Lady Cats Basketball Team Uses Big Second Half to Defeat Longview On The Road, 49-26, Saturday
The Lady Cats Basketball Team found themselves stuck in a 12-12 tie at halftime on the road in a district game at Longview Saturday night, January 9.
The Lady Cats then went out and had a very big last two quarters as they pulled away from the Lady Lobos taking a 49-26 win.
Sophomore Kenzie Willis led the Lady Cats with 14 points. Sophomore Serenity Lewis scored 10 points. Senior Bre-Asia Ivery had 8 points. Senior Dalanee Myles and sophomore Addisyn Wall both scored 6 points. Senior Nylah Lindley scored 5 points.
The game marked the end of the first half of district play for the Lady Cats and they are 4-2 so far. The Lady Cats have won 4 games in a row and their season record is now 10-6.
The Lady Cats open the second half of district play Tuesday with a road contest at Mount Pleasant. The Lady Cats topped the Lady Tigers at home back on December 11, 41-36.
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.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer Teams Even Their Season Records With Tournament Wins Saturday
The Sulphur Springs Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer Teams evened their season records with tournament wins Saturday.
Wildcats Soccer
The Wildcats Soccer Team ended up winning two games, losing one and tying one in their first tournament of the season at the Forney Kickoff Tournament Thursday through Saturday, January 7-9.
The Wildcats ended their participation in the tourney with a Saturday morning 1-0 win over Seagoville. The Wildcats unassisted goal was scored by Uriel Santacruz.
Wildcats Coach Alexi Upton said his team could have won by a larger margin but he noted they missed two penalty kicks.
The Wildcats did even their season record with the Saturday win and they are now 2-2-1 for the season.
Next, the Wildcats will play in the 2021 Wylie ISD Men’s Soccer Showcase this Thursday through Saturday. The Wildcats are scheduled to play Princeton, Mesquite Horn and Wylie East in the tourney.
Lady Cats Soccer
The Lady Cats Soccer Team wrapped up their play in the Kilgore Tournament Saturday afternoon with a solid 5-1 win over Tyler Chapel Hill. During the tournament, the Lady Cats won two, lost one and tied one.
The Lady Cats’ season record is now 2-2-1.
The Lady Cats play next at home against Princeton on Tuesday night.
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 Remain Unbeaten In District Play With Home Win Over Avinger Friday
The Saltillo Lions came out ready to play in their home district game against Avinger Friday, January 8.
The Lions roared out to a 25-2 first quarter lead and led 47-10 at halftime on their way to a 74-35 win. The Lions had a phenomenal night at the free throw line canning 19 of 23 shots.
The win improved the Lions’ district mark to 3-0 and they are now 8-8 for the season.
For the Lions, Chris Boekhorst led the way with 25 points. Andrew Redburn had 20 points. Gunner Tarver added 13 points. David Whitworth scored 9 points. Colton McGill scored 5 points. Coy Collins had 2 points.
The Lions play next on Tuesday against Union Hill.
Jan. 9 COVID-19 Update: 5 Fatalities, 9 New Cases, 4 Recoveries, 217 Active Cases
Five additional COVID-19 fatalities, 9 new cases and four recoveries were reported for Hopkins County in the Texas Department of State Health Services Jan. 9 COVID-19 dashboard for Texas Case Counts.
Case Counts and Fatalities
A total of 1,217 molecular COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County since March, which means two additional Hopkins County residents received lab-confirmed molecular COVID-19 test results as of 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9. The week ends with 86 total new COVID-19 cases reported for Hopkins County and the month with 95 new cases, according to DSHS Jan. 9 COVID-19 dashboard for Texas Case Counts.
Seven additional Hopkins County residents are reported to be “probable cases” of COVID-19, that people who tested positive through an antigen test or have a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis. Thirty-five probable cases were reported this week and 68 new probable cases this month. Cumulatively, since the state began tracking probable cases, Hopkins County has had 1,185 probable cases.
Combined, that’s nine new novel coronavirus 2019 cases reported Jan. 9, 123 new cases this week and 163 new cases reported so far this month.
