Lady Cats Softball Opens Postseason at Home on Wednesday Gameday
Coach David Carrillo’s squad begins their postseason on Wednesday, Apr. 27 hosting Whitehouse for game one of Bi-District.
The best of three series has Sulphur Springs hosting games one and three, traveling to Whitehouse Friday for game two.
Softball hopes for an even better run than last year, one which saw Sulphur Springs make it to the fourth round for the first time in Coach Carrillo’s tenure as softball coach for the Lady Cats.
Sulphur Springs enters the playoffs sporting a 21-2-2 record, having completed a perfect 12-0 district season. The Lady Cats fell in their warm-up game to Canton 11-9 for their first loss in almost two months.
Whitehouse enters the playoffs two games over .500 at 18-14 (5-5 in District 16-5A).
The second game of the series, after the playoff-opening contest Wednesday in Sulphur Springs, has the Lady Cats traveling to Whitehouse on Friday, Apr. 29 with that one set to begin later this week at 6:30 P.M.
Game three, if necessary, has softball back at home on Saturday, Apr. 30 hosting Whitehouse at 2 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.
Health Care Foundation 2022 Gala Meets Goal To Help Fund Purchase Of 4D Video Sonogram, Beds
The 2022 Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Gala not only provided an evening of fun and fine dining, but also raised the targeted goal to help purchase a 4D video sonogram machine and five state-of-the-art labor and delivery beds for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, according to Shannon Barker, executive director, Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation.
Barker offers a huge thank you to all the sponsors, donors, attendees and volunteers who made the Gala possible, and in doing so, helping provide equipment to help make pregnancies and deliveries safer, easier and healthier in Sulphur Springs.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Board and the 2022 Gala Co-Chairs presented a check for $216,000 to the hospital for the purchase of a 4D Video Sonogram Machine and five labor and delivery beds.
Wildcats Baseball Falls to Hallsville on Senior Night
Senior Night did not go as planned for Wildcats baseball.
Hallsville cruised past Sulphur Springs 14-1 on Tuesday, Apr. 26.
Coach Jerrod Hammack’s squad fell behind early to the Bobcats and could not recover, coughing up eight runs through the first two innings. Hallsville tacked on two more through the next two innings to lead big over Sulphur Springs 10-0.
Another big inning in the 5th saw the Bobcats pour on four more.
The Wildcats scored their lone run of the game in the bottom frame of the inning thanks to a double from Mayer Millsap. Matt Mitchell reached second thanks to a fielding error on what should have been a routine pop-up, as Millsap was able to cross home for the lone run for Sulphur Springs.
That lone run would be all she wrote, as the game was called after five with the Wildcats losing to Hallsville 14-1 on Tuesday, Apr. 26.
CF Millsap, SS Colt Silman, and Matthew Sherman, three of 11 seniors honored Tuesday night, all finished the night going 1 for 3 with a hit apiece. P Colby Albritton, another senior, went 1 for 2 in the loss.
The senior night loss to the Bobcats drops the Wildcats’ season record to 7-15 overall (4-7 district).
While the loss to Hallsville may have been a tough loss, Coach Jerrod Hammack’s team is not out of the playoff hunt. Wildcats baseball travels to Longview Friday for a chance to make the postseason.
Longview (fourth in 15-5A, 5-6) fell to Pine Tree Tuesday.
If Sulphur Springs beats the Lobos Friday in Longview, the Wildcats would then play a play-in game with the Lobos.
The regular season finale, and possibly season finale, tees off in Longview Friday, Apr. 29 at 7 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.
CPHS Student Kara Tifft Named Junior Intern For Texas FFA Foundation Summer Leadership Team
Como-Pickton High School FFA Chapter Vice President Kara Tifft has been named a junior intern for the Texas FFA Foundation Leadership Team.
Tifft and Texas A&M University students Nathan Barrett, who will be a senior intern, will assist the foundation’s leadership team in executing programs, activities, and providing service to Texas FFA members, advisors, sponsors, special guests and other stakeholders during the annual FFA Convention.
