Hopkins County Seeking Funding For 2 Ventilation Fans For Fire Department
Hopkins County Commissioners Court this week gave the go-ahead to the fire marshal to apply for funding for two ventilation fans for the county fire department, renaming of a SH 11 west spur and taking it on a county road, accepted fire protection agreements from volunteer fire departments submitting them by the Feb. 3 deadline, and consolidated voting centers for May elections.
Voting Center Consolidation
Hopkins County Clerk Tracy Smith asked the Commissioners Court to consider approving consolidation of voting centers for the May 7. This would simply cut in half the number of voting centers available for Hopkins County residents to cast ballots at on Election Day.
The election is a special election counties would not ordinarily have. (Typically, only schools and municipalities hold elections in May). Texas Governor called the special election for voters to consider two propositions which, if approved, would change the state constitution, Smith explained to the court. All of the necessary steps were not reached in time for the November 2021 Election, so the special election was called.
Hopkins County will also be contracting with the City of Cumby, Winnsboro ISD, Yantis ISD and Sulphur Springs ISD, entities scheduled to hold elections in May as well. Overall, there will be 6 instead of 12 voting centers for the May 7, 2022, Election.
The four members of the Commissioners Court present during the regular Feb. 14, 2022 meeting unanimously approved, on a motion by Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley and seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price, the request to consolidate to six voting centers in Hopkins County on May 7. Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker was unable to attend the meeting.
SH 11 Spur
Price noted that when state contractors built a bypass around the old S-curve on State Highway 11 west, straightening out the highway where numerous auto crashes have occurred in past years. The county was asked to take over the old part of SH 11 west, which is about 0.7 of a mile and has become a spur since the highway was moved to improve visibility and safety on that section of road west of Sulphur Springs.
The Precinct 4 Commissioner asked that the Commissioners Court agree to take on that spur, which would become County Road 4824. Bartley seconded the motion for that section of road, which Price estimates due to its construction should last longer than most county roads, to taken over by the county. The four member-court gave unanimous approval to the request.
Ventilation Fan Program
Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley asked the Commissioners Court to allow the fire department to take advantage of the annual Homeland Security grant funding period to apply for assistance in attaining two 20-inch positive and negative ventilation fans that are battery operated so no additional carbon monoxide will be introduced into burned or burning buildings by Hopkins County Fire Department. The fans could also be used by the combined city-county Special Response Team (known as SWAT) if agents are introduced into a structure, to clear the building so law enforcement officers can enter. The fans could be potentially place in explosive environments and used without igniting.
The grant would be a for $13,250, and would pay 100 percent of the cost for the two ventilation fans, with no matching funds or in-kind match required by the county. They are much more powerful that a standard 20-inch box fan; the batteries alone for the ventilation fans cost approximately $1,000 per fan.
Typically, the grant process takes about 1 year. For instance, last year, the county submitted application for thermal imaging cameras. The month after the devices were purchased by the county, the funding was reimbursed.
Endsley noted that while the grant selection process takes about a year, getting the fans if approved shouldn’t take long. They are currently in stock.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom expressed appreciation to both Endsley and County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook, who worked together on the grant application to ensure the application was completed if approved so that it could be submitted by the deadline.
Ark-Tex Council of Governments also assisted with grant preparation, Endsley noted, so other than staff labor involved in reading the required documents, there will be no cost to the county for fans, the fire marshal added.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin made a motion, which Price seconded, to approve the resolution for the Hopkins County Ventilation Fan Project. The request received unanimous approval of the court.
Fire Protection Agreements
Endsley reported fire protection agreements had been distributed to all of the volunteer fire departments in Hopkins County. The deadline for VFD officers to sign and return them was set for Feb. 5. These agreement stipulate what the VFDs agree to in exchange for certain funding and other benefits provided by the county. For instance, the court reimburses insurance costs, fuel costs, and provides a stipend to each VFD as agreed upon in the agreement to assist with operating expenses.
