Former Hopkins County Jailer Sentenced On Improper Sexual Activity With An Inmate Charge
Former Hopkins County corrections officer Sinead Nicole Hagan, 28, was sentenced Tuesday, Aug. 27, to 60-days in jail, then 10 years deferred adjudication for having improper sexual activity with a person in custody.
In early January the sheriff’s office received and followed up on an allegation that Hagan had a sexual encounter with an inmate while a corrections officer at Hopkins County jail. The Texas Rangers were contacted to conduct an investigation.
While reviewing video for the first allegation, sheriff’s officials allegedly discovered a second offense of improper sexual activity. The second occurrence was with a different inmate, Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum reported following Hagan’s arrest on Jan. 2 and again on Jan. 10.
Hagan was indicted in April on one charge of improper sexual activity with a person in custody, according to district records.
The former jailer was scheduled to appeared before 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt Monday afternoon, Aug. 26, for a hearing on the charge.
“We went ‘open’ to the Judge on the issue of time in jail as a condition of probation. (Meaning we didn’t have an agreement on that aspect of the plea.) I called Jail Administrator Kenneth Dean as a witness. The defense called Ms. Hagan’s brother as a witness. The Judge ended up giving her 60 days in jail as a condition of probation,” District Attorney Will Ramsay said Wednesday morning.
Hagan was taken into custody Tuesday to begin serving her time in jail. In addition to the 2 months in jail and probation, Hagan was also assessed a $1,500 fine and $364 in court costs, according to Ramsay.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said his office enforces the law. If allegations are raised against an officer or sheriff’s office employee, the charge is taken very seriously. Each allegation is investigated and appropriate action taken pending the outcome of that investigation. Those found responsible for crimes are held accountable for their actions according to the law, according to Tatum.
“Our Sheriff, Mr. Dean and the entire HCSO staff run a top-notch operation. They take their work seriously and expect the same of their fellow employees. I wanted (and the judge did as well) to send a message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated by individuals working in our jail. This conduct betrays the trust of the community and even the other individuals in custody. I hope the message is sent that such betrayal can quickly move the offender to the other side of the jail door,” Ramsay said.
Cooper Lake State Park Offers Fun for Fall for All!
Cooper Lake welcomes you to visit and enjoy the great outdoors, during all seasons of the year! Spend some time camping, hiking or boating with the family on your own, or take advantage of planned Park activities. The Labor Day weekend offers special programs at both the South Sulphur Unit on the Hopkins County side of the lake and the Doctor’s Creek Unit on the Delta County side of the lake. (Labor Day weekend activities appear below in bold type)
South Sulphur Unit
Every Friday in September – 4 pm – Critter Corner (Stop in for stories, science and props! Check out a different critter each week from our corner of the woods.)
Sept 1– 8 pm – Starry Eyed & Star-Crossed (Join a ranger for stellar stories of the night sky.)
Sept 2– 9 am – Home is Where the Heartwood is (Discover the power of trees and their necessity during a guided hike.)
Sept 7– 2 pm – The Scoop on Poop (Do you know whose scat? Can you recreate that? Get the scoop!)
Sept 8– 9 am – Telltale Signs (Go on a special hike to learn the tale of Coyote Run Trail)
Sept 14– 6 pm – Archery (Want to be the next Katniss? Start off right in your park with a ranger)
Sept 15– 9 am – Dragons & Damsels (Discover the secret world of water. Do some pond dipping with a ranger!)
Sept 21– 2 pm – Sustainable Gardening (Start your own native garden and put it to use!)
Sept 22– 6 pm – Geocaching 101 (What’s the cache? Learn to geocache with a Ranger!)
Sept 28– 6 pm – Archery (Want to be the next Katniss? Start off right in your park with a ranger)
Sept 29– 2 pm – Water Science (Become a scientist with our water testing kit! Learn all about that thing that keeps you hydrated.)
Doctors Creek side
Every Friday in September – 7: 30pm – Night Hike (It’s creepy, it’s crawly, but it’s also so much more! Learn to appreciate true night life.)
Sept 1– 5 pm – I-Naturalist Hike (Go take a hike…with a ranger! Learn about park and the
wildlife in it while you become a citizen scientist!)
Sept 2– 2 pm – Brainiac or Bonehead (Are you a brainiac? How well do you know your fauna? Join in on some trivia!)
Sept 7– 9 am – Kayaking 101 (Learn to Kayak and enjoy the lake in a whole new way.)
Sept 8– 2 pm – Formation Station (How are fossils created? Do you have what it takes? Take to the road of fossilization with a ranger!)
Sept 14– 11 am – Dutch Oven Cookin’ (Sample and learn the old style, outdoor cooking)
Sept 15– 2 pm – Tracking Tracks (Learn to spot the evidence and take your own track home!)
Sept 21– 6:30 pm – Sunset Kayaking (Calling all experienced kayakers! Enjoy the ambiance of sunsets at the lake.)
Sept 22– 4 pm – Afternoon Tea (Join a ranger for a sip of specialty tea and some relaxing art in the park.)
