Timeline for ‘The Wall That Heals’ Events, Escort Route and Opening Ceremony for Visit by Vietnam Veterans Replica and Mobile Education Center
Hopkins County Residents,
A very special event is coming to our Community November 2-7, 2021 – The Vietnam Veterans Memorial traveling exhibit and Mobile Education Center, ‘The Wall That Heals Hopkins County, Sulphur Springs, Texas’ will be on display 24 hours per day, free of charge at the Sulphur Springs High School Track, 1210 Houston Street. Attached are a press release, event information, and a digital image for your convenience.
I’m forwarding this informational email along with a timeline of events, including the Opening Ceremony attachment for your convenience and in case you’d like to share by email or on social media. Our local website is below and will have all the Events for the week completed and listed on it soon.
Tues., November 2, 2021 – The Wall That Heals will arrive by Semi truck and Trailer, escorted by Patriot Guard Riders, other local Riders, Law Enforcement and Fire Department. At approximately 1:30pm, the Convoy will come Eastbound I-30, to Loop 301 East, down Jefferson St., crossing the downtown Sulphur Springs Square at approximately 1:45pm, turning right on Connally Street, out to League St. and left on Houston St. to the High School Track. All residents are encouraged to line the streets and congregate on the downtown Plaza to Welcome Home America’s Vietnam Veterans! Flag waving, cheering, and clapping are encouraged!
Weds., November 3, 2021 – SSISD staff and students, City Employees, Committee Members and Volunteers will begin erecting The Wall and Mobile Education Center on the High School Track and a “soft opening” begins. Mandatory Volunteer training is 6:00-7:00 pm for all those that wish to attend or assist at The Wall or in the Command Post. To VOLUNTEER, go to www.thewallthatheals-sstx.org and use the SignUp Genius app under the VOLUNTEER tab.
Thurs., November 4th, 2021 – Opening Ceremony at TWTH site; 6:00pm. Agenda attached.
Sat., November 6, 2021 – There will also be an Antique Classic Car Show on the downtown Square, a Vietnam Veterans Parade, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Buffalo Soldiers Program at the Hopkins County Museum & Heritage Park.
The HC Dairy Museum will be open and serving free ice cream for students and visitors all week and on Saturday.
HC Museum and Heritage Park will be open 9:00-4:30pm for tours Thursday, 4th-Saturday, 6th. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Buffalo Soldiers will be at the Park presenting their program on Friday, 5th and Saturday, 6th.
Local website information for those that would like to attend the exhibit or Volunteer: www.thewallthatheals-sstx.org
For more information on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C.: www.vvmf.org
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help with more information or clarify anything for you. Again, thank you all for your participation. Best regards,
Mandy Kennedy, Organizer 903-243-2066.
TWTH HOPKINS COUNTY, SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS ESCORT ROUTE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021
Meetup Location: Hopkins County Eastbound I-30 Rest Area, Cumby, Texas
(Eastbound I-30 Mile Marker 111)
Meetup: 12:30 p.m.
Ride Briefing: 1:15 p.m.
KSU: 1:30 p.m.
Arrive: 2:15 p.m.
- From East bound I-30 take the 127 exit toward SH-301 Loop.
- Turn North onto SH-301 Loop overpass and continue to the stop sign.
- Turn West on Jefferson St. (Bus. 67) to the stop sign at Jackson Street.
- Turn South on Jackson Street.
- Turn West back onto Jefferson Street; go to the stop sign at Oak Avenue.
- Continue West through the stop sign on Jefferson Street.
- Turn West on Connally Street, continue to the stop sign at League Street.
- Turn North onto League Street to the stop sign Houston Street.
- Turn West onto Houston Street; continue to Hillcrest (red light).
- Turn South onto Hillcrest and enter the Sulphur Springs High School entrance driveway to the East at Barbara Bush Primary School.
