Sulphur Springs Woman Returned To Hopkins County Jail On Warrant
A 22-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was returned to Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning on a felony warrant, according to arrest reports.
A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office employee took custody of Harleah Irene Petrea at an Intermediate Sanction Facility around 8:45 a.m. Feb. 3 and transported her to Hopkins County jail. She was booked at 10:30 a.m. Feb. on a warrant for abandoning or endangering a child.
Petrea was jailed on Sept. 2, 2020 and remained in Hopkins County jail until Nov. 4, 2020, on a violation of probation-credit or debit card abuse warrant and a no driver’s license warrant. She was indicted and jailed on the credit or debit card abuse charge from June 23-July 27, 2017, according to jail reports. She has most recently been serving time at the ISF facility.
The 22-year-old Sulphur Springs woman and remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Feb. 4, 2021.
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.
Kentucky Woman Arrested In Hopkins County On Dallas County Warrant
A 29-year-old Fort Mitchell, Kentucky woman was arrested in Hopkins County on a Dallas County warrant Wednesday evening.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Colt Patterson conducted a traffic stop on a white Kia passenger vehicle at mile marker 136 on Interstate 30 around 6:50 p.m. Upon contact, the driver was identified as Lauren Elizabeth Wolper. A computerized check using her information was conducted by dispatchers. The records check showed a Dallas County warrant for Wolper’s arrest.
Deputy Chris Baumann arrived at the traffic stop and took custody of Wolper for Patterson, a canine handler, and transported her to jail. Wolper was booked into jail around 7:45 p.m. Feb. 3, on the Dallas County assault of a family member with previous convictions, which enhances the assault charge to a third-degree felony. The offense, according to arrest reports, is alleged to have occurred on Jan. 27, 2021 in Dallas County.
Wolper remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Feb. 4, 2021, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Social Security Scammers Calling Hopkins County Residents
A KSST listener reported two phone calls to his home phone number on Monday February 1, 2021. After reporting the disturbing calls to the police, the listener called KSST to relay the information in the hopes that other local residents would be prepared in case the scammers call their number too.
The homeowner let the answering machine pick up the calls, listened to them later, and let us know the basic content of the message. The caller had identified himself by name as an officer of the Social Security Administration, calling to inform the homeowner that suspicious activity relating to their Social Security number had been detected. He advised that the homeowner should act immediately for the safety of their Social Security account. He then advised the homeowner to contact the legal department of Social Security by ‘pressing 1’, and if they do not, their Social Security account would be discontinued permanently. According to the homeowner, one of the phone numbers used by the scammer was a Commerce number, and the other one registered ‘unknown’.
If you receive phone calls claiming to be the Social Security Administration, you should regard them with caution. ss.gov helpful information regarding scammer calls. Below is some information from the Social Security Administration.
Feb. 3 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 28 New Cases, 16 Recoveries, 174 Active Cases
While the COVID-19 hospitalizations remain low across the state this week, Hopkins County is experiencing a spike in new COVID-19 cases, increasing the overall active case count to rise from 130 on Sunday to 174 on Wednesday, according to the Department of State Health Services Feb. 3 COVID-19 dashboards.
Case Counts
On Wednesday, a total of 28 new COVID-19 cases were reported, increasing the total so far this week to 63.
Over the last four days, 39 Hopkins County residents have received lab-confirmed positive molecular COVID-19 tests results, one on Sunday, 14 Monday, 10 Tuesday and 14 Wednesday. Twenty-four probable COVID-19 cases, determined either by a positive antigen test or a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis, have also been reported this week: two on Monday, eight on Tuesday and 14 on Wednesday.
Since March of 2020, a total of 1,407 Hopkins County residents have been confirmed by lab tests to have COVID-19 since the pandemic began in Hopkins County in March and 1,294 probable cases since the state began tracking the data.
One additional Hopkins County resident has been confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19, according to the DSHS COVID-19 Feb. 3 Case Count dashboard. The latest death occurred on Jan. 20. That makes a dozen COVID-19 deaths confirmed to have occurred in January and 95 total COVID-19 fatalities since the pandemic began.
