NETLA Show 2021 is February 23-27 in the Civic Center Arena. Support the 4H, FFA Exhibitors!
NETLA is an easy way to refer to the countless year-long activities for youth in agriculture supported by the Northeast Texas Livestock Association. In Hopkins County, when we say NETLA, we mean the Hopkins County Junior Livestock Show as well as the resulting Sale of Champions held annually in February. This year, the major public event will be live in person with the public invited to the Hopkins County Civic Center arena, and will also feature a Facebook Live coverage of the final event, the Sale of Champions on Saturday February 27 at noon. Spectators to the shows, judging and sale are admitted free.
Kevin Gibson is President of NETLA. Having grown up in Hopkins County and shown livestock as a youth, he is now raising his own youngsters to take pride in exhibiting livestock projects, and the organization is very close to his heart. He encourages everyone to come and observe the 250-300 FFA and 4H youngsters who will be competing with their livestock, and the numerous FFA students who will be competing with their Ag Mechanics projects. Meet these youth, congratulate them on their hard work, take a look at their animals and projects, and show appreciation with a handshake or pat on the back. Your support means a lot to the future farmers and agriculture producers! Each exhibitor also has Raffle Tickets to sell. Your ticket purchase helps fund the NETLA scholarship fund, and offers a half-side of processed beef to the winning ticketholder!
2 Hopkins County Providers Scheduled To Receive First-Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccines
After 2 weeks with no first-dose allocations at all designated to Hopkins County, two Sulphur Springs providers are among to 563 providers in 230 counties across Texas the federal government allocated to receive a portion of the 591,920 first-doses of COVID-19 vaccines scheduled to be shipped during the week of Feb. 22.
Texas Department of State Health Services has allocated the Centers for Disease Control to ship 100 first-doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Brookshire’s Pharmacy at 809 Gilmer Road in Sulphur Springs and 200 first-doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Christus Trinity Clinic – Sulphur Springs, located at 105 Medical Plaza, Building 1.
The last time any local provider was allocated first-doses of COVID-19 vaccines was Week 9 of distribution, the week of Feb. 8. Brookshire’s Pharmacy and Walgreens Pharmacy each were among the “additional providers” allocated 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine during the Week of Feb. 8. Walmart Pharmacy in Sulphur Springs was allocated 200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, as part of the direct federal allocations issued Feb. 8.
The last time CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic received first-doses of COVID-19 vaccines was Week 6, the Week of Jan. 18; the clinic was allocated 700 first-doses of the vaccine at that time and reported distributing them all within a week of receiving them. The Sulphur Springs CHRISTUS hospital and clinic have petitioned DSHS to be a rural hub provider, but even with support of elected state officials, have not been awarded the status as a hub for a minimum of residents in the 4 counties served by the Sulphur Springs facilities, as well as anyone within an hour’s driving distance.
According to DSHS, the federal vaccine tracking system shows more than 100,000 first doses and 300,000 second doses intended for delivery the week of Feb. 15 still awaiting shipment due to weather conditions around out-of-state warehouses and across the country. Those doses are expected to be delivered in the first half of next week, followed by the vaccine allocated for the week of Feb. 22.
These first-doses of COVID-19 vaccines are in addition to the 364,830 doses the state has ordered as the second dose for people first vaccinated a few weeks ago. DSHS in a press release this weekend stated, “People who had second dose appointments delayed by winter weather should rest assured knowing that vaccine will be available, and their appointments will be rescheduled. Even if they receive the second dose outside of the recommended six-week time frame, they will get the full protection of the second dose and will not need an additional booster shot.”
Texas providers have administered more than 4.3 million doses of vaccine. More than 3 million people have received at least one dose, and almost 1.3 million have been fully vaccinated. In Hopkins County 2,572 people have received the first dose of the vaccine and another 877 have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as of Thursday, according to the DSHS Texas Vaccine Data dashboard.
Texas continues to vaccinate (1A) health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities, and (1B) people 65 and older and those with medical conditions that put them at greater risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Vaccine remains limited based on the capacity of the manufacturers to produce it, so it is expect to take a while for Texas to receive enough vaccine for all the people in the priority populations who want to be vaccinated. Currently, there is not enough vaccine to supply every provider with vaccine every week, DSHS reported Friday.
Additional COVID-19 Vaccine information is available by clicking the following links:
Sulphur Springs Woman, Georgia Man Arrested At Local Businesses On Warrants
A Sulphur Springs woman and Georgia man were arrested at local businesses on warrants. Two others were arrested at local businesses on misdemeanor charges, according to arrest reports.
East Shannon Road Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Chris Rosamond responded around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, to a disturbance at convenience store on East Shannon Road. Upon arrival they contacted a 27-year-old Sulphur Springs woman.
