Items in the Symphony Auction 2020
The annual Sulphur Springs Symphony League Auction will take place Saturday November 21st, 2020. During the live auction, bidders can call in their bids then listen to the results on KSST 1230AM. You can watch the event via video streaming.
Here is the growing list of items up for grabs.
Proceeds from the annual auction go toward events throughout the year. These events include the annual Independence Celebration on Celebration Plaza.
New Book On The Shelf, ‘Blind Tiger – My Time in Vietnam’ By Local Author
This memoir is available for purchase at the Hopkins County Genealogical Society Research Library, inside the public library, at 611 North Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Blind Tiger-My Time in Vietnam
By: Avery W Smith II
A “First Family” member of the Hopkins County Genealogical Society, Avery served in Vietnam as a Special Forces Advisor to the South Vietnamese Army, and finally at the U.S. Army Surveillance School at Ft Huachuca, Arizona before leaving the service in July 1970.
A Son of the Republic of Texas, Avery is a Sixth-Generation Texan from the Northeast Texas community of Sulphur Springs, Texas.
The book can be purchased at the Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library, 611 N. Davis, Sulphur Springs, TX, or by emailing [email protected] or calling (903)885-8523. You may also just send your request and payment to HCGS, PO Box 624, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483-0624.
The book is priced at $25.00, plus $3.00 Shipping, if applicable.
Oct. 27 COVID-19 Update: 18 New Cases, 199 Active Cases
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials, in the Oct. 27 COVID-19 update, reported 18 new positive COVID-19 cases, more than double Monday’s new case count.
That’s 626 Hopkins County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, including 265 who received positive results this month. Of the 626 residents, 427 have recovered and 199 still had the virus at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 27.
HC/SSEM officials, in the Oct. 27 COVID-19 update, reported 11 patients were reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Oct. 27, one more than on Oct. 26 but the same as on Oct. 20.
On Monday, 111 COVID-19 tests were performed at the free testing site at 128-A Jefferson St. That makes 2,129 tests conducted since the free testing site opened on Sept. 25, according to HC/SSEM’s Oct. 27 COVID-19 update.
Free molecular oral swab COVID-19 testing has been extended at the site through the end of November. To register, go online to GoGetTested.com. Symptoms or high-risk exposure are not required for testing. Anyone can be tested, even children, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Walk ups are also welcome.
Texas Health and Human Services on Oct. 27 reported Carriage House still have 2 active cases among staff and 9 active cases among residents on Oct. 13, the most recent data available from the state.
Rock Creek Health & Rehab was first reported on Oct. 12 to have tested positive for COVID-19. On Oct. 13, the facility showed one cumulative employee case but no active cases.
Sulphur Springs Health and Rehabilitation still had 3 active employee cases and Sunny Springs Health & Rehab had 16 active employee cases on Oct. 13, according to the Oct. 26 HHS nursing home report.
Wildcats Team Tennis Season Ends With Bi-District Loss At End Of A Very Long Day
Wildcats Team Tennis had their season end with a bi-district loss to Whitehouse, 19-0 Tuesday.
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said despite the score, his team played competitively. He added Whitehouse was just the better team.
It was a long, long day for both teams. They were originally planning to play their match starting at 9 a.m. in Van. The courts were wet. After waiting for several hours, the teams made plans to relocate to courts on the campus of LeTourneau University in Longview. At the time, Coach Martinez guessed courts there might be ready to begin play on by 1:15 p.m. The match was finally wrapped up at around 6:30 p.m.
The Wildcats end the season with a 4-4 record.
Next for Wildcats’ tennis players will be spring semester tennis beginning in late January or early February.
Lady Cats Win Seventh Straight, Dominating District Foe 3-0
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, the Lady Cats volleyball team hosted district foe Texas High, sweeping the Lady Tigers 3-0.
