2021 Texas Ranger Ticket Giveaway Info
Changes to the Texas Ranger Ticket Giveaways on KSST and KRVA for the 2021 Season.
Once again, KSST and KRVA will be giving away Texas Ranger Tickets. This season’s tickets will be offered in a digital format. To be a winner, you will need to download and install the Offical MLB Ball Park App for your smart device. Think of the app as a digital wallet for your tickets.
The Process
Once you win, KSST will forward the digital ticket information to your email. Your MLB Ballpark app will accept the ticket information and store them until you need them. You will need to take your device to the ballpark to display the QR code at the gate. Get all the details at MLB.COM
How to Win
We will be giving away tickets on Facebook like we have in years past. But we might try a new giveaway method just to mix things up. No matter how you win, you will need to provide a valid email address, and that email must be linked to you MLB Ballpark app.
Just to be clear, KSST and KRVA did not receive paper tickets, so we can not furnish paper tickets to our winners.
Sulphur Springs ISD Head Start Program To Apply For Grant Continuation And Refunding, Transportation Waiver
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees during the regular monthly meeting this week gave the Head Start program director the go-ahead to apply for grant continuation and refunding, as well as a Head Start transportation waiver application.
Transportation Wavier
Director Angela Edwards asked trustees to approve a request for a transportation waiver for the Head Start program. She noted the SSISD Head Start program has five buses that transport the majority of Head Start bus riders. Preschool children are required to be in child restrain systems and to have bus monitors unless doing so results in a significant disruption to the program or would create a safety hazard.
The district has five small Head Start buses. Head Start serves 179 SSISD students, typically with approximately 85 of those children transported daily on school buses to and from the program. Approximately 10 children live in the furthermost parts of the district outside of the city. Due to the size of the county and district, SSISD would be unable to get those 10 students home on the five Head Start buses within the one-hour time limit for transport to and from school.
In the 2019-2020 school year, 83 students were transported on the Head Start buses, 34 of which were not in child safety seats. This year (2020-2021), due to social distancing parameters in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers were lower. This year, 52 children road the Head Start buses, with only 6 children transported on Head Start buses without child safety seats.
SSISD is asking for a waiver of the child restrain requirement to allow those students who live the farthest out, if/when they ride a bus home, to be transported on a regular school bus with other children.
The Head Start program tries not to do that, as they prefer the children not to be in the mix with other children if possible, but there are occasionally circumstances that arise that could make that necessary. Edwards explained that Head Start children typically are bused directly to and from the Head Start facility, and are not required to go to the bus hub to switch buses. However, the district is asking for the waiver just in case they do have students enroll who do need to be put on a bus whose route would take them to and from their residence.
Essentially, the waiver would be to meet any possible exceptions, not as a common practice.
Edwards noted the district is also seeking a waiver of the safety requirement for all Head Start children for program-related field trips, in case of an emergency evacuation or imminent danger situation or in case one of the Head Start buses is out of commission being repaired. For field trips and bus repair issues, the district would utilize standard school district buses that are not equipped with child safety seats, but would have bus monitors. In the event of an emergency or imminent danger, Head Start program would be required to load children on regular school buses, but would have additional staff on-board to assist with the children.
Transporting all Head Start students on five small buses would require the buses to make multiple trips is economically, and time-wise, not feasibly. Utilizing two regular school buses with adequate seating for staff and students is.
The district too is requesting permission to transport about 15 students, divided among 5 Head Start buses, without being restrained in a safety belt. Bus monitors would be on-board those buses.
All Head Start monitors are trained and accompany students on all field trips.
Grant Continuation Application
Edwards also asked the school board to consider approving an application for continuation and refunding of the Head Start program. She said the 10-pages presented to the board provides a budget justification for hte program, breaking expenses down into categories, and includes a summary per category.
