Moments of Illumination During Ho-Hum City Council Meeting
Sulphur Springs City Council made short work of a ho-hum agenda Tuesday night. However, there were moments of illumination.
During his report to the council, City Manager Marc Maxwell stated that the Hopkins County Courthouse has new lighting installed on the roof that will be synchronized with the lighting on Celebration Plaza and the downtown area. The lights on the courthouse were added, according to County Judge Robert Newsom, to add beauty to the historic building as well as become a complimentary piece to the city’s light shows at various times of the year. Newsom’s comments were made to KSST News several days prior to the council meeting.
The council also heard the reading of a proclamation recognizing April 4, 2017 as Recognition Day for National Service read by Mayor Emily Glass. The day recognizes volunteerism as a cost-effective strategy to meet the needs of cities, counties, and the nation. Locally, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton McGraw were recognized for their volunteer spirit and work by Senior Corps. The McGraw’s and other volunteers demonstrate commitment, dedication, and patriotism through service to their communities. The proclamation:
WHEREAS, service to others is a hallmark of the American character, and central to how we meet our challenges; and
WHEREAS, the nation’s counties are increasingly turning to national service and volunteerism as a cost-effective strategy to meet county needs; and
WHEREAS, participants in AmeriCorps and Senior Corps address the most pressing challenges facing our cities and nation, from educating students for jobs of the 21st century and supporting veterans and military families to providing health services and helping communities recover from natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, national service expands economic opportunity by creating more sustainable, resilient communities and providing education, career skills, and leadership abilities for those who serve; and
WHEREAS, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps participants serve in more than 50,000 locations across the country, bolstering the civic, neighborhood, and faith-based organizations that are so vital to our county’s economic and social well-being; and
WHEREAS, national service participants increase the impact of the organizations they serve, both through their direct service and by managing millions of additional volunteers; and
WHEREAS, national service represents a unique public-private partnership that invests in community solutions and leverages non-federal resources to strengthen community impact and increase the return on taxpayer dollars; and
WHEREAS, national service participants demonstrate commitment, dedication, and patriotism by making an intensive commitment to service, a commitment that remains with them in their future endeavors; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation for National and Community Service shares a priority with city and county officials nationwide to engage citizens, improve lives, and strengthen communities; and is joining with the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, Cities of Service, and mayors and county officials across the country for the Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service on April 4, 2017.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Emily Glass, Mayor of the City of Sulphur Springs, Texas, County of Hopkins, do hereby proclaim April 4, 2017, as National Service Recognition Day, and encourage residents to recognize the positive impact of national service in our city; to thank those who serve; and to find ways to give back to their communities.
In other action the city delayed an ONCOR rate hike for 90 days to give time to study the increase and seek relief. Residential rates would increase 11.8% for electricity delivery and commercial businesses would see an even great hike if the increase is implemented.
A $50,321.15 bid to replace water line on South Moore Street from Main Street to Belview was approved. The award was made to a Royce City company.
The appraisal district asked for a budget amendment due to legal expenses that the district has incurred. The council had told the appraisal district earlier in the budget year that the amount they requested from the city would not be enough in light of what was then a possible legal action brought against the district.
Stalking at Walmart Triggers Arrest of Local Man
Sulphur Springs Police were dispatched to the Irwin Lane/Hines Drive area Tuesday morning in reference to a subject stalking a female at Walmart. Andrew Angel Garcia, 23, of Sulphur Springs was said to be hiding behind a truck when officers arrived.
As officers searched the area, a homeowner called 911 to advise that the subject, Garcia, came in the back door of their home and ran through the house. Officers found Garcia lying on the ground in front of the house. He was arrested and transported to Hopkins County Jail. During book-in, he stated that he had a black satchel. The satchel was found behind the house at the corner of Irwin and Hines. A name tag “Andy” from a fast food establishment was on the strap of the satchel. Inside the satchel were found two small clear plastic baggies containing a clear crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine.
Garcia is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram and Criminal Trespass of a Habitation. He is held on a total of $20,000 in bonds.
Child Pornography Found on Inmate Cell Phone
Carlos Omar Casillas
During an inventory of a cell phone belonging to Carlos Omar Casillas, 22, an inmate in Hopkins County Jail, Sheriff’s investigators found child pornography. Casillas is charged with 5 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and is being held on a $30,000 bond for each count in addition to other charges against him.
