George, Qualls Earn Top Honors At MGHS
Both Of Miller Grove’s Top Students Are Also Graduating This Spring From PJC
Miller Grove High School has recognized Jacob Harris George and Jagger Kane Qualls for earning top honors among the MGHS Senior Class of 2022.
Jacob George has been named the Valedictorian of the Miller Grove graduating class of 2022 with an overall grade point average of 101.9. Jacob is the son of Clint and Traci George; the brother of Nathan George; and the grandson of Glen and Carolyn George, and Bill and Bobbye Harris.
In his four years of high school, he participated in basketball and baseball. He was awarded the All-District Defensive MVP, All-State Honorable Mention Catcher, and helped his team advance to the Regional Finals in baseball.
Jacob was also involved in Academic UIL, was a member of the National Honor Society, Alliance Bank Student Advisory Board, and Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class. He was also the 2018 junior high valedictorian.
He enjoys hunting, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family in his spare time.
Jacob will graduate this spring with his Associate’s degree from Paris Junior College and will continue his education at Texas A&M University. At College Station, he plans to pursue both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business.
Jagger Qualls has been named the salutatorian of the Miller Grove graduating class of 2022 with an overall GPA of 99.61. Jagger is the son of Cody and Jana Qualls and has one younger brother, Wyatt Qualls.
Jagger has participated in varsity baseball, basketball, and track. He has received 1st team All-District Pitcher, Offensive MVP, All-State Outfielder and Honorable Mention Pitcher in baseball, and contributed to the success of the Miller Grove baseball team.
He has been a member of National Honor Society and been active in Academic UIL, qualifying for State in Lincoln Douglas debate two years in a row.
Some of his favorite things to do in his free time include spending time with family and friends.
Jagger will graduate in May from Paris Junior College with his Associate’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies. He will attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he intends to major in Aviation. Jagger hopes to excel throughout flight school and become a professional aviator in the future.
Harris and Qualls will be honored, along with the 17 other members of the MGHS Senior Class of 2022 at 7 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2022, with a graduation ceremony. This year’s class also includes: Addison Rena Stanton, Adriana Lizbet Ruiz, Bradley Lynn Nordin, Clayton Andrew Tackel, Dakota Lance Davis Verner, Jagger Kane Qualls, Kagen Alexander Scott, Kaley Garcia Dorantes, Kayti Renee Brignon, Kenneth Hayden Sharp, Lainy Brooke Burnett, Laurynn Rae Crawford, Lexton Scott Sly, Mason Lee Hector, Parker William Dyer, Rebecca Lopez, Robert Scott Major and William Tanner Hensley.
The PJC Academic Calendar for Spring 2022 Semester shows Commencement is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 13, 2022,
Venues for this year’s senior trip include Andretti’s on May 16 and a Rough Riders game on May 17 (The Frisco team is slated to play the Corpus Christi Hooks at 11:05 a.m. on May 17.)
Graduations, Recognition and Awards
Miller Grove ISD has posted the following among the many upcoming end-of-school activities scheduled:
- Monday, May 9
- High School Academic and Athletic Awards Banquet – 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 20
- Graduate Walk- 9 a.m.
- Sunday, May 22
- Baccalaureate service – 6 p.m., County Line Baptist Church, 497 FM 275 South
- Thursday, May 26
- Elementary Awards – 8:30 a.m.
- Kindergarten Graduation – 10 a.m.
- Junior High Graduation – 6 p.m.
- Friday, May 27
- High School Graduation – 7 p.m.
Dekalb Woman Accused Of Prescription Fraud
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Alvin Jordan took into custody at noon Thursday a 40-year-old Dekalb woman accused of prescription fraud.
Local authorities were contacted April 26, 2022, by representatives from a local healthcare facility about an employee. An investigation was launched in regard to the alleged prescription fraud, according to police reports. A warrant was issued for Crystal McLin Lipe’s arrest.
Deputy Jordan took the Dekalb woman into custody May 5, 2022, at the sheriff’s office and escorted her into the jail, where she was booked at 12:30 p.m. Thursday on the warrant for fraudulent delivery or use of a controlled substance or prescription, according to arrest reports.
Lipe spent the night in Hopkins County jail and was released Friday, May 6, 2022; her bond was set at $100,000 on the second-degree felony prescription fraud charge, according to jail reports.
