Saltillo Lions Basketball Remains Undefeated in District Play
The Saltillo Lions march closer toward an undefeated district season with a strong 53-39 win at Sulphur Bluff Friday night.
Another game, another slow start for the Lions. Unlike on Tuesday, Senior Night for Saltillo, the Lions trailed Sulphur Bluff, 15-8 after the first quarter. Saltillo found its footing before halftime, though, as the visiting Lions took the upper hand going in to halftime, 24-23. Saltillo outscored the Bears (16-11, 8-4 district) in both the third and fourth quarters; 18-10, and 11-6, to leave Sulphur Bluff with a tough 53-39 win over the Bears.
The Lions remain unbeaten in district play at 10-0. They are 16-7 for the season and are ranked #13 in Class 1A in a TABC Poll.
Next up, the Lions (17-7 overall, 11-0 district) will return home to take on Yantis in the final regular season game for Saltillo as the Lions will hope to keep their undefeated district season intact.
Hopkins County Records – Feb. 12, 2021
Land Deed Transfers
- Jennifer Mays Cooper to Saltillo ISD; tract in the Charles Thompson survey
- Anthony Todd Bernhardt, who is also known as Anthony Todd Hughes, and Katherine Ann Hughes, who is also known as Kathy Akaann Hughes, to Karli Emmons and Seth Roberts; tract in the Starr survey
- Rhonda Batchelor, Don Edwards Reynolds, John Charles Reynolds and Terri Reynolds to Candice Mead and Nick Mead; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- B Dees and Christopher Dees to Jessica Amy Tarifa and Pablo Tarifa; tract in the Numan McGee survey
- Linda T. Buchanan to Breanna N. Dees who is known as Breanna N. Mefford; tract in the Numan McGee survey
- Melva Edwina Burkett to Larry Craig English LLL; tract in the ER Henley survey
- Diana L. Williamson, trustee for the Diana L. Williamson Trust, to McIlrath Properties LLC; tract in the Ira Stephenson survey
- Thomas Jenkins to Roberto Gregorio; tract in the RC Graves survey
- Zachary L. Loyd to David Christopher Kirk and Kayla Suzanne Spencer; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- David Leigh Crone to Cameron Gray and Madison Gray; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Matthew Richey to Adrian Lopez and Maher H. Sweidan; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Jeffery B. Davis who is also known as Jeffery Blane Davis and Jeffrey Blane Davis to Alexander Mario Valenzuela; tract in the John Morris survey
- Alexander Mario Valenzuela to Jeffery B. Davis who is also known as Jeffery Blane Davis and Jeffrey Blane Davis; tract in the John Norris survey
- Mark Thomas and Stephanie Thomas to Adrian Lopez; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Danielle L. Cooksey and Hunter W. Cookseyt o Daniel Jacobs; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Julia Romero and Irma Villasenor to Mariano Romero; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Larry Newton and Sharon Newton to Syet Hussain, Syed Akbar Hussain and Muzafar Syed Jameel; tract in the HT Barclay survey
Applications for Marriage Licenses
- Juan A. Ramirez Morales and Maria Guadalupe Carmona
- Rodney Glen Mize and Mary Catherine Harvin
- Brandon Paul Gomez and Hanna Michelle Ottwell
- David Rojo and Alice Mae Richey
- Jerome Vaughn and Etha Delorsie Mosley
- Tyler Glenn Davison and McKenzie Nicholle Francis
Sulphur Springs ISD Put Contingency Plan In Place In Case Inclement Weather, Dangerous Road Conditions Persists Next Week
While Monday is a regularly scheduled student holiday for many school districts, including those who attend Sulphur Springs ISD, after Thursday’s icy conditions, administrators are busy working on a contingency plan in case the freezing drizzle and snow persist past Presidents Day, making travel unsafe.
Sulphur Springs ISD began putting the contingency plan in place Friday, just the roads remain too icy for families, staff and buses Tuesday and beyond, and sent out a district-wide notice to parents so they can prepare their students.
