getting some wins in both matches and series against formidable foes in Hallsville.
Moving over to soccer, both squads are set for day two of their respective tournaments.
Men’s soccer have a 2 P.M. start time in Terrell taking on Paris and women’s soccer are not far behind that, with a 3 P.M. kick off in Longview against Nacogdoches.
Both teams have one game Friday, Jan. 21 before finishing tournament play tomorrow.
Coach Alexi Upton’s Wildcats play Sunnyvale Saturday, Jan. 22 at 12:30 P.M. and Coach Javier Aguayo’s Lady Cats take on Kilgore on Saturday at 5 P.M.
This weekend’s tournaments mark the end of tournament play for both soccer teams.
Both soccer squads wrap up their pre-season with matches on Tuesday before district play begins next Friday, Jan. 28.
Last but certainly not least both basketball squads take on Texas High.
Men’s basketball hosts the Tigers at the SSHS Main Gym on Friday, Jan. 21 and Lady Cats basketball are in Texarkana taking on the Lady Tigers.
Wildcats basketball lost a slugfest Tuesday, Jan. 17 in Mount Pleasant 53-51. They look to stay near the top of District 15-5A if they can get the win versus a tough Texas High squad.
That game tips off at the SSHS Main Gym at 7 P.M. and will be broadcasted on to KSST 1230 AM. If given permission we will also livestream that game on to KSST Radio’s Youtube channel.
Like men’s basketball, Sulphur Springs fell to Mount Pleasant on Tuesday, 69-18 to hurt their playoff chances. If Coach Erica Delley’s squad can best Texas High on the road today, they stay in the race for the postseason.
A loss on Friday, Jan. 21 would make it an uphill battle for the Lady Cats to make the postseason.
The Lady Cats tip off with Texas High in Texarkana 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.
Spraggins Seeking Reelection To Place 5 On City Council
Thursday afternoon, incumbent Gary Spraggins filed an application for a place on the May 7 Sulphur Springs City Council Election ballot. Spraggins, a salesman, is seeking reelection to Place 5.
He won the Nov. 3, 2020 election, receiving 71.24 percent of the votes for the Place 5 seat for one year, and then in 2021 was elected to the final year of the unexpired term for Place 5.
Candidate filing for Places 4 and Place 5 on the May 7, 2022, Sulphur Springs City Council Election ballot opened Wednesday morning. Currently, Freddie Taylor serves in Place 4.
Candidate filing for both three-year term seats on the May 7 City Council Election ballot will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, at Sulphur Springs Municipal Building (City Hall), 201 North Davis St. Mail applications for a place on the ballot may be mailed to City Secretary/Elections Officer Natalie Darrow at 125 South Davis St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482; or emailed to [email protected]
To be eligible to run for a seat on the City Council, the prospective candidate must be a
qualified voter of the State of Texas, resided continuously in the State of Texas and the City of Sulphur Springs for 12 months immediately preceding the deadline for filing an application for a
place on the ballot.
Other qualifications include:
- Must be a citizen of the United States eligible to hold such office under the constitution
and laws of this state; - Must not be mentally incompetent as determined by a court;
- Must not be convicted of a felony for which he/she has not been pardoned or had full rights of citizenship restored by other official action;
- Must be 18 years of age or older on the commencement of the term to be filled;
- Must not hold any other public office in which he/she was elected for and/or be a member of a board directly appointed by the City Council on the commencement of the term to be filled;
- City taxes must be paid to current; and
- Have knowledge of the nepotism law summary.
Charley’s Aunt Rescheduled For Jan. 28, 29, 30
Community Players membership and the director announced this week that Charley’s Aunt, scheduled this weekend, has been pushed back to Jan. 28, 29 and 30 at Main Street Theatre, according to Board President Lyndie Mansfield. The theatre group cites “internal concerns” for this weekend’s cancelation.
The doors will be open at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 28 and 29, and at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. Tickets will be available at that time.
Tickets purchased for this weekend may be moved to next weekend’s performances or refunded. Send Main Street Theatre a message on Facebook with information on your choice of show date.
Due To Shortage Of COVID Testing Supplies, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinics-Urgent Care Can’t Guarantee Rapid COVID Tests, PCR Available
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
POSTPONED: Community Health Day
In partnership with CHRISTUS Health, Columbia Lodge #81 has been diligently planning an event aimed to build a community that is more secure, productive, healthy, and hopeful. We plan to have local experts speaking on a variety of health-related topics that will educate and empower community members to take charge of their own health and well-being.
Due to an increase in community COVID cases, the event will be rescheduled for a later date at the HW Grays Building at Pacific Park. We apologize for any inconvenience, but want everyone to stay safe!
