The Last Movie Night on the Square
There were many families and lots of kids gathered on the lawn as night grew dark in anticipation for the final movie night on the square. To end this fun series of entertainment the last movie to be shown was “Alice: Through the Looking Glass”. The Triumph Christian Center was selling popcorn, pickles, candy, and other movie snacks for 50% off since it was the last movie. Everyone had a wonderful time and cannot wait for the summer movies next year!
Hopkins County Emergency Management Monitoring Harvey; Those Seeking Shelter Asked to Call 2-1-1
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley told KSST News that one shelter would be on stand-by locally as Hurricane Harvey strikes the Texas coast Saturday morning near Corpus Christi. He stated that those driving to this area should dial 2-1-1 for information regarding available shelters. Several shelters will be opened in the Dallas area. His statements come after a meeting with the regional coordinator for Emergency Management and updates from various state emergency management officials and the Department of Public Safety.
Endsley said no buses are expected to bring those fleeing the hurricane to Hopkins County. He noted that almost everything related to the hurricane is expected to be south of the Northeast Texas area. The weather event created by the hurricane is expected to reach Lufkin but then turn toward Louisiana.
Locally, Emergency Management personnel will be monitoring the weather event with specific updates made Saturday at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and later in the day. Endsley stated that the local emergency management team will remain on top of information throughout this event.
SSISD School Board Approves 4-H as Extracurricular Activity; Tax Rate; Budget
By Savannah Owens
At the SSISD School Board Meeting on August 25th, 2017, the board adopted levying an annual ad valorem tax, of $1.35048 ($1.0400 for local maintenance fund and $0.31048 for debt service, bonded indebtedness, interest and sinking fund) per $100 cash valuation for the year of 2017.
A public hearing was held regarding the 2017 tax rate for Sulphur Springs ISD. No one was at the public forum to speak regarding the proposed Tax Rate. There will be no tax rate increase from last year. The tax rate will remain the same, but increases in property values have increased the amount of tax revenues for the district.
- Head Start Data Management Plan and Procedures
- Head Start Impasse Procedures.
- The extra curricular status of the 4-H organization (4-H will now be treated as a regular class and students will be held accountable for absences). Superintendent Michael Lamb was very excited that both the 4-H status and the Adjunct faculty motions passed. He said “We’ve done [the 4-H program] for many many years and its great for us and great for the kids.”
- Adjunct Faculty appointments with the local Texas Cooperative Extension Office for Johanna Hicks and Dr. Mario Villarino
- Budget amendments for the fiscal year ending in August 31, 2017.
- Budget adoption for General Fund, Debt Service, and Food Service for the fiscal year 2017. Food Service budget revenue increased by $173,124. Debt services refunded the bonds this summer, and revenue increased for $44,691,529. Budget approval was for Food Service at $2,638,714 and Debt Service was for $48,907,177. There was a total increase to the budget revenue of $1,476,968.
- There was a request for the surplus funds to cover the 19 functions, proposed plans for either .04% surplus or 1% surplus. The Board opted to accept and motion for the 1% proposed surplus budget, the total expenditures would be for $45,418,039.
The Board then discussed the Budget proposal amendments for the fiscal year ending August 31st 2017, presented by Sherry McGraw. The main considerations were for the General Fund, Debt Service, and Food Service budgets. General Fund included the purchase of the PJC building, leasing IPADs, and CTE budget increase. Items they don’t get revenue offset on but are included in the budget are 8 million in construction projects that are on-going.
