Success! Blue Santa Serves 341 Hopkins County Families with Toys, Bicycles For Christmas While More Monetary Donations Continue to Arrive!
On Saturday December 11, 2021, the Blue Santa spirit was alive and well as Distribution Day finally arrived in Sulphur Springs! That day, volunteers had the joy of packaging and placing the asked-for items into the vehicles of the families being served. A massive process in itself, Distribution Day marked the end of a 5-week campaign involving local law enforcement, business, industry, churches, charities, non-profits and individuals in the public. It opened with a sign-up period where income-qualifying families could registered to receive Blue Santa assistance this holiday. Next was filling (and frequently emptying!) the Blue Barrels all around the county as shoppers placed new unwrapped toys inside them. Then there were two full days of the Blue Santa Toy Drive and one night at the Lions Club Christmas Parade where anyone could personally hand over the toys they’d purchased to donate. Then, after all the toys were gathered, they were taken to First United Methodist Church Gym where they were matched up with the wish-lists of the 341 families which would be served.
Last of all in the process, families lined up downtown at the CNB drive-thru lanes, then proceeded across to the FUMC west parking lot, then wound their way around the church single-file to the covered drive where their vehicle number was matched up with the numbered boxes and tagged bicycles. At the drive thru, volunteers from the Hopkins County Sheriffs Posse and Sulphur Springs Police Department placed them in the truck bed, trunk or back seat of the vehicles. The final step will take place at home, where the unwrapped toys will be safely stored, then wrapped and tucked under the Christmas tree as a surprise from Santa!
For Christmas 2021, it really took a village! Of the 341 families, it was estimated that about 800 toys and about 200 bicycles would be needed. Numbers of families applying for the assistance have grown following the effects of the COVID pandemic. Thanks go out to everyone who found it in their hearts to give! Funds for the Blue Santa campaign are accepted all year, so if you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation now or anytime, contact the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department at 903-438-4040 for details.
Boedigheimer Selected To Become SSMS Principal
AD Retiring, Assistant Superintendent Resigning, 16 Additional Personnel Changes Approved by SSISD Trustees
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees approved 19 personnel changes, including promoting Joseph Boedigheimer to SSMS principal, notices of retirement from the athletic director and an academic secretary, nine resignations, four new hires and three other personnel changes too.
Joseph “Joe” Boedigheimer was selected to become the new SSMS principal, replacing Jena Williams, who last month notified officials of her intent to retire at the end of January. Boedigheimer comes to Sulphur Springs from Minnesota, where he taught fifth grade, before that he was a middle school math teacher. He has been employed at SSISD for the past 4 years, starting at SSMS. He had the opportunity to take an administrative position last year at Barbara Bush Primary as an academic specialist, then transferred back to SSMS this year.
He works well with Jena Williams, and being at the same campus will allow them to work until the end of January to make the transition go as smooth as possible. Williams’ retirement will become effective on Jan. 28, 2022 and and Boedigheimer will officially step up on Jan. 31, 2022.
As reported, Athletic Director Greg Owens notice of intent to retire by mid June 2022, which should give administrators sufficient time to determine who will direct district athletic programs from that point forward.
Also turning in a notice or retirement was Mary Taylor. The Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center academic secretary plans to retire as soon as school is out for the holiday.
Assistant Superintendent Kristin Monk, who began her career in education as a teacher and worked her way up to campus, then district administrator, submitted her letter of resignation, which will become effective on Jan. 28, 2022.
Also submitting letters of resignation were Barbara Bush Primary special education aide randy Rhudy, Sulphur Springs Elementary special education aide Lisa Barclay, High School special education aide Jordyn Pennington, and Middle School special education aides Chanta Givens and Jada Goodson. Instructional aide Amanda McDonald is resigning her post at Austin Academic Center and 8th grade English teacher Shealee Morgan also is resigning. Most resignations will be effective at the midterm, although some aides have already left their positions. Givens is slated to leave in mid January.
Approved by SSISD trustees to join the staff are Nallely Carreon as a bilingual instructional aide at Travis Primary, Destinee Clark as a special education aide at SSES, Jerica Hankins as special education aide at SSMS and Ryan Feagley as special education aide at SSHS.
