Youth Livestock Projects Validation Dates
By Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D., Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
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.
To accomplish these objectives, Hopkins County 4-H and FFA chapters partner with the Northeast Texas Livestock Association to conduct livestock project validations. The upcoming validation dates are as follows:
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.
To accomplish these objectives, Hopkins County 4-H and FFA chapters partner with the Northeast Texas Livestock Association to conduct livestock project validations. The upcoming validation dates are as follows:
- Lambs and Goats: October 14, 2020. Regional Civic Center. 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- County Steers: Oct. 15, 2020. Live at Cattlemen’s Veterinary Clinic. 6-7 p,m.
- County and State Heifers: October 15, 2020. Live at Cattlemen/s Veterinary Clinic. 6-7 p.m.
- Swine (4-H Projects for NETLA Jr. Livestock Show): November 23, 2020- Live at the Extension Office. 4 to 5:30 p.m.
- Poultry (for NETLA Jr Livestock Show- 4-H only): by November 30, 2020 at the Extension Office.
- For more information on this or any other agricultural related topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at m-villarino@ tamu.edu.
For more information on this or any other agricultural related topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at m-villarino@ tamu.edu.
Fort Worth Man Arrested On Assault Warrant, Arkansas Woman For Marijuana Possession
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde stopped a Toyota Camry for speeding on Interstate 30 near mile marker 120 around 1 p.m. Friday. A Forth Worth man was arrested on a felony assault warrant and an Arkansas woman was jailed for marijuana possession, according to arrest reports.
Ugalde reported smelling a marijuana odor coming from the Toyota Camry as he contacted the occupants. A records check showed a Grand Prairie warrant for the driver’s arrest. After the warrant was confirmed, 23-year-old Jaron Lakwan Hill of Fort Worth was taken into custody for family violence assault – impeding breath or circulation.
A bag of marijuana and a small metal container with more marijuana were allegedly found in the passenger’s purse during a vehicle search, and a rolled marijuana cigarette was found under her seat. Consequently, the 18-year-old Magnolia, Arkansas woman was arrested on a possession of marijuana charge.
Hill remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday; bond on the warrant was set at $5,000, according to jail reports. The passenger was released from jail Saturday, Sept. 12, on a $1,000 bond, according to jail reports.
Wood County Sheriff’s Office Report For Sept. 2-8, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Sept. 2-8, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 6
- Shots Fired: 3
- Alarm: 14
- Suspicious Activity: 31
- Animal Complaint: 10
- Terroristic Threat: 1
- Arrest/Warrant Service: 10
- Theft: 10
- Assault: 2
- Traffic Hazard: 2
- Criminal Mischief: 2
- Traffic Stop with Arrest: 1
- Criminal Trespass: 12
- Unauthorized Use of Vehicle: 1
- Disturbances/Disputes: 18
- Welfare Check: 18
- Fraud: 1
- 911 Violation/Abandon Call: 1
- Harassment: 4
- Livestock At Large: 14
- Motorist Assit: 3
- Noise Complaint: 2
- Reckless Driver: 6
Dispatch Protocols, New System Discussed at VFD Chiefs Meeting
Dispatch protocols and system were central topics discussed recently during the first meeting conducted between volunteer fire department chiefs and county officials since the coronavirus pandemic began in March.
Dispatch Protocols
Hopkins County Fire Department Chief Andy Endsley said one reason the meeting was called at the EOC/training center at the sheriff’s office instead of its usual location at Hopkins County Fire Station was to address issues that have come up regarding dispatch protocols.
“Some people — other chiefs that aren’t here tonight, and it’s really just one individual — are having trouble with our dispatch protocols,” Endsley said. “Of course, we know we sometimes have issues with our dispatch, but all dispatched have issues. We’re human. We all make errors. But, we wanted to be sure you are all comfortable and feel good about the dispatch protocols put in place when [former HCFD Chief Kevin ] Yates left.”
Endsley asked the volunteer fire department chiefs and representatives if they were all “good with” the protocols, if any of the protocols by which volunteer fire departments are dispatched to calls need to be discussed or if any need to be changed.
