McKinney Boyd Uses Big Fourth Quarter To Defeat Wildcats Basketball Team
The Wildcats Basketball Team dropped a game down the stretch on the road Friday night, Nov. 20, losing to McKinney Boyd, 71-64.
The Wildcats got off to a solid start leading the Broncos, 21-9 after the first quarter. The Wildcats also led at the half, 32-25 and 46-44 after three quarters. Boyd outscored the Wildcats 27-18 in the last quarter to put the game in the win column.
Senior guard Boo Wilkerson led the Wildcats with 21 points. Senior point guard Lamodrick Johnson scored 12 points. Junior guard Caleb Alexander added 11 points. Sophomore post Kordrick Turner scored 9 points. Cason Arrington had 8 points. Senior Malique Cole scored 3 points.
The Wildcats season record is now 1-2. The Wildcats return to the home court to play Sherman Monday at 4 p.m.
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.
Nov. 20 COVID-19 Update: 4 New Cases, 19 In COVID Unit
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Nov. 20 COVID-19 update reported 4 new lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and a patient count of 19 patients in the hospital COVID Unit.
HC/SSEM Nov. 20 COVID-19 Update
That makes 28 additional Hopkins County residents whose COVID-19 test results came back positive this week and 95 who received positive results this month. Cumulatively, 779 Hopkins County residents have tested positive for novel coronavirus 2019 since March, according to the HC/SSEM Nov. 20 COVID-19 update. That’s a cumulative positivity rate of 2.1 percent for the overall Hopkins County population.
There were no COVID-19 recoveries reported on Friday, marking the 11th straight day without any Hopkins County residents recovering from COVID-19. Earlier this month 82 residents had recovered, increasing the cumulative number of recoveries to 622.
That leaves 157 Hopkins County residents who still had COVID-19 on Nov. 20. That’s the highest active case count so far this year, the most since Oct. 30, when the active case count fell from 159 to 144.
There also were no new fatalities reported for Hopkins County on Nov. 20. The 50 COVID-19 deaths previously confirmed by death certificate accounted for only about 0.13 percent of the population. The fatality rate among positive cases, however, was 6.42.
The testing site at 128-A Jefferson St. also performed 111 COVID-19 tests on Thursday, for a total of 573 swab tests performed at the site in the past 7 days and 1,473 molecular tests so far this month. Since the free testing site opened on Sept. 25, a total of 3,866 oral tests have been conducted, HC/SSEM noted in the Nov. 20 COVID-19 update.
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.
Hospital Counts
The COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs held 19 patients on Friday, HC/SSEM reported in the Nov. 20 COVID-19 update. That’s eclipses the previous high of 17 reported by HC/SSEM on Nov. 19, Nov. 10, Nov. 16, and Sept. 28.
The COVID count at hospitals across the state also rose Friday. COVID hospitalizations accounted for 12.03 percent of the total hospital capacity on Friday, up from 11.92 percent on Thursday, Nov. 19. That’s 8,164 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients currently in Texas hospital, out of 67,845 total staffed hospital beds and 62,140 total staff inpatient beds. That leaves available 11,214 hospital beds, 877 ICU beds and 7,440 ventilator, according to the Nov. 20 Texas Department of State Health Services Texas Case Counts COVID-19 dashboard for Test and Hospital Data.
In Trauma Service Area F, which includes Hopkins County and CMFHSS, there was 1 more staff hospital bed on Friday, and 1 more staffed inpatient bed than the 1,019 reported on Thursday. The number of total available beds has continued to increase over the last two days, rising from 364 on Wednesday to 375 on Thursday and finally, 387 available hospital beds in TSA-F on Friday. The number of available ventilators increased by 1 daily, from 74 on Wednesday to 76 on Friday in TSA-F. There were 14 available ICU beds on Friday. five more than on Wednesday and Thursday and 3 more than on Monday. There was 1 less lab-confirmed COIVD-19 patient in the hospital in TSA-F on Friday than the 149 reported on Nov. 19; the 148 on Friday was still 10 more COVID hospital patients than on Tuesday and nine more patients than on Monday, according to the DSHS data.
