SSHS FFA Chapter Members in Diverse, Rewarding Projects
From nurturing greenhouse seedlings into mature plants to artful creation of fresh floral arrangements for fundraising, FFA students do it all. From learning welding basics to designing and creating valuable farm equipment, FFA students do it. From purchasing and raising livestock to exhibit across the state, Sulphur Springs High School FFA students do that too. In fact, the 250-plus membership of the SSHS Future Farmers of America Chapter makes it’s mark on the community in diverse ways all year round. Four instructors share the various teaching duties. On February 12, three were interviewed by KSST and Channel 18TV at the school Ag Department while John Holland was on a trip with students and Dairy cattle projects to the San Antonio Livestock Show. A number of the Ag students will also be showing Ag Mechanics and livestock projects locally during portions of Feb 23, 25, 26 and 27 during the Hopkins County show, sponsored by the NE Texas Livestock Association and numerous industries and individuals in Hopkins County.
Ag instructor Lindsey Arthur’s Floral Design class has been preparing a different arrangement design each month since school got started, and they call it Floral Shop. Since there are 110 students, they make up about 110 identically-designed arrangements which can be reserved by school employees and teachers, then purchased which helps fund the Floral Design class and the Chapter. The massed Valentine bouquets of pink, red and white roses, baby’s breath and large bow were so beautiful and made the Floral Shop workroom wonderfully fragrant! This Spring, the class plans to compete in the Area 6 CDE (Career Development Education) Meet in April, and enter a “Floral Cups” themed contest which will be virtual. Maurie Flecker and Hanna Simmons explained that Advanced Floral Design students also learn the business basics of running or managing a floral business, and are required to earn a certificate during high school which will help them in landing a job in floral design after high school.
Ag instructor Taylor Thompson teaches a Vet Science class for Juniors. She grew up in Winnsboro and her family raised pigs, so she had a lot of early training in the care of that species of livestock. She answered an advertisement from SSHS and was hired in 2020. Out of 50 students raising livestock projects, 17 have swine projects and Thompson helps them individually by weighing the pigs and adjusting their feed when needed, to bring them to optimum weight for the county market show later this month. In addition to Vet Science in the classroom and working with livestock, Thompson also works with FFA Chapter members in Creed competitions and other Public Speaking opportunities in FFA. One of her students, Jude Vititow, actually works part-time at a local Vet’s office. Another of the class members, Giselle Montes De Oca, used a replica to explain the reproductive tract of a cow. She plans to earn a Vet Assistant’s License during High School and study at Texas A&M University in Kingsville to become a Veterinarian.
Ag Instructor J.T. Luper is in his third year working with SSHS students on Ag Mechanics projects. This year, one of his 3-member teams customized a heavy duty bumper pull trailer which earned a blue ribbon at the San Angelo show earlier this year. The team consists of Kevin Perez, Beau Bankston and Bradley Futch, all Junior students. Another team built a large gooseneck trailer for the school which will be used to haul Ag Mechanics projects to the bigger shows, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo coming up in March 2021. That same trailer, built by Jr. Cash Vititow and Sr. Enrique Torres, was entered at San Angelo and took 3rd in Class. Vititow also shows livestock; his current projects are a pen of chickens and a red Brahman heifer. Be sure and watch for these students during the local Ag Mechanics Show on Feb 23 and Livestock Show Feb 25 and 26 in the Hopkins County Civic Center arena. Instructor Luper noted that all classes are geared to helping students prepare for employment after high school and during college if they choose to pursue a degree. He enjoys teaching Fabrication and Welding and assisting students to earn their Welding Certificate during high school, a plus in the job market.
Two Freshmen students, Braddox Rawson and Caroline Coker, explained what they like about studying Ag Sciences and being in the SSHS FFA Chapter. Rawson especially enjoys welding and Ag Mechanics and raising different animal projects. He is currently raising three pigs and out of those three, he hopes to show his best two in the local NETLA show Friday February 26 when Swine and Poultry are judged. He also has a Duroc swine to enter in the Houston show in March. Besides the Leadership Development that FFA offers, Caroline also enjoys showing goats. Her previous goat projects have made the local Sale of Champions. Plan to watch for them on Thursday February 25 in the Hopkins County Civic Center arena during the Lamb and Goat judging. After high school, Caroline plans to go to college to study Veterinary and Equine Science.
