6 Jailed On Possession Charges
At least 6 people have been jail on possession charges this week, three as a result of traffic stops and three on warrants, according to arrest reports.
Gilmer Street Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro stopped a black Honda about 8:20 p.m. Monday, March 1 for a traffic violation. The driver reportedly showed nervous tendencies. A search of the car allegedly revealed two small bags containing a clear substance that later field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
When neither 35-year-old Elizabeth Louise Willis nor 41-year-old Orenthal Clifton Brown claimed ownership of the contraband, both Sulphur Springs residents were arrested for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, Castro noted in arrest reports. Cpl. Chris Rosamond assisted with the traffic stop and arrests.
Brown, who is also known by Orenthia Clifton Brown, and Willis, who is also known by Elizabeth Lousie Willis and Elizabeth Matheny, remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, March 3, in lieu of $10,000 bond on the third-degree felony controlled substance possession charge, according to jail reports.
FM 2081 Traffic Stop
Sheriff’s deputies stopped a red Nissan Frontier around 9:50 p.m. Monday, March 1 on FM 2081 at the Hopkins-Rains County line for a traffic violation. The driver reported began speaking rapidly and wouldn’t make eye contact with the deputy who contacted him.
When the 29-year-old man refused to let him search the truck, another deputy responded with his canine partner. The police dog gave a positive alert on the vehicle, inside which deputies allegedly located a scale and suspected marijuana.
The Sulphur Springs man was arrested on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge, according to arrest reports. The 29-year-old was released from Hopkins County jail Tuesday, March 2, on the misdemeanor charge, according to jail reports.
Rains County Arrest
Shanna Kay Segleski was arrested in Rains County on a Hopkins County warrant. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite traveled to the Hopkins-Rains line and took custody of the 42-year-old around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The Yantis woman was transported to Hopkins County jail and booked for surety off bond on a Jan. 3, 2021 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
HCSO Sgt. Richard Greer stopped Segleski in January for driving a Nissan Rogue in excess of 100 miles per hour on I-30 east. She was notably agitated and appeared to the deputy to be under the influence of a narcotic. She was allegedly evasive when talking with the deputy, claiming she was speeding because she needed to urinate.
A search of the SUV allegedly yielded a lock box with a bag with suspected methamphetamine and a couple of baggies with what appeared to the officer based on his decades of experience in law enforcement to be marijuana or hashish and numerous items of drug paraphernalia, Greer noted in Segleski’s Jan. 3 arrest report.
Segleski remained in Hopkins County jail until her release on Jan. 23 on a $5,000 bond on the controlled substance charge. She was still in jail at lunch time Wednesday on the surety off bond warrant, according to jail reports.
Ohio Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Amanda Weatherford traveled to Greene County jail in Ohio, took custody of Rodney B. Schneider around 3 a.m. March 1, 2021, and transported the 55-year-old Fairborn, Ohio man to Hopkins County jail.
Schneider was booked into Hopkins County jail at 4:04 p.m. March 1 on a surety off bond on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Schneider was originally arrested on the controlled substance charge on March 16, 2020, after police found suspected crystal methamphetamine and a white powder-like substance that tested positive for heroin during a search of the vehicle while investigating a report of suspicious activity in a gas station parking lot around 8:35 a.m. The Ohio man was released from custody on a $50,000 bond on March 27, 2020, according to jail reports.
He was indicted in December 2020 on the controlled substance charge, according to court records.
Schneider remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, March 3, 2021, for surety off bond on the March 2020 controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Arrest
Timmy Dean Scott, who is also known by Jimmy Gene Scott, was booked into Hopkins County jail Tuesday, March 2, 2021, for violation of probation on a 2019 possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and on a violation of parole warrant, according to arrest and jail reports.
The 58-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed early Thanksgiving morning 2019 on the possession of controlled substance charge, after claiming suspected marijuana, methamphetamine, pills and drug paraphernalia found in the vehicle he was traveling in during a State Highway 19 traffic stop conducted by sheriff’s deputies, according to the November 2019 arrest reports.
