Verbal Complaint Results In Warrant Arrest
A verbal complaint resulted in a felony warrant arrest, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Victor Reyna reported being dispatched Monday, July 11, 2022, to a verbal complaint on Glover Avenue. Upon arrival in the area, Reyna located Bradley Scott Keene, who’d reportedly walked away from the disturbance at his residence.
A records check by dispatchers showed the 38-year-old Sulphur Springs man to be wanted in Fannin County. Reyna took Keene into custody at 5:35 p.m. July 11, 2022, on the warrant. Keene was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked in at 6:12 p.m. Monday on the Fannin County warrant for violating bond on a credit or debit card abuse charge, according to arrest reports.
Keene remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, July 12, 2022, held for Fannin County on the felony warrant, according to jail reports.
HCSO jail records also show Keene was jailed once before in Hopkins County, Oct. 14-18, 2019, on a Bonham warrant for credit or debit card abuse and on a Gregg County warrant for violation of probation on a possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
SSATA Students Win at South US District Championships
Students from Sulphur Springs ATA Martial Arts brought home 37 medals from the 2022 Southern US District Championships that were held on June 3 in Mesquite. This invitation-only tournament features students who have qualified based on their tournament results over the entire 2021-2022 season.
Harleigh Stegient took home the District Championship in Combat Sparring, Creative Weapons, and Extreme Weapons, as well as a silver medal in Traditional Weapons. Sam Perry won a District Championship in Extreme Forms while also capturing 3 silver medals and 2 bronze. Summer Miller won District Champion in Traditional Forms and a Bronze in Sparring. Chris Miles II took three championships in Creative Weapons, Extreme Forms, and Extreme Weapons. Dequavian Person continued the winning ways with his championship in Creative Forms. Mr. Daron Bilyeu won three titles in Creative Forms, Creative Weapons, and Extreme Weapons, as well as 3 silver medals and 2 bronze.
Susie Chessher took silvers in two events and bronze in two others. Karisma Stegient won silver in Extreme Weapons, Taylor Wilson-Calhoun added three bronze medals. EmmaLynn Bodiford rounded out the medals with a Bronze medal. Abraham Shadix, Brandon Bilyeu, Jose Mejia, Jr., and Rebecca Tamsma had incredible competitions but were not able to place in the medals.
Harleigh Stegient, Karisma Stegient, and Daron Bilyeu will be travelling to Phoenix, Arizona July 13-15 for the Tournament of Champions. This tournament features the top black belt competitors from all over the world.
SSISD Board Asked To Consider Increasing Pay For Food Service Employees, Custodians
Two Sulphur Springs ISD cafeteria workers asked the school board Monday evening to consider increasing the pay for district food service employees and custodians to a livable wage.
Melinda Kile, during the public forum portion of the July 11 SSISD Board of Trustees meeting, provided school board members with a copy of a pay stub food service workers receive at Rowena Johnson Primary. Then, pointed out the gross pay at that rate is $15,483 a year, which comes out to $1,215 a month. After everything is taken out, that leaves $9,927 each year, or $827 a month for food service employees to live on. That’s all they have to pay for everything, including rent, utility bills, car or vehicle payments, gasoline and maintenance, vehicle insurance, food, medication or medical copays or deductibles, groceries, clothes and whatever other bills or else is needed to make ends meet.
With the current rate of inflation, Kile pointed out, that amounts to even less food service workers and custodians are able to buy with those their funds, or less to spend on medicine or apply toward utility bills and other living expenses. Kile asked the the board what they consider a livable wage, what would be enough to meet their needs. With $827, ends are not meeting, she said. With continually increasing prices and no raise in pay to help much less keep pace, there’s no visible light at the end of the tunnel for food services and other hourly workers such as custodial staff.
Kile said it is very frustrating, paying all of the bills that can be paid after receiving your paycheck and having no money left to live on the rest of the month, for gas to get to and from work or the grocery store.
The school employee asked the SSISD trustees if they could find ways to make that income of $827 work in today’s economy, challenged the board members to show her how to make stretch those dollars to include everything in today’s world.
Secretary Kerry Wright and John Prickette.
“You consider food service a retirement job,” Kile said. “For most, it’s a living. I have years and years until I can retire.”
Contrary to what some may think, Kile pointed out, their job is not just putting food on a tray. There’s a lot more involved. They have to do inventory, make sure the food is prepare, training on the safe food preparation, making sure temperatures reach the required mark, record keeping, lots of paperwork, working the register and being fast at it, keeping up with kids allergies, heavy lifting of supplies, chemicals involved in cleaning, and those, Kile said are just some of the responsibilities of food service employees.
