Hopkins County Bond Rating Upgraded As County’s Financial Position Improves
Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded from A2 to A1 Hopkins County, TX’s General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds. The rating action affects $18.3 million in rated debt. The upgrade reflects the county’s improved financial position and the stable outlook for the county’s financial position based on healthy revenue levels. The rating incorporates the stability of the county’s moderately-sized agricultural tax base, below average wealth...
SSISD Sets Filing Dates; Applies for Waivers
Filing dates have been set for two seats on the Sulphur Springs ISD school board. The dates were set and applications for various waivers were approved during Monday’s board meeting. Places on the board held by Robert Cody and Robin Vaughn will be on the May 6, 2017 ballot. Filing dates for the May 6th board election are January 18 through February 17. One may file for a place on the board at the district administration building. The...
New ‘No Left Turn’ Sign Taken Out
A vehicle and its driver took exception to the newly installed No Left Turn Sign positioned at I-30 and Highway 19. The south bound driver decided to turn left across traffic, mowing down the signpole. This maneuver was possible months ago, but now the left turn signal is covered, and the left turn lane eliminated. The driver fled the scene. A picture of the damaged vehicle including the front licence plate was taken and submitted...
Gambling Raid in County Nets Three Arrests; Investigation Continues
When Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigators and Deputies served a warrant for gambling at 1 a.m. Saturday morning at the former Country Boys Gas Station located on Highway 11 E at FM 3019 near Winnsboro, they found 15 to 20 individuals participating in playing computer based programs on slot machines adapted for the programs, according to Corley Weatherford, Investigator for the Sheriff’s Office. Reports had been given to the local...
Franklin County Man Who Shaved Sons’ Hair Sentenced
Daniel Arnold was sentenced to 10 years in the TDCJ for each of three counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence in Franklin County Eighth Judicial Court Friday. The sentences will run concurrently. Arnold, 33, of Mount Vernon, was tried by a Franklin County jury on December 12 and 13 for three counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence. He was found guilty by the jury in 35 minutes. He had previous convictions for methamphetamine and...
Wildcats, Lady Cats Remain Undefeated in District
Wildcats 51, Texas High 43 The Wildcats’ basketball team won their third district game without a loss as they outscored Texas High, 51-43 Friday night in Texarkana. The Wildcats also improved to 18-4 for the season. Victor Iwuakor and Ke-Ontae Dunn led the Wildcats with 15 points apiece. Michael Jefferson scored 11. Bryson Lynn had 5 points, Keaston Willis and Dane Ritherford 2 points apiece and Xavier Cork 1 point. The Wildcats...
“Updated” Mt Vernon Lady Tiger Basketball Coach Center of Controversy; Board Votes to Retain
Before a packed auditorium the Mount Vernon School Board voted 5-2 to not remove Lady Tiger Basketballl Varsity and golf coach Brad Floyd. Floyd was accused of a long list of financial and professional errors including the violation of the educational code of conduct by the Superintendent of Schools. The list was read by the superintendent during an open session of the board at the request of Floyd’s attorney. The...
Three Baggies of Meth in Jacket and Another in a Cheetos Bag; Sulphur Springs Man Arrested for Possession
Traffic stop at Highway 19 and Wildcat Way initiated by a Hopkins County Deputy around 10 p.m. Wednesday resulted in the arrest of James Christopher Castleberry, 32, of Sulphur Springs. During the stop for a traffic violation, the deputy asked Castleberry to step out of the 2002 Honda Accord he was driving for a weapons check. In the pocket of his jacket was what felt like a glass pipe commonly used for smoking methamphetamine. Also...
Nichols To Serve 15 Years With Aggravated Parole Rules
A plea bargain agreement for Patrick Warren Nichols, Jr, 48, will send him to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 15 years with aggravated parole rules. He made the plea late Wednesday afternoon in Eighth Judicial District Court. He will be eligible for parole in 7.5 years. In 2014 Nichols was placed on 10 years of deferred probation for Engaging in Organized Crime. He had been indicted for a November 4, 2013 offense of...
GHS Software Increases 2016 Revenue for City Municipal Court Even Though Fewer Citations Written
Municipal Court revenue for the City of Sulphur Springs has increased 52.91% even though citations written decreased 12.56% when comparing 2016 to 2015. The increase can be credited to new software put in place as 2016 began. Dave Graves of Graves/Humphries/Stahl, LTD reminded the city council Tuesday evening during their January, 2016 session that his company had promised to return their fees to the city if the revenue had not...
