Lang Stopped with Methamphetamine
May 24, 2023 – Richard Lee Lang, age 45, was driving north on Highway 19, north of Sulphur Springs this week. Lang, who reports himself as unemployed, failed to signal a right turn onto a County Road. A Sheriff’s Office Deputy observed the infraction and initiated a traffic stop on the Chevrolet Trax Lang was driving.
During the traffic stop, Lang exhibited signs of nervousness and failed to maintain eye contact with the deputy. When asked, Lang gave permission for a vehicle search. Lang existed the Chevrolet and was given a pat down for weapons. When asked if there was anything illegal inside the vehicle, Lang allegedly admitted that there was methamphetamine in the vehicle.
A bag containing meth was located inside the car. Lang was arrested and transported to Hopkins County Jail without incident. The vehicle was impounded. The meth weighed over 7 grams. Lang is charged with:
481.115(D) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G F2322336 1 31.03(E)(4)(D) THEFT PROP <$2,500 2/MORE PREV CONV
This not the first time Lang has been in Jail. He was arrested in Iowa, his birth state, in 2018 for delivering meth to a truck stop. 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.
Fatal Car Crashes Surging In Texas
May 24, 2023 – Within the past few months several car crashes have had unfortunate fatal outcomes. Several of these unfortunate crashes involve occupants who are not wearing their seat belts. Our condolences to those who have lost a loved one during this time due to crashes.
Sgt. Adam Albritton of the Texas Department of Public Safety spoke out about the recent incline in crash fatalities “Just in the East Texas area alone we’ve had numerous crashes, There’s various factors that go into that,” Albritton Stated
“Speed is one of them. Another one that we see a lot is not wearing your seatbelt.” Albritton further explained. He said first responders have been overwhelmed with all of the crashes.
“When you go arrive on scene when there’s someone who has died in a crash, it’s tragic,” he said. “But when there’s kids involved, you know it makes it even worse.”
Albritton also said parents should be concerned about this recent trend of young people in fatal wrecks and added it’s so important to educate your children on how to be safe out on the roads.
Self Uses Cousin’s Name; Almost Escapes Warrants
May 24, 2023 – Heather Lashay Self, a 32 year-old resident of Sulphur Springs, was driving on Wildcat Way in Sulphur Springs around midnight yesterday. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy noticed the vehicle she was driving had an obscured licence plate, and a green light pointing toward the rear of the car. Self was taken into custody without incident.
At the Hopkins County Jail she plead guilty to a charge of Defective Equipment and given time served. Self, who lists herself as unemployed, provided the identity of her cousin, and signed her cousin’s name on several legal documents. She was released from custody.
The cousin was informed that she was listed on the County’s Inmate list as currently arrested. She contacted the Jail, explained the situation, and Deputies immediately began to search for Self.
Self was located on Jail property and rearrested. Even after the second arrest and new charges, Self maintained her cousin’s identity. Eventually, when confronted with all the evidence, Self gave her true name. The reason she lied was that she had multiple warrants for her arrest.
Self is charged with:
32.21(e) FORGERY GOVT/NATIONAL INST/MONEY/SECURITY
38.02(D)(2) FAIL TO ID FUGITIVE INTENT GIVE FALSE INFO
DEFECTIVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Her outstanding warrants are:
221683 1 CPF CUT CORNER LEFT TURN (SSPD)
221684 1 CPF FTMFR (SSPD)
This is not the first time Self has been in jail. Self was arrested by Sulphur Springs Police in 2021 for no driving licence and leaving the scene of an accident.
Self was also arrested in 2019 by Greenville, TX police and charged with THEFT PROP <$100 W/PREV CONVICTION
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.
UIL Academics Awards and Results
Students Abigail Bautista, Nathan Bilyeau, Betzy Chacon, Artesia Cheak, Asia Chen, Austin Crump, Craig
Draper, Celeste Hernandez, Camila Hidalgo, Payton Hooks, Alyssa Isonhood, Crawford Johnson, Jessi Li, Alexis McCoy, Lausen Ost, Alfredo Renteria, Jaya Smith, Alan Tellez, Jordan VanWinkle, Alexis Villarino, Kami White, Addisyn Wall, and Aiden Woodard all competed at the 2023 UIL State Academic competition and faired very well.