On the other hand, 16 Hopkins County residents had recovered from COVID-19 on Wednesday, increasing the total number of recoveries so far this week to 22; two recoveries were also reported on Monday. Since March, that makes at least 2,432 recoveries out of the cumulative 2,701 COVID-19 cases recorded since March.
Factoring in both the new cases, recoveries and fatalities, the active COVID-19 case count for Hopkins County has continued to rise this week from 130 on Sunday to 146 Monday, 163 Tuesday and 174 on Wednesday.
Hospital Data
The count in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs increased by one to 13 on Wednesday, which is still one less than on Monday, Feb. 1, and six less than on Monday, Jan. 25; 16 less than on Tuesday, Jan. 19; nine less than on Monday, Jan. 11; and 16 less than on Monday, Jan. 4.
Over the last week, COVID-19 hospitalizations across Texas have continued to decline almost steadily since Jan. 18, dropping from 13,928 to 12,899 on Jan. 23, 11,981 on Jan. 28 and 10,827 on Feb. 2.
In Trauma Service Area F, COVID-19 hospitalizations have declined from 241 on Jan. 11 to 186 on Jan. 19 and 161 on Jan. 23, 142 on Jan. 29 and 134 on Feb. 2. The last time there were fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations in TSA-F was Dec. 11, when the patient count dipped to 130.
| Day | Date | COVID Hospitalizations | COVID-19 % Hospital Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | January 28 | 158 | 14.73 % |
| Day 2 | January 29 | 142 | 12.91 % |
| Day 3 | January 30 | 163 | 14.89 % |
| Day 4 | January 31 | 152 | 13.94 % |
| Day 5 | February 1 | 143 | 13.8 % |
| Day 6 | February 2 | 134 | 12.38 % |
Feb. 2 was also the sixth consecutive day COVID-19 hospitalizations accounted for less than 15 percent of the overall capacity in TSA-F. In fact, on Tuesday, COVID-19 hospitalizations accounted for only 12.38 percent of the overall hospital capacity, which has also declined over the last week. If Trauma Service Area F has one more consecutive day below the 15 percent threshold, the area will no longer be considered to have high hospitalizations. The count would reset and the restrictions on retail businesses and restaurants will be lifted, allowing them to reopen at 75 percent, and would allow hospitals to resume elective surgeries.
COVID-19 Testing
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management reported a total of 9,158 COVID-19 tests had been performed at the testing center in Sulphur Springs as of Feb. 2, including 81 tests performed Tuesday and 95 on Monday.
Another 25 viral (molecular) tests were apparently performed elsewhere in Hopkins County on Tuesday as the cumulative total increased by 106 tests to 14,369 on Feb. 2.
Four antigen tests also were reported to have been conducted in Hopkins County on Tuesday as the total increased from 1,837 to 1,841 on Tuesday. No additional antibody tests were reported for Hopkins County, so the total number of antibody COVID-19 tests remains 1,775, according to the DSHS Feb. 3 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard.
Cumulatively, that’s 17,985 COVID-19 tests that have been performed in Sulphur Springs and reported to DSHS.
Free oral swab COVID-19 testing has been extended through the month of February in Sulphur Springs. Testing is typically offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays inside the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express Building) in Sulphur Springs.
Free testing is open to anyone regardless of age or address. However, registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Three fewer vaccines were administered to people in Hopkins County than was previously reported in the COVID-19 Vaccine Data dashboard. DSHS on Feb. 3 had removed one dose previously counted among those who have received the first dose of the vaccine in Hopkins County and two from the count of people fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in Hopkins County.
That reduces the total number of people in Hopkins County who’ve received doses of the vaccine to 2,125 showed only 2,126 have been administered to people in Hopkins County: 1,796 who’ve received the first dose of the vaccine and 330 who are fully vaccinated with both doses of the vaccine.
