Race/Ethnicity of Traffic Stops in Sulphur Springs Reflect City Population Diversity Ratios
Caucasians make up 75% percent of all traffic stops in Sulphur Springs, 11% are African-American, and 12% are Hispanic. In a report to the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night, Police Chief Jay Sanders presented an annual racial profiling traffic stop and arrest report. In the report, Sanders pointed out the number of traffic stops for the year total 5113. In those stops officers have only known the race or ethnicity of the driver 350 of those 5113 stops before the stop was made. It was also noted that the local police department has a partial report exemption since the local department vehicles are equipped with video and audio equipment and the videos are maintained for 90 days following the traffic stop and/or arrest.
Sulphur Springs Police Department has adopted a detailed written policy on racial profiling. That policy 1) clearly defines acts constituting racial profiling; 2) strictly prohibits peace officers employed by the Sulphur Springs Police Department from engaging in racial profiling; 3) implements a process by which an individual may file a complaint with the Sulphur Springs Police Department if the individual believes that a peace officer employed by the department has engaged in racial profiling with respect to the individual; 4) provides public education relating to the agency’s complaint process; 5) requires appropriate corrective action to be taken against a peace officer employed by the Sulphur Springs Police Department who, after an investigation, is shown to have engaged in racial profiling in violation of the Sulphur Springs Police Department’s policy adopted under this article; 6) require collection of information relating to motor vehicle stops in which a citation is issued and to arrests made as a result of those stops, including information relating to:
- the race or ethnicity of the individual detained; Page 1 of 3 pages submitted electronically to The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
- whether a search was conducted and, if so, whether the individual detained consented to the search; and
- whether the peace officer knew the race or ethnicity of the individual detained before detaining that individual; and requires the chief administrator of the agency, regardless of whether the administrator is elected, employed, or appointed, to submit an annual report of the information collected under Subdivision (6) to:
- the Commission on Law Enforcement; and
- (B) the governing body of each county or municipality served by the agency, if the agency is an agency of a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state.
Information submitted in the report to the council included the Sulphur Springs Police Department Motor Vehicle Racial Profiling information gained from the number of motor vehicle stops. Those stops included 5044 citation only; 41 arrest only; 28 both; for a total of 5113 stops.
The report listed the diversity of those stops to include:
Race or Ethnicity: 607 African; 53 Asian; 3836 Caucasian; 610 Hispanic; 3 Middle Eastern; 4 Native American for a total of 5113.
Race or Ethnicity known prior to stop? 350 Yes; 4763 No; 5113 Total
Search conducted? 123 Yes; 4990 No; 5113 Total
Was search consented? 64 Yes; 59 No; 123 Total
City Manager Report Notes Destruction of K-9 Vehicle in Local Fire
In his report to the February meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council, City Manager Marc Maxwell noted street projects completed and those begun. He also noted that work on the Davis/Tomlinson downtown parking lot will begin Friday, February 5th. The city will also be installing lights and landscaping for a county 90-space parking lot to be built at the northeast corner at Jefferson and Rosemont Streets. He also noted the K-9 police unit was destroyed in the Toliver Ford Lincoln fire.
Here is the Manager’s Report:
STREETS, WATER AND SEWER – The Rockdale Road reconstruction project is nearly complete. Westbrook Concrete Contractors is finished pouring the concrete. We only lack three driveway approaches. We plan to open the street to through traffic next week. This project finishes Rockdale Road on the north side of Interstate 30.
Plano Street is also nearly complete. It will be paved on Friday. This $268,000 project is a complete reconstruction of Plano Street from Texas Street westward to the cul-de-sac. It includes new water main, new sewer main and a new street. The sewer main and water main have been replaced.
Bill Bradford Road has begun. Utilities work has started on Tennessee Street, which is a part of the project. Demolition on Bill Bradford road will begin on Monday, February 15. This $1.4 million project will include water and sewer utilities, underground drainage on the western end of the street and complete reconstruction of the street. Most of the street will be paved with asphalt, but both ends of the project will be rebuilt with concrete for 500’ on each end.
