Major Show Steer Validation Orders for 2021 Due in June
The mission of the youth livestock validation program is to promote a positive youth development environment focused on ensuring rules for livestock exhibition are being followed under the supervision of County Extension Agents and Agricultural Science Teachers. This helps to foster integrity, virtues, and values of youth and families.
The purpose of validation is to encourage positive relationships with County Extension Agents, Agricultural Science Teachers and local stakeholders, create a level playing field for youth livestock projects, maximize youth experience and life skill development, and facilitate youth engagement with livestock projects.
Validation allows youth to build on life skills such as responsibility, respect, teamwork and communication.
By participating in the livestock project, youth exhibitors learn daily care, nutrition, reproduction, and production practices specific to livestock projects.
Every year, cattle projects (Heifers and Steers) intendent to participates in major shows in Texas most be validated at their home counties under a protocol and a validation committee. Steers are validated once a year.
If you or your youth members are interested in validating a heifer for State Fair of Texas or a Steer for any major show, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office (if showing under 4-H) or your Agricultural Teacher (if showing under FFA) as soon as possible because validation materials most be ordered and paid in advance.
Steer and heifer validation most be completed in June 2021.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
HELP US HELP YOU!
In order for Hopkins County to qualify for the next level of FEMA funding – Category IA (Individual Assistance) for damages incurred during the Winter Weather Event of 2021, documentation of financial impact is required.
If you have sustained individual property and/or business damages, please use this link and complete the form. At least one photo is required to submit.
IT IS IMPORTANT to remember, you will not be eligible for personal or business financial assistance from FEMA funding until Hopkins County is moved to the next level.
Work On Grays Building Continues At Fast Pace
Zoom Meeting Scheduled This Evening To Discuss Pacific Park Survey Results, Next Steps In Park Improvement Project
Progress on the Grays Building in Pacific Park continues at a smart pace. Today, glazers install glass while masons erect brick veneers on the east end of the building. Inside the building workers tape and bed the sheetrock, according to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell.
A little over a week ago, a crew began affixing roofing to the steel frame. During February and into March framing and plumbing top-out were finished. Electrical rough-in was nearly complete, and HVAC was being installed March 2.
The building is part of the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan adopted by the city in 2019. An emphasis of the plan was to design and develop a Pacific Park Site Specific Master Plan, created based on input from community members during a design charrette.
Voters in November 2019 approved a proposition allowing up to $200,000 of EDC sales and use tax funding to be used annually for up to 20 years by the city’s parks department to repay $3 million worth of bonds which will fund qualified 4B projects, including the new Grays Building and renovated playground and grounds in Pacific Park as well as a new Senior Citizens Center. In August 2020, the city was approved for a $750,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant for improvements to the grounds at Pacific Park.
With the new Grays Building progressing so well, the City of Sulphur Springs is concentrating focus more toward the redesign and upgrade of the actual park area. Community members were asked recently to complete an online survey on the City’s website to weigh in on finishing touches for the park area, including choice of a new playground, uses for a pavilion, additional desired amenities and any other feedback residents wish to relay. A Zoom meeting is scheduled at 5:30 this evening (March 29) to discuss the results and presentation on the next steps moving forward.
- PACIFIC PARK IMPROVEMENT MEETING
- Time: Mar 29, 2021 05:30 PM
- Join Zoom Meeting by clicking https://zoom.us/j/99239821778?pwd=V05lT3BLVVo2c3lPaVRuWWxYdFN4Zz09
- Password: 539768
Construction drawings for the new Senior Citizens Center were last reported by Maxwell as still being prepared by REES Associates. Tandem Consulting has been hired to oversee the construction of the activity center for adults ages 50 and older, as is the case with the Grays Building.
Softball and Golf on Monday’s Game Day Menu
The Lady Cats Softball Team has added a game to their schedule and the Wildcats Golf Team begins district play on this game day Monday (March 29).
With the Lady Cats having a bye Tuesday, Coach David Carrillo scheduled a Monday non-district game to fill in. The Lady Cats will be taking on Winnsboro Monday at 6 p.m. at Lady Cat Park. It will be a varsity only contest.
