Commissioners Declare Emergency, Designate $1 Million For Road Work
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning took steps to free up an additional $1,564,000 in funding for road improvements this summer.
Emergency designation
The court first approved a resolution declaring an emergency in Hopkins County due to recent weather which impacted county roads.
The Commissioners Court, cited Local Government Code §111.070(b), for allowing them to “authorize an emergency expenditure as an amendment to the original budget in the case of grave public necessity to meet an unusual and unforeseen condition that could not have been included in the original budget through the use of reasonably diligent thought and attention.”
The resolution identifies “recent rain, flooding and winds” for “immeasurably negatively” impacting county roads. “Due to extenuating circumstances the Hopkins County Commissioners Court is authorizing an emergency expenditure as an amendment to the original budget,” according to the emergency resolution.
County Judge Robert Newsom proposed allocating $250,000 more per precinct from the general fund so that precinct road crews can begin working on roads earlier this year, weather permitting.
Making the adjustments now instead of later in the year will be helpful in that it will allow materials for each precinct to be obtained in readiness for any good weather days, instead of having to wait until later in the year or closer to summer, Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker noted.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley said he is thankful the county is in a healthy enough financial condition due to increases in property values which have generated additional revenues to be able to designate additional funding for road improvements.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price asked if the designation could allow for purchase of road equipment if needed also.
Newsom noted the declaration would allow funding for construction and maintenance of county roads, which could include needed equipment.
Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook affirmed the funding would go to each precinct road and bridge budget and could be used for allowable expenses in that fund.
Mack Pitts, a community member, asked if the funding would come from the existing budget and not require additional taxes.
Aulsbrook affirmed the money would come from the general fund and go directly to the road and bridge fund.
Cooperative Purchase
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin said he hopes during good weather this summer to have two road crews working, which would allow him to cover more miles of road.
Anglin asked to be allowed to use some off that designated funding to purchase another reclaimer for Precinct 2. The equipment would be used and purchased through the county’s membership in Sourcewell. Because the group is a purchasing cooperative similar to BuyBoard, the county would not be required to go out for bids on the project. Anglin said the model he’s looking to purchase is about 3 years old and in good shape.
Barker noted that the Texas Association of Counties has been guiding county governments to purchase equipment instead of leasing it.
This would also make available additional equipment should the reclaimer already in operation experience mechanical issues, Anglin noted.
The Commissioners Court gave unanimous approval for the reclaimer purchase for Precinct 2 through Sourcewell.
Budget Amendment, Line Item Transfer
The Commissioners Court agreed to amending the budget to reflect the $1 million adjustment from the general fund, with $250,000 going into an emergency road building line within each precinct’s budget for maintenance of equipment or related expenses for road work
An additional $564,000 budget adjustment was also recommended by Aulsbrook. She explained that was the total remaining in road and bridge funding from the previous year. Those funds at the end of the year had to go back into the general fund. A transfer within the budget would allow each precinct official to access the funds remaining from his precint.
That’d be $126,000 for Precinct 1, $129,000 in Precinct 2, $87,000 for Precinct 3 and $222,000 for Precinct 4. The court approved a line item within the budget to carry those funds over to this year’s road and bridge funds for the four precincts.
The funding will help, but even those funds will only go so far. Currently, the cost to repair 1 mile of road is $120,00, according to Newsom.
Barker compared the season for road work to hay season. Crews have a limited amount of good weather days but would do the most work possible within that time with the available resources.
The Precinct 1 Commissioner noted the county too has some FEMA funding that must be used within a certain amount of time for road repairs.
Newsom offered appreciation to the sheriff for providing additional labor for precinct crews through the trustees work program at the county jail.
HCSO: Disturbance Allegedly Involving Weapon Results In Misdemeanor Arrest
Sheriff’s deputies Sunday evening arrested a 33-year-old Sulphur Springs man, following a disturbance in which a weapon was reportedly displayed, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Deputies Drew Fisher and Kevin Lester, Sgt. Shea Shaw and Sgt. Richard Greer were dispatched at 6:05 p.m. to County Road 2302, where a male allegedly had a gun while walking around and banging on doors and yelling at the resident and neighbors, according to sheriff’s reports.
Deputies reportedly contacted the 33-year-old man at a residence down the road. The man matched the description of the person who allegedly arrived at the CR 2302 residence shouting, wanting to speak with the man of the house while in possession of a pistol, Fisher and Greer alleged in arrest reports.
