Commerce Tigers Track Competes Well at Regionals, But None Advance to State
The Commerce Tigers mens track and field team competed in the 3A Region 2 Track meet last Friday and Saturday in Whitehouse.
Seven athletes from Commerce advanced to the Regional meet with the hopes of advancing to state.
While the seven Tigers fought hard and competed well, no Commerce athletes advanced to the state track meet.
Three Tiger athletes placed in the top 6 in their respective events.
In running events, J’den Wilson finished third in the 300M hurdles and was just shy of advancing to state.
Oliver Roberts finished 6th in the 3200 and 8th in the 1600 as a freshman. Commerce Tigers mens track and field coach Cameron Warren said he expect great things from Roberts in the future.
Enrique Morales finished 10th in the 800M run.
In field events, Omarhi Davis finished 6th in the discus and 10th in shot put. Richard Jackson finished 14th in shot put. To round out the events for Commerce at the Regional meet, Aidan Crowder competed in the 200M dash.
“Overall, we had a great season with winning district at all four levels, area runner-up, and a strong showing at regionals,” the Commerce coach said.
Coach Warren said he is looking forward to a bright future.
TxDOT Calls for Safer Driving as Work Zone Traffic Deaths Rise During Pandemic
NEWS RELEASE — PARIS DISTRICT
Tim McAlavy (903) 737-9213 [email protected]
AUSTIN – Even with less traffic during the pandemic, Texas work zone fatalities increased 9% in 2020 compared to 2019.
That’s why TxDOT is calling on drivers to make safety their number one priority at all times and especially when passing through active construction and maintenance work zones on the roadway.
TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign is marking National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 26–30, with safety tips to reduce work zone fatalities. Last year, there were more than 22,000 traffic crashes in Texas work zones with 186 people killed, including four road workers.
“We know driving through work zones can be challenging,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “There can be extra congestion, slow-moving heavy equipment, temporary barriers, and vehicles that make sudden stops. We can’t stress enough how important it is to give driving your full attention and slow down—for your own safety and that of the people who work alongside the road.”
Drivers and their passengers account for the majority of those who have died in work zone crashes. In 2020, 147 motorists and vehicle passengers were killed in Texas work zones, along with 35 pedestrians and bicyclists and four road workers.
The Texas Mutual Insurance Company, which helps employers prevent workplace incidents and their consequences, is partnering with TxDOT to promote safe driving. The “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign outlines five key steps drivers can take to safely navigate a work zone:
- Slow down. Follow the posted speed limit and drive to conditions. Unsafe speed is one of the main causes of crashes in work zones.
- Pay attention. Avoid distractions, keep your mind on the road and put your phone away.
- Watch out for road crews. The only protective gear they wear is a vest, a hardhat and safety boots. Remember, they want to get home safe, too.
- Don’t tailgate. Give yourself room to stop in a hurry if you need to. Rear-end collisions are the most common kind of work zone crashes.
- Allow extra time. Road construction can slow things down. Count on it, and plan for it.
Traffic fines double in work zones when workers are present and can cost up to $2,000. Failure to heed the Move Over/Slow Down law can also result in a $2,000 fine. State law requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching a TxDOT vehicle, emergency vehicle, law enforcement, tow truck or utility vehicle stopped with flashing lights activated on the roadside.
“Be Safe. Drive Smart.” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel such as wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700.
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, maritime, rail and public transportation across the state.
Local Authorities Initiated What Turned Into A Multicounty Vehicle Pursuit
Local authorities reportedly initiated what turned into a multicounty vehicle pursuit that concluded in New Boston early April 28, according to law enforcement reports.
The incident reportedly started with a complaint of a disturbance at a West Shannon Road travel center called in to Sulphur Springs Police early Wednesday morning, April 28, 2021. Sulphur Springs Police responded. The vehicle had reportedly left the area headed eastbound on Interstate 30. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies reportedly located the vehicle and attempted to stop it for police. Deputies initiated a pursuit that reportedly went off Interstate 30 through northeastern Hopkins County.
