Dallas Resident Attempts to Outrun Police
May 4, 2023 – BRANDON DONNELL JOHNSON was arrested this week after he attempted to flee law enforcement on Interstate 30.
At around 10PM Wednesday night, Greenville TX Police advised Hopkins County Dispatch that they were in pursuit of a black Chrysler 300c heading east on I-30. Greenville PD terminated their pursuit near the Hunt Hopkins County line. Cumby PD then started to pursue the Chrysler. The fleeing car was traveling at 100mph.
Working in concert with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies, a stop strip device was deployed. During that deployment, a Deputy incurred a finger laceration. That laceration required medical attention at a local hospital.
After BRANDON DONNELL JOHNSON’s car hit the device, he pulled into a truck stop of the western edge of Sulphur Springs. Johnson, age 20, was taken into custody by Cumby PD. The 300c was impounded.
Because a member of law enforcement was injured during the incident, Johnson’s charge was elevated to a felony.
He is charged with:
38.04(B)(2)(B) EVADING ARREST DET CAUSE SBI (Serious Bodily Injury)
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.
Banuelos-Rios Arrested on Theft Related Warrants
May 4, 2023 – JUAN ANTONIO BANUELOS-RIOS was arrested this week on theft related warrants. His current bond totals $60,000.
JUAN ANTONIO BANUELOS-RIOS was arrested in February of this year after deputies found close to $300,000 worth of stolen equipment in his possession. 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.
City of Dallas Confirmed Struck By Ransomware, Shutting Down Several IT Services
May 4, 2023- Dallas Texas has confirmed Wednesday to have been struck by a ransomware attack which caused several IT based services to shut down.
The Dallas Police Department was also affected by this attack which led to 911 dispatchers having to write down received reports for officers rather than submit them via the computer-assisted dispatch system. The Dallas County Police Department’s website was also offline for part of the day due to the incident but has since been restored.\
During the attack several network printers on the City of Dallas’ network began printing out ransom notes this morning, with the IT department warning employees to retain any printed notes.
The perpetrator of the attack is believed to be a cybercrime syndicate by the name of Royal Ransomware. The Royal Ransomware is believed to have risen to power after the Conti cybercrime syndicate shut down its operation.
When launched in January 2022, Royal utilized other ransomware operations’ encryptors, such as ALPHV/BlackCat, to avoid standing out. However, they later started using their own encryptor, Zeon, in attacks for the rest of the year.
Towards the end of 2022, the operation rebranded into Royal and quickly became one of the most active enterprise-targeting ransomware gangs.
Like other ransomware gangs, Royal is known to steal data from networks before encrypting devices. This stolen data is then used as further leverage in extortion demands, with the threat actors warning that they will publicly leak data if a ransom is not paid.
At this time, it is unknown if any data was stolen from the City of Dallas during the attack.
Texas Utility Commission Push For More Gas-Powered Electricity In Light Of Threats Of Summer Power Outages
May 4, 2023- Public Utility Commission Chair Peter Lake on Wednesday warned that Texas’ main power grid is at risk for outages this summer if wind turbines don’t produce enough electricity when it’s needed. He further explained that more on-demand power sources, such as natural-gas-fueled power plants or batteries need to be built to make the grid more reliable.
Lawmakers are evaluating a new economic tool that Lake’s agency approved, called performance credits. These credits would increase electric customers bills an estimated 2% and direct the funds to companies that operate on-demand power sources, with a goal of persuading them to build more power plants or keep existing plants in service longer.
Lake’s statements were based on the Grid Operator’s seasonal report that studies how much electricity the system is expected to be able to produce in various, low-probability scenarios, compared to demand.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) found that the grid may not be able to meet a very high demand for power at the end of a typical work day if it coincides with extremely low wind and an extreme number of unexpected outages at other plants. ERCOT also stated that low winds and a very high demand for power after sunset could lead to power outages.
Renewable energy supports have pushed back on the characterization that the grid’s reliability rests on the renewables alone.
After the near collapse of the grid during the February 2021 winter storm, having left millions without power, several Texas leaders blamed renewable energy to be the cause of the problem. Later analysis showed that all types of power generation faltered in the storm.
National Day Of Prayer May 4th 2023
May 3, 2023 – National Day of Prayer will be held on Celebration Plaza May 4th starting at 6pm and going through 7:30pm.
The First Thursday of May
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The National Day of Prayer Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo-Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.
Significance of the National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation as it enables us to recall and to teach the way in which our founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call for us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people. The unanimous passage of the bill establishing the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning.
Meal A Day And Senior Citizen Center Calendar May 8-12th, 2023
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for the week of May 8-12, 2023 includes:
MONDAY, May 8 – Breaded Catfish Nuggets, Carrot Salad and Corn
TUESDAY, May 9 – Asian Drumsticks, Napa Cabbage and Rice
WEDNESDAY, May 10 – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
THURSDAY, May 11 – Biscuits & Gravy and Roasted Veggies
FRIDAY, May 12 – Smothered Patties, Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Veggies
City Managers Report May 2nd 2023
SPRING CLEANUP – The annual spring cleanup has come to a close and has been a smashing success. The City offloaded over 1,000 vehicles, and sent 52 roll-offs to the landfill.
SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER – The foundation is currently under construction and concrete should be poured soon.
PACIFIC PARK – The new Pacific Park Sports Pavilion foundation is under construction. Concrete will be poured Wednesday. When the pavilion is complete, the old basketball courts will be demolished and the interior of the park will then be graded. Irrigation and sod will then be installed.
