All 5 SSHS Competitors Medal At The 2021 State Academic UIL Contest
Literary Criticism Team Earns State Championship
All five of the Sulphur Springs High School Academic UIL Team who competed Saturday, May 1, at the 2021 State Academic UIL Meet Competition returned home with medals. One team came back with a State Championship and one student placed in three events.
The SSHS Literary Criticism Team composed of Matthew Harper, Kendall Little (senior class salutatorian), Shelby Ray and Dawson Carpenter and coached by Gail Herman, earned the State Championship Saturday.
“Not only did they win a state team championship, but they did it in an impressive fashion by sweeping the top 4 individual places in the event. Junior Dawson Carpenter finished 4th, junior Shelby Ray finished 3rd, senior Kendall Little finished 2nd, and senior Matthew Harper earned his second career State Championship in Literary Criticism,” Gerald Grafton, SSHS UIL Campus Coordinator, reported Tuesday morning.
This is particularly notable because this marks the marking the sixth consecutive and the the seventh time in the last nine years SSHS teams have won in literary criticism at state, although school activities were suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saturday marked Matthew Harper’s second time to be named the individual state champion in literary criticism. He also was named the 2019 lit crit champ after earning the highest score of any student competing in any classification, according to SSHS literary criticism coach Gail Herman. Harper is Herman’s fourth student to be named individual state champion in literary criticism.
In Journalism events, senior Matthew Harper (the class valedictorian) placed in two events. He finished 2nd place in Headline Writing and 5th Place in Copy Editing. Journalism competitors are coached by Gail Herman and Madison Millsap.
In Social Studies, sophomore Alfredo Renteria finished 2nd place in the state.
“Alfredo has worked extremely hard over the year and posted his personal record at the state meet, boosting his previous best score by a significant amount. Social Studies is coached by Madison Millsap,” Grafton credited.
Junior AllieGrace Woodard has two entries still in play for State Theatrical Design competition. Those awards will be announced May 10.
“Congratulations to all our state winners,” Grafton noted.
| Event | Student | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Copy Editing | Matthew Harper | 5th |
| Social Studies | Alfredo Renteria | 2nd |
| Headline Writing | Matthew Harper | 2nd |
| Literary Criticism | Matthew Harper | State Champion |
| Kendall Little | 2nd | |
| Shelby Ray | 3rd | |
| Dawson Carpenter | 4th | |
| Team | State Champion |
Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County Weathers Storm Relatively Unscathed
Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County weathered Monday night’s storm relatively unscathed, despite a deluge of rain and high winds, according to local officials.
The National Weather Service reported winds 87 mile per hour wind gusts were observed at Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport at 11:04 p.m. Monday, May 3, 2021. At 11:08 p.m., severe thunderstorms extended along a line from Tira to Sulphur Springs and Yantis at 35 miles per hour at 11:08 p.m. May 3, 2021. The NWS cautioned Hopkins County, Cooper, Emory and Deport residents to watch for flying debris during 80 mile per hour wind gusts, which could cause damage to mobile homes, roofs, windows, vehicles and extensive tree damages as quarter sized hail was possible.
For the most part, in Sulphur Springs a few trees were blown down and small twigs and branches from shrubbery and trees were downed on roads. City work crews reported only three trees had been discovered on city streets. The city manger reported no other damages had been reported at 9 a.m. Tuesday on city facilities. A few residences did have downed trees and debris from bushes and shrubs, and a few fences also were toppled.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office reported a tree down across the north Interstate 30 service road which was cleared from the road by deputies, then removed the rest of the way later by Texas Department of Transportation officials. Trees were also removed from County Road 4760 and County Road 4761 in Precinct 4. A large cedar fell on County Road 2310, with enough of it removed to make the road passable; a Precinct 2 crew had been alerted to clear the remaining portion of the road. Trees had also been reported down and blocking on lane of State Highway 11 at County Road 4706, County Road 4706, and obstructed the roadway in two different places on County Road 4759.
Oncor also reported a few sporadic power outages were also reported across Hopkins County. At 9:30 a.m. May 4, Oncor reported 279 of the 13,267 customers were without power. The estimated time of restoration was unknown. Wood County Electric Cooperative was reported to have one outages in the area at 9:30 a.m. No known power outages had been reported by other utility providers serving Hopkins County.
Sulphur Springs ISD notified parents that the power was out at Barbara Bush Primary, so students would not report for class on Tuesday.
“We found out early and got it out. A few kids had already gotten on buses but were were able to take care of them,” SSISD Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams said.
