County Commissioners Consider Request For A Property Tax Payment Refund
Hopkins County Commissioners were asked to consider a request for the county to refund a property tax payment made by one man on someone else’s taxes.
Hopkins County Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Pogue Mitchell explained that Carlos Whitaker paid someone else’s property taxes because there was a tax suit on it. She said she received a letter asking that the payment be refunded to Whitaker. The letter said Whitaker had previously been informed that paying the taxes owed to Sulphur Springs ISD would entitle him to a deed. There was a significant amount of taxes due on the account; Whitaker paid the county taxes.
“Someone had told the man if he paid the taxes, it was going to be his. He didn’t pay Sulphur Springs ISD because they were quite a bit more than ours, but he did pay Hopkins County for three accounts in the amount of $5,367.16. So, they are asking for a refund of that money back to Mr. Whitaker,” Mitchell noted.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom explained that Pogue directed the request to the Commissioners Court because the paid tax amount is over $500; any refund above $500 requires a ruling by the Commissioners Court.
“I have to do refunds all the time for things from the Appraisal District but I don’t ever have customers that pay other people’s accounts that come back and ask for a refund. That’s also very unusual,” Pogue noted.
“So basically, Mr. Whitaker paid someone else’s taxes? Those taxes were due and he willingly provided us those funds to pay for those taxes?” Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker asked.
“Was it with the intent that he was going to own that property if he paid taxes?” Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price asked.
“Yes,” Mitchell affirmed to both enquiries. “It wasn’t my office; apparently somebody else told him if he paid back taxes it would be his.”
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley asked why he didn’t go through his attorney to handle that transaction.
“I don’t know,” Mitchell replied to Bartley. “I didn’t wait on him. I don’t know what his intent was. The first story that I was kinda involved with this man, he thought his house would build on one of these tracks. It is not, had nothing to do with it. The one acre that his house is on is like three tracts over. I don’t know where he got his information. I have no idea what the man had in his mind.”
Bartley pointed out the man did not go through the proper channels regarding the matter.
Mitchell recommended that the $5,367.16 paid by Whitaker on the other person’s taxes be refunded to him.
“He should get his money back. He’s not going to get the property,” Mitchell said, noting that approximately $10,000 in taxes are still owed to Sulphur Springs ISD for the properties in question. “Just because he paid me, he’s not going to get the property, and it wouldn’t matter if he paid the school, he’s not going to get the property. It does have a suit on it, but he was way out of line in paying the taxes.”
Barker asked if the county has been in contact with the Linebarger firm noted in the letter regarding the firm’s recommendation regarding the matter. Mitchell noted that county officials has contacted the firm, but did not ask for their suggestion regarding the matter.
“I didn’t ask if they suggested, this is what we should do. We should give the man his money back,” Mitchell said.
Barker asked where the mix-up occurred. She said the letter alleges someone else had previously told Whitaker that he would be entitled to the deed if he paid SSISD the taxes owed by the end of the year, that he would be entitled to the deed for it.
“My opinion is he was not trying to pay the taxes for someone. His intent was was not to pay the taxes for someone. His intent was to gain the land so he was misinformed,” County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook said.
“It needs to have the step to have a judgement put on it and sold on the courthouse steps. If he wants to come buy it there, so be it,” Mitchell said, noting that the property owner did not receive the money paid on the property by Whitaker. “I’ve got the money and I want to give it back to him.”
Bartley said he’d like to have more time to think about the matter, and made a motion to table the matter. Price seconded the motion. The Commissioners Court unanimously agreed to table the request until a later time
NETLA Market Show Feb 23-27, 2021
What is the benefit of the 4-H Livestock Project? According to Texas 4-H publication by Marty Vahlenkamp, “The experience I am sure it is different for every 4-H’er depending on their goals and personal situation.
As I write this short article, I could give you the typical answer of it builds character, creates discipline, teaches youth about agriculture, teaches sportsmanship, etc., etc. While all of that is true and right on point, I am not sure that it does justice to the core of what the 4-H Livestock Project can and does do for our youth.
