In Child Porn Case, Calhoun Sentenced to Federal Prison for 11.25 Years with 10-years Probation to Follow
Chad Calhoun
According to Sheriff Butch Adams and Sheriff-elect Lewis Tatum, Chad Calhoun was sentenced Wednesday afternoon in Federal Court in Tyler to 135 months for receipt of child pornography and 120 months for possession of child pornography. The sentence will run concurrent and He will also face 10-years of probation following his 11.25 years stay in Federal Prison. He will serve day-for-day in Federal Prison. Calhoun, former pastor of Lake Highlands Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, was arrested over a year ago by Hopkins County Sheriff’s investigators and Homeland Security Agents.
The pastor was originally investigated in the summer prior to his February, 2015 arrest. Forensics testing and use of a system that allows internet service companies to track customer usage of specific websites, emails, and other web activity were also utilized in the investigation. Several other individuals in various areas were also arrested in the wide-spread federal investigation.
Calhoun is no longer affiliated with the local church.
TxDOT Unveils Plans for I-30 Rest Stop at Cumby
PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials today said work on two new safety rest areas along Interstate Highway 30 in Hopkins County will begin Aug. 8.
TxDOT unveiled plans for the new rest areas in March 2015 at a public meeting in Cumby, Texas. The new travelers’ facilities will be constructed just east of Cumby, between FM 499 and FM 275 South, at an estimated cost of more than $23 million.
Haydon Building Corporation, Phoenix, Ariz., was awarded the contract to build the new facilities with a target completion date of January 2018, weather permitting.
The new rest areas will serve both east- and west-bound traffic moving along I-30. Each will occupy a site of about 49 acres. A rest area on the north side of I-30 will serve west-bound travelers, and a rest area on the south side of I-30 will serve east-bound travelers.
TxDOT officials said each rest area will include a main building with restrooms, a Texas Department of Public Safety office, and a lobby/exhibit area that will feature information and displays from surrounding communities. Each site will also include outdoor playgrounds and picnic arbors; walking/exercise areas; separate parking areas for passenger vehicles and larger vehicles such as tractor-trailers; 24-hour security and a maintenance caretaker. A small pond on each site will support grounds and landscaping irrigation needs, officials said.
TxDOT officials asked drivers to pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and to reduce their speed as they approach work zones during their travels. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems when driving.
Salary Increase, Step Plan in Proposed City Budget
Sulphur Springs Police and Firemen salaries will increase in proposals made in the new city budget, according to City Finance Director Peter Karsten.
There will be a 2% cost of living increase with an additional 6% increase and a step plan for police. The step plan will enable the city to pay police officers based on experience. For the Firemen, there is an 11% increase as well as the 2% COLA. A step plan will also be introduced for firemen.
Karsten says that both the firemen and police officers are facing an ever increasing difficult assignment. The pay increase is intended to treat the tax payer well and that those who serve are paid appropriately. He called it a fair return for the value.
Gun And Knife Show This Weekend!
August 6th and 7th there will be a Gun and Knife Show at the Hopkins County Civic Center. You can buy, sale, and trade your guns and knifes. The times are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be 150 tables that will be well advertised.
Its $7 admission, free parking, concessions on the premises and also 24 hour security. For more Show Information Call 918-658-4500
Managers Report for the City of Sulphur Springs
Aug 02, 2016
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER, MARC MAXWELL
SUBJ: MANAGER’S REPORT
STREETS, WATER AND SEWER – We are almost done with water and sewer improvements on Bill Bradford Road. Atmos should be done replacing the gas main by August 30. The curb & gutter and street will be replaced after that by a contractor.
DAVIS/TOMLINSON PARKING LOT – Capital Construction employees are demolishing the footings for the old water tower. This will clear the way for the remainder of the parking lot to be constructed.
JEFFERSON STREET PARKING LOT – This project is making visible progress. It is currently being formed-up for concrete. The new lot will have 77 spaces. The County is constructing the lot in concrete and the City is installing lights and landscaping per our earlier agreement at the time the tax increment reinvestment zone was created. When the County opted into the zone, the City committed to beautification of the lot when it was built.