| Trauma Service Area F Categories | Nov. 17, 2020 Counts | Nov. 18, 2020 Counts | Nov. 19, 2020 Counts | Nov. 20, 2020 Counts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population Estimate 2020 | 273,329 | 273,329 | 273,329 | 273,329 |
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1,057 | 1,075 | 1,110 | 1,111 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 364 | 364 | 375 | 387 |
| Available ICU Beds | 11 | 9 | 9 | 14 |
| Available Ventilators | 75 | 74 | 75 | 76 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 139 | 138 | 149 | 148 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 966 | 984 | 1,019 | 1,020 |
HHS Facility Case Counts
Texas Health and Human Services reported no active cases among assisted living facilities in Sulphur Springs on Nov. 6 and none among licensed child care centers, school-age programs, and before- or after-school programs as of Nov. 19.
The Nov. 20 HHS nursing facility report showed 2 additional resident COIVD-19 deaths at Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab on Nov. 6. That’s 37 total resident fatalities among the 167 residents at Sulphur Springs nursing homes who have tested positive since March: 24 fatalities at Carriage House Manor, 6 at SSHR and 7 at Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab as of Nov. 6, the most recent nursing facility data available from HHS.
Five additional employees had tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 6 for a total of 16 positive employee cases among Sulphur Springs nursing facilities. Carriage House had 1 positive case on Nov. 6; Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab had 14, 1 more than the day before; and Sunny Springs Nursing and Rehab still had 1 positive employee cases, according to the Nov. 20 HHS nursing facility report.
One additional resident recovery was also reported at SSHR on Nov. 6, leaving 13 active resident cases at the facility. One resident at Rock Creek Health and Rehabilitation still had COVID-19, while another resident at Carriage House Manor had tested positive, giving the facility two active resident cases on Nov. 6, according to the Nov. 20 HHS nursing facility report.
Friday Game Day features Wildcats Football, Playoff Lady Cats Volleyball and Wildcats Basketball
Wildcats Football, playoff Lady Cats Volleyball and Wildcats Basketball all on this game day Friday (November 20).
The Wildcats Football Team is in uncharted territory. Tonight might just be the very first time the Wildcats have played Crandall in a football game. A check of Wildcats football records find no mention of a game against Crandall. Wildcats Coach Owens has to go back to his days as Lindale Head Coach to remember facing the Pirates. This game is between the #3 seeds in the two zones the district broke into in an attempt to get a meaningful season in during this coronavirus pandemic. Both the Wildcats and Pirates went 1-2 in zone play. That means that right now both are out of the playoff picture. The game’s winner tonight will be the next option for the playoffs if any of the top four district teams are sidelined by the virus, heaven forbid. The Wildcats are 1-4 this season and Crandall is 3-3. Crandall won games against Jacksonville, Joshua and Forney. They have losses to Pine Tree, Ennis and Royse City. The Wildcats got their win against Corsicana and they lost games to Frisco Wakeland, Lovejoy, North Forney and Greenville. Crandall’s head coach is Kyle Hardin, in his first year. He came to the Pirates from McKinney North where he was the Offensive Coordinator. He also coached at Rowlett. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens is in his 15th year here. KSST Radio will bring you the game tonight from Crandall with streaming audio starting at around 7:30 p.m. The station will also be attempting to have a live video stream of the game. The game will be recorded and posted to YouTube and will air on tape delay also on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team, district champs of District 15-5A, play a bi-district match against District 16-5A’s number 4 seed Tyler tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Grand Saline. The Lady Cats come in with a 14-7 season record. They have won 11 of their last 12 matches The winner of tonight’s contest will face North Forney next Monday or Tuesday in an Area game.