Over the last 2 years, the departments have each received air cylinders and last year also was afforded assistance of up to a certain amount of funding to be used to obtain tires for VFD trucks from vendor at a discounted rate.
The Commissioners Court had received only five returned fire protection agreements, one each from Arbala, Brinker, Dike, Pickton-Pine Forest and Saltillo VFDs. That means only half of the VFDs had returned a fire protection agreement by the deadline. Endsley said the deadline slipped up on him. County officials will be contacting the six other departments to try to get all agreements signed and returned by the next Commissioners Court meeting at hte end of the month.
All agreements submitted were accepted by the court during the regular Feb. 14, 2022 meeting.
Citizens Comments
During the citizens comments portion of the Valentine’s Day court session, Frank Brown addressed Bartley regarding the continued disrepair of the road leading to his residence. He reminded the Precinct 3 Commissioner of his visit to the court of Dec. 27 to express a need for rock on 1.7 miles of road. He noted Bartley’s road crew bladed the dirt on both sides of the road into the road but put no rock on the road. He said the winter storm made the road pure mud. He offered photos taken documenting the road conditions through the first of February. Approximatley 4-5 inches of oil dirt was spread on a road in the area, but not evenly, making it very difficult for him and other residents to drive the road to even go to the Post Office to get their mail regularly.
“You think I’m the only one complaining about you, but you forgot about that petition that I give you that has everybody’s signature on it from one end of 900 clear to 69. They can’t make it here like I can. I’m retired,” Brown told Bartley.
Bartley said he had anticipated returning to put rock on that road, but the weather prevented that occurring as soon as planed. As soon as conditions allow, the plan is to return on finish the work
Brown noted he has road equipment he could provide to perform the needed work, during the next dry stretch, if the county officials will produce and spread the rock. Oil dirt needs to be spread evenly over hte road.
“I figured, Wade needed all the help he can get. So, that’s my opinion. I’m not against you. I just don’t appreciate the work being done not proper. That’s all there is to it,” Brown said.
Bartley acknowledged that the Precinct 3 crew is under his supervision, and he is responsible for what they do. He too said if Brown has the equipment the assistance would be welcome. A dry stretch of day sis needed before the project can commence.
Executive, Work Sessions
Newsom at the conclusion of all other business during the court session, planned to enter into an executive session to discuss sensitive matters as allowed in 4-5 sections of Texas Government Code. He did not anticipate any decision anything from the closed session resulting in a vote. He said he would provide times for hte executive session to the County Clerk so they could be entered into the meeting minutes.
Newsom asked the sheriff, chief deputy, auditor and fire marshal to stay close while the closed session was held in the third floor meeting room. A work session was scheduled immediately following the executive session to discuss sheriff’s office and fire department operations, discuss building maintenance with Tom Glosup and conduct a budget work session.
Wildcats Basketball Beats Texas High and Claims 15-5A District Championship
Men’s basketball had a back-and-forth affair with Texas High Tuesday, Feb. 15 in Texarkana, but prevailed 62-53.
“It was tough,” Coach Brandon Shaver said Wednesday after the win.
The win over the Tigers completed the regular season for Sulphur Springs, capping off a 10-2 district record.
Combined with Mount Pleasant’s (9-3) big win over Hallsville (9-3), the Wildcats are officially undisputed district champions of 15-5A.
The district championship is the first for men’s basketball since the 2018-19 season, when the Wildcats went 30-9 and made a state tournament appearance.
“At half, I had gotten word that [the Tigers] were up pretty big,” the Wildcats coach said. After hearing the news that game was going in their favor, Coach Shaver did not want an update to potentially affect his team’s play in Texarkana.
The men’s basketball coach said during the opening stages of the final quarter he had gotten word that Mount Pleasant beat Hallsville, meaning all Sulphur Springs had to do was beat Texas High to finish the season as undisputed district champs.
