Quitman Teen Jailed On A Continuous Sexual Abuse Of A Child Under 14 Warrant
A Quitman Teen was jailed on a continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 years of age warrant, according to
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dan Turrentine took Ryan Andrew Budz into custody at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at a State Highway 11 east business in Como on the warrant.
The 17-year-old Quitman resident was transported to jail, where he was booked in to at 4:24 p.m. Jan. 28, and remained Jan. 29, 2021, on the felony warrant. Bond was recommended at $75,000, but had yet to be set Saturday morning, according to arrest and 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.
Free COVID-19 Vaccinations Offered Feb. 1 By Hopkins County Emergency Management
Free COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, by Hopkins County Emergency Management at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs. Booster vaccines will also be available at the event. The clinic is for adults, students and children 5 and older. No insurance is required, but a parent or guardian must attend with children. Register in person at the event.
Friday Game Day Has Four Teams In District Action
Friday, Jan. 28 is an action packed game day with four squads locked in for district play.
Basketball takes on Pine Tree as district play continues for both teams, while soccer begin district play today.
Lady Cats basketball are the first team up on Friday, Jan. 28 at Pine Tree.
Coach Erica Delley’s squad played a good game Tuesday but could not pull out the win, falling to Marshall 48-41 on Tuesday.
Sulphur Springs hopes to stay in the playoff race by getting a win over the Lady Pirates which would keep them within two games of Hallsville.
That game tips off tonight in Longview at 6:15 P.M.
Coach Brandon Shaver’s Wildcats also take on Pine Tree, but at home in the SSHS Main Gym.
The men’s basketball team got the win on the road Tuesday in Marshall, beating the Mavs 58-47 to stay tied with Mount Pleasant in second at 5-2 in district.
The Tigers currently hold the tiebreaker over Coach Shaver’s squad after Mount Pleasant’s 53-51 comeback win over the Wildcats on Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Sulphur Springs looks to make it three straight wins if they can beat Pine Tree at home today.
That game tips off in the SSHS Main Gym tonight at 7 P.M.
Moving over to soccer, both squads begin district play tonight as they take on Longview. Both teams have a 7:15 start time tonight as the real test begins.
Lady Cats soccer are at home on this Friday game day, hosting Longview.
Coach Javier Aguayo’s team host the reigning district champ Lady Lobos on Friday, Jan. 28.
Women’s soccer scored three goals in the first half to get a win over North Lamar Tuesday to end their pre-season with a 3-6-2 record.
The Lady Cats look to extend their win streak to two if they can start district play on the right foot by getting a win over Longview.
That match kicks off tonight at the Prim at 7:15 P.M.
Wildcats soccer also take on the Lobos, but in Longview.
Coach Alexi Upton’s team blew out North Lamar Tuesday 13-0 and hope to win their second straight contest Friday.
The win over the Panthers on Tuesday, Jan. 24 gave men’s soccer their first win on the season.
Tuesday’s win in Paris was the first in pre-season (or non-district play) for Wildcats soccer.
They have a tough one ahead of them taking on the Lobos in Longview on Friday, Jan. 28 at 7:15 P.M.
Men’s soccer enters district play with a 1-9-2 season record.
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.
Brooklynn Burnside Signs Letter To Play at Cisco
Senior Brooklynn Burnside, a four-year member of the Lady Cats varsity volleyball team, signed a letter of intent Friday, Jan. 28 to play on at the next level at Cisco College.
Burnside is the daughter of Gohn and Tammy Burnside.
The Lady Cats senior made the trip out west to Cisco on December 1, 2021, when she also met the coaching staff.
Burnside said she thought Cisco College was the right fit for her thanks to the small town feel, something the senior is accustomed to.
The four-year member of Lady Cats varsity volleyball said that Cisco just felt like home.
“I really wanted to play on [in college],” Burnside said. The senior added that she did not want to stop playing after high school had concluded for her.
While the senior’s major in college is currently undecided, the Cisco signee said she wants to major in dietetics.
Lady Cats varsity volleyball coach Bailey Dorner, who coached Burnside for three of her four years on varsity said she has been impressed by how much growth the senior has shown over three years.
Coach Dorner said she’s seen growth from Burnside “Not just as a player, but just her confidence level [in herself].”
The Lady Cats coach said as a sophomore the Cisco signee was talented, but unsure at times.