DAVIS/TOMLINSON PARKING LOT – Demolition will begin on Friday. Work will begin on the south side of the project and progress to the north. Doing it this way will preserve some of the parking throughout the project for nearby businesses.
JEFFERSON STREET PARKING LOT – This is a County project at the northeast corner of Jefferson and Rosemont. The new lot will have 90 spaces. The County is constructing the lot in concrete and the City is installing lights and landscaping per our earlier agreement at the time the tax increment reinvestment zone was created. When the County opted into the zone, the City committed to beautification of the lot when it was built.
CLAIMS – We did not have any workers’ compensation claims in January.
We did not have any liability claims in January.
We did submit one claim to the TML Risk Pool for the K-9 vehicle that was destroyed in the fire at Toliver Ford.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REMODEL – The project is nearing completion. Tile setters are placing the tile now. Expect the project to be completed before the March City Council meeting.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Total suspended solids (TSS) came in at .81 mg/L, well within the limit of 15 mg/L.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director, Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Installed wiring for new early warning siren at the Police Department. You may have heard it.
- Replaced the solar batteries on the “No Thru Truck” sign at the city limits on all state highways.
- Repaired the flashing lights on the Douglas “School Zone” lights.
- Replaced some of the lamps around Celebration Plaza.
- Began electrical work on new Buford Pavilion.
- Repaired motor on an airport hangar door.
- Repaired the heater at the animal shelter.
- Repaired A/C unit at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).
- Cleaned the filters at the WWTP.
- Repaired/rebuilt 2 pumps at the WWTP.
- Replaced a magnolia tree that had been broken during a storm.
- Conducted 25 building inspections, 13 electrical inspections, 12 plumbing inspections, 4 mechanical inspections, and issued 20 building permits.
- Responded to 112 fire/rescue calls including 5 structure fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 89 fire hydrants.
- Processed 574 citations through municipal court.
- Checked out 3,761 items to library patrons.
- Sold 1,271 gallons of AvGas and 7,540 gallons of Jet-A fuel.
- Recovered nearly $.25 million in stolen UTVs.
- Made 66 arrests, recorded 65 offences, wrote 610 traffic citations and responded to 33 accidents.
- Repaired 7 water main ruptures.
EDC Presents State of the Economy Report to City Council
With only 3.8 percent unemployment in December, Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County face a good news/bad news situation. Economic Development Director Roger Feagley presented his State of the Economy Report to the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday Night. He pointed to the employment rate as an indicator of the stability of jobs in the area. Although the numbers are not exact, Feagley said people whose benefits have expired, who are unemployed by choice, or who are not seeking a job are not counted in the employment numbers.
The good news is that people are employed. The bad news is that industries seeking to relocate are looking for available employees. Feagley stated that even though the people of Hopkins County are employed, the fact that surrounding counties have a higher unemployment rate is an aide to attracting industry.
Feagley said the work of the EDC is to create primary employment to produce products for purchase in areas outside of Hopkins County. Pointing out that that brings to the city and county new money to purchase homes, spend in retail and live the American Dream, he said that jobs circulate money as well. For the past 10 years, Hopkins County employment rates have been lower than state, national and even regional competitors. Feagley said people in Hopkins County seek jobs immediately when they do not have one as opposed to waiting.
Even when the economy is down Sulphur Springs offers work that is constant, according to the EDC Director. Feagley noted that manufacturing here is focused on basic needs-centered-jobs such as food. He also noted that locally owned industry with a commitment to local life and the culture of the community creates stability for jobs.
According to numbers available, from 2005 to 2014, the EDC has brought to the city and county $87.7 million in Capital investment, 402 new jobs, and $12.5 million in new payroll. Sales tax received since 2005 is $16.2 million. Property tax has seen $2.2 million added.
