Suspicious Activity Complaint Results On Controlled Substance Arrest
A suspicious activity complaint at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, resulted in a Como woman’s arrest on a methamphetamine charge, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Edward Jaime and Cpl. Silas Whaley contacted two individuals in a blue Ford Escape on North Davis Street, where the complaint was reported. The officers noted the pair inside of the vehicle exhibited nervous behavior while talking with them.
A search of the SUV resulted in location of a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine in Wendy Ann Wilder’s purse. Consequently, the 43-year-old Como woman was taken into custody.
Wilder, who jail reports show is also known by the nickname Woo Woo, was booked into custody at 9:45 p.m. for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. A drug-free zone enhancement was added to the charge due to Wilder’s proximity to a school.
The Como woman was released from Hopkins County jail Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, on a $10,000 bond on the third-degree felony 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.
Slaton Pledges To File Legislation Designating All Texas Child Gender Modification As Child Abuse
GREENVILLE, TEXAS – Today (Feb. 10, 2022), Representative Bryan Slaton of House District 2, pledged to file legislation that will bring an end to the practice of child gender modification.
The legislation would include genital removal surgeries, chemical castration, puberty blockers, and all sex change therapies and counseling that children might receive as young as 3 years old as child gender modification. The bill, if passed, would end those practices by classifying them in Texas State law as child abuse. Any medical professional or parent who engaged in such behavior would be subject to criminal charges, under Slaton’s proposed legislation.
“Young children in our state are being subjected to these cruel and barbaric practices on a daily basis. This is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. This is a moral and ethical issue. Texas is at a crossroads, and we must act. I led the fight on this issue last session, and I will continue to do so next session by filing legislation and fighting at every opportunity to end this evil in the Lone Star State,” Slaton pledged Thursday.
Legislation that would have designated a significant amount of this behavior as child abuse passed the Texas Senate last session. The bill, however, failed to move through the Texas House, and died.
“I hope that instead of the House being the chamber that kills this bill like last session, we will boldly and
swiftly ban these wicked practices,” concluded Slaton.
Fugitives From Galveston, Grand Prairie Added To Texas’ Most Wanted Sex Offenders List
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added two men to Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders List. Joe Louis Hernandez, of Galveston, and Gregory Jon Pecina Jr., of Grand Prairie, are being sought. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for Hernandez’s arrest, and up to $3,000 for Pecina. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.
Joe Louis Hernandez, 44, has been wanted since January 2021, when the Galveston Police Department issued a warrant for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements.
In 1998, Hernandez was convicted of three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child for incidents involving girls ages 2 and 7. He was sentenced to eight years in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) prison. In 2007, Hernandez was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and sentenced to two years in prison. In 2010, he was convicted of failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements and was given three years in prison.
Hernandez is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds. He has tattoos on his back, chest, left arm and hand, abdomen and right leg. In addition to Galveston, he has ties to Houston. For more information or updates in the event of his arrest, view his wanted bulletin.
Gregory Jon Pecina Jr., 37, has been wanted since November 2020, when the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office issued warrants for Pecina’s arrest for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, aggravated robbery and kidnapping. In December 2020, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a warrant for his arrest for a parole violation. In April 2021, the Grand Prairie Police Department also issued a warrant for Pecina’s arrest for failure to register as a sex offender.
In 2014, Pecina was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child following an incident with a 13-year-old girl. He was sentenced to eight years in a TDCJ prison and paroled in September 2019.
Pecina is 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs about 180 pounds and has a scar on his back. In addition to Grand Prairie, he also has ties to Granbury. For more information or updates in the event of his arrest, view Pecina’s wanted bulletin.
Texas Crime Stoppers, which is funded by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, offers cash rewards to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives or Sex Offenders. So far in 2022, DPS and other agencies have arrested five Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives and Sex Offenders, including one gang member and three sex offenders. In addition, $6,000 in rewards has been paid for tips that yielded arrests.
To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities using one of the following three methods:
- Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
- Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about then clicking on the link under their picture.
- Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “About” section).
All tips are anonymous — regardless of how they are submitted — and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name.
DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives and Sex Offenders Lists. You can find the current lists — with photos — on the DPS website.
Do not attempt to apprehend these fugitives; they are considered armed and dangerous.
Repairs At Hopkins County Courthouse
Crews were hard at work Wednesday making repairs at Hopkins County Courthouse. The gutters on the historic building were damaged by rough weather over the last couple of years. Because the building is a historic structure, which featured copper gutters when built in 1895, the county is required to replace them with copper gutters. The cost for the very expensive copper replacement gutters, according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom, is being covered by insurance.
The project is expected to take until the middle of next week to complete. A crew was working Wednesday afternoon on the backside of the courthouse facing Jefferson Street. As work continues, the workers are cordoning off their work area to not only give them room to work but also for the safety of visitors to the downtown area. Wednesday afternoon, the work zone spanned from the sidewalk just off Oak Avenue leading to the pathway to the entry doors and basement, and the corner of Jefferson Street at Oak Avenue up to the front door just off Church Street.
Thus, individuals traveling around the courthouse, especially on Oak Avenue and Jefferson Street to Church Street, are reminded to take care, watch for workers and refrain from entering the work zone until the project is complete.
Lee And Main Street Paving Projects To Begin Thursday Morning
Motorists who travel Lee and Main streets regularly should plan different routes the rest of the week, or expect temporary detours and potential delays, as crews proceed with paving projects Feb. 10-11, city officials advise.
These projects, weather permitting, are only expected to be a couple of days, and once completed the smooth ride should make up for the temporary inconvenience while the paving projects are in progress. Motorists who do travel in and around these areas are urged to drive with care, watching for personnel actively working to avoid injury as well as vehicular and other damages.
Lee Street
The City of Sulphur Springs’ street paving contractor, Texana Land & Asphalt, began work on Lee Street recently, just ahead of the winter storm. The road had been graded, but following the storm, required a bit more work to smooth it out and make it ready for a layer of surface.
Texana Land & Asphalt is slated to begin paving Lee Street from Broadway to Brinker Street on Thursday and Friday. Once completed, the contractor will then continue west on Lee Street to League Street with stabilization and, then, paving, as weather permits.
Citizens should avoid Lee Street from Broadway to Brinker Street over the next two days, when possible, Sulphur Springs Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski reported Wednesday afternoon.
Main Street
Also, beginning on Thursday, Texas Department of Transportation’s paving contractor, RK Hall, will be paving Main Street from the Square to Reservoir Street near Coleman Lake. Work is scheduled to start Thursday morning and the contractor plans to be finished by Friday.
Citizens are recommended to avoid this area of Main Street over the next couple of days as well.
College Street
Also, work continues to rebuild College Street and add sidewalks, which means a portion of that street continues to be inaccessible as well.
On Feb. 1, City Manager Marc Maxwell reported that Atmos has relocated the gas main that was holding up the project, and which should now continue eastward toward I-30. This month, Maxwell said some drainage work is expected just west of the rail spur.
The City Council on Feb. 1 awarded a contract to Highway 19 construction for excavation, stabilization, concrete pavement and sidewalks for Phase I of the College Street improvement project, which should see that part of the project under way soon.
While work progresses, College Street continues to be partially closed as well. The section just off Oak Avenue in front of First Baptist Church, continued to have a road closed sign Wednesday evening.
Motorists are reminded to remain alert in that area as well for workers, road closures and construction in progress.
Sulphur Springs City Council Place 4 Candidate Tommy Harrison
Tommy Harrison filed Tuesday for candidacy for Place 4 on the May 7, 2022 Sulphur Springs City Council Election ballot.
Harrison said he is seeking the Place 4 seat on the council so he “can bring a breath of fresh air to the City of Sulphur Springs.”
The candidate said he is a retired Department of Defense Army civilian, and includes among the training, special skills and experience he has attained serving as Director of Logististics for Large Military Installations, both United States and Germany. He also has a Bachelor of Science.
When asked what he feels are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office, Harrison listed infrastructure and community awareness.