If dangerous weather or road conditions prevent SSISD from having school on Tuesday, February 16 or thereafter, staff and all students – both in-person and virtual – will move to 100 percent remote learning from home. Remote learning will continue each day until weather conditions allow for a safe return to school.
Campuses Friday sent students home equipped with devices and other necessary resources and equipment for learning remotely, so that all students are prepared for this possible scenario. Parents were asked to make sure, when their student arrives home Friday, to have them bring their device inside to prevent it from being damaged by extremely cold temperatures.
If SSISD must transition to remote learning, at home learning resources are available on the SSISD website at: http://www.ssisd.net/page/curr.familyresources
The SSISD website includes links to videos for both Seesaw for Prekindergarten through 5th grade students and Microsoft Teams for students in grades 6-12. The videos are designed to help families log in and navigate the learning platform through which students will receive and interact with their learning activities each day.
If the decision is made to transition to 100 percent remote learning next week, SSISD will provide additional guidance to support families through the process.
Updates from SSISD will be made to the community via Blackboard, e-mail, text and social media as decisions are made regarding school closures, which would enact the contingency plan.
4 Receive Deferred Adjudication, 1 State Jail Sentence, 1 Reduced Charge
Six people were sentenced in the 8th Judicial District Court this week: four received deferred adjudication, 1 a state jail sentence and 1 had a charge reduced under a plea agreement.
Mary Elizabeth McDonald of Oklahoma arranged to plead guilty in court Monday in exchange for sentence of 5 years of deferred adjudication and a $1,000 fine on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge.
The charge stems from an Aug. 9, 2019, traffic stop by police. McDonald, who was 31 at the time, and the driver were arrested after a marijuana cigarette and class pipe used to smoke methamphetamine were found in the vehicle they were in. A bag of suspected methamphetamine was allegedly found in her pocket while the Guthrie, Oklahoma woman was being booked into Hopkins County jail on the marijuana controlled substance possession charges, Sulphur Springs Police alleged in reports at the time of her arrest.
Zachary Gene Schmidt arranged to plead guilty Monday in court in exchange for having his charge reduced from the state jail felony offense of possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge to a misdemeanor charge, per 12.44(b) Texas Penal Code which allows the court, at the prosecuting attorney to request, to authorize the prosecuting attorney to prosecute a state jail felony as a Class A misdemeanor. Texas Penal Code 12.44(b) only applies to individuals facing punishment on a state jail felony offense. Schmidt was sentenced to two-days in the county jail, which he had already served on the March 8, 2019 controlled substance charge, according to court reports.
Lacy Renee Steele also arranged to plead guilty in the 8th Judicial District Court to a May 30, 20120 state jail felony theft of property charge. She was sentenced Feb. 8 to 5 years deferred adjudication and a $1,000 fine. The defendant fully paid restitution prior to her plea, according to the District Attorney’s office.
John Taylor Woods arranged to plead guilty to the state jail felony offense of assault of a pregnant person in exchange for a 10 years of deferred adjudication, a $1,000 fine. He also is required to have his mental health evaluated and he must comply with any treatment recommendations and he must complete the Batterers Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP) as part of his sentence, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Woods, who was 20 at the time, was arrested on June 18, 2020 on a warrant alleging the offense, which was alleged in court reports to have occurred on June 6, 2020. He was released from jail June 19, on a $10,000 bond on the third-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
Qieshon Odell Flecker and Keaton Pierce Wilkerson were both sentenced Feb. 10 in the 8th Judicial District Court on charges stemming from a May 7, 2020, incident, in which they were reportedly involved a vehicle chase down College Street to the downtown square, where the stolen car they were in crashed into a hedge and brick around 8:40 a.m. May 7. They then ran from officers but were soon apprehended by officers, police alleged following the pair’s arrest.
Flecker, 18, was accused of unauthorized use of a vehicle charge and engaging in organized criminal activity. He was sentenced to 9 months in a state jail on each case, to be served concurrently, according to the DA’s Office.
