Governor Abbott Announces Closure Of Texas Schools Through End of School Year
In a televised press conference on April 17, 2020 Texas Governor Abbott announced the closure of all Texas schools through the end of the school year. Teachers and administrators will be allowed back into the classrooms for video teaching, adminstrative duties and to finish up their duties in their classroom.
Cumby Special Election Cancelled
City Council Addresses Court Security Committee, Depot Street Sewer Line, Name Correction
The only actions taken by Cumby City Council during the Zoom meeting earlier this week involved the Cumby special election on May 2, need for a main sewer line repair, a name correction and proposal for a Court Security Committee.
Special Election
Cumby Mayor Doug Simmerman reported the city was contacted by state election officials last week regarding the Cumby special election scheduled May 2. The city was to share election costs with Cumby ISD. School trustees recently postponed the Cumby ISD bond election until November.
All candidates for Places 1 and 2 in the May 2 election were contacted, and all agreed due to the COVID-19 situation postponing the election until November is best for all. The council gave unanimous approval to cancel the May 2 election.
Sewer Line
Simmerman noted that the main sewer line and around it on Depot Street is deteriorating. When repairs are attempted it crumbles more. He noted that while consideration has been given potentially applying for a grant to help fund the project, the wait time for grant funding the city had been allocated for a new lift station has shown that process takes a while. The need is more imminent, as opposed to one that can wait for several months or over a year, the mayor explained.
Simmerman asked Hayder Engineering to look at the condition and give a proposed cost estimate, not a bid but a ball park estimate.
Place 4 Alderman Betty McCarter agreed that there are major issues with the Depot Street sewer line that need to be addressed.
Simmerman said the project, if attempted, would likely need to be done in increments, as not only will the sewer line need to be repaired, but also the street work to be addressed afterward. He asked the if they’d like to authorize him to start the process to go out for bids for the project.
“Yes, I think we should. The longer we keep putting it off the worse it’s going to get,” Place 5 Alderman Julie Morris said.
McCarter, who is directly affected by the “horrible” sewer line problems, made the motion to authorize the mayor to seek to go out for bids to repair the Depot Street sewer lines. Morris seconded the motion. It received approval from Mayor Simmerman and Place 3 Alderman Guy Butler as well.
Name Correction
The City Council also approved a resolution correcting the name of the city’s appointed auditor on official documents.
City Secretary Codi Reynolds explained that the council on Jan. 14 appointed Evans & Knauth to conduct the annual financial audit. Since then, the company’s name has changed to K. Evans & Associates. The name on the contract was the old name. The resolution simply authorizes the mayor and city secretary, in consultation with City Attorney Edgar J. Garrett, to take the necessary actions to correct or amend the name of the auditor to K. Evans & Associates.
Court Security Committee
The Cumby Court Security Committee was approved, as recommended by Cumby Judge Lana Adams.
“This is to get us in line with the law, Senate Bill 42 in effect since 2017, to be in compliance with a committee and standing order for court security. Every year, we’ll bring it for review,” Adams said.
The members selected are either on the committee because they are required by law or recommended to be on it, according to the judge.
The Court Security Committee is to be chaired by the presiding judge and will establish policies necessary to provide adequate court security.
Also on the committee are the mayor, Court Clerk Quanah Wright, City Attorney Jay Garrett, Police Chief Paul Robertson, City Secretary Codi Reynold and a slot for another court clerk, which is vacant at the moment, according to the information provided in the April 14 Cumby City Council agenda packet.
Court Security officers are required to hold a court security certification. Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson and Officer Jeff Hundley have the required bailiff training and will serve in that capacity.
Cumby Municipal Building has secure access for comings and going for meetings and court sessions, which should put the city in compliance with requirements for that, the officials reported.
The council unanimously approved the Court Security Committee as recommended by Judge Adams.
HCSO: Two Men Jailed On Felony Warrants
Two men jailed in other counties were transported Thursday to Hopkins County jail on one felony Hopkins County warrant each, according to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office reports.
HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite traveled April 16 to Pushamataha County jail in Atlers, Oklahoma, where Shawn Wayne Austin was held on a Hopkins County warrant. Fite took Austin into custody and transported him to Hopkins County jail. The 38-year-old Sulphur Bluff man was booked on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for burglary of a building, according to jail reports.
Austin remained in Hopkins County jail on the charge Friday morning April 17, according to jail reports.
Deputy Fite also traveled April 16 to Hunt County jail, where Todd Phillip Jefferson was held. Fite took the 41-year-old Brashear man into custody and transported him to Hopkins County jail. Jefferson was booked into Hopkins County jail for violation of probation, which he was on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to jail arrest reports.
