2 Small Children Found Deceased In Burned South Moore Street Home
Investigation Into The Blaze Ongoing
Two small children were found deceased in a South Moore Street home which burned early Thursday morning, according to Sulphur Springs Fire Chief/Marshal David James. Very few details have been released.
Chief James, in a press release issued after 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, stated that Sulphur Springs Fire Department responded at 3:52 a.m. Thursday to a reported structure fire at a South Moore Street residence. The structure was fully engulfed in flames when the units arrived.
“It was later learned that two small children were unable to escape the fire and are deceased. The investigation into the fire is ongoing,” the release from James stated.
No additional details are being released at this time, according to city authorities.
Commissioners Review Tax Abatement Policy, Approve Agricultural License Agreement
Hopkins County Commissioners Court renewed the county’s tax abatement policy. A resolution approving a 5-year updated mitigation action plan and an order authorizing the sale of fireworks for certain observances were also approved by the Commissioners Court during a special court session held Tuesday.
Tax Abatement Policy
Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Executive Director Roger Feagley explained that the legislature requires the tax abatement policy to be looked at and reviewed every 2 years. He asked the Commissioners Court to consider approving the same policy with one exception, with one exception. He recommended eliminating 7-year abatements,
“I’ve been doing this for 16-17 years and we’ve never done one for seven years,” Feagley told the Commissioners Court. “I recommend taking it out of the the chart.”
He referred to the chart listing the 5 and 10-year abatement schedules. A 5-year abatement would start with 100 percent of taxes abated, with the abatement reduced 20 percent each year. For individuals granted a 10-year abatement, the percent of tax abated reduces by 10 percent each year. He said if at some point in the future they ask for the 7-year tax investment schedule arrangements can be made to put it back in.
Tax abatements may be granted to company operations engaged in manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, research and corporate offices. The City may also grant property tax abatements to non-profit industrial funds whose sole purpose is to provide economic development assistance to the overall community.
Abatements may be given on new investment in personal and/or real property which will have in the judgement of the Hopkins County Appraisal District an economic life (depreciation schedule) of at least 10 years, and which must total $500,000 or more. Personal property with a useful life of less than ten years is not eligible for tax abatement.
Each contract must directly tie creation of a specific number of jobs to the abatement. The company applying for abatement shall agree as a condition of receiving an abatement to create at least fifteen new full time jobs which shall continue for at least 10 years.
If the company fails to provide all the jobs stipulated in the contract, the abatement for that year will be reduced by the percentage of those jobs not created. However, that number cannot fall below 15. Each year, to be given credit for that year, each job must be in place and filled for longer than 8 months of the immediately preceding 12-month period.
In special situations where an industry must significantly retool to be competitive, abatements for job retention may be considered. However, it must be demonstrated that the nature of production and/or operations have changed in the industry whereby those jobs to be retained must be in significant danger of being lost to Sulphur Springs.
By Dec. 31 of each year, the company receiving the tax abatement must submit to the EDC certification of compliance with the terms of the abatement agreement, including a Texas Workforce Commission Unemployment Insurance Quarterly Tax Report for the third quarter of the reporting year, reflecting the total employment, to show compliance with the employment requirement.
The Commissioners Court approved the tax abatement policy as recommended.
Mitigation Action Plan
Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley said he and other county personnel have worked for the past year to get caught up updating the 5-year mitigation action plan. The county was behind in getting the plan updated before it expires. It has been completed with help from Ark-Tex Council of Governments personnel, sent through Texas Department of Emergency Management and now has to be approved by FEMA. Once approved by the court and the federal agency, the plan will be official.
The plan is used by the cities of Como, Cumby and Sulphur Springs as well as the county, and must jointly adopt and approve the 5-year updated mitigation action plan. The county judge and mayors for those municipalities also are charged with appointing a hazard mitigation coordinator to coordinate all aspects of the updated and revised mitigation action plan, including reviewing and maintenance of the plan for hte county and cities within it.
