Grand Jury Signs 51 Indictments During September Session
September 9, 2019 – The Hopkins County Grand Jury signed at least 51 indictments during the Sept. 5 court session. At least 30 people were named in the charges, including 10 people accused of more than one offense.
Charges ranged from criminal negligence, sexual assault of a child, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault of a public servant and attempting to take a weapon from an officer to fraud, forgery, money laundering, burglary, theft, bail jumping and unauthorized use of a vehicle. More than 20 of the charges were for alleged controlled substance and drunk driving offenses.
Jennifer Doolan Petty was indicted on an assault of a public servant charge.
She was reportedly stopped July 16 by Cumby police for suspicion of drunk driving. A trooper was contacted to conduct a DWI interview. She was reportedly taken into custody and “refused to provide a voluntary specimen” for testing, so a search warrant was obtained for a blood draw. Upon arrival at the hospital lab, Petty allegedly resisted the search and had to be restrained, kicking the trooper in the leg in the process. The blood sample was reportedly taken for analysis and the woman was taken to jail.
Petty was booked on three charges, including, assault of a public servant. She was released from the county jail July 17; bond on the assault charge was set at $20,000, according to jail reports.
Indicted for injury to a child, elderly or disabled person and assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing was Juan Ines Peralta.
The 27-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused in arrest reports of grabbing his wife around the throat, making it hard for her to breath, during a July 9 disturbance. When she attempted to leave, he allegedly chased her outside to the street, grabbed her, dragged her back onto the property and into the garage, dropping her and shutting the door.
The woman had red marks on her neck, where Peralta was alleged to have squeezed it, as well as marks on her foot, allegedly from being dragged, police alleged in arrest reports.
The wife was reportedly holding their young child in her arms, trying to prevent her from being hurt. The little girl had a mark on her leg, also resulting from the disturbance, police alleged in reports immediately following Peralta’s arrest on July 9.
Peralta was released from jail on July 10 on $25,000 bond on the assault charge and $10,000 bond on the injury to a child charge, according to jail reports.
Brittany Rennea White, 26, and Misha Michelle Price, 25, of Oklahoma City were both indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and theft of a firearm. White also was indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The women were arrested at a Cumby rest stop July 23 in a car that a Hunt County patrol officer discovered, using a license plate check, had been reported to Oklahoma City authorities as stolen, as had a firearm found in the ca. White garnered the second firearm charge due to a prior felony conviction, sheriff’s investigators reported following the pair’s arrest.
Both women remained in Hopkins County jail Sunday, Sept. 8. Bond was set at $5,000 on the unauthorized use of vehicle charge and $5,000 on the theft of firearm charge. White’s bond on the unlawful possession of firearm by a felon charge was set at $10,000, according to jail reports.
Indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was Justin Arley Bryant.
The 20-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused June 27 of pointing a gun at a 19-year-old Sulphur Springs woman and telling her she couldn’t leave, when she tried to end their relationship, police noted in arrest reports. While shouting at the woman, Bryant allegedly pointed the weapon out an open window and discharged the firearm, police reports noted.
Bryant was released from jail on July 3 on $200,000 bond on the charge, but was taken into custody again on Aug. 29, on an insufficient bond charge, according to arrest reports. He remained in the county jail Sunday, Sept. 8; his new bond was set at $1 million, according to jail reports.
Janie Louise Broglin was indicted for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
The 21-year-old Fort Worth woman was reportedly found in a Nissan Altima between the eastbound lanes of Interstate 30 near the 114 mile marker and the south service road. The front of the vehicle was reportedly partially blocking the westbound lane of the service road, officers alleged in arrest reports.
Broglin allegedly claimed to be traveling from Fort Worth and had run out of gas. A records check of the car’s license plate number revealed the car had been reported to Mesquite Police Department as stolen, resulting in Broglin’s arrest, deputies alleged in reports immediately following her arrest on July 18.
The woman remained in the county jail Sunday, Sept. 9; her bond was set at $5,000 on the charge, according to jail report.
Indicted for assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing was Carlos Alberto Valle.
The 24-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused of choking his girlfriend multiple times and of holding her in a bedroom at his residence against her will during an argument about a doctor’s appointment. The 17-year-old reportedly crawled out a bedroom window to get away from Valle, police alleged in reports immediately following his arrest at shortly before midnight July 25.
