Meal A Day Menu For August 2-6, 2021
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for Aug. 2-6, 2021, includes:
- Monday – Beef Noodle Casserole, English Peas and Garlic toast
- Tuesday – Broccoli Chicken Divan on a bed of rice, pinto beans and corn
- Wednesday – Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and roll
- Thursday –Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, refried beans, chips, salsa and tossed salad
- Friday – Cheeseburgers, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, baked beans and chips
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
2 Wills Point Men Arrested On Controlled Substance Charges
Police arrested two Wills Point men just after 11 a.m. Friday on a controlled substance charge and a warrant each.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman stopped a Ford 500 around 10:30 a.m. July 30, 2021, for an expired registration. Upon contact with the occupants, the driver, identified as 34-year-old Christopher Allen Williams, seemed nervous. When asked, Williams initially gave a name and date of birth he later admitted were false. He gave false information because he knew he had an outstanding warrant.
Hoffman asked Williams and the passenger, identified as 36-year-old Kevin Charles Jones, to exit the car. Jones displayed signs of nervousness. Officers found a bag of suspected methamphetamine in the cup holder, a second bag of suspected meth next to the hinge on the trunk and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia throughout the car.
Records checks showed Jones to be wanted in Hunt County for violation of probation and Williams wanted on a parole warrant. Jones too was wanted on a Hunt County warrant.
Both were jailed on one warrant each as well as a possession of 1 gram or ore more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. Williams was also charged with failure to identify.
Williams remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, July 31, 2021, in lieu of $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and $2,000 bond on the failure to ID charge. He was held without bond on the parole charge.
Jones too remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday afternoon, July 31, 2021, in lieu of $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge, and was held on the Hunt County warrant.
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.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of Aug. 2, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Aug. 2, 2021. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
The annual contract to perform seal coat operations in Grayson County begins Aug. 2. Daytime lane closures will be present during seal coat operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadways in Grayson County will be sealed this year; US 69 from Martin Luther King Street to US 75; SH 160 from SH 11 to the Collin County line; FM 691 from FM 131 south to FM 131 north; FM 131 from FM 691 to FM 120; FM 131 from US 82 to FM 691; SH 289 from the Collin County line to SH 56; and FM 121 from SH 289 to FM 3356.
US 69, Grayson County: from FM 1897 in Bells to SH 11 in Whitewright. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform base repairs on the roadway. Work is expected to begin Aug. 5.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91 as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound Washington Street exit ramp is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Lamar/Houston Street exit. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
Northbound and Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road near West Staples Street and transitions back to the existing mainlanes near West Cherry Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Center Street. Within this area, the US 75 frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while US 75 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both mainlane and frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Center Street under US 75 are closed to traffic. To detour, eastbound Center Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Park Avenue, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Center Street. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Houston Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Center Street.
Video animations of the northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch and Center Street detour can be viewed online at:
- Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLyVQ6rYNhM
- Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Detour for the Center Street closure at US 75: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIMoHaqAFGg
Northbound and Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road from just north of Houston Street and transitions back to the existing mainlanes south of North Travis Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Washington Street. Within this area, the US 75 frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while US 75 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both mainlane and frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Washington Street under US 75 are closed to traffic. This closure is necessary to complete work in preparation of the mainlane detour. To detour, eastbound Washington Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Lamar Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Washington Street. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on North Travis Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Washington Street.
Video animations of the northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch and Washington Street detour can be viewed online at:
- Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Detour for the Washington Street closure at US 75:
US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between North Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lanes shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews perform bridge construction. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on bridge construction and construction of new frontage road lanes.
The westbound US 82 exit ramp for Loy Lake road is currently closed for crews to work on widening the US 82 frontage road. This exit ramp is expected to be closed through August 2021. Traffic wishing to access Loy Lake Road is requested to take the SH 91 exit ramp (# 643), or the US 75 exit ramp.
The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The pedestrian bridge has been removed. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct the second portion of the new Sand Creek bridge and the approaches to the bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
SH 289, Grayson County: in Gunter at the FM 121 intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures as construction crews work on installing a traffic signal at the intersection.
