Lady Cat Basketball Opens Season Tuesday at Home
Tuesday Gameday brings Lady Cat basketball in their season opener.
Coach Bryan Jones and his squad are all too ready to begin their season, originally set to open Friday.
Lady Cat basketball was scheduled to play at the end of last week against Prestonwood Christian last Friday, but had to be pushed back to Saturday due to Coach Jones being in Round Rock for Lady Cat cross country at the state meet.
After that, the game was cancelled altogether, making Tuesday, Nov. 8 the women’s basketball season opener.
Sulphur Springs hosts Sherman on this Tuesday Gameday.
The Lady Bearcats come to the SSHS Man Gym with a 1-0 record, fresh off beating Frisco Heritage on Saturday. They will look to make it two straight if they can beat the Lady Cats on their home court.
Coach Jones said last week he is liking what he is seeing so far. He said mistakes the team made last year are few and far in between, as well as not having to deal with the injury bug that the women’s basketball team struggled with last season. The coach also said that the return of Kenzie Willis greatly helped in his decision to return to Sulphur Springs, as he coached several of the Lady Cats on the varsity squad when he coached in town two seasons ago.
That, and with volleyball’s season unfortunately coming to a close, has Lady Cat basketball at full strength for the first time in almost two years.
Coach Bryan Jones and his squad look to get the 2021-22 season off on the right foot when they host Sherman in the SSHS Main Gym.
That game tips off on Tuesday, Nov. 8 in Sulphur Springs at 5 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.
Local Disaster Declaration Issued For Hopkins County Following Friday’s Tornado, Storms
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom Tuesday morning signed a local disaster declaration for Hopkins County, citing damages from Friday’s tornadoes and the storms which swept through Hopkins County as the cause.
The designation states the county “experienced tornadoes, high winds, fallen trees, flooding and water damages that have caused widespread and severe damage as well as loss of property to the County and its citizens.” The declaration states damages can be and are not limited to “damaged homes, buildings, roads, bridges, parks and playgrounds; which have severely damaged the County due to the extraordinary high winds and heavy rains.”
The County judge said the damages were primarily in the one area of the county, where three homes pretty much destroyed. Some barns were also reported to be in the storm and tornadoes’ paths.
The county has been working to help haul out large amounts of lumber, removing downed trees and fallen branches caused by the tornado and recent storms. Some roads were reported to be under water and personal property also sustained some flooding, according to Newsom.
In the disaster declaration, the county judge stipulates the county’s emergency management plan has been implemented and authorizes use of all available public resources in the county and cities within the county to help cope with the disaster.
Local grants coordinator Beth Wisenbaker is looking into funding sources, potentially some FEMA funding, that could help individuals recoup some of their losses and would allow the county to recover some of the expense of the clean up efforts.
“There was no loss of life or no one was seriously hurt that we are aware of, and we are grateful for that. Other counties around suffered a more serious damages and loss. We did not have as much flooding here, but some roads were under water and we do have some here who have lost their homes and had other damages. We are doing this to try to help them get started again. We are just trying to help folks through the declaration and by applying for things to try to get the county back as much as possible,” Newsom said.
The local state of disaster spans from Nov. 4, 2022, until Hopkins County Commissioners Court votes to discontinue it. The Commissioners Court is expected to review the designation at their next regular court session.
Teen In Custody After Making A Social Media Post Authorities Treated As School Threat
A Hopkins County teen was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after making a social media post authorities treated as a school threat Monday night, Nov. 7, 2022.
“They need to know we’re not playing. This will not be allowed in any way in our schools. They need to know we’re going to address every threat immediately and take appropriate actions. If you make any kind of threat, gesture or anything else towards the children at any school in Hopkins County, we are going to come and get you.”
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said later Tuesday morning.
The juvenile, reported to be a Sulphur Springs ISD student, reportedly sent a picture of what appeared to be firearms, which was labeled “school supplies,’ and “bro what. . .” via a social media app, to a person who has a connection to law enforcement.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was alerted at 11:24 p.m. Nov. 7, 2022, and deputies immediately began investigating what they perceived to be a school threat, Tatum reported.
Initially, the sheriff said, no one knew who or where the photo came from, only the first name on the account it was sent from. Deputies reached out to others and continued investigating, and were able to identify a suspect by first and last name, then tracked down the youth. They took the juvenile, reported to be a 15-year-old male, into custody and found the evidence shown in the image. Sulphur Springs ISD officials were notified. The youth was taken before a magistrate, then transferred to a Gregg County facility.