The teen had “injuries consistent with strangulation,” and had “defensive contact injuries around her hands and fingers,” police alleged in reports. The young woman, who was reported to be pregnant, was transported to the hospital, according to arrest and offense reports.
Valle reportedly told officers the teen had a mental health disorder and had hit him in the face. He had a small scratch on his face, according to police reports.
He was booked into the county jail early July 26, and released later that day on $25,000 bond on the assault charge, according to jail reports.
Indicted for unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance was Travis W. Danker.
The 37-year-old Tennessee man was in a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder stopped by state trooper on Dec. 29, 2018, on Interstate 30 for speeding. A records check reportedly showed the vehicle to have been reported stolen. He and an Illinois man in the car were both taken into custody by troopers. A methamphetamine pipe with a residue in it, two handguns, a large quantity of methamphetamine and assorted drug paraphernalia were allegedly found in the vehicle, according to arrest reports.
Danker remained in the county jail until Jan. 9, 2019; his bond was set at $35,000 on the controlled substance charge and $5,000 on the unauthorized use of a vehicle charge, according to jail reports.
Dillon Curtis Derry was indicted on two charges of abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence and for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
The 23-year-old Arkansas man was accused on Aug. 3 of lead deputies on a high speed chase from State Highway 154 south in Hopkins County onto county roads into Wood County with an infant and small child in the car, according to arrest reports. He allegedly took sharp turns and corners at high rates of speed before abruptly stopping at a County Road 1730 residence in Yantis, the deputy alleged in arrest reports.
As soon as the car stopped, the driver allegedly jumped out and ran. He jumped a barbed wire fence and ran through a Yantis pasture before being taken into custody. The Arkansas man allegedly told Chaney he ran because he thought he was wanted in Arkansas on felony charges.
Derry remained in Hopkins County jail Sept. 8. His bond was set at $5,000 each on the child endangerment charges and $15,000 on the evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge, according to jail reports.
Indicted for sexual assault of a child was Jose Alberto Lopez.
The 21-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested June 27 by sheriff’s investigators on the sexual assault charge as well as a controlled substance charge and three misdemeanor warrants. Tips were made to National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alleging a Sulphur Springs man was soliciting minors online for photographs and had recorded sex with a 16-year-old reported to be his girlfriend, according to sheriff’s investigators. After an investigation that spanned more than a month, sheriff’s investigators eventually got a phone number on which they reportedly contacted Lopez. Lopez refused to voluntarily report to the sheriff’s office to talk to officers, according to sheriff’s reports.
Sheriff’s investigators reported finding Lopez and a minor inside a Sulphur Springs residence. Lopez allegedly admitted that the minor was his girlfriend, with whom he’d had a sexual relationship for more than a year, but told sheriff’s officers the girl’s parents knew what was going on between them. Lopez also allegedly admitted to having sex with the minor and recording it, and that it would likely be on his phone, a sheriff’s investigator said following Lopez’s arrest. Lopez allegedly confessed to soliciting additional nude images from other minors online, the sheriff said following Lopez’s arrest.
Lopez remained in Hopkins County jail Sunday, Sept. 8. Bond on the sexual assault of a child charge was set at $100,000, according to jail reports.
Alberta Lene Duffey was indicted for theft of property valued at less than $2,500, but with two or more previous convictions.
She was arrested on July 27 at Walmart. Police responded to a disturbance complaint at the store. They were told by store staff Duffey and another woman selected items, concealed them and passed all points of sale without paying for them. Total value of the recovered items was less than $100. However, because of Duffey’s history, the charge was enhanced to a felony offense, police alleged in arrest reports.
Jail reports show Duffey has been jailed locally at least four times since April 2, 2007 on theft charges; she also has been sentenced at least twice to serve 30-day commitments for theft, and was on probation for a theft charge.
Duffey remained in Hopkins County jail from July 27 through Aug. 17 on the felony theft charge; bond was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Indicted for possession of 4 gram or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and money laundering in the amount of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000 was Isaiah Hanna.
The Wisconsin man was arrested Dec. 1, 2018, following a traffic stop. A Cumby officer, in arrest reports, noted he suspected involvement in criminal activity by the occupants of the auto. A free air sniff by a police canine reportedly resulted in a probable cause search. Cumby police alleged 5.5 grams of suspected cocaine, a firearm, and a large quantity of money were found in the vehicle, according to arrest reports.
