City Council Approves Ordinance Regulating Pay Day Lenders in the City
Pay Day lenders have until January 1, 2018 to comply with a city ordinance that will regulate interest rates and length of terms for pay day loans following a vote of the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night, November 7, 2017. Pay Day Lenders provide a predatory lending mechanism that often prevents the borrower from repaying the original principle. The borrower is then stuck in a cycle of interest and loan costs.
In approving the ordinance City Councilman Craig Johnson encouraged citizens to contact their state legislatures to provide statewide standards and controls. His statements came as council members noted that pay day lenders can simply move into the county and not be regulated by the city’s new ordinance. The state legislature has failed on several occasions to regulate pay day lending. According to the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, pay day lobbyists can be credited for the failure to regulate. The TBCLC has lobbied for state regulations.
It was also noted that local steps will be taken by a group of churches to partner with an agency to provide small loans to individuals with smaller interest rates and an easier method of payback.
An extension for compliance was discussed. It was noted that several other cities that have implemented the ordinance had given a three to six month period for preparation. It was suggested that March 1st might be a better date allowing pay day lenders to have more time to be in compliance and for the city to be better prepared to enforce the ordinance. However, City Attorney Jim McElroy stated that the city could be ready to enforce the ordinance by the January 1st date. Six citizens, primarily staff members at various churches and one attorney noted that waiting would only allow the cycle to continue for a few more months. The council voted unanimously to approve the January 1st ordinance date.
In the ordinance, pay day lenders will be required to register with the city and keep books on loans. They will also be required, if providing installment loans, to credit 25% of each of payments to the loan principle. The contract between the pay day lender and the borrower must be written in the language of the person receiving the loan.
Traffic Stop Finds Methamphetamine; Other Charges Filed
2017 – Tyler Anthony Douglas, 37, of Mt Pleasant and La-Tasha Monte Childress, 37, of Sulphur Springs were arrested when a Hopkins County Deputy made a traffic stop at the corner of Jennings and Alabama Streets in Sulphur Springs.
Tyler Anthony Douglas
The officer saw the driver, Douglas, throw an objects out the passenger side window. The objects were a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine and 6.9-grams of a substance found to be methamphetamine.
La-Tasha Monte Childress
Neither Douglas nor Childress claimed ownership. They were both charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams. Douglas is also charged with Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence. Childress is also charged with Engage in Organized Criminal Activity. They are being held on bonds totaling $60,000 each.
Updated: Local Insurance Agent Arrested for Theft; Fake Auto Insurance Cards Issued; Manufactured Home Insurance
HOOTEN,KRISTI LYNN
At 6:41 a.m. Wednesday, November 08, 2017, Kristi Lynn Hooten, 40, of Sulphur Springs, was arrested for theft of property. Her arrest followed a lengthy investigation by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Hooten, an insurance agent who operated Connect Insurance Agency, 101 Bill Bradford Road, was selling insurance, creating fake auto insurance cards but is not providing the auto insurance coverage. She had been keeping the insurance premiums for herself.
According to Investigator Wade Sheets with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office, a local resident needed to file an insurance claim and after being “given the run around”, reported the lack of success to the Sheriff’s office. It was found that Hooten used legitimate companies and policy numbers that looked normal to scam customers. Sheets said the insurance cards looked like a typical auto insurance card. He noted that if the fake insurance card was to be verified by law enforcement during a traffic stop, it would have returned “verify manually” which would tell the officer it was not on file with the state. However, the officer would verify by a look at the insurance card and it would have been accepted due to the “perfect copy” of a typical card.
Additional information is surfacing in this story. In an email from a ksstradio.com reader, “My parents were scammed by her and it was manufactured home insurance policy she sold to them. Their house burned down last year 3 days before Christmas in Dike, Tx and it was then that a claim needed to be filed since there was still $53,000 left on the mortgage. Since my parents got a new home, they have been paying two mortgages because of this scam by Mrs. Hooten. I hope everyone who bought a policy from her contacts the Detective to make sure they have coverage.”
Connect Insurance Agency, 101 Bill Bradford Road is now closed. The investigation is on-going and anyone who purchased insurance from Hooten and Connect Insurance Agency should contact Investigator Wade Sheets on his direct line 903-558-0027. Sheets said she did not scam everyone but there are those who may be affected and not know it.
