Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – July 2021
Sulphur Springs City Council received from City Manager Marc Maxwell the following monthly manager’s report during the July 7, 2021, council meeting:
COVID-19 Response
The number of active cases in Hopkins County decreased 58% since our last meeting with 16 active cases as of May 28th. There are 0 patients in the COVID unit at the hospital.
Grays Building
The building is sufficiently completed to rent out for events. Landscaping is in-process, and the 3 large roll-up doors are temporarily fitted with aluminum panels rather that the glass panels that will eventually be installed.
Claims
We received 1 minor workers compensation claim in June. A Police officer backed into a passenger car causing $3,653 of damages to the passenger car. A claim has been submitted to TML.
A local motorist submitted a claim for damages to their vehicle after they drove over an incomplete utility repair. TML denied the claim.
Senior Citizens Building
We received a single bid for the engineered metal frame for the building. We will discuss that in another agenda item.
Saputo Sewer Main
Construction is about 80% complete. This $750,000 sewer project is funded entirely by a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The new main will supplement an older undersized main. The path of the new main begins at Saputo and continues under the interstate. It then continues South for 3,500 feet before connecting to an existing trunk line. The new main has a 15-inch diameter. This grant is made possible because of a $50 million plant upgrade at Saputo and their cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Without their cooperation this project would not have been possible.
College Street
This will be the next reconstruction project after the Saputo Sewer Line Project.
Revenues And Expenditures
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a report of revenues and expenditures.
Street Improvement Program
Texana Land and Asphalt began repaving the streets in this year’s Street Improvement Program (SIP) today. I expect them to finish by summer’s end. They began with Duckworth Street.
| Street | Segment | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | Davis to Brinker | 565 |
| Beckham | Oak to Elm | 3,379 |
| Duckworth | Mockingbird to Broadway | 1,250 |
| Gena | Cul de Sac to end | 1,130 |
| League | Bellview to Pampa | 3,131 |
| Lee | Davis to Broadway | 1,901 |
| N. Davis | Houston to Bonner | 675 |
| Patton | College to Weaver | 950 |
| Phyllis Ct. | College to Cul de Sac | 950 |
| Texas | Tate to Lee | 2,772 |
| Texas | Lee to Industrial | 1,188 |
| Woodbridge Crossing | Various | 500 |
| Total Linear Feet | 19,391 | |
| Total Miles | 3.67 | |
| Total Cost | $1,152,098 | |
| Street Maintenance Fee Revenue | $502,000 |
* Funding from street maintenance budget.
Miscellaneous
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Repaired 238 potholes.
- Removed fallen trees from city streets after storms.
- Installed 932 feet of 15-inch sewer main.
- Finished installing parking, sidewalks, and other concrete flat work at the Grays building.
- Installed plumbing fixtures in the Grays Building.
- Completed public safety training in the areas of driving, crime scene investigation, defensive tactics, and CPR.
- Responded to 210 animal control calls while achieving a 79% adoption rate.
- Made 4 felony arrests in the Special Crimes unit.
- Seized 1.5 pounds of marijuana and $14,444 in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 49 accidents, wrote 512 citations, made 49 arrests, and recorded 48 arrests in the Patrol Division.
- Responded to 2,408 calls for police service.
- Responded to 197 fire/rescue calls including 3 structure fires, 3 vehicle fires, and 2 grass fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 84 fire hydrants.
- Conducted 48 fire inspections and reviewed 48 pre-fire plans.
- Hosted a softball tournament and a baseball tournament.
- Served 3,649 meals to seniors.
- Checked out 3,735 items from the library plus 722 eBooks.
- Installed a generator on the Grays Building.
- Installed controls for irrigation system at Pacific Park.
- Filed a claim with Federal Signal for non-working tornado sirens.
- Performed preventative maintenance on many items at the wastewater treatment plant.
- Sent 275 tons of sludge to composting contractor and 400 tons to the landfill.
- Repaired 3 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 14 water meters.
- Unstopped 23 sewer mains.
- Saw another employee receive a Class D water License.
- Repaired 7 sewer mains.
- Flushed 36 dead-end water mains.
- Operated flood gates at lake Sulphur Springs.
- Sold 147 million gallons of potable water.
- Sold 3,189 gallons of AvGas and 13,026 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Accommodated 1,621 operations at the airport.
