The Sulphur Springs Community Players Will Hold Auditions for ‘Charley’s Aunt’ on August 8-10th
CHARLEY’S AUNT
By Brandon Thomas
Directed by Lloyd Turney
Performances: November 5-7, 12-14, 2021
Community Players, Inc. will hold auditions by appointment for ‘Charley’s Aunt’ at Baked and Brewed, 224 Main St. Sulphur Springs, Texas. Auditions will be on August 8, 9, 10, starting at 6:30pm. Appointments for audition times can be made through SignUpGenius (click here), calling (903) 885-0107 or e-mailing us at [email protected].
According to Director Turney,”we will begin practices the last week of August. The practice schedule will be based on actor conflicts so we can accommodate everyone.” Performances for ‘CHARLEY’S AUNT’ are Fridays (7pm), Saturdays (7pm) and Sundays (2pm), November 5-7, 12-14, 2021. For more information, please call 903-885-0107 or visit our website, www.communityplayersinc.com.
We are auditioning for the following roles:
Colonel Sir Francis Chesney (Male-50’s) Jack Chesney (Male-20s)
Kitty Verdun (Female- 20’s) Charles Wykeham (Male- 20’s)
Amy Spettigue (Female- 20’s) Ela Delahay (Female- 20’s)
Donna Lucia (Female-50-60’s) Lord Fancourt Babberley (Male-20’s)
Stephen Spettigue (Male-50-60’s) Brassett (Male or Female-40-50’s)
Remember, these are character ages. If you look the part, come and audition! Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Bring your current headshot and resume. If you don’t have a headshot and/or resume, don’t let that stop you! Come and audition!“
Bid For New Senior Citizens Center, Grant Application On Aug. 3 City Council Agenda
Budget Workshop For 2021-22 Budget To Precede Regular Tuesday Meeting
Sulphur Springs City Council will hold two meetings Tuesday, a workshop and a regular monthly meeting. The elected officials are slated to discuss and consider acting on a bid for a pre-engineered metal building to become a new senior citizens center during the regular council meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 3., as well as a number of other items, including a reinsurance contract, chemical bids for the city water and waste water treatment plants, and authorizing the city manager to prepare and submit a grant application for funding to convert lighting at three city facilities to LED lighting.
Voters in November 2019 agreed to allow $200,000 a year for 20 years in EDC sales and use tax funding to be used by the city’s parks department for qualified 4B projects, to pay back $3 million in bonds issued for construction and maintenance at Pacific Park and construction of Senior Citizens Center facilities. The new Grays Building is open, so the focus has turned to park renovations, to be paid for with grant funding, and to construction of a new senior citizens activity building.
Construction drawings for the new senior center were prepared by REES Associates. Tandem Consulting was hired to oversee the construction just like at the Grays Building. In July, City Manager Marc Maxwell advised the city had gone out for bids, but received only a single bid for the engineered metal frame for the building. The City Council is slated to consider the matter again Tuesday evening, Aug. 3, 2021.
The City Council will also be asked to consider requests for 380 agreements, also referred to as infill housing agreements, to construct single family housing structures at three locations: 115/119 Nicholson Street, 116 Middle Street and 112 Randolph Street at the August regular meeting.
Tate Price has asked to replat a Woodside Lane lot for future development of the property into 7 duplex lots. The request was first approved by the City of Sulphur Springs Planning & Zoning Commission on July 19, then forwarded to the Sulphur Springs Zoning Board of Adjustments and appeals, where it also received approval Tuesday evening. The matter is now recommended by the ZBA to the City Council.
Exceptions are needed for lot dimension for new duplexes as well as a reduced setback on a new proposed roadway for the 1.93-acre plat, just east of 1680 Woodside Lane and directly west of Woodbridge Square.
The property is currently zoned multifamily, but the proposed plan calls for development of the property into seven duplexes, which if approved would be two-family rather than apartment units. The engineered plans were reviewed and deemed satisfactory by the city engineer, the city community development director told the ZBA last month. A community facilities contract will be required for sewer, water and street improvements.
