Commerce Man Leads Deputy On High Speed Chase On State Highway 11 from Hopkins County To Commerce
A 30-year-old Commerce man lead deputies and police on a high speed chase on State Highway 11 west from Hopkins County to Commerce that resulted in a vehicle crash, and ended with a foot pursuit, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite reported a attempting to stop a Chevrolet Bolt with no license plate that was traveling east on State Highway 11 west near FM 275 north. In response to the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights, the vehicle pulled onto the shoulder of SH 11 west near County Road 4731, but instead of stopping immediately made a U-turn and began traveling west toward Commerce.
The deputy began pursuing the four-passenger vehicle on SH 11 west as it increased to speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour as it continued traveling west into Hunt County toward Commerce. The driver, identified in arrest reports as Rashad Oneal Hall, appeared to lose control of the vehicle, causing it to roll over at the intersection of of Culver and Maple streets in Commerce.
The driver then allegedly exited the vehicle and began to run from authorities. Fite reported pursuing Hall on foot to the 200 block of Maple Street, where Hall surrendered and was taken into custody by Fite and Commerce Police Officer T. Oakley. Hall reportedly refused medical treatment and admitted to having marijuana in the vehicle. They checked and found he was telling the truth.
Hall was taken into custody at 12:52 a.m. Nov. 5, 2021, in Commerce. He was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked at 3:12 p.m. Nov. 5 on an evading arrest or detention in a motor vehicle charge.
Hall, who is also known as by Shad, remained in Hopkins County jail Friday evening, Nov. 5, 2021, in lieu of a $50,000 bond on the evading arrest charge. He was also served during the day Friday with warrants for insufficient bond on Aug. 14, 2021 evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and driving while license invalid charges. The new bond on those charges were set at $50,000 on the first and $5,000 on the driver’s license 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.
Man Arrested For Breaking Glass Restrooms Receives Additional Charge For Damaging Protective Jail Cell
The 27-year-old Sulphur Springs man arrested last week for breaking the glass restrooms on Celebration Plaza received an additional charge early Friday morning for allegedly damaging a protective jail cell, according to arrest reports.
Landon Paul Shearer, held since he admitted Oct. 29 to breaking several of the glass panels in the see-through loos downtown, allegedly was being held in a protective cell early Friday morning, Nov. 5, 2021. While performing routine rounds, a corrections officer reported discovering the protective padding on the floor in the cell he was held in had been damaged. The damage was estimated to cost about $10,000 to repair.
Shearer was removed from the damaged cell and placed into the neighboring protective cell and is being charged with criminal mischief resulting in $2,500 worth or more but less than $30,000 worth damage to the padded cell floor, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Drew Fisher noted in arrest reports.
The 27-year-old Sulphur Springs man remained in Hopkins County jail Friday afternoon, Nov. 5, 2021, in lieu of the $100,000 bond set on the first criminal mischief charge and $15,000 bond on the new criminal mischief charge for damaging a protective jail cell.
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.
Como Man Arrested For Having Methamphetamine At Courthouse
A 40-year-old Como arrived at Hopkins County Courthouse Thursday morning, reportedly to assist a defendant who was scheduled to appear for a hearing in Hopkins County Court At Law, but the Como man was arrested instead.
When Mark Anthony Coppedge arrived at the courthouse shortly after 9 a.m. Nov. 4, 2021, he entered through the lower entry point, the basement – often the designated point of entry during court sessions. As the sign there clearly states, all people entering the courthouse are subject to search.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jason Lavender, who had been assigned to work security at the courthouse, contacted and search Coppedge. Lavender reported finding a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine which had suspected meth residue on it as well as a suspected methamphetamine in a clear plastic wrapping during the search.
Lavender requested Deputy Aaron Chaney to respond at the location. Chaney took possession of both the contraband. The Como man was arrested and transported him to the county jail. At the sheriff’s office, the substance field-tested positive for meth and weighed 1.69 grams including packaging. According to Google Maps, the courthouse is located within 1,000 feet of a church, Chaney noted in arrest reports.
Thus, Coppedge was booked into Hopkins County jail just after 11 a.m. Nov. 4, 2021, for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance in a drug-free zone, according to arrest reports.
Coppedge was released from the county jail Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, on a $5,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Ordinance Would Prohibit Parking On South Side of East Shannon Road, But Still Allowed On North Side
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson this week asked Sulphur Springs City Council to consider approving an ordinance that would make exiting East Shannon Road restaurant driveways between South Broadway Street and Mockingbird Lane safer. The ordinance is one of four ordinances the City Council considered at the regular November meeting.
