American Legion, VFW Hosting March 12 Blood Drive
American Legion Post 66 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8560 are hosting the Carter BloodCare bus Saturday in Brookshire’s parking lot, 809 Gilmer St. in Sulphur Springs. The March 12 blood drive will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Every donation is appreciated.
Donor Eligibility
Blood donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in good general health; 16-year-olds must have written parental consent. There is no upper age limit to donate blood. Donors are encouraged to eat a low-fat meal 2-4 hours before giving blood, and drink lots of water or juice before and after donating. They are recommended to avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine products for 12 hours before and after donating, and to avoid strenuous activity for 12 hours after donating blood.
According to Carter BloodCare, most health conditions won’t prohibit people from donating blood. Exceptions that could prevent a person from donating, include those: with skin cancers, solid tumor cancers, leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma, Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease, variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease, or people who have had certain exposure risks, a history of heart disease, hereditary hemochromatosis, or a history of certain infections, lung disease, people who are on antibiotics for treatment of a current infection (not including topical treatments), who are pregnant and for 6 weeks following pregnancy, on testosterone therapy, within 3 months after most blood and platelet transfusions or receiving human grafts and transplants, a history of other certain transplants, who are malaria risks due to travel outside the US, who have had certain recent vaccinations.
Click here to see Carter’s full list of medications and deferral period for each before donor eligibility as well as a list of infections and exposure risks, and conditions that would make a person ineligible to donate blood.
How To Donate
Those who wish to donate blood Saturday need only look for the bus; have a state-issued, school or government issued photo ID in hand; and meet eligibility requirements to donate at the drive hosted by the American Legion and VFW.
For the safety of donors and staff, Carter BloodCare continues to follow all national guidelines from the industry as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
All potential donors will be asked for their name, address and to show valid photo ID. A phlebotomist checks temperature, blood pressure, pulse and blood count for potential donors, then asks questions about their medical history to make sure giving blood is safe for the individual and that the potential donor’s blood will be safe to give to patients. Blood donation typically takes approximately 5-10 minutes, and the entire process from registration to post-donation refreshments is anticipated to take less than an hour. The drive is for whole blood donations.
While an appointment is not necessary, those wishing to reserve a time may go online to the Carter BloodCare website and select mobile drive conducted by the American Legion Post #66, select an available time slot and register. All others may look for the Carter BloodCare bus in Brookshire’s parking lot between 9 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. Saturday, March 12. Then get in line with ID.
Further questions about this drive may be directed to Andy Lowen at 903-355-3733.
15 Personnel Changes Approved For Sulphur Springs ISD In Addition To Contract Extensions
Douglass ECLC Principal/Head Start Director To Retire, SSES Counselor Resigns
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees approved 15 personnel changes in addition to routine contract extensions recommended for certified and non-certified administrative personnel for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years.
Among the 15 personnel changes approved by trustees at the recommendation of administrators following an executive session during Monday night’s regular Sulphur Springs ISD board meeting, five are new hires, seven were early notices submitted of pending retirements, two were resignations and one will be a position change.
At the administrative campus, Jeremy Lopez was approved to become the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary and Learner Services. He will be located at the SSISD Administration Building, filling an opening created with the resignation of Kristin Monk. Also at the Administrative Building, Marci Owens’ early notice of planned retirement from her post as administrative assistant to the superintendent was accepted.
Also submitting an early notice of planned retirement was Angela Edwards, Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center principal and Head Start director. Makena Walden will be joining the Douglass ECLC staff as a pre-kindergarten aide.
Patrick Leber, a lieutenant at Sulphur Springs Police Department, will be joining the SSISD Police Department, assigned as campus officer at Barbara Bush Primary. Also at Bush Primary, food services worker Karen Williams submitted an early retirement notice.
The resignation of Pamela Ash, counselor at Sulphur Springs Elementary, was accepted by trustees at the March 7, 2022 school board meeting.
At Sulphur Springs High School, Richard Page was approved as a teacher and defensive coordinator. Carla Owens’ resignation as testing coordinator was accepted by trustees as well.
Jessica Rogers was approved to join the staff at Austin Academic Center as an instructional aide. Also for that campus, Marsha Nolen turned in an early retirement notice; she is the REACH teacher.
The final four of the 15 SSISD personnel changes approved March 7, 2022, will be at Sulphur Springs Middle School. Special education teacher Catherin Ferguson, English language arts and reading teacher Patty Isonhood, math teacher Senor Mangon all submitted early retirement notices. Dustin Barrett will continue teaching history, but is moving from a seventh grade classroom to an eighth grade classroom.
