Reported Gang Member who Claimed To Have No ID, Caught With Another Man’s IDs In A Vehicle Stolen From Beaumont Hotel in April
A reported gang member who claimed to have no IDs was caught with another man’s IDs. Those IDs were last seen in a vehicle stolen from a Beaumont hotel in April, according to arrest reports.
(HCSO jail photo)
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Thomas Wallace first contacted the man around 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 25, 2021. He reported stopping Dylan Griffith for having an unreadable or damaged license plate. When contacted by the highway patrol, the eastbound Jeep Compass was driven to the next exit on Interstate 30 near mile marker 131. The vehicle eventually stopped on the shoulder of the road. The red Jeep had a license plate number registered to a female passenger.
When told the reason for the stop and asked for his identifying information, the driver denied having a driver’s license or any form of ID. He exited the vehicle as requested and wrote down a name and date of birth. When checked, a records search showed no matching records. He claimed not to know his Social Security number and had never been issued a Texas ID card or driver’s license.
The passenger was removed from the car and detained while the trooper searched the Compass. Williamson reported finding a Texas driver’s license and Social Security card issued to another man as well as a debit card issued to Dylan Griffith.
The man eventually admitted to being Griffith. A records check showed the 37-year-old to be wanted by the US Marshals Service for violation of parole, which he was on for possession of a firearm or weapon. DPS officials confirmed the warrant to be active.
Griffith, however, denied any knowledge about the driver’s license and Social Security card issued to a man by another name. He told the trooper they weren’t his – and they belong to someone else. They were found among items with his identifying information on them inside the vehicle.
Williamson contacted the emergency point of contact associated with the driver’s license and Social Security card and learned both were in a vehicle that had been reported stolen from a Beaumont hotel in April 2021. The trooper left a message for Beaumont police detectives who were reported to be handling the case,
Griffith then claimed the items as his, stating that he didn’t want the passenger to get into trouble for them. When asked if he had stolen the car they were in, Griffith allegedly denied ever hearing of Beaumont, the place the male on the cards is from. The man, identified in arrest reports as a gang member, claimed one of his connections knew his situation and had given the ID cards to him.
Williamson took Griffith into custody for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, failure to identify as a fugitive by intentionally giving false information and on the US Marshals weapon charge.
Griffith, who is also known as D, Dillan Griffith, Dylan Gerald Griffith, Dylon Gerald Griffith, Dryan Griffith and Gringo, remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, June 26, 2021, in lieu of a $5,000 bond on the fraud charge, a $2,000 charge on the fail to ID charge and was held on the US Marshals weapon charge.
Hopkins County Records – June 25, 2021
Land Deed Transactions
- Kaci Morgan Crowson and Triad Learning Systems Inc.; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Charles R. Leigh-Manuell and Charlotte Leigh-Manuell to Ginger Diane Standridge and Joseph Shea Standridge; tract in the James Webb survey
- Betty L. Jones and Roger L. Jones to Elohim Investments Homes and Omega Marketing; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Lisa Josey and Rodney Josey to Eduardo Salazar to Juana R. Martinez; tract in the John Voss survey
- Fred Lee Shaw to Larry D. Shaw; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Manuel Gomez to Jose Alfredo Gomez; tract in the George Wetmore survey
- Charles Allen Patterson and Jennifer Lynn Patterson to Holly Hill and Jacob Parker; tract in the William Bone survey
- Emile Louis Gebel Jr. and Tiffany Sims Gebel to Melissa Harris and Rebecca Beezley Wix; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Deborah M. Osburn and Donald J. Osburn to Joie R. Chapman and Terance Chapman; tract in the G. Neely survey
- Christopher Rosamond and Rosey74 Inc. to Christina Hall; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- McIlrath Properties LLC to Taylor Renee Hernandez
- John H. Heilman to Gail W. Scott
- Kenneth H. Geiger to Vivian S. Geiger Krepack; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Delgado Properties LLC to Gregory Wayne Wright and Roger Allen Wright; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Jimmy E. Davis, Randy Davis and Brenda Gail Harred Hallmark to Darron Wayne Harred and Karen Harred; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Jackie Beau Alcorn, independent executor and trustee for the Kathryn Palmer Williams Estate and the Todd Ray Williams Trust to Barbara Darity and Phillip Darity; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Brandon Doyle Reed and Jennifer Reed to Kevin Ray Humphries; tract in the Henry McCauley survey
