North Hopkins Water District All Clear
As of 9 a.m. Thursday, February 25, 2021, the North Hopkins Water District has cancelled the Boil Water Notice.
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell reported the water usage for the North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation, which had reached as high as 1.3 gallons per day in the past week, and has returned to a normal rate of 295,000 gallons per day as of Thursday morning, Feb. 25.
Maxwell, on behalf of the City of Sulphur Springs, commends NHWSC for their diligent work in identifying and repairing water issues.
According to NHWSC General Manager Edgar Clements, the WSC found and repaired three leaks and shut off some customers water at the meter after yard line ruptures or busted pipes were called in on their properties.
“We had three total leaks. They were normal leaks, small leaks people don’t normally recognize. They’re the kind we see and fix and do not usually affect water pressure,” Clements said.
NHWSC’s usage increased significantly over the weekend and customers reported from low water pressure to no water at all. The City of Sulphur Springs, which supplies water to NHWSC and other WSCs, reported the city’s water towers had gotten very low over the weekend and more than once shut off the water supply to NWSC.
On Monday, both Maxwell and Clements appeared in Hopkins County Commissioners Court to discuss the issue. Immediately following the meeting, the city and NWSC officials met, discussed a plan to locate potential leaks on NHWS’s system. The City of Sulphur Springs agreed and turned NHWSC’s valves back on at 10 a.m. Monday, it took a while for enough to be pumped and re-pressurized to reach resident.
North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation, like the City of Sulphur Springs, Monday offered a 1-million gallon reward to its customers who find a major water leak on their system. A major water leak is defined as a leak on a main line not a service lateral. Additionally, NHWSC is also offering a 100,000-gallon reward for customers who turn in a leak on a service lateral to a vacant building or vacant home. The NHWSC rewards were offered for a 48-hour period which began at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22, and was backed by the City of Sulphur Springs.
“We do not have information yet on how many of those leaks/ruptures were the result of the reward program offered by NHWSC, but the City stands by its commitment to backstop the district with the free water to make good on the rewards. Once again, good job!” Maxwell stated Thursday.
Clements said he is aware of one woman who called in a leak at a bell joint, but isn’t sure whether that will meet the city’s definition for the reward.
NHWSC customers’ water had been restored Tuesday morning, with some low pressure in the Dike area, but a boil water notice remained in place. and the city’s water towers were filling and have continued to hold water, according to Maxwell and Clements. NHWSC employees reported the water now meets TCEQ standards, water service was back to normal and the boil notice was lifted Thursday morning, Clements reported.
Any questions or concerns from NHWSC customers may be directed to the water supply corporation office at 903-945-2619.
Hopkins County FFA Ag Mechanics Show is Largest So Far, 36 Projects
On February 23, 2021, six Hopkins County school FFA Chapters entered their best Ag Mechanics projects for judging. The turnout filled up the Civic Center arena as each project involved from 2-4 students. The SSHS FFA Chapter hosted the show. Other schools participating were Cumby, Miller Grove, Saltillo, Como-Pickton and North Hopkins. Welding and Woodshop students helped construct the projects,with a number of skills involved like design, reading a blueprint, measuring, cutting, sanding, painting, finishing and working as a team. And as one student pointed out, the effort also includes speaking skills and showmanship as the project is explained and demonstrated during the judging process. Congratulations to all the student teams who put the work into the projects, and find their photos in another story. Here are the winners, according to Dan Froneberger, Ag Mechanics Superintendent for NETLA.
The Grand Champion project was built by four Como-Pickton CISD Seniors who teamed up to design and construct a custom hydraulic cattle squeeze chute. They are Jackson Monk, Canyon Thomas, Braden Miller and Jonathan Mejia. According to the team, “we built a manual squeeze chute last year. We wanted to go all out on our final year in school, so we decided to design a hydraulic chute. We are pretty proud of the award”.
The Reserve Grand Champion Project was a Low-Profile Skid Steer Bucket constructed by Cumby Jr. student Logan Miller. Miller used skills he has learned as a member of the Cumby FFA Chapter such as design, cutting, bending, welding and painting.
The Ag Mechanics Showmanship Award went to Jr. student Kaleb Harris of the Saltillo FFA Chapter. Kaleb did the welding on two projects; a custom TV table with wagon wheel detail, and a Fenceline Feeder. Other builders of the projects were Raegan Speir, Jr. and Landon Gilbreath, sophomore.
2 Sentenced On Murder Charge In District Court
Two men were sentenced this week on a murder charge in 8th Judicial District Court in Hopkins County, according to the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Jesus Antonio-Hernandez and Maximino Manuel Ibarra, along with 31-year-old German Manuel Ibarra and 24-year-old Charli Ciera Wadley-Hodges, were booked into Hopkins County jail April 13, 2020 in connection with the death of Luis Martin Medina. Antonio-Hernandez, Maximino Ibarra and German Ibarra were charged with capital murder by terror threat or other felony while Wadley-Hodges was indicted on a tampering with evidence charge.
