Emergency Sirens to be Tested Today
Emergency Sirens will be tested in Sulphur Springs today, Monday March 15, 2021. The test will be conducted by the Sulphur Springs Emergency Management office. The test will be conducted at noon.
The test is to gauge the reliability of the emergency warning system and is conducted to find any potential flaws in the system. Recent tests have shown the emergency sires to be a ready source of warning in case of emergencies such as weather or other threats to safety.
This is only a test.
How to Spot Freeze Damage on Trees, by Mario Villarino
Over a week after severe winter weather in East Texas, many landowners may just now be seeing signs of freeze damage to forest trees and having concerns that some trees may not make it.
“The most common sign of freeze damage on trees is the turning of needles and leaves from a dark green to a strange reddish-gray color,” said Eric Taylor, Texas A&M Forest Service silviculturist, Overton.
“Other than the strange color, the crowns of these trees seem to be fully intact and show minimal breakage from ice loads.”
Typically, ice loads during winter storms bring physical damage to trees. February’s storm was a different story though. Only rarely, in confined areas, were mechanical breakage or severe bending of forest trees found. Texas A&M Forest Service conducted an aerial timber assessment survey last week over 509,000 acres in East Texas and found no significant damage to the timber resource.
Normal freeze response: The extreme cold triggered a normal physiological response in the trees of East Texas. Needles and leaves of trees showing signs of freeze damage were impaired, likely from the formation of ice crystals inside the leaf cells causing the cell walls to rupture. However, native trees are adapted to this and responded by shutting off, abscising, their leaves or needles that were no longer functioning, causing a discoloration of leaves.
Fortunately, trees are resilient and have the ability to leaf out again when the initial growth is damaged or destroyed. Landowners may see freeze damage symptoms on some trees, but not all. Tree species differ when it comes to freeze tolerance as some can tolerate extreme cold better than others. With pine species, longleaf and slash seem to have less tolerance for freeze than loblolly. Shortleaf pine is more resistant to freezing temperatures and seems to be much less affected than the other pine species.
Recovery prospects: In addition, trees along the forest edge and/or those trees that are taller than surrounding trees, with their crowns fully exposed, may also experience freeze damage to a greater extent than those with crowns somewhat protected by other trees. Most trees in East Texas will survive the freeze damage though. “This is another example of how it pays to proactively manage forests,” Taylor said.
“There will likely be some losses, but if the tree was relatively healthy before the freeze, it should have enough available, stored carbohydrates (food) to set new buds and form new leaves (needles) this spring.” If the tree was unhealthy prior to the freeze, then it may not be able to recover or might be the target of insects and disease later this year. There is always the worry that trees become so stressed from these events that they are lost to insects.
However, the freeze also severely impacted and reduced insect populations, which should provide a period of respite and time for trees to recover their leaves and needles. Texas A&M Forest Service foresters are asking landowners not to panic. Damaged trees may have only suffered a temporary setback and healthy trees should produce new growth within a few weeks.
If you are a homeowner with a freeze-damaged tree near your home or other buildings on your property, you may wish to contact a certified arborist for a closer inspection. A certified arborist will assess whether a tree poses a safety hazard, needs corrective pruning and the overall health of the tree.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Vehicle Pursuit In Sulphur Springs Ends With Controlled Substance, Warrant Arrest
A vehicle pursuit in Sulphur Springs concluded with a wanted man being arrested on controlled substance, evading arrest and two warrants. A traffic stop also resulted in another Sulphur Springs man’s arrest on a Delta County evading arrest charge, according to arrest reports.
Vehicle Pursuit
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson attempted to stop a westbound silver Hyundai Elantra just before 5 p.m. Friday, March 12, after seeing the wanted man driving fail to stop at more than one designated stopping point on Gilmer Street. Instead of stopping, however, the driver reportedly traveled through parking lots on the north side of Tapp Funeral Home and exited onto Oak Avenue at a high rate of speed, Wilkerson alleged in arrest reports.
When the car continued, ignoring the emergency lights on Wilkerson’s patrol vehicle, the deputy turned on the patrol unit’s siren and continued past the stop sign on Oak Avenue at College Street. Wilkerson reported pursuing the car as it turned onto College Street, then Jackson Street. The pursuit continued onto Jefferson Street at a high rate of speed, then Alabama Street and Jennings Street, back onto Jefferson Street and back to College Street. The motorist turned onto Mitchell, then back toward Jefferson Street, Wilkerson wrote in arrest reports.
The fleeing car on Jefferson Street until reaching apartments in the 600 block of Jefferson Street, where it entered a parking lot and continue to the back of the parking lot before stopping. Wilkerson approached and the 19-year-old driver surrendered and was taken into custody. Additional units from Texas Department of Public Safety, Sulphur Springs Police Department and HCSO arrived on scene at that point, according to arrest reports.
HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis and Deputy Chris Baumann assisted in completing a vehicle search. A pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke marijuana, a small amount of what the teen, identified in arrest reports at Aaron Kristopher Huddleston, stated was marijuana and a vape pen containing as mall amount of yellow wax-like liquid he said was THC oil, Wilkerson alleged in arrest reports.