A records check showed Santara Pearl Perez to be wanted on a Cooke County warrant for abandoning or endangering a child – criminal neglect. The warrant was confirmed. Perez, who is also reportedly known by Santara White, Santera Pearl White and Pearl Santara, was taken into custody at 2:33 a.m. Feb. 20, and booked into the county jail on the Cooke County warrant.
The 27-year-old Sulphur Springs woman remained in Hopkins County jail at 8:45 a.m. Saturday morning, Feb. 20, according to jail reports.
Brashear Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Todd Evans and Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes were made aware of a warrant for Jayson Michael White’s arrest. They went to the Brashear business where the 39-year-old Cartersville, Georgia man is employed as a driver.
The officers located the man and took him into custody at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, on the Barstow County, Georgia warrant for violation of probation. White remained in Hopkins County jail on the warrant Saturday morning, Feb. 20, 2021, according to jail reports.
Eaton Drive Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police responded at 12:50 a.m. Feb. 19 on Eaton Drive, where a woman was reported to be causing a disturbance. Upon contact, police alleged an alcohol odor could be smelled on the 21-year-old Winnsboro woman. She too was unsteady on her feet, causing her to lose balance, had glassy eyes and slurred speech, and admitted to having alcoholic beverages at a local bar, police alleged in arrest reports. She was arrested for public intoxication.
South Broadway Street Arrest
Sulphur Springs police responded at a South Broadway Street store. A 22-year-old was stopped attempting to leave the store parking lot in a gray Dodge Ram 1500 pickup at 9:22 p.m. An active criminal trespass warning prohibiting the Sulphur Springs man was returning to the property was confirmed to be active. The officer took him into custody for criminal trespassing just before 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feh. 19, 2021, according to arrest reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
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.
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Announces New Date of Area Playoff Match
On Friday, Feb. 19 Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell announced that her squad would finally be able to take on Royse City in the Area round playoff game on Monday, Feb. 22. The game is set to tip-off at 6:30 P.M. in Caddo Mills.
Lady Cats basketball were originally slated to take on Royse City on Monday, Feb. 15, but inclement weather forced the game to be postponed not once, but twice. Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell said early in the week that the game could have potentially been played Thursday, Feb. 18, barring no school being held, but once again the game was postponed. On Friday Coach Tisdell confirmed that the Area playoff game featuring the Lady Bulldogs taking on the Lady Cats will be played Monday, Feb. 22 in Caddo Mills at 6:30 P.M.
The Lady Cats squeezed by Nacogdoches, 56-54 in Athens on Friday, Feb. 12. The Lady Cats were able to pull out the win despite the injury to Kenzie Willis late in the game, who scored 12 points in the victory. Coach Tisdell might have been all too happy for Willis and her squad to get some much needed rest during the week after a tight win versus the Lady Dragons in the Bi-District round.
The Lady Bulldogs shocked Midlothian, the #18 ranked team in the state, 42-38, in double overtime. The Lady Cats, the #1 seed from District 15-5A, are now 17-7 for the season. Royse City is the #3 seed in their district.
Be sure to tune in to KRVA 107.1 FM to hear Ross LaBenske doing play-by-play for the radio broadcast of the Area playoff match between the Lady Cats and Royse City Lady Bulldogs at 6:30 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.
TDI Offers Insurance tips following winter storms
If your home was damaged due to a broken water pipe, downed tree limbs, or other winter damage, contact your insurance company or agent to file a claim as soon as possible. These insurance tips should help make the process go smoother:
Make a list of damaged property. Take pictures or video of the damage. Don’t throw anything away until your insurance company tells you to.
Take steps to protect your home from further damage. Turn off the water and cover broken windows and holes in your roof if possible. Save all receipts. Your policy may cover these costs.
Try to be there when the insurance company comes to inspect the damage. If you can’t stay in your home, leave a note with information on where you can be reached.
Keep a list of everyone you talk to at your insurance company. Be ready to answer questions about the damage.
Ask about additional living expenses. If you can’t live in your home due to the damage, your insurance policy may pay for some of those expenses.
Avoid fraud
- Get more than one bid. That will help you decide which offers are too high or too good to be true.
- Check references and phone numbers. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if a contractor has complaints.
- Don’t pay up front and don’t make your final payment until the job is finished. In a disaster, contractors from outside your area can’t ask for payment before they start work.
- Avoid contractors who offer to waive your deductible or promise a rebate for it. That’s illegal under state law and your insurance company may ask for proof that you paid it.
- Never sign a contract with blank spaces.
- Report possible price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General.
For more information, see: Help after the storm and TDI’s FAQ about coverage and claims.