Jefferson remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning on the 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.
CR 1165 Disturbance Complaint Results In Warrant Arrest
A CR 1165 disturbance complaint resulted in a misdemeanor warrant arrest, according to arrest and sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Deputies Colt Patterson, Chris Baumann, Justin Wilkerson and Bobby Osornio responded at 7:35 p.m. to a CR 1165 disturbance complaint. A woman’s husband was alleged to be “breaking everything” in the CR 1165 home, a caller told dispatchers, according to sheriff’s reports.
Upon arrival, however, deputies determined the disturbance was verbal only, not physical. A records check did show the 31-year-old Brashear resident did have two active warrants for his arrest. Thus, the male resident was taken into custody at 8:03 a.m. on the failure to control speed and driving while license invalid warrants, according to arrest reports.
The Brashear resident remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning. Fees owed on the outstanding traffic charges totaled $811, according to arrest and 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.
Spring is Here! How Does Your Garden Grow?
We would like to know how your garden grows! Send us photos of healthy plants growing in your garden or patio now, and send photos again when your crop is harvested! For families in our community, gardening is a popular part of Spring/Summer 2020, and we’d like to share photos of your success here! Send photos to [email protected]
Gardening has experienced an upswing in popularity this year, for varying reasons. For some, it’s enhanced appreciation for organic, hand-raised produce, and for others, the COVID-19 ‘stay home, stay well’ declaration has furnished extra time for yard and garden projects. Some have started a backyard plot for the first time, with the whole family or even neighbors pitching in. Gardeners who usually cultivate ‘a few tomato plants’ have expanded to a fuller array of vegetable, herb and floral favorites. Container gardening is even more widely enjoyed on the porches, patios and decks of apartment dwellers and homeowners. Out in the country, large-garden plantings continue to be a springtime habit for many, and despite excessive rainfall this Spring, well-drained garden plots are thriving. Here’s some photos from a gardener in the Arbala area.
Early-spring produce like English peas, greens and radishes which thrive in cool, wet conditions must be planted early. Potatoes and onions must also be placed in the ground early. That’s an easier task if your garden plot is already established and the ground is ready. Later-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, squash, peas and beans, melons and okra can be planted later in the spring when the ground warms up. Fall crops of certain vegetables may be planted and harvested before the first autumn frost. Pumpkins and winter squash can be planted in mid-summer for harvest in the Fall, and greens can be sowed for a Fall crop.
Marlon Webb celebrates his 69th birthday this week doing what he loves most, being out in the yard and garden. He told me it keeps him young! He and his wife Donna grow enough to eat all year, but it takes daily maintenance, practically year round. Sometimes when he needs a little extra help before a storm or a frost, friends like Gary Mayers offer to pitch in. In late 2019, friends showed up to help pick all the green tomatoes off the vines before a hard freeze was expected that night.
County Road 4778 Home Destroyed By Blaze
A County Road 4778 home was destroyed by a blaze Wednesday night, April 15. No one was injured, but the family lost all of their belongings, according to Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley.
Hopkins County 911 dispatchers were contacted at 7:59 p.m. about the house fire, which was said to be spreading toward a nearby shed. All occupants were reported to have made it out of the house safely, callers reported.
Hopkins County, Tira, North Hopkins, Dike, Sulphur Bluff firefighters were dispatched to battle the house fire on County Road 4778. Additional 911 callers reported the house was “all in flames.” Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies also responded to assist. Upon the first unit’s arrival, officials reported the double wide manufactured home was fully involved with fire. Cooper and Klondike also were contacted; they responded with apparatus and provided additional manpower as well.
The firefighters working together were able to make a quick attack on the fire and got it knocked down, containing it primarily to the house, according to Endsley. However, due to the quick spread the home is being considered a total loss.
The Red Cross and Salvation Army were contacted and are working with the family to help them meed their immediate needs, according to Endsley.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined by county fire investigators.
2 Hopkins County Men Jailed On Felony Warrants
Two Hopkins County men were jailed on felony warrants Wednesday.
Nicholas Skyler White arrived at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office to speak with an investigator. After talking with the 28-year-old Como resident, he was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
HCSO Deputy Justin Wilkerson took White into custody at 5:30 p.m. April 15 and escorted him into the county jail. White was booked into jail on an assault of a family or household member with previous conviction warrant. The offense is alleged to have occurred on County Road 2325 on April 7, Wilkerson noted in arrest reports.