FM 131, Grayson County: in Sherman at the Northcreek Drive intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures as construction crews work on installing a traffic signal at the intersection.
US 69, Grayson County: in Bells at the FM 1897 intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures as construction crews work on installing a traffic signal at the intersection.
Yellow Bridge Road (CR 876), Grayson County: Yellow Bridge Road (CR 876) is closed to through traffic at the branch of Pilot Grove Creek so that construction crews can remove and replace the bridge. Local traffic will need to use an alternate roadway such as Brewer Road or County Road 534.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Thursday night. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
US 69/US 75, Grayson County: at the Red River bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to upgrade and replace the existing bridge railing on the bridge and guardrail approaches on the northbound and southbound bridges at the Red River. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have shifted traffic to provide room for construction.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to a portion of the new concrete pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section consisting of concrete pavement when the project is completed.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the daytime.
FM 84, Grayson County: between US 75 and FM 406. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 120, Grayson County: from SH 289 to Cemetery Road. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 697, Grayson County: from SH 11 to FM 2729. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
The annual contract to perform seal coat operations in Fannin County begins the second week of August weather permitting. Daytime lane closures will be present during seal coat operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadway in Fannin County will be sealed this year; SH 56 from Loop 205 in Bonham to US 82 in Honey Grove.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided roadway. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement for the entirety of the project from the Lamar County line to SH 121. Eastbound traffic between SH 121 and the Lamar County line has been opened to two lanes, but occasional daytime lane closures may be present. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median.
FM 274, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to FM 3321. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a fog seal to the roadway.
FM 896, Fannin County: from US 69 to Business SH 121 in Randolph. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a fog seal to the roadway.
FM 981, Fannin County: from SH 78 to US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs to the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
FM 71, Hopkins County: From FM 3236 to Sulphur Bluff. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews work on rehabilitating the roadway.
FM 3389, Hopkins County: From IH 30 to FM 1567. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews work on rehabilitating the roadway.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.
BU 82J, Red River County: Between Travis Street and Columbia Street in Clarksville. The road will be closed and a marked detour will be in place while crews replace a cross drainage structure, install drainage inlets, and reconstruct the roadway and sidewalk in this area.
FM 195, Red River County: from the Lamar County line to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and replace bridge rail. The shoulder at Little Pine Creek will remain closed while the rail work is completed.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (Avery) to FM 44. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to the Franklin County line. Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas as final work is being performed.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to SP 38 (Bogata). Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas as final work is being performed.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to the Bowie County line. Watch for daytime lane closures while crews place final hot mix surface.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
FM 36, Hunt County: from FM 36 to FM 751 at various locations: The contractor has been forming and pouring concrete drainage structures on FM 1564. The contractor will begin working on other culverts and safety end treatments on FM 1564 and chevrons on SH 34 to US 69.
SH 276, Hunt County, from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass): The contractor has placed project barricades and has prepared and cleared most of the right-of-way. Preliminary embankment, excavation, and bridge work has begun with all shafts being completed. This work should not affect existing traffic on SH 34 or SH 276. Roadway construction affecting closures on Spur 264 has begun, this work will affect through-traffic between Meyers Avenue to County Road 2304. Weekend work is to be expected. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor has begun mile five of this seven-mile project and is currently reworking the flex base, placing geogrid and compacting areas for roadway rehabilitation and widening. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 66 at FM 1570, Hunt County: The contractor has finished placing the two-inch asphalt overlay and will begin placing guardrail and striping, weather permitting. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews in Hunt County will be performing overlay operations on SH 11 between FM 2655 and FM 1563, near Wolfe City. Maintenance crews will also be performing overlay and spot base operations on FM 71 from BUS 11 to Delta County. Contract mowers will be operating throughout the county this week. Maintenance crews will also be sweeping on US 69 between Lone Oak and Greenville as needed. Maintenance contract crews will be performing debris removal on I-30 and guard rail repair at various locations around Hunt County. Maintenance crews will also be performing roadway patch repairs on FM 47 from FM 2324 to SH 276, and on SH 276 from FM 36 to the Rockwall County line. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
Maintenance crews in Rains County will be performing fog seal on FM 779 from FM 515 to the Wood County line. Crews will also perform roadway patching on SH 276 from FM 47 to US 69. Crews will be performing various sign installations, potholing and debris removal. Maintenance crews will be performing herbicide operation on various roadways. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway, and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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Woman, 2 Men Jailed On Felony Warrants
A woman and two men were jailed in Hopkins County on felony warrants, including two wanted by out-of-town agencies, according to arrest and jail reports.