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.
UPDATE: Paris Junior College Is Delaying the Start of the Regional Baseball Tournament
Paris Junior College is delaying the start of the baseball tournament at PJC until Saturday, (the 7th), (same times) because of the field being too wet.
Paris Junior College
Public Information Services
PJC hosting regional baseball tournament this weekend
When Paris Junior College won the regular-season conference title last weekend, the College became host for the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIV – North Regional Baseball Championship Tournament.
Play starts Saturday, May 7 at 11:00 a.m. as No. 1 PJC takes on No. 4 Galveston College, and Game 2 at 3:00 p.m. will have No. 2 Alvin Community College play No. 3 Panola College. Sunday games are also at 11:00 a.m. and 3 p.m., with an “if necessary” game scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 9.
Tournament passes for access to the entire weekend are $25 and single game tickets are $10 each; children 12 and under are free. Passes and tickets are available for preorder via credit card from the PJC Business Office at 903-782-0232 until 9 a.m. on Friday, May 6. After that passes and tickets may be purchased by check or cash only beginning an hour before each game starts. The complex will be cleared between each game.
Tournament t-shirts may be purchased during the games by cash or check only for $20 each. To see the full bracket and more detailed information, go to www.parisjc.edu/tournament.
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.
Conceptual Plat Of New 278-Acre Subdivision Receives Preliminary Approval
A request from James Webb of Oak National Development for approval of a conceptual plat of a new 278-acre subdivision with 1,159 single family lots with 11 common areas received preliminary approval of the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night. A rezoning request was removed from the May 3 agenda, and some ground lease agreements at the airport were considered as well.
Proposed 278-Acre Subdivision
The preliminary plat approval is not final approval of the project, but was requested to give the applicant a good idea what the city expects from developers and a general direction of how to go about development of a final plat proposal. In order for the project to move forward, several steps will need to be taken, including numerous surveys, and meet at least six stipulations before a final plat will be considered by the city.
The proposed subdivision would be located 1 mile west of State Highway 19 on State Highway 11, adjacent to Stonebriar, and would be conducted in phases, the first with 30-40 lots developed, then subsequent phases in increments of 50-10 lots being developed at a time. Homes constructed by Oak National Development typically are valued at $320,000 and up, according to Jay Webb.
The property is not currently within the city limits of Sulphur Springs, but is within the city’s extra territorial jurisdiction. The developer indicated a willingness for the subdivision to be annexed into the city limits.
Impact on traffic and city utilities and services would need to be determined, to insure the subdivision would not be too much for city water and sewer systems to handle. Webb said the developer will pay for upgrades as needed for each phase of development.
When asked by Place 1 Councilman Jay Julian what makes Sulphur Springs attractive for this type of development, Webb noted that growth growth from Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex started in Crandall and has continued to grow outward from the city. Currently, that growth is headed eastward. He currently has developments in 13 counties, including Greenville, Terrell, Kaufman, Mesquite and Melissa. The developer said it is their understanding talking with realtors that this area is underserved as far as available housing is concerned.
Place 6 Councilman Doug Moore asked about two lots within a cul-de-sac being double frontage. Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski noted that they’d have to work through that for the site project. As proposed, the project would provide housing equal to 25% of the single family housing currently within Sulphur Springs city limits. To avoid major traffic issues, the developer would need to address the two entrances. Engineering Concepts & Designs, LP, President Todd Winters told the council that could be modified to meet city requirements.
Mayor John Sellers asked the general size for the projects and if some variances would be required. Webb noted that a typical development would be 40-50 feet,, but most they do are 1,800-2,400, with pricing starting around $320,000. Whether or not variances are needed would depend on the final plat and size of the community, and different elevations.
The City Council gave approval on a vote of 6-0-1, with one member abstaining from voting due to a possible conflict of interest, of the preliminary plat request from Webb to conceptually plat the general layout for 278.24 acres of land into 1,159 family lots with 11 common areas. The six recommendations proposed by city staff that must be addressed prior to final plat submittal include:
- The city receives full engineering along with necessary off-site easements for water, wastewater, drainage and streets to be reviewed and approved by the city engineer prior to final plat submittal.
- The applicant provide documentation from Texas Department of Transportation for approval of access to the subdivision.