TWC Earmarks $9 Million For Initiative To End The Middle Skills Gap In Texas
AUSTIN –The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) earmarked funding for a comprehensive statewide strategy to end the middle skills gap in Texas. Due to technological advances in the workplace, employment demand has dramatically increased for individuals with middle skills, defined as workers with some education beyond high school but less than a four-year degree. TWC, the state agency charged with promoting and supporting the state’s workforce, will direct up to $9 million in grant funding for job creation, job preparedness, and job progression activities to help put more Texas workers on a path to a career in a rewarding middle skills job.
“The Texas economy is expanding and there are more than 800,000 jobs available for workers with the right skill set,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Many of these jobs require very short-term training or education but can connect Texans to a lifetime of increased career potential and earnings.”
Eligible activities under the initiative include: a career pathways app for students and job seekers, one-on-one job coaching, training and certifications in high demand occupations, and a mobile credential tracker.
“Technological advances give us the opportunity to leverage talent and resources to address this gap in local communities across Texas, giving our workforce the tools they need to succeed,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Expanding our TWC programs with special emphasis on middle skills ensures all job seekers in Texas have resources and opportunity for upward mobility.”
The Ending the Middle Skills Gap initiative builds on existing TWC programs and services, which are available to all Texans through https://www.twc.texas.gov/ or through 180 Workforce Solutions Centers around the state.
“Supporting initiatives to address the middle skills gap is critical for Texas employers and job seekers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “Working with our partners to develop more career pathway opportunities helps all Texans, including transitioning foster youth and people with disabilities which ultimately assist in creating a more successful economy in Texas.”
The agency earmarked additional funding for virtual reality technology to support career exploration, short-term training for parents of children in TWC’s child care program, outreach efforts, training and certifications in advanced trades/manufacturing, expanding the adult early learning math call center, and providing remedial math assistance for applicants in the registered apprenticeship program. Furthermore, the agency will leverage new and existing programs to optimize participation of foster youth and people with disabilities. The agency will bring the package back for final approval.
The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org. To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.
Designer Handbag Bingo to Raise $ for Healthcare Foundation on August 12
Here’s a Fun-raiser by the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation! Plan to be there inside the Civic Center on Thursday August 12, 2021. Doors open at 5pm and rounds begin at 6pm. Play ten rounds of bingo for a chance at 20 designer handbags! Plus extra-game and bonus cards will be available! Get your friends together to make it even more fun…reserve a table for 8 for $300. Individual tickets are $30. Ticket includes a bingo packet and drink ticket. Order in advance or purchase at the door!
Designer Handbag Bingo Tickets are now available! Get your seat or, even better, a table with your friends, while they last!
We still have sponsor spots available if you’d like to help support the Foundation (see attached form).
You can purchase tickets, tables, extra game cards and bonus game cards here:
Designer Handbag Bingo | Powered By GiveSmart
Questions? Email [email protected]
Can’t wait to see you at this fun event!
2021 Old Saltillo Cemetery Memorial Day is July 18, also Historical Marker Dedication of Old Jefferson Road
OLD SALTILLO CEMETERY ASSOCIATION BUSINESS MEETING/MEMORIAL DAY
by Vivian Dennis Monzingo
Plans are being made for the Annual Old Saltillo Cemetery Association Business
Meeting/Memorial Day to be held at 10:30 a.m., July 18, 2021, in the Old Saltillo United Methodist Church, located at 664 County Road 3357, Saltillo, Texas.
The program will begin with congregational singing led by Steve Conley. After the
opening ceremony, a business meeting will follow that includes a formal report of the activities of the Board of Directors, the financial position of the Association, plans for the coming year, and the election of three Board of Director members for the 2021-2024 term.
Keeping with tradition, a Memorial Program eulogizing loved ones buried in the Old
Saltillo Cemetery will be conducted. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the 2020 annual
meeting was not held. Names to be honored will be all who have been buried in the Old Saltillo Cemetery from July 19, 2019 – July 18, 2021. Family members present are
asked to stand during the reading of a short verse and a star will be placed on a
painting in remembrance of the loved ones. Kelli McAfee Tarver, Ginnifer Agee Doyle, and their daughters will present the remembrance. A special musical presentation will be offered by Steve Conley.