The largest expense in the 2021-2022 budget, $1,108,552, is personnel. The 21 fully funded personnel and 20 partially funded staff members are the Head Start program’s greatest resource, Edwards noted. That number includes four full-time bus drivers and monitors, and two part-time bus drivers and monitors. The budget is figured with 50-65 percent of classroom teachers’ salaries; 100 percent of salaries for teacher assistants, instructional aides, bus drivers and bus monitors. The superintendent and business manager do not receive any funding from Head Start to apply toward their salaries. Staff salaries are competitive based on a comparison of SSISD salaries to those of other schools in the area and a TASB salary survey.
SSISD also contributes $360,525 in non-federal share matching funds to provide the additional funding for the 20 staff members, including 10 classroom teachers whose pay is based on Texas minimum salary schedule, one health specialist, one mental health and disabilities specialist, one education specialist, one physical education teachers, two campus secretaries, one library aide, one speech therapist, one assistant director and one director/principal.
The applications summary notes that the development and administrative costs for Head Start during the 2019-2020 school year were 10 percent of the continuation grant, which is less than the 15 percent limitation restriction for funding and administrative costs.
Another $192,846 in the projected 2021-2022 budget is designated for fringe benefits, this includes 1.4 percent contribution toward Medicare, $251 a month health insurance option, $0.2024 per $100 worker’s compensation, $0.0008 percent unemployment benefits, and 4.2-11 percent to Teacher Retirement System. The $1,421,963 proposed budget also includes:
- $48,900 for contractual expenses, that is on-site consultations in each content area to ensure compliance with federal regulations and services for students and families;
- $48,585 for office and classroom supplies for 10 classrooms, which each are given a set budget for instructional materials and supplies, family services and parent involvement, medical and dental supplies for education as well as safety, care and hygiene, classroom cooking and food experiences, disability supplies, vehicle maintenance supplies, miscellaneous operating costs, playground maintenance, catering or snacks for parent and staff meetings, and dues and subscriptions;
- $8,600 for out-of-town staff, heal services, disability services, mental health, transportation, administrative travel including hotel fees for overnight stays for training and conferences approved by the director and business manager; and
- $14,480 in other expenses, including child liability insurance, nutrition services, non-employee travel and parent volunteers, substitutes, extra duty pay.
The summary also includes $20,138 for training and technical assistance for staff, including certificate renewal training and content area training.
Projected expenses are never exactly the same as final expenses due to a number of changing factors and costs. However, Edwards said program officials work very closely with SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw to get as exact a projected figure as possible and to keep expenses within budget.
Edwards reported that Friday she received an email that the district will receive $17,000 in supplemental cost of living adjustment (COLA) funding.
Edwards said the program, based on a recent self assessment report would like to purchase more activities for the playground to provide more options for special education students on the playground.
The board unanimously approved the application for continuation and refunding of the Head Start program.
Wildcats Tennis Players are Playing Tournaments For Seeding in Upcoming District Tourney
Unlike Team Tennis in the fall, tennis in the spring semester is more about individual accomplishments by members of a team.
Singles and doubles players on the Wildcats Tennis Team are playing in tournaments attempting to receive the best seeding possible for the upcoming District Tennis Tournament.
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez hopes some of his players find a path to the Regional Tournament at the District Tournament. He has high hopes for his #1 girls’ player Jeauxleigh Cantu. Most recently Cantu has been teamed with sophomore Mykylie Meador as the Wildcats #1 girls doubles’ team. The pair won first place at a Waxahachie Tournament last Friday (March 19).
Coach Martinez now believes that Cantu’s best chance to go to the Regional Tournament is in girls’ singles. He says Texas High does have the district’s top girls singles player.
Hallsville also has a player that defeated Cantu several months ago during Team Tennis season but he says he believes Cantu can win a rematch at district. Coach Martinez says powerhouses Texas High and Longview are utilizing their top two girls players on doubles and mixed doubles teams. He says Meador is expected to be on the Wildcats top girls double team with either senior Harleigh Stegient or Paige Miesse.
