PJC Dragons Basketball Holding June 13 Tryout
The Paris Junior College men’s basketball team will hold a tryout at the Hunt Athletic Center on Sunday, June 13 at 1:30 P.M.
Any players interested in playing basketball at the junior college level are welcome to attend.
“All class of 2021 athletes or older are welcome to attend,” said PJC Head Basketball Coach Bill Foy.
“You will be fairly evaluated in individual and group situations.”
Registration will begin in the Hunt Center at 1:15 p.m.
Players will sign a waiver and must have a current and updated copy of their annual physical with them.
For more information, contact Coach Bill Foy at [email protected].
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.
4 Men Charged With Felony Offenses Tuesday
Four men were charged Tuesday with felony offenses Tuesday, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Mark Poindexter served Brayden Lynn Brown at 8:50 p.m. June 8, 2021, with a warrant for a March 29 burglary of a habitation. The 19-year-old Sulphur Springs man was already in custody at Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center. He was jailed March 29, 2021, for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Brown was reportedly found in the county in a truck stolen using keys taken during a North Jackson Street burglary. His bond was set at $20,000 on the UUV charge and $50,000 on the burglary warrant.
Curtis Earl Fisher 
Randy Dale Hargrave
HCSO Corrections Officer Courtney Steward took 45-year-old Randy Dale Hargrave of Cooper and 58-year-old Curtis Earl Fisher of Sulphur Springs into custody Tuesday morning, June 8, 2021, in the 8th Judicial District Court.
Harvey was jailed on orders revoking his bond on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge. He was arrested Jan. 8 on controlled substance and firearm charges. He was indicted in March for unlawful possession of a firearm and was indicted in April for controlled substance possession.
Fisher was jailed on an order revoking his bond on a Dec. 7, 2020, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge charge, which he was arrested on for allegedly swinging an axe handle at his neighbor. He was indicted in February on the aggravated assault charge.
HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite served Christopher Andrew Stachel at 8:35 a.m. June 8, 2021, with a warrant for forgery of a financial instrument. The 41-year-old Carrollton man has been in Hopkins County jail since Feb. 25, 2021, when he allegedly attempting to pass a forged check at a Sulphur Springs bank, then ran from police. He later admitted to officer that he had tried to pass a check for more than $600. His bond on the forgery warrant was set at $10,000.
Outgoing Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Vender Wright
A servant’s heart and an encouraging smile are the first things you notice when you meet Vender Wright, a 2019 contestant in the local seniors pageant. Little did anyone know what lay ahead for all of us in the months to follow in 2020, the year of the Covid-19 pandemic. Vender’s crown encouraged her even further in assisting people in need and doing what she could to ease the loneliness and isolation of homebound seniors and those confined at nursing homes. As the months wore on, she became the first local senior winner to hold the title for a double term, because the 2020 Pageant was cancelled due to Covid concerns. However, she used those two years to bless others as has become her mission. Strong in her faith and loaded with personality, Vender Wright will appear at the 2021 Pageant set for Saturday June 12 at 6pm in the Civic Center Convention Hall. And you can bet you will hear her testimony in song and spoken word when she joyfully crowns the new Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic.
Eight senior ladies will compete in Philosophy of Life, Interview with Judges and Evening gown categories. Not a beauty pageant, the Senior Classic pageant series is a celebration of aging focusing on the inner beauty and talent, as well as the wisdom and grace displayed in today’s senior woman. Friends, neighbors and family of the contestants are invited to attend, was well as the entire community. Admission is free. You will enjoy some great talent presentations as well.
In Vender’s 2019 talent presentation, she performed a gospel song titled ‘Just Stand”. The sentiment in that song remains a good lesson today about being strong, faithful and resilient, one learned by all of us from our experiences during the Covid pandemic. Come and enjoy an evening of fellowship and upbuilding entertainment and find out who will become the 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic. The event is sponsored by BT Medical and the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center.
Fort Worth Pair Arrested Following An Early Morning Traffic Stop
A Fort Worth pair was arrested on possession charges following am early morning traffic stop, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite and Reserved Deputy Mark Poindexter reported stopping the driver of a silver Dodge Charger at 3:18 a.m. June 9, 2021, on West Shannon Road for failing to signal a lane change and an unreadable license plate.
Upon contact with the occupants, the deputies reported smelling a marijuana odor emitting from the car. Deante LaJuan Crutcher admitted to Poindexter that there were marijuana cigars in the passenger’s purse. The passenger was asked to exit the car and two blunts were removed from her purse. The passenger, a 23-year-old Forth Worth woman, was arrested on a misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia charge.