Delta County Sheriff’s Office located Justen Blake Saffel at his Pecan Gap residence and took him into custody on six Hopkins County warrants. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies met the Delta County officers at the county line and took Saffel into custody and to jail. The 26-year-old remained in Hopkins County jail Friday evening on one warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for arson; one for bond forfeiture on an illegal dumping charge, three for failure to maintain financial responsibility, and one for speeding.
Arrested July 29, 2021, by Deputy Nick Marney was 19-year-old Chad Owen Dean of Commerce on a warrant for bond revocation on a possession of less than1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. He remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, July 30, 2021. His new bond was set at $75,000.
At 11 a.m. July 29, Sgt. Todd Evans took Chelsea Renee Higginbotham into custody at the adult probation office on a Franklin County warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for felony assault of a family or household member with a previous conviction. The 30-year-old Pittsburg woman remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, July 30, on the 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.
Investigation Into Stolen Firearms Results Location Of Methamphetamine, Warrant Arrest
Investigation into stolen firearms lead authorities to an East Industrial Drive motel, where a wanted man had a small quantity of methamphetamine, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a tip that a wanted person could possibly be in possession of stolen firearms and living at the East Industrial Drive residence. The deputies contacted the motel manager. A records check using the man’s name showed him to be wanted in Texarkana and Bowie County. Based on information gleaned, officers believed the man did have firearms in his room.
Deputies waited until they saw a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle, a silver Kia Soul with the back window broken out, pull into the parking lot at 2:47 p.m. July 29. They then conducted a traffic stop. The suspect, 34-year-old Joe Edward Rawson of Texarkana, was the front seat passenger. He was detained in handcuffs and gave deputies a false name, which he later admitted was because he was aware of a warrant for his arrest, Deputy Elijah Fite and Deputy Richard Brantley alleged in arrest reports.
When questioned about the firearms, he denied having any and agreed to let the deputies search his room. He admitted to having a methamphetamine pipe by his side of the bed. Deputies confirmed the man was indeed wanted in Texarkana for violation of probation which he was on for burglary of a vehicle and in Bowie County for violation of probation, which he was on for attempt to commit possession of a controlled substance. True to his word, officers failed to locate any firearms but did find multiple glass pipes of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine as well as a clear bag containing 0.2 gram of a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Rawson was arrested at 4:10 p.m. Thursday at the motel on the warrants as well as for possession of less than1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. A drug-fee zone enhancement was added due to the motel’s proximity to Paris Junior College.
The 34-year-old Texarkana, Texas man remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, July 30, 2021, in lieu of $5,000 on the controlled substance charge and $2,000 on the burglary charge. No bond was set on the other 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.
Uplift Education Renews Partnership with A&M-Commerce
COMMERCE, Texas — Administrators from Uplift Education and Texas A&M University-Commerce met virtually on Thursday, July 29 to renew their long-standing partnership.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by Uplift Education president Remy Washington, Ed.D., and A&M-Commerce president Mark Rudin, Ph.D. The agreement ensures that every Uplift student has an equal opportunity to access college education, no matter their socioeconomic status.
Uplift Education is a non-profit charter school company that operates 46 college-preparatory public charter schools and teaches 23,000 students on 22 campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. According to Uplift, most of their students will be the first in their families to attend college.
Since the partnership began in 2013, more than 1,900 Uplift students have been admitted to A&M-Commerce.
Through the partnership, A&M-Commerce supplies grants and scholarships to incoming Uplift students, hosts Uplift students on campus, presents parent-oriented programming to help families navigate the college application and matriculation process, and more.
