Energy Company Admits Equipment May Have Caused Wildfire
March 7, 2024 – Xcel Energy on Thursday acknowledged its involvement in the Smokehouse Creek Fire, which started last week and quickly became the largest wildfire in state history, burning more than 1 million acres.
“Based on currently available information, Xcel Energy acknowledges that its facilities appear to have been involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire,” the company said in a statement Thursday.
Xcel said it has been cooperating with investigations into the wildfires and conducting its own review of the incident since it started. However, the company disputed claims in the same statement that the company acted negligently in maintaining and operating its infrastructure.
“However, we encourage people who had property destroyed by or livestock lost in the Smokehouse Creek fire to submit a claim to Xcel Energy through our claims process,” the statement says.
Last week, Xcel Energy revealed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that attorneys asked the company to preserve a fallen utility pole near where the fire may have started.
In the SEC filing, Xcel Energy said that “investigations into origin, cause, and damage of the wildland fires burning in or near the service territory of SPS, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire, are underway.” The company also said it is working with emergency responders to assist those impacted by the fires.
Chamber Connection – March 6th
By Butch Burney
March 7, 2024 – If you’re looking for a networking outlet, or just want to have a little social hour with friends, come to our next Cocktails and Conversation mixer, hosted by the Haus of Sabo at their new studio located at 206 Church St. The mixer will be from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, March 7.
You don’t have to be a Chamber of Commerce member to attend and there is no charge.
Cocktails and Conversation is an opportunity to get to know others, network and have fun.
Come and enjoy some cocktails and conversation.
Total Solar Eclipse!
Need glasses for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse? Want a T-shirt and sticker? We know where you can get them.
We have eclipse merchandise at the Chamber of Commerce, including T-shirts, stickers and glasses. With tens of thousands of visitors targeting Hopkins County for April 8, don’t wait until the last minute.
The Chamber has an eclipse website, TotalEclipseSSTx.com, in which you can upload information about events, attractions, lodging, retail shops and restaurants. That will be the information clearinghouse for what is happening in Hopkins County on April 8 and the weekend leading up to that day.
We will be hosting a free concert on Saturday, April 6, downtown, featuring The Paper Dolls, Jason Waldon and the Alibis and Dubb and the Luv Machines. Plus, there will be vendors’ market at The Venue at 219 that weekend.
Check out the website, upload information and get prepared!
Chamber Golf Tournament
Registration is now open for the 35th Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, which is set for Friday, May 3. Teams can register online at the Chamber website: HopkinsChamber.org, or we can email you the registration form.
The tournament is limited to 43 teams – 18 in the morning and 25 in the afternoon. Tee times are based on first-come basis.
The cost for a team of six is $750, which includes a morning or afternoon tee time, three carts and six lunches.
55+ Health Fair
The ROC at First Baptist Church will be the host for the 55+ Health Fair on Wednesday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Included in the fair will be therapy, blood sugar check, pre-need funeral plans, medical equipment, home health information and more.
For more information, call Karon Weatherman at 903-243-3255.
Solar Eclipse Art Exhibit
The Hopkins County Infinity 4-H Club is coordinating a Solar Eclipse Art Exhibit with age divisions separated in 7-under, 8-12, 13-18 and 19 and over.
Entries will be accepted through Aprilf 12, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office.
The maximum entry size is 16×20 inches. Dsiplay dates will be April 15-19 in the Extension Office classroom.
All Hopkins County resident are eligible to submit art. Science and art teachers are encouraged to promote this opportunity with students.
For more information, contact Lisa Sprague at 903-885-3443 or Johanna Hicks at 903-243—425.
Plant Sale
The Sulphur Springs Church of the Nazarene will have a Plant sale April 4-6 at the church located at 1300 South League St.
Ribbon Cuttings
Haus of Sabo will have a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, March 8, at their new location at 206 Church St. Please join us for this event.
