Maxwell: Audit Showed Sulphur Springs Had Well Controlled, Healthy Financials In FY 2021
Backhoe Purchase Approved By City Council
The City of Sulphur Springs’ annual audit showed the fund balance up and debt going down in 2021, city officials reported this week. A backhoe purchase was also approved by Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday.
Backhoe Purchase
At the regular March 1 meeting, Sulphur Springs City Council was asked to consider approving a purchase of a backhoe from South Star JCB through a Sourcewell purchasing agreement. The cost was more than originally budgeted. The City Manager asked that additional time be given to check on costs of a new Caterpillar backhoe, as the last few equipment purchases the City has made have been Caterpillar. That equipment seems to be holding up better and has served the city well, he noted.
At the special noon City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 22, utilities director James Jordan resubmitted the request for the purchase of a backhoe from JCB. Deeper dig depth and availability of parts were factors cited for the recommendation of the unit, according to the city manager.
The City Council approved the purchase of the backhoe from South Star JCB via Sourcewell at Tuesday’s meeting.
FY 2021 Audit
K. Evans & Associates, CPA’s, issued an unmodified (“clean”) opinion on the City of Sulphur Springs,
Texas financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2021.
The City of Sulphur Springs’ 2021 financial audit showed the budget to be well controlled with healthy financials, City Manager Marc Maxwell noted. The fund balance was good and long-term debt decreased by $1,521,113 during the 2021 fiscal year
Maxwell said when he first started in his job, the city’s general fund had only enough in it to cover 3 1/2 days of operations. That has increased to cover almost 5 months worth of operations.
Officials, entering the 2021 fiscal year thought revenues would be down due to COVID, so the city saved some back to potentially account for fluctuations in spending and revenues. Despite the pandemic situation, unemployment and historical inflation, local sales tax generation remained resilient with an 8.74% increase in FY 2021. The City also received funding from funneled down from the federal government to assist with certain expenses due to COVID, he explained.
The City’s combined ending fund balances for FY 2021 were $11,346,120, an increase of $2,886,518 in comparison with the prior year. The reasons for the increase in fund balances are receipt of approximately $2 million of American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery money, grant revenue better than expected, sales tax revenue, and police asset forfeiture revenue, according to the audit summary.
At the end of the current fiscal year, unassigned fund balance for the general fund was $4,892,503
or 45 percent of total general fund expenditures, according to the K. Evans & Associates, CPA audit summary.
The audit was accepted as presented by the City Council at the March 22, 2022 meeting.
Wildcats Baseball Rallies Past Marshall, Gets First District Win
Sulphur Springs found themselves trailing early in their second of three district games.
The Mavericks put up three runs on the visiting Wildcats in the bottom frame of the second.
Coach Jerrod Hammack’s team responded in the top of the 3rd with lead-off batter Dawson Carpenter reaching first on an infielder error.
After a ground out, the Wildcats reeled off three straight singles giving Sulphur Springs their first two runs of the night trailing 3-2.
CF Mayer Millsap as the lead-off batter in the fifth scored a home run tying the game at 3-3.
While the Mavericks were able to pull ahead in the 6th inning for the third lead change on the night, 4-3, Sulphur Springs got the last laugh in Marshall.
Colt Silman in the Wildcats final at-bat with two outs in the 7th singled, followed with two doubles courtesy of Matt Mitchell and Cole Haney, and Sulphur Springs got themselves the lead.
A quick dispatch of the Mavericks gave baseball their first district win in Marshall, 5-4.
Tuesday’s win over the Mavericks gives Coach Jerrod Hammack’s squad a 4-10 record (1-2 district).
Next up, Wildcats baseball is back at home for another crucial match with Pine Tree.
- A win over the Pirates Friday moves Sulphur Springs up to fourth place after the first third of district play
Also worth noting for the Wildcats:
- Next Tuesday, Mar. 29 Coach Hammack’s team has a bye.
