Sulphur Springs ISD Expands Transfer Policy To Potentially Include Eligible Students At All Grade Levels
Sulphur Springs ISD has expanded the district transfer policy to potentially include students of all ages, who would be eligible to attend provided they meet one of three exceptions.
Until this past week, SSISD’s inter-district transfer policy, FDA (Local) would only allow non-resident students to enroll in SSISD: if the students were children of a nonresident full-time district employee or if the students were legally enrolled high school student who been enrolled for at least one complete school year.
The request would only be approved if it did not limit educational opportunities of resident students, and space and instructional staff are available. The student’s disciplinary history and attendance records may also be considered. These factors continue to apply.
However, district administrators this past week proposed a change which allow students who’ve been enrolled in SSISD for at least a year to continue attending SSISD even if they no longer live in the district.
“If you’re looking at the policy, all we’re really asking is to strike the word high school,” Superintendent Michael Lamb said, when explaining the changes presented to SSISD Board of Trustees at the July 12 board meeting. ”We’ve had it in policy ever since I’ve been here that a currently enrolled high school student who has been legally enrolled as a resident high school student in the district for at least a complete school year.”
Essentially, this change to the SSISD transfer policy would apply to a student who has lived in the district for at least one school year and has been enrolled consistently at SSHS that entire year, then moves out of the district with their family. An exception, on request, would be made to allow that student to continue attending classes at SSHS.
“We’ve made some younger kids go ahead and change schools. That’s a hard conversation to have. I’m not real sure the intention is to say it’s OK for high school and not other grade levels, but we’ve run across it enough where we feel like if it’s good for one, it’s good for all,” Lamb said. “So we’d like to strike the words ‘high school’ [from the transfer policy]. Basically, when kids have been here 2, 3, 4 years — even 1 year, and they move to the country we feel like it does no harm to keep them. It does no harm to that neighboring district that might get them. They’ve not had them to this point so we’d like to strike that word.”
In addition to removing the requirement that stipulates the exceptions may be made only for high school students, unless children of school employees, Lamb proposed adding as an acceptable exception “a sibling of currently enrolled transfer student.”
As an example, Lamb noted that a third grader who has been attending Sulphur Springs ISD for the required time span, now has a sibling who is a kindergartener. The policy change would allow both the third grader and the kindergarten sibling to attend SSISD, even if the students’ now live with their family outside of SSISD’s boundaries. This should make it more equitable for all students and easier for parents, who won’t have to make arrangements for students to arrive and have transportation from two different school districts each school day.
“It makes sense that both kids get to do it instead of saying, well you can go here, but you,” Lamb said indicating a second sibling in a household, “have to go to a different school. We’ve added that language. We’ve dealt with that a lot: a high school kid qualifies, and the question becomes what do we do with his younger brother or sister. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to require them to go to a different place.”
SSISD Board of Trustees approved the transfer policy revisions as proposed, enacting them in time for the 2021-2022 school term which officially begins Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 for SSISD students.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of July 19, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of July 19, 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.
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 July 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.
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 131, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 691. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 84, Grayson County: between US 75 and FM 406. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
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 SH 78. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a seal coat to the roadway.
FM 896, Fannin County: from US 69 in Leonard to Business SH 121 in Randolph. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a fog seal to the roadway.
FM 2645, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to FM 898. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs to the roadway.
FM 68, Fannin County: from FM 271 to SH 34. 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.
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 daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement, upgrade bridge rail, and place new hot mix.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to SP 38 (Bogata). Watch for daytime lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing roadway.
