Hopkins County Records — Jan. 6, 2023
Land Deed Transactions
- Armando Alvarez, who is also known as Almondo Alvarez, and Eulogia Sotelo Alvarez to Miguel A. Cortes; tract in the JA Winn survey
- Charles Dawson and Sharolette Hyde to Bobbie Joyce Ross; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Libba Land LTD to 7S Investments LLC; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Leticia Beles, P&B Associates LLC, Enrique Pulido and Rosa Pulido to Nova Vida Capital LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Jason Lacomfora and Jennifer Lacomfora to Blake H. Nichols and Natalie P. Nichols; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Elizabeth Leslie Salerno Soria to Sheila J. Yoder and David G. Yoder; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Gloria J. Harrison and Walter J. Harrison to Elva Lucia Torres and Jaime Torres; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Price Rentals LLC to Demetria Grissom and Bobby Hodges; tract in the Daniel Holbrooks survey
- Larry Neal and Paula G. Neal to Allison Archibald and John Archibald; tract in the David H. Agee survey
- Joey A. Bloomer and Thomas George Bloomer to Nestor Daniel Cervantes; tract in the WM Gregg survey
- John Henry Griffin to Angela Edwards and Keith Edwards; tract in the George W. Moore survey
- Karla Jacks and Shane Jacks to John Wilson Wainaina Mburu; tract in the Francis Wilson survey
- Anna Carpenter, Layton Carpenter and Shannon Carpenter to Chad Underwood and Stefani Underwood; tract in the Anna Lake Estates
- Billy Wayne Campbell and Jan Burrows Campbell to ADS Cunsulting Group LLC and Killa LLC; tract in the Ocela Barb survey
- Witex Limited Partnership and William E. Young to Andy M. Young, Erlyn D. Young and William E. Young; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Connie Young and Erlyn D. Young to Aleta Young, Andy M. Young, Linda Young and William E. Young; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Fran Frias to Selene Moreno Mendoza and Francisco J. Saldana
- Sally Cunningham, administratrix for the Roberta Lou Flippin Estate, to Sally Cunningham; tract in the Joshua B. Hill survey
- Evodio Martinez to Jessica Martinez and Josue R. Roque; tract in the John Rowland survey
- Kathryn Lee Blackmon to Gloria Bradley and Mark Bradley; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- David M. Fender GST Exempt Trust, David M. Fender trustee, to Fender Exploration & Production Company LP; tract in the Samuel South survey
- David M. Fender GST Non-Exempt A Trust, David M. Fender trustee, to Fender Exploration & Production Company LP; tract in the Samuel South survey
- Lou Ann Greene to Edgar Rios and Maria Guadalupe Rios; tract in the Flanagan Hastings survey
- David J. White to Cindy L. White; tract in the Daniel Fuller survey
- Kimberly Screws and Paul Alan Screws to Nathan Crouch; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Bryan Jacobs and Mattie E. Jacobs to Bryan Jacobs trustee, Bryan W. Jacobs Revocable Trust, Mattie E. Jacobs Revocable Trust, Mattie E. Jacobs trustee; tract in the Jose Y’Barob survey
- Anna B. Pettit to Larry Chreene and Chreene Real Estate LLC; tract in the John M. Loving survey
- Joe Tom Braden Estate, Roy King independent executor, to Larry Chreene and Chreene Real Estate LLC; tract in the John M. Loving survey
- Linda Ann Gunnin Bohmer and William HC Bohmer, who is in fact Wiliam Bohmer, to Kimberly B. Stringer and William E. Stringer; tract in the Daneil Halbrooks survey
- Oscar Aguilar to Unlikely Advocates Properties LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Andrea Caudle, Kayla Caudle, Philip Caudle, Stephen Caudle, Charles Ray Pope, Becky Pope, Kimberly Ramona Reynolds and Todd Reynolds to Foley 2340 LLC; tract in the David Rusk survey
- Gerardo Rodruigues, Ariadna Solis, Dimna Solis and Paulo Solis to Celina Hernandez and Juan Pablo Hernandez Rodriguez; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Emily Tucker and Jason Tucker to Joanna Lynn Campbell and Kenneth Leroy Campbell; tract in the Daniel Halbrooks survey
- Charles Helm, Jonas Helm and Cheree Ross, co-trustees for the Dustin Chase Helm Trust and the Monica Shay Helm Trust, to Monica Helm Glenn and Dustin Chase Helm; tract in the James Hawkins survey
- Lori B. Wilkinson to Titus Land Holdings LLC; tract in the Benjamin Merrell survey
