City Council Approves Negotiated Atmos-ACSC Settlement, Chemical Bids, Application For LED Lighting Conversion Grant
Sulphur Springs City Council this week approved a number of items; bids for water and wastewater treatment chemicals grant application, and a negotiated settlement with Atmos Energy were among the items.
Atmos Settlement
The City Council agreed to allow the city manager to take action regarding a negotiated settlement between Atmos Energy Corporation Mid-Texas Division and Cities Steering Committee regarding Atmos’ 2021 rate review mechanism. The negotiation would declare the existing rates unreasonable, adopt tariffs that reflect rate adjustments consistent with the negotiated settlement and that are just, reasonable and in the public interest; establish a benchmark for pensions and retiree medical benefits; authorize regulatory liability; require Atmos to reimburse the steering group for reasonable rate-making expense; adopt a savings clause; declare an effective date; and require delivery of the resolution to the company and the committee’s legal counsel on behalf of the City of Sulphur Springs.
Sulphur Springs is one of 172 cities served by Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid-Texas Division, who are part of the Atmos Cities Steering Committee. ACSC in 2007 settled a rate application filed by Atmos for an interim rate adjustment referred to as a Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program legislation or GRIP filing. That settlement created a substitute rate for future filings under the GRIP statute.
Since then, the original tariff has been modified several times, the most recent in an ordinance adopted by ACSC in 2018. In April 2021, Atmos filed a rate request claiming that the cost-of-service in a test year ending Dec. 31, 2020, entitled the company to additional system-wide revenues of $43.4 million. Standards in the steering committee’s RRM tariff reduce Atmos’ request to $40.5 million, $29.3 million of which would be applied to ACSC members. ACSC consultants concluded that the system-wide deficiency undr the RRM regime should be $22.34 million instead of $40.5 million. The amount of the $22.34 million deficiency applicable to ACS members would be $16.8 million.
“In the end, they’ve come to $22.7 million as the agreement. That will have an impact of $1.28 for residential rate and $4.03 for commercial rates. Staff recommends approval,” City Manager Marc Maxwell told the council during the regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, Aug. 3, 2021.
That would be an increase of about $1.28 or 2.2 percent on residential and a $4.03 increase on commercial bills
Reinsurance of Health Insurance Program
The City of Sulphur Springs sought proposals for specific stop-loss insurance for the city’s employee health plan. The proposals were to include capture points of $80,000 and $90,000.
“What that means is up to that amount, each covered participant’s claims would be paid directly from the city. If they reached that $80,000-$90,000 mark then the stop-loss insurance would kick in and pick up on that. This year we did not have anybody meet the $80,000 mark so far. Our claims are down for the year and our prescription claims are up, so last year we had a really bad year in terms of our medical plan and our expenses. We did have a better year this year so far,” Sulphur Springs Assistant City Manage/Finance Director Lesa Smith explained.
Last year, the city’s medical claims were up, ending at $1,183,859, with prescriptions at $191,688, for a total of $1,275,547. Through June of this year, city medical claims had decreased, but prescription claims had risen. Medical claims are estimated to be $460,000 and prescription claims estimated at $380,00, for at total of $840,000, with three months of caims remaining in the current budget and two in the health insurance plan, which ends on Aug. 31, 2021. The city budgeted for $955,000 in claims
The proposals sought will pick up where the health policy leaves off, providing additional coverage for employees. City officials looked at fixed cost and what the reinsurance can provide. The city received two proposals, one from Blue Cross and one from Highmark; the latter did not meet the specifications because it did not include firm prices and on two proposals removed the high claimant from the plan. That, Smith noted, would put the city at significant risk for very minimal savings. Responses from three additional reinsurance carriers stated they would not submit a proposal because their rates would not be competitive.
City staff recommended remaining with Blue Cross for insurance and select the $80,000 stop-loss for city employees. By going Blue Cross, the city’s fixed cost would increase by $41,000, which includes administration frees, The total claim charge the city would be responsible for would be $1,797,000. Currently, the city’s is responsible for $1,774,000. Smith said based on a review of all factors, city staff did recommend awarding the contract to Blue Cross at the $80,000 stop-loss amount.