The Wildcats Baksetball Team will play their third game of the season and their first contest on the road. The Wildcats play at McKinney Boyd with game time set to start at around 7:30 p.m. There will also be a JV game at 6 p.m. The Wildcats are 1-1 with a loss to Tyler Legacy and a win over North Lamar, with both games at home. The McKinney Boyd Broncos Head Coach is former Wildcats Basketball Coach Jeremy Josey. He had a young JV assistant coach in Sulphur Springs named Clark Cipoletta. Coach Cip refers to Coach Josey as one of his mentors in the coaching business.
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.
Hopkins County Had Lowest October 2020 Unemployment Rate In Area
Hopkins County had the lowest October 2020 unemployment rate in the Texarkana Area Unemployment Statistics report, which covers the 9-county area which spans from Bowie and Cass counties west to Lamar, Delta and Hopkins counties.
The unemployment rate in Hopkins County like that across the state declined over the last month, but has yet to fall to pre-COVID-19 rates, according to Local Area Unemployment Statistics released Friday by Texas Labor Market Information and Texas Workforce Commission.
Hopkins County had a 4.8 percent unemployment rate for October 2020; that’s 824 of the county’s 17,222 civilian labor force who were looking were unemployed in October. That’s a 0.9 percent decline in the unemployment rate from September 2020, when 972 of the 17,171 labor force were unemployed, to October 2020. The unemployment rate in October 2019 was 2.9 percent, according to the WDA unemployment reports for the Texarkana/Northeast Texas region.
The next lowest unemployment rates in the WDA for October 2020 were posted by Hopkins County’s nearest neighbors.
Delta County had 5.0 percent unemployment rate in October 2020, with 120 of the county’s 2,392 labor force unemployed; that’s down 0.8 percent from September 2020, when 137 of the 2,380 labor force were unemployed. Delta County’s unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in October 2019, when 84 of the 2,466 labor force were without work.
The unemployment rate in Franklin County fell from 6 percent in September 2020, when 23 of the 4,552 work force were without jobs, to 5.2 percent in October 2020, when 237 of the 4,567 labor force were unemployed. That’s still up from the 3.4 percent unemployment rate posted in October 2019, when 158 of Franklin County’s 4,642 labor force were unemployed.
Lamar County’s unemployment rate fell from 6.8 percent in September 2020, when 1,633 of the 24,143 labor force were unemployed, to 5.7 percent in October 2020, when 1,382 of the 24,127 labor force sought jobs. In October 2019, the unemployment rate was 3.2 percent, with 773 of the 24, 378 labor force without employment, according to the WDA October 2020 unemployment report. In Paris alone, the unemployment rate fell from 7.8 percent in September 2020 to 6.5 percent in October 2020, which is still 3.1 percent higher than the unemployment rate posted in October 2019 for the city.
Unemployment rates declined in all other counties in the WDA. The rate ranged between 6 and 7 percent for October 2020 for all other counties in WDA, except Morris and Cass Counties.
Morris County continued to have the highest unemployment rate in the WDA in October 2020, as was the case 1 year ago. The unemployment rate rose from 5.1 percent in October 2019, when 246 of the 4,820 labor force sought jobs, to 12.3 percent in October 2020, when 612 of the 4,978 labor force sought work. The October 2020 unemployment rate was a 1.4 percent decline from September 2020, when 688 of the 5,005 labor force sought jobs.
In Cass County, 960 people from among the 12,517 labor force were without jobs in October 2020, giving the county a 7.7 percent unemployment rate. That’s down from 8.6 percent in September 2020, when 1,083 people from among the 12,528 sought employment. That’s still 3.7 percent higher than in October 2019, when 489 people out of the 12,473 workforce were without jobs.
Those decreases amount to an overall October 2020 unemployment rate of 6.2 percent for the North East Texas WDA, a 1.1 percent decrease from September 2020, but still 2.5 percent higher than the October 2019 unemployment rate.
Across Texas, the unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in October 2020, down from 8.2 percent in September 2020, but still 4.4 percent higher than October of 2019. The seasonably adjusted unemployment rate for Texas was 6.9 percent, 3.9 percent below October 2019, according to Texas Workforce Commission and Texas LMI.
