Sulphur Springs Woman Arrested Following Alleged FM 269 Café Disturbance
Disturbance Results In Saltillo Man’s Arrest On Assault Charge
A 31-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was arrested following an alleged FM 269 café disturbance Saturday afternoon, according to sheriff’s reports. A Saltillo man too was jailed on a misdemeanor assault charge following a disturbance Saturday.
FM 269 Café Disturbance
The first disturbance was alleged to have occurred around 2:40 p.m. Saturday, May 9. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched at an FM 269 café, where a female was alleged to be acting out and causing a scene.
Upon arrival, a deputy spoke with a 60-year-old woman who alleged the lady she is caring for had caused a disturbance and was making threats to assault her daughter and other employees, the deputy alleged in arrest reports. The deputy then talked with the suspect, a 31-year-old Sulphur Springs woman and the alleged victim of the FM 269 café disturbance, about the situation, according to arrest reports.
The 31-year-old Sulphur Springs woman alleged to have caused the disturbance was taken into custody at 3:41 p.m. May 9, for family violence assault by threat. She was released from jail May 10 on the Class C misdemeanor assault charge, according to jail reports.
County Road 3532 Residential Disturbance
A 33-year-old Saltillo man too was arrested Saturday night on a Class C misdemeanor family violence assault charge.
HCSO deputies at 9:57 p.m. May 9 responded to a complaint of a disturbance in which a male and his girlfriend were alleged to be physically fighting.
Upon arrival, a deputy spoke with the pair reported to be involved in the disturbance. The deputy reportedly learned that an assault had occurred prior to his arrival. Based on his findings, the deputy determined the 33-year-old resident to be the aggressor who struck the other person in the face, according to arrest reports.
Thus, the deputy took the 33-year-old Saltillo man into custody and placed him under arrest at 10:39 p.m. on the Class C misdemeanor assault charge, according to arrest reports. The Saltillo man was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, May 10, 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.
Possible Window Jumper Report Resulted In 2 Arrests
A report of a possible window jumper at a hotel resulted in two felony controlled substance arrests Saturday, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman at 9:21 a.m. May 9 responded in the 1500 block of East Industrial Drive to a report of a possible attempt by a person to jump out a third story window at the hotel. Upon arrival, Hoffman contracted 44-year-old Tommy Ray McCollum of Sulphur Springs and 46-year-old Angelia Marie Gay of Cumby, who were both in the room where the possible window jumper was reported to have been spotted.
The pair allegedly told Hoffman they’d argued over an ex-girlfriend messaging McCollum. An officer allegedly spotted glass pipes of the type commonly used to smoke methamphetamine inside the room. When asked, Gay reportedly admitted the room was rented in her name and agreed to let officers search the room, according to told police reports. Police were told methamphetamine could be found in the bathroom, Hoffman alleged in police reports.
Officers did find a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine in a bag and needles in the trash can under the bathroom sink, Hoffman noted in arrest reports. McCollum allegedly admitted they were aware of the substance “because they used the night before.”
The officer, after receiving permission to search the rest of the room, alleged finding another bag containing a crystal-like substance also suspected to be methamphetamine in a leopard print bag that Gay claimed, two water bottle caps with suspected crystal meth and a shard of suspected meth on the nightstand between two beds, according to arrest reports.
McCollum was taken into custody at 10:06 a.m. for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Police requested Hopkins County EMS to transport Gay to the hospital because she had appeared to the officer to be a seizure. After being medically cleared, Gay was released to officers, who transported her to Hopkins County jail on the possession of controlled substance charge, Hoffman noted in arrest reports.
Gay was released from Hopkins County jail May 10. McCollum remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, May 11. Bond for each was set at $10,000 on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Bicyclist Accused Of Evading Arrest Or Detention
Arrested for the second time in just over a month was a bicyclist accused of evading arrest or detention by police Saturday night, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police reported seeing a bicycle traveling on Texas Street without a headlight at 10:48 p.m. May 9. When he attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the man allegedly “accelerated the bicycle across the front yard” of a residence, then, ran inside. Police located the man inside of the residence, his address, and was taken into custody at 10:56 p.m. May 9, police alleged in arrest reports.
The 29-year-old Sulphur Springs resident was booked into Hopkins County, where he remained Monday morning, May 11, on the Class A misdemeanor charge; bond was set at $2,000, according to jail reports.
