Local Disaster Declaration Issued For Hopkins County Due To Winter Weather
Disaster Summary Paperwork Has Been Submitted Requesting Consideration To Be Added To President’s List Of Counties Eligible To Apply For Additional Individual Assistance For Weather-Related Damages
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning issued a local disaster declaration for Hopkins County due to the impact last week’s winter weather had not only on rural county residents and businesses but also residents of Sulphur Springs, Tira, Como and Cumby.
This step could potentially increase Hopkins County’s potential eligibility to receive weather-related disaster assistance from the state and federal governments. The disaster began on Feb. 11, resulted in widespread continuing damages and loss of property or imminent threat of those things due to heavy prolong snow fall and freezing temperatures, utility outages, excessive flooding, deterioration of roads, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom cited from the local disaster declaration.
The judge determined that “extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the hardship of people and protect, including but not limited to rehabilitation of property, private and governmental, of the impact” from the winter weather which included excessive prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snow and flooding, resulting water damages, deterioration of roads, widespread and severe damage and loss of property to the county citizens including water supplies, electrical grids, county and citizen infrastructure, bridges culverts.
“Therefore, we authorize the public resources of Hopkins County and cities of this county to use all available resources to cope with this disaster. Now, therefore let it be proclaimed by the Commissioners Court of Hopkins County that a local disaster state of disaster is declared for Hopkins County, that the county’s emergency management plan has been implemented, that the state of disaster shall continue indefinitely by consent of the Commissioners Court of Hopkins County. The disaster declaration shall take effect immediately from issuance,” Newsom said Monday.
Beth Wisenbaker, local grants coordinator, noted that while Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster for all 254 counties in Texas due to the weather and President Joe Biden declared Texas a Federal Disaster Area, but only designated individual help for 77 counties; Hopkins County is not one of the 77 counties named.
Wisenbaker said she and Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley have already begun the process over the weekend and have filed a disaster summary, which hopefully will allow Hopkins County to be added to the list of Texas counties approved by the president, which would make more assistance available to individuals, who could apply on for assistance for damages not covered by insurance.
“I’ve got all our paperwork. I’ve made the contacts. I just need something back from the state that says the president has added us to that 70-plus. Nobody seems to think that’s going to be a problem. We’ll see. It’s FEMA,” Wisenbaker said. “We appreciate everything they do. It’s help we wouldn’t normally have. If we get declared that, we will let the media, Facebook or the judge will contact whoever he needs to contact to let everybody know they can start the process. Other than that, it’s FEMA, it’s paperwork and it just takes a while, but we’re rolling through it.”
She extended thanks to the Commissioners and Endsley for “saving the courthouse” during the extremely frigid weather last week.
“The fire suppression system, they thought to drain it. They also had an individual staying up here and babysitting throughout so we didn’t have to worry about it losing it’s heat and pipes freezing. Because this is close to my heart, I know y’all have done lots of wonderful things that save people’s lives, but this was awesome and I thank you for it,” Wisenbaker said.
Feb. 22-26 Meal A Day Menu
Although the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center remains closed due to COVID-19, volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The Feb. 22-26 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday – Rope Sausage, Sauerkraut, Navy Beans, Tomato/ Corn/Okra, and Corn Bread
Tuesday – Chicken Pot Pie, Broccoli and Cranberry Sauce
Wednesday – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll
Thursday – Chicken and Dumplings, Crackers and Tossed Salad
Friday – Frito Chili Pie, Corn and Cold Slaw
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Crash Investigation Leads To Resisting Arrest or Detention Charge
A crash investigation lead to a 25-year-old Mount Vernon man being jailed around Sunday morning on a Class A misdemeanor resisting arrest, search or transport charge, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police responded in the 1700 block of Houston Street around 6:45 a.m. responded to a report of a possible crash. An officer located a person slumped over the steering wheel of a Ford pickup, where he appeared to be sleeping. An open case of light beer was visible in the passenger seat, according to police reports.
The officer woke the man to get his attention. The man in the truck acted confused and appeared to speak, but his words were incoherent, police alleged. After being asked multiple times to exit the truck, the 25-year-old reportedly looked toward the officer, issued an expletive toward the officer.
Police then removed the man from the vehicle, detaining him for further investigation of a possible drunk driver or public intoxication, officers alleged in arrest reports. Police placed the 25-year-old Mount Vernon man on the ground and attempted to get him into handcuffs. When he struggled, police used “the minimal amount of physical force necessary to restrain him,” officers wrote in arrest reports. The policeman drive stunned the man one time with his Taser, but it did not appear to the offer to have much effect on the Mount Vernon man. Police continued to struggle with the man until he was placed into custody. Police then assisted the Mount Vernon man to his feet and arrested him for resisting officers’ efforts; the pickup was impounded.