After their win at Pine Tree Friday, the Lady Cats are 5-1 after the first half of district play and 14-3 for the season. After the Monday game with Winnsboro, the Lady Cats resume district play Thursday at Lady Cat Park against Hallsville. Hallsville topped the Lady Cats, 4-0 in the district opener at Hallsville back on March 9.
KSST Radio will bring you Lady Cats and Lady Raiders softball live from Lady Cat Park at 6 p.m. The broadcast will feature streaming video and audio. The game will also be videotaped for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Monday the Wildcats Golf Team is at the two-day District 15-5A Golf Tournament at Tempest Golf Club in Gladewater. The district tournament wraps up Tuesday. The Wildcats Golf Team includes Kip Childress, Grant Mohesky, Caleb Kesting, Rylan Brewer and Luke Dietze. Top district teams or individual performers can qualify for the regional tournament. The Lady Cats Golf Team plays in their district tournament at Tempest Wednesday and Thursday.
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.
Wildcats Have Three at Boys’ State Powerlifting Meet Saturday
The Wildcats have a tradition of sending lifters to the Boys’ State Powerlifting Meet and they sent three more lifters to the event on Saturday (March 27) in Abilene.
Junior Juan Hernandez finished 7th in state in the 123 pound weight class. Sophomore Matthew Mitchell was 14th in state in the 181 pound weight class.
Senior Ryan Carrillo placed 15th in the 181 pound weight class.
It’s always quite an accomplishment to qualify for the state meet.
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.
Details for Wildcats Soccer Area Game Are Set
An Area soccer match in the playoffs has been firmed up for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats will be playing the Red Oak Hawks Tuesday (March 30) at 6 p.m. at Mesquite’s Hanby Stadium.
Red Oak defeated West Mesquite, 4-3 Friday while the Wildcats toppled district champion Whitehouse, 2-1 at Whitehouse Friday. The Wildcats got goals from Alex Yanez and Edgar Salazar in the first 4 minutes of last Friday’s game and then held on to get the upset win.
Fans interested in going to Mequite Tuesday should be advised that Hanby has a very strict no bag policy.
The Wildcats season record is now 16-10-1. Red Oak was the third place team in their district and their season record is 15-3-6 according to Max Preps.
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.
Students Get Advice On Upcoming Semesters
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Assistant Campus Director Iris Gutierrez, right, helps sophomore student Alexandra Dixon with her paperwork following spring break.
Student advisors are always on hand to assist students with enrollment questions and scholarship opportunities.
Social distancing is being practiced like the photo shown above.
Call PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Campus at 903-885-1232 for more information.
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.
March 22-28, 2021 Winnsboro Police Department Media Report
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of March 22-28, 2021, included the following activity:
Arrests
- Benjamin Marks, 29 years of age, of Winnsboro was arrested on March 27, 2021, on a Wood County warrant.
- Ryan Bonner, 27 years of age, of Winnsboro was arrested on March 26, 2021 on a Texas Department of Criminal Justice parole warrant.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 145 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 37 citations and 50 warnings during this reporting period.
SSHS Wildcat Academic UIL Team Second In District Competition, 10 Students Advancing To Regional Contest
The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Academic UIL Team finished second at the District UIL Competition held in Mount Pleasant over the weekend. SSHS earned 347 points to Hallsville’s 561. Mt Pleasant, Pine Tree, Longview, Texas High and Marshall rounded out the field. In One-Act Play competition, one student was named to the All Star Cast, three others received honorable mention and one was named an Outstanding Crew member.
SSHS One-Act Play cast and crew 
Allie Grace Woodard
The cast and crew of You on the Moors Now also concluded their season at the Bi-District competition in Texarkana last week. Hannah Shultz was named to the All-Star Cast. AllieGrace Woodard, Rorie Young, and Danielle Verlander were named to the Honorable Mention All-Star Cast. Ricardo Chavarria was named to Outstanding Crew.
AllieGrace Woodard is advancing to state in UIL Theatrical Costume Design and for the third consecutive year in UIL Theatrical Hair and Makeup Design, according to SSHS Wildcat Theatre Department.