The DSHS Jan. 9 COVID-19 Texas Case Counts Dashboard showed 78 Hopkins County COVID-19 fatalities since the pandemic began in March, which means five additional Hopkins County residents were confirmed Jan. 9 by death certificate to have died from COVID-19. That’s a fatality rate of 0.21 percent of the overall population in Hopkins County. The fatality rate among Hopkins County COVID-19 cases, however, is 3.25 percent.
Four additional Hopkins County residents are reported to have recovered from COVID-19 on Saturday, Jan. 9, for a total of 54 recoveries this week and 68 recoveries so far this month. Cumulatively, 2,107 of the 2,402 Hopkins County residents who’ve had COVID-19 are reported to have recovered from the virus. That leaves 217 active COVID-19 cases at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, the same as on Friday because the deaths and recoveries matched the new case count.
Testing Reports
A total of 15,274 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Hopkins County, including 12,292 viral or molecular tests, 1,307 antigen tests and 1,674 antibody tests. That means 84 more COVID-19 tests were performed in Hopkins County on Friday, 51 viral tests, 33 antigen tests and one antibody test on Friday.
That’s 691 total COVID-19 tests conducted this week: 497 viral tests, 107 antigen tests and 87 antibody tests performed this week in Hopkins County, according to the DSHS Jan. 9 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard.
Free oral swab (molecular) 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 Reports
COVID-19 hospitalizations continued to rise on Friday, Dec. 8, as did all hospitalizations in Trauma Service Area F, which includes hospitals across an eight county region that spans from Hopkins north to the Oklahoma border and east to Bowie County, with the exception of Franklin County, which is in Trauma Service Area G.
Trauma Service Area F hospitals were treating 240 COVID-19 patients on Friday, which is five more than the previous high for COVID patients. Eleven more hospital beds were staffed throughout the region for a total of 1,065 staffed beds in TSA-F. That includes 11 additional staffed inpatient beds, which numbered 973 on Jan. 8, and left a total of 315 hospital beds available throughout TSA-F on Jan. 8, according to the DSHS Jan. 9 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard.
Overall, COVID-19 hospitalizations made up 22.54 percent of the total hospital capacity in TSA-F on Jan. 8, up from 22.32 percent one day before. That makes 14 consecutive days in which COVID-19 hospitalizations made up at 15 percent or more of the total hospital capacity in TSA-F. Because of the continued high hospitalizations, many businesses including retail and restaurants in five of the eight counties in TSA-F and 16 other TSAs in Texas have been subject to GA-32. TSA-F, per the Governor’s Executive Order, had for 7 consecutive days had high hospitalizations and on Jan. 2 were required to scale back capacity from 75 to 50 percent. TSA’F’s hospitalizations have remained above 15 percent since then. In order to reopen at 75 percent occupancy, TSA-F’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have to be below the 15 percent threshold for seven consecutive days.
2 East Texas Men Jailed On A Firearm Charge Following Traffic Stops
Two East Texas men were jailed on a firearm charge each following two different traffic stops on Friday, according to arrest reports.
I-30 East Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson reported stopping a red Chevrolet Tahoe at 8:55 p.m. Jan. 8 after observing it being driven in the left lane of Interstate 30 east at mile marker 125 (Bill Bradford Road) and not passing other vehicles and failing to be driven in a single lane.
Upon approach of the SUV, Wilkerson alleged he smelled an odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle and could see a firearm in plain view in the center front seat. He removed the weapon and had the 22-year-old Pittsburg, Texas man step out of the driver’s seat while a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. The deputy then asked dispatchers to conduct a records check on the man and weapon.
Deputy Chris Baumann arrived to assist. The deputies noted the 2-year-old in a car seat in the back seat. Dispatchers reported the weapon came back as having been reported stolen in Morris County. Consequently, Marketihan Javard “Ke-Ke” Cleveland, was taken into custody. Baumann transported Cleveland to jail.
Deputies contacted the child’s mother and arranged to meet her at the sheriff’s office. Wilkerson put the toddler in his patrol vehicle, waiting until the SUV was towed then transported the 2-year-old to the sheriff’s office. Child Protective Services was called to stay with the child until the mother arrived. Deputies met with the mother and CPS case worker, who released the child to the mother.