Kile said while she could pursue work elsewhere she likes working for the school district, but needs to be able to make a living too.
She extended thanks to the board for the $1,000 stipend everyone got this year, noting she is appreciative and grateful to receive it. However, that was a one time allocation, not a raise. There’s no guaranty they’ll see that again.
Kile asked the trustees to consider raising the pay rate for food service workers so that they receive the same pay the months they don’t work, so it balances out, where they can make enough money to do things they need to do. She said she will appreciate anything the board can do to help improve the pay so hourly employees can make ends meet, just a livable wage for now, much less have enough to put into a 401K or savings. What little the hourly workers have will be even less when they are retirement age, as only a percentage of income goes toward retirement, and they are already struggling to make ends meet.
“We work hard. We need it,” Kile said, and noted that it’s not just food service employees but, custodian workers could use the pay too.
SSISD Trustee Robert Cody asked what hours food service employees typically work. Kile and Bonnie Spencer, another food service employee at Rowena Johnson Primary attending the July 11, 2022, school board meeting, indicated they typically work from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw said food service employees typically work 7 1/2 hours at most, some only 5-6 hours each a day.
Spencer asked about the school insurance as well, if the district had looked at other options, may some that were better or since there are so many employees who are insured through the district health plan.
Superintendent Michael Lamb noted that SSISD has looked at and considered it carefully, and would be happy to sit down and visit with her about insurance at any time other than during the board meeting.
McGraw noted that the school district does have good insurance, and sought Spencer’s confirmation that she was referring to the cost to the district and employees themselves, not the coverage, that she was referring to.
Chamber Connection – July 13: Register For Leadership Sulphur Springs, Stew Contest
By Butch Burney
Leadership Sulphur Springs is back for another year, and registration begins next week. Leadership Sulphur Springs is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. The course was created in 1989 with the concept of offering leadership training and community involvement for emerging business and community leaders. It is a nine-month session, with meetings held once a month.
Applicants should have lived or worked in Hopkins County for at least a year, have demonstrated a concern for the community, possess high standards of personal quality and integrity, be willing to commit the time required for the program, and have the endorsement of their employer to take the necessary time away from work.
To apply, go to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org, email [email protected] or call 903-885-6515, starting July 18. The cost is $500, usually paid by the applicant’s employer.
Stew Time Already
Stew cooks, it’s time to get your spots. Registration for the 53rd Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest, set for Oct. 22, is already beginning. To register, go online to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org/stewcooks, email [email protected] or call 903-885-6515. The cost to enter is $100 per stew pot, with $150 coming from the sponsor to pay for ingredients.
This year, stew cooks can also pre-order a T-shirt with “Stew Cook” on the back for $15. Register now to reserve your spot from last year.
Luau Business
Get your luau on at the Chamber’s next Business After Hours, hosted by Heritage Home Health and Hospice, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at the Chamber office.
Heritage will have tropical drinks, food and fun music for everyone to enjoy! Whether you’re a member of the Chamber or not, come on for one of the best networking events.
Mental Health First Aid
Lakes Regional will host a two-day event for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), which is free and open to the public. The adult MHFA is 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 14 at the Lakes Regional Sulphur Springs location on Airport Road. The youth seminar will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 26.
To register, call 972-977-7295 or email [email protected].
Ribbon Cuttings
Maltech Fleet Services will have a ribbon cutting at 1412 College St. at noon Wednesday, July 16. Please join us for this event.
Special Court, Plat, Fire Department Donations, Easement, Bridge Improvements Discussed
A special court, final plat, fire department donations, road easement and bridge improvements were discussed and approved by Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning.
Easement
Jason Lacomfora asked the county to grant an easement for property located on Airline Drive, located just west of Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport. He noted that he’d first contacted city staff about obtaining the easement. He said he was advised while the road is in the city, it’s part of a swap program with the county, so the request would need to be made to the county.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price said he wasn’t knowledgeable about that, so he contacted city officials as well. Unfortunately, Price said, he never got a response back to the query.
“He asked me for permission that he didn’t need any permits to build down there. I agreed he did not,” Price said. “I think he’s got plans for 12 acres which didn’t fall within our plat. So I granted him the right to do what he wanted to do within the law. So I make a motion that we accept that.”
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley seconded the motion to grant an easement for property located on Airline Drive. The motion receive unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court.