Ride Captain Name: Robert Kerr Cell Number: 903-305-4560
Opening Ceremony
Thursday, November 4, 2021; 6:00 p.m., SSHS Track
Opening Comments and Welcome, Recognize Dignitaries
John Sellers, Mayor of Sulphur Springs, Texas
Posting of the Colors – Hopkins County Civil Air Patrol
Pledge Allegiance to the Flag – Led by Mayor Sellers
National Anthem sung by Alina Tatum Sanders
Invocation – Pastor Jeff Gravens
Recognition of Carol Gunn Vernon, Underwriter of The Wall That Heals
Introduced by Mandy Kennedy
Recognition of Gold Star Widows and Family Members
Introduced by Dena Lloyd
Reading Names of Hopkins County Soldiers Killed-In-Action in Vietnam
Judge Robert Newsom
Ringing of the Bell in Honor of These Soldiers
Veterans Affairs Officer, SMSgt/E-8 Danny Davis
Sulphur Springs ISD Asst. Superintendent, Josh Williams
To Introduce Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker – Chuck Lawrence, Vietnam Veteran
TAPS – Played by Kelley Fletcher
SSHS Orchestra, Directed by Spencer Emmert
Cocaine, Nearly 4 Pounds Of Ecstasy Discovered During Traffic Stop
Approximately 12 ounces of cocaine and nearly 4 pounds of ecstasy were discovered during a routine traffic stop Wednesday night, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Cleve Williams reported stopping a 2017 Toyota Camry just after 9 p.m. Oct. 27, 2021, on Interstate 30 east near mile marker 136 for a traffic offense. After contacting the occupant, the vehicle was searched by police.
Approximately 3.9 pounds (1.77 kilograms) of suspected Ecstasy and three-fourths of a pound (about 12 ounces or 390 grams) of suspected cocaine were found during the search, Williams alleged in arrest reports. As a result, Tavares T. Sanders was taken into custody at 9:13 p.m. by Williams, then transported by SSPD Officer Victor Reyna to Hopkins County jail.
The 43-year-old Houston man was booked into jail at 11:17 p.m. Oct. 27, on possession of more than 200 grams but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge for having the suspected cocaine and possession of more than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge for the nearly 4 pounds of ecstasy, according to arrest reports.
Sanders remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday night, Oct. 28, 2021, in lieu of $100,000 per charge on the two first-degree felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
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.
Tickets Now Available For The SSHS Wildcat Theatre Production Of The SpongeBob Musical
The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Theatre will present the critically-acclaimed, Tony award-winning “The SpongeBob Musical” at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 and Nov. 13, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 14, at the SSHS Auditorium (at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.)
In this production, SpongeBob and his friends spring from television to the SSHS stage in an exciting event featuring original music from superstars of all genres with original songs by Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, David Bowie, Panic at the Disco, Steven Tyler, T.I., and many more. Other productions of this musical, declared brilliant by the New York Times, with its message of inclusivity and fun-for-the-whole-family community-oriented humor, make it a must-see.
Junior Austin Crump leads The SpongeBob Musical cast as SpongeBob. He is backed up by seniors Savannah Lilley as Sandy, AllieGrace Woodard as Patrick, Lucy Braddy as Mr. Krabs, Emilie Gotcher as Squidward, and RJ Penny as Plankton, junior Danielle Verlander as Pearl Krabs, and freshman Aiden Woodard as Patchy the Pirate.
Other cast members include seniors Caleb Talmage and Brandon Williams; juniors Khira Young, Colbie Glenn, and Ricardo Chavarria; sophomores Oliver Falter, Betzy Chacón, Jolene Reed, Caroline Prickette, Cadyn Spigner, Addison Bradley, Camila Hidalgo, Talley Brown, Cadrian Davis, and Lorelai Lilley; and freshmen Audrey Tanton and Aspen Mayhew. Community and younger actors include Josh Williams, Cindy Welch, Melissa and Finley Peugh, Emery Brown, Nathan Woodard, and Gerald Grafton.
