Registration Now Open For Feb. 19 Twogether In Texas Marriage Education Workshop
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Hopkins County is offering Twogether in Texas Marriage education workshop for interested couples.
The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Extension Office, 1200 West Houston St., Sulphur Springs. Topics that will be covered during the Twogether in Texas marriage education workshop include marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goal setting.
The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Extension Office, 1200 West Houston St., Sulphur Springs. Topics that will be covered include marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goal setting.
Upon completion of the workshop, engaged couples will receive a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license.
Interested couples must, however, call the Extension Office to sign up so adequate preparations can be made. Contact Johanna Hicks at 903-885-3443 to sign up.
Tarrant County Murder Suspect Arrested In Sulphur Springs
A Tarrant County murder suspect was arrested Wednesday morning in Sulphur Springs, the second time the 24-year-old Sulphur Springs man has been jailed locally on an out-of-town murder warrant, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes reported being contacted by the North Texas Fugitive Task Force regarding 24-year-old Keshawn Cardale Sims, a Sulphur Springs man reported to be wanted by Tarrant County authorities on a murder charge and to also have four outstanding local traffic warrants as well.
Estes gathered information regarding Sims, confirmed the felony warrant. An arrest team, which included Estes and SSPD Officer Francisco Castro, was briefed on all information regarding the suspect, then went at 10:15 a.m. Jan. 5, 2022, to a Freeman Street residence, where Sims was thought to be. The officers located and took the man into custody on the Tarrant County murder warrant.
Sims was booked into Hopkins County jail at 10:43 a.m. Jan. 5, 2022, on a warrant for the alleged Tarrant County murder charge, as well as three local warrants for failure to maintain financial responsibility and no driver’s license, according to arrest reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Jan. 6, 2022, on the warrants. Bond had yet to be set, according to jail reports.
Wednesday morning was the second time Sims has been booked into Hopkins County jail on an out-of-town murder warrant, according to jail and arrest reports.
Sims also spent Aug. 3-11, 2020, in Hopkins County jail on Arlington murder and aggravated assault charges. He turned himself in on Aug. 3, 2020, on both charges, issued in connection with the July 27 death of a 17-year-old in Arlington, according to police and sheriff’s reports.
Arlington Police Department, in partnership with the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force Aug. 3, 2020, identified Sims as a suspect in a July 27 homicide investigation. APD released Sims’ photo and asked for the public’s help in locating Sims, who at that time had an Arlington address and was wanted in connection with the death of 17-year-old Knoah Harlan.
Harlan was reportedly found by Arlington Police seriously injured on Highbank Drive. He had allegedly been “struck by a suspect vehicle that fled the scene.” Harlan was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased, according to a 2020 APD news reports.
Arlington police, in the 2020 release, stated that detectives believed several people in two cars agreed to meet near Bowie High School to engage in a physical fight.
“The first car that arrived contained approximately five subjects. The second vehicle arrived and began to drive recklessly on the roadway in front of the school. At one point, the suspect vehicle started accelerating towards the vehicle with the five occupants. Investigators believe as the occupants were trying to exit the car and flee to safety believing the car they were seated in might be struck, the suspect car swerved and struck the victim on the roadway. The suspect vehicle, a passenger car sedan, fled the scene,” the police release stated.
Sims turned himself in at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 3, 2020, and remained there on a $500,000 bond until Aug. 11, 2020.
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.
High Speed Chase Concludes With Location Of Marijuana And Cocaine In A Backpack Tossed Out During The Pursuit
January 5, 2022 – Nearly a pound of suspected marijuana and two baggies of cocaine were reportedly found in a backpack tossed out of the window of a vehicle during a high speed pursuit along I-30 west.
(HCSO jail photo)
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite reported seeing a westbound Lexus ES 300 commit a traffic violation near the 142 mile marker on Interstate 30 west. at 10:34 p.m. Jan. 4, 2022. When Fite tried to stop the vehicle, the driver reportedly continued westward, accelerating to high rates of speed over 100 miles per hour. Fite reported seeing a green backpack thrown out the driver’s side window, then fall onto the highway median as the car approached Country Club overpass.
Fite followed the Lexus into Sulphur Springs, where the driver took the 125 exit onto East Industrial Drive, where he then stopped on the shoulder. Fite and Sgt. Tanner Steward, Deputy Josh Davis and Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Chris Rosamond performed what Fite described in arrest reports as a high risk take-down, and took the driver into custody.