- The property be annexed into the city limits if the city agrees to extend services outside of the current CCN area along with a request to zone the property to the residential zoning designation of SF-6.
- The lots be modified to satisfy the minimum lot frontage requirements of Single Family=6 of 50 feet.
- The street configuration be modified to avoid double frontage lots.
- Approval of the preliminary plat does not constitute approval of the final plat.
Sulphur Springs resident Jed Walker, during public forum, commended the city for encouraging infill housing development which by his estimation has or is in the process of providing 15-20 new single family homes on lots in underdeveloped areas of the city. This has helped with the city, state and nation-wide issue of not having enough affordable housing – something he addressed the council about a couple of years ago
Walker then cautioned the City Council the told suburban sprawl can have on a city. Often, these types of neighborhoods become substantial liabilities for cities within 15-20 years because the tax revenue they bring in does not justify the cost of infrastructure upkeep. He said the city might be better served continuing to encourage growth in underdeveloped areas of town which already have access to city infrastructure such as streets, water and sewer services. The city has the space to grow within.
Resident Morgan Standbridge too addressed the City Council regarding the impact a huge new subdivision in that location would have on traffic. It bring to mind the impact large developments in the Princeton area have had on the traffic corridor off Highway 380 . A development of that size would most likely bring in twice as many vehicles and drivers entering SH 11 and town.
City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that is something that would need to be looked at to maintain the integrity of the highway.
Another city resident asked if a development of that size wouldn’t require more schools as it’s likely some of the families moving into the homes will have children. She asked if the current bond election factored that into the proposal. City officials told her that it’s their understanding the May 7 $93 million bond election is to meet current needs. Another bond would likely be required to provide additional facilities, but that would be an issue for the school district.
Other Agenda Items
Sulphur Springs City Council was also slated to consider a request from the Lacomfora family to rezone a piece of land they own on Church Street. The plat is split zoned, and the request was to make it all one zone for ease of development later on. The Planning & Zoning Commission during their regular April 18 meeting recommended the request for approval. However, due to wording that item was stricken from consideration on the May 3, 2022, City Council agenda, city staff noted.
The City Council also approved assignment of airport ground lease agreements for lots 1220-60A and 1220-60B. Essentially, the change would be a transfer of asset from one owner. The original 2004 lease agreement for Lot 1220-60A was between the city and Carl Bryant and the 2004 lease agreement for Lot 1220-60B was between the city and Max Bradford. An assignment of lease agreement between Bradford and Bryant was executed in 2013. Bryant now has entered into an agreement to sell his improvements (hangars) for 1220-60A and 1220-60B to Scott Swanson. The agreement assigns the existing leases for both lots to Swanson for the remaining term of the original lease, Sulphur Springs Aviation Department Director Joey Baker explained. The current lease for each is $323.64 annually with terms for adjustment at 5 year intervals.
Mayor Sellers also noted a proclamation was submitted declaring May 1-7, 2022, as National Small Business Week in Sulphur Springs. He noted Sulphur Springs has many small businesses to be proud of and encouraged residents to join him in observing the occasion by continuing to visit them.
Public Forum, Announcements
Clarissa Brumley expressed concern for public safety. She said there are often joggers out along city streets, some with no sidewalks, during the early morning or later evening hours, often in groups. She said Coleman Park and trails provide a safer area and aesthetic atmosphere for walking and jogging. She suggested perhaps a city ordinance be considered requiring joggers and walkers to enter streets single file only instead of in groups of 3 or more if they take that route as a safety measure. She noted coming upon a group of three wearing dark colors jogging side by side suddenly in a hard to see area, which cause fright and could have resulted. Perhaps an ordinance could stipulate they jog single file on the street and wear safety equipment so they can be seen.
Place 3 City Councilman Oscar Aguilar invites everyone downtown Saturday, May 7, from noon to 11 p.m. for a Cinco De Mayo observance filled with good Mexican food available for a fee and live DJs.
Place 5 Councilman Gary Spraggins invites the community to attend Northeast Texas Choral Society’s Endless Summer Spring Concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7 and 2 p.m. May 8, 2022, in Sulphur Springs High School Auditorium. He promises it will be a fun show with Do-Wah-Diddy and Beach Boys style music. Tickets can be purchased from Choral Society singers, at local banks, or online at www.singerscount.org.