With the victory well in hand, Coach Shaver called a timeout in the closing seconds of their 62-53 win over Texas High to inform his squad of the Mount Pleasant victory, clenching the district crown for the Wildcats.
“The fans were going crazy, our guys were going crazy, it was fun,” the men’s basketball coach said Wednesday.
The win over Texas High completes a 10-2 district season for the Wildcats, complete with a district championship.
Coach Shaver said is squad is a bit banged up so he does not anticipate holding a warm-up game for his squad.
Regardless of a warm-up game, men’s basketball enters the playoffs as the No. 1 seed from District 15-5A and are set to take on Huntsville next Tuesday in the Bi-District round of playoffs.
Start time and location have yet to be determined.
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.
Feb. 16 Chamber Connection: Golf Tournament, Patriot Sporting Challenge Coming Up In April
By Butch Burney
Get ready to tee it up for the 33rd Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, coming to Sulphur Springs Country Club on Friday, April 8, 2022.
Last year, we had 35 teams participate in the fun day of golfing, and we hope to have more this year.
The tournament format is a six-person scramble, with the low net team putting their names on the trophy.
There are two tee times: 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The morning group is limited to 18 teams, while the afternoon group can have 25 teams maximum. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register early to get your choice of tee times.
Registration is $750 per team, and that includes three carts, 12 mulligans, six meals, range balls, company banner on hole No. 1 and sponsor list recognition. There are also opportunities to contribute goody bag items, hole sponsorships and for interactive hole sponsorships.
To register, go to the Chamber website at HopkinsChamber.org or call the office at 903-885-6515.
Patriot Sporting Challenge
The 4th Annual Lake Fork Patriot Sporting Challenge will be the day after the Chamber Golf Tournament, so you can make it a whole sporting weekend.
The Patriot Sporting Challenge is a special one-day event benefiting the families of military heroes with a morning competition of shooting, golfing and fishing and an even celebration of patriotism.
Each four-person team competes in two of the sporting challenges (shooting, golfing and fishing), and they all come together that evening at the Hopkins County Civic Center for a dinner and address from keynote speaker Greg Stube, Green Beret. Following that, there will be a concert/dance by Cooper Wade and band.
All proceeds from the event go to the Folds of Honor, a nonprofit providing education scholarships to the children and spouses of those killed or disabled in action.
For more information, go to PatriotSportingChallenge.org, email [email protected] or text to 817-296-8985.
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.
Jury Sentences Mount Pleasant Man To 60 Years In Prison For The Aggravated Assault Of His Child’s Mother
A Hopkins County jury in the last week sentenced a 31-year-old Mount Pleasant man to 60 years in prison for the aggravated assault of his child’s mother with a deadly weapon, the SUV rammed into her car, according to court reports.
Michael Tareze Evans — who jail reports show is also known to use the aliases Michael Tarezz Evans, Mike Evans, Michael Martin, Michael Hope and Fish Terez — has been in Hopkins County jail since his arrest on July 16, 2021, held on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. He was also served Jan. 11, 2022, with a warrant for violation of bond or a protective order two or more times within 12 months.
Evans was accused in 2021 of chasing the mother of his child around the square during the early morning hours of July 16, and of ramming the GMC Denali Yukon he was driving into the Nissan Altima she was driving several times. The suspect vehicle was spotted fleeing the area, stopped by Sulphur Springs Police on South Davis Street and taken into custody at 3:34 that morning, officers alleged in 2021 arrest reports.
The case was tried Feb. 7-8, 2022, by Assistant District Attorney Zach Blackmon, assisted by ADA Matt Harris. Evans was found guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Tuesday by a Hopkins County jury.
Due to his prior criminal history, Evans faced 5-99 years or life in the penitentiary. Evidence was reportedly presented during the punishment phase of the trial showing that Evans was on federal and state parole for bank robbery, bank robbery, delivery of a controlled substance, and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, according to Blackmon.
