Summer Grind in the City
The summer grind has begun for the City of Sulphur Springs according to Manager Marc Maxwell. Maxwell said the city is currently developing the next year’s budget and working water breaks. Parks and recreation is busy, water sales are up, and doing a redesign on the waste water treatment plant, continuing capital construction on Bill Bradford Road and anticipating work that will soon begin on Locust Street create a hurried season. In addition, Maxwell said that by August tempers begin to get short as well. Complaints from citizens, workers, and others begin to rise in the summer.
With the heat, Maxwell said there is only so much that can be asked of workers. However, he does plan for the city to catch up on some work that was slowed by rainy months. Water and sewer work on Bill Bradford Road is 75% completed. However, Atmos Energy has decided to replace gas pipes as well during the reconstruct. The city will now focus on the southeastern 25% of the roadway that has a large amount of truck traffic. The Economic Development Corporation is planning to tie in additional drainage for a industry on Elm Street. Maxwell said that city crews will not be involved in the subgrade and paving of the street. Thus, the capital construction crew will move to the Locust Street work.
Now that the Tesla portion of the Davis/Tomlinson Street parking lot has been completed, the city crew will begin the remainder of the lot using an incremental process doing one strip of parking at a time so that businesses and restaurants will not face major disruption as the parking lot is completed. Approximately 70 parking spaces will be available when the lot is completed.
Engineering for the waste water treatment plant is now 95% complete. Maxwell said the planning is made more difficult due to servicing several huge food processing plants as well as residents and the normal waste water produced. It will take two years to complete the process thanks to the need to continue the work of the plant in treating waste water while the additions are being made. The cost of the plant will be met by an extraordinary interest loan from the state and a slow and gradual increase in rates charged users.
Maxwell said that even with a drought through next summer the city will not have concerns regarding water levels and usage. He said that water levels are currently high and will meet the city’s need.
Winnsboro Police Department Report 6-13-2016 to 6-19-2016
Mckenzie, Robert, 33 years of age, of Ft. Worth, was arrested on 6-13-2016 on two Wood County warrants.
Lewers, Amanda, 34 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 6-14-2016 for driving while license invalid with previous convictions.
Sebring, Kimberly, 44 years of age, of Tyler, was arrested on 6-14-2016 for assault by contact family/household.
Drennan, Chelsie, 24 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested 6-18-2016 for unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
Williams, Jason, 29 years of age, of Irving, was arrested 6-18-2016 on an Upshur County warrant.
Rushing, Carl, 53 years of age, was arrested on 6-18-2016 on a Collin County warrant.
Voight, Raydean, 23 years of age, of Buda, was arrested on 6-19-2016 for evading arrest/deterntion with a vehicle and failure to identify.
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 33 citations and 35 warning during this reporting period, and has responded to 133 calls for service. No accidents have been reported in this time period.
2016 Juneteenth Celebration
On Saturday, June 18th, 2016, the annual Juneteenth Celebration was held at Pacific Park. To kick-off the celebration, a parade was held at 10:30 am and was follow by a day of fun games and food. The Parade Marshall this year was Mrs. Guyeula Watson, Mrs. Watson was a long time educator in the community along with her husband Tommy Watson. Both were exemplary educators, church leaders, and pillars of the community. The Sulphur Springs Juneteenth Celebration was brought back six years ago by several young men and women chaired by Prince Beachum.
Brown Named Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce named Lezley Brown President and CEO of the Chamber following her election by the board.
Mrs. Brown said representing Hopkins County has always been her desire. She is committed to a positive approach in promoting business and industry, striving for their success, and bringing n awareness to local businesses that will help make Hopkins County a wonderful place to live. Commending the board for their hard work, she plans to assist in continuing the mission of moving the chamber forward.
Mrs. Brown is a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Texas and a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences from Texas Woman’s University. She is married to Chris Brown, former Hopkins County Judge and now Executive Director of the Ark-Tex Council of Governments. They have three daughters. She said, “We live in Hopkins County and are happy to call this our home.”
