February 2021 Grand Jury Indictments
A Hopkins County Grand Jury during the February session signed approximately 90 indictments naming at least 70 people. Offenses ranged from aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, abandoning or endangerin ga child, assault of a pregnant person, assault on a security officer, and sexual assault of a child to stalking, theft, evading arrest, stolen vehicle, firearm, burglary, controlled substance and felony DWI charges.
In some cases individuals were accused of more than one offense. In other instances more than one individuals was named as participating in the alleged offense.
Indicted on a sexual assault of a child charge was Chasen Lane Beaver. He was arrested Sept. 2 after he “admitted to having sexual intercourse and performing oral sex on” a 16-year-old female on or about July 15, 2020, at a Duckworth Street address, Sulphur Springs Police Det. Sgt. David Gilmore alleged in arrest reports. The 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man was released on a $25,000 bond on the second-degree felony sexual assault of a child charge the next day, according to jail reports.
Janice Leigh Fite was indicted on four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Also indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was Curtis Earl Fisher.
Fite was alleged to have gone outside with a handgun to confront the man, his wife and their daughters. She told him she would kill him, then turned to the man’s wife and daughters and threatened them as well, while displaying a handgun and pointing it at the four. Consequently, 56-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was arrested Dec. 20. on four aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Fisher is accused of banging on his neighbor’s door, where he stood with an axe handle in the air and moved as if to strike the other man on Dec. 7. When the neighbor closed the door, the 57-year-old Sulphur Springs man allegedly struck the door with the axe handle and shouted about someone being inside of the residence. The resident felt threatened so he called the police, then remained inside until the neighbor left the property, police reported
Fisher allegedly admitted to going to the neighbor’s home with an axe handle in his hands. He claimed he could hear screaming and believed someone named Jennifer needed help. During further conversation with officers, Fisher gave different names for the female he thought was trapped inside of the residence. He also claimed to have received information via text message but said he didn’t have a phone. When asked why he went to his neighbor’s with the axe handle, Fisher said he would have used it as a weapon if the man had approached him, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Nick Floyd alleged in December arrest reports. Fisher was placed into custody and while Floyd confirmed there was no woman in distress in the residence. The resident had been home alone during the altercation with Fisher, according to police.
Reginald Deamon Berry was indicted on an assault on a family or household member with previous convictions charge while Dequarian Terran Pitts was indicted on a family or household member that impeded breathing. Layton Wes Keller was indicted for assault of a pregnant person.
Pitts was arrested Dec. 3 for allegedly grabbing a female by her neck following a verbal altercation, causing her to lose her breath while Pitts was choking her. She was reportedly able to get away from him and ran into another room at a CR 4772 residence. The 21-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested at the residence.
Berry was arrested Jan. 22 and has remained in Hopkins County jail on the assault charge as well as a violation of parole warrant. According to jail reports, the 39-year-old also was arrested June 29, 2020 and remained in Hopkins County jail until Sept. 22, 2020 on an assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing and violation of parole warrant.
Keller allegedly pushed down his daughter’s mother and took their daughter from her on Nov. 7 at a rural Sulphur Springs address. When she attempted to call 911, the then 20-year-old Sulphur Springs man attempted to take the phone from her twice, and struck her in the mouth while doing so. She tried to block him from taking the child. He carried the daughter and walked to a relative’s nearby residence. Keller was taken into custody. The deputy wrote in arrest reports that he was then informed the child’s mother is 2 months pregnant.
Johnny Lee Speed was indicted for injury to a child, elderly of disabled person-criminal negligence. Racheall Marie Joslin was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence.
Speed was accused on Nov. 3 of injuring a teen during an argument. The 38-year-old Pickton man told deputies a 15-year-old with mental disabilities had started a fire on the back part of the property using gas and plastic bottles, and tried to blow up an aerosol can. Two other children, upon returning from the area of the fire, claimed the 15-year-old started the fire on a “back property,” Speed reportedly told deputies. Speed allegedly admitted to becoming agitated due to the danger the teen put himself and other children in. Speed claimed when he went to put the fire out, the 15-year-old ran home, enter the residence and locked the door. Speed attempted to talk to the teen at the door, and eventually the teen opened Speed recounted to deputies. During an argument, the teen allegedly punched the wall next to Speed, who claimed he struck the teen in the face with his hand in the doorway because he thought the teen was trying to hit him, deputies alleged in arrest reports. Speed told deputies he then tried to leave but was confronted by the child again. The teen and Speed “were in each other’s faces,” then the teen pushed him. Speed said he pushed back and walked home, deputies noted in arrest reports.