Wildcats Remain Perfect in District with Victory Over Class 5-A #3 Ranked Hallsville
The Wildcats’ baseball team used a strong pitching effort by Ryan Humphries to defeat the state’s #3 ranked Class 5A team, Hallsville, 5-1 at Eagle Stadium Tuesday night. The game featured two teams with perfect 5-0 records in district play coming in. The Bobcats also came in with an 18-2 record.
Humphries allow just a single run on only 3 hits. He struck out two and walked four. Humphries improved his record to 4-0 in district play.
The Wildcats scored their five runs utilizing eight hits. The Wildcats scored a single run in the first. Mason Buck was hit by a pitch. He moved to third on two passed balls and he scored on a Heston Golightly single. The Wildcats added two runs in the third mixing in some Eagle Stadium magic. Buck doubled and he scored when a lazy fly ball ended up falling fifteen hit behind the left fielder who lost track of the ball. Golightly ended up with a triple at third. He scored on Triston McCormick’s fly ball. The Wildcats built their lead to 5-0 in the fourth. Easton Silman walked and Michael Arnold singled. Both players moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Dawson Draper. Silman and Arnold scored on a Gavin Millsap single.
Hallsville narrowed the lead to 5-1 with a walk and an RBI double in the sixth. Hallsville threatened in the seventh with a walk and a single but the next hitter flied out with the last batter hitting into a game ending double play.
The Wildcats move into first place with a 6-0 record in district play. They are now 12-5-1 for the season and they have won eight straight games. The Wildcats open the second half of district play at Eagle Stadium Friday against Pine Tree. The Wildcats opened district play at Pine Tree with a 13-8 win back on March 14.
Lady Cats Win on the Road in Hallsville
The Lady Cats’ softball team won a road district game at Hallsville, 4-2 Tuesday. The win improved the Lady Cats district record to 6-2 and their season record to 19-6.
The Lady Cats did their damage early scoring single runs in the first and second and two runs in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Hallsville could only manage single runs in the third and sixth innings off of Lady Cats’ pitcher Bailey Haggerty. Haggerty struck out three. Both teams had eight hits. The Lady Bobcats committed three errors and the Lady Cats had two.
For the Lady Cats, Alli Fite and Macee Hollins each had two hits. Alyssa Abron walked three times and Jaye Doughtie and Sadie Stroud each walked once. Fite, Kristen Allen and Abron had one RBI each.
Next the Lady Cats play Pine Tree at Lady Cat Park Friday evening. The Lady Cats hope to avenge a loss at Pine Tree back on March 14.
Wildcat Golf Qualifies For Regional Tourney; Place Second in District
The Wildcats’ golf team almost caught Hallsville Tuesday for the district championship coming up one stroke short but they qualified for the regional tournament by finishing in second place. The Wildcats shot a second day 312 to go with a 302 first round to finish with 614.
The Wildcats were led by Alex Motes who shot 74 and 75 for a 149, good enough for a second place finish in the medalist race. Matt Calhoun also shined with a 74 and a 77 for 151 total, good for third place in the tournament. Motes and Calhoun made the All-Tournament First Team. Caleb Lewis shot 75 and 80 for 155. Andrew Escobar shot 79 and 83 for 162 total. Carter Lewis had an 87 and 80 for 167. Competing as medalists Cameron Morris shot 81 and 82 for 163. Colten Bench had 90 and 86 for 176.
The district tournament was played at the Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club.
City Manager’s Report, April 4, 2017
BILL BRADFORD ROAD – DONE!
LOCUST STREET – The utility work (water, sewer, gas) is complete. Cement stabilization and concrete work has begun at the north end of Locust. Work will progress from north to south.
MOORE STREET. – Utility work has begun on Moore Street.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Work has begun at the wastewater treatment plant. The contractor has excavated one very large hole to accommodate 3 new clarifiers, installed an underdrain system for the clarifiers and begun foundation work on the building that will house blowers for the new digesters.
CLAIMS – We one minor workers’ compensation claim in March and one liability claim arising from a police officer who backed into another vehicle.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Total suspended solids (TSS) came in at 1.63 mg/L, well within the limit of 10 mg/L.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Conducted 31 building inspections, 17 electrical inspections, 17 plumbing inspections, 5 mechanical inspections and issued 23 building permits.