The 25-year-old was released from Hopkins County jail later Sunday on a $2,000 bond on the misdemeanor resisting arrest, search or transport charge.
Feb. 21, 2021 was not the first time the man has been arrested in Hopkins County on a misdemeanor resisting arrest, search or transport charge; he spent Feb. 26-28, 2019 in Hopkins County jail on another resisting arrest, search or transport charge as well as a Sulphur Springs simple family violence assault charge.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
Man Listed As Missing Person Arrested At Walmart On FBI Warrant
Three people were arrested at Walmart over the weekend, including a man listed as a missing person who also had an outstanding FBI warrant, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs Police responded at Walmart 3:26 p.m. Feb. 20 in reference to a theft report. A 48-year-old man and 45-year-old woman were reported to have taken more than $100 worth of merchandise. The pair were issued criminal trespass warnings for the store and taken into custody on the class B theft charge.
The man was discovered to have given false ID information. He was later identified as Christopher Joey Reed, a man wanted by the Knoxville, Tennessee FBI for possession of obscene material. He also was reported to be wanted on a Georgia charge, but that state did not want to extradite, so he was not charged on that warrant, according to arrest reports. It was also determined the man had been entered as a missing person; that agency was notified. Officer Nick Floyd took the pair to jail on the charge, according to arrest reports.
Reed remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Feb. 22, on a $1,000 bond on the theft charge and was held on the FBI warrant. The 45-year-old woman was released from jail Feb. 21 on a $1,000 bond on the theft charge, according to jail reports.
Also arrested at Walmart just before 9:30 p.m. Feb. 19 for criminal was a 22-year-old Sulphur Springs man. He was seen on the property and located attempting to leave the store in a gray pickup, according to arrest reports. Officers confirmed he was previously issued a criminal trespass notice for the location, which was still active. The 22-year-old was arrested and jailed on the charge, according to arrest reports. He was released from jail Feb. 21 on a $1,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
Emergency Sirens to be Tested Today
Emergency Sirens will be tested in Sulphur Springs today, Monday February 22, 2021. The test will be conducted by the Sulphur Springs Emergency Management office. The test will be conducted at noon.
The test is to gauge the reliability of the emergency warning system and is conducted to find any potential flaws in the system. Recent tests have shown the emergency sires to be a ready source of warning in case of emergencies such as weather or other threats to safety.
This is only a test.
North Hopkins Water Supply Needs Your Help
Valves Opened at 10 a.m., But It Could Be Several Hours Before Residents Have Water As the System Has To Re-pressurize First
If you live in the North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation (NHWSC) service area you are feeling the frustration of the water supply issues that are occurring. As NHWSC is the largest customer of the Sulphur Springs Water Department, and water usage overall has gone way up for everyone mainly due to water leaks. Sulphur Springs has had to cut off the supply to NHWSC in fear of Sulphur Springs running out of water. NHWSC has already issued a boil notice but that is of little consequence currently as the supply was shut off from Sulphur Springs to NHWSC after 2 1/2 hours this morning.
With over 2,500 meters and over 300 miles of water lines, NHWSC has a lot of area to cover and is working diligently to try and find any leaks that they have on their system. Over the weekend, they shut 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.
With no pressure on the lines, it will become much more difficult to find leaks, but NHWSC is asking all of their customers to do what they can to inspect their property to see if there has been some leaks on the customer side of the meter as well as the water supply lines in their area.
According to General Manger Edgar Clements, the entire staff of NHWSC has been working around the clock to try and correct any problems on their system.
After Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell and Utilities Director James Jordan and NHWSC General Manger Edgar Clements discussed the matter during Hopkins County Commissioners Court this morning, the trio met to discuss a potential plan of action to identify any major leaks.
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.
“Additionally, county emergency management team is sending a small army of people to North Hopkins to look for leaks,” Maxwell noted just before 10 a.m. Monday. “Naturally, they can’t find leaks if the water is not on, so the city is restoring water to the district. It could take a few hours to pressurize the entire system.”
The water valves sending water to NHWSC were reopened at 10 a.m. Feb. 22, city officials reported. However, NHWSC residents likely will not have water immediately. With so many meters and so many miles of water line, it will take a while for the system to re-pressurize, which means it likely will be 3 1/2 hours or potentially longer. for the lines to re-pressurize enough to push it to all NHWSC customers.
NHWSC asks that customers conserve water when they can so that the system can fill back up more quickly and leaks can be identified.
