Multi-County Pursuit Ends In Hopkins County After Vehicle’s Tires Are Spiked
A multi-county pursuit ended after the fleeing vehicle’s tires were spiked on State Highway 19 north in Hopkins County early Tuesday morning, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies were notified at 2:40 a.m. Nov. 23 about a vehicle pursuit initiated in Lamar County that was reported to be headed south on State Highway 19 north toward Hopkins County. Deputies Elijah Fite, Zack Horne, Josh Davis and Isaac Foley, and Sgt. Tanner Steward responded. The sheriff’s officers set up spike strips on SH 19 north at County Road 4508 as the Toyota Tundra in question approached it. They deployed the strips with a positive result, Fite noted in arrest reports.
However, the truck continued on south on SH 19 north with deputies in pursuit starting near the bridges on highway 19. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. The truck struck a guardrail on the east side of the road, then, continued into the bar ditch, according to arrest reports.
Deputies approached the truck to conduct a high risk take-down, forcing entry into the vehicle, where they found a 53-year-old Eustace man unconscious. The sheriff’s officers extracted him from the truck, secured him in handcuffs at 2:58 a.m. Tuesday, and began rendering aid. The man, identified in arrest reports as John Alan Fidler, became conscious and was transported by CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, where he was later medically cleared and determined fit for confinement, HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite noted in arrest reports.
Fidler was booked into Hopkins County jail at 4:52 a.m. Tuesday on an evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle charge. He remained in Hopkins County jail late Wednesday morning, Nov. 24, 2021. Bond on the felony charge was set at $15,000, 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.
Lady Cats Basketball Falls to Liberty Eylau at Home, 66-24
The women’s basketball team fought all game long but could not keep up with a proficient scoring attack in Liberty Eylau, falling 63-24 to the Lady Leopards on Tuesday, Nov. 23.
“I liked the way we shot at the end better,” Coach Erica Delley, the women’s basketball coach said.
The Lady Cats coach said she tells her team no matter what the score may be, they always have to fight.
Three L.E. athletes finished in double figures and four more finished with nine and under.
Sulphur Sprints kept it close early, trailing 13-5 after the first quarter, but when the Lady Leopards took it up a notch, the Lady Cats fell behind in a big way 27-7. Coach Erica Delley’s squad would go on to fall to Liberty Eylau at home, 66-24.
While it was another tough loss for the women’s basketball team, there were some positives to take away from Tuesday’s loss.
Coach Delley said she liked the fight that her team demonstrated near the conclusion of the loss versus Liberty Eylau.
The loss drops the Lady Cats basketball team’s season record to 0-9.
Next up, Coach Delley’s team will have the rest of the Thanksgiving week off before resuming action next Tuesday. That could be just what this team needs, one that has dealt with issues having players suit up for the team.
Another thing that has hurt the women’s basketball team has been shifting the ideology to “next man up,” a popular mantra among sports teams. Coach Delley said some of her athletes have seen very little varsity game-time, so this next month ramping up to district play is all about developing a chemistry for the athletes that can compete for the Lady Cats.
“We’re gonna be fine,” the Sulphur Springs coach said. “We’re gonna get healthy, and we’ll keep progressing and be ready by district time,” Coach Delley said.
Sulphur Springs will be back on the road Tuesday, Nov. 30 when they travel to Canton to take on the Lady Eagles at 6:30 P.M.
The junior varsity will get the action going Tuesday at 5 P.M. followed by the varsity.
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.
Hawkins Receives 40-Year Prison Sentence
King Sentenced To
Robert Earl Hawkins Jr. received a 40-year prison sentence Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, for a burglary of a habitation charge. Also sentenced to Nov. 23, was Michail Germann King on a first-degree felony delivery of a controlled substance case, according to court reports.
(HCSO jail photo)
Hawkins has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest Aug. 14 on outstanding charges for bond forfeiture on burglary of a habitation and two other charges, along with charges for tampering with evidence and possession of a controlled substance charges.
The 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man faced a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the burglary of a habitation charge. According to Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris, Hawkins pled open to the court on the burglary case and as part of a 12.45 agreement (referring to Chapter 12 section 44 of Texas Penal Code) several other charges were dismissed.
Hawkins, who jail records show is also known by the alias Pete Hawkins, was reported to have testified during the sentencing hearing Nov. 23, 2021 in the 8th Judicial District Court. The defense asked that Hawkins be sentenced to probation. Harris asked the judge to sentence the defendant to life in prison, citing his lengthy criminal history. The ADA focused most of his questioning and arguments on Hawkins’ “lengthy history of violence and terror against women.”
