All-District Volleyball, Academic Honors Announced
Numerous volleyball players in Hopkins County earned All-District honors for this season. (For full lists of all students from all schools receiving honors see below.)
Raylee Mathis of North Hopkins was selected the Offensive Player of the Year. Neely Hammond of Cumby and Lainey Burnett of Miller Grove shared the top Defensive Player Award. Best Setter was Lauren Bullard of Miller Grove. The Top Libero Award was shared by Abigail Whaley of North Hopkins and Rylee Krotky of Cumby. Named Newcomer of the Year was Addison Monk of Como-Pickton. Miller Grove’s Ana Billingsley was selected as Coach of the Year.
First Team All-District honors went to Chloe Romero of Como-Pickton, Erin Morgan and Ashlyn Hudson of Cumby, Harli Watson of Miller Grove and Kortni Ferrell of North Hopkins.
Among Second Team All-State choices were Lexi Busby of Como-Pickton, Azlyn Hornsby and Heather McCraw of Cumby and Selene Leon of North Hopkins.
Honorable Mention selections included Mattison Buster and Faith Watkins of Como-Pickton, Tatum White and Savannah Kurn of Cumby, Jaylah Roberson of Miller Grove, Jacki Perez, Makayla Buchanan, Molly Wiser, Natalie Perry and Mattie Pogue of North Hopkins and Brooke Barrett, Emily Worley, Liz Chitwood, Brianna Swaim and Lisbeth Camacho of Yantis.
Academic All-District selections included Lexi Busby, Chloe Romero, Shakela Sims, Addison Monk, Mattison Buster, Lauren Lewellen, Chesley Osborne, Dori Sales and Faith Watkins of Como-Pickton, Neely Hammond, Ashlyn Hudson, Heather McCraw, Erin Morgan, Tatum White, Savannah Kurn, Dayli Sims, Kati Farris and Rylee Krotky of Cumby, Lainey Burnett, Kayti Brignon, Harli Watson, Lauren Bullard and Jaylah Roberson of Miller Grove, Abigail Whaley, Jacki Perez, Natalie Perry, Kortni Ferrell, Danielle Perez, Selene Leon, Mariana Aguilar, Mattie Pogue, Molly Wiser, Makayla Buchanan, Kelty Conner, Sarah Attaway, Raylee Mathis, Lindsey Faulks and Kenna Lane of North Hopkins and Brooke Barrett, Liz Chitwood and Brianna Swaim of Yantis.
2020-2021 Volleyball All-District Honors
MVP
- Bailey Miller, Boles
Offensive Player
- Raylee Mathis, North Hopkins
Defensive Players
- Neely Hammond, Cumby
- Lainey Burnett, Miller Grove
Setter
- Lauren Bullard, Miller Grove
Libero
- Abigail Whaley, North Hopkins
- Rylee Krotky, Cumby
Newcomer of the Year
- Addison Monk, Como-Pickton
Coach of the Year
- Ana Billingsley, Miller Grove
First Team
- Kalli Wright, Alba Golden
- Dylan Hathcoat, Boles
- Chloe Romero, Como-Pickton
- Erin Morgan, Cumby
- Ashlyn Hudson, Cumby
- Olivia Servin, Fruitvale
- Harli Watson, Miller Grove
- Kortni Ferrell, North Hopkins
Second Team
- Kayli Covey, Alba Golden
- Hope Wiley, Alba Golden
- Caroline Helmberger, Boles
- Lexi Busby, Como-Pickton
- Azlyn Hornsby, Cumby
- Heather McCraw, Cumby
- Alex Mobley, Fruitvale
- Selene Leon, North Hopkins
Honorable Mention:
- Abby Hallman, Alba Golden
- Tatum White, Cumby
- Autumn Whitten, Alba Golden
- Savannah Kurn, Cumby
- Cacie Lennon, Alba Golden
- Emily Servin, Fruitvale
- Skyler West, Alba Golden
- Jaylah Roberson, Miller Grove
- Crimson Bryant, Alba Golden
- Jacki Perez, North Hopkins
- Mattison Buster, Como-Pickton
- Makayla Buchanan, North Hopkins
- Faith Watkins, Como-Pickton
- Molly Wiser, North Hopkins
- Natalie Perry, North Hopkins
- Mattie Pogue, North Hopkins
- Brooke Barrett, Yantis
- Robbie Arce, PTAA
- Emily Worley, Yantis
- Julia Frisbee, PTAA
- Liz Chitwood, Yantis
- Sophia Helge, PTAA
- Brianna Swaim, Yantis