All three sets started competitive, with teams tying at least 3 times in each set. But each and every time, the Lady Tigers (6-2 district, 7-5 overall) would take the lead or tie the score, only for the Lady Cats to pull away in ferocious fashion.
Sets one and two both had a moment where Texas High led 7-8, but from there, it was all Lady Cats, all the time as they dominated early, winning sets one and two 25-14 and 25-15, respectively.
Set three was a back-and-forth affair all game long, with the two district foes tying nine separate times; 1-1, 3-3, 5-5, 7-7, 9-9, 10-10, 12-12, and 13-13. The story ended the same, albeit with a final closer score, as the Lady Cats won the set and the match, 25-20 — sweeping the Lady Tigers, 3-0.
Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner said the win feels great, seeing as how the only defeat for her squad in the 1st round of district play was against Texas High in Texarkana.
The loss in question for the Lady Cats occurred on Oct. 2, 2020, in what turned out to be the Lady Cats’ district opener, and put the Lady Cats at 3-6 on the season. The Sulphur Springs varsity squad has not lost a game since. Tuesday’s victory was the seventh consecutive win for the Lady Cats, and the second straight sweep of a district foe.
With the win as well, the Lady Cats move to 1st place in district play.
Coach Dorner hopes her team can keep the momentum going.
Luckily for Coach Dorner and the rest of her squad, the return of Sadie Washburn and Caroline Hurley (DNP), contributed a big morale boost for her squad.
“It was great when [Washburn and Hurley] came in this afternoon,” Coach Dorner said, adding that it was just good to see them.
Coach Dorner said Washburn and Hurley are good kids, and that practice, games, — life — aren’t the same without them and that the team missed them and were glad to have them back.
Sadie Washburn finished the game with 15 kills and an ace.
Next up, Coach Dorner and her squad travel out to Marshall on Friday, Oct. 30, to take on the Lady Mavs (3-4 district, 5-7 overall) at 4:30 P.M.
Lady Cats Cross Country Wins First Ever District Championship and Wildcats Are 4th at Mount Pleasant Monday
The Lady Cats Cross Country Team won their first ever district championship and is headed to the Regional Meet after the 15-5A District Championship Meet in Mount Pleasant Monday. The Wildcats finished 4th but their top finisher, junior Evan Patrick, was 8th in the race to also qualify for the regional meet.
The Lady Cats placed four runners in the top ten and all seven of their competitors were in the top 16. Once again the Lady Cats were led by freshman Haylee Shultz, who placed 3rd at 19:52.66. Sophomore Laney Hurst was 4th. Senior Kenia Herrera placed 7th. Sophomore Mattie Bridges overcame soreness to place 10th. Emily Soto was 13th. Sulphur Springs Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks said Soto ran her best race ever. Senior Maurie Flecker was 15th and sophomore Rebekah Stanley placed 16th.
The Wildcats finished behind Mount Pleasant, Longview and Pine Tree. Patrick ran the 5K course in a time of 17:06.72 to earn his 8th place finish and regional berth. Junior Jose Mejia was 12th just missing the top ten. The Wildcats senior and team leader Camden Fuller valiantly finished the race in 25th place after taking a bad step at about the one mile mark. Junior Alex Flecker was 29th. Sophomore Hector Hernandez was 39th. Junior Johnathan Scott was 41st and senior Cord Mayo was 42nd.
Coach Hicks said the races were run in light sprinkles. The UIL Region II-5A Championship will take place Monday, November 9 at the Jesse Owens Sports Complex in Dallas.
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.
