Woman Accused Of Trying To Hide Methamphetamine Pipe During Traffic Stop
A 51-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was arrested early Sunday morning by police for allegedly trying to hide a methamphetamine pipe from police during a traffic stop.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Zach Brown stopped a Nissan Altima at 1:23 a.m. December 1st in the 700 block of Freeman Street for an equipment violation. The driver, identified in reports as Rachelle Denise Ford Madison, exited the car upon stopping. The officers noticed an object sticking out of the back pocket of her pants as she walked to the passenger’s side of the car.
Brown reported talking with the woman as she walked back toward the driver’s side of the car she had exited. The object was missing from her pocket at that time, so the police officer walked the area where the woman had walked. Brown saw a glass suspected to be pipe used to smoke methamphetamine on the ground with tree leaves crudely covering part of it; the object was what the policeman had seen sticking out of the woman’s pocket, the officer alleged in arrest reports.
Madison was arrested for tampering with physical evidence. The car was secured on a private property. She remained in the county jail Monday morning, December 2nd; bond was set at $10,000 on the third-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
Kentucky Man Arrested On Controlled Substance Charge Following I-30 Stop
A 33-year-old Keavy, Kentucky man was arrested on a second-degree felony controlled substance charge following a routine traffic stop.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Cleve Williams conducted a traffic stop on a Pontiac G6 at 9:34 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 137.
During the course of the traffic stop, Williams reported finding 8 grams of methamphetamine in Derek Brian Wilson’s possession. Consequently, Wilson was transported by SSPD Patrol Officer Zachary Brown to the county jail. He was booked for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Wilson remained in the county jail Monday morning, Nov. 2, in lieu of $35,000 bond on the second-degree felony controlled substance charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Denton Man Wanted In Dallas County On Aggravated Assault Charge Arrested On I-30 In Hopkins County
A 53-year-old Denton man was arrested by state troopers Saturday night on a Dallas County warrant.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde stopped a Ford F-150 pickup at 7:20 p.m. November 20th, on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 117 for a defective license plate light.
A records check using driver Jerry Glenn Green’s license showed a possible warrant out of Dallas County. DPS communications operators in Dallas confirmed the warrant, resulting in the 53-year-old Denton man’s arrest on the aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, which arrest reports indicate occurred on Oct. 10.
Green remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Dec. 2, on the felony warrant; bond was set at $50,000, according to jail reports.
Arlington Woman Arrested On Controlled Substance Charge After Crashing Truck
A traffic crash resulted in an Arlington, TX woman’s arrest Saturday night on controlled substance and drug paraphernalia charges, according to sheriff’s reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde, Hopkins County sheriff’s officers, and Hopkins County and Como firefighters were dispatched at 10:39 p.m. to a one-vehicle rollover crash on State Highway 11 east. Belinda Jean Nash was identified as the driver of the overturned Chevrolet Silverado.
“Evidence on scene showed Nash failed to drive in a single lane entering the bar ditch and rolling through a fence,” Ugalde alleged in arrest reports. The 50-year-old Arlington woman reportedly refused medical treatment at the crash site.
Ugalde also alleged Nash displayed indicators of intoxication and admitted to consuming two shots and smoking marijuana before beginning her trip. However, she did not show enough clues on standard field sobriety tests to be considered legally intoxicated, Arturo noted in arrest reports.
A probable cause search of the truck revealed an open bottle of Jaigermeister, two marijuana roaches, a pipe containing suspected methamphetamine residue and a glass vial containing methamphetamine.
The pickup was towed from the location and Nash was transported by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Drew Fisher to the county jail, where she was booked for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container and driving on the wrong side of the road and not passing, according to jail reports.
Nash was released from the county jail Sunday, December 1st; bond was set at $10,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Main Street Theater Will Present "A Christmas Carol-Adapted for Radio-on-Stage"
This holiday season, the Sulphur Springs Community Players will close the 2019 season with “A Christmas Carol: Radio-on-Stage” on the Main Street Theater stage. The classic work was adapted for radio-on-stage by Anthony Palmero. The work of this Audie-award winning radio dramatist, performer and educator features live performers voicing scripts and using sound effects in a “Golden Age of Radio” style of audio performance which audiences will love. There will be five performances only; December 12, 13, 14 and 15. The Thursday and Friday evening performances begin at 7pm, Saturday performances begin at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday’s matinee begins at 2pm. Tickets are $10 person.
