2022 Powerlifting Schedule Released
The 2022 Powerlifiting schedule was released last week by head football coach and AD Greg Owens.
The first meet for the team will be on Thursday, January 13 right here in Sulphur Springs. It will be the only such contest at home for Coach Casey Jeter’s squad.
The following three matches will be all on the road;
- Saturday, Jan. 22 the men will compete in Emory at Rains HS
- Saturday, Jan. 29 both teams will be at Mount Pleasant
- And finally Friday Feb. 18 and Saturday Feb. 19 will be the finale for both teams in Commerce
The Lady Cats will end their season on Feb. 18 in Commerce and the Wildcats wrap up their regular season the following day on Feb. 19 in Commerce.
The women’s Regional Meet will take place at Pine Tree on Thursday, Mar. 3.
The men who qualify from Sulphur Springs will have to make a bit further of a trip for their regional meet that will be held in Whitehouse the following Thursday, Mar. 10.
State meets for both teams are:
- Mar. 17-19 for the women will be held at Corpus Christi
- Mar. 25-26 will be for the men at Abilene HS
To see the 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.
Click here for more Wildcat and Lady Cat Sports
Livestock For The Small Acreage: Goats
Because of their relatively small size, goats are even better suited to small acreage operations than cattle. Goats eat more browse plants than other domestic livestock do. Therefore, they are the best species for managing or sculpting woody plant habitats.
Unfortunately, plants such as juniper or mesquite are very low on a goat’s list of preferred plants, so do not count on goats to manage these “undesirable” plants. Do not expect goat browsing to eliminate juniper more than 4 feet tall.
Breeds for meat goat production include:
- Boer. This breed was originally developed in South Africa and imported in 1993. Animals have mostly white bodies with dark red heads and white blazes on their faces. Boer goats are docile and easy to handle. Both sexes are horned.
- Spanish. The breed characteristics of Spanish goats are not well defined. Their color ranges from black to white and their mature weight ranges from 60 to 130 pounds for does and from 90 to 250 pounds for bucks. As a breed, Spanish goats are hardy and adapt well to rough terrain. Of the breeds mentioned here, they are the least docile.
- Dairy. Dairy breeds such as Nubian, Saanen, Alpine and LaMancha can be raised for meat. However, because they were bred for milk production, some individuals have an udder conformation that is not conducive to pasture conditions and nursing kids. This makes dairy type goats less suitable for a meat goat operation. Dairy goats are docile. If not disbudded, many dairy goats will have horns.
- Pygmy. This is the smallest of the goat breeds. Most pygmy goats are less than 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh less than 80 pounds. Bred primarily as a novelty and for exhibition, their small size, docility and low nutrient requirements make these goats well suited to small acreages. They are marketed as pets or breeding animals, or for meat.
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].
SB 598 Impact On Election Equipment, Election Workers Pay Discussed At Commissioners Court
Elections took center stage during the regular Commissioners Court meeting Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The focus specifically was on the impact of SB 598 on election equipment, pay for individuals delivering and picking up election equipment and how election workers’ hours are turned in to the county treasurer’s office.
Election Workers’ Pay
County Treasurer Danny Davis asked the Commissioners Court to consider requiring election workers who work more days than just Election Day to turn in the standard county time sheet in order to be paid. He contends that doing so would be consistent with county policy for those paid a wage by the county. The documents submitted from the November 2021 Election were confusing and required referring back to an email trail and several documents between the county clerk and treasurer’s offices. Using a standard timesheet would streamline the process and reduce potential for errors in pay.
County Clerk Tracy Smith, whose duties also include election administration, noted the ones used are the ones required by Texas Election Code. She said some election workers put in 12, 16 and potentially 17 days in a row, counting early voting and other required training, etc. In addition to the standard yellow time card, the election judge is required to issue a sheet daily with their ID information. Times are included on that white steno paper. They total it up and attach it to the yellow time sheet.
Davis said he was asked for specific dates that an election worker worked in the last election and was unable with the documents sent to his office to do so. They contain one date at the top and that’s it, he said, making it very confusing, and were illegible.
