Saltillo Elementary, Junior High To Hold Drive-Through Awards Pick-Up May 18-19
Saltillo Kindergarten, 8th Grade Graduations Slated Aug. 18
Saltillo ISD announced plans for graduation ceremonies for seniors, 8th graders and kindergarteners. Saltillo elementary and junior high are slated to hold drive-through awards events next week.
Drive-Through Awards
From 3 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, Saltillo Elementary will conduct “drive through awards.” Families of pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students will arrive in the car rider pick-up line for the awards. Any work or library books they students have yet to turn in should be brought to this program. They will be turned in as the family drives up. Teachers will have all of the student’s belongings, along with awards, ready to send home with them at that time.
Junior High has scheduled a drive through awards from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19. Families will line up in their vehicles in the car-rider pickup line. Any work or library books that students still have out should be turned in as they drive through the line to receive their awards.
Kindergarten, 8th Grade Graduations
Kindergarten and 8th grader graduation ceremonies have been pushed back, planned for Thursday, Aug. 13. That is the night of the scheduled open house for the 2020-2021 school year.
This decision was made after much consideration and discussion among school officials pertaining to the safety and wellbeing of Saltillo ISD families. As these near, additional details will be provided, according to Saltillo ISD administrators.
Senior Graduation, Baccalaureate
A baccalaureate service is set for 7 p.m. Sunday, May 24, at Weaver Baptist Church for seniors and their parents. Local social distancing guidelines will apply, however, and scheduling is contingent on local COVID-19 case numbers remaining low.
The Saltillo senior graduation ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 29, outdoors in the main parking lot, the school announced.
All students and guests will be required to follow social distancing guidelines, safety and security protocols, and other health measures at graduation. In order to do so, Saltillo ISD graduation ceremonies will move outdoors to the main parking lot of our school. A full list of protocols and guidelines provided by Texas Education Agency for schools regarding graduation celebrations can be downloaded from the TEA website.
Saltillo ISD will provide additional information for students and guests As the event nears.
70-Year-Old Arrested For Murder In Connection With Winnsboro Auto Shop Stabbing
A 70-year-old man was arrested Wednesday, May 13, for murder in connection with a Winnsboro auto shop stabbing, according to Winnsboro Police Chief Andy Chester.
Shortly after 11 a.m. May 13, Winnsboro Police Officers were dispatched to a report of a man with a knife Bob’s Auto Repair on East Carnegie.
“Upon our arrival we located a 54 year old white male, inside the shop area, with multiple stab wounds to his upper torso. Officers located a 70-year-old white male in the parking lot and detained him. It was determined that the 70-year-old white male, identified as Billy Dwaine Cotten of Winnsboro, was the suspect with the knife. Steven Wayne Lancaster, a 54-year-old employee of Bob’s Auto Repair, was transported to CHRISTUS/Mother Francis in Winnsboro and then flown to Tyler. Lancaster was pronounced dead shortly after 3 p.m.,” Chester alleged in a press release.
Cotten for arrested for murder in connection with the Winnsboro auto shop stabbing. His bond was set at $50,000 on the charge. Cotten was released from jail on bond Thursday, May 14, according to Wood County jail reports.
The investigation into the stabbing is still ongoing, according to Chester.
Pickton Man Arrested On Failure To Register As A Sex Offender Charge
May 14, 2020 – A 36-year-old Pickton man was arrested Wednesday on a failure to comply with sex offender duty to register charge, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigators reportedly received information that a sex offender who is require to register every quarter with authorities in the area in which he resides had not done so property. The man, identified in reports as 36-year-old Douglas Eugene Hanson, was reportedly registered in Wood County but had been living in Pickton for approximately 1 1/2 year, HCSO Investigators Michael Russell and Wade Sheets noted in arrest reports.
The investigators spoke to the owner of the property where Hanson was alleged to have been living. They received confirmation Hanson had lived in the rent house for more than a year, according to arrest reports.