Pate Cottage AirBnB will have a ribbon cutting and Open House on Monday, March 11. The ribbon cutting will be at noon at 720 Connally St. The Open House will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the same site. Everyone is invited to both events.
Bella Nova will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, March 15, at the Chamber Office. Everyone is invited.
Texas Hops and Chops steakhouse at Backstory Brewery will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Monday, March 18. Please join us for this event.
City of Sulphur Springs Hoping to Resurface 4.5 Miles of Streets Under Street Improvement Plan
March 7, 2024 – During the March city council meeting, Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell revelaed the tentative list of streets designated on the Street Improvement Plan for 2024. Although the list is not yet finalized, more than four and a half miles of city streets are slated for repair or resurfacing around Sulphur Springs. Bid packets will be sent out to contractors on March 15 and those bids will then be opened on April 12th. The final list of streets and how much will be repaired will be determined as those asphalt bids get returned.
| Street | Between | Length |
| League | Asphalt Repairs | 1000 |
| League | Connally to KCS Rail | 1200 |
| W.A. | MLK to end | 2223 |
| Cranford | Robertson to Beasley | 1287 |
| S. Moore | Bellview to Tate | 449 |
| Oak | Gilmer to College | 3446 |
| Pollard | Mulberry to end | 211 |
| N. Davis | Glover to Airport Rd. | 1728 |
| Kirtley | Bellview to Nicholson | 412 |
| Ninth | Woodlawn to VanSickle | 845 |
| Carter | Bill Bradford to Whitworth | 2000 |
| Henderson | Craig to League | 449 |
| Melony | Azalea to end | 1215 |
| Jennings | Jefferson to College | 929 |
| Beckworth | Whitworth to College | 690 |
| Sharon | W. Industrial to W. Pampa | 803 |
| Spence | Lemon to Carter | 639 |
| Weaver | Jackson to Teer | 2877 |
| Shook | Weaver to Jefferson | 536 |
| Jacobs | Houston to Bonner | 848 |
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – March 2024
March 7, 2024 – The following report was presented Tuesday to the Sulphur Springs City Council by City Manager Marc Maxwell.
CLAIMS – We did not have any liability claims in February. We had one minor worker’s compensation claim.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – We have applied for a $250,000 grant from the General Land Office to perform the plan. I had previously reported that we should know before this council meeting whether we got the grant. The General Land Office requested a few minor clarifications from us, and we responded last week. I like our chances on this one! We should know soon.
SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER – They are painting and installing flooring now. The contractor still says he will be done by March 31st. We shall see.
COLLEGE STREET – The Como/College intersection has been poured so that we can restore circulation to Como Street. The Capital Construction Division will tie-in the intersection to Como Street and College Street (eastward) next week. We will then open the 3-way intersection. The contractor has already begun working westward toward Rookson Street. At the present rate, the project should be finished by June.
HOLIDAY DRIVE – Capital Construction Division crews have nearly finished installing the water main. I expect them to begin installing the sewer main next week. This is a complete reconstruction project, like College Street.
WATER FILTER REHABILITATION – This $3.2 million project will rehabilitate all 6 filters at the water treatment plant. Work is completed on filters 2, 3 and 4. Filters 1, 5 and 6 remain to be rehabilitated.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PLAN (SIP) – Following is a proposed list of streets to be repaved in the 2024 Street Improvement Program. The list is not yet finalized, The list may shrink or grow depending on how the asphalt bids come in. We will send the bid packets out on March 15 and open bids on April 12th.