The teen’s parent and witnesses allegedly told a similar story. They alleged that the 15-year-old had been unsupervised and started the fire. The teen allegedly became scared of getting into trouble for starting the fire and ran to the residence. Witnesses alleged Speed banged on the teen’s front door, trying to confront the youth about the fire. The man and teen reportedly argued when the door was opened. The teen punched the side of the house. Speed allegedly responded by stepping up into the front doorway inside the residence and striking the child in the face. The child allegedly became emotional and stepped outside and began yelling at the man, telling him to go home. Speed and the youth “got into each other’s faces again.” Speed allegedly shoved the teen, causing the child to trip on the bottom of the porch steps and fall, deputies alleged in arrest reports. The 15-year-old allegedly had apparent minor injuries on the face and a small abrasion on one shoulder, consistent with an altercation and face striking the front door during a fall, deputies noted in arrest reports.
Joslin was accused of shaking her baby. Sheriff’s investigators contacted the 23-year-old Sulphur Springs woman on Sept. 2 after receiving the complaint. Joslin allegedly admitted to being frustrated while feeding the baby about a month before and shaking the child twice while at a Helm Lane address. She admitted the baby’s head moved forward, back, forward and back again at the time, the sheriff’s investigators alleged in arrest reports. She was arrested on the charge and remained in jail until her release Sept. 9, 2020 on a $50,000 bond, according to jail reports.
Christopher Shane Ely Jr. was indicted for assault on a security officer, Jakwaviane Kentrail Goodson for assault on a public servant, and Laramie J. Massey assault on a peace officer or judge.
According to police reports, Ely would not leave the hospital and engaged in a physical altercation with the hospital security guard on Nov. 28, 2020. Police reported finding a 23-year-old Ely of Emory in the hospital parking lot engaged in an altercation with a 23-year-old security officer, using vulgar language toward officers and staff at the hospital, in front of other people. The hospital security guard had blood coming from his head, with gauze on it in an attempt to staunch the blood flow. In addition to a head laceration, the guard’s shoulder was also reportedly dislocated in the altercation. Ely was allegedly uncooperative, resisted and refused to follow commands given by officers as they escorted him to a patrol vehicle. Police noted the man, when talking to officers, did not speak clearly, and allegedly admitted to consuming a controlled substance.
Goodson on Sept. 4, 2020, allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with and assaulted a corrections officer at Hopkins County jail, sheriff’s officers alleged in arrest reports. A review of video taken inside the jail at the time of the alleged incident showed the then 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man striking a corrections officer in the face during a physical altercation, a deputy noted in arrest reports.
Massey was reportedly among a group told by police to stop and walk onto the sidewalk in the 200 block of Connally Street on Dec. 9, 2020. Massey allegedly refused and instead began running away from officers. Police alleged the 21-year-old Sulphur Springs man continued to ignore him when he again called out for him to stop. Massey allegedly ran west through a parking lot, turned a corner and stopped. When the officer rounded the corner, Massey reportedly began running east back toward the Connally Street disturbance before stopping suddenly in a parking lot. The officer alleged he tackled Massey to the ground, an action Massey met by swinging his elbow, hitting the officer in the face. Massey was arrested for public intoxication, evading arrest or detention and assault on a public servant.
Rocky Allen Wilson was indicted on a stalking charge. Police were contacted in regard to Rocky Allen Wilson, who was wanted for stalking. Police served Wilson with the warrant at his Hillcrest Drive residence and took him into custody at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 2020. Wilson has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest, according to jail Feb. 20, 2021 jail reports.
Indicted for cruelty to non-livestock animals were David Ryan Hayes and Stephen Kyle Mayfield. Hayes was also indicted on an unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The two Como men were accused of shooting a dog through the neck and leaving it on the side of County Road 2333 Saturday morning, Dec. 5. During his investigation of the alleged incident, a deputy viewed a video on a surveillance system that showed two men with a black and white dog in a truck minutes before the dog was shot. The passenger was holding the dog in his lap in the video. On Sunday, Dec. 6, the deputy r contacted the man he had seen in the video in the passenger’s seat of the pickup with the dog, identified as 44-year-old David Ryan Hayes of Como.
