City of Sulphur Springs Receives ‘Clean Unmodified’ Opinion On FY 2019-2020 Audit
Sulphur Springs City Council this week received a brief update on current year financials, including sales tax numbers, then a report from the Frisco firm that conducted the annual City of Sulphur Springs for fiscal year 2019-2020 independent audit.
Sulphur Springs Finance Director Lesa Smith first reported that sales tax is up 6.4 percent currently over the same time period last year, which she noted is great news for the city.
“Sales tax has been performing really well this year, in spite of everything we have going on. Other than that all of the departments seem to be coming in under budget or on budget from where they normally track and revenue is doing well in other area,” Smith said during the April 6 regular meeting of Sulphur Springs City Council.
She also provided a budget calendar to the City Council members, a timeline for discussions and work sessions to shape the 2021-2022 budget. City staff have already started the process she said and the calendar will begin next week. She asked the members to let her know if they have any conflicts so she can make changes if needed.
Kirk Evans of K. Evans & Associates CPAs out of Frisco conducted the annual outside independent audit. Evans reported his firm’s opinion for fiscal year 2019-2020, which ended Sept. 30, 2020, was a “clean unmodified audit” again this year.
Evans noted that the total revenue in the general fund at the end of FY 2019-2020 was just over $20 million, a sizeable increase over the previous year. That’s due largely to a $8.89 million “in-kind” amount, land given to the city, an amount also counted as a capital expenditure. From a fund balance standpoint, he said, it is a “zero effect,” but that’s how it gets recorded for the governmental fund statement.
Expenditures at the end of the year was just over $19 million, so from an operational standpoint that left a $987,599 surplus in the general operations fund. The $8.89 million is included in the $9.17 million in capital outlay expenses..
“It’s like this: if someone gave you $9 million and you went out and bought land with the $9 million, it’s the same type of transaction. Because it was donated to the city so it gets recorded,” Evans explained.
“So, it doesn’t benefit the balance sheet?” City Manager Marc Maxwell asked.
“No, it does not,” Evans affirmed.
“That seems counter intuitive,” Maxwell replied.
“In a governmental fund, which is what we’re talking about here in the general fund, general fund modified rules. So you don’t track capital assets and long term debt in your general fund. It doesn’t count. Now the water/sewer fund it does, it’s treated differently. It’s a different accounting system. But, in the general fund, anything you put for capital assets is just called capital outlay. It’s an in and out transaction,” Evans explained. it has no affect on your fund balance. It’s just and in-and-out transaction, but because it occurred, that’s how it has to get reported.”
Evans said it is tracked in the capital assets section of the notes from the audit report, but from a fund standpoint, capital assets are not tracked.
Overall, the net fund balance change was the addition of $560,000 to the city’s general fund balance over FY 2019-20. The city also retired $1.4 million in bond debt and other capital assets put into surplus was about $1.4 million, Evans noted.
The city ended FY 2019-20 with just under $14 million in the water and sewer fund, an increase of about $435,000 over the previous fiscal year. Total operating expenses were $9.9 million, with an operational surplus of $4.06 million. That is then adjusted for interest charges, expenses, revenues and transfers in and out, for a bottom line of $1.718 million change in the net position in the water/sewer fund for FY 2019-20. In the water/sewer fund, the city retired $1.8 million in debt, and had about $1.9 million in capital assets placed into service.
“So, a good year for the water/sewer fund by adding surplus as you know helps the infrastructure and repairs and everything that needs to be done,” Evans said.
He indicated that the audit report includes many notes, with more in-depth explanation of the financials.
“In summary, it was a good report to bring you for the city for the year. The general fund and your water/sewer fund both had good surpluses and overall the audit went well. There was nothing that we discovered in the audit that we need to bring to you attention. Anything that we may have discussed with management this year was insignificant in nature, things that happen in the normal course of the audit,” Evans concluded. “So, just again a good report to bring the city. We appreciate Lesa and her staff and everyone that has helped out in getting us what we need.”