- James Lee Teetes and Layne N. Teetes to Jennifer McCaffrey Pederson and Scott Alan Pederson; tract in the West Oaks Addition
- Aide G. Vallejo and Enrique Vallejo Sr. to Shea Shaw and Shelby Shaw; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Charles Edgar and Donna Edgar to Belinda Collier; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Crystal Allen Campbell to Monica Medina Castro and Martin M. Medina; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Laura Badgett and William Chance Badgett to Lori Gelalich Weisenburg and Wilson Tharpe Weisenburg; tract in the Burrel C. Shepherd survey
- Brooke S. Hayward to Aaron Dakota Brown and Nancy Dakota; tract in the John S. Bowen survey
- Robin D. Boggs, who is the same person as Robin D. Sowell, to Christopher Boggs; tract in the Thomas Stewart survey
- Uriel Hernandez to Esmeralda Hernandez; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Melanie Ingram to Kenneth Ingram; tract in the Joseph Cloud survey
- Bobby Wayne Lewis, Damione Lewis, Scotty Lewis and Silvana Masiero Lewis to Troy Geraci and Landis Klika; tract in the William Jacobs survey
- Brenda Reed and Mark Reed to Rhonda Faye Phillips and Tommy Ray Phillips; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Aeron Elizabeth Wallace and Bradley Scott Wallace to James Edward Williams III and Leslie Nicole Williams; tract in the David Waggoner survey
- Alfredo Gomez and Margarita Gomez to Melissa Harris and Rebecca Wix; tract in the Elizabeth Melton survey
- Judy Garrett to Deborah Jan Coffey and James Ray Coffey; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Aaron Heath Beggs and Tiffany Pelham Beggs to Brenda Andrus; tract in the Ocela Barb survey
- Orlando Gaspar to Moises Gaspar and Salvador Gaspar; tract in the Robert Earp survey
- Tina McIntire, Alfredo Reyes and Hortencia Reyes to Alfredo Lopez; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Tina McIntire, Alfredo Reyes and Hortencia Reyes to Alfredo Lopez; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Sapphire Group LLC to Tiffany Sims Gebel; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Clinton R. Bradford and Jodi Oxford Bradford to Jennifer Lynn McCoy-Wall and Ronald Timothy Wall III; tract in the Agaton Caro survey
- Keri Jetton, who is the same person as Keri Taylor, and Hesston Taylor to CMI Levee LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Lee Edwin Warren and Myra Warren to Austin Dyer and Michael Dyer; tract in the John Norris survey
- Delayne Dillard and Kim Dillard to Courtney Dillard and Sean Ditto; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Halee Fulk to Mariah Shae McGary; tract in the James Barrett survey
- Johnie Childs to Tanya Childs Souleimane; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- David Daniel Smith to Jerry W. Alexander and Joanna Sharon Alexander; tract in the Henry P. Barron survey
- Joanna Sharon Alexander to David Daniel Smith and Rebecca Jolene Smith; tract in the Henry P. Barron survey
- Charis Kendrick and Steven Randolph to Amy Anthony, Craig anthony, Ashley Early and Robert Early; tract in the Thomas Lee survey
- Joel Williams and Julie Williams to Bryan Justin Carter and Shakeatha Devone Carter; tract in the Country Club Estates
- Gerardo Contreras and Mirna Contreras to Alberto Morales Ramires
- Glenn F. Webb and Paula Webb to Patrick Douglas Callahan; tract in the Thomas Lee survey
- Byrd L. Bonner and Daniel Edwin Bonner Jr, both independently and as independent co-executors for the Lou Jane Bonner Estate, to Jean Wilcox Smart; tract in the Elizabeth Melton survey
- Maria De Los Angela Aguilar Castro and Alier Macedo Sanchez to Jessica Nicole Brooks and Jonathan Bill Brooks; tract in the Levi P. Dikes survey
- Lisa Ann Dyer to Mike Peoples; tract in the Edward Hunter survey
- Kelli Leigh Geraci and Troy Geraci to Bobby Lee Metcalf and Lakan Metcalf; tract in the John Polk survey
- Jared Reece Caddell, Jeff Alan Caddell, Kimberly Caddell and Melissa Caddell to Ali K. Newsom and Jonathan A. Newsom; tract in the Troy M. Thomas survey
- Angela Denise Blount, Larry Blount, Robert Stidham, Sandra Carlene Stidham independently and as independent executor for the Holly Tilley Estate, Michelle Tilley, Randal Claud Tilley, Carol Ann Worsham and Don Worsham to Willie West Garrett; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Hayley Gaines to Alanna Forsyth and Manuel Fox; tract in the Henry L. Ward survey
- Kendra Lisa Ulrich Korthauer and Jason Sven Ulrich to Jonathan Verner Ulrich and Lucas Dane Ulrich; tract in the AB Hudson survey
- Jose Hernandez Lira to Amadeo Miranda; tract in the RC Smith survey
- Cynthia Barnes to Kimberly A. Holmes and Tim L. Holmes; tract in the S. Norris survey
- Edward L. Martin to Lee Warren and Myra Warren; tract in the E. Esparsa survey
- Brandy Fisher and Stanley L. Fisher to Joan Dyer and Tony Dyer; tract in the Jose YBarbo survey
- Clydie Secules and Lynn Secules to Cynthia Elizabeth Secules and Jeffrey Lynn Secules; tract in the Berry West survey
