Winnsboro Police Report Busy Seven Days
Winnsboro Police were active December 7-13th with seven arrests, one accident, 178 calls for service, along with 53 citations and 34 warnings issued.
The driver of a Toyota Tacoma was transported to Trinity Mother Francis with unknown injuries as the vehicle, traveling southbound in the 300 block of North Main, left the roadway and struck a utility pole with the right front causing the vehicle to roll. The vehicle came to rest on its top facing west.
James Thomason, 28, of Winnsboro, was arrested Tuesday the 8th for theft of service under $20.
Also arrested Tuesday, Laura Light, 37, of Winnsboro, for driving while license invalid with previous conviction.
Brandi Ragsdale, 33, of Winnsboro, was arrested Wednesday for driving while license invalid with a previous conviction.
James Cox, 37, of Winnsboro, was arrested Thursday for violation of bond/protective order.
Arrested Thursday for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance more than one gram but less than 4 was 41 year old Nicole Williams of Winnsboro.
Billy Galindo, 45, of Hawkins, was arrested for driving while license invalid with previous conviction.
Sakorey Chandler, 21, of Mt Vernon was arrested Saturday the 12th for possession of marijuana more than 2 ounces but less than 4 oz.
Emerson Files for Precinct 3 Commissioner in Democrat Primary
There will be a contested race in the 2016 November General Election for Hopkins County Commissioner, Precinct 3. It will be a near rematch from three years ago. On the last day to file Monday, Billy Emerson of Sulphur Bluff filed in the Democratic Primary. One-term incumbent Precinct 3 County Commissioner Wade Bartley is unopposed in the GOP Primary. Bartley out polled Emerson and Independent Andy Wright in 2012
Winnsboro’s Ogburn VFD Receives $200,000 Forest Service Grant
WINNSBORO, Texas — The Ogburn Volunteer Fire Department, 6308 FM2088, Winnsboro, recently received a $200,000 grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service. The funds went toward securing a new large brush truck through the Rural VFD Assistance Program.
The reliability of the vehicle is what makes this truck so valuable to the department. It can carry four firefighters and a driver/operator and has plenty of room to store all of the equipment and supplies that are needed on scene.
“This is the first new truck we have ever had, so we are thankful to have something that is going to be very dependable,” says Fire Chief David Thomas.
“The HB 2604 grant program that TFS offers is probably the greatest asset that the VFDs in Texas have,” said Chief Thomas. “They also offer grants for wildland gear, bunker gear, equipment and training.”
Volunteer firefighters operate 85 percent of the fire departments in Texas. This year TFS will pass approximately $24.3 million along to VFDs across the state. The grants aid them in purchasing equipment and obtaining vital firefighter training, giving them greater capabilities to protect life and property in their communities.
Since 1984, the Ogburn VFD has provided a valuable service to the community and surrounding area. The department is always looking for dedicated volunteers who would like to serve their community, learn firefighting, and rescue techniques through the available training courses.
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com
Tuesday Night: Lady Cats Open Season; Wildcats Host Paris
The Lady Cats’ basketball team lost in the championship game against Dallas Christian 46-37 Saturday evening at an Edgewood tournament. They Lady Cats were outscored 15-8 in the fourth quarter. Kaylee Jefferson led the Lady Cats with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Earlier in the tournament, the Lady Cats defeated Scurry-Rosser, Edgewood and North Forney. The Lady Cats are now 11-3 as they open district play at Longview Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m.
The Wildcats’ basketball team won the finals game in the Silver Bracket of a Central Heights tournament this past weekend in Nacogdoches. The Wildcats topped Central Heights, 54-51. The Wildcats also defeated Garrison and Rusk but lost to Laneville. The Wildcats are now 5-6. They’ll host powerful Paris Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. in Wildcats Gym.
SSHS Students Named to Area and Regional Bands
The Wildcats Band had their best showing in the Charles McCauley years as Band Director at the All-Region Band Tryouts Friday. McCauley announced 18 named to the All-Region Band and five earned Area honors. Both numbers are the best numbers in years. Forty-nine SSHS band students competed.
Those named to Area Band as well as All-Region Band are Sophomore Celeste Leeds Laliberte, piccolo (first chair); Freshman Carissa Carter, clarinet, Second Chair; Junior Owen Lee, alto saxophone; Senior Tim Ramos, French Horn (first chair); and Senior Aaron Randolph, trombone. Area band is Saturday, January 9th in Richardson.
Those named to All-Region band only are Junior Sarah Anderson, flute; Senior Sofia Guerrero, flute; Sophomore Kate Flores, clarinet; Senior Hannah Deaton, clarinet; Sophomore Natalie Cruz, bass clarinet; Junior Seth Womack, alto saxophone; Riley Farley, tenor saxophone; Christian Corona, trumpet; Eighth grader Nathan Braddy on trumpet; Eighth grader Zach Philips, French Horn (qualified for Area but cannot go because he is in middle school and not high school); Senior Zach Herron, French Horn; Carlos Williams Tuba; and Samuel Robinson, percussion.
A Close Shave and Quick Arrest
After a close shave, law enforcement arrested Mohammad Shabeeh Raza, 25 of Kansas City, Missouri for online solicitation of a minor. Law enforcement had been in contact with Raza since April when he thought he was communicating online with a female under 17.
The 5 ft. one inch male arrived at a local convenience store Sunday following a holiday stop with friends in the Dallas area. Arriving early, Raza had just finished shaving in the store restroom when he exited the restroom and was taken into custody by Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County law enforcement.
Raza, who says he is a systems engineer for a company in Kansas City and claims Plano as his hometown, is in Hopkins County jail Monday morning. He is held on $75,000 bond.
EF-2 Tornado Destroyed Four Homes in Franklin County
First spotted by the National Weather Service in a rural area in Southeast Hopkins County, an EF-2 tornado caused damage as it moved through 
Franklin County, Saturday, December 12, 2015.
The storm took a path in the area of County Road SW 3190 and SW 3170 off FM 900 west of Purley. Four homes were destroyed with other homes and two dairy operations suffering major damages. Two people were treated and released from Trinity Mother Francis Winnsboro with minor injuries.
All four Franklin County fire departments with help from Saltillo VFD, North Hopkins VFD, Winnsboro FD, Franklin County Sheriff’s officials and deputies, DPS, Titus Regional EMS, Franklin County commissioners,
and American Red Cross volunteers worked throughout the night and into the next afternoon to check on residents, clear roadways, and search for other hazards. EOC was set up at Purley VFD for the night. Red Cross met with those affected on Sunday afternoon to help them seek assistance.
The car is also At the Van Dieden Dairy on CR 3190, a car was tossed about and damaged. It was one of several that were crushed by debris or damaged in the storm.
Tornado Warning for Southeastern Hopkins County
A tornado warning has been issued for southeastern Hopkins County until 5 p.m. Saturday, December 12. Radar has indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing atornado was located near Purley or 9 miles north of Winnsboro moving north at 40 mph.Flaying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile Homes will be damaged. Windows and vehicles may be damaged as well.
This warning includes Interstate 30 between mile markers 138 and 142.
South Sulphur River Flood Warning Issued
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the South Sulphur River area including Delta and northern Hopkins County. The warning is set for Saturday morning, December 12, through the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 15 or until cancelled.
The river should rise above flood stage by Sunday after midnight and continue to riseto a crest near 19 feet by Sunday evening. The river should fall below flood stage by late Monday afternoon. A few rural roads will be flooded. Moderate flooding will occur on farm and rachn land adjacent to the river.