City staff did recommended approving the Woodside Lane plat request and proposed variances, with the city manger authorized to execute the community facilities contract, and drainage to be privately maintained by the property owners that abut the drainage easement areas.
Paulino Reyes has submitted a request that Lot 3R-3 of 125 Weaver Drive be rezoned from heavy industrial to multifamily. Reyes’ request to rezone the 1.89-acre property was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission on July 19 at the recommendation of city staff. The City Council will be asked Tuesday evening to consider approving the request as well.
Proposed are two resolutions authorizing the city manager or designee to approve a negotiated settlement between Atmos Cities Steering Committee and Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid-Texas Division, regarding the Atmos’ 2021 rate review mechanism filing and several other items related to that matter; and to prepare and submit an application for a Local Government Lighting Conversion LED grant through Texas Comptroller’s Office to benefit both city fire stations and the utility distribution office.
The regular meeting of Sulphur Springs City council meeting is slated to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Municipal Building (City Hall). That will be the second meeting the City Council holds Tuesday, however. The elected officials are slated to participate in a workshop starting at 6 p.m. to discuss a proposed budget for fiscal year 2021-22.
Stegient Wins Bronze Medal At ATA Martial Arts World Tournament Of Champs
Karisma Stegient of Sulphur Springs won the world bronze medal at the ATA Martial Arts World Tournament of Champions, held July 28-30 in Phoenix, Arizona
After COVID ended her season looking outside of the top 10, Stegient won the right to enter the championship level tournament with her combat sparring victory at District Championships last month. Her victory in the 2nd-3rd Degree Black Belts Age 13-14 category is her first world medal. She joins her older sister Harleigh, who won bronze in 2018, in winning a medal in this category.
Seeded 9th, she won her first match 9-7, Karisma faced the top seeded 13-14 year-old in the world in the quarterfinals, prevailing 10-4. In the semi-finals, Ms. Stegient lost 10-6. In the battle for the bronze, Ms. Stegient was tied with the #3 seed 7-7 as the time expired. As the match entered sudden victory, Karisma scored the deciding point to take the bronze.
Earlier in the Tournament of Champions, Mr. Daron Bilyeu finished in 4th place in the Men’s 40-49 black belts Creative and Extreme Weapons Competition. Mr. Bilyeu finished just one point out of the medals in both events. This matches his best finish in the world tournament.
Competition continued over the weekend with the World Expo tournament, which traditionally begins the new competition season. Sulphur Springs ATA had five students representing Hopkins County in the competition.
For more information on Sulphur Springs ATA Martial Arts, please visit www.sulphurspringsata.com or call 903-243-8767.
Hopkins County Republican Party Meeting Scheduled Aug. 7, At Pioneer Café
Hopkins County Republican Party’s monthly meeting will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, August 7, at Pioneer Café, which was graciously offered for use by Barbara Palmer. Breakfast will be served.
“We will try to have the meeting adjourned by 9 a.m.,” said Donnie Wisenbaker, chairman of Hopkins County GOP. “This month’s speaker will be Tory Jackson, North Texas Regional Director for the Texas Republican Party. Tory has been doing great things for the GOP and the State of Texas. He will tell us what we can do to get the vote out and grow our numbers. We have got to work harder if we expect to keep Texas Red.”
Also to be discussed at the Aug. 7 meeting will be the upcoming Old Time Political Rally scheduled to be held Sept. 11 at the Civic Center here in Sulphur Springs.
“If you are interested in being part of the solution, come join us and enjoy the fellowship, food and learn what you can do to be part of the solution,” Wisenbaker invited.
Meal A Day Menu For August 2-6, 2021
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for Aug. 2-6, 2021, includes:
- Monday – Beef Noodle Casserole, English Peas and Garlic toast
- Tuesday – Broccoli Chicken Divan on a bed of rice, pinto beans and corn
- Wednesday – Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and roll
- Thursday –Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, refried beans, chips, salsa and tossed salad
- Friday – Cheeseburgers, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, baked beans and chips
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
2 Wills Point Men Arrested On Controlled Substance Charges
Police arrested two Wills Point men just after 11 a.m. Friday on a controlled substance charge and a warrant each.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman stopped a Ford 500 around 10:30 a.m. July 30, 2021, for an expired registration. Upon contact with the occupants, the driver, identified as 34-year-old Christopher Allen Williams, seemed nervous. When asked, Williams initially gave a name and date of birth he later admitted were false. He gave false information because he knew he had an outstanding warrant.