Sept 28– 9 am – Edible & Useful Plants (Plant yourself in a place full of possibility for the senses.)
Sept 28–8:30am to 3:30pm – Hunters Education training class (required safety and hunters ethics)
Sept 29– 9 am – Mushy Hike (Autumn rains bring out mushroom brains! Learn to ID on a guided hike.)
Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears Post Two Wins
Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears Pick Up Volleyball Wins Over CHAAMP and Yantis
The Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears are on a roll with recent wins over CHAAMP, Christian Homeschool Athletic Association of Mount Pleasant, and Yantis.
The Lady Bears topped CHAAMP, 3-0 winning 25-13, 25-12 and 25-23. Ann Dorner had 15 service points and 5 kills. Dalena Di Donato had 2 service points and 4 kills. Tori Raine had 3 service points and 2 kills. Jada Wade had 1 service point and 3 kills. Skylar Stanley had 4 kills and 2 blocks. C.J. Johnson had 10 service points. Alley Collett had 9 service points, 18 assists and a block. Hannah Byrd had 8 service points. Angel Brown had several digs.
Sulphur Bluff also won at Yantis, 3-0 by the score of 25-14, 25-18 and 25-10. Coach Zandra Peyton said she set two goals for her team in the third set and she said they met them both. She said the girls keep improving each week adding that they have really bonded as a team. Coach Peyton praised her captains for being great examples to the younger members of the team For the Lady Bears against Yantis, Hannah Byrd led the team with 14 service points, Alley Collett had 5 service points, 2 kills, a block and 17 assists, Jada Wade had 2 service points and 2 kills, C.J. Johnson had 9 service points, Tori Raine had 8 service points and 2 kills, Skylar Stanley had 4 kills and 2 blocks, Ann Dorner had 2 service points and 5 kills, Lydia Drummond had 2 service points, Dalena Di Donato had 3 service points and 4 kills and libero Angel Brown had 1 service point and 5 digs. The Lady Bears play at Trinity Christian Academy Friday. The Sulphur Bluff JV plays at 5 p.m. with the varsity match to follow
Lady Cats Volleyball Beat Paris
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Squeezes Past Paris
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team won a highly competitive match against Paris, 3-2 in Paris Tuesday evening. The Lady Cats got off to a good start winning the first set, 25-20. Paris bounced back to even the match taking set two, 25-20. The third set went right down to the wire. The teams were tied, 23-23. The Lady Cats got big kills from Sadie Washburn and Aliyah Abrah to win the set, 25-23. Paris bounced back for the second time winning set four with a strong effort, 25-17. That took things to set five. After the teams traded points at 2-2, the Lady Cats began to pull away. They led 7-3 and 9-5 before taking their largest lead in the set at 12-6. Paris was able to cut the margin to two points at 14-12. A Sadie Washburn kill sent the Lady Cats home as winners with the 15-12 set five win. Sadie Washburn had an unofficial 18 kills for the night. Brooklyn Burnside had 12 kills. Abron had 7, Sydney Washburn had 6 and Peyton Hammack and Kate Womack had 2 apiece. Libero Czhela Moya had three service aces. Sydney Washburn and Burnside each had a block solo. The Lady Cats improved their season record to 15-8. After an open date Friday, the Lady Cats will have their home opener next Tuesday with Wills Point coming to town for a non-district game.
Delta County Courthouse Reportedly Closed Due To Flooding, Storm Damages
Delta County Courthouse is reportedly “closed indefinitely” due to flooding from the heavy storm which ripped through the area Tuesday morning.
The courthouse staff waded in to protect as many records and county property inside the courthouse as possible Tuesday, Grace Stone Crabb reported in her Delta County Courthouse flooding 8/27/19 Facebook post.
Crabb, who works in Delta County Clerk’s Office, late Tuesday morning reported that all floors of the Delta County Courthouse had sustained flooding and damages. Water reportedly poured down the elevator shaft and through the elevator onto the floor, and flooding in the district/county courtroom was reported to be even worse. Enough water covered the floor of the basement to cover staff’s shoes, according to Crabb.
Delta County/District Courtroom,
2nd floor, courthouse
Delta County Commissioners Courtroom, 3rd floor, courthouse
At least one water rescue was reported to have been performed. An SUV got caught in the raising flood water that rose to the bottom of the vehicle. Courthouse staff reportedly waded out and pushed the vehicle out of the road.
No plan had reportedly been announced to county employees Tuesday night for an alternate location or otherwise for courthouse business.
Bidding Process Open Again For Fore Street Property Constructed By SSHS Classes
Sulphur Springs Independent School District is once again seeking bids for the farm-style home built over two school years by Sulphur Springs High School construction classes.
Because of the value of the new 1,550 square-foot farm-style 2 bedroom, two bath house which was offered for purchase by the school district, law required bids be sought for it. The district opened the bid process over the summer, and had planned to select an owner at their regular August meeting.
Unfortunately, SSISD Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams reported at the Aug. 12 school board meeting, the district did not receive any bids for the property. Thus, no action could be taken on the measure.
