Pursuit Ends With Crash On Downtown Square, 2 In Custody
A pursuit reportedly initiated by Sulphur Springs police officers concluded Thursday morning with a crash on the downtown square and two people being taken into custody.
Police alerted that a vehicle pursuit was proceeding down College Street midmorning May 7. Additional police and sheriff’s officers responded in the area. The dark colored car continued toward the downtown square, where it reportedly crashed into a black light pole and brick surrounding a small hedge, across from First Baptist Church.
At least two people in the car allegedly attempted to run from officers on foot and were apprehended by officials quickly. Both were taken into custody. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to police.
The debris was quickly cleaned up and the square open to traffic. The car, brick and light sustained damage. No additional information about the incident was available during the lunch hour Thursday.
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.
Sulphur Springs Man Arrested On A Child Pornography Charge
A 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man arrested on a child pornography charge Wednesday afternoon, remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday on the charge, according to sheriff’s investigators and arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigators reported receiving information about suspect child pornography being distributed. The officers allegedly tracked the information to a social media account, connected to a West Spence Street address. Officers then obtained a search warrant to check the residence associated with the account for child pornography, according to HCSO Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford.
Officers reportedly contacted Bryan Keith Kuzminski at the residence. Investigators interviewed the 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man. A shared image of child pornography was allegedly confirmed to have been in his possession, according to investigators. Consequently, Kuzminski was taken into custody at 2:30 p.m. May 6 by Weatherford and Investigator Wade Sheets on a possession/promotion of child pornography charge, according to arrest reports.
Kuzminski remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, May 7. Bond was set at $100,000 on the child porn charge, 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.
Mother Arrested For Child Endangerment After Her Kid Tested Positive For Meth
A mother was arrested for child endangerment, after her kid tested positive for meth, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes reported Child Protective Services agents and SCU investigators worked together on an investigation of Jennifer Lee Lindsay.
The 27-year-old Sulphur Springs woman’s 8-month-old child allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine. The child was reportedly in the parents’ care, custody and control during the investigation. The mother, Lindsay, also tested positive for meth during the investigation, Estes alleged in arrest reports.
Consequently, SCU investigators secured a felony warrant for the mother’s arrest. Lindsay was taken into custody at 10:15 a.m. May 6 at her Texas Street residence by Estes on the endangering a child warrant, according to arrest reports.
She remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, May 7. Bond was set at $10,000 on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Wednesday marked the second time this year that Lindsay, who is also known by Jennifer Lee Lindsey and Jennifer Lee Hutcherson, has been booked into Hopkins County jail. She also spent Feb. 13-14 in custody on a forgery warrant, 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.
Plat Request for Connally Corner Addition, Ordinance Approved By City Council
Sulphur Springs City Council made quick work of the May agenda, wrapping up the entire Zoom conference meeting in 40 minutes. During the May 5 meeting, the City Council approved one ordinance, two resolutions, a final plat request for Connally Corner Addition and heard about a few projects in progress or planning stages.
Ordinance No. 2766
The Council heard on second and final reading Ordinance No. 2766, which amends and updates Pretreatment Ordinance No. 2538. The new proposed ordinance is 40 pages and can be viewed on the city website.
City Utilities Director James Jordan Tuesday evening reported no substantial changes were made to the proposed ordinance since the first reading. In fact, aside from correcting a punctuation typo, there were no changes to the proposed amendment.
At the April council meeting, when the ordinance was first proposed, Jordan explained the city’s pretreatment ordinance requires industrial users to pretreat their wastewater to a certain standard. Changes are needed to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requirements.
The ordinance, as proposed, “gives legal authority and outlines the procedures to implement a revised industrial pretreatment program. It sets sewer discharge parameters and requirements that each industry must meet in order to discharge into the city’s sewer system. The changes are required by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and should have no financial impact,” city staff reported at the April meeting.