He and a deputy clerk in Smith’s office have exchanged emails. Afterward, he said he was not any clearer, and proposed one time card to enter the workers’ time on it.
Tammy Calhoun, who is very involved in the election process, told the court that the records are turned in as they are and someone in the auditor’s office has run a report, which is used to split early voting costs among the entities holding elections. They use documentation that the state requires.
Smith also noted that some election workers, those who deliver and pickup election equipment had not received the $20 an hour that was promised to them for the work. The work is more labor intensive so these individual receive more than the standard $12 the election judges receive. She says she’s afraid the county will lose these workers if they don’t get paid the $20.
Having the workers fill out a different time sheet for the county as that for the state and party chair if a primary, means extra work for the workers who area already putting in long days working the elections. Calhoun said if the county requires the additional document, she’d prefer to allow the judges to keep doing things as they have, but would type up a statement with the required information on it for the treasurer’s office, since he can’t understand or read the other.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker suggested tabling the motion regarding requirement of timesheets for all election workers and that the department head for the two offices involved get together to work out the issue before bringing it back to the court. Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley second the motion, and the court agreed to table the request for timesheets.
Smith then asked the Commissioners Court to formally agreed so that it would be documented in the Dec. 13, 2021, meeting minutes to pay workers who deliver and pickup election equipment $20 per hour for their work. She asked that the rate be retroactive back to the Nov. 2, 2021 Election so that those who worked can be paid the amount still owed at the $20 an hour rate. The amount has been paid to these Election workers. Proof can be provided showing that the individuals performing this election task have been paid $20 per hour back to 2009, the court was told.
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook said typically, there are two people per day during elections who deliver and pickup equipment, often the same two, paid $20.
The Commissioners agreed to the request that the workers receive $20 for delivery and retrieval of election equipment.
SB 598 – Election Equipment
While the push in recent years has been for all electronic voting, the state in Senate Bill 598 is requiring counties go back to paper voting, according to County Judge Robert Newsom. SB 598 requires a paper record of voting for auditing purposes and instances of recounts.
Federal and state funding are designated for conversion of voting systems other than an auditable voting system purchased after September 1, 2014, and before September 1, 2021. Those who make the conversion by the Nov. 8, 2022 election will be eligible for 100 percent of the cost of conversion reimbursed with federal or state funding. Conversions made no later than the Nov. 3, 2026 election can receive up to 50 percent of the cost reimbursed.
Smith estimates Hopkins County could receive as much as $316,000 reimbursed. Intercivic quoted a rate of $314,520. The county will still be responsible for some programming, licensing and training, but the initial conversion cost would be covered by the allocation.
People will vote, receive a printout bulletin that is scanned and logged, and held for auditing in the event of a recount.
The Commissioners Court agreed to proceed with the conversion per a quote from Intercivic so that there is a physical paper record of each ballot cast by the November 2022 election, in order to meet stipulations in SB 598.
Como-Pickton CISD Board Of Trustees Dec. 13, 2021 Agenda
Wildcats Basketball Goes 3-2 in Forney Tournament
For the second tournament in a row, the Wildcats basketball team went 3-2 in a tourney, this time in Forney from Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 9-11.
Coach Brandon Shaver and his squad took on talented teams ranging from 4A to 6A schools.
For the second straight tournament the men’s basketball team lost their tourney-opening contest, first to 6A Wylie 65-56.
Luckily for Coach Shaver’s team, for the second straight tournament they also rattled off three straight wins to make a run in the consolation bracket. On Thursday they wrapped up their first day in Forney by getting the rebound-win over the host Forney 62-53 to go 1-1 on the first day of the tournament.
Friday, Dec. 11 they got two more wins, both in blowouts; first in a rout of 4A Dallas Carter 64-47 then against 6A Waco 72-51 to 2-0 on Friday.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, much like last weekend’s Mansfield tournament, they opened Saturday with a loss.
However, their final match in Forney was a wild one which saw them take on a top-10 team in 6A Lake Highlands. They took the 6A Wildcats to double-overtime, falling to Lake Highlands 73-69.
Sulphur Springs fought tooth-and-nail, all tournament long, and should be proud of their efforts taking on talented teams from all over the DFW metroplex.