- They follow-up that bye, Friday, Apr. 1 with a showdown in Hallsville
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
March 23 Chamber Connection – Golf Tourney, Cornhole Tourney, Kids Kingdom Repairs Planned
By Butch Burney
There are morning tee times still available for the 33rd Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, coming to Sulphur Springs Country Club on Friday, April 8.
The tournament format is a six-person scramble, with the low net team putting their names on the trophy.
There morning tee time is 8 a.m. Registration is $750 per team, and that includes three carts, 12 mulligans, six meals, range balls, company banner on hole No. 1 and sponsor list recognition.
If you aren’t a golfer, there are are also opportunities to contribute goody bag items, raffle prizes, door prizes and hole sponsorships to promote your business.
To register, go to the Chamber website at HopkinsChamber.org or call the office at 903-885-6515.
Showing Love to Kids Kingdom
Plans are coming together to re-fit and rehab Kids Kingdom in Buford Park.
This year’s Leadership Class has adopted the rehabilitation of Kids Kingdom, everyone’ favorite playground as its class project. And just like when it was constructed 25 years ago, everyone is invited to help.
The Leadership Class has designated the weekend of April 22-24 as work days to re-stain all the wood in Kids Kingdom. It will be professionally power-washed before that weekend to prepare for the staining.
The class is also planning to replace and/or repair the equipment, such as the handicap swing, chains, swings, tires, etc. for the playground, restore the ground mulch and install lighting for safety and security.
The class needs your help not only with the physical part of the restoration but also the financial part. A cornhole tournament and silent auction is scheduled for March 26 at Backstory Brewery. There are also sponsorship levels for businesses/corporations that might want to pay for specific items for Kids Kingdom.
For cornhole registration or sponsorship, go to the chamber website at HopkinsChamber.org or call the chamber at 903-885-6515.
Thanks in advance for helping showing love to Kids Kingdom.
Lights of Life Gala
The Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation’s Lights of Life Gala is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Civic Center.
This year’s theme, “Under the Big Top,” reflects the foundation’s desire for some fun and frivolity after a long season of hardship.
The gala promises to be another dazzling evening of fine dining, dancing and bidding on amazing live and silent auction items.
Money raised from the gala will go toward purchasing a 4D video sonogram machine and five state-of-the-art labor and delivery beds for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital.
For more information, contact Foundation Executive Director Shannon Barker at 903-438-4799.
Patriot Sporting Challenge
Casino games and an evening of patriotism will be the closing part of the Patriot Sporting Challenge on Saturday, April 9, at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
From 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., casino games and a reception with beer, wine and cocktails will be available. Additionally, there will be raffles and drawings.
Buy a Table for 8 People, just $600 (Limited Availability)
After the casino games, dinner will include four different entrees, then special guest speaker Ginger Gilbert Ravella, military wife and widow, mother of five children and recipient of Folds of Honor scholarships, writer and international, will provide an address.
She will be followed by keynote speaker SFC Greg Stube, who is a retired Army Ranger, Green Beret, Special Forces, Advanced Urban Combat training, served in Combat Operations in the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan and as a leadership consultant for the FBI.
Following that, Cooper Wade and his six-piece country and western band will provide music for the dance.
For more information, contact [email protected] or text to 817-296-8985.
Marketing Strategy
Marketing expert Melissa Forziat will be in Sulphur Springs on Thursday, March 31, for an in-person presentation on how to Create a Profitable Marketing Strategy. Her visit is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center at Paris Junior College.
Forziat will speak at 5 p.m. March 31 at City Hall. There is no charge for the event, but registration is requested. To sign-up, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
The session will talk about how to build a marketing funnel for your business to grow the relationships with your audience and generate more sales. You will discover how to build more sales, referrals and loyalty from your audience.
Night With Champions
Texas A&M-Commerce is hosting a Night With Champions, celebrating student-athlete success and the university’s transition to Division I on Friday, April 8, at the Rayburn Student Center. The event starts at 5:15 with a VIP reception and the program begins at 7 p.m. Proceeds support student-athlete scholarships. For more information, contact Lion Athletics at 903-468-8760 or email [email protected].
