Man Caught In Stolen Vehicle With Others’ Military ID, Driver’s License
A 41-year-old man was caught in a stolen vehicle with methamphetamine and others’ military ID and driver’s license early Monday morning, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs Police responded just before 12:30 a.m. Jan. 11 in the 300 block of Helm Lane, to suspicious vehicle report; a person was reported to have been in the vehicle for a while, according to arrest and police reports.
Sgt. Josh Shufeldt arrived and made contact with the occupant of a Chevrolet Cruze, identified as 41-year-old Joseph Todd Billingsley. Officer Shawn Albright requested a records check on the vehicle using the license plate number. Dispatchers advised the car came back as having been reported to Austin authorities as stolen.
When told to exit the car, Billingsley claimed he was going to put on his shoes first, officers noted in arrest reports. However, as Billingsley leaned forward Albright reported seeing a bag a crystal-like substance the officer suspected was methamphetamine. Billingsley was taken into custody for unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The substance later tested positive as methamphetamine using a test kit and weighed less than 1 gram, according to police reports.
When Billingsley was patted down, he was found to have a woman’s military ID and another man’s Texas driver’s license on him, resulting in an additional charge of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, according to police reports. Officer Francisco Castro transported Billingsley to Hopkins County jail, where he remained late Monday morning, Jan. 11, 2021 on all three charges, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Making Threat With A Knife
A 33-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested Saturday night after allegedly making a threat with a knife at a North Davis Street location, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs Police officers responded at 8:51 p.m. Jan. 9 in the 100 block of North Davis Street to a disturbance. Upon arrival, they found Leeroy Cecilio Luna in a public place and determined he was intoxicated to the degree he was a danger to himself and others so they took him into custody for public intoxication, SSPD Officer Victor Reyna and Cpl. Chris Rosamond noted in arrest reports.
Upon further investigation, the officers said they were told by several witnesses that Luna had made a threat with a knife to another person present. Officers searched the location but did not find a weapon. Luna was taken to jail, where jail staff recovered from Luna’s pants pocket a weapon matching the description of the knife used during the alleged threat.
Consequently, Luna was booked into the county jail around 10 p.m. Jan. 9 on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge as well as the public intoxication charge, according to arrest reports. Jail staff reported Luna was placed into a violent cell at the jail, Reyna noted in arrest reports.
Luna was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, Jan. 10, on a $35,000 bond on the second-degree felony aggravated assault charge, according to jail reports.
Sunday’s Snowfall in Sulphur Springs Yielded 1.5 Inches
Large fluffy snowflakes began falling along the I-30 area of Sulphur Springs, Texas about 1:30pm on Sunday January 10, 2021. Temperatures hovered around the freezing point through the day and into Sunday night. As the whirling snowflakes began to cover the ground and rooftops, it created a winter wonderland. The snow brought joy especially to children, as some of the youngest had not experienced a snowfall before! Even some young animals apparently also found delight in the phenomenon new to them. Snowman-building became a welcome activity across the county on Sunday afternoon. Residents enjoyed taking pictures of the pretty white landscape.
Thankfully, the Sulphur Springs area was not greatly affected by icy conditions or slick roads as Monday dawned, as the snow didn’t stick on roadways. Mostly, windshields had to be cleared before cars, trucks and school buses could safely hit the road during the morning hours. Sulphur Springs ISD buses ran a regular schedule, and only two schools which serve Hopkins County residents reported a change in schedule.Buses ran two hours late for Como-Pickton students and school began at 10am there. Also, Yantis ISD cancelled school for Monday. Apparently, the snowy conditions were more severe in counties south of Hopkins. Winnsboro and Quitman school districts in Wood County also cancelled school for Monday, and many school districts along and south of Interstate 20 also reported delays and cancellations as of early Monday morning.
Officially, Sunday’s snowfall measured 1.5 inches at the official reporting station, the City of Sulphur Springs Water Treatment Plant. The 1.5 inches of snow, when melted down, yielded a half-inch of moisture for Sunday January 10, 2021. The Water Treatment Plant’s daily measurement period runs from 7am the previous day til 7am the current day. Early-morning precipitation and temperature reports always reflect the previous day’s totals
Como-Pickton Starts at 10am, Yantis ISD No School Monday
From emails from area schools districts, this information was received at KSST early Monday January 11, 2021. Not all schools reported.
Como-Pickton will start school at 10am and buses running 2 hours late at Como-Pickton CISD
Yantis will not hold school today. No school for students of Yantis ISD for Monday January 11, 2021.