Lexi McCoy, Alan Tellez, Kami White, Betzy Chacon, Abigail Bautista, Asia Chen, and Payton Hooks all are state champions in their respective events.
McCoy, Hooks and Ost are state champions in two events, but Alexis Villarino leaves the UIL state meet as a 4x state champ.
Here are the 2023 Awards and Results for UIL Academic Year.
Medalists – UIL State Academic Meet 2023
UIL FILM (Coaches – Phillip Dick, Jordan Owens):
Traditional Animation Alexis Villarino – State Champion (Animation)
Narrative:
Nathan Bilyeau – 6th Place (Narrative)
ESSAYS (Coach – Gail Herman):
Barbara Jordan Historical Essay
Lexi McCoy – State Champion
Jaya Smith – 2nd Place
Latino History Essay
Alexis Villarino – State Champion
Camilla Hidalgo – 3rd Place
JOURNALISM (Coaches – Madison Millsap, Gail Herman
News Writing
Lexi McCoy – 3rd Place
Feature Writing
Payton Hooks – State Champion
Editorial Writing-
Asia Chen – 4th Place
Headline Writing
Lausen Ost – State Champion*
Abigail Bautista – 5th Place
Copy Editing
Lexi McCoy – 2nd Place
Journalism Team – State Champion
Abigail Bautista, Asia Chen, Payton Hooks, Lexi McCoy, and Lausen Ost
SPELLING & VOCABULARY (Coach – Gail Herman)
Spelling Team – 2nd Place
Abigail Bautista, Kami White, Celeste Hernandez, and Allyssa Isonhood
READY WRITING (Coach – Gail Herman)
Alexis Villarino – State Champion
SOCIAL STUDIES (Coach – Madison Millsap)
Alfredo Renteria – 6th Place
LITERARY CRITICISM (Coach – Gail Herman)
Alexis Villarino – 2nd Place
Alan Tellez – 4th Place
Kami White – 5th Place
Literary Criticism Team – State Champions
Alexis Villarino, Alan Tellez, Kami White, and Betzy Chacon
The UIL academic team is coached by Philip Dick, Gerald Grafton, Gail Herman, Madison Millsap, Jordan Owens, Lesha Woodard.
The coordinators of the SSHS UIL Academic team had this to say following their outing at the state meet:
“I am so proud of the way our competitors and coaches have represented Sulphur Springs this year. We had 24 students qualify and compete at the state level in UIL Academics throughout the year. SSHS had 5 state champion individuals and 2 state champion teams. In all our students earned 17 individual medals. Each of our competitors and coach invested quality time and effort in a very competitive setting. We salute all our 2023 state qualifiers and we say congratulations to all our state medalists. We are proud of you all.
Thanks again to all the administration and staff of SSHS and SSISD for your support of our team. You set the atmosphere that allows students to succeed.
*TOPS – Best Score in All Conferences
Judge Robert Newsom Signed On To Winter Storm Documents
May 22, 2023 – Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom has been signed on as the signatory for any FEMA documents pertaining to the winter storm that swept through Texas in late January. One such document, FEMA-DR-4705, will provide financial support from the government to help repair any damages that may have been caused to the storm.
FEMA released this statement regarding the Document:
“FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Texas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2023.
Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the counties of Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Hays, Henderson, Kendall, Lee, Leon, Milam, Robertson, Travis and Williamson.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Gerard M. Stolar has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.”
The counties that were claimed to have been adversely affected by this major disaster were Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Hays, Henderson, Kendall, Lee, Leon, Milam, Robertson, Travis, and Williamson Counties. However, all areas within the State of Texas are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Judge Robert Newsom will be responsible for signing any documents pertaining to the FEMA winter storm disaster documents.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Recognize The Month Of June As Elder Abuse Awareness Month
May 23, 2023 – Hopkins County Commissioners has declared the month of June 2023 as elder abuse awareness month. Members of the Adult Protective Services came down to commissioners court to hear the proclamation read by Judge Newsom. The proclamation reads as follows:
Adult Protective Services (APS) is working with community partners and professional groups around the state to raise awareness about adult abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
Black Oak Cemetery Memorial Day
May 23, 2023 – Memorial Service for Black Oak Cemetery will be held Sunday, May 28th at the black Oak Baptist Church 6 miles south of Como off FM 69. Service starts at 10:30 am. Reverend B. J. Teer will be the speaker for the service.
