Wildcats are Fifth and Lady Cats Tie for First at Paris Track Meet Last Friday
Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats Track Teams scored some meaningful points at the Deon Minor Wildcat Relays at Paris this past Friday (March 26). The Wildcats finished in 5thplace with 70 points and the Lady Cats tied for 1st place with 135 points.
For the Wildcats, Kaden Eaton took 6th place in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.33. In the 800-meter run, Alex Flecker was 2nd with a time of 2:07.20. In the 110-meter hurdles, Landon Fields finished 4th with a time 16.79. Fields won the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 43.68. Ben Brown was 5th at 45.25 and Austin Chaney was 6th with a time of 45.37. In the 4X100-meter relay, the team of Weston Fields, Devon Franklin, Malachi Roland and Brady Driver finished 5th at 44.00. In the 4X200-meter relay, Roland, Weston Fields, C.J. Williams and Franklin got 4th with a time of 1:33.12. In the 4X400-meter relay, the team of Flecker, Robbie Hanks, Adam Peckham and Camden Fuller finished 6th with a time of 3:52.87. In the discus, Connor West was 2nd with a throw of 124′-0 1/4”. The Wildcats finished 2-3-4 in the triple jump. Jermaine Cleveland was 2nd at 41′-9”. Korderrian Bull Turner was 3rd with a jump of 41′-5 1.2”. Eaton was 5th at 41′-5”. In the high jump, Franklin finished 4th clearing 6′-4”.
For the Lady Cats, Bre’Asia Ivery finished 3rd in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.62. In the 800-meter run, Laney Hurst was 2nd with a time of 2:33.13. Haylee Shultz was 3rdat 2:36.15. In the 1600-meter run, Shultz won the race with a time of 5:58.24. In the 300-meter hurdles, Claire Bybee came out on top running 48.80. In the 4X100-meter relay, the team of Janine Yamaguchi, Ivery, Vanessa Wayne and Dalanee Myles were 2nd at 50.15. In the 4X200-meter relay, the team of Yamaguchi, Ivery, Wayne and Myles took 4th with a time of 1:51.28. In the 4X400-meter relay, Myles, Hurst, Bybee and Shultz won the race with a time of 4:20.66. In the long jump, Ivery was 2nd going 16′-11 1/2”. In the shot put, Mia Jones was 2nd with a toss of 31′-10 1/4”. In the discus, Kerie Wright took 3rd throwing 86′-5 1/2”. Jayden Holley took 6th with a throw of 79′-3”. In the triple jump, Ivery was 2ndgetting a mark of 33′-6”. In the high jump, Myles was the winner clearing 5′-2”. In the pole vault, Bybee took 1st soaring to 11′-6”.
Next for the Wildcats and Lady Cats is the District Track Meet Wednesday and Thursday at Pine Tree. Top performers can qualify for the Area Meet on April 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.
Wildcats Soccer Team Gets Two Overtime Goals to Defeat Red Oak in Area Playoff
The Wildcats Soccer Team scored two early clutch overtime goals and then turned things over to their defense as the Wildcats defeated Red Oak in an Area contest, 4-2 Tuesday night (March 30) at Hanby Stadium in Mesquite.
The Wildcats seemed have more energy in overtime and began to put pressure on the Hawks’ defense and goalkeeper. First Edgar Salazar ended up one on one with the keeper and scored a goal at 5:53 in the first half of overtime. Bryan Gonzalez had an assist. Several minutes later, Alejandro Diasdado added a goal at 1:30 in the overtime’s first half. Salazer assisted. The Wildcats protected the lead to take home the 4-2 win.
When the final seconds ticked off, the Wildcats had a huge on field celebration. The first half of regulation produced 4 goals, 2 by each team. Red Oak got on the board first with a goal made from a 21-yard free kick. Then the Wildcats benefited twice from Red Oak infractions in the 18 yard box.
On both occasions, Alex Yanez scored on the penalty kicks, at 16:24 and 14:05 in the first half. The Hawks scored a tying goal at 8:24. The halftime scored was 2-2. The teams played a scoreless second half to force overtime. The contest was an extremely physical one and produced numerous foul calls and a few yellow cards.
