Saltillo Lions Basketball Players Earn All-District Honors
The district champ Saltillo Lions fared very well on the All-District list released Wednesday, Mar. 3 by Lions basketball coach Casey Riddle. Chris Boekhorst of Saltillo was named the district’s MVP while Gunner Tarver was selected as the district’s Offensive MVP. Saltillo’s Andrew Redburn was named offensive player of the year with David Whitworth being awarded New Comer of the Year. Coy Collins of Saltillo was chosen to the All-District Second team.
The rest of the awards for District 24-1A are as follows:
1st Team All-District
- Kagan McGuire- Avery
- Cruz Martinez- Avery
- Jordan Samples- Avinger
- Kade Walker- Avinger
- Montana Hurley- Sulphur Bluff
- Brandon Branom- Sulphur Bluff
- Tevin Bigbee- Union Hill
2nd Team All-District
- Logan Hutson- Avery
- Jacob Burleson- Avinger
- Shane Johnson- Sulphur Bluff
- Logan Dunn- Union Hill
- Carlos Lopez- Yantis
- Judson Jones- Avinger
- Coy Collins- Saltillo
Sulphur Springs ISD Will Have To Make Up 1 Snow Day
Sulphur Springs ISD will have to make up one of the days missed last month due to the ice and snow which made travel dangerous Feb. 18-26, school administrators announced in a notice sent out via Blackboard.
Students missed five regular class days due to the recent snow storm and its effects. SSISD Board of Trustees Monday night approved submission of an application to Texas Education Agency asking for a waiver, excusing the district for five school days missed, Thursday, Feb. 18, and Tuesday-Friday, Feb. 23-26.
After filing a waiver, SSISD received notification by lunch time Wednesday, that the district will only be required to make up one of the five missed class days. That day will be made up on Monday, April 12, a day originally intended to be a staff preparation day and student holiday. Now, however, April 12 will be a traditional day of school for all – with all students and staff required to attend that day.
Bids For Street Improvement Work, Park Concessions Approved By City Council
Bids for street improvement work and park concessions were approved by Sulphur Springs City Council during a streamed Tuesday evening meeting that lasted less than 30 minutes.
SIP Contract
The city posted notices for bids for all labor, materials and equipment for full depth milling and inlay, hot mix asphalt concrete and cement treatment of the sub grade, including mixing, cement, compaction, final grading and coating for the Street Improvement Program. At the close of the bid period, the city received four bids: $1,627,285 from Richard Drake, $1,517,648 from RK Hall, $1,144,454 from Area Wide Paving and $1,137,776 from Texana Land & Asphalt.
City officials indicated they were pleased with the bid prices as they reflected only a nominal increase in unit price, with the less than $6,800 separating the two lowest bids.
The City Council, at the recommendation of city staff, awarded the contract for the Street Improvement Program to Texana Land & Asphalt; the company not only was the lowest qualified bidder but was also reported to have performed satisfactory work for the same services in 2020. Upon mutual agreement of the city and company, the contract may be extended for up to one year.
Funding for the services will be provided by street maintenance fee funds, which is a fee charged on city utility bills which is budgeted to raise $500,000 annually, and budgeted capital improvement program street funds.
The street maintenance fee is $5 per month per residential unit, $5 per month per unit for multi-family units, $12.50 per month for commercial units and $30 per month per industrial unit.
In 2020, the Street Maintenance Fee, enabled the City to pave 5.45 miles of city streets, 3.04 miles more than the regular Summer Paving program allows, according to the FY 2020 Street Maintenance Fee Report.
Park Concessions
For about 10 years, the city contracted with various individuals or local restaurants to provide concessions services at four concessions stand in designated city parks. The most recent contract with The Little Egg ended in December of 2020, Sulphur Springs Finance Director Lesa Smith explained.
Notices were posted requesting proposals for concessions services. The city received one bid, from The Little Egg. City staff reviewed the proposal and found it acceptable, meeting all terms.
City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that this is not a service for which the city typically receives an excess of bids, and is in fact grateful to have received the one bid.