Hawkins’ criminal history in Hopkins County includes being booked into jail on more than 30 different occasions since 2004, including:
- a 2004 family violence assault causing bodily injury charge,
- a 2005 terroristic threat charge,
- a 2006 family violence assault causing bodily injury charge, a January 2007 warrant for not paying an assault fine,
- a July 2009 assault family violence charge,
- a November 2009 assault of a family or household member with previous conviction,
- a 5-year prison sentence in 2010 on a burglary convictions,
- an assault causing bodily injury to a family member warrant in November 2016,
- an assault causing bodily injury to a family member charge in January 2017,
- an April 2017 indictment for aggravated assault of a date, family or household member,
- an August 2020 warrant for assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing,
- a burglary of a habitation and theft of service warrants on New Year’s Day 2020,
- bond revocation for the burglary of habitation and assault family violence of a household member that impeded breathing charges in April 2021, and
- bond forfeiture on burglary of a habitation charge in August 2021, according to jail records.
Hawkins was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Michail Germann King
Michail Germann King, as arranged, pled guilty in court Nov. 23, 2021, as to a first-degree felony delivery case, as charged in the indictment, and received 7 years of deferred adjudication community supervision and a $1,000 fine, according to Assistant District Attorney Zachary Blackmon.
The 43-year-old Dallas man was indicted in May 2021 on a charge of possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams with intent to deliver, according to court reports.
Chamber Connection – Nov. 24: Lots Of Seasonal Events Coming Up
By Butch Burney
Here is wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! It’s hard to believe that 2021 is almost over.
I hope you enjoy the holiday with family and friends – and then hit our local stores on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Check out our website on Wednesday (or after) to see the Small Business Saturday deals from our local merchants. Just go to HopkinsChamber.org and on the home page, click on the “Featured Events” logo.
Our small business owners have so many great deals, quality items and friendly, helpful employees to make sure you get what you want. Hopkins County offers an incredible local shopping experience!
We love our small, locally owned businesses, and we want them to continue to thrive and be successful in all they do. Shop local for the holidays and enjoy Small Business Saturday on November 27.
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 in the next few weeks 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.
Christmas Parade
The local Lions Club is hosting their 15th Annual Christmas Light Parade, presented by Carriage House Manor, on Friday, Dec. 3. Every entry must be decorated with working Christmas lights. The parade will begin at Buford Park, down Connally Street to the square, north on Church Street and west on Houston Street, ending at Gerald Prim Stadium.
The parade begins at 7 p.m.
Registration, which is free, must be received by noon on Tuesday, Nov. 30. To register, pick up an entry form from any Lions Club member or at the Chamber, 110 Main St.
Categories for judging the entries are Large Business, Small Business and Non-Profit Organizations/Churches.
Blue Santa
Sign-ups are ongoing for the Blue Santa toy program for Hopkins County. Registration can be done online at CanHelpOnline.org. Documents needed for upload are proof of Hopkins County residency, birth certificate or proof of school enrollment for each child ages 1-14, proof of income or proof of SNAP, Medicaid, TANF or CHIPS.
Shanna Martin, the executive director CanHelp, said in just five days, more than 130 families have already registered.
If you would like to donate toys or money, contact Tanner Crump or Angela Price at the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. You can also message the Blue Santa/Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County Facebook page.
Miracles Made on Connally Street
Miracles Made on Connally Street is the name of the CASA Christmas Tree Raffle that will be conducted until Dec. 6. The raffle will be held Dec. 8, with all proceeds benefitting the children served by Lake Country CASA.
Tickets are $25 each and each tickets gives you a chance to win one of 12 small decorated Christmas trees.
For more information, call 903-885-1173 or visit CASA at 218 Connally St.
Turkey Trot
Make way for your holiday meals by participating in the 11th Annual Hopkins County Turkey Trot, benefiting Journey Road Ministries and Mothers Culture Club. It will be ran Thanksgiving Day morning, with a 5K and 10K each starting at 8 a.m. There will be a Kids Run Run at 7:30 a.m.
Entry fee for the 5K race is $30 and for the 10K race it’s $40. Register online at GetMeRegistered.com and search “Hopkins County Turkey Trot.”
Ribbon Cuttings
Masterpiece Ultrasound Boutique hosted a ribbon cutting Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 468 Shannon Road West. Please welcome this new baby and mom full-service boutique to the business community.
