Preparing For The Next Level At PJC-Sulphur Springs Center
Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs students Andre Evans and Emile Nance, right, visit with A&M-Commerce recruiter Kourtney Davis, center, as they prepare for graduation from PJC and plan their next level of education. PJC-SSC Director Rob Stanley offers support for the students.
County Seal Donated For New Courtroom; Tractor Approved for Precinct 3
A tractor with boom mower and two donations were among the items Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved during their regular meeting Monday.
Commissioners ‘participation in a program which will provide additional labor in each precinct and better equip inmates for the work force once they are released from custody was also discussed.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley was approved to purchase a tractor with boom mower for a total of of about $122,100 using the BuyBoard contract with Kubota Tractor and Triple Blade. The tractor is priced at just over $67,800 and the attachment, which will need to be mounted onto the tractor, a little over $54,200. Financing for the unit will be presented at a later date, and paid for out of next year’s budget, according to County Auditor Shannah Walker.
Tom Glosup, who is over the county’s construction projects, presented a county seal he and Lynn Petty obtained and donated to go on the wall behind the judge’s bench in the new Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center Courtroom.
Also donated to Precinct 1 was a $2,250 donation from Cody Koon. Commissioner Mickey Barker noted his crew has been putting rock on one county road. He said other local landowners had also made donations as well.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley reported his precinct would begin Monday utilizing the county trusty program, which will provide two inmates to provide additional manpower during precinct work. Bartley expressed appreciation to the sheriff for having the program, which the commissioner said will allow him to stretch tax dollars even further and allow for more work on roads.
Barker reported Precinct 1 would begin utilizing inmates through the program starting Tuesday for work, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price reported the other commissioners would soon be utilizing the program as well; he won’t get to begin until Wednesday as one person had to get a physical Tuesday.
Barker said the program not only helps citizens but also the inmates participating in it, as it teaches them a trade which they can utilize to obtain employment after their release from custody.
Arbala UMC Fish Fry & Auction
The Arbala United Methodist Church Annual Fish Fry Fundraiser and Auction will be held Saturday, April 13th, beginning at 5PM. The Auction will begin at 6:30PM. This event is being held at the Arbala Community Center. Menu includes fish, hushpuppies, and more. For more details, please contact Pastor Daniel Lewis at 214-587-2361. Prepare to get hooked.
Man Found Passed Out In SUV Accused Of Having Cocaine, Heroin
A DeKalb man, 26, found passed out in a GMC Envoy parked in the middle of U.S. Highway 67 west at FM 2653 south at 1:51 a.m. Saturday was arrested on a theft warrant and two controlled substance charges, after being treated for a possible overdose on heroin.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Shea Shaw and deputy M.Cleveland were dispatched to the location, where a running vehicle was reportedly parked in the middle of the road, with the driver passed out inside of it. They found a man, identified in arrest reports as Dustin James Spieldenner, in the vehicle. He appeared to be asleep, and did not awaken when deputies knocked on the window of the sport utility vehicle, which they noted to be left in reverse gear.
The deputies further alleged in arrest reports that they could see a syringe next to the man, and noted what appeared to be fresh track marks from a syringe injection. When the man still did not respond, the deputies reported, they notified EMS and broke a window on the Envoy to gain access to the man.
Deputies reported the man still was unresponsive after they broke the window, but they could tell he was breathing. He did finally awake when deputies removed him from the vehicle.
The deputies, in arrest reports, said they believed the man to be under the influence of heroin and to have possibly overdosed. He allegedly told the officers he had injected heroin and was able to stand on his own. However, he appeared to have difficulty staying awake, which the deputies reported can sometimes be a sign of heroin use.
A search of the vehicle yielded a black tar substance believed to be cocaine and a white substance they believed to be cocaine, deputies noted in arrest reports.
He was transported by EMS to the hospital, where he was treated for a possible overdose. After Spieldenner was released from the emergency room, he was taken into custody for possession of less then 1 gram each of heroine and cocaine. A records check also showed the man to be wanted in Johnson County on a warrant for theft of less than $2,500 worth of property, with two or more convictions.
The suspected heroin weighed 0.21 grams and the suspected cocaine 0.25 grams, the deputies alleged in their reports.
Spieldenner remained in the county jail at noon Monday. His bond was set at $5,000 each on the controlled substance charges and $30,000 each on the warrant, according to jail reports.
Arkansas Man Allegedly Found With Lewd Photos of Children On His Phone
Aaron David Brumley, 29, of Ashdown, Arkansas was arrested at 12:42 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 119 by Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde for possession of lewd visual material depicting a child — possession of child pornography.
He was reportedly stopped for driving a Dodge Avenger in the left lane of I-30 west Sunday and not passing other motorists. On contact, the DPS trooper alleged the man displayed indicators of criminal activity and extreme nervousness. A giant stuffed animal was observed in the front passenger’s seat; several children’s toys and condoms in the driver’s seat back; and coloring pages, a stuffed animal, diapers and baby pacifiers in a backpack, according to arrest reports.