AIRPORT FUEL FARM – The concrete has been poured for both the AvGas and Jet-A tanks. We expect the tanks to be installed later this week. We expect the new tanks to be operational by August 15th.
You may recall that this project is removing the underground AvGas and JetA fuel tanks and replacing them with above ground tanks and associated pumps and controls. The total project cost is about $630,000. You may recall that the original engineering estimate was $1.2 million. By breaking the bid up into its component parts and acting as prime contractor, we were able to cut the cost in half.
CLAIMS – We filed one minor workers’ compensation claim in July.
We received two liability claims in July. First a driver struck a curb causing damage to the vehicle and then submitted a claim. TML Risk Pool denied that claim. Another driver struck a low limb causing damage to the windshield. This claim is pending with TML.
We have submitted a claim for water damage resulting from a plumbing leak at the library.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Total suspended solids (TSS) came in at 1.06 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:
- Patched 351 potholes.
- Made 4 street repairs following utility repairs.
- Replaced various street signs.
- Installed “no parking” signs on Enterprise Lane.
- Cut and cleared trees from creeks and drainage ditches.
- Conducted 19 building inspections, 14 electrical inspections, 9 plumbing inspections, 3 mechanical inspections and issued 9 building permits.
- Repaired Bowie school zone lights.
- Repaired airport beacon light.
- Repaired the car wash.
- Repaired and performed preventative on multiple mechanism at the wastewater treatment plant and water treatment plant.
- Repaired 16 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 6 water meters.
- Unstopped 10 sewer mains.
- Repaired 8 sewer mains.
- Washed 80,000 feet of sewer main.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Performed preventative maintenance on the Coleman water tower and the Lake Sulphur Springs pump house.
- Treated 176 million gallons of potable water.
- Made 78 arrests, recorded 70 offences, wrote 524 citations and responded to 32 vehicle accidents.
- Made 11 arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 187 animal control calls, and achieved an adoption rate of 20%.
- Concluded a fabulous summer reading program with an estimated total of 1,233 reading hours from 95 children.
- Sold 1,557 gallons of AvGas and 5,205 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Responded to 121 calls for fire/rescue service including 5 structure fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 84 fire hydrants.
Bill Bradford Road Closed
Bill Bradford Road is temporarily closed due to road workers replacing the water and sewage lines Everyone will need to use the service road. They had to close down the road so they could cross the street and continue their sewage and water line replacements work up the road. The road will reopen with limited access Thursday night according to City Manager Marc Maxwell.
Atmos Energy should have their lines in place by August 30th and city water and sewer lines should be completed before that time.
Stay tuned into KSSTRadio.com for updated information on the Closure of Bill Bradford Rd.
Wednesday, August 3rd is Eisley Henderson Day in Hopkins County
Wednesday morning at Wesley United Methodist Church Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom read a proclamation naming the day, Eisley Henderson Day. The daughter of Timmy and Magan Henderson, Eisley began experiencing seizures that affected her cognitive and physical development at age 1. Wednesday, August 3, 2016, she is undergoing surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit multi-specialty academic medical center in Cleveland, Ohio.
A team of 20 doctors and medical professionals concluded the need for surgery that is intended to prevent or reduce the number of seizures she has been experiencing.
The day has been established to urge the citizens of Hopkins County to join in prayer for Eisley and her family and to urge financial support for the expenses incurred.