Pleasant Hill Water Supply Issues Boil Notice Cancelled
The Pleasant Hill Water Supply Number Two boil water notice enacted on Feb. 19, has been canceled as of 6 p.m. Feb. 22, according to Dwight Clayton, the manager.
At Least 2 County Buildings Sustained Damages As Result Of Winter Weather
At least two county buildings sustained damages as a result of winter weather this week, and one machine at a city operation will need to be replaced. Several buildings around Sulphur Springs have flooding due to burst pipes, according to local officials.
Hopkins County Clerk’s Office had a leak issue. The area between the gutter and roof froze. The ice frozen in the gutter system had nowhere to go as things began melting, causing it to leak into the Clerk’s Office. Next door at the County Attorney’s office, water soaked ceiling tiles fell and the carpet was flooded as well.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office’s jail trustees along with county employee Bobby Woodard responded and got all of the ice off of the roof, reducing potential for additional leaking as it melts. The inmates helped clean up and work continues to be done cleaning the area. Damage to office equipment was relatively minimal; repairs at the County Clerk’s Office will be needed for one wall and some ceiling tiles at the edge of the wall, according to Hopkins County Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley.
Damages at the Adult Probation Office were a little more severe, Endsley noted. A water line burst, causing flooding in the building. Woodard and county jail trustees also assisted with clean up at the Adult Probation Office, where officials are working to determine what items in the flooded area are salvageable.
Endsley said while full extent of damages won’t be known until next week, and likely not until after all of the ice and snow melts, the County Clerk’s Office is expected to be able to open Monday, if at limited or virtual capacity. The Adult Probation Office may be able to conduct limited business as well.
The Emergency Management coordinator commended the many county employees, Texas Department of Transportation and County precinct crew who have worked diligently since before the winter weather began to make the roads as passable as possible and efforts to get them open when the weather blanketed them with ice and snow, often causing them to refreeze or dumping accumulation overnight more than once.
He noted the responders out making calls, trying to assist the citizens of Hopkins County wherever needed and however possible. Endlsey commended the volunteer fire departments for their outstanding job assisting their districts. He noted both the county and city fire departments have responded a number of times at locations where sprinkler systems have burst causing flooding and have helped EMS, the latter he said also has done an outstanding job during the inclement weather.
“All have done really well, worked together really well, which is a beautiful thing to see,” Endsley noted.
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that the city had very little damage resulting from the storm. A pipe burst at the police department, flooding the wing containing the police detective’s offices and the human resources offices. When the power went off at the waste water plant, a bar screen froze up. When the power came back on, the motor was reported to be so powerful it twisted it and damaged it. The plant is bypassing the bar screen and being treated further down the plant, which means more work for city emp”loyees. However, the city is still able to put out a “really high quality effluent.”
The city continues to supply water to meet the demands of city residents. The city also sells water to several local water districts. Currently, the City of Sulphur Springs is selling water to Commerce. They are sending trucks over and filling them, to assist the neighbors with water issues.
Maxwell noted that the recent weather has been eye-opening for water providers across the state, where officials had opted not to purchase a generators, because they didn’t think they’d need one. Many have built in stores of water in water towers and at an underground tank at the plant. They can continue to meet needs with only a few hours without power. An extended winter weather event, which caused lengthy utility outages across the state, has created problems for them.
The City of Sulphur Springs does not have that problem because a massive generator was purchased for the water treatment plant to aid in just such instances. The city has continued to provide service for Sulphur Springs residents.
Maxwell commended the employees of the city water and sewer plants for working non-stop during the winter weather. He urges citizens who see them on the street to waver and offer thanks for going above the call to provide service to city residents.
One issue some are having, in addition to the buildings that are flooding, are burst pipes at homes and businesses as well. Many during the winter weather contacted the city to have the water turned off to prevent further flooding issues. As things are melting, things are beginning to be repairs, and people are requesting for their water meters to be turned back on.
Maxwell also commended the city street workers who have been out putting down sand, fixing the sanding machine as it kept breaking, putting out tons of sand on city streets, to make them less dangerous for motorists traveling on them.
Boil Notice: North Hopkins Water District
As of 1pm Friday February 19th, 2021, the North Hopkins Water District has issued a Boil Notice. This is a result of lower water pressure.
Please conserve water wherever possible. The equipment is working properly, but is having trouble keeping up with demand.
If you have questions or concerns, contact the North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation at 903 945 2619.
Man Accused Of Displaying A Firearm While Assaulting A Woman
A 48-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested for allegedly displaying a firearm while assaulting a woman, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 2:40 p.m. Feb. 16 to what was reported as a disturbance on County Road 1193. Upon arrival, officials attempted to contact the complainant and suspect, but the residence was empty. Officers were told both had left in a black Mitsubishi SUV prior to their arrival. Officers recalled seeing one leave the area as they approached the location. The pair was alleged to be heading to a Rains County address.