The Texas FFA Foundation staff members include Aaron Alejandro, executive director; Chandra Orren, executive assistant/comptroller; and Kassie Montford, coordinator for planning and development.
Tifft aspires to be an outstanding agriculturalist and leader. Along that line, in addition to serving as chapter vice president, she serves as a class officer is a member of the National Honor Society as well as other clubs at CPHS. She too has served as a Texas FFA Foundation Ambassador three times since 2019, an experience that inspired her to pursue this internship this year.
In addition to her active involvement in FFA, Tifft also participates in CPHS athletics programs and UIL.
Kara Tifft plans to attend Tarleton State University to major in animal science and eventually become a large animal veterinarian.
Spring Brings Fresh Garden Produce
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Many home gardens have been planted and questions have been received by our office on preserving the harvest. A great resource for home food preservation comes from my colleagues at the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. They have published a book called “So Easy to Preserve,” which covers not only the basics of water bath canning and pressure canning, but also recipes for canned products, pickled products, spreads and syrups, freezing, and drying foods to preserve them.
If you are interested in learning more, contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443, and I’ll provide you with information. We also have a few printed publications in our office available to anyone interested.
In addition to food preservations publications, we have more great resources for produce, including full-color packets which include growing season, storage, varieties, fun facts & tips, and three recipes for each vegetable. Topics include bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, jalapenos, okra, onions, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, tomatoes, and zucchini. We hope you will take advantage of the great resources available to you!
Walk Through Texas History Starts May 2
Hopefully by now you have read or heard about Walk Through Texas History. This four-week program is designed to help Texans establish the habit of regular physical activity while learning the rich history of Texas. Each adult team may include up to 8 team members, all working together to reach designated goals while following along legendary historical paths created by fellow Texans. A new path has been developed, and already, we have four teams signed up to take part. The Texas Historical Commission has put together a 510-mile trek across Texas to highlight some wonderful historic sites.
The beauty of the program is that participants can log miles in their own neighborhoods, parks, walking tracks or even in their own homes. With each historic marker reached by the team, team members can read about that specific site and its’ rich history. I will be sending out a weekly e-mail with team mileage updates, along with a delicious recipe. To join a team, contact my office and I’ll provide you with details. Participants are not required to walk with their team members, but it is more fun to have a walking buddy! The event kicks off on Monday, May 2 for teams to begin logging miles/steps. It will wrap up on May 29.
Closing Thought
In our daily lives, it isn’t happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. There is always, always something to be grateful for.
– Unknown
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent at the Hopkins County Extension Office at P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected].
Chamber Connection – April 27
By Butch Burney
Eat as much crawfish as you can and also help a great cause with Rotary Club’s Claws for a Cause benefit dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 30, downtown. Proceeds will go to selected non-profits and scholarships.
Tickets are still available for the crawfish dinner with fixings. Drinks will be available for purchase.
Dub and The Love Machines will also be playing for the cause.
Be a Kids Superhero
You can be a superhero in attire and deed with the CASA Superhero Virtual Walk to promote Child Abuse Awareness. During the month of April, you are encouraged to walk or run anytime anywhere while wearing a superhero costume, cape or simply a blue shirt. Post your photo on social media with the hasthtag #lakecountrycasa.
Mabel’s Foundation
Mabel’s Foundation is hosting the third annual Trade School Dinner to support Nuevo Progreso Trade Schools on Saturday, May 7, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lake Fork Baptist Church, 9483 FM 515 in Alba. There will be free will offering at the door for a crappie fish fry with all the fixings. Carry out or sit down is available. Please call 605-431-9655 to let them know you’re coming.
Ribbon Cuttings
- Northeast Texas Gellyball will host a ribbon cutting at their new location at 1511 South Broadway Street at noon Friday, April 29. Please welcome them to Sulphur Springs.
- Kay Jae + Co Boutique, located at 325 South Davis St., will host a ribbon cutting for their shop at noon on Thursday, May 5. Please visit this new boutique.