Saturday Is Election Day For SSISD Bond, WISD Trustees, Constitutional Amendments Elections
Registered voters will have one more opportunity to cast ballots on Election Day, Saturday, May 7, 2022, in the Sulphur Springs ISD bond, Winnsboro ISD trustees and Texas Constitutional Amendment Elections.
Early Voting Totals
As of the close of early voting on Tuesday, only 5.51% of Hopkins County’s 24,492 registered voters had cast ballots. Of the 1,350 ballots cast during the early voting period, 1,212 (4.95%) were in-person and 138 were from mail voters, according to the data reported to Texas Secretary of State’s Office by county election officials.
Hopkins County is also one of three counties Winnsboro ISD has contracted with to hold a board of trustees election. Voters are asked to select up to two candidates for full three year terms on the Winnsboro ISD Board of Trustees, and should vote in the county in which they reside.
According to data reported by Franklin County election officials to Texas Secretary of State’s Office, 11.33% (805) of Franklin County’s registered voters had cast ballots at the conclusion of the early voting period. Of the 7,104 registered voters in Franklin County, 741 (10.43%) cast ballots in-person and 64 were mail votes.
In Wood County, 5.14% of the 32,129 registered voters had cast ballots at the close of early voting on May 3. Of the 1,650 ballots that’d been cast as of Tuesday, 1,304 were from in-person voters and 346 by mail, according to data reported to Texas Secretary of State’s Office by Wood County election officials.
All three were still higher than the state average. Only 4.83% of the more than 17.3 million registered Texan voters had cast ballots during the early voting period. Of the 835,655 early ballots that’d been cast by Texans as of Tuesday, 678,988 (3.92%) were cast early by personal appearance and 156,667 by mail.
Where To Vote On May 7
All voting on Election Day, Saturday, May 7, will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at designated voting centers within each city, county and/or municipality.
Hopkins County
Voting on Election Day in Hopkins County has been consolidated to 6 boxes:
- Sulphur Springs Middle School cafeteria, 835 Wildcat Way, Sulphur Springs;
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Courtroom, 128 G Jefferson St., Sulphur Springs;
- First Floor Courtroom, Hopkins County Courthouse, 118 Church St., Sulphur Springs;
- West Hall, Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston St., Sulphur Springs;
- Cumby Meeting Room, Cumby Municipal Building, 100 East Main Street, Cumby; and
- Art Room, Como-Pickton CISD, 13017 Texas Highway 11 East, Como.
Franklin County
Voting on Election Day in Franklin County on Election Day, May 7, 2022, will be conducted at:
- Franklin County Building, 1013 North Main St. in Winnsboro;
- Franklin County Commissioner Precinct 3 Building, 513 Highway 900 West in Mount Vernon; and
- South Franklin Community Center, 3150 FM 1448 in Scroggins.
Wood County
Election Day voting in Wood County will be conducted at:
- Winnsboro City Auditorium, 515 to Wheeler Drive in Winnsboro;
- Carroll Green Civic Center, 602 McAllister Street in Quitman; and
- Holly Lake Volunteer Fire Department, 126 Private Road 7869 in Holly Lake Ranch, Texas.
What’s On May 7 Ballots
2 Constitutional Amendment Propositions
All registered Texans will have the option to vote on two propositions which would amend the Texas Constitution.
- State of Texas Proposition 1 asks Texans to vote for against:
- “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the homestead.”
- State of Texas Proposition 2 asks Texans to vote for or against:
- “The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000.”
Click here to see the full text of the 2 Proposed Constitutional Amendments (available in English and Spanish).
Sulphur Springs ISD Bond Proposition
The Sulphur Springs ISD Election asks voters to cast ballots either for or against Proposition A, which would allow the district to issue $93 million in bonds for school facilities and school buses, with the funds to be repaid through a property tax increase, estimated to be 8.5-cents. Only registered voters who live within SSISD’s boundary will vote in this election.