This year, the school partnership will expand to include Auto-Admit Days, when graduating Uplift seniors will receive automatic and expedited admission to A&M-Commerce if they meet admission criteria.
Washington expressed appreciation for the partnership on behalf of Uplift Education.
“We are so fortunate to have a partner like A&M-Commerce,” she said. “We deeply understand that our students have needs, and you’re willing to work collaboratively to shape their lives for years to come.”
Rudin also expressed gratitude to Uplift Education.
“Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to consider you a great partner in this endeavor,” Rudin said. “We see our institution as a catalyst to transform lives, regardless of ethnicity and socioeconomic status.”
Read more about Uplift Education.
Securities Commissioner Enters Disciplinary Order Fining Waxahachie Investment Company
Legacy Wealth Advisors, Inc., a Texas registered investment adviser located in Waxahachie, Texas, consented to the entry of a Disciplinary Order that will require Legacy Wealth Advisors to pay an administrative fine of $15,000. The Disciplinary Order was entered today by the Securities Commissioner, Travis J. Iles.
The staff of the Texas State Securities Board conducts regular inspections of licensed investment advisers. During the inspection of Legacy Wealth Advisors, the staff found that Legacy Wealth Advisor’s registration with the Securities Commissioner had lapsed on two different occasions — 2019 and 2020 – for failure to timely pay annual renewal fees. In fact, Legacy Wealth Advisor was unlicensed for the entirety of 2020. Additionally, Legacy Wealth Advisors failed to timely renew the registrations of two investment adviser representatives. One of these remained unlicensed at the time of the inspection. Yet both Legacy Wealth Advisors and the two representatives had provided investment advice to their clients during this unregistered period. The Disciplinary Order sanctioned Legacy Wealth Advisors for providing investment advice in Texas while not registered with the Securities Commissioner.
During the inspection, the staff also found that Legacy Wealth Advisors had not developed written supervisory procedures relating to its activities as an investment adviser. Board Rule 116.10 requires investment advisers to do so, in order to prevent violations of applicable securities laws, such as failing to annually renew registrations. Legacy Wealth Advisors has agreed, as part of the Disciplinary Order, to retain an independent compliance consultant that will conduct a review of Legacy Wealth Advisor’s business activities as an investment adviser and assist the firm with developing written supervisory procedures and addressing other issues identified by the staff during the inspection.
Canceled: No Jury Duty Monday Morning At Civic Center
The jury panel summoned to appear August 2 at 8:30 a.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center has been canceled. Thus, those called for that session do not need to report for duty Monday, acording to District Clerk Cheryl Fulcher.
End of July Also Marks End of Off-Season Activities for Sulphur Springs Sports Teams
It has been a busy summer for Sulphur Springs athletics.
With the conclusion of Wildcats basketball Edge yesterday, July 29, the summer strength and conditioning program for SSISD teams officially came to a close.
The men’s basketball program was originally slated to end July 22, after beginning June 14, but coach Brandon Shaver and his squad were forced to push back the end date of the Edge one week as campus-wide gym renovations were completed last week.
Coach Shaver also held his youth camp two weeks ago, from July 12-15 in the SSHS Main Gym. The new Wildcats basketball coach said camps like the ones Sulphur Springs holds are pivotal to building a family environment from the ground-up. Coach Shaver believes that these youth camps accomplish just that.
He also said that his student athletes have been learning the new system the coach implemented quickly, but he loves the buy-in from his varsity athletes and expects a tough, defense-oriented team that is still able to score consistently.
The season schedule for Coach Shaver’s Wildcats should be released here in the coming days.
The second full week of July was arguably the busiest week of the summer: not only was the boys basketball camp held, but football, cross country, and both boys and girls soccer finished up their six week runs of the Edge on Thursday, July 15.
Greg Owens, head football coach and athletic director of SSISD, has enjoyed the ability to get back to the Edge and be able to do the things that they wish to do without so many COVID-19 restrictions, something Coach Ross Hicks, cross country coach echoed.
