Lightning Strikes Disable Three City Warning Sirens Saturday Evening
According to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders, two emergency warning sirens in the City of Sulphur Springs failed to sound Saturday evening when an imminent warning for a tornado was issued. Both had been struck by lightning before the warning was issued. Also during the siren’s sounding, a third siren was struck by lighting and was disabled.
Chief Sanders stated that the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was officially opened at 4:30 p.m. as members of the EOC team watched the progress of the tornados from Canton, Emory, and other locations that had potential to affect the city. The center remained open until all severe weather had moved out of the area.
Sirens on Calvert Street and at the corner of Church and Bonner Streets were struck prior to the warning. Chief Sanders stated that thanks to the redundancy of the sirens in the city, no part of the city was without warning. The siren at the corner of Bonner and Church is located on city property at Fire Station 1.
The siren located on College Street at Lake Highlands Baptist Church was sounding when disabled by a lightning strike.
Chief Sanders said all three sirens should be repaired by the end of the day and prior to the possibility of severe weather in the area Wednesday.
Courthouse Basement Floods; Generator Failed
Hopkins County Courthouse was one of 216 ONCOR customers in Hopkins County that were without electrical power Saturday evening following severe thunderstorms and a tornado warning. The courthouse flooded for the first time since underground pumps and a generator were employed to keep the basement dry.
Heavy rains created the water issue. The generator not starting when electrical power was down was the second issue for the courthouse basement. According to County Judge Robert Newsom, the generator is started weekly to insure it is in working order. He called the fact that the generator did not start “…a surprise to everyone.” However, for some reason the generator did not start Saturday night. Judge Newsom stated that workers are repairing the generator to insure it will work when rains return to the area Wednesday.
Inmates from Hopkins County Jail and their supervisor, Lee Glenn, were at the Courthouse Monday morning mopping up and clearing the water in the basement. The flooding was not as bad as it had been in the past. However, some paperwork left on the floor by county workers was damaged.
The basement houses the Treasurer’s Office, the Auditor’s office, and Court Administration Office.
The new slate roof showed no signs of leakage.
Mt Vernon Man Arrested on Warrant; Meth, Dangerous Drug Found in His Possession
Cody Lee LaGrone, 21 of Mt Vernon was stopped by local law enforcement for a traffic violation. On a warrant check, it was found he was wanted for Injury to Child/Elderly/Disabled Criminal Negligence. An inventory of his vehicle discovered a small blue bag located in the front console of the vehicle. Inside the bag was a clear baggie containing less than one gram of methamphetamine. A second baggie was also found. The second baggie contained Xanax.
LaGrone is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram, Possession of a Dangerous Drug, and on the warrant. His bonds total $17,000.
Attend the Send-off for Vets on Honor Flight #33!
Lynda Hager dropped by the KSST studios to encourage everyone to give seven of our local military Veterans a “Hopkins County Send-off” on Thursday May 4, 2017 at 11:45 am at the Courthouse steps on Celebration Plaza. Judge Robert Newsome will speak and SSHS Senior Miss Sydnee Hawkins will sing the National Anthem. A large crowd of friends and citizens is invited to be there for the brief send-off ceremony.
The group of Vets will depart for the nation’s capitol on Friday May 5 along with about 40 other Texas Veterans, and will return on Saturday May 6. Going on the 2-day experience are Bernie Beers, Harold Cheatham, Bob Griffin, Kenneth Jenkins, Clayton McGraw, Milus Robinson and Jerry Voss. Of these men, there is one with WWII service, 5 with Korean and one with Vietnam-era service. For the duration of the trip, each Veteran will have a personal attendant as well as a strong medical team traveling with them. Their appreciation experience will include a banquet in their honor, hosted by the Honor Flight Network. If you would like to join volunteer greeters for a “Love Landing” when the group returns to Texas, you may be there to meet Southwest Flight #4476 at Love Field 2nd Level at 9:50pm on Saturday May 6, 2017.
The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit network organization created in 2005 to honor and “thank” American Veterans by transporting them to Washington, D.C. to visit the war memorials. To date, over 1400 Veterans have taken the flight. The trips are paid for by the Honor Flight Network.
Sulphur Springs City Council Agenda for May 2, 2017
The regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 in the Council Room at 201 North Davis Street. The following items will be discussed:
- Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag, Texas Flag, and invocation.
- Presentations, proclamations, and announcements: Lupus Awareness Month
- Manager’s report will include status report of capital improvements, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the month, and a review of expenditures and revenues.
- Discussion/action on Consent Agenda.
- Discussion/action on Public Hearing for the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 2700 amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13, Article 1, Section 13-2 (b)(3)Regulations, Permits, and Preoperational Inspections for mobile food establishments and hot trucks; correcting dates of permit renewal.