Business of the Week
Pacheco Spine and Sport is the Business of the Week for March 23. Keep up with our Business of the Week by following the Chamber on Instagram, Facebook and by visiting our website.
Ribbon Cuttings
- The city will host a ribbon cutting at the fitness pad at Pacific Park at 10 a.m. Friday, March 25. Please come out to support the improvements to the park.
- Pursuing Wellness held a ribbon cutting at their office at Hillcrest Square on Tuesday, March 15. Please welcome Kristen Mandujano and her natural health business to the community.
- The Reinforcement Foundation hosted a ribbon cutting on Monday, March 21. You will hear more about the foundation’s upcoming fundraisers for first responders in the near future.
CHRISTUS – Upcoming Activities: Gala, Blood Drive Honoring Israel Lewis, Fitness Court Grand Opening
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Helping Ukraine
In light of the news of the attacks on Ukraine, we would like to extend an opportunity to aid the community of Kharkov (a city in northeast Ukraine).
One of the hospital associates has a spouse who is from this city, and their family is still there. The hospital has been able to send some medical supplies. In addition, and thanks to the generosity of many others, we have been able to set up a fund through our Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation to raise money and send it directly to aid this city.
To donate to this effort, go to Online Giving (christushealth.org) and select ‘Helping Ukraine’ in the drop down box.
Events
Local Fitness Court – Grand Opening
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs is a proud supporter of the new local Outdoor Fitness Court located in Pacific Park. Please join us for the grand opening/ribbon cutting on Friday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m.
Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation Lights of Life Gala 2022
The Lights of Life Gala is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 6: p.m. to 12 midnight at the Civic Center. This year’s theme “Under the Big Top” reflects our desire for some fun and frivolity after a long season of hardship. The gala promises to be another dazzling evening of fine dining, dancing and bidding on amazing live and silent auction items.
This year’s Lights of Life Gala chairs are fourth generation Hopkins County natives, sisters Markeda Fisher and Kayla Price Mitchell.
Shannon Barker, Foundation Executive Director shared “I am thrilled to be working with Markeda and Kayla. When they arrived as the bearded ladies to reveal the theme, Under the Big Top, I knew we were in good hands! They keep everyone laughing, but also have the experience and relationships to ensure a successful event. Their impressive history and dedication to Hopkins County is evidenced by their past and present community involvement. We are thankful they feel the Healthcare Foundation is a worthy cause to invest their efforts in.”
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please call the Foundation office at 903-438-4799.
Blood Drive in Honor of Israel Lewis
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will host a blood drive in honor of Israel Lewis, a local community member suffering from medical complications. The drive will be held on Wednesday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Carter BloodCare Bus in the parking lot of the hospital.
**UPDATED – COVID Vaccine Clinics:
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will no longer offer the COVID Vaccine Clinic every Friday morning.
However, Net Health will be back offering Pediatric and Adult COVID vaccines. This vaccine clinic is located at the MMU tents behind the hospital. No appointment is necessary. Subsequently, Net Health will continue to come every four weeks to provide COVID vaccines.
From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily, Net Health will offer vaccines on the following weeks:
- April 4-8,
- May 2-6,
- May 31 – June 3,
- June 27 – July 1,
- July 25-29,
- Aug. 22 – 26,
- Sept. 19 – 23,
- Oct. 17 – 21.
* September and October are tentative.
Hospital Visitation
Please note the following guidelines:
- Visitors must acquire masks themselves prior to entering our facility; cloth masks are acceptable. Masks must cover both the nose and the mouth. Visitors must remain masked during their time in the hospital.
- An adult must accompany minor-age visitors, be free of symptoms, and able to comply with masking and hygiene expectations throughout the visit.
- Emergency Department entrance open 24/7
- Main Entrance open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday
- Gift Shop open
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Types of Visitors:
- COVID receiving aerosol treatments: via tele-visitation only;
- COVID not receiving aerosol treatments: 1 Essential support person for the duration of hospital stay – Essential support person will be given a visible wrist band for identification purposes;
- ICU/ER: 1 Essential support person only;
- All other patients may have 1 Essential support person and 1 visitor (up to 2 persons in room at a time).