The driver, identified in arrest reports as 40-year-old Menietto Lateet Crawford of Memphis, Tennessee, allegedly admitted to throwing out the backpack, which he claimed had a couple of ounces of marijuana inside of it. Crawford was taken to jail by Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Chris Rosamond. Deputy Josh Davis accompanied Fite back to the area where the backpack was tossed, retrieved a backpack, which contained a plastic bag with individually packaged bags of suspected marijuana which was later found to weigh 15.591 ounces; the deputies also reported finding three baggies of containing 37.4 grams of a substance which field-tested positive for cocaine.
As a result Crawford was booked into Hopkins County jail after 12 a.m. Jan. 5, 2022, for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1B controlled substance, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and tampering with physical evidence (the backpack) and possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana. He remained in the county jail Wednesday night in lieu of $82,000 bond – $50,000 on the controlled substance charge, $15,000 each on the evading arrest and tampering with evidence charge, and $2,000 on the marijuana charge.
A charge of money laundering in the amount of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000 was added Wednesday night to the list of charges Crawford is accused of, after deputies heard on a recorded jail hone call Crawford advising that money was still in the vehicle he had been arrested in.
Deputies sought and obtained a search warrant for the Lexus, inside of which they reported finding about $50,000 in US currency. Deputies secured the money, and placed it into a controlled environment, where a K9 officer was deployed. The police dog positively alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics on the money. The cash was photographed, secured and placed into evidence, and Crawford was charged with money laundering.
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.
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – Jan. 4, 2022
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell presented the following report to the City Council during the regular monthly council meeting on Jan. 4, 2022.
COVID-19 Response
The Omicron variant of the COVID virus seems to be spreading like wildfire across the nation. Unfortunately, I cannot give you any accurate numbers regarding the number of local cases. The State of Texas is having difficulty updating the numbers. This has been a recurring theme with the Department of State Health Services for almost 2 years. The number of people hospitalized at Christus Trinity Mother Frances remains low at 6. (He announced Tuesday night the number was 7.)
Claims
We did not have any workers compensation claims in December. We did receive 2 liability claims in December, one for a slip & fall incident, and the other for a sewer backup inside a residence. Both incidents were submitted to the TML risk pool. The slip and fall incident was denied. The wastewater incident is pending.
Senior Citizens Building
We are in the process of applying for a grant to enlarge the building. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs recently announced a grant program called the Texas Community Resiliency Program that will award grants between $500 thousand and $5 million for qualifying projects. Senior citizen centers are specifically called out as a qualifying project.
Pacific Park
Progress continues at the park. The fitness court is under construction now. Next up will be the playground and the new bathrooms. Elsewhere on the agenda tonight is the award of a bid for concrete for all of the paths throughout the park.
MLK Drainage
Kudos to the Capital Construction Division for solving the long-standing problem on Martin Luther King Junior Drive between Davis Street and Oak Avenue. This was a complicated problem that required close cooperation with the Kansas City Southern Railroad (KCS) and a delicate touch installing new drainage pipe around existing utilities and KCS control conduits.
College Street
Work has begun on the project. The Capital Construction Division has installed a new sewer main and new water main between Oak and Jackson. Next, they will construct a small drainage component and then the project will progress to the east. We had hoped to make progress on the drainage last month, but we are waiting on Atmos to relocate a gas main. We will advertise for bids for construction of the concrete street in the next 60 days.
Runway/Taxiway Rehab
This $1.9 million project is 95% complete. All we lack is a little striping, test results on the concrete and a bit of cleanup.
Street Improvement Program
Two street segments remain: More delays from Texana land and Asphalt. We still lack League and Lee Streets. Woodbridge crossing is in progress.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a report of year-to-date revenues and expenditures.
Around The City
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Made 8 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Installed a sidewalk to the kayak dock at Coleman Lake that was provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Sold 2,095 gallons of AvGas and 8.863 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Accommodate 675 take-offs/landings at the airport.
- Responded to 230 fire/rescue calls including 2 structure fires and 2 vehicle fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 78 fire hydrants.
- Performed 15 fire inspections and reviewed 15 pre-fire plans.
- Top-dressed baseball fields and winterized irrigation systems in the parks.
- Power washed sidewalks in the baseball/soccer complex.
