I-30 Traffic Stop In Cumby Yields Methamphetamine, Marijuana Pipe, 2 Arrests
June 17, 2019 – A routine traffic stop on Interstate 30 in Cumby early Sunday morning resulted in the arrest of two Arkansas residents. They each received one controlled substance charge.
Cumby Police Sgt. Ray Embro reported seeing a white Toyota Camry at 1:28 a.m. June 16 without a license plate light. The car passed him on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 109. Embro reported catching up and stopping the car at mile marker 108. On contact, the driver was identified as 28-year-old Joshua Devin Depriest of Russellville, Arkansas and the passenger as 23-year-old Alexis Danielle Carlson of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Embro alleged both Depriest and Carlson “appeared to be nervous and not being truthful with their answers to my questions.”
Carlson admitted to Embro there was a marijuana pipe in the the car. When asked to exit to car, Depriest allegedly admitted there was a methamphetamine pipe and possibly meth in the console. He admitted to to using methamphetamine earlier in the evening. Carlson was then also asked to step out of the car, Embro alleged in arrest reports.
A clear, glass pipe containing a white, crystal-like substance believed suspected to be methamphetamine; a plastic bag containing a white, crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine, a marijuana pipe and two pills vials containing unidentified pills were allegedly found in the car during a probable cause search conducted by Embro, according to arrest reports.
Consequently, both Carlson and Depriest were placed into custody. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Lester arrived on scene to transport a small brown dog that was in the car to Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter. The car was towed from the location.
Carlson and Depriest were transported to the Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center. They were booked into the county jail about 3:30 p.m. Sunday for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Both remained in Hopkins County jail Monday afternoon; their bond was set at $10,000 each on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
MADD: Win a Smoker and Trailer Friday
MADD will be at Freddy’s Fast Cash 10AM till 3PM Friday June 21st, 2019. Swing by, purchase your chance to win the smoker/trailer combo, grab a free hot-dog, and support Mother Against Drunk Driving. Hot-dogs ready at 12PM; get’em before they run out.
Need a loan? Talk to Freddie and get a chance to win cash money. Drawings at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM.
Wildcats 7 on 7 Football Team Comes Close To Qualifying For State At Tyler Tourney Saturday
The Wildcats’ Varsity 7 on 7 Football Team just missed qualifying for the state tournament at a state qualifier tournament in Tyler on Saturday, June 15. The Wildcats opened pool play with a 26-24 loss to Marshall.
Wildcats Quarterback Coach Mike Meador said the Wildcats really should have won that game. He said the Wildcats knew that they had to win their last two pool game contests to advance.
The Wildcats defeated Tyler Lee, 32-16. Then, the Wildcats led early against John Tyler, 14-0 until a couple of Wildcats’ passes were tipped, intercepted and returned for TD’s. Still the Wildcats led, 20-19 at the half before the Lions rallied in the second half to win, 32-26. John Tyler advanced and qualified for state with a win over Tyler Chapel Hill.
Coach Meador stressed to the team Monday that they were really, really close to qualifying for the state tournament. He said over the past three weeks, the team has played a whole lot better.
Coach Meador said quarterback Kaden Wallace is making reads so much better and receivers are catching the ball better. He singled out receivers Chase Haney, Zach Tiemeyer, Bryant Sanchez, Bryson Lacy, Landry Meskimen and Kylan Wade. Coach Meador said the team has made vast improvement since they got underway a month or so ago.
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra said the team’s defense is also getting better in terms of assignments, drops and reads. He said young guys are getting a chance and are showing steady improvement. Coach Guerra said he tells defenders if they get beat, just dare the other team to throw the ball in their direction again. He said safeties are calling the Wildcats’ defenses and they are using the gamut of zone, combos and man on man coverage.
The Wildcats have one final chance to qualify for the state tournament, something a Wildcat 7 on 7 team has not done since 2008. The Wildcats play at Rowlett Friday in a state qualifier tournament.
J.D. Franklin Honored At Street Unveiling, Ceremony
J.D. Franklin was honored Monday morning for his many civic contributions during a ceremony at Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, which concluded with an unveiling of J.D. Franklin Drive.
Franklin’s family, friends, church and community members gathered to recognize Franklin and celebrate the renaming of Jackson Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to College Street as J.D. Franklin Drive Monday.
Sulphur Springs City Council at the June 4 meeting approved remaining of that section of street, noting that the community had given support for the change by signing a petition in favor of J.D. Franklin Drive.
The ceremony featured singing, a welcome and note of the occasion by Rev. Jason L. Lindley who approached the city about renaming the street in honor of the “living legacy,” and presentations by Sulphur Springs City Councilman Freddie Taylor and other community leaders.
Several donned blue t-shirts with white writing to reflect the street sign, which was unveiled with clapping and appreciation from community members Monday morning, June 17.
Hopkins County Commissioners were in court Monday morning during the ceremony, but sent a proclamation to be presented during the celebration of the community leader. Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom read the proclamation into the record, urging “all citizens of Hopkins County to acknowledge the presentation of this prestigious recognition to such a deserving individual.” Newsom said he’s had the privilege of knowing Franklin for a long time, and described him as “one of the best, finest people I know.”