- Tudor Manor Apartments LLC to SAM Apartments LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Eleanor A. Swan, as trustee and successor trustee for the Swan Trust and the Wells Trust, to Tudor Manor Apartments LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Kris Childress and Lisa Childress to Jesse Butler and Alysia White; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Cleveland Hooten and Melissa Hooten to Ben Edward Wilson and Diane Gail Wilson; tract in the Ulysses Aiguier survey]
- Sulphur Springs Hopkins County Economic Development to JBW RE Holdings LLC; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Dane Scroggins and Heather Scroggins to Allen Stuart Bruce II and Belinda June Bruce; tract in the H. Anderson survey
- Kim Ung to Phon Hang; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Gaylon Hume to Jose D. Benitez; tract in the James Barrett survey
- Melissa Dawn Clark to Cephis Gregory; tract in the James Webb survey
- John Heilman to Kelly Burnett; tract in the WHH Hopkins survey
- John Heilman and Rick Henderson to Larry Bowen
- Kathleen Willingham and Timothy W. Willingham to Amanda N. Willingham; tract in the Helena Nelson survey
- Connie Payne and James Payne to John Griffin and Tricia Griffin; tract in the Samuel Burke survey
- Catherine J. Gonyea and Williams J. Gonyea to Danny Lynn Weems and Lynda Kay Weems; tract in the C. Musgrave survey
- Duncan Small to Bill Aslan who is also known as FB Aslan
- Michel Jerome Friskes to Daylon Swearingen; tract in the Helena Nelson survey
- Billy J. Sharber and Lisa A. Sharber to Amberly Hadnot and Khary Hadnot; tract in the James Barrett survey
- Ann Morrill Roberts and Anthony Craig Roberts to Brandy Michelle Fisher and Stanley Lloyd Fisher; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Justin Mattingly to Lonnie D. White and Pamela J. White; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- SDI Sulphur Springs Real Estate LTD to AFG SR RE II LLC; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin s
Applications for Marriage Licenses
- Joe Wendell Clair and Sherry Lee Smiddy
- William Robert Hatch and Carolyn Susan Bellavance
- Michael Wayne Warrington and Rita Diane Hulse
- John Dwayne Christie and Janette Marie Christie
- Tynan Darrell Lee and Rosemarie Swaim
- Benjamin Nevin Bass and Michala Lauren Davis
- Keithan Dexter Abron and Traci Denise Abron
- Andrew Wade Forsman and Story Elizabeth Thompson
- Shaun Tyler Fender and Eunice Leon
- Tyrik Rashad Rollison and Justice Cheyanne Floyd
- Juan Alberto Olivo-Garza and Alondra Guadalupe Mojica
- David Estrada and Maria Celeste Gonzalez
- Steven Dewayne Pruitt and Buffy Lyn Battles
- Branson Cole McGill and Lorena Castro
- Charles Nethan Frazier and Shelia Kay Jenkins
3 Men Jailed In Hopkins County On Controlled Substance, Related Warrants
Three men were jailed in Hopkins County Thursday on controlled substance and related warrants, including a man spotted driving a tractor, one arrested in Lamar County and one found at a rural residence.
CR 4798 Tractor Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Aaron Chaney and Sgt. Scott Davis spotted a tractor being operated on FM 2285 near County Road 4760 Thursday night. While that alone might not be unusual for a county road nor grounds for a traffic stop, the identity of the tractor operator was. Deputies recognized him as Brian Chace Bass, a 34-year-old Saltillo man wanted on two felony charges.
Deputies let Bass to operate the tractor until it could be parked on the CR 4798 property where it belonged and where they had also received a tip that the man had been residing. The man was taken into custody at 10:21 p.m. June 24, 2021, and transported to the county jail.
Bass remained in Hopkins County jail Friday afternoon, June 25, 2021, on the warrants for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and tampering with physical evidence charges; His bonds totaled $45,000: $35,000 on the controlled substance charge and $10,000 on the tampering charge, according to jail reports. The offenses, according to arrest reports, are alleged to have occurred on June 16, 2021.
The arrest marked the second time this month that Bass has been jailed locally. He was also booked June 17 on an expired registration charge, then released later that day.
CR 4615 Warrant Arrest
(HCSO jail photo)
HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis and Deputy Justin Wilkerson Thursday evening were made aware of an outstanding warrant for Christopher Lee Skeen Jr.‘s arrest. The deputies traveled to the man’s County Road 4615 residence, located him and served the warrant.
The 22-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody at 7:52 p.m.. He was booked on the warrant for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. The offense is alleged to have occurred on June 16, 2021.
Skeen remained in Hopkins county jail on the controlled substance charge. He had his bond revoked on a forgery of financial instrument charge. Bond was set at $35,000 on the controlled substance charge. He was held Friday, June 25, 2021, on the bond revocation charge.
Jail reports show he was first arrested June 25, 2020, on a warrant for the forgery charge on and was released from jail the next day on a $5,000 bond.