Hopkins County Records – April 9, 2021
Land Deed Transfers
- Eileen Aske w to Cristina Reed; tract in the May Ann Collum survey
- Jeffrey Scott Galloway and Ladonna Galloway to Caleb Lyn Coates; tract in the Jesse Odom survey
- Rodney Gene Weems to Ladonna Jean Galloway; tract in the Jesse Odom survey
- David Eddins and Tia Price Eddins known as Tia Price Kirkpatrick to Kacey L. Batterton and Kenneth P. Batterton; tract in the J. Rowland survey
- Gregg Wright to Amelia Olivia Hasbrouck; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Earl R. Burns to Johnny Clay and Reva Clay; tract in the John Polk survey
- Kimberly A. Screws and Paul Alan Screws to Velma Rawson; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Connie Briggs, Monty Tipps and Stevie Tipps to John H. Heilman; tract in the Thomas Proctor survey
- Dan I. Hamiter Sr. and Donna Hamiter to Stephanie B. Petry; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Alfredo Gomez to Charles H. Klakamp; tract in the Sarah H. Norris survey
- Eric Richey, Kristy Richey and Barbara Sustaire to Aart Dirk Antonie Van Dieden and Ingrid Paulina Elizabeth Van Dieden; tract in the James F. Hitt survey
- Imelda Molteni and Melvin J. Molteni to Lee Stuart Brophy and Aldo A. Molteni; tract in the Daniel Fuller survey
- Robert A. Blackwell and Stephanie Blackwell to Ashley C. Shackelford and Daniel W. Shackelford; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Alva C. Adams Jr., Adams Solutions LLC, to Ashley C. Shackelford and Daniel W. Shackelford; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Robert Stout, Tina Joan Stout, David Thurman and Didi Thurman to David L. Croxton and Vickie Croxton tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Brandi Nicole Loper to SAF Properties LLC doing business as SM Family Holdings LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Jon Humphrey and Mark Humphrey to Kyle Humphrey; tract in the SB Brown survey
- Jane Carothers to Hopkins County Publishing LLC; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Bridgette Vanderslice and David Vanderslice to Franca M. Kennedy and Jeffrey W. Kennedy Trusts, Jeffrey W. Kennedy co-trustees; tract in the Simon Derrick survey
- Vera Allen, independently and as independent executor for the Paul Wyatt Allen Estate, to Raul Aguirre Nava; tract in the JH Brown survey
- David W. Miller and Rafaela Miller to Kimberly Caddell and Reece Caddell; tract in the Troy M. Thomas survey
- Sulphur Springs Antique Gallery LLC to Church of God, Bobby Harris, Bill Mangrum and David Talley trustee; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Clay Johnson and Heather Johnson to Chaney Boys; tract n the MA Bowlin survey
- Danny Williams and Patty Williams to John Wilbur and Stacie Wilbur; tract in the Merrick Griffith survey
- Lesley Clayton Jr. to Michael Antwone Clayton; tract in the Thomas Norris survey
- Danny Rose to Adrian Lopez and Maher H. Sweidan; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Carl Galligher, Linda Galligher, Linrry Owens and Ronnie Owens to Kenneth Odell Baxter and Samantha Crouch Baxter; tract in the Hugh Curlin survey
- Emily Schendel and Travis Schendel to H. Keith Hunt; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- S & R Construction LLC to Kala Anders; tract in the Spring Creek Addition Phase II
- Cecilia Delaine Glud and John Allen Glud Jr., trustees for the JAG and CDG Living Trust to Edwin G. Lampp and Tawlene Lampp; tract in the Sarah H. Norris survey
- Adam Joel Grimes to Angela Rae Grimes; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Mehealani Ranch to Reserve at Sulphur Springs LLC; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
Applications For Marriage Licenses
- Alan Dewayne Workman and Amy Smirna Ramirez
- Pecina Ricardo Castaneda and Corral Veronica Olayo
- Roger Lynn Melton and Promise Lashea Larkin
- Rodney Justin Condo and Brianna Marie Galaviz
- Marcus Antiquon Harris Jr. and Siana Deshaun Campbell
- David Bryan Kull and Allison Grace Bloodgood
- Tatom Grant Sink and Whitney Lee Hunters
- Caden Ray Phillips and Courtnie Kay Helterbrand
- Adam Thomas Pearson and Stephanie Faith Williams
City Staff Preparing Plan To Address Facility Needs At Sulphur Springs Water Treatment Plant
American Rescue Plan Act Could Help Fund Rehab Project
City employees had planned to do some maintenance work on one of the water tanks, but now are working on what is expected to be a multi-million dollar plan to address facility needs at Sulphur Springs Water Treatment Plant, according to City Manager Marc Maxwell.