Hoffman asked Williams and the passenger, identified as 36-year-old Kevin Charles Jones, to exit the car. Jones displayed signs of nervousness. Officers found a bag of suspected methamphetamine in the cup holder, a second bag of suspected meth next to the hinge on the trunk and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia throughout the car.
Records checks showed Jones to be wanted in Hunt County for violation of probation and Williams wanted on a parole warrant. Jones too was wanted on a Hunt County warrant.
Both were jailed on one warrant each as well as a possession of 1 gram or ore more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. Williams was also charged with failure to identify.
Williams remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, July 31, 2021, in lieu of $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and $2,000 bond on the failure to ID charge. He was held without bond on the parole charge.
Jones too remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday afternoon, July 31, 2021, in lieu of $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge, and was held on the Hunt County warrant.
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.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of Aug. 2, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Aug. 2, 2021. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
The annual contract to perform seal coat operations in Grayson County begins Aug. 2. Daytime lane closures will be present during seal coat operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadways in Grayson County will be sealed this year; US 69 from Martin Luther King Street to US 75; SH 160 from SH 11 to the Collin County line; FM 691 from FM 131 south to FM 131 north; FM 131 from FM 691 to FM 120; FM 131 from US 82 to FM 691; SH 289 from the Collin County line to SH 56; and FM 121 from SH 289 to FM 3356.
US 69, Grayson County: from FM 1897 in Bells to SH 11 in Whitewright. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform base repairs on the roadway. Work is expected to begin Aug. 5.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91 as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound Washington Street exit ramp is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Lamar/Houston Street exit. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
Northbound and Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road near West Staples Street and transitions back to the existing mainlanes near West Cherry Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Center Street. Within this area, the US 75 frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while US 75 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both mainlane and frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Center Street under US 75 are closed to traffic. To detour, eastbound Center Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Park Avenue, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Center Street. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Houston Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Center Street.
Video animations of the northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch and Center Street detour can be viewed online at:
- Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLyVQ6rYNhM
- Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Detour for the Center Street closure at US 75: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIMoHaqAFGg
Northbound and Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road from just north of Houston Street and transitions back to the existing mainlanes south of North Travis Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Washington Street. Within this area, the US 75 frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while US 75 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both mainlane and frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Washington Street under US 75 are closed to traffic. This closure is necessary to complete work in preparation of the mainlane detour. To detour, eastbound Washington Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Lamar Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Washington Street. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on North Travis Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Washington Street.
Video animations of the northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch and Washington Street detour can be viewed online at:
- Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Detour for the Washington Street closure at US 75:
US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between North Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lanes shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews perform bridge construction. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on bridge construction and construction of new frontage road lanes.
The westbound US 82 exit ramp for Loy Lake road is currently closed for crews to work on widening the US 82 frontage road. This exit ramp is expected to be closed through August 2021. Traffic wishing to access Loy Lake Road is requested to take the SH 91 exit ramp (# 643), or the US 75 exit ramp.
The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The pedestrian bridge has been removed. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct the second portion of the new Sand Creek bridge and the approaches to the bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
SH 289, Grayson County: in Gunter at the FM 121 intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures as construction crews work on installing a traffic signal at the intersection.
FM 131, Grayson County: in Sherman at the Northcreek Drive intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures as construction crews work on installing a traffic signal at the intersection.
US 69, Grayson County: in Bells at the FM 1897 intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures as construction crews work on installing a traffic signal at the intersection.
Yellow Bridge Road (CR 876), Grayson County: Yellow Bridge Road (CR 876) is closed to through traffic at the branch of Pilot Grove Creek so that construction crews can remove and replace the bridge. Local traffic will need to use an alternate roadway such as Brewer Road or County Road 534.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Thursday night. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
US 69/US 75, Grayson County: at the Red River bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to upgrade and replace the existing bridge railing on the bridge and guardrail approaches on the northbound and southbound bridges at the Red River. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have shifted traffic to provide room for construction.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to a portion of the new concrete pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section consisting of concrete pavement when the project is completed.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the daytime.