| Street | Between | Length |
| League | Asphalt Repairs | 1000 |
| League | Connally to KCS Rail | 1200 |
| W.A. | MLK to end | 2223 |
| Cranford | Robertson to Beasley | 1287 |
| S. Moore | Bellview to Tate | 449 |
| Oak | Gilmer to College | 3446 |
| Pollard | Mulberry to end | 211 |
| N. Davis | Glover to Airport Rd. | 1728 |
| Kirtley | Bellview to Nicholson | 412 |
| Ninth | Woodlawn to VanSickle | 845 |
| Carter | Bill Bradford to Whitworth | 2000 |
| Henderson | Craig to League | 449 |
| Melony | Azalea to end | 1215 |
| Jennings | Jefferson to College | 929 |
| Beckworth | Whitworth to College | 690 |
| Sharon | W. Industrial to W. Pampa | 803 |
| Spence | Lemon to Carter | 639 |
| Weaver | Jackson to Teer | 2877 |
| Shook | Weaver to Jefferson | 536 |
| Jacobs | Houston to Bonner | 848 |
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will present the usual report of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Installed new gate at Coleman Park.
- Replaced flagpole at Grays Building.
- Replaced light bulbs on Hopkins County Veterans Memorial.
- Turned the waterfalls on at the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial.
- Installed Cameras at Coleman Park.
- Hauled 793 tons of sludge to the landfill.
- Treated wastewater effluent to a daily average total suspended solids reading of
0.39 mg/L. - Repaired 16 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 25 water meters.
- Unstopped 30 water mains.
- Repaired 6 sewer mains.
- Flushed 37 dead-end water mains.
- Operated water pumps at Cooper Lake on generator once due to a power outage.
- Repaired instrumentation on Coleman water tower.
- Checked out 3,611 items from the library plus 876 eBooks.
- Conducted 41 building inspections, 24 electrical inspections, 8 plumbing
inspections and 3 mechanical inspections. - Issued 21 building permits and 31 trade permits.
- Sold 2,457 gallons of AvGas and 5,735 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Accommodated 1,001 operations at the airport.
- Began preparing downtown for the busy season.
- Held 53 activities for seniors at the senior citizen center.
- Rented the Grays Building 18 times.
- Made several repairs to Kids Kingdom.
- Painted concession stands at Buford Park.
- Responded to 226 calls for fire/rescue.
- Responded to 1 structure fire and 13 grass fires.
- Conducted 15 fire inspections.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 76 fire hydrants.
- Repaired 436 potholes.
- Made 30 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Cleaned out storm catch basins twice.
- Replaced 6 stop signs and 20 street signs.
- Responded to 172 animal control calls, while achieving a 74% adoption rate.
- Made 6 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 30 accidents, issued 592 traffic citations, made 70 arrests, and
recorded 49 offences in the Patrol Division. - Responded to 2,296 911 calls.
New Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone Ordinance Gains Approval on First Reading
March 7, 2024 – The Sulphur Springs City Council approved on first reading Ordinance 2853 designating a certain area within the City of Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Texas as a tax increment financing reinvestment zone. This area will be known as Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Two, City of Sulphur Springs, Texas.
This zone contains 4,333 acres and is also known as the Old Thermo Mine Area. The intention of the Reinvestment Zone is to implement Tax Increment Financing, which would allow the City of Sulphur Springs to divert future property tax revenue increases from that zone toward an economic development project or public improvement project to help enhance the desirability of private companies to invest in that same zone.
This procedure is the same way the City of Sulphur Springs was able to revitalize the downtown area including Celebration Plaza. The second reading of Ordinance 2853 will probably appear on the April 2024 agenda for the Sulphur Springs City Council.
Community Event on Child Safety Online in Winnsboro
March 6, 2024 – You are cordially invited to attend the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center’s internet safety and awareness event Do You Know Your Kids Online ‘Friends’? on Wednesday, March 13 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 301 Church St, Winnsboro, TX 75494.
This free event is geared toward helping parents understand the dangers of technology and protecting their children’s privacy and identity online, including social media and gaming consoles. Your support at this event will help empower our community to recognize, resist, and report the threats our kids face daily in online chats, social media messaging, and gaming. Co-hosted by the First United Methodist Church, there will be a community presentation, resources for parents, and light refreshments with members of the Wood County Sheriff’s office in attendance to meet and greet the community.
