SSISD Receives Superior Financial Rating
Proposal Selected For 8 HVAC Replacement Units
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees heard a number of reports from school personnel and students and were asked to consider a few items, including bids for half a dozen HVAC systems.
SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw at the Nov. 11 meeting cnoducted a public meeting regarding the district’s 2019 Financial Accountability Rating. McGraw explained that the rating is based on 2017-2018 school year data and noted that SSISD received a superior rating of 100 points.
The board also approved the purchase of eight heating, ventilation, and air conditioning replacements. SSISD requested bids from three area vendors that are TIPS or BuyBoard approved vendors. A&S Air Conditioning submitted the lowest bid of $62,535, with Wood Air Conditioning Inc.’s bid of $73,100 in second and North Texas Fab LLC’s bid of $79,982 in third. A&S and Wood Air are both TIPS-approved vendors, while North Texas Fab is a BuyBoard-approved vendor.
SSISD Director of Operations Dan Froneberger recommended accepting the proposal from A&S Air Conditioning to replace three units at Austin Academic Center, one unit at the high school, two units at the elementary campus, and two units and other related items at Travis Primary. The purchase of replacements was approved by the school board at their Nov. 11 meeting. Work will be started over the Christmas break or sooner, according to information provided by SSISD.
SSISD trustees Monday night also approved an agreement with Sulphur Springs Country Club regarding use of the facility by golf students and coaches.
Also approved during the meeting were the 2018-2019 Head Start Community Assessment Update and consent agenda, which included tax credits and supplements, delinquent tax collections, and financial statements and bills payable for October 2019.
Superintendent Michael Lamb also gave an update on current board goals, and highlighted the early childhood math goal. Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams reported on elementary and secondary programs and activities since from the various campuses.
Barbara Bush Primary students lead the school board, administrators and others present in reciting the pledges to the American and Texas flags at the Nov. 11 meeting, then showed board members their Veterans Day e-books made and store in the SeeSaw app.
Board members were also provided with copies of Head Start Director’s reports and Policy Council minutes for October.
Update: Sulphur Bluff Resident Found In Debris Of Burned Home Wednesday Afternoon, Officials Report
Officials Wednesday afternoon reported the Sulphur Bluff man whose County Road 3608 residence was destroyed Tuesday by fire was located by specially trained canines inside the debris of his home.
The Search One Rescue Team, an organization with specifically trained canine handlers dedicated to search and rescue, located the deceased man inside the debris and notified his family, according to a press release issued by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday evening.
“The victim was identified as Rick Alberts, a retired Dallas fireman,” the press release stated.
Hopkins County, Sulphur Bluff, North Hopkins, Dike, Saltillo, Brinker, Arbala, Franklin County and Mount Vernon Fire Departments were dispatched at about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, to the two-story residential fire on County Road 3608 in Sulphur Bluff. Officials soon received a report that there could potentially still be a person inside of the home, according to fire and dispatch reports.
Upon arrival, firefighters reported the house to be fully involved with fire. Firefighters deployed hand lines, trying to knock the blaze down as best they could. However, those efforts were reportedly hampered due to problems getting tankers there for water supply, the county fire marshal reported Wednesday morning.
“The fire had quickly consumed the two story residence, leaving a large amount of heavy debris,” according to the HCSO press release.
Officials searched into the night, attempting to account for the male resident and returned Wednesday morning to resume searching for the man in the debris, aided by Search One Rescue Team. The rescue team located him about 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, according to sheriff’s and fire reports.
“The cause of the fire is unknown and still under investigation. The family is staying at a local hotel in Sulphur Springs and funeral arrangements are pending. Our prayers are with the family,” the HCSO press release stated.
Wildcats Basketball is Better At Second Scrimmage Tuesday Night
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta said the Wildcats played much better at a scrimmage Tuesday night (November 12) than they did on Saturday. The Wildcats scrimmaged Mesquite Poteet and Tyler Lee at Mesquite Poteet Tuesday evening. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats did not appear to be having fun on Saturday. He said he knows the team has a target on their back and will get everyone’s best shot but he said the team did not seem to handle that Saturday. He added some team members seemed to take it personally when things did not go their way. Coach Cipoletta saw a difference Tuesday night. He said the team seemed to find a way to overcome things when the team was in a tough stretch. He noticed they were having fun Tuesday night. Coach Cipoletta said he challenged Cameron Kahn after his play Saturday and he said Kahn responded Tuesday night. He said Boo Wilkerson was more focused on handling the ball. Coach Cipoletta said Lamodrick Johnson has been slowed by an ankle injury. The coach liked the play of Day Day Hall and Grayson McClure. Coach Cipoletta was really excited by the improved play of Justin Haire. He said Haire, a 6-foot-7 sophomore, had a couple of put back dunks, got some offensive rebounds and seemed more calm and poised than he was Saturday. Coach Cipoletta said he was not ready for Decatur. He said he still needed another couple of days to get ready for them. He has those days. The Wildcats open the regular season against Decatur, the #7 ranked team in Class 4A, Saturday at 11 a.m. at North Crowley at the Cowtown Showdown.