Scott was sentenced in May 2020 to 10 years of deferred adjudication probation on the November 28, 2019 possession of a controlled substance charge. He was also required to spend 180 days in jail and complete a drug rehabilitation program as a condition of probation, according to the District Attorney’s Office and court reports. He was remained in Hopkins County jail until his release on Nov. 23, 2020 on probation, according to jail reports.
HCSO Deputy Jason Lavender came into contact with Scott Tuesday afternoon, March 2. Dispatchers advised Scott was wanted on a motion to proceed with adjudication of guilt on the controlled substance charge, so he took the 58-year-old into custody and escorted him into jail for booking, according to arrest reports. Scott was held Wednesday on the charges, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit investigators served a 20-year-old Sulphur Springs man with a warrant for his arrest around 3:40 p.m. March 2 at his residence. The man was transported to jail on a possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana warrant, according to arrest reports.
He was was released from jail Wednesday on a $1,000 bond on the Class B misdemeanor charge, marking the second time he’s been booked into Hopkins County jail on a marijuana possession charge. The 20-year-old was also jailed Nov. 9, 2020 on a possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana in a drug-free zone; he was released the next day on a $1,000 bond, according to jail reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
Wildcats Golfer Kip Childress is Headed to ETBU to Play Golf
Wildcats’ golfer Kip Childress, a four year member of the varsity, signed a letter of intent Wednesday to attend East Texas Baptist University and play golf. Childress is the son of Kris and Lisa Childress. The signing event was well attended by Childress’ family and friends at the SSHS Multipurpose Building.
Childress says he and ETBU found each other through the NCSA (Next College Student Athlete) recruiting network. He says ETBU made the recruiting process easy. Childress says he toured the college campus in Marshall a couple of months ago. He says ETBU has been watching his tournament scores this season. Childress says ETBU likes his potential. He says he feels he needs to work on his iron shots and on consistently hitting the ball well to play at the next level.
Wildcats Golf Coach Jeremy DeLorge says he is happy and ecstatic about the signing. He says ETBU has an amazing coach and a good program. He predicts Childress will tear it up in college. Coach DeLorge says Childress keeps his nose to the grindstone. He says he has seen Childress improve during the two years he has been head coach.
Coach DeLorge says Kip’s drives are going further and all aspects of his game have gotten better. He says he likes the due diligence Childress used in the recruiting process.
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.
Girls’ Regional Powerlifting and Sulphur Springs Tennis Tournament on Wednesday Game Day
The Lady Cats have eight lifters who have qualified for the Regional Powerlifting Meet at Whitehouse Wednesday, Mar. 3. The meet gets underway at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Lady Cats qualifiers include seniors Czehela Moya and Trinity Sickles in the 97 pound weight class, senior Kenia Herrera in the 123 pound weight class, junior Addyson Lamb in the 132 pound weight class, senior Rorie Young in the 148 pound weight class, sophomore Markida Hood in the 198 pound weight class, freshman Reese Offutt in the 259 pound weight class and freshman Machelle Allen in the 259+ weight class. Top lifters qualify for the State Meet on March 20 in Corpus Christi.
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said he moved the annual Sulphur Springs Tournament from this Friday to Wednesday (March 3) due to expected rain on Friday. Several teams will be coming to Sulphur Springs to participate. Coach Martinez said the Sulphur Springs JV Meet held Tuesday attracted a whole bunch of teams and players to the Wildcat Tennis Center.
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.
TEA Releases Updated Guidelines Regarding COVID-19 Operational Restrictions – Including Use Of Masks At Schools
Before students and school district personnel get too excited about Executive Order GA-34 issued Tuesday which lifts the mask mandate and operational restrictions in Texas starting March 10, they will want to note that GA-34 provides TEA with the legal authority to publish requirements for the operation of public school systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. TEA Wednesday afternoon, March 3, updated the “School Year 2020-2021 Public Health Planning Guidance,” providing 12 pages of guidance that place the responsibility for developing a COVID-19 plan with school systems, including use of masks at school.
