WALK LIKE MADD with Jay Hodge Chevrolet
Jay Hodge Chevrolet in Sulphur Springs will be cooking free hamburgers and hot dogs for guests April 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Test drive a car while you are there and Jay Hodge Chevrolet will donate $25 per test drive to help raise critical funds to end drunk driving and fight drugged driving. A bake sale will also be held during that time.
Walk Like MADD is the signature fundraising event to help raise both awareness and funds to end drunk driving and fight drugged driving. Many who participate have a common bond, they know someone who has been injured or killed in a drunk driving crash, or they feel strongly about creating a future of “No More Victims ®.”
“We hope everyone comes out for this great cause. Donations will be accepted!”
— Bill Owens General Manager Jay Hodge Chevrolet Sulphur Springs
In 2019, more than 90 cities across the nation hosted Walk Like MADD events. With every step taken and each dollar raised, we support MADD’s lifesaving mission to keep our families and communities safe.
WHY MADD FUNDRAISEs
Funds raised through Walk Like MADD events allow MADD staff and volunteers in the community to:
1. Provide emotional support and assistance with medical and legal struggles that follow a drunk and or drugged driving crash.
2. Conduct awareness and research-based prevention programs to end drunk driving, fight drugged driving and prevent underage drinking.
3. Support the heroes in law enforcement who work to keep our roads safe.
Telios Hosts Pine Forest Solar Safety Meeting For County Emergency Responders, Officials
Telios hosted a solar safety meeting for county emergency responders and officials Thursday afternoon to better prepare emergency responders in the event they are ever required to respond to an incident at Pine Forest Solar.
Hopkins County Commissioners as well as area first responders learned more about the layout for the solar farm, safety measures to uses if they are dispatched to an incident at one of Telios’ facilities. Telios sponsored a fajita lunch from a local business for county responders and officials to partake of during the noon meeting April 22, 2021, a Pickton Community Center.
Officials displayed two solar panels, so that those present could better inspect from the front and back the glass panel with tint through which circuit board type wiring was reportedly visible, officials reported.
A round table question and answer session was scheduled after the presentation to allow those present to voice questions or concerns they might have regarding the planned facility and how to proceed if responding at the property.
All four commissioners attended the session, hosted by Telios President Shannon McCall; Hopkins County Fire Department and Pickton-Pine Forest, Como, Saltillo and Brinker Volunteer Fire Departments were also invited to have personnel at the meeting, as those are the nearest to Pine Forest Solar.
The agreement approved by the Comptroller’s Office in 2020 and Como-Pickton CISD in January 2021 notes the planned Pine Forest solar project is estimated to be located in a 2,265 acre reinvestment zone, established by Como-Pickton CISD, within which the entirety of the project will be located. The facility itself is expected to have a total capacity of 299.25 MW and will feature approximately 995,148 photovoltaic panels, and 95 central inverters.
Marijuana, THC And Prescription Pills Found During I-30 Traffic Stops
Marijuana, THC and prescription pills were found during traffic stops on Interstate 30, resulting in two arrests Wednesday, according to arrest reports.
Traffic Stop At Mile Marker 133,
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper J. Dupree reported stopping a 62-year-old Austin man around 2:45 p.m. April 21, 2021, on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 130 for failure to signal when changing lanes in the Honda Ridgeline he was driving.
While taking to Jeffery Don Holderread, Dupree detected a marijuana odor emitting from the vehicle. Holderread admitted marijuana could be found in a backpack behind his seat.
During a search, the trooper found a bag with a green leafy substance he believed to be marijuana in the backpack behind the driver’s seat, just as Holderread said. In another backpack on the back seat, multiple bags containing suspected marijuana and a baggy with green gummies the officer believed to contain THC gummies. An electronic cigarette containing a brown liquid Dupree believed to be THC was found in a box with baked items in the front passenger floorboard. Several items of drug paraphernalia were located as well.
Holderread claimed all of the items and was transported to jail. The vehicle was released to his wife. The 62-year-old Austin man was booked on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 gams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance and possession of marijuana charges. He was released from jail Thursday, April 22, 2021 on a $20,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and a $1,000 bond on the marijuana charge.