- The North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department will host a ribbon cutting at their firehouse at 72 West FM 71. Please join us for that event.
- (Top, right) Let ‘Er Rip hosted a ribbon cutting Wednesday, April 20, at 1441 Shannon Road. Please welcome them to the business community.
- (Bottom, Right) The Shave Shop hosted a ribbon cutting at noon Friday, April 22, at Kids Kingdom. They are available for special events.
Business of the Week
Bulkley and Associates is the Chamber’s Business of the Week for April 27. See more about our Business of the Week on the Chamber’s Instagram and Facebook pages as well as our website.
A Strange Thing About The History Of The Tomato … And A Few Local Recommendations
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected]
As temperatures start to warm-up, gardeners get in the mood of working outside, visiting plant stores and enjoying the garden. This week has been a very pleasant one with sporadic rain and cold temperatures at night. In Hopkins County, we have several gardeners passionate about tomato plants and tomato plant gardening.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, one of the strangest things about the history of the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is the fact that, although it is of American origin, it was unknown as food in this country until long after it was commonly eaten in Europe.
Until hardly more than a hundred years ago, it was generally thought to be poisonous in the United States. Long before it was considered here as fit to eat, it was grown only as an ornamental garden plant, sometimes called “love apple.” The mistaken idea that tomatoes were poisonous probably arose because the plant belongs to the Nightshade family, of which some species are truly poisonous. The strong, unpleasant odor of the leaves and stems also contributed to the idea that the fruits were unfit for food.
Our word “tomato” is but a slight modification of tomati, the word used by the Indians of Mexico, who have grown the plant for food since prehistoric times. Other names reported by early European explorers were tomatl, tumatle, and tomatas, probably variants of Indian words.
Cultivated tomatoes apparently originated as wild forms in the Peru-Ecuador-Bolivia area of the Andes. Moderate altitudes in that mountainous land abound today in a wide range of forms of tomato, both wild and cultivated. The cultivated tomato is very tender to cold and also rather intolerant of extremely hot or dry weather, a characteristic reflecting the nature of the climate in which it originated.
Not until after the Declaration of Independence do we find any record of the tomato as being grown in the United States. It was supposedly introduced to Philadelphia by a French refugee from Santo Domingo in 1789 and to Salem, Massachusetts, in 1802 by an Italian painter.
The various shapes and colors of tomatoes known today in the United States were found in America by the earliest explorers. Plant breeders have improved the size and smoothness of the fruit and the productivity of the plants, but have introduced nothing basically new in form or color.
After having made good abroad, the tomato has attained great importance in its native hemisphere. Today, in the United States alone, hundreds of thousands of acres yield millions of tons of tomatoes.
Recommended Varieties of Tomato for Hopkins County
- Large: Better Boy, Big Beef, Bradywine, Early Big Red, Floradade, Mountain Glory and Pik Rite.
- Medium: Carnival, Celebrity, Golden Jubilee, Mountain Spring, Porter improved and Ultra Sweet.
- Paste: Chico and Roma.
- Small: Cherry Grande, Small Fry and Sunsugar.
It is important to remember that tomato plants are sensitive to cold weather. A frost protection method is recommended until all risk of cold weather in Hopkins County is over. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
2 Arrested For Cocaine Possession
An out-of-town pair was arrested for cocaine possession following a traffic stop late Monday night, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Isaac Foley reported an expired registration as cause for stopping the Dodge Grand Caravan at 11:48 p.m. April 25, 2022, at the intersection of Wildcat Way and Arbala Road. The strong marijuana odor he smelled upon contact with the two occupants, however, was the reason he had them step out of the gold van.
When the passenger notified Foley he’d find a firearm under his seat, the deputy placed the pair into handcuffs as a safety precaution. Passenger Dennis Edward “D.J.” Christopher Jr. agreed to let the deputy search his pockets. While he was doing so, a baggy containing a crystal-like substance he suspected was cocaine fell out of the 22-year-old Henderson man’s pocket, Foley alleged in arrest reports.