When the rendered a verdict sentencing Evans to 60 years of in prison on the aggravated assault with a deadly weapon conviction.
“By giving this sentence, this jury took a stand against domestic violence and repeat offenders terrorizing our community. They sent a strong message that this community takes criminal history and violent actions seriously and offenders will be properly punished for crimes committed in Hopkins County,” Blackmon stated.
Dallas Man Caught with Cache of Contraband
Meth Found In SUV Occupied By Sulphur Springs Pair
Three people were arrested on controlled substance charges following two Valentine’s Day traffic stops. A 38-year-old Dallas man was allegedly caught with a cache of contraband, including suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, prescription pain medications, anti-anxiety drugs, marijuana, a firearm and two unidentified substances; and a Sulphur Springs pair was caught with suspected meth during an unrelated traffic stop late Monday, according to arrest reports.
Traffic Stop At Mile Marker 120 On I-30 East
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde reported stopping a Chevrolet Equinox at 12:51 p.m. Feb. 14, 2022, on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 120 because the SUV’s registration was expired and it was being driven too close to another vehicle.
A search of the SUV revealed a cache of contraband, including several types of narcotics and controlled substances, a firearm and multiple plastic baggies of assorted sizes consistent with the sale of narcotics. Ugalde alleged in arrest that that the cache of contraband found in the SUV included:
- 92 grams of methamphetamine,
- 17 grams of cocaine,
- 50 grams of hydrocodone,
- 116 grams of suspected Ecstasy,
- 6 grams of Xanax,
- 0.4 gram of Oxycodone,
- approximately 3 ounces of marijuana,
- two other unidentified substances, and
- a Glock handgun in the SUV.
A records check revealed the 38-year-old Dallas man driving who’d been driving to have multiple prior felony convictions on his criminal history.
Ugalde placed Micheal Edward White under arrest and transported him to the Sulphur Springs highway patrol office for a follow up interview; the vehicle was released to a service for towing and storage. Afterward, White was transported to jail to be booked in for having the cache of contraband.
While being booked into the county jail, additional amounts of marijuana and Ecstasy were discovered to have been concealed on the Dallas man. The Dallas man was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of 2 ounces or more but less than 4 ounces of marijuana, having a prohibited substance or item in a correctional facility and manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1-B controlled substance for the other substance seized as part of the cache of contraband.
White, who jail records show is also known to use the aliases Walker Michael, Victor Orlando Smith Micheal Lynn White and Shelby Lynn Williams, remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 15, 2022. Bond was set at $50,000 on the manufacture or delivery charge, $20,000 each on the firearm and prohibited substance charges, and $2,000 on the marijuana charge.
Traffic Stop on the South Service Road At 122 Exit
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Isaac Foley spotted a GMC pickup at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, traveling north along the south I-30 access road at exit 122. He initiated a traffic stop because the truck’s high center-mounted brake light was out. The pickup stopped on the south service road at a gas station. Foley alleged the passenger in the truck displayed aggression toward law enforcement and kept reaching by his left side during the stop.
HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward arrived to assist. Steward and stayed with the driver, identified in the arrest report as Brian Everett Gumpert, and driver, identified as Dana J. Brantley, while Foley relayed their information to communications operators for a records check. Foley alleged Gumpert again showed aggression.
When the deputy’s request to search the car was denied, both the 50-year-old Sulphur Springs woman and 53-year-old Sulphur Springs man were asked to exit the truck. Gumpert did so reluctantly, after initially refusing Foley alleged in arrest reports. Foley requested Deputy Drew Fisher respond at the location with his partner, K-9 Axe. The police dog conducted an open air sniff around the vehicle and gave a positive alert on the red truck.
A probable cause search of the vehicle then revealed a baggy containing a crystal-like substance the sheriff’s officers believed based on the their training to be methamphetamine between the passenger’s seat and center console. Brantley and Gumpert reportedly denied ownership of the substance which later field-tested positive for meth and weighed approximately 1.468 grams.