City Manager Marc Maxwell at the April meeting noted only three industries in town produce any effluent, which would impact them. City staff recommended approving the ordinance request.
A public hearing was held. City officials received no calls on the phone line provided for citizens to address any comments on the matter.
The four members of the council unanimously approved the pretreatment ordinance as proposed.
Resolution No. 1192
The council was asked to consider approving Resolution No. 1192 in regard to Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC’s application for approval to amend its distribution cost recovery factor to increase distribution rates within the city.
“This is this thing we go through with Oncor, periodically, where they try to go up on their rates. They have proposed a rate. This resolution would deny it. Then, they would appeal it,” Maxwell said.
The city manager further noted that Sulphur Springs then joins other cities in an Oncor Cities Steering Committee to conduct a joint investigation of proposed rates. The current proposal would see the rate going up about about 88-cents per customer. The committee will investigate to see if that’s appropriate. If not, they will work with Oncor for an agreed rate.
After receiving no calls regarding the matter, the council approved Resolution No. 1192.
Resolution No. 1193
The City Council also approved Resolution No. 1193 showing support for Trinity Oaks Apartments‘ application to be submitted to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas for an Affordable Housing Grant.
Maxwell noted that Trinity Oaks Apartments representatives have appeared several times on the council agenda, applying for programs for improvements. The council supported Trinity Oaks’ efforts twice to apply to Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for funding. Trinity Oaks was unsuccessful in their application for assistance through tax credit programs. This time, the application is for a grant from a federal home loan bank.
“There’s really no down side. No participation on our part. Staff recommends approval,” Maxwell said.
The resolution was approved.
Final Plat
Presented for council approval was a final plat request for a 6-lot subdivision at the corner of Connally, Easy and Atkins Street.
Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski reported Pat Chase was asking to be allowed to create six lots on 1-acre tract of land to be call Connally Corner Addition.
Each owner will have a two-car garage with an option for a garage apartment upstairs, which could potentially provide supplemental income on property for the owner. It could also be a private studio or space for the resident, or left open and unfinished.
The lot owner will be required to live on site, either in the principal home or the garage apartment. Also, the property can’t be sold to a rental company. Stipulations to that effect are in the plat, according to the community development director
Upgrades to existing utilities, including sewer and water, will be in place on Easy Street, and the applicant has factored in an alley to provide rear entry to the lots. Variances for the project were granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Planning and Zoning Commission also recommended the plat at their recent meeting.
The city engineer has gone over the plans and indicated satisfaction that it meets all city stipulations, including a recommended building envelop, according to Niewiadomski.
The council approved the final plat for Connally Corner Addition as recommended.
Manager’s Update
Maxwell elaborated on a few of the items on the 4-page city manager’s report he provided to the City Council.
The city manager was scheduled to meet this week to go over electrical and security specifications on the Grays Building, part of the improvements city voters last November approved for Pacific Park. Maxwell anticipates advertising for bids within in the next 30 days. During that time, dirt will be brought to the site to begin building the pad up, where the building will eventually be located.
The city is making preparations to burn a large brush pile at Coleman Park, he noted.
“This pile has been building for a few years. It is somewhere between the baseball fields and the lake office and tennis court. We are going to pick a day when we expect winds to be mild out of the southwest, so that the smoke will rise and blow away from Azalea subdivision and out over lake. By the time it crosses the lake, it will be well above the rest of the city,” Maxwell noted.
The city manager noted the significance of city staff having to repair only three broken water lines during the month of April.
“That is astounding. Two decades ago this number would have been 80 or 90. Especially in the summer time, we’ve had very high number before and we’ve seen the numbers declining. A good portion of the reason why it’s so low is the fact that the ground is saturated. We tend to see a lot of breaks during a dry spell when ground starts moving and withdrawing from the various pipes. And agian, we will see an in crease,” Maxwell said.