The Texas unemployment rate for October 2020 is in line with the National unemployment rate of 6.9 percent. Texas’ private sector added 136,300 jobs over the month, according to TWC.
“While the unemployment rate captures only a snapshot of our economy at a specific moment in time, the job growth we have seen over the past 6 months shows an enduring strength in the state’s economy,” TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel was quoted in a TWC press release. “To maximize our efforts, TWC will continue to provide opportunities for Texans to enhance their jobs skills, search for new jobs and participate in other workforce services at one of our many Workforce Solutions Offices.”
In October, the Professional and Business services sector added 45,200 jobs—the largest monthly increase recorded for this industry since the series began in 1990. Leisure and Hospitality added 27,700 jobs and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 19,300 jobs, according to the TWC release.
“While the economy may look a bit different, one thing holds true: skilled workers are in-demand,” TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez was quoted in the TWC release as stating. “TWC is proud to promote on-the-job training through Registered Apprenticeship Programs which help Texans build skills and create careers while earning an income.”
Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com.
2 Traffic Stops Net Suspected Methamphetamine, 2 Arrests
November 20, 2020 – Two rural traffic stops netted suspected methamphetamine and two arrests Thursday.
State Highway 19 North Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tanner Steward reported stopping Carol Denise Brumley around 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 on State Highway 19 north at FM 1536 for driving a Toyota Camry 70 miles per hour in a 65 mph speed zone. Upon contact with the driver, Steward noted the 39-year-old Sulphur Springs woman displayed signs of nervousness and bruxism.
When asked if she’d previously been in trouble, Brumley “stated something about a stolen TV,” Steward alleged in arrest reports. After obtaining permission to search the car, Steward had Brumley step out to wait. She did, taking a purse and wallet with her. Steward then reportedly agreed to a search of those items. When asked if she had anything illegal in the purse, she allegedly hesitated in her response but admitted “possibly methamphetamine,” Steward alleged in arrest reports.
Steward reported finding two glass pipes of the kind commonly used to smoke meth, two small baggies containing a crystal-like substance which field-tested positive for meth and other miscellaneous items of drug paraphernalia inside a sunglasses case. Consequently, Brumley was taken into custody and jailed for possession of 1.5 grams of the suspected Penalty Group 1 substance and packaging. Deputy Drew Fisher arrived at the stop site to assist with the vehicle, which was impounded by a towing service.
Brumley remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, November 20, 2020 Bond on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge was set at $10,000.
FM 2297 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Fite reported stopping a silver Buick at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 19 on FM 2297 at County Road 1176 because the rear license plate wasn’t visible.
The driver and passenger reportedly failed to make eye contact with the officer and showed signs of nervousness when spoken to. The drier allegedly admitted to narcotics use in the past. The deputy obtained permission to search the car.
Fite alleged finding a sewing kit with a baggy of a crystal-like substance, suspected methamphetamine, in a purse where Doris Rosamarie Russell had been sitting. The 31-year-old Sulphur Springs woman reportedly denied ownership of the purse, but the deputy reported seeing Russell retrieve her driver’s license from the purse prior to exiting the vehicle. Other identifying information with the woman’s name on it was also reportedly located in the purse. Consequently, Russell was arrested at 9:44 p.m. Nov. 19 for possession of a controlled substance.
While Russell was being booked into jail. During intake, jail staff reported finding additional clear baggies containing a crystal-like substance which field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The contraband weighed 0.63 gram, including packaging.. Russell was booked into jail for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Russell remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Nov. 20. Bond was set at $5,000 on the felony controlled substance charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Nov. 19 COVID-19 Update: 50th Fatality, 6 New Cases Reported For Hopkins County
The six new positive COVID-19 cases, reported by Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Nov. 19 COVID-19 update, set a new active case count high for November. Texas Department of State Health Services also on Nov. 19 reported a 50th COVID-19 death has been confirmed for Hopkins County.
