Cumby ISD To Hold Board, Community Meeting To Discuss Potential 2021 Bond Election
Cumby ISD Board of Trustees have a full morning ahead Saturday, with a school board meeting at 7:30 a.m. and a Cumby ISD Community Meeting at 8:30 a.m., followed by a board training session. The morning meetings will be available for virtual streaming and may also be accessed by phone.
“Everyone has the option of face to face, Zoom, or YouTube Live. The meeting will be recorded and downloaded on our website for those who are unable to attend,” Cumby ISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter said Friday morning.
During the 7:30 a.m. Jan. 30 board meeting, the school trustees will “take care of some items that are needed,” according to the superintendent. The school board will be asked to consider approving an order allowing them to call for a bond election for school improvements, as well as other action needed with the calling of an election, including posting of notices pertaining to a bond election. They also will consider two firms for legal services related to a bond election if one is called for May, according to an agenda posted for the day’s sessions.
The Cumby ISD Community Meeting is scheduled to follow in Cumby Elementary School cafeteria (or streamed) beginning at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 30.
All community members and stakeholders are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. Topics to be discussed include Cumby ISD Master Planning and a roundtable discussion for a possible May 2021 bond election.
“The Cumby ISD Community Meeting is for an overview of where we are as a district with our Student Outcome Goals and Collegiate Edu-Nation Initiatives as well as a discussion of a possible May bond election and future planning,” Slaughter noted.
This would be the second time the board has called for a bond election for facilities improvements. Cumby ISD voters were asked during the Nov. 5, 2019 election to consider approving a school bond. In the early ballots, 60 percent of voters were in favor of the bond for school improvements and 40 percent voted against it. However, once Election Day totals were in, the bond was defeated by only 10 votes.
The board had considered holding another election in 2020, but later opted to hold off until 2021 to revisit the idea. It will be considered and discussed Saturday.
Any who have questions or comments related to a possible bond election are encouraged to attend the Jan. 30 Cumby ISD Community Meeting either in person or virtually to voice them.
Following the community meeting, the school board will then participate in a Team of 8 training led by GLS and Live Oak Financial.
To view the meeting on zoom, click Zoom, the following link is provided: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86472256716
Meeting ID: 864 7225 6716
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,86472256716# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,86472256716# US (Chicago)
Join by SIP
[email protected]
Jan. 28 COVID-19 Update: 1 New Case, 13 Recoveries
The Jan. 28 COVID-19 reports from Texas Department of State Health Services were better than they’ve been in a while. New case counts were way down Thursday as were COVID-19 hospitalizations this week, while recoveries were up.
Jan. 28 COVID-19 Case Counts
Texas Department of State Health Services’s Jan. 28 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard showed only one new probable COVID-19 case reported for Hopkins County on Thursday. That’s only 16 probable cases so far this week, the same as during the first five days of last week. So far this month, there have been 138 new probable COVID-19 cases reported for Hopkins County.
Last month, from Dec. 11 (the day the state began issuing daily new probable case reports) to Dec. 28, a total of 180 Hopkins County probable cases had been reported; December closed out with 193 probable cases. Cumulatively, there have been 1,255 probable COVID-19 cases reported for Hopkins County since the state began tracking the data a few months back.
The state also removed one of the confirmed COVID-19 cases previously reported for Hopkins County. In the past, when a confirmed case is removed from the overall case counts, it mean the case was inadvertently counted more than once by the state or the case was mistakenly assigned to the wrong county due to an incorrect or incomplete address provided with testing information.
That change decreases the total number of cases confirmed this week by molecular testing to 15. By Thursday of last week, 18 new confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported. This month, however, a total of 231 new cases have been confirmed. That makes 1,353 Hopkins County residents who have received lab-confirmed positive molecular COVID-19 test results since March 2020, according to the Jan. 28 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
Thirteen additional Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19, increasing the total so far this week to 57. A total of 347 Hopkins County residents have recovered from COVID-19 so far this month. Cumulatively, , 2,400 of the 2,608 COVID-19 residents who have had COVID-19 since last November have recovered.
No additional COVID-19 fatalities were confirmed for Hopkins County on Thursday, so the total stands at 92 Hopkins County residents confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19 since March 2020.
That leaves 116 Hopkins County residents who still actively had COVID-19 on Thursday, according to the DSHS Jan. 28 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
Jan. 27 COVID-19 Testing Data
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Jan. 28 COVID-19 update reported 8,816 COVID-19 tests have been performed at 128-A Jefferson Street since the Red Cross building was designated as a free testing site on Sept. 25. That means 79 oral swab COVID-19 tests were conducted at the testing center on Wednesday and a total of 247 tests conducted at the center so far this week.