East Shannon Road Parking
Ricketson explained, when recommending Ordinance No. 2794 establishing a no parking zone on the south service road from South Broadway to Mockingbird Lane, that vehicles parking between entrances and exits on East Shannon Road between Chili’s and McDonald’s, making it very difficult for motorists exiting those drives to see around them much less to the traffic on Shannon Road. That is a safety issue which as resulted in numerous near misses and calls to city officials regarding the matter.
This applies only to the south side of East Shannon. Vehicles, including 18-wheelers may still park on the north side of East Shannon Road between Broadway Street and Mockingbird Lane.
The ordinance would also no apply to the line of motorists that can be seen some nights along that stretch of roadway in line to enter restaurants open late at night. The no parking ordinance would be for those who park and exit their vehicle, not people in a long drive-thru line.
The City Council approved on first reading the proposed no parking ordinance for the south side of East Shannon Road from Broadway Street to Mockingbird Lane. It will be presented again, per city policy, at the December City Council meeting for final approval. If anyone wishes to address the City Council regarding the proposed ordinance, they may do so during the designated public forum at the Dec. 7 meeting. It would then be in effect.
Ricketson noted that the measure will be forwarded to Texas Department of Transportation, who would be required to erect no parking signs in the area. The City of Sulphur Springs would be required to pay for the signs.
A violation of the no parking ordinance would be a Class C misdemeanor offense, punishable upon conviction with a fine of up to $500.
J-B Weld Reinvestment Zone
Sulphur Springs City Council on Tuesday night, Nov. 2, 2021, also approved Ordinance 2891, which establishes a reinvestment zone for J-B Weld’s Sulphur Springs plant expansion, located at 400 CMH Road, just off West Industrial Drive in the Pioneer Business Park. J-B Weld is expanding its building and adding employees.
J-B Weld, which had a 2020 ad valorem taxable value of just over $4.7 million, has committed to investing $4 million to expand its epoxy glue manufacturing business with construction of a 40,000 square-foot facility on the 12.24-acre tract of land, with the project to be completed by June 30, 2022, according to the economic development program agreement Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved on Sept. 13.
This will allow J-B Weld to add 20 new fulltime positions, giving the business a total of 102 fulltime employees, which the company agreed to maintain the duration of the Chapter 381 agreement. J-B Weld agreed to a 5-year program instead of the usual 10 year program agreement with the county.
The reinvestment zone is needed in order for J-B Weld to be able to attain a tax incentive from Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors, which can grant the incentive but doesn’t have the ability to create a reinvestment zone, which must be established in order for the board to consider granting the tax incentive. The City Council does have the ability to establish a reinvestment zone and agreed on first reading in October and on second and final reading at the November meeting.
Bond Refunding
Sulphur Springs Finance Director/Assistant City Manager Lesa Smith and a SAMCO Capital Markets financial advisor for the city reported the city received bonds rates for refunding Tuesday. They came back in the city’s favor, Smith noted. The SAMCO representative noted that the city bonds were coming up on a call date. The City Council was able to consider refinancing some existing debt at a lower rate, to see if doing so could save the City of Sulphur Springs some repayment costs.
They sought and received three bids. The best offered a true interest cost, which the average interest rate on financing, of 1.427391 percent. The two other bids came in at 1.52 percent, 1.54 percent. He noted that while interest rates have been trending up for the last 6 weeks, they are still at historic low levels.
“Since we really started looking at this refunding as of late, the Federal Reserve Market Committee came out and said they are planning to taper the bond purchasing program and start raising the FED fund rate. The market reacted as you might expect, with interest rates starting to go up,” the SAMCO advisor said, noting that rates are as stated projected to continue going up.
He said while at an earlier meeting, advisors were considering what was a conservative rate of 1.42 percent, the rate has gone up to right at 1.43 percent since then. However, the current recommendation would lock in better savings. Initially considered was a 2021 bond, but at the current rate, it wouldn’t benefit the city to refinance it alone. He said financial advisors not only considered each bond series bout the maturity of each piece. So the 2022 maturity was eliminated from the 2011 certificates of obligation that to be refunded and struck the 2012 bond entirely, so the core amount went down $2,120,000. The city will save $228,000 over the life of the bond, to the tune of about $20,000 a year through 2032, as a result of the refunding approved as recommended. Typically, to be worth refunding, the core amount of saving needs to be 3-5 percent, according to the SAMCO advisor. The amount recommended to and approved by the City Council is about 8 percent. The City Council approve the general obligation refunding bonds, series 2021, as well as all associated documents and actions required related to the refunding of the bonds.
Code Ordinance
City Attorney Jim McLeroy asked the city to consider approving Ordinance No. 2793 regarding the City of Sulphur Springs Code of Ordinances. He reminded them that the city had been working on updating this a few years ago. The changes proposed would sort hte Codes into 12 chapters and update statutory references to Codes and names, such as state or federal agencies that are now known by other names.
