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.
HCMC Provides Landmark 1300th Honors
The Hopkins County Military Coalition (HCMC) recently had the privilege of providing final military honors for the 1300th veteran’s funeral.
HCMC was established in 1998 with the primary purpose of providing this service for any honorably discharged military veteran in Hopkins County and the surrounding area.
HCMC is a Volunteer organization, comprised of veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces.
All veterans are invited to join.
MCMC meets at 7pm every third Thursday of the month at the VFW on Veterans Drive in Sulphur Springs.
For more information contact Commander Gerald Heard at 903 243 4427, or Vice-Commander Gordon Payne 903 439 4557.
10 Personnel Changes Approved For Sulphur Springs ISD
Dates For Candidate filing For May 7 School Board Election Announced
Dates for filing for three seats on Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees were announced and 10 personnel changes were approved during the regular January school board meeting Monday evening.
School Board Election
Candidates filing for the May 7, 2022, SSISD trustees election will begin Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022 a in SSISD Tax Office, located inside SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St. Candidate filing will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Feb. 18, 2022.
The trustees election is for three at-large seats on the school board. Currently, John Prickette, Craig Roberts and Leesa Toliver are serving in those seats on the school board. The three candidates receiving the most votes in the May 7 election will serve a full three-year term.
Click here for information about eligibility requirements for candidates.
For a Candidate’s Guide to Primary and General Elections, Click here.
For SSISD election information, click here.
Personnel Changes
SSISD Board of Trustees, following an executive session Jan. 10, 2022, reconvened in open forum, where 10 personnel changes were approved, among them one resignation, two new hires and seven job swaps.
Jamie Sue Young was approved to join the Sulphur Springs Elementary staff as a special education inclusion aide and Miranda Scritchfield as a special education aide at Sulphur Springs Middle School.
Brandy Griffin’s resignation as a high school English teacher was accepted at the Jan. 10, 2022, meeting by the school board. Jamie Young has been approved to make the move from library aide to English (DOI) at SSHS.
At Sulphur Springs Middle School, Amy Anderson will switch jobs, going from the Read 180 program to an eighth grade classroom where she will teach English language arts and reading. Kimberly Chisom in turn is swapping her eight grade ELAR (DOI) classroom for the Read 180 program. Also at SSMS, Tonya Loftice too will change titles, from innovative learning specialist to assume duties as academic specialist.
Becky Ringler-Endsley is the only employee approved for a job swap that will require her to swap campuses. She will leave Sulphur Springs Elementary, where she’d been working as a special education aide, to Rowena Johnson Primary to serve as secretary for the academic specialist.
Joy Shing will remain at Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center, but will go from the classroom as a Head Start aide to the office to become the campus secretary. Carrington Chancellor will also remain at Douglass ECLC campus, but instead of serving as an aide in a prekindergarten class will now work as a Head Start aide.
Emergency Sirens Will Be Tested Today
Emergency sirens will be tested in Sulphur Springs today, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The test will be conducted by the Sulphur Springs Emergency Management office. The test will be conducted at noon.
The test is to gauge the reliability of the emergency warning system and is conducted to find any potential flaws in the system so they can be corrected prior to a real emergency situation. Recent tests have shown the emergency sires to be a ready source of warning in case of emergencies such as tornados or other threats to safety.
This will only be a test.
