2020 Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming Festivities
Friday night’s varsity game may be canceled, but that didn’t dampen the Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming festivities. Wildcats fans and supporters filled the home stands at Gerald Prim Stadium Thursday, cheering for the 2020 Homecoming participants.\
The event featured the SSHS cheer squad, Blue Blazes, band and, of course, the Homecoming Court. A few of the Homecoming nominees pulled double duty not only taking their place among the court but also had an active role in other activities such as band and drill team.
As is tradition, the big event of the Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming Festivities was the Homecoming Queen Coronation. Escorted by family members, each of the nominees walked the field in evening gowns and heels as she was introduced, then either participated with the nominee’s organization or waited in her designated chair on the sidelines until all participants took the field for the announcement.
Selected as 2020 Homecoming Princesses were Lexi Colley and Rorie Young, and the 2020 SSHS Homecoming Queen is Kerie Wright.
Hopkins County Oct. 8 COVID-19 Update: 3 More Deaths, 10 New Cases, 5 Recoveries, 90 Active Cases
The COVID-19 case counts in Hopkins County continued to rise on Thursday, with 3 more deaths reported by Texas Department of State Health Services, and 10 new positive COVID-19 cases and five recoveries reported by Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in their Hopkins County Oct. 8 COVID-19 update.
DSHS reported a total of 18 COVID-19 fatalities, derived from officials cause of death on official death certificates submitted to the state Vital Statistics office. One death was reported to have occurred on Sept. 30. The other two Hopkins County residents were reported to have died on Oct. 5 as a result of COVID-19.
Ten of the deaths have been reported this month, with 8 occurring in September and 2 in October. Six deaths were reported to have occurred in August and 2 in July, the month the state began using official death certificate cause of death when assigning COVID-19 fatalities to counties.
The 10 new positive COVID-19 cases increased the cumulative case count since March to 409. The five new recoveries helped to offset half of the new cases, increasing the active case count in Hopkins County to 90 and brings the cumulative case count to 409, according to the Hopkins County Oct. 8 COVID-19 update.
HC/SSEM also reported 8 patients in the COVID-19 Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Oct. 8, matching the Oct. 1 total for the unit but one less than on Oct. 7.
An additional 109 COVID-19 tests were performed at the free testing site at 128-A Jefferson St. Testing continues Monday-Saturday for the next couple of weeks. Register online and find out more details about the free COVID-19 molecular swab testing at GoGetTested.com.
According to Texas Health and Human Services, reported three additional resident deaths from COVID-19 at a Sulphur Springs nursing home as of Sept. 24; 1 additional case was reported on Sept. 23 and two more on Sept. 24 for a cumulative total of four resident deaths from COVID-19 Overall, 45 residents of Carriage House Manor had tested positive for COVID-19 since March, with 27 active cases and 13 recoveries on Sept. 24.
The Oct. 8 HHS nursing facility report showed no active employee cases at any of the Sulphur Spring nursing homes on Sept. 24. Overall, there have been 33 employees of Sulphur Springs nursing homes who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, 16 at Carriage House Manor, five at Sulphur Springs Health & Rehab and two at Sunny Springs Nursing Home.
The Oct. 8 HHS assisted living facility report reported 1 employee COVID-19 case at Wesley House in Sulphur Springs, first reported on Sept. 21 and still active on Sept. 24. That brings the cumulative total of COVID-19 cases for assisted living facilities in Sulphur Springs to 5 employee and 7 resident cases as of Sept. 24.
There also were no active cases among either students or employees at licensed child care centers, school-age programs and before- or after -school program on Oct. 7, according to HHS’ Oct. 8 child care center COVID-19 case count report.
Oct. 9 SSHS Varsity Football Game Canceled
Sulphur Springs ISD released the following statement at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, regarding the Oct. 9 SSHS varsity football game being canceled:
It is with tremendous regret to inform you that our varsity SSHS football game scheduled for tomorrow, October 9, 2020, has been canceled. Our decision, a close collaboration with our Local Health Authority as well as officials with the Texas Department of State Health Services, was made to serve the health and best interest of our students and community. This decision only affects our varsity game. Sub-varsity games are currently proceeding as originally scheduled. The District will soon provide additional details about future varsity games.