Hanna was booked into the county jail Dec. 1, 2018, on three charge including the controlled substance and money laundering offenses. He was released from jail Dec. 3, 2018. Bond was set at $30,000 on the controlled substance charge and $15,000 on the money laundering charge, according to jail reports.
Trent David Floyd Wolfe was indicted on two forgery of financial instrument charges.
The 20-year-old Brashear resident was accused of writing two checks for a total of more than $600 on his former employers’ bank accounts. One account holder alleged Wolfe admitted to taking the checks when confronted about it, according to police reports. Wolfe was allegedly caught on surveillance video at the bank passing the checks, the police detective alleged in reports following Wolfe’s arrest.
He was booked into the county jail Aug. 1 and released the next day on $5,000 bond each on the two forgery charges, according to arrest reports.
Indicted for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information was Maria Cristina Lopez-Castillo.
The 25-year-old Fort Worth woman was arrested July 30 on the charge. She was accused of having forged Social Security and Texas ID cards when the vehicle she was in was stopped by a deputy in Cumby. A forged Social Security card with the woman’s name and a fake number on it was found in the console; and the Texas ID card with her name, date of birth and address on it was found in the driver’s side front pocket. A records check using the number on the ID card showed it belonged to a deceased person, a deputy alleged in arrest reports.
Lopez-Castillo was released from the county jail on July 31 on a $10,000 bond on the fraud charge, according to jail reports.
Joseph Daryl Passmore Jr. was indicted for continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child by sexual contact.
The 30-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested July 24 on warrants for both charges; he remained in the county jail Sunday, Sept. 8, in lieu of $100,000 on the sexual abuse charge and $50,000 on the indecency charge, according to jail reports.
Indicted for criminal mischief resulting in loss of damages of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 was Jessy Isaiah Garcia.
The 20-year-old Sulphur Springs man was first accused of the offense on Jan. 13. He was located at a Hillcrest Drive gas station, after he allegedly fled Walmart. He had allegedly stalked a woman to Walmart, hit the car she was in, then struck a man who attempted to calm him down multiple times with a baseball bat, according to arrest and police reports. Garcia was accused in arrest reports of causing damage to hood of the arresting trooper’s car on Jan. 13 as well.
He was arrested on a warrant for the criminal mischief charge on July 16, and remained in the county jail Sept. 8, according to jail reports.
Jeremy Randall Hill was indicted for burglary of vehicles with two or more previous charges.
Hill was arrested July 1 on a warrant for the charge. He was previously sentenced in October of 2010 to an 8-year sentence for burglary and one year in a state jail for theft of a firearm, according to jail reports. He more recently was arrested in April of 2018 on three vehicle burglary charges and on a theft charge for offenses alleged to have occurred in March 2018 on Helm Lane, according to jail and prior arrest reports.
Hill remained in Hopkins County jail Sept. 8. Bond was set at $20,000 on the vehicle burglary charge, according to jail reports.
Omar Sanchez was indicted for attempting to take a weapon from an officer.
The 30-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested on the charge on July 15. He was accused of striking another vehicle late July 14 with the Jeep Wrangler he was driving, then to have fled in the vehicle, which the complainant was reportedly following. When Sanchez turned of State Highway 154 onto a dead-end county road, the following vehicle parked at the intersection to await law enforcement; Sanchez allegedly struck the vehicle in the intersection with his vehicle and continued north, according to arrest reports.
Deputies reportedly got the Jeep stopped on State Highway 154 at County Road 1444. Sanchez was ordered out of the Jeep, and when he failed to do as instructed was removed by deputies, the officers alleged in arrest reports. He then allegedly began resisting the officer’s attempts to take him into custody and the deputy deploy his Taser on him. Sanchez then allegedly grabbed the Taser and tried to take it away from the deputy.
Sanchez was jailed at 3 a.m. July 15 on three charges, including attempting to take a weapon from the officer, according to arrest reports.
Sanchez was released from jail later July 15; bond on the weapon charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Indicted for theft of material such as aluminum, bronze or copper was Calum Len Foldenauer.
The 22-year-old was arrested by Winnsboro police and transported to Hopkins County jail on the charge on Aug. 8. He was released from jail on $5,000 bond on the charge on Aug. 14, according to jail reports.