- Lisbeth Camacho, Yantis
- Rylee Cook, Boles
- Cassidy Hearn, Boles
- Madelyn Gosnell, Boles
- Haley Phillips, Boles
Academic All-District
- BreeAllie Rolen, Alba
- Jazemine Sustaita, Fruitvale
- Kalli Wright, Alba
- Haylie Schnick, Fruitvale
- Autumn Whitten, Alba
- Hannah Barron, Fruitvale
- Kayli Covey, Alba
- Aizhan Seitekenova, Fruitvale
- Hope Wiley, Alba
- Macy Meroney, Fruitvale
- Abby Hallman, Alba
- Emily Servin, Fruitvale
- Cacie Lennon, Alba
- Olivia Servin, Fruitvale
- Skyler West, Alba
- Alex Mobley, Fruitvale
- Crimson Bryant, Alba
- Lainy Burnett, Miller Grove
- Amanda Stewart, Alba
- Kayti Brignon, Miller Grove
- Kaylee Anglin, Alba
- Harli Watson, Miller Grove
- Kamrin Wright, Alba
- Lauren Bullard, Miller Grove
- Caroline Helmberger, Boles
- Jaylah Roberson, Miller Grove
- Lily Hathcoat, Boles
- Abigail Whaley, North Hopkins
- Lexi Busby, Como-Pickton
- Jacki Perez, North Hopkins
- Chloe Romero, Como-Pickton
- Natalie Perry, North Hopkins
- Shakela Sims, Como-Pickton
- Kortni Ferrell, North Hopkins
- Addison Monk, Como-Pickton
- Danielle Perez, North Hopkins
- Mattison Buster, Como-Pickton
- Selene Leon, North Hopkins
- Lauren Lewellen, Como-Pickton
- Mariana Aguilar, North Hopkins
- Chelsey Osborne, Como-Pickton
- Mattie Pogue, North Hopkins
- Dori Sales, Como-Pickton
- Molly Wiser, North Hopkins
- Faith Watkins, Como-Pickton
- Makayla Buchanan, North Hopkins
- Neely Hammond, Cumby
- Kelty Conner, North Hopkins
- Ashlyn Hudson, Cumby
- Sarah Attaway, North Hopkins
- Heather McCraw, Cumby
- Raylee Mathis, North Hopkins
- Erin Morgan, Cumby
- Lindsey Faulks North Hopkins
- Tatum White, Cumby
- Kenna Lane, North Hopkins
- Savannah Kurn, Cumby
- Brooke Barrett, Yantis
- Dayli Sims, Cumby
- Liz Chitwood, Yantis
- Kati Farris, Cumby
- Brianna Swaim, Yantis
- Rylee Krotky, Cumby
- Kaylee Frisbee, PTAA
- Julia Frisbee, PTAA
- Ellie Higgins, PTAA
Chamber Connection: Saturday Symphony Auction, Danna’s Grand Re-Opening Planned
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
I’m excited to let you know that we have begun work on the 2021 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses.
They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business.
LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you in the next few weeks to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory. The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. I hope you will consider this a wise investment with over 7,000 opportunities for business exposure. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her.
I’m proud to produce this book telling all about the place we love. I hope you will join me in the journey!
Symphony League is hosting annual fundraiser as planned
The Symphony League will be hosting their annual auction this year on November 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can listen to the auction on KSST Radio or Channel 18, or you can view items on their Facebook page. This will be a fun, safe event that you can do from home! The phone number to call in to bid will be 903-885-0700.
Wesley United Methodist Church is hosting their Fall Roundup
Wesley United Methodist Church is hosting their annual Fall Roundup on Saturday, November 21 from noon until 3 p.m. It will be a drive through this year, and quarts may be purchased under the covered driveway on the East side of the building. Quarts cost $10 each and you may purchase chicken stew, beef stew, or chili. Wesley Methodist is located at 614 Texas Street in Sulphur Springs.
