Speight Returned to Hopkins County to Face Child Sex Abuse Charge
June 14, 2023 – JOHN LEWIS SPEIGHT, age 66, was released from the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville on Tuesday this week. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy was waiting to transport him back to the Hopkins County Jail.
Speight is chanrged with:
1 21.02(B) SEX ABUSE OF CHILD CONTINUOUS: VICTIM UNDER 14
His bond has not been set.
This is not the first time Speight has been in Hopkins County Jail. In 2018 he was arrested after an altercation occurred in Cumby, TX. Speight, who now lists himself as homeless, was living in a camper at that residence. See that story here.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
De Kalb Man Stopped with a Pound of Marijuana
June 14, 2023 – A De Kalb, TX man was stopped on I-30 on Tuesday. Inside his vehicle was a pound of marijuana.
After a hit on a Licence Plate Reader, Deputies followed Forte’s vehicle along I-30 for several miles. When they neared mile marker 122, the driver began a more aggressive driving style. Forte began passing vehicles and started following a semi too closely. At that point, Deputies initiated a traffic stop.
During contact with the driver, an odor of marijuana was emitted from the Lincoln Continental. When asked if there was marijuana in the car, Forte initially said that there wasn’t. He later admitted that there was. A search of the vehicle yield a bag of marijuana weighing approximate one pound.
Forte was arrested and transferred to Hopkins County Jail without incident. The white Lincoln was impounded. He is charged with:
481.121(B)(3) POSS MARIJ <= 5LBS > 4OZ
Forte was arrested in 2021 after he allegedly fired a .40 cal Glock handgun into a rear taillight of a red Jetta. The incident occured in Bowie County near New Boston, TX. Once a report was filed, Forte’s family helped locate him at his De Kalb home. He admitted to firing the handgun because he felt the other party had ‘vandalized’ his white Lincoln Continental. He agreed to surrender the Glock, and led investigators to a lawn mower in his yard. The gun was located under the mower’s deck. At trial he pled not-guilty to two counts of deadly conduct.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Failure to Yield Lands Couple In Jail
June 14, 2023 – A Sulphur Springs couple, out for a drive at 1 AM Wednesday, are now in Hopkins County Jail. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy witnessed the couple’s car fail to yield to oncoming traffic. The couple pulled out in front of the Deputy’s patrol vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated near Helm Lane.
The occupants, 42 year-old Nicole Rae Pritchard and 40 year-old Richard Otto Hall, Jr., showed signs of nervousness and deception when contacted by law enforcement. When asked, they refused to let their vehicle be searched.
A K-9 unit was called to the scene, and gave a positive alert on the vehicle. The couple exited the vehicle and a probable cause search of the Nissan Frontier was performed. Items found include: A bag of methamphetamine hidden in the center console and a bank type bag filled with paraphernalia including a scale and baggies.
The couple were then arrested and transferred to the Hopkins County Jail without incident. The Nissan was impounded. The meth weight approximately 54 grams.
This is not the first time Pritchard has been in Hopkins County Jail.
In 2022 Pritchard was arrested in Hopkins County and charged with manufacture/delivery and possession of a Controlled Substance. He bond at that time was set as $55,000.
In 2016 she was arrested and charged with possession. See that story here. She pled guilty to drug related charges and was sentenced to several years. See that story here.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Chamber Connection – June 14 By Butch Burney
We are gearing up for the 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, so be looking for sponsorship and registration forms which will be going out this week.
The stew festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 28, at Buford Park, with the annual concert, appetizer contest and other activities starting on Friday, Oct. 27.
Our sponsorship forms will be mailed out this week, and registration forms for stew cooks will be online later this week.
Mark your calendars and get ready for one of the biggest and best stew festivals ever!
Business After Hours
Join us for a fun and interactive Business After Hours this month at Northeast Texas Gellyball from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 15.
NET Gellyball has not only the paintball-type game but also axe-throwing and other fun activities.
Business After Hours is a great way to interact and network with other business professionals and members of the community. You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend and there is no cost.
NET Gellyball is located at 1151 South Broadway in the Spring Village Shopping Center.
Leadership Sulphur Springs
Even if you think you know Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, you are sure to learn a lot through Leadership Sulphur Springs, which is back on this year, with applications online! The leadership class is for Hopkins County men and women who want to learn and become more invested in their local community. It’s an intensive nine-month program that immerses the participants in the business and government of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The tentative dates for this year’s program are attached to the application, which can be accessed at HopkinsChamber.org.
The registration fee is $500 and that covers the cost of the food, drinks, transportation, etc. for the year.
Journey Road Ministries Fundraiser
The 3rd Annual Journey Road Ministries Golf Tournament is set for June 26, at the Sulphur Springs Country Club, with a 4-man shotgun start at 8 a.m. The $400 entry fee includes lunch and two golf courts.
Register at JourneyRoadMinistries.com.
