County Refunding Bonds At Higher Rate Than Anticipated, But Still Expected To Save $522,086
Hopkins County will be saving $522,086 by refunding bonds which financed the construction of the county jail more than 6 years ago, County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook reported during the regular Commissioners Court meeting Monday. Two plats and a budget amendment for CARES Act funding the county received due to COVID-19 were also on the June 14 agenda.
Bond Refunding
Hopkins County Commissioners Court earlier this year authorized issuance of general obligation refunding bonds to take advantage of lower interest rates to advance refund the two bonds taken out to build the new jail facility, provided rates continue to be favorable for doing so. The refunding of the bond projected based on February’s interest rates to save between $70,000-$80,000.
Part of the refunding process was having county finances evaluated by outside firm. At the May 24 Commissioners Court meeting, Aulsbrook and County Judge Robert Newsom reported the county received an A+ financial rating.
“I just wanted to note the bond rating is A-plus Staple, and in their comments, they said adequate management, adequate budgetary performance, very strong budgetary flexibility, adequate debt, strong institutional framework score. That’s a summary. It’s lots of pages,” Aulsbrook said. “But, We look good.”
Monday, Aulsbrook reported that the bonds have already been refunded. However, the interest rate the bonds were refunded at was higher than the historic lows reported in February. Even so, Hopkins County will save $522,086 over the life of the bonds, which continues through April 15, 2035.
“The financial advisors felt that was enough of a savings to move forward with the sale of the bonds. It equals out to about $37,291 yearly, and it’s done. That’s complete. I just wanted to make a record of it. You had already passed it and approved it. That’s what your saving is going to be $37,291 yearly on the debt” Aulsbrook reported.
“Congratulations to Shannah and all those working in finance and the Commissioners Court as well,” Newsom said. “A plus is amazing and it’s great to save over $500,000 for the refinance on what we call the new jail bond – but it’s six years old.”
“Nice job,” resident Mac Pitts called from the benches where he sat observing the meeting Monday.
“Thank you Shannah for keeping our nose to the grindstone,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker commented.
“The maturity of those bonds will be April 15, 2035, is that right?” Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Barley asked.
Budget Amendment
Aulsbrook presented to the Commissioner Court a request to amend the budget by $303,659.10. She explained that the county applied for CARES Act funding to cover salaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The county received a reimbursement of all salaries that the county had already budgeted. A budget amendment was needed to move the funds to the county’s road and bridge fund, with $75,914.78 to be allocated to each of the four precincts.
“That should help pay for the rising cost of oil,” Barker noted.
Barker made a motion, which was seconded by Bartley, to approve the budget amendment. The motion receive unanimous approval of the court.
Plats
Hopkins County Commissioners Court also approved a revised plat for Caney Creek Addition and a final plat of Anna Lakes Estates.
The Commissioners Court gave approval to a final plat for the Caney Creek subdivision at a March meeting.
“FEC had him go back and add easements for each of the lots,” County Clerk Tracy Smith said of the revised plat request for Shawn Massey for Caney Creek Addition. “When FEC got out there, they wanted him to go ahead and add an easement on each lot. So he had to revise the plat that he filed.”
When asked by Newsom, Smith confirmed the revision follows the rules established for subdivisions within Hopkins County.
Barker said he had no problem with the request for the revision to the plat, which is located on FM 1567 near a cell phone tower in Precinct 1, and made the motion, which was seconded by Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin, to approve the revised plat of Caney Creek Addition as presented. The motion received the unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court at the June 14 meeting.
As presented and approved by the Court in march, the 31.49 acre Caney Creek Addition will include four tracts around a cell phone tower, and 11 additional tracts around those four. The area already has fiber optics lines which will allow for high speed internet. Fifteen homes with estimated values of $150,000 to $200,000 are planned to be constructed. A road would be accessed from FM 1567 in Arbala, then loop in a circle through the Caney Creek subdivision and back out.
Smith then explained that the second plat submitted for consideration of the Commissioners Court Monday was simply a final plat for the Anna Lakes Estates. Hopkins County Commissioners Court, at the recommendation of Bartley, on May 10 approved the preliminary plat for the housing development planned for Precinct 3. Smith said the developer made changes on the preliminary plat, so there are no changes submitted for the final plat.