- Rosa Pulido, Leticia Beles, p & B Associates LLC and Enrique Pulido to Clint Williams and Cydney Williams; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Leticia Beles, P & B Associates LLC, Enrique Pulido and Rosa Pulido to Clint Williams and Cydney Williams; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Angela K. Jordan and Wesley Jordan to Sarah Elizabeth Walker and Wesley Ryan Walker; tract in the Daniel Fuller survey
- Jesse Kell and Jo Ann Kell, who is also known as Joann Kell, to Julie Ann Moore; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Sandra Kay Aguilar to ARC I30 East LLC and Richard J. Aguilar; tract in the Willis Chambers survey
- Tenet Equity TRS LLC to 1509 Sulphur Springs LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Alan Screws and Kim Screws to Hunter Lance Elliott and Mattison Hope Elliott; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Kurt Gant and Stacy Gant to Price Rentals LLC; tract in the RB Craft survey
- Abelardo Reyes Jr. and Virginia Reyes to Brenda Reyes Mora and Jaime Chim Tinajero; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Ann Seely to Alma D. Lopez and Javier Lopez; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Marita Ranch LLC and James E. Melson Jr. to James Edwin Melson Jr.; tract int he Charles Thompson survey]
- Marita Ranch LLC and James E. Melson Jr. to Dianna Melson and Heidt Melson; tract in the Charles Thompson survey
- David Alkire and Penny Alkire to Gloria Burgan and Ray Burgan; tract in the Winnie Jewell survey
- James Darryl Doughtie and Laura Kay Doughtie to Jerry W. Miller and Nicole Y. Miller; tract in the Elizabeth Melton survey
- Courtney Dawson Clemmons, Paige Dawson and Elizabeth Dawson-Crouch, co-tenancy, PLC Properties to Incoente Ramirez Jr. and Ruth Ramirez; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- LK Pop DFW LLC to Plaza Street Fund 295 LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- US Premium Service LLC to Dispensation Investment Group LLC; tract in the EP Gaines survey
- Mary Starrett and Stephen W. Starrett to Charles E. Starrett and Teresa Starrett; tract in the Berry West survey
- Betty Gail Quary, who was formerly known as Betty Gail Hale, to Cadi Elizabeth Collins, Christi Joye Funderburk and James Cori Hale; tract in the John Clark survey
- Janet Cipolla Morrison and Matthew Wesley Morrison to Janet Cipolla Morrison and Matthew Wesley Morrison, co-trustees for the Morrison Living Trust; tract in the Jason Clark survey
- Azrow Moore to McIlrath Properties LLC
- Jeffrey Steven Brumley to Allison Brumley and Jeffrey Bryan Brumley; tract in the Ira Stephenson survey
- Evelyn Ruth Jones Lance Estate to Evelyn Ruth Jones Lance Testamentary Trust, Valerie Jean Lance Watters trustee; tract in the WM Hargrave survey
- Jerrad Brock Hohenberger and Lawana Pauline Hohenberger to Allison Dawn Schaak and Steve Schaak; tract in the Lovick P. Dikes survey
- Jonathan Grant Kennedy to Chadwick F. Patterson and Kathleen R. Patterson; tract in the G. Neely survey
- Charles R. Vaculik and Jessica N. Vaculik to Cindy Johnson and Jesse Johnson; tract in the Mariana Ballanova survey
- Bonnie Sue Armstrong to Catherine V. M. Butschek, trustee for the Catherine V. M. Butschek Trust; tract in the GM Calvert survey
- John K. Gillis Trust, The Sachs Goldman Trust Company NA trustee, to The Kyle Gillis SPOA Matthew Primary Trust and The Matthew Kyle Gillis SPOA Primary Trust, Brenda Sellers trustee; tract in the R. Montgomery survey
- John K. Gillis Trust, The Sachs Goldman Trust Company NA trustee, to The Kyle Gillis SPOA Matthew Primary Trust and The Matthew Kyle Gillis SPOA Primary Trust, Brenda Sellers trustee; tract in the HL Gray survey
- John K. Gillis Trust, The Sachs Goldman Trust Company NA trustee, to The Kyle Gillis SPOA Matthew Primary Trust and The Matthew Kyle Gillis SPOA Primary Trust, Brenda Sellers trustee; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Brayan Ramos and Jacqueline Ramos to Nhung Nguyen and Hau Va Tran; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Marilyn Renee Gordon, who is the same person as Marilyn Renee Lopez, and Mitch Gordon to Cameron Cody Townsend and Jessica Evangeline Wilkerson; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Partners In Care Trust Company, ancillary administrator for the Dean Edward Falls Estate, to Jose C. Aguilar and Yesenia S. Aguilar; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- William Fletcher Young Jr. to Joe E. Murphy and Mary Ann Murphy; tract in the Alexander Richey survey
- Eva Froneberger to Christopher Michael Voorheese; tract in the Nachogdoches University survey
- John Simmons and Melissa Simmons to Abriaga Jorge Cubillos and Cintia Gonzalez Cubillos; tract in the A Caro survey