The sheriff’s investigators contacted the man at his place of work. Hanson allegedly admitted he has lived in Pickton for approximately 1 1/2 years and has not yet registered with Hopkins County authorities as he is required to do. Consequently, the investigators took the man into custody at 9:30 a.m. May 13 for failure to comply with sex offender duty to register for life.
Hanson remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, May 14. Bond was set at $25,000 on the second-degree felony 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.
COVID-19 Financial Impact On Hopkins County Estimated At $1 Million
Business shutdowns and other measures in place due to the COVID-19 have impacted everyone, including local city and county governments. Hopkins County officials estimate a current COVID-19 financial impact of about $1 million less in revenues.
“I talked with our auditor. We are down about $1 million,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said. “Sales taxes will be down. Fees and fines are going to be down due to a lot of tickets and things not paid. Right now, property taxes we anticipate are holding up. They are being paid so far, as well they need to do. We have done well in Hopkins County. The Civic Center is down because they are not producing anything right now.”
However, the county is in a better position than some, due to the reserve fund built up over the last few years due to conservative management, according to the county judge.
“We had prepared ahead of time, knowing these times come. I think, financially we can handle it,” Newsom said. “It’s not the end of the world. We are going to look at our budget and see how things look moving forward.”
He commended the county’s employees who continued to work during the pandemic, even when doing so meant having to temporarily close lobbies and utilize drop boxes, mail, phone an electronic communications to conduct business.
“Our people continued to work through this. I am proud of our county employees,” Newsom said Wednesday afternoon. “We are not losing any staffing. No one has been laid off. Everybody remained at the helm, which is a real positive thing for our citizens and employees. We are going to continue work. The county remained at work through this time. Some worked at home but the rest have been here.”
Even the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center staff continued working, despite the loss of events due to COVID-19 restrictions and related cancelations, according to Newsom.
“We worked everybody every day,” said Hopkins County Regional Civic Center General Manager Lonnie Fox said. “We just keep going. All of our staff have still got jobs. We have been doing some deep cleaning.”
“I am really proud of our Civic Center staff. They have helped the school do the virtual graduation, helping to make it happen in the facility. They have assisted in COVID-19 testing held two weeks ago and another is planned Friday and have assisted in other ways,” Newsom said.
The county precinct crews are getting busy working on roads, the sheriff’s office is “in full force,” and the jail “is functioning very well and is COVID-free,” according to Newsom.
Hopkins County officials will look at the budget again as the pandemic progresses to see if any areas will require adjustments. Currently, the additional funding allocated this year to each precinct budget for additional road repairs will remain in those budgets, according to the judge.
“At this point, we are leaving it in roads. We prepared ahead of time for this type of thing,” Newsom said.
Crews have really just begun work patching and rebuilding county roads, but expect to be in full swing moving forward, as weather and resources permit.
Hopkins County officials also anticipate applying for federal funding designated in the CARES Act for “reimbursement of direct expenses incurred by cities and counties due to COVID-19.”
State officials May 11 announced $5.06 billion in funding available to local governments in Texas through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The U.S. Department of Treasury has directly sent over $3.2 billion to the 6 cities and 12 counties in Texas with a population greater than 500,000. The remaining $1.85 billion will be available to other cities and counties throughout the state to apply toward “reimbursement of direct expenses incurred by cities and counties due to COVID-19.”
According to Governor Greg Abbott, the remaining cities and counties in Texas that did not receive direct allocations from the Treasury are eligible to apply to the state for a $55 per capita allocation from the $1.85 billion.
Newsom anticipates applying for as much of the state and federal funding as the county is eligible to request, including funds designated to help local entities offset the costs of any overtime by emergency management and other personnel “due to the COVID-19 crisis.”
Newsom said Hopkins County also plans to apply for funding to help reimburse the expenses of installing glass on office counters at Hopkins County House Annex and the district and county clerk’s offices, among other measures taken by the county.
“We are getting the glass to protect them from the public and to protect the citizens too. This will help with social distancing in areas where they lean in to talk. This is an advantage to taxpayers to take advantage as well as an option of protection for our employees,” Newsom said. “They will continue to do what they are doing. Hopkins County has done extremely well. We are blessed in every way.”