Now is a Perfect Time to Add a New Tree or a Grouping of Shrubs to the Landscape by Mario Villarino
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
Finally, fall is here. The weather is becoming slightly cooler, and gardeners are slowly migrating back outdoors after record-breaking heat this summer. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, now is a perfect time to add a new tree or a grouping of shrubs to the landscape. Or perhaps you have an area in the landscape that needs ‘remodeling’ or rejuvenating. The fall may be the best season to plant, surpassing even the spring. Many people prefer January through March for planting, but the fall months of September through December have distinct advantages. Fall planting follows the heat of summer, before a cool winter season, and trees and shrubs planted in the fall use this to good advantage. Plant roots grow anytime the soil temperature is 40 degrees or higher, which may occur all winter in Texas. During the winter months, the root systems of the fall-planted specimens develop and become established. When spring arrives, this expanded root system can support and take advantage of the full surge of spring growth. Fall is the optimum time to plant balled and burlapped trees and shrubs. Balled and burlapped plants have ample time to recover from transplanting and proliferate roots before spring growth begins. Remember, however, all bare root plants, including roses and pecan and fruit trees, should be planted in late winter when they are completely dormant. When buying plants for your landscape, be sure to get healthy, well-grown plants. Always buy from a reputable dealer. Those in the plant-selling business year-round depend on repeat customers, and only by selling customers quality plants can there be assurance of future business. Beware of plant bargains. They can easily turn out to be real headaches. A bargain is no good if it dies. The price tag, especially the cheapest one, is not the best guide to quality. All plants have growing requirements. Think about the plant’s needs before you invest. Is it adapted to your area’s soil? Will it grow in sun or shade? Does it need a wet or dry location? Is it cold hardy? Some nurseries have this type of information on tags beside the plant. ‘Plan before you plant’ is always a good rule of thumb. Whether you are planting a single plant or an entire landscape, plan first, then plant. Good planning is a worthwhile investment of time that will pay off in greater enjoyment of attractive and useful home grounds, and in increasing the value of your home. It’s much easier to move plants on paper then to dig them after planting in the wrong place. A plan saves many planting mistakes. Every plant in the landscape should serve a purpose. Ask yourself if you want a plant for screening, for privacy, or for shade. How large will it be five years from now? Plants, like people, grow up. Remember, that a small one-gallon-size plant will look entirely different after a few years of growth in your landscape.
Plant properly for success. Here are a few guidelines on getting the job done right:
- Dig a hole large enough in diameter so that the root system has at least six inches of clearance on all sides. The root ball should rest on a solid soil foundation, so don’t dig the hole much deeper than the ball.
- Plant the tree or shrub slightly above the level of the surrounding soil, to allow for settling and increased soil drainage.
- Carefully place the tree or shrub in the hole. Handle the plant by the root ball, not by the trunk. A broken ball of earth can mean a dead plant. Always remove any container before you plant.
- Backfill the hole, using only the native soil removed from the hole; do not use soil amendments when planting large shrubs and trees. Fill the hole, and firm the soil around the plant. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and to eliminate any air pockets.
- Do not fertilize your tree or shrub after planting. Wait until early in the spring to do this, and even then, go lightly. Heavy applications of fertilizer may burn and injure the root system, and could possibly kill the plant.
- Watering has been and remains paramount in transplanting. At the time of transplanting, soak the root ball and surrounding soil. A thorough watering every 7 to 10 days dramatically increases the success ratio. More frequent watering may encourage root rot. Remember more trees and shrubs fail from over watering then from under watering.
- Before calling it a day, add 4 to 6 inches of mulch around the base of newly planted trees and shrubs. This helps to keep down weeds and conserve soil moisture. Use pine bark, compost, grass clippings, or leaves.
Fall is for planting. Visit your nursery today, and beautify and add value to your home.
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].
Tree Webs Not Just for Halloween From Hopkins County Master Gardeners October 26, 2020
That fake webbing that we like to adorn our trees and porches with for Halloween has a certain scary element to it but is not near as scary as the real thing!
Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) ‘nests’ often start becoming noticeable in our landscapes during the late summer to late fall. The caterpillars will spin their communal webs on the ends of branches on which they are feeding. They have been found on over 400 different species of trees and shrubs. In Texas, they are most commonly found on walnut, hickory, pecan, redbud, sweetgum, maple and oak. (Interestingly, they are not commonly found on pine trees or conifers.)
