From the Chief of Police Jason Ricketson
Downtown Restaurant Owner Killed in Car Crash
May 19, 2023 – Public Information Release
On Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 5:07 p.m. officers responded to the intersection of Hillcrest Drive and Airport Road in reference to a major crash.
According to preliminary investigation, a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche was northbound on Hillcrest Drive approaching the intersection of Airport Road. A 2016 Honda CR-V was westbound on Airport Road from the stop sign. The Honda failed to yield right of way causing the crash.
The driver of the Honda was transported to Christus Mother Francis but later succumbed to her injuries. The driver was identified as Rebecca Wright Flippin, 68 years of age from Sulphur Springs, TX.
The driver of the Chevrolet was also transported to Christus Mother Francis and was treated and released.
Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers.
Texas Panhandle Dairy Barn Fire Cause Released
May 19, 2023 – A fire and explosion at a dairy farm in the Texas Panhandle that injured one person and killed an estimated 18,000 head of cattle was an accident that started with an engine fire in a manure vacuum truck cleaning part of the massive barn, according to state investigators.
A State Fire Marshal report of the April 10 fire at the Southfork Dairy Farm about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Amarillo did not determine what caused the engine fire, but found there was “no intentional act to cause a failure.” The April 24 report said the investigation was closed.
A worker driving the truck through a section of the 2 million-square-foot barn told investigators he noticed what he first thought was steam coming from the engine compartment. He tried to drive out of the barn when he realized it was a fire, but couldn’t make it.
The driver said he tried to put out the fire with two extinguishers but failed. Several other employees told investigators they rushed to help, but the fire quickly spread.
The report noted the dairy farm had a second manure hauling truck on the property outside of the barn. A dairy manager told investigators it too had previously burned. The report noted burn marks near the engine compartment consistent with the truck fire inside the barn.
According to the Animal Welfare Institute, the number of cattle killed made the incident the deadliest barn fire involving cattle recorded since the organization began tracking barn fires in 2013.
Hopkins County Stew Contest Theme Announced
May 19, 2023 – Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to present the 54th Hopkins County Stew Contest:
The Stew Bowl
This year, we’re turning up the competition with some inspiration from College Football Bowl Games. We encourage all talented cooks to bring their A-game and embrace a friendly spirit of competition!
The competition kicks off on October 27th with our Annual Friday Night Tailgate Contest, followed by the main event and “game-day” on Saturday, October 28th. Be sure to mark your calendars for the ultimate STEW SHOWDOWN!
Stew Logo Contest
This year’s logo contest is now underway! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have your design on our Stew t-shirt, Stew posters, and marketing publications! The lucky winner will receive an incredible prize package, including 4 stew tickets, 4 t-shirts, 1 quart ticket, and 1 parking pass.
To enter the contest, simply submit your logo design using the link below. The deadline for submissions is June 6th at 4 pm. We accept logo designs in JPEG, PDF, and PNG formats. So, fire up your creativity, and let your imagination run wild. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
To submit your logo click here: Stew Logo submission
Texas Bill Set To Bar Anonymous Reporting Of Child Abuse Heads To Gov. Greg Abbott
May 19, 2023 – In a attempt to prevent false reporting of child abuse throughout Texas, legislature has approved a bill that would hopefully do just that.
House Bill 63, authored by state Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring, was approved without discussion by the Texas Senate on Tuesday with a vote of 20-11. The vote came almost a month after it was passed by the House and is now on its way to the Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for his consideration.
Should the bill become a law, not only would the work load be reduced for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, it changes the way Texas alerts officials to potential child abuse.
Currently, anyone can call DFPS’ child abuse hotline — 800-252-5400 — or file a report online to notify investigators of potential neglect or abuse of a child and do so anonymously. A child abuse investigator would then follow up on that tip and conduct a preliminary investigation. Should the investigator find no collaborating evidence, the report is considered unfounded and no other action is taken.
However this Bill would require the child abuse agency to obtain a caller’s identity from the start. No report would be taken unless the caller or the online reporter provided their own name, phone number and address. The identity of the caller will remain confidential to all except those who work at DFPS.
In 2022, there were roughly 12,500 anonymous calls to the state and only about 1,00 of those calls resulted in a substantiated finding of abuse or neglect, stated Kate Murphy, director of child protection policy with the advocacy group Texans Care for Children.
State Sen. Kevin Sparks, R-Midland, told legislators on Wednesday that people were weaponizing the state agency against individuals they had a disagreement with, by making false reports.