The contract for reinsurance for the city’s employee heath insurance program was awarded to Blue Cross.
Water, Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
The City Council approved the low bids for five different chemicals for the water and wastewater treatment plants. Overall, the chemicals are expected to cost about $102,700 more than they did last year, Sulphur Springs Director of Utilities noted in his memo to the council.
Of the five bids the city received for alum, Chameleon Industries’ low bid of $290 per dry ton received the contract.
The contract for alum copper sulfate blend 2% also went to Chameleon Industries, the $415 per dry ton was the lowest of the three bids submitted.
Brenntag, the only bidder, received the contract to provide chlorine at a rate of $1,370 per ton and sulfur dioxide at a rate of $1,230 per ton.
Chameleon Industries and Chemtrade each bid $0.110 per pound wet weight for liquid ammonium sulfate. However, per State of Texas purchasing policy in the event of a tie bid, the award went to the most local company, Chameleon is a Texas bidder, whereas Chemtrade is not, thus, Chameleon Industries too was awarded the contract to provide liquid ammonium sulfate.
Five companies submitted proposals for ortho/polyphosphate. Chemright’s bid of $0.66 a pound wet weight for ortho/polyphosphate was the lowest, thus the contract is to be awarded to the business.
LED Lighting Conversion Grant
The City of Sulphur Springs is also planning to convert lighting at both city fire stations and the utility distribution office. Smith explained that the Comptroller’s Office offers the opportunity to participate in a grant program to convert to LED lighting.
The City Council authorized the city manger or his designee to prepare and submit an application for an $11,000 Local Government Lighting Conversion grant to Texas Comptroller’s Office. The LED lighting conversion program requires a grant match. If awarded the city would receive $8,800 in grant funding and would be responsible for the remaining $2,200.
“We think that this would be a good thing for the city to do reduce the cost of electricity as well as maintenance. Within the city, we have seen how the conversion to LED has lowered electric costs at the library. Back in 2018 and before that their electric bill was $24,000 a year. Now it’s down to around $9,000 a year. It’s not just because of LEDs, but they did convert every light to LED. We have a lower contract rate and we also upgraded the air conditioning units to a more energy efficient unit. So, the combination of all of that has significantly reduced operating expense for the library,” Smith said.
Maxwell noted that solar panels have already been installed on the south facing side of the roof on Station 1 on Church Street that should be going online in the next couple of days, courtesy of Oncor. The city will be generating power from the panels and with the LED lighting conversion providing more efficient lighting, the station’s electric bill should decline.
Family Member Of Human Trafficking Victim To Speak At Aug. 11 Kiwanis Program
As a service to our community, the Aug. 11, 2021, Sulphur Springs Kiwanis Club program will focus on the huge and growing crisis of human trafficking – including in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, reports Jim Thompson. The public is invited to attend the 30-minute presentation beginning at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall of League Street Church of Christ. (Please use the rear or the west entrance.)
The speaker, Julie Prettyman from Greenville, experienced having a member of her extended family become a victim of human trafficking. She is both knowledgeable and passionate about preventing horrific damage to children and families that are victims of human trafficking for both manual labor and the sex trade, Thompson reports.
For years, worldwide estimates have ranked human trafficking as the number 2 criminal activity, exceeded in dollar value only by drugs. Recent estimates now indicate that human trafficking may now be the number 1 criminal enterprise worldwide, Thompson noted.
The Wednesday Kiwanis meeting is meant to help raise awareness locally so families and children can be on the lookout for warning signs that someone is being targeted.
“Please attend this meeting and help promote the meeting throughout our community verbally and through social media posts so the largest number of people possible can become informed about this very real danger,” Thompson invites, adding, “Prepare to be alarmed. The 30-minute program will end with the opportunity to ask questions.”
Sabine River Authority Awards $20,000 Community Assistance Grant To Hopkins County
The Sabine River Authority of Texas Thursday afternoon awarded a $20,000 Community Assistance Grant to Hopkins County on Aug. 5. The funding, part of SRA’s Fiscal Year 2021 Economic Development Initiative, is the second CAP grant Hopkins County has received from SRA in the past 2 years. SRA also awarded $20,000 to the county for their efforts during the pipeline rupture at Turkey Creek on Oct. 3.