- Removed 17 dead trees at Coleman Park.
- Responded to 150 animal control calls while achieving a 98% adoption rate.
- Made 3 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 26 accidents including 1 fatality, wrote 421 citations, recorded 34 offenses, and made 53 arrests in the Patrol Division.
- Made necessary repairs for downtown Christmas Lights.
- Installed security lighting at Coleman Park.
- Began designing lighting for Pacific Park.
- Began investigating potential for automatic locks on restroom doors at Imagination Mountain.
- Installed a new pump for Coleman Lake waterfalls.
- Performed preventative maintenance at the wastewater treatment plant and the water treatment plant.
- Treated wastewater to a daily average of total suspended solids count of .22 mg/L. Our limit is 15 mg/L.
- Sent 77 tons of wastewater sludge to composting and 65 tons to the landfill.
- Washed 72,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Unstopped 29 sewer mains and repaired 8 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 8 water meters.
- Treated 147 million gallons of potable water.
- Conducted 45 building inspections, 17 electrical inspections, 19 plumbing inspections, 9 mechanical inspections, and issued 21 building permits.
- Checked out 1,756 items from the library and 588 eBooks
Wildcats Basketball Team Blows Out Pine Tree 85-51
Coach Brandon Shaver and his men’s basketball team had a good trip to Longview, beating Pine Tree on the road 85-51 on Tuesday, Jan. 4 for their second straight district win.
The Wildcats bested Marshall in their opener 75-48 on Tuesday, Dec. 21.
Coach Shaver’s squad did not disappoint in the coach’s first return to his previous gig in Pine Tree as Sulphur Springs cruised to an emphatic win over the Pirates.
The men’s basketball team raced to a big 21-8 lead after one quarter, but it only got worse for Pine Tree from there.
The Wildcats outscored the Pirates 64-43 over the final three frames to blow out Pine Tree 85-51 in Longview for their second straight district win.
Justin Haire led the way for Sulphur Springs with 18 points. Parker Whisenhunt was juts a field goal behind at 16. Three more athletes for the Wildcats finished in double-figures: Kordrick Turner (13), Branson Lynn (12) and Caleb Alexander (11).
Cason Arrington wracked up seven in the victory, followed by Jaquan Jones with four. Jackson Darrow and Malachi Myles finished with two a piece.
The win over Pine Tree gives Sulphur Springs an 18-7 record (2-0 district).
The men’s basketball team has a bye Friday before resuming action next Tuesday at home versus Hallsville (22-2).
That game tips-off next Tuesday, Jan. 11 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.
Lady Cats Soccer’s Season Opener With Celina Ruled No Contest
Tuesday, Jan. 4 did not go according to plan for the Lady Cats soccer’s home opener versus Celina.
The visiting Lady Cats had a scheduling conflict that did not allow them to make the trip to Sulphur Springs for the season opener.
When passing by Gerald Prim Stadium just past 5 P.M., it looked as though fans were exiting the stadium around the same time the junior varsity squad would have been gearing up for their home opener.
Instead, news came down to Coach Javier Aguayo that Celina would not be making the trip.
As a result, Celina did not forfeit the win to Sulphur Springs and the Lady Cats, instead being ruled as a no-contest, the women’s coach confirmed over text.
Next up, Coach Aguayo and women’s soccer were originally scheduled to participate in their first regular-season tournament starting this Thursday in Longview, but that has since been changed.
Now, the Lady Cats will not be in Longview until Jan. 20-22.
Instead of traveling to Longview this weekend Coach Aguayo and his women’s soccer team travel to Kilgore for their tournament.
The Lady Cats take on Bullard at 5:30 P.M. on Thursday, Jan. 6 in Kilgore.
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.
Lady Cats Basketball Wins Big Over Pine Tree, 49-29 For First District Win
Women’s basketball won their first home game on Tuesday, Jan. 4 versus Pine Tree 49-29 at the SSHS Main Gym.
The win is also the first win in district for the Lady Cats.
Coach Erica Delley’s squad sank some threes to jump out to a 15-7 lead over the visiting Lady Pirates heading into the second quarter.
Jasmine Taylor contributed to the hot start, sinking two threes and a free throw to acquire seven of her nine points in the victory.
The second was when the Lady Cats started rolling, getting two threes from Kaylee Carter and Addyson Wall to expand their lead to 14 at 26-12 heading in to the half.