The cause of the power outages at the school had yet to be determined shortly before 10 a.m. but crews were working to restore power to the facility. The electric service was also reported to be out in the athletic complex behind Bush Primary, which included the baseball and softball fields and track. Some tree limbs were felled onto district campuses by the wind. The district’s phone systems was out early in the morning but had been restored by 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Small bits of limbs, twigs and clusters of leaves and straw were scattered about roadways across the region, but no reports of injuries had been made to local authorities as of 9 a.m. Tuesday. Tall grass also was flattened in places where the high wind blew through Monday night. County officials were still assessing to determine if there were any significant damages resulting from the 80 mile per hour wind gusts Monday night. Some ditches and creeks filled and the usual low places were covered during the storm by the rapid deluge of rainfall.
Travel Tuesday: How To Save On Your Next Trip
As summer approaches, a lot of folks want to travel more, but with everyone being stuck at home for a year, the demand for airline flights and hotel rooms is going up rapidly, and so are prices. A good way to offset the cost is to use points (or miles) from a hotel or airline loyalty program to pay for part or all of the costs. If you don’t have enough points, the best way to jump start the amount of points you do have is to earn a sign-up bonus for a new credit card. Some of thes offers have gotten very attractive, especially for hotel chains.
The two largest worldwide hotel chains: Marriott and Hilton both have offers to help boost your points balance. Check the fine print from the links below to see if you qualify for these bonuses.
Marriott Offers:
Marriott Hotels has a new offer that is going to make travelling a lot easier, and potentially a lot cheaper (if not FREE). By signing up for one of the Marriot credit cards through Chase and complete the required spend, you could earn three certificates for three free nights. Each Free Night Award E-Certificate is valid for a one night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points. This is a huge offer, that we have just not seen before. Some of the hotels that you can book with a 35,000 point certificate include Gaylord Texan, St. Kitts Marriott, and even the Sheraton Kuaui.
There are actually two offers, and you should read the fine print for each and decide which one may be right for you. Both card require some initial spending to trigger the “free night” rewards and although one card does not charge an annual fee, the card with the bigger offer does charge $95 per year (and also gives you an additional free night award on the anniversary of your account opening each year thereafter).
Each card also earns a different amount of points on all purchases as you use the card. See all the details here:
Hilton Offer:
One of our favorite hotel chains is Hilton. It seems no matter where we go in the world, there is always a Hilton property. This current offer not only gives you enough points to stay several nights at many of the different types of Hilton properties, but gives you some perks while you stay at any Hilton property such as Complimentary Gold Status. Another perk you receive on longer stays is “5th Night Free” which you will receive by booking 5 nights with points and only having to use points for four nights. All the details can be found HERE:
All of these offers are “referral offers” and myself or a family member may receive bonus points for anyone using the link and being approved for the offer.
Considerations on Cattle Price Variations During the Year, by Mario Villarino
Nature dictates many of the production and supply patterns in the livestock industry. For example, a majority of the annual calf, lamb and kid crops are born in late winter and spring.
By the time animals are weaned vegetation and forages are readily available.
This also is the time when the animals’ nutritional requirements are at a peak. Nature has a method of keeping this pattern fairly consistent unless interrupted intentionally by man.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, during the hot summer months, the fertility rates of both females and males decline as flesh condition declines with decreasing forage.
For these reasons, supplies of feeder animals are usually largest during the fall and lowest during the spring. This production and supply pattern usually causes spring livestock prices to be higher than fall livestock prices.
Seasonal consumer demand patterns (such as a higher demand for beef in the spring) have caused livestock producers to alter production patterns to take advantage of market opportunities. Severe winter weather can disrupt marketings and cause prices to increase because of reduced weight gains.
For these two reasons, fed cattle prices usually peak in March or April. Feedlots attempt to have supplies of fed cattle to meet this demand.
Feeder cattle (700 to 800 pounds) are contracted or purchased in the late summer or fall to ensure that there are feeder cattle supplies to meet this market.
At the same time, feedlot buyers must compete with stocker operations buying cattle to stock winter small grain pastures. During the 1970s and 1980s, this increased the demand for stocker-feeder cattle in the summer. Summer prices for these cattle are bid up from spring lows.
Therefore, we now have two periods of the year when prices for 700- to 800-pound feeder cattle rise above the annual average prices—one peak in the winter and another in the summer.
Seasonal price movements can be measured over a period of years. Monthly prices can be indexed to show, proportionally, how much they are above or below the annual price average.
