Civic Center Roof Readied for Weekend Event
Acting very rapidly, the Civic Center and the Sulphur Springs ISD have the Civic Center Auditorium back in business after a patch of the portion of the roof that blew off Monday. On the Auditorium stage, Civic Center General Manager Adam Teer said the help and cooperation of Dan Froneberger with SSISD calling in a company that does the type of patch work needed facilitated the reopening of the auditorium. No new leaks were found following the testing of rain last night.
Ardis Center for the Performing Arts revisited the venue Wednesday morning and determined they would perform their recital in the auditorium Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Civic Center staff continues to dry the stage curtains in preparation for their performance.
Phone service to the civic center had not been restored Wednesday morning. The civic center phone system is tied to the county system and that is being restored in steps. The Agri-life building on the Helm Memorial Grounds was also without phone service. When the roof blew off, it fell on the solar energy panels and limited the amount of energy being produced.
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Two Adults, One Juvenile Charged in Four Auto Burglaries
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three Sulphur Springs teenagers in connection with at least four auto burglaries 
recently in precinct 1 in the county. An 18-year old and a 19-year old were each arrested at their homes by sheriff’s deputies Tuesday. A 16-year old juvenile was also taken into custody. Steven Charles Gilreath and Dakota Shane Humphries have both been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity before Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings who set bond on each at $30,000.
During the month of May, county law enforcement have been busy investigating a rash of burglaries across the county. With the arrest of these three, a total of ten individuals have been arrested in connection with various burglaries.
Reference other arrests at: May 25 , here: May 19 , and here: May 16
Ardis Center of Performing Arts Recital Returns to Civic Center Following Venue’s Roof Repair
Sunday’s dance recital for The Ardis Center of Performing Arts will take place at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center after all. Workers scurried to repair the roof at the civic center to facilitate this and other coming events. The Artis Center recital featuring 135 dancers ranging in age from 2-years through high school will take place Sunday, May 31 at 3 p.m. in the Civic Center Auditorium.
The roof repair is considered adequate for specific events. However, Adam Teer, Civic Center Manager, said that engineers would inspect the repair before any extra weight was placed on the roof.
When the roof over the performance stage area at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center was removed by Monday’s storm winds, Ardis Center of Performing Arts kindergarten class was in rehearsal on the stage. Ten kindergarten aged students along with instructors were preparing for their performance in Sunday’s dance recital—the theme of the recital is Weather Wonders. All the class performances are set to songs that center on rain, wind, cold, and other weather related themes.
Sharon Burney, Director of Ardis Center of Performing Arts, said this week was dedicated to a one class at time rehearsal. When the storm began its damage, she said the noise kept building giving an indication that this was no usual storm. She said as the roof began to be removed, instructors along with parents present got the girls off the stage and with the illumination of emergency lights that came on due to the electrical power going out; they took students to a closet at the back of the auditorium where they were safe. The storm passed quickly and all left civic center as soon as possible. Burney said the weather was far more intense than the practice. Everyone was ok and no panicked during the ordeal.
Wesley House Residents Enjoy a Change of Pace
Wesley House residents may hope for a power outage again. Oncor established electrical power to the assisted living residence Tuesday afternoon around 4:45 according to Josh Jordan with Jordan Health Care who own and operate Wesley House. Jordan said residents were served doughnut for breakfast, pizza for lunch and sandwiches for the evening meal and were delighted with the uniqueness of the day.
Jordan said everything had worked well while the the facility utilized their onsite generator. Crews were working around the building to repair some fencing and minor damage to Wesley House while they waited on Oncor to restore power.
Electrical Power Restored For Carriage House Manor Wednesday
It took two tries but Carriage House Manor and The Cottages have electrical power Wednesday morning following Monday’s severe weather that created a power outage for much of the city of Sulphur Springs. Electricial power was restored briefly Tuesday evening at 10 p.m. but failed shortly after. A second try later was successful and owner Arvis Tanton was all smiles Wednesday morning.
Carriage House maintained their high level of service to residents using their emergency generator for power according to Tanton. The Cottages at Carriage House did sustain minor roof damage from the storm.
News-Telegram Resumes Publication
Wednesday morning brought good news to Echo Publishing and the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram. With electrical power restored, the presses are rolling once again. The News-Telegram will resume their regular schedule for publication.
The Echo Publishing Company did not have electricity Monday and did not expect power to be restored until 5 a.m. Wednesday. No paper was printed or delivered Tuesday.
Also creating difficulties for the news outlet, their website server is housed in their building. No electrical power means their website was also down.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Area Until 5 a.m. Wednesday
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 226 IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM CDT WEDNESDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
IN TEXAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 22 COUNTIES IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS
BOSQUE COLLIN CORYELL
DALLAS DENTON ELLIS
HAMILTON HILL HUNT
JOHNSON KAUFMAN LAMPASAS
MCLENNAN MILLS NAVARRO
ROCKWALL TARRANT
IN NORTHEAST TEXAS
DELTA HENDERSON HOPKINS
RAINS VAN ZANDT
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF…ARLINGTON…ATHENS…
GLENN HEIGHTS…GOLDTHWAITE…GRAND SALINE…GREENVILLE… GUN BARREL CITY…HAMILTON…HICO…
LAMPASAS…LEWISVILLE…
VALLEY MILLS…VAN…WACO…
*Updated* How to Remove a Crop Duster From a Fuel Truck
The electrical power has been restored to the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport and the staff is resuming regular duties. It will be a few weeks before the roof damage is fixed as the cupola was completely destroyed during the Memorial Day storm. The airport staff has worked out a “semi-permanent” solution to get them up and running until contractor schedules and weather schedules will align for a final fix.
George’s Aircraft from Vernon Texas was on hand at the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport this afternoon to extract the crop dusters from on top and from underneath the fuel trucks. The six employees used a truck and chain to remove one of the crop dusters from one of the fuel trucks. That particular crop duster was “spun” by the wind and lodged underneath the front of one of the fuel trucks. It only took a few seconds to dislodge the crop duster, which appears to be a total loss, from the fuel truck. This style of crop duster can be worth between $700,000 and $900,000 EACH. The city owned fuel trucks, also considered to be completely destroyed are valued at much less. Another “fly-in” event scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled as the airport was still without electricity as of late Tuesday afternoon.
Winnsboro Police Report
Winnsboro Police Department made four arrests last week. On Tuesday May 19 Robert Caruso, Jr, 56, was arrested on a City of Winnsboro warrant as was Ryan Phillips, 26. On Sunday May 24th, Morgan Leon, 21 of Seagraves was arrested for a Gaines County warrant. Also arrested Sunday, Jason Koenig, 18, of Winnsboro for Assault causing bodily injury and possession of marijuana in a drug free zone.
Twenty-one citations and 17 warnings were issued by WPD officers. They responed to 145 calls for service. No accidents were reported during the week.
Buford Park Damaged by Severe Storm
Last night’s severe storm ripped many trees out of the ground at Buford park, with several trees having fallen directly on the park itself. No word as to how much damage there may be to Kid’s Kingdom. Buford Park has been taped off, however, no city crews are working on the park as they are currently addressing other more important issues. Keep checking with KSST News for future updates.
