2 Sulphur Springs Residents Accused Of Theft At Walmart
Two Sulphur Springs residents, each wanted on a misdemeanor charge, were accused of trying to leave Walmart Friday night with more than $100 worth of items they failed to pay for when ringing up items in the self-check area, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs police were dispatched at 9:05 p.m. to Walmart, where a man and woman were reportedly detained by store personnel for theft. The officer was told the 29-year-old Sulphur Springs man and 37-year-old Sulphur Springs woman scanned and paid for some items they had selected in the store at the self checkout line, but had several more items that were not scanned and paid for in their possession when they passed all points of sale to leave the business, police wrote in arrest reports. The items not paid for were reportedly valued at more than $100, resulting in both being arrested on the misdemeanor charge, the officer alleged in arrest reports.
The woman was also found during a records check to be wanted on a warrant for parent contributing to truancy, while the man was found to wanted on a failure to maintain financial responsibility charge, according to arrest reports.
Both remained in the county jail Saturday. Bond on the theft charge was set at $1,000 each, according to jail reports.
Dallas Man Jailed On Hopkins County Probation Violation Warrant
A 30-year-old Dallas man was arrested in his home county and held on a Hopkins County warrant.
Upon being alerted Delvin Dewayne Sanders was in custody, sheriff’s officials sent officer Melvin Jackson to Dallas County Jail to get him. Jackson took Sanders into custody at 2:07 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, and transported him to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked for violation of probation, which he was on for possession of five pounds or more but less than 50 pounds of marijuana charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
He was originally arrested on the third-degree felony marijuana charge on April 22, 2018, and indicted on it in January, according to jail and court reports.
I-30 Traffic Stop Results In Felony Warrant Arrest
An Interstate 30 traffic stop by highway patrols Friday evening resulted in a traffic stop and one felony arrest.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Chris Sorley stopped a Chevrolet passenger vehicle about 6:30 p.m. Aug. 2 at mile marker 129 on I-30 for expired and obscured license plate violation, according to arrest reports.
A routine records check using the passenger’s information showed Joeanna Jones to be wanted in Gregg County for theft of property valued at less $2,500, however, the charge was enhanced due to the fact that she has two or more prior convictions. Consequently, the 22-year-old Rendon woman was arrested on the charge, the trooper alleged in reports.
If You Can’t Stand the Heat—Neither Can Your Dog
By Savannah Owens
Many people consider July to be the hottest time of summer, but a recent study from Forbes stated that August is the hottest month in East Texas. As those temperatures reach triple digits its important for you and your dog to practice ways to not overheat.
Here are 10 tips to help your pets stay cool in the heat of the summer:
1. Ice Water-One of the easiest ways to cool your pet is to add lots of ice to their water dish. The ice will slowly melt, keeping the dish filled with cold water all day-Hydration is just as important for dogs as people!
2. Beat the Heat-Bring your pets indoors during the hottest parts of the day, and leave a “cool” area for them to hang out (Kitchen/ laundry room tile floors are nice and cool for your dog to lay on). Or set out an ice pack or wet towel for them to lay on.
3. Fans-When inside, leave a fan or AC on so they can stay cool. Fans help circulate the air, so if your dog or cat hangs out in one area of your house, you want that area to remain cool. And remember heat rises-so if your pet likes to sleep upstairs, providing a fan can keep them cool in the night too.
4. Water Party-consider setting up a hard plastic baby pool for your dog to swim in during the morning or evenings when it’s not so hot to be outside, or set up a sprinkler/mister and let your dog enjoy the cool water. Kids and pets can enjoy this one!
5. Find the Shade– String up a tarp or create a nice cool area in some trees where your dog can rest out of the sun’s rays. Don’t assume their dog house is cool enough-many dog houses actually reflect heat and could increase your dog’s potential for heat stroke. Trees or Tarps are better shade structures in the summer because they allow for breezes and wind to circulate and cool the air.
6. Brush don’t Shave– A common misconception is that your pet’s fur can cause them to overheat. Their fur actually helps regulate their temperature and keep them from getting a sunburn. Instead “brush them regularly” to remove any undercoat that they’re shedding from the winter months.
7. No Car Rides-Leaving a pet in the car is dangerous, even if it’s a short period of time. One expert explained “On an 85-degree day, it can reach 102 F within 10 minutes. And that’s with a window cracked. After 30 minutes, it could be up to 120.” That’s especially dangerous for people and their pets! Leave your pet at home unless you’re going somewhere your dog is invited too.
8. Walk Wisely-Swap your afternoon walks, to morning or night when it’s not too hot outside. Make sure you pack a water bottle and pet bowl so you both can stay hydrated!
9. Dog boots– A little silly, I know, but hot pavement can burn your dog’s feet. Experts say “If you put the back of your hand against the hot surface for 5 to 7 seconds, and it’s too hot for you, then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.” Dog shoes or walking in grassy areas can help keep your pets feet from hurting.