The man reportedly agreed to let the trooper search his phone. Ugalde, in the arrest report, alleged finding multiple obscene photographs on it, included two depicting what appear to be children wearing diapers in lewd or provocative positions.
The trooper reported contacting a special investigator regarding the findings. Based on the totality of the circumstances, the man was arrested for possession of the lewd visual material depicting a child, Ugalde reported. The man, identified as Brumley, was jailed and his phone was seized. A search warrant was obtained so that officials could examine all contents of the phone, Ugalde reported.
Brumley remained in the county jail Monday morning. Bond was set at $20,000 on the possession of child pornography charge, according to jail reports.
Lonnie Fox, Alina Tatum Sanders Selected As Civic Center Manager, Assistant
Lonnie Fox was named the new manager and Alina Tatum Sanders the new assistant manger of Hopkins County Regional Civic Center by Hopkins County Commissioners on Monday
Lonnie Fox has been selected as manager and Alina Tatum Sanders as assistant manger of Hopkins County Civic Center. Hopkins County Commissioner Court made the announcement following an executive session of about 45 minutes.
Judge Robert Newsom noted Fox’s prior management experience. He said the team already has a lot of ideas and creativity they will be bringing to the job.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity and am looking forward to it. Lonnie brings a lot of really good ideas and positivity. I think there’s a lot we can do together,” Sanders said.
“I’m really excited, super excited,” Fox said.
The new HCCC manager said the things going on at the Civic Center are great, but he thinks there are other opportunities that can be pursued to make it even better.
“Hopkins County is my home. The Civic Center is something I’ve very passionate about. I grew up there,” Sanders said.
Fox too said he grew up in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, and has been in management since the 1980s. The Civic Center is landmark for the area and he is excited to be the manager, and feels Sanders will bring an exciting enthusiasm from her experiences in the entertainment world.
Great Fun in Store During “Stage and Screen” Concert May 4,5 in SSHS Auditorium
This Spring, fans of the Northeast Texas Choral Society get another opportunity to see and hear the 100-voice Northeast Texas Choral Society perform. Their “Stage and Screen” concert is planned for May 4 and 5 in the Sulphur Springs High School Auditorium of the Civic Center. Designed to feature the familiar theme songs of favorite TV shows from “I Love Lucy” to “Mr. Ed” to “Hawaii 5-0″and others, there will be many you can sing along to. Versatile singers and soloists will transport you to the stage with selections like “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables” and other beloved works, then whisk you to the big screen too with songs from “Grease”, “Sister Act”, “Sound of Music”, “Beauty and the Beast” and a solo performance of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King”, and more. For fun, concerts always include costuming and action, often combined with special effects, guest soloists, dancers and unexpected surprises! As Director Carol Allen explained, “Concert is always a real show…fun entertainment for the audience with some real stand-out moments! Kids will love this show, so families, bring your children. For young and old, it’s a chance for everyone to re-live the music we heard “back then” and come away uplifted and inspired. Every song will be somebody’s favorite. Don’t be surprised if you drive around singing these tunes in the car!”.
The concert schedule is: Saturday May 4, 2019 at 7pm and Sunday May 5, 2019 at 2pm. Tickets are $15 adult, with children’s tickets (age 12 and under) at $5 each. Get tickets online at www.singerscount.org and at local banks or from any member.
Carol Allen is beginning her 21st year as Director of the Northeast Texas Choral Society. She says the choir has not only blessed her life but given her the kind of creative outlet she would have wished for. It was founded as a non-profit organization in 1998. Two semesters are held annually, each leading up to a public concert; one in the Spring and one during Christmastime. Rehearsals are held each Monday evening through most of the year. Auditions for new singers are also held twice per year.
Who are the 100 joyful people who make up the membership of the Choral Society? According to northeasttexaschoralsociety on Facebook, “we are a non profit choir based in Sulphur Springs, TX with a membership from the surrounding counties. We are your doctors, lawyers, coworkers, etc., and we love making music together!”.
TxDOT Warns To Be Aware In Work Zones
| Fatalities Decline in State Highway Construction AreasTxDOT Promotes Safe Driving in Conjunction with National Work Zone Awareness Week |
April 8, 2019
AUSTIN — In spite of a decrease in work zone crashes in Texas last year, 161 people still lost their lives and another 684 were seriously injured. The majority of those fatalities — 84 percent – were motorists and/or their passengers.
As National Work Zone Awareness Week gets underway today, the Texas Department of Transportation highlights its “Be Safe. Drive Smart” campaign, reminding motorists to stay alert and use caution when driving through work zones.
“Work zones present a different environment for drivers to navigate with concrete barriers, slow-moving heavy equipment and vehicles that may make sudden stops,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “That’s why we’re urging drivers to pay special attention in work zones on Texas roadways, for their protection and the safety of highway work crews.”
In 2018, a total of 25,162 work zone traffic crashes were reported, an average of nearly 70 crashes per day. Fatalities in Texas road construction zones fell 20 percent between 2017 and 2018.