Kenneth Wayne Higdon was indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The 43-year-old Como man was arrested on the charge on Aug. 5. Deputies were dispatched to his travel trailer, where he and his 25-year-old wife had allegedly argued about communications on she’d had on Facebook with a male she had previously worked with. She allegedly bit his nose off during the disturbance because he bit her thumbs, which were red. The tip of his nose was missing. Both were arrested for family violence assault, according to arrest reports.
Kenneth Higdon also was accused of displaying a gun during the initial altercation, according to arrest reports. The deputy reportedly found a handgun in the living room area of the travel trailer where the Higdons live. Mr. Higdon allegedly told the deputy he had been on parole for two years; a records check confirmed he had two felony convictions, resulting in Kenneth Higdon being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, the deputy alleged in arrest reports.
Higdon was released from jail on Aug. 6. His bond on the weapon charge was set at $10,000, according to jail reports.
Indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence was Chrystal Brooke Vargas.
The 37-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was reportedly arrested at her residence on July 17 on a warrant for the charge. She was released from jail July 19, on $10,000 bond, according to jail reports.
Infant Venzor was indicted for bail jumping and failure to appear. The 20-year-old Dallas woman was in a vehicle stopped April 28 by Cumby police. The vehicle was confirmed to have been reported stolen on April 25 to Dallas Police Department. Venzor and the male in the car were arrested for unauthorized use of a vehicle. She was released from jail May 2 on $5,000 bond on the stolen vehicle charge. She was indicted for bail jumping and failure to appear on a local charge, according to court records.
The remaining offenses were for drug and alcohol offenses.
Jennifer Wilkes, Joseph Andrew Newman and Amanda Katherine Miller were each indicted for driving while intoxicated, third or more offense. Miller was also indicted for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone.
Also indicted on controlled substance charges were:
- Bolivar Herrera Cavazos — possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance with intent;
- Gonzalo Chairez-Navarro — possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance;
- Brandon Keith Dokes — possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance;
- Justin Lee Earhart — possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance;
- Jodi Denise Gibson — possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance;
- Jamie Lee Lindsay — possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance;
- Curtis Leroy Marler — possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone;
- Lydia Elizabeth Monteneri — possession 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance;
- Deanthony Rayon Moore — manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone;
- Wesley Robert Rose — possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance;
- Jonathan Wayne Smith — manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, and possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone with intent; and
- Michael Anthony Williams — possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Sulphur Springs ISD To Hold Hearing On Targeted Improvement Plans For 3 Primary Campuses
Security, HR, Campus Updates To Be Presented During Sept. 9 School Board Meeting
A public hearing regarding targeted improvement plans for three primary campuses will be conducted during Monday evening’s regular meeting of Sulphur Springs Independent Shcool District Board of Trustees.
The public hearing is required due to Bowie, Lamar and Travis Primary campuses’ state ratings, and will be conducted by Assistant Superintendent Kristin Monk. Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting to voice any questions, comments or concerns they may have regarding this targeted improvement plans for three of the four primary campuses; Barbara Bush was not rated based on STAAR scores because the campus did not have house students in the grade levels in which the state tests are administered.
Superintendent Michael Lamb is slated to discuss the district’s accountability ratings during the administrative reports portion of the 6 p.m. school board meeting.
Monk and Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams will present program updates about elementary and secondary programs during the school board meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Rusty Harden is slated to present a human resources and security update during the administrative reports and information portion of the meeting. A report will be given by representatives from Sulphur Springs Elementary regarding campus highlights.
During the action items portion of the meeting, District Business Manager Sherry McGraw is expected to discuss and present for approval a contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP, for administrative and any judicial appeal of property value study findings conducted by the Comptroller’s Office. A study of property values in the past has resulted in the Comptroller reducing their assigned value, which in turn resulted in additional state aid for the district.
Williams is expected to present for board approval an a revision to FMG (Local) policy, which has to do with school-sponsored field trips in general, out-of-state trips and/or overnight trips, and additioanl guidelines regarding school-sponsored travel. Proposed is extending the limit on absences from school for school-sponsored travel from two to three days.
Also submitted under the consent agenda are 7 items: tax credits and supplements, delinquent tax collections, financial statements and bills payable, all for August 2019; quarterly investment report; organizational flow chart for Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center; and Head Start Mission Statement and statement of philosophy, and personnel policy summary. Unless requested by a board member for an item to be removed, these matters will be considered for approval under one action.