Consequently, both the Sulphur Springs woman and man were taken into custody at 12:40 a.m. Feb. 15, 2022, and transported to the county jail. Each was booked in around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charge.
Gumpert was released from jail later Tuesday on bond, while Brantley remained in the county jail Tuesday afternoon in lieu of the $10,000 bond set on the controlled substance charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Feb. 7-13, 2022
Winnsboro Police Department provided the following media report for the week of Feb. 2-13, 2022:
Arrests
- Whalen Roach, 44 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 2-08-2022 on Wood County Warrants for Interference with Emergency Request for Assistance and Assault Family Violence Impeding Breathing with Previous Convictions.
- Justin Richardson, 37 years of age, of Como, was arrested on 2-09-2022 on Winnsboro Municipal Warrants for Speeding and Fail to Maintain Financial Responsibility.
- Gregorio Tapia Gonzales, 30 years of age, of Sulphur Springs, was arrested on
2-10-2022 for Tampering with Identification Numbers. - Moe- Anh Nguyen, 58 years of age, of Scroggins, was arrested on 2-12-2022 for DWI.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 151 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 53 citations and 54 warnings during this reporting period.
4-H Livestock Program Enhance Youth Development Using Animals, Educational Projects
NETLA’s 2022 Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show and Sale Slated Feb. 24-26 at the Civic Center.
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture/Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected]
The 4-H Livestock Program is a unique opportunity to use animals and educational projects to enhance youth development. The main objectives of the program deal with the young people, not the animals. Participants learn about agriculture and livestock production, and they develop an appreciation for the livestock industry; the main objectives, however, are to teach life skills and help 4-H’ers become productive citizens of our society. The experience of children owning and working with animals; being responsible for their care, health, and growth; and exhibiting them in a competitive environment is a tremendous character-building process.
Young people participate in the major animal science projects of beef, dairy, sheep, swine, horse, dairy goats, meat goats, and meat science. In addition to the animal projects, 4-H’ers participate in a variety of judging, quiz bowl, communication, expressive arts, and other livestock-oriented contests to demonstrate their knowledge and skills acquired by working with livestock.
In Hopkins County, the Hopkins County 4-H members have a strong tradition in farming and showing livestock. Many belong to families that themselves grew up showing livestock. As I was participating in one of the meetings for the planning for our Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show 2022 (NETLA Show), I enjoyed hearing the experiences of the now-parents of exhibitors interacting with their also livestock friends.
It is very rewarding to help with an association with decades of tradition and interacting with NETLA Livestock Leaders who have help shape our current families and their children. Hopkins County 4-H members and their families will participate showing livestock projects during the upcoming 2022 NETLA show as follows:
2022 Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show and Sale
Thursday, February 24, 2022
- 2-3 p.m. – Lamb and Goat weights due
- 4 p.m. – Lamb Showmanship / Lamb Show following
- Immediately followed by the Goat Showmanship and Show
Friday, February 25, 2022
- 7 a.m. – All Poultry projects checked in & in place
- 8 a.m. – Poultry Show followed by Showmanship
- 9-11 a.m. – All Swine weight due
- 10 a.m. – All Steer and Heifer project checked in
- Noon – Swine Showmanship followed by Swine show
- 12:30 -1:00 p.m. – Steer weights due
- 3 p.m. – Heifer Showmanship followed by show
- 6 p.m. – Steer Showmanship/followed by show
Saturday, February 26, 2022
- Noon – NETLA Stew & Chili Lunch – Civic Center
- 1 p.m. – SALE OF CHAMPIONS in the Arena
ALL shows will be conducted at the Hopkins County Regional Center Arena
Come to the NETLA Show to support our youth exhibitors. The NETLA Junior Market Show is open for qualifying FFA and 4-M members in Hopkins County.