The funds will be used to help complete a command trailer and towing vehicle, which can be used by agencies and entities across the region if needed during situations requiring extended command structure presence. This could be any type of situation, from a manhunt that lasts a couple of hour or EMS event such as a major bus crash, to the type of pipeline rupture which required county officials to be on site for 14 days during the day-to-day clean up or longer.
“The County’s project to leverage federal funds to add to in-kind services to help complete the project of a multi-use/multi-jurisdictional command trailer to use during emergencies is an initiative that SRA supports in its efforts to improve water and wastewater systems throughout the basin,” SRA Executive Vice President and General Manager David Montagne wrote in a letter to Hopkins County regarding the grant award. “SRA looks forward to working with the County in the future as we continue to focus on increasing the economic vitality of the Sabine River Basin.”
Sabine River Authority in the past has awarded 10 Community Assistance Grants each funding cycle. This time the agency is able to award 20 grants. Hopkins County applied for and the SRA Board voted unanimously in July to award a $20,000 grant to Hopkins County to help finish the response unit to be housed locally but available for regional use. The trailer includes six mobile radios that can be programmed for whatever channels are needed for the event, an antenna and generator and an area where coordinators can meet and organize. The truck to be used to haul the response trailer is an ambulance donated by Benson Brothers. It can be used to not only get the trailer to the destination needed, but could then be used to pick up additional trailers or units if needed, according to Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley.
Funds awarded for Community Assistance Program must fall into four project categories: water supply, waste management, water conservation, and water quality. Most are limited to $20,000 per project. To be eligible, applicants must be a government entity, district or a non-profit, member-owned water supply corporation or sewer service corporation located within the Sabine River Basin of Texas.
On hand for the presentation for SRA were Board President Cary “Mac” Abney, Secretary Pro-Tem Jeff Jacobs, and members member Janie Walenta and Jeanette Sterner; Upper Basin Regional Manager Troy Henry; and Terry Wilson. Representing Hopkins County were Commissioners Wade Bartley, Greg Anglin and Joe Price; County Judge Robert Newsom and Fire Marshal Andy Endsley, and Hopkins County Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator Kristy Springfield.
The SRA was created in 1949 as a water conservation and reclamation district. SRA controls, stores, preserves and distributes the waters of the Sabine River and its tributary system for useful purposes. The Sabine River Basin covers a large portion of East Texas, spanning in all or part of 21 counties, which are largely rural and where the population totals more than 551,000, according to the 2010 US Census. Funding for the Community Assistance Program grants come from water sales and other SRA income, which are designated for for the Economic Development Initiative, started in 2002 to help promote the improvement of the quality and quantity of services essential for the development of a viable community.
New Lady Cats Basketball Coach Erica Delley Excited For Opportunity to Coach in Sulphur Springs
The Lady Cats basketball team did not have to wait long for their new head coach.
After news released to KSST in late-June that Brittney Tisdell left Sulphur Springs to return home to coach her alma mater at North Lamar, Coach Greg Owens, athletic director of SSISD, was forced to find a new coach for the Lady Cats as the women’s basketball program was already deep into their summer work-out program, the Edge.
Luckily, Coach Owens found Coach Tisdell’s replacement in nearby Greenville, as Coach Erica Delley was announced as new Lady Cats coach shortly thereafter and made official after the mid-July SSISD board meeting.
Coach Delley graduated from Dallas Kimball High School, and after playing at Texas College in Texarkana, she graduated from Texas Women’s University in Denton after receiving a master’s degree in kinesiology.
After spending some time working for the Parks and Recreations department for Dallas, she was offered the position of assistant coach at Greenville High School.
She served as assistant for the Lady Lions for three years, from 2015-2018, before accepting the head coaching position for Greenville, a job she also helmed for the previous three seasons.
In one of those three seasons as head coach, Coach Delley and her staff had the chance to play Sulphur Springs in the same district before re-alignment changed that.
While she enjoyed her time in Greenville, she called the position a rebuilding project, having at one point to start completely fresh with a new squad of players, so to come to Sulphur Springs, and continue to build on the strong foundation that Coach Tisdell left, was an offer too good to pass up.