Governments with a grant agreement will be able to immediately draw down 20 precent to their allocation. After those jurisdictions provide documentation on the initial funding, they will then be able to access the remainder of their allocation on a reimbursement basis. The unallocated funds will be reserved for local expenses as future outbreaks and the long-term impacts of COVID-19 are better known, state officials stated in a letter sent to cities and counties. Local leaders too were encourage to work together to address expenses that cross jurisdictional lines, according a press release from Governor Greg Abbott’s office.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management will administer the reimbursement process and will partner with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to provide individual assistance to each city and county throughout the process. Information on how to apply for funding, as well as guidance about eligible uses, can be found at online at: www.tdem.texas.gov/crf.
Free COVID-19 Mobile Testing Scheduled Friday
Another free COVID-19 mobile test collection is scheduled from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, 1200 Houston St., in Sulphur Springs.
Hopkins County Hospital District COO/EMS Director Brent Smith and Hopkins County Emergency Management Team encourage individuals to take advantage of the opportunity to test if they feel that they may have come in contact with someone or feel they have symptoms.
Anyone working in the fields of healthcare, public safety or critical infrastructure will automatically be accepted for the testing even if the person has no symptoms.
Registration is required. The registration call line, 512-883-2400, opened at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 14, for the free mobile test collection screening at the Civic Center. Registration can also be conducted online to txcovidtest.org. Those registering will be asked some simple brief questions about any symptoms they may have
Testers don’t have to be Hopkins County residents to test Friday at the free testing site. In fact, tests may be scheduled at any of the state’s mobile test collection sites free. The City of Emory will also offer free mobile test collection on Friday at the Rains Junior High School. Callers (or online registrants) may request either location.
Those registered will simply stay in a vehicle, get in line and roll down their window when it’s time to be tested. The sample will be taken. When the results are in, the person tested will be notified of the results.
If testing at any other type of test location, those being tested should be sure to enquire about associated fees. A list of available and upcoming testing locations, free or otherwise, can be viewed online at covidtest.tedem.texas.gov. Check the map, then click the site or additional information including times, address and directions.
On April 30, 82 tests were collected at the mobile screening conducted by the National Guard, in conjunction with multiple state and local agencies, at the Civic Center. Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said it’s his understanding that up to 130 screenings can be conducted this Friday at the Civic Center.
“We had 82 last time and hope to do all 130 this time, the more tested the better. Last time, we had 82 negatives,” Newsom said.
While all of the tests from the April 30 mobile test collection came back negative for Coronavirus, Hopkins County has had four new positive cases of COVID-19 reported since May 1 (tested at either a private lab or Texas Department of State Health Services). While very few details have been released about any of the Hopkins County coronavirus patients due to HIPPA regulations, all four individuals recently diagnosed, as far as Newsom has been informed, have been in self quarantine, where they have been treated for the virus at home.
However, Newsom said the Hopkins County Local Health Authority, Dr. IL Balkcom, is working with the local cases in Hopkins County to ensure procedures are being followed with the related cases. Balkcom has a nurse assigned as a contact tracer, someone who investigates people who have had the virus to trace where they may have been infected.
“Our hospital has more than enough space to take care of anyone, but most active cases are at home,” Newsom said, noting one woman who was treated at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs for COVID-19 agreed to be videoed as she was leaving the hospital. That brief clip was shared by the hospital on social media.
“That is the most serious case we’ve had yet, that we know of, but she recovered. God has got his hand on this county. Citizens need to continue to do what they are doing. Hopkins County has done extremely well,” Newsom said.
Both Newsom and Smith encourage local citizens to continue practicing social distancing, proper hand washing and good hygiene to help slow the spread and process of this virus.
Cumby ISD Honors Athletes For Hard Work
Cumby High School‘s annual athletic banquet was another casualty in the battle to keep COVID-19 cases and potential exposure low in Hopkins County. But, school officials didn’t let that stop them for honoring their student athletes. Cumby ISD Tuesday announced this year’s award winners online.
