Hopkins County Constables’ Fees To Increase in 2022
Those individuals required to pay fees in 2022 to the two Hopkins County constables’ offices will be paying a little bit more moving forward. The Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday approved increases to constables fees.
Precinct 1 Constable Norman Colyer asked the Commissioners Court Monday to approve increases in their fees, which have not changed much in several years. Citations went up about four years ago, but not by much.
“I looked at all the surrounding counties out for a ways comparable size to us, smaller, bigger, and we are still probably a little bit cheaper on a lot of stuff than they are. That would put us more in line with other counties around us as far as the fees,” Colyer said.
Colyer recommended increasing the fee charged on citations, which both constables offices do the most of, by $10, raising it to $75. He also recommended increasing the fee charged for writs of possessions so that the fees are more in line with those charged by other agencies around the region.
As a comparison, Precinct 2 Constable John Beadle noted that Dallas charges about $170 , Rains County $200, and the other area counties charge between $150-$175 for writs of possession. Hopkins County is at $75. Thus, the constables recommended increasing the writ fee to $100.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley and Precinct 2 Commission Greg Anglin proposed approving the constables’ fees and sheriff’s fees as requested by Colyer and Beadle; the motion receive unanimous approval of the court.
9 SSHS Students On Their Way To Earning Firefighter Certification
Nine students are on their way to earning their firefighter certification. The students have completed the first year of firefighter classes offered at Sulphur Springs High School for the first time during the 2020-21 school year through Career & Technical Education, as part of the emergency services program of study taught by Fire in Texas.
Overall, nine SSHS students successfully completed the Firefighter I course and attempted the the state examinations for Hazardous Materials Awareness, Firefighter I, HazMat Operations, and Firefighter II in June. Students may complete their fire certification by taking EMT-Basic their senior year and will be fully certified upon completion of that training,
Live training at the drill field in Sulphur Springs included hands-on practice with burns in a “burn house,” with a vehicle fire and a few other controlled burn scenarios to test their abilities. From learning the basics of rope to navigating their way through a burning building, Fire in Texas teaches fire recruits the basic skills they will need to become a certified firefighter.
“We are very pleased with the outcome. These students are pioneers in the program and vocation,” said SSHS coordinating teacher Todd McCoy.
“We had three students to pass all 4 tests. Those students were Chad Maynard, Benjamin Hatcher, and Jake Armstrong. Four students passed three of the four tests, and two students passed two of the four tests. Students will have the opportunity to test again to complete any sections not passed,” said Jenny Arledge, director of College & Career Readiness/Career & Technical Education.
Arledge expressed appreciation to Fire in Texas “for taking a chance on being a part of this new program of study at Sulphur Springs High School.”
“They worked with our students tirelessly to help them be successful in the coursework they completed throughout the year and in the live fire training they completed at the end of the course to prepare them for the state examinations. We appreciate their commitment in helping us get this program of study up and running,” Arledge said.