Cleveland, who is also known by Markeithan Javard Cleveland, was booked into Hopkins County jail shortly after midnight then released later Saturday, Jan. 9, on a $5,000 bond on the theft of firearm charge.
Davis Street Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Drew Fisher reported stopping a silver Nissan Frontier just after 9 p.m. Jan. 8 on Davis Street at Houston Street for a traffic violation.
Fisher reported seeing Randy Dale Hargrave discard a pill bottle out the passenger side window of the truck. He detained the 45-year-old Cooper man and collected the bottle. It contained 6.832 grams of suspected methamphetamine. A firearm was found during a search of the truck.
A records check of Hargrave’s criminal history showed he has prior felony convictions. Consequently, Hargrave was taken into custody and transported by Sgt. Tanner Steward to jail, where he was booked for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Hargrave remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, Jan. 9. Bond was set at $30,000 on the controlled substance charge, which jail reports show has a drug-free zone enhancement; $10,000 on the tampering with evidence charge; and $10,000 on the firearm charge.
Jail records also show Hargrave was jailed in 2015 on warrants for violating probation on controlled substance and engaging in organized criminal activity charges, and to serve a three-year prison sentence for a controlled substance charge. In all, he has been jailed in Hopkins County more than a dozen times and has more than two dozen charges on his record, which spans from 1994 to 2021, jail reports show.
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.
Interstate 30 Traffic Stop Nets Bundles Of Cash, Marijuana, Pill, 3 Arrests
An Interstate 30 traffic stop netted bundles of cash, marijuana, a pill and the three arrests, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde reported stopping a white Dodge 1500 pickup just before 6 p.m. Jan. 8 on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 136 for a defective tail light.
Upon contact with the occupants, Ugalde alleged he detected the overwhelming odor of fresh marijuana. All three occupants of the vehicle gave the highway patrolman different, conflicting stories regarding their travels and destination, Ugalde alleged in arrest reports.
Passenger Erik Maray Williams claimed to have a medical marijuana card and admitted to possessing marijuana, the trooper alleged in arrest reports. A probable cause search of Williams’ luggage allegedly revealed a usable quantity of marijuana and a large amount of US currency, which the 38-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio claimed was about $20,000 in cash. The bundles included bill of all denominations, all secured with rubber bands, Ugalde noted in arrest reports.
Driver Ronald Floyd Jr. allegedly admitted to possessing a jar of marijuana. A usable quantity of marijuana and large amounts of currency the 36-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio man to the trooper amounted to about $43,000 in cash. Those bundles too included bills of all denominations secured with rubber and paper bands, according to arrest reports.
A search of passenger Alexanndria C. Green’s purse allegedly revealed two halves of a broken pill identified as acetaminophen oxycodone, which the 32-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio woman claimed Floyd gave her for pain caused by braces that were recently put on, Ugalde noted in arrest reports.
DPS Criminal Investigations Division Agents Phillip Alston and Daniel Kelly were contacted. All three Ohio residents were taken transported to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, where they were interviewed by the agents. A DPS canine also alerted on the currency, which Ugalde noted, was an indication the currency had been within close proximity to narcotics.
Based on the totality of circumstances, DPS believed Williams and Floyd were in possession of suspected proceeds from criminal activity and actively transporting them in order to further the criminal activity, Ugalde alleged in arrest reports.
Thus, Williams and Floyd were arrested for money laundering and possession of marijuana and Green was charged with possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Green was released from Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, Jan. 9, 2021, on a $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge. Floyd was also released from jail Saturday, Jan. 9 on a $20,000 bond on the money laundering charge and a $1,000 bond on the possession of marijuana 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.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of January 11, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Jan. 11, 2021. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91 as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound exit ramp for Houston and Lamar Streets (SH 56) is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the Park Avenue exit ramp. The northbound exit ramp for Pecan Street and Washington Street is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the next exit ramp for North Travis Street. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street (SH 56) exit. The southbound Washington Street exit ramp is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the North Travis Street exit. The northbound frontage road from South Travis Street to near Park Avenue is closed for crews to work on building the remaining portion of the retaining wall along US 75 at the South Travis Street intersection. Traffic is requested to use the US 75 mainlanes during this closure. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
During the weeks of January 11 through 22, the Center Street intersection at US 75 will be closed to through traffic in order for crews to perform pavement improvements in the left lane of the northbound and southbound frontage roads. Traffic on Center Street will be able to make a right turn only onto the frontage road and will detour to the next intersection. This same process will occur for the Houston, Washington Street and Lamar Street intersections in subsequent weeks. This work is weather dependent and may be adjusted due to unfavorable weather.