The chase exited Hopkins County, then continued through multiple other counties where agencies in those areas became involved in the attempts to stop the vehicle. The chase reportedly concluded in New Boston, where the fleeing vehicle crashed and at least one man was taken into custody, according law enforcement reports.
North Hopkins Baseball Team Loses Heart Breaker, 3-2 to Cumby at Home
The North Hopkins Panthers Baseball Team never could over take the Cumby Trojans losing a 3-2 game at home Tuesday (April 27).
Cumby scored single runs in the second and third innings to go up, 2-0. The Panthers cut the lead to 2-1 in the 4th.
Cumby went up 3-1 in the 5th and North Hopkins then made it a one run game again at 3-2 in the 5th. That’s the way it ended up.
Both teams had 5 hits and made 2 errors. Karson Jenkins took the hard luck loss for the Panthers throwing 94 pitches over 5 innings allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 8 and walking 4.
Dakota Smith pitched 2 strong innings allowing no hits or runs while striking out 4.
For the Panthers, Tate Myers was 1 for 3 with an RBI, a walk, a double and a stolen base. Jenkins was 1 for 2 with an RBI, 2 walks, a double and a stolen base.
Landry Breckeen was 1 for 3 with a stolen base. Braydon Nguyen was 1 for 3. Smith was 1 for 2 with a double. Dylan Minick scored a run. Gavin Buccieri walked. Aaron Nguyen stole a base. Carson Mathis was hit by a pitch.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Stalking His Ex-Girlfriend
A 41-year-old Sulphur Springs man arrested Monday for public intoxication is now also accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend by following her from work to her residence, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police officers first became involved around 2:10 p.m. April 26, 2021, when a multiple vehicle crash was reported on private property. Upon arrival, they observed damage to a Hyundai Elantra and the Ford F150 pickup it was parked in front of. A Kia Rio was sitting at the location, running and making loud noise. It appeared to have struck the passenger’s side of the Hyundai, which was located about 10 yards off the street, then continued forward. The pickup was also struck. The pickup was estimated to have sustained over $1,200 worth of damage and the Elentra will likely be totaled, according to police reports.
As a woman at the residence reportedly stepped outside, Christopher James Timmons, a man known by CJ who she used to date, reportedly got out of a the Kia. The man, who was alleged to have been stalking her for a while, reportedly took off running. The suspect was not immediately located in the area.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. April 26, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Nick Floyd responded on College Street at Lamar Street, where a man was reportedly standing in the middle of the road with a knife. Upon contact with the man, Floyd alleged the 41-year-old showed signs of intoxication and admitted to consuming Xanax and alcohol. Determining Christopher James Timmons to be intoxicated and present a danger to himself and others, police attempted to place Timmons into custody.
However, Timmons became combative and police used the amount of force necessary to get him into custody and in handcuffs, Timmons then reportedly claimed to need medical attention. He was transported to the hospital, and after being cleared with no injuries was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked for public intoxication.
Police filed a report for stalking, noting that Timmons had followed his ex-girlfriend from her place of work to her residence, the address where he is accused of crashing the Kia into two other vehicles. Police were aware of at least three instances in which Timmons walked back and forth in front of the woman’s residence, after law enforcement issued warned him to discontinue doing so and not to trespass on the property.
A felony warrant was obtained for the alleged stalking offenses. Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes served Timmons with the stalking warrant at 12:15 p.m. April 27, 2021 at Hopkins County jail. Timmons remained in Hopkins County jail on a $100,000 bond on the third-degree felony stalking charge, according to jail reports. Police are still investigating, according to arrest reports.
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.
‘Plant Swap’ Sat. May 1@ 9AM by Master Gardeners, 744 Gilmer St.
The Hopkins County Master Gardeners would like to invite you to participate at the 2021 Plant Swap this coming Saturday May 1, 2021 starting at 9:00 AM at the parking lot of the Bright Star Veterinary Clinic located at 744 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs. All types of plant varieties will be offered for swapping or donation. While there, you can meet other local gardeners, find out about the Extension Service’ Master Gardener program and how you can get involved as a volunteer.