Tennessee Man Jailed In Nashville On Hopkins County Warrant
A 29-year-old Smyrna, Tennessee man was jailed in Nashville, Tennessee on a Hopkins County, Texas warrant, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was alerted Joseph Andrew Carpenter was being held on the local charge. Deputy Amanda Weatherford traveled to Nashville and took custody of Carpenter at 8:56 a.m. Feb. 2, 2021. She transported him to Hopkins County jail, where the Tennessee man was booked at 5:35 p.m. on the warrant for violating probation, which he was on for an unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge. He was held at the county jail Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, according to jail reports.
Carpenter previously was jailed in Hopkins County from Dec. 29, 2018 to March 18, 2018 on possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charges as well as warrants for violation of probation on a criminal simulation charge and failure to appear on possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell charge, according to Hopkins County jail reports.
The 2018 arrest resulted from an Interstate 30 traffic stop after a license plate check showed the vehicle they were traveling in had been reported stolen. A methamphetamine pipe containing residue, two handguns, a large quantity of methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia were allegedly found in the stolen vehicle, resulting in both men being arrested, a state trooper alleged in 2018 arrest reports.
In an unrelated incident, a 24-year-old Josephine, Texas man who visited the Sulphur Springs Texas Department of Public Safety office Tuesday afternoon to renew his license ended up in jail. During the renewal process DPS officials were alerted the man had an outstanding Hunt County warrant for his arrest. Instead of heading to his car with documents in hand to drive away, the man received a ride in a patrol vehicle to the county jail, where he was booked on a on the misdemeanor evading arrest or detention charge, according to arrest jail reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday in lieu of a $5,000 bond on the 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.
Waco Street Traffic Stop Results In Three Felony Arrests
A Waco street traffic stop early Wednesday morning resulted in three felony arrests, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Drew Fisher attempted Waco Street traffic stop after seeing a red Dodge Avenger disregard a traffic lane control device at Waco Street at Plano Street around 12:15 a.m. Feb. 3, 2021. The car was reportedly driven for more than a block before the driver stopped the car.
When Fisher asked the occupants about their destination, the information did not make sense for the location where they were stopped, the deputy claimed in arrest reports. Fisher reported the driver, identified in arrest reports as Aldis Marivel Rosewell, 34, of Winnsboro, appeared to him to be very nervous and deceptive toward him and Deputy Zack Horne. Consequently, permission was obtained to search the car.
Sulphur Springs Police Department Sgt. Josh Shufeldt arrived as a cover unit. As he was leaving following a vehicle search, Shufeldt reportedly heard a crackling noise and discovered a shattered glass and plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance suspect to be methamphetamines’ that weighed 9.19 grams.
When none of the occupants claimed the suspected meth, all three were taken into custody at 12:38 a.m. Feb. 3. Aldis Rosewell, 32-year-old Diego Servin-Chavez of Mount Vernon and 36-year-old Kyle Rosewell of Winnsboro were arrested for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and tampering with evidence.
All three remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 3, 2021. Bond was set at $35,000 on the controlled substance charge and $10,000 bond on the tampering with evidence charge for each, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
City Manager’s Report – February 2, 2021
Sulphur Springs City Council received from City Manager Marc Maxwell the following monthly manager’s report on during the Feb. 2, 2021 council meeting:
COVID-19 Response
The number of active cases in Hopkins County decreased 13% since our last meeting with a total of 120 active cases as of February 1, 2021. The is the second consecutive month of declining active cases. Last month active cases fell by 11%. The state has tested a total of 8,982 people at the Hopkins County testing site since this whole thing began. We have had 2,095 cumulative recoveries and 70 cumulative fatalities (40% increase from last month) in Hopkins County. The hospital had 14 patients in the COVID-19 unit (on Jan. 1) which is a 53% decrease from last month.
As a part of the City’s response to COVID-19 the City suspended the practice of cutting off water service for non-payment. Some of the balances are growing quite high. The total arrearage is $153,906 with 601 accounts (8.96% of all accounts) in arrears. The vaccines are beginning to roll out to the public, and we have had two consecutive months of declining total active cases. If total active cases decline again next month, I will propose requiring residents to pay their current bill along with 1/12th of their arrearage to avoid being cut off. In this way their accounts would be brought current in 12 months.