The HCFD chief noted that he had checked with the Ark-Tex Council of Governments representative who is over all of the Public-Safety Answering Points (PSAP), which governs how information is disseminated out.
The COG representative reported the fire districts each VFD is dispatched to, including which nearest station around is selected to respond along with each VFD, are checked annually. An agreement then is signed by each VFD and must be passed by the Commissioners Court. Those agreements can’t be changed without being presented again for court approval, Endsley reported.
There are two PSAPs in Hopkins County, the dispatch center at the sheriff’s office and one at Sulphur Springs Police Department. Hopkins County EMS is a ring-down facility, not a PSAP. Sheriff Lewis Tatum, Endsley said, is over every aspect of dispatch from law enforcement and fire to EMS for the county..
“There’s a lot to it across the hallway in that room, how it gets dispatched out and how a call comes in, how it gets put out,” Endsley said, pointing to the county’s dispatch center, located across the hall from the EOC/training room. “If you’ve seen all the steps to how all that works, you can see where sometimes, mistakes are made.”
“Fire dispatch is one small item that dispatch deals with. While they are dealing with your fire, they are running traffic for four or five deputies. They’re running DPS, they’re running jail and all incoming calls from complainants out in the county. That thing is like a beehive in there,” Tatum said of the county communications center. “It’s very, very busy. Considering, what all they go through, I think they do a very good job. I wouldn’t do it — I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t even know where to start up in there. They do go through a lot.”
The protocols require VFD members to be “dispatched” or “toned” to a call. “Freelancing” or self-dispatching is not allowed, according to the dispatch protocols. If a call is dispatched and a VFD member thinks his or her department should also have been dispatched, the members may contact the dispatcher via the radio to be acknowledged or toned to the call, according to Endsley.
“That tone is your authority to respond. Without that authority to respond, if you have an accident, it is not good. They’re not going to cover it or anything,” Endsley said.
When an “all-call” is toned, it means just that. All available departments are allowed and encouraged to respond, the HCFD chief added.
Contacting a dispatchers to let them know a department is available, or that a fire department call is within the district of a VFD that wasn’t toned to a call is acceptable, according to the protocols. However, deciding to go and doing so, without being toned to the call by dispatch is “100 percent freelancing,” as is not disregarding when told to do so by another VFD in the call district or by HCFD.
“I will say, since we talked with [Communications Supervisor] David [Ray] that night, when a VFD requests another department through dispatch, it has gone smooth as silk since that day. They’ve not had an issue with dispatch at all,” John Brian Beadle with Saltillo VFD said.
Another chief asked about a situation that occurred about a few month ago. He was on his way home, when another department very nearby gave a size up for a fire behind a church. He radioed that he was behind them and asked if they wanted him to grab a booster and respond. They gave an affirmative response, so he did. He asked, since no tones were ever dropped for his department, but he did respond, if that violated protocol.
Endsley said that the dispatcher may have missed that radio traffic, depending on how many other tings were going on, and, thus, did not drop a tone. Responding at the request of another department, with the request recorded over the radio is OK.
That, Endsley said, should also served as a reminder that everything voiced over the radio is recorded. Those responding should keep that in mind if they ever feel themselves loosing their cool on a call, and pause before reacting.
“We have a majority of the chiefs here, are we OK with dispatch?” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom also asked after some discuss on the matter of dispatch protocols.”I don’t hear any objection.”
(The Arbala, Brinker, Miller Grove and Pickton-Pine Forest VFD chiefs were not present at the meeting; they attended heir own meeting, scheduled at the same time as the chiefs meeting with local official. Another PPFVFD officer did attend the meeting at HCSO, however.)
AG Sandifeer with Dike VFD asked for dispatchers to be clear on calls as to which radio tower responding VFDs should work off of and when the responding departments are to switch to that radio tower or channel.
“If you’re going to be doing multiple calls, you’ve got to assign which tower we’re going to be working off of,” Sandifeer noted.