TxDOT Names Brian Barth as Deputy Executive Director for Program Delivery
| July 26, 2021 AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation today announced the selection of Brian Barth as the department’s second Deputy Executive Director. Barth will assume his new role on August 1 and will serve alongside Deputy Executive Director Brandye Hendrickson, who joined TxDOT on July 19. Both positions report to Executive Director Marc Williams with Barth responsible for leading TxDOT’s program delivery overseeing all roads, bridges and maintenance throughout the entire state to ensure transportation projects meeting the needs of Texans are delivered efficiently and effectively. Most recently, Barth served as TxDOT’s Director of Project Planning and Development, where he oversaw TxDOT’s Transportation Planning and Programming, Right of Way, Environmental Affairs, Professional Engineering Procurement and Transportation Programs divisions. “TxDOT’s mission is Connecting You With Texas, and that means delivering needed transportation projects across the state to improve safety and mobility,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Brian is a proven leader with a strategic mindset and a commitment to follow-through to ensure we get it done.” Barth’s extensive transportation experience includes serving as the district engineer for TxDOT’s Fort Worth District from 2013-2018 working to solve Metroplex-area transportation issues. Under his direction as district engineer, he oversaw over $1 billion in construction work each year in addition to major projects on I-35W, SH 360 South and the I-30/SH 360 Interchange. “Governor Greg Abbott asked me to ‘turn dirt’ and therefore my mantra for TxDOT is ‘execute, execute, execute’ when it comes to meeting the transportation needs of Texans and Texas communities,” said Texas Transportation Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. “Our state continues to grow and Texans have entrusted us with keeping them moving. With Brian’s demonstrated leadership moving our Texas Clear Lanes initiative forward to tackle congestion in our busiest metros, I’m pleased to have his experience and expertise focused relentlessly on delivering on our robust program of transportation projects statewide.” Barth began his career at TxDOT in 1988 as an engineering assistant in the Dallas District after graduation from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. In 2003, he was appointed as the Dallas District’s director of transportation planning and development. From 2009 to 2013, Barth served as the Fort Worth District’s deputy district engineer, providing joint oversight and development of the DFW Connector, North Tarrant Express, I-35W, I-30, and Chisholm Trail Parkway. “I look forward to serving in this new and critical role,” Barth said. “I know firsthand that the women and men of TxDOT share my commitment to tackling complex challenges with rigor, dedication and meaningful results.” |
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Wildcats Cross Country Season Schedules Firmed Up
On Monday, July 26, Wildcats football head coach and athletic director Greg Owens released the finalized season schedules for both the high school and the middle school teams.
It will be a busy and tough season for the Wildcats, coached by Ross Hicks, as they will have to do a lot of travelling to compete in District 15-5A.
Home games are underlined, and postseason meets are written in bold below.
2021 Sulphur Springs Cross Country Season
- August 14 — SS Intra Squad Meet @ Sulphur Springs High School Athletic Complex
- Aug. 21 — Commerce Tiger Invitational @ Commerce High School
- Aug. 27 (Fri.) — Kaufman Run with the Lions @ Kaufman Sports Complex
- Sept. 4 — Open
- Sept. 11 — Hallsville Invitational @ Hallsville High School
- Sept. 17 (Fri.) — Pine Tree Mike Darby Invitational @ Lear Park Complex, Longview
- Sept. 25 — SS Wildcat Invitational @ Sulphur Springs High School Athletic Complex
- Oct. 2 — Titus County Fair Invitational @ Mt. Pleasant High School
- Oct. 7 (Thurs.) — Lindale Eagle Invitational @ Garden Valley Country Club 9 Hole Course
- Oct. 14 (Thurs.) — UIL District 15-5A Championship @ Hallsville HS
- Oct. 25 (Mon.) — UIL Region II-5A Championship @ Jesse Owens Sports Complex, Dallas TX
- Nov. 6 — UIL STATE MEET @ Old Settlers Park, Round Rock TX
For the first time ever, Coach Hicks and his Wildcats will host an invitational, right here in Sulphur Springs.
The squad will have their first taste of the competition they’ll be facing this year when they host an intra squad meet on Aug. 14 at the SSHS Athletic Complex.
Besides that, and an invitational again here in Sulphur Springs on Sept. 25, the Wildcats cross country team will be competing on the road against the rest of their district foes.
Coach Hicks and his team also have an open date on Saturday, Sept. 4, Labor Day weekend.
Moving over to middle school, Coaches Hicks and Owens also released the season schedule for middle school cross country runners.
As with the varsity schedule above, home games are underlined, and postseason meets are written in bold below for the middle school schedule.