Tuesday: Weather-Related Closures, Schedule Changes
With several inches of snow covering the ground and another wintry storm predicted, schools and organizations have reported weather-related closures and schedule changes as a safety precaution. Those weather-related schedule changes reported to KSST include:
Schools
- Sulphur Springs ISD will remain closed and remote instruction is canceled Tuesday-Friday, February 16- 19, due to power outages and dangerous weather
- North Hopkins ISD is closing on-site class until at least mid-week. NHISD administrators will provide an update when classes will resume on-site. Remote learning will be provided online via Google Classroom to allow reinforcement of learning with minimum internet availability/usage while allowing students and staff to stay safe, warm and well, according Superintendent Darin Jolly announced Sunday afternoon.
- Como-Pickton CISD will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday as a result of the winter weather that we received last night. As the temperatures will not be above freezing, and there is more winter precipitation in the forecast, it is probable that CPCISD will have to close on Thursday and Friday as well. The girls playoff game may be cancelled but has not been at this time.
- Sulphur Buff School will remain closed for Tuesday and Wednesday and school officials will evaluate again on Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures are continuing below freezing, so it is possible SBISD will be closed all week. The district has days available, so no make up days will be required and at this time no remote learning for the kids.
- Miller Grove ISD will be closed through Wednesday due to the expected winter weather. Currently, the district is planning for a 2 hour delayed start to the school day on Thursday, Feb. 18, provided the roads are safe to travel.
- Cumby ISD will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday, officials will assess for Thursday and Friday
- Saltillo ISD will close Tuesday and Wednesday, then will reevaluate for Thursday and Friday. Students have assignments.
- Yantis ISD will not have classes on Wednesday nor will there be online learning that day due to power outages in the area.
- All Paris Junior College locations will remained Tuesday, Feb. 15-16.
- Texas A&M University-Commerce will remain closed on Wednesday. This includes all daily business operations and remote work, except essential services already approved. This closure means no academic activities, including online or face to face classes. The only essential buildings that will remain open are Rayburn Student Center, all residential living and learning Buildings and the University Police Department. The off-site locations will adhere to the decision of their host institution or local school district.
Other Closures
- Republic is suspending trash pickup this week in Cumby. They will resume trash service next week, according to Cumby Mayor Doug Simmerman.
- Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is closed this week due to the weather and will re-open on Monday, February 22. Business ribbon cuttings scheduled this week are also canceled.
- Little Texans Learning Center will be closed through Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
- Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom last reported that Hopkins County Office Buildings will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 17, due to weather-related power outages. Emergency personnel will continue to work as scheduled. County offices are tentatively scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Thursday, depending on conditions.
- Meal A Day will be closed Wednesday due to the weather conditions and the fact that the Senior Center at last reporting did not have power or water. No decision had been made about Thursday, but given the predicted weather and conditions, there likely will not be Meal A Day on Feb. 18 either, according to Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman.
- Dinner Bell will not be served on Wednesday February 17.
- Sulphur Springs Municipal Court, 201 North Davis St., will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 17, due to inclement weather and for safety of our employees. Pre-trials set for 2 p.m. Feb. 17 have been canceled. The Municipal Court, at a later time, will mail a rescheduled court date to those who were scheduled Wednesday.
- Texas Department of Public Safety will be closing ALL DPS Offices in the North Texas Region on Tuesday, Feb. 16, due to the impact of severe winter weather on roadways and concern for the safety of both the public and employees. The 42 North Texas Region (Region 1) counties affected by this closure may be found on the DPS Regional Map. Driver License customers with appointments will be contacted to reschedule. Emergency operations are not affected by this closure, according Sergeant Gregg Williams, Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Highway Patrol Media Communications Texarkana/ Mt. Pleasant.
- Como City Hall will be closed Tuesday and possibly Wednesday due to bad weather, and will reopen when the roads are better. The late charge for this week will be extended.
- First UMC Sulphur Springs Office will remain closed at least through Thursday. All activities scheduled through Friday have been cancelled.
- Hopkins County Genealogical Society will not be conducting a meeting this Thursday due to the adverse weather conditions, and the resulting effects on travel and power currently experienced in this area. HCGS had a great speaker lined up for an informative Zoom presentation and look forward to rescheduling him in the near future.
Other Scheduling Notices
- Due to the inclement weather, the 2nd dose COVID vaccine clinic scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Sulphur Springs Primary Care has been rescheduled for Saturday, 2/20, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The patients scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 17, will be receiving a call today to reschedule their vaccine appointment.
- Northeast Texas Farmer’s Co-op has cancelled the annual Inventory set for Saturday, and the Co-op will be open for business on Saturday February 20, 2021.
- The Gala Unmasked Virtual Gala and Auction will be held as planned on Saturday February 20, 2021. The fundraising event can be seen and participated in on YouTube and on the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation Facebook page.