Hayes allegedly admitted to taking the dog to CR 2333 to get rid of it, then shooting one round out of a revolver in the direction of the dog on the side of CR 2333. Hayes claimed the round he fired did not strike the dog. The other man, identified later Sunday as 48-year-old Stephen Kyle Mayfield of Como, then allegedly took the revolver from Hayes and fired one round from it, striking the dog. Hayes admitted he and Mayfield left the dog in the ditch on the side of the CR 2333, deputies alleged in arrest reports. Both Hayes and Mayfield were arrested Sunday, Dec. 6 and released from jail Monday, Dec. 7, on a $10,000 bond each per charge, according to jail reports.
Indicted for on two theft of firearm charges was Daishawn Jerome Godbolt and on three theft of firearm charges was Rene Perea-Saldana. Daisy Arteaga-Solis was indicted on one theft of a firearm charge and two possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Arteaga-Solis was reportedly caught May 10 with at least two different kinds of pills, THC oil in a vape device and a handgun in two purses during an Interstate 30 traffic stop for traveling in the left lane and not passing. Deputies reported a strong odor of marijuana emitted from the vehicle as they approached. The 22-year-old Round Rock woman allegedly admitted to having marijuana in her purse. The handgun came back as having been reported to Killeen Police as stolen, according to arrest reports.
Godbolt and Perea-Saldana were arrested Nov. 15, in connection with residential vehicle burglaries and gun thefts. Gobolt was allegedly caught on home surveillance on video in the evening hours Saturday, Nov. 14, entering a vehicle at a residence, then returning to a car they later were told Perea-Saldana was driving. Godbolt was spotted Nov. 15 driving a car that matched that of the suspected and was wearing clothing that matched that of the suspect seen on video . During the investigation, Perea-Saldana was identified as the driver of the car when seen on video. Two firearms and a purse with contents still in it that’s been reportedly stolen were recovered.
Godbolt allegedly involvement only after being presented with evidence admitted to defacing one gun by filing the serial number off of it so the firearm was not discernible, and attempting to do the same with the another firearm reportedly taken during a vehicle burglary. Perea-Saldana also reportedly admitted to involvement in the thefts and vehicle burglary and was also charged on two theft of firearm charges and a burglary of vehicles charge later Nov. 15.
On Nov. 18, a deputy was informed about another firearm allegedly stolen on Nov. 14 from a location from which the other items were allegedly taken.The deputy interviewed Perea-Saldana about the additional information; the 17-year-old provide information resulting in location of the additional firearm. Perea-Saldana was also charged Nov. 18 on an additional theft of firearm charge, according to arrest reports.
Indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon were Tra Marcel Tolbert-Allen, Lamicha Deshawn Thomas, David Aaron Soto, Courtney Lamont Webster, Sammie Demon Williams, Jana Christine Combs. Soto and Combs were also indicted on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Wesley Lane Cedillo and Jerry Dwayne Combs were indicted for theft of a firearm. Samantha Gail Crotzer was indicted for having a prohibited weapon.
Steven Remone Parks was indicted for credit or debit card abuse. He was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by troopers on I-30 for speeding. The passenger, identified in arrest reports as Parks of Jacksonville, Arkansas, had what appeared to be marijuana residue on the front of his hoodie and pants, Ugalde alleged in arrest reports. A probable cause search of the car by Ugalde allegedly revealed a usable amount of suspected marijuana in the passenger’s side door next to where Parks had been sitting. In Parks’ wallet, the trooper reported finding a credit card with someone else’s name on it. He claimed his grandmother gave him the card, but didn’t know what name was on the card.
David Allen Woolverton Jr. and Travis Kyle Kerwin were indicted for failure to comply with sex offender duty to register annually for life.
Indicted for theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions were Fred Lindley Jr. and Jamie Lee Lindsay. Nikolaus Kayne Ward was indicted for theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000.