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 placed project barricades. The contractor has begun drainage work on several culverts and installed safety end treatments on FM 1564 from 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. 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 four 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 repairing base spot repair on FM 47 between US 69 and SH 276. Crews will be overlaying and repairing low spots on SH 276. 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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Hopkins, Franklin Counties Had Lowest June 2021 Unemployment Rate In Area
Hopkins and Franklin counties both had an unemployment rate of 5.3 percent last month, the lowest June 2021 unemployment rate in the Northeast Texas area. While it’s not uncommon for Hopkins County to have the lowest unemployment rate with Franklin County a close second, but June 2021 was the first time Franklin matched Hopkins for lowest unemployment rate, according to the latest employment numbers released Friday, July 16, 2021 by Texas Workforce Commission on the Texas Labor Market Information website.
Both Hopkins and Franklin counties’ June unemployment rates are below Texas’ 6.6 percent June 2021 unemployment rate, the 6.7 percent unemployment rate posted for the 9 counties that make up the Northeast Texas Workforce Development Area (WDA) and the overall 6.1 percent for the entire United States.
The June 2021 unemployment rate recorded for Hopkins and Franklin counties is an improvement over last year, when Hopkins County’s unemployment rate was 6.5 percent and Franklin County’s was 6.7 percent unemployment rate as businesses began opening back up at limited occupancies in June 2020 due to the pandemic.
Texas’ June 2021 unemployment rate was down from the 10.3 percent recorded one year before. Northeast Texas’ unemployment rate during June 2020 was 9.0 percent. The US 2021 unemployment rate was almost half what it was in June 2020, dropping from the 11.2 percent recorded in June 2020.
“Texas employers continue to pave the way in 2021 and many have diligently reshaped their businesses to adapt and grow for the safety of their employees and customers alike,” said Aaron Demerson, Texas Workforce Commission Commissioner Representing Employers after the June 2021 unemployment numbers were posted Friday, July 16, 2021.
“This month continues to show new career opportunities and job growth for Texans across the state with over 55,000 jobs added,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Job seekers in Texas have access to programs through TWC like Metrix Learning to brush up on skills to prepare for the employment opportunities available across the state.”
The increase in jobs across the state, however, was still not enough to offset the usual seasonal increase in the civilian labor force (the total number of people who are employed and who are seeking employment) during the first month of summer
According to the TLMI data, Texas labor force grew from 14,068,0550 in May 2021 to 14,127,096 in June 2021, and was also up from the 14,074,215 state labor force in June of 2020. Northeast Texas WDA’s labor force was 122,609 in June 2020, rose to 122,821 in May 2021 and was reported to be 122,967.
Hopkins County’s labor force rose from 17,443 in June 2020 to 17,603 in May 20201 and 17,626 in June 2021; the number of unemployed in Hopkins County dropped from 1,133 in June 2020 to 806 in May 2021, but rose to 928 last month due to the increased labor force. Franklin County’s labor force grew from 4,878 in June 2020 to 5,022 in May 2021 and 5,052 in June 2021; the number of unemployed dropped from 325 in June 2020 to 236 in May 2021 when business occupancy was wide open, but with the uptick in labor force, 30 more people were unemployed in Franklin County in June 2021 than the month before.
So, while Franklin and Hopkins counties had the lowest unemployment rates in the Northeast Texas WDA in June 2020, last month’s unemployment rates for both counties still increased from May, when the unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in Hopkins County and 4.7 percent in Franklin County.
In the Northeast Texas WDA, Delta County had the second lowest unemployment rate of 5.6 percent, up from 5.3 percent in May, but still less than the 7.1 percent unemployment rate recorded in June 2020.
Lamar County’s unemployment rate was 6.4 percent last month, up from 5.9 in May 2021, but considerably improved from the 9.1 percent unemployment rate of June 2020.
Titus County had a 6.5 percent unemployment rate last month, considerably less than the 9.1 percent recorded for June 2020, but still up from the 5.4 percent in May 2021.
The unemployment rate in Red River County declined from 8.1 percent in June 2020 to 6.2 percent in May 2021, but with a dozen fewer people in the labor force and 18 additional people who were unemployed last month, the unemployment rate rose slightly to 6.6 percent for June 2021.