Additional information about the SSISD Bond Proposal can be found at www.sulphurspringsisdbond.com or by clicking here. To view KSST’s video of the two town hall meetings held regarding the bond or a video of a Lunch and Learn presentation about the May 7 $93 million bond proposal, click t he appropriate link below:
March 31 Town Hall Meeting
April 18 Town Hall Meeting
April 20 Lunch & Learn Meeting
Winnsboro ISD Trustees Election
Voters in Winnsboro will be asked to vote for up to two of the eight candidates to fill two full three-year term seats on the Winnsboro ISD Board of Trustees. Candidates for school board include:
- Richard Banks
- Marsha Duffey
- Brett Burnett
- Shelby Beaty
- Jason Brunson
- Brandon Green
- David Henry
- Billy Saucier
Hopkins County sample ballot for Texas Constitutional Amendments and Winnsboro ISD Board of Trustees Elections 
Franklin County Sample ballot for Texas Constitutional Amendment and Winnsboro ISD Board of Trustees Elections 
Wood County sample ballot for Texas Constitutional Amendments and Winnsboro ISD Board of Trustees Elections
Suspicious Activity Report Results In Felony Warrant Arrest
A suspicious activity report Wednesday night resulted in a felony warrant arrest, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Zack Horne and Sgt. Tanner Steward responded at 9:45 p.m. May 4, 2022, to a complaint of suspicious activity on the north boat ramp at Sulphur Springs Lake. Upon arrival, Horne located William Pearce Ewton. Aware the 50-year-old had a warrant for his arrest, deputies took Sulphur Springs man into custody, Horne noted in arrest reports.
Ewton, who is also known by William Pierce Ewion and William Pierce Ewton, was booked into Hopkins county jail just before 10:20 p.m. May 4, 2022, on the warrant for violation of parole, which he was on for a felony theft conviction, according to jail reports. He was held without bond Thursday, May 5, 2022, for the Austin Parole Board, according to jail reports..
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.
4-Time State UIL Competitor AllieGrace Woodard Earns 2 Medals In Theatrical Design
Sulphur Springs High School Theater Student AllieGrace Woodard received two medals in Theatrical Design at the Texas State Academic UIL Contest this week. Not only was 2022 Woodard’s fourth year to compete at State in Theatrical Design, school officials report she has earned the distinction of being the only double medalist ever in the same year in theatrical design.
Woodard’s designs this week earned second in UIL State Theatrical Design Costume contest and fourth in UIL State Theatrical Design in Hair and Makeup. The theme for both involved designs for Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express.”
She is quite accomplished at the state UIL theatrical design level. She placed 6th at state in Hair and Makeup her sophomore year and was the State Champion in Hair and Makeup last year.
Woodard says she loves the artistic challenge of telling stories through set, prop, and costume design.
For this year’s costume contest, competitors were asked to focus on two main areas in their design of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express:” script details and historical accuracy.
Woodard noted that a wolf and bear were referenced in the opening dialogue, and Hercule Poirot describing a “primal murder” in his opening dialogue. While researching the time period, many women wore animal prints and furs. Thus, she imagined the characters as animals and the Orient Express–a zoo of sorts–being managed by Poirot. Her designs for each suspect were inspired by a different animal based on characterization. She designed 8 costumes, and made Poirot the zookeeper. She too was required to provide documentation about her choices.
For this year’s hair and makeup contest, Woodard then imagined the characters as clowns with Hercule Poirot as the ringmaster. Researching the time period, she was inspired by actors’ and performers’ makeup during the 1930s. Many of the elements and details of that makeup are very similar that of a circus performers’ makeup. She fused her finding about mid-1930s clowns and the 1930s nighttime celebrity glam looks. After getting her design down, she then applied make up and began styled the characters’ hair, replicating as closely as possible products and techniques from the era. Certain elements she deliberately overstated, creating what she a look she describes as “beautifully made up—yet almost scary—clowns.”
She has also acted in and served as publicity designer in 14 productions while in high school and advanced all four years in One-Act Play competition, often earning All Star Cast and Honorable Mention All Star Cast recognition. She served as site crew student coordinator in UIL OAP all four years of high school. Woodard’s resume includes serving as SSHS Theatre YouTube account manager, a set and prop designer, website designer and social media manager.
Woodard said her love or art and theater have given her a passion for design. She has utilized her design skills in the SSHS graphic design class working on advanced projects. She was a designer for and worked on promotional material for the College & Career Expo, and was a finalist in the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Stew logo design contest.
