Rushin Back in Hopkins County Jail
June 3, 2023 – John Andrew ‘Jay’ Rushin is back in Hopkins County Jail after an early morning arrest.
Dispatch notified Sulphur Spring Police of a suspicious vehicle complaint at around 3:30am. Police followed up on the call at a north Church St address in Sulphur Springs.
An Officer made contact with the sole occupant, identified as John Andrew Rushin. Inside the silver Chevy Blazer, drug paraphernalia was in plain site. A probable cause search was conducted and a sack containing a prescription bottle with no label was found. Also inside the bag were various prescription pills. The officer search for the pills online and determined they contained drugs such as:
- Nabumetone – an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
- Chlorzoxazone – a skeletal muscle relaxant
- Cyclobenzaprine – a muscle relaxant
- Trazodone – an antidepressant
Rushin was arrested and transported to the Hopkins County Jail without incident. He is charged with:
483.041(D) POSS DANGEROUS DRUG
This is not the first time Rushin has been in Hopkins County Jail. Rushin caused a major disturbance that included Douglas School being locked down earlier this year. He threatened several lives, discharged a firearm and allegedly started a house fire. See details of that event here.
Rushin was also arrested for violating a protective order related to his previous arrest. 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.
Sulphur Springs 2023 Juneteenth Pageant to be held June 10, 2023
The Sulphur Springs 2023 Juneteenth Pageant will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023. The event will be held at the Sulphur Springs Civic Center. Doors open at 4:00pm.
Game Wardens Help Keep Public Safe During Memorial Day Weekend
June 2, 2023- This past Memorial Day weekend, Texas Game Wardens patrolled Texas lakes and rivers to ensure visitors were recreating responsibly. They cited a decrease in accidents this year but noted an increase in citations issued, warnings and arrests.
Between Friday and Monday, 358 game wardens conducted 12,141 vessel checks across Texas — 19 percent more than in 2022. They responded to 13 accidents, two boating fatalities and two drownings. The two boating fatalities occurred at Choke Canyon and the Neches River and the two drownings occurred at Toledo Bend and Lake Halbert.
“Although the weekend was relatively safe, unfortunately deaths and drownings still occurred,” said Texas Game Warden Colonel Chad Jones “Our sorrow and sympathy are with the family and friends of the victims as well as the game wardens who assisted in their rescue and recovery. We are proud that more people are aware of and practicing safe boating techniques, but we must continue to educate the public so everyone returns home safely.”
At Lewisville Lake, Kim Sorensen, Boating Education Manager for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), hosted an educational outreach program for visitors. She was joined by Texas Game Wardens and Army Corps of Engineers Rangers who completed vessel safety checks and assisted boaters by loaning them missing safety equipment. Other partners, LV Project and Powerline Safety Initiative, joined TPWD and assisted with safety outreach and life jacket distribution.
“We had a successful event over the weekend,” said Sorensen. “Along with our partners, we reminded boaters to carry the appropriate boating safety equipment including life jackets for all passengers on board, a fire extinguisher, a throwable device, a certificate of number and their boater education card if they born on or after September 1, 1993. Furthermore, we stressed that children under 12 years of age must wear life jackets while on board.”
In addition to vessel and safety checks on the water, game wardens assisted with many other incidents across the state including Driving While Intoxicated violations, trespassing, pursuing a stolen vehicle, recovering a missing vehicle, assault and recovering and transporting a small alligator.
Summer is the busiest time for Texas lakes and rivers, and it’s important for everyone to continue practicing safe water and boating practices every time they hit the water. A complete list of safety equipment required is found in the Texas Water Safety Act. For more information about water safety, visit Water Safety — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Free Fishing Day In Texas Slated For June 3
June 2, 2023- Each year on the first Saturday in June, anglers across the state pack their tackle boxes and get their fishing poles ready for the Texas tradition of Free Fishing Day. This year, Free Fishing Day lands on June 3 and Texans can fish on any public waterbody in the state without a fishing license.