“The main thing [I’ve seen her grow] aside from her skills just growing is her confidence in herself and her confidence in her teammates,” Coach Dorner said. “She just loves the game,” the Lady Cats coach said.
Her love of the game and the dedication she demonstrated both during matches and between them in practice allowed Burnside to get an offer to play on in college at Cisco.
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.
Rowlett Man, 2 Juveniles Jailed Following A Pursuit, Livestock Cruelty Complaint
A 19-year-old Rowlett teen and 2 juveniles taken into custody following a vehicle pursuit from Saltillo to Sulphur Springs and livestock cruelty complaint earlier this week, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies Elijah Fite and Zack Steward were dispatched Jan. 24, 2022, in the area of FM 900 north, where a cow had reportedly been shot. A Saltillo ISD officer also responded, reporting he’d spotted the suspect vehicle.
The Saltillo ISD officer attempted to stop the silver Kia, but the car fled. The Saltillo officer pursued the car. Steward entered the pursuit on the south service road at FM 69, which continued west. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper took the lead as the vehicle as it passed Motel 6. The car then turned onto Jefferson Street and continued toward downtown. When the car turned onto Lundy, three occupants bailed out and took off running. They were caught shortly thereafter. Deputy Kevin Lester also assisted at the location. Two juveniles were taken to the sheriff’s office for processing as was 19-year-old Nicholas Wade Maddalena of Rowlett at 3:19 p.m.
Maddalena was booked into Hopkins County jail at 6 p.m. Jan. 24, 2022 on cruelty to livestock and tampering with evidence charges, according to arrest reports. He also was charged with criminal mischief-using a firearm or weapon to cause the death of livestock and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, according to jail reports.
The 19-year-old Rowlett man remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Jan. 28, 2022. Maddalena’ bonds totaled $25,000: $5,000 each on the tampering, evading and cruelty to livestock charges; and $10,000 on the criminal mischief 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.
Sulphur Bluff Man Accused Of Discharging Firearm Toward Firefighters, Damaging School Scoreboard
January 22, 2022 – A 38-year-old Sulphur Bluff man is accused of discharging a firearm toward firefighters and damaging a school scoreboard, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators arrived at the man’s FM 71 residence Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 26, 2022, to serve warrants issued following investigation of the incident, alleged to have occurred around 4:20 p.m. Jan. 17.
The man was alleged to have discharged his firearms in the area near his residence, located within 300 feet of Sulphur Bluff ISD. During their investigation, deputies determined that rounds from his firearms traveled into the location where first responders were putting out a fire, striking tree branches above them. Rounds traveled through the items he was shooting at and struck school property, east of his property. The school baseball scoreboard was damaged, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
The 38-year-old resident, identified as Khary Rashann Hadnot, was taken into custody at 12:59 p.m. and transported to the county jail. Investigators and other deputies remained on scene to execute a search warrant issued for his residence to “process the scene”.
Hadnot was booked into Hopkins County jail at 3:19 p.m. Jan. 26, 2022, on warrants for deadly conduct and criminal mischief resulting in $2,500-$30,000 worth of damage in connection with the Jan. 17 incident. He was released from jail Thursday, on a $10,000 bond on the deadly conduct charge and a $5,000 bond on the criminal mischief 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.
Bright Star Academy Musicians Win Top Awards
Five members of the Bright Star Academy Band were awarded positions in Region and Four States Honor Bands for the school year.
Winning positions in the All-Region Junior High Honor Bands were: Rachel McClain (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris McClain) on clarinet, and Boomer Fondren (son of Mr. and Mrs. Tuffy Fondren) on trumpet.
Winning a position on trombone in the All-Region 9th grade All-Region Band was Cason Fitch (son of Mr. and Mrs. Jered Fitch). Cason also advanced to a position in the All-Region Concert Band.
Winning chairs in the High School All-Region Bands were: Riley Choate (daughter of Cynthia and Russell Choate) on clarinet, and Mika Petty (son of Mr. and Mrs. Justin Petty) on saxophone. Mika also won a position in the Region 4 All-Region Honor Jazz Band.
Also winning positions in the Four States Honor Band (Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas) were Riley Choate and Mika Petty.
Band directors at Bright Star Academy are Richard Shanks and Jeff Smith.
Photo provided by Jennifer Arden, Administrator, Bright Star Christian Academy
New Vice President Elected, Candidate Filing For 2 Seats On Hospital District Board Opens
Bylaws, Tax Abatement Policy Being Reviewed; EMS Positions Available
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors elected a new vice president, reviewed bylaws and the district tax abatement policy, received an update on EMS operations and construction progress Tuesday evening.
