Scrapie Confirmed in a Hartley County Sheep
AUSTIN – Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials have confirmed scrapie in a Hartley County ewe. The ewe was tested by TAHC after the owner reported signs of weight loss and lack of coordination to their local veterinarian. The premises was quarantined and a flock plan for monitoring is being developed by the TAHC and USDA. “The TAHC is working closely with the flock owner, sharing all of the options for disease eradication,” said Dr. David Finch, TAHC Region 1 Director. “We are thankful the producer was proactive in identifying a problem and seeking veterinary help immediately.” Texas leads the nation in sheep and goat production. Since 2008, there have been no c
confirmed cases of scrapie in Texas. The last big spike in Texas scrapie cases was in 2006 when nine infected herds were identified and the last herd was released from restrictions in 2013. According to USDA regulations, Texas must conduct adequate scrapie surveillance by collecting a minimum of 598 sheep samples annually. Since USDA slaughter surveillance started in FY 2003, the percent of cull sheep found positive for scrapie at slaughter (once adjusted for face color) has decreased 90 percent. Scrapie is the oldest known transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and under natural conditions only sheep and goats are known to be affected by scrapie. It is a fatal disease that affects the central nervous system of sheep and goats. It is not completely understood how scrapie is 
passed from one animal to the next and apparently healthy sheep infected with scrapie can spread the disease. Sheep and goats are typically infected as young lambs or kids, though adult sheep and goats can become infected. The most effective method of scrapie prevention is to maintain a closed flock. Raising replacement ewes, purchasing genetically resistant rams and ewes, or buying from a certified-free scrapie flock are other options to reduce the risk of scrapie. At this time the resistant genetic markers in goats have not been identified, therefore it is important to maintain your sheep and goat herds separately. The incubation period for Scrapie is typically two to five years. Producers should record individual identification numbers and the seller’s premise identification number on purchase and sales records. These records must be maintained for a minimum of five years. Producers should notify the Texas Animal Health Commission (800-550-8242) or the USDA-Austin Office (512-383-2400) if they have an adult sheep or goat with neurologic signs such as in-coordination, behavioral changes, or intense itching with wool loss. Producers may order scrapie identification tags by calling 866-873-2824.
For more information, please visit the Texas Animal Health Commission website.
Three Sentenced in Hopkins County 8th Judicial District Court Monday
April 25, 2016 – In Hopkins County 8th Judicial District Court Monday afternoon, Jacob Thompson plead guilty before the court to a first degree felony theft of livestock and a second degree felony theft of property. He received 10 years’ probation for the first degree felony and 10 years deferred probation for the felony 2. In June of 2014, he was arrested by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser’s Association Special Ranger Toney Hurley in connection with an aggravated theft by check case at Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction. Ranger Hurley says in October 2013, Thompson attempted to purchase 400 head of cattle from Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction with bad checks totaling more than $300,000.
Jacob Thompson
Jason Floyd Koenig, Jr.
Also in court Monday, Jason Floyd Koenig, Jr. will continue probation and attend a 6 month Substance Abuse program for evading arrest. Koenig, from Winnsboro was arrested for the early Friday morning, July 3, 2015 for an armed robbery of a couple in Hopkins County. A couple reported that they were robbed by a man with a .22-caliber pistol just before 3 a.m. at Highway 11 West and County Road 4703 Century Lake Road. The man took a wallet and a purse. A short time later, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Koenig. In his vehicle they found a .22 pistol, brass knuckles, stolen property, drug paraphernalia and some marijuana. During booking, two Xanax pills were found on his person.
Christopher Adam Pena was sentenced to five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for possession of marijuana under 50 lbs., a third degree felony.
Hopkins County Appraisal District to Mail Appraisal Notices on May 2nd
Cathy Singleton, Chief Appraiser
The Hopkins County Appraisal District will be mailing out 2016 appraisal notices on May 2, 2016. As in the past several years, notices will only be mailed to new property owners, property owner’s whose value has increased by $1,000 or more, or those who have requested to receive an appraisal notice.
Due to prevailing market conditions, appraised values throughout Hopkins County will be increasing for the 2016 appraisal year. Increases vary for different types of property.
Appraisal Districts are required by Texas Property Tax Code, Sec. 1.04 (7) to appraise property at the price at which the property would transfer to cash or its equivalent on the open market. Appraisal Districts are audited by the State Comptroller’s office using the last two years of confirmed sales to make sure that appraised values are staying in line with fair market values of local properties. If an Appraisal District does not keep up with or follow the prevailing market values, the district fails the audit and is given a two year “grace period” to correct property values before the local school districts state funding in affected. Hopkins County Appraisal District has increased appraised values in the last two years in an attempt to keep up with local market values and satisfy the State Comptroller’s property value study. Due to our local market condition appreciating so rapidly, our office has been unable to increase property valuations enough to satisfy the state’s study in the last two years for Sulphur Springs ISD. This is the last year of “grace period” to bring values to a level to reflect the current market values so that Sulphur springs ISD does not lose any state funding.
Tax office personnel said, “The value increases throughout Hopkins County are not an attempt to increase tax revenue. Increasing the appraised values to reflect the prevailing market values is the requirement set by the law of the Texas Property Tax Code that our office must abide by. If you have recently purchased property in Hopkins County within the last two years, you have established the market value of the property. A surprising number of informal protests come from those who have purchased property during that time period.”