Community members were invited to join the Franklin family at Morning Chapel MBC after the unveiling for refreshments.
Commissioners Court Agrees to Tax Rebate Program
Hopkins County Commissioners Monday agreed to a proposal from Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation to move away from tax abatement programs to tax rebate programs
The program still allows the county go grant tax incentives for businesses, especially new businesses investing in a Hopkins County location. However, instead of the business getting the abatement up front. The business would be required to pay their full taxes, but at the end of period would be given a rebate on taxes up to the agreed upon amount, provided all of the terms for the incentive are met. Then, the amount rebated would be reduced on a step scale annually, EDC Executive Director Roger Feagley explained to commissioners during their court session Monday morning.
This would hold businesses granted incentives to the terms of their agreement. They would be required to submit the documentation showing the required information in a timely manner, ensuring all terms are met, in order to receive a rebate. If the information is not received when requested or terms aren’t met the business would not be eligible for the rebate, under the terms of the program.
“I think this is a good idea. It prepares them to pay taxes,” Bartley said.
Bartley said the program would give the EDC more control of the situation if a business granted a tax break failed to provide the necessary information showing the terms of the incentive have been met.
The motion, made by Bartley and seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker, passed unanimously to move to a tax rebate program.
In other business Monday, the court approved a service contract agreement with People’s that will save Hopkins County Regional Civic Center $440 a month on phone, WiFi and Internet services.
Civic Center Manager Lonnie Fox told the court that he contact company representatives regarding the contract. The facility had been paying about $1,200 a month to Peoples, part of a three-year contract. He was told of a new program that would provide the same service for $845 a month. Fox said had they not contacted the company they would not have been aware of the program and lower rate, and recommended the county accept the contract at the lower rate.
Commissioners gave unanimous approval to the agreement on a motion made by Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin and seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price.
2 Commissioners, Sheriff Announce Plans to Seek Reelection
June 19, 2019 – Two county commissioners and the county sheriff Monday morning announced their plans to seek reelection in 2020.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley plans to seek a third term as commissioner, while both Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker and Sheriff Lewis Tatum each seek a second term in office. All three candidates plan to file candidacy as soon as the filing period opens this fall to run in the March 2020 Republican primaries, seeking the Republican nomination for their offices.
“It has been an honor to serve the Hopkins County citizens for six years and I would like to continue in that capacity to serve Hopkins County citizens,” Bartley said Monday morning.
He said one of the more challenging parts of his job, which he willing takes on, is road maintenance.
Bartley said he’s been fortunate to be serve in office and be part of Hopkins County Commissioners Curt during 6 years which have included a “lot of progress in Hopkins County.”
He cited the county’s annual revenue balance, which has increased during that time, due to increased property values and officials striving to be conservative with finances. This has provided funding for more services, including those provided by the sheriff’s office and fire department, and more funding to put back into roads for the general public.
“It has been an honor to serve the last 2 1/2 years and I’d like the privilege to continue to serve the citizens,” Barker said.
Barker too said he’s been fortunate to serve in office during a time of growth. He said the Commissioners Court keeps citizens in mind when making decisions. The court has managed to keep the tax rate low while seeing the budget grow, with more businesses and people moving into Hopkins County.
Tatum said he is excited to be able to run again for the office of Hopkins County Sheriff. He has been with the sheriff’s office for more than 20 years and would like to continue to serve the citizens through a second term in office.
“I am honored to work with the court and the individuals at the sheriff’s office. I am humbled by the staff because of how hard they work. They go above and beyond to help me with the ideas I come up with. I want to continue the trustee program, keep the crime rate low and business moving so that Hopkins County continues to be a wonderful place to live and raise a family,” Tatum said.
Metro Diner Suffers Minor Damage From Car Jumping Curb
The Metro Diner in Sulphur Springs has a little remodeling to do after a Dodge pickup jumped over a parking stop and impacted the wall of the diner around 9:30 AM Monday morning. According to a witness at the scene, two people were slightly injured inside the restaurant and at least one was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital with minor injuries. The driver backed up from the building, parking in the spot correctly and was not injured. The business remains open and conitnued serving customers.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed For Felony DWI
A 35-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested for driving with two children in the car Saturday night.
Sulphur Springs Police Lt. Eddie Moon and Officer Derick Williams stopped a Chevrolet 1500 at 9:48 p.m. June 15 after observing it being driven unsafely while the driver made a lane change on Davis Street at Hinnant Street. Upon contact with the driver, identified in reports as Matthew William West, the officers alleged they could smell alcohol emitting from the vehicle.
West was asked to perform standard field sobriety tests; he failed all tests given, the SSPD officers alleged in arrest reports. He was taken into custody and transported to jail. His wife and two children, ages 7 and 9, were also reported to be in the pickup, which was released to someone other than the wife, according to arrest reports.
At the jail, West agreed to a breath test. He performed 0.120 and 0.117, both well over the legal 0.08 limit for breath tests, resulting in his arrest for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under 15 years of age, according to arrest reports.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, June 17. His bond was set at $5,000 on the felony DWI charge, according to jail reports.