Saltillo regular start time
Sulphur Bluff regular start time
Lou Nells Fashions is Ready for Valentine’s Day Shopping!
Lou Nell’s owner Carrie Crowson is excited about serving shoppers in 2021! In fact, the shop is a Crowson family landmark in Sulphur Springs, Texas, going on 48 years at the original location, 122 Lee Street. Lou Nell’s carries multiple lines of fashion clothing for women age teen through seniors, plus accessories, shoes, a bath shop, a selection of gift items for men, and several lines of designer jewelry including the exclusive line of Brighton jewelry. I got a chance to visit with Carrie about her shop and about Brighton.
Carrie related, “we have just finished a wonderful holiday season, where despite COVID-related fears about shopping in public places, we took care of our customers needs on a personal basis. Through our social media, customers made selections and ordered them from us, we offered curb-side pickup and even delivery when needed. We took orders through Facetime calls and texts, and anything to make their shopping experience easier including free alterations, complimentary gift wrapping, shipping and delivery. And I feel that anyone who wanted to shop local at Lou Nells through the holidays was able to do so, because me and my staff truly care about our customers. During Christmas, Lou Nells filled a lot of shopping lists because people also value being able to purchase nice things here in town at an affordable price. Customer service is and always has been Lou Nells #1 priority. I also think that, during the pandemic, customers have just felt safe here. We spray down and sanitize the doorways, dressing rooms, and the display countertops frequently”.
“And now since 2021 has arrived, we’ve re-stocked our Brighton tables with a wide array for Valentine’s Day giving”. I asked Carrie what makes Brighton jewelry so special. “Well, the Brighton line is known for it’s heart motif, and you’ll be amazed to see all the new designs in heart shapes we have on display, from pendants to bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, purses and more. Now, not every piece features a large heart, but truly, most Brighton pieces will have a hidden heart somewhere, whether on the clasp or around the edges, or somewhere in the design. So if you own Brighton already, look for the signature heart, it’s probably on there somewhere! Brighton jewelry is made with love, and that’s evident in the quality and workmanship of every piece. A gift of Brighton is actually a “forever” gift, because the makers ensure your satisfaction for the life of the piece, even standing behind their work if ever a repair or stone replacement is needed”.
I asked Carrie how Brighton’s designs and processes are so unique. “Swarovski crystal adorns many Brighton designs, and that’s what captures your eye at the display case. But the quality of the base of the jewelry is due to a detailed process in the creation of every piece. At the factory, they start with a zinc base, then a copper and a nickel base, and then 2 silver platings followed by 2 lacquer coatings. I’ve been to the Brighton factory, and it is a truly an amazing process! And, the result is jewelry which will hold up to everyday wear over many years. Brighton is truly a treasure to give and to receive. For all year, and especially at Valentine’s, Lou Nell’s will have a very broad selection for you to see! Ladies love and treasure the quality and beautiful appearance of Brighton, whether she purchased the piece herself, or received it for Valentine’s, for graduation, for a birthday or anniversary, or for any special event of her lifetime, or “just because”. Remember, Brighton is made with love, to celebrate love! And the same dedication to quality is found in the Brighton line of purses, which we also carry at Lou Nells.”
Carried concluded by saying, “I love to share my passion and I get super excited whenever a new season comes in. especially the new fashions we have coming in for Spring. I think Lou Nells comes across as trendy, but we are still a ‘mom and pop’ store! My mother-in-law and father-in-law started Lou Nells and are still proud of the store today. Since 2020, Lou Nells has a new certificate on the wall for being the #1 store in the nation for selling the Slimsation pant! And now, lots of spring colors in Slimsation are on the way I invite everyone to come shop. We will be here to greet you and do your gift wrapping and make your Valentine’s super easy!”
Jan. 10 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 13 New Cases, 4 Recoveries, 225 Active Cases
The COVID-19 case count in Hopkins County continued to rise on Jan. 10 as did COVID-19 related fatalities, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services Jan. 10 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard. The good news is that four additional recoveries were reported and a decrease not only in COVID-19 hospitalizatizations but in all hospitalizations in Trauma Service area F on Sunday. This is in sync with COVID-19 hospitalizations state-wide, which decreased from 13,935 on Saturday to 13,111 on Sunday.
According to DSHS’ case counts dashboard, total of 2,415 COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County since March, that’s 6.51 percent of Hopkins County’s population who have had the virus.
On Sunday, DSHS reported a total of 1,229 Hopkins County residents had received positive molecular COVID-19 tests results since March, that means 12 additional Hopkins County residents were confirmed Sunday to thave the virus.