The 19.61-acre property fronts the roadway on three sides, north of FM 900 on one side, and County Road CR 3541 on two sides as well. Anna Lakes Estates is about 1 1/2 mile north of US Highway 67. The property has eight lots to be developed. Lots range from 1.6 acres to 3.19 acres. The property belongs to Leon and Anna Carpenter, and Shannon Carpenter,
Bartley offered his approval of the final plat as submitted and made the motion, seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price, for the court to approve the final plat for Anna Lakes Estates. The motion also received the unanimous approval of the Commissioners Court.
Other Items
Hopkins County Commissioners Court at the 9 a.m. session Monday, June 14, 2021, approved the consent agenda, which include minutes from the regular May 24 meeting, as well as the May 24 and June 7 work sessions; and requests from Farmers Electric Cooperative Inc. to construct electrical power distribution facility across County Road 233, just wet of FM 269 in Precinct 2, and across County Road 4752, west of County Road 4759 in Precinct 4. Anglin and Price both indicated they had looked at the location for which the requests were made and recommended approval for their precincts.
The Commissioners Court also agreed to payment of bills, revenues and expenses, payroll and financial statements as presented.
All other items on the agenda were approved Newsom made a motion to enter into an executive session for a personnel matter at 9:10 a.m., with Kelly Kaslon with the County Human Resources/Administration department, Aulsbrook, the Commissioners and Treasurer Danny Davis requested adjourn to their meeting room on the third floor of Hopkins County Courthouse for the closed session. Bartley seconded the motion, which was approved by the rest of the court.
The Commissioners returned to the Commissioners Courtroom at approximately 9:45 a.m. June 14. Price made the motion which was seconded by Bartley, and approved by the rest of the court to reconvene the meeting in open session. Newsom announced that there was nothing to report and no actual personnel changes to be made as a result of the executive session discussion. Bartley made a motion which Price seconded, to adjourn the regular Commissioners Court meeting.
The Commissioners Court then headed back up to the third floor of the courthouse for a work session, which was to include discussion on culvert placements in Hopkins County and the Texas Association Of Counties Health And Employee Benefits Pool (TAC HEBP) Plan For 2020 for Hopkins County. The Commissioners were also slated to meet with the fire chief, sheriff and civic center manager to discuss operations, review of revenue and expenditures, proposed improvements and repairs at each’s facilities during the work session.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – June 7-13, 2021
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of June 7-13, 2021, included the following activity:
Arrests
- Katy Post, 25 years of age, of Quitman, was arrested on June 8, 2021, for driving while license invalid with previous convictions.
- Jed Shadix, 44 years of age, of Como, was arrested on Jun 10, 2021, on evading arrest, possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and tampering with evidence charges.
- Rebecca Wallace, 33 years of age, of Sulphur Springs, was arrested on 6.12.2021 on a Hopkins County warrant for violation of probation.
- Carl Williams, 29 years of age, of Mount Vernon, was arrested on June 12, 2021, on multiple Hopkins County warrants for driving while license invalid with previous convictions and Bond Forfeiture.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 172 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 62 citations and 35 warnings during this reporting period.
Rep. Slaton Calls for Border Security Legislation During Special Session
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Today, Representative Bryan Slaton of House District 2 called for border security legislation to be included and made a priority in the special session to be called by Governor Abbott. The crisis at the border has deteriorated exponentially over the last several months since the inauguration of Joe Biden, which has been highlighted by the repeated pleas for help by officials and citizens alike in the border regions, Slaton noted in a press release issued Monday afternoon.
“Texas must finally stand up and protect our citizens, our sovereignty and the sovereignty of our sister States. Governor Abbott last week underscored the need for Texas to begin this process, including by building a wall. I totally agree. That is why I am urging Governor Abbott to immediately call a special session and make border security legislation a top priority. The people of Texas are rightly calling for action, and the People’s house must fulfill their demand,” Slaton said.
During the 87th Legislative Session, filed House Bill 2862 which would have funded the construction of a border wall. It would have required the wall to have the same specifications as the wall started by President Trump. The bill also laid out provisions that would have allowed for resources to be received from other states, as well as donations from private citizens, Slaton noted. The proposed bill was never granted a hearing.