The arrest marked two months in a row that the man was jailed for evading arrest or detention. He was also booked April 6 into Hopkins County jail on an evading arrest or detention charge, according to jail records.
Special Crimes Unit officers on April 6 alleged they attempted to detain the man for pulling on the front doors and entering back yards at multiple residences in the 600 block of Texas Street around 8:50 a.m. April 6. The 29-year-old allegedly told Special Crimes Unit officers he and another person were looking for cigarettes on April 6. When asked why he ran, he allegedly claimed he runs from police every time they contact him. Hopkins County jail records show April 6 and May 9 to be the only times the man has been booked into the county jail.
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees To Consider Head Start Documents
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees will be asked to consider several documents for the Head Start program and reorganize the board during their regular May meeting, which will be conducted via Zoom at 6 p.m. tonight (May 11).
A budget calendar for 2020 has been submitted by SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw.
During the public forum portion of the meeting, the school board is slated to recognize High School valedictorian Sydney Washburn and salutatorian Andrew Westlund.
The oath of office will be administered to incumbent trustees Robert Cody and Robbin Vaughn, who were unopposed for their seats on the board, thus, the board was able to cancel the May 2 trustees election this year. Afterward, the trustees are slated to reorganize their board, with a president, vice president and secretary selected elected by the members of the board.
The remaining action items submitted on the regular agenda for board consideration have to do with the Head Start Program. Program Director Angela Edwards is slated to present for review and approval:
- Head Start Self-Assessment Summaries
- Head Start Program Improvement Plan
- Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Plan
- Head Start Annual Report
- Supplemental COVID-19 application
- Supplemental Cost Of Living Adjustment Application
- Quality Improvement Application.
The consent agenda submitted for approval includes tax credits and supplements, delinquent tax collections and financial statements and bills payable, all for April 20202.
Trustees will enter into executive session to consider any personnel or real property matters submitted for board consideration since the last board meeting.
To attend the Zoom meeting, call 1-346-248-7799. The Meeting ID is 838 0983 6267; and the password is 025780. The agenda is available in the school board meeting link on the SSISD website.
May 29-30 Designated As Hopkins County Cleanup Days
Hopkins County residents will have the opportunity later this month to get rid of large household items during the annual Hopkins County Cleanup Days.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court previously delayed setting the cleanup days until restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic eased up. With many businesses opening at 50 percent capacity and others slated top open later this week, Commissioners Court has opted Monday to schedule the annual cleanup event at the end of the month.
This will allow precinct crews can focus on road work during the warmest months of the year, without having to assign staff to the barn to assist with cleanup efforts.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley asked if the days would be changed if there is bad weather on May 29-30.
“We can’t control the weather. We need to get this out the way so we can concentrate on roads,” said Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker during the regular Monday Commissioner Court meeting.
“I say let’s do it,” Bartley said.
“I say do it, no matter what,” Barker said.
The motion was initially made by Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price and seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin, to designate two days as cleanup days, regardless of the weather.
Each of the four county barns will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 29, and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 30, for county residents to drop off large unwanted items.
Those collection sites and contact number for each are as follows:
- Precinct 1 Barn — 5516 State Highway 19 south, Sulphur Springs; 903-485-2040.
- Precinct 2 Barn — 12080 State Highway 11 east, Como; 903-488-3514.
- Precinct 3 Barn — 583 County Road 3564, Dike; 903-945-2178.
- Precinct 4 Barn — FM 2653 Cumby, 1.7 mile south of State Highway 11 west; 903-582-8840.
There are a few restrictions county residents will need to follow. Tires, shingles, chemicals, household hazardous waste, pesticides, paint and appliances containing freon will not be accepted on clean up days.
The dumpsters will be provided free for county residents only; no commercial disposal accepted. Residents may be asked to present a driver’s license, ID card or other document such as a utility bill that contains the person’s name and physical address, proving residence within Hopkins County.
Other Agenda Items
The rest of the Commissioners Court meeting May 11 went quickly. with the meeting concluding in less than 15 minutes.