Another 1,186 Hopkins County residents have been considered to have probable cases of COVID-19 either through positive antigen test results or “or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis.” That means one additional probable COVID-19 case was reported on Sunday for a Hopkins County resident.
The DSHS Jan. 10 COVID-19 case counts dashboard also showed 79 COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins County. That means another Hopkins County resident was confirmed by cause on death certificate to have died from COVID-19. That makes eight additional COVID-19 fatalities confirmed in the last 8 days; all except two deaths occurred in December, increasing the fatality total for December to 19.
The most recent Hopkins County COVID-19 deaths were reported to have occurred on Jan. 2 and 3; and Dec. 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 29 and 31. Also confirmed for December were COVID-19 Hopkins County deaths on Dec. 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and two deaths each on Dec. 14, Dec. 11 and Dec. 3, according to the DSHS Jan. 10 COVID-19 Fatalities Over Time By County report.
Cumulatively, 2,111 of the 2,415 Hopkins County residents reported to have COVID-19 had recovered as of Sunday. That’s four additional recoveries on Sunday and 12 over the weekend.
Adjusting the count by adding the new cases and subtracting recoveries and deaths, that leaves 225 active COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County. That’s eight more people who active had the virus on Sunday than on Saturday and 75 more active COVID-19 cases on Jan. 10 than last Sunday, Jan. 3.
The DSHS Dec. 10 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard also showed not only a decrease in COVID-19 patients, but in hospitalizations overall in Trauma Service Area F which includes all of Northeast Texas west from Bowie County to Hopkins, with the exception of Franklin County, and north to the Oklahoma border.
DSHS reported only 184 COVID-19 hospitalizations, 881 staffed hospital beds, 804 staffed inpatient beds and 512 total hospitalizations. That’s 56 fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations, 184 fewer total staffed beds and 169 fewer staffed inpatient beds and 145 total hospitalizations. That reduced the COVID-19 patient percent of total hospital capacity from 22.54 percent to 20.89 percent.
The number of available ICU beds doubled from Jan. 9 to Jan. 10, but there were still only six available throughout all of TSA-F. The number of available hospital beds reduced from 316 to 292 Sunday. The number of available ventilators was reduced from 72 on Saturday to 69 on Sunday.
A total of 109 new COVID-19 tests were conducted in Hopkins County on Saturday, increasing the total number of viral (molecular) tests conducted in Hopkins County to 12,377, antigen tests to 1,328 and antibody tests to 1,678. Overall, that’s 15,383 COVID-19 tests that have been conducted in Hopkins County since March.
Sixty-six additional COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Hopkins County on Saturday, including one person who received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the DSHS Vaccine dashboard.
For additional information about COVID-19 vaccines, including a map of providers, can be accessed on the DSHS COVID-19 main page or by clicking here.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Jan. 11 Meeting Agenda
TIME: 9:00 A.M.
DATE: Monday, January 11, 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
- AMERICAN FLAG:
- 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.
- Approve Previous Meeting Minutes.
- a) Regular Meeting – 11/09/2020, Special Session – 11/16/2020, Work Session – 11/23/2020, Work Session – 12/17/2020, Regular Meeting – 11/23/2020, Special Session – 01/01/2021, Work Session – 12/03/2020, Work Session – 12/21/2020, Regular Meeting – 12/07/2020, Work Session – 11/09/2020, Work Session – 12/07/2020, Regular Meeting – 12/21/2020 Work Session – 11/16/2020 Work Session – 12/14/2020
- 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 To Construct Electrical Power Distribution Facilities Which Will Cross County Road 1126 Which Is Located 4600 Feet East Of Highway 275 In Precinct 1
- Approve Previous Meeting Minutes.
- The Court To Consider Citizens Comments.
- Other County Business.
- The Court To Consider And Approve Financing For Precinct 4 Reclaimer.
- 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.
- The Court To Consider And Approve An Interlocal Agreement With Van Zandt County.
- The Court Will Consider And Act On Personnel Matters.
- The Court To Consider Disposal Of Asset Request.
- The Court To Approve Resolutions And Proclamations.
- The Court To Consider And Approve The Submission Of The Grant Application For The Victim Assistance Coordinator Services And Legal Assistant Services To The Office Of The Governor.
- The Court To Adjourn.