Showing Appreciation To Public Servants For Their Diligent Work To Keep The Community Safe
Local public servants received sweet treats Monday afternoon in appreciation for their tireless work every day – including holidays – to keep the community safe as part of Off the Streetz Living Community’s Day of Love, Valentine’s Day Public Servant Appreciation.
Leslie Breckenridge-Bailey and Sandra Cummings, president and vice president of Off the Streetz Living Community, delivered to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and Sulphur Springs Fire Department boxes containing candied apples prepared by LoveTAB Gourmet Apples, goody bags they filled with candy and boxes of chocolate candy for the local public servants as part of a Day of Love.
Breckenridge-Bailey explained that the items are Valentine’s Day gifts of appreciation for those Sulphur Springs officers and firefighters for their continued service during difficult times.
“Our public servants have worked diligently to keep us safe throughout the pandemic, inclement weather, and many other situations, and we are making this day about their day. So often they are overlooked. This is a Day of Love for them, to say thank you,” Breckenridge-Bailey explained.
The Day of Love also provided the pair with an opportunity to spread awareness for Off the Streetz Living Community, and a desire to extend assistance in the local community.
Breckenridge-Bailey lives in Dallas, but has family ties to the Northeast Texas, including Sulphur Springs. Cummings lives in Sulphur Springs, where some will recognize her from her volunteer work with Lil 4s, and said she knows the consequences of making bad decisions, and over the past 15 years has worked to help others who may be in similar situations, by offering hope, testimony and making them aware of resources available.
According Breckenridge-Bailey, Off the Streetz Living Community began as a mission to relieve the plight of children and/or adults who are living in poverty, a dangerous, difficult or otherwise unfortunate living situation. The organization’s founders are dedicated to creating “housing solutions in a healthy, inclusive community that offers economic, educational and social growth opportunities.”
In early 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping across the world, OTSLC’s founder reached out to help 6 adults and 2 children by offering them housing for almost a year. That inspired her to start Off the Streetz Living Community, to be the a nonprofit a catalyst for positive change by providing a pathway for people to enhance their quality of life. Affordable housing, the organization founders noted is an important part of the solution to reduce poverty and homelessness.
OTSLC, according to the information provided, hopes to become active in and provide opportunities for individuals in the Sulphur Springs area as well, and hope to work with local organizations and individuals to achieve their mission of:
- Offering a better living situation;
- Thriving to educate those who seek a better livelihood;
- Striving to keep people off the streets;
- Listening, sharing, and motivating effectively; and
- Cultivating and communicating with full transparency.
For more information about Off The Streetz Living Community, including how to donate, volunteer or refer a family or individual, send a message via OTSLC’s Facebook page or send an email to [email protected].
$93 Million Bond Election Called May 7 For Sulphur Springs ISD
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees Monday night called for a $93 million bond election to pay for needed upgrades, improvements and additions identified by the district’s Long Range Facilities Planning Committee during a series of meetings and campus walk-throughs. The committee presented their recommendations at a special Feb. 7 board meeting.
The election will be held May 7, 2022, in conjunction with the election of three trustees to SSISD board, if one is necessary. As of Monday night, the three incumbents were the only candidates to have filed for the three at-large sets. Candidate filing for the May 7 SSISD Board of Trustees Election continues through Feb. 18 in SSISD Tax Office, located inside the Administration Building, 631 Connally St.
Instead of partnering with the city this year, the district is partnering with the county to hold SSISD election alongside county elections so polling places may differ this year. Early voting will be conducted from April 25 to May 3, with Election Day voting at four consolidated voting locations.
Superintendent Michael Lamb asked the trustees at Monday night’s regular school board meeting to consider approving an order calling for a May 7 bond election. The Long Range Facilities Planning Committee, he reminded the trustees, consisted of 55 members and the bond recommendation is the collective agreement of those who attended six planning meetings over the past year, including walk-throughs at all district campuses and facilities. While quite a few additional wants were added, the items identified on the list submitted by the LRFPC are to meet district needs. If the bond does not pass nd the district does not begin addressing those needs, Lamb said he’s afraid the district will have dug itself in a hole he’s afraid they can’t get out of.