“Under this updated guidance, a public school system’s current practices on masks may continue unchanged. Local school boards have full authority to determine their local mask policy,” TEA stated in a March 3 news release.
TEA is recommending that public school systems consult with their local public health authorities and local legal counsel before making final decisions regarding the implementation of the guidance, which addresses on campus and virtual instruction; administrative activities by teachers, staff, or students that occur on school campuses or virtually; non-UIL extracurricular sports and activities; any other activities that teachers, staff, or students must complete that cannot be accomplished virtually; and visits by parents and the general public.
After-school providers and other programs that operate in conjunction with school campuses are recommended to follow TEA’s guidance in coordination with the campuses they serve.
The plan for on-campus activities and instruction “should be developed in consultation with teachers, staff, and parents to ensure the plan provides for the safety of teachers, staff, and students. Neither this summary document nor any local school systems’ reopening plans are subject to approval by any government entity,” the TEA guidance notes.
TEA still recommends following the CDC’s amended guidance, issued Dec. 2, 2020, regarding stay-at-home periods for those who have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Those in “close contact” should stay home for 10 days after exposure without a COVID-19 test or stay home 7 days after close contact with a negative COVID-19 test result.
"The CDC has also advised that critical infrastructure services—which includes schools—may
permit close contact staff members who are asymptomatic to continue to work in select instances
when it is necessary to preserve school operations. Per the CDC, this option should be used only in
limited circumstances. When using this option, school systems may consider adding additional
protocols to increase monitoring for these individuals, which might include the use of COVID-19 tests
(e.g., on Day 3 and/or Day 7 after the close contact exposure)," the TEA document stated
TEA notes that evidence suggests COVID-19 isn’t easily spread on surfaces, so increased cleaning practices may not help reduce the spread of it, so campuses can use more frequent cleaning practices by janitorial staff, if they choose to do so.
The guidelines for use of masks at schools and school activities in the TEA document are as follows:
Click here to view the full 12-page Public Health Guidance issued by TEA
DHHS: Child Care Workers, School Personnel Now Eligible For COVID-19 Vaccines
The Texas Department of State Health Services today notified all vaccine providers that they should immediately include school and child care workers in vaccine administration.
Last night, DSHS received a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directing states to expand eligibility to include people who work in school and child care operations. The federal directive defined the people eligible as “those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers) and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.”
This action does not change the other groups prioritized for vaccination in Texas. Providers are encouraged to continue their efforts to vaccinate older adults since the burden of COVID-19 falls most severely on people age 65 and older.
Masks Still Required At CHRISTUS Facilities, Per CDC Guidelines
Although Governor Greg Abbott Tuesday announced GA-34 which lifts face mask mandates and occupancy limits for businesses starting March 10, those planning to visit medical facilities, particularly CHRISTUS Health facilities, on or after next Wednesday should still be prepared to wear a face mask.
CHRISTUS Health, around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2021 reported the state-wide lifting of the face mask mandate on March 10 does not apply to CHRISTUS facilities. All entering CHRISTUS facilities -whether as a visitor, worker or patient – will still be required to wear face masks, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, a notice on the health organizations’ social media page states. Hand hygiene and social distancing will also be followed, where possible, at CHRISTUS facilities as well.
Saltillo Lady Lions Players Earn All-District Honors
The district champ Saltillo Lady Lions fared very well on the All-District list released Wednesday, Mar. 3 by Lady Lions basketball coach Bill Giles. Seniors Chandler Bain and Anna Reeder of Saltillo were named the district’s Co-MVPs while Christina Wade was selected as the district’s Offensive MVP. Coach Giles was selected by his peers to as Coach of the Year. Defensive MVP of district 24-1A also went to Saltillo’s Brittney Peeples. Seniors Paisley Kastner and Maddy Smith were chosen to the All-District First team, and rounding out the awards for Saltillo were sophomores Julianna Giles and Allie Lane who were voted to the All-District Second team.