One personnel item was approved: Brandi Perez Vega was accepted as Special Ed. Aid at Lamar Primary
Lady Cats Return to Tyler Saturday; Thursday Filled with Losses
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness says usually when a team goes 0-3 in a tournament, the coach is disappointed. But after the Lady Cats lost to Beckville, Tyler Lee and Tatum in pool play Thursday, Coach Maness says he saw positives in each contest. Beckville, the state’s #1 ranked team in Class 3A, won 2-0 over the Lady Cats but only took the first set, 27-25. The second was 25-18. The Lady Cats opened their next match with a 25-20 win over Tyler Lee before the host team rallied to win the last two sets, 25-21 and 25-15. Tatum defeated the Lady Cats, 2-0 winning 25-23 and 25-22. Coach Maness calls the Lady Cats’ pool the most competitive in the tournament. He says every match Thursday was a battle featuring lots of good rallies. Again Coach Maness emphasizes he has the Lady Cats playing a tough schedule this year to get ready for district play. He says by the time they get to district play, there shouldn’t be anything the Lady Cats have not seen. Coach Maness says every member of the team contributed Thursday. He calls Kaylee Jefferson consistent and he adds Autumn Tanton had a great day. Coach Maness says Mieke VanBenthem also played well. Anden Hammack shouldered most of the setting duties Thursday and Coach Maness says she did a good job. He was also impressed with the Lady Cats’ defensive play. He praised Sadie Stroud, Imani Taylor and Maggie McGlamery for their ability to prevent balls from hitting the floor. In stats, against Tatum, Jefferson had 9 kills, Mieke VanBenthem 7, Tanton 6 and Lexie Whisenhunt 3. Hammack had 20 assists. Jefferson had 10 digs with McGlamery, Taylor and Hammack with 5 digs apiece. Against Beckville, Tanton had 6 kills, Erika VanBenthem had 3 and Jefferson 3. Hammack had 15 assists. Hammack had 14 digs with McGlamery and Jefferson with 11 apiece. Against Tyler Lee, Tanton, Abbi Baier, Mieke Van Benthem and Jefferson each had 8 kills. Hammack had 28 assists. Jefferson had 17 digs and McGlamery, Taylor and Hammack all had 6 digs. Tanton had a block solo and three block assists. Mieke VanBenthem and Jefferson had three block assists.
The Lady Cats are now 10-9 for the season. They will play host to Caddo Mills Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Wildcats Gym. Freshmen and JV games will follow. The Lady Cats will return to play in the Tyler tournament Saturday at 9 a.m. If they win, they will play against at 1 p.m. and if they win that one, they will play once more at 6 .m.
Wildcats at Liberty-Eylau For Scrimmage Action
The Wildcats’ football team will have their only scrimmage of the season Friday night at Liberty-Eylau in Texarkana. JV and Freshmen teams will begin scrimmage at 5 p.m. The Wildcats’ varsity should get started at around 7 p.m. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens says the Wildcats need to see somebody different and he says they are ready to do that. Coach Owens says they are ready to go out and see what we’ve got. He says he knows his team is not where they need to be. Coach Owens says the Leopards will provide a good test for the Wildcats and will point out what Wildcats’ coaches need to fix and work on. He says it is hard to simulate live play in practice. He calls L-E extremely fast and athletic and says they will expose Wildcats’ weaknesses. Coach Owens says the scrimmage will be played mostly like a real game. Plans call for a first half of two 12-minute quarters. Coach Owens says coaches may make adjustments in the second half depending how things are going. The Wildcats freshmen will wear gold jerseys, the JV will wear blue and the varsity white. The host Leopards freshmen and JV players will wear white while their varsity will wear cardinal jerseys. Coach Owens expects the Wildcats to have a great evening of work and he hopes they come out if it healthy.
The Wildcats had their last practice before the scrimmage Thursday outside. Before practice Thursday, Coach Owens said both the offense and the defense were starting to mesh. He said they still have some scheme stuff to clean up and he expects it will take a little more time before fundamentals become more ingrained.
Photos from past seasons
Wood County Sheriff’s Report August 16-22, 2017
August 16th
Deputies were dispatched to FM 1801 near Mineola, at approximately 9:04 a.m., in reference to an animal complaint. Deputies were unable to locate the owner of the dogs.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 1:27 p.m., in reference to a fraud that occurred on FM 1254 near Mineola. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 3:14 p.m., in reference to an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle on FM 2869 near Hawkins. Actors, or actors unknown, stole the reporting party’s vehicle. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies were dispatched to Winnsboro St. near Quitman, at approximately 3:58 p.m., in reference to an assault that occurred on CR 4770 near Winnsboro. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies were dispatched to E HWY 11 near Leesburg, at approximately 4:12 p.m., in reference to a disturbance where an assault occurred. Janet Spivey, 46, of Leesburg, was arrested for Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Violence.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 4860 near Winnsboro, at approximately 9:36 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any activity.