Cumulatively since March, 13,789 viral (molecular) COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Hopkins County since last March, according to the DSHS Jan. 28 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard.
DSHS also reported that 1,692 antigen tests, 1,790 antibody tests have also been conducted in Hopkins County, including the 67 antigen tests conducted on Wednesday. Cumulatively, 17.250 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Hopkins County and reported to the state.
Free oral swab COVID-19 testing will continue to be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays in January inside the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express Building) in Sulphur Springs. Free testing is open to anyone regardless of age or address. Registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
Jan. 27 Hospital Data
HC/SSEM’s Jan. 28 COVID-19 update reported 18 patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Thursday, the second day in a row. That’s the lowest the patient count has been not only this month. In fact, the patient count in CMFH-SS COVID unit has only been lower once since Nov. 20, and only one patient lower on Dec. 17.
The COVID patient count in hospitals across Trauma Service Area F has remained relatively low over the last week, remaining below 200 since Jan. 20, dropping from 236 on Jan. 19 to 186 COVID-19 patients on Jan. 20, to 161 on Jan. 23, up to 177 on Jan. 24 and has remained below 170 for the last 3 days, steady at 167 on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, and 168 on Jan. 27.
Total hospital capacity has fluctuated a bit, but has remained steady at 1,068 total staffed hospital beds the last two days.
COVID-19 hospitalizations have hovered near the 15 of total capacity during the last week, peaking at 16.87 percent on Jan. 21 and dipping as low as 14.81 percent on Jan. 23, with COVID-19 hospitalizations making up 16.73 percent of the total hospital capacity in TSA-F on Jan. 27. Restrictions on business capacity and elective surgeries continue to be in place for Hopkins County and most of TSA-F until the COVID-19 hospitalizations remains below the 15 percent capacity threshold outlined in GA-32 for seven consecutive days.
Jan. 27 COVID-19 Vaccine Data
Nineteen additional COVID-19 vaccines had been administered to people in Hopkins County as of 11:59 p.m. Jan. 27. Six additional Hopkins County residents were reported to have received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and 13 receive the second dose of the vaccine, according to the DSHS Jan. 28 COVID-19 Vaccine Data dashboard. Any first doses administered this week are remaining from a previous week as the only doses allocated to Hopkins County this week are 100 of the second dose to go to those people who received the first dose of the vaccine approximately 4 weeks ago in Hopkins County.
A full list of vaccine allocations by week, click here.
People can find more information on COVID-19 vaccine at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.
Click here for vaccination hub providers, with contact information across the state as well as the DSHS/TDEM map of vaccine providers
Cumby City Council Accepts Resignations From Place 5 Alderman, City Secretary
Ryan Horne Appointed Place 5 Alderman
Cumby City Council accepted the resignations from Place 5 alderman and the city secretary during a special meeting Thursday evening.
Cumby City Council Place 5 Alderman Julie Morris and City Secretary Codi Reynolds both submitted their resignations sometime after the Jan. 12 council meeting and 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, when notice of the special meeting was posted. No additional information regarding the resignations was heard during the Jan. 28 meeting, which was limited to 10 in-person attendees at the city building, and streamed on Zoom for community members to view or call in and listen to.
The Cumby City Council accepted both resignations, then nominated three candidates to fill the Place 5 seat: Audri Mayo, Ryan Horne and Wayne Mobley.
All three have in the past two years sought a seat on the City Council. Horne was edged out by Doug Simmerman, 81-68, in November 2019 for mayor. Wayne Mobley finished 12 votes behind Sheryl Lackey for Place 1 on the City Council in November 2020. Audri Mayo lost her bid in November 2020 for Place 2 on the City Council to Amber Hardy, who nominated Mayo Jan. 28 for the Place 5 seat.
When the council voted Thursday night, Jan. 28, 2021, however, Horne received 3 votes and Mayor 1, so the seat went to Horne. The new Place 5 Alderman was then sworn in and took his seat on the council.
Several items for official record keeping purposes were also addressed during the special City Council meeting Jan. 28.
Julie Morris and Codi Reynolds’ names were removed from any bank account signatories, any other city accounts of access privileges afforded them in their former positions with the city.
The City Council also approved a resolution amending Ordinance 2020-12-01 designating who can be a signatory for the city. The Cumby city leaders opted to list the positions rather than the names of individuals in those positions, to make the transfer process a little easier in the future. The mayor, mayor pro tem and city secretary (payroll person). However, because the city is currently without a secretary and the next in line will soon be out on maternity leave, and because cross training has been discussed among city office employees, the decision was made to also authorize the municipal court clerk and water clerk ad signatory designees.