Homecoming activities scheduled for this evening, October 7, 2020 at 8:00 PM, at Prim Stadium are continuing as planned.
Full refunds for tickets purchased for tomorrow night’s game will be provided. More details will soon follow.
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.
DSHS Reports 15th COVID-19 Fatality For Hopkins County
Texas Department of State Health Services on Wednesday reported another Hopkins County resident has died from COVID-19, marking the 15th COVID-19 fatality for Hopkins County since March 15th, 2020.
According to the DSHS data, the Hopkins County residents died Sept. 26. That’s 7 Hopkins County COVID-19 deaths reported for September: 2 on Sept. 22 and one each on Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Sept. 26 and Sept. 28 and Sept. 30. September the deadliest month for Hopkins County residents, surpassing the 6 deaths reported in August.
The number of COVID-19 fatalities for recent days could continue to grow as more death certificates are filed for those days, according to DSHS.
Also on Wednesday, Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported receiving notification of three now positive COVID-19 cases, which increases the overall active case count to 85 and the cumulative case county since March to 399.
Nine patients were reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs on Oct. 7, two more than the day before, but the same as on Oct. 2 and Oct. 5.
An additional 75 tests were performed Oct. 6 at the free COVID-19 testing site, located at 128-A Jefferson St.
Wildcats Friday Night Football Opponent Hallsville Led By Tommy Allison
Veteran Texas high school coach Tommy Allison is in his first year as head football coach at Hallsville, the Wildcats Homecoming opponent Friday night, October 9, at Gerald Prim Stadium.
Coach Allison came to Hallsville after nine years as head coach at Robinson, a Class 4A school near Waco. He also coached at Class 2-A Cayuga where he led the Wildcats there to a state championship in 2009. He’s spent 26 years in coaching including 14 seasons as a head coach.
Coach Allison is a native of Palestine and graduated from Palestine Westwood. He’s also a graduate of Abilene Christian University.
The Bobcats have started 2020 with losses to Cleburne and Frisco Memorial. Coach Allison says his Bobcats have played hard and he can’t fault their effort. He says Hallsville had chances to win both games. Coach Allison says the Bobcats entered the fourth quarter down by only 2 points against Cleburne and he adds Hallsville was in the lead in the fourth quarter against Frisco Memorial. He says his team has to learn how to finish games but, he says, that’s just part of the process of building a program.
Coach Allison says among his offensive standouts is junior slot receiver Carter Rogas, who was the Bobcats’ quarterback last year. Another is this year’s Hallsville quarterback, senior Tyler Lee, a baseball commit with a strong passing arm. Yet another is senior Brayden Walker, a speedy wide receiver.
Coach Allison says the leaders of defensive for the Bobcats are junior inside linebacker Jarrett Craig, senior outside linebacker Carson Trainor and senior safety Major Burnett.
Coach Allison says he found the Bobcats football numbers a little light when he arrived and he says he roamed the halls of the high school to add some players. So, Coach Allison says some of his guys have not played football for several years.
He says the Bobcats have been plagued by a couple of big plays and some missed tackles in their first two games. Still, he says, his players are getting better every day.
The Bobcats have a bye next week, then, begin district play against Jacksonville the following week. Coach Allison says the Bobcats’ District 9-5A in Division II is loaded. It includes toughies like Marshall and Texas High. He says he wants to build the Bobcats into a team mentioned in the same breath with the Mavericks and Tigers.
Coach Allison says he’s getting his first look at Sulphur Springs. He says the Wildcats look big and physical, which will help them be successful. Coach Allison believes the Wildcats will turn things around this season after a long season last year. He adds the Wildcats are also getting better each day.
Coach Allison says his rebuilding process at Hallsville will take time but, he adds, it helps that his players are great kids.
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.
Sulphur Springs Cross Country Teams Competing In Eustace On Game Day Thursday
On this game day Thursday, October 8, the Sulphur Springs Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Teams are competing in a meet in Eustace.
