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.
Jan. 27 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 15 New Cases, 24 Recoveries
Texas Department of State Health Services Jan. 27 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboards showed one additional fatality, 15 new cases, 24 recoveries and 31 additional vaccine doses administered.
COVID-19 Fatalities, Nursing Facility Updates
The dashboard showed 92 COVID-19 fatalities at 5 p.m. Jan. 27, which means 1 additional Hopkins County resident has died from COVID-19. The latest death, according to the DSHS Fatalities over Time by County report, occurred on Dec. 28. That makes two deaths on that date, increasing the cumulative number of fatalities in December to 25.
Texas Health and Human Services’ Jan. 27 COVID-19 nursing facilities report showed two additional COVID-19 resident deaths at Rock Creek Health & Rehabilitation as of Jan. 13, the most recent data available from the state for nursing home. The COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard and Fatalities over Time by County show one death occurred on Jan. 14 but none on Jan. 13, so the cumulative COVID-19 fatality count for Hopkins County likely will increase to reflect those deaths. COVID-19 fatalities are reflected on the Case Counts dashboard when death certificates are received by the state stating COVID-19 as the cause of death.
That makes 12 resident COVID-19 deaths at Rock Creek and 56 at local nursing facilities as of Jan. 13, according to the Jan. 27 HHS report. Rock Creek still had 38 active resident cases and two active staff cases on Jan. 13; one active resident COVID-19 case was also reported at Carriage House on Jan. 13.
Jan. 27 COVID-19 Case Counts
Fifteen new COVID-19 cases, four confirmed and 11 probable cases, were also reported for Hopkins County in the DSHS dashboard at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27.
So far this week, 16 Hopkins County residents have received lab confirmed positive molecular COVID-19 test results and 15 additional residents had either tested positive or had a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis.
That makes 232 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 137 additional probable cases reported during the first 27 days of January. Cumulatively, since March, 1,354 Hopkins County residents have been confirmed by molecular test to have COVID-19. Since the state began tracking probable cases, 1,254 Hopkins County probable cases have been recorded as well.
Twenty-four Hopkins County residents had recovered from COVID-19 as of 6:50 p.m. Jan. 27, increasing the total so far this week to 44 and so far this month to 334. That makes 2,387 of the 2,608 Hopkins County residents who have had COVID-19 who have recovered from the virus.
That left 129 Hopkins County resident who actively still had COVID-19 on Wednesday, 10 less than on Tuesday, according to the Dec. 27 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
COVID-19 Testing in Hopkins County
An additional 82 COVID-19 tests were performed at the free testing center at 128-A Jefferson Street on Tuesday, increasing the total so far this week to 148 tests. Since the free testing center opened on Sept. 25, 8,737 oral swab tests have been performed, according to Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management’s Jan. 27 COVID-19 update.
DSHS’s dashboard shows a total of 13,768 COVID-19 viral (molecular) tests have been conducted in Hopkins County.
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.
Hospital Data
HC/SSEM’s Jan. 27 COVID-19 update also showed the patient count in the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs COVID-19 Unit dipped Wednesday to 18, one less than one Jan. 25, the only other day so far this month that the patient count has been less than 20 in the COVID unit.
According to the DSHS Jan. 27 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard there continued to be 167 COVID-19 patients in Trauma Service Area F on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26.
However, the total hospital capacity was reduced from 1,096 staffed beds to 1,068 staffed beds in TSA-F. There were 976 staffed inpatient beds, 28 less than on Monday. However there were 630 COVID-19 hospitalizations on Tuesday, 18 more than on Monday.
Because of the capacity was smaller, COVID-19 hospitalizations made up a slightly larger percent of the total capacity, rising from 15.24 percent on Monday to 15.64 percent on Tuesday, Jan. 26. That means TSA-F is considered to have “high hospitalizations” and is still subject to GA-32 COVID-19 restrictions.
COVID-19 Vaccine Data
A total of 1,993 people in Hopkins County had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 262 who had been fully vaccinated with both doses and 1,732 who had only received the first dose of the virus as 11:59 p.m. Jan. 26.
The only doses of the COVID-19 vaccine allocated to Hopkins County this week are 100 second doses for those who had their first dose of the Moderna shot about three weeks ago at CHRISTUS Trinity Frances Clinic or CMFH-SS, according to the DSHS.
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
A full list of vaccine allocations by week, click here.