Crew members are led by Senior Stage Manager Anayeli De La Cruz, Senior Technical Stage Manager Brandon Williams, and Junior Stage Manager Markida Hood. Other crew members include senior Heather Horne, Junior Keziah Sims, Sophmores Esme Santacruz, Madilyn Lindley, Gil Fykes, and Addison Graves; and freshmen Bella Driver, Summer Patterson, and Alaya Mims.
The Wildcat Theatre production of The SprongeBob Musical is directed by Lesha Woodard, with musical direction by Beth Cole, additional choreography by Amanda Brandenburgh and additional tech direction by Kris Luce. The presentation is sponsored, in part, by Sulphur Springs Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Alliance Bank, and Coldwell Banker,
Tickets are $10 from any cast or crew member or online at bit.ly/wildcattheatre, or $15 at the door.
September 2021 Unemployment Rates Below State Average In Only 3 Counties In NET Workforce Development Area
Unemployment on average continued to decline, although by less than 1 percent, across the state last month as was the case for all except one county in Northeast Texas Workforce Development Area. Franklin, Hopkins and Delta were the only counties in the nine-county Northeast Texas WDA with September 2021 unemployment rates below the state average of 4.9 percent, according to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics report published by Texas Labor Market Information for Texas Workforce Commission. In fact, while unemployment as a whole declined from 5.4 percent in August 2021, the Northeast Texas WDA unemployment rate of 5.2 percent was still 0.7 percent higher than the state average.
Franklin County continued to lead the local WDA with a 4 percent unemployment rate, which could be due in a decrease in the civilian labor force, from 5,322 with 5,098 working in August 2021 to 5,269 with 5,058 working in September. Both months are better than in September 2020, when Franklin County had a 5.4 percent unemployment rate, with only 4,598 of the civilian labor force of 4,859 employed.
Hopkins County finished just behind Franklin County with 4.1 percent unemployment rate for September 2021, down from 4.3 percent in August 2021 and 5.3 percent in September 2020. While smaller than the 17,608 of September 2020, Hopkins County’s civilian labor force grew from 17,396 in August 2021 to 17,513 in September 2021. The number of people unemployed also has continued to decline from 927 in September 2020 to 748 in August 2021 and 710 unemployed Hopkins County residents last month.
The 4.1 percent unemployment rate in Hopkins County in September 2021, is the lowest since COVID shutdowns caused the unemployment rate to rise from 3.1 percent in January and February 2020 to 4.3 percent in March 2020 and 7.8 percent in April. While much improved, the September 2021 unemployment rate is still higher than the 21-year September record low of 2.9 percent set in 2019. The average so far for the first 9 months of the year for Hopkins County is a 4.9 percent 2021 unemployment rate.
Delta County’s September 2021 unemployment rate is less than the 4.9 state average and 5.2 percent WDA average. The overall unemployment rate for Delta County, however, did not change from August to September 2021. The Delta County unemployment rate did dip from 5.5 percent in September 2020 to 4.7 percent in August 2021 and September 2021. Delta County’s civilian labor force of 2,418 in September 2021 was two more than last year, and 16 more than in August 2021. A total of 2,283 people were unemployed in September of 2020, rose to 2,288 in August 2021 and 2,305 in September 2021.
Titus County’s unemployment rate fell to 5 percent in September 2021, with 661 of the 13,291 member CLF without employment. That’s down from 6.7 percent one year before, when 912 of 13,517 CLF were unemployed and 709 of 13,190 CLF unemployed in August 2021.
Bowie and Lamar Counties each matched the NETWDA unemployment rate of 5.2 percent for September 2021.
That’s a 0.6 percent drop from August 2021 to September 2021 and almost a full 2 percent drop from the 7.3 percent unemployment rate post in September 2020 for Bowie County. The CFL rose from 38,540 in August 2021 to 38,844 in September 2021, which were both less than the 38,893 CFL reported in September 2020. The number employed has continued to rise along with the CLF, from 36,052 employed in Bowie County in September 2021, to 36,391 in August 2021 and 36,844 in September 2021.