Danna’s is hosting a re-grand opening
Danna’s and the Florist is hosting a grand re-opening celebration on Tuesday, November 24 at noon. Danna’s is located at 438 Gilmer Street. Please join us for the celebration!
Goodwill is hosting a food pantry drive in November
Goodwill of Sulphur Springs is spending the month on November thinking of those in need. They are asking for non-perishable food items to help stock up our local food pantries. PLEASE drop the items off at the Goodwill Retail Store, and they will deliver to our local Food Pantries. This drive will take place the whole month of November.
Ribbon Cutting
VFW Post 8560 hosted an anniversary ribbon cutting celebration
Our local VFW Post 8560 hosted an anniversary ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, November 10 at noon. The now are now offering food and beverages in the Canteen. Stop by anytime to check it out!
Business Highlight
During the year 2020, The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for November 12, Northeast Texas Choral Society. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Coronary Calcium Scoring Offered In Sulphur Springs
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, November 17 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Flu Shots: Don’t Delay, Get Yours Today!
Flu shots are available at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, 105 Medical Plaza. We welcome walk-ins or by appointment; to schedule call 903.885.3181.
Hospital Visitation
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
- (1) Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
- (1) Visitor per patient
- Visitors must be between the ages of 16-years old and 65-years old
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
- ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Local Services
Dermatology
Dermatology & Skin Cancer Surgery Center is now practicing in Sulphur Springs and accepting patients under the care of Roxanne Swafford, FNP. She is seeing patients at 1228 Church St. Suite D. To schedule your appointment, call 972.390.9002 and select “Option 1”. You may also schedule online at www.mdbarrows.com.
Cardiology
Advanced Heart Care and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Health System have delivered heart care in Northeast Texas for over 40 years. Together, we will continue providing leading-edge heart care to the communities in which we serve. Available right here in Sulphur Springs hospital is our team of heart specialists at Advanced Heart Care made up of Cardiologists and Electrophysiologists, our state-of-the-art Cath lab, Pulmonary Medicine, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and Heart Attack Care 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. We look forward to helping you take an active role in your heart health with our team approach for your care. For more information on the Cardiology group, and their capabilities to see patients in person or via telemedicine, go to www.advancedheartcare.com.
Coronary Calcium Scoring
A test that is proven to save lives is available right here in Sulphur Springs. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital offers Calcium Cardiac Scoring at a flat rate of $75. Self-referrals are allowed for: male (40-65 years) or female (45-70 years) and have at least one of the following: current smoker, obesity, family history of heart disease, cholesterol level greater than 160/LDL, blood pressure greater than 140/90. If you do not fall within these guidelines, the test is still an option, but you should visit with your Primary Care Physician for more information. The number you should call to schedule this test is (903) 438-4543.
COVID-19
Experiencing Symptoms?
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, chills, muscle pain or headache, or diarrhea, please call your provider for either a face-to-face appointment or a telemedicine consultation. If your provider determines you need to have a COVID-19 test, they will send you to the appropriate outpatient location for testing. If you are experiencing an emergency, please present to the Emergency Room. At this time, we are preserving our Emergency Room COVID-19 tests for those who are experiencing an emergency. Otherwise, we would ask that you follow the steps above. If you do not have a healthcare provider, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic welcomes new patients. Please call 903.885.3181 to talk to one of our associates about setting up an appointment.
Don’t Delay Care
We want to be perfectly clear – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances remains a safe place for all to receive quality care. Go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 if you are urgently ill. While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and preventing the spread of illness are not. To learn more about COVID-19, go to ChristusTMF.org or www.cdc.gov.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Nov. 9-15, 2020
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of Nov. 9-15, 2020, included the following activity:
Arrests
- Amber Hood, 33 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 11/14/2020 on a Franklin County warrant for assault causing bodily injury–family violence.
- Juan Ramirez, 20 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 11/15/2020 for public intoxication.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 155 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 40 citations and 47 warnings during this reporting period.
Nov. 17 COVID-19 Update: 8 New Cases, 144 Active Cases
Hopkins County-Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in their Nov. 17 COVID-19 update reported 8 additional Hopkins County residents had received lab-confirmed positive molecular COVID-19 results.