2021 Sulphur Springs Junior High Cross Country Season
- Aug. 21 — Commerce Tiger Invitational @ Commerce High School
- Sept. 4 — Tyler Legacy Invitational @ University of Texas Tyler
- Sept. 16 — Miller Grove Invitational @ Miller Grove ISD
- Sept. 25 — SS Wildcat Invitational @ Sulphur Springs High School Athletic Complex
- Oct. 2 — Mt. Pleasant Titus County Fair Invitational @ Mt. Pleasant High School
- Oct. 9 — District 15-5A Meet @ Hallsville High School
Coach Ross Hicks encourages any and all Wildcats fans to attend the intra squad meet on Aug. 14 as it will be free and right here in Sulphur Springs at the athletic complex.
So with High school cross country getting underway the second week of August, and the middle school program following the week after, Coach Ross Hicks and his team will quickly be looking forward to the fall season when it kicks off here in the next few weeks.
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.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report For July 19-25, 2021
The Winnnsboro Police Department’s weekly media report for July 18-25, 2021, included the following:
Arrests
- Daron Moore Jackson, 33 years of age, of San Pablo, California, was arrested on July 24, 2021, on a Texas Department of Criminal Justice Pardon and Parole board warrant for a Parole Violation.
- Jesse Schnitzius, 23 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on July 25, 2021, on a Winnsboro Municipal Warrant, Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance and Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 Controlled Substance.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 116 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 29 citations and 48 warnings during this reporting period.
EEA: Our Youth 4th Annual Back to School Ready Event Slated Aug. 15
East End Allegiance: Our Youth, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, will be hosting the 4th Annual Back to School Ready event from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 15, 2021, at the Grays Building in Pacific Park.
“We will provide haircuts, backpacks, shoes, and free food,” said Bridgette Cooper, EEA:OY president. “We are requesting that parents sign their children up to ensure we can meet their need. Sign-up requires providing their name, age, and shoe size.”
Information for sponsored children may be sent via text or phone message to 972-802-8705, on the East End Allegiance: Our Youth Facebook page, or emailed to [email protected].
Also among the activities planned for the youth attending the Aug. 15 event are music, prizes, free food and drink, bounce houses and wellness checks.
Those wishing to help make the EEA:OY Back To School Ready event a success by meeting all participating children’s needs may make donations of backpacks, shoes, drinks, water, juice and Gatorade as well as monetary or gift card donations. Just drop the contributed item off at KJC Beauty Supply, 1217 South Broadway Street, Suit Q2.
EEA:OY also offers silver sponsorship recognition for those contributing $25 and gold sponsorship recognition for those contributed $50 or more toward the event.
For additional information about the back to school event, call 972-802-8705.
Fort Worth Woman Pretended To Be Someone Else, Ran From Police To Avoid Arrest On 14 Warrants
A 27-year-old Fort Worth woman wanted by nine different agencies on a total of 14 warrants pretended to be someone else, then ran from police in an attempt to avoid arrest Monday morning, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Malibu at 9:11 a.m. July 26 on JD Franklin Drive. The officer believed the woman driving to be one he knew had outstanding warrants. She displayed signs of nervousness and, when asked for ID, gave a different name and date of birth than the one Hoffman was familiar with, police alleged in arrest reports.
She insisted the information she gave was correct, so dispatchers obtained and sent to the officer a photo of the person she claimed to be. The photo did not look like the woman in front of him, Hoffman alleged in arrest reports.
He then asked the woman if she had any ID in her wallet. She claimed the one she had was her sister’s. He then told her the photo from the name she’d given didn’t look like her and asked to see the ID she had. She refused, Hoffman noted in arrest reports.
He asked the woman to get out for further investigation of possible criminal activity. She refused, claiming she was waiting for her brother to get there. She then rolled up the car window and fled south on JD Franklin Drive, turned onto Melba Street. She got out of the car and took off running west on Melba, then behind a house at the corner of JD Franklin Drive and Melba Street. He caught up to her in the back yard and took her into custody, Hoffman alleged in arrest reports.
