Commissioners Approve Agreements With 5 VFDs, FEMA Hazardous Mitigation Grant Project Documents
Fire protection agreements for five of the county’s volunteer fire departments, resolutions and agreements regarding FEMA Hazardous Mitigation Projects, a resolution in support of the Second Amendment and Article 1 Section 23 of Texas Constitution, and a budget amendment for Precinct 2 receive approval of Hopkins County Commissioners Court at their regular meeting Monday.
Fire Protection Agreements
The Hopkins County Commissioner Court has been working for months on fire protection agreements with volunteer fire departments. In order to receive any funding from the county, the departments have to return an approved agreement.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom Monday reported several had turned in agreements for approval, one agreement brought in will require additional discussions with the VFD officers.
The council approved agreements returned by Brinker, Como, Cumby, Dike and Tira VFDs. The remaining departments will need to get those documents in soon so the VFDs can request to receive funding from the county, according to Newsom.
The commissioners also set Feb. 1 as the deadline by which the remaining VFDs must return their agreements.
FEMA Project Documents
The Commissioners Court also approved agreements for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Projects and a resolution related to those agreements for maintenance agreements for assurances under non-construction programs, things that have to be part of the assurances for the construction program, certified signature authorizing agent form and disclosure of lobbying activities.
The resolution authorizes the submission of multiple locations for Hazardous Mitigation Assistance Grant projects and appoints the county judge as chief executive officer to act in all matters in connection with the grants, according to Newsom.
Projects the county hopes to attain funding for include critical facilities generators, a county-wide drainage improvement project and a warning siren project.
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley, who serves as the county’s emergency management coordinator, said he and Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator Kristy Springfield, Beth Wisenbaker, and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tanner Crump and Communications Adminstrator David Ray have worked together on emergency management planning, including compiling information for FEMA grant applications.
Endsley said, originally, the county had planned to apply for funding to put a fixed generator at each of the volunteer fire departments, which are considered critical infrastructure throughout the county. The emergency planning officials later learned two water systems and the City of Como do not have back up generators to pump water if the area is without electricity for a long period of time.
Requesting funding for all of those projects not only exceeds the allowable amount for a county, but the allocation even for the state. So, emergency officials expect to apply for one mid-sized mobile generator and a large generator, which would be available to be moved to facilities that might need them if an extended electricity outage occurs, according to Endsley.
The county officials are amending their hazard mitigation plan to include the Como, Cumby and Tira in their requests for warning sirens. Rural schools, where the most populous areas are during the day on week days, so they’d have a warning that would be set off through the county dispatch center, the fire chief noted.
Endsley said, currently, the only capability the county has to set off any warning siren is in the city of Cumby. The emergency officials are applying for consideration for grant funding to assist in attaining and installing warning systems in those areas as well.
The county fire chief said the county is able to apply for these funds by presidential disaster declaration.
“This would be one more way of making our county safer, especially safer for our children and citizens,” Newsom said.
2nd Amendment Resolution
Hopkins County Commissioners Court also took a “stance to support the sheriff and law enforcement and people’s right to defend themselves” Tuesday.
The Commissioners Court approved a resolution declaring “support of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Texas Article 1 Section 23 protecting citizens inalienable rights.”
The court resolved to defend citizens’ rights and liberties as guaranteed in both Constitutions, and to support the sheriff “in the exercise of his sound discretion” and decisions regarding law enforcement in the county. The resolution will not support or appropriate funds or resources to “enforce any law that unconstitutionally infringes on the right of the people to keep and bear arms.”
“Thank you, I do appreciate it,” Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said after the commissioners court unanimously agreed in favor of the resolution.
Budget Amendment
A budget amendment was approved for the Precinct 2 road budget.
Commissioner Greg Anglin received a $6,778 check from Harmony Cemetery Association for road repairs into the cemetery. A budget amendment was required from the court in order for the funds to be moved into the Precinct 2 road building budget, as it increases that budget, Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook explained.
Special City Council Meeting Called For Friday To Accept Resignations; Appoint 1 New Council Member, Mayor
A special meeting of Sulphur Springs City Council has been called to address resignations of council members made over the last week and to appoint a mayor and pro tem.
Sulphur Springs Mayor Norman Sanders gave notice of resignation on Thursday December 5th, 2019. Council members Erica Armstrong, Jimmy Lucas and Jeff Sanderson submitted notice of resignation, “effective immediately,” city officials confirmed Monday.