The thespian has also advanced to the regional UIL contest in poetry oral interpretation all four years of high school. She’s too has been involved in film projects, serving as director, cinematographer and editor of the Short Film entered into UIL competition this year. In 2021, she wrote, directed, filmed and edited a short film which advanced in UIL competition.
Woodard has been accepted to Savannah College of Art and Design, where she will continue to hone her craft studying production design in the fall.
Congratulations to AllieGrace Woodard on her many theatrical, UIL and design achievements. Brava!
Some of AllieGrace Woodard’s work can be viewed on her website: bit.ly/alliegracew
City Council Approves Purchase Of Materials For 3 Major Street Projects
Sulphur Springs City Council this week approved the purchase of materials for three major street projects, with one project progressing in Phase 2.
City Manager Marc Maxwell during Tuesday’s regular May City Council meeting reported that water, sewer and drainage work from Celebration Plaza to Patton Street is complete for Phase 1 of the College Street rebuilding project, completing the city’s portion of Phase 1.
Highway 19 Construction, the approved contractor, slated to begin rebuilding the road while the City of Sulphur Springs Capital Construction Division continues east with utility construction. Phase 2 for the city will pick up where the city left off on Patton Street and continue east to Como Street.
Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Lesa Smith presented bids for sewer and water supplies for College Street Phase 2, Holiday Drive and Alabama Street capital improvement projects. Smith said these were bid out now, ahead of schedule due to continued increases in the costs of materials and the extended wait time after materials are ordered.
The costs per square foot for water materials now compared to September’s prices for the College Street project is $48,000 more, according to the finance director.
“What would be $215,496 for those materials, now based on today’s bid prices last September would have been $166,000. Last September it had a lee-time of three to four weeks. Now, it has a lee-time of 8 months,” Smith said.
The finance director said city staff received and email Tuesday from one business letting them know all of their supplies will be increasing by about 4%. The rates quoted in the bids are locked in, but waiting to purchase the materials would mean paying that that much more. The business representative also noted that some of their suppliers won’t bid on projects or offer quotes for supplies that are not purchased immediately due to the continued rising cost of materials.
Maxwell said because of the extended time between order and delivery of materials, from weeks to months, city staff recommends purchasing the supplies, which can be stored in the city’s warehouse until it’s time for the projects to begin. He said there should be ample room in the big storage facility, and better to store supplies as quick as the city can get them than to wait indefinitely, delaying the start of these capital improvement projects.
Place 5 Councilman Gary Spraggins asked which is more important to the city, the low bid or the time it takes to get the materials after they are ordered. Bryan Craig with the public works department noted that the sewer work will be performed first, so those supplies are more imminently needed. The water materials then would be needed in a couple of months when the sewer is completed.
Smith and Maxwell recommended accepting the low bids submitted for water and sewer supplies for utilities all three major street projects, and storing supplies until needed if they arrive ahead of schedule. The low bid for each of the three for water materials came from Coburn’s Supply: $219,317.93 for College Street Phase 2, $132,177.16 for Alabama Street and $87,486.10 for Holiday Drive. The low bids for sewer work all came from APSCO: $87,506 for College Street Phase 2, $63,029.60 for Alabama Street and $30,823 for Holiday Drive.
The City Council at the May 3 meeting approved the low bids from Coburn’s Supply and APSCO, as recommended, to provide materials for the three major street projects.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On A Probation Warrant
A 22-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed on a probation warrant early Wednesday morning, according to arrest reports.
Dequarian Terran Pitts was escorted by Deputy Bobby Osornio and Sgt. Scott Davis from the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office lobby into the county jail, at 2:57 a.m. May 4, 2022.
Pitts was booked in at 3:05 a.m. Wednesday, on a warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a Dec. 3, 2020, assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing or circulation charge, according to jail and arrest reports.
The 22-year-old remained in Hopkins County jail later Wednesday, May 4, 2022, held without bond on the charge. He too was jailed Feb. 10-March 18, 2021 for surety off bond on the 2020 the assault impeding breathing charge in which he was alleged to have choked a female to the point she couldn’t breath, leaving marks on her neck, during a verbal altercation, according to jail reports.
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.