When she was an assistant coach for Greenville, she coached against a Coach Chapman-led squad, so she said she has always admired the Lady Cats and their program from afar.
Coach Delley said she admired the way Coach Chapman lead his program and his work ethic, and said Coach Tisdell did a great job as well during her tenure as Lady Cats coach. She said coaching in Sulphur Springs and helming this program makes it “a great place to work.”
With the announcement of the coaching change late in to the off-season, it has caused Coach Delley to play catch-up, as she is still trying to get to know the whole team and their tendencies.
Coach Delley mentioned junior Kenzie Willis, who she said is a great player, but wishes the stand-out player could return to the team this season. It will not be so, the new Lady Cats basketball coach said, as she expects Willis will be out this fall season rehabbing her injury.
Even with the injury to the junior, Coach Delley likes what she has seen from a number of players, like Addison Wall, and is excited to be working with the talented nucleus of players.
She is grateful to have a number of players who have been showing up and showing out during the off-season workouts, and is excited to implement her new system with those players.
Coach Delley says Lady Cats fans can expect a disciplined, hard-nosed team that likes to get-after it. The new women’s basketball coach is a defense-oriented coach, like new Wildcats coach Brandon Shaver, but still wishes to keep the offense fast-paced.
The loss of Kenzie Willis is a big blow to this team, but to compensate for the lack of scoring, Coach Delley says, this Lady Cats team will have to be aggressive of the defensive side of the ball.
“It should be exciting basketball,” Coach Delley said.
The women’s basketball schedule is expected to be released here in the coming weeks after a few more opponents have been firmed up.
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.
Tira News – Aug. 5, 2021: Catch Up On Community Birthdays, Donations
By Jan Vaughn
Joyce Dodd met with several of her ex-coworkers at Tejano’s Mexican Restaurant in Cooper for lunch on Thursday, July 29. Joyce reports, “We celebrated one of their birthdays. It was good to visit and catch up on everyone’s life since my retirement.”
We’ve received several generous contributions for the Tira Food Pantry over the last few weeks. We want to express our appreciation to everyone who helps with the cause.
Grace Vaughn had lunch with John and Linda Vaughn on Sunday and visited with their family that afternoon.
Chip and I met our son, Delayne Vaughn, at BJ’s Restaurant in Waco for lunch on Sunday in celebration of Delayne’s birthday.
North Hopkins students will return to classes on Wednesday, August 18. Be sure to watch for school buses as they transport the kids to and from school.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
2 Sulphur Springs Men Arrested On Felony Warrants
Two men were arrested in Sulphur Springs on felony warrants Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nick Marney and Sgt. Tanner Steward reported seeing Jon Michael Hopper traveling on Connally Street in a 1998 Chevrolet Silverado at 6:47 p.m. Aug. 3, 2021. They contacted him. A records check confirmed a warrant for the 47-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s arrest. Hopper was taken into custody and jailed on the a violation of parole warrant was well as four other warrants. The warrants included sale and distribution of material to a minor and unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate materials charges. His bond on the warrants totaled $20,000 – $5,000 on two charges involving minors and $10,000 on the charge involving intimate materials. He was held on the parole warrant.
A 37-year-old Sulphur Springs man was also arrested by Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Josh Shufeldt at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, on an injury to a child, elderly or disabled person warrant. The officer was made aware of the active warrant and knew the man from previous calls. He contacted him and took him into custody on Woodside Lane on the warrant, reportedly stemming from a 2019 incident. Sulphur Springs police filed the case with the district attorney’s office two years ago. Medical and government records supported the charge. The charge was presented to the grand jury. The warrant has since been obtained for the man’s arrest. He was released from the county jail Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, on a $15,000 bond on the charge.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
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.
5 Felony Controlled Substance and Marijuana Arrests July 31-Aug. 3, 2021
Local authorities made five felony controlled substance and marijuana arrests from Aug. 1-4, 2021, according to arrest and jail reports.