In the 9-county NET WDA, Morris and Cass counties both continued to have the highest unemployment rates. Morris County’s unemployment rate rose to 12 percent in June 2021, up from 10.7 percent in May 2021, but still less than the 14.3 percent recorded in June 2020. Cass County had an 8.1 percent unemployment rate in June 2021, up 1 point from May 2021, but still almost 2 points less than in June 2020.
Lots of Activity This Week as Several Teams Concluded the Edge Yesterday
It has been a busy few weeks here in Sulphur Springs for Wildcats and Lady Cats sports.
Several teams have already had their youth camps; volleyball, girls basketball, softball, baseball, tennis and boys basketball, which took place this week at the SSHS Main Gym.
Not only that, but several programs will be finishing the Edge this week.
Football, cross country, and both boys and girls soccer began their final week of the summer strength and conditioning program Monday, which is set to conclude for the aforementioned teams this Thursday, July 15.
With the Edge drawing to a close, it means summer is quickly approaching its end with season schedules soon to be released.
The first team to release their schedule was Coach Bailey Dorner’s Lady Cats, who released the volleyball schedule to KSST earlier this week.
Coach Dorner’s squad finished their six week run of the Edge last Thursday, July 8. Women’s basketball also concluded their summer strength and conditioning program last week after beginning on June 7.
New Wildcats Basketball coach Brandon Shaver has had a busy two months since he was introduced as head coach in mid-May.
Not only has he ran the Edge Monday-Thursday from June 22 until now, he also had his first opportunity to coach a youth basketball camp here in Sulphur Springs.
Coach Shaver said things like these youth camps can be huge for the community, and several coaches have seen the benefits of winning and what it can bring to younger generations.
The youth basketball camp concluded Thursday, July 15.
Coach Aguayo, head coach of the Lady Cats soccer program, and Coach Alexi Upton, head coach of Wildcats soccer, both saw tremendous improvements from their student-athletes.
Coach Ross Hicks, head coach of Wildcats XC, voiced similar compliments, but took it one step further by praising his athletes for their dedication to improve even when they could not attend the Edge.
So with so many teams having wrapped up not only the Edge but their youth sports camps as well, most teams will take a bit of a breather as they prepare for the long-haul in the school year.
That leaves just basketball and team tennis, coached by Tony Martinez, who wrap up their summer strength and conditioning programs on July 22 and 25, respectively.
Cross country and volleyball both hit the ground running in August, with football in the same camp. The three teams are set for their first events as early as the first week of August.
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.
Commerce Man Charged For Third Time In 2 Months With Offense Involving A Child
A 60-year-old Commerce man has been charged for the third time in 2 months with an offense involving a child, according to arrest and jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nick Marney served Darrell Glen Farris at 5:35 p.m. Thursday with a first-degree felony warrant for aggravated sexual assault of a child warrant.
The warrant was served at the county jail, where Farris has remained since his arrest June 8, 2021, for online solicitation of a minor, according to jail and arrest reports. According to HCSO Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford, the department launched an investigation into Farris after an outcry was made against the Commerce man in June. He was accused of initiating online contact with a minor in Hopkins County for a sex act. A warrant was issued for Farris’ arrest for online solicitation of a minor in June.
Hunt County Constable Wade Sheets took Farris into custody in that county. Farris allegedly admitted during an interview at HCSO on June 8 to online solicitation of a minor as well as other offenses involving other children. The appropriate authorities were notified in those jurisdictions, according to Weatherford. Bond on that charge was set at $100,000.
On June 30, 2021, Weatherford served Farris with two additional warrants for indecency with a child by exposure and one warrant for tampering with a witness. Those charges involving children were for alleged offenses involving different victims than the one for which the original outcry was made. Investigation into alleged offenses in another county were still in progress. Bond on those charges were set at $150,000 each.
Farris was charged for the third time in two months on July 15, 2021, for an offense alleged during continued investigation. Bond had yet to be set on the aggravated sexual assault of a child charge at noon Friday.
