Hopkins County United Way Board Introduces New Board Members
By Savannah Owens
At their meeting Tuesday, June 7th at 11:00 am, Hopkins County United Way Board introduced new Board members and the 2017-2018 Campaign Chair.
Brandon Williams opened the meeting with a prayer, over the community, and the organization, before he proceeded to announce the new board members: Tom McKee, Beverly Owens, and new campaign chairman: Adam Teer.
Adam Teer announced the meeting dates for September and October. The campaign goal for this year is to raise $175,000 to give to recipients.
Brandon Williams stated. “We do have a pretty cool and unique opportunity…We have $175,000 that we divvy up among recipients and we’re doing all that before we raised a single dollar…We spent two days-we interviewed all the folks that were applying for the money and how they’d use the funds in Hopkins County…and that’s how we made our decisions.”
Search for Wanted Person Leads to Arrest
As Hopkins County Deputies searched for a wanted person, they found Janet Hanson St Clair, 54, and her boyfriend at the Fisher Street residence. Invited into the house to search for the wanted person, the deputies spied a heart shaped box with a clear lid that revealed the contents of the box.
Inside the box were various drug paraphernalia and a small container with black tar like resin believed to be marijuana. The house is within 870 feet of the Sulphur Springs ISD Alternative School.
St Clair is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2, less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone.
Pat Down Reveals Smoking Pipe and Meth
When the DPS Trooper made a traffic stop at the 130-mile marker on I-30, the passenger of the vehicle seemed nervous. The Trooper asked Stephen J. Brown, 26, to step out of the auto.
During a pat-down for weapons, Brown turned away as the trooper checked his waistband. Asked why, Brown responded that he had a glass smoking pipe. The trooper found the pipe to have a white crystal substance and Brown stated that it was methamphetamine.
Brown is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram.
Yantis Senior Adult Had Meth in Wallet
Special Crimes Unit made a traffic stopped in the 100 block of Texas Street Tuesday. Fredrick Eugene Fowler, 63, of Yantis said he did not have a Driver’s License but he did admit to having marijuana in his left front pants pocket. He removed it and gave it to the officers. However, that was not all he had in his possession.
Arrested and booked into Hopkins County Jail, Fowler’s wallet contained a small piece of aluminum foil found by a jailer. The foil contained a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine weighing under one gram.
Fowler is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone and with Possession of Marijuana less than 2 oz.
Sellers Elected Mayor, Froneberger Receives Oath, Board and Commission Appointments; City Council Activity Tuesday
John Sellers was elected Mayor shortly after being sworn in for a Place 7 new term during Tuesday’s Sulphur Springs City Council meeting. Oscar Aguilar was elected Mayor Pro-Tem Sellers and Dan Froneberger, newly elected to Place 6, received the oath of office, approval of ordinances and resolutions and board and commission appointments were made during the session.
City Council canvased votes from the June 3rd run-off election for Place 6 declaring Dan Froneberger elected. Froneberger officially received 273 votes to Brad Burgin’s 175.
Presentations were made to Kayla Price, who chose not to run for Place 6 on the council, and to Emily Glass who has served as Mayor for the past year. Both expressed their delight in having served. Price had been Mayor prior to the election of Glass last year. Price chose not to run to spend more time with other endeavors.
The council voted to establish a reinvestment zone at the request of Ocean Spray Cranberries and the Economic Development Corporation. Ocean Spray will be expanding with new equipment in the near future. Saputo will also be included in the reinvestment zone. Council also authorized the rezoning of 1513 and 1527 South Broadway from Light Commercial to Heavy Commercial.
Council also approved a negotiated rate settlement with Atmos Energy Corp, Mid-Tex Division. The negotiated rate will create a smaller increase in rates. Residential increase will be $2.04 and Commercial rates will increase $6.27.
Bids for repaving South Moore Street were rejected and the bidding process will be started again. The lowest bid contained errors and the next lowest bid was $70,000 more. One bid was turned in improperly.
The regularly scheduled July meeting for the council would fall on July 4th. Council voted to do a special meeting on July 11th and cancel the regular meeting.
Both Justices of the Peace B. J. Teer and Brad Cummings will continue to serve as Municipal Judges for the city. The cost saving move made in mid-term last year has proved effective both as a savings and in the efficiency of the court.
Board and Commission appointments were made. However, two spots remain open and will be filled at the next council meeting.