“The offense came in at 11:24 last night. The subject was in custody by 1:35 a.m. and transported to a juvenile detention center,” Tatum said. “Deputies did a great and fast job”
Tatum again stressed the sheriff’s office takes such acts seriously and begin immediately working the cases, continuing until they make contact with the person or individuals responsible, wherever they are, even if that means waking everyone up at 2 a.m. at residence.
The goal is to keep students and school employees safe by addressing any potential threats to children or schools swiftly and seriously with law enforcement action, preventing potential threats from entering any school campus, the sheriff added.
28 Grams Suspect Marijuana Extract Found During I-30 Traffic Stop
Yantis Woman Allegedly Approached Officers While Intoxicated, In Possession of Methamphetamine
Two women were arrested over the weekend on controlled substance charges. Officers reported finding more than 28 grams of suspected marijuana extract during and I-30 traffic stop Sunday night. A 35-year-old Yantis woman was caught with a bag of methamphetamine in her purse, according to sheriff’s reports.
I-30 Traffic Stop
Cumby Police Officer Justin Talley initiated a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet Malibu that sped along at 87 miles per hour in the 75 mph speed zone on Interstate 30 east near mile marker 112. The car pulled over at 7:40 p.m. Nov. 6, 2022, at mile marker 114.
While speaking with the driver, Talley alleged he could smell a strong marijuana odor emitting from the vehicle. Talley conducted a probable cause search of the car.
Talley reported finding 0.699 ounce of a green plant-like substance he believed to be marijuana as well as approximately 28.21 grams of suspected marijuana extract, a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance.
Talley took the driver 37-year-old Ashley P. Mahomes of Little Rock, Arkansas into custody at 8:16 p.m. Nov. 6, 2022. She was booked into the county jail at 9:24 p.m. on Class B misdemeanor possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and a second-degree felony possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge for having the suspected marijuana extra, Talley alleged in arrest reports.
South Broadway Street
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Deputies Josh Davis and Bobby Osornio, and Sgt. Scott Davis reported a woman, who had been sitting in a vehicle nearby on South Broadway Street, approached them at 3:51 a.m. Saturday to ask a question.
Deputy Davis, in arrest reports, wrote that it was clear the woman was intoxicated and placed her in custody at 4:03 a.m. Nov. 5, 2022, for public intoxication. The vehicle she was in was then inventoried so that it could be towed and her personal belongings were collected. A search of her purse revealed a baggy containing methamphetamine.
Upon arrival at the county jail, the 35-year-old Yantis woman “had to be placed into a v-cell due to her behavior,” according to arrest reports. The substance in the bag field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 0.69 gram.
Christina Nicole Harris was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:15 a.m. Nov. 5, 2022, on a misdemeanor public intoxication charge as well as a felony possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
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.
Paris Junior College Laptop Giveaway to Full Time Students
FREE LAP TOP
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Office Manager Dana Smock, left, presents a free lap top computer to Maci Wright of Sulphur Springs for registering as a full-time, 12 semester credit hour student for the fall 2022 semester. The computer is to help those students taking a full load of classes to have the resources they need to succeed.
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.
Saltillo Woman Accused Of Threatening To Shoot Law Enforcement
Como Man Accused Of Threatening To Beat His Wife
Two people were arrested over the weekend for making threats toward others in two separate incidents. A Saltillo woman was accused of threatening to shoot law enforcement early Sunday morning, while a Como man allegedly threatened to beat his wife Sunday afternoon.
FM 69 Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s deputies were dispatched at 12:25 p.m. Nov. 6, 2022. to FM 69 south in Como, where a verbal disturbance was reported. Upon arrival, the deputies contacted the 37-year-old male resident, his common-law spouse, and his adult daughter.
Deputies were told the man and his common-law spouse argued. During the verbal altercation which occurred in front of their daughter, the Como man told his spouse he was going to beat her, deputies alleged in arrest reports. The Como man also allegedly threatened to have another female come to the residence to beat his common-law spouse. Deputies collected statements from witnesses. The Como man claimed not to remember making those statements while arguing with his spouse, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Deputies took the Como man into custody at 1:06 p.m. Nov. 6, 2022, at at the FM 69 south residence and transported him to the county jail, where the 37-year-old was booked in on a Class C misdemeanor family violence assault by threat or intimidation charge, according to arrest reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
County Road 3594 Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies Josh Davis, Bobby Osornio and Colt Patterson, and Sgt. Scott Davis were dispatched Saturday night to a County Road 3594 residence, where a a convicted felon was alleged to have a firearm and to possibly be suicidal. When they arrived, the suspect had fled. Deputies searched the area, but at that time had no luck locating the male in question.