If your school or organization is cancelling, delaying or has a scheduling change due to the weather, contact KSST so we can help get the word out.
Stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230 AM for the latest weather reports and updates for school start delays and closings.
Warming Station Now Open At Civic Center For Those Without Power and Heat
Power Outages Could Continue Overnight and into Tuesday in Sulphur Springs
Power continues to be out in some areas in town and around the Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County area, including downtown, leaving many without power. Encore has advised city officials that the power may continue to be out through the night and tomorrow; no estimate is available as to when the power will be restored. Thus, a warming station is now open at the Civic Center for those without warmth.
Initially, blackouts were staged throughout the area. However, there have been some areas that have been without power for a while. According to the latest Oncor update, “the length of controlled outages have been significantly extended due to the current emergency grid conditions and severe cold weather. These outages are taking place across the service territory and ERCOT has said they could be required through Tuesday. We are asking all Oncor customers to be prepared to be without power for an extended period of time. In addition, we are responding to separate outages caused by the record-breaking winter storm that continues to impact our entire service territory. Customers do not need to report their outages at this time. We are doing everything possible to respond to each of these power emergency events. We remain in close coordination with ERCOT and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we do all we can to protect the integrity of the Texas grid.”
Hopkins County Civic Center has just been opened by emergency officials at just before 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 as a warming station. People don’t have electricity for a period of time and heat can go to the Civic Center to get warm. The facility will remain open as long as the power remains out and it is needed during the winter weather, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator Jason Ricketson.
Those who do seek warmth at the Civic Center are asked to bring their own blankets and nonperishable foods items or snacks to eat, and something to do to pass the time while there such as a book, cards or other things. The Banquet hall is open for people. Those with pets may bring them, provided the pet can be secured, preferably in a pet taxi, in the Civic Center Arena.
Those do have sufficient sources of warmth and can stay home are asked to do so if possible. Those who do venture out are reminded the roads do still have accumulation of snow on them and can be slick and slippery. When driving, go slow and don’t slam on the brakes to avoid sliding onto the side of the road.
“Building owners and residents may wish to shut off water to avoid flooding after pipes thaw,” City Manager Marc Maxwell recommends.
NE Texas Farmers Co-op in Sulphur Springs WILL BE OPEN Saturday February 20; Annual Inventory Has Been Postponed
The Farmer’s Co-op in Sulphur Springs always closes one Saturday in the early winter for annual inventory. That Saturday was supposed to be February 20, 2021, a date that was already planned since the new year came in. HOWEVER, due to severe weather conditions for local farmers and ranchers, the CO-OP will be OPEN on Saturday February 20. The Farmers Co-op will hold their inventory later after the weather clears up.
UIL Executive Director Responds to Weather Conditions
Charles Breithaupt, EdD, Executive Director of the University Interscholastic League, sent an email to Superintendents regarding extensions to facilitate girls and boys playoff basketball when travel conditions improve. Berithaupt’s email is as follows:
With wintery conditions delaying basketball games, UIL will be extending certification deadlines. Once we know more about when travel conditions will improve, UIL will communicate extensions to facilitate girls basketball playoff rounds and the completion of boys basketball district play. There are no plans for determining playoff round winners via coin toss. We will release a plan that allows for games to be played once more information is available related to the weather. Schools who are able to safely travel and complete games should do so according to the posted certification deadlines.
Monday: Weather-Related Closures, Schedule Changes
With a dusting of snow covering icy roads and more snow and another wintry predicted, several organizations have reported weather-related closures and schedule changes as a safety precaution. Those weather-related schedule changes reported to KSST include:
Schools
- North Hopkins ISD is closing on-site class until further notice until at least mid-week. NHISD administrators will provide an update when classes will resume on-site. Remote learning will be provided online via Google Classroom to allow reinforcement of learning with minimum internet availability/usage while allowing students and staff to stay safe, warm and well, according Superintendent Darin Jolly announced Sunday afternoon.
- Sulphur Springs ISD’s contingency plan will take effect Tuesday, Feb. 16, if the icy weather persists beyond Monday, Feb. 15. Students and staff were sent home Friday with the needed electronic devices to revert to all-virtual learning if travel isn’t safe for classes on Tuesday.
- Miller Grove ISD will be closthrough Wednesday due to the expected winter weather. Currently, the district is planning for a 2 hour delayed start to the school day on Thursday, Feb. 18, provided the roads are safe to travel.
- Cumby ISD will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday, officials will assess for Thurs and Fri.