No School Monday At North Hopkins, Sulphur Bluff ISDs Due to NHWSC Water Issues
North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation issues are impacting not just residents but also school and business in North Hopkins as well. North Hopkins ISD at approximately 8:30 p.m. Sunday announced the district will not be able to have school Monday, or until further. Sulphur Bluff ISD also has canceled school on Monday because they won’t have water.
The notice from NHISD Superintendent Darin Jolly states: “Due to inconsistent & unstable water utility assurance at this time, we will postpone our school start until further notice, when possible. No school Monday for sure … hope to resolve ASAP. I’ll keep you posted
Customers of North Hopkins WSC had their water turned off for the second night in a row Sunday due to low water pressure, suspected to be leaks or broken lines at 9 p.m. According to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell, the water will remain off from now onw, turned on only from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily, until “until such time as North Hopkins [WSC] produces a plausible plan for locating the leak(s).”
The notice from Sulphur Bluff School states that there will be “No school Monday based on new information from NH Water Supply Company. No running water will be available during the day to the school district; thus requiring the change.”
SBISD administrators anticipates providing another update Monay afternoon regarding classes Tuesday and thereafter.
North Hopkins WSC Water To Be Shut Off Again Sunday Night
The North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation‘s water is to be shut off again by the City of Sulphur Springs at 9 p.m. Feb. 21, the second night in a row the city has done so at that time. The City of Sulphur Springs plans to turn th ewater back on for two hours a day only moving forward until issues are addressed, according to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell.
The City of Sulphur Springs also shut off NHWSC’s water from 9 p.m. Saturday to 4:30 a.m. Sunday. NHWSC had low water pressure and the City of Sulphur Springs was having trouble filling the water towers because so much water was going out. The city also asked Sulphur Springs residents to report any major water breaks in the city to make sure the city continues to have a sufficient supply of water. The water supply in the city’s water towers, Maxwell explained Saturday night, was low.
“Between our water breaks and water supply corporations water breaks, we are losing water faster than we can pump it into the towers. That is not a sustainable situation. We are investigating use of water supply corporations and will turn them off if there are problems,” Maxwell said when announcing the a reward of 1 million gallons free to city water customers who report major leaks in the city limits in a 24-hour period, which has since been extended until 7:08 p.m. Monday. “We have water and are trying to keep it that way.”
The city turned off North Hopkins Water Supply Corp.’s water at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, as the rural water supplier had very low water pressure, until the source of leak was found.
Three leaks had been discovered within the city limits by 8:20 a.m. Sunday, and the city’s water towers had filled to 2/3 full. NHWSC’s water was turned back on at 4:30 a.m. Sunday.
Just after 8 p.m. Sunday, Maxwell reported, “North Hopkins water Supply Corporation still hasn’t found their leak(s), and they have no plan to do so. The city is going to shut off their water at 9 p.m. tonight. Water service will be restored for 2 hours each morning from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. until such time as North Hopkins produces a plausible plan for locating the leak(s). “
NHWSC on Feb. 19 posted a boil water notice, stating that Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is requiring North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption.
“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,” the notice stated.
According to the NHWSC notice, questions concerning the matter may be addressed to North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation Manager Edgar Clements, 9364 Texas Highway 19 N, Sulphur Springs, 903-945-2619; or if a customer, individual, or employee wishes to contact the TCEQ executive director regarding the police water notice at (512)239-4691.
CTE Month Feature 3: SSHS Exercise Science And Wellness, And Health Science Programs
February is Career and Technical Education Month, a public awareness campaign that takes place each February to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. To help Sulphur Springs High School celebrate CTE Month, KSST’s high school interns have compiled short videos featuring a few of the CTE programs offered at SSHS. One will be featured each week during CTE Month.
Principles of Health Science, Principles of Exercise Science and Wellness, & Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness Classes
KSST intern Jamie Cervantes interviewed Principles of Health Science, Principles of Exercise Science and Wellness, and Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness teacher Briana Williams about the Exercise Science and Wellness program and the Health Science program, which allows seniors to apply to participate in a practicum to work toward attaining a Certified Medical Assistant certification
A career path in Exercise Science is geared more toward personal training, how the body works, the biomechanics of it and how to break it down, and how to build a rehabilitation program. The career path for Exercise Science and Wellness is geared more toward attaining certification to work as a personal trainer once they graduate; which with postsecondary training can lead toward careers in physical therapy, athletic training or as an orthopedic doctor. The Exercise Science and wellness class is new this year. This class does not include the traditional types of testing and notetaking, but students are required to complete a type of assessment ot show they are retaining the material and able to demonstrate it.
The Health Science program is geared more toward nursing, medical assisting and orthopedic or other type of specialty doctor. There are multiple programs of study within the Health Science program, which students may discuss with SSHS Director of College and Career Readiness/Career and Technical Education Jenny Arledge to determine the best track to meet their goals.