Deputies were dispatched to HWY 154 near Yantis, at approximately 9:51 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 182 near Quitman; at approximately 10:12 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
August 17th
Deputies were dispatched to CR 1677 near Alba, at approximately 12:29 p.m., in reference to an assault that occurred. This case is active.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 3425 near Hawkins, at approximately 1:15 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on HWY 37 near Winnsboro, at approximately 2:55 p.m. Prior to the deputies’ arrival, the vehicle left the area.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 3750 near Hawkins, at approximately 4:01 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 779 near Mineola; at approximately 8:34 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and advised the owner to move it out of the roadway.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 1600 near Alba, at approximately 11:21 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any activity.
August 18th
At 6:55 a.m., cows were reported out on E HWY 154 near Holly Lake Ranch.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 3482 near Hawkins, at approximately 7:59 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
Deputies were dispatched to HWY 69 near Mineola, at approximately 9:20 a.m., in reference to a theft. Actors, or actors unknown, stole items from the reporting party’s store. This case is active.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 10:27 a.m., in reference to a theft that occurred on CR 2175 near Quitman. Actors, or actors unknown, stole copper from the reporting party’s vehicle. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 11:21 a.m., in reference to a theft that occurred on PR 5569 near Alba. Actors, or actors unknown, stole property from the reporting party’s residence.
At 1:39 p.m., horses were reported out on FM 2869/North of 2088.
Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Pennal St. near Hawkins; at approximately 2:54 p.m. Robbie Boone, 36, of Gilmer, was arrested for Wrong/Fictitious/Altered/or Obscured Motor Vehicle Registration.
At 4:51 p.m., horses were reported out on FM 515 near Winnsboro.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 2377 near Alba, at approximately 5:13 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
At 7:33 p.m., horses were reported out on CR 4230 near Winnsboro.
At 8:01 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 3260 near Quitman.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 1835 near Yantis, at approximately 9:20 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any activity.
Deputies were dispatched to Holly Trail East near Hawkins, at approximately 9:36 p.m., in reference to a burglary. Actors, or actors unknown, stole money from the reporting party’s vehicle. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
At 10:09 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 17/North of 779.
August 19th
At 12:24 a.m., cows were reported out at Lake Quitman Spillway.
Deputies were dispatched to Lake Hawkins, at approximately 12:52 a.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any activity.
Deputies responded to a suspicious person on Main St. near Quitman; at approximately 1:08 a.m. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 3420 near Hawkins, at approximately 1:42 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
Deputies were dispatched to Choctaw near Quitman, at approximately 10:28 a.m., in reference to an inquest. A male, 66, was found deceased in his residence. The Justice of the Peace arrived and an autopsy was ordered.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 10:41 a.m., in reference to criminal trespass on CR 3597 near Winnsboro. A Criminal Trespass Warning was issued.
Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 17 near Yantis; at approximately 1:19 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
Deputies were dispatched to Lake Holbrook, at approximately 3:38 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Zackery Siders, 24, of Wills Point, was arrested for Resisting Arrest Search or Transport, Assault Causes Bodily Injury Public Servant, and Public Intoxication.
Deputies were dispatched to FM 852 near Winnsboro, at approximately 4:55 p.m., in reference to a theft. Actors, or actors unknown, stole produce from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 2231 near Mineola, at approximately 6:46 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any activity.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 8:28 p.m., in reference to animal cruelty on CR 3148 near Quitman. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 3470 near Hawkins, at approximately 9:53 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Parties were separated for the night.
August 20th
Deputies were dispatched to Beaulah near Hawkins, at approximately 12:43 a.m., in reference to a disturbance where an assault occurred. Parties separated for the night. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 1660 near Alba, at approximately 1:22 a.m., in reference to a noise complaint. Deputies located the noise and advised the individuals to lower the volume of the music.
Deputies were dispatched to Hwy 154 near Quitman; at approximately 1:22 a.m., in reference to a disturbance. Deputies located the actor, Cody Lard, 21, of Adamsville, TN, and arrested him for Public Intoxication.
At 9:03 a.m., cows were reported out on CR 1460 near Quitman.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 2660 near Mineola, at approximately 11:51 a.m., in reference to an assault that occurred. Rodrick Martin, 38, of Mineola, was arrested for Assault Causes Bodily Injury of Family/Household Member and Impede Breathing Circulation.
Deputies conducted a traffic stop on CR 1676 near Alba; at approximately 12:57 p.m. Joseph Bridges, 35, of Longview, was arrested for outstanding warrants and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 1554 near Alba, at approximately 6:36 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Bailey Hawley, 42, of Alba, and Leslie Sweeden, 43, of Alba, were arrested for Burglary Habitation Intend Other Felony.