The Wildcats now advance to the Regional Quarterfinals against Longview who defeated Joshua Tuesday night. The last time the Wildcats won both Bi-District and Area games was in 2013.
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.
Sports Odds and Ends For Wednesday
The Wildcats Soccer Team will take on District 15-5A champion Longview in a Regional Quarterfinal match in the third round of the playoffs.
The teams are scheduled to meet Thursday (April 1) at 7 p.m. in Lindale.
It’s the third time the two teams have played this season. During district play, both home and away, the Lobos edged by the Wildcats, 1-0. The Wildcats have won Bi-District and Area games for the first time since 2013.
Wildcats Athletic Director Greg Owens reported Wednesday that the Wildcats Golf Team had a better day Tuesday than they did on Monday but he added they were not able to qualify for the regional golf tournament.
The Lady Cats Golf Team is scheduled to begin their two-day district golf tournament on Wednesday, weather permitting. The Lady Cats are also playing at Tempest Golf Course in Gladewater. Top teams and individuals can qualify for the regional golf tourney April 19-20 in Rockwall.
Also weather permitting, the Wildcats and Lady Cats Track Teams are scheduled to have day one of their two day district track meet at Pine Tree Wednesday. The Wednesday schedule has been altered due to wet ground and now calls for preliminary running events only. All field events and the running finals are now scheduled to take place Thursday.
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.
DSHS launches Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler
Registration Available For Vaccine Clinics By DSHS And Some Other Public Health Entities
As Texas opens COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone age 16 and older, the Texas Department of State Health Services is launching the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler. The scheduler gives people one place to sign up for a COVID-19 shot through multiple public health departments, including the eight DSHS public health regions, which provide public health services in nearly 200 Texas counties, and more than a dozen local health entities across the state.
Texas residents can visit getthevaccine.dshs.texas.gov to create a profile that includes their contact information, demographic details, and preferred time of day and days of the week for an appointment. Within a day, people eligible to be vaccinated will be matched with the next available appointment within their home county and preferred times. If none are available, the scheduler will continue to search for appointments as new clinics are scheduled and contact individuals when they have an appointment.
While most people will sign up online, a toll-free number is available to assist special populations that have difficulty using the online registration tool, including older adults over age 65, people with disabilities, and those with limited Internet access or other barriers to using technology. People in those groups can call 1-833-832-7067 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week to enroll in the scheduler and get help making an appointment. If there is no a participating health department in their area, they will be referred to local providers conducting vaccination near them.
The Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler will not replace all COVID-19 vaccine registration in the state. Many entities – including pharmacies, medical practices and some public health departments – are operating their own registration systems and will continue to do so. People who want to be vaccinated should continue to look for available vaccine at those providers, as well. Links to other vaccine scheduling tools are available at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.
Participating public health entities:
- DSHS Public Health Regions
- Bastrop County Health Authority
- Cameron County Emergency Management
- City of Garland Health Department
- Hays County Local Health Department
- City of Laredo Health Department
- LaSalle County Regional Health Authority
- Lavaca County Health Authority
- Marshall-Harrison County Health District
- Parker County Health Authority
- Rockwall County Health Authority
- San Angelo-Tom Green County Health Department
- Throckmorton Rural Health Clinic
- Uvalde Health Authority
2 Men Jailed For Violation Of Probation
Two men were taken into custody Tuesday by Hopkins County officials and jailed for violation of probation, according to arrest reports.
(HCSO jail photo)
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was alerted a 23-year-old Frisco man was being held at Collin County jail on a Hopkins County warrant. Deputy Amanda Weatherford took custody of Zachary Brian Ervin Meyette and transported him to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked at 1:20 p.m. March 29 for violation of probation on a possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to arrest reports.