Journey to Joy
Camp Brave Heart, a grief camp for children ages 6-12 sponsored by Cypress Basin Hospice, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 22 and 23 in Sulphur Springs. The theme is Journey to Joy: Navigating Life Together.
For more information, visit cbhospice.org.
Hopkins County Law Enforcement
The Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association will have a Golf Tournament fundraiser at the Sulphur Springs Country Club on Aug. 21. The four-person teams will tee off at 10 a.m. For sponsor or player information, call Michael Russell at 903-438-4040 or email [email protected].
Wedding Expo
The DIY Wedding Expo is coming back to the Civic Center from noon to 5 p.m. on Sept. 23. For more information on sponsorships or vendor spaces, contact Tracey Treadway at 214-683-7669 or [email protected].
Ribbon Cutting
DKSC East Texas hosted a ribbon cutting at Coleman Park on Wednesday, June 7, as part of their soccer camp. Please welcome them to the community.
Bubble Speech Therapy hosted a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, June 6, in their office inside the Chamber building, 110 Main St. Please welcome them.
The Yard at the VFW will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday, June 14, at the post on 1 Veterans Drive. Please join us for this event.
The Pines RV and Resort will have a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, June 16, at their facility located at 4069 CR SE 4250 in Mount Vernon. Please join us if you can.
Designs by Vivian will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday, June 21, at the shop in Shannon Square. Please join us for this event.
Stephen F. Austin University Cyber Attack
June 13, 2023- Stephen F. Austin State University’s online systems were apparently targeted by a cyberattack sometime between Saturday night and Monday morning, the university stated.
The University released this in a post regarding the recent cyber attack:
“SFA’s online systems appear to have been the target of a cyberattack, likely between Saturday evening and Monday morning. Upon discovery, we severed connection to the internet to prevent further attack. We are working with authorities and UT System colleagues to determine the extent of compromise and to return to normal operations. We do not yet have a timeline.
As our ITS colleagues assess status, they will begin to restore systems and eventually internet access. Because official SFA online resources are not available, please watch for official updates on our social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Essential personnel must report to campus. Other employees should work with their supervisors for instructions. Supervisors may choose to have employees work on campus without access to systems or to work from home, or use appropriate leave.
Safety, dining and housing are prioritized for our students, summer camp attendees, faculty and staff.
Individual faculty members can use their own discretion about holding classes in person or providing alternative activities. Work with department chairs and school and college offices to share plans and receive additional instructions.“
The university quickly severed their internet connection to prevent further attacks after discovering the attack was occurring. The university is currently working with officials and the UT system to figure out the extent of the damage and to go back to normal operations.
The university does not have a timeline for when systems will be restored. They asked for the public to follow their social media for updates while their online resources are down.
Enrollment is Under Way at Paris Junior College
ADVISING
Maria Zuniga, left, Education Advisor for the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center, assists Shayla McGill of Sulphur Springs as she completes her paperwork for enrollment at the college.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Gov. Abbott Signs Paper License Tag Ban
June 13, 2023- Governor Greg Abbott has signed into law HB718, authored by Rep. Craig Goldman, this Bill prevents the use of paper license tags in hopes of preventing illegal counterfeits from coming to the state and creating ‘Ghost Cars’.
Ghost Cars are cars which have illegally acquired paper tags. These Ghost Cars become virtually untraceable with these tags.
With the signing of the Bill all paper tags throughout Texas must be replaced before the bill goes into effect on July 1st, 2025. The will go into effect in 2025 to allow the Texas Department Of Motor Vehicles and dealerships to replace all previous paper tags.
Under the new law:
- Car dealers will be required to issue metal license plates, from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, when a vehicle is sold.
- At a cost of $10, metal license plates will be issued instead of the current paper one-trip and 30-day temporary permits.
- The new law also ensures dealers are able to obtain, in advance, a sufficient amount of plates in order to sell vehicles “without an unreasonable disruption of business due to the unavailability of license plates.”
- The TxDMV is tasked with establishing an expedited process, as well.
- The TxDMV has until Dec. 1, 2024 to come up with a rule to implement the change.
To read more about the paper tag ban Bill please read: Bill To Ban Paper License Tags Passes Texas House
‘Allergy Capitals’ Top 10 Worst U.S. Cities For People With Pollen Allergies
Seasonal allergies are awful, runny nose, itchy throat and head congestion are some of the main symptoms we all suffer, these can usually be soothed with over-the-counter medication. However location may still impact how bad your allergy season will be.
There are some cities that are more challenging to live in for people with pollen allergies.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America sifted through data of “the 100-most populated U.S. Metropolitan areas” to determine the “Allergy Capitals” of America in 2023.
Some factors the organization considered for the ranking include:
- Tree, grass and weed pollen scores
- Availability of board-certified allergists and immunologists
- How often over-the-counter allergy medicine is used
Claiming the title of ‘Allergy Capital’ is none other than Wichita, Kansas.