The three men and woman were accused in April of beating Luis Martin Medina at a Sulphur Springs address on or about April 10, then of burning him in a vehicle. Medina’s body was found at 2:20 p.m. Sunday, April 12, by a rural resident in the burned truck on County Road 1186, Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum alleged following the arrest of the four individuals for capital murder by terror threat or other felony.
“It is believed at this time that there was a dispute involving rent and payment that led to Medina losing his life. Medina was injured at his residence and eventually taken by parties involved to the County Road 1186 location,” Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said, following the arrest of all four suspects in April.
The district attorney’s office alleged that Luis Martin Medina was stabbed and killed in Sulphur Springs, then German Ibarra took the victim’s truck, with the victim inside, and drove out into the county. The truck was found off CR 1186, burned with the victim’s remains inside.
Antonio-Hernandez and Maximino Ibarra have remained in Hopkins County jail since their arrest in April 2020. Both pled guilty to the lesser offense of murder and went “open” to the court for sentencing. Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Eddie Northcutt sentenced 40-year-old Antononio-Hernandez on Feb. 22 to a 60-year prison sentence for the murder of Medina. Northcutt sentenced 30-year-old Maximino Ibarra on Feb. 23 to a 40-year prison sentence on Feb. 23 for the murder of Medina.
German Ibarra, as part of an agreement, pled guilty to both the murder and aggravated robbery of Luis Martin Medina on or about April 10, 2020. In exchange for the guilty pleas, the District Attorney’s Office struck six paragraphs from the capital murder indictment so that it alleges Ibarra caused the death of Luis Martin Medina by stabbing him with a knife, a deadly weapon. First-degree murder is a lesser included offense within the capital murder charge, according to 8th Judicial District Attorney Will Ramsay. German Ibarra also waived indictment and pled guilty to an aggravated robbery charge.
Eighth Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt upheld the agreement reached through attorneys and on Dec. 7 sentenced German Ibarra to life in prison on the first-degree murder charge and 20 years in prison on the first-degree felony aggravated robbery charge, which is to be served consecutively.
According to current parole rules, that will require German Ibarra to serve no less than 30 years in prison before he can become eligible for parole. Then, if German Ibarra makes parole after serving the required time on the life sentence, he will be required to serve the aggravated robbery sentence. The 20-year sentence will require Ibarra to serve a minimum of 10 years in prison before he can again become eligible for parole, Northcutt explained during German Ibarra’s plea hearing. He will receive credit for the 242 days he’s already served in Hopkins County jail, where he remained until he was transferred to a prison to serve the remainder of his sentences.
Free Bottled Water Available To Anyone Without Water Or Still Under Boil Water Notice
Free bottled water is available to any local residents or businesses without water following last week’s winter weather, especially those who do not have water because they are still waiting for a plumber or materials to repair broken pipes at their residence or business.
In Sulphur Springs, residents or businesses can stop by Sulphur Springs Police Department, 125 South Davis St. to get some free bottled water. Those unable to get to the police station may call dispatch at 903-885-7602 to make arrangements for an officer to bring bottled water to their location in the city.
In Hopkins County, those without water may stop be Joe Bob’s on the corner of State Highway 19 north and FM 71 from about 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, to receive up to 2 free cases of bottled water per household. Just look for the emergency management officials distributing pallets of water. That location was chosen as a central location for North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation customers, the only WSC customers still under a boil water order in Hopkins County. As soon as the boil order is lifted, the pallets containing cases of bottle water will be relocated to Sulphur Springs for distribution through a local agency. In the event of rain on Thursday, officials will remain on site at Joe Bob’s to provide water; look for the tent and water pallet, according to Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley.
Hopkins County-Sulphur Springs Emergency Management began mass distributing cases of water in the community to residents on Monday, after Texas Baptist Men arrived with two pallets of bottle water to assist local residents and businesses in areas where water service was disrupted, turned off or boil orders issued, as well as those who have broken or damaged pipes and sprinkler systems that required the water to be shut off. Texas Department of Emergency Management then provided and 18-wheeler trailer filled with 21 pallets containing cases of bottled water. Texas A&M University-Commerce delivered another 14 pallets of bottled water. Overall, 34 of the 35 pallets of water received on the first day were given out to help those without water in their home or business, according to the county emergency management coordinator. Endsley reported 20 pallets of water were being delivered Tuesday afternoon and additional supplies arrived Wednesday as well.
In addition to swerving the Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County community, HC/SSEM along with Bowie County officials have provided TDEM water distribution points for counties in the 9-county Ark-Tex Council of Governments region. For instance, 9 of the pallets of water were loaded from the Hopkins County hub and transported to Paris earlier today and Tuesday Hopkins County helped Delta County fill requests made to the state for bottled water.