Kimberly Chisom will be bumping up from special education aide to eighth grade English language arts teacher at SSMS. Sean Ditto too will be moving up from special education aide to special education teacher at SSMS. Barbara Bloodgood will be moving from SSES, where she is a special education aide, to Austin Academic Center, where she will work as an instructional aide.
New aides who have not already assumed new roles will do so in the second semester.
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.
Woman Jailed On Felony Theft Charge
A 36-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was jailed on a felony theft charge Sunday night at Walmart.
Asset protection staff reportedly detained Shaukiquia Tralynn Ford at the store after she passed all points of sale with several items, which reportedly included two packages of meat and clothing, which she did not pay for. The merchandise she was accused accused of shoplifting was valued at less than $100 total, which would normally result in a misdemeanor charge. However, Ford had at least 2 prior theft convictions on her record, which resulted in the charge being enhanced to a felony offense.
Ford, who is also known by the Kiki, Shauiquia Traclynn Ford and Shaukiquia Rogers-Ford, was taken into custody by Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Chris Rosamond at 9:17 p.m. Dec. 12, 2021, and transported to Hopkins County jail, where she was booked just after 10 p.m. for theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more prior convictions. She remained in Hopkins County jail Dec. 13, 2021. Bond on the felony charge was set at $30,000.
Jail records also show Ford was indeed jailed locally on Jan. 5-6, 2011 on an Irving theft of property warrant; and May 12-13, 2017 and July 2-3, 2018 on theft of property with two or more previous convictions charges. She was sentenced and spent April 25-May 8, 2019, as part of a 6-month month state jail commitment on one of the local theft charges.
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.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed For Violating Parole
A 54-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed Saturday morning on a warrant for violating parole.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Richard Brantley and Alvin Jordan were made aware of the warrant for Troy Glen Fouse‘s arrest. They located him at a FM 71 east residence, took him into custody at 9:47 a.m. Dec. 11, 2021, and transported him to jail on the Austin warrant charge.
Fouse was held in Hopkins County jail Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, on the warrant for violation of parole, which he was on for burglary of a habitation.
According to jail records, Dec. 11, 2021, was the sixth time since 2014 that he’s been jailed for violating probation on the charge. He too spent Feb. 27-April 9, 2014; Feb. 26-April 7, 2015; April 27-Jun 2, 2016; Aug. 30-Oct. 12, 2017; and Jan. 5-April 20, 2020 in the county jail for violation of parole.
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.
Lewisville Woman Attempted To Assault The Officer Who Tried To Cite Her For Speeding
A Lewisville woman allegedly attempted to assault the officer who tried to cite her for speeding on Interstate 30 Sunday afternoon, Cumby Police alleged in arrest reports.
Cumby Police Lt. Paul Robertson reported stopping a Honda Accord at 4:02 p.m. Dec. 12, 2021, that was traveling 93 miles per hour in a 75 mph speed zone on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 111. After talking with the 26-year-old Lewisville woman who was driving outside of the car, he asked Brittany Lashae Herrera to sit in her car.
When he asked her to sign a citation for speeding, she allegedly became upset, exited the cart, walked to the passenger’s side where Robertson was standing. Robertson wrote in arrest reports that he tried to calm the woman, but she pushed him, looked at the female passenger and stated she was going to beat the officer.
Robertson resisted by pushing back at him when he instructed her to put her hands on the trunk of the car. While trying to handcuff Herrera, she continued to resist the officer, pulling away from him. Robertson said he took the woman to the ground to gain control of her when she continued resisting.
Herrera reportedly turned over and began pushing at the officer with her feet, getting dangerously closer to oncoming traffic, causing the officer to be in danger from oncoming traffic. He reported pulling the woman away from the shoulder of hte road for her safety and his, then secured her into handcuffs.
Robertson said his finger was cut during the altercation. Thus, Herrera was arrested for assault on a peace officer and resisting arrest, search or transport.
Herrera remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. Bond was set at $20,000 on the felony assault of public servant charge and $2,000 on the misdemeanor resisting arrest charge, according to jail reports.
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.
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