Road/Bridge Improvements
The Commissioners Court put on record four Texas Department of Transportation bridge projects, which will mean one road is a step closer to reopening and 3 other bridges will be replaced, making it easier for residents living on the other side of them to cross them during wet weather.
The county receives credit for other road repairs which are applied toward the county’s funding portion of the project. One bridge to be repaired is on Pipeline Road (South Loop 301) at Town Branch, with cooperation of the city and county. That is a big step toward getting Pipeline Road reopened, Bartley said. The project has been on TxDOT’s bridge plan for several years, and soon will be replaced. Officials are slated to advertise for bids next month, the Precinct 3 Commissioner noted.
“That’s a big step to getting that road reopened. That portion of our city, our area is growing tremendously in our industrial park. There are a lot of workers out there in that area. Should one of them need some hospital assistance, Pipeline Road would be a shortcut to the hospital for not only these workers but anyone on the that side of town,” Bartley said. “There has been several steps already to get that road constructed. We’ve been working with the city. We’ve got their support. “
The commissioner said while Pipeline Road is not one of the roads he as a precinct commissioner is responsible for maintaining, he will do whatever he can to get it open for the good of the citizens in the county.
One other of the roads on the bridge project list also is located within Precinct 3 on a road not traveled as much. Located east of Sulphur Bluff by an oil field, County Road 3545 at Mitchell Creek Tributary also is slated for bridge improvement. That road goes across a dam on a small lake that’s infested with beavers.
“They’re going to replace a cattle guard and put in some kind of drainage structure to help improve drainage,” Bartley said, adding, “So, that’s just how different [TxDOT] projects can be. TxDOT does mark their own bridges for our county roads if they need one that’s a certain size that needs replaced, they put it on their program and they incur the cost so it’s a tremendous help to the county.”
“There is a matching fund that we pay to TxDOT for our support of the drainage issues in our precincts. So that’s how we work very closely with TxDOT,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker noted.
A bridge on County Road 1180 in Birch Creek also is targeted to be replaced. Eight families live past the bridge on CR 1180. When there’s a lot of water runoff from Birch Creek, the road floods and the eight families are unable to leave their homes. Precinct 1 has in the past made preparations to go across this flooded bridge, which is dangerous, to bring people out to the hospital.
“I got involved four years ago, I’ve been working this four years. TxDOT is going to be letting the contract on County Road 1180 across Birch Creek next month. So, this has been a big feather in our hat to get this done over the last 4-5 years,” Barker said.
Commissioner Price said County Road 4767 at North Caney Creek Tributary is a small dead-end road that serves 2 people along the half-mile stretch from the bridge.
“It was already in the books when I came into office. We’ve done a match program on it also, so we are ready to go,” Price said.
Price made a motion, which was seconded by Bartley, to put on record and approved the proposed plans of improvement for SL 301/Pipeline Road at Town Branch, CR 4767 at North Caney Creek Tributary, CR 3545 at Mitchell Creek Tributary and CR 1180 at Birch Creek.
Final Plat
A final plat for Rios Estates was also approved Monday, July 11, 2022, by Hopkins County Commissioners Court. County Clerk Tracy Smith noted this was simply the final version of the preliminary plat the Court approved at a previous court meeting. The request, Smith during the June 27 court session, is for simple plat, sectioning one lot into two lots.
There had initially been some confusion as to the location for the request due to the road numbers listed on the initial proposal, FM 2653 and County Road 4112 were listed, but do not intersect. After getting clarity on that, the court approved the initial preliminary plat for Rios Estates on June 27. Then, on Monday, July 11, 2022, the Commissioners Court gave final approval to the final plat for Rios Estates as presented.
Fire Department Donations
Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley noted that Hopkins County Fire department has received a $1,000 donation from Wood County Electric Coop. He said the check had been delivered to the County Treasurer and requested that it be applied to HCFD’s operations line in the budget to be applied to things like the cost of new fire hoses.
Endsley also noted that HCFD was donating a 20 x 32-foot portable building to Dike Volunteer Fire Department. HCFD has had the building almost since the department’s inception 20 years ago. When HCFD moved from Weaver Drive to the current intermodal facility on Texas Street, the building was moved as well. HCFD has now outgrown the portable building.
“We are needing to go up in size because we’ve got a few things that are coming in our way through grants that we have to house in a bigger location behind the fire station, so that building was taken down by sheriff’s office by the trustees, David Ray and Bobby Woodward. We are very appreciative of it,” Marshal Endsley said.