The Old Saltillo Cemetery has received the very prestigious recognition by the Texas
Historical Commission with an Official Texas Historical Marker. A dedication ceremony will be the program for this year’s annual meeting. John Sellers, Chair of the County Historical Commission, will preside at the dedication. This is a very historic Hopkins County Cemetery. It received the Historic Designation in 2018 and the subject marker completes its story.
The Old Saltillo Cemetery originated as the burial place of a child who died near Saltillo in 1870s, while traveling the Jefferson Road with his family. His name and the burial plot are unknown. There were two marked burials in 1873, one in 1875, one in 1876, and two each in l878 and l879.
Beginning in the early 1930s, annual memorial services were held at the Old Saltillo
Methodist Church. Early each morning on the day of the Memorial service two or three men took their shotguns to the woods to hunt for squirrels. After they shot the squirrels, the men cleaned them, North of the church building they built a fire under a large pot already containing water. Into the pot they put the squirrel carcasses, stewed tomatoes, canned corn, potatoes, salt and pepper. By noon time the stew was ready to be eaten. The women of the community provided numerous dessert such as chess pie, chocolate pie, pineapple cake, German chocolate cake, butterscotch pie, banana pudding, and blackberry cobbler.
Until the early ‘60s the program was scheduled for the third Thursday in July. By that
time, the cotton crops had been” laid by.”
In order to raise money for the upkeep of the cemetery at Old Saltillo, men of the
community sold concessions during the noon hour and all afternoon. They sold soft
drinks, cooled in tubs of ice; candy bars; and even ice cream from canisters stacked in wash tubs filled with ice. In the afternoon children stood near the concession stand, located under the oak trees north of the church building, hoping that a generous adult would supply them with sodas and ice cream. After all, the money went for a good cause.
In the l940s and the 1950s the annual observance were an all-day event, but in more
recent years the celebration ends with the noon meal. Since 1960, the services are
held on the third Sunday in July.
On July 18, 2021, following the Unveiling of The Marker, lunch will be served in the air-conditioned Kirby Memorial Center. You are asked to bring some of your favorite dishes – enough to feed all in your party and share some with others. Lunch will be served immediately after the program in a buffet manner with all eating utensils, plates, iced drinks, and coffee provided. Seating in the serving area is limited; however, space is plentiful under the huge oak trees around the church. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, card tables, etc. to enjoy your lunch and fellowship with others in attendance. At 1:30 p.m., an unveiling ceremony will be held approximately one-half of a mile north of the church/cemetery on County Road 3357 to dedicate an Official Texas Historical Marker for the Old Jefferson Road.
Old Saltillo was just a camping ground with no name, in the 1840s, located where two old by-roads crossed at the edge of the prairie in the Eastern part of Hopkins County, about one-half mile from the Franklin County Line.
About 1842, the Jefferson Road, with right of way sixty feet wide, was cut and passed through the camping ground. The Jefferson Road ran from Fort Worth, Dallas and surrounding points to Jefferson, Texas’ principal river port at that time. The local branch of the Jefferson Road began at Mount Pleasant and went west to Old Tarrant, which at that time was the county seat of Hopkins County.
The Jefferson Road was everyone’s road. An occasional stagecoach would use the
road as an alternate, and at times a troop of Calvary would follow the road a piece.
Cattle were driven over the road to the market in Jefferson. Oxen trains could be seen plodding the road. Horse and mule drawn wagons were there too.
From one to three spans of mules were used, or from one to three yoke of oxen. The
trip took about eight or ten days with mules pulling the wagons from Old Saltillo to
Jefferson.
One favorite place to camp for the travelers was Twin Groceries. It was an excellent camping ground, and people going east would camp early in order to let their teams graze on the prairie. Those going west would travel late in order to do likewise. Today there are vestiges of the Old Jefferson Wagon Road. Its roadbed is still visible in places. When it was in use, they let trees grow at its edges to prevent erosion. For the most part its path is now on private property. Aerial photos and satellite images show the roadbed here and there. One can still find traces and fragments of the old stores’ foundations and chimney at Twin Groceries (Old Saltillo). Information in this message concerning the history of the Old Saltillo Cemetery and the Old Jefferson Road was taken from the application to the Texas Historical Commission. Sponsor Name: Montie G. Monzingo, dated 8/21/18. We hope that you will be able to attend part or all of the events schedule for Sunday, July 18, 2021.
