Power Outage or Grid Protecting Blackout?
Right now it’s hard to say. Outages of up to one our, during the night were probably Rolling Blackouts attempting to spread the power around to everyone. This helped to protect business and critical infrastructure. Sleet or freezing rain, followed by winds wreck havoc on power lines. Sulphur Springs has not experienced much of that type of weather during this storm.
Blackouts are very inconvenient. Some residents are reporting pipe damage due to freezing when they lose power. People who rely on electricity to help them sleep, or keep children’s rooms warm at night are also reporting problems. The only advice provided by ONCOR and other providers is to conserve as much power as you can. They promote a ‘work together approach’.
True power outages from line or pole damage is inevitable. Blackouts can be positively impacted by reducing power use when possible.
You can report and check on the status of power in your area by going here. You can call us with your report, and we will be happy to chat with you, but you are better off reporting your outage directly to ENCOR.
Reminder: Vehicle Title And Registration Waiver Ends April 14, 2021
AUSTIN, Texas – If you’re overdue, it’s time to renew. The temporary waiver of certain vehicle title and registration requirements, announced by Governor Greg Abbott on March 16, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will end at 11:59 p.m. on April 14, 2021. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) reminds Texans to complete any overdue transactions now.
“It is not necessary to wait until the deadline,” said TxDMV Executive Director Whitney Brewster. “The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles continued to offer registration renewal and other important services throughout the waiver period. Fortunately, many Texans are already in compliance with the requirements.”
Three ways to renew your vehicle registration:
- Online: Visit TxDMV.gov or www.Texas.gov. This is the quickest and least expensive way to renew. Save $1 if you renew online. Online renewal is available up to nine months past your registration expiration date.
- Mail: Return the bottom portion of your registration renewal form, payment and other required information to your county tax assessor-collector.
- In Person: Visit the office of your county tax assessor-collector. In many counties, in-person renewal is also available at other locations, such as certain grocery stores. Contact your county tax office to check hours and locations.
Reminder: Before renewing registration, Texans will need to obtain a passing vehicle inspection at the state vehicle inspection station of their choice, unless their vehicle is exempt from inspection requirements.
The expiring temporary waiver covers the following services:
- Initial vehicle registration.
- Vehicle registration renewal.
- Vehicle titling.
- Renewal of permanent disabled parking placards.
- 30-day temporary permits.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles does not issue driver licenses or state ID cards. Texans should contact the Texas Department of Public Safety at www.dps.texas.gov/driverlicense/ for these services.
Note: This announcement is the 60-day notice that normal registration, titling and related requirements have resumed, and the waiver of these requirements will end on April 14, 2021.
Stay Home, Stay Safe
KSST will keep you up to date on snow day events here in Hopkins County.
City Streets are not plowed, and are not passable with low clearance vehicles. Several cars are stuck on Broadway at i-30.
Roads are drifted, and not yet snow packed.
The cold is no joke. Stay inside and stay safe.
Monday: Weather-Related Closures, Schedule Changes
With a dusting of snow covering icy roads and more snow and another wintry predicted, several organizations have reported weather-related closures and schedule changes as a safety precaution. Those weather-related schedule changes reported to KSST include:
Schools
- North Hopkins ISD is closing on-site class until further notice until at least mid-week. NHISD administrators will provide an update when classes will resume on-site. Remote learning will be provided online via Google Classroom to allow reinforcement of learning with minimum internet availability/usage while allowing students and staff to stay safe, warm and well, according Superintendent Darin Jolly announced Sunday afternoon.
- Sulphur Springs ISD’s contingency plan will take effect Tuesday, Feb. 16, if the icy weather persists beyond Monday, Feb. 15. Students and staff were sent home Friday with the needed electronic devices to revert to all-virtual learning if travel isn’t safe for classes on Tuesday.
- Miller Grove ISD will be closed on Monday due to the expected winter weather. Currently, the district is planning for a 2 hours delayed start to the school day on Tuesday, Feb. 16, provided the roads are safe to travel. District administrators will evaluate the road conditions Tuesday morning to evaluate the weather situation.
- Cumby ISD students were scheduled to be out of school Monday, Feb.15, for a staff development day. Due to the weather and school closure on Thursday and Friday, Valo-gram orders will be delivered on the first day classes resume, according to Cumby ISD Cheerleaders and Sponsors. Classes are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, Feb. 16, weather permitting.
- Saltillo ISD employees Friday prepared work for kids to do if school has to be closed this week due to weather. Students are scheduled to be out on Monday, Feb. 15, for a school holiday.
- Yantis ISD also is scheduled to be out Presidents Day, Feb. 15, and made preparations for the winter weather expected this weekend and next week. Some elementary teachers prepared packets that were sent home, for a combination of online and paper packets. Chromebooks were sent home with every student Friday so student can work from home. In the event that roads are not safe to travel, Yantis ISD will switch to all online learning Tuesday-Friday. Communication will be sent out via automated call, Remind and posted on the district Facebook page when any decisions are made. Any questions should be directed during the school week to the campus offices.