“Free Fishing Day is a wonderful opportunity for anglers to share their knowledge, skills, equipment, and love for fishing with a new participant, yet it’s also more than that,” said Craig Bonds, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Inland Fisheries Director. “We hope those trying fishing on this special day will also learn that purchasing a license is an act of conservation. A fishing license purchase is one of the simplest and most effective way people can support fisheries science and management.”
Anglers help the conservation effort with their license purchase with 100 percent of fishing license fees going to TPWD. The fees fund on-the-ground conservation efforts such as fish stocking that help make Texas one of the best places in the country to fish. For more information on licensing, visit the TPWD license page.
To help celebrate Free Fishing Day, TPWD offers multiple resources to provide fun, high-quality fishing opportunities to anglers of all skill levels and all ages.
- Fishing 101 – Learn the basics of fishing with tips and a variety of videos. Find resources for how to get started, safety, supplies and gear, casting and baiting, cleaning and storing fish on the TPWD Learn to Fish webpage.
- Visit Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center – Grab your family for a day of free fishing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is offering free admission for everyone, and visitors will have a chance to catch a tagged catfish and win a prize during “Fish Tag Friendzy”. In addition, the Texas Fish Art Contest finalist and honorable mentions will be displayed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Visitor Center. Hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks are on sale beginning at 11 a.m. and available while supplies last. Visitors can watch the dive show at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., followed by hatchery tram tours immediately after each show. Visitors may bring their own fishing tackle or borrow gear from the TFFC.
- Visit Sea Center Texas – Grab your fishing poles, bait and lawn chairs for a free fishing event for youth ages 2-17. It takes place from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. June 3 at Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson. Visitors can also explore aquaria and exhibits of Texas marine life, the largest redfish hatchery in the world, 36 one-acre fish culture ponds, an outdoor wetland exhibit and a 20-foot touch pool that allows visitors to gently touch marine animals such as blue crabs, hermit crabs, stone crabs, snails and even anemones.
- Find a Place to Fish close to Home – Texas offers numerous lakes and rivers with access to fishing throughout the state. The Lake Finder page on the TPWD website can help anglers find lakes by region or alphabetically. Access to information and fishing tips on more than 150 lakes are available. Check out the River Fishing page to find out where to get access to Texas’ flowing waters.
- Saltwater Fishing from a Pier – There are numerous wheelchair accessible fishing piers available for public use up and down the coast. Piers are a great place for the entire family to try saltwater fishing without the need for a boat. Public access sites can be found in every bay system.
- Go Fishing in the City – TPWD’s Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes provide urban angling access for the entire family across the state. In all, 18 Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes provide a great opportunity to catch channel catfish including five in Dallas-Fort Worth, four in the Houston area, two each in the Austin and San Antonio areas, and one each in Amarillo, College Station, San Angelo, Waco and Wichita Falls. Information on lake locations and how-to fishing videos can be found on the Neighborhood Fishin’ website.
- Community Fishing Lakes – Live Oak City (CFL), Waterloo Park Pond (CFL) and William Blair Jr. Park Pond East (CFL) are all hosting special events for Free Fishing Day. TPWD Inland Fisheries Dallas-Fort Worth District staff will be on hand at William Blair Jr. Park Pond for Representative Crockett’s Fish N’ Kids event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. TPWD staff will provide casting education, supply loaner tackle and help the families fish. A display of local fish species that occur in local waters will be on site for attendees to view and learn about fish morphology and biology. Check out all the community fishing lakes in Texas which can be great options for Free Fishing Day and year-round.
- Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge – From 10 a.m. to noon, the Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a special “Refuge Rocks” fishing event for children ages 4-16.