Sulphur Springs Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks added the meet to the schedule to take advantage of a bye week in the schedule. It’s the fifth meet of the season for the Wildcats and Lady Cats.
Coach Hicks’ teams are preparing for the district meet on October 26 at 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.
Sulphur Springs Homecoming Pep Rally, Coronation To Be Held Tonight
The Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming Pep Rally and Coronation of the 2020 Homecoming queen at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at Gerald Prim Stadium.
Homecoming is scheduled to follow the 9th grade football games. The band, cheer, and drill team will all be participating in the evening’s festivities.
The Homecoming court and queen nominees include Ella Moore, Alondra Barcenas, Kerie Wright, Rorie Young, Emma Eddins, Lizbeth Alvarez, Lexi Colley, Alexis Franks, Galilea Sosa and McKayla McGregor. A queen and two princesses will be announced.
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.
HC Genealogical Society Announces Virtual Meeting on Wednesday October 14
Greetings from HCHS,
We will be conducting our October meeting virtually, via Zoom, hosted by the Texas State Genealogical Society. It will be held, as usual, on the third Thursday of the month, October 15, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
Registration will be required, as there is a limitation to the number of participants. Also, we will need you to register so that we can provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. We ask that you register as far in advance as possible! THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS! MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS ALIKE ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE. The link, and instructions, will be emailed to you on Wednesday evening, October 14, 2020.
Please send your name, telephone number and email address to [email protected] or call (903)885-8523 and leave the same information.
Ari Wilkins, a graduate of Louisiana State University, has been actively researching family history since 1998. She is the owner of the genealogical consulting company, Black Genesis.
Ms. Wilkins has spoken nationally and at local societies. She has been a Library Associate at Dallas Public Library since 2007. She teaches a series of basic research classes using popular genealogical websites. She specializes in African American research. Presentation – “Black and White Southern Families in Southern Plantation Records.”
The Antebellum Southern Plantation Records can offer multifaceted views into many white and African American Southern families. This resource documents families’ personal and business correspondence, conditions of plantation life (including the elusive names of slaves and descriptions of slave relationships), and much more. Learn about the genealogical value of the Southern Antebellum Plantation Records – how they are organized, how to search the collection, and apply it towards your genealogical research. The case studies will highlight the personal documents of a white Southern family and the indirect documentation of an African American family.
12 New COVID-19 Cases Reported for Sulphur Springs ISD
Twelve new COVID-1 cases were reported for Sulphur Springs ISD on Oct. 7. Six more students and 6 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, according to SSISD Superintendent Josh Williams.
On Oct. 7, four staff members at Barbara Bush Primary, 1 staff member at Douglas Early Child Learning Center and 1 staff member at Sulphur Springs High School were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19. Six additional students at SSHS also received positive COVID-19 results, Williams reported in notices sent to campus staff, students, parents and teachers.
All 12 individuals were lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 were present at their campuses during the last week, Sept. 30-Oct. 7, according to Williams.
Bid For Roofing For New Grays Building Approved
A bid for roofing for the Grays Building, 3 new track loaders and contract for elections services were approved by Sulphur Springs City Council at the regular October meeting held earlier this week via Zoom.
Grays Building
Work on the new Grays Building in Pacific Park continues, with the approval of a roofing bid, pouring of piers and plumbing work.
City Finance Director Lesa Smith reminded the council that the decision was made at a previous meeting to rebid the roofing, as costs came in quite a bit higher than project. More than 40 notices were sent to potential bidders for roofing, gutters and sidings for the Grays Building.
The city received four responses: a bid from Griffith Roofing for $83,795, a bid from Diamond B. Roofing of $83,582.75 plust a $2,700 required add on for a total of $85,282.75; a bid from Inman A+ Gutters of $151,341 and a bid of $178,100 from Hefner Roofing.
The City Council accepted Smith’s recommendation that the bid be awarded to the low bidder, Griffith Roofing.
City Manager Marc Maxwell also reported that city staff will be handling quite a bit of ground work for the project, lead by Public Works director Russ Nuss, a master plumber.