To me one of the greatest values of the 4-H Livestock Program is that it allows 4-H’ers the opportunity to gain confidence in themselves by caring for something that is 100% dependent on them. I remember a young 4-H’er who was uncomfortable getting in a pen with the heifer that was to be his show heifer that year, but he had to because without him the heifer could not eat or drink and could not have a clean place to live. Over time, he gained the confidence he needed to complete the project. In the years since that heifer he has showed steers at our county show and major shows. Today, he no longer shows cattle, but is routinely asked to show for other exhibitors when they have multiple animals in the same class. While this 4-H’er learned how to show cattle, the important life lesson is the self-worth and confidence he gained that will help him get through tough spots in his life and challenges that lie ahead.
The other major value I see in the 4-H Livestock Project can be said in one word: “Family.” When it is done right there is no better activity that promotes family time and the opportunity for a family to work side by side on a common goal. As surveys and reports keep pointing out the fact that families spend less time together, families that participate in 4-H Livestock Projects together have the opportunity to spend time together. As a 4-H dad I love Saturday and Sunday mornings feeding with my son and just sitting there watching animals eat. What better time to talk about school, his dreams, goals, and problems. Finally, as the project year comes to an end and we put his animal on the truck I get to help celebrate our success and also comfort him through the loss of a friend, just one more life lesson that will stick with our 4-H’ers throughout their life.”
Hopkins County will be celebrating our NETLA Junior Market Show from February 23-27 at the Regional Civic Center. There will be more than 300 livestock projects presented by 4-H and FFA participants looking for an opportunity to place at the 2021 Sale of Champions scheduled for Saturday February 27!.
After an executive meeting from NETLA a decision was taken to grant an additional 10% weight variance on the minimum weights for all species due to the extreme cold and just trying to keep animals alive.
- Steers: 890 Lb
- Pigs: 202 Lb
- Goats: 54 Lb
- Sheep Southdown: 81 Lb
- Sheep all others: 90 Lb
Thursday February 25, 2021
- 2:00 to 3:00 PM Lambs and Goats Weight in
- 4:00 PM Lamb Show
- Goat show after Lamb Show.
There will be a slightly adjusted the schedule with respect to broilers and pigs. All broiler activities will begin 30 min early and pigs will slide 30 min later. Steers are also not required to be in place till noon. Friday February 26, Friday February 26 2021
- 6:30 AM broiler check in and in place
- 7:30 AM Broiler Show
- 8:30-10:30 AM swine weights due
- 11:30 AM Swine Show
- 12:00 Steers in place
- 12:30 PM Steer weights due
- 3:00 PM Steer Show
- Heifers after Steers
Clements: Water Restored To North Hopkins WSC Customers, Dike Still Has Lower Water Pressure
Maxwell: Sulphur Springs’ Water Towers Refilled Tuesday Morning
After a weekend of water being shut off more than once by the City Of Sulphur Springs, water has been restored to North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation customers. Those consuming water, however, are recommended to boil it because the pressure did fall below recommended amounts, according to NHWSC General Manager Edgar Clements.
Some Dike residents still have lower water pressure, because the tank there has yet to be filled, according to NHWSC Office Manager Lou Jane Drummond. Clements said NHWSC employees will continue checking today for any leaks or potential problems, but anticipates as soon as the water pressurizes service should soon return to normal — with the boil notice in place.
“We did not have any major breaks. We had two little spews and we fixed those small leaks yesterday,” Clements said Tuesday morning. “We are on top of things.”
Before 10 a.m. Feb. 23, Clements said NHWSC is addressing any issues that are found but, thus far, has had no line actually break completely in two. The biggest problems found required meters to be shut off. Many were shut off over the weekend and a number of additional service meter on customers’ properties were shutoff Monday due to issues there, he noted.
The NHWSC general manager reported one small leak was found in Mahoney. A water main discovered Monday evening on FM 2285 at FM 71 had a little bit of water that had begun going downhill. It spewed from a joint when they got in there. It was dug up and repaired Monday evening, according to Clements.
On Friday, NHWSC issued a boil water notice, noting that “Our usage demand at this time is great. If you are able to conserve/cut back your usage at all, it would benefit NHWSC customers. All of our equipment is working at this time but is having trouble keeping up with the high demand.”
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell cited a significant increase in water usage and low pressure in the NHWSC lines for shutting off the water supply to the district, and the city’s inability to fill their water towers for shutting off NHWSC’s water more than once over the weekend. Maxwell reported Sunday it would remain off except about 2 hours each morning until NHWSC could provide a plan for repairs for suspected major water leaks.