Harrison feels the most important things for the public to know about him and his candidacy are: that he is home grown, and will serve with honesty, integrity and selflessness, with a keen sense of direction and focus for the City of Sulphur Springs.
Tommy Harrison is married to Anja Harrison.
He has been serving as a member of the City of Sulphur Springs Planning and Zoning Commission.
As of Wednesday morning, Harrison was the only candidate who has filed seeking a place on the ballot for Place 4 on the May 7 City Council ballot. Candidate filing continues at City Hall during regular business hours through Feb. 18, 2022, for places 4 and 5. As of Wednesday morning, incumbent Gary Spraggins was the only candidate who had filed for Place 5. Incumbent Freddie Taylor, who has served in Place 4 on the Council since 2004, has not announced whether he will seek releelection.
Noon Thursday, Feb. 10, Is Deadline For Tickets For Chamber Of Commerce Membership Banquet
By Butch Burney
If you’re ready for winter to be over, then you’re probably in the mood to get outside, and what better opportunity than at the 33rd Annual Chamber Golf Tournament, April 8, at beautiful Sulphur Springs Country Club.
There are two tee times, 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., for the six-person scramble.
We will have more information next week on registration (including online) and sponsorship opportunities. Please put the golf tournament on your calendar. You don’t want to miss it.
Chamber Banquet
Noon Thursday, Feb. 10, is the deadline for tickets for the 95th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 17.
If you need incentive to get into the 1980s mood for the banquet at the Civic Center, then how about a couple of tickets to a Bon Jovi concert.
Clayton Homes is sponsoring the prize for the best 1980s-dressed person at the banquet with a pair of tickets to see Bon Jovi in concert in April.
The banquet will include food, music, fun and awards. Social networking and a cocktail hour begin at 6 p.m., with food service at 6:30 p.m., and awards beginning at 7 p.m. The awards include Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Large and Small Businesses of the Year, Educator of the Year, Agriculturalist of the Year and more!
You can reserve your seat for $30 per person or get a table for 10 for $500. The tables include preferential seating and name displays.
For more information or to reserve a table or tickets, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email me at [email protected].
Chamber Directory
Work is continuing on the 2022 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business. LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory.
The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. I hope you will consider this a wise investment with over 7,000 opportunities for business exposure. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her.
Senior Citizens
The Senior Citizen Center will host a Valentine’s Day party at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, sponsored by Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab. They will also have a Hospice 101 luncheon at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, sponsored by Hospice Plus.
Contact Karon Weatherman at 903-885-1661 if you plan to attend.
Main Street Events
Next weekend will be a mixture of fashion and music on Main Street.
It begins with a fashion show at Main Street Theatre featuring Marlene’s Sass & Class clothing. The mixer starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, with the show lasting from 7 to 8 p.m. A $5 admission fee includes wine, refreshments, door prizes and a $5 coupon.
On Saturday, Feb. 12, Main Street Theatre opens again for classic jazz with J.B. Smith and Jeff Smith. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the $15 ticket includes special refreshments.
Ribbon Cuttings
Haystacks Restaurant hosted a ribbon cutting at their location on Main Street at noon Wednesday, Feb. 2. Welcome them to the Chamber!
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for Jan. 26 is A Brush of Class. You can see more photos and read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Lady Cats Basketball Season Ends With 29-26 Loss in Longview
Women’s basketball did everything they could to leave Longview with their heads held high and end their season on a good note.
Unfortunately for Coach Erica Delley’s squad, it did not prove to be so as the Lady Lobos edged by Sulphur Springs 29-26 on Tuesday, Feb. 8 in Longview.
The Lady Lobos held a six-point advantage heading into the second quarter at 13-7. The game would only get more tight from there.
Coach Delley’s team made a strong push before halftime, out scoring Longview 7-3 to trail by just two as both teams headed to the locker room.
Sulphur Springs continued to chip in to the Lady Lobo lead, as they actually pulled ahead 24-23 heading into the final quarter on the season.
In what proved to be another low-scoring quarter, Longview made their shots count as they outpaced the Lady Cats 6-3 to pull out a tough, 29-26 victory over Sulphur Springs.