- Go Kayak Fishing on a Texas Paddling Trail: With more than 3,700 named streams, 15 major rivers and some 3,300 miles of tidal shoreline along the Gulf Coast, Texas offers unlimited possibilities for paddling adventures and angling opportunities of all types. Enjoy improved and maintained fishing and paddling access to rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds, bayous and bays on any of the 78 official Texas Paddling Trails available throughout the state.
- Fish in a State Park: Lake Livingston, Lake Arrowhead, Galveston Island, Sea Rim, LBJ, Bonham, Eisenhower, Martin Creek and Ray Roberts are offering a variety of Free Fishing Day events. Check out the state parks event calendar for more information. Although June 3 is designated as Free Fishing Day in Texas, fishing is free year-round at every Texas State Park.
- Buy a License: The Year-from-Purchase All-Water Fishing Package for Texas residents offers a great value, allowing anglers to fish in fresh and salt water. It’s valid from the date of purchase through the end of the purchase month of the next license year. (Example: License purchased on March 13, 2023 expires March 31, 2024)
Learn more about Free Fishing Day at TakeMeFishing.org.
If you plan on fishing in federal waters, keep in mind that a license is needed for the private recreational angler red snapper season opening June 1.
The Sulphur Springs Public Library Summer Reading Program Starts Soon
Library Director, Hope Cain, invites everyone to join her and her staff this Summer at the Sulphur Springs Public Library for the Summer Reading Program, and immerse yourself in a wonderland of storybook characters. The story time room has been transformed into a storybook castle you have to see to believe. Upon walking into the library there is a dragon’s tail that leads into the children’s area. The walls are filled with books, dragons, and castle features. Kickoff for the Summer Reading Program is Saturday, June 3rd, beginning at 9:30am. Marc Maxwell will read the first story inside the castle of stories. There will be food, games, a petting zoo, and knights. For more info., call the Sulphur Springs Public Library at 903-885-4926, or visit www.sslibary.org.
Nurse Stopped; Drugs Found
June 1, 2023 – A Hopkins County Deputy noticed a Red Nissan Sentra fail to come to a complete stop at the intersection of Jefferson and Jackson St in Sulphur Springs. A traffic stop was initiated and the Nissan came to rest near the intersection of Houston and Jackson St. The traffic stop occurred at around 11:30PM.
As the Deputy approached the vehicle, a strong odor of marijuana emanated from the car. The 51 year-old driver admitted to have a rolled blunt inside her car. She was asked to exit the vehicle. As she did, she grabbed her purse. A probable cause search of her purse revealed a brown glass bottle containing methamphetamine. A search of her vehicle revealed a cup in the center console filled with an alcoholic beverage and a baggie containing marijuana.
During her arrest, she stated that because she is a nurse, she should not be arrested for possession of meth. She was transported to the Hopkins County Jail without incident. Her vehicle was released to a friend.
No mugshot available.
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.
San Antonio Resident Charged with Money Laundering
June 1, 2023 – A San Antonio resident, who is a Honduran National, was arrested and charged with Money Laundering this week after a traffic stop on I-30.
Fifty year-old MANUEL ANTONIO ARDON was driving west on Interstate 30 near the 140 mile marker around 6pm on Wednesday. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy noticed a defective tail light on the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The SUV was also following a vehicle extremely closely. A traffic stop was initiated and the vehicle came to rest near the 140 mile marker. The driver displayed signs of nervousness and deception.
Ardon was searched and a large amount of cash, rolled and rubber banded was found. The Deputy became suspicious that Ardon was engaging in human trafficking. Permission to search the vehicle was granted. Additional cash, rolled and banded was located inside a suitcase.
Ardon was read his rights and admitted he had given two people rides and was now headed home.
Ardon is charged with:
34.02(E)(1) MONEY LAUNDERING >=$2,500<$30K
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.
AAA States That The Deadliest 100 Days For Teen Drivers Has Begun
June 1, 2023- From Memorial Day through Labor Day marks what AAA calls the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. Nationwide, More than 30 percent of deaths involving teen drivers occur during this 100 day period.