Shoe Sensation hosted a ribbon cutting Friday, Nov. 19, at their store at 1402 Mockingbird Lane. Please welcome them to town.
Good News! Christian Bookstore celebrated 31 years in business and a new location, 1811 South Broadway with a ribbon cutting Friday, Nov. 19. Please continue to shop for Christian books and merchandise with them.
Make It To The Table This Thanksgiving
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent – Hopkins County, [email protected]
This Thanksgiving holiday, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Watch UR BAC program to make sure you make it to the Thanksgiving table. With the Thanksgiving holiday kicking off a very merry time of year, it’s essential to take some time to remember that buzzed driving Is drunk driving. If your plans to celebrate include alcohol, plan for a sober driver. You may have heard of the popular trend during the Thanksgiving holiday, “Blackout Wednesday,” which occurs on the eve of Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, this trend encourages the heavy consumption of alcohol, which is why we’re working hard to keep drunk drivers off the roads.
Nationally, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08 or higher. If you are under the influence of any impairing substance, hand the keys to a sober friend instead of driving yourself home. We know friends and families will be especially excited to gather around the Thanksgiving table this year. Unfortunately, drunk driving is a real threat to our community, and that threat increases during holidays like Thanksgiving. We want our drivers to take Blackout Wednesday seriously. This is a dangerous trend. Driving under the influence is deadly and illegal, and no one should ever take that risk.
Drunk-driving-related crashes spike during the Thanksgiving holiday season. According to NHTSA, from 2015 to 2019, 135 drivers involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were alcohol-impaired, and over the entire holiday period (6 p.m. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through 5:59 a.m. the Monday after Thanksgiving), nearly 800 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes. In fact, during the 2019 Thanksgiving holiday period, more than four times as many drivers involved in fatal crashes were alcohol-impaired during nighttime hours than during the day.
It is never safe to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while drunk or otherwise impaired. Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. If you’re planning to head out to the bar or to parties during the Thanksgiving holiday, make sure you plan for a sober ride home. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a safe night out.
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
- If available, use your community’s sober ride
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911 as drunk driving IS an emergency.
- Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely
By working together, we can save lives and help keep America’s roadways safe. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Master Wellness Volunteer Training
I’m happy to announce the 2022 Master Wellness Volunteer training, scheduled to begin in January. Interested individuals will receive valuable information on health, food safety, childhood nutrition, and other topics. The first and last sessions will be held face-to=face at the Hopkins County Extension Office, and the middle three weeks will be completed on-line at the convenience of participants. Each week, new topics will be released. For more information, please contact my office at 903-885-3443. Join the great group of certified Master Wellness Volunteers already in place and have a great experience!
Closing Thought
“It’s not happy people who are thankful. It’s thankful people who are happy.”
Traveling Teslas Top Off For Thanksgiving Trips
This Tuesday proved to be a busy time for the local Tesla station located in downtown Sulphur Springs. Downtown was overflowing with Teslas as all available slots to charge traveling Teslas were occupied. Tesla license plates as far away as Virginia and Michigan were spotted taking a charge from the Sulphur Springs Super Station with Tesla owners that are traveling for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Although all available charging slots were occupied, the car’s were mostly empty as the car owner’s took advantage of their time in downtown to shop or eat at downtown establishments.
Keep Cows In Proper Body Condition Through Winter With Supplementation, Proper Nutrition
Getting or keeping cows in proper body condition throughout the winter can optimize pregnancy rates the following season.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension information indicates that cows with proper body condition scores at calving are more likely to breed back and produce healthy calves in the future. Proper nutrition and supplementation are two keys to keeping cows in good shape. Supplemental feeding during winter months is critical to ensure cows are in optimal condition for pregnancy, calving and future breeding. Two-and 3-year-old cows should have a body condition score of 6 or better at calving. Cows 4-years-old and older should be in a body condition score of 5 or greater at calving. Cows with a body condition score of 5 should display abundant muscle tissue. Ribs are noticeable but overall fat cover is lacking. Hooks and pins are less obvious and hips and backbone are slightly rounded versus a sharp appearance, according to the AgriLife Extension overviews. A body condition score of 6 represents cows that are ideal at calving. Ribs are covered completely with fat and beginning to cover the rump, and muscle tissue is at its greatest.
Hay should be tested for nutritional quality, which will give producers the necessary information to help determine supplementation requirements. Any supplementation plan should be based on three primary criteria – the nutrient requirements of the animal, the quality of available hay or roughage, and the current condition of the cows.