Trustees then have the option to enter into executive session to discuss any personnel or real property matters fitting Title 5, Chapter 551, Section (.072) and (.074) of Texas Government Code. If any items are pushed forward from the closed session for action, the board will reconvene in open session to take vote on them.
SSISD Board of Trustees meets regularly at 6 p.m.the second Monday of each month in SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St. The Board Room is located at the back of the building.
Lady Cats Volleyball Gets Edged Out By Edgewood
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Takes Loss in Rematch With Edgewood on Friday
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team had a second chance to beat Edgewood but the home team Lady Bulldogs got Another Win on Friday (September 6). After two sets it was anybody’s match to win with each team capturing a set. Edgewood opened play with a 25-20 set one win. The Lady Cats bounced back with a solid 25-13 victory in set two. But then the Lady Bulldogs rallied to win the next two sets, 25-15 and 25-19 to take the match, 3-1. Edgewood also defeated the Lady Cats, 2-0 in a third place game in an Edgewood tournament back on August 24. The Lady Cats got another incredible performance Friday from junior Sadie Washburn who had 20 kills and 22 digs. Setter Peyton Hammack had 14 digs. Sydney Washburn and Brooklyn Burnside had 9 kills each. The Lady Cats are now 16-9 for the season. They will play Emory Rains Tuesday in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School. Game time for the varsity is 5:30 p.m. Each fan that brings a can of food to the game will get free admission. The food will be donated to the local food bank.
Wildcats Football Lag Behind Lovejoy
Wildcats Football Team Shows Signs of Improvement But Mistakes Keep Wildcats From Getting a Win Friday Against Lovejoy
The Wildcats Football Team looked much improved against Lovejoy Friday night (September 6) at Leopard Field in Lucas but the Wildcats mistakes kept them from getting their first win of the season. Lovejoy won, 34-27. For the second straight game, the Wildcats opened the game with a successful onside kick. Then the Wildcats moved crisply down the field. A 48 yard drive resulted in a touchdown with junior quarterback Kaden Wallace throwing a 6 yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Kylan Wade. The Wildcats led 7-0 with 6:07 left in the first quarter. After an unsuccessful onside kick, Lovejoy answered with a 47 yard TD drive. Back Austin King ran for a 2 yard touchdown. The score was tied at 7-7 with 3:01 left in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, a scoring opportunity vanished for the Wildcats as the Leopards intercepted a Wildcats pass at the Lovejoy 2 yard line. Late in the second quarter, a pair of penalties helped set up a Leopards’ score. Lovejoy quarterback R.W. Rucker went into a slide at the end of a play and a Wildcats’ defender made contact with him. The personal foul penalty was followed immediately by an unsportsmanlike conduct call. The penalty yardage put Lovejoy on the Wildcats’ 10 yard line. Rucker then threw a 10-yard TD pass to his favorite receiver Reid Westervelt. Lovejoy was up 14-7 with 1:06 left in the second quarter. That was the score at the half. Early in the third quarter, a Wildcats’ drive stalled and kicker Brandon Zavala kicked a 29-yard field goal. The Wildcats trailed Lovejoy, 14-10. Lovejoy used a long pass play to pad their lead. Rucker again found Westervelt for a 40 yard pass completion and run. Lovejoy led the Wildcats 21-10 with 7:26 left in the third quarter. The Wildcats answered with a long drive of their own. Wallace threw his second TD pass of the night, this one to receiver Detrick Clayton. The Wildcats trimmed the lead to 21-17 with 3:55 left in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats reclaimed the lead. An impressive catch by receiver Bryson Lacy set up the touchdown. Back Caden Davis covered the final 14 yards to the end zone for the score. The Wildcats led 24-21 with 11:56 to play in the fourth quarter. After the Wildcats’ unsuccessful onside kick, the Leopards went 50 yards in 46 seconds to take back the lead. King ran for his second short TD, this one from the 4 yard line and Lovejoy went up 28-24 with 11:10 left in the final quarter. Then momentum swung wildly one way and then the other. The Wildcats’ defense stopped a Leopards’ drive fairly deep in Wildcats’ territory. But a few plays later the Wildcats fumbled the ball right back to Lovejoy. Lovejoy added to their lead with one big play. Rucker ran 32 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. Even with a missed extra point, Lovejoy led 34-24 with only about 5 minutes left in the game. With urgency, the Wildcats moved the ball down the field but they were forced to settle for a field goal. Zavala hit the 25 yard field goal but it was nullified because Lovejoy had called timeout. Zavala made it a second time and th Wildcats trailed 34-27 with not much time left on the clock. The Wildcats last gasp onside kick was unsuccessful and the Leopards run out the clock. The Leopards celebrated their 34-27 win. Lovejoy is now 1-1 for the season while the Wildcats slip to 0-2. Both teams begin district play next week. The Wildcats travel to Terrell to play the Tigers next Friday night.