Coach Brandon Shaver’s men’s basketball team went 3-2 in their second straight tournament.
Their record after their second straight week of going 4-2 puts his squad at 13-4.
Next up, the Wildcats will look to get back in the win column when they head back to the metroplex on Tuesday, Dec. 14 when they travel to Fort Worth to take on Arlington Heights at 7:30 P.M.
Junior varsity and freshman will precede the varsity at 5 and 6:15 P.M. respectively.
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.
Sulphur Springs ISD Board Agenda Includes Appointment Of New Principal, Financial Reports
As has become standard practice, the regular December Sulphur Springs ISD December Board of Trustees meeting will be held at noon instead of the regular 6 p.m. meeting time. Financial reports and hiring of an administrator are the top items on the Dec. 13, 2021 agenda.
SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw is scheduled to conduct a required public hearing for the district’s 2020-21 Financial Accountability Rating. Later in the meeting, a representative from Rutherford, Taylor and Company, PC, is slated to present for board consideration the only action item on Monday’s agenda – SSISD’s annual financial and compliance report for the fiscal year which ended on Aug. 31, 2021.
During the administrative reports and informational items portion of the meeting, Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams is slated to present to the board Texas Association of School Boards Localized Policy Manual Update 118 for review.
The consent agenda includes all of the usual items, tax credits and supplements, delinquent tax collections, financial statements and bills payable for November 2021; as well as a quarterly investment report for the three months ending Nov. 30, 2021. It also includes a comprehensive annual report on investment activity for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2021, and the annual review of investment policy and strategy.
During executive session, the trustees are expected discuss recommendations for a new SMS principal, as Jena Williams provided notice of retirement last month. Any additional personnel matters, including resignations, reassignments, hires, and notices of retirement would also be discussed at that time. Athletic Director Greg Owens recently announced his intent to retire at the end of the year, so that too could be a matter discussed and notice submitted for trustee approval. The board also has the option to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value of any real property during the executive session provided the discussion falls within Title 5, Chapter 551 of Texas Government Code, Section (.072) and (.074).
Any personnel or real property items forwarded for action of the board would be voted on when the board reconvenes in open session.
The board meeting is slated to begin at 12 p.m. in the Board Room of SSISD Administration Building, at 631 Connally St. in Sulphur Springs.
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 Soccer Crowned Sulphur Springs Tournament Champions
Wildcats soccer went 2-0-1, winning their home scrimmage tournament on Saturday, Dec. 11 to open pre-season play.
The Saturday tourney saw Sulphur Springs host Celina, Pittsburg, and Lindale for their first contests on the winter 2021-22 season.
Coach Alexi Upton and his team took on Celina for their first scrimmage match on the season.
The Wildcats beat Celina 1-0 thanks to a goal by Osvaldo Arellano that was assisted by Uriel Santacruz.
Coach Upton’s squad second match of three had them duking it out with Pitsburg, tying the Pirates 1-1. Alex Yanez scored in the scrimmage match and was assisted on the goal by Edgar Salazar.
The final match on the day that sealed the tourney championship for the Wildcats came thanks to a big win over Lindale, which saw Sulphur Springs put up three scores in a 3-1 rout of the Eagles.
Arellano put scored two unassisted goals versus Lindale. Yanez scored his second goal on the day unassisted against the Eagles.
With a record of 2-0-1, the Wildcats were crowned Sulphur Springs Tournament Champions to begin their pre-season.
Next up, Coach Upton and his team will be on the road making the short trip out to Greenville to take on the Lions for their fourth scrimmage.
JV2/freshman will get the action going at 4 P.M. followed by the JV at 5:30 P.M.
Varsity will kick-off 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.
Meal A Day Menu – Dec. 13-17, 2021
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for Dec. 13-17, 2021, includes:
- Monday – Beef Spaghetti, English Peas and Garlic Sticks.
- Tuesday – Oven Omelet, Bacon, Blue Berry Cake and Mandarin Oranges.
- Wednesday – Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Refried Beans and Tortilla Chips
- Thursday – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll.