“We all knew that we needed a border wall before President Trump campaigned about it. He was able to get some of it built. Biden has halted construction and is allowing for even more illegal drugs and human trafficking to pour across the border. If the federal government won’t act, Texas must do whatever is necessary to end this crisis, Slaton said.
In addition to building a substantial border wall, Slaton is calling for Texas sheriffs to be empowered by Texas law to arrest, house and deport illegal aliens. The Legislature must discuss this critical issue and send legislation deemed necessary to the governor’s desk to protect the people of Texas, the release issued from Slaton’s office stated.
New Wildcats Basketball Coach Brandon Shaver Opens Boys Basketball Edge Monday Morning
New Wildcats Basketball Coach Brandon Shaver got things started Monday morning (June 14) conducting his opening session of The Edge for Boys Basketball.
His 8 A.M. until 10 A.M. session was for boys entering 7th through the 9th grades.
It was followed with one for boys entering 10th through 12th grades from 10 A.M. until noon.
During an interview just before The Edge got started, Coach Shaver said this was a great move for him. He said Coach Clark Cipoletta did a great job building the program and he said he would be moving it on from here.
Coach Shaver said he hoped to bring a new excitement while he continues to build and work on the program. He comes from Pine Tree, where he was Head Coach there for the past two seasons. Coach Shaver said he was hired there to start their program over.
He said the Pirates did some phenomenal things during the past 2 years. He said his success there allowed him to get the job in Sulphur Springs.
Coach Shaver said his defensive philosophy is to mix things up. He likes a pressure man on man defense mixing in some zone with occasional half court traps and full court presses.
Coach Shaver said the goal is to throw teams off of their usual game. On offense, he said he likes to keep the ball moving. He calls it pace and space. He said his goal is to teach his players how to fundamentally play the game while preparing to play at the next level. Coach Shaver got the chance to meet a lot of the high school players at a Meet and Greet event on June 6.
Coach Shaver said he was impressed with how well the Wildcats players shot in a home win over Pine Tree last season. He said the Wildcats went on a 19-0 run early in the game and shot an incredible 72%.
He said good shooting will allow his team to spread things out against an opponent’s defense. Coach Shaver said he loves stuff like The Edge and he said it’s a fun thing to start.
The Boys Basketball Edge continues Mondays through Thursdays through July 22 in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School.
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.
Weekend Warrant Round Up The Result of Ongoing HCSO Investigation
A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigation into narcotic activity across the county resulted in a weekend warrant round up, with approximately a dozen people arrested.
“This was the result of an investigation over a period of time by Sgt. Tanner Steward and Investigator Shea Shaw. They did a good job on this investigation, which resulted in several arrests,” HCSO Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford said Monday.
The investigation into narcotics and controlled substance activity in Hopkins County is ongoing. Additional arrests are expected as a result of the information gleaned during the HCSO officers’ investigation as additional cases are still being filed.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office overnight Friday took 11 people into custody on felony controlled substance-related warrants over the weekend, as well as a traffic stop that resulted in another controlled substance arrest, according to jail and arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Elijah Fite and Drew Fisher were made aware of a warrant for 35-year-old Jamie May Gail Dowell‘s arrest.
They saw her exit her place of business and enter a black Chevrolet Blazer late Friday night, June 12, 2021, and stopped the SUV at 11:59 p.m. June 11, on Houston Street at Hillcrest Drive.
She was asked to step out and was placed into custody. She allegedly admitted to having concealed on her methamphetamine. She was transported to jail, were Jail Sgt. Hope Santillan took her to a dress out room and removed a crystal-like substance that weighed 0.44 grams including packaging and tested positive for methamphetamine.
Dowell was booked into Hopkins County jail for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance; a drug-free zone enhancement was added because of the proximity of the arrest location to a school. The Sulphur Springs woman remained in Hopkins County jail Monday afternoon in lieu of the $10,000 bond set on the new charge and a $5,000 bond on the warrant, according to jail reports.
HCSO Deputy Zack Steward was notified of an active warrant for 58-year-old Donald Wayne Lindley‘s arrest. He, Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Zack Horne served the warrant at the man’s Sulphur Springs residence at 12:10 a.m. June 12. He was taken into custody and jailed on the manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance warrant.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Monday afternoon, Jun 14, 2021, in lieu of $20,000 bond, according to jail reports.