Grays Building
The framing is nearly completed, and the plumbing will be finished by the end of the week. Electrical rough-in is next followed by insulation and sheetrock.
Senior Citizens Building
Construction drawings are still being prepared by REES Associates. We have hired Tandem Consulting to oversee the construction just like the Grays Building.
Woodlawn Street
The Capital Construction Division has completed the sewer main and the water main. They will be finished with curb and gutter improvements this week. Texana Land and Asphalt will then cement-stabilize the road base and pave the street with asphalt.
Saputo Sewer Main
Materials for the project have been ordered, and the project will get underway this month. This $750,000 sewer project is funded entirely by a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The new main will supplement an older undersized main. The path of the new main begins at Saputo and continues under the interstate. It then continues South for 3,500 feet before connecting to an existing trunk line. The new main has a 15-inch inch diameter. This grant is made possible because of a $50 million plant upgrade at Saputo and their cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Without their cooperation this project would not have been possible.
College Street
This will be the next project after the Saputo Sewer Line Project. Elsewhere on the agenda is an item to approve a concrete crushing bid that will provide much of the road base for this project.
Claims
We did not have any workers compensation claims or liability claims in January. The City submitted a property claim for a police cruiser that was struck while parked and unoccupied.
Revenues and Expenditures
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a report of revenues and expenditures.
Also Around The City
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Made extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Repaired 586 potholes in various locations.
- Replaced various STOP signs, school zone signs and speed limit signs.
- Installed 2 new sidewalks at the airport.
- Removed Christmas decorations and replaced downtown banners.
- Cleaned water wells on Veterans’ Memorial.
- Responded to 177 animal control calls and achieved a 97% adoption rate.
- Made 5 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 38 accidents, issued 532 citations, made 33 arrests and recorded 48 offences in the Patrol Division.
- Conducted 28 building inspections, 19 electrical inspections, 18 plumbing inspections, 6 mechanical inspections and issued 26 building permits.
- Sold 2,574 gallons of AvGas and 12,120 gallons of Jet A fuel.
- Checked out 2,809 items at the library, plus 741 eBooks.
- Responded to 249 fire/rescue calls including 3 structure fires and 5 vehicle fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance and testing on 80 fire hydrants.
- Installed large main door at Hanger #3 at the airport.
- Achieved monthly average total suspended solids reading of .76 mg/L at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, well with our limit of 15 mg/L.
- Repaired 12 ruptured water mains.
- Unstopped 51 sewer mains.
- Repaired 13 sewer mains.
- Washed 75,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Treated 127 million gallons of potable water.
Texas HHS Receives National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Grant For A New 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline
AUSTIN – Texas Health and Human Services today announced it is receiving more than $180,000 in funding toward implementing a new national three-digit dialing code, 988, for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
“The new 988 number makes it easier for people in crisis or emotional distress to get immediate assistance and connect to mental health resources within their communities,” said Sonja Gaines, HHS deputy executive commissioner of Intellectual and Developmental Disability and Behavioral Health Services. “We are excited to get to work, ensuring that Texans who need support can always count on a Lifeline.”
The grant funds will be used to help Texas Lifeline call centers prepare for infrastructure needs and additional callers, purchase headsets and computers, train and educate staff and data collection. The funding comes from Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit administrator of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the 988 State Planning Grant.
Effective July 2022, the new 988 Lifeline will replace 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Federal legislation authorizing 988 as the three-digit code for the Lifeline was passed in October 2020.
HHSC recommends people in crisis and concerned family members continue to call the Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (800-273-TALK) until the 988 number becomes effective.
To learn more about suicide prevention and crisis centers, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website and the HHS Suicide Prevention page. For more information on accessing behavioral health services in Texas, please visit the MentalHealthTX website.
About the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Funded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 180 local crisis centers, uniting local resources with national best practices.
Sulphur Springs City Council Approves Three 380 Infill Housing Agreement Requests, Final Plat
Approval of three 380 infill housing agreement requests and a final plat by Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night will allow for construction of three single family homes and two apartment buildings. The City Council also gave the go ahead for a drainage repair project on Beckham Street and to a proposal for solid waste concrete crushing.