2 Caught With Suspected Methamphetamine, 1 Jailed On Controlled Substance-Related Warrant
Woman Found Hiding In Dilapidated Mobile Home,, Where She’d Been Trespassing Since The Day Before
Two people, including a woman who’d reportedly been hiding in dilapidated mobile home since the day before, were caught with suspected methamphetamine Tuesday by local authorities, and one man was jailed on a controlled substance-related warrant, according to arrest reports.
FM 275 North Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Bobby Osornio, and Sgt. Scott Davis were dispatched at 5:52 p.m. Tuesday evening to a report of criminal trespassing at a FM 275 north property. Upon arrival, deputies were told by the homeowner that a woman had appeared on the property Monday. The trespasser had reportedly been seen hiding in a dilapidated mobile home on the property that’s been used mostly for storage with the homeowner’s dog in the building with her.
The homeowner said she made it clear to the woman she did not want her on the property. The woman, identified in arrest reports as Tatiana Marie Ugalde, had been in a dating relationship with the property owner’s son, who does not live at that address, deputies noted being told.
After being directed to the building where the woman was alleged to be trespassing, deputies began calling out to Ugalde by name. The reported finding her in a bathroom. She claimed to not have a residence and to have been waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up.
The sheriff’s officers said it was apparent the woman had been staying in one bedroom, and asked her what she had in the room. She claimed to have stowed a purse behind the door and a bag under the bed. Deputies reported asking the woman if she had anything illegal in the bags and obtained her permission to search the purse and bag.
Officers reported finding a make-up container with a small amount of suspected marijuana and marijuana seeds, a sock with a metal wire a cut straw, which are commonly used to inhale controlled substances were found in the bag, along with a small baggy containing a crystal-like substance the deputies believed to be methamphetamine.
When the deputies placed the woman into handcuffs, they allege the 35-year-old Klondike woman actively resisted. They in turn responded with the least force needed to place her into custody at 6:11 p.m. May 3, 2022, the sheriff’s officers noted in arrest reports.
Deputies obtained permission from the homeowner to search the rest of the room Ugalde was believed to have been staying in. The sheriff’s officers found additional glass pipes with suspected meth residue and marijuana accessories in the room. Ugalde was transported to Hopkins County jail, where the crystal-like substance field-tested positive for meth and weighed 0.26 gram, including packaging, Sgt. Scott Davis alleged in arrest reports.
Ugalde (who arrest reports show is also known by Tititana Marie Ugalde, Tot, Hot Tot, Tater Tot and Tot T), was booked into Hopkins County jail at 11:15 p.m. Tuesday on a possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. She was released from the county jail Wednesday, May 4, 2022, on a $5,000 bond on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
I-30 East Traffic Stop
(HCSO jail photo)
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Dustin Green and Thad Cook reported stopping a Nissan Altima at 8:45 p.m. May 3, 2022, for a traffic violation on Interstate 30 east near mile marker 126 (College Street). While talking with the car’s occupants, Green reported seeing open alcoholic beverages inside of it. Timothy James Simpson allegedly admitted to drinking.
All occupants were asked to exit hte car. A probable cause search reportedly revealed a metal pipe containing a green leafy substance in plain view in the driver’s seat. All of the people who’d been in the car was search. Police found a bag containing a crystal-like substance they believed to be methamphetamine and glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke meth when patting down Tim Simpson, the police officers alleged in arrest reports.
Officers placed the 43-year-old Texarkana man into custody. Upon arrival at the jail, Simpson allegedly admitted he had more contraband on him. Jail staff recovered another bag containing a crystal-like substance during a subsequent search of Simpson. The contraband, in its packaging, weighed about 1.6 grams, the policemen alleged in arrest reports.
Simpson was booked into Hopkins County jail at 10:02 p.m. Tuesday on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1B controlled substance. The Texarkana man was released from from Hopkins County jail Wednesday, May 4, 2022, on a $5,000 bond on the third-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
Jail Transfer
HCSO Deputy Steve Huffman took Steven Lee Welborn into custody at 12:57 p.m. Tuesday at Dallas County jail, where the 55-year-old Irving man was held on a Hopkins County warrant.
Huffman transported Welborn to Hopkins County jail. Welborn was booked in at 2:53 p.m. May 3, 2022, on a warrant for violating probation, which he was on for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Steve Welborn was held in Hopkins County jail May 4, 2022, without bond, according to jail reports.
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.