According to Hopkins County jail records, Meyette was arrested on Dec. 7, 2017, on a warrant for the marijuana charge as well as a theft of firearm charge. He was released from jail the next day on a $20,000 bond on the firearm charge and a $10,000 bond on the marijuana charge. He was indicted in June 2018 on the firearm charge and indicted in May 2018 on the marijuana charge, according to court records.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tanner Steward was alerted late Monday night that Delta County authorities had a 34-year-old Cooper man in custody on a Hopkins County warrant. Steward met C. Roden with Delta County Sheriff’s Office at the Hopkins-Delta County line and took custody of Kerry Lee Jones at 11:56 p.m. March 29, 2021. Jones was transported and booked into Hopkins County jail a 12:40 a.m. March 30 on a warrant for violation of probation on a manufacture or delivery of less than gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
https://www.ksstradio.com/2020/12/december-2020-hopkins-county-grand-jury-indictments/Jones was arrest Sept. 19, 2020 on the original manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Sheriff’s deputies alleged Jones pick up another individual using a Chevrolet Malibu early Saturday morning, Sept. 19. Jones then allegedly purchased methamphetamine inside a Helm Lane business and delivered it to the other person. The sheriff’s officers reportedly stopped the car on Jackson Street at 2:48 a.m. and found approximately 1.5 grams of a substance which field-tested positive for methamphetamine, according to arrest reports. Jones was indicted in December 2020 on the controlled substance charge, according to court records. Jones remained in Hopkins County jail on the charge until Feb. 24, 2021, according to jail reports.
Sept. 19, 2020 wasn’t the first time Jones has been jailed locally on a controlled substance charge. He was arrested Feb. 13, 2017 and indicted in April 2017 for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, then Aug. 28, 2017 for bond forfeiture on the controlled substance charge, according to jail records.
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.
Results Of Survey, Steps In Pacific Park Improvement Plan Discussed
With work on the Grays Building progressing rapidly, focus is turning more toward the park grounds. The results of the community survey conducted earlier this month and next steps in the Pacific Park improvement plan were outlined during a special Zoom meeting Monday night.
Survey Results
William Spencer, the civil engineer and partner MHS Planning & Design LLC, who came up with the design concept to enhance park facilities based on information presented during a community charrette two years ago, reported receiving good feedback in the form of 113 responses to the online survey and mailouts sent to nearby residents regarding community preferences for playground equipment, as well as ages of those using the park most, and top concerns or perceived needs for the park.
Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski reported the city staff delivered mailouts to approximately 150 residents within 500 feet of the park. An email to the survey link was also sent to some people known to have shown an interest in the project in an effort notify and give as many people as possible an opportunity to submit a survey of their preferences for the project.
“The good news is we received overwhelming support on a preferred playground design. We got clarity in the process,” he noted.
The survey gave a better idea of who will be using the park in the next 2-3 years, 5 years and so on. The community poll showed ages 2-5 years would be using the park the most (45.06 percent), with 22.13 percent to be ages 6-12 years, 14.5 percent ages 18-45 years, 9.16 percent ages 13-17 years, 5.34 percent ages 45-64 and 3.81 percent age 65 or older. The thing to keep in mind, Spencer noted, when determining park options is that youth will age up in the ensuing years into older age groups and would need park amenities suitable for them at that age, particularly playground equipment.
The conclusion to the community polling was 84.04 percent in support of the playground design selected for the park, the option focusing on one primary structure such as the Play Booster as opposed to several different smaller play stations with different elements spread out.
“It was widely accepted that they wanted to have a larger, much more active play structure than the other option,” Spencer said. “In that larger play structure, this is kind of our 5-12 play structure. It’s kind of more advanced, it’s a little bit higher, there’s a little bit higher risk involved that you’d be taking because the muscles in your body is developed a little bit more.”
A secondary 2-5-year-old play space was also requested by by 26 percent of people responding to the survey and flyers. Called the Weevos, the play area has different opportunities for sliding, climbing, and some steppers which children can either climb up or slide down it. Also requested for the playground area are the ever popular swings, the interactive Music Play, Chill Spinners and an inclusive wheelchair option. In fact, 12.92 percent requested music and sensory elements for child play areas.
| Additional Elements Requested | Percent |
|---|---|
| 2-5 Year-Olds Play Area | 26 % |
| Lawn/Table Games | 21.29 % |
| Exercise Stations | 19.97 % |
| Barbecue Grills | 15.12 % |
| Music/Sensory Elements | 12.92 % |
| Other | 4.70 % |
Additional elements requested by 21.29 percent of the people who commented on the surveys were for lawn tables and games, a table with a checkerboard top in concrete, while 19.97 percent requested exercise stations, 15.12 percent barbecue grills, and 4.7 percent other items.