Indicted on felony driving while intoxicated charges were: Christopher Paul Aguilar, Secric Wayne Byrd, Roy Stephen Dyer, Rebekah Lynn Steed and Derek Alan Miner. Aguilar and Steed allegedly had a child younger than 15 years of age in the vehicle at the time. The occasion marked at least the third time Byrd, Dyer and Minor have been arrested for the offense
Xzayveian Dunkail Basham, Anthony Martin Dean Goff, Calvin Clint Chumbley, David MCCoy Chumbley, Wo Lynn McCormick, and Larry Carlton Johnson were all indicted on one count of burglary of a habitation. Calvin Chumbley was also indicted for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Cole William Peterson, however, was indicted for burglary of a building.
Indicted for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle were Jessica Ashley Mannino, Douglas Paul Merrell, Tyler McMillan, Jildardo Antonio Sanroman, Deante Shelley Wilson and Bobby Lee Wall Jr. Tony Lynn McPherson Jr. was indicted for evading arrest or detention with a previous conviction.
McPherson was also indicted for unauthorized use of a vehicle as were Romance Julius Murphy, Peter Son Bac Nguyen, Lee-Clinton Hobdy.
Megan Wheeler-Bartholomew was indicted for interference with child custody.
Byron Jamison Brown and Isaiah Deonte Bryant-Lacy were indicted for money laundering of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000.
Stephen Anthony Braumuller and Evan Clay Chapin were indicted for manufacture or delivery of a simulated controlled substance or substance represented to be a controlled substance.
Mike Lee Monroe and Israel Monsivais were each indicted for possess on 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance.
Among the individuals indicted during the February 2021 grand jury session for possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance were:
⦁ Shawn Taylor Byrd – 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams;
⦁ Cheyenne Nicole Carter – less than 1 gram;
⦁ Thomas Harold Carter – less than 1 gram;
⦁ Terri Kay Coplin – 1 gram or more but lesss than 4 grams;
⦁ Melton Medina-Tuirubiates – 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams;
⦁ Breamber Michelle Duncan – less than 1 gram;
⦁ Rebekah Liann Reagan – two counts of less than 1 gram
⦁ Jessie Yocom Martinez – less than 1 gram;
⦁ Richie Wayne Porter – less than 1 gram;
⦁ Kimberley Michelle Rachui – 1 grams or more but less than 4 grams;
⦁ Cecily Elizabeth Saffel – 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams;
⦁ Carrie Elizabeth Vaughan – less than 1 gram; and
⦁ Hannah Rae White – less than 1 grams.
NETLA Show 2021 is February 23-27 in the Civic Center Arena. Support the 4H, FFA Exhibitors!
NETLA is an easy way to refer to the countless year-long activities for youth in agriculture supported by the Northeast Texas Livestock Association. In Hopkins County, when we say NETLA, we mean the Hopkins County Junior Livestock Show as well as the resulting Sale of Champions held annually in February. This year, the major public event will be live in person with the public invited to the Hopkins County Civic Center arena, and will also feature a Facebook Live coverage of the final event, the Sale of Champions on Saturday February 27 at noon. Spectators to the shows, judging and sale are admitted free.
Kevin Gibson is President of NETLA. Having grown up in Hopkins County and shown livestock as a youth, he is now raising his own youngsters to take pride in exhibiting livestock projects, and the organization is very close to his heart. He encourages everyone to come and observe the 250-300 FFA and 4H youngsters who will be competing with their livestock, and the numerous FFA students who will be competing with their Ag Mechanics projects. Meet these youth, congratulate them on their hard work, take a look at their animals and projects, and show appreciation with a handshake or pat on the back. Your support means a lot to the future farmers and agriculture producers! Each exhibitor also has Raffle Tickets to sell. Your ticket purchase helps fund the NETLA scholarship fund, and offers a half-side of processed beef to the winning ticketholder!
2 Hopkins County Providers Scheduled To Receive First-Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccines
After 2 weeks with no first-dose allocations at all designated to Hopkins County, two Sulphur Springs providers are among to 563 providers in 230 counties across Texas the federal government allocated to receive a portion of the 591,920 first-doses of COVID-19 vaccines scheduled to be shipped during the week of Feb. 22.
Texas Department of State Health Services has allocated the Centers for Disease Control to ship 100 first-doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Brookshire’s Pharmacy at 809 Gilmer Road in Sulphur Springs and 200 first-doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Christus Trinity Clinic – Sulphur Springs, located at 105 Medical Plaza, Building 1.