- Types of Visitors:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We are in need of volunteers to help in various different roles throughout our hospital. We are asking for anyone willing to give his or her time, to help bring a smile to someone in our hospital!
For more information, contact Meredith Caddell at 903.438.4678.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
I-30 West Shut Down From 115 Mile Marker To Sulphur Springs Due To 18-Wheeler Crash, Fire
Both lanes of westbound Interstate 30 were shutdown for several hours due to a two-vehicle crash near mile marker 115; the north service road also was shut down just before 2 p.m. and were expected to remain closed 5-6 hours Tuesday.
Those traveling along that stretch were warned to take a different route or plan for travel delays.
One truck-trailer rig reportedly crashed into the trailer of a truck-trailer rig parked on the side of I-30 west, injuring the driver of the parked rig. The vehicles reportedly burst into flames.
The crash, called in just after 1:40 p.m. Tuesday March 22, 2022, reportedly involved two 18-wheelers, at least one of which was reported to have caught on fire. The injured truck driver reportedly sustained serious enough incapacitating injury for a medical helicopter to be landed near the crash location to fly him to a trauma center.
Only the south service road remained open at 1:55 p.m. to westbound traffic, officials at the crash site reported. Traffic had reportedly backed up from the 120 mile marker eastward on I-30 west at 1:50 p.m. Law enforcement and firefighters from multiple agencies responded at the crash Officials, as soon as possible, began diverting westbound traffic away from the crash.
Just before 3 p.m., westbound traffic had backed up along I-30 and the north service road (Industrial Drive) into Sulphur Springs between Hillcrest Drive and South League Street. Officials were working to open one lane of the north service road at an exit down from the wreck, to allow some of the motorist to exit the highway and continue westward. Those between the exit and the wreck were locked in for a few hours, until the backlog of traffic could be diverted enough to safely back the locked-in section back out of the location.
One lane of of the north service road had been reopened around the crash around 4 p.m., with traffic exiting I-30 and directed past the crash. Just before 5 p.m., authorities had begun turning around the stranded motorists, directing them east on the westbound lane to an exit, getting those units of the Interstate.
Meanwhile, westbound traffic on the north service road from League Street and Hillcrest Drive were being directed an alternate route or halted as the motorists stranded on I-30 for hours were evacuated off the closed section of roadway. Thus, traffic had reportedly begun to stack up again on the north service road and I-30 between the US Highway 67 overpass and Hillcrest Drive. City authorities and constables were assisting with traffic direction before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities were monitoring Hillcrest Drive and Rockdale Road. Traffic was being directed away from the service road and onto the I-30 at League Street exit.
The roadway remained closed after 5 p.m. Tuesday and remained closed another 1-2 hours as officials worked to clear the wreckage, get stalled traffic off the highway and assess travel conditions on that section of I-30. A crew was expected to return to the location during daylight hours to finish clean up at the roadside
Both Baseball and Softball in Marshall for Tuesday Game Day
Both baseball and softball are in Marshall on Tuesday, Mar. 22 for this week’s edition of Tuesday Gameday.
Softball has an hour up on baseball as Coach David Carrillo’s squad tees off in Marshall on Tuesday at 6 P.M.
The Lady Cats enter Tuesday game day still undefeated in district play (4-0) and take on a Lady Mavs squad (1-2) who got their first win in district play Friday. Marshall no doubt hopes to make it two straight, but has a tough test ahead of them hosting Sulphur Springs Tuesday.
That game tees off Tuesday, Mar. 22 in Marshall at 6 P.M.
Coach Carrillo’s team last Wednesday got a come-from-behind win over Texas High, and look to make it five straight district wins Tuesday.
After Tuesday’s district match-up in Marshall, Lady Cats softball have just one more game before they finish their first half of district season.
Baseball, like softball is in Marshall for Tuesday game day.
Coach Jerrod Hammack’s team look to get their first win in district play Tuesday.