10. Can the Food–Another expert recommended swapping “a portion of their regular diet with canned food”. This adds nutrients and more water into your pet’s diet, so they can stay hydrated!
Use these tips to keep your pets cool as the heat continues to rise!
Crime In Hopkins County Lowest In At Least 19 Years, Clearance Rate 97.87 Percent
New Record Lows Set For Burglary, Theft Categories; No Murders, Robberies Recorded In County In First Half Of 2019
Crime in Hopkins County continued to decline during the first half of 2019, with only 47 crimes recorded by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office from Jan. 1-June 30 in the eight major categories – a new record low, according to HCSO data.
That’s 19 less than in 2018, when the HCSO previous 19-year record low was set at 66 crimes overall, and is less than a quarter of the record high of 214, set in 2001. The first half of 2019 also marks the fourth consecutive year crime has dipped during the first 6 months of the year in Hopkins County, dropping from 102 in 2015 to 76 in 2006, then 71 in 2017 and 66 in 2018. In fact, crime has risen above 100 in only two of the last 10 years, 105 in 2011 and 102 in 2015.
Also notable is the fact that the clearance rate, the number of crimes cleared by arrest or exception compared to the number of cases recorded, has only fallen below 70 percent once since 2006, dripping to 68.82 percent in 2010. The clearance rate for the county has remained above 80 percent since 2012, and above 90 percent for four consecutive years. As of June 30, 2019, the clearance rate for posted for the county was 97.87 percent, according to the HCSO data.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum attributes the lowered crime and high clearance rates in the county to the proactive work of local officers.
“We are blessed to have officers who are out working so hard. In the last 6 months, we had 47 offenses against people reported and a 97.87 percent clearance rate. Over the years, when other jurisdictions’ crime rate rose along with the population, Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs rates declined. That’s due to our officers and criminal investigations division,” said Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum.
During the first six months of 2019, crime declined in five of the eight categories, was unchanged in two categories and rose in only one category. And, new record lows were either set or tied in four categories as well.
There were no robberies recorded at HCSO during the first half of 2019, marking the fifth year in which no robberies were recorded from Jan. 1-June 30. In fact, in only six of the last 19 years have any robberies been recorded during the first half of the year, with only one each in 2001, 2003, 2009 and 2014; and the record high set at two in 2011.
“Thank goodness the number for homicide was zero,” Tatum said.
That’s 200 percent lower than in 2018, when two murders were recorded by June 30, setting a new record high for the first half of the year. In fact, homicides have only been reported in four years since 2001, the first year the sheriff’s office began tracking and reporting crime statistics and clearance rates. Only one criminal homicide was reported in 2004, 2009 and 2011.
Unchanged was the number of simple assaults reported in 2019 compared to those of 2018; 15 simple assaults were reported in each year, just one shy of the record low of 14 simple assaults recorded in 2017. That’s still only about one-quarter of the record high of 58 simple assaults recorded in 2001.
Only nine larceny cases were counted during the first half of 2019, setting a new record low for the category. That’s four less than in 2018, when the previous record low for these types of theft cases was set at 13, and only about one-eighth of the record high of 70 larcenies recorded from Jan. 1- June 30, 2004.
A new record low of nine burglaries was also set in 2019. That’s about half as many as in the first half of 2018, when 17 were recorded, and four less than in 2017, when 12 burglaries were recorded during the first half of the year. The 19-year record high of 68 burglaries was recorded in 2001.
Only one forcible rape, filed as a sexual assault case, was recorded during the first six months of 2019, the same as in six other years. That’s a significant decline from 2018, which tied the record high of six rapes recorded in 2006 and repeated in 2008 and 2011. In only four of the last 19 years – 2002, 2005, 2014 and 2015 – were no rapes cases recorded in the county during the first half of the year.
The motor vehicle theft category was nearly half of 2018’s figure, dropping from seven in 2018 to four this year. That’s still only a quarter of the record high of 16 vehicle thefts recorded from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2008. In only one year, 2002, were no vehicle thefts recorded in the first six months of the year.
Nine aggravated assaults, that is assaults using weapons or resulting in serious injury, were reported during the first half of 2019. That’s more than twice as many aggravated assaults than in 2018, which tied the four of 2014 for second fewest number of aggravated assaults during the first six months of the year. The least number was one aggravated assault reported in 2010. The most aggravated assaults recorded in Hopkins County from Jan. 1 to June 30 was set at 30 in 2008.
Tatum acknowledged that the crime and clearance rates focus only on crimes against people and their property; these statistics do not encompass all of the cases worked by county officers.
For instance, drug and alcohol offenses, which are reflected in the daily arrest reports and jail counts, are not included in these crime statistics. In some cases, however, the controlled substance cases also involve offenses against people and property too, the sheriff noted.