The plan is important when cities or the county apply for certain grants. If grants have been awarded and the plan is not approved, the entity receiving the award could be required to pay any money already distributed back, Newsom explained.
Endsley serves as the county’s hazardous mitigation coordinator. He said the plan is to begin working on the plan and updating it 1 1/2 year before the 5-year plan ends.
]The Commissioners Court approved a resolution recognizing the need for and approved the plan.
Ag Agreement
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin reported he’d paid the $2 annual fixed license fee to the City of Sulphur Springs last week for use of land to procure sand to be mixed with oil and used on county roads. Sulphur Springs City Council approved the agricultural license agreement for the old Thermo mine property, now owned by the City of Sulphur Springs, at the regular January 2022 council meeting.
County Judge Robert Newsom noted that the use of the property for that purpose is a longstanding one for the county. The mine company allowed the county to use the property for the sand when it was in operation and use as a coal mine, and the city has continued to approve the agreement annually taking ownership of the mine.
“It allows our county roads to be better than they would be. By far, we would not be able to do what we do without that sand. We appreciate the City of Sulphur Springs working with us on this,” Newsom said.
Anglin then made a motion, which was seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker, to approve the agreement. The motion received full approval of the Commissioners Court.
Fireworks
The Commissioners Court also approved an order authorizing the sale of fireworks for Texas Independence Day, San Jacinto Day and Memorial Day 2022 in accordance with Section 2154.202(H) of the Occupations Code. New Year’s Day and Independence Day are automatic, according to Newsom.
TAC Updates
Rita Koches, former Van Zandt County judge, with Texas Association of Counties presented commissioners and the judge with bags of information and goodies. She noted the Newsom is a member of the TAC core legislative group, a group that the legislative department calls on to notify their legislators of a pending bill, whether it’s good or bad, etc.
Koches noted that nominations are now being accepted for the county best practices award and encouraged the Commissioners Court to submit recommendations if they know of any project in the county that is unique, different or able to be duplicated in another county. She said it’s a good time to let people know about things that are going on in the county.
TAC Boards, she noted, are made up of elected officials from around the state, such as the Commissioners Court.
The TAC Board that oversees the entire operation recently determined that it is in the best interest of counties to allow the TAC print shop to open to counties for banners and brochures and things of that nature.
TAC planning calendars are also available for those who have not already obtained them.
The TAC legal department since the close of the last Legislative session, has worked on having a page on the state website where each county’s statutes can be viewed. They are population bracketed, which could be a huge time saver, Koches said.
The packets she provided also include updated TAC contacts, including who to contact in the legal department.
“I will remind you TAC has a legal department. It has 5 or 6 attorneys waiting to take your questions at any time. Take advantage of that. Your county attorney and your district attorney advises you, but occasionally you just personally question about something in your particular department of division, it’s an opportunity to get an outside opinion maybe,” Koches said.
She said TAC risk management consultants can advise on safety and issues that are available in your county. HR consultants are there to help if, for example, a county needs to issue a letter or reprimand or termination, of just to talk things out sometimes.
“I do want to tell you that regardless what you hear about Travis County being shut down in stage whatever they are in today, TAC is open for business every day. We may be spread out a little bit more than we were in the past. They are open for the business to reach somebody. The consultants, the county relations officers are out on the roads calling on counties. Business is going on as usual,” Kotches said.
She too noted several conferences coming up that provide training opportunities for county officials to get required CEUs.
Koches planned to be in other county offices, visiting with other county officials throughout the day Tuesday.
Other Business
Farmers Electric Cooperative Inc.’s request to be allowed to construct electrical power distribution facilities across County Road 3536, north of County Road 3532 in Precinct 3 was approved along with the minutes for the Jan. 10 regular court meeting and work session, as part of the Jan. 18 consent agenda. Precinct 3 Commission Wade Bartley advised he’d reviewed the FEC request and recommended approval.
A full exemption for a racial profiling report for Precinct 2 Constable John Beadle was noted and entered into the record.
The Commissioners Court then at 9:25 a.m. entered into an executive session to discuss personnel, citing Government Code 551.0274. Newsom said there would be not action taken afterward regarding the personnel matter discussed.