Coach Martinez says all of his team members have shown a lot of improvement over the past calendar year. He has been especially impressed with Meador and boys Alex Romero and Tate Smith, who both play on mixed doubles’ teams. Friday the Wildcats will play in their sixth tournament this semester, this one at Pleasant Grove.
After that tournament, the Wildcats will have three more tourneys before district: at Wills Point, a make up tournament in Tyler and one at Whitehouse. The District Tournament is on April 13-14 in Texarkana.
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.
Brinker VFD To Hold Crawfish Boil April 3
Brinker Volunteer Fire Rescue Department is hosting its first annual crawfish boil on Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Brinker VFD Station 12, located at 1415 FM 69 south.
Department member anticipate preparing 1,000 pounds of crawfish, which will be served starting at 2 p.m. and will continue to be available until 7 p.m. or until they run out of crawfish, whichever comes first. Teac and water will be offered, or bring a drink of choice. Hot dogs and a bounce house will be offered for kids as well.
The cost to eat at Brinker VFD Crawfish Boil is strictly on a donation basis to benefit Brinker VFD.
“This benefit is for our community as we are constantly striving to provide the best trained and equipped emergency response service in the county. We have applied for grants that have been awarded to us from the Texas Forestry Service and we have to cover 10% of the cost of the new equipment. This fundraiser will help offset the cost of that,” said Brinker Volunteer Fire Chief Wade McDaniel. “Y’all come out for great fellowship and good food.”
For questions, or to make a donation, contact Chief Wade McDaniel at 903-243-4828 or Assistant Chief Conner Nix at 903-951-7366.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Offered March 29; Registration Required
For those who still want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but were unable to register for the two-dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Thursday at the hospital or during shot administrations, the state will be hosting another COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this coming Monday, March 29, in Sulphur Springs at the Hopkins County Civic Center. The vaccine will be the Pfizer, also a two-dose vaccine which requires a second dose in approximatley 3-6 weeks. There are 200 doses available on March 29.
To register for the COVID-19 vaccine event, either follow the link below and complete the registration process or call the Local Health Authority at 903-440-5902. Those applying will be asked if they are in the 1A, 1B and eligible school and child care worker vaccine groups.
Click here to register: http://bit.ly/HopkinsCountyVax0329
60-Year-Old Man Allegedly Hid Methamphetamine In A Soda Can
Marijuana Found In Truck Where Man Was Sleeping In Como
Deputies arrested a 60-year-old who allegedly hid methamphetamine in a soda can and a a 25-year-old sleeping in his truck at a Como business Wednesday, March 24, on Main Street on possession charges, according to sheriff’s and arrest reports. An Alba woman turned herself in Tuesday night at the county jail on a controlled substance related charge, according to arrest reports.
Methamphetamine In A Soda Can
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tanner Steward reported stopping a Mitsubishi Galant at 6:44 p.m. March 24, 2021, on Main Street at Davis Street after noticing the car had a defective high center mounted stop lights and registration that expired in December of 2019.
During the traffic investigation, Steward noted 60-year-old Daryl Christopher Simmons of Sulphur Springs to be sweating profusely. A search of the white passenger vehicle allegedly revealed a baggy containing a crystal-like substance in a root beer can in the cup holder. The substance found in the soda can field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.4 gram, including packaging, Steward alleged in arrest reports.
Consequently, Simmons was arrested just before 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, 2021, by Steward and Investigators Shea Shaw and Corley Weatherford on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge in a drug-free zone, the latter enhancement was added as the stop occurred approximately 433 feet from a drug-free zone, the sheriff’s officers alleged in arrest reports.
Simmons remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, March 26, 2021, on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Simmons has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1997, including being arrested and booked into Hopkins County jail on 19 prior occasions, including 75-day state jail commitments on two 2012 driving while intoxicated convictions, two 18-month commitments on 2013 evading arrest and theft convictions, a 10-month commitment on 2017 burglary of building conviction, and a 12-month commitment on a 2019 possession of controlled substance conviction, according to jail records.