Be sure to stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230, check out www.KSSTradio.com and the KSST social media accounts to ensure you don’t miss these weekly CTE features. If you missed the first two, be sure to the check them out at the links below:
Week 1: Interior Design Class – Architecture Program
Week 2: Design and Multimedia Arts Program – Graphic Design I and Advanced Graphic Design
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Feb. 22, 2021 Agenda
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING
TIME: 9:00 A.M.
DATE: Monday, February 22, 2021
PLACE: In The Commissioners’ Courtroom On The First Floor Of The Hopkins County Courthouse Located At 118 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX.
I. Invocation
II. Pledge Of Allegiance To The Flag
- A. AMERICAN FLAG
- B. TEXAS FLAG: “Honor The Texas Flag; I Pledge Allegiance To Thee, Texas, One State Under God, One And Indivisible.”
The Following Items Will Be Considered By Commissioners’ Court For Discussion And/Or Action: The Court May Go Into Executive Session To Discuss Legal And/Or Personnel Matters.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
- The Court To Declare A Quorum.
- Consent Agenda.
- i) Approve Previous Meeting Minutes.
- ii) Approval Of Utility Easements, Burial Of Telephone Cables And Construction Of Water Distribution Facilities:
- a) The Court To Consider And Approve A Request From Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. To Construct Electrical Power Distribution Facilities Which Will Cross County Road 2301 Which Is Located 302 Feet South Of CR 2304 In Precinct 2.
- b) The Court To Consider And Approve A Request From Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. To Construct Electrical Power Distribution Facilities Which Will Cross County Road 4804 Which Is Located 4000 Feet Northeast From CR 4745 In Precinct 4.
- c) The Court To Consider And Approve A Request From Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. To Construct Electrical Power Distribution Facilities Which Will Cross County Road 4747 Which Is Located 0.3 Miles South Of FM 71 In Precinct 4.
- The Court To Consider Citizens Comments.
- Other County Business.
- i) The Court To Make A Matter Of Record For The Full Exemption Racial Profiling Report For John Beadle, Hopkins County Constable, Precinct 2
- ii) The Court To Consider And Approve A Request For Refund On Property Taxes Pursuant Property Tax Code 31.11.
- iii) The Court To Recognize Justice Of The Peace – Precinct 1 Judge BJ Teer For Successfully Completing The Death Investigation Training Basics Course Presented By The University Of North Dakota School Of Medicine And Health Sciences Held May 22, 2020 Along With The Spotter Training Program Presented By The National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas, Texas Held January 27, 2021.
- iv) The Court To Review Monthly Reports From County Offices.
- The Court To Consider Approving Budget Amendments And Line Item Transfers.
- The Court Will Consider And Act On Payment Of Bills, Revenues And Expenses, Payroll And Financial Statements.
- The Court To Consider Approving Grants.
- The Court To Consider Accepting Donations.
- The Court To Consider Contracts.
- i) The Court To Consider And Approve The Draft Of An Advance Funding Agreement For Bridge Replacement Or Rehabilitation Off The State System.
- The Court Will Consider And Act On Personnel Matters.
- The Court To Consider Disposal Of Asset Request.
- The Court To Approve Resolutions And Proclamations.
- i) Resolution – The Court To Consider And Approve A Resolution To Perform Authorized Equivalent Match Projects (EMP) In Return For Waiver Of The Local Match Fund Participation Requirement.
- The Court To Adjourn.
NOTICE OF WORK SESSION(S)
DATE: Monday, February 22, 2021
TIME: Beginning Immediately Following The Regular Hopkins County Commissioners’ Court Session
PLACE: Meeting Room Located On The Third Floor Of The Hopkins County Courthouse Located At 118 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
- The Court To Meet With Chief Endsley To Discuss The County Fire Department Operations, Review Of Revenue & Expenditures, Proposed Improvements And Repairs.
- The Court To Meet With Sheriff Lewis Tatum To Discuss The Sheriff Operations, Review Of Revenue & Expenditures, Proposed Improvements And Repairs.
- The Court To Meet With The General Manager Of The Hopkins County Civic Center, To Discuss The Civic Center Events, Repair And Improvements And A Review Of Revenues And Expenditures.
- The Court To Meet With The Environmental Inspector To Discuss Environmental Concerns.
- The Court To Discuss Non-Consent Towing Plan.
- The Court To Discuss Section 381 Agreements With Businesses in Hopkins County.
- The Court To Discuss Solar Farms.
- The Court To Discuss Subdivision Regulations.
- Budget Work Session(s).