The man was also allegedly armed with the pistol at the time deputies contacted him. The 33-year-old Sulphur Springs resident was reportedly disarmed and detained. On further investigation, deputies reportedly determined he did not have a license to carry a handgun. Consequently, the 33-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested at 6:21 p.m. on the unlawful carrying of a weapon charge, the deputies alleged in arrest reports.
The 33-year-old Sulphur Springs man remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, March 9. Bond was set at $2,000 on the misdemeanor weapon 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.
Traffic Stop, Investigation Of Suspicious Activity Result In 2 Arrests By Cumby Police
A traffic stop and investigation of suspicious activity by Cumby police Saturday evening resulted in two arrests Saturday, according to police reports.
Cumby Police Officer Zack Steward reported conducting a traffic stop on a red Pontiac at 4:28 p.m. Feb. 7 on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 112. Upon contact with the driver, Steward alleged he could smell a marijuana odor coming from the vehicle. So, he asked the driver to exit and step to the rear of the car so he could do a patdown for weapons before conducting a probable cause search.
During the patdown, Steward alleged he felt what he believed to be contraband inside the 42-year-old Dallas man’s pants. Consequently, King was detained by Steward.
After Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson arrived to assist, Michail Germann King allegedly stated he didn’t have anything in his pants. Steward alleged he took King’s belt off and pulled his pants down to check. Steward, in arrest reporst, alleged finding two small ziplock type baggies containing suspected crack cocaine and a large amount of methamphetamines.
Consequently, King was transported to Hopkins County jail, where a jailer alleged finding another large amount of methamphetamines while King was being dressed out. The substance, Steward alleged in arrest reports, weighed 178,4 grams.
King was charged with possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. He was released from jail Sunday, Feb. 8, on $30,000 bond on the charges, according to jail reports.
At 4:30 p.m. Feb. 7, Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson stopped on East Main Street to check suspicious at a maintenance building, according to dispatch reports. Robertson, in arrest reports, reported seeing a 26-year-old Cumby man walking down Main Street. A records check showed the man to have an outstanding warrant for possession or delivery of a drug paraphernalia.
Robertson alleged the 26-year-old Cumby man began to pull and push away from when he tried to pat him down and place him into custody. The police chief allegedly forced the man to the ground when the man resisted. He took him into custody, then called Steward to transport the man to jail.
The 26-year-old Cumby man was arrested for resisting arrest as well as the warrant for not taking car of a possession or delivery of drug paraphernalia charge, according to arrest reports. He was released from jail Sunday, Feb. 8, on $2,000 on the misdemeanor resisting 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.
Commissioners Court Meeting, Work Session Agendas For March 9, 2020
Hopkins County Commissioners Court has a full morning ahead Monday, with a regular meeting scheduled at 9 a.m. and followed immediately by a work session. Below are the agendas for both morning meetings.
KSST Radio reports on Hopkins County Commissioners Court meetings. Click here for related stories.
GROW Program Going Strong In 5th Year at SSISD
The Girls Recognizing Our Worth in math and science program at Sulphur Springs Elementary is going strong in its fifth year of operation. By the end of the year, the Sulphur Springs ISD after-school program will have had than 500 girls participating in the program since it started five years ago.
“This year alone, we have 142. That’s really excited to us to get that many girls involved. However, it tends to be a challenge in the cafeteria with 142 girls in there, but it us a lot of fun. We have over 40 volunteers that help us put that on over the last five years, most of those teachers on those campuses that volunteer their time to come in,” said Karen Phillips, who has been involved with the program since its inception at SSISD..
GROW focuses on getting more female students involved in STEM activities and exploring science, technology, engineering and math topics they may not have otherwise considered.
This year, the SSISD received an Air Force Association Grant to help support the GROW program. Representatives from AFA visited the Sulphur Springs Elementary campus to see first hand the GROW program and talked with the girls about their jobs in the military.
Typically, at the meetings, a STEM career and woman with a career in that profession are highlighted monthly to teach the girls about options available in those areas. For instance, focus later this month will be on aerospace engineers.
In every session, students are given a goal to accomplish with a project. There isn’t necessarily a right answer or resolution for the project. The students may not be able to accomplish the goal. Part of the process is to develop resilience and tenacity when approaching tasks, Phillips and Carmen Hammack explained.
“Sometimes, we even have students who walk away. They are not discouraged. They know they didn’t accomplish the goal this time, but next time we’ll have something different. They find success some where along the way. We try to celebrate success in building a product or whatever,” Phillips said.
