Wildcats Soccer’s Comeback Falls Short, Losing to Terrell 3-2
The men’s soccer team found themselves in a hole early on in their Tuesday home match with Terrell on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Coach Alexi Upton’s squad fell behind 3-0 after one half.
The Wildcats worked their way back into the match against the Tigers, but could not complete the comeback falling 3-2 at Gerald Prim Stadium.
The first goal was put in by Uriel Santacruz and assisted by Aubrey Camacho. Edgar Salazar scored unassisted on the men’s soccer team’s second and ultimately final goal.
Coach Upton did not coach Tuesday (out with COVID).
The men’s soccer coach said his team struggled defensively. Coach Upton said some system and culture changes are coming soon.
The loss drops the varsity team’s season record to 0-3-2.
Next up, Sulphur Springs participates in another tournament this weekend in Longview. The tourney stretches from Thursday, Jan. 13 through Saturday, Jan. 15.
Thursday has men’s soccer taking on Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill at 4 P.M. at Lobo Stadium.
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.
Wildcats Basketball Loses Heartbreaker in Overtime to Hallsville, 63-59
The men’s basketball team fought for four and a half quarters to hand Hallsville their first district loss, but fell short 63-59 in overtime on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
The game was so intense that a near-brawl ensued between both teams after the game had concluded.
Sulphur Springs fell behind early 14-5 heading in to the second, but found their groove on offense from there.
Branson Lynn and big men Justin Haire and Kordrick Turner clawed the Wildcats back in to the game thanks to a combined 13 points from the three that helped Coach Brandon Shaver’s squad pull back within 10 at 26-18.
Each time Sulphur Springs hit a shot, G Anthon McDermott for the Bobcats nailed a three to keep Sulphur Springs at arms-length heading in to the half.
For the second straight quarter, the Wildcats offense put Hallsville on their heals when they pulled back ahead 33-30 after three.
In the fourth though, the Bobcats regained some momentum and managed to outscore Sulphur Springs.
It looked as though Hallsville would hold on for a 47-44 win, but Caleb Alexander hit his first shot of the night from downtown to tie it up and send the game to overtime.
Unfortunately for Coach Shaver’s squad, Hallsville had all of the momentum as they outpaced the Wildcats 16-12 to get a 63-59 OT win in Sulphur Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Haire and Turner both wracked up 16 points through four and a half quarters. Cason Arrington had 10 points in the loss, all in the third and fourth quarters.
Caleb Alexander and Parker Whisenhunt were next up with six. Lynn rounded out scoring for the Wildcats with five.
The loss drops the men’s basketball team’s season record to 18-8 (2-1 district).
Next up, Coach Shaver and the Wildcats are back on the road on Friday, Jan. 14 taking on the Lobos for another district bout.
That match tips-off in Longview on Friday at 7 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.
2 Women, 2 Men Jailed On Controlled Substance Charges
Two women and two men were jailed on controlled substance charges over the past 3 days, police and deputies noted in arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro stopped a 36-year-old Wetumka, Oklahoma man at 8:33 a.m. Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, on North Hilcrest Drive for a traffic violation in a Chrysler Town & Country mini van. The driver, identified as Albert Michael Reyna, reportedly told the officer he needed to be in Canton in 15 minutes.
When asked why he was so nervous, he claimed it was because he is afraid of police, Castro noted in arrest reports. A records check showed showed the man to have a known gang affiliation, but Castro said when he asked Reyna about it, the man claimed to no longer be affiliated with the group.
Castro called for a police canine when Reyna refused his request to search the mini van. SSPD Officer Buddy Williams arrived with canine partner. The police dog alerted on the vehicle during a sniff search around it. A probable cause search of the vehicle allegedly revealed two pipes of the kind commonly used to smoke crack cocaine with residue in the front seat area and multiple containers with suspected THC wax and other drug paraphernalia were also discovered.
Reyna was placed into handcuffs and the vehicle was towed. The Oklahoma man, who is also known by Pelon, was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he remained Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2022, in lieu of a $5,000 bond on the possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. The charge was enhanced to a third-degree felony due to the location of the stop within 1,000 feet of a drug-free zone, according to arrest and jail reports
SSPD Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes conducted a traffic stop on a maroon Ford Taurus at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 10, 2022, in the 1400 block of College Street. Upon contact, Estes reported seeing the driver, identified in arrest reports as Lacey Michelle Blevins, concealing items in her clothing.
Estes immediately began questioning the 34-year-old Sulphur Springs woman about what she was trying to hide. Blevins allegedly told the officer she was hiding syringes, then turned over a zipper pouch containing not only a syringe but also two bags containing a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, Estes noted in arrest reports.