“We wish that we could be handing out these awards in person, but we wanted to make sure that we give recognition to our athletes that work hard all year long. All of your Cumby Trojans work day in and day out to be the best and we are PROUD of you!” Cumby ISD posted along with the announcement.
This year’s Top Male Athlete Award went to Cameron Scott. He too was named Offensive MVP in football and Co-Offensive MVP with Colby Lindsey in boys basketball.
Lindsey also was named Defensive MVP in football and boys basketball.
Top Female Athlete honors are shared by Rylee Jo Krotky and Neely Jo Hammond. The pair also were named Co-Offensive MVP in girls basketball. Hammond too earned Outstanding Hitter in volleyball.
The Trojan Heart Awards were presented to Elijah Pahcheka, and shared by Charli Butler and Carly Talley.
Pahcheka too was named Lineman MVP in football.
Carly Talley and Bre Morgan also shared Co-Defensive MVP honors in girls basketball.
The Trojan Spirit Award, given to a cheerleader, went to Skyler McJohnston.
Dayli Sims was named Best Runner Female in Cross Country.
In powerlifting, Jacelyn Thornton was named Best Lifter.
In volleyball, Erin Morgan was named Outstanding Setter and Heather McCraw Outstanding Blocker.
Cumby ISD staff and officials encourage the community to “send a huge congratulations to all of these athletes and all the hard work they have put in and continue to put in!”
JPs, Tax Offices Officially Reopened
The lobbies of Hopkins County Courthouse Annex, which houses the Justices of the Peace (JPs) and Tax Offices, officially reopened its doors for in-person visits for county residents on Wednesday, May 13.
Justices of the Peace Offices
The portion of the Jefferson Street annex which houses the Justices of the Peace and Constable’s offices had modifications and upgrades during the closures. Those visiting will notice new glass between the clerk’s desks and the public, creating a foyer waiting area. This will better help protect both citizens and staff. People will slide any paperwork through one of the two designated window slots.
The office also got a facelift with carpeting replaced and new paint. A few water leaks were also addressed during the closure.
A table in the hallway in front of the JPs’ offices contains several folders to make frequently requested forms more accessible and a bulletin board with important notices. Precinct 2 JP Brad Cummings said they hope to be able to eventually place a computer int he foyer area, which would allow visitors to complete the paperwork electronically, reducing the need for them to print and return the paper form, then for the information to have to be typed into the system.
While the Justice of the Peace offices are open for walk-in customers, social distancing and the use of proper personal protective equipment is encouraged while during the pandemic.
The judges ask visitors to be mindful of personal space as well as their own health. Anyone who has had a recent fever, shortness of breath, body aches, a cough of any sort, or other symptoms or signs of influenza, COVID-19, or other illnesses are asked to stay home and not enter the Courthouse Annex. The general public is asked to also be mindful of the social distancing rule of keeping at least a 6 feet of space between themselves and others while at their offices.
Based on Texas Supreme Court Orders and advisement from the Office of Court Administration, courts will not schedule any non-essential court hearings until after June 1st. The JP courts will accept filings, but cases will not be scheduled and the constables will not serve any papers that pertain to non-essential hearings until after June 1, according to Judge Cummings.
June 1 is currently a tentative restart date, pending further direction from the Texas Supreme Court and Office of Court Administration.
Tax Assessor/Collector’s Office
The Tax Assessor/Collector’s Office also made the decision to reopen May 13 to county residents, although that office has not been outfitted with protective glass.
Tables were placed longways in front of the front counters, to observe proper social distancing guidelines and as an added layer of protection for staff and citizens.
Those entering the building for either the JPs or Tax Assessor’s offices will notice the front entry way has been modified. The front entry foyer has been removed. The front entrance at the glass door is also more easily accessible.
The office, which also handles vehicle registration, reportedly had steady business all day.