Wilkerson, 18, was accused of unauthorized use of a vehicle, engaging in organized criminal activity and evading arrest with a vehicle. He received 10 year’s deferred adjudication, will be required to pay a $1,000 fine, restitution to the victim in the unauthorized use of vehicle case, and attend an Intermediate Sanctioned Facility Cognitive 90-day program on the evading arrest are detention with a vehicle charge. The unauthorized use of a vehicle and engaging in organized criminal activity charges were dismissed as part of what is referred to as a 12.45 agreement (Section 12.45 of Texas Penal Code). Wilkerson had to admit to both offenses to the judge, who could then take them into account during sentencing; those two charges were then dismissed.
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.
This Week’s Friday Trash Pick Up Rescheduled In Sulphur Springs
Trash pick up has been rescheduled this week for City of Sulphur Springs residents who normally would have their garbage collected on Friday. Trash will be picked up on Saturday, Feb. 13.
Weather a Concern on Friday Sports Game Day
It’s another big game day Friday with coaches keeping an eye on the weather.
The Lady Cats open the playoffs Friday (February 12) evening with a bi-district game against Nacogdoches at Athens beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Lady Cats won a warm up game Monday at Caddo Mills, 50-49 in overtime and come into the playoff contest with a season record of 16-7. The Lady Cats are the #1 playoff seed in District 15-5A. The Lady Cats are tri-district champs with Hallsville and Mount Pleasant after all three compiled 9-3 records. The Lady Cats did better than the other two in head to head competition. Nac is 8-14 for the season after finishing 4-6 in district play in District 16-5A according to Max Preps. The Lady Dragons are their district’s #4 seed. KSST will bring you all the action of the Lady Cats and Nacogdoches bi-district game from Athens beginning at 6:30 p.m. The game will feature streaming audio.
The Wildcats Basketball Team might be able to identify a bi-district playoff opponent for next week after the dust settles from play in District 16-5A Friday (February 12) night. Jacksonville may be the most likely opponent but it also may be Lufkin or even Nacogdoches. The Wildcats have rescheduled a warm up game against Anna at Anna at 10 a.m. Saturday. KRVA-FM plans to broadcast the air with Ross Labenske doing the play by play. The Wildcats are 16-9 for the season. They are the #2 seed in the playoffs in District 15-5A after compiling a 9-3 district record. They wrapped up district play last Friday with an 74-68 win at home against Texas High.
The Wildcats Soccer Team will now have a varsity only game Friday at 5 p.m. at Pine Tree due to the weather. The time change will allow the Wildcats to return to Sulphur Springs earlier. The Wildcats are 2-2 in district play and 11-6-1 for the season. They have won their last two district games at Texas High last Friday and at home Tuesday against Marshall. The Pirates are 2-1 in district and 5-7-1 overall according to Max Preps. No fans will be allowed at the game because of ice around Pirates Stadium. Pine Tree is expected to stream the game.
The Lady Cats Soccer Team is also playing a varsity only game against Pine Tree at 5:30 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium Friday. The Lady Cats have two outright wins, a shootout win and a loss in district play. Their season record is 8-5-4. The Lady Cats won big at Marshall Tuesday night, 9-0. The Lady Pirates are 1-2 in district play and 6-3-2 for the season according to Max Preps.
Wildcats Baseball and Lady Cat Softball scrimmages are a victim of the frigid weather on this game day Friday.
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack said he has canceled his next two scheduled scrimmages, Friday evening’s one with Terrell at home as well as Monday’s at Bullard. The Wildcats are scheduled to scrimmage North Lamar next Friday at home. They did get in one scrimmage, at Sherman on Monday.
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo canceled not only a Friday home scrimmage against Sherman but also the Lady Cats planned season opener at home against Wylie East Monday. Coach Carrillo now hopes to open the season at his own Sulphur Springs Tournament next weekend. The Lady Cats were able to get three scrimmages in all on the road at Gilmer, McKinney North and at Royse City on Monday.
Small Fire Reported At Laundry Facility
A small fire was reported at a Gilmer Street laundry facility just before noon Friday. Sulphur Springs firefighters responded. A dryer was reported to have caught on fire inside the building. The fire was reported to have been quickly extinguished and the laundry had reopened at 12:40 p.m., according to city officials.