Director David Woody stated “Most radio plays are structured like a play- within-a-play, but this one is not. This is the classic Dickens story, presented as if live on the air from a radio station sound stage. Original music composed by Pamero will bridge the scenes to further produce a complete entertainment experience for audiences. The cast is made up of 15 performers of various ages. Some are students from our Children’s Summer Theater Workshop and some are local adult actors well-known to the community.”
Make reservations at 903-885-0107 or purchase online at communityplayers.com. Reservations are recommended. Find Main Street Theater downtown Sulphur Springs at 225A Main Street.
Holiday Decorating, Heating Safety Reminders
With Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday behind us, many will begin pulling out holiday decor to make their homes holiday festive, inside and out.
However, to guard against unintended holiday accidents such as house fires, Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley encourages residents to keep in mind a few safety tips.
First, is to be very careful with holiday decorations. He recommends looking at all wiring and lighting. Any time a cord seems frayed, to have cuts or to be damaged in any way, he recommends replacing it, reducing the risk of it melting and catching on fire.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, two of every five decoration fires were the result of decoration being placed too close to a heat source. The organization recommends using decorations that are flame resistant and retardant.
Decorators should also keep in mind the intended placement. The NFPA recommends keeping decorations away from windows and doors, and also using clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
Some Christmas lights are intended only for indoor use, while others are constructed for outdoor use; check the packaging and hang accordingly. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect, so as not to overload the circuit, which can cause the light, cord and tree to catch on fire and spread.
While the glow of a Christmas tree and holiday lights can be cozy, the NFPA recommends turning off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed. Not only can it help reduce risk of fires, but will save on electricity costs too.
Those who enjoy the scent and look of a live tree, Endsley recommends watering them daily to prevent them from dying out, which not only can make a mess as needles fall off, but can also make the tree more likely to catch on fire.
Those who enjoy using candles in their holiday decor are reminded to take a few precautions as well to avoid disaster.
According to the NFP, one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. Two of every five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.
The NFPA recommends blowing out lit candles when leaving the room or going to bed. Lit candles should also be kept away from decorations and other things that can burn.
Endlsey also reminds that precautions are also needed for heating structures during cooler temperatures as well. He notes that heaters are to be plugged directly into outlets. Extension cords should not be used for electric heaters, as doing so can easily overload the source and result in melted cords and fires.
Natural heating should include proper ventilation, method to extinguish a blaze in a fireplace or wood-burning store. Check to be sure there are not gas leaks for natural gas heaters. Objects should not be placed too close to any heaters or heating sources as a precaution as well.
County Personnel Policies Regarding CDLs, Travel, Longevity and Holiday Pay
County employees will want to note of at least six personnel policy changes Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved earlier in the week.
Adopted were amended, update or new policies regarding commercial driver’s license and certification pay, holiday and longevity pay, uniform budgets, health incentive programs, and mileage and traveling.
“There’s a number of changes, some are more substantial than others,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said. “Kelly Kaslon has been working on this with Shannah Aulsbrook.”
Some of the changes apply to policies revised two years ago.
“We follow county policy as best we can to make sure everything stays organized within the county,” Newsom said.
“A lot of it’s already the same that already, there’s just one sentence that was changed,” said Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook.
License and Certification
This policy, approved previously, allows the county to pay for CDLs when a county employee is required to obtain one as part of their job, at the discretion of the various county departments.
“If the elected officials or department head chooses to pay for it, then it’s your discretion,” Aulsbrooks said.
Travel Policy
Newsom and Kaslon have been working on updating this policy.
“We’re responsible for the taxpayers money on everything we say and do. One of things we’ve discovered, if I make a trip to Austin or I make a trip to Houston, I would get paid mileage by the county: 52 cents, whatever the federal amount is, by the mile. We have discovered I can rent a car from Enterprise, pay the rental and buy the gas and save,” said Newsom. “For instance, I made a trip to San Marcos this week that saved almost $200,” Newsom said.
Thus, elected officials and county employees who do not vehicles who have to travel quite a distance out of town for county business are encouraged to rent a car rather than drive their own as a cost savings measure, Newsom said.
Rental of an intermediate sized car at a minimum and up is recommended. The difference in vehicle size will only be $2-3 a day rental fee.
Those renting a car will not be paid in mileage for overnight, as the funding will go toward the rental fee, according to Kaslon.
“You can still take your personal vehicle. Should you take your personal vehicle, you will get what the Enterprise rate would have been, instead of all mileage, to save money,” Aulsbrook said.
“We need to encourages this because we can save. We need to do that in every area,” Newsom said.
Longevity pay
In the past, when employees ceased working for the county before longevity pay was issued, it was prorated to them.