Asleep In A Truck In Como
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call of a suspected intoxicated person causing a disturbance on Tiegiser Lane around 9:30 p.m. March 24, 2021. The man was alleged to have driven away in a silver Chevrolet truck with an orange go-cart in the back of the truck. Then, they were told the man was headed in the direction of his place of employment in Como to sleep for the night.
Deputies located a silver Chevrolet Silverado around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 800 block of West Main Street in Como, inside of which a 25-year-old Sulphur Springs man slept in the driver’s seat. An open container visible to deputies in the pickup. Deputies woke the man and had him step out of the truck to talk to them. He allegedly admitted there was marijuana in the vehicle. A search did indeed yield a green, leafy substance that appeared to be marijuana.
Consequently, the 25-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody just after 10:40 p.m. March 25 jailed on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge. He remained in Hopkins County jail on the charge Thursday, March 25, according to arrest reports.
March 24 was not the first time the man has been boked into Hopkins County jail for possession of drug paraphernalia; he was booked on the charge on April 23, 2013 and March 7, 2016. He also has been jailed in Hopkins County Nov. 10, 2013 for possession of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone, March 11, 2014 on an engaging in organized criminal activity charge, from March 11-May 14, 2014 as part of an 18-month state jail commitment on a controlled substance charge, May 18-24, 2016 on a burglary of a building charge; Jan. 3-Feb. 15, 2017 after being sentenced to a commitment in an intermediate sanctioned facility on the burglary charge; and April 17-15, 2019 for violating probation on the burglary charge, according to jail records.
Warrant Arrest At Sheriff’s Office
A 58-year-old Alba woman turned herself in just after 8:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2021, on a warrant. Deputy Justin Wilkerson walked Tamela Perkins Owen around to the county jail and released her to corrections officers.
Owen – who jail reports shows is also known by Tamela Louise Owen, Tamela Louise Krante, Tamela Perkins Krantz, Tamila Louise Owen and Tamela Louise Perkins – was booked for bond forfeiture on an Aug. 25, 2020 possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to jail and arrest reports.
The Alba woman Thursday morning, March 25, 2021, remained in Hopkins County jail, where he new bond was set at $20,000 on the charge – twice the original bond set for the controlled substance offense.
Owen has been booked in Hopkins County jail on four other occasion, on May 18, 2006, for violation of probation on a Camp County DWI charge; Dec. 19-20, 2014 for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; and July 11-Aug. 17, 2016 for violation of probation on the possession of a controlled substance charge, 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.
Inmate Allegedly Threatened Retaliation Against Father
A Hopkins County jail inmate allegedly threatened retaliation against his father for reporting him to police, an investigator noted in arrest reports.
Brandon Darel Roach has been in Hopkins County jail since his arrest Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, following a disturbance in which the 39-year-old allegedly threatened to burn down a residence with his nephew inside if the nephew and his family did not vacate the residence. The man also allegedly threatened to kill his father before leaving a County Road 4744 residence. He was located on County Road 4738 and arrested at 6 p.m. Jan. 16, on two Class A misdemeanor terroristic threat of a family or household member charges after admitting to making threats against his nephew and father, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Bobby Osornio and Steve Shing alleged in the arrest report. His has remained in jail in lieu of a $5,000 per charge.
HCSO Investigator Dennis Findley at 2:55 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, charged Roach with obstruction or retaliation. While listening to jail calls Roach made to his mother, Findley heard Roach during a Jan. 18 call tell his mother he was going to kill his father for calling the police on him, the investigator alleged in arrest reports. Thus, the inmate was charged with retaliation.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, March 26, 2021, on the two original terroristic threat charges as well as the new charge for allegedly threatening retaliation charge, according to Hopkins County 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.