The decision was made to rebid it by sealed process, with the minimum bid price set lowered from $154,900 to $134,900.
Kitchen includes stainless steel appliances 
Living Room 
“Bonus” room with swinging doors
Located at 128 Fore Street, the home includes:
- A wrap around porch with a detached single car garage.
- A bonus room with sliding barn doors that could be used as an office or third bedroom.
- An open concept kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless-steel appliances.
- A separate laundry room.
- Easy-care wood-look vinyl plank and tile floors throughout, with granite and custom tile in both bathrooms.
- Tankless water heater.
- Spray foam insulation.
- High ceilings.
The kitchen opens into the open living area with fireplace. The kitchen and bathrooms have granite counter tops donated by Texas Rock Tops in Cumby.
The master bath has not only a sunken tub, but double sinks and a tile and glass shower. The second bathroom includes a shower and is centrally located, making it accessible from almost anywhere in the home.
Master Bathroom 
Master Bathroom 
Small Bathroom 
Small Bathroom 
Walk-in Closet 
Closet
The walk-in closet in the master bedroom is large, with shelving and rods on which to hand clothes on both sides, and a window. Most of the other closets do not include shelving, leaving it to the owners to install whatever best fits their lifestyles.
The wraparound porch provides plenty of room to sit and enjoy an afternoon with family or friends.
A small walking path from the utility room leads to the one-car garage with roll up door located behind the home. Located on a corner lot, the garage is accessible via a concrete driveway from the side street.
Signed and sealed proposals will be accepted in the SSISD Business Office, located at 631 Connally Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482, on or before 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. Delivery must me made during normal school business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, either visit the link on the SSISD website or contact Sherry McGraw by telephone at 903-885-2153, or in person at 631 Connally St. in Sulphur Springs.
Utility Room “Bonus” room with swinging doors 
Detached garage
Oil Spill Closes Section of Cumby Street For A Few Hours Monday Afternoon
Cumby Residents Can Now Sign Up For Emergency Alerts From The City
Cumby residents who signed up for the new alert system were notified by call, and others learned via Facebook post to avoid Main Street at Commerce Street for a few hours Monday afternoon.
Emergency officials were alerted at 12:55 p.m. Aug. 26 that a vehicle hauling 5-gallon buckets of hydraulic oil had spilled approximately 15-20 buckets all over the road. City officials utilized the new alert system to let people know the road would be closed until the spill was cleaned up by a local towing service’s hazardous materials response unit, and a Cumby police officer stood by as well, according to county reports.
On the City of Cumby Facebook page, Place 5 Alderman Julie Isham Morris at 1 p.m. Monday posted: “Please avoid the downtown at this time! There has been an accident with a truck loosing his load. 911 has been contacted.”
Several residents posted that the phone notification system worked, and were appreciative for “this improvement” to city services.
The city joined forces with Cumby Volunteer Fire Department to send emergency alerts to Cumby residents via automated phone call. Those who wish to be put on the call out list for city notifications can write their number on the back of their water bill or stop by Cumby City Hall in person to sign up, according to a post by Morris Monday.
Mount Pleasant Man Jailed For Second Time This Summer In Hopkins County
A 42-year-old Mount Pleasant man’s trip to Sulphur Springs included a visit to the county jail, after he claimed drug paraphernalia found in the sport utility vehicle he was driving Monday night.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Lance Burdick reportedly stopped a gray Ford SUV at 11:49 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, on the north Interstate 30 servie road at mile marker 134, after allegedly noticing it had defective stop and license plate lights.
The vehicle pulled into a residential property when the officer went to stop it. On contact, the driver reportedly tried to immediately exit the SUV. The man had a shaky voice, which he attributed to having an invalid driver’s license, Burdick alleged in arrest reports.
Burdick had both occupants exit the vehicle and gathered their identifying information needed for records checks. When asked, the pair allegedly gave different accounts of where they were coming from.
The deputy received permission to search the SUV. He alleged two straws with a crystal-like substance he believed to be methamphetamine on them. The substance field tested positive as meth, Burdick alleged. The 42-year-old Mount Pleasant man claimed them and was taken to jail for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to arrest reports. Cpl. Todd Evans was credited in sheriff’s reports with assisting with the traffic stop.
The Mount Pleasant man was released from jail Tuesday on the drug paraphernalia charge, according to jail reports.
The arrest marks the second time this summer the Mount Pleasant man has been arrested and booked into the county jail. He was also arrested June 16 for driving while license suspended with previous convictions. He was released from Hopkins County jail later June 16; bond was set at $1,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Winnsboro Man Jailed On Hopkins County Warrant
A 54-year-old Winnsboro man was taken into custody Monday afternoon on a felony Hopkins County warrant, according to arrest and jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was alerted Timothy Allen Gordon would be released from another facility. Deputy Dan Turrentine was dispatched to Greenville, where he took Gordon into custody at 12:45 p.m. and transported him to Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center, where Gordon was booked on the credit card abuse-elderly charge, according to arrest reports.
Gordon remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday afternoon. Bond on the third-degree felony charge was set at $10,000, according to jail reports.