Hopkins County deputies headed that direction and contacted Rains County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in contacting the pair alleged to have been involved in the disturbance. The vehicle was located at residence on a private road. All occupants were contacted. The alleged victim, a 52-year-old woman, and suspect, a 48-year-old Sulphur Springs man, were identified.
James Ray Miller was alleged to have displayed a firearm while assaulting a 52-year-old woman with whom he is in a dating relationship and who also lives at the CR 1193 residence. Miller reported told deputies the woman is his wife and they have been together for the last 14 years. Miller was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing bodily injury to a family member, date or household member, HCSO Deputy Jason Lavender alleged in arrest reports. He also had a warrant for not taking care of a public intoxication charge. He remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Feb. 19; bond on the felony charge was set at $50,000, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Weather Concerns Continue to Impact Wildcat and Lady Cat Sports
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta announced Wednesday, February 17 that the Wildcats would be playing Jacksonville in the Bi-District round playoff game Monday at 7:30 P.M. in Hallsville. The Wildcats were originally slated to take on Jacksonville this Friday.
The Wildcats beat the Anna Coyotes 64-56 at Anna on Saturday, Feb. 13 in a warm-up game in preparation for the play-offs. Jacksonville, the #3 seed team from District 16-5A, will be looking to get the upset against a well-coached Cipoletta-led Sulphur Springs team. The Wildcats, the #2 seed from District 15-5A, are 17-9 for the season.
Tickets will be sold at the door.
Lady Cats basketball were originally slated to take on Royse City on Monday, Feb. 15, but sub-zero temperatures have forced the game to be postponed not once, but twice. Lady Cats Basketball coach Brittney Tisdell said earlier in the week that the game could have been played Thursday, Feb. 18, barring no school being held, but once again the game has been postponed. Once details of the game date and time are released they will be posted online.
The Lady Cats squeezed by Nacogdoches, 56-54 at Athens. The Lady Bulldogs shocked Midlothian, the #18 ranked team in the state, 42-38, in double overtime. The Lady Cats, the #1 seed from District 15-5A, are now 17-7 for the season. Royse City is the #3 seed in their district.
Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats soccer games against Hallsville have been postponed. They may be played sometime next week, according to Don Julian of KSST Radio.
On Friday Wildcats Soccer was to take on the Hallsville Bobcats at Gerald Prim Stadium at 7:15 P.M., but icy weather this week has deemed it not so. Sulphur Springs also had a bye on Tuesday. The Wildcats are 2-3 in district play and 11-7-1 for the season. They are 1-1 in their last two district games versus Marshall on Feb. 9, 3-0, and lost last Friday at Pine Tree 2-1 (OT). The Wildcats match with Hallsville is expected to be made up a later date.
Also on Friday the Lady Cats soccer team was to take on Hallsville, but unlike Wildcats soccer the Lady Cats were to travel to Hallsville to take on the Lady Cats at 7:15 P.M. Like Wildcats Soccer, the Lady Cats had a bye on Tuesday. The Lady Cats have two outright wins, a shootout win and 2 losses in district play. Their season record is 8-6-4.
The Lady Cats won big at Marshall Feb. 9, 9-0 and last Friday got shutout at home versus Pine Tree 5-0. Also like the Wildcats, the Lady Cats’ match with Hallsville is also expected to be made up at a later date.
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo canceled not only last Friday, Feb. 12’s home scrimmage against Sherman but also the Lady Cats planned season opener at home against Wylie East Monday, Feb. 15. Coach Carrillo was hoping to open the season this weekend at his own Sulphur Springs Tournament. Now Coach Carrillo and his squad will be all too eager to return to the softball diamond next Tuesday as they traverse the DFW Metroplex to take on Richardson Pierce at 6:30 P.M. The Lady Cats were able to get three scrimmages in all on the road at Gilmer, McKinney North and at Royse City on Monday, Feb. 9.
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammock announced Wednesday, Feb. 17 that Friday’s home scrimmage with North Lamar has been cancelled. This comes after last Friday’s announcement from Coach Hammock that both scrimmages on Friday, Feb. 12 with Terrell at home as well as Monday, Feb. 15’s scrimmage at Bullard have both been cancelled.
Coach Hammock’s team will be all too eager to return to the diamond next Thursday, Feb. 25 as they will be participating in the Tyler Lee Tournament in what will now be the Wildcats season-opener. Sulphur Springs did get in one scrimmage, at Sherman on Monday, Feb. 8
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.