The last time any local provider was allocated first-doses of COVID-19 vaccines was Week 9 of distribution, the week of Feb. 8. Brookshire’s Pharmacy and Walgreens Pharmacy each were among the “additional providers” allocated 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine during the Week of Feb. 8. Walmart Pharmacy in Sulphur Springs was allocated 200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, as part of the direct federal allocations issued Feb. 8.
The last time CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic received first-doses of COVID-19 vaccines was Week 6, the Week of Jan. 18; the clinic was allocated 700 first-doses of the vaccine at that time and reported distributing them all within a week of receiving them. The Sulphur Springs CHRISTUS hospital and clinic have petitioned DSHS to be a rural hub provider, but even with support of elected state officials, have not been awarded the status as a hub for a minimum of residents in the 4 counties served by the Sulphur Springs facilities, as well as anyone within an hour’s driving distance.
According to DSHS, the federal vaccine tracking system shows more than 100,000 first doses and 300,000 second doses intended for delivery the week of Feb. 15 still awaiting shipment due to weather conditions around out-of-state warehouses and across the country. Those doses are expected to be delivered in the first half of next week, followed by the vaccine allocated for the week of Feb. 22.
These first-doses of COVID-19 vaccines are in addition to the 364,830 doses the state has ordered as the second dose for people first vaccinated a few weeks ago. DSHS in a press release this weekend stated, “People who had second dose appointments delayed by winter weather should rest assured knowing that vaccine will be available, and their appointments will be rescheduled. Even if they receive the second dose outside of the recommended six-week time frame, they will get the full protection of the second dose and will not need an additional booster shot.”
Texas providers have administered more than 4.3 million doses of vaccine. More than 3 million people have received at least one dose, and almost 1.3 million have been fully vaccinated. In Hopkins County 2,572 people have received the first dose of the vaccine and another 877 have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as of Thursday, according to the DSHS Texas Vaccine Data dashboard.
Texas continues to vaccinate (1A) health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities, and (1B) people 65 and older and those with medical conditions that put them at greater risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Vaccine remains limited based on the capacity of the manufacturers to produce it, so it is expect to take a while for Texas to receive enough vaccine for all the people in the priority populations who want to be vaccinated. Currently, there is not enough vaccine to supply every provider with vaccine every week, DSHS reported Friday.
Additional COVID-19 Vaccine information is available by clicking the following links:
Sulphur Springs Woman, Georgia Man Arrested At Local Businesses On Warrants
A Sulphur Springs woman and Georgia man were arrested at local businesses on warrants. Two others were arrested at local businesses on misdemeanor charges, according to arrest reports.
East Shannon Road Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Chris Rosamond responded around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, to a disturbance at convenience store on East Shannon Road. Upon arrival they contacted a 27-year-old Sulphur Springs woman.
A records check showed Santara Pearl Perez to be wanted on a Cooke County warrant for abandoning or endangering a child – criminal neglect. The warrant was confirmed. Perez, who is also reportedly known by Santara White, Santera Pearl White and Pearl Santara, was taken into custody at 2:33 a.m. Feb. 20, and booked into the county jail on the Cooke County warrant.
The 27-year-old Sulphur Springs woman remained in Hopkins County jail at 8:45 a.m. Saturday morning, Feb. 20, according to jail reports.
Brashear Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Todd Evans and Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes were made aware of a warrant for Jayson Michael White’s arrest. They went to the Brashear business where the 39-year-old Cartersville, Georgia man is employed as a driver.
The officers located the man and took him into custody at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, on the Barstow County, Georgia warrant for violation of probation. White remained in Hopkins County jail on the warrant Saturday morning, Feb. 20, 2021, according to jail reports.
Eaton Drive Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police responded at 12:50 a.m. Feb. 19 on Eaton Drive, where a woman was reported to be causing a disturbance. Upon contact, police alleged an alcohol odor could be smelled on the 21-year-old Winnsboro woman. She too was unsteady on her feet, causing her to lose balance, had glassy eyes and slurred speech, and admitted to having alcoholic beverages at a local bar, police alleged in arrest reports. She was arrested for public intoxication.
South Broadway Street Arrest
Sulphur Springs police responded at a South Broadway Street store. A 22-year-old was stopped attempting to leave the store parking lot in a gray Dodge Ram 1500 pickup at 9:22 p.m. An active criminal trespass warning prohibiting the Sulphur Springs man was returning to the property was confirmed to be active. The officer took him into custody for criminal trespassing just before 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feh. 19, 2021, according to arrest reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, 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.