HCSO Deputy Drew Fisher then arrived to assist Foley. Another bag contained more suspected cocaine was found in the center dash areas of the van during the vehicle search, Foley wrote in arrest reports.
Both Christopher and the driver, identified as 26-year-old Damon Heath of Paris were read their rights and transported at 11:08 p.m. by Foley to the county jail. They were booked in at 12:24 a.m. April 26, 2022, according to arrest and jail reports.
Heath was charged with possession of less than 1 gram of the substance found in the dash, which field tested positive for the Penalty Group 1 controlled substance cocaine. Christopher was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of less than 1 gram of a substance that also tested positive as cocaine, Foley alleged in arrest reports.
Both remained in Hopkins County jail later Tuesday in lieu of the $5,000 bond set on the cocaine possession charge; Christopher’s bond on the weapon charge was set at $2,000, according to jail 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.
Wildcats Baseball Hosts Hallsville for Senior Night
Coach Jerrod Hammack’s team hosts Hallsville on Tuesday, Apr. 26, the lone team in action on this Tuesday game day.
Sulphur Springs looks to extend their win streak to three with an upset of Hallsville.
The Bobcats look to close out their season with a win as tonight’s contest in Sulphur Springs is their regular season finale.
Hallsville (10-1, first in 15-5A) entering tonight’s contest is a full three games ahead of second place Texas High (7-4). The Bobcats clinched the district with Mount Pleasant’s win Friday over Texas High.
The Wildcats look to keep their playoff hopes alive with an upset win over Hallsville.
Longview on this Tuesday game day travels across town to take on rival Pine Tree. The Lobos (5-5, fourth in 15-5A) enter their duel with the Pirates a game ahead of Sulphur Springs with just one game left for both schools.
If Longview beats Pine Tree, the Wildcats will be eliminated from postseason contention.
With that, Coach Hammack and his squad must win out if they wish to make the post-season outright. Anything else and it gets murky for Wildcats baseball.
Sulphur Springs looks to best Hallsville on their Senior Night and keep playoff hopes alive.
That game tees off at Wildcat Park Tuesday, Apr. 26 at 7 P.M. Senior night festivities begin 15 minutes prior to tee-off.
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.
Broadband Expansion, Final Plat, Software Agreement Approved By Commissioners Court
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday, April 25, 2022, considered requests to expand broadband further into the county, for a final plat, a software agreement and asset disposal.
Broadband Expansion
As part of the consent agenda, the Commissioners Court agreed to one request from Frontier Communications and two requests from Spectrum/Charter which would allow the businesses to expand services further into rural Hopkins County.
“I want you to know that, especially with Spectrum, that is broadband – broadband being brought into our rural areas. So, it’s really a big deal. It allows people in really rural areas to have really good internet connection so that if you wanted to you wouldn’t have to come to Sulphur Springs, to the city limits or to an area that has really good connections. This will be in the country that we will have excellent broadband,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom noted.
The process is a slow one, that is expected to take several years to complete, but expansion of broadband internet into the country has begun over the past few months and continues. The expansion is made possible through a federal program funneled through the state and regional levels, such as Ark-Tex Council of Governments.
Frontier Communications will be boring 2781 feet, and install handholes, drop boxes and ducts in Precinct 3. Spectrum/Charter will be constructing and placing meter base poles or ground mount meter bases on County Road 3506 in Precinct 3 and on County Roads 4711, 4712, 4700, 4714, 4715, 4712, 4719 and 4763 in Precinct 4.
Commissioner Wade Bartley said he had reviewed the requests and had no problem with the work in Precinct 4. He then made the motion to approve the requests as presented.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price said he had no problem with the request, except it included a county road that is not on his road inventory. He said the list includes a County Road 4360; there isn’t one in Precinct 4.
Newsom said the list includes only numbers sent to his administrative assistant for inclusion on the court agenda. He suggested checking on the matter, and otherwise proceeding with the motion. The commissioners agreed. Price then seconded the motion, with the noted road issue. The motion passed unanimously.