“I spoke with Jerry Maynard on it. They’ve gotten excellent feed back doing tournaments. They have an extensive menu and does every time it opens up. Some come to get the food that do not come to see games. This one does an excellent job. I think we should hire him before he changes his mind,” Sulphur Springs Place 5 Councilman Gary Spraggins noted.
“I’ve also hard positive comments on the food out there,” Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers said.
Smith recommended the City Council award the contract to The Little Egg, with the contract to run from March 3 to Dec. 31, 2021, with an option to extend it for three additional one-year terms upon agreement between the city manager and concessionaire. The Little Egg has provided “quality concession services” to the city of Sulphur Springs since 2018.
The contract for park concessions will be a bit different from past concessions contracts. In the past, Smith explained, contracts were based on a percentage of gross sales to be remitted to the city each month by the concessionaire. This time, the method of fee collection will be a monthly rental amount based on the events hosted at the park. That means that some months there may be no rent paid, and monthly rents will vary.
The City Council approved the bid from The Little Egg to serve as concessionaire for city parks this year, with the option to renew in one-year increments for up to three additional years.
May Elections
Sulphur Springs City Council voted unanimously to accept the certificates of unopposed candidates and orders cancelling the May 2021 General Election and Special Election as the incumbents were the only candidates to filed by the February deadline for their seats on the council.
Jay Julian, Place 1 
Harold Nash Sr., Place 2
Jay W. Julian, who was elected in a December 2020 runoff for the unexpired term for Place 1, will serve a three-year term in the seat beginning in May. Harold Nash Sr., who was appointed in December 2019 to fill Place 2, one of four openings created by the resignations of four City Council members, then was unopposed in November 2020 for the unexpired term, will serve a full term in the seat starting in May 2021. Oscar Aguilar was unopposed in Novembers to serve the remainder of the unexpired term for Place 3.
Gary Spraggins was elected in November to serve part of the unexpired term in Place 5 on the Council, another of the four seats left vacant by the resignation of the councilman in December 2019. Spraggins was the only candidate who filed to serve another one-year of the unexpired term for Place 5 and also will continue serving in the seat until May 2022.
Oscar Aguilar, Place 3 
Gary Spraggins, Place 5
PJC Tuition and Fees to Remain Unchanged
Paris Junior College tuition and fees are slightly below the state average, and Monday evening, Feb. 22, the Board of Regents approved keeping the same rates for the 2021-2022 academic year.
“We’re recommending that we keep the same tuition and fee rate,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin.
“We’ve looked at what surrounding community colleges charge. I’ve talked to other community college presidents around the state and they’re not planning on going up on their tuition and fees. Our reasoning is with this pandemic, our students are struggling more than ever before, ” she said.
“We feel it is important that we keep the amount the same, otherwise we would keep some students from being able to come to college,” Dr. Anglin said.
Regents also learned during the President’s Report that the Texas Association of Community Colleges will ask the legislature to prevent any community college from losing any money in the next biennium appropriation, and that $19.6 million to be added
to the community college appropriation to hold them harmless.
The College continues campus COVID-19 protocols. While free COVID testing on campus was shut down last week by the winter storm, it will continue to be available.
PJC nursing students continue to give vaccinations at the Love Civic Center. This Friday they will give 1,400 vaccinations and the same amount on Saturday. PJC Director of Nursing Rebbecca Harris is coordinating the students. The vaccination data entry group this past Saturday was made up almost entirely of PJC retirees.
Enrollment for the second 8-week flex term is 333 students, versus 231 one year
ago.
- Received a Financial Report from Controller Cody Helm showing that while tuition and fee revenue is down from the prior year due to the pandemic’s effect on enrollment, there are increased tax revenues and lower expenditures, so revenue is $6,510,299 over expenses.
- Approved a two-year extension of the depository agreement with Guaranty Bank and Trust for two additional years. The College must review the agreement every odd-numbered year in February and if the same terms are agreed to, the contract may be extended for two years.
- Continued waiving a portion of dual credit tuition and fees. The rates will remain unchanged from the previous year.