For more information, please contact Caitlin Graham, Community Education Coordinator, at [email protected], or Jennifer Williams, Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator, at [email protected]. Individuals may also contact us by phone at (903) 629-7588 or www.netcac.org for more information.
Commissioner Races Still Undecided as Both Precincts 1 & 3 Head To Runoff
March 5, 2024 – Two Hopkins County Commissioners for Precincts 1 and 3 will remain undecided as neither race had a candidate that received more than 50% of the vote. Precinct 1 Incumbent Mickey Barker was unable to capture more than 50% of the total votes after receiving 567 votes (34.83%) and will now face challenger Wesley Miller in a runoff. Miller received 605 votes (37.16%). The third challenger in the Precinct 1 contest, Steven “Big” Smith received 456 votes (28.01%) missing the cut for a runoff.
In Precinct 3 Commisssioner race, William (Bill) Holden narrowly missed capturing an outright win receiving 707 of the total votes (48.56%) with Travis Thompson receiving 582 votes (39.97%). Lance Knotts came in a distant third in the contest with 167 votes (11.47%). Holden and Thompson will face off again in a runoff election to be held May 28, 2024.
Lewis Tatum Retains Sheriff Position, Findley Edges out Hill for Constable
March 5, 2024 – As the final votes in the March 5th primary were recorded, Incumbent Sheriff Lewis Tatum posted a big win over challenger Johnny Paul “JP” Moseley as Tatum garnered over 73% of the vote with a total of 4,311 votes to Moseley’s 1,569. In the race for Constable (Precinct 1), Dennis Findley received 1,555 votes (59.33%) edging out opponent Chris Hill who received 1,066 votes (40.67%).
Local Election Early Voting Totals – March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024 – Local election results for Super Tuesday’s March 5th election which also determined several local races. Early voting totals include mail-in ballots.
Early Voting totals in the Republican Primary leading up to the March 5th election showed a big lead in the Hopkins County Sheriff’s post for incumbent Lewis Tatum leading challenger JP Moseley 2223 to 617. Other contested races for Precinct 1 and Precinct 3 Commissioners proved to be closer contests as the early voting totals for Precinct 1 were reported as: Wesley Miller, 290 votes; Steven “Big” Smith, 202 votes; and incumbent Mickey Barker, 318 votes. The early voting spread was a little wider in the race for Precinct 3 Commissioner as those votes were as follows: Travis Thompson, 259 votes; Lance Knotts, 91 votes; William (Bill) Holden, 385 votes. The contested race for Constable Precinct 1 returned early voting totals as: Dennis Findley 825 votes; and Chris Hill 505 votes.
Pair Arrested for Drugs and Child Endangerment
March 5, 2024 – Sulphur Springs Police were dispatched to a local motel as they responded to a report of drugs in the hotel room with children present. Officers made contact with two adults in the hotel room just before 10pm Monday night and were given consent to enter the room. Officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana in the room as well as observed a clear baggie on a table containing suspected mushrooms. SSPD Officers were given consent to search the rest of the room and found a package in the nightstand containg a THC gummy. Officers noted that the contraband was within reaching distance of two children staying in the room, with the oldest child being two years of age. Both adults, Christina Marie Stockton and Tony Andrew Hitt, Jr. were placed under arrest and transported to the Hopkins County Jail. The suspected THC was weighed in it’s packaging and showed approximately 5.5 grams. The suspected mushrooms were weighed in it’s original packaging and showed approximately 3.8 grams.
Both were charged with the following felonies:
Possession of a Controlled Substance PG2>4G<400G – Second degree felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance PG2>1G<4G – Third degree felony
Abandon or Endagering Child – State Jail felony (2 counts)
Total bonds for Hitt have been set in the matter at $170,000. Stockton’s bonds total $50,000.