Later in the shift, around 1:05 a.m. Nov. 6, 2022, the man’s aunt called the sheriff’s office, requesting EMS at the address. She claimed her nephew was at her home and needed medical attention. The call was transferred to an EMS dispatcher. While on the phone with EMS, the woman allegedly said if law enforcement responded also, she’d shoot them.
When emergency responders arrived, however, the man had fled the area on foot and was not located. The woman, identified in arrest reports as Tracy Lynnette Williams, was arrested a few minute before 2 a.m. Nov. 6 and transported to jail. The 54-year-old woman was booked into the county jail at 3:06 a.m. Sunday on a third-degree felony obstruction or retaliation charge for threatening to harm law enforcement to prevent them from responding to the call reported to involve her nephew, according to arrest reports.
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.
North Hopkins FCCLA, Beta Honor Barbara Cockrum With Veterans’ Hospital Drive
North Hopkins FCCLA and Beta Club will honor the late Barbara Cockrum with a veterans’ hospital drive. Cockrum continued to be active at the school even after retiring, often serving as a substitute teacher and each year hosting an event to benefit the veterans at the Bonham hospital.
In order to honor the much-loved educator, the NHISD FCCLA and Beta Clubs this year will host the inaugural Veterans Hospital Drive in honor of Mrs. Barbara Cockrum. Club members hope those who knew Mrs. Cockrum will help keep her memory and legacy alive by making this year’s event the biggest collection drive at the school year.
Donated items will go to the VA Hospital in Bonham for the veterans being treated at the facility. The VA Hospital has very specific guidelines regarding what they can accept. All items must be new and be the specific items on the list below.
- Clothing
- Athletic shorts — Men’s, all sizes
- Sweat Pants and Tops — Men’s large to 2XL
- Zip-up sweat jackets — Men’s sizes medium to Xl
- House shoes with rubber soles — Men’s sizes 10, 11 and 12
- Personal hygiene/Toiletry Items
- Toothpaste
- Body Wash (no bar soap or hotel/motel soap or toiletries)
- Denture adhesive and cleaner
- Snacks (must be individually wrapped)
- Peanut butter and/or cheese crackers
- granola bars
- chips
- bottled water
- ground coffee
- liquid creamer
Anyone who would like to help NHISD honor Cockrum by blessing the veterans who served, may make donations of any of the items above by Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the designated location at the school.
Candidates On Nov. 8, 2022 Election Ballots In Hopkins County
Nov. 8, 2022 General Election ballots include multiple candidates for district, county and state offices, as well as certified unopposed incumbent candidates and options for voters to manually add certified write-in candidates.
Sulphur Springs ISD
Sulphur Springs ISD has called a bond election, asking district voters to casts ballots either for or against Proposition A:
The issuance of $81,500,000 of bonds by the Sulphur Springs Independent School District for Travis Elementary, Bowie Primary, Barbara Bush Primary, Sulphur Springs Elementary School and Sulphur Springs High School and purchasing school buses and levying the tax in payment thereof.
As explained by SSISD Board of Trustees, Superintendent and Facilities Committee, the $81.5 million bond would require a 1-cent increase to the Sulphur Springs ISD tax rate. This would be on the issuance and sinking (debit service) portion of the tax rate. When factored in with the 1.7-cent reduction in the maintenance and operations portion of the SSISD tax rate, would still be 0.7-cent less tax payers would play per $100 property valuation in ad valorem taxes than during the 2021-2022 tax year.
Saltillo ISD
Saltillo ISD is also holding a school board election. The school district opened filing over the summer for four places on the school board: Place 2, held by Ryan Garmon; Place 4 held by Barry Brewer; Place 6, which is currently open; and Place 7, currently held by Chip Tully. Each seat is for a 4-year term on the school board.
When filing closed on Aug. 22, incumbent Ryan Garmon was unopposed for Place 2 and incumbent Barry Brewer was unopposed for Place 4. Two candidates each had filed for Place 6 and Place 7, which are both on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Voters have the option of selecting either one or none of the candidates per place on the school board.
The two candidates for Place 6 on Saltillo ISD Board of Trustees are Mason Littrell and Josh Redar.
The two candidates for Place 7 on the Saltillo ISD school board are Jason Tully and Phillip Alcorn.
North Hopkins ISD
Voters in North Hopkins ISD will be asked to choose up to three of the four candidates seeking one of the three full-term seats on the school board. Because the election is at-large, the three candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the school board.