The City Council had designated Reynolds at the Jan. 12 meeting to attend Public Funds Investment Act training, as the city’s public funds or investments officer. The Council then voted to remove Reynolds from the Investment Policy and all security accounts. Mayor Doug Simmerman volunteered and was approved to serve in that capacity.
The council agreed approved a packet establishing a job description to be posted for the open city secretary’s position and to advertise the opening outside TML using best practices in an effort to recruit additional applicants for the city secretary job.
Paul Robertson’s name is to be removed from the police seizure account, which Simmerman noted is a holding account not a spending account, as well as any and all accounts in which the city police chief is listed, and replaced with that of Jeff Hundley. The change reflects the City Council’s decision on Jan. 12 to promote officer Jeff Hundley to Cumby Police Chief for the next six month and to move Robertson back to a lieutenant’s position.
Paris Junior College Holding Virtual Auditions for Pyro Playfest I
Paris Junior College is holding virtual auditions for the continuing virtual season that continues in the Spring semester with back-to-back Pyro Playfests. Celebrating original works that have yet to be performed on stage, the performances will be done on Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Pyro Playfest: Shipwreck’d” is the sixth annual festival of 10 to 20 minute one-act plays. Originally planned for in-person performances last spring, the virtual productions will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 25-27 and at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 28.
Auditions will consist of readings from the scripts and will be held on Zoom Feb. 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. Those interested in auditioning can email [email protected] and follow the PJC Drama event page on Facebook for more information (https://www.facebook.com/ParisJCDrama).
Roles are available for ages 14 and older; PJC students, faculty, staff, and alumni; community members; and anyone able to join rehearsals by Zoom. All are welcome and encouraged to audition. Auditioners may choose to be considered for casting in one or multiple plays.
The slate of plays for “Shipwreck’d” includes:
• “Siren,” by Austen Naron, directed by William Walker
• “The Wreck,” by Ella Doss, directed by Juliana Stalter
• “The Sandstorm,” by Dwayne Yancey, directed by Lisa Martin
• “Last Ride,” by Dr. Kenneth Haley, directed by Robyn R. Huizinga
• “One Lost Coconut,” by Drew Austri, directed by Frederic Doss
• “Siren’s Last Call,” by Matthew Weaver, directed by Brandon McCormick
—-30—-
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Lady Cats Powerlifting is a Growing Sport, Girls Lift at Paris Thursday
The sport of powerlifting is becoming more popular with females at Sulphur Springs High School. Two years ago, a freshman named Addy Lamb became the very first Lady Cat powerlifter as she competed at the season opening Sulphur Springs Meet Lamb, now a junior, still competes in the sport. By the second meet in 2019 at Emory Rains, a second Lady Cat, Sable Erdmier, then a junior, competed. Last season joining Lamb and Erdmier, was a third Lady Cat lifter, Rori Young, then a junior. In 2020, Erdmier distinguished herself by becoming the first Lady Cat to qualify for the State Girls Meet at the Regional competition. Unfortunately that State Meet was canceled due to coronavirus. Erdmier graduated last year. This season, four more Lady Cats lifters joined Lamb and Young at last week’s Sulphur Springs dual meet with Mount Pleasant The four new lifters are Ta’Laila Shavers, Markida Hood, Reese Offutt and Machelle Alen. The Lady Cats compete Thursday afternoon (January 28) in a meet just for girls lifters as they travel to Paris. The Wildcats will compete in a Paris Powerlifting Meet on Saturday.
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.
Paris Junior College Board of Regents Receives Clean Audit Report
A clean audit report for Paris Junior College and the PJC Memorial Foundation was presented to the College Board of Regents by Teffany Kavanaugh, audit manager for McClanahan and Holmes, at their monthly meeting held Monday, Jan. 25. Regents also approved changes to the College’s nursing program.
“The audit report states that we’ve audited the companies’ financial statements at PJC and the Memorial Foundation,” said Kavanaugh. “The financial statements… present fairly in all material respects the respective financial position of the business activities of Paris Junior College and Paris Junior College Memorial Foundation, as of August, 31, 2020 and 2019. So that’s a clean opinion on the front end.”
Modifications to the Vocational Nursing Program and LVN to RN Program were presented by Vice President of Workforce Development John Spradling. Regents approved the changes in standards from the National League of Nursing and suggestions from the Texas Board of Nursing to shift to concept-based education.
“The subjects would still be covered,” Spradling said, “but the student has the ability to apply that across a variety of circumstances.”