Families are asked to bring covered lunches and lunch will be served in the fellowship hall after the services.
How To Plant Bermudagrass By Mario Villarino
As temperatures rise we often start getting an itch to plant. When it comes to establishing bermudagrass from sprigs there are several things to keep in mind before we start tilling the soil:
Location: Choose a well drained soil; bermudagrass does not do well on wet-land (except for Jiggs Bermudagrass).
Variety Selection: Match variety to soil type, average rainfall, production goals, and willingness to manage (provide fertility, etc.).
Weed Control: Destroy existing vegetation by spraying actively growing weeds with glyphosate. Ideal time to start is the year prior to actual planting. In late summer/early fall year prior to planting, destroy existing vegetation with 5 quarts/acre of glyphosate. Weed control following establishment can be critical to achieving a stand. Find more information on herbicides for newly established bermudagrass.
Soil Fertility: Obtain a soil sample the fall prior to planting. Apply recommended limestone during land preparation. Any recommended phosphorus should be applied during seedbed preparation to incorporate into the soil. When sprigs begin to green up, apply 40 to 60 lbs of actual N/acre and any potassium (K) according to soil test recommendation. Find soil testing information.
Sprigs: Identify a reliable source of sprigs well before planting time. Plant into a moist seedbed at 2 to 2 ½ inches deep. Do not plant deeper than 3”.
Planting Date: Sprigs can be planted from March, when danger of a heavy freeze is past, until August. The earlier you plant, the longer you will have to get established and the better chance they will survive a severe winter. The underground rhizomes develop much slower than the above ground stolons and are necessary for winter survival. Planting later into the summer increases the risk of losing newly planted sprigs to drought.
SEEDED BERMUDAGRASS: To establish a seeded bermudagrass plant about May in northeast Texas. Optimum temperatures for bermudagrass seed germination are when daily low temperatures reach 60F. Planting after mid-June is discouraged because of normally hot and dry weather conditions. Prepare a good firm seedbed and pack with a roller. After the first rain, kill any emerging weeds. After the weeds turn brown, broadcast the bermudagrass seed at 5 to 10 lbs/acre and pack again to press the seed into the soil surface.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Chamber Connection – May 24, 2023
If it’s May, it means that it’s just the right time to start thinking about stew!
While the 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival is still five months away, the annual logo contest is underway.
The theme for this year is Bowl Games, a take-off on college football bowl games along with stew bowls.
The Chamber is accepting logo submissions through 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 6. You can submit a logo on the Chamber website, HopkinsChamber.org.
The winner of the logo contest will be awarded four stew tickets, four T-shirts, a quart bowl of stew and a parking pass.
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.
Summer Storytime
Summer Storytime at Sulphur Springs Public Library is just around the corner. “Once upon a time … at the library” kickoff is 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 3.
Journey Road Golf Tournament
The 3rd Annual Journey Road Ministries Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 26 at Sulphur Springs Country Club. It is a four-person scramble with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The $400 registration fee covers lunch and two golf carts.
Register at JourneyRoadMinistries.com.
Patriot Sporting Challenge
The 5th Anniversary Patriot Sporting Challenge is set for June 3, 2023 at Lake Fork, supporting Folds of Honor and Heroes Ranch.
The Challenge is limited to 72 teams who participate in fishing and golf at Lake Fork, then meet for Casino Games at 2 p.m. at the iconic Neon Moon in Yantis.
It’s a unique opportunity to support the two military veteran organizations.
Register on the website PatriotSportingChallenge.org.
Open House
The Barn at Emory will have an open House Saturday, May 27, from 1-3 p.m. The event venue is located at 550 County Road 3455, Emory.
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].
Business of the Week
101 Barbershop is the Chamber’s Business of the Week! The barbershop is located at 101 Bill Bradford Road (Windsor Plaza). For more information on the business, including its employees and history, go to HopkinsChamber.org.
North Hopkins Cemetery Association Annual Memorial Day Service
May 23, 2023 – The North Hopkins Cemetery Association will be holding it’s annual memorial day service on Sunday, May 28th at 11 am at the cemetery chapel. There will be a business meeting as well as announcements and special music. There will be no speaker and no lunch.
All donations will be appreciated for the upkeep of the cemetery and chapel. If you are unable to attend, please mail your donation to North Hopkins Cemetery Association, 128 South Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482.