Sept. 9 Commissioners Court Agenda Includes Budget, Tax Rate, Records Preservation
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday will be asked to consider a number of financial matters at Monday’s regular court session.
After a public hearing for the proposed 2020 budget, the commissioners court will be asked to consider approving both the the county tax rate and budget for 2020. No change is proposed in the tax rate, and the budget is reported to be very similar to that of the previous year, “very conservative,” according to County Judge Robert Newsom.
Additional financial matters on the 9 a.m. meeting agenda for court consideration are paying an hourly rate of $12 per hour to election workers as well as $12 per hour for up to four hours for election workers to receive training. Salary for elected official is also on the Sept. 9 agenda.
A public hearing will be held on the plan for funding the preservation and restoration of the county clerk’s records archive. Then, the court will be asked consider approving a plan for funding the program.
Brinker Volunteer Fire Department will be recognized with a proclamation as part of Hopkins County Fire Department’s 20th anniversary of service celebration.
The Commissioners Court meeting is slated to being at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse, located at 118 Church St. in Sulphur Springs.
As soon as the regular meeting adjourns the commissioners and judge will move to the Meeting Room on the third floor of the courthouse for a work session.
During the work session, Tom Glosup is slated to discuss maintentance of county buildings, reports from HCFD Chief Andy Endsley and Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum regarding operations, revenue and expenditures, and proposed improvements and repairs for their respective departments.
If they choose, HCCC then can conduct a budget work session.
Go Ahead Given For New Business Building On Gilmer Street, Plus An 8-Unit Building And 6 Quadplexes
If you’ve driven down Gilmer Street at the Oak Avenue split this spring and summer, you most likely wondered what was planned for the property where the old house was removed. That is tabbed to become Stone Leaf
Stone Leaf Addition
Sulphur Springs City Council this week agreed to a request from GNZ Land Holdings, LLC, to combine several lots totaling 4.916 acres of property, just off Gilmer Street, into two lots. This will become known as Stone Leaf Addition.
Lot 1 is 1.44 acres along Gilmer Street and has been designated for a multi-tenant building suitable for office, retail and restaurant type uses. It is zoned heavy commercial. This will be a new commercial building, similar to the strip center on Industrial Drive, just east of the Broadway Street bridge, which the developer also was responsible for, according to Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
Lot 2 is 3.48 acres, located behind the first property, with frontage along Beckham and Whitworth Streets, an has been designated for multi-family residential. Proposed are six quadplexes and one eight-unit building, with multi-family zoning, Niewiadomski noted.
Key elements of the plan included the extension of public sewer and water service, as well as installation of a storm drain. The public sewer will extend from the western part of the property from Gilmer Street north out Beckham Street. Public water service will extend from Gilmer, south of Whitworth Street, to create a loop that will provide public water at the site as well as fire protection, according to Niewiadomski.
A storm drain will be rerouted from Gilmer, as well as through the site into a detention pond along the norther portion of the property to slow down storm water. This is expected to “significantly improve storm water run off from the site by constructing the retention pond,” the community development director noted.
Sulphur Springs Planning and Zoning Commission at their Aug. 19 meeting recommended the City Council approve the plat request, and authorize the city manager to execute a community utilities contract for the utility extensions, Niewiadomski told the council when presenting the Stone Leaf plat request to them.
Place 6 Councilman Doug Moore asked if the contract and platting would be contingent on the city engineer giving his approval on the matter.
Niewiadomski said the city engineer was satisfied with the information presented during the P&Z Commission review and what was presented to the council at this week’s meeting.