Lamar County Arrest
(HCSO jail photo)
A 42-year-old Mesquite man was arrested in Lamar County on a Hopkins County warrant. Anthony Keith Byrd Sr. was transported to Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kevin Lester escorted him into the jail at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Byrd was booked at 3:53 p.m. into jail on the warrant for bond forfeiture on a violation of probation-possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges. He was held in Hopkins County jail Friday, June 25, 2021, without bond on the charge.
The arrest marked the second time this year that Byrd has been in custody in Hopkins County jail. He spent March 4 through March 18, 2021 in the county jail on for violation of probation, which he was on for the Dec. 14, 2018 controlled substance charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Treasurer’s Office Adding Deputy Position At No Additional Cost To The County
Fire Marshal To Serve On Board Of Water Planning Board
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Friday selected Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley to serve on a water planning board and agreed, in the spirit of county efficiency, on adding treasury deputy position.
Treasury Deputy Position
Hopkins County Treasurer Danny Davis asked the Commissioners Court to approve staff restructuring, creating a deputy treasurer’s position in his office.
“With the help of the Court, we are restructuring the Treasurer’s Office, moving a position at zero cost to the county, that is in the HR department to line up statutorily with my duties – kind of like we did with the Veterans Service Office – then, merging it back in to where the Treasury Office takes on more responsibility,” Davis explained. ” It’s streamlined across the state what the actual duties of that office are. Again there will be zero cost to the county by moving that position back over to the Treasurer’s Office. That position will then in turn take on the treasury deputy responsibility so that person will be named the treasury deputy as well.”
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook noted, however, that moving the position from HR to the Treasurer’s Office would require a budget amendment.
“It’s just simply moving the funds from the admin. office for the position and the insurance. It will be a budget amendment to move the money into the Treasurer’s Office. It’s no cost to the county. It’s just laterally moving the money from one department to another,” Aulsbrook said.
Having a deputy treasurer would mean someone would be in the office at all times during business hours. This will be extremely helpful. For instance, if he leaves the office to go to lunch or is out on vacation, the deputy treasurer would be able to legally collect and deposit funds, instead of another department having to hold the funds at the county until Davis’ return. The deputy treasurer will be required to attain about 20 hours of training annually.
“I think it’s great. It makes perfect sense,” Aulsbrook added.
Barker concurred that having a deputy treasurer is a good move, and made the motion to amend the budget as required and designate a county treasury deputy position. Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin second the motion, which received the unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court.
Water Board Nomination
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker Friday told the Commissioners Court that he has been serving on the board North East Regional Water Planning Group, but today is stepping down for personal, family reasons. He submitted a letter to Judge Robert Newsom asking that the Commissioners Court accept his resignation.
Barker nominated Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley to replaced him as the county’s representative on the water board.
“I have been to some of their meetings. I generally have been attending the meetings through the Zoom meetings online. I attended one yesterday. I feel like its just a vital role not only to our county to be part of water planning but also it heavily involves the fire service side, environmental – everything, all the aspects that we do in our field, it totally involves all of it. We definitely need representation here. I’d be honored to take that appointment if chosen,” Endsley told the Commissioners Court during their regular meeting Friday.
The motion to nominate Endsley to serve in Barker’s place on the board of North East Regional Water Planning Group was seconded by Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley, then unanimously approved by Commissioners Court June 25, 2021.
Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs News
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center
Public Information Services
Summer II at PJC offers students options
Whether home from university for the summer or just graduated from high school, students will benefit by taking Summer II classes at Paris Junior College starting Monday, July 12.
Graduating seniors from area high schools who have yet to apply to PJC may use the scholarship covering tuition to a Summer II class.
“We’re offering classes required in PJC degree plans,” said Dr. Pam Anglin, PJC President. “Why not take advantage of a free class that applies to your degree?”
The five-week classes are designed for transfer to public universities in Texas, helping students reach their education goals more quickly. Many in-person classes are available for those who prefer to learn that way, and online classes for students more partial to that mode of learning.
Sulphur Springs in-person classes offer biology, anatomy, microeconomics, composition, federal and Texas government, U.S. history, multiple levels of math, sociology, music appreciation, psychology, public speaking, and wellness.
In Greenville, in-person classes include business computer applications, biology, anatomy, introduction to computers, microeconomics, composition, federal and Texas government, U.S. history, multiple levels of math, sociology, psychology, and wellness.
In-person classes in Paris cover biology, anatomy, theater appreciation, microeconomics, composition, federal and Texas government, U.S. history, multiple levels of math, sociology, and wellness.
Online classes include art, music and theater appreciation; business computer applications, nutrition, anatomy, biology, microbiology, mass communications, introduction to computing, macroeconomics, composition, literature, government, history, world civilization, multiple levels of math classes; kinesiology subjects, physics, sociology, Spanish, and public speaking.Students who have not yet applied may go to www.parisjc.edu/apply or contact [email protected], 903-885-1232 in Sulphur Springs, 903-454-9333 in Greenville, or 903-782-0425 in Paris. Scholarship information is available at www.parisjc.edu/scholarships.
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.