Jail records show White was booked into Hopkins County jail onSept. 18, 2010 on an assault charge; Oct. 23, 2016 on a warrant for assault causing bodily injury to a family member; April 25, 2017 on another assault causing bodily injury warrant; and Jan. 1, 2019, on a warrant for violation of probation on the latter assault charge.
White remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday, April 16, on the assault of family or household member with previous conviction charge. Bond on that third-degree felony assault charge was set at $10,000, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Fite traveled to a DeSoto facility, where he took Jumierquai Dovarieay Davison into custody April 15. Fite transported the 18-year-old Sulphur Springs resident to Hopkins County jail, where he was held on a warrant for engaging in organized criminal activity, according to arrest reports.
Davison has been in Hopkins County jail at least two other times over the last year. He spent April 15-April 18, 2019, in jail on an engaging in organized criminal activity charge and warrants for burglary of a vehicle and prohibited weapon. He was also charged on April 16, 2019 with an additional engaging in organized criminal activity charge while still in custody.
The 18-year-old Sulphur Springs man next spent Oct. 20, 2019-Feb. 24, 2020, in custody for unauthorized use of vehicle and evading arrest, and warrants for burglary of a building and engaging in organized criminal activity. While already in custody, Davison too was served Dec. 27, 2019 with engaging in organized criminal activity and burglary of a building warrants, 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.
Sulphur Springs Man Arrested On Voyeurism, Assault Warrants
A 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested on voyeurism and assault warrants early Thursday morning, according to arrest reports.
According to arrest reports, Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Chris Rosamond, Officers Chad Norris and Victor Reyna became aware that Jeremy Lindre Williams was at a Sulphur Springs address. The police officers contacted the man and took him into custody about 12:45 a.m. April 16, on a Class A misdemeanor warrant for assault causing injury to a family member and a felony warrant for voyeurism, according to arrest and jail reports.
Williams remained in Hopkins County jail late Wednesday morning. Bond was set at $5,000 on the assault charge and $15,000 on the voyeurism charge, according to jail reports. An emergency protective order was requested, according to sheriff’s 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.
FM 69 Motorist Assist Resulted In Arrest After Suspected Meth Located
What started as a possible motorist assist resulted in arrest of a 56-year-old Sulphur Springs, TX man on a possession of controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Deputy Bobby Osornio, while on patrol around 11 p.m. April 15, 2020, spotted a gray Ford F-150 pickup parked on the side of FM 69 north near County Road 3504. The officer turned on his overhead vehicle lights and pulled over to conduct a possible motorist assist.
Upon approach of the vehicle, Osornio talked to the driver, identified as 56-year-old Jack Edmond Ross of Sulphur Springs. While speaking to Ross, Osornio alleged the man showed signs of nervousness. When asked if he had anything illegal in the truck, Ross alleged replied no. He also refused the deputy’s request to search the truck, Osornio alleged in arrest reports.
Orsornio ordered Ross out of the truck, then called for Deputy Thomas Patterson to bring his canine to the location. K-9 Maly allegedly gave a positive alert when conducting a sniff search around the truck, giving deputies probable cause to search it.
The search allegedly revealed a syringe containing suspected liquid methamphetamine. Consequently, deputies took Ross into custody and transported him to Hopkins County jail. Ross was booked at 1:16 a.m. April 16, 2020 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 later Thursday morning on the felony charge.
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.
CTE Programs May Donate Unused PPE, Med Supplies To Help Coronavirus Response
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced career and technical education or CTE programs can donate or loan personal protective equipment and other medical supplies purchased with federal funds to public health agencies, private nonprofit hospitals, and other licensed health providers to support the nationwide coronavirus response effort. This new flexibility guidance comes in response to a desire from state and other CTE educators to donate their unused equipment during the COVID-19 National Emergency.
“We are all fighting coronavirus together, and each of us is looking for ways we can contribute to defeating this invisible enemy,” said Secretary DeVos. “After hearing from educators about their desire to contribute to this fight, it was a no-brainer to cut through the red tape and provide them the flexibility needed to donate valuable medical equipment to our brave medical professionals on the front lines.”
Many CTE programs purchase PPE and other supplies and equipment through funds awarded by federal grants for use in hands-on learning opportunities in various medical fields of study. Examples of equipment currently not needed for learning activities that can be donated or loaned under the new flexibility offered by the Department include gloves, masks, face shields, gowns, ventilators, and three-dimensional printers.
Additional details about equipment donations and loans can be found here.
For more information on the DOE’s response to the COVID-19 national emergency, visit ed.gov/coronavirus.
