Robbery Reported At Main Street Business
Sulphur Springs Police are investigating a robbery reported to have occurred around 1:25 a.m. March 3 at a business in the 1600 block of Main Street, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson.
A black male in dark clothing with face covering allegedly entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk reportedly believed the man had a gun concealed by his clothing, but one was never displayed. The clerk reportedly handed over the money and the man fled on foot, according to the Ricketson.
Police are asking anyone who has information about the alleged robbery at the Main Street store, including possible identity or location of a the suspect, to contact Detective Sgt. David Gilmore at Sulphur Springs Police Department at 903-885-3461 or call Crime Stoppers at 903-885-2020.
CBS 60 Minutes Team Coming to NE Texas
A team from the CBS 60 Minutes program is slated to visit Franklin County Texas this week. 60 Minutes is doing a story on the effects of rural hospital closings in NE Texas.
The ‘Old Hospital’ in Mount Vernon Texas closed in 2014. At that time, the closure was a cost saving measure.
Since the closure, the building was found to contain asbestos, and have other significant problems. Water pipes have frozen and burst, and a SWAT team has done some training inside the structure.
Most recently the Franklin County Commissioners Court planned to offer the building up to the highest bidder. The internet auction for the structure is postponed to allow 60 Minutes access.
Unforeseen Problems
Closing the hospital caused an unforeseen burden for Franklin county. When a person calls for an ambulance, they are now transported to Titus or Hopkins counties. And in a perfect world this would be a workable solution. But the ambulance service only gets paid if they actually pickup a patient and transport them an Emergency Room. When a trip is made, and the potential patient waves the service, or they don’t end-up in an Emergency facility, the trip charge is passed to the county. The number of non-emergency ambulance calls have risen since 2014.
According to Hopkins County EMS director Brent Smith, the closure of hospital in Mount Vernon has resulted in longer trip times for patients. Hopkins County EMS contracts with both Delta and Franklin Counties.
60 Minutes
The team from 60 Minutes is planning to interview Dr. Jean Latortue. After the ‘Old Hospital’ closed in 2014, Latortue invested in the structure in an attempt to keep it going. Unfortunately Dr. Latortue was unable to keep it afloat. He now practices from from a clinic near the abandoned hospital building.
The Mount Vernon Optic-Herald has been in contact with CBS and will be covering the interviews as well. KSST spoke with Optic-Herald Publisher Susan Reeves on Tuesday. Reeves says the building is a total loss and must be razed before the land can be used. On a personal note, when Reeves fell ill last year, she ultimately found her way to Hopkins County and CHRISTUS.
What was the cause?
As to the actual cause of the 2014 closure, everyone KSST contacted points to the Affordable Care Act. And though it was signed into law in 2010, the full force of the ACA’s provisions came into effect in 2014. The ACA effectively diminished the revenue some rural hospitals could generate, and forced them to close.
CTE: SSHS Students Engage In Project Based Learning By Conducting Mock Trial
On Thursday, February 28, a Mock Trial was conducted by Sulphur Springs High School Court Systems and Practices students. The mock trial was the culmination of a project based learning assignment between the Forensics Sciences classes and the Court Systems and Practices class.
Ms. Caroline Kenealy and Mr. Mike Meador set up a crime scene for their classes in which their students had to analyze a crime scene, collect evidence (fingerpring ID, hair and document analysis), and determine the culprit. Students had to examine glass, bullet casings, as well as other forms of evidence.
Once the perpetrator was determined, the case was turned over to Court Systems and Practices class instructor Demetra Robinson to prepare the case for trial.
Ms. Robinson’s Court Systems and Practices class was divided into two teams prosecution and defense. Each team had the responsibility of examining evidence, interviewing witnesses, creating direct and cross examination questions, along with opening and closing statements.
The mock trial was conducted entirely by students. Court Systems students acted as attorneys, with one acting as bailiff. Forensic Science students acted as police officers, defendants, lay and expert witnesses. Sable Erdmier, a Practicum in Law student acted as judge.
2 Women Jailed In Hopkins County On Warrants
March 30, 2020 – Two Northeast Texas women were booked into Hopkins County jail Monday on warrants.
Stormi Alisa Marie Garcia, 26, of Mount Vernon turned herself in at Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center and was walked into the jail by Sgt. Richard Greer at 7:05 p.m. She was booked for bond forfeiture on false statement-property or credit charge and a warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for tampering with a government records, according to arrest reports.