Students are given a list of materials they can use to build their product and meet the assigned challenge. Projects are focused this year on the integration of more math into the presentation. Kindergarten through 8th grade math TEKS and standards for fifth grade and younger students are utilized, SSISD math and science coordinators Phillips and Hammack.
One aspect of the project includes financial literacy TEKS and budget balancing lessons. For instance, students would have to figure estimates for materials costs and production costs while discern between need versus of a project such as building a rocket or using basic chemistry for a chemical engineering lesson such as producing a line of bath salts.
Meal A Day Menu for March 9-13, 2020
Monday — Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, Pinto Beans and Spanish Rice
Tuesday — Beef Spaghetti, English Peas and Garlic Toast
Wednesday — Rope Sausage, Black Eyed Peas, Corn Bread and Green Tomato Relish
Thursday — Chicken and Dumplings, Crackers and Tossed Salad
Friday — Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole, Broccoli and Corn
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Wildcats Basketball Team Earns Two Superlatives As Six Make All-District Team
Wildcat Senior Sadaidriene Day Day Hall was named the District MVP and Wildcat senior Cameron Kahn was Co-Offensive MVP on the District 15-5A All-District Basketball Team, released Saturday by Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta.
Senior Grayson McClure and junior Boo Wilkerson were named First Team, All-District.
Junior Lamodrick Johnson was named Second Team All-District.
Sophomore Justin Haire and senior Justin Brock were named Honorable Mention All-District.
The All-District Team was selected by the district’s coach’s recently. Coaches were not able to vote for their own players.
The Wildcats finished second in the district race with a record of 8-2. The Wildcats were 28-9 for the season and they made it to the Regional Quarterfinal game.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Wildcats Baseball Team Gives Up Late Runs As Dallas Lake Highlands Wins Wylie East Tournament
When the Wildcats Baseball Team took a 2-run lead in the bottom of the fifth against Dallas Lake Highlands in the 2020 Raider Classic at Wylie East Saturday, March 7, it looked like the Wildcats might take the tournament championship game.
Lake Highlands got to within one with a run in the top of the sixth, went ahead with two runs in the top of the seventh and, then, kept the Wildcats at bay in the bottom of the seventh, to win the championship game 4-3.
Lake Highlands got off to a good start in the game, scoring a run in the top of the first with two singles and a fielder’s choice ground ball. The Wildcats got an unearned run in the bottom of the first to tie the score at 1-1. Jake Davis got on on an error and, then, came around to score as Hayden Hurst hit a double to the left center field wall.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the fifth, when the Wildcats scored twice to go up 3-1. Davis and Hurst both walked. After a pitching change, Jaxon Chaney greeted the new pitcher with a long double that went to the wall. Meanwhile, Wildcats starting pitcher Jace Evans was holding Lake Highlands down.
In the top of the sixth, Lake Highlands cut the lead to 3-2. They got a walk and then, after a Wildcat error, a ground ball out scored the run. In the top of the seventh, Lake Highlands scored twice to take the lead. The inning opened with a single off of a Wildcats fielder’s glove. After a sacrifice bunt and a single, another single knocked in a run. Lake Highlands then went ahead on a towering fly ball caught right in front of the left field wall. The leading run came in from third base on the sacrifice fly. In the Wildcats seventh with one out, Davis singled but was put out as part of a game-ending double play ground ball.
Lake Highlands outhit the Wildcats 8 to 5
Evans pitched well for the Wildcats and deserved a better fate. He took the loss, throwing 90 pitches and 6 1/3 innings, allowing 7 hits and 4 runs, three of which were earned.
Evans struck out 2 and walked 2. Austin Crouse worked 2/3’s of a inning allowing 1 hit and 0 runs while striking out 1 and walking 1. Davis was 1 for 2 with 2 runs scored. He also walked twice and stole a base. Hurst was 1 for 3 with a run scored, an RBI and a double. Chaney was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI’s and a double. Alex Medina was 1 for 2 with a walk. Jace Evans was 1 for 1 with 2 walks.
The Wildcats went 3-1-1 in the Wylie East tournament. Their season record is now 7-3-1. Next for the Wildcats is their district opener at home Tuesday night at Wildcat Park against Royse City.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats Softball Team Wraps Wylie Tournament Saturday With 1 Win, 1 Loss
On Saturday, March 7, on the third and last day of the Wylie Varsity Softball Tournament, the Lady Cats Softball Team split a pair of games defeating North Mesquite, 9-3 and then losing to Sachse, 11-5.