Hooten was charged with Theft of Property more than $2500 but less than $30,000, a State Jail Felony. However more charges could be added as the investigation
Wildcat Football Coordinators Weekly Review
Wildcats Offense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said his offense did a good job of executing Friday night in a 21-7 victory over Greenville. He said meanwhile the emphasis would continue to be on hanging onto the ball. Coach Young said he was proud of the offense. He was especially pleased that the offense was able to burn the last 6:03 off the clock using the offensive line and running backs. Coach Young praised the effort of offensive linemen Jesus Olivo and Ethan Rogers, running backs Colton Allen and Searn Rodgers, B backs Logan Caton and Jermond Bryant-Amos and quarterback Ryan Humphries. He said wide receivers Landry Tyson and Simeon Taylor did a good job of blocking. The Wildcats play at Hallsville Friday night and Coach Young said it always seems to come down to the Wildcats and Bobcats playing at the end of the season in games that have a lot on the line. He said there was a new coaching staff in Hallsville but he said it was the same Hallsville. Coach Young said they were physical, extremely well coached and ones that play hard and run to the ball. He said they have a good sized defensive line, linebackers that are undersized but who play fast, with guys in the back who can make plays. Coach Young said they blitzed a lot against Texas High last week.
Wildcats Defense
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron said the Wildcats’ defense played its most complete game of the season in Friday night’s 21-7 win over Greenville. He said the defense was dominant throughout the night. Coach Abron said the defense played really great and really hard and forced turnovers. During a team awards session Monday, Coach Abron said the entire defensive line of D’Idrec Dugan, Calvin Eckert and Jose Rodriguez earned prime time player awards. He said subs Evan Rushing and Michael Arrington also did a really good job. Coach Abron had praise for outside linebacker Kylan Wade, game leading tackler inside linebacker K.J. Abron, inside linebacker Jaxon Reneau, outside linebacker Cason Churchman, cornerbacks Terrell Turman and Day Day Dugan and safeties Austin Dodd, Sebastian Adams and Jase Thompson. Coach Abron also commented on Friday night’s foe, Hallsville. He called them the best 1-8 team he’s ever seen. Coach Abron said something seems to always go wrong for the Bobcats to keep them from winning. He said they move the ball and score points. Hallsville scored 35 against Texas High last Friday. Coach Abron said he is impressed with Hallsville’s extremely athletic quarterback and an extremely athletic running back. He said the Wildcats would need to play sound defense and be great tacklers.
Hopkins County 2017 Veterans Day Ceremony
Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County Texas will honor veterans Saturday, November 11, 2017, at 11:00am at Celebration Plaza in downtown Sulphur Springs. All veterans, their families and the community are invited to attend. The ceremony will include dedicating a new bench to honor those of have served to fight the global war on terrorism. The Honorable Robert Newson, Hopkins County Judge, will dedicate the bench and it will serve as an important addition to the Veterans Memorial at Celebration Plaza. In addition, names of deceased veterans will be read, the Hopkins County Military Coalition will perform a 21 Round Volley, Sulphur Springs High School Jazz Band will perform patriotic music and members and the SSHS choir will sing the National Anthem and Armed Forces Medley. Mr. Jim Dial will play Amazing Grace on bagpipe, and the United States Flag will be honored. The Honorable John Sellers, Sulphur Spring Mayor, will officially welcome everyone at the beginning of the ceremony.
SSHS UIL Athletic Appeal Hearing Postponed
A UIL appeal hearing concerning the eligibility of a Sulphur Springs basketball athlete scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed. School Superintendent Michael Lamb told KSST’s Jim Rogers that the hearing was postponed because Lamb won’t be able to attend because of back problems. The State Executive Committee of the UIL is meeting in Pflugerville Wednesday to determine the eligibility of several student athletes. Six hearings remain on the agenda.
The Sulphur Springs case, which was to have been at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, concerns the appeal of a District 16-5A Executive Committee hearing regarding the eligibility of a Sulphur Springs student athlete. At issue is an allegation of changing schools for athletic purposes. Again the Sulphur Springs’ athlete’s hearing on the Wednesday UIL agenda has been postponed according to Superintendent Michael Lamb.