“Summer is historically a dangerous time for teen drivers,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Once school is out, teens will spend more time on the road, often driving with friends at odd hours of the day and night. Because of their inexperience, teens are more susceptible to dangerous driving behaviors – like speeding, driving distracted, and not wearing a safety belt. AAA urges parents to model safe driving behavior and reinforce safe driving habits with their teen drivers to help keep them safe this summer.”
Traffic accidents are currently the leading cause of death for teens ages 16-19. For every mile driven, new teen drivers (ages 16 – 17) are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.
National Teen Driver Statistics:
- An average of 2,108 teens are involved in deadly crashes, every year.
- 660 (31%) of those occur during the 100 Deadliest Days.
- These crashes result in an average of 2,341 deaths per year.
- 732 of those fatalities occur during the 100 Deadliest Days.
Common Risk Factors for Teen Drivers
Understanding the risks and knowing the facts will prepare both you and your teen for the road ahead:
- Distracted driving. Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of ten teen crashes. Electronics like cell phones and in-vehicle infotainment systems are considered the second-biggest distraction to teen drivers. The biggest distractions are teen passengers.
- Driving with teen passengers. Research shows that the risk of a fatal crash increases in direct relation to the number of teenagers in a car (NHTSA). Having other passengers in the car can contribute to peer pressure and the impulse to engage in dangerous habits like speeding and aggressive driving.
- Speeding. Speeding is a factor in nearly 30 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.
- Not wearing a safety belt. Teens who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash.
AAA’s Advice For Parents
- Lead by example. Minimize risky behavior when you drive. Don’t drive aggressively, avoid distractions, and always wear your seatbelt. Your driving skills and judgement behind the wheel shape your child’s view of safe driving habits, even before they’re old enough to drive. Make safe driving a priority in your own life.
- Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving. Let your teen drive in a variety of conditions including inclement weather, busy interstates, and at night. This will help them become a more confident driver in imperfect situations.
- Teach defensive driving skills. Help your teen anticipate potential risks by constantly scanning the road for hazards. Then share advice for how to safely avoid them.
- Establish a parent-teen driving agreement which sets family rules like when the teen can drive, where they can go and with who. Then clearly outline the consequences for breaking the rules and rewards for driving safe.
Online Driving Course
AAA provides a online driving course to give solid foundation of the knowledge and skills necessary to reduce a teen’s risk behind the wheel. This supplemental program is an online, 25-hour course that features:
- Convenient, self-paced delivery
- Research-based curriculum
- Videos, simulations, and interactive exercises to enhance content retention
- Optional virtual parent session to help educate parents on the learning to drive process
Behind the Wheel Driving Courses
The AAA Approved Driving School Network helps identify the best driver training resources in your local community. These schools have passed AAA’s stringent standards and offer quality curriculum as well as the best value for students.
To learn more, email [email protected] or call (888) 222-7108.
Make A Splash This Summer At Cooper Lake State Park -Celebrating 100 Years Of Texas State Parks!
Cooper, TX— Make a splash this summer at Cooper Lake State Park! School is out and vacations are in full swing. The park has prepared both swimming area beaches with fresh, newly groomed sands. The lake water temperature is so perfect this month to cool off, relax, splash around, and enjoy! Make Cooper Lake State Park your destination for summer fun!
Cooper Lake State Park will present 15 educational and recreational programs during the month. June’s spotlighted programs are “Bark in the Park – hiking with your dog”, “Fishing with a Ranger”, and “Kayaking 101 – a nearshore boating adventure”! “Bark in the Park” is a ranger lead hike with your favorite furry companion learning about the flora and fauna of NE Texas while exploring the Coyote Run Trail. “Fishing with a Ranger” is a visitor favorite. Bring your own poles and bait or just show up and use the fishing gear and bait supplied by the park. Remember, no fishing licenses are required for this event or anytime you’re fishing at a Texas State Park from the bank or pier! “Kayaking 101” is so much fun. Ranger Alicia will teach you kayaking basics before you and the group head out on the waters of Jim Chapman Lake. This is a free event with your valid entrance permit. Kayaking spots are limited so make your reservations today for this exciting educational program by emailing Ranger Alicia at Alicia.o’[email protected]. These are just three of our numerous programs for June.