- Made 18 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Repaired 455 potholes.
- Repaired storm drain at Como & Bill Bradford.
- Made concrete repairs in the Woodbridge subdivision following storm drain repair.
- Repaired collapsed storm drain on Jackson.
- Helped the County attach new courthouse lights to our computerized lighting system.
- Responded to 227 animal control calls while achieving a 55% adoption rate.
- Responded to 34 accidents, wrote 658 traffic citations, recorded 73 offences and made 73 arrests.
- Performed multiple routine maintenance items as well as repairs at the wastewater treatment plant and the water treatment plant.
- Repaired 6 water main breaks, and replaced 12 water meters.
- Unstopped 30 sewer mains.
- Repaired 11 sewer mains.
- Washed 70,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Flushed 35 dead end water mains.
- Operated Cooper Lake Pump Station on emergency power for 2 days while Oncor made upgrades on the substation.
- Treated 129 million gallons of potable water.
- Responded to 138 fire/rescue calls including 5 structure fires.
- Checked out 3,022 items from the library.
- Hosted a 32 team softball tournament.
- Sold 2,510 gallons of AvGas and 7,953 gallons of JetA fuel.
TxDOT Turned 100 Years Old April 4th
AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Transportation turned 100 years old today and celebrated with an employee event at its downtown Austin headquarters office located in the DeWitt Greer building at 125 E. 11th Street. The event featured a travelling exhibit with a refurbished 1918 Liberty Truck and a time capsule that included some interesting items that have been used in the agency’s century-long history. The Centennial event highlighted the agency’s ongoing mission of connecting Texans to what matters most – the people and places they love.
“We are extremely grateful for the century of support from our elected leaders and citizens who have helped us build one of the greatest transportation systems in the world,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “As a long-time TxDOT employee, I have been blessed to know and work with so many extraordinary people who have helped shape the daily lives of all Texans. As we celebrate our past, we look forward to delivering new projects that will keep Texans moving for the next 100 years.”
As the state’s economy and population continue to grow, TxDOT remains committed to meeting Texas’ ongoing and ever-changing transportation needs. In the early 1900s, the goal was connecting farms and ranches to market; today, it’s safely moving goods and a population of more than 27 million across a nation-leading 80,000 miles of state-maintained roadways – even in the midst of historic growth in our population and trade.
To commemorate this 100-year milestone, TxDOT invites the public to visit its centennial website. The public also is invited to “Track the Truck” and join in the celebration as a refurbished, 27-foot-long 1918 Liberty Truck makes its way across the state as part of a traveling exhibit that tells the district-by-district story of the agency’s 100-year history. Along with the truck, the exhibit will feature historical photos and a visual timeline highlighting significant dates and achievements.
“Our traveling centennial exhibit affords us a great opportunity to thank the public and share a uniquely historical perspective of how our roadways have evolved from their early beginnings into the expansive network we know today,” Bass said.
The TxDOT Story
Born as the Texas Highway Department on April 4, 1917, the earliest incarnation of the Texas Department of Transportation was tasked with a challenge that continues today – there’s a lot of ground to cover in Texas.
In its first nine months, the Texas Highway Department registered nearly 200,000 automobiles and drew the first official map showing the routes of 8,865 miles of improved roadways that would tie Texas together.
As Texas grew, so did the department’s responsibilities. In the 1970s, its scope would stretch beyond roads and highways to local and regional public transit providers. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the agency was assigned additional duties, including aviation and railroads along with ports and waterways. It also was given a new identity – the Texas Department of Transportation, or TxDOT for short.
Today, TxDOT continues to address the state’s ongoing and growing transportation needs. From its humble beginnings of 10 employees and a 1918 construction project creating a 20-mile road between Falfurrias and Encino to the world’s first precast network arch bridge in Fort Worth, TxDOT has grown into one of the state’s largest agencies with more than 11,000 team members maintaining 80,000 miles of Texas roadways.
It’s been a century of service and TxDOT looks forward to the next 100 years of connecting Texans to what matters most.
TxDot logo
Branch Receives 5-Years in TDJC in Plea Bargain Agreement
Amy Michelle Branch, 44, pled to five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Tuesday afternoon in a plea bargain agreement in Eighth Judicial District Court, according to Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison.
Branch was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams with Intent to Deliver, a Felony 2.