The City Council voted in favor of granting the plat request, and giving the city manager authorization to sign a facilities contract with GNZ Land Holdings, LLC, for the 4.916 acres of land.
Asset Forfeiture Funds
Another proposal receiving the City Council’s approval at the Sept. 3 meeting was one for improvements at the gun range used by local law enforcement.
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson proposed using money from the asset forfeiture fund to address an old building on the property, to add some additional concrete and maintenance for the gun range facility. Ricketson said city and county staff would get together to develop a master plan for improvements at the gun range.
Ordinance Change Would Prohibit Scooters, Roller Blades On City Sidewalks
Sulphur Springs City Council will be asked at an upcoming meeting to approve on second reading an ordinance prohibiting most wheeled devices from being driven, rolled and ridden on sidewalks in “commercially zoned areas.”
Ordinance No. 2760, as proposed would amend Chapter 25, Article VI of the city code, changing the title to “Bicycles, scooters and other wheeled conveyances.” The code would include “skateboards, scooters, roller blades and other similar devices” which would be prohibited on sidewalks in commercially zones areas.
City Attorney Jim McLeroy said the proposed change was considered following a community request to city officials. Bicyclists are already prohibited from riding on sidewalks downtown and in other commercially zoned areas. The change would simply expand the code to include other wheeled conveyances which are prohibited on sidewalks.
“The request was to expand that to skateboard, roller blades and those type of conveyances that are really inconsistent with normal pedestrian use in downtown areas. We have the skate park and park that we make room for that. We have walking trails around the lake they can actually ride on. They don’t need to be downtown on the sidewalk and in our commercial districts using skateboards and putting themselves and other pedestrians at risk,” McLeroy said when presenting the proposal to the City Council for first reading approval.
Ordinance 2760 received City Council approval on first reading this week, and will be presented at a future meeting for second reading and council approval.
Wood County Sheriff’s Report For Aug. 28-Sep. 2, 2019
August 28th
- At 8:12 a.m., cows were reported out on SPUR 514 near Yantis.
- At 8:32 a.m., horses were reported out on CR 1727 near Yantis.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Greenbriar Cove near Hawkins; at approximately 10:31 a.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 11:10 a.m., in reference to a burglary on HWY 154 near Yantis. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 4425 near Winnsboro, at approximately 11:55 a.m., in reference to theft. Known actors stole several items from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 49 near Mineola, at approximately 4:23 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 3460 near Hawkins, at approximately 5:17 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Deputies spoke with all parties involved and determined it was a civil matter.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 515 near Alba, at approximately 6:33 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Chris Starrett, 31, of Alba, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 7:03 p.m., in reference to harassment on CR 1426 near Quitman. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on CR 4778 near Winnsboro; at approximately 11:11 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on CR 2332 near Mineola; at approximately 11:49 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
August 29th
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2425 near Mineola, at approximately 12:13 a.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 2:46 a.m., in reference to harassment on PR 6338 near Mineola. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on HWY 80 near Mineola; at approximately 4:11 a.m. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
- Deputies conducted an arrest/warrant service in the Wood County Sheriff’s Office; at approximately 12:48 p.m. Howard Weems, 61, of Winnsboro, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 3:50 p.m., in reference to harassment on HWY 37 near Winnsboro. Deputies determined this was a civil matter and cleared the incident.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 4:36 p.m., in reference to forgery on PR 6338 near Mineola. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 515 near Alba, at approximately 8:20 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Chris Starrett, 31, of Alba, was arrested for Assault Against Elderly or Disabled Individual.
August 30th
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 1647 near Winnsboro, at approximately 8:08 a.m., in reference to criminal mischief. Actors, or actors unknown, damaged the reporting party’s vehicle.
- Deputies were dispatched to HWY 69 near Alba, at approximately 10:26 a.m., in reference to theft. The reporting party purchased furniture from the known actor, but never received the furniture.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1987 near Yantis, at approximately 10:36 a.m., in reference to a disturbance. Deputies located the individuals and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to Loop 564 near Mineola, at approximately 11:29 a.m., in reference to theft. A known actor stole a firearm from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2258 near Mineola, at approximately 11:39 a.m., in reference to a dispute. Parties were separated for the day.
- At 1:44 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 2088 near Winnsboro.