Commerce Baseball Has Eight Athletes Chosen to All-District Team
A total of eight Tigers earned spots on the District 12-3A All-District Baseball Team released recently by Coach Britt Melton.
One tiger made the First Team All-District: senior infielder Gauge Elliott.
Chosen Second Team All-District are pitchers Colby Lewis, catcher Brody Baumann, IF Wade Nicholson, OF J’den Wilson, who signed to play QB at Stephen F. Austin earlier this year, and finally DH Myles Boyd.
Honorable Mention selections for District 12-3A from Commerce are Darren Beal and Alec Moseley.
Tigers earning Academic All-District status were Alec Moseley, IF Gauge Elliott, IF Wade Nicholson, OF J’den Wilson, and catcher Brody Baumann.
The Commerce Tigers baseball team missed out on the postseason during the 2020-2021 school year after the team struggled down the home stretch.
While they were able to close out their season with a blow-out victory at Lone Oak on Apr. 30, the Tigers went 3-5 during the month of April, according to their gamechanger page.
The Commerce Tigers baseball team concluded their 2021 season with a 6-16-2 overall record, according to their gamechanger page.
Health Insurance, New Equipment, Printer Contracts Approved
Hopkins County Commissioners approved an employee health insurance plan, printer contract, and a new equipment purchase during Friday’s regular court session.
Health Insurance
The Commissioners Court approved the Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool plan, the health insurance program for county employees. The plan will provide the same coverage that county employees currently receive. The plan will begin on Oct. 1, 2021. To keep the deductible the same will cost an addition $52.04 per employee. The total will be $727.96 per employee per month. The increase will cost the county an additional $9,107 per month, County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook told the Commissioners Court.
“I was at a meeting earlier this week with a number of county judges. Some counties pay part of the fees of employees. Hopkins County is able to pay 100 percent for the employees, however, not of their children or spouse,” County Judge Robert Newsom noted.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker made a motion, which was seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin, to approve the TAC HEBP plan for Hopkins County. The motion for health insurance at the same coverage level for an increase in cost to the county was unanimously approved by the Commissioners Court.
Equipment Purchase
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price presented for court approval the purchase of an $82,975 backhoe from Nor-Tex through BuyBoard. The contract will have a warranty that extends beyond the term outlined in the factory warranty.
“We got three of them. Some of them have got as high as 6,000 hours on them. We’ve had trouble here lately with one or two that weren’t running at all. We felt like we needed one more to make sure we’ve got one that will run,” Price said.
The county is not required to go out for bids on the purchase because it is through the purchasing cooperative, Aulsbrook noted.
Price made the motion, which was seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin, to approve the purchase of a B96C backhoe for Precinct 4 from Nor-Texas through BuyBoard cooperative. The motion received the unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court.
Copier/Printer Contracts
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tanner Crump told deputies the copier/printer units at HCSO “keep malfunctioning.” That has required the company they are leased from to be called to the sheriff’s office to check and work on the units to ensure they are functional.
The sheriff’s office’s current lease agreement was made with Advantage Copy Systems, a local company reported in the fall to have been acquired by Datamax. Newsom said Datamax contacted him directly about the serious problem the sheriff’s office has been experiencing with the printer/copier equipment and has proposed two new lease agreements for new Cannon copier/printers, one for the main HCSO use and another for the department’s CID department, at a rate that will be lower than is currently being paid for the service.
“If the price went down, that’s very positive,” Crump said.
“My understanding is this is going to be even better than what you had before,” Newsom said.
Crump noted the monthly fee includes toner, which can be expensive to replace. The sheriff’s offices, Crump estimated, uses about as much toner each month to equal the $165.59 per month lease contract per unit.
Newsom made the motion, which was seconded by Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley, to approve the 60-month lease agreements for copier/printer units for HCSO and the department CID as proposed. The motion received unanimous approval from the Commissioners Court.
Other Items
The Commissioners Court approved the consent agenda which included the minutes from the June 14 regular Commissioners Court meeting and the work session which immediately followed that meeting that Monday morning as well as a request from Oncor Electric Delivery Company to construct electrical power distribution facilities that will cross under Shiloh Road, northeast of Loop 301 in Precinct 3, just outside Sulphur Springs city limits. The court too agreed to payment of bills, revenues and expenses, payroll and financial statements.
Reports from both constables’ offices, district clerk, environmental inspector and environmental law enforcement, AgriLife Extension office, fire department, both justices of the peace offices, sheriff, tax assessor collector and treasurer’s office were received by the Commissioners Court and entered into the official record.
Don Julian Retiring After 41 Years In Broadcasting
Community Invited To Join Julian’s KSST Family and Friends On Monday As They Celebrate The Sports Director
Don Julian has turned in his microphone and press pass to enjoy life and games on his own schedule after more than 40 years in broadcasting, the last 15 of which have been as news and sports broadcaster for KSST/Channel 18. While he won’t be gracing the airwaves, retirement doesn’t mean Julian is giving up sports for good. You’re likely to see him in the stands at a few games, out on his usual walk, and about town.