The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will be removed at a later time. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge and the approaches to the bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to the temporary detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section consisting of concrete pavement when the project is completed.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures on the southbound US 75 frontage road while construction crews work on completing the remainder of the project. The new FM 691 exit ramp is open to access FM 691. The new entrance ramp to southbound US 75 has been opened to traffic.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday and Thursday during the daytime.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
FM 697, Grayson County: between FM 2729 and US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
The annual contract to perform crack sealing operations in Fannin County is in progress. Daytime lane closures will be present during crack sealing operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadways in Fannin County will be crack sealed this year; US 82 from SH 121 to the Grayson County line, and SH 11 from SH 121 to SH 78.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided roadway. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement on the eastern end of the project between the Fannin-Lamar County line and County Road 2975. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while crews work on the inside lane to build crossovers and turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median. The on-ramp to westbound US 82 from SH 78 has been closed while crews work on building the new westbound main lanes. The westbound exit ramp for SH 121 is closed as crews work on building the new main lanes in this area. Exiting traffic for SH 121 is asked to use the SH 78 exit and continue along the frontage road to SH 121.
Weather permitting, on January 12, westbound US 82 traffic will be moved to the new travel lanes between County Road 2975 and SH 121. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while construction crews begin work on the inside lane, building the crossovers and left-turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median.
SH 56, Fannin County: between the Grayson County line and FM 1752. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews fog seal the roadway.
SH 56, Fannin County: between FM 897 and FM 1396. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform spot milling on the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
I-30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
FM 3389, Hopkins County: From IH 30 to FM 1567. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews begin work on rehabilitation of the roadway.
SH 37, Franklin County: At Winnsboro City Limit. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform work on cross drainage structure.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
FM 1507, Lamar County: from South Collegiate Drive to Loop 286. This roadway is closed while crews rehabilitate and resurface the existing roadway.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from US 82 W to 0.5 mi. south of US 82 E. Watch for lane closures while crews perform full-depth concrete repairs.
BU 82H (Bonham St./Lamar Ave.), Lamar County: from 19th St. SW to 33rd St. SE. Watch for crews performing safety improvements to traffic signals.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (Avery) to FM 44. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement, upgrade bridge rail, and place new hot mix.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to SP 38 (Bogata). Watch for daytime lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing roadway.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Traffic is shifted to the north side of the roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the south side.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903. Work on this project is completed. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
SH 276, Hunt County, from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass): The contractor has begun placing barricades and will begin preparing the right-of-way and clearing/grubbing the project limits.
FM 499, Hunt County: at Lynn Creek. The contractor has begun demolition work and will be working on forming and prep work for the concrete deck. Road closures began on Nov. 30 and will continue throughout the duration of this project. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for workers and work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor is currently working on compacting flexbase and prepping material on a two-mile stretch of roadway rehabilitation beginning at FM 272. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 66 at FM 1570, Hunt County: The contractor will be prepping the right-of-way and placing culverts for this project. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews in Hunt County will be performing pothole repairs, mowing and metal beam guard fence repairs around the county, and removing debris from I-30 early this week. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
Maintenance crews in Rains County will be performing various sign installations, potholing and debris removal. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway, and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
SH 34 bridge, Hunt County: 3.5 miles south of Quinlan. TxDOT has placed a temporary concrete traffic barrier to protect travelers from the damage caused by an 18-wheeler accident. A project pre-construction meeting is scheduled for Jan. 7. The bridge/road is now open to both lanes of traffic. Please drive cautiously and safely in this area.
Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews. Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
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Saffel Released From Hopkins County Jail On $10,000 Bond On Illegal Dumping, Debris Charges
Justen Blake Saffel was released Saturday from Hopkins County jail on $10,000 in bonds on charges for illegal dumping and discharge of debris near Lake Sulphur Springs, according to jail reports.