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.
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Announces New Date of Area Playoff Match
On Friday, Feb. 19 Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell announced that her squad would finally be able to take on Royse City in the Area round playoff game on Monday, Feb. 22. The game is set to tip-off at 6:30 P.M. in Caddo Mills.
Lady Cats basketball were originally slated to take on Royse City on Monday, Feb. 15, but inclement weather forced the game to be postponed not once, but twice. Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell said early in the week that the game could have potentially been played Thursday, Feb. 18, barring no school being held, but once again the game was postponed. On Friday Coach Tisdell confirmed that the Area playoff game featuring the Lady Bulldogs taking on the Lady Cats will be played Monday, Feb. 22 in Caddo Mills at 6:30 P.M.
The Lady Cats squeezed by Nacogdoches, 56-54 in Athens on Friday, Feb. 12. The Lady Cats were able to pull out the win despite the injury to Kenzie Willis late in the game, who scored 12 points in the victory. Coach Tisdell might have been all too happy for Willis and her squad to get some much needed rest during the week after a tight win versus the Lady Dragons in the Bi-District round.
The Lady Bulldogs shocked Midlothian, the #18 ranked team in the state, 42-38, in double overtime. The Lady Cats, the #1 seed from District 15-5A, are now 17-7 for the season. Royse City is the #3 seed in their district.
Be sure to tune in to KRVA 107.1 FM to hear Ross LaBenske doing play-by-play for the radio broadcast of the Area playoff match between the Lady Cats and Royse City Lady Bulldogs at 6:30 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.
TDI Offers Insurance tips following winter storms
If your home was damaged due to a broken water pipe, downed tree limbs, or other winter damage, contact your insurance company or agent to file a claim as soon as possible. These insurance tips should help make the process go smoother:
Make a list of damaged property. Take pictures or video of the damage. Don’t throw anything away until your insurance company tells you to.
Take steps to protect your home from further damage. Turn off the water and cover broken windows and holes in your roof if possible. Save all receipts. Your policy may cover these costs.
Try to be there when the insurance company comes to inspect the damage. If you can’t stay in your home, leave a note with information on where you can be reached.
Keep a list of everyone you talk to at your insurance company. Be ready to answer questions about the damage.
Ask about additional living expenses. If you can’t live in your home due to the damage, your insurance policy may pay for some of those expenses.
Avoid fraud
- Get more than one bid. That will help you decide which offers are too high or too good to be true.
- Check references and phone numbers. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if a contractor has complaints.
- Don’t pay up front and don’t make your final payment until the job is finished. In a disaster, contractors from outside your area can’t ask for payment before they start work.
- Avoid contractors who offer to waive your deductible or promise a rebate for it. That’s illegal under state law and your insurance company may ask for proof that you paid it.
- Never sign a contract with blank spaces.
- Report possible price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General.
For more information, see: Help after the storm and TDI’s FAQ about coverage and claims.
Pleasant Hill Water Supply Issues Boil Notice Cancelled
The Pleasant Hill Water Supply Number Two boil water notice enacted on Feb. 19, has been canceled as of 6 p.m. Feb. 22, according to Dwight Clayton, the manager.
At Least 2 County Buildings Sustained Damages As Result Of Winter Weather
At least two county buildings sustained damages as a result of winter weather this week, and one machine at a city operation will need to be replaced. Several buildings around Sulphur Springs have flooding due to burst pipes, according to local officials.
Hopkins County Clerk’s Office had a leak issue. The area between the gutter and roof froze. The ice frozen in the gutter system had nowhere to go as things began melting, causing it to leak into the Clerk’s Office. Next door at the County Attorney’s office, water soaked ceiling tiles fell and the carpet was flooded as well.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office’s jail trustees along with county employee Bobby Woodard responded and got all of the ice off of the roof, reducing potential for additional leaking as it melts. The inmates helped clean up and work continues to be done cleaning the area. Damage to office equipment was relatively minimal; repairs at the County Clerk’s Office will be needed for one wall and some ceiling tiles at the edge of the wall, according to Hopkins County Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley.
Damages at the Adult Probation Office were a little more severe, Endsley noted. A water line burst, causing flooding in the building. Woodard and county jail trustees also assisted with clean up at the Adult Probation Office, where officials are working to determine what items in the flooded area are salvageable.