Looking Back
Julian received his formal training at Baylor University, graduating in 1973. He graduated and had an interview on a Friday, then reported for work on Monday morning. With the exception of a few gaps between jobs, he has worked consistently in broadcasting ever since. He spent 1973-1990 working in Central Texas, in the Killeen and Waco areas, worked for 7 years in the Sacramento area before returning to Texas, including time working in public TV.
He had moved to Sulphur Springs, where his parents lived, and was working at Walmart when he was encouraged to submit a resume at KSST. Before too long, he got the call to join KSST where he has spent what he calls the final 15-year chapter of his career in public broadcasting.
Typically, the times between radio and TV jobs were due to radio stations selling and changing formatting and staffing. At least twice, the radio station he was working for sold and his position as a health broadcaster and news broadcaster were eliminated, leaving him without work, Julian noted.
That, he said, was not the case for KSST, when the station sold to Chad and Rhonda Young, after the passing of station founder Bill Bradford. The KSST employees kept their jobs.
Julian confided his career began with work behind the scenes, as there were no news jobs there at that time, only production jobs. Others had already filled all the news jobs. He spent three or four months doing production work before someone left, so he auditioned for a news job. After some persistence, he was in.
Julian has worked both in radio and TV, for public and private broadcasting over the last 40-plus years. Most of his career he worked in broadcast news. He’s worked for PBS and in Waco was on the Morning Show. Aside for the last few years at KSST, he recalls filling in one time on a sports desk.
During the last five decades, Julian said, the industry – radio especially has changed so much. When he first began his career, there used to be more radio news staff. He recalls a time when radio news personnel from three to four different radio stations staffed every commissioners court and city council meeting in the cities where he worked. By his second go round in Temple, however, that had changed. The focus was more on TV news, and he often found himself the only radio news reporter present. When he was hired in 2006, he quickly learned KSST Radio was and remains a vital source of local news and sports.
“Bill Bradford was the exception. He was a big believer of covering news and gatherings,” Julian noted. Bradford, Julian noted, would give as much recognition to as many as possible when covering a competitive event, whether reading off the name of each student involved in sports or to recognize academic UIL, band, FFA or 4-H accomplishments.
Don Julian’s regular beat at KSST has included visits with the school board, county officials, police and sheriff’s office staff to collect crime news, which he noted were briefer, with just the pertinent important details.
KSST and Sulphur Springs, Julian found, are unique – the focus remains on community. On Channel 18, instead of the usual 10-to-15- second sound bites that many news outlets give, the team is afforded the opportunity to conduct longer interviews.
It was not uncommon, back in the days when Patsy Bolton was a top administrator at Sulphur Springs ISD, to stop by and talk to her from 1 to 3 or even 5 minutes at a time, he recalled. With 30-minute news slots to fill on Channel 18, interviews could be up to 10 minutes each.
Julian followed in Bradford’s tradition when calling games; he tried to mention as many participants as possible who contributed. Instead of focusing more on their troubles on the field, he tried to find something positive to say. He relishes good stories, and tries to remember that while not every story seems of earth-shattering importance to many, a good solid story is important to the person you are talking to.
While the very nature of sports is competition, Julian’s game reporting is also a reflection of the man himself – always quick to offer praise to those who work hard for their valuable contributions to the team. He offers credit to the top scorers and outstanding athletes on the home team as well as their opponents.
Julian said when he gets in a groove, and may get a little excited during a game, he tries to be fair to both teams. “There’s no doubt who I support. I try not to be 100 percent the home team. I try not to fry the competition; I try to keep it down the middle. For instance, if a player makes a great catch, I do not care which uniform they have on. I might say a player was robbed, but I try not to cross the line,” Julian said.
Julian always makes a concerted effort to acknowledge those students who go the extra mile on the field and off. He recognizes that while not all students can make the scoring basket or be the ace pitcher, without the contribution of all participants, the team could not be successful. He celebrates the personal victories and achievements for the students and coaches.
He has spent untold hours at event practices, in the stands and press box, calling games, collecting stories, noting when students beat their own personal best record. He learns about the students, shares anecdotes and offers encouragement. He tracks those personal victories, and not just those of athletes.
“I have been here 13 years working with Don. What a blessing to this community he has been. Don knows it is and always will be about the kids. He always wanted to highlight their effort and representation of our community. He knew the value of a player’s family hearing good things about their kid,” said SSHS Math Teacher and Football/ Track Coach Matt Young.
“Don’s first interview on the coach’s show was my first time as well,” said Jerrod Hammack, Head Baseball Coach at Sulphur Springs High School for the last 16 years. “Over the course of these last 16 years, we have become good friends. Whenever we see one another at other sports games, we always talk at length. Many times, after the coach’s show, we would sit and talk for another hour. Don has always been professional yet with a down home touch. He really cares about Sulphur Springs athletics and does a great job of putting the spotlight on our athletes.”