The unemployment rate in the city of Texarkana in Bowie County dropped from 8.1 percent in September 2020 to 6.5 percent in August 2021 and 5.5 percent in September 2021. The CLF hasn’t quit returned to the 15,065 of September 2020, but the did increase from 14,925 in August 2021 to 14,968 last month. The number employed has continued to rise, from 13,843 in September 2020 to 13,972 in August 2021 and 14,141 in September 2021, leaving 827 unemployed last month compared to 953 unemployed in Texarkana one month before and 1,223 one year before.
Although below the WDA average, Lamar County did experience a 0.2 percent increase from August 2021 to September 2021, but still a 1.3 percent decrease in unemployment over September 2020. This is due in part to a rise in Lamar County’s CLF from 24,132 in August 2021 to 24,248 in September 2021, both of which are up from the September 2020 CLF of 23,904. While 1,558 were unemployed in September 2020 in Lamar County, only 1,211 members of the CFL were without jobs in August 2021, and 1,272 in September 2021.
The unemployment rate in the city of Paris, in Lamar County, has continued to decline from 7.5 percent with 868 of the 11,551 CLF unemployed in September 2020, to 702 of 11,660 unemployed in August 2021 and 668 of 11,652 unemployed in September 2021, according to the TMLI data.
Red River County’s unemployment rate of 5.6 percent was unchanged from August 2021 to September 2021, both less than the 6.3 percent unemployment rate recorded for September 2020. The civilian labor force in Red River County increased by only one person from September 2020 to 4,237 in August 2021, although the number employed rose from 4,906 in September 2020 to 4,944 in August 2021.. The CLF shrunk to 5,209 in September 2021, and the number of employed shrank to 4,919 last month.
Cass County’s unemployment rate fell 2.4 percent from 8.4 percent with 1,036 of the 12,396 CFL without employment in September 2020 to 6 percent with 720 of the 12,061 member CFL without employment in September 2021. Month over month, the unemployment rate dropped for 0.4 percent with 774 of the 12,149 member CLF unemployed in August 2021.
Rounding out NET WDA list is Morris County, which continues to have the highest jobless rate of 9.8 percent, with 437 of the 4,470 member CLF without jobs in September 2021. That’s still down from 13.8 percent with 657 of the 4,761 member CLF unemployed one year before. The September 2021 unemployment rate was also 0.6 percent lower than one month before, when 466 of 4,498 were without jobs.
Thursday Night Freshmen Football Game at 5:30 P.M. Moved to Multi-Purpose Building
The freshman Wildcats football team’s Thursday night game has been moved from Gerald Prim Stadium to the Multi-Purpose Building.
Thursday night’s freshmen contest will kick-off at 5:30 P.M.
From Coach Greg Owens:
Due to 40 mph winds – we are moving the 9th grade football game at 5:30 P.M. to the Multi-purpose building. Fans and parents will sit in the end zones – please bring a chair – No Food or Drink.
Fan parking will be in the student parking lot or by softball field.
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.
Wildcats Soccer Winter 2021-22 Season Schedule Released
Wildcats soccer coach Alexi Upton released the winter 2021-22 seasons schedule after one final match had been resolved.
While the men’s soccer program will sorely miss 11 seniors who graduated in the spring semester, Coach Upton said during the Edge summer strength and conditioning program that he was most impressed with incoming freshmen and sophomores who put in good work each and every practice.
Regardless of who they lost though, the Edge saw impressive numbers throughout the summer.
On top of that, the soccer program had an incredible showing for the youth camp held each summer at the Multi-Purpose building.
Coach Upton and his young bucks will be all too excited to get back on the field and get back in action when the JV1 and JV2 (freshmen) teams host Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill on Friday, Dec. 11.
Varsity will get their season underway when they host a quad-match of scrimmages between the Wildcats, Celina, Pittsburg, and Lindale the following day on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Scrimmages will continue through December until Sulphur Springs hosts the annual alumni game on New Year’s Day on Jan. 1.