- At 2:25 p.m. horses were reported out on CR 3118 near Quitman.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 2:48 p.m., in reference to a suspicious person on FM 1801 near Mineola. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to PR 8446 near Winnsboro, at approximately 4:09 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies made contact with the individual and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to Loop 564 near Mineola, at approximately 4:53 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1700 near Yantis, at approximately 6:05 p.m., in reference to possible stolen property. Deputies checked the property and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to a traffic violation on CR 2350 near Quitman; at approximately 7:49 p.m. Joseph Jones, 42, of Mineola, was arrested for Parking (Stopping/Standing) on Main Traveled Way.
- At 8:57 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 69 near Alba.
- At 8:59 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 2332 near Mineola.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2330 near Mineola, at approximately 11:48 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Deputies located the individuals and cleared the incident.
August 31st
- Deputies were dispatched to PR 7131 near Quitman, at approximately 1:54 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to FM 2966 near Quitman; at approximately 4:11 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to CR 4925 near Quitman; at approximately 4:25 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Newsome St. in Winnsboro; at approximately 4:51 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to HWY 80 near Mineola; at approximately 5:06 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to HWY 37 near Quitman; at approximately 7:28 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to FM 2225 near Quitman; at approximately 8:00 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- At 8:17 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 4778 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2164 near Quitman, at approximately 11:39 p.m., in reference to criminal mischief. A known actor damaged the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
September 1st
- Deputies were dispatched to East Oak St. in Yantis, at approximately 12:18 a.m., in reference to suspicious circumstance. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any suspicious activity.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on FM 779 near Quitman; at approximately 5:19 a.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 17 near Alba, at approximately 10:17 a.m., in reference to a welfare check. The individual was located and transported to the hospital by EMS.
- At 2:29 p.m., horses were reported out on CR 1727 near Yantis.
- At 4:40 p.m., horses were reported out on HWY 80 near Mineola.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2260 near Mineola, at approximately 6:25 p.m., in reference to shots fired. Deputies located the individuals shooting in a safe direction and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1681 near Alba, at approximately 7:35 p.m., in reference to a reckless driver. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1858 near Yantis, at approximately 10:50 p.m., in reference to a noise complaint. Deputies located the activity and cleared the incident.
September 2nd
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to CR 3987 near Winnsboro; at approximately 1:06 a.m. Roger Bedford, 58, of Winnsboro, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
- Deputies were dispatched to Alba Lake Shores, at approximately 8:01 a.m., in reference to an abandoned vehicle. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 9:05 a.m., in reference to criminal trespass on Brazos Bend near Hawkins. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to Comanche near Quitman, at approximately 1:37 p.m., in reference to a disturbance where an assault occurred. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- At 1:54 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 2869 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 3375 near Hawkins, at approximately 5:21 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to HWY 69 near Mineola, at approximately 6:04 p.m., in reference to a reckless driver. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 6:52 p.m., in reference to harassment on CR 2768. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 2966 near Quitman, at approximately 7:43 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies spoke with the homeowner and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 4896 near Quitman, at approximately 8:56 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Deputies spoke with all parties involved and cleared the incident.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 2088 near Winnsboro; at approximately 10:46 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
Additional Reports
- Between the dates of August 28 and September 2, Wood County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to multiple agency assists that included the following: Emergency Medical Services, Auto Theft Task Force, Child Protective Services and Mineola Police Department.
- Total Jail Count: 150 inmates – 122 males and 28 females.
Remiders from Sheriff Castloo
- If you have any information on these or any other crimes, please contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at 903-763-2201 or Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH.
- Contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office if you notice any suspicious vehicles or activity around your neighborhood. Please be aware of your surroundings.
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Has Rematch With Edgewood on the Road on Game Day Friday
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team will be playing a match on this Friday (September 6) game day. The Lady Cats return to Edgewood to play the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Cats varsity will play first at 4:30 p.m. in the Edgewood High School Gym. The JV and freshmen teams will play afterward also in the high school gym. The Lady Cats enter play this evening with a 16-8 record. They have won two in a row. Tuesday night the Lady Cats won their opener at home, 3-0 over Wills Point. The Lady Cats and Edgewood played in a third place game in an Edgewood tournament back on August 24 and Edgewood won 2-0 by the score of 20-25 and 25-27. The Lady Cats return home next Tuesday against Emory Rains for a 5;30 p.m. varsity match. Any fan that brings can goods to the game will get in free. The Lady Cats are collecting food for the local food bank.