The city allocated $360,000 in the budget t\o renovate the baffles in clearwell #1 at the water treatment plant. However, additional issues identified at the water treatment plant have city staff working on a plant rehabilitation plan to address all of deficiencies.
The city has two clearwell tanks at the plant. Clearwell #1 is a million-gallon below-grade storage tank that has the same storage as the Coleman Park water tower which was put in service in 1965. Clearwell #2 is a 2-million-gallon tank was built 15 years later. There are baffles in the tank that allow chemicals in the tank to continue to mix in order to get the pH just right before it leaves the tank.
“[Clearwell #1 hasn’t been working like it’s supposed to, although we still put out a very high quality of water. It’s something that the State of Texas has made a notation of that they wanted us to address at some point in the future. It was never an infraction or something to be written up on. It’s just an area for future considerable,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell said while the money was allocated for repairs to the clearwell #1, after it was “dewatered” and cleaned up, some serious problems were discovered, “some pretty good sized cracks that leak quite a bit of water.”
“We think the tank is at the end of it’s useful life. it’s completely depleted. We think we can put a band aide on it to get us through a season, but that’s the best we can expect at this point. Are we going to want to put $360,000 in a tank that’s at the end of its useful life? So we we haven’t done anything there,” Maxwell noted.
The city manger said another area the city needs to begin considering replacing is Filter #4, which is leaking. He noted the pipe that goes through the concrete wall to the rest of the building, called a spool, has become very thin over the years.
“It’s like Wile E. Coyote trying to plug up leaks that are just erupting from a very, very thin pipe,” Maxwell said. “So we know that we are going to have to address that.”
Filters #1-3 at the water treatment plant were built original to the plant, 4-5 were added later, and #6 has been added since Maxwell has been city manager. While filters 1-3 are “doing OK now, their day is coming,” he said.
Maxwell said city officials anticipate coming to the City Council in the future for approval of a multi-million dollar water treatment plant rehabilitation plan to make needed improvements. They likely will recommend replacing Clearwell #1 with a 2-million gallon tank. The cost to pour a 1-million gallon tank is about $1 a gallon or $1 million to rebuild. The cost to do a 2-million gallon tank is expected to be about 75-cents per gallon, for an overall cost of about $1.5 million.
The cost to rehab Filter #4 is also estimated to be $1 million. Maxwell anticipates putting a “Band-Aid” on the filter to get through another season, and in the meantime, device a rehabilitation plan to present to the City Council for approval at a future meeting.
City staff are looking into potential sources to help fund such a large project project for Sulphur Springs Water Treatment Plant. One potential source is the $9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which includes funding for water and sewer infrastructure for municipalities, the only thing it appears that is not COVID-19 related that funding can be expended on.
“The Treasury is still doing the calculations to see what each city and county will receive. As of right now, their calculations show that we will receive $3,539,00 from the American Rescue Plan Act. That could come in two 50 percent payments, one being this summer sometime and then one a year later. Then we have to expend it until December 2024,” City Finance Director Lesa Smith noted.
Distracted Driving Continues to Plague Texas Roadways
AUSTIN – Sadly, distracted driving is still near the top of the list when it comes to crashes on Texas roadways, coming in at No. 2 for traffic-related crash causes. Last year Texas roadways saw nearly 1 in 5 crashes caused by a distracted driver in which 364 people died and 2,200 were seriously injured.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and TxDOT is reminding all Texans to put their phones down and give driving their full attention whenever they are behind the wheel.
“A serious or fatal crash can happen in an instant,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “If you’re distracted by your phone, or doing anything else that takes your focus away from driving, you’re putting yourself, your passengers and everyone else on the road at risk. Distracted driving crashes are 100 percent preventable. Driving should be your number one priority behind the wheel – everything else can wait.”
TxDOT is re-launching its web-based augmented reality game “Dart Those Distractions” to reinforce the importance of paying attention behind the wheel. Designed to be played on a smart phone or tablet (but not while driving), the game increases awareness about the dangers of distracted driving in an interactive, engaging way. The game challenges players to throw darts at balloons that symbolize driving distractions, such as eating, grooming, programming music or checking a navigation system.