Community Generosity Allows Hopkins County United Way To Award An Additional $17,500 To Agencies
The Hopkins County community’s generosity allowed United Way officers to award an additional $17,531.47 to 17 of the agencies that benefitted from the 2019-2020 campaign. All funds were contributions to the campaign co-chaired by Bill and Beverley Owens, which exceeded the year’s goal.
A representative from the agencies allocated a portion of the excess funding received from the 2019-2020 campaign were invited to Hopkins County AgriLife Extension office Wednesday morning, July 7, 2021. During that time, each was awarded a check for the amount allocated.
“Really, this isn’t United Way. This is our wonderful community, that just went above and beyond their goal. All I can say is thank you. Thank you for the generosity,” said Mike Horne, 2020-21 HCUW Campaign Chair, and 2021-22 HCUW President.
Bill Owens too expressed special thanks to all in the community for their continued support of HCUW and the agencies and groups allocated funds, which will provide additional dollars for to assist people of all ages in Hopkins County. The organization offer enriching activities and services such as meals or bags of food for hungry families, baseball for children with disabilities, shelter and services for abused children and adults, mental health and therapeutic services. He also offered thanks to HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning.
As Judy Gilreath pointed out, that’s more food that can be purchased for the Dinner Bell, which offers a free meal to anyone in need on Wednesdays at First United Methodist Church.
“We want to say a big thank you for each and every one of ya’ll and what you do in our community. Thank you,” Beverley Owens said to those present Wednesday.
“Ya’ll are wiling to do what you do and it’s hard,” Lake County CASA Executive Director Gina Law told the HCUW representatives. “We could not do what we do because we rely on you.”
Many of the organization representatives, in addition to their function within their group, also served as HCUW campaign workers each year as well.
Among the agencies receiving a check Wednesday for a portion of the more than $17,500 in additional funds were:
- East Texas Council on Alcohol/Drug Abuse
- Jehovah Jireh Food Pantry
- Hopkins County Teen Court
- Dinner Bell
- SAFE-T (Shelter Agencies for Families in East Texas) Crisis Center
- Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center
- Sulphur Springs Symphony League
- Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center
- Meal A Day
- Lake Country CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children)
- Hopkins County Christian Alliance Community Cupboard
- Hopkins County 4-H
- Heritage Christian Counseling Center
- Circle Ten Council of Boy Scouts
- CANHelp
- Bright Star Baseball
3 Assistant City Managers Appointed, Top Candidates For Secretary, Attorney Named
Three assistant city managers were appointed and the top candidates for city secretary and city attorney were also named during Tuesday night’s regular Sulphur Springs City Council meeting.
City Manager Marc Maxwell noted the council held an executive session just prior to the start of the 7 p.m. meeting. He said the recommendations were part of long term personnel planning for the city. Maxwell stated that the city has been working on “succession planning,” that is finding suitable replacements to fill certain positions when key personnel retire in the coming year or foreseeable future. This will make the transition go smoothly or at least much more smoothly.
For instance, Maxwell said, City Secretary Gale Roberts gave the counsel her notice of planned retirement in December 2021. More than an year in advance, this gives the city plenty of time to appoint a candidate and allow that individual to train with Roberts. The city attorney and others are also planning to retire at the end of the year. Maxwell said he plans to retire in seven years, and if things continue on track will recommend the City Council at that time appoint one of three key department heads to lead the city.
Maxwell anticipates officially asking the City Council later this year to appoint Natalie Darrow to serve as city secretary and Nate Smith to serve as city attorney. These changes can be factored into the upcoming budget.
Darrow has worked for the City of Sulphur Springs for 25 years, starting in records at the task force, and now is the records manager and computer systems specialist at Sulphur Springs Police Department. She has been working periodically alongside Roberts, learning some of the duties, and has even filled in for her on occasion while the city secretary was on vacation.
Nate Smith practices family law, civil litigation, personal injury and corporate law alongside his father, Phil Smith at Smith & Smith Law Firm. He too has begun working some with City Attorney Jim McLeroy. He knows the city’s issues, knowledge that goes beyond just the law but the ins and outs of the city, including personnel. Maxwell noted that Nate Smith seems a “natural fit” and has already been taking some of the responsibility from McLeroy.