Kyla Finklea-Wright, 38, of Yantis was transported by Deputy Elijah Fite from Rockwall County jail to Hopkins County jail, where she was held on a warrant for violation of probation on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Wildcats Soccer Team Improves District Record With Win Over Lindale at The Prim Monday
The Wildcats Soccer Team continued to play its stingy defense while scoring some goals in a 3-0 win over Lindale at Gerald Prim Stadium Monday night, March 2. The game was moved to Monday from Tuesday because of possible threatening weather Tuesday and so that soccer fans and players could watch the Wildcats regional quarterfinal basketball game Tuesday night.
About midway through the first half, Wildcat Jose Salazar blasted in a goal from about 35 yards out to break a scoreless tie at the 21:59 mark. The score was 1-0 at the half. The Wildcats scored two goals in the second half with the wind to their backs.
Kevin Yanez drilled in a free kick from about 30 yards out and it was 2-0 at 21:18 in the second half. Alejandro Diasdado then broke in on the Eagles’ goalkeeper and scored a goal. Freshman Uriel Santacruz assisted on the goal. It was 3-0 at the 10:00 mark in the second half. That’s the way it wound up. Wildcat goalkeeper Noe Ponce wasn’t tested too much, but he did make a nice save on a header that was right on goal late in the second half.
Wildcats Coach Alexi Upton called it a complete game. The Wildcats are now 6-1 in district play and 12-5-5 for the season. Lindale slips to 4-3 in district play and 9-9-1 for the season.
Next for the Wildcats is their big rematch at Mount Pleasant. The Tigers gave the Wildcats their only district loss, defeating the Wildcats, 1-0 at Prim Stadium back on February 18.
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.
Wildcats Get Good Pitching And Scratch Out Three Runs To Defeat North Lamar At Home Monday
Wildcats pitchers Austin Crouse and Hayden Hurst combined to throw a six hitter as the Wildcats gave up only an unearned run in a 3-1 win over North Lamar in the regular season home opener for the Wildcats Monday night, March 2, at Wildcat Park.
Crouse, who got the win, worked the first five innings throwing 90 pitches and allowing only 5 hits and no runs with 7 strikeouts and a walk. Hurst pitched the final two innings allowing only an unearned run on 1 hit to earn a save. Hurst struck out 5 and walked one.
The Wildcats, got only 2 hits but had just enough offense to win. The Wildcats scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first on a passed ball. A second Wildcat run scored on a hit batter with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third. The last Wildcat run was the result of a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the sixth. The Wildcats left the bases loaded three times.
North Lamar’s run scored on an infield hit, an error on a throw into centerfield on a steal attempt and a passed ball. Hurst struck out the final two Panthers’ hitters to limit the damage.
The Wildcats Jake Davis and Crouse had hits. Davis, Crouse and Aidan Walker scored runs. Davis stole a base. The Wildcats worked seven walks. Jaxon Chaney and Kolson Hale walked twice. Davis, Hurst and Aiken Owens had one walk each. Blake Vice was hit by a pitch.
The Wildcats season record is now 4-2. The Wildcats play next in a Wylie East tournament taking place Thursday through Saturday.
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.
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta Said Team Put It All Together Against Red Oak Friday
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta, on KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show, said the #10 ranked Wildcats came out focused and took care of business in a 61-38 Area win over #12 ranked Red Oak Friday night, February 28, at Forney. The win sets up a showdown with #1 ranked Lancaster Tuesday night at Rockwall Heath at 7:30 p.m.
Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats never let Red Oak get momentum limiting them early. He said the Wildcats played perhaps their best defense of the year Friday night. He added the Wildcats ran their first 8 to 10 offensive sets to perfection. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats put it all together. He referred to the Wildcats approach as TOE, Team Over Everything.
He said the Wildcats moved the ball around and made the right plays. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats were able to create mismatches that led to several baskets by Day Day Hall and Cameron Kahn. The Wildcats also only allowed an average of 9.5 points a quarter.
Coach Cipoletta also commented on the #1 ranked Lancaster Tigers. He said they are #1 for a reason. The Tigers are led by their exceptional guards, senior Mike Miles who is committed to TCU, and junior Wade Taylor, a four star recruit. Coach Cipoletta said senior Marco Foster can really shoot. He called Lancaster athletic and a complete team. He said they like to play a zone defense and trap. Still because of the Wildcats tough schedule, Coach Cipoletta said the Tigers do things the Wildcats have seen before this season.
He compared them to Class 6A Atascocita and Class 5A Shadow Creek. Coach Cipoletta said Lancaster is one of the best Class 5A teams year after year. He said when he started coaching, he wanted to coach a team that could compete at Lancaster’s level. The Wildcats get that opportunity Tuesday night.