David Ray with HCSO (former communications supervisor) noted that assigning the different towers is relatively new for the dispatchers to have to do, so there have been a few who haven’t immediately remembered to assign a tower on which responders to a particular call should communicate.
Ray also asked the VFD chiefs to please be patient with dispatchers when they are “working multiple fires on multiple channels.”
“It may take them a minute to answer it, because they may have to go back and listen [to the recording of your radio traffic.]. Because, if two departments talk at once, they may not be able to tell who is talking, so it may take them a second to answer,” Ray said.
Sandifeer asked also when departments are supposed to switch their radios to the tower assigned for a particular call. For instance, if Dike VFD, which typically works off of the north tower, is told by dispatch to switch to east, when, he asked, should Dike VFD switch to east?
Ray said the appropriate time is the moment “when you check in route. When you start the truck and go to that call, if you are going to east, you change to that channel and check in route.”
“Go to that channel as you’re leaving, check in route, that way the other departments or Engine 20 know you are in route,” Ray said.
Sandifeer asked how another VFD member, who may just be around the corner, would know they were en route already, if they have already switched to the new assigned channel.
Ray said it would be appropriate to say on the normally designated channel, “Brush, 15, I’m en route, switching to east tower,” then switch.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tanner Crump announced that David Ray will no longer be the dispatch supervisor at the sheriff’s office. He will be handling other matters technical matters, including dealing with radios. A current dispatcher has been selected to serve as a working supervisor. Crump encouraged anyone who has any problems with dispatch to follow the grievance protocol for dispatch; radio issues should be addressed to Endsley using a work request form that will be made available to the VFDs soon.
Endsley reminded the VFD officers that the grievance protocols require all complaints about dispatch to be made to County Judge Robert Newsom, not over the radio, phone or directly to the dispatcher. After the complaint is made, the appropriate county officials will be notified to investigate complaints.
Tatum said the sheriff’s office also has a protocols in place for deputies to follow if they have a complaint about a dispatcher.
“If [deputies] say something to them about their problems, out of line, they will be in there dispatching. I’m not going to put up with it,” Tatum said. “Those individuals go through a lot in there. It’s not an easy job at all. I’ve never been a dispatcher, but I have been in there and I’ve seen what they go through. It is a very, very difficult job and I just want everybody to understand that there’s a whole lot more going on in there than what you hear. Anytime you’d like to come up here and sit through something, can come up here Saturday night and see what they go through. It is a lot. I’ve seen days where three people couldn’t handle it.”
New Dispatch System
The sheriff’s office plans to begin training county dispatchers in use of the new $200,000 CRIMES (Criminal Research, Information Management, and Evaluation System) computer-aided dispatch system starting Monday, with the program projected to be online and in use at the sheriff’s office within
The system could then be phased into the fire department apparatus, which would allow responders to see where a call is, and notes from dispatchers containing sensitive information responders need to know, but that does not necessarily need to be broadcast across the radio.
“It’s just really going to help out tremendously. It will automatically queue who should go. There’s no question. Those fire protocol dispatches are programmed into it. It’s already putting into the queue and already telling the dispatch who to dispatch. It takes a lot of human error side out of it,” Endsley said.
Newsom asked what it would cost to put the technology in each fire engine, to allow dispatchers to see on a map where each responding unit is during a given call.
Crump said there are several options for outfitting each county apparatus with the GPS needed for dispatchers to be able to track all units responding, and keep track of apparatus.
Crump said sheriff’s patrol vehicles are outfitted with either a laptop or tablet. GPS runs through the device to send a signal to CRIMES of where the vehicle is at.
“There are other options if you just want in fire truck just to show and not have a computer that you have to turn on each time. There are going to be ways we can just have GPS on the AVL or the map that dispatchers can see. There’s different price options, so you’re not necessarily having to put a computer in every apparatus,” Crump said.
“One thing is if you do want to put a computer in your apparatus, there is a yearly fee called Netmotion. It’s an access portal to the system. I want to say it’s around $250 a year per device,” Ray said.
“That’s going to help you with your audit also, on when that truck leaves the station and when it’s on the air or not,” Beadle noted.