Bring each fun and learning-packed Saturday to a fitting conclusion with your family and friends by relaxing at a picnic table watching your food roast on one of our many day use picnic grills. If you are camping, relaxing around your campfire in the evening is unbeatable! The flickering fire light of a campfire will lift your spirits and reconnect you to feelings shared by past generations. There is no better place to share a tale or eat a meal!
Fish from the bank, off one of our piers, fishing wall, or rent a kayak and try your luck along the shoreline. Fish attractors have been placed around the Doctors Creek Floating Fishing Pier and the fishing wall at South Sulphur to help increase fishing success. Crappie, bluegill, white bass, hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish are commonly caught at both park units this month.
Kids can play on one of three playgrounds found at the park complex. Other popular activities are hiking our trails or just resting under a giant Post Oak tree or camping at one of our tree-canopied campsites. Texas State Parks are great places to relax, recreate, and recharge!
Park entrance fees are $5 for adults, with kids 12 and under always free. Senior Texans 65 or older will only pay $3 each for you and a friend of any age with a Bluebonnet Pass. Unlimited visits for you and everyone in a vehicle you’re in can be accomplished with the purchase of a Texas State Park Annual Pass. This $70 pass is good for over 12 months from the day of purchase.
All programs are free with a valid entrance permit. For more information on this or other events and programs at Cooper Lake State Park, please visit our Texas Parks and Wildlife website or visit and like our Facebook pages (Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur 903-945-5256 and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctors Creek (903) 395-3100).
Doctors Creek
Saturday, June 3 – DC
Kayaking 101 – 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Registration required if borrowing one of our kayaks – Meet at Lone Pine Kayak Launch – Learn to kayak, then go for an instructor lead paddle around the cove. Contact Alicia O’Connor – alicia.o’[email protected] or call (903) 395-3100 to register.
Sunday, June 4 – DC
Bark in the Park – 9 a.m. Meet at Pelican Point Parking Lot. Join a Ranger on a short leisurely walk with your leashed pet on Cedar Creek South Loop getting a first-hand look at the shoreline inhabitants, the pocket prairie, varied insects, and the flora of the park.
Friday, June 9 – DC
Skins and Skulls – 10 a.m. Who is the fastest or the furriest? Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion – Get an inside look at some of the mammals, and reptiles of the park.
Saturday, June 10 – DC
Art in the Park – 2 p.m. Meet at Pelican Point Day Use Area – Calling all artists – all art supplies provided.
Saturday, June 17 — DC
Guided Nature Hike – 1 p.m. Meet at Pelican Point Parking Lot. Join a Ranger on a short leisurely hike on Cedar Creek South Loop getting a first-hand look at the shoreline inhabitants, the pocket prairie, varied insects, and the flora of the park.
Saturday, June 24 – DC
Fishing with the Ranger: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at the Bluebonnet Day Use Area. Bring your own fishing gear or we have a few fishing poles available to borrow. No experience needed.
Sunday, June 25 — DC
Nature Journaling – 2:30 p.m. Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion. Let’s sit a spell and record the nature around us.
South Sulphur
Saturday, June 3 – SS
Roving Ranger Heron Harbor Day Use Area – 2:30 p.m. Spot Ranger Alicia and ask about the interpretive item(s) she’s carrying around with her.
Sunday, June 4 – SS
Bark in the Park – 2 p.m. Meet at Coyote Run Trail Head. Join a Ranger on a short leisurely walk with your leashed pet on Coyote Run Trail getting a first-hand look at a pocket prairie, varied insects, and the flora of the park.