Deputies allegedly found two pills believed to be MDMA (also known as Ecstasy) in a wallet in the console during a probable cause search of the car. Crutcher claimed the pills and was arrested. The pills field-tested positive for MDMA and weighed 4.6 grams, resulting in the 27-year-old Fort Worth man’s arrest at 3:44 a.m. on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
The Fort Worth pair was released from jail later Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Crutcher’s bond was set at $5,000 on the controlled substance charge.
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.
Church Street Building To Receive New Façade
Sulphur Springs Downtown Revitalization Board conducted their meeting Tuesday evening in short order. Approval was given to an application giving Bethany Ashby and 2 Times LLC the go ahead for a new façade at 206 Church Street as well as the minutes from the May 18 meeting.
Ashby is proposing repainting the structure, exposing transom windows and replacing and painting the area above the current awning, removing the old awning with a new cloth awning which would.
The main walls of the building instead of brick red will be painted light beige with black trim around the window and door.
Ashby noted in a renovation list for the business that the rotted double doors on the side alley side of the building would be replaced, the back wall is planned to be rebuilt to code, a new electrical meter box installed and a parking pad added to the rear of the building. The applicant would also like for the sidewalk in front of the building to be replaced as well.
DRB members Helena Martinez and Robin Boshears complimented the clean modern appeal of the neutral pallet with black trim selected for the facade. Boshears noted that Ashby as also purchased the Coffee Shop building next to it. Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski said it is his understanding that work has been ongoing on the interior of both buildings.
The DRB approved the façade paint colors, and noted a preference for the black and white awning or neutral awning pictured in the designs supplied to them by the applicant.
TWC Ends COVID-19-Related Job Refusal Guidance; Standard Health And Safety Guidance Remains In Place
AUSTIN – Following the continued economic recovery in Texas and the announcement of Texas opting out of certain Federal Pandemic Unemployment benefits, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is ending job refusal guidance associated with the COVID-19 emergency orders. The guidance for individuals at high risk from COVID-19 were put in place a year ago. The decline in COVID cases in Texas, widespread availability of vaccines, and greater availability of services such as child care renders such guidance out of date as Texas ends certain federal unemployment programs with the benefit week ending June 26, 2021 and Texas’ economy continues to recover.
Both federal and state law require individuals on unemployment insurance benefits to actively search for work, and be able and available for work. Refusing a suitable offer of work can result in a loss of benefits. TWC will continue to apply State law and TWC rules to investigate suitable work issues, such as health and safety concerns, on a case by case basis.
The Texas Workforce Commission provides a wide variety of programs and services to assist individuals in the Lone Star State find jobs, expand their skills and improve their marketability to employers. With over 800,000 jobs available on MyTXCareer.com, the Lone Star State is hiring, and TWC and its partners are working to bring employers and workers together to speed the state’s recovery.
Here are ways TWC is helping Texans:
- MyTXCareer.com and WorkInTexas.com – Both websites provide a platform for employers to post open jobs, and for Texans to connect with those employers about those jobs. MyTXCareer.com provides new users an easy streamlined way to list or find jobs in Texas. WorkinTexas.com is a comprehensive online job search resource and matching system. WorkInTexas.com provides recruiting assistance to Texas employers of all types and sizes, and job search assistance to anyone seeking work in Texas.
- Workforce Solutions Centers – TWC’s Workforce Solutions Partners have over 180 offices around the state and help Texans find work. They offer free services such as access to thousands of job postings, job search resources, training programs and help with exploring career options, resumé and application preparation, career development, and more. Find your local workforce solutions center on the TWC homepage at www.twc.texas.gov
- Restaurant Recovery Training – The Texas Workforce Commission in partnership with the Texas Restaurant Association is providing free and flexible online training to quickly prepare workers for restaurant industry jobs. The restaurant recovery training certification portal can be accessed at https://certification.txrestaurant.org/
- Virtual and In-Person Job Fairs –Workforce Development Boards across Texas are sponsoring job fairs virtually and in-person to help connect job seekers with employment opportunities.
- Child Care – TWC’s child care services program promotes long-term self-sufficiency by supporting parents who are currently working or in education/training activities, through subsidized child care. TWC’s child care program also educates parents about the availability of quality child care, which enhances children’s early learning. For more information, go to https://childcare.texas.gov/
Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Athletes are Getting in Morning Runs During The Edge
Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks says summer running is vital for his teams.
He says starting in August right before the first meet is just too late.