This is a great opportunity to get a good plant and spent little money. Since the plants in the swap are usually excess plants, the plants offered are a good option to grow in Hopkins County. For more information please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
Have Questions About COVID Vaccine? Listen to KSST Good Morning Show Thursday April 29 as CHRISTUS CEO Harvey Talks on Vaccines and Shot Clinic
During the KSST Good Morning Show with Enola Gay at 8:15am on Thursday April 29, 2021, interesting COVID vaccine information will be covered by CHRISTUS Mother Francis/Sulphur Springs President and CEO Paul Harvey. During the interview, Harvey and Chief Nursing Office Anitha Sanderson will cover frequently asked questions about the COVID vaccines, and will share information about the allotment of vaccines now available through the local CHRISTUS vaccine clinics during April/May. Be sure and listen to the live 8:15am program this Thursday on KSST 1230AM or streaming on ksstradio.com. Afterward, you can view the discussion on the KSST You Tube channel, as well as in playbacks on Cable Channel 18 TV.
Wildcats Baseball Team Earns First Win at Hallsville in Hammack Tenure But They Miss Playoffs on Tiebreaker
Tuesday (April 27) was a bittersweet kind of day for the Wildcats Baseball Team. On the sweet side, the Wildcats earned the first victory at Hallsville by a Jerrod Hammack-coached Sulphur Springs team defeating the Bobcats, 4-2.
On the bitter side, Marshall edged by Mount Pleasant, 9-7 creating a three-way tie for 3rd place between Texas High, the Mavericks and the Wildcats, all with 7-5 district marks.
However the head to head tiebreaker went against the Wildcats and they were the odd team out of the playoffs. Still the Wildcats road victory over the Bobcats will be one to savor.
The Wildcats fell behind 2-0 in the bottom of the first after just 3 batters. There was an error, a walk, three stolen bases and then a two-RBI single. After that Wildcats’ starter Hayden Hurst got on track and kept the Wildcats in the game until they could rally for 4 runs to take a lead they would never give up.
Hurst got the win throwing 113 pitches over 6 innings allowing just 3 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 6 and walking 3. Matthew Sherman earned a save striking out all three Bobcats he faced in a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh inning.
Trailing 2-0, the Wildcats got 1 run back in the top of the 4th. Matthew Singleton hit a clean single into right field that was played into a triple by a Hallsville outfielder. Singleton scored on the Bobcats’ second error of the inning when a low throw to first was not scooped by the Bobcats’ first baseman.
The Wildcats took the lead with a 3-run top of the 5th. Ty Stroud walked and Colt Silman replaced him at first on a fielder’s choice. Colby Albritton hit a single that was again misplayed in the Hallsville outfield. Silman was able to take an extra base and score to tie the game and Albritton advanced to second. Mayer Millsap then blooped a ball just over the third baseman that landed in fair territory scoring Albritton to give the Wildcats a 3-2 lead.
Then on an out at first, Millsap rounded second and continued toward third drawing a wild throw. Millsap scrambled to the plate and the Wildcats were up 4-2. Hurst worked out of a jam in the bottom of the fifth. After two were out, the Bobcats got a windblown single and a double to put runners at second and third. Right fielder Stroud put out the fire with a fine running catch in deep right field right at the wall for the third out.
The Wildcats’ season ends with an 11-15 record. Still it will be hard to forget the Wildcats victorious night in Hallsville.
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.
Chamber Connection – April 28, 2021
By Butch Burney, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
Greetings from the Redneck Riviera! We are on our way back from Gulf Shores, Alabama, following the wedding of our youngest daughter and we are excited about getting back to town.
We found that, like Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, people and businesses in the Deep South are thankful to be reopening and getting back to business and fun.