380 Agreements
The three 380 infill housing agreements approved Tuesday night make eight approved by the council since the infill housing incentive program was adopted in August. The program offers reimbursement was certain city fees such as permitting fees, water and sewer tap fees, and delinquent taxes owed to the city and liens on the property upon completion of a new single family dwelling on certain identified properties within the city limits which utilize existing infrastructure to provide affordable housing.
Tuesday night, the council approved a request from SM Family Holdings for an infill housing agreement for construction at 110 West Ross Street, located in the middle of the block between Ardis and WA Street. The property has $3,181.50 in city tax liens, which the can be reimbursed upon completion of the new home at 110 West Ross Street.
This marks the second month SM Family Holdings has asked for a 380 infill housing agreement. Last month, the applicant was granted an infill housing development agreement for 222 Craig Street and 306 South Moore.
Approval was also granted to Alexander Bent’s request to a 380 infill housing agreement for 212 East California Street and 214 East California Street. The vacant lots, located side by side, are fairly narrow. Bent proposes combining the properties to construct a new home on the property and request requested a building tap fee be reimbursed for the project.
“Are these homes about 12-14 hundred square foot new?” Councilman Oscar Aguilar asked.
“The building envelop on this one is going to be roughly 40 by 60, which includes a garage and a porch area,” Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski noted. “They typically have been around the 14-16 hundred square foot range. I think one of them that we did do last was over 2,000 square feet.”
Gerardo Contreras of Eleven One Homes’ request for a 380 infill housing agreement for a vacant property acquired at 220 Craig Street also was approved. The new house, proposed to be approximately 1,400 square feet, is to be constructed next to the property approved for a 380 agreement last month. Contreras has asked for reimbursement of building and tap fees associated with the project.
“This 380 is an excellent incentive tool for this infill housing to get these lots back on payroll, generate income. I’m really glad to see these on the agenda, and I hope that we are aggressively pushing this to interested parties. And, I hope this continues. I hope this is trend that will continue,” said Councilman Jay Julian.
“We’ve had a lot of interest every month. Obviously, there may be a couple more coming next month again. I get a lot of phone calls from a lot of different people — it’s hard to keep track of sometimes,” Niewiadomski said.
One council member noted that much interest in the program “is a good thing.”
Jewell Subdivision Plat
BGE Inc.’s request for a final plat combining two lots in Jewell Subdivision was granted. The 5.488-acre property is located on the northwest corner of the League and Bell Street intersection, and abuts Rockdale Road. Two three-story apartment buildings that will contain 72 units each and wrap around a house on League Street. A public water line will need t be dedicated to run throughout the property with two connections on League Street, then loop through to Rockdale Road to help with pressure. Booster pumps will be built in to help address potential pressure issues identified by the city’s engineering team, the community development director noted.
“Each one of those will have adequate fire suppression,” Niewiadomski told the City Council during their regular meeting, conducted via Zoom and streamed to the public via YouTube.
Sidewalks will be constructed along League Street. A detention pond will be installed in one area for storm water runoff and drainage. Aside from the water line, all utilities on site will be private. Fire hydrants for fire protection will be provided. A utility wire spanning through the property impacted the design, but will not prohibit construction. Parking will be mostly hidden from view behind the complex, which fronts League Street. The complex will essentially make a U shape, looping around the a home on property in front of part of planned construction project.
The Planning and Zoning Commission in January reviewed the request and recommended it for approval, as did city staff who reported it meets all city requirements for that type of construction.
“Staff did indicate that this lot was approved for low income housing tax credits at City Council and the State. This is going to be an age-restricted community for ages 55 and older,” Niewiadomski said, and asked the City Council to also authorize the city manager as part of the approval to execute a community facilities contract for the property for the water line.
Darren Smith with developer MVAH Partners told the P&Z Commissioners last month that the 72 age-restricted units would be funded with low income tax credits from the State of Texas.