Last week Sulphur Springs opened district play at home, hosting Mount Pleasant and Texas High, but lost both of those contests to fall to 0-2 in district play. The Wildcats fell to Mount Pleasant in a rout 9-1 last Tuesday and had an okay showing against Texas High Friday but came up short 9-6.
Marshall lost their district opener Friday in Pine Tree 4-0 and look to get their first win in district as well.
Both teams look to get a win Tuesday to stay in the playoff race as already 1/4 of district play is in the books after tonight’s game.
Baseball tees off in Marshall on Tuesday, Mar. 22 at 7 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Easement, Property Purchase, Maintenance Agreement, Audit Approved By Commissioners
Hopkins County Commissioners agreed to continue contracting with Williams Air Conditioning And Heating, an easement at the end of County Road 4746, a property purchase and approved the annual audit during a special session Monday, March 21, 2022.
CR 4746 Easement
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price requested the county agree to a half acre easement at the end of County Road4746. He explained that was the road the court agreed at the March 14 meeting to abandon, at the request of the individual who owns property on both sides of the dead end road.
“We needed a turn around there at the end so we could turn our maintainers around, and the guy granted us an easement so we could do that,” Price noted, when making the motion to approve the easement as presented.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin seconded the motion, which received full approval of the four members of the court present. Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker continues to be out due to illness.
Property Purchase
Price also asked the court to approve purchase of property adjacent to the Precinct 4 barn for use by Precinct 4. The property is about half an acre of land located to the north of the county barn, which will give Precinct 4 a little extra room.
“We have no other way to grow nut in that direction. I think the ones [commissioners] before me have always wanted to buy it too, and we are fortunate to buy it this year,” Price said.
The property will cost $20,000 plus losing and about $300 owed in back taxes, Price noted, before making a motion to approve the purchase. Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by the court.
Preventive Agreement
County Judge Robert Newsom said the hiring of Williams Air Conditioning and Heating for preventive services for county air conditioning/heating units was a big step for the county last year. He said in talking with Tom Glosup who oversees buildings they agreed Williams has done a good job, even discovering things they were unaware of, allowing them to keep an eye on and maintain heating and air conditioning systems better than they’ve ever been tended in the history of the new jail.
“They did show us things we didn’t even know we had,” Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum noted. “Especially, filters and getting all that changed out and helping us do that. I know when our maintenance man has called, they are there very quick. The only problems we are having is ordering parts, but they are always there for us. It’s operating a lot better than it was.”
The contract covers four visits per year, plus the other services they provide for $28,088 per year, which is up a little from the original contract, Newsom noted.
Glosup said he talked with Williams about the proposal last week. The contract is essentially the same amount as last year’s agreement. Last year, the business actually shorted themselves about $2,000, that they did not bill for at that time. What has gone up is the fee for service calls, which has increased from $135 in the last contract to $155 per hour to account for rises and fluctuations in gas prices. Company representatives noted that since problems have been addressed, the Williams does not anticipate the county will have as many service calls this year.
“So, even though it’s gone up, they expect the county to be out less than what they were last year because the status of the equipment they’ve got,” Glosup said. “In everything, they’ve done an excellent job.”
Bartley made the motion, which was seconded by Price, and received unanimous approval of the court.
Audit
Lewis Crain of Rutledge, Crain & Company, PC, presented the audit his firm conducted of the county’s fiscal year 2021 finances. The auditor noted the county finished FY 2021 with a positive balance, despite the frequent changes in federal funding awarded to help offset costs from COVID.
Anglin made a motion, which Bartley seconded, and which received full approval of the court.
Lady Cats Softball Wins in Marshall, 6-1
Lady Cats softball got another win Tuesday, Mar. 22 in Marshall thanks to solid pitching and a grand slam.
Parris Pickett was the difference-maker on offense.
The SS recorded two hits in the game, both of which allowing at least one Lady Cat to cross home plate.
Her first hit was the biggest of the night, a gram slam that powered Sulphur Springs past Marshall 5-0 in the top of the 3rd.
While the Lady Mavs were able to put a run on the board in the bottom frame, Pickett’s second hit in the Lady Cats’ last at-bat put the game firmly out of reach, 6-1.