Traffic Stop At Mile Marker 120
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper stopped a Volkswagen Jetta around 9:40 p.m. April 21 on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 120 for speeding. However, the driver’s nervousness and show of deceptive indicators are what led the highway patrol to ask the 24-year-old Sulphur Springs woman for permission to search the car.
When she refused, another trooper brought his K9 partner to the location. The canine allegedly gave a positive alert during a free air search of the vehicle. A probable cause search of the car revealed a usable quantity of marijuana and prescription medication the woman did not have in proper containers nor did she have a valid prescription. The medications were identified as sumatriptan, a medicine used to treat the symptoms of migraine headaches, and Omeprazole, used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems such as acid reflux or ulcers (Prilosec is a brand name of this drug). Troopers also reported finding two marijuana grinders, several pouches containing marijuana residue and three CO2 canisters which the driver claimed her friend had inhaled. The Sulphur Springs woman admitted to smoking marijuana the previous day. She showed no signs of intoxication during standard field sobriety tests.
The 24-year-old woman was taken into custody and transported to jail, where she was booked at 12:10 a.m. Thursday, April 22, 2021, for possession of dangerous drugs, possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. She received a warning for speeding and a citation for an open container.
She was released from jail later Thursday on a $2,000 bond on the dangerous drug charge and a $1,000 bond on the marijuana charge.
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.
Greenville Man Jailed On Controlled Substance Charge Following Hillcrest Drive Crash
Police arrested a 31-year-old Greenville man on a controlled substance charge, following a Hillcrest Drive crash Wednesday afternoon, according to arrest reports.
At 2:32 p.m. April 21, Sulphur Springs Police were dispatched to a crash reported in the 100 block of South Hillcrest Drive. Upon arrival, officers contacted Keegan Thomas Rees, who “seemed to be under the influence” of some type of intoxicant, SSPD Sgt. Brandon Mayes and Lt. Pat Leber alleged in arrest reports.
During a pat down, officers located a glass pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine on the 31-year-old Greenville man.
A search revealed two baggies with a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine in the Chevrolet Tahoe. Consequently, Rees was transported to the hospital to be checked for any injuries he may have sustained in the Hillcrest Drive crash. After being medically cleared, he was released into police custody at 4:15 p.m. April 21.
Reese was then transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. The Greenville man remained in the county jail late Thursday, April 22. Bond on the felony controlled substance charge was set at $30,000.
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.
Two Former Wildcats Players Have Selected New Basketball Homes
Former Wildcats’ basketball standouts have transferred to new programs.
Keaston Willis is headed for Louisiana Tech and Sadaidriene “Day Day” Hall has signed with Stephen F. Austin.
Willis, a 6-3 guard, has played the past two seasons at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, where he averaged 19 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2 assists.
In mid-March, Willis announced he was entering the transfer portal. After drawing interest from several programs, Willis selected Louisiana Tech.
For the Wildcats, Willis was the district’s Newcomer of the Year as a freshman. He made the All-District First Team his last three years.
Willis graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 2019, after four years on the Wildcats Basketball Varsity team.
Hall, had enrolled at mid-term at East Tennessee State University after playing last fall for Link Year Prep.
His signing at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches was announced last week by Lumberjacks Head Basketball Coach Kyle Kelly.
For the Wildcats, Hall was named the District MVP his senior year. He was a first team all district selection as a junior.
Hall graduated from SSHS in 2020, after three years on the Wildcats Basketball Varsity.
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 Golfer Kip Childress Completes Day One of Regional Golf Tourney With Score of 78
Wildcats’ golfer Kip Childress is in the hunt to go to the State Tournament after the first day Wednesday (April 21) of the two-day Region II Golf Tournament at Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club.
Wildcats Coach Jeremy DeLorge says Childress shot 78 Wednesday and is 4 strokes back from qualifying for the State Tourney.
Coach DeLorge says Childress played fairly well Wednesday.
He says Childress’ ball striking was good but he adds his putting could have been better. The Regional Tournament wraps up in Rockwall Thursday.