Two Basketball Wildcats Sign Letters of Intent: Hall to IUPUI and Kahn to DBU
Two Wildcats Basketball seniors signed letters of intent to play college ball Wednesday morning (November 13) in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs before a big crowd of students, friends and family.
6-foot-5 forward and guard Cameron Kahn signed to play at Dallas Baptist University. Kahn said DBU began to follow him through his AAU basketball playing. He said the religious school would allow him to follow his faith and help him be a better man. Kahn said DBU has started the season 2-0. He said they play well together, love the game, communicate and want to win. Kahn said he loves winners. He said DBU wants him to help them push the ball up court, be versatile and be the best he can be for them. Kahn said he looks forward to a good year for the Wildcats this season. He said recruiting was pretty overwhelming. He said some team’s coaches would show up and then not show up but he said Dallas Baptist stuck with him. Kahn said it is a good match for him. Plus they are close to home. He said his granny and family would be able to come see him play. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said Kahn is a big time kid with great character. He said DBU would feed Kahn spiritually, physically and mentally. Coach Cipoletta said Kahn brings a lot to the table. He noted Kahn drew a ton of interest from college recruiters. Coach Cipoletta said Kahn is only 17 years old and would be a whole different player in a couple of years. He said the sky is the limit for Kahn.
6-foot-7 forward and guard Sadaidriene Day Day Hall signed a letter of intent to play at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Hall said a coach told him if he landed the job at IUPUI, he would come back and get Day Day to play there. That’s what happened. Hall called it a dream come true. He said the IUPUI team is solid and are winners, just like the Sulphur Springs Wildcats. Hall said the Indiana college liked his basketball skills and what he can do on the court. He said they especially liked his rebounding. Hall said the key to his rebounding prowess is putting heart and effort into it. Hall said he expects to play forward and maybe a little guard at IUPUI. He said he believes eventually he will start as a freshman. Hall said he would get used to the cold weather up north. He expects another good season for the Wildcats and another run at a state championship. Coach Cipoletta has taken Hall into his home and said he is family. He called him a great kid adding he is happy for him. Coach Cipoletta said the IUPUI program would take care of Day Day. He said Hall was perhaps the best rebounder he has ever coached. Coach Cip said Hall is an unselfish player adding he sometimes has to tell him to score more.
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Saw a Lot of Improvement in Her Team Tuesday Night
Despite a 46-29 loss to Mount Vernon Tuesday Night (November 12), Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell said her team played a lot better than they did last Saturday against Mineola. She said the Lady Cats just got down by too many points in the first quarter to overcome. Coach Tisdell said her team’s play after the first quarter was outstanding. She said the Lady Cats could have won except for the bad first quarter that saw them trailing 18-5. Coach Tisdell said she got standout performances from two freshmen Tuesday night. Kenzie Willis scored 15 points and Serenity Lewis had 9. She said the pair scored 24 of the Lady Cats’ 29 points. She noted they looked much more comfortable than they did on Saturday. Coach Tisdell said it’s a big change in pace when a player jumps from the 8th grade to the varsity. The Lady Cats, 0-2 this season, play next in the Bells Invitational Tournament. They open bright and early Thursday at 9 a.m. against Pottsboro, ranked #23 in Class 3A. After the slow start at Mount Vernon, Coach Tisdell said she might need to make sure there is coffee on the bus considering the Lady Cats early start time Thursday morning.
Saltillo Lady Lions Open Regular Season With Loss to State’s #1 Class 2A Team
For an opening season game Tuesday (November 12), the Saltillo Lady Lions decided to climb the highest mountain. They took on Martin’s Mill, the #1 ranked team in Class 2A and State Champions for the past two seasons and the game was at Martin’s Mill. The result was a Martin’s Mill win over Salltillo, 53-18. Martin’s Mill went up 19-2 after one quarter and never looked back. For the Lady Lions, Allie Lane had 6 points, Chandler Bain and Jocelyn Ochoa had 4 points apiece and Anna Reeder and Maddy Smith had 2 points each. Lady Lions Coach Bill Giles said his team was a little overwhelmed but he added it was their first game and they would learn from this. The Lady Lions play next in the Rivercrest Shootout on Saturday.
Marketside Brand Creamy Cauliflower Parmesan Soup Recall Announced
Kettle Cuisine of Lynn, Massachusetts is voluntarily recalling 16-ounce retail pots of Marketside Brand Creamy Cauliflower Parmesan Soup due to potential presence of fish and wheat, allergens not declared on the label.
