Marijuana And A Pistol Found During SH 19 Traffic Stop
The discovery of marijuana and a pistol during a State Highway 19 traffic stop resulted in a felony arrest, sheriff’s deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies reported seeing a Honda SUV being driven on the improved shoulder of State Highway 19 at County Road 1170 just before 11:30 p.m. Thursday, May 6, and stopped it. A records check using the driver’s identifying information confirmed he is a convicted felon. When asked if there were any illegal items such as a firearm or illegal narcotics in the vehicle, Robert Jeremy Ballance admitted there could possibly be a pistol as well as a small amount of marijuana. He said if there was a pistol, it belonged to his girlfriend, whose vehicle he was driving, HCSO Deputy Zack Horne, Deputy Zach Steward, Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Drew Fisher alleged in arrest reports.
A pistol was found under the driver’s seat and a small rolled cigarette containing suspected marijuana was also located, according to arrest reports. Deputies seized the marijuana and pistol and took 37-year-old Ballance into custody. The vehicle owner was called and arranged for the vehicle to be picked up. The Emory man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 1:21 a.m. Friday, May 7, 2021, for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to arrest and jail reports.
Ballance remained in Hopkins County jail Friday afternoon, in lieu of $10,000 on the firearm charge, according to jail reports.
Local Company Sponsors International Jet Ski World Cup
PRESS RELEASE — 2021 Thailand Jet Ski World Cup
Despite the difficulties experienced by riders over the past year, a stunning race event took place last week in Pattaya City, Thailand.
The rescheduled 2020 Thai Airways Jet Ski World Cup “Super Tournament” was live-streamed worldwide to a global audience of PWC race fans. Jettribe was extremely proud to return for our 3rd consecutive year as the Official Gear Sponsor.
Although crowds could not gather at the race site this year in Pattaya, teams of riders from multiple countries battled it out to see who would be declared both winners of their class, and winner of the prestigious 2020 Jet Ski World Series Cup.
There was over $400,000 in prize money awarded at the event.
This event holds a special place in our heart. Jettribe first started traveling to Thailand over a decade ago.
When racers travel to international events, they learn how to not only compete on unfamiliar water, but also how to support themselves and their team in a foreign land. They have to learn exchange rates, where to eat good food, and which metal shops to use to fix broken parts.
The ultimate skill is learning how to balance a fuel jug on your lap while pulling your ski with a scooter. These are skills that cannot be taught, they must be experienced.
Jettribe started in Thailand as a small booth with beach apparel. Now during our 25th anniversary, we are humbled that the gear we design and obsess over gets to be displayed so prominently to such a large international crowd.
As restrictions continue to improve worldwide, riders are ready to move forward and on to more competitions. The 2021 Jet Ski World Cup Series is scheduled to start with Round 1 July 21 – 25 in Poland with the Jettribe European Championship.
We cannot wait for international travel to open up once again.
Lady Cats Pole Vaulter Claire Bybee Competes at State Track Meet Friday Afternoon
Friday (May 7) is a very big day for junior Lady Cats pole vaulter Claire Bybee as she is scheduled to compete in the State Class 5A Track Meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin.
The pole vault competition begins at 3 p.m.
According to Bybee’s Sulphur Springs Pole Vault Coach Clark Cipoletta, Bybee enters the event with the top jump in the state.
Bybee’s mark of 12-feet-9 inches was good enough to win the pole vault at the Regional Meet back on April 24 at UT-Arlington.
The magnificent result was 6 inches higher than Bybee had ever accomplished before.
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.
380 Agreement Granted For Towne Street Property
Sulphur Springs City Council Declines Oncor’s Application To Increase “Distribution Cost Recovery Factor” Rates
A 380 agreement was granted for a Towne Street property, while a requested rate increase by Oncor was denied by Sulphur Springs City Council at the regular May council meeting. The City Council also approved an interlocal purchasing agreement with the City of Frisco.
380 Agreement
At the recommendation of staff, the City Council granted a 380 agreement to Jeff Orwosky for a property located at 316 Towne Street, between Hinnant and Robertson Street. The lot is currently vacant and there are no taxes owed on the lot. The applicant is seeking only reimbursement of tap and building fees associated with building a 1,690-square foot single family home on the property, Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski told the council Tuesday evening. Approval of the request for a 380 agreement for 316 Towne Street was recommended by city staff.
Place 6 Councilman Doug Moore asked if there’s a map or list of properties eligible for 380 infill housing agreements. Niewiadomski said the city does get a lot of enquiries about the feasibility of a property for these types of agreements.
“In most circumstances almost any lot in the city is eligible, outside of the Highway 19-Loop 301-I-30 area,” the community development director noted. “We do have the policy on the website. Really the only requirement is that it has to be on an existing street served by existing utilities — sewer, water and street.”