The State Golf Tournament for Class 5A takes place at the White Wing Golf Course in Georgetown on May 17-18.
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.
Mistrial Declared In Voyeurism, Home Burglary Cases
Williams Cases Reset For Jury Trial In June
The trial of a 37-year-old Sulphur Springs man accused of voyeurism and burglary ended Wednesday with the judge declaring a mistrial, according to officials.
(Sept. 2020 HCSO jail photo)
Jury selection for the voyeurism and burglary of a habitation trial of Jeremy Lindre Williams was conducted Monday, April 19, with testimony started beginning Tuesday morning, April 20, in the Eighth Judicial District Court. Testimony concluded Wednesday morning, the jury was charged, and closing arguments were made, according to court reports.
When the jury was unable to reach a verdict on either case, and the judge declared a mistrial Wednesday evening, April 21, 2021. The case has been reset for another jury trial on June 14, 2021, officials reported.
Williams was arrested April 16, 2020, on a warrant alleging voyeurism: victim under 14 years of age, according to arrest reports. According to Texas Penal Code Title 5, Chapter 21, Section 21.17, a person commits voyeurism:
- (a.) if the person, with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the actor, observes another person without the other person’s consent while the other person is in a dwelling or structure in which the other person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
- (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c) or (d), an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
- (c) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the actor has previously been convicted two or more times of an offense under this section.
- (d) An offense under this section is a state jail felony if the victim was a child younger than 14 years of age at the time of the offense.
- (e) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
Williams was booked into Hopkins County jail on a burglary of habitation on March 15, 2021, and released later that day, according to jail reports.
Burnett, Snyder Win Top Honors In SkillsUSA Texas Automotive Service Technology Contest
Sulphur Springs High School Auto Technology students Jessica Snyder and Jackson Burnett competed in the state level after earning top honors in the District SkillsUSA Texas competition.
Snyder and Burnett earlier in the spring semester won first and second place honors in the SkillsUSA Texas District 5 Automotive Service Technology contest, for which they received awards from Gulf States Toyota, according to SSHS auto tech instructor Michael Rhodes. The competition includes comprehensive testing of 8 ASEs (testing areas).
The students then competed in the SkillsUSA Tx State level competition on April 20, with awards for that competition to take place on Friday, April 30, Rhodes also noted.
Click here to learn more about the SSHS Auto Technology Program, or click here to go straight to the video compiled by SSHS student/KSST intern Jamie Cervantes about the auto tech program as part of KSST and SSHS’ CTE Month celebration.
SSHS Band Students To Perform Downtown Tonight During Jazz Concert
Many SSISD Band Students Recognized For Achievements During Award-Winning Year
Community members will have an opportunity to hear some of the the award winning SSHS Band students perform tonight downtown. SSHS Wildcat Jazz Band students will present “Jazz on the Square” staring at 7 p.m. April 22 on Celebration Plaza.
All are welcome to stop by downtown Sulphur Springs to hear the free concert, which will include music by Toto, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins and the Blues Brothers. SSISD Band program invited everyone to bring a lawn chair and stay for the big event, with will feature professional sound and lights.
These students are among the man who contributed to the stellar year the SSISD Band Program has had. Not counting managing to stay well with no band students having to miss due to COVID-19 and still being able to play at Friday night games even during the pandemic, the students have tied a school record, according to Sulphur Springs ISD Director of Bands Spencer Emmert
Band Awards
For only the second time in school history, all four SSISD bands – including two middle school bands, made straight first division ratings at all UIL contests, according Emmert.
The SSHS Band earned first division ratings at the Mesquite and Celina Marching Festivals, then went on to take the UIL sweepstakes award after capturing first division ratings at the Region UIL Marching Contest. The SSHS Wind Ensemble and Concert Band also captured first division rates at the District UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest. The marching band went on to capture second at the Area Marching Contest, as well.
Sixteen 9th graders made the Freshman All Region Band, 15 made the High School All Region and 27 soloists earned first division ratings at the UIL contest.