Deputies were dispatched to Cimarron Trail near Hawkins, at approximately 8:29 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. William Goodson Jr., 51, of Tyler, was arrested for Assault.
August 21st
Deputies responded to a suspicious person on CR 1835 near Yantis; at approximately 2:14 a.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 2954 near Alba, at approximately 2:48 a.m., in reference to a disturbance. Parties were separated and the scene was cleared.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 3118 near Quitman, at approximately 8:51 a.m., in reference to criminal trespass. Deputies located the individual and were advised she already had a Criminal Trespass Warning on the property. Jeni Breding, 37, of Quitman, was arrested for Criminal Trespassing.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 4849 near Winnsboro, at approximately 9:41 a.m., in reference to criminal trespass. Actors, or actors unknown, were trespassing on the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party at 10:55 a.m., in reference to criminal mischief on CR 4460 near Winnsboro. Actors, or actors unknown, damaged the reporting party’s vehicle. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies responded to a suspicious person on CR 3118 near Quitman, at approximately 12:05 p.m. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 3490 near Mineola, at approximately 12:26 p.m., in reference to a burglary. Actors, or actors unknown, stole several ATV’s and a trailer from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
At 2:45 p.m., horses were reported out on CR 2378 near Alba.
Deputies were dispatched to FM 14 near Hawkins, at approximately 4:05 p.m., in reference to a theft. Actors, or actors unknown, stole several items from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
At 4:56 p.m., cows were reported out at Lake Lydia.
Deputies were dispatched to HWY 154 near Quitman, at approximately 5:04 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
Deputies were dispatched to FM 17 near Alba, at approximately 7:06 p.m., in reference to a theft. Actors, or actors unknown, stole property from a storage unit. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
August 22nd
Deputies responded to a suspicious person on HWY 154 near Quitman; at approximately 1:06 a.m. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
Deputies responded to a suspicious person on East HWY 80; at approximately 10:28 a.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate an individual.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 2696 near Hawkins, at approximately 4:28 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
Deputies were dispatched to Sioux near Quitman, at approximately 9:49 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any activity.
Deputies were dispatched to Cimarron Trail near Hawkins, at approximately 10:36 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Parties were separated for the night.
Between the dates of August 16th and August 22nd, Wood County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to multiple agency assists that included Police Departments and Department of Public Safety.
Total Jail Count – 141 prisoners – 112 males and 29 females.
Sheriff Castloo would like to remind everyone…if you have any information on these or any other crimes, please contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at 903-763-2201 or Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH.
City Council Eliminates Fire Chief Position, Approves Ordinance, Hears Public Comment Regarding Tax Rate
In special session Friday at noon, the Sulphur Springs City Council heard public comment regarding 2017 tax revenues and voted to eliminate the position of Fire Chief. They also passed on second reading of an ordinance adding Wireless Infrastructure Management in order to regulate the physical use, occupancy, and maintenance of city rights-of-way by wireless network providers, providing an effective date of September 1, 2017.
During comments on tax revenue, two citizens questioned the rising values of property. One resident stated that she has lived in the same house in Sulphur Springs for 40 years and that she did not think the value of her home had increased. She asked that if the city is growing, why those in older homes have to pay an increase. Another resident asked why the tax rate can’t be lowered proportionally to the percentage of valuation increase. In response, Councilman Craig Johnson noted that the Tax Appraisal District sets the property values and the city accepts them. It was also noted that school revenues are affected by the property values being increased.
Later in comments, City Finance Director Peter Karsten noted that the increase for the city will be slight. Although the tax rate for the City of Sulphur Springs will remain at 44-cents per 100-dollars total tax revenues will increase thanks to a 2.5% increase in property values for 2017 over the previous year.
In a vote of 5-1, the council eliminated the position of Fire Chief. Before the vote, Councilman Dan Froneburger, speaking from a prepared statement, opposed the elimination of the position. Noting a study of 13 cities that had made the same move the council would make, six of those cities had returned to the old model of two departments—Police and Fire—and two chiefs. He stated that those cities that returned to the two chief model when they found eliminating the Fire Chief position was not worth the cost of cross training. Froneburger was also concerned about the loss of experience in not having a fire chief. He pointed out that in his position as Director of Maintenance for Sulphur Springs School District; he works closely with the fire department in several areas.