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell said what makes the 380 infill housing development agreements work for so many is that there are many lots that have issues: back taxes are owed on them, there are liens for mowing or demolition. When the liens are subtracted from the value of the property, it renders the property practically worthless. Some will go out and do some legwork and find those properties they can buy “on the cheap” then pay off the encumbrances and build a home on the property. Once constructed, the encumbrances will be repaid to those with a city-approved 380 agreement listing them.
“It’s a sweet deal and we’re starting to see people take advantage of it,” Maxwell said.
“Just to add to that, we spoke to the county and they are looking at participating in this program as well, if there are back taxes with the county,” Niewiadomski said.
“From the city and county’s perspective there’s noting to lose. I mean, we’re refunding what they pay to clear up those issues. Then, forever after there’s a home on the property. It’s a win-win,” Maxwell said.
Spraggins noted that typically, the city will “break even” then benefit from having the property back on the tax role and paying city utilities.
Maxwell said really, it benefits the city from the time the home is constructed. While the city refunds those fees, which they wouldn’t have received without the construction, and the property once constructed is on the city tax role and upon occupancy, city utility fees would be collected from that address as well.
Niewiadomski noted a typical property will generate about $1,500 in revenue annually for the city.
“All these new houses being built in these gaping holes around town, is really looking good,” Spraggins notes.
“It sure is,” Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers agreed.
Oncor Rate Increase Application
The city approved a resolution which not only declines Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC’s
“The shortened version is Oncor is applying for a rate increase. We go through this with Oncor almost all the time. This particular rate increase is called the distribution cost recovery factor. As you know, we belong to a group of cities that call ourselves OCSC. We group together and we challenge when we think they need to be challenged, which is generally the case,” Maxwell explained to the City Council during their regular meeting on May 4.
The legal council for the OCSC recommended that the cities officially deny the request by passing Resolution 1240. Experts will be brought in to review the filing and make recommendations, with a negotiation process between Oncor and the cities group beginning thereafter. Typically, an amount “in the middle,” a figure between the requested amount and the current rate, is reached. The process is expected to take a few months.
Maxwell and city staff recommended approving Resolution No. 1240, denying the requested distribution rate increase. On a motion by Place 5 Councilman Gary Spraggins then made a motion, the resolution was approved.
Purchasing Agreement
Sulphur Springs Fire Chief/Marshal Davis James asked the City Council to consider formally entering into an interlocal agreement with the City of Frisco for purchasing of goods and services commonly used by both cities.
“This agreement, we’ve piggybacked off of it for years. For us to maintain our current prices with our vendors and service providers, they are requesting this documentation. It provides a substantial saving to us as of right now,” James told the City Council during Tuesday evening’s regular council meeting.
Maxwell noted that while the city has agreements and participates in purchasing cooperatives such as BuyBoard, the City of Frisco receives better deals. The agreement will allow Sulphur Springs to receive Frisco’s discounts for certain items.
James estimated that the City of Sulphur Springs has been piggy backing off Frisco for 15 years, benefitting from the other city’s discounted rates for certain specialized goods and services. It’s just now been brought up that there’s no interlocal agreement in place, and one is being requested in order to receive the discounts afforded to the City of Frisco.
The City Council approved Resolution No. 1239 approving an interlocal agreement between the City of Sulphur Springs and City of Frisco for purchasing of goods and services commonly used by both cities.
Other Business
Place 3 Councilman Oscar Aguilar noted that Ramsey and Putman Streets, just off College Street filled up with water during the rain earlier in the week. He asked if those would be addressed by city crews in the near future. There is an issue, Maxwell noted, with water going under College Street. The drainage issues would likely be addressed at the College Street intersections when College Street is rebuilt in the near future. The plans for the College Street project are done; work is slated to begin following completion of the Saputo sewer main project.
The Saputo Sewer Main project was 40 percent complete Tuesday. Workers began at the downstream side of the project or downhill and are working their way up toward the interstate and will continue working toward Saputo, Maxwell noted.
A special City Council meeting has been scheduled for noon Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The council is slated to go into executive session after calling the meeting to order in order to discuss potential economic development projects, dubbed Project Hold Fast and Project Flourish, according to the agenda posted on the city website on May 6. The city manager was authorized at the April City Council meeting to meet with representatives to continue negotiations for the two potential future economic development projects. If either its forwarded from the closed session for action, the City Council could then opt to discuss and vote on the matter upon returning to the regular open session.
Lady Cats Softball Takes Game 1 of Area Series
The Lady Cats softball team took advantage of some hits in the bottom of the fourth as they took game 1 of the area series with the Crandall Lady Pirates, 3-0 on Thursday, May 6 in Nevada, TX.