HCSO Deputies Nick Marney and Elijah Fite, Sgt. Tanner Steward and Investigator Shea Shaw served Nathan James Bearden and Kristina Nicole Leisey at their residence just after 1 p.m. June 12, 2021, on two warrants each for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Deputies located a loose amount of crystal-like substance which field-tested positive as methamphetamine and weighed about 1.4 grams, “copious amounts of drug paraphernalia,” and two hypodermic syringes containing a liquid substance which field-tested positive for meth
Bearden and Leisey were both booked on the warrants as well as two new charges for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance for the loose meth and substance in the syringe. Both remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, June 12 in lieu of $90,000 bond, $50,000 and $20,000 on the warrants, and $10,000 each on each controlled substance charges, according to arrest reports.
Friday was the second time in less than 2 weeks that Bearden has been booked into the county jail. He was also booked and release later May 30, 2021, on a drug paraphernalia charge.
HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Zack Horne reported seeing Daryl Christopher Simmons traveling on County Road 2310. Aware that the 60-year-old Sulphur Springs man had a warrant for his arrest, they stopped him and took him into custody.
He was booked into and remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, June 12, 2021, on the manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. Bond was set at $20,000, according to jail reports.
Friday was the second time in three months that Simmons has been booked into the county jail. He was also booked in on March 24, 2021, on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone; he was released from custody March 30, 2021, on a $30,000 bond on the charge.
HCSO Deputies Elijah Fite and Alvin Jordan were made aware of a warrant for Darrin Ray Fairchild‘s arrest. They located the 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man at his residence and took him into custody at 2:05 p.m. June 11, 2021, according to arrest reports.
Fairchild was booked into custody on a manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. He remained in custody Monday afternoon, June 14, 2021; bond was set at $10,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Deputy Nick Marney served Cecily Elizabeth Saffel at 12:50 p.m. June 11, 2021, with a warrant for an April 28, 2021, manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
The 26-year-old Sulphur Springs woman has remained in custody at Hopkins County jail since her arrest May 25, 2021, on two warrants for bond forfeiture on possession of controlled substance charges, according to jail reports. Bond on the most recent charge was set at $20,000.
Kayleigh Dawn Mills was arrested June 11, 2021, by HCSO Sgt. Todd Evans for violation of probation, which she was on for a Feb. 2, 2018, possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. She was held in Hopkins County jail Monday without bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Friday was the second time Mills has been arrested for violating probation on the charge. The 30-year-old Quitman woman was also spent Jan. 18-Feb. 6, 2020, in the county jail for violation of probation on the controlled substance charge, jail record show.
Sgt. Todd Evans also arrested Carrie Elizabeth Vaughan Friday, June 11, 2021, on a warrant for bond forfeiture on a possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports. She remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, June 13, 2021, in lieu of a $20,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
The 49-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was last booked into Hopkins County jail on Sept. 29, 2020, for possession of Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Vaughan, who is also known by Carrie Vaughn, Elizabeth Saffel, Kerry Saffel and Red, was released from jail later Sept. 29 on a $10,000 fine on the felony charge.
HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputies J. Davis, Zack Horne and Drew Fisher; and Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro were made aware of Wesley James Chester‘s whereabouts. They located the wanted 38-year-old in a Van Sickle Street front yard and took him into custody at 10:53 p.m. Sunday, June 13, 2021.
Chester was boked into Hopkins County jail at 11:32 p.m. June 13, 2021, on warrants for manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams Chester was boked into Hopkins County jail at 11:32 p.m. June 13, 2021, on warrants for manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams and manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. He remained in Hopkins County jail late Monday morning, June 14, 2021. His bond was set at $50,000, $40,000 on the 4-200 gram charge and $10,000 on the other, according to jail reports.
Hopins County Sheriff’s Deputy Amanda Weatherford and K. Shelton were made aware Natalia Malia Kincade was being held in a Michigan facility on a Hopkins County warrant. The pair traveled to Genesee County, Michigan June 12, 2021, where they took custody of the 23-year-old Burton, Michigan woman just after 9 a.m., according to arrest reports
Kincade was transported to Hopkins County jail, where she was booked at 2:45 a.m. Sunday, June 13, 2021, on the warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Kincade was held in Hopkins County jail on the charge Monday morning, June 14, 2021, according to jail reports.