Coach Bill Giles said that he was “Extremely proud of our team,” and added “when your team has success, the individual awards come with it. The Lady Lions coach said each one of the girls put in a tremendous amount of time working on their game outside of practice each year. During practice, they bought into practicing hard against each other and that also aids in improvement.”
Congratulations to Coach Bill Giles and all that his Lady Lions were able to accomplish this season.
The rest of the awards for District 24-1A are as follows:
1st Team All-District
- Saltillo: Paisley Kastner – SR.
Maddy Smith – SR. - Sulphur Bluff: Jada Wade – SR.
Alley Collett – SR.
Skylar Stanley – JR. - Avinger: Naomi Fountain – SO.
Taygen Downs – SO. - Bloomburg: Cassie Glasgow – FR.
Haylee Breedlove – JR. - Avery: Juliana Burkett – SR.
2nd Team All-District
- Saltillo: Julianna Giles – SO.
Allie Lane – SO. - Sulphur Bluff: Bailey Neal – JR.
Tori Raine – JR. - Avinger: Huda Hanan – JR.
Samantha Chandler – SO. - Bloomburg: Kenzie Laduke – FR.
- Avery: Selena Maturino – JR.
Jalyh Ingram – SO. - Yantis: Macie Starrett – SR.
Evelyn Angel – SO.
Saltillo Lions Basketball Players Earn All-District Honors
The district champ Saltillo Lions fared very well on the All-District list released Wednesday, Mar. 3 by Lions basketball coach Casey Riddle. Chris Boekhorst of Saltillo was named the district’s MVP while Gunner Tarver was selected as the district’s Offensive MVP. Saltillo’s Andrew Redburn was named offensive player of the year with David Whitworth being awarded New Comer of the Year. Coy Collins of Saltillo was chosen to the All-District Second team.
The rest of the awards for District 24-1A are as follows:
1st Team All-District
- Kagan McGuire- Avery
- Cruz Martinez- Avery
- Jordan Samples- Avinger
- Kade Walker- Avinger
- Montana Hurley- Sulphur Bluff
- Brandon Branom- Sulphur Bluff
- Tevin Bigbee- Union Hill
2nd Team All-District
- Logan Hutson- Avery
- Jacob Burleson- Avinger
- Shane Johnson- Sulphur Bluff
- Logan Dunn- Union Hill
- Carlos Lopez- Yantis
- Judson Jones- Avinger
- Coy Collins- Saltillo
Sulphur Springs ISD Will Have To Make Up 1 Snow Day
Sulphur Springs ISD will have to make up one of the days missed last month due to the ice and snow which made travel dangerous Feb. 18-26, school administrators announced in a notice sent out via Blackboard.
Students missed five regular class days due to the recent snow storm and its effects. SSISD Board of Trustees Monday night approved submission of an application to Texas Education Agency asking for a waiver, excusing the district for five school days missed, Thursday, Feb. 18, and Tuesday-Friday, Feb. 23-26.
After filing a waiver, SSISD received notification by lunch time Wednesday, that the district will only be required to make up one of the five missed class days. That day will be made up on Monday, April 12, a day originally intended to be a staff preparation day and student holiday. Now, however, April 12 will be a traditional day of school for all – with all students and staff required to attend that day.
Bids For Street Improvement Work, Park Concessions Approved By City Council
Bids for street improvement work and park concessions were approved by Sulphur Springs City Council during a streamed Tuesday evening meeting that lasted less than 30 minutes.