As for his planned retirement in 7 years, Maxwell would like to have things in place so that the council members, if they choose, can select from three top choices. While there are a lot of city department heads who would be capable of serving as a good city manager, Maxwell said, he recommends selecting from the three directors he plans to prepare for the position. He also asked that they reclassify their job titles accordingly to assistant city managers, to reflect those duties.
In accordance with the request, the City Council officially named Human Resources Director Gordon Frazier, Finance Director Lesa Smith and Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski as assistant city managers moving forward.
“I think they are three fine choices to replace me. I’d like to introduce them to areas of the city they may not have had before,” Maxwell said, noting each exhibits good judgement and managerial skills.
Frazier has been employed with the City of Sulphur Springs for more than 30 years, working his way up through the ranks to become HR director, and knows more about city operations than almost anyone else employed with the city, Maxwell said.
Lesa Smith was born and raised locally, and also worked her way up the city ranks as well. She has, Maxwell said, “done an outstanding job as finance director. On every one of the assignments I have given her, she has exceeded my expectations.”
While Niewiadomski is not originally from the area, he has acclimated well, Maxwell noted, adding that Niewiadomski “has a very broad view of the city, being in community development,” an asset for a city manager.
Maxwell said the assistant city managers over the next seven years will have occasion to fill in for Maxwell when he is on vacation or has to be out of the office. He plans to give them “lots of special projects” so each will have “a little fun on the hot seat.” He said any of the three are capable now to assume the duties of city manager, but he plans to work more with then in the coming years so that they are even more capable to step up when he does retire as city manager.
Hazardous Materials Team Called In For Fuel Leak At Pilot
A hazardous materials team was called in for a fuel leak at Pilot Travel Center Tuesday afternoon. Crews remained at the location working Wednesday morning.
Sulphur Springs dispatchers were first contacted around 3 p.m. July 6, 2021, by someone reporting oil or diesel fuel bubbling up from the ground outside of the South Hillcrest Drive truck stop. The leak appears to be either diesel or biodiesel leaking from a tank or piping at the business. The visible stream leaked into a concrete drainage ditch just south of the passenger vehicle parking lot. The substance crept west, making the turn to Hillcrest Dr, according to Sulphur Springs Fire Department officials.
A substance, that looked like red soil, was put down to staunch the flow and prevent it from spreading further. Lone Star Hazmat Response was on scene at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Their equipment was used to pump the leaking substance to a tank, with SSFD standing by onsite to monitor the situation. SSFD had a station crew at the site around 11 p.m. Tuesday night and at 8 a.m. Wednesday with an engine as well.
SSFD officials reported the fuel was still leaking at 8 a.m. July 7. State officials from several agencies which have oversight of these types of situations, including Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have been contacted and were expected to visit the site Wednesday. Once the flow is stopped, cleanup can begin, and is expected to take multiple days, city officials reported.
Tuesday evening, 18-wheelers that pulled into Pilot to refuel with diesel had to make a U-turn in the parking lot and seek fuel elsewhere, as the pump for diesel was taken out of service due to the ongoing situation.
Charlotte Turner Memorial CASA Fundraiser
By Savannah Everett
On Saturday July 3rd, Alliance Bank hosted the annual Charlotte Turner Memorial fundraiser for Hunt County CASA. It was a huge success with around 40 cars, trucks and motorcycles registered. Bunches of car enthusiasts came out to support CASA. There were cars from every era. Refreshments were available, and there were fun trivia games and prizes!
CASA was able to raise $500 from the Journey Golf Cart Giveaway, and $700 in car registrations. The amount of community support for Hunt County CASA was inspiring.
Senator Bob Hall and Representative Bryan Slaton shared a “resolution to the family of late Charlotte Turner, a dedicated volunteer and board member for CASA for Hunt County.”
David Bench won the 50/50 raffle.
Best in Show-Car Winner: Phillip Johnson
Best in Show-Truck Winner: Billy Hoggy
Best in Show-Motorcycle Winner: Gary Mulaney
Check out photos from the event!
Hicks: Youth Skills Camp Rapidly Approaching and 2021 Arts & Crafts Show
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County
Youth Skills Camp Rapidly Approaching
It’s baaaaack! After being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the 2021 Youth Skills Camp is coming back face-to-face. We have a great line-up of activities for the youth.