During the second reading of the Bill on Wednesday, Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, suggested a amendment to change the language to say the state “discourages” false reports, but still allows for follow-ups even if personal information is not provided, however this change failed during second reading.
SSHS 2023 Senior Awards
Sulphur Springs High School 2023 Seniors received scholarship offers and military awards during the annual Senior Awards Ceremony. Scholarship offers totaled at least $1.5 million, excluding athletic scholarships as those are still being calculated by the school district.
The SSHS Senior Class of 2023 honor graduates, valedictorian and salutatorian, UIL Scholars, National Merit Scholar, and senior state Academic UIL qualifiers and winners were also recognized during the program.
Colby Glenn ($1250), Sallee Spraggins ($1500), Jocelyn Janez ($750), Madelyn Sherman ($500) were recognized for their efforts in last year’s Dairy Festival.
Sherman also was awarded $1000 from the PACE Scholarships.
Sulphur Springs ISD Education Foundation Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each were awarded to Jayla Abron, Axel Garcia, Colby Glenn, and Camilla Martinez. Glenn also received a $500 Patsy Bolton Scholarship from the Education Foundation.
Abron, Miley Fisher, Maddie Schmidt, and Khira Young were awarded a $1,000 Lions Club Scholarship.
Matthew Clarke and Khira Young received $650 MLK Legacy Award Scholarships. Jadyn Harper and Colby Glenn got the $1000 scholarship from the foundation. Clarke also received the Landon Brody Dyer Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $1,000. Clarke also got the $1000 Sulphur Springs Adult Leadership Association scholarship.
Miley Fischer was awarded the Ceely Blair Stout scholarship for $9200.
Grocery Supply Company Scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each went to Axel Garcia, Colby Glenn, Martha Gonzales and Aubrey Williams. Williams also received $750 from the Sulphur Springs HS Band Booster Club. Khira Young and Martha Gonzales were awarded $1,000 Coca-Cola Scholarships.
Colby Glenn received $500 more from the Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel.
Ashlyn Hooten was awarded the Teen Court scholarship.
The Kiwanis Club in the amount of $1500 each went to Colby Glenn and Isabel Thesing.
Recognized for their commitment to the U.S. Air Force was Jasmine Rodriguez; to the US Marines was James Maynard and Colby Ray Walker.
Rodriguez and Walker enlisting qualifies them for the Montgomery G.I. Bill which covers four years of tuition as well as lodging, as well as a stipend for any books they need to purchase. On top of that, enlisting in the state of Texas qualifies the two future enlistees for the Hazelwood Act; covering 150 credited hours at the university of their choice.
Tammy Carrell presented Maynard and Rodriguez with Sgt. Tanner Stone Higgins Military Scholarships. The awards are given in memory of the SSHS graduate and Army Ranger killed 10 years ago in Afghanistan. Funds come from the nonprofit foundation established in Higgins’ name are raised through a Warrior Run, held annually in April to remember Sgt. Higgins. The foundation provides funds to assist graduating seniors entering any branch of the US Armed Forces, to help military personnel transitioning back to civilian life, as well as military families. Maynard received a $700 scholarship and Rodriguez $1,000.
Christlin Begunos received $1000 for the Helen Ewing Ditto True Grit Award.
Mother’s Culture Club awarded $1000 each to Jillian Jumper and Madelyn Sherman. Forest Elective Cooperative Scholarship gave Sherman another $500.
The Freedom Ball awarded $1000 each to Martha Gonzales and Olivia Worth. Kathryn De La Rosa received the $750 Charles McCauley Memorial Scholarship.
Another large amount announced at the May 16, 2023 SSHS Senior Awards Program went to student athletes. Fifteen students amassed scholarship offers to play college sports.
They include: Crimson Bryant to play at UT Tyler; Aubrey Camacho playing soccer at LeTourneau University; Nick Cantillo, football, Southern Nazarene; Emory Clayton for cheer at ETBU; Sean Dial playing football at Henderson State; Riley Hammonds, football, Missouri Southern State University; Jadyn Harper playing softball at Langston University; Caleb Kesting playing golf at ETBU; Branson Lynn playing basketball at LeTourneau; Matt Mitchell playing baseball; Isabelle Thesing playing soccer at Maine Maritime Academy; Kordrick Turner and Parker Whisenhunt playing basketball at Paris Junior College; CJ Williams playing football at University of Central Oklahoma; and Kenzie Willis, basketball, at Collin College.