- Accepted the hiring of Heidi Richards as Director of the Paris Junior College – Greenville Center, effective March 1, 2021.
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.
Representative Slaton Files Bill To Make The Public Utility Commission Seats Elected Positions
AUSTIN, TEXAS – This morning, March 3, Representative Bryan Slaton of HD 2 filed HB 2691 to make the Public Utility Commission seats elected, rather than positions appointed by the Governor.
“Texans everywhere are angry over the energy failures during February’s winter storm. While there has been a lot of finger pointing on who is to blame, one thing is abundantly clear: The people of Texas deserve to have direct accountability of those in positions of power, not less. This bill will make the Public Utility Commission directly accountable to the people, not the Governor,” Rep. Slaton said.
The three commissioners on the Public Utility Commission would serve staggered six year terms, similar to the Railroad Commission, and would be elected during the general election for state officers as proposed by Slaton.
Chamber Connection: Upcoming Events Include An Anniversary Celebration, Golf Tourney Registration, Ribbon Cutting, iSTAT Reporting
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
Great news! It’s time to register to play golf in the 32nd Annual Hopkins County Golf Tournament! We are mailing registration forms to our members this week. If you are interested in playing, call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515 to reserve your spot. We will have morning and afternoon tee times available, but they go fast! The tourney is set for Friday, April 9. It’s going to be a great day!
One thing I’d like to mention … County Judge Robert Newsom was explaining to me that Hopkins County has not yet been added to the Disaster Declaration from the snowstorm because we haven’t reported the damage to the state’s system. Texans are urged to fill out the Texas Department of Emergency Management’s (DEM’s) State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) to help the state identify damages across Texas and help emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that occurred during the recent winter weather. FEMA has asked the state of Texas for additional information regarding the amount of damage in the counties that have yet to be declared, and TDEM will continue to present that information until all Texas counties that qualify for federal assistance receive the assistance they need. If this applies to you, please do your part, and submit a quick survey.
Events
SAFE-T Crisis Center to celebrate their 14th Anniversary
SAFE-T Crisis Center is celebrating their 14th anniversary on Wednesday, March 24, in their new facility located at 1716 Posey Lane in Sulphur Springs.
Ribbon Cuttings
McCullough Paint to host a ribbon cutting
McCullough Paint, located at 3913-B Wesley Street in Greenville, Tx., will host their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, March 10, at noon. Please make plans to attend!
Babe hosted their ribbon cutting celebration
Babe hosted a ribbon cutting celebration on Thursday, February 25, at noon. They are located at 215 B Main Street in Sulphur Springs and specialize in women’s and men’s clothing and (soon to be) shoes.
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for March 3, Town & Country Cleaners. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Wildcats Soccer Team Continues to Play Top District Teams Close Losing 1-0 at Mount Pleasant Tuesday Night
The good news is that the Wildcats Soccer Team has now finished games against the district’s top two teams Longview and Mount Pleasant.
The Wildcats played them close each time home and away losing twice to the Lobos, 1-0 and dropping games to the Tigers 2-0 at The Prim and 1-0 in Mount Pleasant Tuesday night (March 2).
Wildcats Coach Alexi Upton said the Wildcats played a really good game Tuesday. He said they gave up a goal early in the first half. Coach Upton said the Wildcats played better in the second half. Again he noted the Wildcats had chances to score but could not finish them.
The loss to the Tigers dropped the Wildcats’ district record to 3-5. Their season record slips to 12-9-1. Next the Wildcats play host to former Lady Cats Coach Jesus DeLeon and his Texas High Tigers Thursday night at Gerald Prim Stadium. If the Wildcats intend to earn a playoff spot, the Texas High game seems to be in the must win category. The first time the two teams played in Texarkana back on February 5, the Wildcats squeezed by the Tigers, 3-2.
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.
SSISD: Masks Are Still Required At School This Week
Sulphur Springs ISD administrators Tuesday night issued a notice reminding students, staff and community members that Governor’s Executive Order GA-34 does not go into effect until March 10. That means masks and other protocols will continue at least through the end of the week.