Also included among the consent agenda approved during the 9 a.m. meeting Monday were:
- Minutes of the regular April 27 meeting and work session;
- A request from American Electric Company to provide electric service on FM 269 in Pickton;
- A request from Farmers Electric Cooperative Inc. to construct electrical power distribution facilities that cross over County Road 3506, west of County Road 3507; and
- A request from FEC to construct electrical power distribution facilities which include six spans of overhead service down and across County Road 1127, south of County Road 1120.
The Commissioners Court also approved during the May 11 meeting paying the bills and payroll.
Fresh from Nature: The Winnsboro Farmer’s Market Offers Bounty on Saturdays
Open since April 4, 2020 on Saturday mornings, the Winnsboro Farmer’s Market practices social distancing in the open-air market while providing a wide variety of home-grown, home-made offerings from local farming families. I expected to find early-spring produce like lettuce, onions and radishes, and I was not disappointed. Several vendors were offering these. I also looked for seeds, herbs, tomato and pepper plants and possibly young fruit trees and vines, and I found them. Freshly bottled honey from bee keepers? Yes, I found that too, and met a league of farmer/vendors who love producing food organically and creating beautiful things from natural products like wood and stone. I encourage you to meet them too, next Saturday morning!
The Winnsboro Farmer’s Market is set up in “The Bowery” which is an entire block of downtown Winnsboro. Walk-in entry is from Highway 11, and admission is free. Although you can’t park your car in The Bowery, there’s plenty of parking in several directions within easy walking distance. You might want to wear a cap or hat to keep off the sun, and be sure and bring a bag or two, or even a wagon or stroller to take your purchases home with you! At this time, vendors and most customers do wear protective masks and keeping a “social distance” while shopping is suggested.
Stacey Finley, who is the Director of Winnsboro Parks and Recreation, is the contact person for market vendors. When I visited on Saturday May 2, 2020, I talked to Stacey near the booth of a honey vendor, Boggy Creek Honey Farms, actually located at Omaha, Texas. Stacey says there’s room for more vendors, that Cottage Food laws apply to the types of items and produce which can be offered there, and that each week, booth locations are selected by drawing. In other words, you may find your favorite booth anywhere along the two sides of the street inside the Bowery on a week-to-week basis, and that all spaces are equally accessible to shoppers.
Even at a social distance, I made several new friends while at the market, and took home a wealth of new ideas for things I’d like to grow and projects to make. I left with a renewed conviction to provide bee habitat in my backyard garden, and to include pasture-fed meats and eggs on my table. Yes, farmers markets provide food for our bodies, but they also can nourish minds and spirits as well as opening eyes to the too-often-invisible scientific world around us. Other benefits of markets include educational ones, where vendors engage in discussing farming and growing practices with customers. And the comparative pricing of goods at markets allow low income and SNAP households a healthy alternative to supermarkets. According to the Farmers Market Coalition, local markets should be striving to preserve America’s rural livelihoods and farmlands, stimulate local economies, increase access to fresh and, nutritious food, support healthy communities and promote sustainability. Straw hats off to the Winnsboro Farmer’s Market!!
Besides the vendors pictured here, there were many more when I visited the Winnsboro Farmer’s Markets, including the Jeff Secules family of Yantis with Plane Leaf microgreens, fresh eggs and herbs. I also chatted with Charlotte McMillan and Kacey Habecker, owners of ‘From Oven With Lovin’, a cottage bakery with a commercial kitchen. The pair uses locally-sourced fresh ingredients in their line of baked goods, custom cakes and cookies and a new gluten-free line. I met Grannie Annie from Coke, Texas who offers tomato and pepper plants, handmade cards and a gift line, plus dozens of varieties of jams, jellies and relishes. And I won’t forget meeting Papa Kimo, a grandfather with a small family operation which grows elder berries near Quitman, Texas. And once each month, on the second Saturday, the Farmer’s Market also includes crafts vendors.
Commissioners Court To Consider Setting County Cleanup Days
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday appear to have a routine agenda Monday, with only one business item designated. The Commissioners Court could consider designating County Cleanup Days.
Regular Meeting
The court had planned at their March 23 meeting to designate April 24 and 25 as County Cleanup Days. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic on the rise across Texas at that point, the court opted to delay making a decision until the situation had improved sufficiently to lift COVID-19 restrictions.
With the reopening of some businesses on May 1, others on May 8 and additional parts of the economy authorized to reopen May 18, the court is now being asked to consider setting two days at the end of the month as county clean up days.