Ten SSHS students scored high enough in the district to advanced to the regional academic UIL competition on April 16 – 17 at Whitehouse High School in 11 events. Three teams were also recognized for their achievements as first and second place finishes at the meet.
SSHS Wildcat Academic UIL Coordinator Gerald Grafton offers congratulations and thanks to all students and sponsors who participated at the district UIL events and to the One Act Play cast and crew for a great season.
Below are results from the weekend’s district academic UIL competition:
| Contest Category | Student Competitor | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| News Writing | Lexi McCoy* | 1st |
| Crystal Flores | 4th | |
| Ready Writing | Zoe Westlund* | 2nd |
| Lexi McCoy | 5th | |
| Matthew Harper | 6th | |
| Feature Writing | Lexi McCoy* | 1st |
| Crystal Flores* | 3rd | |
| Zoe Westlund | 4th | |
| Editorial | Joel Villarino* | 1st |
| Dawson Carpenter* | 2nd | |
| Matthew Harper | 5th | |
| Headline | Shelby Ray* | 1st |
| Matthew Harper* | 3rd | |
| Copy Editing | Matthew Harper* | 2nd |
| Dawson Carpenter | 6th | |
| Journalism | Team | |
| Computer Science | Joel Villarino* | 2nd |
| Harrison Allen | 5th | |
| Kaden Kirkland (Team) | ||
| Luis Ruiz (Team) | ||
| Team | 2nd | |
| Literary Criticism | Matthew Harper* | 1st |
| Kendall Little* | 2nd | |
| Dawson Carpenter* | 3rd | |
| Shelby Ray* | 4th | |
| Team* | 1st | |
| Poetry Interpretation | AllieGrace Woodard* | 3rd |
| Caitlyn Monaghan | 6th | |
| Social Studies | Alfredo Renteria* | 2nd |
| Spelling and Vocabulary | Dawson Carpenter* | 1st |
| Joel Villarino | 4th | |
| Cameron Beard (Team) | ||
| Kaden Kirkland (Team) | ||
| Team | 2nd |
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Felony Warrant
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson arrested a 60-year-old Sulphur Springs man at his residence Sunday night on a felony warrant. Wilkerson was made aware of the outstanding charge, located Danny Ray McPherson, served the felony warrant and transported the man to the county jail.
McPherson was held at the jail Monday morning, March 29, 2021 for violation of probation on a tampering with or fabricating physical evidence charge.
The original offense was reported to have occurred on May 11, 2014. He remained in the county jail overnight and was released on a $10,000 bond on the charge the next day. He was jailed locally Aug. 8-Nov. 9, 2015 prior to serving a commitment in a substance abuse felony punishment facility for a conviction for violating probation on the tampering with evidence charge.
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.
Missing Brashear Man Found Deceased In Crashed Vehicle In A Creek Off FM 2653 Friday
A missing 55-year-old Brashear man was found deceased in a vehicle wedged down an embankment in a creek off FM 2653 around 2:40 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2021. A family member had reportedly contacted the sheriff’s officer early in the week to report the man missing.
A Texas Department of Transportation employee reportedly discovered the man inside the vehicle in a ravine in the creek off FM 2653 south around 2:40 p.m. Friday. The man is thought to have crashed a few days before he was discovered. The vehicle was stuck in the water, which flows heavily in the area. Recent rains caused increased run off and flow under the roadway. Investigation into the crash is ongoing by Texas Department of Public Safety
“Preliminary investigation indicates that a 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass was northbound on FM 2653. For an as yet undetermined reason, the vehicle left the roadway striking a tree and landing in a creek. Due to heavy rains, the vehicle moved from where it landed in the creek. The crash was believed to have occurred during the night of March 21 to March 22, 2021,” news release from Sergeant Gregg Williams, Media Communications/Safety Education for Texarkana/Mount Pleasant Texas Department of Public Safety, stated.
The vehicle was reportedly found approximately 10 feet down the embankment in the water, where it was not immediately visible from the road, local authorities reported.
Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings pronounced 55-year-old Richard Alan Speiler of Brashear dead at the crash site at 3:15 p.m. Friday, March 25, 2021. The body was sent for an autopsy at American Forensics in Mesquite, and the crash remains under investigation pending results of the report.