HC/SSEM Nov. 19 COVID-19 Update
So far this week, 24 Hopkins County residents have received positive molecular COVID-19 results. That makes 91 Hopkins County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 this month and 775 who have received lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 results since March. That’s 2.09 percent of the estimated population of Hopkins County who have received lab-confirmed positive COIVD-19 results since March, according to HC/SSEM updates.
The month started out well with 19 residents recovering from COVID-19 on Nov. 2, 21 on Nov. 6 and 42 on Nov. 9. That made 82 recoveries and only 45 new cases, reducing the overall active case count to 107 on Nov. 9; that’s the least number of residents who actively had COVID-19 in the last 28 days. The case count continued to rise from 100 active cases on Oct. 13 to 236 on Oct. 28, then started a downward trend Oct. 29-Nov. 2, increased by 11 cases from Nov. 3–5, then dropped again Nov. 6-9.
Unfortunately, there have been no reports from HC/SSEM of additional residents recovering from COVID-19 in 10 days. That means only 622 of the 775 residents who have tested positive have recovered and, with no recoveries to offset the 46 new cases reported from Nov. 10 to Nov. 19, the active case count has also continued to rise as well. As of 1 p.m. Thursday, the active case county was 153, just passing the 152 active cases reported on Nov. 5, for a new November high.
HC/SSEM also in the Nov. 19 COVID-19 update reported 3,755 people have utilized the free COVID-19 testing offered at 128-A Jefferson St. since the site opened on Sept. 25. In fact, 102 tests were performed at the site on Wednesday, Nov. 18. So far, 303 tests have been performed this week and 1,362 this month.
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.
Hospital Reports
While the patient count in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs did not increase on Thursday, it also didn’t decrease. There were again 17 patients in the COVID-19 unit, according to the Nov. 19 COVID-19 update.
That’s the fourth time this month and only the fifth time since HC/SSEM officials began reporting patient counts for the COVID-19 unit at the hospital in August. There were also 17 in the COVID unit on Nov. 10, Nov. 16, and Sept. 28.
The patient count has continued to be a double digit since Oct. 26. The fewest number of patients in the COVID unit this month was 13 on Nov. 4.
| Trauma Service Area F Categories | Nov. 17, 2020 Counts | Nov. 18, 2020 Counts | Nov. 19, 2020 Counts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Estimate 2020 | 273,329 | 273,329 | 273,329 |
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1,057 | 1,075 | 1,110 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 364 | 364 | 375 |
| Available ICU Beds | 11 | 9 | 9 |
| Available Ventilators | 75 | 74 | 75 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 139 | 138 | 149 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 602 | 620 | 149 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 966 | 984 | 1,019 |
DSHS Fatality & Case Reports
Texas Department of State Health Services’ COVID-19 dashboard showed 50 COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins County on Nov. 19. That means one additional Hopkins County resident has been confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19.
That makes 3 Hopkins County residents who have died this month from COVID-19, one each on Nov. 1, Nov. 5 and Nov. 13. More than half of the deaths occurred in October. Two Hopkins County residents died from COVID-19 in July, six in August and 11 in September. That’s a death rate of 6.36 percent among residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, and 0.13 percent of the overall estimated population of 37, 084 in Hopkins County who have died from COVID-19, according to DSHS case and fatality reports.
Only two other counties in the 8 immediately surrounding Hopkins have had more confirmed COVID-19 deaths, but both have also have a higher population and have had more cumulative cases as well.
In Lamar County, 2,385 of the 49,859 residents (4.78 percent) have tested positive for COVID-19 since March; 65 of the 2,385 COVID-19 positive residents died from the virus. That’s a fatality rate of 2.73 percent among positive cases and 0.13 percent of the total Lamar County population.