Some Cross Country runners are participating in The Edge. It got underway Monday (June 7) as athletes gathered at Gerald Prim Stadium and then took off for a run.
Coach Hicks says he was pleased with attendance as 23 high school and 19 middle school runners showed up.
The Edge begins for cross country runners bright and early at 7:15 A.M. and concludes at 8:45 A.M.
Coach Hicks says he will have a competition in mid-August to determine whether runners will be on the varsity or the JV.
He says the first meet takes place on August 21. Coach Hicks says the key to cross country is doing a lot of runner and getting the mileage in.
He says The Edge also features some body workouts, some quick burst exercises as well as running up and down the Prim Stadium stands. Coach Hicks is hopeful athletes who are in good shape can avoid injuries.
He says he is looking forward to the coming fall season. He notes that the Lady Cats are the defending District Champions adding they also finished up 10th in the region.
Coach Hicks says his Wildcats have a chip on their shoulders because last season did not turn out the way they would have liked. He says they are motivated.
The Edge for Cross Country continues Mondays through Thursdays ending July 15.
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.
Moseley Announced As HCUW Campaign Chair
Hopkins County United Way began Wednesday’s Board meeting by announcing Kristy Moseley as the 2021-22 HCUW Campaign Chair, and recognized the four new incoming board members. Mike Horne served as 2020-21 campaign chair and will now serve as 2021-22 HCUW Board president. Susan Berning continues to serve as executive director of the organization.
Wade Bartley, Lezley Brown, Dinh Tran and Hillary Young were announced as the new HCUW Board members. Returning members Larry Crowson, Markeda Fisher, Charlotte Henderson, Moseley, Sherry McGraw, Beverley Owens, Bill Owens, Chuck Askins and Debra Evans complete the HCUW Board.
The Budget and Allocations Committee included Fisher, Henderson, Horne, Moseley, Tran and Bill Zahn. HCUW Campaign Chair Moseley noted that Zahn has been a great asset and provided a lot of good input during the process.
Moseley said she’s always heard that one doesn’t fully know what United Way is and does unless you’ve served on the Budget and Allocations Committee. Moseley, who joined HCUW last year, said serving on the board you see where the funds go and how they are used, how tough it can be making difficult funding choices and what those requesting funding are up against.
She announced the dates for the 2021-22 HCUW kickoff luncheons. The HCUW Workers Luncheon is scheduled for Sept. 22, and the Lead Donor Luncheon will follow at noon Wednesday, Sept. 29, at Sulphur Springs Country Club. The location for the workers lunch will be announced after details are firmed up.
The annual campaign theme, goal and allocations are typically announced during the kickoffs.
Trooper Received Conflicting Stories Regarding SH 11 Vehicle Crash, Arrested One
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper received conflicting stories regarding SH 11 vehicle crash, arrested one man and plans to file charges against a woman who was also in the crashed vehicle, according to arrest reports.
State Trooper Arturo Ugalde responded at 8:12 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, to what was reported as a one-vehicle crash on State Highway 11.
A man, identified as a male passenger in the sport vehicle, reportedly told the trooper that Roy Lee Wilburn and a woman were in possession of methamphetamine. Wilburn was alleged to have been driving at the time of the crash, then immediately after reached under the Nissan, grabbed a magnetic box and threw it into the nearby brush. Wilburn and the woman then allegedly fabricated a story in which the woman would claim to be driving the vehicle when it crashed.
The woman and Wilburn had been transported to the hospital to be checked out, so Ugalde went to the hospital to contact them. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies remained at the SH 11 vehicle crash scene to look for the contraband allegedly tossed prior to officers’ arrival.
Ugalde talked to the woman, who told the trooper she had been driving the vehicle, and that Wilburn was the front passenger. The woman, however, was bleeding from her right arm and Ugalde noted that blood had been visible on the passenger’s side door panel, which would be more consistent with the woman being the passenger. When presented with the information, she reportedly denied it.
At that point HCSO Deputy Jason Lavender contacted Ugalde to advise him a magnetic box was located in the area where the man claimed Wilburn had thrown it. The box contained two Ziploc baggies containing suspected methamphetamine and another baggy containing hydromorphone (a pain reliever prescribed as Dilaudid that is 2-8x more potent than morphine but with a shorter duration and is a greater sedation). When he relayed to the woman that the box had been found, she refused to discuss it further.
When he went to talk to Wilburn, the trooper learned the 45-year-old Ladonia man had already left the hospital. Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Brandon Mayes reported finding Wilburn walking south on Jackson Street. The trooper then contacted Wilburn, who he noted had mud marks on his knees, consistent with the male passenger’s account that Wilburn kneeled down and grabbed the magnetic box.