Winter supplementation will depend greatly on what stage of production the cow is in. Lactating cows require different amounts of supplementation than dry cows, those pregnant but not nursing a calf. To maintain its body condition, a lactating cow would require hay that is about 11.5 percent protein and 62-63 percent total digestible nutrients, or TDN. A dry cow in late gestation would need about 8 percent protein and 55 percent TDN.
Producers should select supplements based on the cost per unit of nutrient needed, Banta said. Cubes are a common supplement used by many producers. If both energy and protein supplementation are needed, a 20 percent cube would likely be most cost effective, he said. However, if only a protein supplement is needed, then a 40 percent cube is more cost effective.
Producers should start slow and build up with supplements, such as concentrates and grains, because cows are designed to consume grasses. It’s also important to feed them supplements consistently each day to avoid digestive problems such as acidosis, which can lead to founder, foot abscesses, damage to the rumen lining damage, or death. It is recommended starting with no more than 2 pounds of supplement per cow per day and slowly building up from there.
Producers should watch manure patties to monitor cows’ protein intake. If patties look like they are stacking up and are firm, that tells us we need more protein supplement. A 40 percent cube is a good concentrated supplement source of protein, he said. Generally speaking, if cows are in good condition then 1-1.5 pounds of a 40 percent cube or something similar is a good place to start for dry cows; 2-3 pounds per day would likely be needed for wet cows, Banta said. If cows also need energy, then something like a 20 percent cube could be a good option. With average quality hay, a common feeding rate for dry cows would be about 2-3 pounds per day per cow or 4-6 pounds for wet cows.
Feeding amounts really depend on hay quality and other factors, so for more information it is recommend visiting with a nutritionist or an AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist.
Contact Dr. Mario Villarino at [email protected]; 903-885-3443; and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Agriculture, Natural Resources specialist, Hopkins County, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483.
Commissioners Agree To Small Change In Pine Forest Solar I & Hybrid I Road Use Contract
Purchase Of New Work Truck Approved For Precinct 3
Hopkins County Commissions Court on Monday approved the purchase of a new work truck for Precinct 3, a small change in Pine Forest Solar I and Pine Forest Hybrid I Road Use agreement, contract for sheriff’s and fire department training and equipment programs.
Road Use Amendment
The Commissioners Court on Aug. 23, 2021 agreed to allow at least 9 county roads to be used by Pine Forest Solar I, LLC, and Pine Forest Hybrid I, LLC, and “its successors and assigns,” during the planning and construction phases of its $252 million Solar Power and Energy Storage Project and Improvements, until the projects and improvements are completely abandoned, to access and leave power and energy storage project, encroachment into the county road right-of-ways, and for overhead and underground road crossings and with transmission lines connecting the project and improvements to the electrical grid power system.
On Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley explained that the developer amended the first list that he and Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin approved previously. The issue came in when the company used a map different from the one Bartley has been using since he’s been in office. Goggle showed the road name by a different number and the current map provided by Ark-Tex Council of Governments. The two road numbers in question are CR 3338 and CR 3334. Bartley said the amendment would change the road to the correct name.
“There are several roads that they are going to be using and upgrading and improving when construction starts. I move that we approve this amended resolution,” Bartley said.
Anglin seconded the motion, which then received unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court. Among the County Roads named in the agreements were County Roads 2346, 2310, 2336, 2333, 3340, 3344, 3351, 3334 and 3342.
Fire Department Agreement
Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley asked the court to approving an agreement extending services with TargetSolutions Learning LLC, which is doing business as Vector Solution, to including an additional platform which the sheriff’s office will help pay for.
“This is an ongoing program we already, a platform for our training side which will also enable us to start checking our equipment off and having electronic files on this where we can pull it up when Texas Commission on Fire Protection comes to do our audits by-yearly. We also will be joining with the sheriff’s department where we will start taking care of their self contained breathing apparatuses they have located throughout their jail. We’ll start inventorying those and making sure they are maintained. They can access those records as well,” Endsley explained.
Hopkins County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office would split the cost of the 50-50 for that program, Endsley noted.
The request was received unanimous approval from the Commissioners Court.
Truck Purchase
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook reported the county sought bids for a 1-ton crew cab 4×4 truck for Precinct 3. Information was sent out to all local companies. The county received only one bid. Jay Hodge Chevrolet bid $49,995 for a pickup without cruise control and $50,755 for a truck with cruise control. The delivery dates for the truck, however, is unknown.