Another reason the number of water break repairs are so low, according to the city manager, is that over the years the city has often chosen street projects that have utility issues. Worst utility issues have been replaced first.
For example, the city previously had a choice between repairs on Houston Street or several other street projects. After having 13 water line breaks in one day on Houston Street, the city opted to replace it and rebuild the street. Since it’s repair, the city hasn’t had any water line breaks on Houston, Maxwell said.
The city noted that water lines over the last 24 years also have been replaced with C900 a PVC pipe estimated to have a usage life of 100-plus years. None of those pipes have broken.
“I think it’s remarkable that we’re making that kind of progress on the water breaks,” Maxwell told the council.
City Manager’s Report For May 5, 2020
The Sulphur Springs Manager’s Report was presented to Sulphur Springs City Council by City Manager Marc Maxwell at the regular May 5, 2020, City Council meeting, conducted via Zoom, and streamed on the City of Sulphur Springs Meetings YouTube channel.
COVID-19 RESPONSE
- Most City Offices have reopened. Police Department, Fire Department, Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant remain closed.
- Police and Fire have instituted new procedures for dealing with persons suspected of COVID-19.
- Police and Fire have their temperature taken when arriving at work.
- Meetings are conducted virtually when possible.
- Department Heads, the City Manager and the Mayor meet each week (virtually) to coordinate our efforts.
- Mayor, City Manager, Police Chief and Fire Chief attend EOC briefings twice per week.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
We just can’t quite finish this project. We have one item remaining on the contractor’s punch list, to replace a faulty flow meter. Once that is done, we will send the final check to the contractor for $397,000. All other issues have been resolved, and the plant is operating beautifully.
GRAYS BUILDING
Specifications are being written for the new Grays building. I expect to advertise for bids in 30 days. In the meantime we will build up the pad for the building.
BELLVIEW STREET
The water main was completed this month. Next up will be cement stabilization of the subgrade and asphalt pavement. Unfortunately, street work can’t begin until Atmos replaces their line. I expect Atmos won’t be finished for 90 days.
MCCANN STREET – HOLIDAY DRIVE
These streets are up next on our list of capital improvement projects. We have begun doing some investigative work onsite, but we are discussing the possibility of delaying the project until we have a better understanding of the financial impact of the pandemic. We may be scheduling this topic
at a future City Council meeting.
CONNALLY STREET
Construction has begun on the sidewalk on the south side of Connally Street.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The Capital Construction Division replaced various curb segments for the streets that will be repaved in this year’s Street Improvement Program, (S.I.P.). The S.I.P. is funded by a combination of General Fund revenues and the Street Maintenance Fee on the water bill. I expect the contractor, Texana Land and Asphalt to begin this week. The following streets will be repaved this year:
CLAIMS
We had 1 minor worker’s compensation claim in April and zero liability
claims. The injury did not require treatment.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
Finance Director Lesa Smith will give a year-to-date report of revenues and expenditures.
MISCELLANEOUS
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Conducted 23 building inspections, 25 electrical inspections, 18 plumbing inspections, 8 mechanical inspections and issued 15 building permits.
- Made 6 major street repairs following utility repairs.
- Patched 97 potholes.
- Replaced siding on front on the animal shelter and painted it.
- Demolished 1317 West Ave.
- Poured concrete footing under fence at the animal shelter.
- Replaced valley gutters and intersection at both ends of Linda Drive.
- Replaced various sections of curb and gutter on Bellview.
- Removed 4 large trees from the site of the new Senior Citizens Center.
- Made preparations to burn a large brush pile at Coleman Park.
- Planted seasonal flowers at City facilities and on Celebration Plaza.
- Trimmed trees downtown.
- Prepared fountain for summer activities.
- Responded to 153 fire/rescue calls.
- Responded to 1 structure fire, 3 car fires and 13 grass fires.
- Did not perform any fire inspections due to pandemic.
- Did not maintain any fire hydrants.