In Hunt County, 2,515 residents (2.55 percent) out of an estimated population of 32,750, have tested positive for COVID-19, including 55 residents who died from the novel coronavirus. That’s a fatality rate of 2.19 percent among COVID infected residents and 0.06 percent of the the total population, according to the Nov. 19 DSHS data.
Only neighboring county with a higher fatality percentage among positive cases that Hopkins County as of Nov. 19. Red River County’s fatality rate is 8.37 percent. That’s 18 of the 215 positive cases that have result that resulted in death due to COVID-19. That’s a 1.79 percent positivity rate from among the total estimated population of 12,023 and 0.15 percent fatality rate from the total population in Red River County, which includes Clarksville.
Wood County, which has a population of 45,539 and a positivity rate of 1.84 percent (839 cases), has had 47 COVID fatalities, for a 0.1 fatality rate among the entire population and 5.6 percent among positive cases, according to the DSHS Nov. 19 data.
Delta County had had only 0.84 percent of the estimated population of 5,331 who have tested positive for COVID-19, and no fatalities as of Nov. 19. In fact, all except 5 of the 45 residents who have tested positive since March have recovered from COVID-19, according to the DSHS COVID-19 Case Counts dashboards.
NETBIO Celebrates 22 Years at its November 18th Sale
The Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) marked the completion its 22nd year of operation Wednesday with a barbecue luncheon and pre-conditioned calf and yearling sale.
NETBIO is a group of independent cow/calf producers and agribusiness representatives – numbering over 800 members – who work together to enhance the beef industry in Northeast Texas. The organization is recognized across the State of Texas and the Southeastern United States as the leader in its reputable offering of pre-conditioned cattle.
The anniversary sale and celebration kicked off with a barbecue meal that was enjoyed by producers, buyers, and friends. Following the lunch, auctioneer Joe Don Pogue gaveled the sale of 5,615 head of cattle into action.
“It was a very good anniversary sale for the organization and offered a lot of good cattle,” Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission co-owner and NETBIO board member David Fowler said. “The NETBIO producers sold some of the best cattle we have had at our sales.”
Fowler said a total of 240 producers consigned cattle to the sale and did their usual great job of pre-conditioning their cattle and getting them ready for the sale.
Demand was good, and the cattle sold to 34 buyers for an average of $792.98 per head. A total of 208 head were sold to buyers over the Internet.
Those who missed this anniversary sale have an opportunity to attend another NETBIO sale at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission in December.
Due to the increased demand, NETBIO officials have added a December 16, 2020 pre-conditioned calf and yearling sale to close out the year. NETBIO member-producers have already consigned more than 3,000 head of cattle to the sale. The sale, like all others, will begin at 1 p.m.
NETBIO has announced a new sale day and new weaning requirements for cattle entered into the pre-conditioned calf and yearling sale.
Beginning in 2021, NETBIO sales will have a new sale day and new weaning requirements. Board members have decided to change the sale days from the third Wednesdays to the third Fridays of the months that they hold sales. It has also been decided that all cattle entered into the sale must be weaned for 60 days instead of 45 days.
NETBIO CEO Dwyatt Bell and board members announced that these changes will start with the January 15, 2021 sale. “We feel these changes will be the best way for us to handle and market NETBIO producer/member cattle as we move into the 23rd year of producing quality pre-conditioned cattle” Joe Don Pogue said.
TALKING IT OVER
Joe Don Pogue, left, co-owner and auctioneer of the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission, and cattleman and buyer Charlie Sellers discuss the cattle business prior to the NETBIO 22nd anniversary sale that was held Wednesday.
Updated Volleyball Story: Lady Cats Win Warm Up Game Over Greenville, 3-2 Tuesday Evening
KSST Sports is providing this Lady Cats Volleyball update on Tuesday (November 17) night’s warm up game against Greenville at Sulphur Springs Middle School. KSST confirmed late Wednesday that the Lady Cats did win that match, 3-2. Score was 25-19, 8-25, 28-26, 18-25 and 15-11. KSST had reported it the other way Wednesday morning after what can best be described as an accidental misstatement. With the win, the Lady Cats improved their season record to 14-7. The Lady Cats, district champs of District 15-5A, enter bi-district play Friday at 6:30 p.m. against Tyler in Grand Saline. Tyler is the number 4 seed in District 16-5A. The winner of Friday’s game will face the winner of a Joshua and North Forney game in an Area contest next week.