With changing consumption patterns or transition periods of increasing or decreasing supplies, seasonal price patterns may change either permanently or temporarily.
Monthly price indexes can be used as an indication of possible price trends for a period of time. The variability factor, in cases where the price series is statistically normally distributed, can be used to estimate the possibility of prices varying within the estimated range.
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].
Barbara Bush Primary Closed Tuesday, All Other SSISD Campus Open as Normal Tues May 4, 2021
Due to a power outage that occurred during the night, SSISD has closed Barbara Bush Primary in Sulphur Springs so that repairs can be made. The school will be closed Tuesday May 4, 2021. All other SSISD Campuses are open and operating normally on Tuesday.
Rezoning and Parking Ordinances, Oncor Distribution Rate Increase Request On May 4 City Council Agenda
Rezoning and parking ordinances, an agreement with the city of Frisco, an application from Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC to amend its distribution cost recovery factor to increase rates within the city and action related to the request, and a 380 agreement highlight the Sulphur Springs City Coucil’s May 4 meeting agenda.
Zoning Ordinances
The City Council will hold a public hearing for the second and final reading of an ordinance which would rezone property at the northwest corner of Rockdale Road and State Highway 19 from single family to heavy commercial.
Donnie and Allen Wisenbaker in March asked the Planning & Zoning Commission to consider rezoning the 11.74 acres, which consists of three tracts, to accommodate existing uses and future uses along the SH 19 corridor.
The Wisenbaker property is surrounded by a mix of zoning designations, from light commercial to the east and the south, to single family to the west, and light industrial to the north. City staff told the P&Z Commission at the March meeting that given the context of the area, heavy commercial is an appropriate use for the property. The request was approved by the Commission, who along with city staff recommended it to the City Council for approval on first reading during the April City Council meeting.
The Wisenbaker zoning request was approved by the City Council in April and is scheduled to be read for second and final approval at the 7 p.m. council meeting on May 4 in Sulphur Springs Municipal Building (City Hall), 201 Davis St.
The City Council will also be asked Tuesday evening to consider a request made by Larry and Linda Evans to rezone their property at 1340 South Hillcrest Drive from single family to heavy commercial to better fit the existing uses and potential use of the 0.9-acre property along the State Highway 19/Interstate 30/Loop 301 corridor.
This request is similar to one made the Wisenbakers. Essentially, when property in the area of Wildcat Way was annexed into the city, some properties received a single family place holder designation. The property is also currently surrounded by a mix of zoning designations, from light commercial to the north, east and south; and heavy to light commercial to the west. City staff recommended heavy commercial as an appropriate use given the context of the area, Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski told the Planning and Zoning Commission at their April meting.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the request in April, sending the request to the City Council with a recommendation for approval during the the May 3 council meeting.
Chuck Sickles too at the same April 2021 Planning and Zoning meeting asked that 2.5 acres of property at 1079 Rockdale Road and 1084 Rockdale Road be rezoned from single family to heavy commercial.
Sickles currently operates body shop facilities on the properties, which have split zoning across property lines on the lots. In order to clean up the zoning, Sickles asked that the property be zoned heavy commercial, which is consistent with the body shop use, which the property frontage is zoned.
Surrounding the Rockdale Road properties are a mix of zoning designations: heavy commercial to the west and south, and single family to the north and east. Niewiadomski noted that rezoning the Rockdale Road properties to all heavy commercial would be an appropriate use given the context of the area and the fact that it fits the land use plan of commercial property along I-30 and Rockdale Road. The P&Z Commission approved the request in April, sending it to the city council for first reading on Tuesday evening.
Parking Ordinance
The City Council on May 4 will also hold a public hearing for an ordinance which would restrict parking in the 200 block of Tomlinson Street.
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell asked the City Council during their April 2021 meeting to consider restricting parking along that block to provide accessibility for trash service pick up and for emergency vehicles on the narrow street which runs between Davis and Gilmer Streets.
Ordinance 2779 as proposed would also prohibit parking on the north side of Tomlinson Street from a point beginning 35 feet east of the Davis Street intersection and ending 100 feet east of the Davis Street intersection. A violation of the ordinance could draw a fine of up to $500 for the Class C misdemeanor parking offense.
The City Council approved the request on first reading during the April council meeting, and will be asked again following the public forum to approve the proposed ordinance on second and final reading.
Other Agenda Items
The May 4 City Council agenda also includes three resolutions.