When asked, he assured Precinct 1 Councilman Jay Julian that the changes are non-substantive changes and, aside from the ordinances approved Nov. 2, would be exactly the same when submitted for second and final approval in December. The newly approved ordinances would simply be added to it, and it would be re-codified and go into effect Jan. 1, 2022, if approved on second reading at the December 2021 City Council meeting.
The code would be organized as follows, according to Ordinance No. 2793, which received approval on first reading from the City Council:
Ideally, the full book of City Ordinances could at some point in the future be made accessible online. City officials will need to go through the ordinances next year or at some point in the future to update the code as appropriate.
Lady Cats Cross Country Team Finishes Season Strong at Regionals
The Lady Cats cross country team fought hard and competed well but did not have the finish necessary to move on to the state competition.
Sulphur Springs led by head coach Ross Hicks travelled to Garland earlier this week to compete in the 5A Region II Championship meet and while not all of the men travelled and competed, one Wildcat did end up placing.
Senior Evan Patrick finished at 100th with a time of just over 18 and a half minutes.
The Lady Cats were led as always by Haylee Schultz. The sophomore crossed the line at 21:14.16.
Next up for the women was Jolene Carpenter, finishing her 5K with a time of 23:10.74 and 113th place.
Two more Lady Cats made the top-155; junior Rebekah Stanley and sophomore Jazmin Yanez at 149 and 155, respectively.
Stanley crossed the line at 25:43.80 and Yanez was not far behind at 26:13 flat.
The final Lady Cat to place in a crowded field of talented runners was freshman Maddie Poskey, who placed 161st.
Sulphur Springs finished with 568 points, good enough for 20th at the Regional meet.
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.
PUBLIC NOTICE – Bidding For 1,007-Acre Agricultural Lease At Thermo Mine
The City has an annual Agricultural Lease at the Thermo Property open for bidding right now. This lease is for 1,007 acres with a minimum bid of $25.00 per acre being accepted. This lease is for agricultural use only. No hunting, fishing or other recreational use will be permitted. Sealed bids are due by November 30, 2021 at 10:00 A.M.
The bid specification can be found on our website at https://www.sulphurspringstx.org/Invitation%20to%20Bid-%20Thermo%20Lease.pdf
Any questions pertaining to the bid opportunity should be directed to Ashley Floyd at [email protected]
Dias Hired To Fill Vacancy At Cooper Lake State Park
By Steve Killian, Complex Superintendent, Cooper Lake State Park
Cooper, Texas — One of the best parts of my job is to help our Park Rangers find a new position through a promotion. Even though this is usually bittersweet, as it was in this case, our long time Office Manager, Kimberly Swaim, was promoted to our regional office because of excellent service, resulting in big hiking boots to fill! We were very fortunate to have found an excellent candidate to take over this important administrative position.
I am happy to announce that Amanda Dias is our new Office Manager for Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur Unit. She brings over 15 years of administrative, operational, and technical experience stemming from work in sales, education, and the medical field. Amanda has experience working in several fast-paced medical clinics, as well as operating a drive-thru Covid-19 Clinic. She joins us from Fort Hood, Texas. Her husband, Ramon Dias, who is also a Park Ranger at Cooper Lake State Park, retired from the Army after 20 years of service and was hired at the Park in 2019. They have two adult children: Jeramiah, who serves in the Air Force, and Alexa, who resides in Dallas.
Amanda will oversee HQ operations including assisting in the development and implementation of Park policies and procedures, managing and overseeing the administration of programs and practices at the Park, maintaining accounts payable and receivables, monthly billing, and budgeting. She promotes a healthy work environment and truly cares about her team members. Customer service is a cornerstone of her professional character.
Her family’s interests are agribusiness, investing, self-improvement, and helping and mentoring others to be their best. She also enjoys reading and taking continuing education courses. Amanda plans on graduating from Excelsior College in 2022. Spending time with family and friends is very important to her as she values those close relationships. Stop by and meet our new office manager during your next adventure at the Cooper Lake State Park.
Allen West To Be At The Wall That Heals From 4-5 P.M. Friday, Nov. 5
Allen West, who has announced his candidacy as a Republican candidate for Governors in 2022, plans to speak at the wall this afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m. at the Vietnam mobile memorial wall, The Wall That Heals, located on Sulphur Springs High School Track.
“This is not a political event and I just learned of the exact time he would be here. I spoke to him this morning to verify he was coming and he said he would be here at 4 p.m. He told me he was coming as a respectful soldier and was not trying to make it a political event. I told him there were a lot of folks in Hopkins County that would like to meet him. He told me this was not about him, but he would love to meet the folks so I could get the word out and he would see them this afternoon. If you want to meet Lt. Col. Allen West (Ret.) and Republican candidate for Governor of Texas, come out to The Wall this afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m.,” Donnie Wisenbaker, Hopkins County GOP Chairman, stated in a release just before lunch Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.