Arrendondo, Bonner, Boykin Sentenced Monday in Eighth Judicial District Court
June 20, 2016 – Matthew Ramon Arrendondo, 40 was sentenced to five years in the Texas Department of Corrections Monday morning June 20th in 8th Judicial Court. Arrendondo pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance over 1-gram but less than 400-grams. He was first arrested on the charge in 2010. He was out of jail on a $100,000 bond but now resides in Hopkins County Jail awaiting transport to TDCJ.
Monday afternoon, June 20th in 8th Judicial District Court, John Henri Bonner, 47 was sentenced to two years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Tuesday June 7th, at noon a Hopkins County Jury found Bonner guilty of Forgery of a Financial Instrument, a state jail felony. Two years is the maximum sentence for the offense. Bonner has committed the act of forgery in at least two other counties in Texas. Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison subpoenaed witnesses from those areas for testimony in the case.
Clayton Boykin, 33, was sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon that occurred in 2014. Boykin had violated his parole.
Are You Interested In Becoming a Foster Or Adoptive Parent?
Are interested in becoming a Foster or Adoptive parent?
An information meeting will be held Monday, June 27, 2016 to answer following questions about Foster Care and Adoption programs. It will be held at Sulphur Springs Health and Human Services Building CPS office, which is on 1400 College Street, Suite 274.
There is a TREMENDOUS need for foster parents in our local community, so please help out!
For more details contact CPS Laci Alexander at 903-497-2010 or [email protected]
Wildcats 7 on 7
The Wildcats 7 on 7 football team won one game and lost two in pool play at a state qualifier tournament in Rowlett Friday. Still the Wildcats came close to advancing out of pool play, that would have given them a chance to qualify as a top two team in the tournament playoffs. In pool play, the Wildcats led most of the second half before dropping their opener to Class 6A Rowlett, 34-28. Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said quarterback Ryan Humphries distributed the ball well, receiver standouts included Tyrese Peters, D.J. Hall, Cor’Tavius Pruitt and Easton Silman and defensive mainstays were cornerbacks Terrell Turman and Tiesan Goodson. In game two, the Wildcats edged by The Colony, 28-26. Coach Young said the game ended with the Wildcats inside the ten. He said Simeon Taylor had a touchdown catch, Austin Dood and Searn Rodgers also caught the ball well and Isaiah Neal had some solid moments on defense. The Wildcats went into their third pool game with a chance to advance to the tournament playoffs with a win. West Mesquite held on to take a defensive battle, 18-14. Coach Young said the Wildcats had the ball in the last five minutes but couldn’t mount a scoring drive at the end. He said solid contributors also included Mason Cleveland on defense and receivers Colton Allen and Landry Tyson.
Girls Basketball Camp
basketball
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Jeff Chapman opened his four-day girls basketball camp in the main high school gym Monday morning. The camp continues through Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon each day. About thirty girls, entering the third through the ninth grades, attended. Coach Chapman said he had hope for more attendees but said there was competition from church events and vacations. He said fundamentals are the big emphasis of the camp. Coach Chapman started the girls with stretching exercises and some running to warm them up. Then came lessons on holding the ball and proper shooting techniques including setting one’s feet, extension and follow through using their guide hand. For fun, the campers participated in a lay up relay race. Assisting Coach Chapman were former Lady Cat star Desi Debase, now at San Jacinto College, assistant coaches Ashton Wells and Kevin Tanton and Middle School Coach Nickie Pannell.
Hopkins County Road Closed Due to Erosion
Hopkins Country Road 1170 is closed due to soil erosion around two tank car-culverts in the low area between County Road 1171 and Country Road 1181, according to Beth Wisenbaker, Commissioner Precinct 1.
This is not the first road closed due to the erosion issue. County Road 1445 was closed June 1st due to concerns that would endanger life safety. At that time, Wisenbaker said that county road serves a heavy traffic flow in her precinct. The road was closed due to a large tank car being underlined by flowing water due to flooding conditions being experienced this week. The tank car is a petroleum tank car that, like other road construction done in previous years, was used for a culvert. That roadway has been repaired and is reopened.