The $93 million bond would increase the school district ad valorem tax rate by about 10-cents to $1.28 per $100 property valuation, which is still not as high as the tax rate when the last bond was passed, SSISD Board of Trustees President Robert Cody pointed out. The bonded indebtedness side of the district tax rate has gone down some since then due to refinancing of bonds at lower rates and paying some down on the amount owed, and the overall tax rate has been impacted by legislative changes governing school tax rates and compression rates.
Residents who have homestead or other exemptions will still receive those according to the current tax regulations, even if the bond passes. Some may still see their tax values increase more, however, due to current increases in property values conducted by the Appraisal District.
Overall, those recommendations presented by the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee to the school board at the special Feb. 7 meeting, included the following (along with cost estimates for each):
- Travis Elementary Replacement – $35,000,000
- Bowie Elementary Classroom Additions – $6,000,000
- Bush Elementary Renovations – $1,000,000
- Sulphur Springs Elementary Renovations – $3,000,000
- High School CTE Center – $12,000,000
- Fine Arts Addition – $12,500,000
- Buses – $2,000,000
- Capital Improvement Projects across District – $9,000,000
- Austin/DAEP Renovation – $500,000
- Douglas Early Childhood Renovations – $2,000,000
- High School Refurbishments – $10,000,000
SSISD Career and Technical Education Director Jenny Arledge told the board during a presentation on the CTE Program Evaluation presented Monday night that districts are recommended to bring in consultants every 3-5 years to evaluate and make recommendations regarding CTE programs. The district had not had one in 5 years. The district scheduled one conducted over three days late in the fall semester. One of the recommendations made by the consulting group was for new CTE facilities for the expanding CTE programs at the high school, including for construction and culinary arts. This would provide class space as well as lab space with technical tools the students need for hands on work in the CTE area they are enrolled in. Then, the recommendations is to renovate existing facilities.
The LRFPC noted that all available space and resources are maximized at Travis Primary campus, and those are aging and in need of replacement. The committee recommended construction of a new elementary facility to replace Travis school.
Travel Tuesday: Free Nights At Marriott Hotels
As spring and summer approaches, a lot of folks want to travel more, but with everyone being stuck at home for two years, the demand for airline flights and hotel rooms is going up rapidly, and so are prices. A good way to offset the cost is to use points (or miles) from a hotel or airline loyalty program to pay for part or all of the costs. If you don’t have enough points, the best way to jump start the amount of points you do have is to earn a sign-up bonus for a new credit card. Some of thes offers have gotten very attractive, especially for hotel chains.
The largest worldwide hotel chain is Marriott with over 8,400 locations Marriott is currently offering two sign-up offers with the ability to earn free hotel nights with very little initial spending. Check the fine print from the links below to see if you qualify for these bonuses.
Marriott Offers:
Marriott Hotels has a new offer that is going to make travelling a lot easier, and potentially a lot cheaper (if not FREE). By signing up for one of the Marriot credit cards through Chase and complete the required spend, you could earn three certificates for three free nights. Each Free Night Award E-Certificate is valid for a one night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points. This is a huge offer, that we have just not seen before. Some of the hotels that you can book with a 35,000 point certificate include Gaylord Texan, St. Kitts Marriott, and even the Sheraton Kuaui.
There are actually two offers, and you should read the fine print for each and decide which one may be right for you. Both card require some initial spending to trigger the “free night” rewards and although one card does not charge an annual fee, the card with the bigger offer does charge $95 per year (and also gives you an additional free night award on the anniversary of your account opening each year thereafter).
Each card also earns a different amount of points on all purchases as you use the card. See all the details here:
