City Budget Process Begins; Water, Sewer Utility Lines a Concern
Miles to go before complete was the theme for the City of Sulphur Springs Utilities Department during conversation with the city council Tuesday evening as the council begins the budget process for next year. The Utilities Department was just one of the city departments to visit with the council.
For the council, most of the time spent Tuesday was with the Utilities Department. In a process of replacement and improvement that began twenty years ago, about 18 miles of sewer and 18 miles of water lines have been replaced, according to City Manager Marc Maxwell. Maxwell said for both utilities, about 100 miles of replacement remains for each. He said much of the pipe for the two utilities is nearing the 50 year age limit. If the pace of replacement does not increase in the next 10-15 years, the age of the pipes will hit the city hard.
To take up water and sewer lines will destroy streets, according to Maxwell. However, with street improvements also on the agenda for the city, the replace of lines will, in many instances, go hand and hand with the improvements made. He noted the improvements being made currently on Locust Street and the recently completed Bill Bradford Road as examples of a total rework of utilities and street.
How to pay for the improvements is also a question facing the council. At this time the State of Texas does not remit to cities and counties any portion of gas taxes collected. With the legislature seeking to restrict the ability of cities and counties to levy additional taxes, Maxwell said he is seeking to join with other cities and counties in seeking a portion of the tax. That money could be used in developing utility improvements. He also noted that increases in water and sewer fees could be an answer. One of the unique ideas presented is to provide utility improvement districts. A utility improvement district would consist of neighborhoods or segments of the city willing to split the cost of improvements. That willingness could move the district up the list of areas to be improved.
Maxwell said no decisions for the Utilities Department were made by the council but the initial steps are being taken in the planning process.
Winnsboro Police Department Report March 20-26, 2017
Winnsboro Police made two arrests, responded to 164 calls for service and issued 59 citations and 55 warnings during the reporting period, March 20-26, 2017. There were no accidents reported inside the city.
Steven Lancaster, 51, of Pickton was arrested on March 20th on a City of Winnsboro Municipal warrant.
Kimberly McGowen, 32, of Pittsburg was arrested March 26th on a Hopkins County warrant.
Lady Trojans Rock Roxtono 17-1
Seniors Laura Rector and Alysse Bullock congratulate Junior Martina Gonzalez on her grand slam.
The Cumby Lady Trojans rolled over Roxton 17 to 1 in 2 1/2 innings to improve to 4-4 in district play. The winning pitcher was Paige Seely with one walk and one strikeout. Carly Talley came in relief with one walk and two strikeouts.
Team talk after the win.
Martina Gonzalez and Sydney Spillers led the team with four RBI a piece. Gonzalez smashed a line drive to left centerfield with the bases loaded for an in the park grand slam home run. Spillers connected with a pitch two batters later and also got an in the park homer. Alyssa Morgan had an RBI going 2-2 with 2 singles. Bailey Busby got a single, while both Laura Rector and Paige Seely got a single and 2 RBI each. Alysse Bullock had three walks on the night and Harley McLarry had a 2 RBI double.
Laura Rector makes an unassisted out at 1st.
The Lady Trojans will be in Bland on Friday at 4:30.
DWI 3rd or More Charged Following Accident
A Hopkins County Deputy was called to an accident on FM 69N at 5:53 p.m. Tuesday. The caller told dispatch that a 1998 Buick Lasabre ran off the road and struck a culvert. When the officer arrived, he found James Warren Hiller, Sr., 63, of Dike in the driver’s seat. A strong odor of alcoholic beverage was on his person. Hiller could not stand on his own, had slurred speech, and was not able to complete a field sobriety test. By his actions, he refused a breath specimen. A warrant for a blood draw was ordered.
Hiller is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More and is being held on a $25,000 bond.
Meth in Sock
Responding to a call at the Dollar Store on Main Street at 9:17 a.m. Tuesday, the Sulphur Springs Police Officer was told that a cell phone and charger had been taken from the store without purchase.
Kerry Renaldore Duffey, Jr. 25, of Sulphur Springs was located in the 100 block of South Moore St. a few minutes later. He had in his possession the stolen articles. He was taken to Hopkins County Jail where, in the sally port, he admitted to having something in his sock. A paper containing a white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine was found in the sock.
Duffey is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Theft of Property under $100 with previous conviction and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram.
Hopkins Trustee Farm Report for March
Hopkins County Trustee Farm reports a profitable month in work and produce. Sheriff Lewis Tatum opened the farm in a cost saving move for county taxpayers. The farm has reduced the cost of each meal produced for inmates at Hopkins County Jail. The first report is for the month of March. Sheriff Tatum states the Trustee Farm report will be given once each week following this initial report.
During the month of March, six hogs, six cows, and 650 chickens were processed. All the meat was processed by trustees and correction officer, according to the sheriff.
They also gathered between 40 and 70 eggs daily and planted two gardens. One garden is 130 yards by 80 yards. The second garden is 100 yards by 80 yards. In those gardens they have planted 180 tomato plants, 40 pepper plants, 17 rows of green beans, 20 rows of corn, three and one half rows of potatoes, 1,800 onion plants, and a quarter of an acre of squash.
“Updated” Hopkins County Under Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2017
The National Weather Service had extended a severe thunderstorm watch to include Hopkins, Hunt, Delta, Rains, Van Zandt,Fannin, Kaufman, Lamar, and Rockwall Counties until 4 a.m. The watch has been extended until 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 29th. The watch for the local area was issued at 2:01 a.m. Wednesday.
McCormick Hits 3-Run Homer in First; Humphries 3-0 in District with Wildcat Win At Eagle Stadium
The Wildcats’ baseball team improved their district record to 4-0 Tuesday night as they edged by Mt. Pleasant, 3-2 at Eagle Stadium. For the third straight district game, the Wildcats got great pitching and did just enough with the bats to win.
Ryan Humphries is now 3-0 in district games as he gave up two runs, both unearned, and only 4 hits. He also struck out 8, walked only 1 and hit one batter.
Triston McCormick supplied all the offense Humphries would need in the first inning. He clubbed a three run homer driving in Kaden Argenbright who singled and Heston Golightly who walked. McCormick also stroked a single. Humphries had two hits including a double. Mason Buck also singled as the Wildcats had a total of six hits.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 10-5-1 and they have now won six games in a row. The Wildcats play at Greenville Friday night.
Driver’s Grand Slam Home Run Fuels Lady Cats’ 10-4 Victory over Lady Tigers
The Lady Cats’ softball team rapped out 14 hits and scored ten runs as they defeated Mt. Pleasant, 10-4 in a district game at Lady Cat Park Tuesday evening. The Lady Cats scored three runs in the first, four more in the second and then 2 runs in the fifth and a single run in the sixth.
Brinklee Driver had a grand slam home run in the second and an RBI single in the first driving in 5 runs total. Kristen Allen also homered and had 2 RBIs. Macee Hollins had a double and an RBI single. Kelsey Wallace hit an RBI triple and RBI single. Hannah Crowson was three for four and scored 2 runs. Sadie Stroud had a single and a double. Jay Doughtie had two singles and scored a run. Alyssa Abron walked twice and scored 2 runs.
Bailey Haggerty got the win pitching all seven innings allowing 8 hits and only 3 earned runs.
The Lady Cats are now 4-2 in district play and they are tied with Mt. Pleasant. The Lady Cats are 17-6 for the season. They open the second half of district play facing Greenville at Lady Cat Park Friday. The Lady Cats won at Greenville on March 7.