Both Soccer Squads Up On Thursday Game Day
Both soccer teams begin their final tournaments of their winter seasons.
Wildcats soccer have their first day of action in Terrell for the Winter classic.
Thursday, Jan. 20 has Coach Alexi Upton’s squad on the pitch at 9:30 A.M. taking on Kilgore.
Men’s soccer has two more games in the winter tournament, on Friday, Jan. 21 versus Paris at 2 P.M. and wrap up against Sunnyvale on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 12:30 P.M.
Sulphur Springs was originally slated to host Highland Park Tuesday but that match was cancelled. With that, only these three tournament matches and a Tuesday road-match remain between district play when it begins for men’s soccer next Friday.
Coach Upton’s squad looks to finish off their pre-season right by getting some wins in Terrell starting today, Jan. 20 at 9:30 A.M. against Kilgore.
Women’s soccer are also locked in for their third and final tournament, taking place in Longview at the Lady Lobo Showcase.
Thursday, Jan. 20 has Coach Javier Aguayo’s squad taking on Red Oak at 3 P.M.
Friday’s match against Nacogdoches has a similar 3 P.M. start time, while the tourney finale for women’s soccer kicks off at 5 P.M. with Kilgore.
Sulphur Springs enters their third tournament sporting a 2-4-1 record in pre-season play.
Coach Aguayo’s team was originally slated to travel to Tyler to take on the Lady Lions but that game was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
After participating in the Lady Lobo Showcase this weekend, Lady Cats soccer is back at home for their pre-season finale on Tuesday hosting North Lamar.
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.
Donating To Veterans Memorial
This “Wall That Heals” bench was donated to the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial by Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op Wednesday afternoon. This bench was made by the SSHS Ag Mechanics class for the SSHS FFA Auction held last fall and purchased by Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op.
Pickton Man Dies From Injuries Sustained In FM 3019 Crash Tuesday
A 35-year-old Pickton man has died from injuries sustained in a crash on FM 3019, 7 miles north of Winnsboro Tuesday morning, according to crash reports.
David Rivers was reported to have been driving a 2005 Chevrolet C1500 north on FM 3019 at 8:15 a.m. Jan. 18, 2022, about seven miles north of Winnsboro, when the crash occurred, according to DPS accident reports.
“The vehicle was attempting to pass another vehicle when it lost control and rolled over multiple times. The driver was not secured with a seat belt and was ejected,” Texas Department of Public Safety Media Communications Sgt. Gregg Williams reported.
Rivers was transported to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries, Williams reported.
The FM 3019 crash, investigated by DPS Highway Patrol Trooper Arturo Ugalde, remains under investigation, with additional details to be released when and if they become available, according to Williams.
Lady Cats Basketball Loses at Home to Mount Pleasant, 69-18
Women’s basketball had a tough time against Mount Pleasant, falling to the Lady Tigers 69-18 on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Mount Pleasant full court-pressed the Lady Cats from the opening jump and Sulphur Springs did not respond well, scoring four points in the first as Coach Delley’s squad trailed 21-4 heading in to the second quarter.
Scoring opened in the second for the women’s basketball team, putting up 11 points against the Lady Tigers.
For the second straight quarter though, Mount Pleasant scored 21 points to take a huge 42-15 lead heading in to half time. Sulphur Springs attempted to claw their way back in to the game, but could only score a three-pointer from Jasmine Taylor in the fourth quarter.
Undefeated Mount Pleasant (6-0 district) cruised to a 69-18 win over the Lady Cats in Sulphur Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Freshman Trinity Jefferson lead thew way in scoring for the Lady Cats with six. Jasmine Taylor got four and both Jolee Wilson and Kaylee Carter finished the game with a three.
Addyson Wall rounded out scoring with a field goal in the second.
The loss drops the women’s basketball team’s record to 4-22 (2-5 district).
Next up, the Lady Cats are back on the road taking the trip east on I-30 to take on Texas High on Friday.