Changes to both programs include a shift from two shorter terms in the summer to a longer term of 13 to 14 weeks, allowing students to better cycle through clinical rotations.
In other business, the Regents:
• Received a financial report showing revenue has declined compared to one year ago. This is due largely to the pandemic-caused decrease in enrollment.
• Approved the Investment Policy – CAK (Local), as required annually by the Public Funds Investment Act. There were no changes.
• Also gave required annual approval to the list of Authorized Brokers / Dealers for Investments, again with no changes.
• Accepted the Local Policy Update prepared by the Texas Association of School Boards Policy Service. Updates were made as required by legal changes, and to BBE (Local) Board Members Authority, BE (Local) Policy and Development, and DHC (Local).
• Heard a preliminary spring enrollment report showing PJC is down 10.47 percent in contact hours and headcount is down a little over 500 students from one year ago.
“In Greenville, face-to-face enrollment is down 60 percent,” said Dr. Pam Anglin, PJC President, “and in Sulphur Springs it’s down 40 percent from a year ago. That gives you an idea of how students don’t want to come in person during the pandemic; they’re scared.”
All online classes are counted as part of Paris campus numbers, Dr. Anglin explained. A national trend shows that many students who graduated from high school last May have chosen to sit out a year from pursuing higher education.
“That can have long-term effects on the country because they don’t start,” said Dr. Anglin, “and they may never start. That will affect our workforce for years to come.”
• Received the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) report that compares PJC to 22 other medium size colleges in Texas in a number of categories. PJC’s graduation rate is 34 percent compared to an average 25 percent and 80 percent of PJC students receive financial aid, compared to 68 percent average of peer colleges.
“We have lower staffing and spend less in all but one category,” Dr. Anglin said, “so we’re pretty lean and don’t spend a lot of money, yet we still have a graduation rate that’s nine percentage points higher than our peers.”
• Heard an update on CARES Act and CARESSA Act funding, as well as on COVID-19 and the students on campus. PJC has been giving rapid tests to athletes and students living on campus. The Texas Department of Emergency Management will continue to conduct free COVID-19 tests on campus through February. PJC has also joined with the Paris-Lamar County Health Department, Lamar County Emergency Management, and the City of Paris fire department and EMS. PJC associate degree nursing students, who are already licensed vocational nurses, have been doing the vaccinations. A COVID-19 vaccination call center at the Paris Police Department was staffed by members of the PJC cheer squad and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which is supported by PJC.
• Accepted the re-assignments of Matthew Cross as Women’s Basketball Coach, Kimberly Herron as Financial Aid Director, and Dwana Hollidai as Associate Degree Nursing Instructor; the employment of SBDC Business Recovery Advisors Tiffany Franzoni and Ronica Ingram, and PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Educational Opportunity Center Advisor Maria Zuniga; and the retirements of PJC-Greenville Center Director John Shasteen and Financial Aid Director Linda Slawson.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Tira News – January 28, 2021
By Jan Vaughn
Evelyn Horne reported that her neighbor, Hugh McVay, passed away on Sunday. I don’t have any information on funeral arrangements. We want to express our sympathy to the family and keep them in our prayers.
Yvonne Weir reports, “Destri, Eben, and family visited Saturday and Sunday. We enjoyed being outside Saturday watching the kids play. We played Canasta and had lots of laughs. I would like to encourage the Tira community to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible.”
In case you saw the picture of Grace last week and wondered about her shirt (you could only see “100 Never”), she was sporting the new shirt that her granddaughter, Crystal, gave her. It says, “100 Never Looked So Good.” Grace really does look good and is doing so well for her age. We are very blessed and thankful!
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Alba Man Back In Hopkins County Jail For Violating Probation
A 45-year-old Alba man is back in Hopkins County jail for again violating his probation on a controlled substance charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Amanda Weatherford took John Phillip Smith Jr. into custody Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 27, 2021, at Wood County jail. She transported Smith to Hopkins County, where he remained Thursday on the warrant for violation of probation on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Jail records show Smith was arrested Sept. 10, 2016 in Hopkins County on a possession of less than 1 ounce of a controlled substance charge as well as a possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge. He was released the next day on a $5,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and a $1,000 bond on the marijuana charge.
He was jailed on March 28, 2017 for surety off bond on the controlled substance charge and for surety off bond on a May 27, 2015 theft of property charge; he remained in Hopkins County jail until his release April 12, 2017 on a $10,000 bond for the controlled substance offense and a $1,000 bond on the theft charge, according to jail records.