At any given time, Texas has as many as 3,000 active work zones across the 80,000 miles of road TxDOT maintains.Since the leading causes of work zone crashes in Texas are speeding and driver inattention, TxDOT asks motorists to avoid distractions and put their phones away, obey road crew flaggers, slow down and follow posted work zone speed limits. Traffic fines double in work zones when workers are present, and fines can cost up to $2,000.
To safeguard roadside crews and first responders, the state’s Move Over/Slow Down law also requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted limit when they see flashing blue or amber lights on a TxDOT vehicle, emergency vehicle, tow truck, or law enforcement stopped on the roadside or shoulder. Not doing so can result in a fine of up to $2,000.
For more information, contact [email protected] or (903) 737-9213.
Be Safe. Drive Smart. is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a larger grassroots effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while on the road. Since Nov. 7, 2000, at least one person has died on Texas roadways every single day, and that’s why #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to helping end the streak of daily deaths on our roadways.
Paris District Road Report For Week Of April 8
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in this area of the Paris Texas Department of Transportation district during the week of April 8, but subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.
Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking or car audio or navigation systems.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin counties)
- State Highway 37, Franklin County: From Mt. Vernon to Winnsboro. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform striping operations; flaggers will direct traffic.
- State Highway 19, Hopkins County: At FM 71 in Birthright. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews begin performing milling operations and shoulder work for turn lane construction project.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River counties)
- US 271/Loop 286 Interchange, Paris, Lamar County: Watch for temporary lane and ramp closures while crews perform slope repairs.
- US 271 pavement repair, Lamar and Red River Counties: from Loop 286 in Paris southeastward to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and/or shoulder closures as mow strip is begin installed at metal beam guard fence locations.
- FM 197, Lamar County: Watch for temporary lane closures as workers widen and reconstruct existing pavement.
- US 271 safety upgrades, Red River County: from FM 410 to the Red River-Titus County line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures as work continues.
- State Highway 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for work zones as workers upgrade metal-beam guard fence, replace or extend new structures and install safety end treatments.
- FM 2648 widening, Lamar County: Watch for temporary lane closures as work continues. Beginning this week, Pine Creek Bridge will be down to one lane in order to upgrade the bridge rail. Temporary traffic signals and signs will be in place to direct traffic.
- State Highway 24 expansion, Delta County: from Cooper, Texas, southwestward towards Commerce. Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas. Final surfacing of southbound lanes is in progress
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
- State Highway 66 and FM 36, Hunt County: The new traffic lights at this intersection are flashing red, please be careful when crossing this intersection. The signal lights will be programmed for red-yellow-green operations after the railroad installs all necessary components for signal pre-emption at this intersection to keep traffic stopped at the light off of the railroad tracks.
- FM 2642 bridge/underpass project at I-30, Hunt County: from FM 1565 westward to the Hunt-Rockwall County line. Construction of bridge to route I-30 over FM2642 is in the final stages. Please continue watching your speed while traveling through this construction area. Temporary traffic signals are in place at FM 2453 and FM 35 to aid detoured traffic.
- State Highway 19 pavement project, Rains County: from US 69 and SH 19 south to the Van Zandt County line. Crews have completed paving operations on the project. Final striping and rumble strips will be placed soon as weather permits. Crews are finishing up driveway paving. Additionally, mailbox installation and metal beam finishing work at some culverts is all that remains. Be cautious when driving across intersecting streets.
- ADA ramp construction, Hunt County: State Highway 11 in Commerce. Workers have completed installing ramps, sidewalks, steps, curb ramps, handrails, pedestrian push buttons and other pedestrian elements to aid the mobility of disabled citizens. Project manager will conduct a final pre-inspection for project acceptance to follow soon after.
- US 69, Hunt County: from O’Neal St. in Greenville to the intersection of US 69 and US 380. Work on this paving project is finishing up. Seeding has been completed and final punch list items will be addressed soon.
- State Highway 34 and FM 816, Hunt County: from SH 276 south to the Hunt-Kaufman County line on SH 34, and from SH 34 to the Hunt-Fannin County line on FM 816. Watch for temporary lane closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
- FM 1903 at Interstate 30, Hunt County: at the southeast corner of this intersection, a contractor will begin work April 8 to install concrete curb and a drainage flume. Please slow down and drive safely through this and other work zones.
Traffic Safety Notes
- State Highway 24 – Maintenance crews have placed rumble strips on SH 24 northbound near the Animal Services Barn of Texas A&M University-Commerce to caution drivers of vehicles crossing at that location.
- State Spur 1570 and State Highway 66 – to help the traveling public at this intersection, maintenance crews have placed rumble strips on FM 1570 and SS 1570 to alert drivers of the upcoming stop sign. They have also placed rumble strips on State Highway 66 and “intersection ahead” to help warn drivers traveling State Highway 66 of the intersection. Intersection ahead signs with flashing beacons will be installed at this location in the near future.