“Officers are going out making on-site arrests, a lot for methamphetamine and drug usage,” Tatum said. “All officers in the county and city are very proactive, trying to stop the influx of meth or ice and other controlled substances.”
Officers have made 158 self-initiated arrests, not directly associated with the clearance rate or crimes against people, this year, the sheriff noted.
“That shows how proactive all of our officers are,” Tatum added.
Wildcats Freshman Football Team Gets Special Week Of Practice Next Week
Next week will be a special one for this school year’s Wildcats freshman football players. They will be receiving special attention Monday through Friday, Aug. 5-9, from Wildcats coaches, including the varsity coaches. Last year, the UIL decided to allow freshman football players to report for practice on the first day allowed for fall football practice. That’s on Aug. 5 this year.
The Wildcats JV and Varsity do not report until Aug. 12, since they participated in spring football. The trade-off for doing spring football is loss of one week of practice and loss of a scrimmage. Coach Owens says he and his coaches believe the 18 spring workouts are valuable.
Coach Owens says the week of freshman football practice next week is of great benefit for the players and his coaches. He says he has some new coaches and his staff will have an opportunity to train the new coaches. The week also allows freshman to get to know the varsity coaches and for the varsity coaches to learn about the 9th graders. Coach Owens says the special week of practice will give the freshmen a leg up for the season to come.
About 80 Wildcats Football Season Tickets Left At End of Season Ticket Week Friday
Wildcats football season ticket week concluded at noon Friday, Aug. 2.
About an hour before the end, Lynette King, part of the season ticket sales group, said about 80 season tickets were left. She said some fans did stop by and purchase tickets Friday morning, adding that they got really good seats.
Of the 80 season tickets left, there were just some scattered singles in the prime D section. Ms. King said there were some really good chair back seats left in sections C and E. She said there were also lots of less expensive rail back seats in Section B.
Even though the season ticket week effort concluded at noon Friday Ms. King said fans could still get season tickets by stopping by the principal’s office at the high school. The 80 season tickets left this year were just a little higher than last year’s total of 43 that were left.
Homeowner Maintenance of Aerobic Treatment Units Offered Aug. 21
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources
Homeowner Maintenance of Aerobic Treatment Units will be offered Aug. 21, from, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
This course covers the components of an aerobic treatment unit and spray field.
Presentations discuss the importance of maintaining an onsite wastewater treatment system, health and safety considerations, basic concepts about the aerobic treatment processes, testing and reporting on the status of the treatment system, care and feeding of the aerobic treatment unit, and tools for evaluating the system. These presentations provide a basic understanding of the operational and maintenance activities for an aerobic treatment unit.
The course explains how activities within the home can impact the operation of an aerobic treatment unit. The participants will leave this class with a better understanding of the practices required to keep their system working and limit interference with the enjoyment of their property.
This course is intended for homeowners interested in gaining knowledge in the operation and maintenance of their onsite wastewater treatment system.
The course consists of classroom lecture and discussion, plus hands-on demonstrations and tour of the onsite wastewater training center located near the classroom.
Course fee is $125, which includes training materials, lunch and certificate of completion. Seating is limited to 50 participants.
Register by Aug. 7, by calling 903-885-3443.
Good Number Of 8th And 9th Graders Attended Football Camp This Week
Wildcats Assistant Football Coach Cameron Warren said a great group of hard working 8th and 9th grade football players attended football camp this week, July 30-Aug.t 1, in the Multipurpose Building.
Coach Warren said they did a great job of being attentive and of putting what they learned into practice. He added they improved each day. Coach Warren said the coaching staff is excited about these young men and about the upcoming season.
Opening Ceremonies for Dixie World Series Friday Evening, Play Starts Saturday
Twenty-nine Dixie Softball teams, representing three different age groups, will be recognized at an Opening Ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
Bodacious Bar-B-Q is catering the meal for all the teams. After the meal, all of the teams have been invited to go to the Downtown Plaza to watch the movie, A League of Their Own.
Play gets underway at Coleman Park Saturday morning. The Dixie Debs begin play at 9 a.m. on fields 5 and 6.
The Hopkins County Debs play the Texas team from Coldspring at 9 a.m. on field 5. There will also be a pair of games beginning at around 11 a.m. on fields 5 and 6 Saturday
The Dixie Ponytails start at 10 a.m. on fields 1 and 2. A Texas team from Franklin County plays Alabama at 10 a.m. on field 2. The Hopkins County Ponytails play Louisiana at 6 p.m. on field 1.
The Dixie Angels also begin play Saturday on fields 3 and 4. A Franklin County Angels team plays a Louisiana team to open play Saturday
The Hopkins County Angels team opens against North Carolina in the last Angels game on Saturday.
Play will continue in the Dixie World Series through Wednesday.