“Everybody’s been fantastic. From the county to everybody, including the volunteer departments, everyone has collectively jump in and to do what we do here in Hopkins County: everybody helping their neighbors. We are appreciative to all who have contributed and helped out, and can’t say enough about Joe Bob’s and the staff out there where they’ve allowed us to set up a hub out there,” Endsley said.
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation Pleads Guilty To Price Fixing, Sentenced To A $107 Million Criminal Fine
First Corporation Pleads Guilty In Ongoing Criminal Antitrust Investigation Into Broiler Chicken Industry
Denver, Colorado – Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (Pilgrim’s), a major broiler chicken producer based in Greeley, Colorado, has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to pay approximately $107 million in criminal fines for its participation in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products, the Department of Justice announced today.
According to the plea agreement entered in the U.S. District Court in Denver, from as early as 2012 and continuing at least into 2017, Pilgrim’s participated in a conspiracy to suppress and eliminate competition for sales of broiler chicken products in the United States that affected at least $361 million in Pilgrim’s sales of broiler chicken products.
The District Court accepted Pilgrim’s guilty plea and sentenced the company to pay a criminal fine of $107,923,572.
“Today’s guilty plea demonstrates our unwavering commitment to prosecuting companies that violate the nation’s antitrust laws, especially when it involves something as central to everyday life as the food we eat,” said Richard Powers, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “This guilty plea is a direct result of the tireless efforts of our dedicated career prosecutors and staff, and partners at the FBI, Commerce Office of Inspector General (OIG) and USDA OIG.”
“Today’s plea is another example of the FBI’s ongoing work to eliminate bid rigging and price fixing and hold those conducting these activities accountable for their actions,” said Steven M. D’Antuono, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “These criminal acts cheat American workers and consumers while harming competitive markets. This ongoing investigation has yielded charges against 10 individuals for their efforts to illegally manipulate broiler chicken prices, and the FBI is committed to continuing this important work alongside the Department of Justice and our partners.”
“This investigation demonstrates the government’s resolve to protect the integrity of free and open market competition,” said Peggy E. Gustafson, Inspector General of the Department of Commerce. “When competitor companies conspire to set prices that benefit themselves, American consumers are cheated. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue such illegal activity and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Department of Justice, FBI and USDA OIG on this investigation.”
“We appreciate the ongoing commitment and concerted efforts of our law enforcement partners at the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, the FBI, and the Department of Commerce OIG to investigate a long running scheme affecting competition through the rigging of bids and price fixing of broiler chicken products,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) OIG. “During these uncertain times, USDA OIG will continue to dedicate resources and prioritize work that benefits hard working Americans through competitive prices for agricultural producers and fairness in pricing and quality of agricultural products for consumers.”
Pilgrim’s is the first company to plead guilty for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products. Broiler chickens are chickens raised for human consumption and sold to grocers and restaurants. Ten executives and employees at major broiler chicken producers have also previously been charged. The investigation remains ongoing.
A violation of the Sherman Act carries a maximum penalty of a $100 million fine for corporations. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine.
This case is the result of an ongoing federal antitrust investigation into price fixing, bid rigging, and other anticompetitive conduct in the broiler chicken industry, which is being conducted by the Antitrust Division with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Commerce OIG, FBI Washington Field Office, and USDA OIG. Special thanks to U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn and Assistant U.S. Attorney Hetal Doshi from the District of Colorado for their assistance. Anyone with information on price fixing, bid rigging, or other anticompetitive conduct related to the broiler chicken industry should contact the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 1-888-647-3258 or visit www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html.
Former Enloe State Bank President Sentenced To 8 Years In Federal Prison For Conspiracy To Commit Bank Fraud, Arson
SHERMAN, Texas – A former bank president has been sentenced to federal prison for violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting United States Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Anita Gail Moody, 57, of Cooper, Texas pleaded guilty on June 5, 2020, to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and arson and was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III. Moody has additionally agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $11,136,241.82.
According to information presented in court, on May 11, 2019, while Moody was President of Enloe State Bank in Cooper, Texas, the bank suffered a fire that investigators later determined to be arson. The fire was contained to the bank’s boardroom, however the entire bank suffered smoke damage. Investigation revealed that several files had been purposefully stacked on the boardroom table, all of which were burned in the fire. Notably, the bank was scheduled for a review by the Texas Department of Banking the very next day. Further investigation revealed Moody had created false nominee loans in the names of several people, including actual bank customers. Moody eventually admitted to setting the fire in the boardroom to conceal her criminal activity concerning the false loans. She also admitted to using the fraudulently obtained money to fund her boyfriend’s business, other businesses of friends, and her own lifestyle. The fraudulent activity, which began in 2012, resulted in a loss to the bank of approximately 11 million dollars.