Trinity Jefferson got some beautiful passes from her teammates to score five in the quarter, four of which came in the paint.
Coach Delley credited middle school coach Nickie Pannell, eighth grade coach for women’s basketball at SSMS for advising the Lady Cats coach to stick with her and give her time to improve.
She did that and some, boxing out defenders and getting some crucial offensive rebounds.
Wall put Pine Tree comfortable away. Seven of her 13 points came in the third as Sulphur Springs went up by 20 at 37-17.
The fourth quarter saw Jolee Wilson come on to the scene, sinking two threes and a long-range two coming off the bench to score all eight of her points keeping the victory well in hand.
Pine Tree was able to match Sulphur Springs in points at 12, but the damage had already been done as the Lady Cats basketball team cruised to a 49-29 win over the Lady Pirates.
“[The Lady Cats] were knocking down some big shots,” the women’s basketball coach said.
The Lady Cats coach said she loved the energy her team showed in the home win. “I’m so proud of them,” Coach Delley said after the game.
Seven of nine Lady Cats players scored in the win over Pine Tree. Wall lead the way in scoring at 13, followed by Taylor with nine.
Wilson and Kaylee Carter wrapped up the win scoring eight points and Jefferson was one behind at seven. Kyra Carter rounded out scoring for Sulphur Springs with two free throws in the fourth.
“It’s still a work in progress,” Coach Delley said. “But I like the direction we’re going in,” the women’s basketball coach said.
The win over Pine Tree gives the Lady Cats a 3-20 season record (1-3 district). The women’s basketball team has won three of their last four contests.
Coach Erica Delley’s squad is off on Friday before resuming action next Tuesday, Jan. 11 in Hallsville.
Tuesday’s road match is set to tip-off 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.
Reinvestment Zone Approved For D6 Inc. Expansion
Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night gave initial approval to a reinvestment zone and agreed to a 380 economic development agreement for D6 Inc. A rezoning request for a West Industrial Drive property, and authorized the city manager to execute documents for up to four agricultural license agreements at the Old Thermo/Luminant mine property and to negotiate a real property acquisition for storm drainage purposes.
D6 Inc.
D6 Inc. — an advanced design-to-shelf packaging manufacturer that uses recycled plastics and, when the pandemic began, shifted to making face shields and masks — opened a facility in Sulphur Springs at the end of 2020, with plans to expand within 18-months.
In 2020, Sulphur Springs City Council established an industrial reinvestment zone, allowing D6 to apply and receive in December 2020 for a tax abatement from the hospital district and a 10-year 380 economic development agreement from the city for the $6 million investment, which included a 5,000 square foot expansion at the corner of Industrial Drive and Commercial Services Drive. On Nov. 23, 2020, a Chapter 381 agreement between Hopkins County and D6 Inc. was approved by Hopkins County Commissioners Court. That agreement didn’t cover the entire operation, just the planned 25,000-square foot expansion at the facility.
On Oct. 15, 2021, Texas Governor announced a Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $1,432,200 had been extended to D6 and the business has been offered a $6,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus to move it’s corporate headquarters from Portland, Oregon to Sulphur Springs to expand the business’ manufacturing presence in the state. D6 Inc. plans to build the first fully closed-loop recycling site for single-use PET clamshells in Sulphur Springs, the Governor said of the plastic packaging produced by the company. The $27 million in capital investment is projected to create 231 new jobs.
The City Council Jan. 4, 2022, approved on first reading Ordinance No. 2796, establishing a reinvestment zone for the planned 300,000 square-foot D6 expansion, with a 180,000-square-foot building to be constructed as soon as the business can get everything in line and another 120,000-square-foot building expansion in three years. The new buildings will be located just across from the current facility, on10 acres the EDC has near the railroad tracks, according to Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Roger Feagley.
The ordinance is set to be presented again in February to the City Council for second and, if approved, final reading establishing the reinvestment zone for D6.
An economic development agreement for D6 was among three reportedly the City Council was reported to discuss during an executive session, held 30 minutes prior to the regular 7 p.m. meeting on Jan. 4, 2022. The City Council later in the meeting agreed to grant another 380 economic development agreement to D6 for the planned expansion. The business also plans to seek tax incentives from the county and hospital district for the relocation and expansion as well.