If approved, county residents would be able to dispose of larger household items too big for regular trash pickup during the cleanup. There are a few items considered hazardous waste that are not accepted during county clean up days, including tires, shingles, chemicals and liquid paint, and appliances that contain freon.
Also on Monday’s regular meeting agenda are requests from Farmers Electric Cooperative Inc. to build power distribution facilities across two county roads, and a request from American Electric Company to be allowed to provide utility service at a Pickton address.
Work Session
Immediately following the regular meeting, the court will enter into work session on the third floor of the courthouse. The agenda for this session includes meeting with Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley and Sheriff Lewis Tatum to discuss fire department and sheriff’s office operations, review revenues and expenditures, and any proposed improvements and repairs for each. The court also is slated to discuss with Tom Glosup maintenance of county building. A budget work session may also be held if items are proposed for discussion.
Hopkins County COVID-19 Update: Fourth Active Case Confirmed
A fourth case of active COVID-19 has been identified in Hopkins County, this makes the eighth positive case overall, as four people have previously recovered from the virus.
In a rare Sunday morning Zoom teleconference held by the Hopkins County Emergency Managment Team, County Judge Robert Newsom shared that another person had tested positive for COVID-19 and was in self-quarantine at their residence.
Because Hopkins County continues to have 5 or fewer active cases, the businesses authorized by the Governor to reopen last Friday may continue to do so at 50 percent capacity. Judge Newsom was quick to point out that the local economy would contine to open and operate under the same guidelines as previously described.
| TEXAS Reports (DSHS/HHS) | April 10, 2020 | April 15, 2020 | April 20, 2020 | April 22, 2020 | April 28, 2020 | May 5, 2020 |
| Total tests | 115,918 | 151,810 | 190,394 | 216,783 | 300,384 | 427,210 |
| Cases reported | 11,671 | 15,492 | 19,458 | 21,069 | 26,171 | 33,369 |
| Lab Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Currently In Texas Hospitals | 1,532 | 1,538 | 1,411 | 1,678 | 1,682 | 1,888 |
| Estimated Number of Patients Recovered | 1,366 | 3,150 | 5,706 | 7,341 | 11,786 | 16,791 |
| Fatalities | 226 | 364 | 495 | 543 | 690 | 906 |
Motorcycle Safety And Awareness Month
As the weather heats up and the economy begins opening back up, more people will be burning up the highways, some in four wheels, others on two or three. As motorcyclists roll out onto the roadways, cities and other entities roll out proclamations of May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.
In 2016, Texas had more than 400,000 registered motorcycles, according to the Center for Transportation Safety.
On average, a motorcyclist is killed on Texas roads every day. In 2018, 417 riders lost their lives and 1,920 were seriously injured in motorcycle crashes, according to a 2019 Texas Department of Transportation report.
In fact, motorcyclist fatalities occurred nearly 28 times more frequently than passenger car occupant fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationally in 2016, according to a NHTSA report.
That’s why the city and other elected officials across the state and national, along with Texas Department of Transportation and other entities, join the effort annually to remind others to slow down and look round while driving, not only for their safety but that of motorcyclists on the roadways. May has been designated as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in Sulphur Springs.
“It is the responsibility of all who put themselves behind the wheel to become aware of motorcyclists, regarding them with the same respect as any other vehicle traveling the highways of this country; and it is the responsibility of riders and motorists alike to obey all traffic laws and safety rules,” Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers said, during the May 5 Sulphur Springs City Council meeting, when proclaiming May Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.
He urged “all citizens of our community to become aware of the inherent danger involved in operating a motorcycle, and for riders and motorists alike to give each other the mutual respect they deserve.”
The NHTSA reported a decline in motorcycle crashes and fatalities of about 1 percent followings awareness campaigns in 2018.
TxDOT reports following a few basic driver safety rules can help reduce the number of motorcycle collisions, and potentially save a life. The state agency recommends motorists:
- Look twice for motorcycles, especially at intersections.
- Always assume motorcycles are closer than they appear to be, and avoid turning in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
- Give motorcyclists a full lane.
- Use turn signals and check blindspots before changing lanes.
- Obey posted speed limits.
- Avoid following a motorcycle too closely.