Dike VFD, however, is hoping to purchase an engine in the near future and will need a facility to house it. Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley put down a pad for Dike VFD at no cost to Dike VFD, then the trustees were utilized in Dike to put the building up on the new pad.
“We’re going to donate that over to the Dike Fire Department with the stipulation that if they ever do decide to move on in a different direction or add on to the building, that building will be used at another department for a substation or whatever they might need it for,” Endsley said.
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook noted the building will be removed from the HCFD inventory and insurance, which will mean Dike will need to insure it if the structure is to be insured moving forward.
“This is going to be a benefit to the community because Engie, the solar farm company, agreed to donate $30,000 to the fire department for the purchase a fire apparatus and this will be a structure to protect that vehicle. Once that’s in place — and I don’t know all the process — then we can apply for a different ISO rating, to get it lowered and will be able to lower insurance rates for everyone’s personal buildings in that area. It’s going to be a benefit to everybody out there and we’re going to have extra protection out there in the county,” Commissioner Bartley noted.
County Judge Robert Newsom noted that county officials have worked with fire departments to help several areas lower ISO ratings, which typically means lower insurance rates for everyone within a 5 mile driving radius.
With the exception of Sulphur Bluff VFD which is still rebuilding from the fire which destroyed the department’s station and most apparatus, Dike is the last VFD in the county that does not have a fire engine. Once the department gets one and outfits it for service, they can request state insurance representatives grade the district. Paperwork to start that process has already been started. Being graded with an engine should improve homeowners and property insurance costs for all within 5 road miles of Dike fire station, according to Endsley.
Special Court
Hopkins County Commissioners Court also was asked to approve a resolution for a special court, which would begin operations on Jan. 2, 2023. In accordance with Chapter 121 of Texas Government Code, the special court is being established as a special drug court, at the request of the District Attorney’s Office.
Essentially, this would provide first time controlled substance and alcohol offenders a chance to turn their lives around, Newsom explained. Basically, it would be an intervention step to try to reduce recidivism, to try to offer help for those who accused of crimes involving controlled substances, before they become deeply addicted to the illegal substances and end up with multiple arrests on their record, the county judge explained.
The drug court is a program several other court systems across the state already have in place. The program would be headed by Jody Cox with the District Attorney’s Office, according to Newsom.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Felony DWI Charge
A 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed early Sunday morning on a felony DWI charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Silas Whaley responded in the 100 block of East Shannon Road to a report of a suspected drunk driver at 1:54 a.m. Sunday, June 10, 2022. The officer was given a vehicle license plate number and told the person in question appeared to have passed out in the driver’s seat, behind the wheel of a truck.
Upon arrival at the fast food restaurant, Whaley located the silver Chevrolet Silverado in question and contacted the man in the driver’s seat. The officer in arrest reports said he detected an alcoholic beverage odor emitting from the 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s breath. Joshua Cruz also had bloodshot, glassy eyes and slurred speech, leading the officer to believe the man likely was intoxicated, according to arrest reports.
Cruz reportedly agreed to perform standard field sobriety tests. Upon completion of the tests, Whaley determined Cruz had operated the truck in a public place while intoxicated. As a result, Cruz was taken into custody at 2:06 a.m. July 10, 2022, and transported to jail. When the Sulphur Springs man agreed to a blood specimen for testing, the blood sample was drawn for analysis at the hospital emergency room.
Cruz was returned to jail, where he was booked in at 3:34 a.m. July 10, 2022, for third or more driving while intoxicated charge. He was released later Sunday, July 10, on a $10,000 bond on the felony DWI charge, according to jail reports.
Jail records show Cruz has twice before been booked into Hopkins County jail on DWI charges, on June 7, 2018, and again on March 2, 2019.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
PCP Found During Traffic Stop
Woman Jailed On Controlled Substance Warrant
An out-of-state pair was jailed after PCP was founding in their possession during a routine traffic stop early Monday morning. A Sulphur Springs woman was arrested Saturday on a controlled substance warrant, according to arrest reports.
PCP Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Drew Fisher reported stopping John Davis Fowler at 1:43 a.m. July 11, 2022, on the south Interstate service road at FM 275 for failure to drive a Cadillac ATS in a single lane. Upon contact, Fisher noted the 41-year-old Hugo, Oklahoma man who’d been driving appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. Fowler had slurred speech and appeared confused, Fisher reported.
Fisher and Sgt. Tanner Steward continued investigating, conducting standard field sobriety tests and detaining Fowler. Deputies later located a small vial that contained what was believed to be PCP liquid on the ground beside Fowler, Fisher alleged in arrest reports.