Resignations are not effective until stipulated number legal days after their official notice is given.
Any action of the council will require a quorum of at least four people.
“I think we will be able to commit to a special council meeting set for Friday. I think we will have a quorum. I think with that we’ll be in a position that we can operate,” City Attorney Jim McLeroy said shortly before lunch Tuesday.
With a quorum, the council would consider accepting resignations and appointing a new member to fill one of those positions, which the council will assign. A mayor and mayor pro tem to serve through June 2020 would also be selected.
The council would have to hold elections in 2020 for city residents to elect new representatives to fill the majority of the council seats, including those whose terms expire this May and the remaining terms of those resigning.
The special council meeting has been called for noon Friday, Dec. 13, in the Council Room at City Hall, 201 North Davis St.
9 Personnel Decisions, 1 Appointment Made By Sulphur Springs ISD Board
On Monday, Sulphur Springs Independent School Board of Trustees gave approval for nine personnel decisions and appointed a school representative to the appraisal board.
Mike Horne, who has been representing the school district on Hopkins County Appraisal District Board of Directors, was contacted and agreed to serve another term, school officials told trustees. SSISD trustees at their regular December meeting, held at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9, unanimously approved the motion by John Prickette and seconded by Craig Johnson for Horne to serve from Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2021.
Following an executive session, the board reconvened to approve nine personnel changes recommended to them by administrators. Overall, four resignations were accepted, as were recommendations for four new hires and one job swap. The changes affect four campuses.
At high school, resignations from Spanish teacher Natalie Johnson, Connections teacher Kellie Noles and technical theatre teacher Desiree Pharis were accepted. Approved to join the high school staff as a Spanish teacher was Carlos Ramire.
Travis Primary is losing second grade teacher Morgan Nutt. Maria Sofia Sosa, a Title I aide at Travis, was approved to fill the second grade teaching opening on that campus.
New personnel were approved for two additional district campuses. Tabitha Barker was approved as a purchasing clerk and Tiffany Yarbrough as a payroll coordinator at the Administration Building, and Kimberly Noe is to joing the Barbara Bush Primary staff as a special education aide.
Winnsboro Celebrates "Cultural Arts District" Renewal through 2029
Brenda Buck, Director of the Winnsboro’s Main Street Project and Cultural Arts District, proudly welcomed several dozen guests to the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Winnsboro on Saturday night, December 7, 2019. In addition to being ringside for the Winnsboro Christmas Parade, attendees enjoyed viewing the art hung inside the Center and the music of pianist and vocalist Ashlen Jackson. The celebration included the cutting and serving of a cake for the event.
It was with great excitement and pleasure that the Board of Directors of the Arts Center received word that their designation as a Cultural Arts Center was renewed for another ten years, by the Texas Commission for the Arts. In 2009, Winnsboro was among the first seven cities selected across the state as a Cultural District by the Texas Commission of Arts, and that designation was recently renewed, through 2029. Winnsboro also retains a designation of Main Street City, both State and National.
Earlier in 2019, more great news was celebrated, as a larger Arts Center will be constructed which can accommodate future exhibits and expanding interest in the Center. The present location is a vintage building in the downtown district which currently rotates exhibits by local painters and sculptors, offers books by local writers, houses a performance stage as well as a small museum, and a retail outlet which stocks art materials for sale.
HCSO: Winnsboro, Sulphur Springs Men Jailed On Felony Warrants
Two men were reportedly booked into the county jail over the Dec. 7-8 weekend on felony warrants, according to sheriff’s arrest and jail reports.
Curtis Neal Brown, 35, of Winnsboro was taken into custody on State Highway 11 east at FM 3019 at 10:07 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 on a Hopkins County warrant.
Brown was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked on warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. The violation is alleged to have occurred on Oct. 22, Hopkins Sheriff’s Deputy Lance Burdick wrote in arrest reports.
Christopher Joseph Burkett, 20, of Sulphur Springs was reportedly the driver of a Dodge Ram pickup stopped at 12:43 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, according to arrest reports.
A records check reportedly showed Burkett to be wanted in Orange County on an outstanding burglary of a habitation charge. He was consequently taken into custody and to jail, where he was booked on the charge, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Marney and Sgt. Scott Davis noted in arrest reports.