Those with questions concerning the appraisal increase, exemptions, sales information, or other appraisal information, are asked to contact the Hopkins County Appraisal District Office between May 2nd and May 31st. You do not have to receive an appraisal notice to inquire about appraisal information or to file a protest. The Texas Property Tax Code only provides a 30 day time period for this process. All property owners will speak informally with a district representative. Examine your notice carefully. If an agreement cannot be made, you may file a formal protest to be heard in a formal hearing with the Appraisal Review board. The deadline will be May 31st, or the date on your appraisal notice. Requests for informal or formal protests after the deadline cannot be accepted by the Appraisal District.
SSHS Blue Blaze Spring Show Set for Weekend
This year’s Spring Show will be slightly unconventional but dazzling, nonetheless. Spring Show is a time to showcase the talent the Blue Blazes posses and the hard work the girls have poured into their routines. Blazes, Sparks, Blaze Buddies, and Crew Members all participate in Spring Show. In the past, the show has taken place in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Auditorium, but with construction at it’s peak, the show has been moved to the Sulphur Springs High School gymnasium. With the location shift, challenges arose such as the fact there will be no curtain and props won’t be able to be used on a much smaller stage, but the Blue Blazes are taking the changes in stride. The theme for this year plays off the reality of the situation with “There Will Be No Show” as their title.
Spring Show dates are April 29th and 30th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are currently being sold by Blue Blazes andwill be sold at the door. Seating is limited due to location change.
SSHS Students Qualify for State Academic UIL
SSHS UIL Regional Qualifiers
Both Sulphur Springs High School Academic UIL teams and individuals that qualified for the Regional Meet competed at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, TX this past Friday and Saturday, April 22-23. Those teams and individuals who placed first through third qualified for the State competition.
The Spelling Team won first place team with Carson McIllwain placing first individually, Lydia Burleson and Mandy Eckhart tied for third, and Chase Charlton placed fourth.
The Literary Criticism team won first place team with Chloe Ross placing second individually, Patricia Parks placed fourth, and Jessie Allen placed sixth.
In Ready Writing, Lydia Burleson placed first and Patricia Parks placed sixth.
In Journalism, Steven Payne placed third in News Writing and Patricia Parks placed fifth in Editorial Writing.
Sulphur Springs High School won second place school behind Hallsville High for Sweepstakes at the Regional Meet. Nine students will compete at the State Meet in May at the University of Texas in Austin, TX.
University of Texas at Austin
Blackmon at State Golf Tourney
Wildcats’ golfer Brody Blackmon began play Monday morning in the State Class 5A Golf Tournament. It will continue through Tuesday at the Wolfdancer Golf Club located at the Hyatt Regency in Lost Pines outside of Austin near Bastrop.
Blackmon comes into the state tournament as the regional champion and district champion. He won both those tournaments at the Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club course shooting a two-round 140 each time. That’s four under par.
Blackmon has signed a letter of intent to play college golf at Ole Miss. We’ll have results for Blackmon as soon as we can get them.
Hospital Seeks Junior Volunteers
Hopkins County Memorial Hospital is now taking applications for the Junior Volunteer Program. A limited number of spots so please turn in applications by May 31st.
Junior Volunteers must be 14 years old or have completed the 8th grade. First come first serve basis, there are only a limited number of spots. Junior Volunteers are allowed to observe/volunteer in different areas of the hospital (Such as front desk, gift shop, business office, radiology, lab, OB, Memorial Clinic, etc.) Shifts are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. with maximum of 16 hours per week.
If you are interested in the program or need further information, contact Sherry Moore or Lakan Johnson, please call 903-438-4462 . Orientation will be held Monday, June 13th from 9:00am-12:00pm in the Conference Room at the Memorial Medical Plaza.
Winnsboro Police Arrest Seven Over Seven Day Period April 18-24
Winnsboro Police were busy April 18-24 with seven arrests, investigated one accident, responded to 196 calls for service and issued 89 citations and 39 warnings.
On Monday, April 19, Billy Lindley, 39, of Winnsboro was arrested for driving while license invalid with a previous conviction.
On Friday, April 22, Maria Garcia, 36, of Winnsboro was arrested on two Franklin County warrants. Also arrested on Friday, Stephanie Ferguson, 50, of Winnsboro was arrested for an accident involving damage to a vehicle.
Christopher Russell, 30, of Lindale was arrested for driving while license invalid with previous convictions.
Three arrests occurred Sunday:
- Taylor Cunningham, 36, of Winnsboro was arrested for driving while license invalid with previous convictions.
- George Jacobs, 59, of Mineola was arrested for driving while license invalid with previous convictions.
- Chrystal Sims, 34, of Winnsboro was arrested on a Hopkins County warrant.
An accident involving a Nissan truck facing east on the parking lot of the Armadillo, 400 Broadway, and a Ford SUV parked facing North on the same parking lot occurred when the Nissan backed without safety striking the Ford causing damage. The Nissan left the scene of the accident.
Education Foundation Expo Features Eight Grant Winning Projects
SSISD Education Foundation Board members Gena Prickette, left, and John Campbell, right, with SSHS Art Teacher Dr. Phillip Dick.
Eight grant winning projects will be featured Wednesday during the 2016 Education Foundation Expo at the Hopkins County Civic Center. The Sulphur Springs Independent School District invites all local businesses and community members to join them for the Expo from at 11:30 a.m. until at 1:00 pm. Tickets are $15 for the event, which includes lunch provided by the SSHS Culinary Arts students.
The Expo will showcase the eight projects from the foundation grant winners that were awarded this school year. This is the first year to fund these grants. The district and foundation are excited to share these activities with the public. Teachers and students will display their projects to share with the community and will be able to answer any questions you may have.
To purchase tickets you can contact Marci Owens at 903-885-2153 ext. 1101 or email [email protected]. Tickets are also available at the door.