HC/SSEM Nov. 17 COVID-19 Update
That increases the cumulative case count since to 766 Hopkins County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, according to the Nov. 17 COVID-19 update.
Since there have been no recoveries reported in the last days, the cumulative total remains 622 and the active COVID-19 count has also continued to increase rising from 107 on Nov. 9 to 144 on Nov. 17, the same as on Oct. 30-Nov. 1. It also means the total number of new COVID-19 cases this month as of Tuesday exactly matched the number of recoveries.
While recoveries were reported on only 3 days so far this month, they were significant: 19 recoveries on Nov. 2, 21 on Nov. 6 and 42 on Nov. 9. That’s a dozen more recoveries and 21 fewer new cases during the first 17 days of November than HC/SSEM reported for Oct. 1-17
The patient count in the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs decreased on from 17 on Nov. 16 to 15 on Nov. 17, the same as Nov. 6, Nov. 12 and Nov. 13.
HC/SSEM, in the Nov. 17 COVID-19 update, also reported 105 COVID-19 tests were performed at 128-A Jefferson Street on Nov. 16. That’s 1,164 people who have been tested so far this month and 3,557 who have been tested since the site opened on Sept. 25.
Free molecular testing will continue to be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays in November. Register online at www.GoGetTested.com for the oral swab test.
DSHS COVID-19 Reports
Texas Department of State Health Services on Nov. 17 reported that Trauma Service Area F, in which Sulphur Springs and CMFHSS are located, had a total of 11 available ICU beds, 364 available hospital beds and 4 ventilators. Out of the 273,329 people living in the TSA F, there were 139 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in the hospital and 602 total hospitalizations.
Texas Department of State Health Services shows 48 COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins County. That makes 4 days with no new COVID-19 deaths announced for Hopkins County. These numbers could rise as death certificates are turned in and processed by the state.
| Trauma Service Area: F (Nov. 17, 2020) | Counts |
|---|---|
| Population Estimate 2020 | 273,329 |
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1,057 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 364 |
| Available ICU Beds | 11 |
| Available Ventilators | 75 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 139 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 602 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 966 |
HSS COVID-19 Reports
The Nov. 17 Texas Health and Human Services nursing facility report, however, showed one additional resident COVID-19 death at Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab on Nov. 3, the latest data available from Texas Health and Human Services on Nov. 17. So far, the only COVID-19 death DSHS has reported was on Nov. 5.
The Nov. 17 HHS nursing facility report also showed eight less active resident COVID-19 cases among Sulphur Springs nursing facilities at Sulphur Springs Health and Rehabilitation.
That leaves 13 active resident cases at Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab and one resident case at at Rock Creek Health and Rehab.
Anneke’s Preschool reported one student enrolled at the facility had tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 16, according to the Nov. 17 HHS report for license child are centers, school-age programs, and before and -after
Bogata Man Arrested On Violation Of Probation Warrant
A 39-year-old Bogata, Texas man was arrested on a violation of probation charge Nov. 16, and remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, according to arrest and jail reports.
Larry Carlton Johnson was arrested in Red River County at 11 a.m. and transported by Red River County officers to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Nick Marney escorted Johnson into the jail, where he was booked at 12:08 p.m. Nov. 17 on the Hopkins County warrant for violation of probation. The offense, according to arrest reports, is alleged to have occurred on Sept. 1, 2020.
Johnson was on probation for abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence. He was originally arrested on a warrant for the charge on Sept. 10, 2019, according to jail reports.
Monday was the second time this year Johnson has been booked into Hopkins County jail on a felony charge.
He and two other Bogata men were jailed Aug. 21, 2020, after allegedly being caught by deputies as they were removing items from a County Road 2302 residence without permission late that night. A tip called in to law enforcement alerted sheriff’s officers to the burglary in progress.
In August, deputies reported finding the trio found at the CR 2302 location and questioned them about the black Silverado and 16-foot trailer parked in front of the house. Johnson was reported to have moved from the residence approximately 1 year before and was not allowed to be on the property anymore, deputies alleged in August arrest reports. Several items inside the trailer were identified as items that had been removed from the residence; the individuals did not have permission from the person affiliated with the house to remove anything, deputies alleged in arrest reports. Johnson and the two brothers were jailed for burglary of a building on Aug. 21, according to jail reports. Johnson was released from jail later Aug. 21 on a $25,000 bond, according to jail reports.