The piers for the Grays Building have been poured to a depth of 18 feet. The Capital Construction Division is installing the below grade plumbing. After the plumbing is roughed in, the city’s master electrician, John Smith, will install the below grade conduit for electrical circuits. Potts Concrete Construction will then finish constructing the concrete foundation.
Compact Track Loaders
The city also budgeted, in the enterprise budget, for 3 compact track loaders, commonly called skid loaders, to replace two currently being used by the city’s concrete and pipe crews in the Capital Construction Department and a third units is being used by the water and sewer distribution crew. The old skid loaders have required about $26,000 worth of repairs over the last 3 years. City staff budgeted for new units to replacing the aging equipment.
City Director of Public Works Russ Nuss recommended purchasing 3 skid loaders at a rate of $62,677 each, to be paid out of the city’s enterprise fund. The units would be purchased from the CAT dealership in Sulphur springs through Buyboard purchasing cooperative.
Sulphur Springs City Council approved the purchases as recommended at their meeting conducted Oct. 6 via Zoom conferencing and streamed on YouTube for the public to view.
Elections Contract
City Secretary/Elections Officer Gale Roberts asked the City Council to consider approving a contract with the Hopkins County Election Officer to conduct the Nov. 3 City Council Elections.
Per a proclamation for Gov. Greg Abbott, the city’s election was moved from May to November, due to COVID-19 pandemic. The contract would allow the city to partner with the county for election costs to hold the city council election concurrent with county elections. City Secretary Gale Roberts will continue to prepare and post all notices as required by law, including order of election and notice of election, and will accept financial report, draw for a places on the ballot and prepare the ballot. The election officer will provide election services such as programming, testing of equipment, procuring of election workers and other duties.
Maxwell noted that Roberts plans to retiring in December 2021 or shortly thereafter. The contract would benefit the city by having someone who can provide election services when the new city secretary is hired. This contact would help with the transition.
According to city staff, the city has budgeted for election costs, although the exact cost isn’t known, as the city has no way of knowing how many other entities have contracted with the county for election services. (The City of Cumby and Miller Grove and North Hopkins ISDs have also called for city council and school board elections, respectively.)
The Sulphur Springs City Council Election ballot will include two candidates seeking Place 5 on the council and 4 candidates seeking Place 1 on the Council.
The City Council approved the elections service contract between the City of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins county as recommended.
COVID-19 Update
Maxwell also noted that the city has continued to suspend the practice of cutting off water service for non-payment for several months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the number of active COVID-19 cases continues to be between 30 and 90, with 74 active cases and nearly 400 COVID-19 tests conducted at the free testing site from Sept. 25-Oct. 5, Maxwell said the city currently is continuing the policy of not shutting off service due to non-payments.
However, the city manager noted some account balances have grown quite high. As of this week, 6.3 percent of all accounts were in arrears, with 143 of the 423 accounts more than 90 days behind.
Maxwell said the current plan is that cutoffs won’t be reinstituted until after a vaccine is available. At that time, the city will have to decide how to proceed regarding delinquent accounts. He anticipates requiring those who are behind to pay the current bill, plus 1/6th-1/12th of the back amount to avoid having their water service cut off.
Finances
Smith also reported that the fiscal year 2019-2020 “ended very well despite everything that’s going on,” leaving the city in “good shape overall.”
General fund revenue came in $794,879 under budget, but without the one-time revenue the city has not received yet it appears to leave the city with a surplus of $96,066over the budgeted amount , Smith reported.
Smith said sales tax revenues also came in $289,372 over budget, even with the pandemic.
The city has 667,943 pending from CARES Act pending. Expect to receive $ from Texas Department of Emergency Management over the next 30-60 days. The city plans to request reimbursement for $890,000 later this year.
Overall, across all funds the city finished $2.188 under budget, according to Smith.
Public Forum
During the public forum portion of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Jay Julian phone in to ask the council to consider a youth city council initiative to actively engage young people in the municipal process.
“Authentic youth civic engagement provides young people meaningful
opportunities to contribute their experiences, knowledge and solutions to
city issues,” Julian said. “I feel a youth council is a great way to promote civic pride and provide a foundation to spring-board our youth’s interest in municipal government. Our future crop of leaders are in our youth.”