Pre-season or non-district play for the Wildcats soccer team will commence for the JV1 and JV2/freshmen team on Tuesday, Jan. 4 as they host Mineola and the varsity team will take part in the Forney tourney starting Thursday, Jan. 6 and lasting until Saturday, Jan. 8 to begin their regular season.
The first home game during the regular season for coach Alexi Upton and his boys will be on Tuesday, Jan. 11 when the Wildcats host Terrell. That match will begin at 7:15 P.M. and JV1 and JV2 will precede the varsity at 4 P.M. and 5:30 P.M. respectively.
Tournament play for the men’s soccer team will continue until the end of January, followed by a long trip to Nacogdoches on the 25th to wrap up non-district play.
The district season is as follows:
- Friday, Jan. 28 at Longview
- Tuesday, Feb. 1 at Mount Pleasant
- Friday, Feb. 4 versus Texas High
- Tuesday, Feb. 8 at Marshall
- Friday, Feb. 11 versus Pine Tree
- Friday, Feb. 15 at Hallsville
- Tuesday, Feb. 22 versus Longview
- Friday, Feb. 25 versus Mount Pleasant
- Tuesday, Mar. 1 at Texas High
- Friday, Mar. 4 versus Marshall
- Tuesday, Mar. 8 at Pine Tree
- Tuesday, Mar. 15 versus Hallsville
All games in bold are home, and all times listed are varsity teams. For district foes that have junior varsity teams, JV plays at 4 P.M. and the JV2 (freshmen) will follow at 5:30 P.M.
In addition, an appreciation night will be held during these games:
- Feb. 4 versus Texas High is teacher appreciation night
- Feb. 4 versus Marshall is junior high night
- and Mar. 15 versus Hallsville is senior night
For the full men’s soccer schedule, click here.
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.
Early Voting Concludes Oct. 29 In Constitutional Amendments, North Hopkins ISD, Cumby City Council Elections
Early voting got off to a slow start last Monday and continued voter turn out has continued to be low in the Nov. 2, 2021 Constitutional Amendment, North Hopkins ISD trustees and Cumby City Council Elections. A total of 20 ballots were cast by Hopkins County voters during the first day of the early voting period. When the poll closed Tuesday, a total of 194 ballots had been cast; 39 more voters visited the polls through 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, for a total of 233 ballots cast as of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, according to the voter totals posted by the election judge Wednesday evening. Low voter turnout is not uncommon for Constitutional Amendment Elections.
Early Voting
All early voting by personal appearance will conclude at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, in the Hopkins County Justice of the Peace #2 Courtroom, located inside the Hopkins County Annex Building at 128 Jefferson St., Suite C. Those planning to cast an early ballot in person may take advantage of the extended voting period which began at 7 a.m. this morning and will continue until 7 p.m. tonight (Oct. 28) , or stop by the JP #2 Courtroom between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29.
Voted ballots by mail must be received by Early Voting Clerk/County Clerk Tracy Smith no later than 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.
Early voting parking is available across the street from the County Clerk’s Office on Rosemont Street.
Election Day Voting
On Election Day, Nov. 2, 2021, voters may cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at any of the 12 designated voting locations:
North Hopkins ISD Election
Hopkins County voters who reside within North Hopkins ISD will be asked to choose up to two candidates to fill two trustees seats on NHISD Board of Trustees.Candidates are selected at-large, so the two candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to serve a full three-year term on the school board.
Candidates for the school election include Ellis Dicus, Robert McPherson, Jennifer Harrington and Michael S. James.
The NHISD General Election appears after the eight Texas Constitutional Amendments on the sample ballot. (Trustees election sample ballot pictured at right or click here for a full sample ballot, including NHISD Trustees election.)