- All Paris Junior College locations will closed Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 15-16.
- Texas A&M University-Commerce will remain closed until 8 a.m. Wednesday. This includes all daily business operations and remote work, except essential services already approved. This closure means no academic activities, including online or face to face classes. The only essential buildings that will remain open are Rayburn Student Center, all residential living and learning Buildings and the University Police Department. The off-site locations will adhere to the decision of their host institution or local school district.
Other Closures
- Trash service in the city of Sulphur Springs will be suspended Monday, Feb. 15. No plans have been made yet for Tuesday service or when the garbage scheduled to be picked up Monday will be collected. Additional information will be provided by city officials as it become available.
- Little Texans Learning Center will be closed through Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
- No Hopkins County offices or buildings will open on Monday, Feb. 15. Only emergency personnel will work due to inclement weather, according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
- Meal A Day will be closed on Monday and Tuesday due to the weather conditions, according to Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman.
- Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, due to weather conditions.
- CANHelp offices and the Thrift Store will be closed for services on Monday, Feb. 15.
- Free COVID-19 Testing Center in Sulphur Springs (128-A Jefferson Street) will be closed through Monday due to the winter weather conditions. Officials will reevaluate the situation Monday morning to determine whether the site will reopen or remain closed based on inclement weather conditions at that time.
- CHRISTUS Trinity Clinics and Urgent Care on South Broadway Street will be closed on Monday in consideration of inclement weather.
- Funeral service for Gloria Jean Thomas has been postponed.
If your school or organization is cancelling, delaying or has a scheduling change due to the weather, contact KSST so we can help get the word out.
Stay tuned to KSST Radio 1230 AM for the latest weather reports and updates for school start delays and closings.
Como-Pickton and Yantis School Boards To Hold May 1 Elections; Incumbents Are Unopposed For Sulphur Springs Offices
When candidate filing drew to a close Friday, incumbents were the only candidates to file for Sulphur Springs elections, while Yantis and Como-Pickton CISD each had at least one more candidate file than seats on the board. Because the incumbents are unopposed, Sulphur Springs Board of Trustees and City Council should be able to cancel their elections. Como-Pickton and Yantis schools will hold trustees elections on May 1, 2021.
Candidates KSST has received confirmation regarding filing are by Election, and where appropriate, Place:
City of Sulphur Springs
For regular terms on the Sulphur Springs City Council for Places 1, 2 and 3, and for the unexpired term for Place 5:
Sulphur Springs ISD
For two regular full three-year at-large seats on Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees are incumbents:
Como-Pickton CISD
For one two-year unexpired term seat and for three at-large full term seats on Como-Pickton Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees:
- Unexpired seat
- 4-year full term seats
- Jessica Pegues, incumbent
- Shiloh Childress, incumbent
- Cole Boseman
- Stephanie Cotton
- Clif Carpenter
Yantis ISD
For three at-large full-term seats on the Yantis Independent School District Board of Trustees:
- Stacey Batchelor
- Ashly Vivion
- Tyra Kenemore
- Carrie Hurley
Machine Which Allowed City To Treat Icy Roads, Intersections Broke, Limiting Response
All Roads Are Slick With Snow Covering Icy Surfaces; Motorists Cautioned Against Travel, Urged To Stay Home If At All Possible
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell just before noon Sunday issued a plea urging motorists who are able to please remain at home off the roads. The sanding machine which the city uses to spread a mixture on intersections and streets to make them passable during ice and snow has broken, irreparably. This what helped make the main roads through town passable on Thursday. City crews will now not be able to treat those intersections and roads. That means thanks to the ice that froze and snow that has fallen on them overnight and continues to fall lightly are slippery and dangerous.
Already city officials have worked a number of calls due to motorists venturing out on the icy roads Sunday. The city’s inability to treat the roads will mean limited response by emergency officials in being able to safely reach those vehicles that do go off the slick city roads as quickly. Thus, the city manager is urging people to please if at all possible, remain at home safe and off the roads.
Sulphur Springs Police had responded to reports of a couple of cars in the ditch and an 18-wheeler jackknifed at Bill Bradford Road due to the weather. While most intersections were somewhat passable at noon, and the slow lane on Interstate 30 was reported to have tracks through it allowing for some slow moving traffic, conditions are expected to worsen as additional wintry weather persists. They too urge those who can to remain at home. Those who cannot avoid being out to drive very slow and don’t slam on their brakes as that can cause the car to slide out of control on the slick roads.
While Texas Department of Transportation has been out for hours treating bridges, overpasses and major roadways with a mixture to help provide a bit more traction, county emergency responders report the roads and highways throughout Hopkins County are still very slippery. Since about 7 a.m., county rews have been responding to calls, trying to safely reach motorists who tried to navigate the interstate. While the road may appear to be safe due to the thin layer of powdery snow on top, they are icy underneath, where water froze on the road overnight. They have responded to reports of multiple vehicles in ditches as well as jackknifed 18-wheelers.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department has every available officer out and noted that while no major roads were officially closed at 12:30 Feb. 14, motorists are urged to please stay home. Traffic on Interstate 30 through Hopkins County is not closed but is very slow moving and especially slick from the 113 mile marker westward. Officials report nobody needs to be out unless absolutely necessary due to the road conditions.