Game Day: Golf at Garden Valley; Wildcats Basketball Scrimmage at Mesquite Poteet
There is golf and a scrimmage on this Tuesday (November 7) game day. The Wildcats’ basketball team will be playing their second and final scrimmage at Mesquite Poteet starting at around 5 p.m. It will be structured mostly like a real game with regular length quarters. Young players will have one more chance to impress Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta. The Wildcats will be opening the regular season Saturday in the Cowtown Showdown. The Wildcats will be playing a ranked Class 6A team, Arlington Bowie starting at 12:30 p.m. at North Crowley.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ golf team is playing at their second and last tournament of the fall. The Wildcats are at Garden Valley in Lindale. The team competed at Mount Pleasant Country Club last week. After today, the players will continue to work on their games in anticipation of the spring golf season.
There is golf and a scrimmage on this Tuesday (November 7) game day. The Wildcats’ basketball team will be playing their second and final scrimmage at Mesquite Poteet starting at around 5 p.m. It will be structured mostly like a real game with regular length quarters. Young players will have one more chance to impress Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta. The Wildcats will be opening the regular season Saturday in the Cowtown Showdown. The Wildcats will be playing a ranked Class 6A team, Arlington Bowie starting at 12:30 p.m. at North Crowley.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ golf team is playing at their second and last tournament of the fall. The Wildcats are at Garden Valley in Lindale. The team competed at Mount Pleasant Country Club last week. After today, the players will continue to work on their games in anticipation of the spring golf season.
Two Events Planned at Wesley United Methodist Church During November
In a visit from Music and Youth minister Joe Clark of Wesley United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs, KSST learned of two public events planned by Pastor Steve Cook and the congregation which everyone is invited to attend, in addition to Sunday morning worship services. The church location is 614 Texas Street and the office phone is 903-885-3383.
On Saturday November 11, a free concert in the Wesley Sanctuary will begin at 6pm by East Texas gospel artist Miles Pike. Miles tours nationally and internationally, preaching and performing original country-gospel songs for small and large audiences. Although he was born partially blind, he was greatly blessed with a five-octave vocal range and natural musical abilities. He has had five of his songs climb to #1 on the Country Gospel charts including “Don’t Unpack Your Bags” which is currently ranked #7. You will meet Miles and his wife Martha and have the opportunity to take some of his music home with you following the free concert.
Fall Roundup is a welcome Autumn tradition at Wesley United Methodist Church. It is set for Saturday November 18, one week before Thanksgiving. Starting at 5pm, there will be Hopkins County stew and chili cooked in pots outdoors and served with the traditional sides. Cost per ticket is $6 per adult, $4 for children age 10 and under, and children age 5 and under eat free. Some of the local award-winning Stew contest cooks you know got their start on a Fall Roundup cooking team. There will also be world-famous homemade desserts to go with your meal, prepared by the ladies of the church. A silent auction and country store will be going on through the afternoon and evening. A large live auction will begin at 7pm, which is the major fundraiser for projects and missions through the year for Wesley United Methodist Church.
Saturday is First Day to File For 2018 Election; Republicans Set Public Sign Up Event
Thinking about running for a local political office as a Republican? The Republican Party of Hopkins County will hold a public sign up at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the District Court Room on Second floor of The Court House in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Local offices on the 2018 biennial election ballot will be District Clerk, County Judge, County Treasurer, County Clerk, both Justices of the Peace, County Court at Law Judge, County Commissioners for Precinct 2 and 4.
Saturday is the first day to file for public office with Monday, December 11 the final date to file. The Primary Election is set for Tuesday, March 6, 2018 and, if needed, the run-off date is Tuesday May 22. November 6, 2018 is Election Day with early voting beginning October 22.
According to Donnie Wisenbaker, Chairman of the Hopkins County Republican Party, anyone who desires to run for a public or party office should bring their application form and submit it to the County Chairman.
Texas State Senate District 2, currently held by Bob Hall, Texas House of Representative District 2 Dan Flynn, will also be on the ballot but they will file in Austin.