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 City Council To Consider 4 Ordinances At March 3 Meeting
Non-Motorized Sports Concession At Coleman Lake, Sludge Contract Pricing, Audit Submitted For Council Discussion, Action
Sulphur Springs City Council will be asked Tuesday night during their regular March meeting to consider approving four ordinances, seven action items, hear a presentation proposing the”antidote to urban sprawl” and be asked to consider one executive session item.
The City Council is slated to meet in executive session at 6:30 p.m. March 3 to discuss personnel matters relating to the City Secretary. They will consider taking action on that item when they reconvene at their regular meeting, posted for 7 p.m.
Ordinance No. 2762, which proposes a curfew for minors, is back on the agenda, although for first reading because the City Council for the last 2 months have opted to postpone and table the issue pending further information on the matter. The issue was raised after two local business women approached the council asking for help with middle-school aged youth who they alleged have been a problem, particularly at night and times when school is not in session.
Ordinances. No. 2763, 2764 and 2765 are to be presented for consideration on second and final reading.
Ordinance No. 2763 would annex the city-owned Luminant and Thermo mine properties into the city limits. Only the mine property would be annexed. No homes or others’ properties would be included in the annexation, which would allow the city to develop or permit development on reclaimed sections of the property.
The Council is also asked to consider Ordinance No. 2765 approving and authorizing a franchise agreement with Atmos Energy Corporation, which provides natural gas to the city. City Attorney Jim McLeroy at the February council meeting explained this ordinance has been in place for 20 years. The agreement requires Atmos Energy Corporation to pay a franchise fee to provide natural gas service in Sulphur Springs. The agreement protects city right of ways in places natural gas service is given. The city receives a royalty from Atmos.
Ordinance No. 2764 authorizes the issuance and sale of combination tax and revenue certificates, levying the annual ad valorem tax to secure and repay the certificates, a date and other provisions relating to funding for construction for a new senior citizens building and significant improvements at Pacific Park. This was voted on by city residents in the November 2019 special proposition election.
The council will also be asked to cancel the general election for Places 6 and 7 on the council. If approved Places 6 and 7 won’t be on the May 2 ballot. However, the council is scheduled to call for a Special Election. Places 1 and 5 are opposed and Places 2 and 3 are not, but would still be on the ballot. Places 1-3 and Place 5 are for unexpired terms of Erica Armstrong, Jimmy Lucas, Norman Sanders and Jeff Sanderson, who resigned their posts in December.
Among the other items the City Council is being asked to consider approving are:
A non-motorized sports concession at Coleman Lake,
- An increase in contract pricing for sludge treatment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant,
- Independent audit for fiscal year 2018-2019, and
- The consent Agenda, which includes minutes from the February City Council meeting, December Planning and Zoning Commission, and January meeting minutes of the Downtown Revitalization Board and Economic Development Corporation.
Information regarding Texas History Month, an antidote to urban sprawl and city manager’s report are to be presented during the meeting as well.
Sulphur Springs City Council’s regular monthly meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Room at city hall, located at 201 North Davis St.
Commerce Man Arrested In Hopkins County For On Methamphetamine Charge
A 49-year-old Commerce man was arrested after deputies reported finding nearly 4 grams of suspected methamphetamine in his vehicle.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Davis reported stopping a white car at 8:21 p.m. Feb. 29 for failure to use a turn signal as he turned east from FM 2653 onto Highway 67 west. The car pulled into a Highway 67 driveway before stopping.
On contact, the driver allegedly displayed signs of nervousness. The driver, identified as Todd Patrick Harrigan, admitted he’d received a citation within the last 6 months for possessing drug paraphernalia, specifically a meth pipe, the deputies alleged in arrest reports. When asked if he had any illegal narcotics in the vehicle, Harrigan’s demeanor reportedly changed and he denied the deputy’s request to search the car.
Davis requested a police canine to be brought to the location. Deputy Colt Patterson responded with his canine, Maly. The canine reportedly gave a positive alert for illegal narcotics during a sniff search around the car.
Harrigan was handcuffed while deputies conducted a probable cause search of the car. Officials alleged finding several loose shards of a crystal-.like substance deputies believed to be methamphetamine in a cup holder in the console, and a clear glass pipe with a large amount of residue inside wrapped in a paper towel and a plastic bag containing crystal like substance suspected to be methamphetamine were between the passenger’s seat fold.
The contraband was secured and the driver taken to jail. The suspected methamphetamine weighed 3.78 grams, including packaging and field tested using a kit positive for meth. Consequently, Harrigan was booked into Hopkins County jail for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, March 2. Harrigan was also charged on a warrant for not taking care of a speeding ticket. Bond was set at $10,000 on the felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