Yet, there are also unmeasurable contributions such as the community college campus, water lines to industry that benefits homes along the line, providing more professional jobs, and increasing average salaries. Feagley stated this also is a positive for increased sales tax.
In response to a question from the council, Feagley pointed out that the building at Sulphur Springs High School that has housed the community college campus will be turned over to the local school district in June. June will conclude a 20-year contract between the EDC, PJC, and SSISD.
4-H Offers Summer Exchange Trip by Johanna Hicks
4-H Offers Summer Exchange Trip
4-H families from Smyth County, Virginia, gather for a picture upon their departure from Sulphur Springs. Hopkins County 4-H has been invited to Virginia for a June, 2016 trip to complete the Exchange.
Hopkins County young people are in the news a lot lately with wonderful opportunities to travel. Congratulations to the Sulphur Springs Wildcats on their upcoming trip to Florida in September! The Hopkins County 4-H program also has plans which have been in the works since June, 2015.
The County 4-H Exchange program began during the summer of 2012 when a group of six students and two chaperones from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, visited Sulphur Springs. The group has ties to Sulphur Springs through our own Susie and Bernie Thesing (Coffee Off the Square). The following summer, they sent a group of eleven 4-H members and four adults. That started the ball rolling for an official 4-H Exchange.
During the summer of 2014, the Exchange continued as eight Hopkins County 4-H members and four adult chaperones traveled to Eau Claire, stopping at numerous places for site-seeing along the way. These included Memphis, Tennessee to see the Peabody Hotel ducks, Alex Haley Museum, and other places of interest. Also on the route, they visited the St. Louis arch, Chicago pier, and many other fascinating historical and modern attractions. While in Wisconsin, they were able to learn about the 4-H program and demographics of their host state. Overall, the group traveled through seventeen states. Each person learned about and experienced the grandeur of our great nation. They also learned a lot about character as they traveled long hours and MANY miles in a 15-passenger van with luggage!
During the summer of 2015, a group of 4-H kids and chaperones from Smyth County, Virginia visited Hopkins County. The Extension agent has connections to Sulphur Springs through David Zahn, his former college roommate. (It’s a small world, huh?) The group of 28 stayed in host homes during their visit. Jay and I had the privilege of hosting a family of four in our home – mom, daughter, and two boys. While here, our Hopkins County 4-H’ers kept them busy with a welcome dinner provided by the Infinity 4-H Club, followed by participation in the Dairy Festival Hot Air Balloon festival. Both 4-H groups helped as crew members for the balloonists and seemed to learn a lot about the hobby. We also treated the Virginians to the Dairy Festival parade, lunch, ice cream freeze off, swim party, hay ride, dairy tour, zip-line, cookout, fishing, shopping on the square, and other activities. A tour of the AT&T Stadium and stockyards rounded out the list of activities for the Virginia group.
On the morning of their departure, we were invited to send a group to Virginia for a summer, 2016 4-H Exchange trip. The benefits of the Exchange trip are multi-faceted:
– To expose our youth to different geographical areas in our country
– To experience different foods and cultures
– To promote teamwork & citizenship
– To learn about different 4-H programs/projects in the hosting state
– To strengthen responsibility (by keeping up with their belongings, loading/unloading, etc.)
– To offer an opportunity in which most of these 4-H members would never be able to participate
To date, we have approximately 16 youth and adult chaperones who have indicated interest. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our 4-H kids! Of course, funding is always an issue. Our kids worked very diligently to raise funds for the 2014 Wisconsin trip. The list of expenses is below:
1) Rental of Vehicle(s) – enough to carry people and luggage
2) Fuel for the road trip
3) Lodging along the way (the group will stay in host homes while in Virginia)
4) Meals along the way
5) Funds to go toward expenses of visiting museums, historic sites, etc. en route
We will have another Exchange trip planning meeting on Monday, February 22 at the Extension Office. At that time, we hope to nail down specifics for the June 22 thru 30 trip. If you would like to help support these kids, we welcome your input!