Cumby ISD Board Of Trustees Calls For A 2-Proposition Bond Election
Cumby ISD Board of Trustees, during their regular February meeting Thursday night, called for a special 2-proposition bond election to be held May 1, 2021. This is the second time the board has called for a bond election for facilities improvements in the last few years.
Cumby ISD voters were asked during the Nov. 5, 2019 election to consider approving a school bond to expand the elementary campus, which would require moving the stadium and construction of a dirt track for students. The bond was defeated by only 10 votes. Trustees also considered calling for a bond election in 2020, but discarded the idea at that time.
Proposition A on the May 1, 2021 Cumby ISD Special Election ballot would be for improvements to and construction of academic facilities. Essentially, the $7.34 million bond would fund construction of new high school facilities, allow for renovation to convert the current junior high/high school building into an intermediate/middle school campus and safety renovations at the elementary building, including renovation of the cafeteria. Portable buildings would also be removed.
The $7.34 bond would include $660,800 in elementary additions, including for a new secured playground, secure entry points, address drainage concerns, add sidewalks and canopies, and enlarge and renovate the cafeteria. Another $224,000 is budgeted to convert the junior high/high school into an intermediate campus with interior renovations and an additional eating space. A new high school with labs and career and technical education facilities, driveways and parking area is budgeted at $5,280,800. Another $1,097,600 is budgeted in Proposition A for a new metal agriculture shop building that has more space than the current facility as well as needed ventilation; and $78,400 is budgeted for additional renovations.
“This bond is focusing on addressing current safety and security and future growth and development of our students,” according to Cumby ISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter.
Proposition B would be for an athletic facility, specifically a new $600,00 finished track. While listed separately on the ballot, if approved, Proposition B is contingent on Proposition A passing as well.
The proposal was devised following multiple years of study and work by and at the recommendation of an advisory committee. It was introduced to the community during a special meeting held Saturday, Jan. 30, in conjunction with a special board of trustees meeting. The facilities committee met again after the community meeting to discuss concerns expressed and discussion from the meeting, and recommended the plan which voters will determine during the 2-proposition bond election on May 1.
The proposed 2021 bond construction and renovation takes takes into account potential future growth for the district. Renovations and new construction could occur while students remain in current facilities without a disruption to education, the Cumby ISD officials noted during the Jan. 30 community meeting.
Currently, the school’s tax rate is $1.14. If passed, this 2-proposition bond proposal will raise taxes to either $1.43 or $1.46, depending on projects chosen.School taxes would increase either 29-cents per $100 property valuation if only Proposition A were passed, or by 32-cents if both Proposition A and Proposition B are approved by voters on May 1.
A $1.43 school tax rate would increase the school taxes on a home that costs $100,000 to $18.13 monthly or $217.50 annually, while a tax rate of $1.46 would increase the school taxes on a $100,000 home by $20 monthly or $240 annually.
School officials emphasize that voter approval of one or both of the options l on the May 1 2-proposition bond election ballot would have no affect on the school taxes for citizens age 65 or older who have a homestead exemption application filed with the local appraisal district. Their taxes would continue to be the same rate they were frozen at, unless the property owner makes significant improvements to their home which would increase it’s appraised value, unless the property’s value decreases, then the rate would be filed accordingly.
Passing a bond in May, instead of waiting should allow the district to take advantage of historically low interest rates, down as low as 2.14 percent, for repayment of the bond fund over the next 30 years. Depending on the interest rate, tax appraisals, the amount of the bond proposed, the tax rate could potentially be lower than projected, and likely would go down at some point, as other debts are paid off.
School officials noted that if neither of the 2-proposition bond projects receive voter approval in May, “Cumby ISD will continue to put students first and take care of student and program needs with our current facilities.”
According to Slaughter, preventative maintenance plans are in place to help extend the life of our buildings and facilities in the event the bond does not pass.
“We will also continue efforts to ensure the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff. Projects will be prioritized for these things and completed when possible based on funds. As growth continues, if there are no classrooms available, more portables will be considered. Currently, the elementary is over capacity, with students in portables, and high school enrollment is increasing annually but does have room left for some growth. As student enrollment continues to increase – 25 students this year and 7 to 11 students each year over the past two years, we will begin the process of the purchase and replacement of some portables if the bond proposal does not pass. Also, some classes will have an increase in student to teacher ratio. Classes could go from 18 to 1 to 24-plus to one,” Slaughter stated.