Vs. North Mesquite
Against North Mesquite, the Lady Cats built a 8-1 lead after four innings. That included a 5-run bottom of the fourth. North Mesquite scored two more runs late, but the Lady Cats scored one more to make it a 9-3 final.
The Lady Cats outhit North Mesquite, 10-8. North Mesquite had 3 errors and the Lady Cats had 1.
Denver Wyatt got the pitching win, throwing 7 innings, and allowing 8 hits and 3 runs, with 4 strikeouts and no walks.
Four Lady Cats had 2 hits. Kate Womack was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, a double and a stolen base. Nylah Lindley was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI’s, and with a double, a triple and a stolen base.
Aliyah Abron was 2 for 2 with a run scored, two RBIs and a stolen base. Grace Magnuson was 2 for 3 with a run scored and 3 RBIs with a home run. Also for the Lady Cats, Jaydn Harper was 1 for 2 with a run scored and 2 walks. Colbria Harrison was 1 for 2 with a run scored and with a sacrifice and a stolen base. Alli Fite scored a run and had an RBI, a walk and a stolen base. Sailan Adair had a stolen base.
Vs. Sachse
In the second game Saturday, Sachse had a 5-run third and a 6-run fifth to go ahead, 11-1. In their last at bat, the Lady Cats were challenged to make their last at bat count. They answered with a 4-run inning to make the final score 11-5. Sachse outhit the Lady Cats 16-8 The Lady Cats had 3 errors.
For the Lady Cats, Jadyn Harper was 1 for 3 with a run scored. Colbria Harrison was 1 for 3 with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base. Kate Womack was 1 for 3 with a run scored and with a double and a stolen base. Alli Fire was 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs. Nylah Lindley was 2 for 3, with an RBI and a double, and a stolen base. Aliyah Abron was was 1 for 3. Sailan Adair was 1 for 2 with a run scored. Addison deSmet scored a run.
Addison Caddell took the pitching loss, going 5 innings, allowing 16 hits and 11 runs, with only 5 of them earned. She also had 2 strikeouts and 2 walks.
The Lady Cats went 4-2 in the Wylie tournament and improved their season record to 8-8. The Lady Cats will play at Sherman Tuesday evening.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
North Hopkins Baseball Team Splits Two Games At Home Saturday
The North Hopkins Panthers Baseball Team got a win over Celeste, 8-3 Saturday, March 7, and then lost a close game to Tom Bean, 10-8. Both games were at North Hopkins.
Vs. Celeste
Against Celeste, the Panthers scored 7 runs in their first at bat.
Geoffrey Stewart got the pitching win for the Panthers, throwing all six innings, allowing only 3 hits and 1 earned run, with 7 strikeouts and 4 walks.
Jessie Rivera was 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI, and he had a stolen base. Gavin Buccieri was 1 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. Brycen Gillespie scored 2 runs, had an RBI, got 3 walks and stole 4 bases. Stewart scored a run, got a walk and stole a base. Karson Jenkins was 1 for 2 with a run scored, a walk and a stolen base. Tate Myers was 1 for 2 with a run scored and a walk. Robert Perry scored a run, had an RBI and walked twice. Easton Lewis was 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Vs. Tom Bean
Against Tom Bean, the Panthers fell behind early and trailed 7-2 after the top of the fifth inning. North Hopkins rallied to take an 8-7 lead going in to the top of the seventh, only to see Tom Bean reclaim the lead with three runs. Tom Bean ended up winning, 10-8.
Both teams had ten hits and made no errors. For the Panthers Brycen Gillespie was 3 for 3, with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs, and with 4 stolen bases, a double and a walk. Karson Jenkins was 2 for 3, with a RBI and 2 doubles. Jessie Rivera was 1 for 2 with 3 runs scored, 2 walks and a stolen base. Geoffrey Stewart was 1 for 2 with a RBI and a walk. Yuri Avdibegovic walked and stole a base. Tate Myers was 1 for 4 with a run scored. Kevin Clement was 1 for 4 with an RBI. Robert Perry was 1 for 2 with a run scored and a walk. Dakota Smith walked.
Kevin Clement got the pitching loss, throwing 3 2/3 innings, allowing 5 hits and 5 runs, with 5 strikeouts and 6 walks. Brycen Gillespie went 3 1/3 innings, allowing 5 hits and 5 runs, with 7 strikeouts and 3 walks.