Blevins, who is also known by Lacey Michelle Fugate, Lacey Michelle Bolton and Lacey Michelle Bolton-Blevins, was taken into custody at 8:43 a.m. Monday, then booked into jail on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. She was released from Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, on a $5,000 bond on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
SSPD Officer Dustin Green reported stopping a blue Infiniti G37S at 1:16 a.m. Jan. 10, 2022, on East Industrial Drive for a traffic violation.
Green reported finding the driver, 41-year-old Breunta Hill of Dallas, in possession of approximately 149 grams of cocaine and a handgun during the traffic stop. As a result, Hill was taken into custody and transported by SSPD Officer Robble Acosta to the county jail, according to arrest reports.
Hill, who jail reports show is also known by Breunta Rhashod Hill, Brehunta Hil, Brelinta Daniels and Tata Daniels, was booked into the county jail at 2:30 a.m. Monday on possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1B controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charges. Hill remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2022. Bond was set at $30,000 on the controlled substance charge and $40,000 on the firearm charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Zack Horne and Drew Fisher, and Sgt. Tanner Steward responded at 3:09 a.m. Jan. 9, 2022, on FM 1870 to a complaint of a verbal disturbance between a man and woman.
Upon arrival, deputies obtained identification for the two people reported to have been involved in the disturbance. A records check showed Holly Marie Horton to have an active warrant for her arrest. Deputies took the 35-year-old Sulphur Springs woman into custody and transported her to the county jail.
Horton, who jail records shows is also known by Holly Gracias, was booked into Hopkins County jail at 3:34 a.m. Sunday on the possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance warrant. She was released from jail later Jan. 9, 2022, on a $5,000 bond on the controlled substance charge. The offense, deputies noted in arrest reports, is alleged to have occurred on Nov. 7, 2021.
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.
Blaze Destroys CR 4791 Mobile Home, Truck
A late afternoon blaze destroyed a County Road 4791 mobile home and truck Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. The resident was not injured but did lose all of his possession in the fire.
Hopkins County, Sulphur Springs, North Hopkins, Cumby, Dike and South Sulphur firefighters were dispatched at 5:11 p.m. Jan. 10 to the structure fire. Although firefighters began quickly working to extinguish the blaze, they were unable to save the structure or vehicles. Based on damage, the mobile home was considered a total loss.
The resident told fire officials he had been working on a truck parked by a tractor under an awning. He’d managed to get it started and had left it running while he went inside. When he returned a short while later, the pickup was reported to be on fire near the gas tank. He attempted but was unable to extinguish the blaze, Hopkins County fire investigators reported.
The resident was checked out by EMS and reported to be OK. He is being assisted with immediate accommodations by a family member, fire officials reported.
Lady Cats Softball Spring 2022 Schedule Released
On Monday, Jan. 10 Wildcats football head coach and athletic director Greg Owens released the spring 2022 season schedule for softball.
Coach David Carrillo and his Lady Cats begin their spring season on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at home versus Gilmer at 5:30 P.M.
Softball has two more scrimmages:
- Saturday, Feb. 5 at Rockwall (TBA)
- Friday, Feb. 11 at Sherman — 5 P.M.
After hosting their regular-season opener on Tuesday, Feb. 15 versus Paris at 6 P.M. Lady Cats softball spend the next three weeks locked in to tournament play:
- Feb. 17-19 hosting the Sulphur Springs tournament
- Feb. 24-26 in Mount Pleasant tourney
- Mar. 3-5 in the Royse City tournament
All of the above tournaments take place Thursday through Saturday.
After they wrap up participation in their three tournaments for the spring 2022 season, Coach Carrillo and his squad enter district play.
Their district games are as follows:
- Mar. 8 versus Hallsville — 6:30 P.M.
- Mar. 11 at Longview — 6:30 P.M.
- Mar. 15 at Mount Pleasant — 6 P.M.
- Mar. 18 versus Texas High — 6 P.M.
- Mar. 22 at Marshall — 6:30 P.M.
- Mar. 25 vs Pine Tree — 6 P.M.
- Apr. 1 at Hallsville — 6 P.M.
- Apr. 5 vs Longview — 6 P.M.
- Apr. 8 versus Mount Pleasant — 6:30 P.M.
- Apr. 12 at Texas High — 6 P.M.
- Apr. 14 vs Marshall — 6 P.M.
- Apr. 19 at Pine Tree — 6 P.M.
All games in bold are home, and all times listed are varsity teams.
For the full 2021-22 Lady Cats softball season schedule, click here.
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.
Pruning Most Roses In Mid-February Produces Healthier, Larger More Attractive Bushes
Pillar Or Climbing Roses Are The Exception
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent, Ag/Natural Resources, [email protected]
Earlier in the week, I got a phone call related to pruning, and particularly pruning of roses. As you are probably aware, the Hopkins County Extension Office promoted the cultivation of earth-kind roses years back and some of them are now mature and thriving.