Smith was then jailed March 8, 2018, for violation of probation on the possession of controlled substance charge; he was released from jail March 28, 2018, on a $25,000 bond, according to jail reports. He returned to Hopkins County jail March 13-April 12, 2019, to serve a 30-day state jail sentence on the controlled substance charge.
Jail records show prior to Jan. 27, Smith most recently spent June 19-Sept. 3, 2019 in Hopkins County jail on a warrant for violating probation on the less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Man Jailed Jan. 13 Following CR 4711 Disturbance Charged With Additional Offenses
Chun Zachary Lambert, the 43-year-old The Colony man arrested Jan. 13 following a County Road 4711 disturbance involving a firearm, has been charged with additional offenses, according to arrest and jail reports.
Lambert has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest Jan. 13, on two aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges and one charge each of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, failure to identify and violation of parole charge and possession of a controlled substance charges, as well as two warrants for theft of property, according to jail reports.
He has subsequently been charged with additional offenses, according to jail and sheriff’s reports.
The Jan. 13 charges stem from what started as a report of a disturbance in which shots were allegedly fired from a weapon on County Road 4711 around 5:15 p.m. Jan. 13. Upon arrival, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies were told the suspects had fled, one on foot and one in a Ford pickup. Deputy Drew Fisher detained 43-year-old Chun Zachary Lambert of The Colony on State Highway 11 at CR 4711 and found the second suspect, 38-year-old Nader Tokleh of Flower Mound, just down CR 4711, and detained him as well.
Deputies were told both men traveled together in the truck to the CR 4711 residence to pick up another vehicle and a disturbance occurred. During the disturbance, the driver of the truck allegedly brandished, pointed and later fired a firearm. Both men allegedly fled the scene.
Lambert reportedly agreed to let deputies search the truck he was in. Deputies reported finding 5.938 grams of suspected methamphetamine in the vehicle both men had arrived on CR 4711 in earlier. Neither admitted to possessing the substance, so both men were charged with possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
The 43-year-old The Colony man was also accused of driving the pickup through a metal pipe gate, causing property damage, deputies noted in arrest reports. Deputies observed a pistol holder in the driveway near the gate; they believe the firearm was thrown from the vehicle as Lambert departed from it, Fisher and Sgt. Tanner Steward alleged in Jan. 13 arrest reports.
When asked for ID, Lambert reportedly told deputies his wallet was in his back pocket. Deputies later learned he was in possession of someone else’s wallet which contained 13 items of identifying information.
Consequently, Lambert was booked into Hopkins County jail Jan. 13 on two of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges, on fraudulent use or possession of identifying information charge, one possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and failure to identify as a fugitive for justice, as well as violation of parole and a warrant for theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 charge. Bond on those charges totaled $102,000, according to arrest and jail reports.
Deputy Jason Lavender served Lambert at 11:15 a.m. Jan. 27 with an additional warrant for theft of a firearm, related to original Jan. 13 incident, according to arrest reports. Additional charges he has been accused of include unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and tampering with evidence; bond on those charges was set at $20,000 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.
Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program Grant Helps Dike VFD Fund New Custom-Build Brush Truck
DIKE, Texas – Dike Volunteer Fire Department recently replaced a 1976 brush truck with a new custom-build brush truck thanks to a cost share grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. Dike VFD received $100,000 from Texas A&M Forest Service during the RVFDAP 2020 funding cycle.
A brush truck is a fire engine specifically designed to assist in fighting grass fires by transporting firefighters, water, and other equipment necessary in fire suppression, Dike VFD members noted.
Dike VFD’snew custom-build brush truck has a 300-gallon water tank and a lot of storage area for wildland tools. The truck is in service and has been used to respond to several fires.
“The primary mission of this new truck will be for fires in our rural areas, but it will also be used when responding to vehicle accidents,” said Dike VFD Fire Chief A.G. Sandifeer. “We are very pleased to have this reliable brush truck as part of our fleet. It can seat three volunteers, has 4-wheel-drive, a winch receiver on the front and back of the truck, scene lighting and a charging port to help keep the truck batteries ready to perform.”
“Approximately 70 percent of Texas fire service is filled by volunteer fire departments,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Cody Mayo. “Dike VFD is one of those departments and is made up of a small group of volunteers who have servant hearts for their community and surrounding county. Having this new truck in their fleet will help them as they serve by increasing the department’s firefighting capacity.”
“The department appreciates Texas A&M Forest Service having grant programs available to aid small volunteer fire departments across the state,” said Sandifeer. “Having this truck in our fleet will not only help with fire suppression in our area but contribute to greater safety for our volunteers.”
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, a cost share program funded by Texas State Legislature and administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural Volunteer Fire Departments for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, computer systems and firefighter training.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.