COVID Testing at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinics | Urgent Care
Due to a shortage of COVID testing supplies, we unfortunately cannot guarantee that rapid tests will be available. If rapid tests are not available, we will be able to send out a COVID PCR test, which typically results in 2 days, but could take up to 7 days if testing volume is high. We are working diligently to obtain additional supplies and appreciate your understanding; please know that we remain dedicated to providing you with the very best care possible.
Thank you for your respect and consideration!
With a spike in COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County, we appreciate anyone who has made an appointment with a provider at one of our clinic locations kindly cancelling within 4 hours of their scheduled time to allow the visit slot to be filled with someone else who may need it. 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.
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
Sleep Medicine
Dr. Aaron Pierce, Sleep Medicine Specialist will be coming to Sulphur Springs the first Monday of every month to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Medical Building 10, 113 Medical Circle. You may require a referral from your Primary Care Physician based on your insurance coverage; however, you may contact his office directly for more information by calling 903.606.1664. *Please indicate that you prefer an appointment in the Sulphur Springs location.
Pulmonology
On January 20, we will be adding tele-Pulmonary outpatient clinic with Tyler physicians, Drs. Andrew and Amaya Skabelund. They will be providing services at CTC Medical Building 7 – 107 Medical Circle every Thursday interchangeably. The clinic operation hours will be 8 AM – 4:30 PM. They will break from 12-1 PM. The pulmonary clinic contact phone number is 903.606.2830.
*Please indicate that you prefer an appointment in the Sulphur Springs location.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care – Sulphur Springs
** PLEASE NOTE – due to limited staffing, the Urgent Care may be forced to change its hours without notice … We recommend calling prior to your arrival to check the status of availability. We apologize for the inconvenience.**
The CHRISTUS Urgent Care Hours of Operation is as follows:
- In-Person Care Hours: Monday through Friday, 9-5; Saturday and Sunday, Closed
- Virtual Visit Hours: Monday-Friday, 8-5
- To schedule a virtual visit, please visit urgentcare.christushealth.org, then select your location and click “Virtual Visit”
The Urgent Care is located at 1339 S. Broadway, and the phone number to call is 903.951.1001.
# # #
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
11-Mile Vehicle Pursuit On I-30 Ends With Felony Arrest
An 11-mile vehicle pursuit along Interstate 30 east early Friday morning resulted in a felony arrest and a dog bite, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Cleve Williams reported stopping a Chevrolet Malibu at 12:09 a.m. Jan. 21, 2022, on I-30 east at mile marker 112 for a traffic violation. The driver, 32-year-old Donquese Everett-Young of Brownwood, was determined during a records check to be wanted in Kimble County on three warrants. When Williams attempted to arrest him, Everett-Young drove off in the vehicle, the officer write in arrest reports.
Williams pursued the car along I-30 east to League Street at West Shannon Road (the 123 exit). The driver was detained and taken into custody at 1:51 a.m. with help from Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Chiv and his handler. Everett-Young was reportedly treated by Hopkins County EMS for a dog bite. After refusing any additional medical treatment, Everett-Young was transported by a SSPD Officer Thad Cook to the county jail, Williams noted in arrest reports.
Everett-Young was booked into Hopkins County jail at 3:18 a.m. Jan. 21, 2022, on an evading arrest with previous conviction charge as well as Kimble County warrants for:
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon,
- Possession of more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and
- evading arrest with previous conviction charges.
Bond on the Kimble County warrants was recommended at $25,000 on the firearm charge, $25,000 on the controlled substance charge and $10,000 on the evading arrest charge, according to arrest reports. He was issued a warning for no license plate light.
Everett-Young, who is also known by Donqese Jones, Donya Smith, Donquese Young and Donquese Taunnay Young, remained in Hopkins County jail late Friday morning, Jan. 21, 2022, awaiting arraignment and bond on the Hopkins County charge, according to jail records.
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.
911 Down Due To Service Disruption In Area, Numbers Given To Call For Emergencies
Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County are currently having an issue with the 911 systems; 911 systems are down. According to Sulphur Springs Police Department, there is a disruption in the area, resulting in the local 911 system not receiving calls for all carriers.
Until 911 is restored, those seeking assistance should:
- Call 903-439-3719 for emergencies in Sulphur Springs, and
- Call 903-885-2768 for Hopkins County emergencies.
Gale Roberts Honored For Service With Retirement Reception
Gale Roberts was honored Wednesday for her service to the City of Sulphur Springs with a retirement reception held in her honor at city hall.
Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers said it was appropriate the reception drew a great gathering to wish her well in retirement. The service she provided to the city, staff, officials and residents has been invaluable, he noted. Her love for the city of Sulphur Springs has shown daily in her work as city secretary, work she has performed with a servant’s heart to help the community, always showing kindness and lending a helping hand where possible.
Sellers noted what a huge help she has been to him and other mayors in researching and preparing proclamations. The mayor, City Manager Marc Maxwell and Natalie Darrow (who Roberts worked with for several months before swearing her in as the new city secretary on Dec. 7, 2021) prepared a proclamation for Roberts, which Sellers read during Wednesday’s celebration.
