Primary Election: Places to Vote; The Ballot
With Early Voting underway, attention turns to the Democrat and Republican Primary elections in Texas. Early voting is available at only one place in Hopkins County–the Sulphur Springs ISD Administration Building on Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. However, on the day of the Primary, there are 14 polling places scattered across the county where a Hopkins County voter can cast their ballot.
On Tuesday, March 1st, registered voters will be able to cast their election day ballots at any of these Vote Centers from 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. Below are voting locations in Hopkins County. Registered voters may cast their party primary ballot at any of the 14 listed polling places. During the November 3, 2015 Constitutional Amendments Election, the county reduced the number of polling places from 21 to 14 providing the option to vote at a place nearby instead of having to travel to the assigned poling place. That system proved successful. Paper ballots are no longer used in this system of electronic voting machines only.
In order to assist voters, here are the 14 polling places in Hopkins County for the Primary election. Also following the list of the polling places are sample ballots for both the Democratic and Republican Primaries including referendums.
The 14 POLLING PLACES:
Lutheran Church- 1000 Texas St. (Iglesia Luterana 1000 Texas Street)
Wesley Methodist Church- 614 Texas St. (Iglesia Metodista Wesley 614 Texas Street)
VFW- Bingo Hall- Veterans 1, Veterans Dr. (VFW Sala de bingo- Unidad de veteranos)
Senior Citizens Bldg.- 150 M L King Blvd. (Los ciudadanos de la Tercera Edad edificio de 150 M L King Blvd.)
Courthouse- 118 ChurchSt. (Juzgado- 118 Church Street)
Grace Family Church- 1901 Loop 301 E (Gracia familia Iglesia- 1901 Loop 301 East)
Civic Center- 1200 Houston St. (Centro Cívico de 1200 Houston Street)
League St. Church of Christ- 1100 S. League (Liga Calle Iglesia de Cristo 1100 League)
Saltillo ISD- 150 CR 3534 Saltillo, TX (Saltillo Escuela 150 CR 3534)
Cumby Municipal Bldg.- 100 E. Main St. Cumby, TX (Cumby Edificio Municipal 100 Main Street Cumby, TX)
Sulphur Bluff ISD- 1027 CR 3550 Sulphur Bluff, TX (Sulphur Bluff Escuela1027 CR 3550 Sulphur Bluff, TX)
Como-Pickton CISD- 13017 TX Hwy 11 E. Como, TX (Como-Pickton Escuela 13017 TX Hwy 11 East Como, TX)
Miller Grove ISD- 7819 FM 275 S. Cumby, TX (Miller Grove Escuela 7819 FM 275 South Cumby, TX
North Hopkins ISD- 1994 FM 71 W. (North Hopkins Escuela 1994 FM 71 West Sulphur Springs, TX)
SAMPLE BALLOTS:
For Voters in the Democratic Primary who are registered to vote in Precincts: 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 4, 4A, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 25, 36
For Voters in the Democratic Primary who are registered to vote in Precincts: 3, 3A, 5, 12, 23, 24
For Voters in the Republican Primary who are registered to vote in Precincts: 1, 1A, 16, 25, 36
For Voters in the Republic Primary who are registered to vote in Precincts: 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 8, 13, 14, 16, 25, 36
For Voters in the Republican Primary who are registered to vote in the Precincts: 3, 3A, 5, 12, 23, 24
For Voters in the Republican Primary who are registered to vote Precincts: 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 5, 11, 12, 17, 20, 23, 24
Lady Cats v. Lindale Bi-District Tuesday; SSHS Sports Game Day
It’s a big Tuesday game day today. Tonight’s headliner is the bi-district playoff game for the Lady Cats Basketball Team. The Lady Cats will be facing Lindale at 7 p.m. at Grand Saline. The Lady Cats are the home team. The winner of this one will meet up with a good Mansfield Summit team in round two, the area round, of the playoffs. KSST bring you tonight’s Lady Cats and Lindale game live from Grand Saline beginning at 7 p.m. on KSST 1230 AM, ksstradio.com stream, and the KSST app. We’ll also videotape the game for replay later on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable.
In other games tonight, the Wildcats Basketball Team will wrap up their season at Marshall tonight at 7:30 p.m.