Speaking of business and fun, you’ll be happy to know that the Southwest Dairy Museum is reopening on Monday, May 1, at 9 a.m., and will resume normal weekday hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The creamery will be open and selling prepackaged novelty ice cream.
Also, don’t forget Saturday’s Cinco de Mayo celebration of food, music and Mexican culture on the downtown plaza.
The Chamber will be hosting a ribbon cutting for Guys and Gals Barber Shop and Salon at noon Monday, May 3, at 325 South Davis St., Suite 2. Come out to support this new venture.
Another significant event downtown is the National Day of Prayer at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 6. The public is encouraged to join together at that time.
The Chamber will be hosting another ribbon cutting on May 13, at noon, for Money Law Firm. The celebration will be held at their Sulphur Springs location, 1335 South Broadway, Suite 40, and we would love for you to join us.
Also, don’t forget about the 5th Annual Salute the Veterans BBQ Cookoff at VFW Post 8560 on May 14-15. To enter a cook team, call 903-335-0966.
Davison Development & Building will be hosting their ribbon cutting on May 18, at noon. We would love for you to join us, at 204B Linda Drive, for a fun celebration with free BBQ and refreshments.
For those who are long-term planners, mark Saturday, Oct. 23, as the date for the 52nd Annual World Championship Hopkins County Stew Contest. We will have more information coming this summer on the contest for the T-shirt design. If you’re not a member of the Chamber of Commerce, now would be a great time to join to get in on the stew contest sponsorships.
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 April 28, Julia Wilhite – State Farm. The preceding Business of the Week was Texas Trading Company. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Meet Craig Toney, SSISD Bi-Lingual/ESL/Two-Way Dual Language Program Coordinator
During the KSST Good Morning Show on April 27, 2021, Craig Toney dropped in to share information about programs in place for K-3rd graders in the Sulphur Springs school district who need or want dual-language training in English and Spanish. The amazing Dual-Language program may be new to some in the community. According to Toney, learning about the Dual-Language Program is especially important for parents of young students who are new to the school district. An upcoming New Student Registration Round-up for K-3rd students will be hosted on May 5, 6 and 7, 2021 at the SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs, and the Dual-Language Program can be selected at that time. Please pre-register for an appointment to attend the Round-up by clicking HERE .
During the interview, Toney shared that parents of new Spanish-speaking and English-speaking students coming into Kindergarten can select the Dual-Language Program for their child, designed to give instruction in both languages until they complete the 5th grade. The program currently has room for 40 students. The New to Sulphur Springs Roundup May 5-7 will begin the process of filling the 40 slots for the 2021-2022 school year. The final day to turn in an application for the Dual Language Two-Way Immersion program is May 28, 2021.
Toney stated that the goal of the Two-Way Dial Language Program is to promote high academic achievement through development of skills at or above the grade level in all academic areas starting in Kindergarten, thereby creating bilingualism and biliteracy by the time the student completes the fifth grade, and promoting cross culture awareness. Students work in bi-lingual pairs with one English-speaking and one Spanish-speaking student who work together to master both academic content and acquisition in a second language. The program was active during 2020, and will again be housed at the Travis Primary campus utilizing the Gomez and Gomez DLE model. Toney stated that youngsters who have been enrolled in private pre-schools, local Pre-K facilities and those children who have not been enrolled anywhere previously can benefit from this program, which is available only for incoming Kindergarten students.
Craig Toney joined SSISD in July 2020 during the upsurge of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Raised in Pittsburg, Texas, Toney was active in sports and recalled that during the summer of 1987, he was a team member on the ‘Sulphur Springs Eagles’ American Legion Baseball team. Toney brings several years experience in leadership as Principal at Daingerfield and Mt. Pleasant ISD’s to his current position at SSISD. He is confident in the teaching staff of the ESL departments who are trained and equipped to care for the ‘special lane’ of Dual-Language instruction. Toney is looking forward to the new school year and further employing his skills with the growth of the Two-Way Dual Language, ESL and Bi-Lingual instruction offered at SSISD.