Annual pruning is an important part of rose culture. Pruning produces healthier, more vigorous rose bushes with larger, more attractive blossoms. Pruning also makes your bushes more compact and easier to care for in the home garden. Pruning can also help reduce disease problems by improving air circulation and removing dead and diseased tissue
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Horticulturists in East Texas, mid-February marks the beginning of the best time to prune roses in the Tyler area. The only exception to this practice would be with the pillar or climbing roses that bloom on last year’s growth and, therefore, should be pruned after the spring bloom. But the hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas, miniatures and shrub roses should all be pruned at this time.
Rose bushes have grown for hundreds of years without such care. The answer is “quality of life,” not “requirement for survival.” Spring pruning improves the following plant characteristics:
- Health – by removing dead, damaged and diseased plant parts.
- Vigor – by removing “twiggy growth,” stems too small to produce and support a quality bloom, and encouraging vigorous, new growth.
- Structure – by giving the plant an uncluttered structure, free from rubbing canes and dense masses of foliage that reduce air circulation.
- Size – by trimming the plant to fit into a landscape scheme.
For East Texas, the right time for spring pruning is mid-February. This is often remembered as being associated with Valentine’s Day.
According to the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), proper pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. Trees that receive the appropriate pruning measures while they are young will require little corrective pruning when they mature. Keep these few simple principles in mind before pruning a tree:
- Each cut has the potential to change the growth of the tree. Always have a purpose in mind before making a cut.
- Proper technique is essential. Poor pruning can cause damage that lasts for the life of the tree. Learn where and how to make the cuts before picking up the pruning shears.
- Trees do not heal the way people do. When a tree is wounded, it must grow over and compartmentalize the wound. As a result, the wound is contained within the tree forever.
Small cuts do less damage to the tree than large cuts. For that reason, proper pruning (training) of young trees is critical. Waiting to prune a tree until it is mature can create the need for large cuts that the tree cannot easily close.
Where you make a pruning cut is critical to a tree’s response in growth and wound closure. Make pruning cuts just outside the branch collar. Because the branch collar contains trunk or parent branch tissues, the tree will be damaged unnecessarily if you remove or damage it. In fact, if the cut is large, the tree may suffer permanent internal decay from an improper pruning cut.
If a permanent branch is to be shortened, cut it back to a lateral branch or bud. Internodal cuts, or cuts made between buds or branches, may lead to stem decay, sprout production, and misdirected growth.
In general, the best time to prune most plants is during late winter or early spring before growth begins. There are exceptions to this rule, and they will be noted under the discussion of the specific plant groups. The least desirable time is immediately after new growth develops in the spring. A great amount of food stored in roots and stems is used in developing new growth. This food should be replaced by new foliage before it is removed; if not, considerable dwarfing of the plant may occur. This is a common problem encountered in pruning.
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].
Tuesday Game Day Features Both Basketball Teams and Wildcats Soccer at Home
Tuesday, Jan. 11 has both basketball teams on deck, plus men’s soccer at home at Gerald Prim Stadium.
Lady Cats basketball are on the road taking on Hallsville at Bobcat Coliseum.
Women’s basketball had last Friday off and are all too ready to get back on the court.
Last Tuesday, Jan. 4 Coach Erica Delley and her squad hosted Pine Tree, besting the Lady Pirates 49-29 to win their first district contest.
The win over Pine Tree was also the first at home for women’s basketball. Sulphur Springs can extend their win streak to two if they put up points like they did in the win over the Lady Pirates.
Tuesday, Jan. 11’s contest for Coach Delley’s team tips off at 6:15 P.M. in Hallsville at Bobcat Coliseum.
Moving over to the men’s basketball team, Coach Brandon Shaver and his Wildcats are back at home for a huge showdown with Hallsville (23-2).
The visiting Bobcats are 3-0 in district, with Sulphur Springs a game behind at 2-0.
A win for the Wildcats over a dominant Hallsville squad would be huge for Coach Shaver’s team as they look to stay at or near the top of District 15-5A.
The men’s basketball team come in to this Tuesday game day sporting an 18-7 record.
Like women’s basketball, the Wildcats had a bye on Friday before today’s contest.
The District 15-5A showdown between Hallsville and Sulphur Springs tips off at 7 P.M.
The last team up on Tuesday, Jan. 11 is men’s soccer. Wildcats soccer host Terrell at Gerald Prim Stadium.
Coach Alexi Upton’s team had a nice showing in their first tournament of the winter 2021-22 season in Forney, but could not stream together wins.
The men’s soccer coach said his squad controlled all four of their contests in Forney but could not get the ball in the net when it counted, falling to 0-2-2 heading into their Tuesday contest with Terrell.