Cumby Senior Graduation, 8th Grade Promotion Will Take Place Outdoors
Kindergartners Will Have Individual Graduation Experiences
Cumby ISD will recognize seniors and eighth graders’ during events later this month. Both the Cumby senior graduation and 8th grade promotion will take place outdoors, Superintendent Shelly Slaughter announced this week.
Following the COVID-19 graduation guidelines established by the state for schools, each student will be limited in the number of guests allowed to attend. Those unable to attend the high school commencement can view the senior parade to the stadium and follow along with the ceremony during KSST’s live broadcast May 22.
Anyone exhibiting any of these signs is asked to please refrain from participating in or attending the graduation and promotion exercises:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle Pain
- Headache
- Sore Throat
- Loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhea
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees
- Known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19
Cumby Senior Graduation
Cumby High School seniors will graduate at the Frazier Lawrence Football Stadium in Cumby, with up to 15 guests seated inside the stadium, at 7 p.m. May 22.
Cumby senior graduation festivities, however, will being at 6 p.m., with a Senior Parade. Students will line up at 6 p.m. in separate Jeeps at I-30 Fastmart in Cumby, for a Senior Parade. The senior procession will follow the regular parade route to the school. Graduates will then be lined up with the required 6 foot distance between each to prepare to file into the bleachers.
Students and staff will be seated in the bleachers. Graduates will file into the stands 6 feet apart and sit in the home stands with a 6-foot distance in all directions.
Each graduate will have three separate labeled “family groups” for a total of 15 guests on the football field, in a “pod” of five facing the home stands, 8-feet in all directions. All guests and special guests will sit in groups of up to 5, with each pod at least 6 feet away from any other group.
Guests will be assigned arrival times in alphabetical order, spaced out in 5 minute increments.
Additional guests will be allowed to park in the elementary school parking lot, then stay in their vehicle to view the ceremony from the vehicle. Anyone who do not remain in their vehicle in the elementary parking lot will be asked by the campus officer to leave the school property.
Guests will be dismissed by pods, one at a time, at the conclusion of graduation. Each person should go straight to their vehicle instead of congregating in the parking lot in order to meet requirements for a live outdoor graduation.
KSST will also be broadcasting live those unable to attend Cumby senior graduation can tune in May 22 to catch it live.
Any additional questions or clarification may be obtained by contacting CHS Principal Jennifer Dracos at the high school Tuesday-Thursday or via email at [email protected].
Cumby 8th Grade Promotion
Cumby 8th graders will have a promotion ceremony at 7 p.m. May 21 in front of the gymnasium. All 17 eighth graders will sit 6-feet apart at the gym entrance.
Viewing for families will be drive-in style. Each student will be allowed one vehicle per family attend the promotion ceremony, unless their parents are divorced. Then, the students will be allowed to have two cars in attendance.
Guests park their vehicle facing where they can see the gym to view from the vehicle. Families will be allowed to roll their windows down or for those in trucks, to sit in the bed of the truck, to remain in compliance with social distancing guidelines outlined by the state.
Additional information can be found on the school website by clicking the COVID-19 link, then selecting “Communication” as well. Any additional questions or clarification may be obtained by contact Principal Jennifer Dracos at the high school Tuesday-Thursday or via email at [email protected].
Cumby Kindergarten Graduation
Kindergarten Graduation will be a bit different, with each student and family having an individual graduation on either May 20 or May 21. Parents sign up for their desired day on the sheet located on the bench under the awning in front of the elementary building.
Parents should park in the elementary parking lot, then sit in one of the chairs spaced 6 feet apart. A maximum of 10 people will be allowed per kindergartner.
Each ceremony will last about 15 minutes, with 30 minutes allowed for each kindergarten graduate and family to arrive, leave and celebrate.
The kindergartner will walk down the sidewalk with Pomp and Circumstance playing. The teacher will speak about their students, while standing 6 feet from the kindergartner. The child will retrieve their diploma from the table, receive a cupcake in a sealed box and grab a goody bag before leaving the property so the next student’s ceremony can begin.
Students will be able to have their photo made in front of a backdrop with their teacher and family, with social distancing observed.
In the event of rain, the kindergarten ceremony will move into the elementary foyer.
Any additional questions may be emailed to either kindergarten teachers at [email protected] or [email protected].