Closing Thought
“Maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. Visualize your dreams and stretch to reach for them” – Somewhat Daily Devotional
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Wildcats, Lady Cats Pick Up District Wins Against Pine Tree Tuesday
soccer ball net
Wildcats Soccer Coach Andy Holt believes Pine Tree is one of the best teams in the district along with Mt. Pleasant.Tuesday night at Gerald Prim Stadium, the Wildcats edged by Pine Tree, 2-1. It was the first district game at home for the Wildcats after opening district play with two road games. The Wildcats are now 2-1 in district play and their season record is 7-6-1. Five of the next six Wildcats’ district games will be played at Prim Stadium. The home stand continues Friday as the Wildcats host Greenville for a 7 p.m. match.
The Lady Cats Soccer Team’s string of shutouts ended Tuesday night at Pine Tree but that hardly mattered in the big scheme of things as the Lady Cats topped the Lady Pirates, 2-1. The match was tied 1-1 after the first half. Lady Cats Coach Jesus DeLeon talks about his difference makers on this year’s team and they provided a big second half goal and made it stand up with their defense Tuesday night. The Lady Cats have started district play 3-0. This was their first road game. The Lady Cats are now 12-1 for the season and their consecutive winning streak is now at 10 games. The Lady Cats travel to Greenville this Friday night at 7 p.m.
Lady Cats Will Battle for First Place at Hallsville Friday
The Lady Cats Basketball Team set up a first place battle at Hallsville Friday night at 6:30 p.m. by defeating Greenville on the road, 63-49 Tuesday night. This one was much tougher than the first meeting. In that one, the Lady Cats played stifling defense to take a 64-22 win in Wildcats Gym on January 8. The second victory over Greenville improved the Lady Cats district record to 10-2 and their season mark to 23-6.
Hallsville held a one game lead over the Lady Cats going into a road game at Mt. Pleasant Tuesday night. The first time Hallsville and the Lady Cats played, the Lady Bobcats staged a big comeback late in the game to take a 49-47 win in Wildcats Gym on January 12.
Tough Defense, 11 3-Point Baskets Highlight Wildcat Win
basketball
The Wildcats Basketball Team hit 11 three-point baskets and played tough defense against Greenville when it counted as the Wildcats topped the Lions, 71-53 in Wildcats Gym Tuesday night.
Keaston Willis led the Wildcats with 18 points including 4 three-pointers. Ke’Ontae Dunn had 17 points with 3 threes. Bryson Lynn also had 2 three-pointers and Michael Arnold and Garrett Jones had 1 each.
The Wildcats limited Greenville to only 8 points in both the first and second quarters as the Wildcats built a 37-16 lead. The Wildcats lead rose to 26 points after three quarters, 56-30. The win improved the Wildcats district record to 3-7 and their season mark to 10-16.
The Wildcats have now won more games this year than last year, Coach Clark Cipoletta’s first as head coach of the Wildcats. The Wildcats play HallsvilleFriday night at 7:30 p.m. in Wildcats Gym. Hallsville won handily at home back on January 12.
Representative Flynn Reflects on Past Legislation, Looks to the Future of Texas
Dan Flynn, Texas House District 2 Representative, stopped by KSST Tuesday morning. In the museum at KSST, KSST News spoke with Flynn about the recent legislative session and about specific concerns for the future of Texas. Flynn is seeking reelection. Pictured above, Flynn records his ads promoting campaign. Below is the interview with Representative Flynn.
Pilot Club’s Hoop Dreams Provides Basketball Experience for Special Needs Kids
Nine years ago the Pilot Club of Sulphur Springs began a program they called Hoop Dreams. A dozen special needs kids had the chance to enjoy basketball. Monday night from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Elementary School main gym, Hoops Dreams continued. The program has grown. 35 kids from ages 5 to 19 participated Monday night. Beverly Owens with the Pilot Club says five of the kids have participated in Hoop Dreams each and every year since the beginning.