- Billye Lewis, independent executor for the Harry L. Lewis Estate, to Winton Lewis; tract in the Elizabeth Mitchell survey
- Donald L. South and Greta Jean South to Jessica Rinehart; tract in the AF Conner survey
- John R Buchanan, executor for the Susie Buchanan Estate, to Manuel M. Hernandez; tract in the S. Burke survey
- Maria De Los Angeles Aguilar Castro and Alier Sanchez Macedo to Spencer L. Woodall; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Claudio Chavez and United Asset Management LLC to Adams Solutions LLC; tract in the Thomas Norris survey
Applications for Marriage Licenses
The following individuals filed applications for marriage licenses Dec. 30, 2022 to Jan. 5, 2023 at Hopkins County Clerk’s Office:
- LJ Sells Jr. and Angela Marie Giannone
- Samuel Jamee Snider and Deray Nichole Pullig
Jury Cancellation
The jury panel summoned to appear on Monday, January 9, at 8:30 a.m. in the 8th Judicial District Court has now cancelled. Those called for service Monday do not need to report for duty, according to District Clerk Cheryl Fulcher.
Sulphur Springs Woman Accused Of Pulling A Handgun On Her Spouse
A 53-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was accused Thursday evening of pulling a handgun on her spouse, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Justin Wilkerson, Ryan Reed, Bobby Osornio, Thomas Patterson and Josh Davis, along with Sgt. Scott Davis responded to a complaint of a male having a gun pulled on him that called in to dispatchers around 5:40 p.m. Jan. 5, 2023. Upon arrival at the State Highway 19 north residence where the incident was alleged to have occurred, deputies contacted the alleged male victim.
During their investigation, deputies were told the man was lured home after receiving a notification that his wife was causing damage inside their house. When he arrived, the man’s wife was reported to be in her parked vehicle on one side of the house. When he pulled his vehicle into the circular driveway in front of his wife’s vehicle, she is alleged to have pointed a handgun at her husband. He drove away and the woman left the residence in her vehicle as well, deputy Wilkerson alleged in arrest reports.
While deputies were at the couple’s residence, the woman returned in her vehicle. A deputy took possession of the handgun and talked to her about pointing a firearm at her spouse while in the vehicle. The 53-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was taken into custody at 6:32 p.m. and transported to jail. Tammy Lea Yielding Mules, who was arrested under the name Tammy Yielding Muse, was booked in at 8:06 p.m. Jan. 5, 2023, on the an aggravated assault of a family or household member with a weapon charge.
She remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Bond was set at $75,000 on the first-degree felony assault charge, according to jail records.
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.
Hopkins County Grand Jury Signs 53 Indictments During Dec. 30, 2022 Court Session
The Hopkins County Grand Jury on Dec. 30, 2022, signed at more than 50 indictments, pushing those cases forward for prosecution. At least 45 people were named in the charges, which ranged from theft and forgery, evading arrest with and vehicle theft to escape, assault on a public servant, felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated assault and injury to a child offenses. Right at half of indictments were for marijuana and controlled substance offenses, according to information released Jan. 5, 2023, by the District Clerk’s Office.
Four individuals were named in 2 offenses each and at least 2 men were accused of 3 offenses each. In some instances, more than one individual is alleged to have participated in an offense.
Micheal Edward White was accused in three indictments of Possession of 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1‐B controlled substance with Intent To Deliver, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm By a Felon; and Prohibited Substance or Item In a Correctional, Civic or Community Facility. The 38-year-old Dallas man was allegedly caught with a cache of contraband, including suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, prescription pain medications, anti-anxiety drugs, marijuana, a firearm and two unidentified substances during an Interstate 30 traffic stop Valentine’s Day 2022. According to the Feb. 14, 2022 arrest reports, amounts of marijuana and Ecstasy were discovered to have been concealed on the Dallas man while he was being booked into the county jail, resulting in the prohibited substance charge.