Product was distributed to Walmart stores in all 50 states for purchase in store or online.
The product is packed into 16-ounce plastic retail lidded cups, labeled as ‘Marketside Brand Creamy Cauliflower Parmesan Soup’ – UPC 8113130636 with Use-by dates ranging from 11/23/19 to 01/01/20, inclusive.
The problem was discovered when some 16-ounce retail cups of the product were found to contain clam chowder
No adverse reactions or illnesses have been reported regarding this product to date, according to the company’s recall announcement. However, due to the potential allergen, customers, especially those allergic to fish and wheat, are encouraged dispose of the product or return it to the store of purchase for a refund.
Consumers with further questions may contact Kettle Cuisine at 617-409-1290, from 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday.
Arrests Made Following 2 Theft Complaints
Theft complaints made to police on two separate days resulted in felony arrests, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Cameron Robinson and Nick Floyd arrested a Commerce woman and Winnsboro man Nov. 10 following a complaint of a possible theft in progress at Walmart.
Upon arrival at the store around 8:20 p.m. Sunday, officers contacted suspect Amber Rebecca Lee of Commerce and a 31-year-old Winnsboro man inside the store, where staff asked that they be issued trespass warnings prohibiting them from returning to the property.
Store staff alleged the pair had gathered items in the store, then attempted to return them to the front desk for money. The pair was escorted outside the store, where the 22-year-old Lee reportedly agreed to let the officers search her purse. Officers alleged drug paraphernalia was found in her purse, thus, she was issued a citation for the offense.
Police, in arrest reports, alleged the Winnsboro man appeared nervous, struggled to stand upright, was unable to stay still, and showed signs of bruxism, which is consistent with the use of a controlled substance. Believing the man to be a danger to himself and others, the officers took him into custody for public intoxciation.
Lee told the officers she wanted allo fhte man’s belongings removed from her vehicle. He reportedly agreed to let officers search his belongings and Lee to a search of her Dodge Nitro. Officers reported finding a baggy with a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine inside of a sivlver and black box. She reportedly claimed the box when asked who it belongs to. Consequently, Lee was taken into custody for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
While being transported to jail, Lee reportedly claimed to be having a panic attack, so EMS was called to meet the jail. Once she was medically cleared, she was jailed on the controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
The Winnsboro man was jailed on the PI charge Nov. 10 and released Nov. 11. Lee remained in the county jail Wednesday, Nov. 13, in lieu of $5,000 bond on the controlled substance charge. She was also charge Nov. 10 on Hunt County warrants for bond forfeiture on possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charges. Lee’s bond was set at $3,500 on the Hunt County controlled substance charge and $1,000 on the other, according to jail reports.
On Tuesday, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Adrian Pruitt and Lt. Eddie Moon responded around 9:45 a.m. to a theft complaint in the 400 block of Nicholson Street.
Upon arrival, a 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man was alleged to have removed items from another man’s residence without permission. Officers followed a report of where the suspect had gone, locating him. When they contacted the man, he admitted to removing several items from the residence, police alleged in arrest reports.
Officers alleged while talking to him, drug paraphernalia was located. Consequently, John Mathew Perez was transported to jail, where officials reportedly found a baggy containing suspected methamphetamine inside his boot, resulting in the additional charge of possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, Moon and Pruitt alleged in Nov. 12 arrest reports.
Perez remained in the county jail Wednesday, Nov. 13, in lieu of $5,000 bond set on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Alabama Man Sentenced To 180 Days In Jail For Burglary
A 22-year-old Jackson, Alabama man has been sentenced to 180 days in Hopkins County detention center for an April 22 burglary.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s officers took Chase Mitchell Hopper, who listed an Alabama address at the time of his arrest, into custody in the 8th Judicial District Courtroom, where the district judge Monday, Nov. 11, sentenced him to 180 days in the county jail for an April 22 burglary of a habitation, according to arrest reports.
Hopper, who listed a Wills Point address at that time, was arrested April 22 after deputies caught him inside the County Road 1165 home he’d allegedly broken into. Sheriff’s deputies conduct a welfare check on a resident, who’d asked a child to call 911 because a person was reported to be breaking into the home, according to arrest reports.
Deputies entered the master bedroom. Hopper allegedly walked out of the master bathroom with two large butcher knives in his right hand and had to be disarmed, officers alleged in April reports.
Hopper was indicted on the burglary of a habitation charge in June, according to court reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail until July 26 in lieu of $100,000 bond on the burglary charge as well as $2,500 bond on a warrant, according to jail reports. He was taken into custody again Nov. 11 in district court, and is to remain in the county jail until May 8, 2020, according to arrest reports.