Endsley said while full extent of damages won’t be known until next week, and likely not until after all of the ice and snow melts, the County Clerk’s Office is expected to be able to open Monday, if at limited or virtual capacity. The Adult Probation Office may be able to conduct limited business as well.
The Emergency Management coordinator commended the many county employees, Texas Department of Transportation and County precinct crew who have worked diligently since before the winter weather began to make the roads as passable as possible and efforts to get them open when the weather blanketed them with ice and snow, often causing them to refreeze or dumping accumulation overnight more than once.
He noted the responders out making calls, trying to assist the citizens of Hopkins County wherever needed and however possible. Endlsey commended the volunteer fire departments for their outstanding job assisting their districts. He noted both the county and city fire departments have responded a number of times at locations where sprinkler systems have burst causing flooding and have helped EMS, the latter he said also has done an outstanding job during the inclement weather.
“All have done really well, worked together really well, which is a beautiful thing to see,” Endsley noted.
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that the city had very little damage resulting from the storm. A pipe burst at the police department, flooding the wing containing the police detective’s offices and the human resources offices. When the power went off at the waste water plant, a bar screen froze up. When the power came back on, the motor was reported to be so powerful it twisted it and damaged it. The plant is bypassing the bar screen and being treated further down the plant, which means more work for city emp”loyees. However, the city is still able to put out a “really high quality effluent.”
The city continues to supply water to meet the demands of city residents. The city also sells water to several local water districts. Currently, the City of Sulphur Springs is selling water to Commerce. They are sending trucks over and filling them, to assist the neighbors with water issues.
Maxwell noted that the recent weather has been eye-opening for water providers across the state, where officials had opted not to purchase a generators, because they didn’t think they’d need one. Many have built in stores of water in water towers and at an underground tank at the plant. They can continue to meet needs with only a few hours without power. An extended winter weather event, which caused lengthy utility outages across the state, has created problems for them.
The City of Sulphur Springs does not have that problem because a massive generator was purchased for the water treatment plant to aid in just such instances. The city has continued to provide service for Sulphur Springs residents.
Maxwell commended the employees of the city water and sewer plants for working non-stop during the winter weather. He urges citizens who see them on the street to waver and offer thanks for going above the call to provide service to city residents.
One issue some are having, in addition to the buildings that are flooding, are burst pipes at homes and businesses as well. Many during the winter weather contacted the city to have the water turned off to prevent further flooding issues. As things are melting, things are beginning to be repairs, and people are requesting for their water meters to be turned back on.
Maxwell also commended the city street workers who have been out putting down sand, fixing the sanding machine as it kept breaking, putting out tons of sand on city streets, to make them less dangerous for motorists traveling on them.
Boil Notice: North Hopkins Water District
As of 1pm Friday February 19th, 2021, the North Hopkins Water District has issued a Boil Notice. This is a result of lower water pressure.
Please conserve water wherever possible. The equipment is working properly, but is having trouble keeping up with demand.
If you have questions or concerns, contact the North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation at 903 945 2619.
Man Accused Of Displaying A Firearm While Assaulting A Woman
A 48-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested for allegedly displaying a firearm while assaulting a woman, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 2:40 p.m. Feb. 16 to what was reported as a disturbance on County Road 1193. Upon arrival, officials attempted to contact the complainant and suspect, but the residence was empty. Officers were told both had left in a black Mitsubishi SUV prior to their arrival. Officers recalled seeing one leave the area as they approached the location. The pair was alleged to be heading to a Rains County address.
Hopkins County deputies headed that direction and contacted Rains County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in contacting the pair alleged to have been involved in the disturbance. The vehicle was located at residence on a private road. All occupants were contacted. The alleged victim, a 52-year-old woman, and suspect, a 48-year-old Sulphur Springs man, were identified.
James Ray Miller was alleged to have displayed a firearm while assaulting a 52-year-old woman with whom he is in a dating relationship and who also lives at the CR 1193 residence. Miller reported told deputies the woman is his wife and they have been together for the last 14 years. Miller was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing bodily injury to a family member, date or household member, HCSO Deputy Jason Lavender alleged in arrest reports. He also had a warrant for not taking care of a public intoxication charge. He remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Feb. 19; bond on the felony charge was set at $50,000, 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.