The proclamation cited Roberts’ dediation to the City of Sulphur Springs, first working for Johnny Vance, in 1999, and continuing in that role until a brief move 5 years later. She was administered the oath of office as City Secretary on Dec. 7, 2004, a position she has held until her retirement.
During her time with the city, Roberts worked with 11 mayors and 24 different City Council members. Her duties have included preparing agendas, proclamations, and the many exhibits and other documents that go along with them. As city secretary, Roberts too served as the city’s election officer, and administered the oath of office to the new city secretary and city attorney on Dec. 7, 2021.
In addition to her regular duties, Roberts put in the 200-plus hours of schooling and attended eight 2-day seminars required to become a Texas Registered Municipal Clerk, the only university-level professional education program for city clerks and city secretaries In Texas. Roberts was recognized in 2020 at the Annual Texas Municipal Clerks Election Law Seminar in Frisco for completing the program.
When longtime City Secretary Sharon Ricketson gave 2 year’s notice of intended retirement, Maxwell said he had no doubt who he wanted to fill the position — he just had to break the new to Vance and make the official announcement. Unfortunately, Roberts moved out of town. Maxwell said he knew how good she was, so after she’d been away a brief time, he was glad to get her back, with a “lot of arm twisting.”
Gale Roberts, Maxwell noted, has the unique ability to tell someone no and make them like it, which has served her and the city well when communicating with the public. She is also a great judge of character. There aren’t many people she does not like, but when that happens, Maxwell said, he takes notice.
“It has been a joy to help people. I try to treat each person as if they could be my boss some day, and that could happen,” Gale Roberts said. “I’ve made many friends. I enjoy helping people.”
“She’s always had my back,” Maxwell said, adding directly to her, “I can’t thank you enough. I’m going to miss you.”
Roberts, after first offering thanks to her husband and son for their continued support, noted that she has had the privilege of working with many great city council members and other city servants and leaders over the years, and expressed appreciation to all of them.
Roberts too offered special thanks to Maxwell for both putting up with her over the past 17 years and helping her along the way.
“He’s a great ally. It’s great to serve with someone with excellent leadership. It has totally been my pleasure to serve each of you,” Roberts said.
She recalled two of the first tasks she was assigned early on when she began working for Johnny Vance at the city in 1999 – the United Way campaign and being on the Christmas Committee. She said she met a lot of people doing so, and made many fast friends.
She recalled working many long hours with Chris Brown and Brad Burgin, when they served in leadership roles with the city, to change zoning ordinances for the good of the city and later the work when Clay Walker served on the zoning board.
Roberts and Place 4 Councilman Freddie Taylor were both sworn in at the same time, making Taylor the longest tenured councilman serving and Sellers, with all of his years combined has had one of if not the longest stint as mayor. Place 3 Councilman Oscar Aguilar has been a “go-to” person for information and assistance on numerous occasions over the years.
She too extended appreciation to Jim McLeroy, who retired in December after a few decades as city attorney, for his support over the years as well. When the city held the election to determine whether liquor could be sold in Sulphur Springs, more than 3,000 signatures from registered voters were required as part of the process. An attorney challenged whether each presented had been properly vetted. McLeroy jumped in, asking if she had, and when she affirmed she’d done her part, he then proceeded to strongly address the attorney on her behalf, Roberts recalled.
In addition to receiving several vases of flowers and cards, the City of Sulphur Springs presented Roberts with a gift – the specific icemaker she prefers. Maxwell said while some ogle and collect tools, Gale Roberts’ passion is the icemaker.
Guests at the lunch event for the retiring secretary included past and present City Council members, city staff, county officials and community members. A fajita lunch was served for any who attended. Dessert options included multilayered Italian cream, chocolate and strawberry cakes.
Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Center Music Instructor Richard Shanks Introduces Students
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Music Instructor Richard Shanks introduces students in his spring semester class to a variety of musical instruments. The students, from left, are Amber Stribling, Jesilyn Kelley, Ofelia Cabrera, Brisevda Rodriquez and Andrew Simon.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
2 Small Children Found Deceased In Burned South Moore Street Home
Investigation Into The Blaze Ongoing
Two small children were found deceased in a South Moore Street home which burned early Thursday morning, according to Sulphur Springs Fire Chief/Marshal David James. Very few details have been released.
Chief James, in a press release issued after 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, stated that Sulphur Springs Fire Department responded at 3:52 a.m. Thursday to a reported structure fire at a South Moore Street residence. The structure was fully engulfed in flames when the units arrived.
“It was later learned that two small children were unable to escape the fire and are deceased. The investigation into the fire is ongoing,” the release from James stated.
No additional details are being released at this time, according to city authorities.