Noe Rosas Fuerte
HCSO Sgt. Joshua Davis and Sgt. Tanner Steward stopped Noe Rosas Fuerte for failure to maintain a single lane while driving a silver Chevrolet Silverado on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 112 just before 11 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2021.
Upon approach, Davis observed an open alcohol container spilled in the rear seat area of the truck. Steward asked the driver to exit the pickup, then obtained permission to pat Fuerte down, the sheriff’s office noted in arrest reports. Steward located a bag containing a crystal-like substance that later field tested positive for methamphetamine in Fuerte’s front pocket, Davis and Steward alleged. The 38-year-old Cumby man was taken into custody and transported to jail, where he was booked at 12:35 a.m. June 13, 2021, for possession of 1.11 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Fuerte was released from Hopkins County jail later Sunday, June 13, 2021, on a $10,000 bond on the possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, 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.
Multi-Vehicle Crash On State Highway 154 South Results In 2 Fatalities
A multiple vehicle crash on State Highway 154 south of Sulphur Springs Saturday evening resulted in two fatalities, according to authorities.
At approximately 5:52 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2021, Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers were advised of a multiple vehicle crash on SH 154 about 4 1/2 miles south of Sulphur Springs in Hopkins County. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, EMS and fire departments also responded.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2019 Lincoln SUV was traveling northbound on SH 154. A 2013 Dodge Challenger was traveling northbound behind the Lincoln. For an as yet undetermined reason, the driver of the Dodge failed to control the vehicle’s speed and struck the Lincoln causing the Lincoln to leave the road and hit several trees. The Dodge then struck a 2014 Dodge Ram that was traveling southbound on SH 154,” according to a news release from Sergeant Gregg Williams, Texas DPS Texas Highway Patrol Media Communications for the Texarkana/Mount Pleasant area.
The driver of the Lincoln, 73-year-old Brenda Mowat Coker, and passenger, 79-year-old Tracy Coker, both of Pickton, died at the State Highway 154 crash scene. The driver of the Dodge Challenger, 34-year-old Brandon Brown of Sulphur Springs, and the driver of the Dodge Ram, 73-yar-old Jimmy Young Sr. of Ft. Worth, were taken to a local hospital with non-incapacitating injuries, Sgt. Williams reported.
The State Highway 154 crash remains under investigation and no additional information is currently available, according to Williams.
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.
Dinner Bell Menu For June 16, 2021
The CROSS COUNTRY COWBOY CHURCH is the Community Partner for this week’s meal.
GRAB and GO starts at 11:00 a.m. as meals are distributed under the covered driveway on the Northeast corner of The First United Methodist Church Campus.
MENU
Spaghetti Casserole
Mediterranean Roasted Carrots
Marinated Green Beans with Sour Cream Dressing
Garlic Buttered French Bread Slices
Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Still be CAREFUL even though Covid cases are declining. WASH your hands OFTEN. KEEP DISTANCES. WEAR MASKS where REQUIRED. Get the COVID INOCULATION. DINNER BELL WANTS YOU HEALTHY!!!
Hopkins County Native Wilma Thompson Crowned 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Sr. Classic!
“Changing the Face of Aging” is the theme of the Ms. Senior Classic Pageant, open to ladies age 60 and older.
Ten contestants initially entered, but due to various circumstances, only seven were able to be present on June 12 for the 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant in the banquet hall of the Civic Center in Sulphur Springs. Like many other public events, last year’s contest could not be held due to the pandemic. Thus, in the 12th year since the competition began, Wilma Thompson became the 11th to wear the crown and sash of Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic. She was crowned before a large audience by outgoing ‘Queen’ Vender Wright and Pageant Director Karon Weatherman.