- Checked out 1,414 items from the library (curbside service) plus 904 eBooks.
- Responded to 168 animal control calls.
- Achieved a 77% adoption rate at the animal shelter.
- Made 8 arrests by the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 1702 calls for law enforcement.
- Responded to 25 accidents, wrote 142 citations, recorded 69 offenses and made 36 arrests.
- Repaired Hopkins County Veterans Memorial fountain.
- Installed sneeze guards at city facilities.
- Prepared Celebration Plaza for the summer season.
- Treated wastewater to a daily Average total suspended solids reading of .61 mg/L.
- Repaired 3 water breaks.
- Replaced 9 water meters.
- Unstopped 10 sewer mains.
- Repaired 3 sewer mains.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Treated 127 million gallons of potable water.
- Sold 1,202 gallons of AvGas and 2,115 gallons of JetA fuel.
Tira News — May 6, 2020
By JAN VAUGHN
Yvonne Weir celebrated her May 4 birthday with family over the weekend.
Dustin, Natalie, and Everly Weir spent Saturday night with Robert and Yvonne. Sarah and Lucas were there, too. Yvonne shared, “Dakota grilled supper for us and it was delicious. Everly is walking and researching every nook and cranny.” Dacy, Elise, and Eli Campbell visited on Monday and they all sat in the yard and had a good visit.
At the last Tira City Council meeting the members agreed to have the refrigerator painted at the Community Center. Janie Lewis reported that Sarah Helm did a great job making the old refrigerator look nice again. We want to express our appreciation to Sarah. The Center is still closed through the month of May, but the Tira Food Pantry is being stocked with food for those in need.
Our granddaughter, Jaidyn Joslin from Malvern, Arkansas, is spending a couple of weeks with her dad, Malcolm Joslin. She stayed with us over the weekend, and we had hamburgers and homemade ice cream on Saturday evening. Kenden Joslin and Emma Hall joined us. While she was here, Jaidyn also enjoyed playing with her nephews Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin at their home. She and Kenden went fishing on Monday, before Malcolm picked her up that evening.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
The Dinner Bell: May Blessings
The Dinner Bell, a ministry of the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs, TX, had a lot on it’s plate Wednesday. Beside the weekly free community meal, now served grab-and-go due to social distancing, a group of young men had a donation to make.
Gentlemen from the White and Ingram families recently set up a lemonade stand in the Rockyridge neighborhood. They sold two flavors of lemonade and homemade chocolate chip cookies. They also accepted donations from friends and neighbors. Their combined donation to Dinner Bell was $136. Natalie White (pictured above) stated, “The boys knew from the beginning they wanted to donate to the Dinner Bell. They are just the best and sweetest boys.”
Dinner Bell Matron Judy Gilreath said, “The money will go to good use, I’m already planning next weeks menu.” Judy went on to say that she is currently having trouble finding enough meat to match demands. She had to cut her interview short to field a call from a restaurant supplier.
This weeks sponsor was on hand to help prepare and hand out meals.
FUMC received a last minute donation of eggs and bathroom tissue. The goods were shared with participants as they drove, walked or bicycled through.
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
Sulphur Springs City Council Appointed A Place 3 Councilman, Named New Parks Director
Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday appointed a Place 3 councilman and named a new parks and recreation director during their regular monthly meeting, conducted May 5, via Zoom videoconferencing and live streamed for public viewing on City of Sulphur Springs YouTube channel.
Place 3 Appointment
Sulphur Springs City Council appointed Oscar Aguilar to Place 3 on the council, one of four seats on the special election ballot. The election was moved from May to November, due to COVID-19 measures in place during April and May.
Aguilar is the only unopposed candidate on the ballot not currently serving on the council. Harold Nash is on the special election ballot for Place 2. However, he was appointed in December to serve in that seat through the election, following the resignation of four council members.
According to City Attorney Jim McLeroy, appointing Aguilar to the council would give him no advantage in the election as he is unopposed.