FM 84, Grayson County: between US 75 and FM 406. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 120, Grayson County: from SH 289 to Cemetery Road. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 697, Grayson County: from SH 11 to FM 2729. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
The annual contract to perform seal coat operations in Fannin County begins the second week of August weather permitting. Daytime lane closures will be present during seal coat operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadway in Fannin County will be sealed this year; SH 56 from Loop 205 in Bonham to US 82 in Honey Grove.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided roadway. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement for the entirety of the project from the Lamar County line to SH 121. Eastbound traffic between SH 121 and the Lamar County line has been opened to two lanes, but occasional daytime lane closures may be present. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median.
FM 274, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to FM 3321. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a fog seal to the roadway.
FM 896, Fannin County: from US 69 to Business SH 121 in Randolph. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a fog seal to the roadway.
FM 981, Fannin County: from SH 78 to US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs to the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
FM 71, Hopkins County: From FM 3236 to Sulphur Bluff. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews work on rehabilitating the roadway.
FM 3389, Hopkins County: From IH 30 to FM 1567. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews work on rehabilitating the roadway.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.
BU 82J, Red River County: Between Travis Street and Columbia Street in Clarksville. The road will be closed and a marked detour will be in place while crews replace a cross drainage structure, install drainage inlets, and reconstruct the roadway and sidewalk in this area.
FM 195, Red River County: from the Lamar County line to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and replace bridge rail. The shoulder at Little Pine Creek will remain closed while the rail work is completed.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (Avery) to FM 44. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to the Franklin County line. Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas as final work is being performed.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to SP 38 (Bogata). Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas as final work is being performed.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to the Bowie County line. Watch for daytime lane closures while crews place final hot mix surface.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
FM 36, Hunt County: from FM 36 to FM 751 at various locations: The contractor has been forming and pouring concrete drainage structures on FM 1564. The contractor will begin working on other culverts and safety end treatments on FM 1564 and chevrons on SH 34 to US 69.
SH 276, Hunt County, from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass): The contractor has placed project barricades and has prepared and cleared most of the right-of-way. Preliminary embankment, excavation, and bridge work has begun with all shafts being completed. This work should not affect existing traffic on SH 34 or SH 276. Roadway construction affecting closures on Spur 264 has begun, this work will affect through-traffic between Meyers Avenue to County Road 2304. Weekend work is to be expected. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor has begun mile five of this seven-mile project and is currently reworking the flex base, placing geogrid and compacting areas for roadway rehabilitation and widening. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 66 at FM 1570, Hunt County: The contractor has finished placing the two-inch asphalt overlay and will begin placing guardrail and striping, weather permitting. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews in Hunt County will be performing overlay operations on SH 11 between FM 2655 and FM 1563, near Wolfe City. Maintenance crews will also be performing overlay and spot base operations on FM 71 from BUS 11 to Delta County. Contract mowers will be operating throughout the county this week. Maintenance crews will also be sweeping on US 69 between Lone Oak and Greenville as needed. Maintenance contract crews will be performing debris removal on I-30 and guard rail repair at various locations around Hunt County. Maintenance crews will also be performing roadway patch repairs on FM 47 from FM 2324 to SH 276, and on SH 276 from FM 36 to the Rockwall County line. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
Maintenance crews in Rains County will be performing fog seal on FM 779 from FM 515 to the Wood County line. Crews will also perform roadway patching on SH 276 from FM 47 to US 69. Crews will be performing various sign installations, potholing and debris removal. Maintenance crews will be performing herbicide operation on various roadways. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway, and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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Woman, 2 Men Jailed On Felony Warrants
A woman and two men were jailed in Hopkins County on felony warrants, including two wanted by out-of-town agencies, according to arrest and jail reports.