Cumby Election
The City of Cumby is holding a General Election for Alderman Places 3, 4 and 5 on the City Council. The Council had originally called for a Special Election to fill Alderman Places 1 and 2 on the City Council as well, but reportedly canceled the special election due to lack of candidates
The Cumby General Election is listed at the end of the sample ballot (At left). Neither Wayne Mobley nor Ryan Horne drew challengers for another term on the City Council, thus, Mobley is the only candidate for Alderman Place 3 and Horne the lone candidate on the ballot for Alderman Place 5 on Cumby City Council.
Cumby voters will be asked to choose between Allie Crocker and Katherine Flinn for Alderman Place 4 to serve a full term on the City Council. (Click here to view or download a full sample ballot Cumby City Council.)
Constitutional Amendments Election
All registered Hopkins County voters also have the opportunity to select their choices on eight Texas Constitutional Amendment Propositions. Voters will be asked to vote either for or against the following propositions:
- Proposition Number 1 – HJR 143 proposes a constitutional amendment expanding the circumstances in which a professional sports team charitable foundation may conduct raffles to raise money for the foundation’s charitable purposes. The proposed amendment would allow professional sports team charitable foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to hold charitable raffles at rodeo events.
- Proposition Number 2 – HJR 99 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to authorize a county to issue bonds or notes to finance the development or redevelopment of an unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted area within the county and to pledge for repayment of those bonds or notes increases in property tax revenues imposed on property in the area by the county. The Texas Constitution gives the legislature the power to authorize an incorporated city or town to issue such bonds or notes but does not expressly give the legislature the power to grant that same authority to counties. The proposed amendment also provides that a county that issues bonds or notes for transportation improvements may not pledge for the repayment of those bonds or notes more than 65 percent of the increases in ad valorem tax revenues each year, and a county may not use proceeds from the bonds or notes to finance the construction, operation, maintenance, or acquisition of rights-of-way of a toll road.
- Proposition Number 3 – SJR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment barring the State of Texas or a political subdivision from enacting, adopting, or issuing a statute, order, proclamation, decision, or rule that prohibits or limits religious services. The proposed amendment would apply to religious services, including those conducted in churches, congregations, and places of worship, in the state by a religious organization established to support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious belief.
- Proposition Number 4 – SJR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment changing certain eligibility requirements for a justice of the Supreme Court, a judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge. The proposed amendment provides that a person is eligible to serve on the Supreme Court if the person, among other qualifications, is licensed to practice law in Texas; is a resident of Texas at the time of election; has been either a practicing lawyer licensed in Texas for at least ten years or a practicing lawyer licensed in Texas and a judge of a state court or county court established by the legislature for a combined total of at least ten years; and during that time has not had the person’s license to practice law revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension. The same eligibility requirements would apply to a judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals and to a justice of a court of appeals. The proposed amendment further provides that to be eligible for appointment or election as a district judge, a person must be a resident of Texas; be licensed to practice law in Texas; and have been a practicing lawyer or a judge of a court in Texas, or both combined, for eight years preceding the person’s election, during which time the person’s license to practice law has not been revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension.
- Proposition Number 5 – HJR 165 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) to accept complaints or reports, conduct investigations, and take any other authorized action with respect to a candidate for a state judicial office. Currently, the Texas Constitution only permits the SCJC to take such actions as to persons holding a judicial office.
- Proposition Number 6 -SJR 19 proposes a constitutional amendment establishing that residents of certain facilities have the right to designate an essential caregiver with whom the facility may not prohibit in-person visitation. The proposed amendment would apply to a nursing facility, assisted living facility, intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability, residence providing home and community-based services, or state supported living center. The proposed amendment also would authorize the legislature to provide guidelines for these facilities to follow in establishing essential caregiver visitation policies and procedures.
- Proposition Number 7 – HJR 125 proposes a constitutional amendment permitting a person who is 55 years of age or older at the time of death of their spouse who is receiving a limitation on school district property taxes on their residence homestead on the basis of a disability to continue receiving the limitation while the property remains the surviving spouse’s residence homestead.