Coach Young said a few “great things” about working with Don Julian at soccer games are his stories and his patience. He explained that he learned so much about the game and Julians’ “attention to detail” while running the clock next to Juian, who was “doing radio, at the games.
“I loved hearing stories about Don’s past. From small town TV to covering and attending various athletic events to his interaction with Temple football to being in California, he has seen and been a part of a ton. Finally, he was so patient with all of us – definitely a blessing to work with,” Coach Young said.
Over the last 15 years and 3 months, Julian said by his rough calculations, he has had the pleasure of calling over 300 Wildcat and LadyCat Basketball games, approximately 200 football games, more than 100 baseball and softball games, as well as a number of volleyball games for KSST. Some have only been radio broadcasts and some TV only, sometimes due to the conflict of KSST staff or Channel 18 as a Rangers affiliate.
For especially big events such as the annual Chamber Banquet, they’d standby to do cut-ins about the game. Other times Channel 18/KSST Videographer Doug Haston wasn’t able to attend some games, so Julian did those by himself. Those times, as in all events, he worked to the best of his ability to give as good a broadcast as possible.
Some things, such as equipment failure or service outages, just can’t be controlled. For instance, he and Haston were out at an event when the equipment malfunctioned, scorching it. They brought it back to Bradford, who had a knack for making things work and building things. They expected to have to replace the unit entirely, lamented Julian. However, about a week later Bradford brought it back, saying simply, “I fixed it.”
“He made the equipment. He could work on any of it,” Julian recalled with a grin.
(That’s Don, though, always ready to share a smile and laugh, noticing and acknowledging even the small kindnesses and the contributions of all of his coworkers.)
“Don is a kind and professional man and will be missed,” said Matt Janson, KSST production manager.
In 2016, Julian decided to “semi” retire – which meant he planned to reduce his workload to 30-40 hours a week. To him, that meant covering only sports – and band, of course, because Charles McCauley would have had it no other way.
He has, however, stepped up for KSST’s broadcast of Sulphur Springs and Cumby high school graduations and even a parade or two, when he had time.
Over the past few years, another challenge KSST has taken on has been the addition of live streaming of Wildcat and Lady Cat games, Julian noted. During the regular season, that means obtaining additional permission from coaches and schools involved to broadcast via radio, livestream and tape for replay prior to each match.
KSST personnel soon learned that streaming does not extend to playoff games, which require jumping through hoops and fees to UIL, who has exclusive rights to those matchups. Even submitting the required paperwork and paying the fee doesn’t guarantee UIL will grant permission to broadcast playoff or postseason sports matchups. So, Julian said, KSST hasn’t streamed playoff games in a while.
During the pandemic, UIL bent the rules a bit, allowing certain streaming as a COVID-19 safety precaution. Fan seating was limited to provide the recommended social distancing at sporting events. Those who were unable or chose not to travel to see the game could catch the livestream on KSST. Still live football, however, is not televised. Even when ESPN televised them, the football games were not televised on Friday nights; those games were on Thursday and Friday. Julian noted one player’s father told him that his child’s grandparents enjoy seeing the grandkids play, but live in West Texas and were unable to travel this fall to see the games. They were able to tune in to the livestream, and didn’t miss the game. He said he was glad to be able to provide that valuable service for families.
Another challenge of livestreaming is that some venues are just not equipped for effective live-streaming. For instance, KSST attempted to live stream the high school graduation this year on YouTube. During test runs the equipment worked as it should. However, having thousands of cell phones in use at one time impacted the WiFi, hotspot and signal. Thus, the attempt to livestream, broadcast on radio and video for playback on KSST was interrupted.
Looking Ahead
After a full career and much consideration, Julian decided this spring was his last season as sports director at KSST.
“This has been a good final chapter to close out my career. The people I work with are great,” Julian said, referring to the many coaches, sponsors, parents and students he’s encountered over the last 15 years as well as the KSST team. “I’ve worked with some great coaches.”
He recalled being told after he completed one Saturday morning Coaches’ Show that his father had died. It meant a lot to him that SSISD Athletic Director Greg Owens, who’d been the featured guest on the show, took the time to offer a prayer for him and to attend his dad’s funeral too. Julian said it has been great working with all of the local coaches, whose goals are to glorify and honor the men and women, boys and girls who play sports for their athletic accomplishments.
Julian explained that the pandemic last year pretty much put him out of business for a few months, forcing him like many others to be at home because there were no sporting events to cover after spring break of 2020. It gave him a small taste of what life in retirement might be like.
He noted that his brother, who retired about a year ago, has also inspired him to retire. His brother has enjoyed several day trips and has even traveled from Colorado Springs to Texas to visit Don a few times.
“This has been a fun, interesting chapter in this book of life. It’s later but not the last chapter. From play by play, sports coverage, watching baseball – it’s been wonderful,” Julian said.
It afforded him the opportunity to work for KSST founder, the late Bill Bradford. Not many, Julian said, can say they’ve worked with legendary Texas broadcasters. Bradford, he said, was very supportive, complimentary, making a point after a game to tell him he sounded good, smooth. It made him feel like a VIP.