- Discussion/action on first reading of Ordinance No. 2701, a rezoning request by owner Tim Kelty to rezone property located at 1523 and 1527 South Broadway, being further described at Lots 8 and 8-10 of Block 209, from Light Commercial (LC) to Heavy Commercial (HC).
- Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1127 approving the refinance of the outstanding debt for the Sulphur Springs Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation.
- Discussion/action on assignment of Airport Lease Agreement for Lot 1220-08.
- Visitors and public forum
- Adjourn.
Saturday Evening Storm left 261 ONCOR Customers With Power in Sulphur Springs
Two Hundred and sixty-one (261) ONCOR customers were without electrical power Saturday evening following a tornado warning that activated the city’s siren system and sent residents scurrying for safety. Heavy rain, high winds and tornado activity passed through the county from approximately 7:25 until 8:15 p.m.
Little damage was reported to KSST. A listener in the South Liberty area told KSST that sheet metal was seen flying as a tornado moved through their area. Several callers reported heavy rains but few reported high winds.
Ksstradio.com stream had one of the highest listening audiences since the feature was added to the website. Several callers listened on smartphones as they found safety in various places in their home. Closets seemed to be the preferred location for those who called.
Wildcats Finish District in Second Place: Face North Forney in Bi-District Friday and Saturday
A hot Hallsville pitcher stifled the Wildcats Saturday as the Bobcats seized the number one seed in the district in the playoffs with a 7-0 victory at Mike Carter Field in Tyler. The two team ended district play with identical 10-2 records.
Hallsville’s Mason Higginbotham threw a two-hit shutout. For the Wildcats, Kaden Argenbright singled in the first inning. Gavin Millsap added in single in the third inning. Heston Golightly started for the Wildcats and took the loss. He pitched five and a third innings allowing five runs, all earned, on eight hits with one strikeout and two walks. Tyler Armstrong pitched the final inning and two-thirds giving up two runs, both earned, on one hit and three walks.
The Wildcats are now 16-8-2 for the season. The Wildcats will now face North Forney in bi-district action next week Friday, 7 p.m. at North Forney and game two at Eagle Stadium 11:30 a.m. with a third game to follow if needed. The Falcons started Friday on the outside looking in as far as the playoff picture was concerned. They upset district champ Forney Friday night to get into the playoff mix. Saturday they defeated both Wylie East and Lovejoy to claim third place in their district.
In other bi-district match ups, Forney will play Texas High, Highland Park faces Marshall and Hallsville meets Lovejoy.
Northwestern Hopkins, Southwestern Delta County Take Cover Now: Tornado Warning
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a
* Tornado Warning for…
Northeastern Hunt County in north central Texas…
Northwestern Hopkins County in north central Texas…
Southwestern Delta County in north central Texas…
* Until 600 PM CDT.
* At 537 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Cumby, or near Commerce, moving north at 40 mph.
HAZARD…Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* Locations impacted include…
Commerce, Cumby and Campbell.
This includes Interstate 30 between mile markers 105 and 117.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.
Tornado Watch Until 10 PM; Severe Thunderstorm Warning Extended Until 6 PM
A Tornado watch has been issued for Hopkins And surrounding counties until 10 p.m. A watch means that conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado. No tornado has been spotted at 5 p.m. when the watch was issued.
With the tornado watch, an extended severe thunderstorm warning has been issued.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
512 PM CDT SAT APR 29 2017
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
Eastern Hunt County in north central Texas…
Western Hopkins County in north central Texas…
Northern Rains County in north central Texas…
Southwestern Lamar County in north central Texas…
Western Delta County in north central Texas…
Southeastern Fannin County in north central Texas…
* Until 600 PM CDT.
* At 511 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Commerce,
moving north at 40 mph.
HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE…Radar indicated.
IMPACT…Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include…
Greenville, Commerce, Cooper, Honey Grove, West Tawakoni, Wolfe
City, East Tawakoni, Cumby, Campbell, Dodd City, Bonham State Park,
Point, Roxton, Ladonia, Lone Oak, Pecan Gap, Windom and
Neylandville.
This includes Interstate 30 between mile markers 93 and 119.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from
windows.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Until 5:30 PM for Hopkins County Saturday April 29
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
426 PM CDT SAT APR 29 2017
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
Southeastern Hunt County in north central Texas…
Northwestern Van Zandt County in north central Texas…
Southwestern Hopkins County in north central Texas…
Rains County in north central Texas…
* Until 530 PM CDT.
* At 425 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Grand Saline,
or 12 miles northeast of Canton, moving north at 25 mph.
HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE…Radar indicated.
IMPACT…Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include…
Sulphur Springs, Canton, Wills Point, Grand Saline, West Tawakoni,
Edgewood, Emory, East Tawakoni, Cumby, Como, Campbell, Fruitvale,
Lake Tawakoni State Park, Point and Lone Oak.
This includes the following interstates…
Interstate 20 between mile markers 512 and 525.
Interstate 30 between mile markers 103 and 128.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from
windows.