The Wildcats Soccer Team, 4-2 in district play, host Hallsville at 7 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium.
The Lady Cats Soccer Team, also 4-2 in district play, will travel to Hallsville for a 7 p.m. match.
The Wildcats Baseball Team will have their penultimate scrimmage for this year as they will be at Wylie East tonight at 7 p.m.
Finally the Lady Cats Golf Team has their second tournament of the season today at the Mt. Pleasant Country Club.
Incumbent Congressman Considers Primary Election a Referendum On His First Term in Office
Incumbent Congressman John Ratcliffe considers this year’s primary election a referendum on his first term in office. Monday night, February 15, 2016, he attended the Hopkins County Republican Party President’s Day Forum. Ratcliffe called it a great opportunity to connect with Hopkins County voters.
With early voting starting Tuesday, Ratcliffe said he has been in Hopkins County 30 times this past year. Local voters have been able to see his work during his past term and he says, “the hay is in the barn”. Ratcliffe said that he wants the American people to know there is a need for a Republican President. He pointed out that the Keystone Project vetoed by the sitting President, unwanted as written National Health Care, and the nuclear deal with Iran as things which the American people disagree with the President.
Regarding the death of Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Scolia, Ratcliffe stated that he griefs the loss of a Scolia whom he calls one of the most brilliant and capable jurists in American history. He said this also sets up a political aspect for the Supreme Court. Ratcliffe thinks that the next justice should be appointed by the one taking the office of President next year.
Ratcliffe said it is the constitutional right of his opponent to run even if the opponent doesn’t live in the district.
Dr. Ellis Seeks State Board of Education District 9 Post
Dr. Michael Lamb, right, Superintendent of SSISD, shares a minute with Dr. Keven Ellis, Republican candidate for District 9 Seat on Texas State Board of Education.
Long time Lufkin resident, President of the Lufkin School Board, and Chiropractor, Dr. Keven Ellis is seeking the District 9 Seat on the Texas State Board of Education. Dr. Ellis was in Sulphur Springs Monday night attending the Hopkins County Republican Party’s President’s Day event at the Regional Civic Center.
Dr. Ellis states that as a businessman, he understands the importance of a strong educational system in a community, and as a school board member, he hopes to impact and inspire the future. He says he is an advocate for conservative education principles for teachers, students, and families.
Teachers in Texas chose this profession for the love of teaching, not for the love of testing, according to Dr. Ellis. He says allowing teachers to do what they know is best for students will enable success in the classroom and for the student in life after the classroom. He says that Texans understand how best to educate Texas children without the influence of the federal government.
According to Sulphur Springs Superintendent Mike Lamb, Dr. Ellis has been endorsed by the current Texas School Board District 9 board member. Dr. Ellis is a candidate in the Republican Primary. Early voting begins Tuesday, February 16. March 1 is election day.
Bond Reduced for McQueen
A bond reduction hearing for Justin Joe McQueen will perhaps give McQueen a break from Hopkins County Jail. McQueen, 19, has been in Hopkins County Jail on a $1-million bond since October 11, 2015 when he was charged with the murder of Jesse Louis Vasquez, 25. Bond for McQueen was reduced Monday afternoon by District Judge Eddie Northcutt during a bond reduction hearing in 8th Judicial District Court. The conditions surrounding the reduction call for an ankle monitor if McQueen is released from jail on bond.
In December 15, 2015 McQueen was indicted for the murder of Vasquez. His bond remained at $1-million at that time. Vasquez died from gunshot wounds following a shootout on Ingram Street in Sulphur Springs. Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer pronounced Vasquez dead that Sunday night at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital ER. Sulphur Springs Police officers responded to a call in the 600 block of Ingram Street at 8:36 p.m. October 11. According to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders, officers found Vasquez laying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. That night, McQueen was found behind a building near Dairy Queen on Main Street and wanted to give himself up.