Burkett remained in the county jail Monday, Dec. 9; bond was set at $15,000 second degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
SSMS One Act Play Cast Wins 2nd Place Honors
Sulphur Springs Middle School One Act Play cast and crew, under the direction of Desi Pharis, won second place at a recent contest “with a great show,” Sulphur Springs ISD Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams reported Monday.
Aiden Woodard received Best Actor for the contest. Autumn Allen received -Outstanding Crew honors. Talley Brown received Honorable Mention All-star Cast recognition and Addison Graves earned All-star Cast Honors.
The SSMS OAP cast and crew whose contributions also helped lead the group to an overall second place finish also included Nathan Bilyeu, Crawford Johnson, Jolene Reed, Jordan VanWinkle, Caroline Prickett, Addison Bradley, Camila Hidalgo, Aspen Mayhew, Cayden Chote, Cadrien Davis, Esmeralda Santacruz, Macey Williams, Kolbi McCoy, Raven McCoy, Reese Offutt, Emma Boatman, Ian Westland, Katie Henderson, Eryn Fikes, Allece Johnson and Jocelyn Garcia.
Williams encourage community members to congratulate these young thespians, along with all of the hard working students at SSMS and SSISD on their many achievements this semester.
For information about campus activities visit the SSMS and fine arts pages on SSISD website.
SSHS' Mindy Meador Among 3 Finalists For TCEA Librarian/Media Specialist Of The Year Honors
Sulphur Springs High School Library/Media Specialist Mindy Meador was recently selected as one of three finalists for the TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association) Librarian/Media Specialist of the Year award for the 2019-2020 school year.
This award honors a librarian or media specialist who improves their library using technology; and collaborates with administrators, teachers, and students to support technology integration.
Mindy has been instrumental in the support of the campus 1:1 program as well as continuing to offer many unique opportunities for students and staff. Mindy looks for creative and innovative ways to use the library space and has proven to be a huge asset to the Sulphur Springs High School campus, Sulphur Springs ISD Assistant Superintendent Rusty Harden stated in an announcement Monday.
Nominations for this award open each fall and the winner is announced during a special evening ceremony during the annual TCEA Convention on Feb. 4, 2020, in Austin.
TCEA is a global, nonprofit, member-based educator organization of over 28,000 members. The annual convention draws over 10,000 attendees, vendors, and speakers each year
Miller Grove, Saltillo Cross Country Winners Honored For Athletic Prowess
Hopkins Count Commissioners Court Monday morning, Dec. 9, recognized two Miller Grove students, two Miller Grove team and one Saltillo cross country teams for being ranked the top cross country runners in the state, following their performances at the UIL State Cross Country Meet held Oct. 9 at Old Settlers’ Park in Round Rock.
The court first recognized Miller Grove junior Jorja Lee Bessonett for the extraordinary efforts this student-athlete displayed: stamina, determination and evidence of hard work while promoting a positive character toward her peers. Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom noted that the the Lady Hornet crossed the finish line of the 2-mile race with an outstanding official time of 11:58.38, winning the 1A Girls individual title and was named State Champion of the State of Texas.
Newsom noted MG student athlete Isaiah Billingsley “was proven worthy of his accomplishment by the evidence of diliget training and endurance and focus during his performance at the Nov. 9 state cross country meet. The MG Hornet sophomore’s outstanding efforts resulted in a time of 15.28.38 at the finish line, breaking the 2017 Class 1A Boys record time for the 5K run, and making Billingsley the Texas state champion in Class 1A Boys Cross Country competition.
Miller Grove ISD Lad Hornets Cross Country Team members Jorja Bessonett, Kylee Saldana, Lauren Bullard, Jolee Fox and Kyli Melton, along with coaches Gary Billingsley, Blake Hill, Terry Golden and Ana Billingsley, were recognized as the top 1A Girls Cross Country Team in the State in the 2-mile run, which Newsom called a “historical success.”
The county judge commended the team for their “hard work, dedication and attention to the importance of team encouragement as well as self-discipline.”
Newsom noted that Billingsley’s first place win, along with junior Kobe Robertson’s second place win helped lead the MG boys team to a 1A State Championship Cross Country title in 5K at the Nov. 9 event. Also contributing to the overall team win were Hornets Lexton Sly, Riley Hasten, Lance Davis, Anthony Lester and Tanner Hensley, with Gary Billingsley, Blake Hill, Terry Golden and Ana Billingsley as coaches.