2020 CASA Cookie Walk Canceled, Donations Still Accepted To Benefit Children
Typically at this time of year, Lake Country CASA is gearing up for a holiday tradition, the CASA Cookie Walk. The annual fundraiser has been canceled this year, due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements and in order to keep CASA’s children, and the many generous volunteers and community members who support CASA’s kids through their contributions to the Cookie Walk, as safe as possible.
About CASA
Many things have changed due to or have been impacted by COVID-19. Unfortunately, the pandemic did not stop child abuse. While the number of cases referred to Lake Country Court-Appointed Special Advocates did slow a bit at the beginning of the pandemic (due in part to the temporary closure of courts who appoint CASAs) and an increase since school has been in session, the caseload has still been steady.
“Child abuse is not something a lot of people like to talk about, but we have children who are experiencing it in our little community,” said Sharla Evans, volunteer coordinator for Lake Country CASA.
In 2018, 109 children were served across Lake Country CASA’s three-county program area. Last year, Lake Country CASA served 138 children; 91 of those children were from Hopkins County, 23 from Rains County and 24 Franklin County.
So far this year, through Nov. 17, Lake Country CASA has served 130 children, 77 from Hopkins County, 30 from Rains County and 23 Franklin County. That’s almost as many already served this year, with nearly 2 weeks in November and all of December left, as during all of 2019.
“Our mission is to advocate for abused and neglected children who have been removed from their homes due to physical or sexual abuse or neglect — emotional, mental or medical neglect. As Court Appointed Special Advocates, we advocate for the best interests of these children, age newborn through 18. We serve as their voice with the goal of achieving a safe, permanent living arrangement as quickly as possible — a forever home,” Law said.
| County/Year | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Hopkins County | 91 | 77 |
| Rains County | 23 | 30 |
| Franklin County | 24 | 23 |
| Total | 138 | 130 |
While CASA will be unable to offer cookies for donations due to COVID-19, support for the many children Lake Country Court Appointed Special Advocates represent is still very much needed and appreciated, according to CASA Executive Director Gina Law.
Community members can help provide for these children through financial donations, by volunteering their time to train and serve as CASAs, as foster families or through community awareness — another function of the annual Cookie Walk.
Donations
Donations in any amount may be mailed to Lake Country CASA at 218 Connally St., Sulphur Springs 75482. These can include memorial donations made any time throughout the year. All donations to CASA are tax deductible as CASA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All of the children assigned to CASA have been removed from their parents’ homes by Child Protective Services, due to neglect or abuse, often with very few, if any, personal belongings and are placed in kinship or foster homes. Donations to CASA go to help provide these children with the things they need.
“We are thankful for all donations. All donations go to the children, to help us serve the children and meet their needs,” said Sharla Evans. “All one has to do is read the news on a daily basis to see more and more kids are coming to us, whether due to drugs or something other, it seems sometimes daily or weekly. They are brought into this by no fault of their own.”
“CASA is still serving children in the midst of crisis, we may have changed how we go about it. CASA stays on top of things to see the best interest of the children are served,” Evans said.
Volunteers
Currently, Lake Country CASA has about 24 volunteers, who contact the children and people in their lives to make recommendations to the court. The goal is to assign a CASA to each child removed from their parents or guardians by CPS. Some cases involve one child, others involve sibling and family groups.
“At CASA, we do what we can to help children find permanency as soon as its possible, through making recommendations to the court to help the judge make decisions on permanent placement.” Evans said.
That’s another way community members can help, by becoming a trained CASA volunteer, to help reduce case loads for CASAs already dedicating their time and compassion to the children assigned to them.
“I can’t say enough about the volunteers we have. The supervisors and staff are the best,” Law said. “Our CASA volunteers are wonderful, dedicated folks committed to helping children. They are fighters. They fight for the children to have a better life — permanency.”
CASAs help alleviate children’s fears of where they will sleep each night, if they will have food to eat or who will be entering their homes.