Fowler reportedly gave deputies permission to search the car. They found a vial containing suspected PCP in the seat of passenger, 42-year-old Shawn Antwan Lewis of Bakersfield, California, according to arrest reports.
Fowler and Lewis were taken into custody at 2:06 a.m. July 11, 2022, and transported to jail, where each was booked in for just before 4 a.m. July 11, 2022, for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, the suspected PCP.
Deputies were unable to weigh the liquid alone, so the final weight of the suspected PCP will be determined during lab analysis, Fisher noted in arrest reports.
Both men remained in Hopkins County jail later Monday, July 11, 2022.
Warrant Arrest
HCSO Deputy Isaac Foley reported seeing Linda Ann Miears, a woman he knew had outstanding warrants, at 9:40 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2022, operating a Hyundai SUV on Gilmer Street. So, he initiated at traffic stop in the 800 block of Gilmer Street.
Foley reported taking the 57-year-old Sulphur Springs woman into custody and transported her to Hopkins County jail. Miears was booked in on possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair warrants. The offenses, Foley alleged in arrest reports, occurred on May 27, 2022, on Connally Street at Garrison Street.
Miears — who jail records show is also known by Linda Burrows Miears, Linda Ann Miears Burrows, Linda Ann Burrows Miears and Linda Ann Ann Miers — remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, July 11, 2022. Her bonds totaled $30,000 — $15,000 per charge.
Sgt. Tanner Steward was credited with assisting with the arrest.
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.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report —July 3-10, 2022
Winnsboro Police Department each week provides a media report with information about department activity. WPD activity for the week of July 3-10, 2022, included:
Arrests
- Ed Lugo, 38 years of age, of Tulsa, OK., was arrested on July 3, 2022, on Possession of less than 2 ounces of Marijuana, Possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B Controlled Substance, and Possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 Controlled Substance charges.
- Dustin Cook, 38 years of age, of Quinlan, was arrested on July 4, 2022, on Van Zandt County warrants for Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon, Unlawful Restraint Exposed-Serious bodily injury, and Assault of a Family or Household Member that Impeded Breath, and a Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole warrant.
- Jeffery Merchant,35 years of age, of Terrell, was arrested on July 4, 2022, on a Wood County Warrant for Release of Surety Bond – Interfere with Public Duties.
- Juan Castillo, 24 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on July 4, 2022, on 6 Class C Winnsboro Municipal Court warrants.
- Miranda Collins, 36 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on July 7, 2022, on Criminal Trespass and Evading Arrest charges.
- Remington Hanes, 31 years of age, of Scroggins, was arrested on July 10, 2022, driving while license invalid with previous convictions.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 137 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 25 citations and 26 warnings during this reporting period.
Reinvestment Zones Established For D6 Inc. Extension, 1 Potential New Business
The establishment of reinvestment zones by Sulphur Springs City Council advanced two businesses one step closer to construction in Sulphur Springs. Ashoka Steel Mill is considering two locations on which to locate a new branch of the business, and Sulphur Springs is one of the two. D6 Inc. LLC plans to expand its current location, then in stages relocate its corporate headquarters from Portland to Sulphur Springs.
Establishing reinvestment zones does not commit the city to any tax incentives, but does allow certain taxing entities to consider granting tax incentives for businesses located within them.
Ashoka Steel Mills
The City Council first considered on second and final reading Ordinance No. 2805, creating a reinvestment zone for Ashoka Steel Mills, a business the Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation has been recruiting for development in Hopkins County.
Ashoka Steel Mills anticipates asking for incentives from Hopkins County, the City of Sulphur Springs, Sulphur Springs ISD and Hopkins County Hospital District as well, which Ashoka indicated would be determining factors in whether or not the business will open a sizeable facility in Sulphur Springs — which could be among two of the company’s first manufacturing facility in the US. Tulsa, Oklahoma is also in the running to for a new Ashoka facility.
Ashoka has already submitted an application to SSISD asking for an agreement for a tax incentive. SSISD’s attorneys have reviewed the documents and submitted them to the Texas Comptroller’s office. If approved by the Comptroller, then SSISD could consider approving the application from Ashoka Steel Mills LLC. for appraised value limitation on qualified property .
The City of Sulphur Springs was asked to consider approving Ordinance No. 2805, establishing the reinvestment zone, required for Ashoka to apply to Hopkins County Hospital District for a tax abatement.