“We didn’t really realize that was what was being done. You should be here at the time longevity is being paid out. It’s a benefit. It’s not something we have to do. So that change is that it’s not going to be prorated when you leave. You need to be here at the time we’re paying them out,” Aulsbrook said.
Newsom noted longevity pay is typically paid in mid-November.
“Right, if you leave 6 months before we pay it out. We’re not going to calculate it out everything you would have got. You need to be here at the time it’s paid out,” Aulsbrook said.
“I thought it was that way already, and I think most of us did,” said Newsom.
Holiday Pay
The change to this policy puts into words how it’s factored into the county budget to pay first responders and others who fall under the 207 pay exemption.
“The problem is, first responders, the way the county’s got the holiday pay set up, work a different schedule than all the rest of the county employees. So, it’s very hard for them to figure out how to pay the first responders. They’re actually working when everybody else is off. They’re getting paid for different days. So it’d be easier for us to go ahead and pay the first responders throughout the year,” Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum noted.
“We’re all included. They’re on a 12-hour and they’re more than a 48-hour work week on their schedule, and I’m a 52-hour work week. So we’re entirely different than any other employee, the sheriff’s department and fire is. It’s much more easier on the pay roll and it’s much more fair across the line,” Endsley said.
The sheriff’s and fire department don’t close for the holidays, but continue to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Depending on shift scheduling, that means some employees in these departments work on the holidays, while others may be off.
“Before, people that are actually working the holiday, weren’t getting paid. It was a very weird deal the way it was, Kelly can tell you. This way will be so much easier for everyone,” Tatum said.
“This week, Thanksgiving is a holiday. At the fire station and sheriff’s office, it’s just another day. We’re already getting paid in each pay check,” Endsley said.
This policy pays all of those employees, with their holiday pay spread throughout the year, so all receive it. It means those who work holidays won’t be paid 1 1/2 time for holiday hours, which would have to be factored into department budgets. Kaslon explained.
“This way everybody’s getting paid for all the holidays whether they work or not,” Kaslon said.
“Just for clarity, you’re not talking any extra money?” asked Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker.
Endsley, Tatum and Aulsbrook affirm no additional funding is required in the budget to cover the fire and sheriff’s department budgets. Endsley pointed out that the county is actually saving a little bit of money as they will not have to pay overtime and/or holiday pay on top of regular pay.
Barker asked if someone not scheduled to work Thanksgiving Day has to be called in to work would have to be reimbursed extra for responding.
Endsley noted that pay would be regular over-time pay, if the hours put the first responder over their regular allotted hours.
Incentive Program
The policies regarding the health incentive programs reflect policies passed in September and put into effect in October.
The county offers a few programs in additional to the health and education programs offered by the county Extension agents.
Programs include a smoking cessation program, annual physicals and gym memberships.
Newsom said not as many county employees have taken advantage of having the county pay for their memberships if they utilize the gym a specified number of times in a given month or recording period.
The idea is that going to the gym will help county employees be more fit, which in the long run should cost less in health insurance costs and mean people having to be off work less for illness or health issue, according to Newsom.
Uniform Budgets
Added to the policy regarding uniforms furnished by the county is a requirement for individuals to be employed by the county for 90 days in order to receive a uniform allowance from the county.
Aulsbrook noted that one county commissioner had an employee who was given uniforms, then left within about a month. Another person had to be hired and new uniforms purchased for the new employee, additional cost in a uniform budget.
Newsom noted that does not apply to the fire department and sheriff’s office, as those individuals require protective clothing specific for their job.
The policy would apply to the other county department budgets such as those of commissioners and the Civic Center.
The Commissioners Court gave unanimous approval to the personnel policies as recommended at their regular meeting earlier this week.
Wildcats Basketball Suffer First Loss
Wildcats Get First Loss on Season Record, Port Allen, La. Wins, 60-50 in Duncanville Hoopfest
Someone noted a long time ago that you can’t win them all. The #5 ranked Wildcats Basketball Team took their first loss of the season Saturday morning (November 30) in the highly acclaimed Duncanville Hoopfest showcase. The Pelicans came out on top, 60-50. Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta said the Wildcats just got outplayed the entire game. He said Port Allen wanted it more than the Wildcats did and by the time the Wildcats figured it out, it was too late. Port Allen was the state runner up in their class in Louisiana last year and they had won two straight state championships before that. For the Wildcats Saturday, senior Day Day Hall led the team with 16 points and he had 9 rebounds. Junior Lamodrick Johnson scored 10 points and had 4 assists. Junior Boo Wilkerson had 8 points. Senior Grayson McClure added 8 points including going 2 for 4 from behind the three point line. Senior Cameron Kahn and sophomore Justin Haire both scored 4 points. The Wildcats season record is now 3-1. The Wildcats are back home Tuesday night as they face Paris, ranked #17 in Class 4A. Paris is 3-0 this season with wins over New Boston, Van Alstyne and Mineola. Paris plays Commerce Saturday.