Saffel was taken into custody around 3 p.m. Wednesday in Omaha on warrants issued following a joint investigation by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and Hopkins County Fire Marshals Office. The 26-year-old spent the night in Morris County jail, before being transferred by HCFD Assistant Fire Marshal Mike Matthews to Hopkins County jail.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified earlier in the week that debris and trash had been dumped near Sulphur Springs Lake, at the dead end of County Road 4703. The debris, hauled away Tuesday in a dump truck, weighed more than 4,000 pounds. A joint investigation of the dumping was under way Tuesday by HCSO and Hopkins County Fire Department was launched.
“After the initial cleanup and investigation an arrest has been made in Morris County. Assistant Fire Marshal Mike Matthews, tracked down the suspect and he is now in custody,” HCSO Chief Deputy Tanner Crump noted in a news release Wednesday night.
According to law enforcement reports, Justen Blake Saffel was taken into custody late Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2021, in Omaha. The 26-year-old who’d been staying in Omaha was arrested and taken to Morris County jail, where he was held overnight on the Hopkins County warrants for illegal dumping and intentionally or knowingly unauthorized discharge of the debris adjacent to the water way, in connection with the dumping near Lake Sulphur Springs, according to sheriffs reports.
Wednesday was the second time Saffel has been arrested by County fire marshals and third time he has been jailed on felony Hopkins County charges.
In September of 2016, County fire marshals arrested Saffel on an arson charge. Saffel was accused of setting a house that had been vacant for several years in Birthright on fire. A 6-month member of North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department, Saffel’s membership in the department was terminated following the incident, NHVFD wrote in a statement following Saffel’s arrest in 2016.
Saffel was arrested Sept. 11, 2016, by Hopkins County Fire Marshals; indicted Oct. 17, 2016, and was released Nov. 29, 2016, on 10 years probation on the arson charge, according to court and jail records.
The 26-year-old was also jailed Sept. 7, 2015, for allegedly pointing a gun at his mother and cousin during a disturbance at a Locust Street residence. Saffel remained in jail until Dec. 14, 2015 in Hopkins County jail on the aggravated assault of a date, family or household member with a weapon, 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.
Como Man Turns Self In For Failure To Comply With Sex Offender Duty To Register
A 24-year-old Como man surrendered himself at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office for failure to comply with sex offender duty to register, according to arrest reports.
Colton Lee Hooten at 5:20 a.m. Jan. 5 turned himself in. Sgt. Todd Evans that he had forgotten to notify Investigator Michael Russell know he had moved about a month before. He said he’d let authorities in Emory know he’d moved from that city to Como, but not HCSO.
Hooten was booked into jail without incident on the failure to comply charge. He told officials he already had a bondsman paid. Because he is on probation in Hunt County, a voicemail was left notifying his probation officer of his arrest, Evans noted in arrest reports.
Hooten remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, Jan. 9. His bond was set at $25,000 on the failure to comply with sex offender duty to register charge He also has an outstanding warrant for surety off bond on a May 11, 2020, failure to comply with sex offender duty to register charge as well as a Hunt County warrant for sexual assault of a child. according to jail reports.
When arrested in May 2020, he also was charged on warrants for not paying a driving while license invalid and for motion to revoke on a Hunt County sexual assault of a child charge; he remained in custody until May 19, 2020 on those charges, according to jail records.
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.
Free Seniors Fitness Class Resumes at The ROC 3x Week
by Karon Weatherman of SS Srs Center
Attention Senior Citizens! The ROC is back open so the Fit and Strong Class can start up again! Instructor John Little will be waiting for you at the ROC on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30
If you haven’t been attending this class, it is FREE. You just need to show up. The class includes using Hand Weights, Stretchy Bands and Stress Balls. You don’t need to bring anything initially, as John will let you know what you need to purchase.
It is a Great form of exercise for everyone. Persons of varying strength levels are welcome. You can do this class Sitting Down or Standing Up.
Please wear a mask and practice Social Distancing!
We will be very happy when the class can return to the Senior Citizens Center once again. Thanks to The ROC for stepping up and allowing us to use their space in the meantime. I hope everyone stays well and healthy as we begin 2021!