2017-2018 BOARD AND COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CLAY WALKER
TOM SELLERS
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
CARRIE NUCKOLLS
KEVIN MOHL
BRAD BURGIN
ALTERNATES: To be named
AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD
CHARLES JONES
DAVID BAUCOM
SULPHUR RIVER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
SAM JOHNSON
LIBRARY BOARD
CAROL GEE
LIZ STEINZKE
BOARD OF TOURISM AND PROMOTION
DON FAUSETT
MEREDITH CADDELL
BRADLEY EDGE
CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS
JOHN COOPER
JEFF REDDING
BOBBY HARRIS
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
CHUCK SICKLES
BEN SPRAGGINS
CRAIG ENGLISH
ARK-TEX COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
EMILY GLASS
JOHN SELLERS
CLAY WALKER
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION BOARD
MIKE ELLIOTT
To be named
REVOLVING LOAN FUND COMMITTEE
JEFF FISHER
EMILY GLASS
CRAIG JOHNSON
JOHN SELLERS
MARC MAXWELL
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report June 6, 2017
Sulphur Springs City Manager presented his report for May activity to the Sulphur Springs City Council during Tuesday night’s June regular session.
LOCUST STREET – The utility work (water, sewer, gas) is complete. Cement stabilization is complete and concrete work continues to progress from north to south. The concrete work is approximately 40% complete.
MOORE STREET – Utility work continues on Moore Street. The Capital Construction Division has completed the sewer improvements, and water improvements are now underway. Atmos is replacing the gas main.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Work continues at the wastewater treatment plant. The contractor is laying the foundation for three large clarifiers and the aeration blowers.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – We had a very successful start to our comprehensive planning effort. Ian Lockwood and his team from Toole Design group led the 4-day planning charrette. They left with a ton of public input and some good starter ideas. The one big takeaway so far: We have got to stop sprawling; we simply cannot afford it.
CLAIMS – We did not receive any liability claims in May. We did have one fairly serious workers compensation claims. A Water and Sewer Division employee was injured while using a concrete saw. The saw kicked back and struck him in the face and neck. Thankfully the blade did not do any lasting damage. He will return to work after about 10 days.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Total suspended solids (TSS) came in at 2.49 mg/L, well within the limit of 10 mg/L.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director, Peter Karstens presented a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures. He stated that water sales are up and if the rain stops will increase. Adjustments have been made for the past two months lower sales tax receipts.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Repaired 130 potholes.
- Made 5 more extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Cleaned storm drains.
- Replaced 160’ of collapsed storm drain at Jackson & Putman.
- Repaired all lighting at Pacific Park.
- Installed 2 new surveillance cameras.
- Assisted the County with installation of exterior lighting on the courthouse.
- Welcomed our new Community Development Director, Tory Niewiadomski.
- Repaired 5 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 10 water meters.
- Unstopped 35 sewer mains.
- Repaired 21 sewer mains.
- Washed 75,000 feet of sewer main.
- Flushed 35 dead end water mains.
- Opened the Lake Sulphur Springs flood gates for 3 days.
- Operated the raw water pumps at Cooper Lake on emergency power while repairs were made to the main breakers.
- Treated 135 million gallons of potable water.
- Changed out the flowers downtown.
- Sold 3,683 gallons of AvGas and 4,686 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Conducted 23 building inspections, 18 electrical inspections, 15 plumbing inspections, 5 mechanical inspections and issued 37 building permits.
- Responded to 108 fire/rescue calls including 2 structure fires.
- Mowed, mowed, and mowed some more.
- Made 9 arrests in the special crimes unit.
- Made 64 arrests, wrote 534 citations, recorded 60 offenses and responded to 35 accidents.
- Checked out 2,718 items from the library, and checked out 404 eBooks.
I-30 at Cumby to be Closed for Brief Period 3 a.m. Monday, June 12th
Monday morning, June 12th, 2017, at 3 a.m. I-30 at Cumby between Sulphur Springs and Greenville, TX will be closed for 15 minutes as Oncor installs an overhead electric line across I-30, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
If the work is not completed within the 15-minute time-frame, the highway will be reopened to clear the traffic queue, then closed again for another short period to complete the work. The road closure and scheduled work can change due to inclement weather or other unforeseen problems.