Dangerous distractions include any activity that diverts the driver’s attention away from safely operating a vehicle. Research shows that regardless of whether a driver uses a voice-to-text program, hands-free device or a handheld one, the distraction will affect the driver’s ability to drive safely.
Since September 1, 2017, it has been illegal to read, write or send a text while driving in Texas. Violators can face a fine up to $200.
TxDOT offers these tips to prevent distracted driving that can lead to a ticket, or worse, a crash:
- Always give driving your full attention.
- Pull off the road entirely and come to a complete stop before you talk or text.
- Put your phone away, turn it off, or use an app or your phone settings to block texts and calls while driving.
- Tell friends, family and co-workers you won’t respond to texts or calls while driving.
- Remember that all distractions are dangerous, so pay full attention when behind the wheel.
TxDOT’s distracted driving awareness campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. November 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at MediaRelations@txDOT.gov or (512) 463-8700.
The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of Feb. 10, 2021.
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Enrollment at the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Campus
Lois Rocha of Sulphur Springs discusses her enrollment plans with PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Director Rob Stanley. For information about attending the Center, visit the campus at 1137 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Weather Impacting Some Friday Sports Contests
With potential storms in the forecast, all games on this game day Friday (April 9) should be considered weather permitting and the threat of bad weather has already led to changes. Both the Wildcats Baseball Team and Lady Cats Softball Team are taking on Mount Pleasant in big district games.
The Wildcats meet the Tigers at Wildcat Park. Due to weather worries. The JV game has been canceled. The varsity game has been moved to 4 p.m.
The Wildcats, with a 4-3 district record, are tied for third place with Texas High with Marshall just a game back. The Wildcats are 7-13 for the season.
Mount Pleasant comes in tied for sixth place with a 1-6 district mark. They are 7-12-1 for the season. When the two teams played at Mount Pleasant back on March 16, the Wildcats won 15-6.
The Lady Cats Softball Teams game at Mount Pleasant as of now, has not changed with the JV game at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity at 6 p.m., weather permitting.
This game is a big one with the Lady Cats 7-1 in district play and Mount Pleasant at 7-2.
Their first district meeting was back on March 16 and the Lady Cats won that one at home, 4-0.
Since then, the Lady Cats have won six straight games, five of which came against district foes. On top of that, Coach Carrillo’s squad is riding an eight game win streak.
The Lady Cats are 17-3 for the season and Mount Pleasant is 17-6.
There has also been a change for the playoff soccer game at Gerald Prim Stadium. The two teams, Frisco Wakeland, coached by former Wildcat player and head coach Andy Holt, and Longview, have decided to play their match on Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
The Regional Final match marks the return of Coach Holt to The Prim. The winner of their Saturday match will join three other regional champs for the State Tournament.
Coach Holt left Sulphur Springs after the 2016 season and then he promply won back to back State Championships at Wakeland. In 2019, Coach Holt’s Wolverines lost in the State Final game. Due to coronavisrus concerns, there were no playoffs last year.
Coach Holt watched the Wildcats and Longview Regional Quarterfinal match at Lindale on April 1. The Lobos just got by the Wildcats in overtime, 3-1. Earlier this week, Longview defeated Frisco, 3-2 while Wakeland defeated Nacogdoches, 2-0.
Again the Wakeland and Longview match has been moved to Saturday at 11 a.m. due to weather concerns.
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.
4.4 Kilos Of Cocaine Found On A Bus Stopped On I-30
SH 19 Traffic Stop Yields Methamphetamine, 1 Felony Arrest
Deputies located 4.4 kilos of cocaine on a bus stopped west of Sulphur Springs on Interstate 30 Thursday night. Another traffic stop April 8 on State Highway 19 north of Sulphur Springs yielded a small amount of methamphetamine and a Klondike woman’s arrest, according to sheriff’s reports. A Tyler woman was also transferred to Hopkins County jail on a controlled substance related warrant.
Cocaine Found On A Bus
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Thomas Patterson conducted a traffic stop on a blue Volvo bus with Mexico license plates around 9:30 p.m. April 8, 2021, near mile marker 137 on Interstate 30 east. During the course of the stop, Patterson deployed his canine partner, Chiv. The police K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the lower baggage storage area of the bus.