Tacka Dashell Gotcher was involved in a Sulphur Springs Police Department Special Crimes Unit investigation in which an undercover purchase of methamphetamine took place the previous day, SCU Lt. Mark Estes alleged in arrest reports. The SCU officers secured a felony warrant for her arrest, served it at a South Broadway Street address where she had been staying and took her into custody at 10:50 a.m. Aug. 3, 2021. Gotcher remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 on the manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Bond was set at $50,000 on the second-degree felony charge.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Todd Evans and Deputy Alvin Jordan located Jame Jo Evans at a Van Sickle Street residence, served her with a warrant and took her into custody at 10:45 a.m. Aug. 3, 2021. The 35-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was transported to jail, where she remained Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance; bond was set at 15,000 on the charge. Her probation officer was contacted by the deputies. She was later charged on a warrant for violation of probation on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Cumby Police Officer J. Talley stopped a 2014 BMW 528i at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 1, 2021, on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 109 for not having a front license plate. The driver was identified as 28-year-old De-Andre Xavier Scott of Lancaster and the passenger as 37-year-old Jovan Martell Brandon of DeSoto.
When Scott opened the glove box to retrieve proof of insurance as requested by Talley, the Cumby officer alleged seeing a bag with burned hand-rolled cigarillos containing marijuana. A probable cause search of the car revealed marijuana and two firearms in a duffel bag.
Talley requested CPD Lt. Paul Robertson to respond at the location. Robertson brought his K-9 partner “Amigo” to assist. While assisting with the search, additional contraband was found. Among the cache of illegal another firearm in the vehicle. After the roadside investigation, the officers counted 2 pounds, 7 ounces of marijuana, several xanax pills, three handguns, body armor, and several boxes of ammo were discovered in the vehicle.
The pair was taken into custody at 4:57 p.m. Aug. 1, 2021, and jailed for possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Both Brandon and Scott were both released from Hopkins County jail on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Bond for each was set at $5,000 on the marijuana charge and $2,000 on the weapon charge.
HCSO Deputy Aaron Chaney stopped a Honda SUV at 10:27 p.m. July 31, 2021, on FM 275 south at County Road 1140 for defective license plate lights. Upon contact with the occupants, Chaney noted they appeared excessively nervous. The driver’s hands were shaking and he had a slight quiver in his voice while initially talking with the deputy. The passenger, Chaney alleged, appeared to be avoiding making eye contact with him. He obtained permission to search the SUV and had both occupants exit the vehicle.
After patting each down, the Element was then searched. Chaney found two pink clear squares he suspected to be acid or LSD units that were wrapped in foil in Gregory Blackwell’s wallet on the passenger’s seat. When the 20-year-old Greenville man admitted it was indeed acid, he was arrested on a possession of less than 20 units of the Penalty Group 1A controlled substance. Blackwell was jailed on the charge at 11:30 p.m. July 31. He was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, on a $5,000 bond on the felony charge.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
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.
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – August 2021
Marc Maxwell presented the following monthly city manager’s report to Sulphur Springs City Council during their regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021:
COVID-19 RESPONSE
The number of active cases in Hopkins County increased dramatically since our last meeting with 117 active cases as of August 2nd. There are 17 patients in the covid unit at the hospital, up from 0 last month.
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 did not have any workers compensation claims or liability claims in July.
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
This project is nearing completion. The Capital Construction Division has completed its work on the project. All that remains is for the contractor to bore under Interstate 30 and to connect to the existing system. 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 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.
RUNWAY/TAXIWAY REHAB
This $1.9 milproject will begin August 09. 90% of the project cost is covered by a TxDOT grant. All the concrete and asphalt surfaces on the operations side will be completely rehabilitated and the ramp will be significantly enlarged. We expect the runway to be closed for a total of 9 days over three different times.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Progress stalled in July. To date, the only street on the program to be paved is Duckworth Street. The contractor, Texana Land and Asphalt, plans to be completed by September 30.
MISCKELLANEOUS
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Repaired 199 potholes.
- Installed 469 feet of 15-inch sewer main.
- Replaced “No Truck” signs on 7th street.
- Demolished and removed houses on Beckham Street and Texas Street.
- Repaired a storm drain on College Street.
- Made 22 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Coordinate warning siren warranty repairs throughout the city.
- Treated wastewater effluent to a daily average suspended solids reading of .29 mg/L.
- Repaired 14 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 9 water meters.
- Unstopped 22 sewer mains.