“The good news is we have included everyone of these in the overall site plan for the park,” Spencer said.
Another portion of the park community members were asked to weigh-in is what should go inside the covered sports pavilion. A large response, 34 percent was for basketball. Another 31.86 percent requested picnic tables, not necessarily under the pavilion where games would be played but nearby shaded areas where gear can be stored or families can relax, people can see and be seen by others at the park. Volleyball was the next most requested item for the pavilion, with 16.87 percent of respondents requesting a volleyball court. Although 4.39 percent wanted a tennis court, 2.72 percent pickleball court and 10.16 percent wanted something else under the pavilion, Spencer said the focus at this time is on the top three requests.
Of the 50 people who provided additional comments and concerns, 17 mentioned the overall safety and upkeep of the park, 7 for it to be a family-friendly space that includes all ages, 6 mentioned the splash pad, 5 benches near the play area, 3 the softball field and 3 handicap and ADA accessibility.
Spencer said the safety issue will be addressed with higher level of lighting, good level upkeep, mowing regularly, making sure the grass is nice and clean, trash cans adequately spaced around the park.
The park is including the play structures for children ages 2-5, the primary play area and a zipline for ages 6-12, and the basketball court and an open play area for ages 13 and up. Benches will be incorporated around the play area so parents have a nice shaded place to sit while their children enjoy the play area, and some benches to connect with the pavilion.
The existing backstop for the softball field will be utilized, although the softball field in the current design would move, and if funding allows, be composed of new materials. Groups would still be able to have their annual fundraisers on the field.
The park redesign would make it ADA accessible so that any handi-cable visitors can get to the different elements in the park. A restroom is needed as well on the far end of the park, according to Spencer.
Parking is being expanded around the Grays Building and as many head-in parking space as possible are planned on the north side of the park along Martin Luther King Drive, including a couple of ADA parking spaces.
| Sports Pavilion Preferences | Percent |
|---|---|
| Basketball | 34.0 % |
| Picnic Tables | 31.86 % |
| Volleyball | 16.87 % |
| Other | 10.16 % |
| Tennis | 4.39 % |
| Pickleball | 2.72 % |
The biggest hurdle for the site plan has been the spray ground. Spencer said the original plan was to rework the spray ground, to maintain the existing plan and plumbing. However, the system is much older than originally thought.. It may require a bigger commitment than was originally anticipated to avoid risk of cracked pipes under a new foundation, which would require it to be ripped up and reset again.
The park would be designed to allow for some remote fitness stations in and around the park in the future, but fitness stations are not as high a priority as refreshing the spray ground. Fitness equipment could be added in the future, as funds allow. Niewiadomski said the city is looking into some additional funding sources and potential grant foundations two which the city might be eligible to apply to for help fund fitness equipment as well as an additional potential basketball court.
Project Timeline
Spencer reported that the park improvement project involves four stages: the conceptual planning phase; preliminary engineering and design phase, actual design phase, and construction. The community charrette in which the community gave MHS their ideas for improvements, which were then added to a park map, with the top ideas and concerns to come up with a basic concept for the park. The project is currently in phase two, with a preliminary design. MHS will move into the actual design phase, which they hope to have completed by the time the contract for the $750,000 matching Parks and Wildlife grant awarded to the city to help fund the project is signed.
| Elements The Community Would Like To See In Pacific Park |
|---|
| Playground |
| Large Pavilion With Sports Courts |
| Picnic Areas |
| Playground Renovations |
| Remodeled Pavilion |
| Multi-Use Paved Trail |
| Open Lawn Area |
| Native Plantings |
| Fitness Equipment |
| Amenities (Tables, Benches, etc.) |
| Basketball Court |
| Restroom Facility |
The City of Sulphur Springs was notified in August of 2020 that the city has been selected as a TWPD grant recipient. Those funding documents were expected in December, but as yet have not arrived. The latest information is that it has been delayed until at least April, Niewiadomski noted. Once that is in place for funding, MHS hopes to have the final design at that point so that the project so that construction can begin.