DSHS Announced 28 COVID-19 Vaccine Hubs; CMFH-SS Among 206 Other Providers Allocated Doses As Well
The Texas Department of State Health Services has instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship first doses of COVID-19 vaccine to 234 providers this week. That includes 28 hub providers that will focus on large community vaccination efforts as Texas vaccinates health care workers, people 65 and older and those with medical conditions that put them at greater risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
While no Sulphur Springs provider made the hub list for mass distributions, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital has been allocated another allotment of 100 doses of the vaccine during Week 5 of distribution, according to the DSHS announcement Sunday, Jan. 10.
The hub providers are scheduled to receive 158,825 doses of vaccine, based on the number of people each provider estimated it could serve in a week. The nearest providers to Hopkins County are in Tyler and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area.
For additional information about vaccinations at Northeast Texas Public Health District (the region serves Wood County and Rains Counties as well as Smith, Gregg, Van Zandt, Henderson, and Anderson Counties), including registering or being placed on a waiting list, click here. For additional information about vaccinations at UT Health Science Center Tyler, click here.
Appointments for community members in 1A and 1B to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at CHRISTUS Clinic are conducted online only at christushealth.org, by clicking the yellow chat icon on the homepage to connect with the “virtual assistant Christy. After answering screening questions to regarding 1A and 1B status, community members can then select the nearest CHRISTUS location and if any appointments are available, schedule at that time.
An additional 38,300 doses will go to other providers, such as CMFH-SS, to continue vaccination in communities statewide. Providers in 104 counties have been allocated vaccine shipments this week, bringing the cumulative number of counties that have received quantities of the vaccine to 222 as of Week 5 of the vaccination allocations. Vaccine has been administered to residents of all 254 Texas counties, DSHS reports.
In addition to CMFH-SS, other vaccine providers in counties around Northeast Texas approved to receive a smaller shipment of vaccine this week include: Ut Health Quitman Hospital in Quitman, Paris Regional Medical Center, Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital and DSHS PHR 4/5N HQ in- Tyle and Prmc Healthcare Group, Inc – Clarksville.
Texas has also reserved 121,875 doses for the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care program. This will complete the first doses the state has been required to set aside, which should free up more vaccine to be shipped to providers each week in the future. Texas providers will also receive about 500,000 doses intended as the second dose for people first vaccinated a few weeks ago, DSHS noted in the Jan. 10 announcement.
Vaccine remains limited based on the capacity of the manufacturers to produce it, so it will take time for Texas to receive enough vaccine for all the people in the priority populations who want to be vaccinated. The supply is expected to increase in the coming months, and additional vaccines are in clinical trials and may be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
More information on the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at: dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.
Additional helpful links:
- Vaccination hub providers with contact information – Contact a provider in your area to learn about vaccination. Some may already have a waiting list for appointments.
- DSHS/TDEM map of vaccine providers
- Full list of vaccine allocations for the week of Jan. 11
Jan. 11-15 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 Jan. 11-15 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday – Poppy Seed Chicken, On a Bed of Rice, Malibu Vegetables and a Roll
Tuesday – Ham and Potato Casserole, California Blend Vegetables and a Roll
Wednesday – Chicken Noodle Casserole, Winter Blend Vegetables and Pickled Beets
Thursday – Taco Soup, Crackers and Tossed Salad
Friday – Sloppy Joe Sandwiches, BBQ Potato Chips and Cole 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 Team Loses Heartbreaker to Longview on 3-Pointer At The Buzzer
Just before time expired, Longview guard Tyree Hale banked in a 3-point basket to give the Lobos a 56-54 win over the Wildcats Basketball Team at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School Saturday afternoon, January 9.
The Wildcats had maintained a lead throughout most of the fourth quarter before the final shot. It marked the second time this season that the Wildcats have lost a game right before the buzzer on a 3-point basket.
The Wildcats got off to a good start against Longview hitting 3-three pointers and they led 19-14 after one quarter. The Lobos hit five three point baskets in the second half and the score was tied at 29-29 at halftime. The Lobos took a 40-38 third quarter lead into the fourth quarter. Once again, for the Wildcats, they used their height advantage to good effect.
Junior Justin Haire scored 16 points before fouling out. Sophomore Kordrick Turner scored 14 points. Senior Boo Wilkerson scored 12 points. Senior point guard Lamodrick Johnson had 6 points. Junior Caleb Alexander had 4 points. Cason Arrington scored 2 points. Longview senior Kybrien Jackson-Jamerson led all scorers with 21 points.
The Lobos are now 3-2 in district play and 8-9 for the season. The Wildcats slip to 3-1 in district play and 10-7 for the season. The Wildcats continue district play Tuesday as Mount Pleasant comes to town.
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.