The two teams were led early in the game by their starting pitchers. Through three innings, SS Parris Pickett’s single in the bottom of the third was the only hit up until then.
Sulphur Springs struck big in the bottom of the fourth inning, though, as CF and Jadyn Harper started off the big inning by knocking a single to get on base. RF Grace Magnuson was able to reach first on an error by a Lady Pirate infielder, and Harper was able to make it to third. Magnuson then reached second on the same error.
Clean-up batter Addison Caddell made her at-bat count, getting Harper home on a line drive to the right fielder, and Magnuson then made her way to third to put runners at the corners with a 1-0 lead and no outs. The following batter, starting pitcher for the Lady Cats Crimson Bryant, made it big by doubling on a line drive to center field to get both Magnuson and Caddell home to make it 3-0 over Crandall after 4 innings. Unfortunately for the Lady Pirates, that would be the final score on the night.
The story of the Lady Cats victory cannot be told without mention of dynamite ace Bryant. The righty struck out 17 consecutive Crandall batters before starting pitcher for the Lady Pirates Scarlett Perez ended the perfect game bid.
Bryant and the Sulphur Springs squad then found themselves somewhat in a bind, as the righty then gave up three straight hits, with two outs, leading 3-0 in the top of the six. Bryant then did what she does best, striking out 2B Alix Miller and the following three Crandall batters in their next at-bat to get a 3-0 victory over the Lady Pirates.
The ace went on a tear versus Crandall, striking out the first 17 batters she faced and 21 total. She allowed three hits in the bottom of the sixth, but the righty did not walk a Lady Pirate batter.
The win over Crandall at Community High School gave the Lady Cats a 1-0 lead in the three game series. The win increases Coach David Carrillo’s squad season record to 25-3 overall (11-1 district).
If the Lady Cats can get a win versus the Lady Pirates on Friday, then they will have won the Area series and move on to the Regional Quarterfinal.
Game 2 between Sulphur Springs and Crandall will be back in Nevada, TX at Community High School and will tee off at 7:30 P.M. on Friday, May 7. That game will be broadcasted on KSST’s sister station, KRVA 107.1 Young Country FM.
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.
J-B Weld Acquires HERCULINER
J-B Weld is a major DIY adhesive and epoxy brand founded in Sulphur Springs, TX but headquartered in Marietta, Georgia.
It just purchased Herculiner — a popular DIY pickup truck bed liner brand — from another company, Old World Industries, and it may be important news to hear about one of its cities’ growing companies.
Information on the news release can be found here.
J-B Weld is a private, employee-owned company founded in Sulphur Springs, Texas and headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. J-B Weld is America’s preferred brand of epoxy adhesive for DIY, repair, and craftingand is distributed across the U.S. at more than 50,000 retail locations, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Target, AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, ACE Hardware, True Value, Michaels, and Amazon.
J-B Weld is also found in leading retailers across Canada, Mexico and more than 40 other countries aroundthe world.J-B Weld’s innovative range of strongest in class products help self-reliant, DIYers of all skill levels confidently pull off projects both big and small, from the home to the garage.
J-B Weld, World’s Strongest Bond.
AG’s Consumer Alert: Be Cautious When Purchasing Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today warned Texans to be cautious when considering buying from companies selling over-the-counter hearing aids, particularly online or by mail order. Many hearing devices sold this way are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are deceptively marketed as medical hearing devices when they contain low-quality amplifiers.
Texans should remember these tips when purchasing a hearing aid:
- Get a hearing screening and recommendation from a hearing professional who can tell you what type of hearing device will work best for you.
- Remember that over-the-counter hearing aids are not FDA-approved. Some companies will deceptively state that they are “registered” to imply that the FDA has endorsed or approved them. It has not.
- Before purchasing, research the seller with the Better Business Bureau. Read online reviews and endorsements skeptically, unless you know and trust the source.
Please report suspected deceptive marketing to the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling toll-free 1-800-621-0508 or by filing an online complaint at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint.
Lots To Celebrate In Tira: Law School Commencement, Birthday Celebrations
By Jan Vaughn, Tira News correspondent
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Luther Jack Petrea. His funeral service was held on Sunday, April 25, at Murray-Orwosky Funeral home. His wife was the late Murlene Joslin Petrea and they had relatives in Tira. Please remember his family in prayer.
Tommy and Carolyn Long were in Waco Saturday May 1 to attend the Baylor University School of Law Commencement. They enjoyed watching their son Reid Long receive his Juris Doctor Degree with Special Distinction in Intellectual Property. Reid plans to return to Parker Highlander PLLC in Austin and work in patent law. Congratulations to Reid and to his family!