The county judge commended the team for achieving “extraordinary results for their school, their community and themselves by combining efforts to secure a first place on the podium.”
Coach Gary Billingsley noted that while the students did put in plenty of hard work, they probably didn’t tun as many miles in preparation for the race as people might think. Typically the students ran among five different groups approximately 23-43 miles, depending on age and ability.
The Miller Grove students have essentially been running daily since February. He said some have been in the MG program since sixth grade, another said she’s been running since fifth grade. The students were rewarded for their extra efforts with top times and finishes.
The Satlillo Boys Cross Country Team finished the 5K State 1A contest just behind MG, with a second place overall finish. Newsom noted the Lions attained the silver medal in the 5K “by focusing to accomplish goals with endurance and determination while promoting positive character toward others.”
Hornet Garrett Tarver was commended for finishing just behind the top boys runners for an overall third place standing. The team also included Andrew Redburn, Dillon Beadle, Beckham Hoover, Jayden Holloway, Coy Collins and Gunner Tarver, with Bill Giles as coach.
Giles expressed extreme pride in the Lions’ achievement, finishing just three points away for the championship. Giles said the Lions start their program in sixth grade, working in April toward the Nov. 9 contest, running every morning during the summer and fall. The team this year includes three freshmen, one fewer than MG’s team. He commended Dillon Beadle for his leadership.
Newsom said schools in the 253 other counties in the state are wondering how Hopkins County earned so many first and second place champions and had top individual winners, which he called an “amazing things.” Newsom said their achievements don’t come easy, but through these outstanding young people’s their perseverance and determination, which he noted, running in 90 and 100 degree temperatures during the summer and cooler temperatures this fall. He said that determination and perseverance will serve them well in life.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker noted that he often sees the MG athletes’ determination as they are out at during the day running. He expressed appreciation for that and representing the county well.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley echoed that sentiment, noting he too has seen the Saltillo cross country teams out in the early mornings running along county road. He said he’d love to have employees all as dedicated to their work as the Lions are to improving daily in cross country running.
Barker expressed appreciation to the parents for motivating the students, steering them in the right direction.
Eighth Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt, also in attendance, both schools are special to him, because he graduated from Saltillo and taught at Miller Grove before going to law school.
“It’s not just that though. When the judge says there’s something going on in this county, this literally is the stuff that ESPN ’30 for 30′ should come and do a documentary,” Northcutt said.
The district judge noted that while the Miller Grove Girls, and MG and Saltillo Boys were recognized for gold and silver finishes, the way they did so is notable. The for Miller Grove and Saltillo boys teams “not only finished within three points of each other but, they both beat the previously standing state cumulative average time for the runners. The Saltillo and Como-Pickton Girls also competed at state as did an individual runner from Sulphur Bluff. Having so many from Hopkins County is amazing and wonderful, Northcutt said.
Northcutt applauded the youth for their individual accomplishments as well as their commitment and dedication helping to their team and to the sport. He thanked the commissioners and judge for “making this such a big deal, because it really is.”
“I want to thank you, all you young men and women, and your parents and the teachers. We always see the negative side of things, so much in our line of work,” Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said. “So, it’s wonderful to see y’all and know y’all are going to come up and take care of us in the future. I do want to let y’all know that Hopkins County is a wonderful place to live in. It’s because y’all. We do appreciate it.”
The commissioners and court presented proclamations to Jorja Bessonett and Isaiah Billingsley for their individual first place achievements as well as to the three top teams for their feforts as well. The county officials encourage community members to join them in applauding the students in their efforts and successes.
12 SSHS Choir Students Compete At Pre-Area Contest, 4 Advance To Area
Twelve members of the Sulphur Springs High School Choir competed in Pre-Area auditions on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Of the 12 SSHS students in attendance, four students advanced to the next level of the TMEA All State program. Senior Alex Walker, junior Freddy Botello, sophomore Aidyn Rogers and freshman Danielle Verlander will compete at Area auditions on Jan. 11 at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
“Their competition will include students from north Dallas suburbs and schools along the Red River. If they advance past Area, they will be members of the Texas All State choir, a very high honor,” said Beth Cole choir instructor.