Kyle Man Leads Police On 30-Mile Vehicle Chase On I-30 East Through 2 Counties
A 22-year-old Kyle man lead Cumby Police and multiple officers from other agencies on a 30-mile vehicle chase along Interstate 30 through Hopkins County and into Franklin County Saturday afternoon.
Cumby Police Officer Justin Talley reported the black Dodge Charger first caught his attention around 3:15 p.m. March 5, 2022, because the vehicle’s front window tint “exceeded the AS-1 line” and its temporary tag was unreadable as it waved in the wind. Talley reported catching up to the car near mile marker 116 on I-30 east and turning on his vehicle’s emergency lights to signal the driver to pull over. Instead, the car accelerated and began to speed away, Talley alleged in arrest reports.
Talley pursued the car, which he alleged continued at high speeds east on I-30, showing a willful and wonton disregard for safety of others and property by swerving in and out of traffic, and passing vehicles on the improved shoulders of the road at high speeds. The Cumby officer kept other officers from multiple other agencies who were responding to assist in the pursuit, by updating them via his police radio as the chase persisted through Hopkins County into Franklin County, according to the officer’s account of the chase in arrest reports.
The vehicle pursuit reported ended with the driver pulling onto the right shoulder of I-30 east near mile marker 146 in Franklin County. The driver, identified as 22-year-old Mark Sherrin of Kyle, Texas, was taken into custody at 3:34 p.m. Saturday. A search of the car revealed two pistols, a Glock and AR-style pistol, Talley noted in arrest reports.
A female passenger in the car claimed she’d told Sherrin to pull over for law enforcement, and that she was afraid for her safety. Sherrin’s driver’s license was found to be suspended. He was transported to jail; the car was impounded, Talley alleged in arrest reports.
Sherrin’s 30-mile vehicle chase on I-30 resulted in the 22-year-old Kyle man being booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:40 p.m. March 5, 2022, on a felony evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge, a Class A misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a weapon charge, a Class B misdemeanor reckless driving charge and a Class B misdemeanor driving while license suspended or invalid charge, according to arrest reports.
Sherrin was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, March 6, 2022, on $30,000 in bond – $15,000 bond on the felony evading charge, and $5,000 bond per misdemeanor charge, 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.
Figuring Out What Causes A Muddy Pond, What To Do About It
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent, Ag./NR
A frequent complaint of pond owners, especially after filling newly constructed ponds, is a muddy, dirty, or turbid appearance. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, many owners wish for clear sparkling waters, but are instead greeted by muddy ponds containing water that resembles chocolate milk.
Turbid water, or turbidity, is caused by suspended organic and inorganic particles in a body of water that reduce clarity. In a muddy pond, it is primarily suspended clay particles that produce the turbidity.
It is important to understand the problems that turbidity produced by suspended clay particles could potentially cause in a pond’s ecosystem. Clay turbidity in ponds reduces the ability of light to penetrate the water to depth, which results in reduced amounts of phytoplankton, and subsequently, reduced natural oxygen production and food for fish. Not only could muddy or turbid water cause stunted growth in fish, but overall aesthetics of the pond can be reduced. Another concern of muddy ponds is that suspended solids can lead to undesirable flavors, often referred to as “off-flavors,” in fish harvested from the pond. Muddiness of ponds can also promote the growth of bacteria and blue-green algae, which can lead to health problems for aquatic organisms, humans, and animals that may swim in or drink from the pond.
Most pond owners desire completely clear ponds that look “aesthetically pleasing,” but due to lack of nutrients and associated food, this can also cause detrimental effects for fish populations if the pond owner is concerned about maintaining a good fishery. Completely clear water means there is no food in the water column for small fish to eat.
Ponds can appear muddy for various reasons. The most common causes for muddy ponds are new pond construction in clay soils, rainfall/runoff, erosion from wave action and other sources, and animals. One
may wonder how these factors can cause a pond to become muddy, or turbid. To retain water, ponds must be constructed in, or lined with, clay-rich soil. Clay soils contain tiny, negatively charged clay particles that can suspend in the water, ultimately causing the appearance of muddy water.