- Friday – Corny Dogs, Cole Slaw, Pork and Beans, and Chips.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Ten People Jailed In Hopkins County Over The Last Week On Felony Warrants
Ten people were jailed in Hopkins County over the last week, Dec. 5-10 on felony warrants, according to arrest and jail reports.
County Road 2408 Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chris Baumann was made aware of a warrant for Charles Cliffton Newman III’s arrest. Baumann and Investigator Michael Russell and other deputies went to the man’s County Road 2408 residence at 3:15 p.m. Dec. 9, 2021. When asked his name, a man at the location claimed to be named Jack. However, deputies present had dealt with him previously and recognized him as Newman, Bauman alleged in arrest reports.
The 39-year-old Pickton man was taken into custody and transported to jail on the assault of a family or household member with a previous conviction as well as a new charge for failure to identify as a fugitive, Baumann noted in arrest reports.
Newman, who is also known to use the names Charles Newman Jr, Charles Newman II, Charles Clifton Newman III, Cliff Newman and Cliff Newman III, was released from Hopkins County jail Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, on a $30,000 bond on the felony assault charge and $2,000 bond on the failure to ID charge, according to jail reports.
East Park Street Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Brandon Mayes was told Johnny Ray Harvey, a wanted man, was at an East Park Street address Dec. 7, 2021. Mayes contacted Harvey and confirmed the warrants, then took the 47-year-old Sulphur Springs man into custody at 7:28 a.m. and transported him to jail.
Harvey was released from Hopkins County jail on Dec. 10, 2021, on a $10,000 bond on the failure to comply with sex offender duty to register and issuance of a bad check, according to jail reports.
South Locust Street Arrest
HCSO Deputies Zack Horne, Josh Davis and Sgt. Tanner Steward were made aware of warrants for William Wade Crist‘s arrest. They went to a South Locust Street residence he is known to frequent, where he was indeed located, confirmed the warrants and took him into custody at 11:55 p.m. Dec. 7, 2021.
He was booked into the county jail on one warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for theft of firearm; two failure to maintain financial responsibility warrants; and one warrant each for driving while license invalid and expired operator’s license.
He was held in Hopkins County jail Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, on probation warrant, according to jail reports. Fees owed on the traffic charges totaled $1,913.80, according to arrest reports.
Main Street Arrest
HCSO Deputies Josh Davis and Sgt. Tanner Steward contacted the occupants of a Kia Dec. 6, 2021, on the corner of Main Street at Locust Street. A records check using the passenger’s information showed the 29-year-old Sulphur Springs woman to be wanted by Camp County authorities. The deputies took Lauren Serene Maxwell into custody at 7:56 p.m. Dec. 6, 2021, and transported her to jail on the possession of controlled substance charge.
She was released Dec. 7, 2021, on a $20,000 bond on the felony Camp County warrant, according to jail reports.
Interstate 30 East Arrest
Cumby Police Officer Justin Talley stopped a BMW at 10:43 a.m. Dec. 6, 2021, on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 114 for a traffic violation. A records check showed the 33-year-old Memphis, Tennessee, driver to be wanted by Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Aquinton Maurice Williams admitted he was in possession of a firearm and is a convicted felon. Williams was taken into custody and jailed on an unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge as well as the Mississippi warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a possession with intent charge, according to jail reports.
Williams remained in Hopkins County jail on the probation charge on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. His bond on the firearm charge was set at $10,000, according to arrest reports.
Facilities Transfers
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies took custody of the following and transported them to Hopkins County jail:
Lacy Renee Steele, 31, of Wills Point at Hunt County jail at 11:40 a.m. Dec. 8, 2021, on outstanding charges for bond forfeiture on possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance and manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges; violation of probation, which she was on for theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions; and three traffic warrants.
She remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021 on the charges, according to jail reports.
April Michelle Booth, 40, of Mabank at San Saba Unit at 10:40 a.m. Dec. 10, 2021, on warrants for engaging in organized criminal activity and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Booth remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday afternoon, Dec. 11, 2021.