Winners are:
Nancy Bolton for the 2021 Clydene Fielden Memorial Leadership Award (Nancy is a Ms. Texas Classic winner and runner-up in previous local and state pageants)
Linda Pickle Hill for the 2021 Spirit Award
Ticket Sales Winner, Patsy Cowan
Best Personality, Sharon Baker
Best Evening Gown, Valerie Ross
Best Philosophy of Life, Elizabeth Wilburn
Best Interview, Nancy Roy
Most Talented, Linda Pickle Hill
Miss Congeniality, Patsy Cowan
Second Runner Up, Patsy Cowan
First Runner Up, Elizabeth Wilburn
Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic 2021, Wilma Thompson
Talent presentations ranging from comedy skits, readings and recitations to singing and clowning provided great entertainment. The interviews with judges consisted of each contestant’s answer to a random question she selected. And each contestant was resplendent as she modeled a formal evening gown as her philosophy of life was read aloud.
When the four judges turned in their scores and tabulation took place, more entertainment was provided by Ms. Texas Senior Classic 2019/2020 Regina Money, Ms. Hopkins County Sr. 2009 Stella Bagley and Ms Hopkins County 2019/2020 Vender Wright. More entertainment was provided by the duo ‘Sentimental Journey’ Mike Shing and Enola Gay who also served as Emcees along with Chuck Roy, editor of the Community Chronicle newspaper. Story and video of the pageant can be seen on ksstradio.com and on the KSST YouTube Channel.
The Texas Senior Classic pageant series is a ‘celebration of the senior woman and the changing face of aging’. Contestants are judged in three categories; talent, evening gown/philosophy of life and interview with judges. Winners and runners-up may advance to the Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant, to be held in Tyler in September 2021. For more information, contact Karon Weatherman at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center, 150 MLK Drive or phone 903-885-1661.
SW Dairy Museum Announces Carolyn McKinney Retirement; Reception June 18, 11am-1pm
Carolyn McKinney is a dear friend to Hopkins County and on Friday June 11, she dropped by the KSST studios to let us know that she is retiring but plans to stay busy doing things she’s been wanting to do. Though we will miss her, it seems fitting that she would choose June, Dairy Month, to make this announcement since her career has been so involved in the dairy industry. After retirement, Carolyn plans to volunteer in a new endeavor or two, and continue supporting causes which she feels bless the community. She shared, ‘retiring is bittersweet, but I’m ready to get busy doing some favorite and choice things while I still can!”.
The new Assistant to the Director of Administration, Diana Ramirez, sent a press release inviting the public to Carolyn’s retirement reception to be held during the noon hour on Friday June 18, 2021 at the Southwest Dairy Museum.
Carolyn McKinney Retiring from Southwest Dairy Museum, Inc.
Lifelong Sulphur Springs native, Carolyn McKinney, will be retiring from the Southwest Dairy Museum, Inc. after over 20+ years of dedicated service. Mrs. McKinney has held the position of Director of Administration for the past 15 years. Her varied roles with the organization have included managing the museum’s daily operations and maintenance, coordination of sponsorship activities including Special Olympics, Susan G. Komen, March of Dimes, and college athletic programs, and numerous other tasks.
During her time with the company, she has served the Sulphur Springs community in numerous capacities that include multiple leadership roles. These include serving on the Christus Mother Frances Hospital Foundations Lights of Life committee, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Hopkins County Adult Leadership Alumni and Hopkins County Civic Center Board of Directors, the Texas AgriLife Leadership Advisory Board, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board, United Way and Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors.
In 2017, she was named the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year. This award is given to a deserving citizen who has volunteered much of her free time in various capacities, and who has contributed in great measure to the benefit of Hopkins County.
Mrs. McKinney and her husband, Dan, have three sons, twenty-one grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Southwest and Southland Dairy Farmers want to thank Mrs. McKinney for her years of dedication and service to the organization and wish her congratulations on her upcoming retirement!
The community is invited to attend a reception in her honor on Friday, June 18, between 11am and 1pm, at the Southwest Dairy Museum in Sulphur Springs.
10 Arrested On Felony Controlled Substance-Related Warrants
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Friday night and early Saturday conducted a warrant round up, taking 9 people into custody on felony controlled substance-related warrants, and police arrested one on a felony controlled-substance-related charge as well, according to jail and arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Elijah Fite and Drew Fisher were made aware of a warrant for 35-year-old Jamie May Gail Dowell‘s arrest and saw her exit her place of business and enter a black Chevrolet Blazer late Friday night, June 12, 2021, and stopped the SUV at 11:59 p.m. June 11, on Houston Street at Hillcrest Drive.