Runoff from a rain event can also bring clay particles into the pond from the surrounding environment. Turbidity can result from high winds, abrupt changes in air temperature, and excessive rainfall disturbing clay particles, causing them to become suspended in the water. Wildlife, such as ducks, beavers, muskrats, and wading birds; livestock wading in or drinking from the pond; invasive species such as common carp, nutria, and feral hogs; and aeration systems can also cause suspension of clay particles.
In some cases, fish species intentionally stocked into the pond, such as grass carp or catfish, can stir the bottom sediment, causing turbidity.
Before treating a pond, one must first determine the underlying cause of the issue — whether it is due to a problem stated above or it is related to a chemistry issue — and eliminate it. This is a crucial and often overlooked step. If the cause of the suspended clay is not first eliminated, the turbidity can soon return after a clearing treatment, resulting in wasted money and effort.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Kaufman Woman Arrested By Texas A&M Forest Service For Hopkins County Theft
KAUFMAN, Texas – Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigators and the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office arrested Frances Charline Lee Cole, 51, of Kaufman, Texas for theft of more than $2,500 and less than $30,000 in Hopkins County on March 2, 2022.
Cole entered into a real estate agreement for 42 acres in Hopkins County, she then convinced a logging company that she owned the property and entered into a contract to sell the timber. A timber deed was filed with the county clerk’s office and the logger paid her a lump sum of $8,000. Cole then backed out of the real estate sale of the property, so when the logger returned to cut the tract, they found out they had been deceived.
“Essentially, the logger paid her for timber that wasn’t hers that she had no rights to sell,” said Jonathon Keller, Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigator. “Although our agency commonly advises landowners how to recognize and protect against cases of theft when selling their timber, landowners are not the only ones who should be diligent when entering timber sale agreements. All parties involved should have a thorough knowledge of who they are dealing with and have all the facts before entering contracts.”
Timber theft can take a variety of forms – from harvesting timber without the landowner’s knowledge or consent, to entering into a formal agreement and not paying them the full purchase price and even stealing timber or money from logging companies.
Any entity seeking guidance on buying or selling timber, can contact their local Texas A&M Forest Service office. Texas A&M Forest Service field staff assists with the process of securing the services of a professional resource manager to help select trees for harvest, estimate values and find potential buyers.
To report suspected timber theft or suspicious activity, call the Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Timber Theft Hotline at 1-800-364-3470. The Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Department works diligently with local officials to help bring those responsible for timber theft and other violations of the natural resources code to justice.
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Contacts:
Jonathon Keller, Investigator, Texas A&M Forest Service, 936-546-1958, [email protected]
Texas A&M Forest Service Communications Office, 979-458-6606, [email protected]
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Feb. 28-March 6, 2022
Winnsboro Police Department each week provides a media report with information about department activity for the last 7 days. WPD activity for the week of Feb. 28-March 6, 2022 included:
Arrests
- Kristeen Adams, 50 years of age, of Longview, was arrested on March 1, 2022, on two possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charges and for possession of a dangerous drug.
- Adrian Foster, 46 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on March 4, 2022, for driving while license invalid with previous convictions, and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
- Jacob Smith, 28 years of age, of Kilgore, was arrested on March 5, 2022, for possession of a dangerous drug.
- Calum Foldenauer, 25 years of age, of Pittsburg, was arrested on March 6, 2022, for driving while license invalid with no insurance.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 142 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 43 citations and 42 warnings during this reporting period.
School Calendar & Technology Purchases, Head Start Items On SSISD Board Agenda
A 2022-2023 school calendar, technology purchases and several Head Start documents are among the items on the March 7, 2022, Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees agenda for board discussion and consideration.
As is customary for this time of year, Superintendent Michael Lamb is slated to present at tonight’s 6 p.m. school board meeting a calendar for the 2022-2023 school calendar which would begin this August. A committee typically is involved in the process of shaping the calendar before it is submitted by administrators for trustees’ consideration.
Trustees also are expected to approve an order canceling the May 7, 2022 school board trustees election as the incumbents were unopposed in their bids for reelection to their seats on the school board.
Technology Coordinator Rodney White is expected to present for trustees’ consideration purchase of interactive panels, student laptops and teacher laptops. Bid were sought for all of these items, to replace devices either nearing the end of their lifecycle or lease cycle.
Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams, on behalf of the CTE/Career and College Director Jenny Arledge, a CTE innovative course addition to continue building on and offering an upper level course for an endorsement program started 2 years ago at high school.
Williams also is slated to present on behalf of Head Start Director/Douglass ECLC Principal Angela Edwards for board consideration a Head Start transportation waiver request, allowing the Head Start director to apply for continuation and refunding of the Head Start Program, and a one-time carryover request for reprogramming.