Coach David Carrillo’s squad rode the arm of Crimson Bryant, who struck out 17 Lady Mavs batters in the victory.
The junior pitched a full-game, allowing only three hits. Bryant struck out 17 Marshall batters for her fourth district win in five starts.
RF Kinz Smallwood Katie Johns managed a hit a piece for Sulphur Springs.
Tuesday’s win over the Lady Mavs gives softball a 15-1-2 record (5-0 district).
Next up, Sulphur Springs is at home on Friday, Mar. 25 hosting Pine Tree. That game tees off Friday at 6 P.M.
Friday’s home match with the Lady Pirates marks the end of the first half of district season for Lady Cats softball.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
2 Men, Including One Who Hid In A Utility Closet, Jailed On Felony Assault-Related Warrants
Two men, including a wanted Como man alleged to have hid in a utility closet, were arrested at their homes on felony assault-related warrants over the weekend.
Como Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chris Baumann learned James Dustin Kidd, a wanted man, was seen arriving at his residence March 20, 2022, so he proceeded to the location. Baumann contacted Kidd’s girlfriend, who allegedly attempted to get Kidd to exit the rear bedroom of the residence. As the deputy approached the rear bedroom, he noted the man had left through a rear door. As the deputy was at the rear of the residence the man reentered the home through the front door.
Baumann reentered the home, where he saw the man attempt to conceal himself inside a utility closet and close the door. The deputy assisted the 40-year-old Como man out of the utility closet and took him into custody at 4:25 p.m. March 20, 2022, on two felony warrants.
Kidd was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:16 p.m. Sunday, March 20, 2022, on one warrant for violation of parole on a family violence assault that impeded breathing charge and a Wood County third or more driving while intoxicated charge, according to jail and arrest reports. Bond was set at $50,000 bond on the Wood County warrant. He remained in Hopkins County jail until March 21, 2022. The parole violation is alleged to have occurred on Sept. 29, 2021.
Sulphur Springs Arrest
HCSO Deputies Drew Fisher and Zack Horne went to the residence of Brandon Tremaine Whitmore, contacted him an took him into custody at 12:10 a.m. Monday, March 21, 2022.
The 39-year-old Sulphur Springs man was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked in at 12:30 a.m. Monday on a warrant for aggravated assault of a household or family member with a weapon.
Whitmore remained in Hopkins County jail Monday afternoon, March 21, 2022, in lieu of $100,000 bond on the felony assault charge.
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.
20-Mile I-30 Vehicle Pursuit Ends Near Brinker With Spiked Truck Tire, Arrest
A 20-mile I-30 vehicle pursuit through Hopkins County late Saturday night ended near Brinker with the fleeing truck’s tire being spiked, according to arrest reports.
Cumby Police Officer Justin Talley reported seeing a Chevrolet Silverado with a non-operational head light pass him at 10:54 p.m. March 19, 2022, on eastbound Interstate 30 near mile marker 111 and attempted to stop him for the defective equipment.
The pickup moved into the right-hand lane on I-30, as if the driver was going to pull over, and swerved back into the left-hand lane and accelerated. The driver continued using his vehicle, reaching speeds estimated at 95-105 miles per hour, Talley alleged in arrest reports
Additional officers were notified of the pursuit. StopSticks, also called a spike strip, successfully deployed the left front tire between the 127 and 128 mile markers, as the truck exited Sulphur Springs on I-30. The driver drove the car onto the right shoulder of I-30 east near mile marker 131, the Cumby officer alleged in arrest reports.
Officers from multiple agencies assisted in contacting the driver, identified in arrest reports Roderick Neal Howard Jr. and jail reports simply as Roderick Howard, and taking the 28-year-old Bolivar, Tennessee man into custody at 11:34 p.m. March 19, 2022. The truck was impounded and Howard was transported to Hopkins County jail. Howard was booked into jail at 12:58 a.m. Sunday, March 20, 2022 on an evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge, Talley noted in arrest reports. Howard was released from jail later Sunday on a $5,000 bond on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