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.
Mount Pleasant Man Chased After, Rammed Woman’s Car Multiple Times
A 31-year-old Mount Pleasant man allegedly chased after and rammed a 36-year-old Sulphur Springs woman’s car with his SUV early Friday morning, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police officers were dispatched just before 3 a.m. July 16, 2021, in the 100 block of South Davis Street, where someone in a vehicle was reportedly chasing someone in another vehicle and ramming it. Upon arrival, officers reported seeing a GMC Denali Yukon fleeing the area. They conducted a traffic stop on the SUV on Davis Street at Hinnant Street, then, and took the driver, identified in arrest reports as Michael Tareze Evans of Mount Pleasant, into custody around 3:45 a.m. on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.
After investigation, officers determined the man was chasing after the woman he’d reportedly been in a relationship with. He had also rammed the Yukon into the Nissan Altima she was driving several times, according Officer Robble Acosta noted in arrest reports.
Upon arrival at Hopkins County jail, Evans was placed into a “V-cell”, one specifically designed to reduce potential harm to anyone inside of it, due to his level of agitation.
Evans — who is also known to use the aliases Michael Tarezz Evans, Mike Evans, Michael Martin, Michael Hope and Fish Terez — remained in Hopkins County jail late Friday morning on the second-degree felony assault 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.
Improvements Planned For West Side Of Prim Stadium Parking Lot
The westside Gerald Prim Stadium parking lot, the home parking area, has been designated to receive $68,000 worth of improvements to clean, seal-coat and stipe the surface. Sulphur Springs ISD also will continue to contract out lawn work for most district facilities.
Prim Stadium Parking
The Prim Stadium parking lot has had no significant improvements in a quite a while, and it has begun to show. The surface has some cracks, which have grass growing through them, thus the need for the routine maintenance.
“It’s time to take care of that damage. We’ve recently sprayed to kill all of the grass in that area. As you know that’s the parking from Buford Circle to Houston Street on the home side of Prim to the Civic Center. That’ll be sealing all the cracks and resurfacing,” Sulphur Springs Independent School District Director of Maintenance Dan Froneberger said. “It’ll turn out darker than it is now. It’ll be restriped to hopefully gain us another 20 to 30 parking spaces.”
Part of the area to be paved came to the school district from the county, part of a deal a few years back giving SSISD a long-term lease on the Civic Center Auditorium.
“Prim is ours and a portion over at the high school parking lot that is not ours, it was part of the agreement with the Auditorium, that when we redid ours we redid theirs as well,” Sulphur Springs ISD Superintendent Mike Lamb said.
“The school district and county reached an agreement to swap some parking area for some parking space on the high school parking lot. At the high school, if you look at the clock that’s in front of the Civic Center, at an angle back across toward the Dairy Museum on Gladys Alexander, that belonged to the Civic Center, that’s the High School. We had this whole parking lot,” Froneberger noted of the deal struck several years back between SSISD and Hopkins County.
He said SSISD personnel have been in touch with Civic Center Manager Lonnie Fox regarding the planned parking improvements. fox indicated the Civic Center has four-five handicap parking spaces that are “kind of out in the middle of our parking lot.” Those will be moved up toward the county building “because he’s having some parking issues with people parking on his grass, as we did too until we put some big rocks that we had at other campuses. So that will clean up real nice,” Froneberger said.
The district posted notices asking companies interested in the project to submit bids. They received on proposal, from 5W Contracting, LLC, to perform the cleaning, seal-coating and striping of the Prim West parking lot.
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees, during their regular meeting on July 12, 2021, approved the $68,000 bid from the Sulphur Springs company
Lawn Care Services
Sulphur Springs ISD trustees also at the July 12 meeting approved a bid from a Sulphur Springs business to continue providing lawn care services for SSISD facilities.