Friday, June 9 – SS
Skins and Skulls –2 p.m. Who is the fastest or the furriest? Meet at Heron Harbor Day Use Area – Get an inside look at some of the mammals, and reptiles of the park.
Saturday, June 10 — SS
Art in the Park – 10 a.m. Meet at Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Calling all artists! All art supplies provided.
Saturday, June 17 — SS
Guided Hike – 9 a.m. Meet at the Buggy Whip Equestrian Trail Head. Join a Ranger on a short leisurely hike on the Little Blue Stem trail getting a first-hand look at the shoreline inhabitants, varied insects, and the flora of the park.
Friday, June 23 – SS
Light Painting – 8 p.m. Meet at Gulls Bluff Boat Launch Parking Lot. We’ll use light to paint onto a subject or into a scene during a long exposure using your phone camera. Wear your darkly colored clothes and bring your creativity to create a light painting.
Saturday, June 24 – SS
Fishing with the Ranger: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Fishing Wall in the Day Use Area. Bring your own fishing gear or we have a few fishing poles available to borrow. No experience needed.
Sunday, June 25 — SS
Nature Journaling – 10:30 a.m. Meet at Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Let’s sit a spell and record the nature around us.
Cars Registered In Texas After 2025 Will No Longer Need To Pass A Safety Inspection, But Owners Will Still Pay The Fee
June 1, 2023- Many Texas drivers will no longer be required to have their cars pass an annual safety exam after state lawmakers removed the rule from Texas code.
Texas is one of 13 states that mandate annual inspections for cars. That will change in about 18 months now that the Texas Legislature has given final approval to House Bill 3297.
Supporters of the bill called the safety inspections time consuming and inconvenient. Opponents of the bill say it could set Texas drivers, and future Texans, on a dangerous path.
What did the Legislature change?
The Legislature repealed provisions in state law that mandate annual vehicle inspections. However, there will still be a fee of $7.50 that will remain intact under a new name: the inspection program replacement fee.
The 17 counties that require emissions inspections will still mandate annual tests regardless of the Bill becoming law. These counties are as follows: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson.
Who is affected?
All Texas drivers outside of the exempted counties stand to be affected by the legislation. According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, there are 22 million registered cars in the state. Annual inspections are used to determine if certain features of a car, such as the tires, seat belts or brakes, are safe to drive with.
A study mandated by the Texas Legislature in 2017 shows that cars with defects, such as bald tires or bad brakes, were three years older than the average registered vehicle, which is nine years old.
Almost a quarter of the people surveyed in the study were asked by a mechanic to fix slick or defective tires during an inspection, potentially preventing more accidents. Another report found that defective cars in Texas were more than three times as likely to be involved in a crash that resulted in a fatality.
Who influenced the bill’s outcome?
Republican Rep. Cody Harris of Palestine and Sens. Mayes Middleton of Galveston and Bob Hall of Edgewood sponsored the Bill to do away with annual vehicle inspections.
Other groups and businesses — such as former Texas Sen. Don Huffines’ Liberty Foundation, Continental Automotive Group, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Conservative Coalition and Tesla — were all in favor of the Bill. Huffines, who owns a car dealership empire in North Texas, has been a vocal supporter of the Bill.
How much will it cost texans?
Drivers will still be required to pay the annual $7.50 when they register their vehicles. The money will go toward the Texas mobility fund, general revenue fund and the clean air account.
For drivers with new cars — either the current model or preceding model year that has not been previously registered in Texas or another state — there will instead be an initial fee of $16.75 to cover two years.
The Bill passed in house with a vote of 109-32 while in the senate passed with a 20-11 vote.
The Bill was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk Monday after lawmakers approved a compromise version of the Bill on Sunday. Pending the governor’s approval, the legislation goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.