“To that child, the CASA volunteer IS the constant amidst the chaos. The child may have 2 or 3 CPS caseworkers during the case and several foster homes. We have seen kids that have had to move from home to home, school to school. As CASA, we try to make this not happen,” Law said.
CASA volunteers are specially trained, then serve under the guidance of a CASA supervisor, all working to determine what is in the best interest of each child assigned to CASA.
Before COVID-19, volunteers could be on the road a lot, visiting with children wherever they are placed — with kinship or foster homes — and others in the child’s life to get a full picture of the child’s life and needs, in order to make an informed recommendation as to what the child’s best interests are.
Often, that means visiting children outside of their home county, as often children CASA serves are placed with relatives, wherever they may reside or in other counties across the state where foster homes are available.
That has changed a bit, with CASA training moving online and via Zoom. Visits have changed a little bit, too. A lot more contact is via Facetime and Zoom, or where possible yard and porch, even park visits to allow for social distancing for the safety of the children and all involved. CASA has adapted, working social distancing into child and placement visits.
“Our first priority is the children’s safety, everything else follows. They’ve sacrificed so much already. Most conferences are via Zoom, and safe porch visits. We can’t go in [due to COVID-19]. Our advocates schedule a lot of Zoom and porch visits. We can’t go in; do no harm is imperative,” Law said.
“My hat’s off to our volunteers. They are always wonderful, going above and beyond in this COVID situation,” Evans said. “Volunteers are the heart and soul of the CASA program. We could not exist without our volunteers.”
Any who are interested in becoming a dedicated, passionate CASA volunteer or a foster parent are encouraged to call Lake Country CASA at 903-885-1173. Volunteers will be required to pass a background check in order to serve as a court-appointed representative for children, then complete the online and Zoom learning requirements.
Awareness
The annual Cookie Walk also typically serves as a way to spread more awareness about the plight of children served by CASA and the organization. CASA’s dedicated volunteers are happy to talk with community members interested in learning more about a program and who they serve, while protecting the children.
CASA also has a volunteer recruiter, Sarah Goggans, who is available to talk with community organizations. Anyone interested in having someone speak at a club or organizational meeting about CASA and the program’s role in the lives of abused and neglected children, may call the Lake Country CASA Office, 903-885-1173 to schedule a presentation via Zoom or in person where it’s safely possible.
Visit the Lake Country CASA Facebook page for updates and general information about upcoming informational meetings.
Wildcats Basketball and Lady Cats Volleyball in Action on Game Day Tuesday
Wildcats Basketball and a Lady Cats Volleyball Playoff Warm Up Game are on the schedule on this game day Tuesday (November 17) .
For the Wildcats, it’s game number two of the regular season. The Wildcats take on the North Lamar Panthers in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School. A freshman game begins at 5 p.m. The varsity game is set to start at 7 p.m. There is no JV team game. The Wildcats JV is quarantined due to coronavirus. The Wildcats are 0-1 for the season after they opened the regular season at home Saturday with a 65-61 loss to Class 6A Tyler Legacy. The Wildcats got 20 points from senior point guard Lamodrick Johnson and 19 points from senior guard Boo Wilkerson. Sophomore post Kordrick Turner scored 14 points in his varsity debut. KSST Radio will bring you the Wildcats game with live video and audio streaming. The game will also be videotaped for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team will face the Greenville Lady Lions in a warm up game for the playoffs. The game will be at the Competition Gym at Sulphur Springs Middle School beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Lady Cats are district champions of District 15-5A. They were 10-2 in district games and they are 13-7 for the season. The Lady Cats wrapped up the district crown with a 3-1 win over Longview Friday at home. The Lady Cats and Greenville opened the regular season with a game at Greenville back on September 15. The Lady Lions won that 5-set match, 3-2. The Lady Cats open the playoffs Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. against Tyler at Grand Saline. Tyler is the #4 seed from District 16-5A.
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 Defensive Coordinator Discusses Greenville Loss and Upcoming Crandall
On Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, we here at KSST radio met up with Wildcats football coordinators to discuss the upcoming game on Friday versus Crandall.
The Wildcats lost to the Greenville Lions on Friday, 47-27. The loss in Greenville last Friday eliminated the Wildcats from playoff contention.