And even though a new defensive coordinator in Kurt McCain has brought in a new system, several coaches from Coach Owens’ staff do not feel like there has been a steep learning curve, in fact, a number of football coaches have enjoyed watching Coach McCain implement his new system and noted his hands-on abilities and attention to detail.
While the number of attendees may not have been entirely what the football coach was hoping for, another sentiment shared by several coaches, Coach Owens, Coach Matt Young, and Coach Casey Jeter all thought progress went well and are excited for game-time action.
The season schedule for football was released last week, on July 20.
Moving over to cross country, Coach Ross Hicks could not stress enough how much buy-in he has seen from his student-athletes.
Numbers may not have been entirely what the cross country coach was hoping for, citing jobs as a big reason for a number of his athletes not attending the Edge, but the Sulphur Springs XC coach said his students have stayed vigilant in their quest for improvement.
Coach Hicks said a lot of his students have been tracking their progress and sending it to the coach, clearly demonstrating his athletes’ desire to better not only themselves but their team as well.
The Wildcats and Lady Cats XC coach said he looks forward to seeing how this dedicated team performs come fall.
Cross country fans will not have to wait long, though, as Sulphur Springs will be hosting an intra squad meet right here in Sulphur Springs on August 14. The event is free to attend.
For the varsity and middle school cross country schedules, click here.
Now on to both soccer teams, starting with women’s soccer, Coach Javier Aguayo, head coach of the Lady Cats soccer program voiced similar concerns as several other coaches wishing that he had more student-athlete attendees.
While the coach said they took the Edge day-by-day, trying best to adjust to who all shows up, but luckily for Coach Aguayo he has an incredibly talented nucleus of returning players who have regularly attended the summer strength and conditioning program, providing invaluable leadership to a program that lost a number of talented seniors.
Coach Aguayo would go on to miss a few Edge sessions as he rehabbed his leg, but it would be no matter as Coach Salvador Mejia, or Coach Sal, a Wildcats assistant coach, and Coach Steven Moreno, head assistant to Coach Aguayo, picked up where Coach Aguayo left off and got to work.
Coach Moreno echoed several statements that Aguayo made in mid-June; to have a number of talented players return, and on top of that to have a talented incoming eighth grade class, it is hard not to wonder if the Lady Cats are in good hands for the foreseeable future.
Men’s soccer went very well, according to HC Alexi Upton. The Wildcats soccer coach said in the second week of his six week run of the Edge that about 1 in 3 students in the soccer program attended the summer strength and conditioning program.
He said that the biggest obstacle his teams faced were his athletes working summer jobs, which forced the coach to adjust.
Fortunately for the Wildcats soccer coach, the student-athletes who attended the Edge regularly attended, so he will surely start off with a strong nucleus of players.
The coach said his team this year will have to work harder this year to be successful as they lost several key players to graduation. Luckily for Coach Upton, he has seen several freshmen and sophomores on his squad step up and put in the work daily to improve.
He said Wildcats fans should expect a well-organized team who works hard.
But before Coach Upton could shift his focus to prepping for the Winter season, he held the youth soccer camp at the Multi-Purpose Building this week.
Women’s basketball had a shorter run of the Edge; most teams had six-week runs of the summer strength and conditioning program, while women’s basketball only went for four weeks.
Not only did the Lady Cats basketball team have a shorter summer skills program than other teams who hold the Edge, the women’s basketball team also had to grapple with the loss of head coach Brittney Tisdell.
Coach Tisdell returned home to her alma mater to coach North Lamar, confirming the news by text in late June.
Losing a head coach is never easy, especially losing said coach when your summer skills program just got underway.
Luckily for a talented nucleus that the Lady Cats possess, they were able to keep working until news broke in mid-July that Erica Delley, former Greenville Lady Lions head coach, accepted the head coaching position in Sulphur Springs.
KSST will be meeting with the new Lady Cats head coach on Monday to discuss what it means to be here in Sulphur Springs and to helm this program.
Volleyball, like women’s basketball, had a shorter run of the Edge compared to other teams. Both women’s basketball and volleyball Edges began on June 14 and ran until July 8.
Coach Bailey Dorner, head Lady Cats volleyball coach, said that her team breezed through their four-week run of the Edge.