“He thought we were the best team in Texas. He was wonderful to work with. Chad was the same way. With the pandemic, he told us to stay safe, work from home as much as possible. He sent us home, but I was not contributing because the coaches weren’t doing anything,” Julian noted. “The schedule I have can be brutal in spring and fall. He never complained when there wasn’t much to do in the summer — I took vacation. He never complained during the slow months — June and July.”
“Don Julian is a seasoned broadcaster who is very good at his craft. We will miss him,” said KSST’s James Terry, who has often worked the control board at KSST when Julian is calling games and announcing at live events.
Don, unlike his predecessors, did not per se have to find his replacement before leaving, KSST Morning Show host Enola Gay Mathews said, referring to what she calls a “long-standing” KSST tradition for permanent employees. Former Sports Director Cecil Savage brought in Jimmy Rogers, then years later, Rogers found Don.
“Fast forward to 2021, Don did not have to seek his own replacement, but that would have been impossible anyway because he could not be duplicated. With a vast knowledge of sports and decades of experience in the television and radio broadcast industry, Don is a total professional and a class act, plus, a heckuva nice guy to work with!” said Mathews.
While he was not responsible for finding his replacement, Julian has been working with Ross Labenske over the last couple of years. Labenske has been gradually increasing his duties at KSST from college intern to staff member, posting stories to www.ksstradio.com, helping call football games and calling LadyCats softball games, enabling KSST to broadcast LadyCat and Wildcat games simultaneously on KSST’s sister station, KRVA.
“Don has been an asset to KSST for the last 15 years, but has decided to enjoy full retirement,” KSST owner Chad Young said. ”We wish him well in all his future endeavors.”
This month, Julian passed the sports microphone off to Labenske, Julian has shown Labenske the ropes of sports broadcasting at KSST, which should make the transition of sports director from Julian to Labenske easier.
“It will be interesting to see,’ Julian said. “They are putting a lot on him quickly. He can handle it. It should be a smooth transition. The boss did not have to do a wide search. This youngster will keep things going.”
Julian will continue to be a part of the community and looks forward to sleeping in a little, fewer late hours unless he chooses them, getting in his regular walks and enjoying the great people of Sulphur Springs – his adopted hometown.
“I have no big plans. I’d like to continue seeing athletic events, sporting events. I hope to continue to do that kind of thing, relax,” Julian said of his plans during retirement. “I felt like it was the right time. I don’t want to stay too long.… The time is right.”
And, who knows, you might see him once in a while at the mic, lending his talents for special events or in the event a little extra help is needed for broadcasts.
KSST will be hosting an appreciation reception Monday, June 28, from 11am to 1pm to allow community members to stop by the studio and wish Don Julian well in his retirement and meet the new sports director, Ross Labenske
Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs News
COMPUTER CODING
Sixth, seventh and eighth graders in the Sulphur Springs area interested in computer coding/programming had the opportunity to learn some of the concepts at a coding camp conducted at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center. Cedric Crawford, instructor in computer information systems at PJC, pictured above with two young campers, is instructing the course along with assistant Alexis Rodriquez.
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.
Lady Cats Head Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell Heading Home to North Lamar
Lady Cats Head Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell has accepted the position as Head Basketball Coach at North Lamar High School. Coach Tisdell confirmed the news by text Wednesday, June 23.
Coach Tisdell created a winning basketball culture in Sulphur Springs as Head Lady Cats Coach for the past 3 seasons.
She had a record of 52-40 overall as Lady Cats Coach but was 15-7 in district play for two of the previous three seasons. Her team captured a Tri-District championship in the 2020-2021 season, sharing the District 15-5A championship with Mt. Pleasant and the Hallsvile Lady Cats.
Coach Tisdell’s highlight season was the most recent season, 2020-2021, as the Lady Cats advanced to the Area round of playoffs for the first time in a long time.
The Lady Cats lost to Royce City in the third round last season 43-21 as they could not overcome the injury sophomore Kenzie Willis suffered in the Bi-District round.
The Lady Cats under Coach Tisdell also advanced to the Bi-District game in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.
The 2018-2019 team set the highest number of wins for a Tisdell-coached squad at 24-8. The Lady Cats lost the Bi-District game versus Jacksonville, the same team that would eliminate them in 2019-2020.
Last season, the Lady Cats were 17-8 and made it to Area. Coach Tisdell’s Lady Cats never missed out on the playoffs in the three years Coach Tisdell coached in Sulphur Springs.
The eight losses from the 2020-2021 match the 2018-2019 season for the lowest number of losses that a Tisdell squad has surrendered in a season.
She is excited about the opportunity to return to North Lamar to coach at her alma mater. Coach Tisdell said she is going to miss the Lady Cats players, Sulphur Springs, and Lady Cats fans for continuously supporting and helping lift the program to new heights.
Coach Tisdell leaves behind a wonderful foundation of a winning culture.
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.