P r o c l a m a t i o n
WHEREAS, Eisley Henderson was born on June 8, 2012 in Sulphur Springs. Her parents are Timmy and Magan Henderson and are longtime residents of Hopkins County; and
WHEREAS, When Eisley was one year old, her parents noticed that she was experiencing seizures that vastly affected her cognitive and physical development. Eisley underwent surgery at that time but has continued to have seizures. At times, Eisley has experienced 30-40 seizures a day; and
WHEREAS, A few weeks ago, Tim and Magan took Eisley to the Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit multi-specialty academic medical center located in Cleveland, Ohio, established in 1921. A team of approximately 20 doctors and medical professionals concluded that Eisley needed another surgery to prevent or reduce the number of seizures she has been experiencing; and
WHEREAS, Today, August 3, 2016 is the date of that surgery. We urge the citizens of the City of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County to join in prayer for Eisley and her family during this trying time in their lives. In addition, continued medical expenses for Eisley’s medical care have been very expensive. To help, friends, neighbors and church members have hosted garage sales, bake sales, sold T-shirts and raised donations for Eisley’s medical care. We urge our citizens to support Eisley and this family, not only with prayer, but any financial support possible; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Newsom, Hopkins County Judge do hereby proclaim August 3, 2016 to be recorded and forever remembered as the:
“Team Eisley Day”
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Texas, in SULPHUR SPRINGS, the County Seat, this the Third day of August in the Year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Sixteen.
“Updated” Former Local Pastor to be Sentenced in Federal Court for Possession of Child Pornography
According to Sheriff Butch Adams and Sheriff-elect Lewis Tatum, Chad Calhoun was sentenced Wednesday afternoon in Federal Court in Tyler to 135 months for receipt of child pornography and 120 months for possession of child pornography. The sentence will run concurrent and He will also face 10-years of probation following his 11.25 years stay in Federal Prison. He will serve day-for-day in Federal Prison. Calhoun, former pastor of Lake Highlands Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, was arrested over a year ago by Hopkins County Sheriff’s investigators and Homeland Security Agents.
The pastor was originally investigated in the summer prior to his February, 2015 arrest. Forensics testing and use of a system that allows internet service companies to track customer usage of specific websites, emails, and other web activity were also utilized in the investigation. Several other individuals in various areas were also arrested in the wide-spread federal investigation.
Calhoun is no longer affiliated with the local church.
CDC Releases Zika Virus Health Advisory
The CDC has released a Health Advisory regarding the Zika Virus in persons who are returning from Central America, South America, the Caribbean, Mexico and Miami, Florida.
What is Zika virus?
Zika Virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito. At this time, local spread of the virus in some areas of the continental United States are being investigated by the CDC and monitored closely.
Key Facts:
- Zika virus is spread to people from the bite of a mosquito. Zika can also be passed through sex; even if the person is has no symptoms. You should use condoms (and other barriers to protect against infection) to reduce the chance of getting Zika from sex-even if already pregnant.
- Couples should consider using condoms or not having sex for at least 8 weeks after travel to an area with Zika
- Zika can cause serious birth defects in babies born to women infected with Zika virus during pregnancy.
- There is no known vaccine or treatment for Zika. At this time treatment is supportive and can include rest, fluids, analgesics and antipyretics.
Prevention:
- Avoid mosquito bites.
- Use air conditioning or window and door screens when indoors.
- Wear long sleeves and pants, and use insect repellents when outdoors
- Mosquito netting can be used to cover babies under 2 months old in carriers, strollers or cribs to protect them from mosquito bites.
- Most repellents, including DEET, can be used on children older than two months. Pregnant and lactating women can use all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents, including DEET, according to the product label.
- Do NOT use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under age 3
- Take steps to control mosquitoes in and around your home.
CDC advisory for Women related to pregnancy:
- All pregnant women who live in or traveled to areas with Zika should get routine prenatal care.
- Pregnant women with symptoms of Zika (fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes) and live in or traveled to areas with Zika should be tested as soon as symptoms appear.
- Pregnant women that have lived in or traveled to areas with Zika but have no symptoms of Zika should be tested at the start of prenatal care and again halfway through the second trimester (18-20 weeks)
- Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about Zika if pregnant (or planning to become pregnant) and the potential risk of being exposed to Zika
If you suspect you have the Zika Virus:
- Talk to your doctor if you develop a fever with a rash, joint pain, or red eyes. Tell your doctor about your travel.
- Take acetaminophen to relieve fever and pain. Avoid Aspirin or Aspirin containing products. Avoid NSAIDS (such as Ibuprofen).
- Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.
For more information please go to http://www.cdc.gov/zika/