Additional Executive Session Items
The City Council also during the executive session discussed potential economic development by what has been identified only as Project Superman. The City Council has discussed this during executive sessions in several meetings, but reported the elected officials are not yet at a point to act on the matter nor in a position to discuss the sensitive negotiation for the project.
The City Council did, however, authorize the city manager to negotiate for acquisition of real property as discussed during the executive session. The property in question was designated for storm drainage purposes, the council noted.
Agricultural License Agreements
The City of Sulphur Springs posted notices for bids for agricultural license agreements for the land at the old Thermo mine/Luminant property owned by the city. One bid was reported to be far below the $62 per acre rate agreed upon in another agreement executed by the city manager last month.
Place 1 Councilman Jay Julian asked about the $2 per year Hopkins County pays for agricultural and sand use. He noted that city facilities such as the senior center and public library are located within Hopkins County and provide services to people who live not just in the city but to those who reside outside the city limits as well. The county does contribute to the library, about 6 percent of the overall budget. The county benefits from more than the $2 worth of sand used to mix with oil for roads.
City Manager Marc Maxwell said only Precinct 2 where the sand pit is located takes sand from the old mine property. Precinct 2 has had that arrangement for the sand for some time. Allowing that to continue, Maxwell said, in his opinion, would foster continued good will with the county, especially with plans to develop the mine property in the future, which the county could be helpful in establishing reinvestment or tax increment zones.
The City Council authorized the city manager to execute documents for three of the four agricultural license agreements as proposed, minus the request well below the $62 amount, and to negotiate an ag license agreement for the acres in question at no less than $62 per acre, going down the list of bidders for the agreements. All agreements are for 1 year each.
Rezoning Request
The City Council too approved on first reading a request from John Heilman to rezone his property at 1381 West Industrial, changing the 0.97 acre from heavy commercial to light commercial to be consistent with the zoning of approximately 7.5 adjacent acres of property he owns that is already zoned light commercial.
The request was recommended to the City Council after review by city staff as well as unanimous approval of the Planning & Zoning Commission during a December meeting. The zoning and use would be consistent with plans for that corridor.
Heilman in December told the P&Z Commission that he has been approached by a few business representatives interested in purchasing the property, including those scouting locations for a travel center and a water park. Rezoning the property would be one step in the process of him being able to sell the property all together to a developer.
The Council approved, on first reading, the proposed Ordinance No. 2795 granting the zone change for 1381 West Industrial Drive. The ordinance is slated to be read and presented again during the February City Council meeting on second and, if approved, final reading.
Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel Plan Program
Members of local retired school personnel from Hopkins and Rains counties plan to meet on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 to hear an informative presentation by Dr. Millie Nylan detailing her work with inmates at the Hopkins County Jail. The program starts at 10:00 am and will be presented at The ROC located at 115 Putman St. in Sulphur Springs.
Her work is a local initiative, focused on teaching inmates the educational skills they need in working toward the GED exam. Dr. Nylan proposed the program, which began in 2017 with approval of the Hopkins County Sheriff.
Dr. Nylan works with inmates 4 days a week to help them attain skills they currently lack. The program includes fascinating facts about the mindset of those incarcerated.
Several of our members in the Hopkins-Rains RSP have heard Dr. Nylan’s program in other settings. They tell us her information is interesting, inspirational, and not to be missed!
Chamber Connection – Jan. 5, 2022: Nominations Of Outstanding Individuals and Businesses Due
By Butch Burney
As 2021 comes to an end, it is time to get nominations in for those individuals and businesses that have been outstanding over the last year.
Nominations are being accepted for Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Small and Large Businesses of the Year and other superlative recognitions. The awards will be announced at the Chamber’s membership banquet on Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
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.
Chamber 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.
Business Before Hours
One Church will be hosting a Business Before Hours on Wednesday, Jan. 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. It is a great time to connect with others in the business and social community. There will be breakfast refreshments available. Please make time to join us Jan. 5 at One Church, 1400 Loop 301.
Ribbon Cutting
Rythmic Productions Music Company will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting at noon, Friday, Jan. 7, at 1217 South Broadway, Suite Q. Please join us for this event!
Law Enforcement/First Responders Banquet
The annual Law Enforcement/First Responders Banquet is set for Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, where we will say “Thank you” to the men and women who serve and protect us on a daily basis. If your business would like to be a sponsor and/or provide a door prize to go to our local heroes, please contact us at 903-885-6515 or [email protected].