Notices asking interested businesses to submit bids were posted last month. SSISD received one bid, from the Sulphur Springs company the district is currently using for lawn care services. East Texas Landscaping & Fencing met all requirements, including insurance and workers compensation, Froneberger reported.
The length of the agreement was increased from a one-year to a two-year contract, with an option to extend it for a third year.
“In the two years, they’ll hold the fee the same, and I believe it was down just a little bit from last year,” Froneberger said. “The principals are happy, and if you’ve seen the work that we’re doing, it’s pretty nice. The only thing that we keep in-house is from Highway 19 back to League Street and the high school complex. As we have retirements, they’ll put that under their umbrella.”
The board members present at the July 12 Board of Trustees meeting voted to award a two-year contract for lawn care services to East Texas Landscaping & Fencing for 2021-2023; the company agreed to perform the service, providing all materials, labor and services for $99,600 a year, which could be paid in increments of $8,300 monthly.
Journey Road Ministries’ Inaugural Golf Tourney July 19 to Support Foster Families
Rachel and Dean Draper became foster parents since her retirement from public school administration in SSISD. They soon discovered the plight of families which are fostering in the local area as well as across Texas. “The need is great for these struggling families. They can use help from the community, from everything from diapers to car seats, to qualified babysitters to encouragement and love. Journey Road Ministries non-profit organization was formed to help find resources within our own community to assist these families who are making their homes here among us in Hopkins County”. Here are some facts found on the website journeyroadministries.com plus information on how you can register a team in the 4-person Scramble on Monday July 19, 2021 at 8am at Sulphur Springs Country Club. Or, if you prefer, please consider donating to the Journey Road cause.
In 2018 there were…
Over 280,911 allegations of Child Abuse/Neglect in the state of Texas.
Almost 66,382 of these cases were confirmed.
Over 20,000 children were removed from their home for investigation,
or because of confirmed cases of abuse.
The total number of Texas children in CPS custody was 32,793.
THE NEED IS OVERWHELMING…
would you consider ‘standing in the gap’ with us to help these precious children and the families that are caring for them?
OUR MISSION
Journey Road is a new non-profit organization that hopes to strengthen foster families in their ministry to foster children. At our farm we have a facility that will provide a place to run, play, fish, learn, ride horses, and all kinds of other outdoor activities. We will provide a context for foster families to get much of the help they need as they give themselves to supporting the children that have been placed in their home. Beyond this, we hope that one day we will be a place where parents can learn life and parenting skills.
The opportunities are endless with what the Lord has provided. We want to honor Him above all things by doing all we can to help hurting and confused children find His love and a safe and secure home.
Contact Rachel and Dean Draper at journeyroadministries.com
Pickton Woman Accused Of Having Paraphernalia, Methamphetamine At Court
Items Allegedly Connected To Recent Home Burglary Also Found In Her Possession Upon Arrival At The Jail
Sheriff’s office staff arrested in court a 35-year-old Pickton woman accused of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia during a court hearing Wednesday.
When Hillary Kay Spigner showed up in the 8th Judicial District Court July 14, 2021, for her 9 a.m. arraignment hearing on a Jan. 14, 2021 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge court officials took her into custody. They reported finding drug paraphernalia in her bags while taking her into custody at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
She was handed over to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Todd Evans to be booked into jail on the possession of drug paraphernalia charge. During the book-in process, a corrections officer found an over-the-counter pill container with pills and two Ziploc-style baggies containing a suspected controlled substance.
Spigner allegedly denied having any controlled substances or drug paraphernalia. She claimed she had found the contents on the grounds at a local apartment complex where she told officers she was employed. She consented to a drug test, but could not complete the task. The substance in the baggies field tested positive as meth and weighed approximately 1.56 grams, resulting in Spigner being charged with possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
The Pickton woman was found to have in her possession some items that were similar to items listed in a recent burglary cases, according to arrest reports. The person to whom the articles belonged was contacted and identified two items stolen from his home.