- Proposition Number 8 – SJR 35 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the United States armed services who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty. The Texas Constitution provides a property tax exemption to the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services who is killed in action, but the current exemption does not include members of the military who die during their service due to injuries sustained that are not combat-related.
Halloween Contest Lunch, Costume Contest Free for All Seniors!
Senior Citizens of Hopkins County! Don’t forget that the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center Halloween Party will be this Friday, October 29th at 11:00. Karon will be serving Taco Soup, Cornbread and Chocolate Cake. There will be a costume contest with prizes. Everyone will get a treat bag to take home! It’s free and fun and you’ll meet new friends!
Five Arrested On Felony Warrants
Five people were arrested on felony warrants, including a man and woman were arrested at separate locations on warrants not only were found to be wanted on controlled substance related charges, but were also found to be in possession of a controlled substance at the time of arrest, according to sheriff’s reports.
FM 2297 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies stopped a Honda Accord at 1:02 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, on FM 2297 at Wildcat Way for disregarding a stop sign and what Deputy Drew Fisher described in arrest reports as suspicious activity.
Upon contact with driver Shelia Ann Grimes, he noted the 39-year-old Emory woman appeared nervous and stated she was in the area looking to see if a house was vacant. Because of the time of night and recent burglaries in the area, he asked and received Grimes’ permission to search the car.
Communications operators had completed a records check using the woman’s ID information, and reported she had an outstanding Hopkins County warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for possession of 1-4 grams of a controlled subtance, Fisher and Deputy Josh Davis alleged in arrest reports. Grimes was taken into custody on the warrant.
While searching her car, deputies found a crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.4 grams, resulting in a new charge for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1/1B controlled substance.
She remained in Hopkins Coutny jail Wednesday night, held on the probation charge. Bond on the new charge was set at $5,000.
South Hillcrest Drive Arrest
HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Josh Davis spotted Ernesto Arellano Martinez, a 39-year-old Sulphur Springs man they knew had an outstanding warrant, with a parked Chevrolet Tahoe at a Hillcrest Drive business at 9:12 p.m. Oct. 26, 2021.
They approached and placed him into custody on the manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone warrant.When asked if he had anything illegal in the SUV, he admitted to having methamphetamine.
Deputies located meth inside a cigarette package. He then allegedly admitted to meeting at the location to sell methamphetamine. A dollar bill located in the vehicle also was noted to have a small amount of meth folded inside of it. The crystal-like substance tested positive for meth and weighed 7.8 grams, resulting in Martinez being jailed not only on the warrant but also on a new delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, Steward and Davis alleged in arrest reports.
He was also with insufficient bond on a possession of controlled substance and marijuana charges. He remained in Hopkins County jail on all four charges Wednesday night, Oct. 27, 2021.
Kyle Street Arrest
HCSO Deputy Richard Brantley contacted James Lon Keel III at 4:10 p.m. Oct. 26, 2021, while at the 32-year-old’s residence investigating a vehicle burglary. A records check confirmed Keel to be wanted in Fannin County.
Brantley took Keel into custody and transported him to jail a warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.
The Sulphur Springs man remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday night, Oct. 27, 2021, on the Fannin County warrants.
Jailed At HCSO
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Fite took Tony Lynn McPherson Jr. into custody at 1:21 p.m. Oct. 26, in the jail sallyport on a warrant.
The 34-year-old Sulphur Springs man was booked into jail on the outstanding violation of probation on an evading arrest or detention with previous conviction charge. McPherson was held in the county jail Wednesday night, Oct. 27, 2021, on the felony warrant.
Gilmer Street Arrest
HCSO Sgt. Todd Evans located Tyler Gerard Maloney, a wanted man, at 12:45 p.m. Oct. 26 at his place of work. Evans took the 24-year-old Sulphur Springs man into custody on the outstanding charge.
Maloney was booked into and reained in Hopkins County jail at 1:37 p.m. Tuesday and remained there on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for theft of a firearm.
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.