After Wilkerson and Deputy Kevin Lester complete their search of the car, it was released to a towing service for impound. Wilkerson transported Huddleston to jail, where the vape pen cartridge containing the suspected THC oil weighed 5.911 grams, the deputy noted in arrest reports.
Huddleston was booked into Hopkins County jail at 7:20 p.m. March 12, 2021, for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and possession of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, as well as warrants for bail jumping and failure to appear and bond forfeiture on a burglary of a habitation charge, according to arrest reports.
The 19-year-old Sulphur Springs man remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, March 15, in lieu of $165,000 bond: $30,000 bond each on the evading arrest and controlled substance charges, a $5,000 bond on the bail jumping/FTA charge and a $100,000 bond on the burglary warrant, according to jail reports.
FM 275 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson stopped black Dodge 2500 pickup at 10:50 p.m. Saturday, March 13, on FM 275 south at County Road 1143 for a defective right head light.
Upon contact with the driver and passenger, Wilkerson alleged he detected an odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the truck. Wilkerson had both get out of the truck and asked HCSO communications operators to conduct a records check using the pair’s ID information while he conducted a probable cause search of the pickup. A small amount of drug paraphernalia was reportedly located. Dispatchers advised the passenger was wanted in Delta County on an evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge.
Thus, Deputy Chris Baumann, who arrived to assist Wilkerson, took 33-year-old Curtis Oneal Adams of Sulphur Springs into custody and transported him to jail on the Delta County warrant. The driver was released in the vehicle without incident, the deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Adams was held in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, March 15, 2021, for Delta County, according to jail reports.
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.
Edits Emphasized at PJC-Sulphur Springs
English Instructor Dr. Ken Haley emphasizes a point to students Briceida Chavez and Gino Medina in his class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center.
Social distancing is being practiced in all classrooms, like Dr. Haley’s lecture shown above.
Call PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Campus at 903-885-1232 for more information.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Six SSHS Students Qualify For National BPA Competition
Six members of the Sulphur Springs High School Business Professionals of America Chapter have qualified for the National BPA Competition in May.
The SSHS BPA students competed in the BPA State Leadership Conference the week of March 1-5 in virtual competitions. Six students scored either in the top five in individual category or top 10 in nonjudged events to qualify them to participate in the National BPA Competition, which will be May 5-9.
“Normally, these students would be traveling to Orlando, Florida. However, this year students will be competing virtually for National Competition. We are excited for these students and their accomplishments this year,” said Jenny Arledge, Director of College & Career Readiness/ Career & Technical Education Director for Sulphur Springs High School.
Stanley Alba qualified by earning top honors in advanced interview skills-associate competition. Jacob Semler earned top honors in intermediate word processing at state.
Emily Atkinson finished second in administrative support project-individual at state and is advancing to national competition.
Talley Brown placed fourth in interview skills while Jessica Snyder earned finished fifth in advanced spreadsheet applications and Jack Bain placed sixth in legal office procedures at the BPA State Leadership Conference.
Congratulations to these students and their sponsors on these achievements.
Dinner Bell Menu For March 17, 2021
Cross County Cowboy Church is the COMMUNITY PARTNER
It’s ST. PATRICK’S DAY So we are having an IRISH MENU!!!
MENU
Corned Beef and Cabbage with Potatoes, Carrots and Parsnips
Garden Salad
Irish Soda Bread
Green Sugared Cookies
CONTINUE TO KEEP DISTANCES; WASH HAND OFTEN; AND WEAR MASKS.
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
Dinner Bell remains a Grab and Go distribution system for meals. Meals may be secured by driving under the covered driveway on the Northeast Corner of The First United Methodist Church Campus after 11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays.
Small Child Allegedly In Car During FM 1870 Drunk Driving Crash
A 21-year-old Cumby man arrested following a FM 1870 drunk driving crash reportedly lied to the trooper investigating the crash. The driver allegedly claimed there was no child in the car seat in the car during the crash, but was later reported to have called someone who removed the child from the crash site before officials arrived, a trooper alleged in arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Warren Williamson reported responding in the early morning hours Sunday, March 14, on FM 1870 to a vehicle crash. Upon arrival, the trooper observed a Ford Mustang in the middle of the road with numerous open alcohol containers visible inside the car.
“At the scene, it was apparent there was a car seat in the rear seat. Based on the blood in the car it was readily apparent that someone had retrieved a child from the car seat but there was no child present at the scene,” Williamson wrote in arrest reports.
Cole William Peterson of Cumby reportedly identified himself to the trooper and admitted to being the driver of the red Mustang at the time of the crash. Williamson reported smelling a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage on 21-year-old Peterson’s breath while talking with him. Peterson admitted to consuming numerous alcoholic beverages prior to operating the car, but denied that a child was in the car at the time of the crash, Williamson alleged in arrest reports.