Extension Agents Recognize Volunteers, Outstanding Supporter Who Help Make Many Programs Successes
Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Service Thursday evening recognized a group of people who continue to give of their time and talents to help make the many programs hosted by the local Extension office the successes they continue to be. A few very special awards, including state recognition and the Hopkins County Outstanding Extension Supporter of the Year, were presented at the 2021 Extension Leadership Banquet held Nov. 4, at Hopkins County Civic Center.
The Extension Service provided a meal, complete with two chocolate chip cookies each, over which this dedicated group of volunteers fellowshipped and were able to enjoy spending time together — some of which were unable to give up their roles as volunteers for the entire meal. At least one made sure everyone in attendance signed in and received a ticket for drawings for door prizes, and helped clear the tables afterward.
The big award of the night, 2021 Hopkins County Outstanding Extension Supporter of the Year, was presented not to an individual but a family. Extension Agent Mario Villarino noted that Karl and Kelli Ebel are not just strong supporters, but are involved in youth and adult programs.
When Karl Ebel accepted the award on behalf of the family, he noted that Hopkins County is exceptionally blessed to have such a knowledgeable, dynamic Extension team as that of Mario Villarino and Johanna Hicks. In addition to having their names added to the plaque and displayed for years to come, the Extension Agents also presented the Ebels with a wooden engraved token of their appreciation.
Hicks noted that when she accepted a state award for her programs this year, she too received certificates of award for few of the Master Wellness Volunteers’ active involvement in the program. Hicks presented the certificates at the leadership banquet. Joan Brennan, Patsy Neal, Pat Connally and LaTarra Giles were among the volunteers receiving Texas Education Agency Family and Consumer Sciences Innovative Youth Development Programming Awards. Brennan too received an Excellence in Teamwork Award.
The Extension Master Wellness Volunteer Program must complete 40 hours of training to learn knowledge and skills to live healthier lifestyles and ways to encourage others to do the same. They are then asked to give back that many hours of service throughout the year. To recertify, the MWVs are asked to attend the first and last training days of the training, to satisfy the annual 10 hour training requirement, then volunteer a certain number of hours of service annually. Most of the Master Wellness Volunteers have far exceeded the requested service hours, contributing of upwards of 70 hours each. One volunteer logged over 220 hours of volunteer time. The county currently has 11 trained volunteers, who as of Nov. 3, 2201, had logged 824 hours of service, reaching 3,464 individuals, including through the Volunteer Connections Newsletter.
Recognizing for their continued service were Susie Faltesek, Joan Brennan, Pat Connally, LaTarra Giles, Nell Shipp, Patsy Neal, Marjean Allen, Wendy Johnson and Kim Sellers.
Registration for the next Master Wellness Volunteer training opens Nov. 15, 2021. The next session begins in January 2022 and is a hybrid class – the first and last days are in-person, and the the middle sessions are done on-line at the participant’s convenience. The first session will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 18, 2022, with online courses the following weeks, and wrapping with the last session on March 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information and session location, contact Hopkins County Extension Agent Johanna Hicks at 903-885-3443.
Wildcats Football Ends Season With Loss in Forney
The Wildcats football team looked to get their first win on the season in their final game of the 2021 season, but turnovers plagued Sulphur Springs as they lost 47-20 in Forney.
Coach Greg Owens’s team had multiple opportunities to score points throughout the game, but seven turnovers given up proved to be too much to overcome.
North Forney led 40-7 at halftime.
The Wildcats never quit though and kept fighting, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.
Sulphur Springs was able to score twice in the second half and out score the Falcons 13-7 to make it a more respectable final score of 47-20.
QB Matthew Mitchell was the starter for the final two games of the regular season, and while the senior had excellent pocket presence, knowing when to leave the pocket due to pressure, his five turnovers given up were enough to allow the Falcons to turn it around and run away with the game.
The senior QB Mitchell did get a rushing touchdown in the loss.
Running back Malachi Roland had an impressive showing, as on the first of three touchdown drives for Sulphur Springs the sophomore rushed for over 50 yards on the drive, including a nine-yard score on the ground.
RB Douglas Deloney was also able to barrel his way over numerous Falcon defenders to give the Wildcats new life each time he was able tog et a new set of downs.
Riley Hammons was able to snag an INT in the loss.
27 seniors saw their last playing time as Sulphur Springs football members in the Thursday night loss.
And while it was no doubt another tough loss in the fall 2021 season, they can rest easier knowing that not only the upperclassmen, but the whole team did not go out in a football contest without a fight.
The loss ends the Wildcats football team’s season with an 0-10 record (0-7 district).
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.