Sulphur Bluff and North Hopkins ISDs cancelled classes on Monday due to the water outage, but had resumed classes on Tuesday.
Both Clements and Maxwell addressed Hopkins County Commissioners Court regarding the issue Monday morning. Clements pointed out that NHWSC, even with increased use had had not exceeded the 1,500,000 gallons per day allowed in NHWSC’s contract with the City of Sulphur Springs. NHWSC and Sulphur Springs city officials then joined forces immediately after the court session Monday to discuss a plan for finding leaks along NHWSC’s system.
NHWSC’s water valves were turned back on at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22, but officials anticipated it would take several hours until enough was pumped and re-pressurized to reach residents, and depending when the source. In an effort to get water directly to residents, NHWSC has the last few days bypassed filling up the tank in the Dike area. Residents have reported they haven’t had any water in days.
North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation, like the City of Sulphur Springs, 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. Both reward offers were for a 48-hour period which began at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22. At that time, the officials asked that people who identify such a leak call it in to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 903-438-4040. The City of Sulphur Springs, Maxwell noted, will back up the Hopkins County Water Supply Corporation with the free water for those customers who identify leaks.
Emergency management officials Monday staged at the corner of FM 71 and State Highway 19, offering two cases of water per household to assist NHWSC until water service returned to normal.
Maxwell around 3:30 p.m. Monday reported the Sulphur Springs water towers were filled and holding water. Tuesday morning, Sulphur Springs’ water towers were reported to be full. Maxwell said NHWSC was using water at a rate of 720,000 gallons per day, which is a lot less than over the weekend.
Clements noted it does take more water to refill the water system after a shut off, but anticipates after filling the Dike tank and getting things back to normal soon, provided water continues to flow normally and pressurizes son. He asks that customers call in any leaks they may discover to the NHWSC office at 903-945-2619.
Due to reduced distribution system pressure, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption to ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes. All water used for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use.
Wildcats Basketball Team Leads From Start to Finish in Bi-District Win Over Jacksonville Monday
The Wildcats Basketball Team never trailed and were never tied in their 59-51 Bi-district win over Jacksonville Monday, Feb. 22 at Hallsville. The Wildcats scored the games first 5 points and led 16-10 after the first quarter. The Indians made up two points in the second quarter outscoring the Wildcats 9-7 but the Wildcats still held on to a 23-19 lead at the half. Both team’s offenses began to click in the third quarter. The Wildcats managed to outscore Jacksonville, 19-17 and the Wildcats lead grew to 42-36 after three quarters. Then the Wildcats caught fire in the fourth quarter early and were up 15 points at one time, 55-40.
During the last few minutes of the game, the Indians fought their way back but they never got closer than five points.
Junior Justin Haire had a big game for the Wildcats and he finished with a game high 18 points. Haire even hit a three-pointer. Senior Boo Wilkerson added 12 points including two threes. Senior point guard Lamodrick Johnson scored 11 points often slashing to the basket. Sophomore Kordrick Turner scored 8 points. Senior Malique Cole and junior Caleb Alexander both had 4 points and each hit a trey. Cason Arrington had 2 points. Sophomore Devin Mccuin led Jacksonville with 15 points.
The Wildcats, now 18-9 for the season, will face the winner of a Forney and Midlothian game, to be played Tuesday night, in the Area round of the playoffs.
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.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Hits Second-Round Roadblock in 43-21 Area Loss to Royse City
The Lady Cats Basketball team never recovered from a slow start in a season-ending 43-21 loss in the Area round of playoffs in Caddo Mills versus the Royse City Lady Bulldogs on Monday, Feb. 22.
Royse City stymied the Lady Cats, putting pressure on Coach Brittney Tisdell’s squad with every step they took. While the Lady Cats tried their best to develop a rhythm, the Lady Bulldogs defense would not budge an inch. At halftime, Royse City held a 21-8 lead over Sulphur Springs, with the deficit increasing to 20 at the end of the third quarter, 32-12 in favor of the Lady Bulldogs. While the Lady Cats were able to score late to begin to chip into Royse City’s lead, the damage was already done, and Royse City cruised to a demanding 43-21 win over the Lady Cats.
All three Seniors for the Lady Cats; Bre’asia Ivery, Nylah Lindley, and Dalanee Myles all scored 6 points each. Addyson Wall rounded out the scoring with 3 points, hitting a shot from behind the arc late in the game.