If all comes together as projected some grading work could begin during the summer, which will start to give the project a shape of what it will eventually look like.
“The city’s commitment to doing some of the work on their own is a huge value added to this. It will be so much more economical and efficient. Kudos to the city for stepping up and doing part of the work,” Spencer said.
An opening for the Grays Building is tentatively set for Juneteenth, which Niewiadomski said appears to be on track, although many factors could impact that date. So far, Spencer reported, construction for the building is where it was expected to be within the threshold for the project.
The construction including additions, renovations and enhancement to the park grounds would continue through 2021 and finish up in 2022. The exact date will depend on a number of factors, including disbursement of grant funding, weather, availability and cost of supplies and materials for identified improvements.
“We are excited and looking forward to summer, to getting this project moving forward,” Niewiadomski said.
Sulphur Springs High School to Hold Their Annual Plant Sale April 3rd
Wildcats Soccer Area Playoff Among Game Day Events on Tuesday
When the Wildcats Soccer Team pulled a bi-district upset over Whitehouse, 2-1 last Friday (March 26) in Whitehouse, Coach Alexi Upton’s Wildcats did something that a Wildcats’ soccer team had not done for 7 years. They won a bi-district game.
Back in 2014, the Andy Holt-coached Wildcats won a bi-district contest over Carrollton Newman Smith. Now the present day Wildcats have an Area contest with Red Oak Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Hanby Stadium in Mesquite. If the Wildcats can get an Area win and advance to the Regional Quarterfinal, they will be the first Wildcats’ soccer team to do that in 8 years.
Coach Holt’s 2013 team won not only a bi-district match against Carrollton Creekview, they also won an Area contest against Frisco Liberty.
The current Wildcats have a season record of 16-10-1. Red Oak, the #3 seed from District 14-5A, defeated West Mesquite in bi-district, 4-3 on Friday. The Hawks are 15-3-6 for the season according to Max Preps.
The winner of Tuesday’s Wildcats and Hawks match will face the winner of a Longview and Joshua match, also being played Tuesday, in the Regional Quarterfinal round later this week. KSST Radio will bring you the Wildcats and Hawks live from Mesquite’s Hanby Stadium at 6 p.m. The game will feature streaming audio.
Both the Wildcats Baseball Team and Lady Cats Softball Team have byes on this game day Tuesday. Both teams return to district play Thursday at home as they play host to Hallsville.
Also on this Game Day Tuesday, the Wildcats Golf Team is playing on day two of their two-day District Golf Tournament at the Tempest Golf Course in Gladewater. Top teams and individuals can qualify for the regional golf tournament April 21-22 in Rockwall.
Gerald Prim Stadium will be the host site for a soccer doubleheader Tuesday evening. At 6 p.m., the North Lamar Pantherettes will be taking on Sabine. Then at 8 p.m., the Paris Wildcats boys team will play Henderson.
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.
HC Chamber of Commerce Report for March 31, 2021
Chamber Connection- March 31, 2021 by Lezley Brown
Please don’t forget that tomorrow is the day! You are invited to welcome our new President/CEO to the Chamber on Thursday, April 1 st from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Chamber is located at 110 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to stop by and welcome Butch Burney to the Chamber family. We look forward to seeing you!
The annual Chamber Golf tournament is getting close to full! If you are interested in playing, call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515 to reserve your spot. We still have morning tee times available. The tourney is set for Friday, April 9 th .
It’s going to be a great day!!
The Downtown Business Alliance is sponsoring a Spring Market on Main Street on Saturday, April 17 th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free. Enjoy spring items inside and out, clothing, crafts, décor, food, and gifts.
Ribbon Cuttings:
SAFE-T Crisis Center celebrated their 14 th Anniversary on Wednesday, March 24 in their new facility located at 1716 Posey Lane in Sulphur Springs.
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 March 31 st , The Propane Company. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page