Beckham-Lamar Street Drainage Repair
The council agreed to amend the 2019-2023 Capital Improvements Plan for drainage at Beckham at Lamar Streets. The project will involve replacing 850 linear feet of 30-inch storm drain pipe starting at the southwest corner of Pacific Park and continuing to the northwest corner of Pacific Park.
Niewiadomski and City Manager Marc Maxwell explained that city staff responding to reported drainage issues between Lamar and Carter Streets found that the bottom of the existing underground metal corrugated pipe has rotted out. The drainage pipe was installed nearly 25 years ago, one of the first capital improvement projects after Maxwell came to Sulphur Springs.
Due to the serious level of deterioration and the drainage issue’s ties into Pacific Park, the city officials proposed going ahead and replacing the line with a polypropylene line that shouldn’t rot while work is under way in the park. This will move the project up in the CIP plan to address the need and eliminate the need to tear that area out again after Pacific Park improvements are made, which in the long run could provide cost savings as well.
City staff noted a previous drainage issue in the area also required amending the CIP plan. A storm drain under the railroad track near caused street flooding during heavy rains. The runoff was rerouted away from the railroad tracks, with $85,000 from the Summer Paving Program used for the repair.
Concrete Crushing Contract
A resolution approving the proposal from TBK Materials LLC to convert solid concrete into recycled millings by crushing it so that it can be used in street and infrastructure development, and authorized the city manager to execute the contract.
The city hired TBK two years ago to crush the solid concrete waste stored at the city stockpile adjacent to the City Wastewater Treatment Plant at a rate of $8.50 per ton. The company crushed 38,713 tons of concrete, at a total cost of $329,060.50. Approximately 45 percent of that crushed stockpile has been used already along with crushed rock obtained a rate of $23.87 per ton. Using the crushed concrete, stored from any city project and brought to the city by contractors like those who rebuild sections of highway, has over the last couple of years saved the City of Sulphur Springs $15.37 per ton, Maxwell explained.
Currently, the city has another stockpile of about 20,000 to 25,000 tons of concrete that needs to be crushed so it can be used as road based when rebuilding city streets. This year, city officials and TBK have negotiated for the pile to be crushed for $8 per ton of concrete, which the city manager pointed out, will save the city $310,000 to $387,000 in material costs.
“We will probably use every bit of this and more on College Street,” Maxwell noted of the planned rebuilding project. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to stockpile enough more that we’ll be able to crush once more before we’re through with College Street.”
The city is not required to go out for competitive bids for the project because the material is a solid waste, but Maxwell said the rate is a competitive bid, which he asked the council to approve due to the overall cost.
Point Man Arrested For Illegal Commercial Dumping On CR 1151
A 20-year-old Point man was arrested for illegal commercial dumping on Hopkins County County Road 1151, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Todd Evans reportedly began investigating the illegal dumping Monday, after being alerted about construction materials being dumped along County Road 1151. After looking into the matter, the Point man was identified as a potential person of interest. Evans notified Hopkins County Assistant Fire Marshal Mike Matthews of the investigation and contacted Whiting.
Hunter James Whiting agreed to talk with the officers at the sheriff’s office Tuesday. During the interview, Whiting allegedly admitted to dumping a truck load of construction materials removed from a construction site in another county for disposal on CR 1151 in Hopkins County. The offense is alleged to have occurred on Jan. 29, 2021.
Due to the size size of the reported, which reportedly included pieces of wood and metal from what one person reported looked like cabinetry as well as other structural construction materials, Whiting was charged with illegal dumping of commercial materials estimated to weigh over 200 pounds.
Whiting remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning on the felony illegal dumping charge. Bond was set at $10,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
The arrest is the second made by local authorities in the last 2 months. Justen Blake Saffel, 26, was arrested on Jan. 6 for allegedly dumping debris and trash near Lake Sulphur Springs, at the dead end of County Road 4703. The debris, when hauled away in a dump truck, weighed more than 4,000 pounds, officials reported following Saffel’s arrest. He was located in Omaha, Texas and charged with illegal dumping and intentionally or knowingly unauthorized discharge of the debris adjacent to the water way, in connection with the dumping near Lake Sulphur Springs.