While it may not have ended the way Coach Delley and her team may have wanted, they fought until the final whistle and just fell short of victory.
The loss to the Lady Lobos drops women’s basketball’s season at 4-26 (2-10 district).
Tuesday’s loss in Longview saw the last game that seniors Jasmine Taylor and Myssiah Dugan can suit up for this squad as both players graduate come May.
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.
Super Bowl LVI Season is Coming, Make a Game Plan
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent for Hopkins County, [email protected]
Super Bowl LVI is right around the corner, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. This year, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is teaming up with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to remind football fans and Super Bowl partygoers that designated drivers are the best defense against the dangers of drunk driving. When Super Bowl celebrations involve alcohol, plan for a ride home with a sober driver. TxDOT and AgriLife Extension want to remind everyone: Drive Sober. No Regrets.
If hosting a Super Bowl LVI party, prepare plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for guests. Additionally, do not serve alcohol to minors. If an underage person drinks and drives, the person who provided the alcohol can be held liable for any damage, injury, or death caused by the underage driver. In fact, the alcohol contributor can face jail time if they host a party where alcohol is served to people under 21.
The decision to drive impaired—and the consequences that follow—are irreversible. Even one drink can impair judgement. You should never put yourself, or others, at risk because you made the choice to drink and drive. One drink can be one too many. When heading out for a night of Super Bowl fun, make a game plan and follow these simple tips for a safe and happy evening:
- Remember: It is never OK to drive drunk. Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely after drinking.
- Use the community’s sober ride program if available.
- If a drunk driver is seen on the road, call 911 immediately.
- Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take their keys away and plan to get them home safely.
Everyone should know by now that it is illegal to drive impaired. Yet still, thousands die each year in drunk-driving-related crashes. In Texas alone during 2020, 958 people died in vehicular crashes in which the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Punishment for being caught drinking and driving will result in jail time, loss of driver’s license, loss of vehicle, and pay up to $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, car towing, higher insurance rates, and lost wages.
Remember: Choosing to drive drunk may result in legal and financial hardships, diminished reputation, vehicle loss, and even loss of life. Take the better road and avoid alcohol altogether!
Souper Bowl of Caring Reminder
Our Hopkins County 4-H Clubs are partnering with tacklehunger.org to help feed people in Hopkins County. If anyone in your house watches an NFL game, we challenge you to donate a canned or packaged non-perishable food item.
The Extension Office, located at 1200 West Houston in Sulphur Springs, is a drop-off point. Additionally, Alliance Bank, Sulphur Springs High School, and Sulphur Springs News-Telegram are joining the team to serve as drop-off points.
Food items will be accepted through Feb. 14 and delivered to agencies for distribution on Feb. 15. Be a part of something great in your community!
Closing Thought
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
– Mother Teresa
Contact Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent for Hopkins County at P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]
Wildcats Soccer Rallies to Put Down Marshall 3-2
Men’s soccer held a 2-0 advantage over Marshall on Tuesday, Feb. 8 before the Mavs made a big comeback to make it a tight rubber match.
Fortunately for Coach Alexi Upton’s squad, they managed to put in one more goal which proved to be the difference maker as Sulphur Springs won 3-2 over the Mavericks in Marshall.
“Varsity had a very impressive win at Marshall,” Coach Upton said after the win Tuesday night.
The win is the second straight for men’s soccer after starting their district season 0-2.
Uriel Santacruz scored the first goal on the night for either team and was assisted by Angel Andino. Alex Yanez put in the second and final goal in the win over Marshall, assisted by Edgar Ramirez and Osvaldo Arellano respectively.
The win over the Mavericks in Marshall gives Coach Upton’s team a 3-11-2 record (2-2 district).
Sulphur Springs has a huge match-up with Pine Tree (1-1-1) on Friday which would help solidify the Wildcats positioning near the top of District 15-5A.
That game kicks off at Gerald Prim Stadium on Friday, Feb. 11 at 7:15 P.M.
On Tuesday men’s soccer have a bye but follow that up next Friday with a showdown versus 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.