Saltillo Lions Basketball Team Hits Triple Digit Scoring In Latest Victory
The Saltillo Lions Basketball Team hit the century mark in scoring in a lopsided 100-35 win over CHESS Tuesday, January 26.
The Lions had a 34 point first quarter and then added 25, 19 and 22 points over the last three quarters. The Lions had five players in double figures: Andrew Redburn had 28 points, Chris Boekhorst had 26 points, David Whitworth scored 21 points, Coy Collins had 12 points and Coltin McGill had 10 points. In addition, Caden McGill scored 3 points.
The Lions improved their season record to 13-7. The Lions play next at Avinger next Tuesday.
Wildcats Baseball Player Aiken Owens Signs Letter Of Intent To Play At East Texas Baptist University
Wildcats Baseball first and third baseman and pitcher Aiken Owens signed a letter of intent Wednesday morning, January 27, 2021, to attend East Texas Baptist University in Marshall and play baseball. Owens is the son of Brandon and Leslie Owens and Mark and Jennifer Hill.
Aiken Owens said he was invited to visit the Marshall campus and he said he liked what he saw. He said he was especially impressed with the beautiful college campus. Owens said the Tigers’ coaches expect him to play first base and to hit. Owens said he wants to major in business. He said he was waiting for this opportunity to happen. He said at one time he didn’t think it would happen but, he added, it finally did.
Wildcats Athletic Director Greg Owens welcomed a good crowd of family and students to the signing event held in the foyer of the Multipurpose Building Wednesday morning. Coach Owens congratulated Aiken Owens and his family.
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack said he and his coaching staff and his team were super excited by Owens’ opportunity. He called Owens a super young man and a hard worker. Coach Hammack said he will be expecting a lot from Owens this season, saying he wanted him to play first or third base, pitch some and hit in the middle of the Wildcats’ order because of the pop in his bat. Coach Hammack said Owens will get the opportunity to play after high school that not too many get. He said ETBU is not only getting a quality young man but a solid player as well.
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.
Student Enrollment In SSISD Virtual Academy Down 11 Percent Beginning Of School
Student enrollment in the SSISD Virtual Academy is down about 11 percent after the first week of the third 9-weeks grading period compared to the start of school, according to Sulphur Springs Independent School District Superintendent Mike Lamb. As a whole enrollment at SSISD is down from 4,380 in September 2020 to 4,323 in January 2021. The 2020 counts are below the 4,420 students enrolled in SSISD in 2019, as well.
“We just finished our first week of the third 9-weeks, so the update you have there represents that,” Lamb told SSISD trustees during a special school board meeting conducted earlier this week.
Overall, only about 9 percent (371 students) of all students (4,323) were enrolled in the SSISD Virtual Academy, down from just over 20 percent (883 of 4,380) at the beginning of the school year.
“I’m glad we’re doing virtual for those that need it and want it; we’re making that work,” Lamb said. “We’ve done some things where we’ve basically asked those that aren’t being successful to come back. So, you can assume that those that are there are doing it successfully and that’s a good thing. Make no mistake about, look for the day we can all be back together and not have the virtual, and can be face-to-face and have the school back open.”
Early Childhood
Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center, as of the start of the third 9-week grading period, had a 5 percent Virtual Academy enrollment, down from 19 percent during the second week of school and 8 percent in December. The campus went from 160 in face-to-face classes on campus and 38 virtual students in September to 194 face-to-face and 16 virtual students in December, then 204 on-campus students and 11 virtual students in January.
Overall enrollment has also increased at Douglass, from 198 students in September to 210 in December and 215 in January.
Primary Campuses
Virtual Academy enrollment for the four primary campuses was reduced from 285 students in September to 184 in December and just 83 in January. Overall, enrollment in kindergarten through third grade fluctuated from 1,289 in September to 1,227 in December and 1,234 in January. Eleven more students were enrolled in kindergarten, nine more in first grade, eight more in third grade and 75 less in third grade in January than in September.
At Bowie Primary, the virtual enrollment dropped from 18 percent in September to 12 percent in December and 5 percent in January. Campus enrollment was 312 in September, 311 in December and 319 in January.
Barbara Bush Primary’s Virtual Academy enrollment went from 18 percent in September to 9 percent in December and 6 percent in January. Enrollment at Bush rose from 335 the first grading period, 334 the second and 340 at the start of the third 9-weeks grading period.
The VA enrolment at Lamar Primary remained 7 percent from December to January, down from 31 percent in September. Lamar had 352 students in September, 297 in December and January.