That game tips-off Friday, Jan. 21 in Texarkana at 6:15 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.
Candidate Filing Now Open For May 7 Sulphur Springs City Council, Sulphur Springs ISD & Yantis ISD School Board Elections
All 3 Incumbents Seeking Reelection To Sulphur Springs ISD Board Of Trustees
Candidate filing for the May 7 school and municipal elections opened Wednesday morning and will continue during business hours through Feb. 18, 2022.
Sulphur Springs ISD School Board
All three incumbents — Craig Roberts, Leesa Toliver, John Prickette — filed candidate applications first thing Wednesday morning seeking reelection to their three seats on Sulphur Springs ISD school board.
Craig Roberts was elected to the board in 2019, and selected by the board members in 2020 to serve as vice president. Roberts is a regional chairman of Guaranty Bank & Trust in Sulphur Springs.
Leesa Toliver Leesa Toliver has served on the school board since 2013. She previously served as Secretary, Vice President, and President and is a TASB Master Trustee. She is a retired SSISD administrator. She currently actively volunteers in the community.
John Prickette was appointed to the school board in 2012 to carry out the unexpired term of resigned board member, Foy Williams, and has continued to be reelected to the board since 2013. He previously served as vice president and president of the school board. Prickette is vice president of sales and marketing for Grocery Supply Company in Sulphur Springs.
Candidate filing for a place on the May 7, 2022 Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees Election ballot will continue from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Feb. 18, 2022, in SSISD Tax Office, located inside SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St.
The three candidates receiving the most votes in the May 7 SSISD Board of Trustees Election will be elected to a full three-year term each.
Eligibility qualifications to run for a seat on SSISD school board can be found on the school district website in Policy BBA(LEGAL). A Candidate’s Guide to Primary and General Elections can be found by clicking here.
Additional questions may be directed to SSISD Tax Assessor/Collector/Election Official Sandra Gibby at 903-885-2153, ext. 1111.
Sulphur Springs City Council
Candidate filing for Places 4 and Place 5 on the May 7, 2022, Sulphur Springs City Council Election ballot also opened Wednesday morning. Currently, Freddie Taylor serves in Place 4 and Gary Spraggins in Place 5.
Candidate filing for both three-year term seats on the May 7 City Council Election ballot will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, at Sulphur Springs Municipal Building (City Hall), 201 North Davis St. Mail applications for a place on the ballot may be mailed to City Secretary/Elections Officer Natalie Darrow at 125 South Davis St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482; or emailed to [email protected].
To be eligible to run for a seat on the City Council, the prospective candidate must be a
qualified voter of the State of Texas, resided continuously in the State of Texas and the City of Sulphur Springs for 12 months immediately preceding the deadline for filing an application for a
place on the ballot.
Other qualifications include:
- Must be a citizen of the United States eligible to hold such office under the constitution
and laws of this state; - Must not be mentally incompetent as determined by a court;
- Must not be convicted of a felony for which he/she has not been pardoned or had full rights of citizenship restored by other official action;
- Must be 18 years of age or older on the commencement of the term to be filled;
- Must not hold any other public office in which he/she was elected for and/or be a member of a board directly appointed by the City Council on the commencement of the term to be filled;
- City taxes must be paid to current; and
- Have knowledge of the nepotism law summary.
Yantis ISD School Board
Yantis ISD has scheduled a May 7, 2022 Election for the two places on the school board currently held by Jeff Quinn and April Johnson. The seats are both for a full three-year term on the school board; trustees are elected at large, so the two candidates receiving the most votes in the election will be elected to the board.
Candidate applications may be filed with Kristi Beech in the YISD Administration Office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday- Friday through Feb. 18, 2022.
In order to be eligible to file candidacy for Yantis ISD Board of Trustees, the candidate must:
- Be a United States citizen.
- Be 18 years of age or older on the first day of the term to be filled at the election or on the date of appointment, as applicable.
- Have not been determined by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
- Have not been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities [but see Ineligibility below].