Lucas Matthew Smith, 28, of Rowlett at 10 a.m. Dec. 8, 2021, at Franklin County jail on an evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge. He remained Hopkins County jail Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in lieu of a $25,000 bond on the third-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
Miranda Ranell Thomas, 32, of Paris at 8:02 a.m. Dec. 8, 2021, at Lamar County jail for bond forfeiture on a June 9, 2021, possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports. She remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in lieu of the new $100,000 bond set on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Robert Jeremy Ballance, 38 of Patterson, Louisiana at 7:35 p.m. Dec. 8, 2021, was transported by Rains County authorities to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked for surety to surrender principal on a May 7, 2021 unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge, according to arrest reports.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, on the charge. His new bond was set at $10,000, according to jail reports.
Community Players Announce Grand Reopening Of Main Street Theatre, Other 2022 Events
Audition Call For Barbecuing Hamlet Set Dec. 13, 15 and 16, 2021
Jeannie Perkins this week officially announced plans for the grand reopening of Main Street Theatre in January 2022, followed the next weekend by the first live stage production since February of 2020. And, for those interested, an audition call is scheduled next week for the planned March production.
The brick façade is finished. Most of the electrical had been completed. Community Players were still waiting last week for the water to be turned back on and installation of new doors and windows at Main Street Theatre, 225 Main St.
“Our excitement is just a little more than Christmas,” Perkins said.
Grand Reopening
The Heroes, composed of Grammy Award winning artist Brad Davis and his longtime collaborator Joel Weaver, will provide entertainment both nights of the Grand Reopening of Main Street Theatre.
The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. Intermission during the concert will be extended a bit longer than usual to allow patrons to visit with the Commerce performing artists.
Carriage Rides will be available courtesy of The Barn of Emory during the grand reopening as well. Liquid refreshment will be available from Phinessé Farms. Hors d’oeuvres and desserts will also be available for attendees to enjoy.
All are invited to attend either night of the Grand Reopening of Main Street Theatre. Tickets may be purchased by clicking on the box office link on the group’s website, https://www.communityplayersinc.com/, for $30 each, plus a $2.45 service fee. For a $5 discount, enter code WEB5.
January Production
The week following grand reopening of the restored theater, Community Players are scheduled to perform their first production on Main Street Stage since 2020.
“Charley’s Aunt,” a comedic farce by Brandon Thomas is scheduled Jan. 21-23 and Jan. 28-30, under the direction of Lloyd Turney., with Rhiannon Smith as assistant director. The cast and crew includes Ryan Wilson, Alex Delgado, Debby Clay, Chris Utt, Brian Deterding, Tosha Utt, Elizabeth Money, John D’Avignon, Barbara Grubbs and Grace Mansfield. Set and light design are by David Woody.
December Casting Call
Auditions for “Barbecuing Hamlet” will be conducted next week. Needed are 5-6 males and 7 females. The comedy will be co-directed by youth thespian Grace Mansfield and Barbara Grubbs.
Although auditions will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, Wednesday, Dec. 15 and Thursday, Dec. 6, those planning to audition are asked to email [email protected] to schedule an audition appointment. Other dates my be available, if needed.
Barbecuing Hamlet is slated to be performed March 18-20 and March 25-27.
2022 Events
Main Street Theatre Vice President of membership Perkins also announced the venue is already booked for some other events as well.
“Community Players has written a new business document that will be used for outside artists to rent Main Street Theatre. This will allow for additional forms of use as well as have the theater open for more weekend to accommodate the growing night life in Sulphur Springs,” Perkins explained.
Additional scheduled events coming up in 2022 include:
- Friday, Feb. 11- Fashion Show, coordinated by Marlene DeYoung,
- Saturday, Feb. 12 – Jazz with Artists from Sulphur Springs, JB and Jeff Smith; Phinessé Farms will offer wine during the event as well. Carriage rides will be offered by The Barn of Emory.
- Second weekend in February – Plays from a different source are also in the works for the second week of February, according to Perkins.
- March 18-20 and March 25-27 – Community Players will perform “Barbecuing Hamlet.”
- 2 Weekends In April – Homeschool Association Product, Title TBA
- Summer 2022 – Theater arts college students will carry this year’s Children’s Summer Workshop at Main Street Theatre.
For additional information about these events, Community Players or Main Street Theatre, visit
http://www.communityplayersinc.com/