We Meet More Ms. Sr. Contestants
Mollie Marie Shepard, Majel Reddick and Faye Robinson, contestants in the 8th annual Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant, visited with KSST’s Enola Gay. Mollie and Faye are previous runners-up, and Majel is entering the pageant for the first time. Each one will present talent and will also be judged in evening gown and interview categories. Majel, who is a reader and a writer, will present a reading, and both Mollie and Faye, who love to sing, will present inspirational music. Each of the ladies feel that women past the age of 60 have a lot to offer their families, their communities and the world at large. The contestants will be honored with a Tea on Friday afternoon June 9, sponsored by Hopkins House. A joy for living and a positive philosophy on life is a common mark among the 10 contestants whom you will meet if you attend the pageant on Saturday June 10 at 6pm in the League Street Church of Christ Family Life Center. You will also meet current and past Ms. Hopkins County Senior winners. Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
MS. SR. CONTESTANTS FAYE ROBINSON, MAJEL REDDICK AND MOLLIE MARIE SHEPARD
Meet Como-Pickton’s New Superintendent
By Savannah Owens
Como-Pickton CISD has a new Superintendent, Mr. Greg Bower. Originally from Union Grove, Texas, Bower says its almost like coming home. He and his family are “just excited to be in the area.” His son, Dakota, age 12, goes to school in Harlton, but is elated for his dad to be the new superintendent. Bower describes Como-Pickton as “Just the kind of place I like to be…small schools, rural area, with good values…It’s just perfect. What I like most about this area is that everyone is so welcoming and friendly. I think the school is so awesome because of the folks around here. The kids and the school staff have been nothing but respectful and welcoming to me. It’s been an easy adjustment.”
Serving almost 20 years in education, Bower says he “has done just about everything that has to do with education.” He worked as a junior high and high school English and History teacher in Scurry-Rosser, served as the English department chair at Sam Houston middle school, and as the English coordinator at South Garland High school in Garland ISD. Bower worked as an assistant principal, associate principal, and head principal in Coriscana, Texas. He then traveled to Crosby where he was the head principal for four years. “I can’t think of a more honorable profession than being an educator.” His first few weeks as superintendent have been spent brainstorming with the principals, and getting settled in. His expectations for the school include increasing test scores, improving the facilities and motivating students to be successful at the next level.
He believes that in order for students to be successful, there needs to be “first a foundation to be good citizens and second to have basic educational skills and knowledge combined with good work ethics…Schools revolve around the kiddos and what makes a school great is the morals and characteristics of the community. We already have a great set of students and a thorough understanding of patience, guidance and wisdom from a caring and loving staff. If you have those things, and want to succeed and do well, then I think you have a great school…A lot of that already exists [in Como-Pickton]. The former Superintendent, Dr. Handlin did a great job at many things here and I’d like to continue those things. I don’t want to take away from anything that has been done previously. We have some good kids and great staff members so I want to continue to build on that foundation. One thing that I want to further here is to do a lot better job of celebrating our student success and also raise our state scores.”
Programs from previous schools Bower hopes to implement are “a bible literacy class and intervention strategies”. Bowers also encourages teachers in 21st century learning. “It’s imperative for teachers to utilize and integrate technology in classrooms and lessons and for our students to be technology-savvy to be able to further their education when they leave here.”
Mr. Bower seems to be a hands-on type of superintendent wanting to be involved in the schools and not just in the administration work. “I hope to roll up my sleeves, with the teachers and administrators here and figure out how we can achieve [better test scores].” He describes his management style as “collaborative team-work” meaning he is not one to micromanage and is open to input and ideas from the principals and teachers. Bower also plans on motivating the teachers and staff by “identifying successes, helping them grow in their weaknesses, and celebrating in their successes.”
Dusty O’Bryan, a 3rd grade teacher, is in her 19th year of teaching at Como-Pickton. She commented on how well Bowers fits in with the school, “We are really excited and looking forward to Mr. Bower being the superintendent. There’s been no awkwardness. He blended right in.”
Bowers is all smiles as he compliments his hard working teachers and staff. “Here’s a fun fact-Ms. Karla Jacks is one of the best superintendent secretaries that ever existed!”
Ms. Jacks gave information about Como-Pickton’s history. “Consolidated in 1965, Como-Pickton houses 750 students, 65 teachers and 60 staff members.”
Bowers Vision for the schools is “for every child to be successful and for every staff member to work toward making those students successful. I also want the community to be proud and the school to hold a sense of pride for the community.” It was evident that Bower loves what he does when he stated, “I plan on being here for a long time.”
The Como-Pickton website offers information on the schools, as well as their mission and vision statements:
“The vision of Como-Pickton CISD is to develop every child to be a life-long learner, enabling them to be effective communicators, complex thinkers, and productive citizens qualified to meet the uncertainties of the future.”
“The mission of Como-Pickton Consolidated Independent School District, in partnership with the home and community, is to provide excellence in education through relevant learning opportunities that will prepare students to achieve personal fulfillment and to become responsible, productive members of society.”