Disturbance Involving A Brick Results In Arrest
A disturbance involving a brick resulted in a felony arrest Wednesday morning, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office communications operators dispatched Deputy Jason Lavender to County Road 3643 in Dike, where a disturbance was reported around 9 a.m. March 24, 2021. Upon arrival, Lavender contacted the complainant and the suspect, who was identified by a Louisiana driver’s license as 20-year-old Nathan Thomas Burrow but was listed in the arrest report as living at the residence.
During the deputy’s investigation into the altercation between the two men, Burrow was alleged to have picked up a cinder block style brick, then, just before Lavender arrived, threatened to use it to hit the other man in the face. The other man opted to file charges against Burrow for the offense, resulting in Burrow’s arrest around 10:15 a.m. March 24 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, the brick, Lavender noted in arrest reports.
Burrow remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, March 25, 2021, on the second degree felony charge, 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.
Financial Help For Funeral Expenses For COVID-19-Related Deaths Available In April
In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for
deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the
pandemic. The policy was finalized today, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance
program nationwide.
Eligibility
To be eligible for COVID-19 funeral assistance, the policy states:
- The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses
after Jan. 20, 2020 for a death attributed to COVID-19. (There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.) The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19. - If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should apply under a single application as
applicant and co-applicant. FEMA will also consider documentation from other individuals not listed as the
applicant and co-applicant who may have incurred funeral expenses as part of the registration for the
deceased individual. - An applicant may apply for multiple deceased individuals.
- The COVID-19-related death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the
District of Columbia. - This assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500
per application. - Funeral assistance is intended to assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation.
Documentation Needed
In the coming weeks, a dedicated 800 number will be established to help individuals who apply. In the meantime,
potential applicants are encouraged to start gathering the following documentation:
- An official death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the
U. S. The death certificate must indicate the death “may have been caused by” or “was likely the result of”
COVID-19 or COVID-19 like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are
considered sufficient attribution. - Funeral expense documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that include the applicant’s name, the
deceased individual’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses were
incurred. - Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. Funeral assistance may
not duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received
from voluntary agencies, federal/state/local/tribal/territorial government programs or agencies, or other
sources.
How Funds Are Paid
If you are eligible for funeral assistance you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit, depending on which option you choose when you apply for assistance.
Additional Information
More information regarding this assistance can be found at COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov
State Highway 11 Traffic Stop Nets 3.5 Grams Of Methamphetamine
A State Highway 11 traffic stop netted 3.5 grams of methamphetamine and one felony arrest early Wednesday morning, deputies reported.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Scott Davis reported stopping a westbound silver Chevrolet Silverado that was driven across the fog line and on the improved shoulder of State Highway 11 west at FM 275 early March 24, 2021.
Upon contact with Mark Allan Potts, the 54-year-old Whitewright man reportedly advised the deputy he didn’t have a valid driver’s license. While talking to Potts, Davis alleged Potts wouldn’t make eye contact with him, had trembling hands and his heart rate appeared to increase when asked if there was anything illegal in the truck, but did agreed to allow the pickup to be searched.
Davis reported finding a zippered glass case under the driver’s seat nearer to the rear passenger floorboard than the front. The case contained a pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine with suspected meth residue as well as a plastic bag with a crystal-like substance that later tested positive on a field-test for methamphetamine. In the front middle seat, under the console, in a cellophane wrapper inside of package of cigarettes Davis reported additional suspected meth was located.
Potts was taken into custody just after 3:45 a.m. March 24, 2021. The suspected contraband was seized; the substance and packaging weighed 3.5 grams, resulting in Potts being booked into jail on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports. HCSO Deputy Chris Baumann was credited with assisting on the traffic stop.
Potts remained in Hopkins County Wednesday afternoon in lieu of a $10,000 bond on the felony charge.
March 24 is the second time in 2021 Potts has been booked into Hopkins County jail. He was arrested by deputies just after 1 a.m. Jan. 15, 2021 following a traffic stop on Ponder Street at Connally Street. He was jailed for possession of drug paraphernalia after the officers reported finding a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine in the Ford F-250 pickup he was driving, according to arrest 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.