Bartley said that’s due to current conditions in the industry. Knowing it could take up to 4 months or more, he asked the rest of the Commissioners Court to approve the bid, so it can be ordered, and come in as soon as possible instead of being further down the backorder list. He plans to use some grant funding for upkeep and equipment to purchase the 1-ton truck
“We are buying this truck with some of the money we got through grants to upgrade some of our equipment. I’m going to be replacing a service truck when I get this one in. So, that’s what the purpose is. It’s not like we just have to have it today, so we can wait on it,” Bartley said.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker seconded the motion, which received unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court.
Other Business
Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agents Johanna Hicks and Mario Villarino gave an update on activities offered by or that the local Extension Office are involved in this year.
Villarino presented the Commissioners with a 2021 interpretation chart regarding agriculture and natural resources activities he’s been involved in recently, including hosting livestock and forage education curses, 4-H agriculture and livestock clinics and shows, and involvement in United Way and other community charitable activities.
Hicks too offered a legal paper highlighting the family and community health programs she and the extension volunteers have participated in during 2021. Some have included a four-county Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes course offered online; Cooking Well With Diabetes; Master Wellness Volunteer training; Better Living for Texans Fresh Start to a Healthier You, Healthy Snacking- Head Start Kids, a newsletter, 55-plus Health Fair, Marriage Education Workshop; Walk Across Texas, Walk & Talk and Walk Through Texas History; Dinner Tonight social media posts; Path to Plate during Ag in the Classroom; Kids Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness; and several other family and community health impacts.
The county Extension Agents plan to talk more about Extension’s reach and impacts in columns later this year.
The Commissioners Court also approved a reinvestment zone for a new solar farm, BT Solterro Solar, LLC, planned in the Saltillo area.
During the public forum portion of the Nov. 22, 2021, Commissioners Court meeting, Bill Pentak presented on behalf of Engie a $1,000 check to Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman to help feed senior citizens this Thanksgiving.
Truck Driving Program at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
FUTURE DRIVERS
Truck driving instructor Bob Ashbreck (standing) welcomes a new class of student truck drivers into the classroom at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center. For information about the program, call 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
BT Solterra Solar Reinvestment Zone Approved, Chapter 381 Agreement In Works
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning approved a reinvestment zone for BT Solerra Solar, LLC, a $140 million solar project planned in the Saltillo area.
Reinvestment Zone
The Commissioners Court at 9:23 a.m. Nov. 22 conducted a public hearing for the proposed reinvestments zone for a second solar project planned in the Saltillo area.
Austin Willis, director of Solar and Storage for Belltown Power Texas, which has been operating in North Texas, said the company has been operating in North Texas for about 5 years.
“We have done about 12 projects to date that are either completed or in construction, so tis will be project number 13-14. We are very excited about it an the investment it brings to Hopkins County,” Willis said.
The company currently has three operational solar projects sold in the US, all in Texas: Rippey, Cooke County; Kellam Van Zandt County; and Coniglio, Fannin County. Belltown Power also has sold the following solar projects which are in development: Hopkins County,
It’s a 140 megawatt project. Rule of thumb is about a million dollars a megawatt, so it’s about a $140 million project. It’s in the Saltillo school district. They’re going to be a major beneficiary of this project,” Willis told the Commissioners Court. “We’ve submitted the 313 application to that school district in late October, Oct. 25. So, that’s under review at the State Comptroller’s Office right now.”
Willis said Belltown Power Texas hopes to begin construction in the second half of 2022 and operations in the second half of 2023.
The reinvestment zone as proposed in the Commissioners Court agreement is a contiguous geographic area which includes five properties owned by Delbert “Chip” Tully spanning across just over 260 acres and 10 owned by Los Senderos Cattle and Ranch Company totally just over 1,170 acres. Overall, that’s a little more than 1,430 acres, all located west of FM 900, starting south of FM 3536 and continuing to property across FM 3532 and narrowing to property west of FM 3536, the proposed reinvestment zone map shows.
The resolution designates the area as a commercial-industrial or residential reinvestment zone for a 5 year span to begin in December 2021, renewable for an additional 5 years at a time or sooner with an order for those parts if any section, paragraph, clause or provision in the document is found to be invalid or unenforceable.
The company, as has been the case with the six other planned solar projects in Hopkins County (including Stampede Solar which is also planned in the Saltillo area), is seeking tax incentives from local taxing entities (Hopkins County, Saltillo ISD and Hopkins County Hospital District) to build solar powered facilities.