Last year the Sulphur Springs Lions Club began to volunteer. Lion Don Sapaugh serves as the P.A. Announcer for Hoop Dreams. The kids keep him busy scoring baskets as Sapaugh has to watch two games going on at once. Sapaugh says the Lions love to help. Most of them serve as coaches. Ms. Owens says volunteers who help out end up receiving more from the kids than they give. She says the kids bless their hearts.
The program runs for four Monday nights. After games on February 22, all the kids will be receiving awards.
Control of Grassburs: Proper Timing is Critical
by Mario Villarino
This time of the year most of our pastures and lawns remain idle. The cold temperatures make our Bermuda based pastures become dormant waiting for warmer weather. This is the time for us to start planning our noxious weed control during pasture and lawn dormancy, since grasses do not get terribly affected by non-targeted herbicides. According to Dr. McAfee, former Turf Specialist (deceased) for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, grassburs are a common weed that can be found in home lawns, sports fields, parks and along roadsides.
This weed is especially adapted to dry, sandy soils but can be found growing in other types of soils as well. The big problem with this weed is the sharp, spiny burs that are part of the inflorescence. These burs can be painful and are difficult to remove from clothing material.
Field sandburs (grassburs) generally start germinating in late spring and will continue to germinate until late summer or early fall months. This weed will continue to grow until the first hard frost or freeze occurs in the fall. Field sandburs (grassburs) are generally not a problem in well maintained turfgrass areas. With proper fertilization, mowing and irrigation, you can produce a turf that is dense enough to prevent sandbur (grassbur)s from becoming a problem.
However, if field sandburs (grassburs) do become a problem there are several effective herbicides that can be used to control this particular weed. The most effective and efficient method of control is to use a pre-emergent herbicide. To be effective, these pre emergents need to be applied before weed seeds germinate — generally when the soil temperature (NOT the air temperature) reaches 52 degrees F. This usually occurs by March 15 in the central Texas area. In north Texas areas, apply the pre-emergent by April 1 and in southern areas of the state by March 1. If a post-emergence herbicide s is used, wait until the day time temperatures are about 75 degrees F. for the products to be most effective. To insure complete control of germinating grass burrs in heavily infested areas, extend the residual of the herbicide barrier in the soil and thus extend the length of control period by making applications of the pre-emergent herbicide EVERY 6 WEEKS through September. In areas with a light infestation of grass burrs, two applications that are 6 weeks apart and after the initial application should control seed germination. As always, the pre-emergent application needs to be watered in thoroughly. Not applying enough water after application of a pre-emergent herbicide is one of the main reason for failure to effectively obtain control of the annual grassy weeds such as sandburs (grassburs).
REMEMBER: A dense stand of healthy grass provides the best weed control. Because most weeds are “opportunists” that invade weakened lawns, the fight against weeds starts with good management. All cultural practices such as mowing, fertilizing and watering should be done in a manner and time that will favor the grass rather than the weeds. Height of mowing influences competition against weeds such as crabgrass – the higher the cut, the lower the infestation. Frequent light sprinkling encourages shallow-rooted weeds and seed germination. Less frequent “deep-soak” watering that maintains a dry surface layer provides the grass with a competitive advantage. Temperature, light, soil moisture and other factors determine the time and extent of weed germination and development. Some weeds germinate in early spring while others sprout in summer or fall. If conditions are favorable, a weed may be particularly abundant in a given year, but under different conditions the next year, it may be little in evidence. Although most herbicides are formulated with reliable safety factors, application rates higher than those recommended may cause injury to turf and other ornamental plants. Many people over apply herbicides, especially when using fertilizer-herbicide combinations. The user needs to follow instructions on containers carefully to avoid overdoses.
Eliminating weeds is of little value unless enough desirable grass is present to fill in bare spots. A reseeding program deserves first consideration if the turf is so weak that it will not recover once weeds are eliminated. Study soil and other conditions to determine reasons for low vigor of the original turf. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
Programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, region, national origin age, disability or veteran status.