Fall webworms are known for their large webs on terminal foliage. Heavy infestations are rarely fatal to the tree itself, but if they occur over several years they can make trees more susceptible to drought, disease, or other insect pests.
Description
The fall webworm cycle starts as a Moth. It has a 1- to 1½-inch wingspan. Its wings are white but sometimes may have small, dark spots on the forewings. Full-grown larvae are approximately 1 inch long, pale green or yellow, and covered with tufts of long white and black hairs. Fall webworms often cover entire branches with their webs and in extreme infestations may cover the whole tree. Larvae feed within the web—they eat the tender parts of leaves but avoid the larger veins and midrib. Fall webworms overwinter as pupae on the ground, behind rough tree bark or in other sheltered sites around homes and buildings. Moths emerge from their silken cocoons in the spring, then disperse and mate. Female moths deposit hair-covered egg masses on the under sides of the leaves of their food plants. (Do not mistake these egg masses for those of the walnut caterpillar, which have no hairs.) Egg masses can contain up to 600 eggs. Each female moth deposits only one egg mass in her life. The larvae begin to build a silk web soon after hatching. As larvae consume leaves within the web, they expand the web to take in more foliage. Under ideal conditions, the life cycle from egg to adult is approximately 50 days.
Control
Fall webworms can be managed on smaller trees without insecticides. Physically removing the webs, caterpillars, or egg masses by knocking larvae out of low-hanging webs into a box or garbage bag with a stick or broom. You may also prune webs from lower and smaller branches by pulling them down with a rake or a pole.
Be sure to dispose of these away from your tree, and/or property and/or burn them. Don’t drag the webs across the lawn as they may fall out and re-infest a different area.
Fall webworms and their eggs are often eaten by beneficial such as birds, spiders, assassin bugs, parasitic wasps, and beneficial stinkbugs. You can help these beneficials by tearing open the protective webs.
If webs are too numerous or too high in a tree to deal with individually, you can use insecticides to prevent damage. Hose-end or commercial high-pressure sprayers are best for reaching upper parts of trees. Webworm larvae stay inside their web so insecticide sprays must penetrate the web to be most effective. For best control, apply insecticides when webs and caterpillars are small. Insecticides containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad are effective and will not harm beneficial insects.
Carbaryl and pyrethroid insecticides (such as permethrin, cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, and esfenvalerate) are highly effective against fall webworm. However, these insecticides are also toxic to our beneficial insects, so use them only for severe infestations.
Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oil sprays can also be effective when applied directly to caterpillars in their nests.
Insecticide labels are subject to change—always read and follow instructions on the pesticide label carefully. You are responsible for the effects of pesticides on your own property, as well as problems caused by drift to other properties. Not all insecticides are registered for fall webworms on all sites and commodities. Read the label to make sure the insecticide is labeled for your site and commodity.
For more information go online to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service.
Suspicious Activity Investigation Results In Controlled Substance Arrest
A suspicious activity investigation conducted by Sulphur Springs Police Department Special Crimes Unit on South Hillcrest Drive resulted in a controlled substance arrest Monday afternoon. Deputies also made a felony warrant arrest and drug paraphernalia arrest Monday.
Suspicious Activity Investigation
Sulphur Springs Police SCU responded around 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26 conducted investigation suspicious activity, specifically a man walking around several businesses in the 400 block of South Hillcrest Drive.
When contacted, 17-year-old Dylan Cole Anderson of Sulphur Springs was alleged to be extremely nervous to the point he was shaking. He reportedly gave officers permission to search his pockets and agreed to pull the waistband of his clothing away from his body. SCU Lt. Mark Estes, in arrest reports, reported seeing a dab pen containing THC, a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, Anderson’s underwear/waistband area.