Because the election is a special election, Aguilar’s name will still appear on the ballot though unopposed. With no challenger, Aguilar would need only one vote in November to be elected to Place 3.
Appointing Aguilar to fill the seat until that time, would give the council five members. Before the appointment, all four members of the City Council were required to be present at all meetings in order have a quorum and taken any action. That meant no one could be out sick, out of town or for any other reason during a City Council meeting.
The council gave unanimous approval for appointment of Aguilar to the Place 3 seat on the City Council.
Aguilar then officially pledged to fulfill the duties of the office in accordance with law, and immediately began serving as Place 3 concilman.
Parks, Recreation Director
The City Council entered into an executive session to discuss selection of a new parks and recreation director. After a brief closed session, the council member reconvened in open session.
The recommendation of Jerry Maynard as parks and recreation director was unanimously approved by the City Council. Maynard fills an opening created with the retirement of Kevin McCarty.
Chamber Connection — May 7, 2020
I wanted to start this column by saying, “Welcome to the Hunger Games!” Sometimes I feel like we ARE in the Hunger Games, especially after reading about Murder Hornets. This morning I read about some schools already deciding to go completely online in the fall, and stress just starts to creep into my skin. What is this craziness we are living?
I think it is important that we take the time to put things into perspective and focus on things we can control. If you are wondering what that is … here’s an answer. We can shop local, be local, live local. Our small businesses are desperately needing us right now. Please continue to order food and pick it up. Retail is open for business or you can pick that up, too. All of our businesses are finding ways to be available to you. It’s honestly so remarkable what our small county has been able to accomplish.
We don’t know what tomorrow looks like, so let’s enjoy today! Find some goodness and give it others. I’m proud you, Hopkins County.
Business Highlight
During the year 2020, the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week.
Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for May 7, Broadway Veterinary Hospital.
May 6-12 Designated As National Nurses Week
Sulphur Springs, Texas, May 4, 2020 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
National Nurses Week 2020
This week we celebrate Nurses! National Nurses Week 2020 begins Wednesday, May 6, through Tuesday, May 12, and celebrates nurses and their role in society. It also raises awareness about nursing as a possible career choice and educates the public about the kind of work nurses are involved. The week coincides with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, a
nurse who became famous for treating wounded soldiers during the Crimean war, and for her work in establishing nursing as a profession in its own right. Nightingale also founded a nursing school in 1860, providing the first type of professional nursing establishment in the world.
THANK YOU, Nurses!
Hospital Visitation Updates
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
- (1) Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
(1) Visitor per patient
Visitors must be between the ages of 16 years-old and 65-years old
All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken - All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
- ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Urgent Care
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care at 1339 S. Broadway St. in Sulphur Springs, is temporarily closed. Anyone needing to be seen by a physician may walk-in at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Primary Care at 105 Medical Plaza, or to schedule, please call 903.885.3181. If you are showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19, please call our COVID-19 Hotline at 800.458.4559, Option 9, to be screened, and instructed on how to proceed. As always, if it is emergent, present to the Emergency Room or call 9-1-1.
We want to reassure our patients that CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital continue to be a safe place to receive your care, and we encourage you to follow up with your regular healthcare needs. For any reason you cannot come into the clinic, or do not feel comfortable, virtual visits and telephone visits are available. Please contact your provider to discuss all of the many options for accessing care.
Surgical Services
As a reminder, at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, we are performing scheduled surgeries and procedures. Please contact your healthcare provider for more information.
Classes
Every month our hospital offers FREE virtual classes for new and expectant moms: The Childbirth class taught by Certified Nurse Midwife Deb Logan is the first Monday of every month from 6pm to 8pm. The Breastfeeding class taught by Lactation Consultant Kristi Couch, RN, is the first Tuesday of every month from 6pm to 8pm. For more information, please call 903.439.4091.