Cameron Beard, Tyler Burnett, Matthew Sherman and Joel Villarino were area qualifiers. Burnett also made the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Band. State solo qualifiers included Adam Arnecke, Brooklyn Arneson, Beard, Matthew Harper, Kendall Little, Sherman, Trison Stewart, Alexis Villarino and Brandon Williams.
Four SSHS ensembles are also state qualifiers. They include the following:
- Saxophone ensemble – Sherman, Emma Eddins, Uriel Santacruz, Clayton Boykin;
- Brass ensemble – Levi Caton, Ronaldo Sanchez, Arneson and John Moser;
- Jazz ensemble – Colby Albritton, Arneson, Anthony Arroyo, Beard, Burnett, Eddins, Moser, Sanchez, Hannah Hughes, Kaden Kirkland, Little, Lauren Maynard, Jakson Medelline, Matthew Sherman, Trinity Sherman, Madison Sperry, Michael Shirley, Stewart and Catherine Starzyk; and
- Brass Ensemble – Stewart, Medelline, Galilea Sosa, Arroyo and Qunicey Chisom.
All of these SSHS Band students were recognized at this year’s annual band banquet, along with awards for outstanding students at each grade level and most improved students. Seniors were recognized for their continued dedication to the band and music.
Receiving Outstanding Leadership awards were Joel Villarino and Clayton Boykin
A Rex Wilemon Award, given annually to students who have gone above and beyond in a special way to continue the legacy of what the band program means, were presented to Galilea Sosa and Qunicey Chisom.
A newer award created and presented by Emmert is the Double Duty Award. Emmert noted the importance of highlighting students who give 100 percent to the very demanding band organizations and other organizations are too. To do so all the way through high school, Emmert said, is admirable. Emma Eddins received the Double Duty Award for setting an example for many years to come.
The Director’s Award, a national award given across the country to one student in a school’s band program who is most likely to become another staff member, by leadings by example, went to senior drum major Triston Stewart. Emmert noted he “plays a really good guitar and base too” and is among those scheduled to perform at Jazz on the Square tonight downtown.
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, given to a student who has achieved the most in the area of jazz is “our fantastic drummer” and SSHS Class of 2021 salutatorian Kendall Little.
The Leonard Bernstein Award, named after the one of the most important composers in American music history and given to someone who is “a musician through and through,” went to Anthony Arroyo.
Receive the John Philip Sousa Award, a national award given to high school students across the country who has achieved the most went to Cameron Beard.
Commerce Tigers Baseball Drops Double-Header to Grand Saline
It was a hard fought night, but the Commerce Tigers baseball team dropped a double-header to Grand Saline, 2-1 and 8-7 on Tuesday, Apr. 20.
The first game was a low-scoring affair, as neither team scored a run through two full innings. Grand Saline was able to get two runs in the bottom of the third to break the no-run tie.
Commerce would respond with a run of their own in their next at-bat in the top of the fourth, but that was all the Tiger offense could muster as they lost to the Indians by a 2-1 margin. Commerce did manage to outhit Grand Saline 6-1, with both teams committing an error a piece.
The Tigers came out swinging in their second game of the double-header versus the Indians, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Neither team scored in the next two innings, but Grand Saline eventually found their way on offense, getting five runs in the top of the fifth to make it a one run deficit.
The Indians then scored a run in their next at-bat in the sixth to tie the game up at 6 points a piece. To make matters worse for the Tigers, Grand Saline added on two more runs in the top of the seventh to give the Indians their first lead of the night at 8-6.
Commerce scored a run of their own but that was it as the Tigers lost a high-flying affair 8-7 to Grand Saline. The Indians outhit the Tigers 12-8 but gave up three errors to Commerce’s two.
Two hard-fought games that, unfortunately for Coach Britt Melton and his squad, found themselves on the wrong side of. The two losses dropped the Commerce Tigers baseball team’s overall record to 5-15-1, according to their game changer page.
Next up, the Tigers will take on Lone Oak in Commerce for the baseball team’s final home game of the season. The Senior Night game is set to tee-off at 7 P.M. on Apr. 27.