Detour Available for Bill Bradford Road Traffic
If you travel Bill Bradford Road as a thru street, there is a detour available according to City Manager Marc Maxwell. The detour will follow Whitworth Street to Elm Street to Bill Bradford Road. The road is now closed between Broadway and Calvert Street as the $1.4 millon project continues
Three Arrests and Other Activity for the Winnsboro Police Department February 8-14
Three arrests, a minor accident, 162 calls for service, and 57 citations and 47 warnings issued during the seven day period February 8 to February 14 kept the Winnsboro Police Department busy.
Keaton McElroy, 22, of Winnsboro, was arrested Tuesday, February 11 for Possession of marijuana under 2 oz. and unlawful carry of a weapon.
On Saturday the 13th, Joseph Bearden, 51, of Winnsboro was arrested on a Franklin County Felony Warrant.
Also on Saturday, James Kidd, 33, of Winnsboro was arrested for Public Intoxication.
A minor two vehicle accident occurred in the 200 block of West Coke Road on Monday, February 8. Injuries are unknown.
Workforce Solutions Board Rapid Response Team to Assess Skills of Laid Off Mine Workers
According to Roger Feagley, Executive Director of Sulphur Springs Economic Development, a rapid response team, empowered by the state through Northeast Texas Workforce Solutions Board, will assess the skills of workers displaced by the closing of the Luminent Mining operations at its Monticello Mines. The Solutions Board works within a nine county area which includes the locations of the three mines that will be closed permanently.
The closing of the mines will result in the elimination of all related operating jobs. Luminant has called the closing a difficult decision and states that all employees will be laid off according to the Collective Bargain Agreement. Locations of the mines include are in Sulphur Springs, Mt. Pleasant, and Winfield. Layoffs will take place on April 29th of this year.
The assessment of the workers will begin before the April closing will assist in identifying various skill sets that will fit into any available jobs in the area. Depending on the individual’s skills, training for new jobs could also be made available. In most cases the solutions board will pay for that training. The state will begin the process of assessment after Luminent files a form with the state indicating the lay-off.
Taxing entities in Hopkins County lose $6,678,591.00 in business property and equipment with the closing of the mine. Land owned will continue to be taxed. When the mine closed the last time in 2011, the various entities suffered a $16 million tax loss in 2012 tax year. According to the tax appraisal office it is hoped that increasing values and new construction will replace the latest loss.
The Power Plan in Mt Pleasant will remain open using coal from the western United States. Western coal is considered cleaner coal.
March Primary Early Voting Begins Tuesday
Early voting for the March 1st Primary Elections begins Tuesday February 16th. Early voting will begin Tuesday instead of Monday. February 15th is a state holiday. Early voting for all county voters both Democrats and Republicans will take place in the Sulphur Springs ISD Administration Building in the boardroom on Connelly Street in Sulphur Springs. The Admin building will be the only location for early voting. Hours for early voting are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each weekday until February 26. Early voting is also available on Saturday February 20th from 8 until 5 and Sunday the 21st from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
When preparing to cast your ballot, the election worker will ask you in which party primary you wish to vote. You must choose Democrat or Republican. At that time the worker will mark you voter card and assign the appropriate ballot. Shirley reminds voters that you must vote according to party divisions in this election. In the general election you may choose to cross party lines.
Deadline for the clerk’s office receiving a request for ballot by mail is February 19th. When requesting a ballot, please include the party ballot requested.
Sample ballots are available on line at www.hopkinscountytx.org. Use Quicklinks “County Clerk” and go to drop down box “elections”. The sample ballot you seek may be chosen according to the correct precinct number. Check your voter registration card for precinct number or contact the county clerk’s office. Sample ballots are also available at the polling place. You may use the sample ballot as a guide for your voting when casting your ballot on the voting machine.
Wildcats Begin Three Game Home Stand Following Strong Win on the Road
Wildcats Soccer Coach Andy Holt said earlier this week that Texas High seemed to have the Wildcats number last year as the Tigers swept the two game series. Apparently the Tigers lost the number Friday night in Texarkana. The Wildcats won 5-0. Chris Espinoza had two goals for the Wildcats. They also got single goals from Angel Tevera, Johnathan Alvarez and Cesar Andino.
The win improved the Wildcats district record to 4-2. They are now 9-7-1 for the season. After this one game road trip, the Wildcats play their next three district games at home, starting with a match with Hallsville coming up next Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium.