The consent agenda also includes numerous Head Start items which are routine but required, including:
- Head Start self-assessment summaries,
- Head Start Community assessment update,
- Head Start program improvement plan,
- Head Start Cost Allocation Plan
- Head Start training and technical assistance plan, and
- Head Start priority screening instrument.
The consent agenda, which includes 8 different items (the 6 Head Start items included) to be considered under one motion of the board unless otherwise requested by a board member, contains for February 2022 tax credits and supplements, delinquent tax collections and financial statements and bills payable.
The district too is slated to approve a letter of engagement with Rutherford, Taylor & Company, P.C., to perform auditing services for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2022. This is the auditing firm that SSISD has used for a number of years and has had a good working relationship with.
For at least the third time since Christmas, the school board will be asked to approve a resolution authorizing wage payments for school employees during a school closure, this time for the Feb. 24, 2022, cancelation of classes due to inclement weather (rain, sleet and icy roads).
During executive session, the trustees are slated to consider one-year contract extensions as recommended for professional certified instructional administrative personnel and administrative support services personnel presently employed with SSISD under two-year contracts, which includes assistant superintendents, directors, principals and assistant principals; consider hiring an assistant superintendent of elementary and students services, to replace Kristin Monk, who submitted her letter of resignation in December and became effective on Jan. 28, 2022; and any other personnel or real property matters submitted for board consideration since the last board meting. Any items pushed forward for action would be voted on when the board reconvenes in open forum.
Sulphur Springs Adult Leadership Class is also slated to attend the regular portion of the SSISD Board of Trustees meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. Monday, March 7, 2022, in the board room of Sulphur Springs ISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St. The meeting is being conducted earlier than usual, as is customary for March, due to spring break and other after-hours school activities and events.
Students will be out of school for a staff preparation day on Friday, March 11, and March14-18 has been designated for spring break.
Name Of Man Killed In Head-On Collision Saturday Night Released
Additional Details About Crash Reported
The identity of the Sulphur Springs man killed in a two-vehicle head-on collision Saturday night and additional details about the crash have been released by authorities.
Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Gregg Williams, Texas Highway Patrol Media Communications and Safety Education for the Texarkana-North Texas Region, 27-year-old Tyler Chester of Sulphur Springs died at the crash site March 5, 2022.
Chester was reported to have been driving a 1998 Toyota Camry around 10 p.m. Saturday on State Highway 19, about 5 miles south of Interstate 30. For an “as yet undetermined reason” Chester was reported to have been traveling north in the southbound lane of SH 19. Another vehicle reportedly took action to avoid the Camry. A 2012 Chevrolet Malibu traveling south behind the other vehicle, was unfortunately, unable to avoid colliding with the Camry. The cars collided head-on, Sgt. Williams reported.
Multiple law enforcement officers, including sheriff’s deputies and state troopers, firefighters from several departments, and emergency services personnel responded at the crash site. At least two people were reported to be trapped in the wreckage, requiring extrication.
Tyler Chester, who was reportedly not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, died at the crash site. Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer pronounced Chester deceased at 10:05 p.m. March 5.
A helicopter was requested. Wilma Lane, a 68-year-old Emory woman in the Malibu, was transported by air to a regional hospital Saturday night for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
State Highway 19 south was shut down temporarily and traffic diverted away from the crash site, while emergency responders worked to cut the vehicle occupants out Saturday night, the crash investigation was conducted and wreckage removed from the roadway.
The crash remains under investigation. Texas Highway Patrol Aaron Hanna lead the crash investigation.
Mayor Encourages All To Join Him in Celebration Of Texas History Month
March 6 Designated As Alamo Day
Texas has a diverse and colorful history, which Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers hopes all will join him during the month of March in celebrating the state during Texas History Month. And, for those who many not know, not only is March a busy and important month in Texas but several important events transpired and are observed during the first full week in March – including Alamo Day on March 6.
Mayor Sellers noted that March 1, 2022, is notable not only because the regular Sulphur Springs City Council meeting meeting was held on that day, but it was also Primary Election Day, Fat Tuesday, and the beginning of Texas History Month.
March 2, then, is Texas Independence Day, the 186th year since the signing of Texas’ declaration of independence, creating the Republic of Texas, Sellers noted.
March 2 is also Flag Day for Texas, as declared by the Legislature in 1915. A law was later passed in 1933 establishing rules for proper display of the flag and a pledge to the flag, “Honor the Texas Flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.”