Yvonne Weir was honored with a 70th birthday party at Heritage Park in Sulphur Springs. Her children did a wonderful job with the food and decorations! She received lots of lovely gifts from family and friends.
Everly Weir, daughter of Dustin and Natalie Weir, celebrated her second birthday at her home with the entire Weir Family on Sunday the 25th . Yvonne reports, “There was a bounce house and bubbles and good food. She got many gifts and was very excited.”
Kenden Joslin and Emma Hall went to Arkansas on Saturday to watch Kenden’s sister, Jaidyn, play volleyball. They spent the night with Tiffany, Perry and Jaidyn, then returned home on Sunday.
Our great-grandsons Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin spent Saturday night with us, while their parents, Landon and Laiken Joslin, went to Paris to shop and eat for Landon’s birthday, which was on Friday. We all enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles with “Grandma Grace.”
Mark your calendar for the annual Tira Homecoming on July 4, 2021. Danna Lewis is coordinating the program, which will begin at 11 a.m. in the Tira Methodist Church. Afterward, there will be a covered-dish lunch at the picnic tables on the grounds. Make plans to join us to share memories and make new ones.
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].
New Ordinance Restricts Parking On Tomlinson Street
A new ordinance adopted by Sulphur Springs City Council this week will restrict parking in the 200 block of Tomlinson Street.
Ordinance No. 2779, as proposed, prohibits parking on the north side of Tomlinson Street from a point beginning 35 feet east of the Davis Street intersection and ending 100 feet east of the Davis Street intersection. There would be no parking on the south side of Tomlinson Street between Davis and Gilmer streets.
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell asked the City Council during their April 2021 meeting to consider restricting parking along that block to provide accessibility for trash service pick up and for emergency vehicles on the narrow street, which runs between Davis and Gilmer Streets. If a sanitation truck cannot make it down the street due to parked vehicles, a fire engine and potentially other large emergency vehicles would not be able to access the street either.
A violation of the ordinance could draw a fine of up to $500 for the Class C misdemeanor parking offense.
The City Council approved the request on first reading during the April council meeting, and, following the public hearing which drew no public comment, the council Tuesday evening, May 4, 2021, approved on second and final reading Ordinance 2779 as proposed ordinance
City Council Approves Zoning Ordinances As Proposed
Sulphur Springs City Council approved three zoning ordinances as proposed at the elected board’s regular May meeting.
City officials approved on second reading Ordinance No. 2778, and on first reading Ordinances No. 2780 and No. 2791. These properties are located along the State Highway 19/Loop 301/I-30 corridor, which was intended for commercial and industrial development.
When Wildcat Way as constructed ad the area around it was annexed into the city, place holder were put on a few properties, labeling them as single family. Those were never changed to reflect current use or potential use for each.
Donnie and Allen Wisenbaker in March asked their property at the northwest corner of Rockdale Road and State Highway 19 be rezoned from single family to heavy commercial to reflect the intended use along that corridor.
Larry and Linda Evans have property at 1340 South Hillcrest Drive, which is across from the area the Wisenbakers asked be rezoned. The Evans’ then realized their property which is currently being used for commercial purposes also has a single family zoning designation. They asked that it be rezoned heavy commercial to better fit the existing uses and potential use of the property.
Both the Wisenbaker Rockdale Road and Hillcrest Drive properties are currently surrounded by a mix of zoning designations. City staff recommended heavy commercial as an appropriate use for both given the context of the area, Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski noted.
The Sulphur Springs Planning & Zoning Commission in March recommended the Wisenbaker request and in April the Evans’ request, forwarding both for City Council consideration. The City Council approved on first reading in April the rezoning request from the Wisenbakers, and granted the request to rezone the property as heavy commercial on second reading Tuesday evening. The Council approved the Evans’ request on first reading to rezone the South Hillcrest Drive property as heavy commercial.
A third rezoning request made by Chuck Sickles received approval on first reading by the City Council on May 4, 2021. A shop is currently operated on the properties at 1079 Rockdale Road and 1084 Rockdale Road. The request would clean up split zoning across property lines on the lots. In order to clean up the zoning, Sickles asked that the property be zoned heavy commercial, which is consistent with the body shop use, which the property frontage is zoned.
Surrounding Sickles’ Rockdale Road properties are a mix of zoning designations: heavy commercial and single family.. Niewiadomski noted that rezoning the Rockdale Road properties to all heavy commercial would be an appropriate use given the context of the area and the fact that it fits the land use plan of commercial property along I-30 and Rockdale Road. The P&Z Commission approved the request in April, sending it to the city council for first reading on Tuesday evening.