Wildcats football Defensive coordinator Alex Guerra said there were times when his team did really well, but the edge for Greenville came thanks to superior athleticism in certain positions.
Coach Guerra said the Wildcats did not have many blown assignments in the loss to Greenville, but the defensive coordinator said the bottom line was that the Lions were a little more athletic and a little faster than the Wildcats defense.
Coach Guerra gave due praise to Lions QB Brandon Stephens for his ability to get the ball out quick to various playmakers on their offense. Coach Guerra did say it was frustrating considering the Wildcats were ready for the Lions offense, but still had a hard time containing such an explosive, track-meet like offense.
Fortunately for the Wildcats, they will not be playing a team as athletic as some of the squads Sulphur Springs has played up until this point. Coach Guerra echoed this sentiment, saying this has become a common thread for the Wildcats this season.
The Wildcats defensive coordinator said the Pirates have two or three guys who are pretty good athletes, Coach Guerra said, and will have to continue doing their best to contain wide-receivers with explosive play-making ability.
Ultimately, emerging from Crandall Friday victorious will come down to lining up versus the Pirates, doing what the Wildcats do, and seeing how it turns out for the squad, Coach Guerra said.
The team will have to keep fighting if they hope to get back in the win column this week against the Crandall Pirates, who both OC and DC for the Wildcats claim are composed of really talented kids. Coach Young said that Crandall reminds him of Lovejoy — undersized, relative to the other monster offensive lines the Wildcats have faced thus far, but relentless, all the same.
The Wildcats will have their hands full as this Friday Sulphur Springs (1-2 zone, 1-4 overall) travels to Crandall (1-2 zone, 3-3 overall) to take on the Pirates at 7:30 P.M.
Last Friday Crandall played hard but lost to Royse City, 45-22. Both teams come Friday will be fighting for their second win in “Zone” play.
This Friday’s match-up between the two teams will be the third straight zone game as the Wildcats will be looking to get back in the win column.
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.
City Council Run-Off Election For Place 1 Called For Dec. 15
After canvassing the votes as presented, Sulphur Springs City Council approved a resolution calling for a City Council run-off election for Place 1 and setting dates for voting.
Two places on the council drew no challengers; those seats easily went to Harold Nash Sr. and Oscar Aguilar. Nash was appointed last December to serve in Place 2 and Aguilar took the oath and has been serving in Place 3 on the City Council since May. Aguilar received 4,439 votes and Nash 4,243 votes in the Nov. 3 election, Mayor John Sellers read.
Gary Spraggins won the Place 5 seat, receiving 71.26 percent of the votes and Ricardo Chavarria 28.74 percent. Spraggins is scheduled to take the oath of officer at the next City Council meeting.
On Nov. 4, Spraggins said he is thrilled to be returning to the City Council and excited to be a part of the growth and development of the city in the next year and moving forward.
No candidate received a full 50 percent or more of the votes cast in the Place 1 election. Thus, a run-off has been called between Jay W. Julian and Mark Bradley. Julian received 43.7 percent and Bradley 24.6 percent of votes cast in the Nov. 3 election for Place 1, with Vanessa Diosdado receiving 22.74 percent and Brown 8.96 percent.
The run-off election will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Early voting will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3-4, Dec. 7, Dec. 9 and Dec. 11; and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and Dec. 10. All voting in the Place 1 City Council Runoff will be conducted in the second floor conference room inside Sulphur Springs Municipal Building, 201 North Davis St., City Secretary/Election Officer Gale Roberts reported.
A drawing for order of names on the run-off ballot will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 19 in the Secretary’s Office on the second floor of Sulphur Springs Municipal Building, 201 North Davis. St.
Sellers concluded the meeting by extending a “re-welcome” to the council to Nash and Aguilar, a welcome back to Spraggins, and congratulations to run-off candidates Julian and Bradley on the run-off. He wished both Julian and Bradley the best of luck in the run-off, and noted the council thanks that the City Council will be able to return to a full slate of 7 council persons following the Dec. 15 run-off for Place 1.
Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to: Gale Roberts, City Secretary, 125 South Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Applications for ballot by mail must be received no later than the close of business on
Dec. 4.
The special election was called for the 4 seats after the Place 1-3 and Place 5 Council members resigned in December 2019.