Trustees at the Feb. 11 board meeting also approved a resolution to retain Haynes & Boone, LLP, and Powell Law Group, LLP (formerly Powell, Youngblood & Taylor, LLP), to provide specialized legal services in connection with the issuance of public securities by the district (the bond). The two law firms have more than a decade of experience handling issuance of public securities in Texas. However, the district won’t pay any legal fees unless a bond passes and is issued.
Shannon Road Traffic Stop Results In Controlled Substance Arrest
Two women and a man were arrested on drug and alcohol charges. A Shannon Road traffic stop Thursday night resulted in a controlled substance arrest, and a suspicious vehicle complaint on FM 1536 early Thursday morning resulted in an Arizona woman being jailed on a drug paraphernalia charge. Investigation of a vehicle that went sideways when the driver accelerated while turning out of an alley resulted in a public intoxication arrest, according to arrest reports.
Shannon Road Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro reported the driver of a Ford Fusion stopped in the 1500 block of East Shannon Road just before 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 for a traffic violation displayed “nervous tendencies.” She allegedly admitted she’d had prior involvement with law enforcement for illegal narcotics.
A search to the silver car allegedly revealed a bag containing a white crystal residue suspected to be methamphetamine, a bag of suspected meth in her purse and two glass pipes of the kind used for smoking methamphetamine.
Consequently, 37-year-old Jessica Smith of Sulphur springs was arrested for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Smith, who jail reports show is also known by Jessica Vanlandingham, remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Feb. 12, on the third-degree felony charge.
FM 1536 Suspicious Vehicle Complaint
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded Thursday morning to an FM 1536 suspicious vehicle complaint, a silver car stopped in front of a residence at approximately 2:30 in the morning Feb. 11.
Deputies reported seeing a silver BMW with Arizona license plates stopped on FM 1536. The 27-year-old passenger allegedly had contraband in plain sight upon officer’s approach of the sedan. The Sierra Vista woman reportedly had in her possession used and unused hypodermic syringes.
Deputies took the Arizona woman to jail on the misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia charge, according to arrest reports. The Arizona woman was released from jail later Thursday on the charge, according to jail reports.
Accelerating Vehicle Investigation
A gray Dodge Challenger reportedly caught a Sulphur Springs Police officer’s attention when it went sideways as the driver accelerated while turning east from an alley onto Main Street. While trying to catch up to the car, the officer reported hearing the car accelerate again as it turned north onto North Davis Street.
When the officer arrived in the 100 block of North Davis Street, he reported the car had been parked and a man was seen walking away from the area of the car. When contacted, police reported smelling a strong alcoholic beverage odor on the 40-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s breath. He also reportedly had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. When asked if he’d been driving the car, he reportedly would not answer officer.
The 40-year-old was arrested at 12:09 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, for public intoxication; he was released from jail later Thursday on the misdemeanor 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.
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.
Complaint Of Man Taking His Clothes Off At Truck Stop Results In Arrest
A complaint of a man taking his clothes off at a truck stop resulted in an arrest, according to police reports.
A Sulphur Springs Police officer responded Wednesday morning to a complaint of a man taking his clothes off near the front entrance to a Hillcrest Drive truck stop. Upon arrival, the man had walked to the truck stop across the street. Police located the suspect in the restaurant side of the business.
Police recognized the 21-year-old Sulphur Springs man as someone who earlier in the week had been issued a criminal trespass warning, prohibiting him from returning to the property. When asked, he indicated he did recall being issued the warning. He claimed he wanted to give his jacket to one of the employees as an offering, the officer alleged in arrest reports. The man was reported to be clothed in the store sans the aforementioned jacket.
After confirming the warning was active for the location, the policeman arrested the 21-year-old on a misdemeanor criminal trespass charge. He was released later Wednesday, Feb. 10, on a $5,000 bond, 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.