Board Positions
HCHD Board member Chris Brown was elected by his fellow board members to serve as vice president. He replaces Dr. William Dietze, who resigned from his position effective during the latter part of 2021. While Eimy Medina and Tammy Wright were appointed in December to fill two openings on the hospital district board (the other was vacated by Tim Kelty), that still left HCHD Board of Directors without a vice president.
Brown was appointed in January 2022 to serve as vice president. Kerry Law will continue to chair the HCHD board as president and Dr. David Black continues as secretary of the HCHD board.
Candidate filing for two seats on the May hospital district board ballot is opening. Currently, serving in those seats are Law and Joe Bob Burgin. Anyone interested in filing candidacy for those seats should visit the HCHD Headquarters/EMS Station at 1321 North Davis Street and return the required paperwork by the end of March. Candidates must living within Hopkins County Hospital District, be a registered voter, and pass a background check with no felony convictions.
Tax Abatement Policies, Bylaws
Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Roger Feagley presented to the board a proposed update of the tax abatement policy, which he explained must be updated ever couple of years. The policy as proposed would not change much, but allow the HCHD board to consider granting requests for the tax incentives to businesses for expansions and economic development.
HCHD CEO Brent Smith noted the hospital district follows the city and county in considering granting tax abatements in increments of 5 and 10 years.
The board also at the Jan. 25 meeting reviewed the HCHD bylaws. These are being updated to correct any typos or small errors and make sure all of the name references are current.
Construction Update
Construction on the new EMS station/HCHD headquarters continues to progress. The last of the concrete is scheduled to be poured this week, weather permitting. The new facility is still on schedule to be completed at the end of June. So far, $1.3 million of the $4.5 million budget has been spent since May 2020, including architectural fees.
Financial Matters
The regular annual and bimonthly fiscal reports were given to the board and approved without discussion, according to Smith. The approved consent agenda included nursing home reports.
The district updated its property insurance with Texas Municipal League, which is projected to save HCHD $110,000 a year. This is due largely to the particulars in the lease agreement struck with CHRISTUS.
The District is preparing for the annual audit, which is expected to be presented on schedule in March.
EMS Update
Smith, who also is the EMS Director, reported call volumes were down 12 percent compared to December 2020, when ambulance personnel responded to the most calls in recent history due to surges in COVID-19 cases.
Hopkins County EMS’s medical director and that of the ER is scheduled to attend a state conference to network with others in the field at the state level. That should not only validates what Hopkins County EMS does in the course of their daily duties in the field, but may provide the medical director with additional ideas for changes that can improve Hopkins County EMS’ procedures and operations, according to Smith.
Hopkins County EMS currently has three full-time positions open for qualified applicants, the HCHD CEO/EMS director reported.
COVID Update
Hopkins County EMS has had 8 crew members out with COVID-19 and illness during the past 3-4 months. Typically, Smith noted, each crews member missed only one shift, 2 at the most, as the shifts are 24 hours each, then 48 hours off, giving about 5 off days around each missed shift for rest and recovery. Most reported only mild or no symptoms at all. Often, the latter is COVID tested after exposure to spouse or family member who tested positive for the virus. The majority are vaccinated or have immunity.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Paul Harvey, in his hospital update, reported a higher volume of COVID cases at the hospital this month as well. The hospital over the last week has had over 30 COVID cases, up from a low of 2 at one point about one month before
Constitutional Amendment Order Decided for May 7, 2022 Election
Both Propositions’ Involve Homestead Exemption
AUSTIN — Texas Deputy Secretary of State Joe Esparza today drew the ballot order for the two proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution that will appear on the ballot for the May 7, 2022 Election. In order to appear on the ballot, the proposed amendments must be approved by at least two-thirds of the members of both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives.
Texans will have the opportunity to approve the following amendments with a majority vote:
Proposition 1 (SJR 2 – 87th Legislature, 2nd Special Session)
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the homestead.”
SJR 2 (87th Legislature, 2nd Special Session) proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of property taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled in order to reflect any statutory reduction in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the person’s homestead from the preceding tax year.
Proposition 2 (SJR 2 – 87th Legislature, 3rd Special Session)
“The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000.”
SJR 2 (87th Legislature, 3rd Special Session) proposes a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from property taxes for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000.