Brandon Torrel Epps was also accused in the Dec. 30, 2022, indictments of three offenses — Escape While Arrested or Confined; Forgery of a Government Document, National Instrument, Money or Security; and Unauthorized Use Of Vehicle. Lorena Leon was also indicted in late December on an Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle charge. The Michigan pair, who claimed to be in a 5-year relationship, was stopped late Sept. 15, 2022, on Interstate 30 in a Jeep Cherokee that’d been reported to Redford, Michigan Police as stolen. Epps was alleged to have presented an Indiana driver’s license with the name David Christie on it, and on inspection had “abnormalities” such as off-centered typing. Also, David Christie is a white male and the man presenting the ID card was a black male, deputies alleged, deputies alleged following Epps and Leon’s arrests. While deputies were putting handcuffs on Leon, the man believed to be Epps “sprinted across the westbound lanes of travel on Interstate 30, attempting to escape while in custody,” according to arrest reports. His freedom was short-lived, however. Deputies took the man into custody as he reached the center median, according to the September arrest reports.
Cavan Swain Polite was accused in the Dec. 30 indictments of Unlawful Possess of a Firearm By a Felon and Unauthorized Use Of a Vehicle. The 25-year-old Little Rock, Arkansas man was stopped Oct. 27, 2022, on I-30 in a Range Rover reported stolen from Plano, then allegedly took off running from officials, only to be found a short time later. A Cadillac registered to him that’d been following him was found nearby a short time later; it had a pistol reportedly owned by Polite in it. Police was found a short time later hiding in brush near I-30, officers alleged in the October 2022 arrest reports.
Nicole Rae Pritchard, 25, was indicted for Possession of 4 Grams or more but less than 200 Grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B Controlled Substance With Intent To Deliver and Possession of 1 Gram or More but Less than 4 Grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B Controlled Substance.
Jameek Montres Pryor was indicted on Assault of a Family or Household Member with Previous Conviction and Unauthorized Use Of a Vehicle. The 21-year-old Cumby man was accused of slamming a female against a wall in their home and of ripping her purse off of her arm, causing a bruising and a welt.
Bryan Sandoval‐Perez was indicted on two Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon charges. The 19-year-old on Oct. 16, 2022, allegedly got into an altercation with multiple individuals over a portable Bluetooth speaker, and during the argument tried to attack one male with a pocketknife, cutting the other male’s finger. When four other males attempted to disarm him, the teen allegedly slashed and stabbed at them.
Hector Tael Zamora‐Vasquez Jr. was indicted for Aggravated Assault of a Date, Family or Household Member with a Weapon. The 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused of pressing a knife against his father’s chest in a threatening manner, causing his father to fear bodily injury on Nov. 30, 2022.
Omar Manuel Jimenez‐Garcia was indicted for Assault of a Public Servant. The 39-year-old Winnsboro man was arrested Nov. 26, 2022, on a second offense driving while intoxicated with open container charge. When he refused to provide a breath sample for testing, the trooper obtained a search warrant requiring a blood draw. Jimenez-Garcia, who was originally booked in under the name Omar M. Jimenez, refused to perform it, even after being warned it could mean an additional charge, and resisted to the point he had to be held down to secure the blood sample, the highway patrol alleged in arrest reports. While fighting with officials, he allegedly caused the phlebotomist to accidently stick one trooper with the needle, then Jimenez-Garcia jabbed his thumbnail into another trooper’s index finger, cutting it, and smashed his handcuffs on the second trooper’s finger, breaking the trooper’s nail in two, the state troopers alleged in arrest reports.
Indicted on Dec. 20, 2022 for causing intentional bodily injury to a child, elderly or disabled person was Trenis Newman Turner. The 52-year-old was accused on Oct. 17, 2022, of wrapping his mother up and physically removing her from her residence, then refused to allow her back in. When she tried to re-enter her residence, Turner intentionally pushed his 74-year-old mother back onto the porch, causing her to fall on her knees which had visible injuries and bruising, deputes alleged in arrest reports.
Terry Wayne Maples III was indicted for Assault of a Family Member‐More Than Two Times. The 37-year-old Saltillo man was accused Oct. 22, 2022 of physically assaulting his father while they were driving to work together. Then, when they got home that afternoon, Maples allegedly punched his father in the side near his rib and threatened violent acts, including burning his father’s residence down, if law enforcement was contacted, officers alleged in arrest reports. The older man was reported to have a physical injury on his upper lip and a mark on his right side to corroborate the accusation, deputies alleged in the October arrest reports.
Ruben Anzaldua was indicted for Theft of Property valued at less than $2,500, with 2 or more Conviction, which enhance the charge to a felony while Dustin Sasser was indicted for Theft of Property valued at 2,500 or More but Less than $30,000.
Also among the individuals indicted on an Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle charge were Vicente Bello‐Uriostegui and Michael Wayne Johnson. Bello-Uriostegui, a 17-year-old San Antonio male, was stopped on I-30 in a stolen Kia Fort and jailed Oct. 10, 2022. Johnson was allegedly stopped on I-30 in a stolen Dodge Challenger, and claimed to be a federal agent. A records check showed not a law enforcement license but an extensive criminal history for the 44-year-old Dallas man; a GPS tracker was found in the glovebox. When Dallas Police contacted the dealership listed on the proof of shipment document Johnson claimed was evidence he was just transporting the car to Tennessee, the dealership confirmed the car had been stolen, resulting in Johnson’s arrest.
Jessica Annette Cochran, Jarian A. Cox, Marquis L.Garrett, Tere Scott and Brookelyn Robyn Purser were all indicted on an Evading Arrest or Detention with a Vehicle charges.
Indicted on a Manufacture or Delivery of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3/4 Controlled substance was Gaylon Voughan Younger.
At least 17 additional individuals were indicted during the Dec. 30, 2022 Grand Jury session on one possession of controlled substance charge each. They included:
- Kevin Neal Benson — 1 Gram or More but Less than 4 Grams of a Penalty Group 1/1‐B Controlled Substance;
- Asa Cole Bloyed — Less than 1 Gram of a Penalty Group 1//1‐B Controlled Substance;
- Brandon NicholasCarrell — Less than 1 Gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B Controlled Substance in a Drug-Free Zone;
- Steve Hayes Donnelley — 1 Gram or More but Less than 4 Grams of a Penalty Group 1/1‐B Controlled Substance;
- Kimberly Dianne Garibay — Less than 1 Gram of a Penalty Group 1//1‐B Controlled Substance;
- Christina Nicole Harris — Less than 1 Gram of a Penalty Group 1//1‐B Controlled Substance;
- David Howk — 1 Gram or More but Less than 4 Grams of a Penalty Group 1/1‐B Controlled Substance;
- Malissa Louise Larey — Less than 1 Gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B Controlled Substance in a Drug-Free Zone;
- Sylvia Nohemy Lopez — 1 Gram or More but Less than 4 Grams of a Penalty Group 1/1‐B Controlled Substance;
- Leland Randolph Jr. Nelson — Less than 1 Gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B Controlled Substance in a Drug-Free Zone;
- Christopher Ryan Person — 1 Gram or More But Less than 4 Grams of a Penalty Group 2 Controlled Substance;
- Christopher Lynn Sharpe — 1 Gram or More but Less than 4 Grams of a Penalty Group 1/1‐B Controlled Substance;
- Brent River Trebing — Less than 1 Grams of a Penalty Group 2 Controlled Substance;
- Kaleb David Turner — Less than 1 Grams of a Penalty Group 2 Controlled Substance;
- Lucio Ibarra Valdez — Less than 1 Gram of a Penalty Group 1//1‐B Controlled Substance;
- Luis Alberto Velasquez — Less than 1 Grams of a Penalty Group 2 Controlled Substance; and
- Michael Todd Jr. Wallace — Less than 1 Gram of a Penalty Group 1//1‐B Controlled Substance.
Among the 7 individuals iIndicted on one Possession of 5 Pounds or Less but More than 4 Ounces of Marijuana each were the following: Jovan Martell Brandon, De‐Andre Xavier Scott, Tyler David Bruno, Sam Thomas Martin Jr., David Alonzo Robinson, Tommy Wayne Davis Jr. and Dakota Wade Hillis.
Paris Junior College Students to be Awarded $1500 or $500
Special registration Saturday
Paris Junior College students taking 15 semester credit hours will receive $1,500 this spring semester and other students $500. Qualifying students will also receive a free laptop. Dual credit/concurrent students are not eligible for the programs.
“We know these are tough times for many people,” said PJC President, Dr. Pam Anglin. “So, we want to provide extra assistance for students. PJC has over 70 certificate and degree programs that can be completed in two years or less, including a new diagnostic medical sonography program.”
Classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 17 and PJC will be open this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon to help busy students register.
To receive $1,500, a student must be taking 15 semester credit hours, and those taking fewer hours will get $500. Students enrolled in at least nine hours – either online or in-person – will receive a free laptop (unless the student already received a laptop in the fall). Free Microsoft Office programs are available to download.
New students may go to www.parisjc.edu/apply to be admitted to PJC, then register for classes in-person. Returning students may sign up for classes through MyPJC. Call 903-782-0425 or email [email protected] with questions.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
* Update: SSPD 911 Landline Service, 911 Cell Phone Service Restored
*** 911 service had been restored in Sulphur Springs Friday morning, Jan. 6, 2023.
For the third time since Dec. 20, 2022, Sulphur Springs Police Department reported that 911 landline service is down; 911 service for cell phones is intermittent as well.
“We are currently experiencing a 911 outage for landline telephone service. 911 service for some cell phones is still operational, some are not. We will update when 911 landline and full cell service is restored. If you have an emergency please call our office line at 903-439-3719,” SSPD reported at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.
Hicks To Be Honored Jan. 27 With Retirement Reception
Texas AgriLife Extension Agent Johanna Hicks will be honored with a retirement reception from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at the Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Office, hosted by Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers. All are invited to attend.
Hicks has dedicated 27 years of service to educating families and community members about consumer science, health and wellness topics. She has filled the role since Janie Crump’s retirement in 2001 as the home economics Extension Agent for Hopkins County.
The Family and Community Health Extension Agent’s plan to retire at the end of January was announced during the Dec. 22, 2022 Commissioners Court meeting.
Hicks said it has been a pleasure serving the community. She said her decision to retire will allow her to still enjoy good health, travel, her hobbies and, of course, her grandkids! But don’t expect her to disappear from the community entirely. She still fully intends to be involved in the community. She has even received special permission to continue hosting one of the programs she offers for engaged and newly married couples.
Jane Nelson Officially Appointed 115th Texas Secretary of State
AUSTIN — Today (Jan. 5,2023), Governor Greg Abbott officially appointed Jane Nelson to serve as the 115th Texas Secretary of State. Upon the filing of her official appointment, Nelson issued the following statement:
“I am deeply honored to continue my career as a public servant as Texas Secretary of State, and am grateful for the confidence Governor Abbott has placed in me to serve in this critical new role. As Secretary of State, I hope to continue safeguarding the integrity of our state’s elections and enhance transparency so that all Texas voters can have confidence in fair, accurate elections across each of our 254 counties. I also look forward to working with our many international partners – including our largest trading partner, Mexico – to enhance Texas’ position on the global stage and continue building our reputation as a global economic powerhouse.”
Nelson will be formally sworn in by Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht on Saturday, January 7, 2023.
The Texas Secretary of State serves as the state’s Chief Election Officer; provides a repository for official, business and commercial records; publishes rules and regulations; and commissions notaries public. In addition, the Secretary serves as senior advisor and liaison to the Governor for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs, and serves as Chief International Protocol Officer for Texas. The Secretary is one of six state officials named by the Texas Constitution to form the Executive Department of the State. The first Secretary of the Republic of Texas was Stephen F. Austin.
Official Biography of Secretary of State Jane Nelson
Jane Nelson was appointed the 115th Texas Secretary of State by Governor Greg Abbott on January 5, 2023.
Secretary Nelson is a businesswoman and former teacher who served two terms on the State Board of Education and 30 years as a State Senator representing North Texas.
The first woman in Texas legislative history to chair a standing budget-writing committee, Secretary Nelson was Chair of the Senate Finance Committee for four sessions. She was a member of the Senate State Affairs Committee, which oversees election policy, for eight sessions. She served as chair of the Sunset Advisory Commission, the Nominations Committee, the Select Committee on Cybersecurity and the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. She was also a member of the Legislative Budget Board, the Legislative Audit Committee and the Privacy Protection Advisory Council.
In addition to writing four balanced state budgets, Secretary Nelson has a long list of accomplishments, including establishing the Cancer Research & Prevention Institute of Texas (CPRIT), reforming medical liability, achieving tax relief, overhauling the foster care system, expanding access to mental health care, and passing over 30 bills to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Her work has been recognized with dozens of awards, including from the American Medical Association, American Cancer Society, Texas Association of Business, Texas Council on Family Violence, CASA, Texas Hospital Association, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Texas PTA, Texas Retired Teachers Association, the Women’s Health Coalition and many others. She has a 100% voting record in support of Texas small businesses.
Secretary Nelson and her husband, J. Michael Nelson, owned and operated an aircraft component manufacturing company in Denton County. They have five children and 12 grandchildren.
Cool Season Weeds Can Be Detrimental To Warm Season Perennial Forages
By Mario Villarino, Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, [email protected]
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, forage producers focus most of our energy on our warm season perennial pastures and hay meadows (bermudagrass, bahiagrass, etc.). That means most of our weed control efforts are also focused on warm season weeds (such as carolina horsenettle, blackberry, etc). Unfortunately, cool season weeds can be just as detrimental to our warm season perennial forages.
Annual ryegrass
Annual ryegrass is a cool season annual forage often utilized by livestock producers for winter grazing. However, it’s often deemed an enemy of many a hay producer in East Texas. Later maturity of annual ryegrass can delay or prevent our warm season perennial forages from breaking dormancy in April/May therefore delaying our initial hay cutting. There are multiple ways to manage unwanted ryegrass. Use of herbicides to control annual ryegrass is probably the most common method practiced. Pendimethalin can be used as a pre-emergent herbicide for dormant bermudagrass and bahiagrass pastures and hay meadows. Glyphosate, metsulfuron and nicosulfuron are post emergent herbicide options.
Henbit
Henbit is a plant that is not generally considered a pasture weed. It can become a major competitor with bermudagrass in the early spring for moisture and nutrients. 2,4-D alone is not highly effective against henbit. However, glyhphosate in the dormant season; mixtures of 2,4-D and glyphosate; and mixtures of 2,4-D and dicamba, picloram, aminopyralid, and metsulfuron; are quite effective against henbit. Henbit is a cool season annual and should be sprayed when it is small for best results.
Thistle
If left uncontrolled, thick thistle stands can reduce grazing and result in less forage production. Best time to control with a herbicide is when thistles are in the rosette stage. The rosette stage is when the thistle forms a low-growing ring of leaves (November – March). If thistles have bolted or developed seed heads, they are much more difficult to control. Several broadleaf herbicides are effective against thistles if they are in the rosette stage (2,4-D alone; 2,4-D with picloram; dicamba or aminopyralid; metsulfuron methyl; or a combination of metsulfuron methyl with 2,4-D and dicamba).
Texas Groundsel
Texas Groundsel or Texas squaw-weed is another common cool season annual weed. Control is less expensive and more likely if plants are treated while still in the rosette stage. Once the plant begins to bolt, more herbicide is required. 2,4-D alone can be effective if applied in the rosette stage. Other effective products include: 2,4-D and dicamba, 2,4-D and aminopyralid, aminopyralid, metsulfuron, metsulfuron and nicosulfuron, metsulfuron with 2,4-D and dicamba.
Mature Texas Groundsel
Winter weeds are not a problem in all perennial warm-season pastures and hay meadows. Fields should be scouted to determine if treatment is warranted. In most cases, controlling winter weeds in summer perennial pastures involved an additional application since it is unlikely that an application during the dormant season will control summer weeds.
Label directions
Strict adherence to label directions is required by law. Paying close attention to label directions will also ensure safe, effective and economical use. Herbicide labels contain directions for proper rate and timing of application, a list of susceptible species, and information regarding cleanup and disposal following use.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
City Council Approves 2 Ordinances, Appoints New Public Works Director
Sulphur Springs City Council approved 2 ordinances and appointed a new public works director during the regular January 2023 meeting Tuesday evening.
City Appointment
The City Council met at 6:30 p.m. in executive session, just prior to the open portion of the Jan. 3, 2023 meeting, to discuss deliberations regarding economic development for Ashoka Steel, personnel matters — including the public works director position — and to consult with their attorney.
At the end of the meeting, Place 1 Councilman Jay Julian made a motion, which Spraggins seconded, to appoint Bryan Craig as the city’s public works director. The City council unanimously agreed.
Craig was re-hired by the city on March 2, 2015 as Capital Construction Assistant Superintendent. He was promoted to Capital Construction Superintendent on Oct. 25, 2015, a position he held until Tuesday. Public Works Director Russ Nuss passed away in early December, leaving the position open. Craig was promoted Jan. 3 to public works director.
Sanitation Ordinance
Sulphur Springs City Council was asked Jan. 3 to consider on second reading Ordinance No. 2815, amending the sanitation rate ordinance setting new sanitation rates.
When presented for discussion, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Lesa Smith reported no changes had been made to the policy presented in December for first review.
The City Council voted earlier in the year when approving city utility rates to postpone making a decision on the sanitation rates so that the fees would be based on more accurate rates based on consumer price index rates. In August, city officials proposed a 9.8% increase to reflect contract provision with sanitation services providers.
The City’s sanitation revenue was less than projected over the last year, city staff reports. Both sanitation companies serving Sulphur Springs submit rates at the end of October, which is after the annual budget is adopted in September and, typically, utility rates for city residents as well. Annual contract increases over the past 5 years have been based on the consumer price index-for urban wage earners and clerical workers (wages for hourly staff — CPI-W) in October, but the city’s rates, including any increases, are decided on in September.
At the Dec. 6, 2022 City Council meeting, Smith proposed a 6.16% increase in rates using a weighted average increase for the contracts.
The landfill sanitation contract increase is based on the CPI-W for October, with the Sanitation Solutions contract based on December’s CPI-W, but capped at 5%. There is no cap on the landfill contract CPI increase. The CPI-W for October came in at a 7.9% increase over October 2021. Although the December CPI wasn’t expected to be available until this month, Smith in December noted it it is highly unlikely the CPI percentage increase would fall below the cap of 5%.
Using the weighted average increase for contract, city staff proposed a 6.16% increase in sanitation rates, The landfill charges comprise about 40% of the sanitation expense, with a proposed increase to rates of 7.9% and the collection contract comprises the other 60% of the cost with a proposed increase of 5%. Using the weighted average of the two contracts, the result and proposed sanitation rate increase would be 6.16%. This increase will generate the increase in revenue needed to cover the increase in expense.
At the Jan. 3, 2023 meeting, Sulphur Springs City Council Place 7 Councilman John Sellers made a motion, which Place 5 Councilman Gary Spraggins seconded, to approved Ordinance No. 2518 as proposed on second and final reading. The motion received unanimous approval of the ordinance, and will become effective on February 1, 2023.
The monthly charge for residential sanitation collection twice a week will be $13.88 for each dwelling unit, including each unit in multi-family residences and each unit in mobile home parks. That’s an $0.81 increase in the residential hand-collection sanitation rate. The monthly charge for commercial hand collection will be $27.76 for each commercial unit, a $1.61 increase per yard.
Rezoning Ordinance
The City Council also considered, on first reading, Ordinance # 2820, a request by Kennedy Commercial-Shannon Rd LLC to rezone 0.78 acre of property at 1439 East Shannon Road from heavy industrial to multifamily sot hat it can be developed as Cadi Lane North subdivision.
Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski noted city staff and the Sulphur Springs Planning & Zoning Commission have reviewed the request, and given the zoning around it, recommended approving the request.
The property is surrounded by a variety of zoning types. To the north is a heavy industrial zone, which includes warehousing and offices. To the east is another heavy commercial zone on Helm Lane, where apartments are located. To the south and west is a neighborhood with single family housing which are zoned single family-6.
The developer indicated plans to construct three duplex-style rental properties on the property, located on the back side of the East Industrial Drive property, near the intersection of Cadi Lane and Helm Lane. The intent is for the property to be very similar to the units Joe Ardis had constructed on Lundy Street, Niewiadomski reported.
Residential development is not permitted in heavy industrial zones. Heavy industrial zoning currently allows for auto wrecking yards, lumber mills, junkyards, factories, and other commercial and rental uses, thus, the request for rezoning.
Niewiadomski said multifamily zoning would be a step in the right direction, a bridge of sorts from the Helm Lane apartments to the single family residential neighborhood behind the complex.
Certified letters were sent to 13 surrounding property owners within 200 feet of the proposed zoning change, notifying them of the request and P&Z meeting on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. The City of Sulphur Springs received received four in opposition to the zoning change. The developer claimed adding duplexes right next to the entrance to Woodcreek Subdivision would further impact his ability to sell the homes being built there, including the five single family homes he had yet to sell in December.
Spraggins noted that initially, considering the address for the requested zoning change, he did not think making the property that backs up to five homes in that addition which have not yet sold would be appropriate. However, after driving over to see the property thinks the multifamily designation and duplex-style rentals would be a better transition between the apartments and residential addition than a heavy industrial use.
Spraggins then made a motion, which Place 4 Councilman Tommy Harrison seconded, to approved Ordinance #2820 granting the zoning change. The ordinance will need to be read and approved a second time at a future meeting by the City Council in order for it to go into effect.