Patterson instructed all occupants to grab their luggage from the storage area on the bottom of the bus. One bag remained unclaimed. Patterson noted one man, a 30-year-old from Laredo, did not retrieve any luggage from the storage compartment, but did have a bag with him in a passenger compartment in the bus. The tag on the unclaimed bag matched the tag on the bag the Laredo man had in the bus.
A look inside the unclaimed baggage revealed 4.4 kilograms of a substance which field tested positive as cocaine, Patterson alleged in arrest reports. Consequently, 30-year-old Angel Hernandez of Laredo was taken into custody and transported to Hopkins County jail. He was booked in at 12:29 a.m. April 9, 2021, on a possession of more than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Hernandez remained in Hopkins County jail late Friday morning, April 9, 2021, on the felony controlled substance charge for the 4.4 kilos of cocaine found on the bus. Bond was set at $100,000 on the charge.
Methamphetamine Found In A Wallet
HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite reported stopping a Ford F150 just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday on State Highway 19, about half a mile north of Loop 301 in Sulphur Springs, for a traffic violation. Upon contact with the woman in the pickup, Fite noted the 70-year-old Klondike resident displayed nervous behavior, moving around in her truck while talking to him. She allegedly struggled to find her license and insurance, but agreed to let deputies search her vehicle, which she admitted contained marijuana.
Fite reported finding a wallet with a small baggy containing a crystal-like substance which later field tested positive for methamphetamine. Consequently, 70-year-old Charlotte Ruth Toothman was taken into custody about 20 minutes later and transported by HCSO Deputy Nick Marney to jail for processing. The pickup was impounded and the suspected methamphetamine was seized as evidence. It weighed 0.38 gram, including packaging.
Toothman was booked into jail just before 10:30 p.m. April 8, 2021, for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. She remained in the Hopkins County jail Friday morning, April 9, 2021; bond on the felony controlled substance charge was set at $2,500.
Transferred On Warrant
HCSO Deputy Amanda Weatherford took 28-year-old Tyler woman into custody at Plane State Jail, where she was held on a detainer for Hopkins County. Weatherford transported Brandy Kay Franklin to Hopkins County jail, where she was booked at 3 p.m. Thursday on warrants for possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of probation, which she was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
She remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, April 9, 2021, on the probation charge, according to jail reports. The original controlled substance and paraphernalia offenses were alleged to have occurred on Feb. 19, 2017, according to jail reports.
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.
Man With Large Pipe Wrench Arrested On Intoxication Charge
A 49-year-old Sulphur Springs man found holding a large pipe wrench in the middle of Georgia Street, near a location where a disturbance had been around 7:30 a.m. Thursday, was arrested on an intoxication charge, according to police and arrest reports.
According to Sulphur Springs Police, the Georgia Street resident’s tone and emotions kept changing while investigating the complaint. The man appeared to police to be under the influence of some type of intoxicant. Police also alleged in arrest reports that the man could not stand still and was slow to respond to officers’ questions.
The Georgia Street man was also alleged to have already assaulted one person in the street. Officers are investigating a claim that he assaulted a 49-year-old female family member at their residence between April 6 and April 8; the woman reportedly had visible minor injuries, according to arrest and police reports.
Based on the man’s behavior and officers’ observations, police believed the man to be intoxicated to the point he would likely harm himself or others if left at the location, the arresting officer noted in arrest reports.
As a result, the 49-year-old was taken into custody just before 8 a.m. Thursday, April 8, 2021, on a Class C misdemeanor public intoxication charge. A report was made for the alleged minor assault, according to arrest and police reports.
The man remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, April 9, 2021, on the PI charge, according to jail reports, which also indicate Thursday wasn’t the first time the Sulphur Springs resident has been accused of assault. He was jailed March 31-April 1, 1996, in Hopkins County on an assault causing bodily injury charge, the jail records reflect.
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.
Secondary Principal Brian Lowe Named North Hopkins ISD Superintendent Finalist
North Hopkins Independent School District Board of Trustees this week announced Brian Lowe as the lone finalist for superintendent of schools. District officials announced the opening after trustees on March 1 accepted Darin Jolly’s letter of resignation as North Hopkins ISD superintendent.