Those who cannot avoid traveling are encouraged to put an extra blanket, flashlight, food, and water in their vehicle just in case they become stranded. Road conditions for Texas can be found at drivetexas.org.
Feb. 15-19 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. Delivery and meal preparation will depend on whether cooks and delivery drivers can safely navigate road conditions. If roads are bad or the temperature drops below zero, the program will likely have to be suspended until conditions improve for the safety of the volunteers who staff the program, according to Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman.
The Feb. 15-19 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday – Chicken Pot Pie, Broccoli and Cranberry Sauce
Tuesday – Rope Sausage, Sauerkraut, Black-Eyed Peas and Corn Bread
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.
Wildcats Basketball Bi-District Information Has Been Firmed Up
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta announced Saturday, Feb. 13 that the Wildcats would be playing Jacksonville in the Bi-District round playoff game Friday at 7:30 P.M. in Hallsville.
The Wildcats had a chance to play a warm-up game against the Anna Coyotes Saturday, Feb. 13 in Anna, TX. The Wildcats led after the first quarter, 17-15, but Anna came to play, trailing to the visiting Wildcats 33-31 at the half with both teams scoring 16 points in the second quarter. The Coyotes proved an extremely formidable opponent throughout the game, going blow-for-blow with the Wildcats. Anna outscored the Wildcats, 15-13 to take a 46-45 advantage going into the final quarter of play. But the Wildcats took control of the game, outscoring the Coyotes 21-10 in the fourth quarter to take a 64-56 win in a strong warm-up game for these two teams.
Justin Haire provided consistent scoring throughout the course of the game, but Lamodrick Johnson proved the catalyst for this Wildcats team; he scored 6 of the final 17 points of the game which featured a 15-2 run for the Wildcats over the final four minutes.
The Wildcats resume action when they travel to Hallsville next Friday for the Bi-District round of playoffs against Jacksonville at 7:30 P.M. Be sure to tune in to KSST 1230 AM’s Radio Broadcast of the game.
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.
Saltillo Lions Basketball Goes Undefeated in District Play
The Saltillo Lions basketball team, with their third win of the week, and eleventh in a row, have completed their regular season, going undefeated in 1A District-24.
Saltillo clearly had their eye on the prize Saturday, as opposed to Senior Night Tuesday and Friday night, where the Lions could not pull ahead until the end of the game. The story was different Saturday, though, as Saltillo led Yantis 17-11 after the first quarter. The Lions never looked back, taking a 33-21 lead into halftime. Saltillo dominated the third quarter, though, outscoring Yantis 27-9 to take a demanding 60-30 lead into the final quarter of regular season play for both teams. Even though the Yantis Owls outscored the Lions 12-6 in the fourth, the only quarter in which Yantis was able to do so, the damage was already done, and Saltillo beat the Owls 66-42 to become 1A District-24 champions.
Saturday Chris Boekhorst led the Lions with 31 points. Andrew Redburn had 14 points, Coy Collins scored 8 points, Caden McGill added 5 points and Gunner Tarver and David Whitworth rounded out the scoring for the Lions with 3 and 2 points, respectively.
The Lions complete district play undefeated at 11-0. They are 17-7 for the season and are ranked #13 in Class 1A in a TABC Poll.
Brashear Man Claimed To Be His Brother, Arrested On Controlled Substance Charge
A 36-year-old Brashear man claimed to be his brother and was arrested on a controlled substance charge Friday night in Miller Grove, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chris Baumann reported the 36-year-old he stopped around 9:25 p.m. Feb. 12 for failure to signal 100 feet prior to a turn from FM 1567 to FM 275 exhibited nervous behavior, talking fast but hesitant in the information he gave to the deputy. He also claimed not to have his driver’s license with him. He claimed not to have any contraband in the Chevrolet Tahoe he was driving and gave Baumann permission to search the car, but was hesitant to get out of it.
While the man continued to talk with the man, he admitted his true name was Cory Layne Belz. He had apparently given the deputy his true date of birth but his brother’s name when asked asked for ID information, Baumann alleged in arrest reports. Belz was detained for failure to identify.
Deputy Aaron Chaney arrived to assist in conducting an inventory of the SUV prior to impound. Chaney found a baggy with a small amount of a green leafy substance he believed was marijuana and another bag wit a crystal-like substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine in a fast food wrapper on the floorboard and a bandana wit a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine with residue on it between the driver’s side seat and console.
Belz was taken to jail, where the suspected marijuana weighed 0.07 ounce and the crystal-like substance tested positive for meth and weighed 1.123 grams, Baumann and Chaney alleged in arrest reports.
Consequently, Belz was booked into Hopkins County jail for failure to identify by giving a false name and possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone as the traffic stop occurred on FM 275 south near a school, according to arrest reports. Belz remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday. Feb.13, 2021, on a $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and a $1,000 bond on the failure to ID 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.