Resolution No. 1239 asked the council to consider approving an interlocal agreement between the City of Sulphur Springs and the City of Frisco for purchasing goods and services commonly used by both cities.
Resolution 1241 asks for a 380 agreement for property at 316 Towne Street. Typically, these are infill housing agreements, for which the city agrees to reimburse certain city fees and waive outstanding city taxes upon completion of a single family home on the property.
Resolution No. 1240 includes numerous items including and related to Oncor’s request to amend it’s distribution cost recovery factor to increase distribution rates within the city. The agenda items reads as follows:
Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1240 finding that ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC’s application for approval to amend its distribution cost recovery factor to increase distribution rates within the city should be denied; authorizing participation with OCSC; authorizing the hiring of legal counsel and consulting services; finding that the city’s reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed by the company; finding that the meeting at which this resolution is passed is open to the public as required by law; requiring notice of this resolution to the company and legal counsel
Former Wildcats Basketball Player Going to UNLV From OU
Former Wildcats’ basketball star Victor Iwuakor is transferring from Oklahoma to the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Iwuakor, a 6-foot-8 power forward, played the past two years for the Sooners.
Iwuakor will be playing for Kevin Kruger, the son of former Oklahoma Coach Lon Kruger, who has announced his retirement.
Kevin was an assistant for his father at Oklahoma before getting the UNLV job.
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.
Commerce Man Arrested On Felony Assault Warrant
A 29-year-old Commerce man was arrested on a felony assault warrant Saturday night, according to arrest reports.
(HCSO jail photo)
A Commerce Police officer located and took Kyle Anthony Fox into custody Saturday night, May 1, 2021, on the outstanding Hopkins County charge. The officer transported Fox to the Hunt-Hopkins County line, where he released Fox to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nick Marney at 9:30 p.m.
Marney transported the 29-year-old to Hopkins County jail, where Fox was booked shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, on the alias capias warrant on an assault of a family or household member that impedes breathing or circulation charge.
The offense listed in the felony assault, Deputy Marney alleged in Fox’s arrest report, is alleged to have occurred on April 20, 2021.
Fox remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, May 3, 2021, in lieu of $15,000 bond on the felony Hopkins County warrant for assault impeding breathing or circulation charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Winnsboro Man Found Unconscious In The Drive-Thru Lane At A Restaurant
A 46-year-old Winnsboro man was reported found unconscious in the drive-through early Monday morning on intoxication, controlled substance charges.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Victor Reyna responded at 12:50 a.m. May 3, 2021, to a business in the 1300 block of South Broadway Street, where a person was reported to be unconscious in the drive-thru lane at a restaurant. Upon arrival, Reyna contacted Steven Craig Krietemeyer, who had arrived at the location in a black Honda Accord. He noted the Winnsboro man spoke was slurred speech. Krietemeyer was also reported to be unsteady while walking and standing. An alcoholic beverage odor emitted from the 46-year-old as well, Reyna alleged in arrest reports.
Believing the man to be a danger to himself and others in his state, Reyna took Krietemeyer into custody and transported him to jail for public intoxication. The car he arrived in was left parked at the business at the driver’s request, arrest reports noted.
While booking Krietemeyer into Hopkins County jail, corrections officers located a small plastic container with a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The substance weighed 9.87 grams. As a result, Krietemeyer was also charged with possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, Reyna alleged in arrest reports.
Krietemeyer remained in Hopkins County jail late Monday morning, May 3, 2021, on both the second-degree felony controlled substance charge and Class C misdemeanor public intoxication charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Man Climbed Onto Roof Of Business Building Saturday Afternoon
A 55-year-old man climbed onto the roof of a business building Saturday afternoon, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Department received a call at 4:18 p.m. May 1 from a person reporting a man was observed on the roof of the old VF Outlet Mall, waving his arms around. SSPD officers responded. Upon arrival they attempted to locate the person. Upon spotting him, Sulphur Springs Fire Department was called upon to assist. SSFD provide the ladder of one of their trucks to enable an officer access the roof where the man was indeed located, officers noted in police reports.
The man reportedly complied with police’s instruction and got down from the roof voluntarily. He then was transported to the hospital for an evaluation. He was later released. Police took the 55-year-old into custody at 6:28 p.m. at the hospital and transported him to jail, where he was booked shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, for criminal trespassing at the location, according to arrest reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, May 3, 2021, in lieu of the $2,000 bond set on the criminal trespass charge, according to jail reports.