The Lady Cats could not seem to recover from losing starter Kenzie Willis to injury.
Willis, a sophomore for the Lady Cats, went down with an injury with 9.2 seconds to go in the Lady Cats 56-54 Bi-District win over Nacogdoches on Feb. 12.
Coach Tisdell’s squad did what they could in preparation for this game without one of their starting, major contributors in Willis, but Royse City seemed a step ahead on every Lady Cats offensive possession. Several times on offense, a Sulphur Springs player would send the ball to a teammate, only for the pass to be intercepted at the last second and turned into potential fast-break opportunities for the Lady Bulldogs.
It was a disappointing end to an otherwise fantastic season.
The Lady Cats finish their season with a 17-8 (9-3 district) record, having been crowned Tri-Champs of District 15-5A for the 2020-21 regular season, and were the #1 seed from the district in the playoffs. The Lady Cats won their warm-up game, and Bi-District match-up, before falling in the playoffs to Royse City in the Area round.
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.
Feb. 13 to Feb. 22 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 67 New Cases, 80 Recoveries
While most area residents were busy dealing with the extreme frigid weather since Valentine’s weekend, 67 Hopkins County residents also battled COVID-19 and 80 others were reported to have recovered from the novel coronavirus 2019 from Feb. 13-22, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services Feb. 22 COVID-19 updates. A total of 1,823 additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered in Hopkins County during that time, and one additional Hopkins County resident has been confirmed to have died from COVID-19.
According to the DSHS Feb. 22 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard a total of 1,489 Hopkins County residents (4.02 percent of the population) have had lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases since March of last year That’s 36 additional Hopkins County residents who have been confirmed by molecular lab-testing to have COVID-19 in the last 10 days: seven on Feb. 13; six each on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 15 and Feb. 16; one on Feb. 18 and five on Feb. 20. That makes 122 Hopkins County residents who have received lab-confirmed positive molecular COVID-19 results during the first 22 days of February.
Another 31 probable cases of COVID-19 were also reported from Feb. 13-22 for Hopkins County: four new probable cases each on Feb. 13, Feb. 14, Feb. 16 and Feb. 22; one on Feb. 15; 17 on Feb. 20; and two on Feb. 21. That brings the total number of Hopkins County residents who have either tested positive for COVID-19 on an antigen test or have had a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis this month to 130 and since the state began tracking the data to 1,391, according to the DSHS Feb. 22 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
One additional Hopkins County resident has been confirmed by cause on death certificate to have died from COVID-19, increasing the total since March 21 of last year to 99 confirmed COVID-19 deaths (0.27 percent of the total population, but 6.65 percent of confirmed COVID-19 cases), according to the Feb. 22 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard. The latest COVID-19 death, according to the DSHS Feb. 22 COVID-19 County Trends dashboard, occurred on Feb. 7. A total of 15 COVID-19 deaths occurred in January, the last on Jan. 27; the January total was still 10 less than in December and 14 less than in October, but four more than in November and September.
Eighty Hopkins County residents are reported to have recovered from COVID-19 between Feb. 13 and Feb. 2, increasing the total so far in February to 187 recoveries. Since March, 2,597 of the 2,880 residents who’ve had confirmed and probable cases have recovered. That leaves 184 Hopkins County residents who actively had COVID-19 on Monday, according to the DSHS Feb. 22 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
At total of 19,323 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Hopkins County: 15,177 viral or molecular tests, 136 more than on Feb. 13; 2,334 antigen tests, 91 more than on Feb. 13; and 1,812 antibody tests, nine more than on Feb. 13.
According to the DSHS Feb. 22 COVID-19 Vaccine Data dashboard, a total of 1,319 people have been fully vaccinated in Hopkins County as of 11:59 p.m. Feb. 21, up from 528 who’d received both doses of the vaccine on Thursday, Feb. 11. Cumulatively, 2,667 people had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Hopkins County on Sunday, up from 1,635 on Feb. 11. That’s 3,986 people who’ve receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Hopkins County, the equivalent of 4.52 percent of the Hopkins County population age 16 years and older who have been fully vaccinated.