“Criminal conduct that affects the financial health of a small, local lender can send a negative ripple effect throughout the entire community,” said Acting United States Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “The Eastern District of Texas will vigorously prosecute cases, such as the one here, that undermine public confidence in our local banks. We are also deeply appreciative of the excellent investigative work of the FDIC Office of the Inspector General, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in bringing this matter to a close.”
Jeannie Swaim, who served as vice president of Enloe State Bank, and who was also involved in fraudulent conduct, was previously sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, and agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $410,675.18.
This case was investigated by the FDIC-OIG and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maureen Smith and Wes Wynne.
Lady Cats Golf Team Has Make Up Tournament Wednesday
The Lady Cats Golf Team has a make up tournament Wednesday, Feb. 24 for one postponed last Thursday by snow and ice. The Lady Cats are playing at a Lindale sponsored tournament at Garden Valley Golf Club in Lindale. It’s the second tournament for the Lady Cats this semester. They also competed as individuals at Eagle’s Bluff in Bullard back on February 9. Lady Cats won that tournament shooting a 78.
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.
Wildcats Basketball Faces Midlothian in Area Game Thursday
Details have been firmed up for the Wildcats Basketball Team’s Area round game. The Wildcats will be playing Midlothian Thursday night, Feb. 25 at 8 P.M. at Athens. The Wildcats enter the game with a season record of 18-9 after their 59-51 bi-district win over Jacksonville Monday night at Hallsville. The Wildcats are the #2 seed in District 15-5A. Midlothian has a season mark of 21-5. Their 11-1 district record made them District 14-5A’s #1 seed. Midlothian defeated Forney in bi-district play, 76-56 Tuesday night in Lancaster.
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.
FEC Does Not Anticipate Increase Above Current Electric Rates Due To Recent Winter Weather
Cooperative Strives For Consistent, Long-Term Rate Stability
GREENVILLE – Members have been asking how the record-breaking cold weather event that took place Feb. 14-19 may impact upcoming bills. We know usage increases as the temperatures drop, which results in above normal energy bills for this time of the year. The cooperative does not expect, however, members to see an increase above current electric rates due to this winter event.
The rate for Farmers Electric Cooperative members for March 2021 is 0.10759-cents per kWh. This is the same as the rate for February 2021. Farmers EC has been around for more than 80 years and has seen how natural disasters impact energy prices. We still remember the impact of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina on the price of electricity. That’s why we embrace long-term rate stability and strive to be consistent.
We know usage increases in winter, then starts to decrease with the mild spring weather. We have tools to help members recover from the extreme weather event. Budget Billing helps to even out monthly bills, so your payments stay more consistent by avoiding seasonal peaks. We also encourage members to use our HVAC tune-up rebate to have their heat and air systems inspected after being used to overcome at least a 50-degree temperature gap at times. We understand if members need additional time to pay their bill. Our Member Care team can help find a solution that fits any budget. The Farmers EC Member Care team is available by calling 903.455.1715 during business hours.
Farmers Electric Cooperative only charges you for the energy you use. We believe in member service innovation and putting members first. At Farmers EC, you’re a member, not a meter. That’s why, as we recover from the rotating outages and the historic cold weather, we will continue to work with our state legislators, power supplier, and our fellow Texas electric cooperatives to protect the rights of electric consumers. Working together, we will advocate for meaningful reforms to ensure that future extreme weather events do not put members at risk.
Scales, Pipes And Methamphetamine Found Following A South Broadway Street Traffic Stop
Crack and methamphetamine pipes, scales and suspected meth were found following a South Broadway Street traffic stop Tuesday afternoon, resulting in one controlled substance arrest, according to police reports.
A 40-year-old Sulphur Springs woman caught police attention for failure to drive in a single lane while texting on a cell phone and was notably nervous when stopped by Sulphur Springs police in the 1200 block of South Broadway Street around 2:50 p.m. Feb. 23. After finding two scales with suspected methamphetamine on them in the Toyota Venza, officers obtained permission to search the room she has been staying in at a South Broadway Street inn, Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes and Sgt. Joe Scott alleged in arrest reports.
The SCU investigators had received information about suspected narcotics distribution coming from that room. The woman accompanied police to the room, where officers allegedly found two crack pipes, a methamphetamine pipe and a bag containing a small amount of methamphetamine.
Consequently, Tiffany Dawn McCrary was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 23, 2021 by SCU officers on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
McCrary remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Feb. 24, awaiting arraignment on the felony charge. Tuesday is the second time the Sulphur Springs woman has been jailed in Hopkins County on a possession charge; she was jailed Aug. 14, 2018, for possession of drug paraphernalia and on a theft warrant.
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.