Wilburn also told officials that he had been the passenger and the woman was driver of the Nissan. When updated on facts of the case, he claimed that was not the actual truth. Wilburn was taken into custody for possession a controlled substance found in the box. When presented with what they believed to be evidence, Wilburn allegedly admitted he had been driving the Nissan, but refused to snitch about the box.
“My crash investigation showed Wilburn was traveling at an unsafe speed, resulting in the crash,” Ugalde noted in arrest reports, adding that his bond had been revoked on other charges.
Wilburn was arrested at 10:30 a.m. June 8 on two charges of possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, for the suspected methamphetamine and hydromorphone found in the magnetic box, as well as driving while license invalid with previous convictions and unsafe speed.
When Ugalde went back to talk to the woman a second time, he reported she had already left the hospital. He anticipates filing charges against her at large.. The Nissan involved was towed.
Wilburn, who is also known by Leroy Wilburn, remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, June 9, 2021, in lieu of $50,000 bond each on the controlled substance charges, $1,000 bond on the driving while license invalid charge.
He also was charged with bond forfeiture on two Oct. 7, 2020, possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges. He new bond on the two previous charges was set at $70,000, which is twice the original amount of bond set for the controlled substance charges, according to jail reports. He was indicted in December 2020 on the Oct. 7, 2020, controlled substance charges and released from jail Jan. 28, 2021, on them.
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.
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.
Chamber Connection – June 9: Stewstock 2021, Chorale Showcase, And Much More!
By Butch Burney, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
The logo contest for the 52nd World Championship Hopkins County Stew Contest on Oct. 23 is open until Friday, July 2, and we have already received our first entries.
The official logo will go on posters, T-shirts and promotional materials for the stew contest.
The theme for this year’s stew is Stewstock, borrowing from the Woodstock festival idea.
All logo entries should be original and include the theme in some manner. The winner of the logo contest will receive five T-shirts and five stew tickets, plus a coveted parking pass.
Entries should be in jpg format and emailed to me at [email protected] by Friday, July 2.
No late entries will be accepted. The winner will be chosen on July 8.
If you have any questions, call me at 903-885-6515 or use the email above. The Chamber is planning to host a full stew this year, using both the north and south sides of Buford Park.
We will include the Friday night appetizer contest and a concert after the Wildcats’ home football game. We are hoping for great weather to have one of the biggest stew contests ever.
Chamber Showcase
The Third Annual Chamber Showcase is still open for vendors. The Showcase is set for Thursday, Aug. 5, at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Booths are available for $60 each and vendors are asked to being a $25 gift or gift card to be given away at random drawings.
This is a fantastic networking event and a way for you, as a business owner or representative, to get your name and services out to the public.
Only Chamber members can reserve booths for display (the public is invited to attend free of charge), so contact us at the Chamber to find out how your affordable annual membership not only allows you to rent a booth at the Showcase but gives you advantages and opportunities all year long.
Come by or call the Chamber office at 903-885-6515 for more information. A registration link is on our website, hopkinschamber.org.
Lunch and Learn
State Sen. Bob Hall and State Rep. Bryan Slaton will be in town for a Lunch and Learn from 11:30 A.M. to 1 P.M. Wednesday, Sept. 15. Registration forms will soon be on our website, so be ready to sign up to learn how laws passed (and not passed) by the Texas Legislature will affect your business.
Choral Society
The Northeast Texas Choral Society is performing “I’ll Fly Away” this weekend at the SSHS Auditorium at the Hopkins County Civic center. Performances are 7 P.M. Saturday, June 12, and 2 P.M. Sunday, June 13. Tickets may be purchased at singerscount.org. Veterans/active military get in free, along with first responders, with proper ID.
Faire on the Square
A Faire on the Square to help defray medical and travel costs for Kris Cobb is planned for 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. Saturday, June 12. There will be plenty of activities for kids and adults, plus a day full of musical guests. There will also be ample opportunities to donate to the Kris Cobb fund.
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for May 10, Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Ribbon Cuttings
The City of Sulphur Springs will be hosting a ribbon cutting for the HW Grays Building in Pacific Park at noon Friday, June 18. You won’t want to miss the opening of the new meeting center at the park.
There will be a ribbon cutting at noon Friday, June 25, at Merle Norman Cosmetics at 212 North Davis St. Please join us for this special moment.
A ribbon cutting is also scheduled for noon Tuesday, June 29, for Nextlink Internet at 249 Heritage Parkway. Please mark that on your calendar to attend.