Candidates for the full term seats on the North Hopkins ISD Board of Trustees include:
- Charles C. Vaughn
- Sherry Smiddy Clair
- Michael S. James
- Brian A. Lewis.
The ballot also contains one unopposed candidate, Robert. E. McPherson, who is seeking the seat for an unexpired term on the school board. NHISD voters have the option to vote for McPherson for the unexpired seat or to not vote at all for the unexpired seat on the school board.
Miller Grove ISD
Voters within MGISD are asked to cast ballots for up to three candidates for MGISD Board of Trustees.
The district had three individuals turn in their candidate packets by the August filing deadline, seeking three at-large seats on the school board, which would have allowed trustees to cancel the school trustees election with the three seats going to the three candidates — Brandon Darrow, Bret Garrett and Ray Sparks.
However, a fourth individual, Collin Alexander, filed as a write-in candidate for MGISD Board of Trustees Election just under the filing deadline, requiring a trustees election. So, while his name will not appear on the ballot, MGISD voters do have the option of writing in Collin Alexander as their choice to serve as a MGISD school board seat.
The MGISD seats are at-large, so the three candidates getting the most votes in the Nov. 8 election will be elected to a full term on the school board.
State and District Elections
Voters will have multiple candidates to choose for 14 state and US races, and some will even have an option to add write-in candidates, if they so choose, in up to four elections on the Nov. 8 ballots.
Write-in Candidates
Four state residents and one county school district resident were certified as write-in candidates. That means they met the terms to be on the ballot, but their names do not appear on the ballot. Voters who wish to vote for a write-in candidate must do just that, write their name in the blank on their election ballot.
While any name may be written on a blank line on the ballot, only the certified write-in candidate names will be counted, according to Texas Secretary of State’s Office. (In other words, if you write in John Doe or Mickey Mouse, and no one by that name has been certified, that nomination will not be counted for election purposes).
Write-in candidates for state and district offices that may be entered on Nov. 8 ballots include:
- Governor
- Jacqueline Abernathy
- Mark V. Goloby
- Commissioner of General Land Office
- Carrie Evelyn Menger
- State Board of Education, District 12, Member
- Rosiland Davis
- Miller Grove ISD Board of Trustees
- Collin Alexander
Opposed Candidates
State and US elections with opposed candidates include:
Unopposed Candidates
In Hopkins County, 9 candidates were unchallenged in their bids for reelection to their district, county and precinct offices.
Among the certified unopposed incumbent candidates for county and precinct offices in Hopkins County (which appear at the end of Hopkins County ballots) are the following:
- County Judge — Robert Newsom
- County Court At Law Judge — Clay Harrison
- District Clerk — Cheryl Fulcher
- County Clerk — Tracy Orr Smith
- County Treasurer — Danny Davis
- County Commissioner Precinct 2 — Greg Anglin
- County Commissioner Precinct 4 — Joe Price
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 — BJ Teer
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 — Brad Cummings
Thus, the above candidates, who are all Republicans, are declared elected and their names will be listed on the General Election ballot after the contested races under the “Unopposed Candidates Declared Elected-County” heading, according to the “Certification of Unopposed County and Precinct Candidates” signed Aug. 29, 2022, by the county election official and posted on the Hopkins County website, www.hopkinscountytx.org
Five people at the state level are also shown as “unopposed candidates declared elected-state.” Those unopposed state candidates on the Nov. ballot are as follows:
- Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 2 — Mary Lou Keel
- State Senator, District No. 1 — Bryan Hughes
- State Representative, District 2 — Bryan Slaton
- 6th Court of Appeals District Chief Justice — Scott E. Stephens
- 6th Court of Appeals District, Place 3 Justice — Charles Van Cleef
All five of the unopposed state candidates which have been “declared elected” for lack of an opponent on the Nov. 8, 2022 ballot are also Republican candidates.
All voting centers throughout the state will be open during regular Election Day hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Nov. 8, 2022.
Where To Vote In Hopkins County On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022
Early voting in the 2022 Nov. 8 General Election concluded Friday, Nov. 4, with 7,548 of the 24,724 registered voters in Hopkins County casting ballots. That’s 30.53% who voted, 29.08% (7,189) by personal appearance and the remaining 1.2% by mail. Hopkins County voters will have one last chance, on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022, to cast their choice of candidates and, where applicable, propositions such as the $81.5 million SSISD bond proposal.