The 2023 James Cameron Fighting Heart Award recipients were MyKylie Meador, Kenzie Willis and Branson Lynn. The 2023 Forest Gregg MVP Award recipients were Laney Hurst, Sean Dial and Matt Mitchell.
Receiving $1,000 Jake C. Wilson Memorial Scholarships the year was Colby Glenn. Junior Waverly Club awarded the reigning Dairy Festival Queen a $750 scholarship. She also got $500 from the Faulk Company Scholarship.
Jillian Jumper, MyKylie Meador and Kaylee Schumacher were each awarded $200 Allarea Black scholarships. Jumper too received a $250 Peggy Reynolds Dallas Morning News Scholarship. Mykylie Meador got $500 on a scholarship from the East Texas Coaches Association.
Texas Beta Nu from Alpha Delta Kappa gave $100 to future educator Ally Laners.
The $5,000 James Goggans Memorial Scholarship went to Spencer Thurman, Sallee Spraggins, Clancy Mayo, Aubrey Williams, Ella Rae, and getting a $10,000 scholarship is Richard Mayhew.
Zoe Haywood ($250), Lexi McCoy ($250), Aubrey Camacho ($500), and Isabelle Thesing ($1000) all were awarded scholarships from the Sulphur Springs Soccer Association. Haywood also received $1500 from a Mason Scholarship.
Dial Study Club gave a $250 scholarship to Colby Glenn.
The John & Deborah Gillis Foundation awarded $320,000 to SSHS students. Receiving $40,000 each Bright Star Scholarships each were Nick Cantillo, Brooklyn Shackelford, Rebekah Stanley and Addison Wall.
Truitt Smith was awarded a $500 Bobby McDonald Memorial Scholarship. Maddie Schmidt and Rebekah Stanley received $1,000 Sterling and Eva Beckham Memorial Scholarships. Jose Flores got $500 for the Billy Palmer Scholarship.
Wayne Hinton got $1000 on a John Boles Scholarship in memory of the former SSHS Ag teacher. The North East Texas Livestock Association gave Hinton, Tripp Smith and Rebekah Stanley each $1500 scholarships. City National Bank presented $10,000 in scholarships in honor of Rickey Reynolds. Each receiving $2000 in scholarships are Kathryn de La Rosa, Wayne Hinton, Ella Rae, Olivia Worth and Khira Young.
Cassie Clayton Edwards Scholarship Foundation awarded Tia Nash ($350), Jayla Aaron ($950), Tamya Rose ($1750), and Kamiya Sims ($4500) scholarships.
Columbia Lodge #81 gave Jadyn Harper and Kiefer Williams $900 and $1150 scholarships, respectively. Sulphur Springs Rotary Club awarded $5000 scholarships to Jillian Jumper, $8000 to Madelyn Sherman, $3000 to Matthew Clarke, and $2000 to Rebekah Stanley.
Health Occupations Association (HOSA) Future Health Professionals Scholarships in the amount of $750 was awarded to Maleah Doss, with Daniel Elam received a $1,000 HOSA scholarship.
Mali Maeker was awarded $1500 for the Perry F. Bradley Junior Scholarship. Fellow volleyball player Bailey Vice got the Perry F. Bradley III Scholarship for $500.
The $1,000 Clayton and Graves Scholarship went to Alison Peckham.
Kathryn de La Rosa and Axel Garcia both were awarded the $5,000 Jo McCain Trust Scholarship.
Jocelyn Yanez got $64000 on a Merit Scholarship to Baylor University. ETBU gave Emory Clayton a Christian Leadership Scholarship for $18,000 as well as the Dean’s Scholarship for $32000. Jillian Jumper got Kansas State’s Wildcat Non-Resident Award, receiving $80,355.
LeTourneau University in Longview gave two SSHS students scholarships.
- Aubrey Camacho — Founder’s Scholarship, $56,000
- Branson Lynn — Dean’s Scholarship ($68,000) and Trustee Scholarship ($8,000)
Maine Maritime Academy awarded Isabelle Thesing the Admiral’s Be The One Scholarship, for $14000.
Oklahoma State gave three students awards:
- Miley Fischer — Out of State Achievement Award, $32,000
- Drew Hodges — Academic Achievement Award, $28,000
- Madelyn Sherman — two scholarships, totaling $53,000
Ouachita Baptist gave Colby Glenn two awards for a total of $80,000.