Peterson was unable to successfully complete standard field sobriety tests and demonstrated he did not have the normal use of his mental and physical faculties due to alcohol, Williamson noted in arrest reports. At that point, Peterson was place under arrest for driving while intoxicated and taken to jail. He blew 0.147 and 0.142 on breath tests, well over the 0.08 legal limit for blood-alcohol content, Williamson stated in arrest reports.
“I contacted the mother of the child who confirmed she had lied to deputies who responded to her residence to check the welfare of the child. The mother confirmed the female child,” Williamson alleged in arrest reports, “approximately 1.5 years of age, was with [Peterson], in the vehicle at the time of the crash and that he had called someone to take the child from the crash scene to the mother in Como. The mother also confirmed that the child had received minor injuries during the crash.”
Williamson alleged that Peterson, by not seeking medical attention for the child considering the severity of the crash and his actions, acted with criminal negligence for the child’s safety and wellbeing. Peterson’s actions were a “gross deviation from the standard of care that an ordinary person would exercise under all the circumstances,” Williamson wrote in arrest reports. The trooper alleged in arrest reports that Peterson “tampered with evidence by having the child removed from the scene and attempting to conceal that the child was involved in the crash.”
Peterson was subsequently charged with driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under the age of 15 years in the vehicle, abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair.
Peterson remained in Hopkins County jail Sunday evening March 14, 2021 on all three charges stemming from the alleged FM 1870 drunk driving crash. Bond was set at $30,000 on the tampering with evidence charge, and $10,000 each on the DWI with child passenger and child endangerment-criminal negligence charge, according to jail reports.
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.
March 15-19 Meal A Day Menu
Although the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center remains closed due to COVID-19, volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The March 15-19 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday – Hash Brown Beef Casserole, Corn, Green Beans
Tuesday – Chicken Spaghetti, Italian Vegetables, Garlic Toast
Wednesday – Rope Sausage, Sauerkraut, Black-Eyed Peas, Cornbread
Thursday – Chicken and Dumplings, Crackers, Toss Salad
Friday – Chili Cheese Dogs, Cole Slaw, Fritos
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.
Lady Cats Softball Wins Over Longview
Lady Cats Softball Team Wins Pitchers Duel With Longview, 1-0 Friday Evening
It took a perfect storm of weirdness for the Lady Cats Softball Team to defeat Longview, 1-0 in a district game pitchers’ duel at Lady Cat Park Friday (March 12) evening. Lady Cat Crimson Bryant and the Lady Lobos Reagan Rios just about matched each other pitch for pitch. Here’s the way the Lady Cats scored the games only run in the bottom of the sixth. Nylah Lindley got on base when the Longview first baseman dropped a throw to first Lindley stole second. Bryant put down a bunt that was fielded by the Longview first baseman who turned to first to find no one there. When pitch runner Kinley Friddle stole second base, the Lady Cats had runners on third and second. With two outs, Rios threw a wild pitch that got away from the Lobos’ catcher. Lindley, coming in from third, just beat the throw to the plate. Bryant, who got the win went 7 innings, threw 95 pitches and gave up only 2 hits and no runs while striking out 15 and walking none. Rios went 6 innings allowing only 3 hits and no earned runs while striking out 14 and walking one. In order to put the ball in play, Lady Cats Coach David Carrillo stressed small ball and bunting. The Lady Cats’ three hits never got out of the infield. Besides Bryant’s hit, Addison DeSmet hit a slow roller to short that she easily beat out without a throw. Parris Pickett, probably bunting to sacrifice ended up beating the throw to first for a hit. The Lady Cats evened their district record to 1-1. They are 10-3 for the season. Longview slips to 1-2 in district play. The Lady Cats host Mount Pleasant at Lady Cat Park next Tuesday.
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 Baseball Comes Up Short Against Atlanta
Wildcats Baseball Team Ends Up on the Short End of a 4-3 game to Atlanta in Hallsville Tournament Saturday
After falling behind 3-0 to Atlanta, the Wildcats Baseball Team tied the game with 3 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning only to see the Rabbits score a decisive fourth run in the top of the sixth in the Reich Builders Classic in Hallsville Saturday (March 13). The 4-3 loss gave the Wildcats two wins and two losses in the three-day tournament. Atlanta scored what turned out to be the winning run without the benefit of a hit. On the day, the Wildcats outhit the Rabbits, 7 to 6. In the Wildcats big fourth inning, Ty Stroud, Kaden Wallace and Hayden Hurst scored runs and Hurst, Aiken Owens and Dawson Carpenter had the RBI’s. Carpenter and Wallace had 2 hits in the game and Hurst hit a double. Owens, who took the loss, pitched the first 5 1/3 innings allowing 6 hits and 4 runs while striking out 2 and walking five. Matthew Mitchell and Hector Martinez each pitched 1/3 of an inning and Martinez got a strikeout. The Wildcats season record is now 4-10. The Wildcats, who are 1-0 in district play, resume district play Tuesday night at Mount Pleasant.
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.