She was asked to step out and was placed into custody. She allegedly admitted to having concealed on her methamphetamine. She was transported to jail, were jail Sgt. Hope Santillan took her to a dress out room and removed a crystal-like substance that weighed 0.44 grams including packaging and tested positive for methamphetamine.
Dowell was booked into Hopkins County jail for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance; a drug-free zone enhancement was added because of the proximity of the arrest location to a school. The Sulphur Springs woman remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday afternoon; her bond was set at $10,000 on the new charge and $5,000 on the warrant.
HCSO Deputy Zack Steward was notified of an active warrant for 58-year-old Donald Wayne Lindley‘s arrest. He, Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Zack Horne served the warrant at the man’s Sulphur Springs residence at 12:10 a.m. June 12. He was taken into custody and jailed on the manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance warrant.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday afternoon, Jun 12, 2021, in lieu of $20,000 bond, according to jail reports.
HCSO Deputies Nick Marney and Elijah Fite, Sgt. Tanner Steward and Investigator Shea Shaw served Nathan James Bearden and Kristina Nicole Leisey at their residence just after 1 p.m. June 12, 2021, on two warrants each for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Deputies located a loose amount of crystal-like substance which field-tested positive as methamphetamine and weighed about 1.4 grams, “copious amounts of drug paraphernalia,” and two hypodermic syringes containing a liquid substance which field-tested positive for meth
Bearden and Leisey were both booked on the warrants as well as two new charges for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance for the loose meth and substance in the syringe. Both remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, June 12. Bonds were set at $50,000 and $20,000 on the warrants, and $10,000 each on each controlled substance charges, according to arrest reports.
Friday was the second time in less than 2 weeks that he has been booked into the county jail. He was also booked and release later May 30, 2021, on a drug paraphernalia charge.
HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Zack Horne reported seeing Daryl Christopher Simmons traveling on County Road 2310. Aware that the 60-year-old Sulphur Springs man had a warrant for his arrest, they stopped him and took him into custody.
He was booked into and remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, June 12, 2021, on the manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. Bond was set at $20,000 on the charge.
Friday was the second time in three months that Simmons has been booked into the county jail. He was also booked in on March 24, 2021, on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone; he was released from custody March 30, 2021, on a $30,000 bond on the charge.
HCSO Deputies Elijah Fite and Alvin Jordan were made aware of a warrant for Darrin Ray Fairchild‘s arrest. They located the 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man at his residence and took him into custody at 2:05 p.m. June 11, 2021.
Fairchild was booked into custody on a manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. He remained in custody Saturday afternoon, June 12, 2021; Bond was set at $10,000.
Deputy Nick Marney served Cecily Elizabeth Saffel at 12:50 p.m. June 11, 2021, with a warrant for an April 28, 2021, manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
The 26-year-old Sulphur Springs woman has remained in custody at Hopkins County jail since her arrest May 25, 2021, on two warrants for bond forfeiture on possession of controlled substance charges, according to jail reports. Bond on the most recent charge was set at $20,000.
Kayleigh Dawn Mills was arrested June 11, 2021, by HCSO Sgt. Todd Evans for violation of probation, which she was on for a Feb. 2, 2018, possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. She remained in Hopkins County jail Sunday afternoon.
Friday was the second time Mills has been arrested for violating probation on the charge. The 30-year-old Quitman woman was also spent Jan. 18-Feb. 6, 2020, in the county jail for violation of probation on the controlled substance charge.
Sgt. Todd Evans also arrested Carrie Elizabeth Vaughan Friday, June 11, 2021, on a warrant for bond forfeiture on a possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. She remained in Hopkins County jail Sunday, June 13, 2021. Bond on the charge was set at $20,000.
The 49-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was last booked into Hopkins County jail on Sept. 29, 2020, for possession of Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Vaughan, who is also known by Carrie Vaughn, Elizabeth Saffel, Kerry Saffel and Red, was released from jail later Sept. 29 on a $10,000 fine on the felony charge.
Coleton Taylor Shrum
According to jail reports, Coleton Taylor Shrum was taken into custody June 11, 2021, by Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman on warrants for burglary of a building and violation of probation, which he was on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone.
The 32-year-old Winnsboro man remained in Hopkins County jail Sunday, June 13, 2021. His bond on the burglary charge was set at $10,000.
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.