A concern for putting lives at risk was not only raised by Froneburger but also by Wes Armstrong, a Captain with the Plano Fire Department. Armstrong, who owns property in the city, said he was not defending the former fire chief because he did not know him but that he was defending the position. He stated that when fighting fires, someone needs to be outside the fire to watch and direct the approach to fight the fires. He stated that in a large structure fire, someone needed to command the attack on the fire. He also noted instances where both a fire chief and police chief would be needed at the same scene such as an active shooter at a fire.
Another citizen questioned if there was anything the citizens could do to stop the council from what had already been done.
Councilman Clay Walker stated that the council was doing what they could to streamline the city and the city’s budget. Concurring, Finance Director Karsten said that Sulphur Springs is between a small town and larger town but that it costs the small town as much as the larger town to provide required level of facilities for waste water treatment and other services. City Attorney Jim McElroy noted that the city is building a $19-million dollar waste water treatment plant without raising taxes. He stated that other cities in the area are not able to do that.
The city council will meet again Tuesday, August 29th at noon in the council chambers to hold their second and final public hearing on the increase in tax revenue.
Mystery Visit From a History Guest…Who Was Amanda Callahan Davis?
Retired public schoolteacher and Historical Society member Paula Altenbaumer finds pleasure in researching and presenting interesting individuals from Hopkins County’s past to audiences. Over the past two years, she has portrayed Betsy Ross, Isabella Hopkins and Mrs. (Dr.) Houston as a tribute to the character portrayals of the late Lavyn Sisco. Paula was the “Mystery History Guest” at the annual joint meeting of the Hopkins County Geneological and Historical Societies held in the Heritage Park Chapel, as well as in the KSST studio.
Amanda Sybil Doyle Hill Callahan Davis was a 13-year-old Creek Indian girl living in Alabama when she married a soldier named Hill in 1830. Her two cousins married Hill’s two soldier brothers the same day in a triple wedding, the finest and best-publicized event in Creek history to reach newspaper readers in white settlements. The Creeks were a highly civilized tribe who lived in houses, farmed and had slaves, and sent their children to the Methodist Mission school to be educated. Amanda’s husband soon disappeared to where she never knew, so two years later she married Mr. Callahan who was also Creek and she bore him two children, her son Samuel and a daughter who loved only a few months. In 1836, when the United States began the forced removal of Creek Indians to Indian Territory in Oklahoma, Amanda and her family traveled the Trail of Tears. Cold, hunger and disease plagued them and during boat transports that winter, 3500 Creek Indians perished from drowning and other conditions of the journey. Amanda’s husband was among the casualties, but she and her son made it and settled in an area near the Muskogee of today. In time she met and married a Mr. O.S. Davis and they came to Texas, settling near Nacodoches, along with her parents and other family members. Her father Nimrod Doyle became a lawman and served as Texas Ranger in that area in 1846. Her husband Mr. Davis was fascinated by the “healing springs” he had heard of in Sulphur Springs and wanted to live there, so in time they did make the move, buying 80 acres of land that would include an area of Davis Street. Later he was able to purchase 320 additional acres which included the largest springs. He once suggested that a university be built in Sulphur Springs and donated 10 acres for a building site. In 1870, when Sulphur Springs was named the county seat of Hopkins County, Davis deeded a portion of his land to the county for the purpose of a courthouse square. He also drew out plans for the square and ideas for a courthouse and jail. Davis became the pied piper of Sulphur Springs, singing it’s praises everywhere and by meeting the stagecoach daily from his perch on the steps of “the hotel” to encourage visitors to become permanent residents. Meantime, Amanda’s son Samuel had attended school in Sulphur Springs, married then went to Indian Territory in Oklahoma in 1857. He became an important part of the Creek tribe, elected to the Creek Senate in 1867. During the next three decades, his mother and Mr. Davis took in orphans, raising and educating dozens of children in Sulphur Springs. Mr. O.S. Davis passed way in 1895 and Amanda moved to the Muskogee area to be near her son until her death in 1902.
Saltillo Meet the Teacher Night and New Gym Ribbon Cutting
The Saltillo ISD staff had a very busy night on Thursday August 24, with Meet the Teacher, a Ribbon cutting for the new weight room and with Meet the Lions. First day of school for Saltillo ISD is Monday, August 28th. Thanks to Johnna West for the photos documenting the event!