- Repaired 11 sewer mains.
- Flushed 36 dead-end water mains.
- Produced 164 million gallons of potable water.
- Processed 585 tickets through municipal court.
- Trimmed trees and cleaned shoreline at Coleman Lake.
- Fertilized sports fields and Celebration Plaza.
- Conducted 27 building inspections, 10 electrical inspections, 9 plumbing inspections, 1 mechanical inspection and issued 19 building permits.
- Responded to 190 animal control calls while achieving a 72% adoption rate.
- Made 3 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 37 accidents, wrote 585 citations, recorded 54 offenses, and made 60 arrests in the Patrol division.
- Responded to 202 calls for fire/rescue including 2 structure fires and 2 vehicle fires.
- Conducted 50 fire inspections.
- Performed preventative maintenance and testing on 82 fire hydrants.
- Checked out 3,610 materials from the library.
- Accommodated 1,621 operations at the airport.
- Sold 1,967 gallons of AvGas and 12,151 gallons of JetA fuel.
Cow-A-Bunga: Cowhide Care in Sulphur Springs
The Southwest Dairy Museum in Sulphur Springs has finally given their much loved cow mascots a needed face lift. Crews were out refreshing the giant cows with a new coat of paint on August 3rd and 4th.
Be sure to stop by the museum to check out and take a photo with the cows and help them show off their beautiful new looks!
Cumby ISD Meet The Teacher And Title I Parent Meetings Set
Cumby Independent School District administrators have announced the 2021-22 school day schedule and dates for parents to visit the school. The Cumby ISD Meet the Teacher and Title I Parent Meetings will be held on two different days based on grade level.
On Thursday, Aug. 5, parents of pre-kindergarten students are to meet in the cafeteria at 5:30 p.m. to go over brief information, then will have the opportunity from 5:45 to 7 p.m. to meet the pre-k students’ teachers.
Then, on Monday, Aug. 9, parents of all other CISD students from kindergarten through 12th grade will meet in the gym at 5:30 p.m. for a parent meeting. Meet the teacher activities will follow from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Monday.
While all staff have been back at work steadily since Tuesday, with new-to-the-district staff reporting one day earlier, students won’t report for classes for the fall semester until Aug. 12.
This school year, the doors at the school will open starting at 7:20 a.m. for all students and grade levels to begin arriving.
Announcement will be made at 7;50 a.m. for elementary students, with classes starting at 7:55 a.m. Elementary students will be dismissed for the day at 3:35 p.m.
Secondary students will begin first period classes at 7:55 a.m. Students who do not have athletics first period are expected to get breakfast before first period. Those sixth-12th grade students will be dismissed at 3:45 p.m.
Thanks to guidance issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, schools during the 2021-22 school year will be allowed to offer meals to all students at no cost. That means healthy meals are offered every school day to every CISD student at no cost, as opposed to the usual method which bases qualification for free and reduced-price meals on the student’s household income.
Cumby ISD is scheduled to be in class for 3 1/2 weeks before getting their first break. Holidays for students and staff will be Labor Day, Sept. 6; Oct. 25; Thanksgiving break, Nov. 19-26; Christmas break, Dec. 20-Jan. 3; Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 17; Feb. 25; and spring break, March 11-18.
Students will also get the day off for the following staff development days: Oct. 15, Nov. 18, Jan. 4-5, Feb. 14, March 10 and May 26. Students will be released from classes early on Dec. 17.
The first grading period will be Aug. 12-Oct. 8, the second Oct. 11-Dec. 17, the third Jan. 6-March 9, and the fourth and final grading period will be March 21-May 25. That will put the Cumby High School Graduation on May 27, 2022.
Face covering will be optional for the 2021-22 school year at Cumby ISD, per Texas Governor’s Executive Order GA-36, issued May 18, 2021, prohibiting governmental entities and officials from mandating face coverings. The district does, however, reserve the right to require face covering if the situation changes, with higher COVID-19 transmission levels, of students who exhibit symptoms on campus or governor’s orders.
To read the most up-to-date Cumby ISD Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan, click here. “Back to School ’21-’22 information can also be found on the district website, https://www.cumbyisd.net/, under the District heading