But first, a bit of explanation is due for those who are unfamiliar with Skills Camp.
For several years, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Hopkins County Community Health/Wellness Alliance offered “Kids’ Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness” for students who had completed grades 1 thru 4 (We how partner with the SSISD Summer Day Camp program). Numerous students attended until they ‘aged out.’
In order to keep the momentum going, we developed Skills Camp for students who had completed grades 5 and 6.
Skills camp is exactly that – usable, viable skills that can be used in everyday life. In 2020, we offered grab-and-go kits to complete at home.
This year, we will hold the camp face-to-face. After brainstorming with committee members and reviewing feedback from past Skills Camps, three topics were selected. The 2021 camp will offer some topics that have never been provided, and some of the sessions will be a bit more in-depth.
Here are the details:
- What: 2021 Skills Camp
- Who: Hopkins County students going in to grade 6 & 7
- When: July 19, 20, 21
- Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Hopkins County office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs
- Time: 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
- Cost: no charge this year
Topics for the camp will be:
- Fun with Foods: campers will learn about food safety (cross-contamination, hand hygiene, etc.), measuring dry and liquid ingredients, how to use an oven and microwave, reading and following a recipe, and more. They will prepare a main dish side dish, salad, and dessert and will get to eat what they prepare. Master Wellness Volunteers will assist me in leading this session.
- Public Speaking/ Impromptu Speaking: campers will work in groups to participate in these activities and learn to think creatively
- Horticulture: Hopkins County Master Gardeners have some great hands-on activities to teach the youth about various topics. Great give-aways will be presented.
To sign up, please contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443. Please note that participation is limited to the first 15 students.
2021 Arts & Crafts Show
These two events are in the books for October 22 and 23, 2021. Letters to previous Hopkins County Fall Festival Arts & Crafts Show vendors will go out later in July. This should be a great year! People are getting out and doing more, and they are ready for fall!
The Arts & Crafts Show is for non-commercial exhibitors to sell hand-made items. This is one of my favorite events of the year! There are so many talented, creative artisans and they have one-of-a-kind items that make great gifts for yourself or others.
If you would like to be added to the vendor list, please contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 and we’ll send you the information.
The Arts & Crafts Show will take place in the Sulphur Springs High School cafeteria and north entrance on Friday, October 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday, October 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no cost to enter, but bring your wallet! You won’t be able to resist the unique items for sale!
Closing Thought
There is joy in the journey when you journey with Jesus
Jill Lowry
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B W. Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]
Police, Deputies Interrupt Theft In Progress At Local Business
Police officers and deputies interrupted a theft in progress early Wednesday morning at a local business. They arrested a man who tried to run from the authorities, but was quickly apprehended.
On July 7, 2021 at approximately 2 a.m., Sulphur Springs Police Department and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office responded to Nor-Tex for a theft in progress. Upon arrival, Officers located the east gate open and a running side by side just inside the fence. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deployed their K9 and the suspect was located lying in the bushes on the property. The suspect fled from officers and a Taser was utilized to take the suspect into custody, according to a news release from SSPD Chief Jason Ricketson.
A U-Haul truck was located at a nearby business with ATV ramps coming out the back door. Officers located two more sets of ramps, drills, crowbar, bolt cutters, and other miscellaneous tools in the U-Haul truck.
The suspect was found to have in his possession the key to the U-Haul truck. The suspect was arrested and later identified as Moses Jerome McLaurin, 39 years of age. The investigation is ongoing, with multiple charges being filed, according to the medial release.
Arrest reports show suspected cocaine was found in a GMC C5500 truck associated with the man. While being booked into jail, officers learned he’d provided incorrect information when asked to identify himself. He is also known by Kamaron Dentrell Lewis and Moses Jayrome McLaurin, according to arrest reports. Jail reports also so he’s known to have used the alias Tammy Renee Newby as well.
McLaurin has been charged with theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000, possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, evading arrest or detention, failure to identify as a fugitive by intentionally giving false information, as well as warrants for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, receiving stolen goods, and out of Mississippi a Department of Corrections parole violation and larceny warrant, according to Hopkins County jail reports.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department would like to thank the Hopkins Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in apprehending the suspect, Ricketson stated in the press release.