When HCSO Investigator Shea Shaw contacted Spigner she allegedly confessed. Investigators began searching for the rest of the property that had been reported stolen when the two identified items were found.
Spigner was charged with burglary of a habitation, and fully booked into jail on the possession of drug paraphernalia charges as well as burglary charge around 4:30 p.m. July 14.
She remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday afternoon, July 15, 2021, in lieu of $100,000 in bonds, $50,000 each on the felony controlled substance and burglary charges.
Wednesday was the third time this year that Spigner had been booked into Hopkins County jail.
Spigner, who is also known by Hillary Thomas, was jailed Jan. 15 to Feb. 3, 2021, in jail on possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, assault and expired driver’s license; she was released on a $5,000 bond on the controlled substance charge.
She too spent April 14-20, 2021 in Hopkins County jail on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 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.
Cutoffs Will Begin Tuesday For Water Customers Who Have Yet To Address Overdue Bills Accrued Due To COVID-19
Cutoffs will begin Tuesday, July 20, 2021, for Sulphur Springs water customers who have yet to address overdue city utility bills accrued due to COVID-19, Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell reminded Thursday morning.
A total of 503 water accounts were behind by 30 days or more, including 29 accounts that were more than 12 months or more past due as Tuesday, April 6, 2021,
City staff during the April meeting asked Sulphur Springs City Council members to approve a resolution establishing a payment plan for utility customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, the city determined to freeze water shutoffs for customers who had outstanding balances on their water bills due to COVID-19. In April, when city staff asked Sulphur Springs City Council to end the grace period, at least 29 accounts were more than 12 months past due in April a plan was approved
“When the City Council approved the payment plan arrangement in April, there were over 700 accounts with balances past due over 30 days. Today, there are only 426,” said City Finance Director Lesa Smith reported July 15, 2021.
During the April City Council meeting, Smith proposed having those city water customers who were behind one their utility payment due to COVID-19 pay their current month’s pill plus 1/12th of the past due amount each month. At that point, she reported at least 29 accounts were more than 12 months past due in April a plan was approved
Councilman Gary Spraggins in April 2021 asked that amount paid back be reduced to as low as 1/24th the total owed plus the current bill if the customer requests it, so that those already struggling would not be required to pay what would essentially be two water bills each month. While the payment plan can be for up to 24 months, the payment amount will be determined by the listed utility customer on the account provided the account is caught up at the conclusion the 2 years.
Customers behind on water bills due to COVID were required to visit the city officers to sign a contract agreeing to pay the agreed on back amount of the owed amount by the deadline. As an added incentive to make a payment agreement, no additional fees are being added to the amount in arrears through May 31, 2021, so long as the customer uphold the agreement.
The idea was to allow the customer to get caught up in one year and avoid disconnection of water service. The City Council approved the resolution and letters were sent to customers to make them aware that the city will begin requiring them to start paying the amount if they do not set up a payment plan or pay the owed amounts by deadline. Customer were asked to establish an agreement by June 7, 2021.
Those customers were given an extra month’s grace period. However, there are still water customers who as of July 15, 2021, had not set up a payment plan to begin paying. Maxwell reported they will be given through Monday, July 19, 2021, to stop by the city’s Business office, located at 125 South Davis St., to complete and sign a payment agreement.
“We have had around 75 customers sign up for payment plans over the past three months,” Smith said.
Smith explained that he city has two billing cycles for utility bills. Cycle 1 cutoffs will begin Tuesday, July 20, while Cycle 2 cutoffs will begin Tuesday, July 27. A total of 330 accounts on the first billing cycle were still delinquent, with either no plan in place or have defaulted on the agreement made, as of Thursday morning, July 15; that accounts for $84,285 in city utility fees as yet uncollected from those water customers who still owe back amounts unpaid due to COVID.
Any remaining accounts still delinquent due to COVID-19 that do not have a payment agreement on file with the city will have their water cut off starting Tuesday, July 20, 2021, Maxwell noted.