Travis Primary’s virtual enrollment has dwindled from 21 percent the second week of school to 11 percent in December and 9 percent in January. The campus had 290 students the second week of school, 291 in December and 286 in January.
Sulphur Springs Elementary
Virtual academy enrollment at Sulphur Springs Elementary decreased from 17 percent in September to 11 percent in December and seven percent in January.
Overall enrollment on the campus increased from 612 in September to 621 in December and January. The campus had five additional fifth graders, and four additional fifth graders in December and January, than the 304 fourth graders and 308 fifth graders reported to to be enrolled at SSES on the second week of school.
Middle School
Sulphur Springs Middle School reported 8 percent of students were enrolled in Virtual Academy in January, down from 19 percent in September and 12 percent in December.
Overall, SSMS had 1,011 students enrolled in January, one more than in December and two more than in September. Sixth grade enrollment fell from 318 in September to 316 in December and 315 in January. Seventh grade had 371 students enrolled in January, six more than in September and four more than in December. The eighth grade class rose from 326 in September to 327 in December, but declined to 325 in January.
High School
The Virtual Academy enrollment at Sulphur Springs High School declined from 20 percent in September to 17 percent in December and 12 percent in January.
Enrollment as a whole declined at SSHS from 1,271 in September to 1,248 in December and 1,234 in January. The freshman class declined from 335 in September to 330 in December and added one student in January. The sophomore class had 322 students right after school started, 320 before Christmas break and 314 during the third 9-weeks grading period. A total of 318 juniors were enrolled at SSHS the second week of school, 312 during the second grading period and 306 in the third grading period. There were 296 seniors enrolled at SSHS in September, 286 in December and 383 in January.
Mockingbird Lane Traffic Stop Yields Methamphetamine, Arrest
A Mockingbird Lane traffic stop late Tuesday morning yielded methamphetamine and one arrest, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a red Dodge Ram pickup just before 10:50 a.m. Jan. 26 in the 1500 block of Mockingbird Lane. Upon contacting the driver, police noted the individual exhibited nervous indicators, Officer Sean Hoffman and Reserve Officer Rodney Caudle noted in arrest reports. He was asked to step out of the car to speak with police and did so.
The driver reportedly agreed to let the officers search the pickup. The passenger was asked to step out of the truck while they did so.
After completing the search, both were asked to empty their pockets to show they had no contraband. Both began to do so, but the passenger was noted to be especially nervous and began “having trouble responding to questions,” Hoffman and Caudle noted in arrest reports. The passenger complied when asked to unzip his jacket to be checked. A cigarette pack found in an inside pocket allegedly contained a bag of suspected methamphetamine in tin foil.
Consequently, the passenger in the Mockingbird Lane traffic stop, identified in arrest reports as 30-year-old Joe Dale Cohorst of Sulphur Springs, was arrested at 11:27 a.m. on a possession of l gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. The driver was released. Cohorst remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Jan. 27, 2021, on the third-degree felony charge.
Jan. 26 was the second time Cohorst has been booked into Hopkins County jail. He also spent July 6-10, 2019, in custody at Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center on a Wood County warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
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.
Criminal Trespass Complaint Leads To Two Controlled Substance Arrests
January 27, 2021 – A criminal trespass complaint lead to two controlled substance arrests at an East Industrial Drive motel Tuesday night, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro, assisted by Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes, responded around 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at Ferrari Inn, where the manager requested police to issue a criminal trespass warning to a non-tenant. When police asked to enter the room where the individual was reportedly located, they were told the person they were seeking was not present, according to arrest reports.
After obtaining consent to check the room for the individual, police reported seeing a glass pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine in plain view. Tranameth Delon Ford reported the room belonged to Rebekah Kirby and he had no knowledge of the drug paraphernalia.
Both Ford and Rebekah Luvena Kirby agreed to let officers search Kirby’s room. Officers found a small bag containing a substance that later field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.5 gram, Castro and Estes alleged in arrest reports. When asked what was in the bag, however, both claimed they didn’t know. Both the 41-year-old Sulphur Springs man and 49-year-old Sulphur Springs woman were taken into custody by 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Ford (who is also known by Tray Delon Ford, Trey Ford and Tra) and Kirby were booked into Hopkins County jail on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The charge has a drug-free zone enhancement due to the motel’s proximity to Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center, according to arrest reports. Both remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Jan. 27, on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
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.