COLLEGE STREET – College Street is open down to Patton Street. Water and sewer construction is now complete to Ramsey Street. Water and sewer from Ramsey to Como is currently being installed. Ramsey Street is expected to be completed by the next city council meeting.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PLAN – Following is a preliminary list of streets to be repaved in 2023. It is preliminary because there are no bids yet, hence no pricing. the list will be finalized once there are bids on May 18, 2023.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Reset school zone timers.
- Repaired AC units at City Hall.
- Installed cameras at Pacific Park.
- Tested tornado sirens… one needs repair.
- Replaced filter media on wastewater treatment plant filters.
- Performed preventative maintenance on the sludge press at the wastewater
treatment plant. - Treated wastewater to a daily average total suspended solids reading of 0.51 mg/L.
- Repaired 5 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 58 water meters.
- Hauled 735 tons of sludge to the landfill.
- Unstopped 20 sewer mains.
- Repaired 2 sewer mains.
- Flushed 40 dead end water mains.
- Treated 128 million gallons of potable water.
- Responded to 166 animal control calls while achieving a 74% adoption rate.
- Made 8 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 32 accidents, wrote 564 citations, made 54 arrests and recorded 47
offenses in the Patrol Division. - Checked out 2,689 items from the library plus 784 eBooks.
- Responded to 254 fire/rescue calls including 1 structure fire, 1 vehicle fire and 3
grass fires. - Cleaned and started the fountains at the Hopkins County Veterans’ Memorial.
- Ordered flowers for downtown.
- Assisted with 53 activities for seniors.
- Hosted 1 softball and 1 baseball tournament.
- Fertilized sports fields.
- Repaired 74 potholes.
- Conducted 12 building inspections, 6 electrical inspections, 7 plumbing
inspections, one mechanical inspection, issued 30 building permits and 26 trade
permits.
Evening Chapel Celebrates 150 Years with May 28, 2023 Homecoming
May 3, 2023 – Evening Chapel Church at 199 Putman St in Sulphur Springs will be celebrating 150 years of worship. Everyone is invited to attend the 2023 Homecoming on Sunday May 28, 2023 starting 3PM. Even if you have moved away, or joined another church, please join in on this Special Day. For more information please call, 903 513 9227.
Texas House Passes Legislation To Create Historic Texas Land And Water Conservation Fund
May 3, 2023- With an overwhelming vote of 131-13, the Texas House passed HB 3165 to create the Texas Land and Water Conservation Fund. The vote follows a 139-2 vote for HJR 138, which would put the fund on the November ballot as a constitutional amendment, allowing Texas voters to declare their support for conserving land and water for future generations. The legislation will now proceed to the Senate for a vote. District 2 Representative Bryan Slaton voted against the bill.
“The Texas House acted boldly to preserve what we love about Texas,” said Rep. Justin Holland who authored the bill. “This fund supports land and water conservation efforts for both public recreation and natural resource conservation that will allow Texas to thrive for generations to come. Because 95% of Texas is privately owned, it is vital we encourage private conservation along with the expansion of public parks, and this legislation achieves that goal.”
More than 240,000 acres of Texas land is lost to development each year. Texas needs additional parks, open spaces, and natural habitats to preserve our quality of life, provide food and fiber, clean water, and to support the multi-billion-dollar agricultural and outdoor recreation economy. According to a recent study by the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, less than four percent of land in Texas is under some form of protection.
“Any meaningful impact on conservation will include close collaboration with private landowners,” said Lori Olson, the Executive Director of the Texas Land Trust Council. “By partnering with private landowners to steward their lands, we maintain our state’s strong commitment to private property rights, while mitigating the impacts overdevelopment has on our economy, water resources, natural environment, and wildlife. “
“There is a tremendous public benefit to private land conservation,” said Suzanne Scott, Texas State Director for The Nature Conservancy. “A 2019 report found more than $1 billion in annual benefits to Texas taxpayers from lands protected and conservation easements held by Texas land trusts. These trusts also strengthen rural economies generating an estimated $150 million annually in agriculture, timber, and ranching productivity and $11 million annually in hunting and wildlife leases.”
Recent polling shows that 83% of potential voters support ballot language for the Texas Land and Water Conservation Fund. Over 50 of the state’s leading land and water conservation, agricultural, wildlife, and sportsmen’s organizations have formed the Texas Land and Water Conservation Coalition to support this effort. These groups represent thousands of Texans from all walks of life, connected by a desire to protect Texas for future generations.
HB 3165 would provide grants for existing programs and projects that would preserve our water resources, agricultural lands, and wildlife habitats and provide additional outdoor recreational opportunities for all Texans. The bill provides base eligibility guidelines for projects and ensures that 50% of the funds go toward the conservation of agricultural lands, water resources, and wildlife habitat, and 50% of the funds go toward state and local parks, wildlife management areas, and other public access conservation projects.
HJR 138 would establish a dedicated fund for conservation. With an historic budget surplus, Texas legislators have a once in a generation opportunity to act now to constitutionally dedicate $2 billion to create this historic fund. HJR 138 would place the fund on the November ballot, allowing Texas voters to dedicate these funds to protect and preserve the Texas landscape.
Sulphur Springs City Council Denies Rezoning Ordinance
May 3, 2023- Sulphur Springs City Council voted on City Ordinance No. 2832 ZC# 230402 a rezoning request by Collyn Seth McDaniel. The rezoning request would change a portion of the property at 928 College and 934 College Street that abuts Putman Street containing approximately 1.74 acres from single family to multi-family.
Council member Tommy Harris spoke on his disapproval of the ordinance, stating that the intent of the developers is unknown with what they will be building. The council voted against approving the rezoning on the first hearing.