Sulphur Springs looks to get their first win in the regular season on Tuesday, Jan. 11 versus Terrell.
That game kicks off tonight 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.
Samson the Horse on Celebration Square
Samson the Horse will be on Celebration Square January 14th and 15th, 2022. He will be happy to pull up to 18 people at one time around the Historic Downtown District. Samson’s owner, Joseph who is the owner of The Barn of Emory wedding venue near Emory, TX, will be on hand to handle the business end of the event.
Samson has partnered the Main Street Theater and the Community Players to help celebrate their Grand Re-Opening Event. Samson will be transporting people in style to the Main Street Theater Grand Re-Opening event.
To purchase tickets to the Grand Re-Opening event click here.
To get a ride with Samson to the Main Street Theater on Friday night, contact Joseph at 903 422 2888.
To catch a ride at all other times, just look for Joseph and his helper in front of Alliance bank at the intersection of Connally and Church St. The times rides will be available will be determined by Samson, but will probably all Friday Evening, and Saturday after 1PM.
The cost per person for a ride around the downtown area will be $10, children under 12 will be $5. Joseph is offering this discounted rate all weekend. Samson would prefer a nice bale of alfalfa, but says cash will be fine too.
Lady Cats Soccer Blows Out Princeton 5-0 For Second Straight Win
Women’s soccer scored early and often, routing the visiting Lady Panthers 5-0 on Monday, Jan. 10 at Gerald Prim Stadium.
The win is the second straight for the Lady Cats.
“The girls are out there having fun,” Coach Aguayo said. The Lady Cats coach said his squad was enjoying the win against a tough opponent in Princeton.
Coach Aguayo said he was very happy with the win.
Sulphur Springs jumped out to a 2-0 lead early as Angel Cruz and Haylee Schultz, with Schultz and Addie Jones respectively assisting.
Women’s soccer scored another goal just two minutes in to the second half thanks to Angel Cruz cashing in on a perfect corner kick from Vanessa Lara.
Haylee Schultz (assisted by Emily Soto) got a goal less than five minutes later to put the Lady Cats up 4-0. Schultz completed the hat trick by getting her third goal in the game, and second in the half in the 72nd minute.
Valerie Flecker assisted on Schultz’s third goal in the victory.
The sophomore’s goal proved to be the last one scored as the Lady Cats blew out Princeton 5-0 at Gerald Prim Stadium on Monday, Jan. 10.
Even though the women’s soccer team has missed more than five starters the last few contests, a number of junior varsity athletes have stepped up and alleviated some of the worries associated with losing several key players.
“I feel like today they kind of left that mentality behind them,” Coach Aguayo said after the win over Princeton.
The women’s soccer coach said JV players stepping up and getting comfortable with the varsity will help the Lady Cats come district time.
Sulphur Springs improves to 2-1-0 after their blow-out victory at home over Princeton.
Next up, Coach Aguayo and his Lady Cats participate in their second tournament of the year in Forney.
That tourney starts Thursday, Jan. 13 against McKinney North at 10 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.
Jan. 12 Deadline For Rural Hospitals, Nursing Facilities To Apply For ARPA COVID-19 Funding
AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is reminding rural hospitals and nursing facilities in Texas to apply for $128 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to help pay for critical staffing needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Jan. 12.
“We’re encouraging health care providers who have worked so hard in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for these funds which can help fill critical workforce shortages or pay for bonuses to retain employees,” said HHSC Chief Financial Officer Trey Wood.
HHSC is distributing approximately $90 million in direct grants to Texas nursing facilities with an active license as of Nov. 8, 2021 under the Nursing Facility COVID-19 in Healthcare Relief Grant (NF-CHRG) program. Each eligible facility will receive $75,000. The grant can be used for critical staffing needs, such as bonuses and employing contracted staff.
The agency is also distributing approximately $38 million or $250,000 to each eligible rural hospital under the Rural Hospital COVID-19 in Healthcare Relief Grant (RH-CHRG) program. The funds are discretionary and can be used by rural hospitals to support staffing, infrastructure, or revenue losses related to the pandemic.
HHSC is administering grant agreements to the legally authorized representatives of the approximately 1,200 eligible nursing facilities and approximately 150 eligible rural hospitals in January 2022. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Jan. 12. Six months after the award, grantees must submit documentation to HHSC regarding how they used the funds.
Funds for the grant programs were authorized as part of Senate Bill 8, 87th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, 2021. The money comes from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. A117-2).
For more information about the Nursing Facility COVID-19 in Healthcare Relief Grant program and the Rural Hospital COVID-19 in Healthcare Relief Grant program, including lists of eligible Texas nursing facilities and rural hospitals, visit: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/business/grants/covid-19-healthcare-relief-grants.