- Saltillo ISD employees Friday prepared work for kids to do if school has to be closed this week due to weather. Students are scheduled to be out on Monday, Feb. 15, for a school holiday.
- Yantis ISD also is scheduled to be out Presidents Day, Feb. 15, and made preparations for the winter weather expected this weekend and next week. Some elementary teachers prepared packets that were sent home, for a combination of online and paper packets. Chromebooks were sent home with every student Friday so student can work from home. In the event that roads are not safe to travel, Yantis ISD will switch to all online learning Tuesday-Friday. Communication will be sent out via automated call, Remind and posted on the district Facebook page when any decisions are made. Any questions should be directed during the school week to the campus offices.
- All Paris Junior College locations will closed Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 15-16.
- Texas A&M University-Commerce will remain closed until 8 a.m. Wednesday. This includes all daily business operations and remote work, except essential services already approved. This closure means no academic activities, including online or face to face classes. The only essential buildings that will remain open are Rayburn Student Center, all residential living and learning Buildings and the University Police Department. The off-site locations will adhere to the decision of their host institution or local school district.
Other Closures
- Trash service in the city of Sulphur Springs will be suspended Monday, Feb. 15. No plans have been made yet for Tuesday service or when the garbage scheduled to be picked up Monday will be collected. Additional information will be provided by city officials as it become available.
- Little Texans Learning Center will be closed through Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
- No Hopkins County offices or buildings will open on Monday, Feb. 15. Only emergency personnel will work due to inclement weather, according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
- Meal A Day will be closed on Monday and Tuesday due to the weather conditions, according to Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman.
- Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, due to weather conditions.
- CANHelp offices and the Thrift Store will be closed for services on Monday, Feb. 15.
- Free COVID-19 Testing Center in Sulphur Springs (128-A Jefferson Street) will be closed through Monday due to the winter weather conditions. Officials will reevaluate the situation Monday morning to determine whether the site will reopen or remain closed based on inclement weather conditions at that time.
- CHRISTUS Trinity Clinics and Urgent Care on South Broadway Street will be closed on Monday in consideration of inclement weather.
- Northeast Texas Farmer’s Co-op has cancelled the annual Inventory set for Saturday, and the Co-op will be open for business on Saturday February 20, 2021.
- Funeral service for Gloria Jean Thomas has been postponed.
If your school or organization is cancelling, delaying or has a scheduling change due to the weather, contact KSST so we can help get the word out.
Stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230 AM for the latest weather reports and updates for school start delays and closings.
Power Outage or Grid Protecting Blackout?
Right now it’s hard to say. Outages of up to one our, during the night were probably Rolling Blackouts attempting to spread the power around to everyone. This helped to protect business and critical infrastructure. Sleet or freezing rain, followed by winds wreck havoc on power lines. Sulphur Springs has not experienced much of that type of weather during this storm.
Blackouts are very inconvenient. Some residents are reporting pipe damage due to freezing when they lose power. People who rely on electricity to help them sleep, or keep children’s rooms warm at night are also reporting problems. The only advice provided by ONCOR and other providers is to conserve as much power as you can. They promote a ‘work together approach’.
True power outages from line or pole damage is inevitable. Blackouts can be positively impacted by reducing power use when possible.
You can report and check on the status of power in your area by going here. You can call us with your report, and we will be happy to chat with you, but you are better off reporting your outage directly to ENCOR.
Reminder: Vehicle Title And Registration Waiver Ends April 14, 2021
AUSTIN, Texas – If you’re overdue, it’s time to renew. The temporary waiver of certain vehicle title and registration requirements, announced by Governor Greg Abbott on March 16, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will end at 11:59 p.m. on April 14, 2021. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) reminds Texans to complete any overdue transactions now.
“It is not necessary to wait until the deadline,” said TxDMV Executive Director Whitney Brewster. “The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles continued to offer registration renewal and other important services throughout the waiver period. Fortunately, many Texans are already in compliance with the requirements.”
Three ways to renew your vehicle registration:
- Online: Visit TxDMV.gov or www.Texas.gov. This is the quickest and least expensive way to renew. Save $1 if you renew online. Online renewal is available up to nine months past your registration expiration date.
- Mail: Return the bottom portion of your registration renewal form, payment and other required information to your county tax assessor-collector.
- In Person: Visit the office of your county tax assessor-collector. In many counties, in-person renewal is also available at other locations, such as certain grocery stores. Contact your county tax office to check hours and locations.
Reminder: Before renewing registration, Texans will need to obtain a passing vehicle inspection at the state vehicle inspection station of their choice, unless their vehicle is exempt from inspection requirements.