TASB Legislative Update: Bonnen posts interim charges
From Dax Gonzalez, TASB Governmental Relations Division
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen this week released his list of interim charges, as well as a notice that he will be naming some select committees in the coming weeks to evaluate additional issues. House committees will consider these interim charges and publish reports upon completion of their hearings. House members will likely file legislation to address these issues next session. Some charges of particular interest to school boards include:
House Public Education Committee
- Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 86th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
- HB 3, which relates to public school finance and public education. Monitor the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) implementation of the bill, including the extensive rulemaking process and broad unintended consequence authority of the commissioner. Examine the pay raises districts have provided to staff and the various approaches adopted to differentiate these salary increases according to experience.
- HB 1842 (84R), HB 22 (85R), SB 1882 (85R), and HB 3906, which relate to public school accountability, assessment, interventions, and district-charter partnerships. Monitor the ongoing progress of the TEA’s implementation and rulemaking of the A-F rating system, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), and public school sanctions and interventions.
- SB 1873 (85R), which relates to reporting certain school district health and safety information. Review the report on physical education prepared by the TEA and determine what, if any, next steps are needed based on the data collections. Related to Behavioral Health (Joint charge with Committee on Public Health)
- HB 18, which enhances school safety and mental health resources for students and school personnel and works to reduce the stigma around mental health conditions. Monitor the process by which state agencies coordinate to implement the legislation and their compliance with various requirements, including providing required guidelines and resources to schools.
- HB 19, which places non-physician mental health professionals at education service centers to provide resources for educators and administrators in school districts and charter schools.
- HB 906, which creates the Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services.
- SB 11, which creates the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium to facilitate access to mental health care services through telehealth and expands the mental health workforce through training and funding opportunities. Monitor the creation of the consortium and agencies’ rulemaking processes. Review how school districts are spending their school safety allotment.
2. Determine if any barriers exist in providing a digital learning environment for all children, including an evaluation of the competitive marketplace for blended learning products and
services. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Technology and Instructional Materials Allotment (TIMA) in providing districts the resources necessary to equip students with instructional
materials and technology, including in the review all programs and initiatives funded by setasides from the TIMA. Monitor the performance and accountability of the state’s full-time
virtual schools and online courses provided through the Texas Virtual School Network.
3. Monitor the progress of the TEA’s compliance with the Corrective Action Response required by the United States Department of Education, the implementation of the state’s Special Education Strategic Plan, and the state’s compliance with other federal requirements regarding special education, including maintenance of state financial support for special education. Recommend solutions to barriers the agency, school districts, students with disabilities, and parents face in accessing a free and appropriate public education and in meeting the milestones of the plan and any measures needed at the state level to ensure that students with disabilities are being located, fully evaluated, and appropriately identified for special education instruction and services.
4. Monitor the State Auditor’s review of agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction. The Chair shall seek input and periodic briefings on completed audits for the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years and bring forth pertinent issues for full committee consideration.
House State Affairs Committee
Study how governmental entities use public funds for political lobbying purposes. Examine what types of governmental entities use public funds for lobbying purposes. Make recommendations to protect taxpayers from paying for lobbyists who may not represent the taxpayers’ interests
House Ways and Means Committee
Study and consider possible methods of providing property tax relief, including potential sources of revenue that may be used to reduce or eliminate school district maintenance and operations property tax rates.
House Appropriations Committee
Review and evaluate the actuarial soundness of the Employees Retirement System and Teacher Retirement System pension funds. Examine the cost of and potential strategies for achieving and maintaining the actuarial soundness of the funds. Examine the effect the unfunded liabilities could have on the state’s credit rating. Examine the state’s investment policies and practices, including investment objectives, targets, disclosure policies, and
transparency. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services)
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III (Education)
- Monitor the agencies and programs under Article III and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation and riders passed by the 86th Legislature.
- Evaluate ongoing costs associated with implementing the provisions of HB 3.
- Review formula funding for higher education institutions in Texas. Examine the general efficiency and equity of formula funding for these higher education institutions. Monitor the implementation of mission-specific pilot formulas at the state’s health-related institutions.
- Examine the state higher education institutions’ resources and research into the causes and cures for degenerative and debilitating brain and nervous conditions and the projected costs
to the state for the treatment of those conditions.