In February of 1845, the Republic of Texas approved the resolution to enter the Union, part of which has become known as the Constitution of 1845 and states that Texas retains it’s right to divide itself into four states, in addition to the original Texas. The Republic of Texas existed for 9 years before joining the Union as the 28th State on Dec. 29, 1845.
The Texas Legislature purchased the land that’s come to be known as the Alamo Complex in the early part of the 20th century and designated the Alamo Chapel as the official Texas State Shrine. Alamo Day is Celebrated on March 6.
Texas is known as the Lone Star State, referring to the flag with one white, five-point star on a field of blue, with an upper right white horizontal stripe and a lower red horizontal stripe.
In 1826, the Texas Rangers was established by Stephen F. Austin to track down outlaws, reconcile land disputes and settle feuds. In 1925, the Texas Rangers became a branch of Texas Department of Public Safety, and continues to work for law and order in the state.
Texas is the only state that a Republic before joining the Union, the second largest state in land mass and population, and occupies about 7% of the total land and water areas of the United States.
Recognizing the importance of Texas history, the Legislature enacted legislation on June 20, 2003 declaring March 1-31 of every year as Texas History Month.
“It is imperative that the citizens of the great State of Texas make every effort to preserve, protect and promote the diversified and cultural history of our state,” Sellers read from the proclamation, concluding by urging all Texas citizens to observe Texas History Mont with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Construction Manager-At-Risk Selected For Trusty Housing Project
In one of the shortest meetings on record, Hopkins county Commissioners Court Friday approved the recommended company to serve as construction manager-at-risk for the trusty housing project.
A review committee Monday afternoon rated the three companies – Tegrity, Sedalco and Harrison Walker Harper – that submitted bids for the project. Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook recommended Sedalco be awarded the contract based on the scoring criteria.
“This selection committee based this off of scoring by fees , schedule (the time they can get the project out), their organization, licensing, their overall experience, their labor’s experience, and their safety,” Aulsbrook said, with up to 100 points available for each area. Sedalco had 709 points, the highest of the three business.
Aulsbrook said the scoring information is available at her office and open to the public if anyone wants to view them in her office.
Monday morning, the three bids received for the project were opened and fees were read aloud.
Tegrity’s quoted fee is 3.77%, general conditions cost of 8.77% and a fee of $7,777 would be charged to the county if for any reason Tegrity provides preconstruction services but the county does not proceed with the project. HWH (Harrison, Walker and Harper) bid a preconstruction fee of $20,000, overhead fees of 3% and a profit of 5%. Sedalco bid a preconstruction Phase B fee of $15,000 and a construction management fee of 5% of cost of work.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin made a motion to, approve the recommendation. Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price seconded the motion, which receive unanimous approval from the four members of the Commissioners Court able to attend the meeting. Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker was ill and unable to attend the court session Friday, March 4, 2022.
Funding for the Hopkins County Trusty Housing Facility would come from the $7-plus million the county has been awarded in American Rescue Program funding, with no local tax dollars allocated for the project. The facility would keep the trustees, who work in the community during the day, separate from other inmates as a safety precaution against COVID-19 or any other illness being spread through the jail, and to better keep contraband such as snuff and controlled substances out of the county jail, officials noted when announcing plans to use a large chunk of the COVID-19 related funding to build separate housing for jail trusties. The Trusty Housing Facility will be planned on county owned property directly across from the current jail facility.
Over the past few months, the Commissioners Court, Sheriff Lewis Tatum, Jail Administrator Kenneth Dean and other jail and sheriff’s office employees, along with County Grants Consultant Beth Wisenbaker have been working with DRG Architects LLC to design a facility that not only meets the county’s needs, but remains within budget and meets state jail standards. DRG is the company that designed the current jail facility.
As is the process when constructing a facility to house inmates, the initial plans have been submitted to the jail standards administration. A meeting was held with the state officials, with some recommendation. Modifications were being made in January based on those recommendations as well as requests made by the Commissioners Court, Sheriff and Jail Administrator.
The revised plans then are sent back to the state authorities over jails, and another less formal conference is conducted. Once any issues are resolved and the plan is given the green light by state and local officials, the project moves into the construction documents phase of the building project. Those are then be sent to the jail commission, and officials will be given a chance to discuss that and provide a time for any formal comments to be made. If the jail commission is not satisfied, then a written response will need to be accompanied by the written design information.