In Kansas, sunflowers grow all throughout the state in large numbers, which makes it less surprising that residents are experiencing increased allergy symptoms.
Wichita, specifically, has plenty of sunflower fields, and fewer board-certified allergists and immunologists than most other cities.
Here is the list of the top 10 worst pollen allergy states:
- Wichita, Kan.
- Dallas, Texas
- Scranton, Pa.
- Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Tulsa, Okla.
- Sarasota, Fla.
- Cape Coral, Fla.
- Orlando, Fla.
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Greenville, S.C.
Dallas claimed the second spot on the list for its high levels of pollen and worse-than-average allergy medicine use.
Scranton, Pa. came in third place, and it’s surprisingly not because of its pollen scores, which were pretty average. Despite average pollen levels, residents of Scranton use allergy medicine more than residents of other cities, and there aren’t many allergy specialists in the area.
High levels of pollen also seem to be a big issue in Oklahoma areas like OKC and Tulsa. And, Florida made the top 10 three times, including Orlando, due to worse-than-average pollen scores and allergy medicine use.
Better Business Bureau How To Spot A Credit Check Scam When Apartment Shopping
Moving this summer? Watch out for a new twist on fake rental ads. According to multiple BBB Scam Tracker reports, scammers use fake tenant credit checks to trick potential renters into compromising sensitive personal information.
How The Scam Works
You find a good deal on an apartment while browsing rental listings online. When you call the number to inquire, the owner asks you to complete a credit check before you can see the place. If you agree, they’ll send you a link to a website where you can get the credit check done.
The website may look professional, but it’s all part of a scam. After you enter your sensitive information and pay for the credit check, the “landlord” will disappear. Your credit card information could be compromised, and you could even be at risk for identity theft.
One consumer reported the following experience: “I gave my name, address, and social security number to obtain my credit score from this website. I was asked to take a screenshot of my score and send it to the same address that emailed me the link. Afterward, I was sent an email with a showing time, but the house number was not listed on this email or on the listing on Craigslist.” Afterward, the consumer was unable to reach anyone about the apartment. Their calls and emails went unanswered.
How To Avoid Credit Check Rental Scams
- Be wary of lower-than-usual prices. If the rent for an apartment is well below the going market rate, consider it a red flag. Scammers love to draw people in with claims that sound too good to be true.
- Do some research. Search the listing online, as well as the associated phone number and email address. If you find another listing for the same property in a different city, you’ve spotted a scam. Reverse image searches can be helpful, too, as can searching the alleged landlord’s name along with the word “scam.” These searches only take a few minutes and are well worth the effort.
- Always see the property in person. Many rental scams involve listings for properties that don’t exist. Something is fishy if the renter refuses to let you know where the apartment is before you complete a credit check or pay them a deposit. Be wary, too, if you are given the address of a home with a for sale sign in the yard. You might not be in contact with the actual owners.
- Verify the property owner’s information. Contact a licensed real estate agent to see who owns a property or check the county property appraiser’s website. Ask the landlord for a copy of their ID to verify they are who they claim to be before you offer up sensitive personal information like your social security number for a credit check. If the landlord refuses or gets upset, you could be dealing with a scammer.
- Be cautious about credit check websites. If you need a credit check, always use reputable sources, such as those recommended by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
For More Information
Visit the BBB Moving HQ for more tips and advice. Learn more about common rental scams in this BBB Study. Watch out for a similar scam where the “landlord” claims they are out of town and unable to show the property.
If you spot a rental scam, blow the whistle! Report your experience at BBB.org/ScamTracker to help build consumer awareness and frustrate scammers’ schemes.
Two Candidates For State Rep. District Two Meet Hopkins County Commissioners
June 12, 2023- With the expulsion of previous State Rep. Bryan Slaton, Hopkins, Van Zandt and Hunt Counties have been without representation. Currently, a Representative for district two has not been selected as special elections will be held Tuesday, November 7. All candidates must submit their application no later than 5:00 PM on Wednesday, September 6. Early voting will begin Monday, October 23, 2023.
During commissioners court Monday, June 12, two Greenville candidate appeared before the court to greet the commissioners and to announce their candidacy.
Doug Roszhart a former Project Engineer for L3Harris is running for State Rep. in the upcoming campaign. Doug is a devoted husband, father, grandfather and Texan, Doug having worked at L3Harris knows of the innerworkings of the government and looks forward to running for State Representative.
To learn more about Doug Roszhart visit his Facebook page: Doug Roszhart for State Representative
Brent Money is also running for State Representative. Brent is currently working as a Attorney at Money Law Firm. Brent has also stated that he has worked with/on City Councils and understands the innerworkings on how government officials operates and stated he is looking forward to running for State Representative.
To learn more about Brent Money Visit his Facebook page: Brent Money for Texas