For more information and resources for voting in Texas, visit VoteTexas.gov.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Choking Wife, Who Held Their Infant
Another Accused Of Choking The Woman He’s Been Dating, Living With Periodically Over the Past 8 Months
Two Sulphur Springs men were jailed for assault impeding breathing of a female, one each over the past two nights. A 49-year-old is accused of choking his wife, who held their infant, endangering the child as well, Monday night; and a 33-year-old is accused Tuesday night of choking the woman he’s been dating and living with periodically over the past 8 months, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Sunset Meadows Disturbance
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched at 8:52 p.m. Jan. 24, 2022, to the Sunrise Meadows address, where a man was reported to be fighting with a woman over a child. While responding dispatchers advised the situation had changed, with two men fighting, and one had a knife.
Upon arrival, Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Bobby Osornio, and Sgt. Scott Davis talked to a person present as well as the 49-year-old male resident. They were told the female from the original complaint, the man’s wife, had left their home with their 6-month-old child, courtesy of a relative who came to get them. Deputies contacted the man’s wife by phone and made arrangements for her to meet with HCSO Deputy Thomas Patterson at a Sulphur Springs location.
After speaking with all parties reported to have been involved, deputies determined James Patrick Mabry and his spouse argued about her leaving the residence with their 6-month-old. Mabry allegedly tipped over the chair she was sitting in, while she held the 6-month-old. Then, Mabry allegedly began choking his spouse with his hands, impeding her breathing to the point she believed she lost consciousness.
A male relative then arrived to pickup Mabry’s wife and child and Mabry reportedly became embroiled in an altercation with him and grabbed knife from a butcher block and displayed it when the family member attempted to intervene. The knife was reportedly removed from the situation during a struggle. The woman and 6-month-old left with her family member, deputies in arrest reports stated their investigation revealed. The female victim had marks on her neck from the alleged assault, according to arrest reports.
Deputies reportedly asked Mabry about any prior criminal history. A records check, deputies alleged in arrest reports, showed he had been deceptive toward deputies.
Deputies believed based on their investigation that Mabry was the primary aggressor in the situation, not only assaulting his spouse by choking her but also endangered the 6-month-old by doing so while she held the infant.
Mabry was taken into custody at 9:47 p.m. and booked into Hopkins County jail at 10:11 p.m. Monday Jan. 24, on child endangerment by placing the kid in imminent danger of bodily injury and family violence assault of a family member that impeded breathing or circulation. The 49-year-old Sulphur Springs man remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in lieu of a $30,000 bond on the child endangerment charge and a $25,000 bond on the assault charge.
Jail records show Mabry was arrested on one prior occasion in Hopkins County. He was booked into the county jail Sept. 20, 1995, and released from jail later that day on a $1,000 bon on an assault causing bodily injury charge, according to jail records.
County Road 1116 Disturbance
HCSO Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Josh Davis, and Sgt. Scott Davis responded at 10:51 p.m. Jan. 25, 2022, to what was reported to dispatchers as a physical disturbance between a male and a female at a County Road 1116 residence. Prior to deputies’ arrival, they were advised the female had managed to separate herself from the male and went to a nearby residence. Deputies then responded at both residences.
Upon contact with the female, deputies reported markings on her throat and neck like those commonly caused from being choked, as well as abrasions behind one ear, a bloody nose and broken acrylic fingernails. The woman reported being in a dating relationship with the man involved, and that they had lived together off and on for the past 8 months.
The woman claimed the 33-year-old boyfriend was intoxicated and driving recklessly, making her afraid he’d crash. The boyfriend, Timothy Blake Merrell, allegedly attempted to push her out of the vehicle and began choking her. She reportedly started swinging and was able to strike him in the eye and bite him when his hand slipped from her throat toward her mouth. He allegedly continued driving erratically, swerving as if to crash into trees.
When they arrived at the CR 1116 residence, she attempted to gather her belongings to leave. He allegedly continued to assault her at the residence, choking her again to the point she could not breath.
Merrell, who is also known by Timbo and Clutch, was taken into custody at 11:29 p.m. Jan. 25, 2022, by deputies and transported to the county jail, where he was booked in at midnight on an assault of a household member that impeded breathing or circulation charge, as well as a warrant for not taking care of a Sept. 3, 2021 public intoxication charge, according to arrest and jail reports. He too remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, Jan, 26, 2022. Bond was set at $15,000 on the felony assault charge, according to jail records.
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.