Luke Caton and Chloe Kerns both received academic excellence awards ($10,000); Karis McGary (receiving two, totaling close to $20,000) all got scholarships from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Several students were awarded the $8,000 Blue & Gold Scholarship from Texas A&M Commerce. They are Kathryn de La Rosa and Axel Garcia. Receiving the Presidential Scholarship and $16000 is Sallee Spraggins. Making it to the Honors College, and getting $45000 is Aubrey Williams. Merrin Williams received both of the aforementioned scholarships plus another.
Matthew Clarke and Brooklyn Shackelford, both heading to TCU were awarded Faculty Scholars Award for $88,000 each.
Texas Women’s University gave Khira Young four scholarships totaling almost $30,000. Texas Tech University awarded Olivia Worth the Presidential Merit Scholarship for $24,000.
Two students headed to the best university this side of the Mississippi located in beautiful Austin, TX, Anders Flores and Artesia Cheeks, both got $20,000 with Flores getting another $48,000 from the University of Texas at Austin.
Crimson Bryant and Laney Hurst combined for $18,000 in scholarships from UT-Tyler, with the latter getting 16 of the 18,000.
Texas Electric Car Tax Law Signed In By Gov. Greg Abbott
May 18, 2023 – Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a legislative proposal into law Saturday requiring new electric vehicle owners to pay $400 to register their vehicles, in addition to other standard registration fees. Current owners would pay $200 a year when renewing their registration. The proposal, SB 505, was passed by the Texas Senate at the end of March and The house in late April.
The new fee, which will take effect September 1st, would not impact people who own hybrid vehicles. They still purchase fuel and pay gas taxes. This Bill also will not affect owners of electric motorcycles, mopeds and autocycles, or neighborhood electric vehicles that have a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour.
Lawmakers have sought ways to make up for the lack of gasoline tax payments by electric vehicle drivers. Every person who drives a gas-fueled vehicle pay a 20-cent per gallon tax when filling up at the pump. This gas tax regularly generates upwards of $3 billon annually, with fiscal year 2018 generating $3.7 billion.
Several states throughout the United States have incorporated the $100 or more fee for electric vehicles to help make up for lost gas taxes.
No word yet from Musk on the tax, who was busy earlier this week comparing George Soros to an X-Men villain.
State Fair Of Texas Unveils 2023 Commemorative Theme Art, “Explore The Midway”
For 137 years, one area of the fairgrounds has remained the playground for folks of all ages at the annual State Fair of Texas: The Midway. Each year, the Midway serves as a central location for more than 2.5 million folks from all walks of life to experience the hustle and bustle of the Fair. A place where everyone can choose their own adventure and enjoy the carefree bliss that comes with riding rides, playing games, or simply taking a stroll as you savor a Corny Dog doused in ketchup, while soaking in all the sights and sounds the Midway has to offer. Opening Friday, September 29, the 2023 State Fair of Texas themed “Explore the Midway” is shaping up to be the ride of a lifetime.
Inspired by several iconic elements of the State Fair of Texas, this year’s commemorative theme art highlights some of our fairgoers’ favorite ways to “Explore the Midway,” like the historic neon Midway arch, the 1914 Dentzel Carousel, the Midway Barker, the Texas Skyway, and of course, the Texas Star Ferris Wheel. Set against a black background, the vibrant colors and streaks of brilliance are emblematic of the Fair’s Midway at night when its flashing lights and echoing sounds carry for miles. Over the years, fairgoers visiting from around the globe have won millions of prizes, laughed endlessly as they rammed their bumper car into a friend’s, taken in the view from 500 feet in the air on the Top o’ Texas Tower ride, and created countless memories with their friends and family. The Lone Star spirit of celebration and tradition is represented not only by Big Tex himself but through the rides, games, food, and unique Fair experiences that make the Midway one of the best places in Texas to have fun each fall.
“This year’s commemorative theme art is about more than just rides and games,” said Mitchell Glieber, State Fair of Texas president. “It’s about bringing people together to be young and curious, no matter your age. Whether you’re competing against your daughter in the ladder game, doing a scavenger hunt with your coworkers, riding the Texas Skyway gondola with your grandson, sharing cotton candy with a first date, or joyfully screaming on the pirate ship with your whole family, fun is the common denominator all fairgoers come out to enjoy on the Midway year after year.”
No matter how you choose to explore, this year’s commemorative theme art represents the countless thrills the State Fair of Texas Midway has to offer. Every day of the State Fair of Texas, the Midway radiates youthful energy throughout the entire event for each and every guest to experience. We welcome you to “Explore the Midway” yourself in celebration of the 2023 theme by coming out to this year’s 24-day exposition starting September 29 through October 22 at historic Fair Park in Dallas. “Explore the Midway” merchandise is now available at BigTex.com/Store. More information on season passes and ticketing for the 2023 Fair will be available next month; sign up to be a Big Tex Insider and be the first to know.
Sulphur Springs Pair Arrested After Meth Found in Their Hotel Room
May 18, 2023 – Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies contacted Sulphur Springs resident MCPHERSON, NESSICA RACHELE age 48, who sometimes goes by the alias Nessica Rachele Hale, at her hotel room on Interstate 30. She gave consent for the room to be searched.
In a drawer, Deputies located a plastic bag filled with methamphetamine. MCPHERSON, NESSICA RACHELE, who lists herself as unemployed, was mirandized, and allegedly claimed the cache of meth belonged to her. In another drawer, Deputies located a plastic container with methamphetamine inside. MCPHERSON, NESSICA RACHELE denied ownership of that container.
McPherson is charged with:
481.115(D) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G
481.115(D) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200GThe second occupant of the hotel room, BRITTON, BRADLEY KEITH age 43, was not at the hotel during the search. He was however located by deputies a few blocks away. Britton, also a resident of Sulphur Springs who lists himself as unemployed, denied any knowledge of the hotel room meth. He was carrying a valid room key. His vehicle displayed fictitious registration information at the time of his stop. He was arrested and taken to Hopkins County Jail without incident. His vehicle was impounded.
Britton is charged with:
481.115(D) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G
502.475(D) DISPLAY FICTITIOUS MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION
The meth in the plastic pouch weighed 24 grams. The meth in the plastic container, that no one claimed ownership of, weighed 9 grams.
This not the first time Nessica Rachele Hale has been in Hopkins County Jail. In 2015 she was arrested for her role in a burglary scheme involving her son. See that story here. Hale was sentenced to 15 years. 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.
Texas Casino Bill Falls Through Once Again
May 17, 2023 – Gambling Lobbyists have pushed hard to get Texas open to casinos, but have been unsuccessful in convincing the legislative members to cast their votes before the session ends leaving the proposal unable to advance.
House Bill 2843, authored by Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, would have allowed Texas to build casinos throughout the state and allow gambling within state line’s. Rep. John Kuempel has postponed the vote for his bill on Friday’s legislative session until November 29th, six months after legislation will have been closed.
Lawmakers are known to postpone Bills until after legislation ends rather than just killing them on the spot. Kuempel picked the November date for his late father’s birthday, Edmund Kuempel, a former state representative who was succeeded in office by his son and had also carried casino legislation.
Had the bill been passed, the Austin area would have received one of eight casinos that was to be built around Texas. Other areas that would have received a casino are: Houston and Dallas areas would have gotten two apiece, and San Antonio would have gotten one. Corpus Christi and McAllen also would’ve received one each. What would’ve been eight casinos would have been resort type casinos.
Stated in a testimony by economist George Zodrow, the resorts would’ve created 48,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
A related resolution by Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, would have allowed Texans to vote on whether to legalize casinos, however, just like Kuempel, Geren postponed the proposal until after the session ends.
Texas Settles With Marriott International, Sues Hyatt Over “Resort Fees”
May 18, 2023 – On Tuesday The State of Texas and Marriott International INC entered in to a voluntary agreement to prominently display all “resort fees” and to increase price transparency in its advertising and booking process.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated that hotel companies are using fraudulent and anti-competitive practices by misleading customers with advertisements which prevent comparative shopping and charging exorbitant amounts in hidden fees.
During the voluntary agreement made with the state of Texas, Marriott denied any misrepresented room rates, mandatory fees or total price in it advertising nor violating Texas consumer protection laws.
Marriott has voluntary agreed to disclose all “resort fees” and the total price of rooms as the most prominently displayed price, according to a statement from Paxton.
On Monday the state also filed a suit against the Hyatt Hotel Corp for supposedly violating Texas consumer protection laws by misleading customers with marketing and charging hidden fees.
In a petition filed in district court, Paxton stated that the U.S.-based Hyatt did not include all fees in advertised room rates, effectively preventing comparative price rates and hidden fees, amounting to millions in fraudulent charges.