Dr. Jolly’s resignation as superintendent was effective March 4, 2021, allowing him to begin serving as assistant superintendent of accountability and operations, overseeing the daily operation of Ennis ISD, beginning March 5. Jolly indicated the move allows him to be closer to several relatives and family members. Jolly agreed to return to North Hopkins the week of March 15, during Ennis’ spring break, to provide transitional leadership for the district, officially concluding his service to NHISD on March 23. He did, however, offered to be available, as needed, periodically in future days this semester, to assist the district and help a new superintendent become acclimated to NHISD, Jolly and NHISD trustees noted in a March 2 press release.
NHISD received 31 applications from educators interested in becoming the district’s superintendent, and called the top six candidates for interviews. North Hopkins ISD Board of Trustees at an April 6, 2021, board meeting named Brian Lowe as the lone finalist to become superintendent of North Hopkins ISD. By law, the Board must wait at least 21 days before issuing a contract.
Lowe has been the secondary principal at North Hopkins Secondary since 2017, but is completing his 24th year in education.
He has held a variety of different position during his career as an educator. He served as an English teacher and coach in Sonora, Lake Dallas, Lewisville, Waskom and Marshall school districts.
He started his administrative career as an assistant principal/student interventionist in Marshall ISD, then served as a middle school principal in Alpine ISD and Winona ISD. Lowe later served as the high school/secondary school principal in Winona ISD before become the secondary principal at North Hopkins ISD, according to a release from James Morton, who is serving as interim superintendent for North Hopkins ISD.
The superintendent finalist is a 1997 graduate of Ballinger High School in Ballinger, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Science from Angelo State University in 1997, a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2011, and completed his superintendent certification through the Ratliff Academy at the Region 8 Service Center in conjunction with Texas A&M Texarkana in 2019.
Brian Lowe also served in the Armed Forces in the Air Force Reserve from 2004 to 2012.
He and wife Amber have been married for 13 years and have three children,7-year-old Lynnex), and Xander and Trinity, who are both 4.
“When not at the school, I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy fishing, working on or building things around the house, and working on my vehicles,” Lowe stated on his profile page on the NHISD website.
Lady Cats Softball Keeps Rolling, Beating Mt. Pleasant 4-1
The Lady Cats softball team took advantage of a few scoring opportunities throughout the game to win at Mt. Pleasant on Friday, Apr. 9 by a score of 4-1.
Coach David Carrillo and his squad were held scoreless through three innings. The only hit that was allowed through three were hits by Parris Pickett in the second and Nylah Lindley in the third. Neither hits turned in to runs.
It was not until the fourth inning that the Lady Cats bats came alive. Addison Caddell, lead-off batter for Sulphur Springs in the fourth frame, was walked by Mt. Pleasant starting P Bre’Asia Hargrave. Two batters later, LF Nicole Higgins crushed a ball beyond the center field wall to get Caddell home. The 2 run home-run allowed the Lady Cats to take a 2-0 lead.
The Lady Tigers, feeling a sense of urgency due to playoff seeding and the potential of getting swept by potential district front runner Sulphur Springs, were able to get a home run off of Lady Cats P Crimson Bryant in the bottom of the sixth to make it 2-1 in favor of Coach Carrillo’s team.
It would not be enough, though, for Sulphur Springs responded by getting two more runs in their next at-bat in the top of the seventh, thanks to 2B Matti Smith’s sac fly to get DP Addison DeSmet home from third to make it once again a 2-run lead at 3-1. Nylah Lindley crossed home thanks to a wild pitch from Lady Tiger P Hargrave to make it 4-1. Mt. Pleasant threatened to score, but a few controversial calls from the umpire gave the Lady Cats two outs and a final KO from Bryant allowed Sulphur Springs to leave Mt. Pleasant with a strong 4-1 win over district foe the Lady Tigers.
Crimson Bryant got the win at Mt. Pleasant, pitching a complete 7 inning game, allowing only 1 run off of 4 hits. Bryant struck out 14 Lady Tigers and did not walk a single Mt. Pleasant batter.
With the win, the Lady Cats season record improves to 18-3 overall (8-1 district). The win allows Sulphur Springs to keep pace with district foe Hallsville, who after Friday’s 2-0 win at Longview also have an 8-1 district record. The loss drops Mt. Pleasant’s district record to 7-3.
Next up, the Lady Cats softball team will be back at Lady Cat Park to host district foe Texas High on Tuesday. That game is set to tee off at 6 P.M.
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.