“I think it will really be good if we can get it to the volunteer departments,” Newsom said. “I’d like to see somehow to get those on the trucks. I believe it’s a step up for us. We can do more with less.”
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker asked if the GPS system could be put on the members cell phones.
“There is a possibility. Crimes is its own thing. CRIMES is its own server and all the software on the server. Then there’s all kinds of other software that has that capability, like an app or a GPS on a truck. They’ll make that information talk to AVL maps system. So anything is possible,” Crump said.
“So, it’s could be in the future, near future, that all of the departments could see all the trucks headed in their direction, or where they are broke down at or what have you?” Barker said.
Ray reported that the system is Windows-based, which Crump said, means they don’t currently work well on Apple devices.
Crump said one option could be to purchase some cheap Windows tablets with a Sim card with Internet, that would allow the system to run off that tablet, and put one in every fire truck. That would allow them to see the location and information on a tablet in the truck. Ray estimated the “whole set up” could probably be purchased for $2,000-$3,000 per truck, including the mount.
Another option would be a “tattletale system like you put in a big truck,” that would would simply report the location of the apparatus to dispatch, but would not provide any information to the personnel in the truck. That system, Crump and Ray said, would be a lot cheaper.
One VFD officer pointed out that having technology that provides information to firefighters in trucks would free up dispatchers to respond to the other calls coming in, instead of answering requests for directions from multiple responders.
Endsley noted that the county currently uses e-dispatch, a call system that firefighters receive phone messages to text or call in for information about a call. More than 150 names were supplied to county officials to be added to the e-dispatch system. The county will soon switching to active 9-1-1.
Sandifeer compared the e-dispatch alert system to the old beeper call alert notification system; both have delays from the time the call goes out until the firefighter receives it.
“Instead of just telling you to text, call or ask for it, when it drops, it will tell you what the call is,” Endsley aid of the active 9-1-1 system. “It will give you a map of how to get there, so your location is at the exact time.”
“When they start generating in the calls for service in the CAD system, then when they hit submit, it’ll send it out through active 911 with the address, wheat the call is and it’ll pre-map,” Ray said.
New, Refurbished Gear & Equipment Available To Volunteer Fire Departments
Hopkins County reimburses the volunteer fire departments for their vehicle insurance and fuel costs, provides workers comp if a member is injured on a call and provides them with monthly stipends. The VFDs are dependent on community donations to pay for upkeep, maintenance, protective gear and equipment, and operations.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley pointed out that the county’s 11 volunteer fire departments haven’t had the opportunity to conduct fundraisers the way they usually do this year, due to COVID-19.
Several efforts are under way at the county and community levels to help provide volunteer fire departments with the protective gear and equipment needed to safely keep their departments operational, county officials reported during a meeting with most of the county volunteer fire department chiefs.
CARES Act Funding
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley at the Sept. 9 chiefs meeting reported the CARES Act funding allocated to Hopkins County has helped provide funding for a lot of tings, including PPE distributed throughout the county, and two ventilators and a testing machine for the hospital. The VFDs will also benefit from it. CARES Act funding will be used to purchase of 49 SCBAs to be distributed as equally as possible to the volunteer fire departments.
“We are very excited to announce that side of it. We may have more stuff come down the pike. We are still waiting to see how our CARES money holds out. There are several things. Schools get some of the CARES money,” Endsley said.
Hopkins County Fire Department has also purchased an extractor and dryer, which is being installed on the TRAX portion of the intermodal facility where the fire staton is located. The extractor will benefit all county fire departments, allowing for the properly cleaning of their gear. The dryer should be able to dry 6-7 sets of gear or hoses.
The area at HCFD where the dryer and extractor will be located are being reconfigured to reduce the risk of cross contamination with additional social distancing between TRAX and the fire department as they enter the building. It should be ready in service in about a week, Endsley said.
Once the dryer and extractor are in place, VFDs can call HCFD to set up a time to bring their gear by and have the duty crew clean it for them. The crew will hen call when it’s ready to be picked up.