SIP Contract
The city posted notices for bids for all labor, materials and equipment for full depth milling and inlay, hot mix asphalt concrete and cement treatment of the sub grade, including mixing, cement, compaction, final grading and coating for the Street Improvement Program. At the close of the bid period, the city received four bids: $1,627,285 from Richard Drake, $1,517,648 from RK Hall, $1,144,454 from Area Wide Paving and $1,137,776 from Texana Land & Asphalt.
City officials indicated they were pleased with the bid prices as they reflected only a nominal increase in unit price, with the less than $6,800 separating the two lowest bids.
The City Council, at the recommendation of city staff, awarded the contract for the Street Improvement Program to Texana Land & Asphalt; the company not only was the lowest qualified bidder but was also reported to have performed satisfactory work for the same services in 2020. Upon mutual agreement of the city and company, the contract may be extended for up to one year.
Funding for the services will be provided by street maintenance fee funds, which is a fee charged on city utility bills which is budgeted to raise $500,000 annually, and budgeted capital improvement program street funds.
The street maintenance fee is $5 per month per residential unit, $5 per month per unit for multi-family units, $12.50 per month for commercial units and $30 per month per industrial unit.
In 2020, the Street Maintenance Fee, enabled the City to pave 5.45 miles of city streets, 3.04 miles more than the regular Summer Paving program allows, according to the FY 2020 Street Maintenance Fee Report.
Park Concessions
For about 10 years, the city contracted with various individuals or local restaurants to provide concessions services at four concessions stand in designated city parks. The most recent contract with The Little Egg ended in December of 2020, Sulphur Springs Finance Director Lesa Smith explained.
Notices were posted requesting proposals for concessions services. The city received one bid, from The Little Egg. City staff reviewed the proposal and found it acceptable, meeting all terms.
City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that this is not a service for which the city typically receives an excess of bids, and is in fact grateful to have received the one bid.
“I spoke with Jerry Maynard on it. They’ve gotten excellent feed back doing tournaments. They have an extensive menu and does every time it opens up. Some come to get the food that do not come to see games. This one does an excellent job. I think we should hire him before he changes his mind,” Sulphur Springs Place 5 Councilman Gary Spraggins noted.
“I’ve also hard positive comments on the food out there,” Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers said.
Smith recommended the City Council award the contract to The Little Egg, with the contract to run from March 3 to Dec. 31, 2021, with an option to extend it for three additional one-year terms upon agreement between the city manager and concessionaire. The Little Egg has provided “quality concession services” to the city of Sulphur Springs since 2018.
The contract for park concessions will be a bit different from past concessions contracts. In the past, Smith explained, contracts were based on a percentage of gross sales to be remitted to the city each month by the concessionaire. This time, the method of fee collection will be a monthly rental amount based on the events hosted at the park. That means that some months there may be no rent paid, and monthly rents will vary.
The City Council approved the bid from The Little Egg to serve as concessionaire for city parks this year, with the option to renew in one-year increments for up to three additional years.
May Elections
Sulphur Springs City Council voted unanimously to accept the certificates of unopposed candidates and orders cancelling the May 2021 General Election and Special Election as the incumbents were the only candidates to filed by the February deadline for their seats on the council.
Jay Julian, Place 1 
Harold Nash Sr., Place 2
Jay W. Julian, who was elected in a December 2020 runoff for the unexpired term for Place 1, will serve a three-year term in the seat beginning in May. Harold Nash Sr., who was appointed in December 2019 to fill Place 2, one of four openings created by the resignations of four City Council members, then was unopposed in November 2020 for the unexpired term, will serve a full term in the seat starting in May 2021. Oscar Aguilar was unopposed in Novembers to serve the remainder of the unexpired term for Place 3.
Gary Spraggins was elected in November to serve part of the unexpired term in Place 5 on the Council, another of the four seats left vacant by the resignation of the councilman in December 2019. Spraggins was the only candidate who filed to serve another one-year of the unexpired term for Place 5 and also will continue serving in the seat until May 2022.
Oscar Aguilar, Place 3 
Gary Spraggins, Place 5