Delta County Sheriff’s Office located Justen Blake Saffel at his Pecan Gap residence and took him into custody on six Hopkins County warrants. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies met the Delta County officers at the county line and took Saffel into custody and to jail. The 26-year-old remained in Hopkins County jail Friday evening on one warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for arson; one for bond forfeiture on an illegal dumping charge, three for failure to maintain financial responsibility, and one for speeding.
Arrested July 29, 2021, by Deputy Nick Marney was 19-year-old Chad Owen Dean of Commerce on a warrant for bond revocation on a possession of less than1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. He remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, July 30, 2021. His new bond was set at $75,000.
At 11 a.m. July 29, Sgt. Todd Evans took Chelsea Renee Higginbotham into custody at the adult probation office on a Franklin County warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for felony assault of a family or household member with a previous conviction. The 30-year-old Pittsburg woman remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, July 30, on the 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.
Investigation Into Stolen Firearms Results Location Of Methamphetamine, Warrant Arrest
Investigation into stolen firearms lead authorities to an East Industrial Drive motel, where a wanted man had a small quantity of methamphetamine, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a tip that a wanted person could possibly be in possession of stolen firearms and living at the East Industrial Drive residence. The deputies contacted the motel manager. A records check using the man’s name showed him to be wanted in Texarkana and Bowie County. Based on information gleaned, officers believed the man did have firearms in his room.
Deputies waited until they saw a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle, a silver Kia Soul with the back window broken out, pull into the parking lot at 2:47 p.m. July 29. They then conducted a traffic stop. The suspect, 34-year-old Joe Edward Rawson of Texarkana, was the front seat passenger. He was detained in handcuffs and gave deputies a false name, which he later admitted was because he was aware of a warrant for his arrest, Deputy Elijah Fite and Deputy Richard Brantley alleged in arrest reports.
When questioned about the firearms, he denied having any and agreed to let the deputies search his room. He admitted to having a methamphetamine pipe by his side of the bed. Deputies confirmed the man was indeed wanted in Texarkana for violation of probation which he was on for burglary of a vehicle and in Bowie County for violation of probation, which he was on for attempt to commit possession of a controlled substance. True to his word, officers failed to locate any firearms but did find multiple glass pipes of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine as well as a clear bag containing 0.2 gram of a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Rawson was arrested at 4:10 p.m. Thursday at the motel on the warrants as well as for possession of less than1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. A drug-fee zone enhancement was added due to the motel’s proximity to Paris Junior College.
The 34-year-old Texarkana, Texas man remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, July 30, 2021, in lieu of $5,000 on the controlled substance charge and $2,000 on the burglary charge. No bond was set on the other 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.
Uplift Education Renews Partnership with A&M-Commerce
COMMERCE, Texas — Administrators from Uplift Education and Texas A&M University-Commerce met virtually on Thursday, July 29 to renew their long-standing partnership.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by Uplift Education president Remy Washington, Ed.D., and A&M-Commerce president Mark Rudin, Ph.D. The agreement ensures that every Uplift student has an equal opportunity to access college education, no matter their socioeconomic status.
Uplift Education is a non-profit charter school company that operates 46 college-preparatory public charter schools and teaches 23,000 students on 22 campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. According to Uplift, most of their students will be the first in their families to attend college.
Since the partnership began in 2013, more than 1,900 Uplift students have been admitted to A&M-Commerce.
Through the partnership, A&M-Commerce supplies grants and scholarships to incoming Uplift students, hosts Uplift students on campus, presents parent-oriented programming to help families navigate the college application and matriculation process, and more.
This year, the school partnership will expand to include Auto-Admit Days, when graduating Uplift seniors will receive automatic and expedited admission to A&M-Commerce if they meet admission criteria.
Washington expressed appreciation for the partnership on behalf of Uplift Education.
“We are so fortunate to have a partner like A&M-Commerce,” she said. “We deeply understand that our students have needs, and you’re willing to work collaboratively to shape their lives for years to come.”
Rudin also expressed gratitude to Uplift Education.
“Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to consider you a great partner in this endeavor,” Rudin said. “We see our institution as a catalyst to transform lives, regardless of ethnicity and socioeconomic status.”
Read more about Uplift Education.