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.
Crandall Coach Kyle Hardin Says He is Proud of His Team During This Pandemic Impacted Season
Between a leap from Class 4A to 5A and a pandemic, it’s been an interesting season for the Crandall Pirates, under first year Head Coach Kyle Hardin. Coach Hardin says he is proud of his kids for the way they have handled circumstances this season not knowing if games would be played from one day to the next. He said Pirates’ players have had positive attitudes and some have been pushed into different roles due to coronavirus. On the field, Coach Hardin says the Pirates have been up and down. That’s reflected in their 3-3 season mark. They finished zone play at 1-2, good enough for the zone’s #3 seed. That matches them with the #3 seed in the district’s other zone, Sulphur Springs, Friday night at Crandall. Coach Hardin likes the Pirates’ senior leadership with some talented youth around as well. Coach Hardin says he believes there may be no bigger jump than from Class 4A to 5A. Plus he says they landed in a very talented and tradition laden District 8-5A. Coach Hardin says the Wildcats are well coached and have talent. He adds the Wildcats play hard. Crandall offensive standouts include sophomore H back and slot receiver Sammy Omosigho, sophomore running back Chris Abron, sophomore wide receiver Luke Moffitt and junior quarter Jamonte Gordon-West. Coach Hardin says he has a lot of senior leadership on defense. Defensive standouts include senior defensive back Jeremiah Contreras, senior defensive back Mason Daugherty, senior inside linebacker Preston Chambless, senior defensive tackle David Omosigho and senior defensive end Tommy Crockett. Coach Hardin says the game Friday will feature two teams hungry for a victory.
Virtual Training Session to Help Prepare Businesses for Online Sales
Paris SBDC and Hopkins Chamber of Commerce to hold Virtual Retail Training
The majority of shopping for Black Friday and ShopSmall Saturday will be done online this year, and virtual retail training is available from the Paris Small Business Development Center and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce to help prepare business for holiday e-commerce. The virtual retail training from Marc Willson is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
“Online sales and order fulfillment extend the storefront,” said SBDC Jennifer Johnston. “Retail expert Marc Willson will take you through the tips, tricks and science behind it all. Join us for strategies to market products, branding, and extend the customer experience online by registering for this meeting on Paris SBDC Facebook event link.”
Gone are the days that a brick and mortar store could stand alone because of the experience offered to customers was unparalleled. That experience is great, but is no longer enough during the pandemic to allow businesses to survive/thrive.
“You must take your offer online and reach people who are not comfortable enough yet to shop in public,” said Willson. “A robust digital shopping website is critical to success. On top of being busy in the store, you must now become a fulfillment center for your exploding online sales.”
Willson is a published keynote speaker, bringing 40 years of experience helping retail, restaurant and tourism-related small businesses refine and promote their concepts to the public. In 1975, Willson started his retail career as co-owner of the largest distributor of Earth Shoes in North America. He has since held executive positions with retailers such as Britches of Georgetowne, Crown Books, Wilson’s Leather, Circuit City, The Bicycle Exchange, Ecampus.com and Storetrax, Inc. Most recently, he traveled to Dallas, Texas to open the world’s first energy efficiency store for Current Energy, LLC, a company funded by Ross Perot, Jr.
The Willson Company was re-established in 2009 as a Small Business Strategy consulting group, and that year the Virginia SBDC contracted with Willson as a Retail and Restaurant Industry Strategist developing into a small business revivalist. He has traveled throughout the country delivering over 500 seminars and assisting over 3,000 retailers, restaurants and hospitality businesses.
To sign up for the virtual retail training, go to the Paris SBDC Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1006143893200979/.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