County voters have the options of voting at any of the following 12 voting centers Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:
- Precinct 1 — Lutheran Church, 1000 Texas Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas (Front Foyer);
- Pct. 2A — H.W. Grays Building, 413 Beckham Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas (Meeting Room);
- Pct. 3 — Hopkins County Courthouse, 118 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas (1st Floor Courtroom);
- Pct. 3A— Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Campus, 1137 TX-301 Loop, Room 101a, Sulphur Springs, Texas
- Pct. 4 — Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas (West Hall)
- Pct. 4A — League Street Church Of Christ, 1100 South League St., Sulphur Springs, Texas (Front Foyer)
- Pct. 5 — Saltillo ISD, 150 CR 3534, Saltillo, Texas75478 (Ag Lab)
- Pct. 11 — Cumby Municipal Building, 100 East Main Street, Cumby, Texas 7543, (City Meeting Room)
- Pct. 12 — Sulphur Bluff ISD, 1027 CR 3550, Sulphur Bluff, Texas 75481 (Foyer Outside Gym)
- Pct. 13 — Como-Pickton CISD 13017 TX Hwy 11 East, Como, Texas 75431 (Art Room)
- Pct. 16 — Miller Grove ISD, 7819 FM 275 South, Cumby, Texas75433 (Foyer Outside Gym)
- Pct. 17 — North Hopkins ISD, 1994 FM 71 Wests, Sulphur Springs, Texas (Admin. Building)
Mail Ballots
The deadline for the voting official to receive ballots mailed within the United States from non-military and military voters who submitted an Application for a Ballot By Mail (“ABBM”) is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 9, 2022, if the carrier envelope has a postmark showing it was in the mail by 7 p.m. Nov 8, 2022.
Please note that different deadlines apply to the last day to receive ballots depending on how they are sent :
- (1) Ballots from non-military and military voters who mailed ballots domestically and submitted an ABBM must be received by the early voting clerk by 5 p.m. Nov 9, 2022, and must bear a postmark indicating the ballot was mailed by 7 p.m. Nov 8, 2022.
- (2) Ballots from non-military and military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and who submitted an ABBM must be received by the early voting clerk by Nov 14, 2022 and must bear a postmark indicating the ballot was mailed by 7 p.m. Nov 8, 2022.
- (3) Ballots from non-military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and who submitted a Federal Post card Application (“FPCA”) must be received by the early voting clerk by Nov 14, 2022, and must bear a postmark indicating the ballot was mailed by 7 p.m. Nov 8, 2022.
- (4) Ballots from military voters who mailed ballots domestically or from overseas and who submitted a FPCA must be received by the early voting clerk by Nov 14, 2022. (Ballots in this category do not need to have any postmark.)
Texas voters who are eligible to vote by mail must provide: (1) a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)-issued Texas Driver License, Personal ID or Election ID Certificate number; OR (2) the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number on both their Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) and mail ballot carrier envelope. As long as one of the ID numbers provided matches what is on the voter’s registration record, the voter’s ABBM and ballot can be accepted.
Additional Information
Hopkins County voters can find additional voter information about the General Election by clicking here; or by selecting the “voter information” menu option on the main page of the Hopkins County website, https://www.hopkinscountytx.org/page/hopkins.Voterinfo.
For additional information about the various elections on Nov. 8 ballots in Hopkins County, including sample ballots, click here.
Master Gardener: This And That For November
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
When mums finish blooming and start turning brown, there’s always the question of what to do with them during winter. Well, take a look at the shrub base. There should be shoots emerging at the base of each flowering stalk. These are next year’s stems. So, leave them alone and remove everything down to 1-2 inches in height. Don’t trim any of the newly emerging clumps.
(Photo by Melvin Melvin on Unsplash)
The new clumps will sit there all winter before they spring out with new growth in March. If you intend to dig and divide your mums, you can either do so immediately after you trim off the dead stems, or you can wait until just before the new growth commences in late winter.
The literature suggests that due to climate change, we shouldn’t expect much color from changing leaves this fall. About the only predicted exceptions are Chinese pistachios, pears, ginkgoes, and sweet gums. We’ll see.
With the end of grass growing season, raising the mower’s height is normally not a good idea. You get no additional winter protection, due to shrivel and drying of grass stems.
When looking for new or replacement shrubs or trees, it’s seldom a good idea to rely on speed of growth. Fast growing shrubs and trees, with only rare exceptions such as a Paulownia tree, Nellie R. Stevens holly, or a willow leaf holly shrub, nearly always have problems such as and are high maintenance, requiring frequent pruning and have disease and insect problems.
Leaving leaves on the ground taps warmth and moisture. Those two equal mold, mildew and disease. Further, if strong cold winds suddenly blow the leaves away, grass blades get a sudden dose of winter they don’t need and from which they may not survive. Also, neighbors may not appreciate your leaves blowing into their yard!