The Court was scheduled to consider a Chapter 381 Agreement with Solterra developer Belltown Power Texas, but that document was not yet ready for consideration.
Chapter 313 Application
The Chapter 313 application accepted by Saltillo ISD on Oct. 26, 2021, by Superintendent David Stickels and submitted for review by Texas Comptroller’s Office asks the school district for a 10 year tax exemption for the 10 year project, with operations expected to begin during the 2028-2029 school year and conclude during the 2052-2053 school year.
by the District on October 29, 2021. The application was then forwarded Nov. 16, 2021, and is being reviewed by Texas Comptroller’s Office.
The application shows one qualified employee would be employed to oversee project operations at an annual salary of $47,221, which would require approval for a job waiver to meet Chapter 313.025 (F-1) of the Tax Code, which stipulates creation of 10 permanent jobs unless the jobs created exceeds the industry standard.
“The solar energy industry standard for committed jobs is one job per 350MW. In line with these industry standards for solar project’s job requirements, BT Solterra Solar, LLC, as a 143MW project, has committed to create one qualified job,” Brandon Westlake, senior tax consultant for Cummings Westlake property tax advisers, wrote in a letter to Stickels with the application.
The 143 MW facility will all be located within Saltillo ISD. Panel placement is subject to change but for purposes of this application, the Project anticipates using approximately 321,617 PV modules or equivalent and 49 inverters.
The “Qualified Investment and qualified property” for the requested 313 agreement with Saltillo ISD would include “solar modules/panels, tracking equipment, racking and mounting structures, O&M building, substation, inverters boxes, combiner boxes, meteorological equipment, foundations, roadways, paving, fencing, collection system, generation transmission lines, interconnection facilities, SCADA systems, transformers, fire suppression systems and all necessary ancillary equipment for commercial generation of electricity.”
The map in TAB 11 shows the potential locations of improvements within Saltillo ISD boundaries; however, the final number of panels and inverters and the location of each of these facilities is dependent upon ongoing negotiations with power purchasers and other factors. That application, however, said the project is “anticipated to begin in the Q1 2027 with completion by December 31, 2027.”
The 313 application also notes Belltown Power Texas anticipates producing final proof of a reinvestment zone or enterprise zone for the proposed solar powered electric generating facility known as BT Solterra Solar, LLC, by April 2022.
The company anticipates asking for a 100% tax incentive from the $0.8688 Saltillo ISD maintenance and operations tax, a 100% tax incentive from Hopkins County’s tax rate and a 100 percent tax incentive from Hopkins County Hospital District’s $0.22 per $100 valuation tax rate. BT Solterra Solar, LLC, being built in Hopkins County is contingent on the tax incentives, “due to the extremely competitive power market in Texas.”
“The property tax liabilities of a project without tax incentives in Texas lowers the return to investors and financiers to an unacceptable level at today’s contracted power rates under a PPA. A signed PPA in the Texas market is at a much lower rate than other states because of competitively low electricity prices. Both parties of the PPA have an escape clause if the terms of the PPA cannot be met. Without the tax incentives in Texas, a project with a PPA becomes non-financeable. Therefore, this appraised value limitation is critical to the ability of the proposed Project to move forward as currently sited,” the Chapter 313 application made to Saltillo ISD and the Comptroller’s Office states.
About Belltown Power
Belltown Power started in the United Kingdom in 2013 as a fully integrated renewable energy power company. With a small, dedicated development, investment, and engineering team, Belltown delivered over 23 projects across onshore wind, solar PV, and hydro projects during its first four years. Since early 2020, the UK team has been focusing on the greenfield development of onshore wind sites.
In early 2017, Belltown expanded into the United States of America to kick-start its next phase of growth with a focus on solar and energy storage development. Within the US, Belltown identified ERCOT and PJM as two key areas of focus with a highly liquid electricity market, low solar penetration, and ample capacity for additional development in many areas.
In the US, Belltown has accomplished rapid growth since inception with 330MW of solar projects already connected into the ERCOT network, an additional 650MW nearing construction, and a further pipeline of over 2GW at various stages of development.
Beyond renewable energy, the Belltown Group established a sustainable farming operation in the US that currently owns and operates 7,000 acres with a target of 50,000 acres across 8-10 regional hubs including Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, and New York. The business model of Belltown Farms includes transitioning land to USDA certified organic and operating these farms in line with regenerative principles.