Refurbished, Used Items
Endsley also report that Hopkins County Fire Department has 22 good air packs left from SCBAs that were taken out of service at HCFD because they were beyond the date the Texas Fire Commission will allow the paid county fire department to use them. HCFD can send them to Texas Forest Service in Lufkin, to be refurbished at a reduced cost. TFS will even pick the packs up and bring them back.
The fee would be $105 per air pack for the VFDs, as opposed to the $1,000 per pack it would cost to send them off elsewhere for repair. There are enough for 2 packs per department. Endsley encourages any VFD that is interested in the used air packs to contact him, and he will designate them for that department.
HCFD also has 11 sets of gear that have aged out per TFC standards, so they can’t be used at HCFD, but are “still good gear.”
“It passes all the tests. So, I’ve got those sets. Y’all come see me, if you’ve got a department that needs some. If you’ve got plenty and you’re not in need, just remember some other departments have none at all,” Endsley said.
Internet Service
In another development, Endsley reported Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker has been working with NextLink to help expand high speed broadband internet service further out into the county. After surveying the county, company officials have reportedly indicated the volunteer fire stations and substations are located in area where the company hopes to expand their service. In exchange for allowing the company to put a tower on the fire department property, the VFD could receive free NextLink internet. The internet tower would be small and freestanding with no guide wires, according to Endsley.
An internet tower would be a valuable service not only to a volunteer fire station, but also to the community, especially during the COVID-19 when so many things are being done virtually, including learning. Since it would make the service available for customers in that area, Endsley pointed out.
“We’ve got it there at our Como station and it’s just as good as our Suddenlink at the house,” said Matt Green of the Nextlink tower by the Como VFD station.
“If you’re not interested in that, some of your departments may be located where there is fiber optics. I was able to get that into Arbala Fire Department. They had fiber around the corner. I contacted them. They took it right around the corner and provided fiber to Arbala,” Barker said.
County officials said the county is almost out of the radios purchase several years ago with grant funding. The commissioners and fire chief said they plan to look into other options for potentially funding more radios to make them available for any new volunteers or to replace other units.
Fundraiser
Commissioner Bartley noted that Jason Tully has started a program to help raise funds for the county’s 11 VFDs who are even lower on funding than usual since they weren’t able to hold their fundraisers this year.
“Local businessman Jason Tully took this initiative and came up with the program. This is another way our general public steps up to help the volunteer fire departments. I applaud him for that,” Bartley said.
“No matter the time of day or situation, we can count on our Volunteer Fire Departments to be there. It is now time for us to step up and show our appreciation,” according to a post about the fundraiser on the Tully Insurance Facebook page.
Bartley encourages community residents who are interested in contributing to the VFDs to stop by Tully Insurance on Jefferson Street or contact their local VFD to make a donation. Those donating at Tully Insurance on Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs can designate which VFD to contribute to or make a general donation to help as needed. Donations may also be made online at https://www.tullyins.com/fundraiser
Outside the Tully Insurance office, a board shows how much has been contributed so far for each department. Donors are also recognized on the company Facebook page.
In addition to taking donations for the VFDs, Tully also encourages community members to consider donating their time to become volunteer firefighters as well. Those interested can contact a VFD or Tully, and he can put them in touch with the department for their area.
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Plays 4 Short Matches During Home Scrimmage Saturday
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner knew she had scheduled some strong teams for her Lady Cats to scrimmage Saturday, September 12, at home. The Lady Cats had trouble with former district foe Greenville but held their own during short sessions with Forney and Princeton.
The Lady Cats opened the day by winning a set against Princeton before the Lady Panthers took a set to even things out. Next the Lady Cats dropped two sets against Greenville, 25-6 and 25-21. The Lady Cats were ahead, 19-16 in a third set when time expired in the 45 minute session with a running clock.
Then, in a rematch of last season’s Area playoff game, the Lady Cats and Forney Lady Rabbits split two sets. Forney won the first, 25-22, and the Lady Cats rallied to take a second set, 25-23. Forney scored a point after the final horn to take a 7-6 lead in a third set stopped by time.