The woman then admitted her name is Justice Brown. The 27-year-old Fort Worth woman was arrested at 9:49 a.m. July 26, 2021, for failure to identify and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, and as well as on 14 outstanding warrants:
- 1 Hopkins County warrant for failure to identify as a fugitive by intentionally giving false information;
- 2 Tarrant County warrants, one each for theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions and failure to ID by giving false information;
- 2 Dallas County warrants, one each for bond forfeiture on an assault on a security officer and theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions;
- 1 Arlington warrant for theft of less than $2,500 with prior convictions;
- 1 Keller Southlake warrant for theft of property with tow or more prior convictions;
- 1 Lamar County motion to revoke on an assault causing bodily injury charge;
- 2 Collin County warrants, one each for theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with prior convictions and false alarm or report;
- 2 Harris County warrants, one each for theft and evading arrest or detention; and
- 2 Sulphur Springs warrants, one each for failure to maintain financial responsibility and no driver’s license.
Justice Jashea Brown, who is also known by Laquantra Amelia William (not the name she initially told police on Monday), was booked into Hopkins County jail at 12:15 p.m. Monday. The car was impounded. She remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, July 27, 2021, on the failure to identify and evading arrest charges as well as the 14 warrants.
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.
More Fun Facts About Sr’s Center Weekly Activities!
The Wreath class that meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 1:30 will
now just be called a Craft Workshop. Instructor Leslie is on a planned absence, and Heritage Home Health has someone who will be teaching the class temporarily. Her name is Jessica Claxton. She will be helping you guys make something new every month. Please come
and enjoy the fun. If you don’t want to keep the craft yourself you can always brighten someone else’s day with a little gift that you made.
We are still trying to get more people interested in Chair Yoga. It is very low impact. If you are having trouble with Stiffness, Balance, Arthritis, depression, loneliness or just want to feel better about yourself you should come and join Chair Yoga. Come make some new friends while helping yourself feel better mentally and physically.
BINGO attendance has been down since COVID. If you like to play BINGO you are welcome to show up on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30. We play until about 10:45. We play for items like Laundry Detergent, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Chips and Dips and Cleaners. Black Out is $ 10.00.
Everything at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizen Center is FREE to you except Lunch (which is only $2.00) and BINGO (cards are .75 each and you keep the same cards the whole time you are here).
Affiliated Driving Class is this Thursday July 29th at 10:00. The class is good for Ticket Dismissal or 10% Discount on your Liability Insurance. The Discount is good for 3 years. The class is 15.00 for Discount and 25.00 for Ticket Dismissal. Lunch will be available for a cost of $ 2.00.
If you are afraid of COVID just wear your mask and come on. I still see lots of people wearing their masks. Hope To See You All Soon!
Portion Of County’s ARP Funding Earmarked for Trustee Housing Facility
County Eyes Hazardous Mitigation Assistance Grant For Community Safe Room
Hopkins County officials are considering building two structures near the sheriff’s office, a trustee housing facility and a community safe room.
Trustee Housing
Hopkins County officials plan to use a portion of the $7-plus million the county has been awarded in American Rescue Program funding to construct a trustee housing facility. The facility would keep the trustees, who work in the community, separate from other inmates as a safety precaution against COVID-19 or any other illness being spread, and to better keep contraband such as snuff or controlled substance out of the county jail.
Constructing the facility too will free up space in the county jail so the inmate count remains below the count recommended by state jail standards inspectors. The inmate limit is 192, but jail standards officials recommend keeping 10 beds open, to accommodate an influx over the weekend, Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum explained.
The new facility, as currently estimated, would be constructed to house up to 48 beds. Currently, jail trustees are utilized on work assignments daily throughout the county. For instance, some jail trustees are assigned to Commissioners’ precinct crews, some assist at Hopkins County Civic Center particularly the yard. Female inmates clean in offices and buildings all over the county, including the clerk’s offices and courthouses. Tatum estimated 35-36 trustees can be found on any given day on work detail.