The company is looking to make a $265 million investment, which would create over 300 jobs, would be a boost to the local economy, the school board was told April 11, 2022. Talent would be mostly local, with a few experts in from Italy and Germany to help during the construction period and potentially with training of technicians and engineers.
The Ashoka Steel Mill would be located in the center of the City of Sulphur Springs’ property which previously housed a coal mine. It would initially occupy about 250 acres, with a 150 acre expansion later, out of the total 4,857-acre former Thermo/Luminant mine property, officials were told Monday.
The proposed electric arc furnace steel mill would produce 350,000 tons of rebar annually. The facility, according to documentation in the application, would use an electric arc to heat metals instead of a blast furnace. The mill estimates 402,500 tons of scrap metal from local areas would be used to produce the rebar; the steel recycling, according to the application, would reduce carbon emissions. The scrap metal would be brought in mainly by rail, amounting to an estimated 8,000 railcars a year, and about 40 trucks.
The appraised value limitation requested for Ashoka Steel Mill LLC would limit the amount of property value considered when the business’ SSISD maintenance and operations taxes are figured for 10 years. The minimum required qualified investment for project for SSISD to consider the application is $30 million. That’s the amount of appraised value limitation for which Ashoka Steel is applying, according to the applications received by SSISD and submitted to Texas Comptroller’s Office for consideration for Chapter 313 agreement.
Sulphur Springs City Council during the regular meeting on July 5, 2022, agreed on second and final hearing to establish a reinvestment zone for a period of 5 years, renewable for an additional 5 years.
D6 Inc., LLC
Sulphur Springs City Council also on July 5, 2022, approved on first reading Ordinance No. 2806, a reinvestment zone for D6 Inc., LLC, an advanced design-to-shelf packaging manufacturer, using recycled plastics.
The business began operations at the end of 2020 after purchasing the property known locally as the old Coca-Cola plant, after being granted a Chapter 380 economic development agreement from the City of Sulphur Springs, an agreement with Hopkins County and a tax abatement from Hopkins County Hospital District. The business had projected adding 25 jobs to the local economy but, thus far, has added over 70 jobs.
Now, the business is not only planning two further expansions, but will be relocating it’s corporate headquarters from Portland, Oregon to Sulphur Springs, Texas. In October of 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a $1,432,200 Texas Enterprise Fund grant and a $6,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus for D6 to help move its corporate headquarters from Portland, Oregon to Sulphur Springs, Texas.
When the pandemic began, D6 Inc. shifted to making face shields and masks. The latest project will expand the business’ manufacturing presence in the state, building the first fully closed-loop recycling site for single-use PET clamshells in Sulphur Springs.
Overall, the business is expected to expand the current operation by 300,000-square feet, with a 180,000-square-foot building to be constructed as soon as the business can get everything in line and another 120,000-square-foot building expansion in three years. The new buildings will be located on the Saputo (old We Pack) property just across from the current facility, on the 10 acres the EDC has near the railroad tracks, EDC officials reported in 2021.
D6 Inc. uses materials shredded at an LA plant and shipped in carloads along the railroad to be offloaded to make aluminum pans that can be thrown away after use, pie pans, Danish trays. They also make the clear plastic containers and packaging in which cut fruit and vegetables are packaged in for sale at Walmart. In addition to recycled aluminum and plastic, the business also uses recycles plastic bottle tops to make plastic pallets.
The business is approaching the relocation and expansion in three phases. D6 Inc. plans to build expand the current facility by 66,000 square feet, because the business has already outgrown the Coca-Cola facility.
SS-HC EDC Executive Director Roger Feagley told Hopkins County Commissioners Court on June 10, 2022, when presenting for consideration a 381 agreement for the 66,000-square foot expansion.
“They’re going to add the 66,000, which basically completely fills that lot up with buildings. With this building there, that completely fills that lot. This agreement most likely won’t see it to the end, because by the time they finish the 300,000 square foot building, it’s their intention right now to sell what they’ve got now. We’re trying to get them moving because they’re just falling over each other,” Feagley said at a previous meeting.
D6 Inc. plans to tackle the 300,000 square foot expansion in increments of about 100,000 square feet at a time. Engineers are currently working on plans for the 300,000 square foot building, but the agreements approved in the last 6 months are for the 66,000 square foot expansion.
From a Nurse Aide Class at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
PRACTICING
Students in the nurse aide class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus are practicing clinical skills in lab exercises. Above Jadyn Carter, left, works on the hands of fellow student Emma Doolittle.
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.