She said that her team has worked hard continuously and were consistently working to better themselves each and every day of the summer strength and conditioning program.
Even though she lost a number of talented seniors to graduation, notably Sadie Washburn, Coach Dorner has not had to ask her players to step up and take leadership on this team, saying it has been a natural progression.
Like cross country and football, Coach Bailey Dorner and her volleyball squad hit the ground running in August when they begin scrimmage and tournament play.
The volleyball schedule, which was submitted to KSST on Monday, July 12, can be found here.
But before games get underway, Coach Dorner will be holding volleyball tryouts starting August 2 from 8 A.M. to 11 A.M. and then 12 P.M. to 1 P.M. in the SSHS Main Gym.
Wrapping up with team tennis, coached by Tony Martinez, also wrapped up the Edge this week. Tennis had the notable advantage of not only starting before all other Edges, beginning on June 1, but also held their summer strength and conditioning program later than all others (that is, before basketball was pushed back a week).
Coach Martinez said he continuously, especially year-after-year, sees more and more interest for tennis here in Sulphur Springs. The team tennis coach said he had 35 student-athlete attendees on June 1 and 18-20 kindergarten through ninth grade students at the youth tennis camp held during the week of June 7.
He also cited the coronavirus and quarantine as contributing factors to an increased desire in tennis.
Not only that, but Coach Martinez said in a late-June interview that he sees a hunger for success in a lot of his younger, middle school students. To see such a passion for winning is something that brings a smile to the tennis coach’s face.
The Edge wrapped up on July 25. Even though the summer skills program may have concluded, though, Coach Martinez and his squad have been practicing from 7 to 9 P.M. at the Tennis Center this week in preparation for their first meet, held right here in Sulphur Springs, on Aug. 2.
The team tennis schedule can be found here.
With youth camps and now the Edge for all varsity teams that hold the summer strength and conditioning concluded, coaches in Sulphur Springs are either taking a breather before jumping head-first in to the season or are prepping for their first taste of action.
August is set to be a busy month as several teams will hit the ground running as soon as the first week of the month.
Tennis, volleyball, cross country and football all play their first scrimmages and meets throughout the first two weeks of August.
Tennis is set to have their first meet at the Tennis Center on Aug. 2 when they host Sherman and Denison at 9 A.M. and 1 P.M., respectively.
Volleyball will follow shortly thereafter, playing their first scrimmage on August 7, followed by football’s first scrimmage versus Liberty Eylau on Aug. 13 and the following day will be cross country’s intra squad meet held right here in Sulphur Springs.
For more season schedules, or to stay up to date with all things Wildcats and Lady Cats, be sure to stay tuned in to KSST over the coming week.
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.
Constitutional Amendment Order Decided for November 2, 2021 Election
AUSTIN, Texas – Deputy Secretary of State Joe Esparza today drew the ballot order for the 8 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution that will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot. In order to appear on the ballot, the proposed amendments must be approved by at least two-thirds of the members of both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives.
Texans will have the opportunity to approve the following amendments with a majority vote:
Proposition 1 (HJR 143)
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the professional sports team charitable foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to conduct charitable raffles at rodeo venues.”
Proposition 2 (HJR 99)
“The constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas in the county.”
Proposition 3 (SJR 27)
“The constitutional amendment to prohibit this state or a political subdivision of this state from prohibiting or limiting religious services of religious organizations.”
Proposition 4 (SJR 47)
“The constitutional amendment changing the eligibility requirements for a justice of the supreme court, a judge of the court of criminal appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge.”
Proposition 5 (HJR 165)
“The constitutional amendment providing additional powers to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct with respect to candidates for judicial office.”
Proposition 6 (SJR 19)
“The constitutional amendment establishing a right for residents of certain facilities to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visitation.”
Proposition 7 (HJR 125)
“The constitutional amendment to allow the surviving spouse of a person who is disabled to receive a limitation on the school district ad valorem taxes on the spouse’s residence homestead if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of the person’s death.”
Proposition 8 (SJR 35)
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.”
For more information and resources for voting in Texas, visit VoteTexas.gov.