The expiring temporary waiver covers the following services:
- Initial vehicle registration.
- Vehicle registration renewal.
- Vehicle titling.
- Renewal of permanent disabled parking placards.
- 30-day temporary permits.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles does not issue driver licenses or state ID cards. Texans should contact the Texas Department of Public Safety at www.dps.texas.gov/driverlicense/ for these services.
Note: This announcement is the 60-day notice that normal registration, titling and related requirements have resumed, and the waiver of these requirements will end on April 14, 2021.
Stay Home, Stay Safe
KSST will keep you up to date on snow day events here in Hopkins County.
City Streets are not plowed, and are not passable with low clearance vehicles. Several cars are stuck on Broadway at i-30.
Roads are drifted, and not yet snow packed.
The cold is no joke. Stay inside and stay safe.
Monday: Weather-Related Closures, Schedule Changes
With a dusting of snow covering icy roads and more snow and another wintry predicted, several organizations have reported weather-related closures and schedule changes as a safety precaution. Those weather-related schedule changes reported to KSST include:
Schools
- North Hopkins ISD is closing on-site class until further notice until at least mid-week. NHISD administrators will provide an update when classes will resume on-site. Remote learning will be provided online via Google Classroom to allow reinforcement of learning with minimum internet availability/usage while allowing students and staff to stay safe, warm and well, according Superintendent Darin Jolly announced Sunday afternoon.
- Sulphur Springs ISD’s contingency plan will take effect Tuesday, Feb. 16, if the icy weather persists beyond Monday, Feb. 15. Students and staff were sent home Friday with the needed electronic devices to revert to all-virtual learning if travel isn’t safe for classes on Tuesday.
- Miller Grove ISD will be closed on Monday due to the expected winter weather. Currently, the district is planning for a 2 hours delayed start to the school day on Tuesday, Feb. 16, provided the roads are safe to travel. District administrators will evaluate the road conditions Tuesday morning to evaluate the weather situation.
- Cumby ISD students were scheduled to be out of school Monday, Feb.15, for a staff development day. Due to the weather and school closure on Thursday and Friday, Valo-gram orders will be delivered on the first day classes resume, according to Cumby ISD Cheerleaders and Sponsors. Classes are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, Feb. 16, weather permitting.
- Saltillo ISD employees Friday prepared work for kids to do if school has to be closed this week due to weather. Students are scheduled to be out on Monday, Feb. 15, for a school holiday.
- Yantis ISD also is scheduled to be out Presidents Day, Feb. 15, and made preparations for the winter weather expected this weekend and next week. Some elementary teachers prepared packets that were sent home, for a combination of online and paper packets. Chromebooks were sent home with every student Friday so student can work from home. In the event that roads are not safe to travel, Yantis ISD will switch to all online learning Tuesday-Friday. Communication will be sent out via automated call, Remind and posted on the district Facebook page when any decisions are made. Any questions should be directed during the school week to the campus offices.
- All Paris Junior College locations will closed Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 15-16.
- Texas A&M University-Commerce will remain closed until 8 a.m. Wednesday. This includes all daily business operations and remote work, except essential services already approved. This closure means no academic activities, including online or face to face classes. The only essential buildings that will remain open are Rayburn Student Center, all residential living and learning Buildings and the University Police Department. The off-site locations will adhere to the decision of their host institution or local school district.
Other Closures
- Trash service in the city of Sulphur Springs will be suspended Monday, Feb. 15. No plans have been made yet for Tuesday service or when the garbage scheduled to be picked up Monday will be collected. Additional information will be provided by city officials as it become available.
- Little Texans Learning Center will be closed through Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
- No Hopkins County offices or buildings will open on Monday, Feb. 15. Only emergency personnel will work due to inclement weather, according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
- Meal A Day will be closed on Monday and Tuesday due to the weather conditions, according to Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman.
- Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, due to weather conditions.
- CANHelp offices and the Thrift Store will be closed for services on Monday, Feb. 15.
- Free COVID-19 Testing Center in Sulphur Springs (128-A Jefferson Street) will be closed through Monday due to the winter weather conditions. Officials will reevaluate the situation Monday morning to determine whether the site will reopen or remain closed based on inclement weather conditions at that time.
- CHRISTUS Trinity Clinics and Urgent Care on South Broadway Street will be closed on Monday in consideration of inclement weather.
- Funeral service for Gloria Jean Thomas has been postponed.
If your school or organization is cancelling, delaying or has a scheduling change due to the weather, contact KSST so we can help get the word out.
Stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230 AM for the latest weather reports and updates for school start delays and closings.