- Have resided continuously in the state for 12 months and in the territory from which the office is elected for six months immediately preceding the following date:
- For an independent candidate, the date of the regular filing deadline for a candidate’s application for a place on the ballot.
- For a write-in candidate, the date of the election at which the candidate’s name is written in.
- For an appointee to an office, the date the appointment is made.
- Be registered to vote in YISD.
Hopkins County 4-H Clubs Collecting Food Donations As Part Of Souper Bowl of Caring
For over 30 years, the Souper Bowl of Caring movement has been inspiring people across the nation to tackle hunger in their local communities. This initiative uses the timeframe around one of the nation’s largest sporting events – the NFL Super Bowl – as a tool to feed families throughout the state.
Hopkins County 4-H clubs encourage all households to help tackle hunger in Hopkins County by donating one food items for just one NFL game watched. 4-H groups will collect food donations and/or monetary donations to give to local hunger relief organizations during the time frame of January 15 through February 13.
All efforts are local so you are helping the people or your county who are in need. Donations (either food or monetary donations) may be dropped off at the Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 West Houston in Sulphur Springs between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Other drop off points are also available.
Please contact Johanna Hicks or Mario Villarino at the Hopkins County Extension Office 903-885-3443 for more information.
Cumby ISD Will Remain Closed Rest Of Week Due Staffing Shortages In Essential Areas Due To Illness
Cumby ISD will remain closed the rest of the week due to continued staffing shortages in essential areas due to COVID and illnesses. Currently, classes are scheduled to resume at the usual time on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.
All extracurricular activities except varsity games have been canceled. Varsity will be played because they are district games and must be made up. The Wednesday and Friday games will be away. Saturday’s varsity play will be at home. Precautions will be in place to keep coaches and students as safe and healthy as possible.
Mrs. Petty will be available at the high school for dual credit students to pick up books and codes. Those who cannot come to school due to illness may email [email protected]; she will email students the needed information.
The Cumby ISD school board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, in the high school media center. If it becomes necessary to cancel the meeting, information will be posted.
Questions may be directed to Cumby ISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter at [email protected] or Juliana Osornio at [email protected].
Chamber Connection – Jan. 19: Lunch & Learn, Sip & Shop, Business Before Hours Coming Up
By Butch Burney
It’s not too late to sign up for the Chamber’s Lunch and Learn next week.
April Bliss, founder of Bliss Digital Innovations, will present the Chamber’s quarterly Lunch and Learn, providing small businesses with useful, timely information about digital advertising options that fit your small business.
The seminar will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Clarion Pointe. Chamber members can get the seminar with lunch provided for $15. For non-chamber members, it’s $20 per person. Contact the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or [email protected] to register.
Chamber Banquet
The 95th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet will go back to the future with a 1980s themed dinner on Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
There will be awards, music, food and fun at the annual banquet. Social networking and a cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m., with food service at 6:30, and awards beginning at 7 p.m. 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.
Nominations are still being accepted for Caregiver of the Year. That award, plus Citizens of the Year, Small and Large Businesses of the Year, Woman of the Year and others, will be announced at the Chamber’s membership banquet on Thursday, Feb. 17.
Nominations can be sent to [email protected] or mailed to the following addresses:
Caregiver of the Year—The Pilot Club—P.O. Box 131, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483.
Sip and Shop
Shoe Sensation, 1402 Mockingbird Lane, is hosting a Sip and Shop from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1. The shoe store will provide a wine and cheese tasting, along with 25-30 percent discounts on their inventory, for Chamber members. Come enjoy the refreshments and get great bargains!
Business Before Hours
Join us on your way to work for our next Business Before Hours, hosted by Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, at the Chamber office, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9. Come out to enjoy breakfast refreshments and networking with other business professionals.
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.
Ribbon Cuttings
Elan Med Spa hosted a ribbon cutting at their location, 1240 Shannon Road, at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Please welcome them to the community.
Buddy Home Furnishings hosted a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, Jan. 14, at its new home, 1147 South Broadway St. Please welcome this new business to the community.