Final Plat
The court then considered a request for a final plat for Oak Grove subdivision.
County Clerk Tracy Smith noted that the request is simply the final draft of the preliminary proposal the Commissioners Court approved at the March 14, 2022 meeting. The property is off of County Road 1126 and County Road 4120.
At the March meeting, Price said as he understood it, the subdivision is located in both Precincts 1 and 4. He’d looked at it but Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker had not had an opportunity to do so at that time, because he’d been on extended sick leave due to illness.
Barker, who only returned to work part time at the last court meeting, Monday said is aware of the request but as yet had no opportunity to go out and look at the property. Price reiterated he has no problem with the part of the plat located in his Precinct.
County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley said county officials had met with the applicant for all the required preliminary meetings and work. The applicants is simply seeking to subdivide the land, not create a subdivision, and has everything in order, ready to go.
Price made a motion, which Barker seconded, to approve the request to subdivide the plat. The request was unanimously approved by the court.
SAFE Software
Endsley asked the court to consider approving an agreement for SAFE software for Hopkins County environmental officer. Essentially, the fire marshal said, the software being used is about to be dissolved. The proposed SAFE software, Endsley said, will be better for the county because most of the vendors use the program. It should help cut down on manhours by reducing some work redundancy.
“I think it’s also going to cut down on cost per year, so I think you’re going to save a lot of money going forward with it as well,” said Aaron Welch, who Endsley noted has been hired as a consultant since he’s had past experience working with those types of computer systems.
There would be installation fees. After the initial fees, if the county chooses to renew the agreement, the cost currently is $450 each year following the initial year. That fee would include updates and any other changes, and tech support. If the county, after a year chooses not to renew the agreement, they would no receive updates nor tech support for their system, according to Welch.
“The current system that we’re on right now, we’re on borrowed time. So, we hope this transitions over before our time runs out,” Endsley said, affirming that the total fee, which was not noted during the work session, is less than then amount the county has been paying for the service.
Welch said he would be on hand to help facilitate the transfer. A $1,000 fee per day will be charged as stipulated in the agreement for onsite training, for “however many you want” on site.
Bartley made the motion to approve the recommended SAFE software agreement for the county environmental to use. Barker seconded the motion, which the Commissioners Court then approved.
Asset Disposal
Price said he plans to dispose of 8 pieces of equipment from Precinct 4 at auction:
- New Holland P95P backhoe
- 2 Rex mixers
- pump trailer
- International 4900 truck
- GMC 3500 truck with flatbed
- 50-foot bush hog rotary mower
- 8 12-inch shop lights.
Bartley plans to dispose of four pieces of equipment from Precinct 3 through AuctioneerExpress.com, an online auction business based out of Mount Pleasant:
- Case Super L backhoe 4×4 with extended boom,
- 100 CX Case tractor, open top with four-wheel drive,
- 6320 John Deere tractor cab, side boom mower and ditcher and
- hydraulic dump bed for a 1-ton truck.
Bartley said he also plans to put in a live auto auction a 2006 GMC half-ton pickup when the time comes to replace it with one that is on order. When the new one comes in, it will be sent to auction.
“Some of this equipment is wore out. These tractors have got a lot of hours on them. Some on repairs, it’s just not feasible to spend the kind of money they want in repairs on this reequipment. We hope to replace it somewhere down the road,” Bartley said.
Barker too has two REX mixers that will be auctioned soon. He has yet to speak to Auctioneer Express, but that is the auction service he plans to use to dispose of the property.
Price made a motion, which Bartley seconded, to approve disposal of the property as stated; it was unanimously approved by the court.
Miscellaneous
The Commissioners also reported receiving routine reports from both constables, county and district clerks, Extension Service office, Homeland Security-environmental and law enforcement, fire department, both justices of the peace, sheriff, tax assessor collector and treasurer’s offices.
Bills, revenues and expenses, payroll, and financial statements were approved as presented.