While the current plan is for the female trustees to remain in B Hall dorm at the jail, the male trustees would lodge in the new Trustee Housing facility. Having the male inmates at a separate facility would be easier for jail staff and those individuals who pick the inmates up for their work detail. The THF would allow for better monitoring during the pick up and drop off process without causing congestion in the main booking area at the jail, which could potentially present a safety issue.
“I want the public to know that this is innovative, because not everybody’s doing this.. But, it is a very creative way first of all protecting the jail and also addressing jail crowding,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said. “We are pushing that limit.” Newsom said.
According to County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook the Trustee Housing Facility would be paid completely out of American Recovery Program funds or state and local recovery funds,
“This would be from a grant. This is one of the ways it can be spent. There is not match required. We’d just spend from our part of the funding so there would be no dollars spent,” Aulsbrook said.
A new trustee housing facility would require adding four more jailers to the payroll, to be in compliance with inmate-officer requirements. Those salaries would not be paid out of the ARP funding, however, Aulsbrook noted. Tatum noted additional jailers are needed at the jail. Three of the additional jail staff could be utilized in the county jail while the trustee facility is mostly empty during the day time hours when trustees are out working. One jailer would be at the facility at all times, according to Tatum. The jail does receive enough revenue which should cover the cost of the additional jailers, Aulsbrook said.
County officials are proposing cleaning up county-owned property on the north side of Houston Street across from the sheriff’s office and jail and building the Trustee Housing Facility on the site.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court at their July 26 meeting authorized issuance of requests for proposals for qualifications for architectural services related to American Rescue funds or state and local fiscal recovery funds, for a Trustee Housing Facility.
Aulsbrook noted that currently she, county grants coordinator Beth Wisenbaker and the Commissioners Court currently make up the committee that review proposals to ensure the qualifications meet standards set by the county for the project. She recommended that the sheriff also be included on the committee as he should have a huge say as the project progresses. The trustee housing facility will need to meet not only state jail standards but also fit local use needs as well.
Tatum said a representative from jail standards commission actually approached him at a recent out-of-town meeting about the project. The official had already heard what Hopkins County wanted to to and “seemed to be very much on board,” as it would reinforce COVID-19 distancing and additional measures to reduce changes of contraband entering the jail.
Community Safe Room
Hopkins County Commissioners Court also authorized issuance of requests for proposals for qualifications for architectural services related to a Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs application the county is submitted with a goal of constructing a community safe room. If approved, the grant is an 80/20 percent match, with 80 percent coming from the grant and the county providing a 20 percent match.
The safe room would serve multiple purposes. it could serve as a community shelter in times of extreme weather, or a site for certain types of mass distributions, such as a safe space from which vaccines could be administered. The Community Safe Room too would likely serve as a new Emergency Operations Center for the entire county, as first the sheriff’s office training room then the administrative offices above the south side ambulance dorm at Hopkins County Fire Department/Intermodal Facility served as EOCs for several months after COVID-19 pandemic spread across the area.
The facility, as proposed, would be located across from the county jail, would include restrooms and a kitchenette. In order to make it as safe a location as possible, the community safe room would be built much like the portion of Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center where inmates are housed. It would have solid concrete floors, as well as solid walls and ceilings to make it sturdy, more able to withstand extreme weather such as a tornado.
The community safe room being constructed depends on the county being approved for funding to use for that purpose.
Cumby Man Jailed On Felony Theft Warrant
A 66-year-old Cumby man was jailed on a felony theft warrant Saturday, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies were made aware of a warrant issued for Paul Wesley Cash’s arrest. They spotted Cash in a Ford F150 traveling on FM 275 south at the south service road and conducted a traffic stop on the truck at 3:17 p.m. July 24, 2021. Deputies took the 66-year-old Cumby man into custody at 4:21 p.m. and jailed on the warrant for theft of a property valued at $2,500-$30,000, HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite noted in arrest reports.
Cash was released from jail later July 25 on a $5,000 bond on the felony theft warrant, according to jail reports.
Saturday was the second time Cash has been jailed this year. He was arrested April 19, 2021, on a theft 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.