After 2 weeks with no first-dose allocations at all designated to Hopkins County, 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 in Sulphur Springs during the week of Feb. 22. The last time any local provider was allocated first-doses of COVID-19 vaccines was the week of Feb. 8.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Feb. 15-21, 2021
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of Feb. 1-7, 2021, included the following activity:
Arrests
- No Arrests
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 141 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 10 citations and 4 warnings during this reporting period.
SSHS Choir Advancing 5 Ensembles, 30 Soloists From Region To State Solo & Ensemble Contest
Sulphur Springs High School Choir students participated in a regional UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest on Friday, February 8, with five ensembles and 30 soloists advancing to Texas State Solo & Ensemble, which will be held virtually May 29-30.
Among the students earning medals and advancing as part of both a solo and an ensemble are Alan Guzman, Madison Martin, Lausen Ost, Aidyn Rogers, Sean Dial, Jatavion Hall, David Moreno, Colbie Glenn, Bailey Early, Haylee Fletcher, Savannah Lilley, Rose Marie Oyad, Danielle Verlander, Isabella Hill, Chloe Kerns and Litzy Chacon.
Also advance with as solo or as part of an ensemble are medalists Adam Peckham,Will Sims, Caleb Massey, Brooklyn Arneson, Lorelai Lilley, Sallee Spraggins,Mika Boren, Misti Taylor, Katie Henderson, Trinity Marie Shavers, Sarah Draper, Ashland Hooten, Adriana Espinoza-Upton, Kaylee Pennebaker, Mikel Godwin, Acie Simmons and Freddy Botello.
Congratulations to these young vocal musicians on their achievements at the regional competition.
2 Free Packages Of Bottled Water Offered Per Household For NHWSC Customers In Need
Two free packages bottled of water are being offered per household as long as supplies last for North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation customers to assist them until water levels and pressure are sufficiently improved to pump water to all customers, according to Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley. Look for the pallets stacked with cases of water at Joe Bob’s at the corner of State Highway 19 and FM 71.
The City of Sulphur Springs, twice over the weekend, turned off North Hopkins WSC’s water, leaving residents who receive water from NHWSC’s 2,500 meters on more 300 miles of lines without water. City Manager Marc Maxwell said the decision was due to the low water pressure and high water usage by NHWSC following last week’s storms, typically an indicator or significant water leaks. The above normal amount of water being pumped from Sulphur Springs to NHWSC had drained the water towers in Sulphur Springs. Until a plan was devised by NHWSC and provided to the City of Sulphur Springs, Maxwell reported Sunday, the water in NHWSC would only be turned on for about 2 hours each morning.
NHWSC reported shutting off over 100 meters that had leaks on the customer side of the meter and have been looking for leaks on their supply lines as well. NHWSC has received help from area volunteer fire departments and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office as well. Shutting off these meters has helped alleviate some of the problem but still more needs to be done.
The lack of water Monday resulted in Sulphur Bluff and North Hopkins schools having to cancel classes for the day.
City and NHWSC officials discussed the matter during Hopkins County Commissioners Court, then joined forces immediately afterward to develop a plan for finding leaks. NHWSC’s water valves were turned back on at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22, but officials said it could be several hours until enough is pumped and re-pressurized to reach residents, and depending when the source(s) of the low pressure is(are) determined it could take even longer. In an effort to get water directly to residents, NHWSC has the last few days bypassed filling up the tank in the Dike area. Residents have reported they haven’t had any water in days.
North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation, like the City of Sulphur Springs, is now offer 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.
Both reward offers are good for the next 48 hours beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22. People who identify such a leak should call it in to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office at 903-438-4040. The city will back up the Hopkins County Water Supply Corporation with the free water for those customers who identify leaks.
County emergency management team was slated to send a small army of people to North Hopkins to look for leaks. Since they can’t find leaks if the water is not on, the city restored water to the district starting at 10 a.m. It was expected to take a few hours to pressurize the entire system.
It would seem the efforts being made Monday to locate water leaks have been successful, with at least a four located Monday. Maxwell reported while NHWSC’s usage was still pretty high, the City of Sulphur Springs’ water towers had filled by about 3:30 p.m. and were still holding water at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 22.
Just before 8 p.m., what appeared to be a NHWSC main line rupture was reportedly located on FM 2285 at FM 71, which officials said should help with the WSC’s water issues.
NHWSC asks that customers conserve water when it is restored they can so that the system can fill back up more quickly and leaks can be identified.