SSISD logo 
The order, in additional to lifting the mask order, authorizing business to reopen at 100 percent capacity and lifting certain operating limits enacted due to COVID-19. GA-34 also cites protocols and guidance issued and to be issued by the Texas Education Agency regarding COVID-19 protocols at schools and school-related functions.
For the remainder of this week, the Blackboard notice stated, SSISD will continue to enforce the Governor’s prior executive orders, which continue to be in effect. This means that masks are still required at school as they have been in the previous months.
SSISD officials will closely monitor TEA’s reaction, if any, to this order and communicate any changes with students, employees and community members before students return from Spring Break.
Lady Cats Soccer Evens District Record With 4-2 Win Over Mt. Pleasant
The Lady Cats Soccer team defeated district foe Mt. Pleasant, 4-2 at Gerald Prim Stadium Tuesday night.
The first goal of the game was scored by Mt. Pleasant’s Haylee Martinez thanks to a free kick with 20:13 left in the first half, which gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Over 10 minutes later the Lady Cats scored a goal of their own, thanks to sophomore Rebekah Stanley, who put the goal in the net off of a penalty kick with 7:37 left before halftime. Neither team scored again for almost 30 minutes of playing time.
In what appeared to be a game headed to overtime, like the last time these two teams met, quickly turned on the visiting Lady Tigers. Spark plug Janine Yamaguchi, Midfielder for the Lady Cats, scored a goal just about halfway in to the second half to make it a 2-1 lead for Coach Aguayo’s team. Rebekah Stanley got another goal for Sulphur Springs, just over two minutes later, to make it 3-1 in favor of the Lady Cats with 19:46 left in the game.
Mt. Pleasant was able to score a goal, thanks to an own goal committed by the Lady Cats, which made it a 3-2 game with 14:38 left, and while the Lady Tigers continuously pressed and never relented, Rebekah Stanley put the icing on the cake with just under four minutes left in the game to complete the hat trick, making it a 4-2 win for Lady Cats soccer over Mt. Pleasant.
It was a huge win for Sulphur Springs as the Lady Cats continue to fight for a playoff spot in the hotly contested District 15-5A standings.
Coach Javier Aguayo’s squad has been battling injuries the past several games, so his team leaving the Prim Tuesday, Mar. 2 with a victory over Mt. Pleasant, is huge for the Lady Cats. Perhaps even more so considering coming in to Tuesday night’s contest with the Lady Tigers, Coach Aguayo’s team was in the midst of a three game losing streak.
The win allowed the Lady Cats to even their district record at 4-4. Lady Cats soccer has a 9-8-4 season record. Next up, Lady Cats soccer will be traveling to Texarkana to take on Texas High Thursday, Mar. 4, at 7:15 P.M.
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.
Soccer and Golf on Tuesday Game Day
The Wildcats Soccer Team travels to Mount Pleasant to take on the Tigers. There will be a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. with the Varsity match getting under at 7:15 p.m. The Wildcats are 3-4 in district play after their Saturday 1-0 road loss at Longview. The Wildcats are 12-8-1 for the season. According to Max Preps, the Tigers are 9-5-1 for the season and 5-1 in district play. Mount Pleasant won 2-0 when the two teams played at The Prim back on February 2.
The Lady Cats Soccer Team is at home on this Tuesday game day hosting the Mount Pleasant Lady Tigers. There will be a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. with the Varsity match to follow at 7:15 p.m. The Lady Cats are 3-4 in district play after a home loss to Longview Saturday morning. One of the Lady Cats wins was in a shootout at Mount Pleasant on February 2. The teams tied 0-0 after regulation and overtime. According to Max Preps, the Lady Tigers are 6-9-2 for the season and 3-2-2 in district play. KSST Radio will bring you the Lady Cats and Lady Tigers live from Gerald Prim Stadium beginning at around 7:15 p.m. The broadcast will feature live video and audio steaming. The game will be posted to YouTube after the game. The game will also be shown on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable at a later date.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats Golf Team is playing in a Hallsville sponsored tournament on this game day Tuesday. The tournament is at Tempest Golf Club in Gladewater.
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.