In a second scrimmage with Greenville, this one reduced to just 30 minutes, the Lady Lions won the only set completed, 25-18. Greenville was ahead 17-15 in a second set when time ran out.
Senior Sadie Washburn compiled numerous kills as did junior Brooklyn Burnside.
The Lady Cats should not need a scouting report for their season opener Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. They open against Greenville on the road. The Lady Cats’ home opener in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School takes place on Saturday, September 19, at 4:30 p.m. against Paris.
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 Team Tennis Gets Road Win At Greenville, 13-6
Utilizing its’ strong girls group, the Wildcats Team Tennis Squad got a 13-6 non-district road win at Greenville Friday night, September 11. The ladies won all six of their singles’ matches, two out of three of their doubles’ matches and of course, contributed to the mixed doubles win.
After doubles’ matches, the Wildcats only led 4-3. Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez noted that in two of the lost matches, the Wildcats had late leads but let them slip away.
For the Wildcats, Jeauxleigh Cantu teamed up with Carlos Lopez-Sardinas for an 8-0 win in mixed doubles. Cantu also won her girls singles match, 6-2, 6-1. Lopez-Sardinas also rallied to win his boys singles match, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Savannah Lilley and Emily Dick won their girls doubles match, 8-5. Lilley won in girls singles, 6-0, 6-0.
Mykylie Meador and Trynity Luckett won their girls doubles’ match, 8-4. Meador won her girls singles match, 6-0, 6-1 and Luckett won her girls singles’ match, 6-0, 6-0.
Paige Miesse won her girls singles match, 4-6, 6-2 and 7-1 in a tiebreaker.
The Wildcats only senior, Harleigh Stegient, won her girls singles match, 6-0, 6-1.
Ella Ray won a practice match in girls singles, 8-0.
In boys doubles, Shane Hinton and Bridger Mayhew won 8-5. Hinton also took his boys singles match, 6-4, 3-6 and 8-6 in a tiebreaker.
Alex Romero was a winner in boys singles, 6-4, 3-6 and 7-4 in a tiebreaker.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 2-0. The Wildcats resume district play Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Texarkana against Texas High. The Wildcats enter the match with a district record of 1-0.
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 Football Team Has First Contact Session At Intrasquad Scrimmage Saturday Morning
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said it’s usual for the defense to be ahead of the offense at this point in the season, as the Wildcats had their first regular contact session in pads at an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday morning, September 12, on the practice field outside the Multipurpose Building.
Still Coach Owens found things to like on offense and defense.
The number one varsity defense forced the number one varsity offense to go three and out on their first two possessions of the scrimmage. The JV defense forced the only turnover recovering a fumble by the JV offense.
The varsity offense with Matthew Mitchell at quarterback scored a touchdown. Running back J.J. Hall scored on a short run. The JV offense scored a touchdown and had another drive into field goal range. The Wildcats’ varsity also got down into field goal range with Kaden Wallace at quarterback.
After the Wildcats varsity defense allowed a touchdown, they got some hot words from Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra.
Players along the sidelines reacted to several big hits during the 40 minute scrimmage. The Wildcats also had Picture Day Saturday.
The Wildcats are scheduled to have their one and only regular scrimmage on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium against Mount Pleasant.
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.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of September 14, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Sept. 14, 2020. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and Washington Street as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound exit ramp for Houston and Lamar (SH 56) is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the Park Avenue exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street (SH 56) exit. The northbound frontage road from South Travis Street to near Park Avenue is scheduled to be closed beginning Sept. 14 for crews to work on building the remaining portion of the retaining wall along US 75. The estimated closure time is two months, and traffic is requested to use the US 75 mainlanes during this closure. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.
The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will be removed at a later time. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
SH 289, Grayson County: from FM 120 in Pottsboro north to the end of State Maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to overlay the roadway.
FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Road to US 75. Watch for occasional lane closures as workers perform final touch ups on the project. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a signalized intersection.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to the detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section when the project is finished.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road as well as the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 entrance ramp. A new traffic pattern has been implemented where westbound Spur 503 will be shifted to the southbound US 75 frontage road and will travel through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on-ramp after FM 691. The new FM 691 exit ramp is open to access FM 691.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
SH 289, Grayson County: between FM 902 and FM 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance workers blade level the roadway.
US 69, Grayson County: between SH 56 and SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs.
SH 160, Grayson County: between SH 11 and the Collin County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided section. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement on the eastern end of the project between the Fannin and Lamar County line and County Road 2975. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while crews begin working on the inside lane to work on building the crossovers and turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median. The SH 121 and US 82 frontage road intersections have been converted to signalized intersections. The on-ramp to westbound US 82 from SH 78 has been closed while crews work on building the new westbound main lanes. The westbound exit ramp for SH 121 is closed as crews work on building the new mainlanes in this area. Exiting traffic for SH 121 is asked to use the SH 78 exit and continue along the frontage road to SH 121.
County Road 3530, Fannin County: at Wafer Creek. County Road 3530 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new culvert. Traffic on CR 3530 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
County Road 4250, Fannin County: at Freeman Creek. County Road 4250 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 4250 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
FM 274, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to FM 3321: Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform base repairs.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install guard fence and perform striping operations.
SH 19, Hopkins County: From Loop 301 to Delta County Line. Watch for crews performing work on cross drainage structures..
I-30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
I-30, Hopkins County: From Hunt County Line to Loop 301. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform concrete pavement repairs.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
FM 1507, Lamar County: from Church Street to South Collegiate Drive. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews mill existing pavement and place new hot mix.
FM 1507, Lamar County: from South Collegiate Drive to Loop 286. This roadway is closed while crews rehabilitate and resurface the existing roadway.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from US 82 West to Dawn Drive. Watch for lane closures while crews perform concrete pavement repair.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement, upgrade bridge rail, and place new hot mix.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Traffic is shifted to the south side of the existing roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the north side.
FM 195, Red River County – from FM 410 North to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence and complete cross culvert extensions at two locations.
SH 37, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for temporary traffic signals at bridge locations while crews upgrade bridge rail from Clarksville to Bogata.
FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (Avery) to FM 44. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews safety treat drainage structures and rehabilitate the existing pavement.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
SH 66, Hunt County: from near FM 6 to near FM 2642. A project to widen the pavement, install continuous left-turn lanes, and safety-treat fixed objects is underway. The contractor is working to establish final vegetation on this project. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers in this area.
FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903. This project will widen the shoulders and apply safety treatments to fixed objects. The contractor is currently working on watering, seeding, ditch work and placing signs. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
SPUR 264, Hunt County: in Quinlan. The sidewalk improvement project at this location is complete.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor is constructing cross culverts on this roadway. Roadway rehabilitation work is scheduled to begin Sept. 16. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
Hunt County maintenance crews performing base work on FM 3427 at various locations. Maintenance crews will be performing ditch work and pothole repairs at various locations in Hunt County. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from these work crews.
Rains County maintenance crews will be performing patch work on FM 2795 from SH 69 to SH 19, and rip-rap repairs on FM 751 from SH 276 to FM 429. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along this portion of the roadway. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from these work crews.
Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
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Wanted Teen Located On Gilmer Street
A wanted teen was located on Gilmer Street and taken into custody early Saturday morning.
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Matt Glenn reported seeing Aaron Jahmal Antonio Dixon around 1:30 a.m. Sept. 12, 2020, on Gilmer Street on Celebration Plaza. Aware of a warrant issued for the man’s arrest, Glenn contacted Dixon.
The officer reported smelling an alcoholic beverage odor on the 17-year-old, who also spoke with slurred speech. Glenn alleged seeing an open can of an alcoholic beverage near the teen.
Dixon was taken into custody not only on the burglary of a building warrant but also on a public intoxication charge, according to arrest reports. The burglary is alleged to have occurred on Aug. 16. A warrant was sought by Investigator Jason Reneau.
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.