Clerk’s Offices
Hopkins County Clerk’s Office and the District Clerk’s Office lobbies remain closed except by appointment, pending modifications as well. The offices are fully staffed and operating. Calls will be taken and emails answered. The district clerks are monitoring the Efile system daily as well as emails, but passports aren’t being processed at this time. Certain services at the county clerk’s office are available by appointment.
“The County Clerk is getting a new cabinet for the front of that office. It’s scheduled to be installed on Friday. We are waiting on the glass for that. We should have movement on that next week, and have it opened hopefully soon. The District Clerk also is going to be along the same timeline. We are wait on glass there too,” said Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
Adult Probation/Other Offices
The Adult Probation office on Hinnant Street has been conducing a lot of remote reporting and telephone reporting, with limited in-person reporting. That office is currently expected to be fully reopened on June 1, according to Newsom.
“We should be fully functioning as county before on June 1 or the very latest,” the judge said.
Como-Pickton Athletic Award Winners Announced
The annual Como-Pickton CISD Eagles athletic banquet, like many other activities, had to be canceled this year — victims of COVID-19 school closures and measures in place to reduce potential spread of the virus. CPCISD officials did not, however, let the tradition of honoring outstanding students and players. In lieu of a banquet, the Como-Pickton athletic award winners were announced on social media.
Awards will be mailed to recipients over the next few days, according to the school announcement.
This year’s award winners include a few students who received recognition multiple awards.
The Iron Eagle Awards went to Lexi Busby and Braden Miller. Busby also shared the MVRunner award with Bailey Neal and was named Offensive MVP in girls basketball. Miller also shared the Ron Heflin Award honors in football with Jhonathan Mejia.
Jazmine Tapley was named Defensive MVP in girls basketball and received the Ron Helfin Award in softball.
Jackson Monk was named Defensive MVP in football and shared Ron Heflin Award honors with Kris Mayfield in baseball.
David Palacios was named MVRunner in boys cross country and Offensive MVP in boys basketball.
Como-Pickton Athletic Award Winners includes:
Fuller Street Traffic Stop Results In Controlled Substance Arrest
A Fuller Street traffic stop Tuesday afternoon resulted the arrest of a 30-year-old Sulphur Springs man on a controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Adrian Pruitt initiated a traffic stop on a Dodge 1500 pickup at 2:38 p.m. May 12 in the 700 block of Fuller Street.
Upon contact with the driver, Pruitt noted the man to appear extremely nervous so he asked to search the truck. Police found a bag containing a white crystal-like substance weighing less than 1 gram, Pruitt alleged in arrest reports.
The driver, 30-year-old Jonathan Edward Watkins of Sulphur Springs, was taken into custody at 2:55 p.m. for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, according to arrest reports.
Watkins remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, May 13, on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge. Bond was set at $10,000, 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.
Tennessee Woman Arrested On Probation Warrant
A 32-year-old Tennessee woman was arrested on a Hopkins County warrant Tuesday evening.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified that Constance Shunta Barr, was in custody in Shelby County jail in her hometown of Memphis on the Hopkins County warrant.
HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite traveled to Shelby County jail, where he took Barr into custody at 4:59 p.m. and transported her to Hopkins County jail. Barr was booked on the warrant for violation of probation, according to arrest reports.
She was on probation for a Sept. 29, 2018 driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 years of age in the vehicle charge. She was stopped by Sulphur Springs police on Interstate 30 at mile marker 124 around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 28, 2018, for a defective license plate light.
An officer alleged smelling a strong marijuana odor coming from the car and seeing a small bag of the substance inside of it. A search allegedly revealed other marijuana-related drug paraphernalia and several prescription pill bottles in the woman’s name. She admitted to smoking marijuana and failed standard field sobriety test, the officer alleged in arrest reports. Barr had three children younger than 15 in the car with her at the time of the stop, police noted in
Barr was taken to jailed on the felony DWI charge, then released later Sept. 28, 2018, on a $5,000 bond, according to jail reports. She was indicted on the charge during the October 2019 grand jury session, according to court reports.
Barr remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning on the violation of probation 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.