Anderson was arrested at 4:39 p.m. Oct. 26 for possession of less than 1 gram of Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Anderson remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Oct. 27; bond on the felony charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
The arrest marked the second time in 9 months Anderson has been arrested. The teen was also spent Feb. 1-March 4 in the county jail for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Warrant Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Todd Evans and Deputy Alvin Jordan went to an East Industrial Drive motel, where they located Ashley Renea Young at 4:11 p.m.
The 24-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was taken into custody at 4:20 p.m. and jailed on a warrant for violation of probation-possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Young remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Oct. 27, on the felony warrant, according to jail reports.
FM 2297 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies just before 9 p.m. Monday reported stopping a 48-year-old Emory woman for failure to drive a Toyota Camry in a single lane on FM 2297 at Wildcat Way.
While talking to the woman, deputies reported obtaining permission to search her vehicle. Multiple pipes of the kind used to smoke marijuana and baggies with a crystal-like residue were allegedly located. The woman was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to arrest reports.
The 48-year-old Emory woman as released from Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Oct. 27, on the misdemeanor C charge, according to jail reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
United Way Has Collected 33 Percent Of $150,000 Goal
Hopkins County United Way has collected 33.3 percent of the $150,000 goal so far, with only 2 weeks left in the campaign.
Campaign workers on Oct. 27 at the fourth campaign report meeting turned in another $7,318.50 in donations and pledges over the last week for this year’s campaign, increasing the overall total collected so far to $50,012.92.
Campaign Chair Mike Horne encourages campaign workers to follow up on packets delivered and make sure everyone on their list is counted.
This week, numerous businesses, service providers and organizations were recognized for their contributions. Dial Study Club, Mother’s Culture Club and Junior Waverly were among the organizations recognized Tuesday morning at the fourth weekly campaign workers report meeting.
Two local funeral homes, restaurants, sign business, car dealership, insurance agencies, cooperative, healthcare and dental providers, construction and welding businesses, attorneys, realtors and title companies were among the named contributors. (See video below of the Oct. 27 campaign workers report meeting for the full list or recognized businesses.)
HCUW officers reported there are still some industries and contributors that are faithful United Way contributors who are working on but have yet to complete campaign donation and pledge packets. Some include agencies and businesses that have in the past been recognized as lead donors based on their generous contributions to HCUW.
The fundraising event hosted last Tuesday by Panda Express not only generated 20 percent of proceeds from customers who mentioned HCUW at purchase but also had donor match the amount given, doubling the amount.
Horne announced another giveback from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 10 at Soulman’s Bar-B-Que. The business will have a bucket that customers can drop their receipt in to have a percentage of those sales contributed to HCUW.
HCUW Co-President Bill Owens expressed appreciation to Jay Hodge for allowing his Chevrolet dealership to hold a giveback event again, contributing $100 for every vehicle sold at the dealership this month. The business hopes to be able to contribute $10,000 to HCUW. Owens said the the business has raised approximately $5,000 to date to contribute to HCUW.
Horne noted a second video has been posted on the Hopkins County United Way Facebook page, spotlighting one of the 19 agencies allocated a portion of the $150,000 campaign goal from this year’s campaign.
The first video highlighted Hopkins County Christian Alliance, an organization designated to receive $7,000 to help the Community Cupboard provide supplemental food to needy Hopkins County families on a weekly basis and emergency travel assisted; and allocated another $1,000 to help Empty Stocking provide supplemental toys for children from birth through age 15. In 2019, Community Cupboard served 33,924 people and Empty stocking served 806 children.
The second video features Bright Star Baseball, an organization designated $1,000 of the $150,000 campaign goal to provide positive modified recreational sports opportunity for players ages 5 years and older who have special needs. In 2019, the program served 107 players and buddies.
The two final scheduled HCUW campaign workers report meetings will be conducted at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, and Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Donations to HCUW may also be mailed to HCUW Campaign Headquarters, PO Box 735, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75483-0735; or via the HCUW Facebook page, where information about the 19 agencies allocated funding this year will also be featured.
