Omaha Man Jailed On DWI, Controlled Substance Charges
A 35-year-old Omaha, Texas man was jailed on DWI and controlled substance charges Monday night, the second time in three months he’s been jailed on the charges, according to arrest reports. Another man were jailed on a warrants for violating probation on a controlled substance charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Interstate 30 Traffic Stop
A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office detective stopped Tyler Marcus Hightower around 8:30 p.m. Jan. 11 for failure to drive a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup in a single lane of travel on Interstate 30 at mile marker 112. Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Chris Sorley responded at the location.
Authorities reported an alcohol odor could be smelled on Hightower’s breath. Hightower was arrested for driving while intoxicated following standard field sobriety tests and agreed to a blood test, Sorley alleged in arrest reports.
Later, Hightower was found to have 19 Alprazolam pills in his shirt pocket sans prescription bottle. A records checks also showed the 35-year-old Morris County resident to be wanted in Titus County on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Hightower was booked into and remained Jan. 12 in Hopkins County jail for driving while intoxicated, possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance and the Titus County controlled substance warrant, according to jail reports.
Jan. 11, 2021 was the second time Hightower has been booked into Hopkins County jail in less than 3 months. He was spent the night Nov. 2, 2020 in Hopkins County jail on a possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance and DWI charges, according to jail reports.
On Nov. 2, Cumby police reported finding Hightower asleep behind the wheel of a truck stopped sideways, blocking both lanes of traffic just west of County Road 4722. Upon waking, Hightower allegedly had a difficult time waking up. He agreed to field sobriety testing but was unable to follow directions when the officer administered three different tests. He reportedly had trouble keeping his balance and falling asleep while standing, CPD Officer Armondo Gonzalez noted in arrest reports.
Hightower allegedly admitted to taking five pills during lunch time. The officer found Alprazolam in two different pill bottles, one with an illegible label and another written to his wife. Hightower was unable during the Nov. 2, 2020, traffic stop to tell officer what time he had lunch or even what the current time was. Consequently, Hightower was jailed Nov. 2 for DWI and possession of less than 28 grams of the controlled substance Alprazolam prescribed to someone else. He was released from Hopkins County jail on Nov. 3 on a $2,000 bond on the DWI charge and a $1,000 bond on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Warrant Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Richard Brantley located Ricky Lee Wayne Liebel at 12:40 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, on Main Street and served him with a warrant for violation of probation, which the 40-year-old Sulphur Springs man was on for a July 2017 possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
The arrest is the second time in less than a year that Liebel has been in Hopkins County jail. He was also arrested Feb. 10, 2020, on a Van Zandt County warrant for violation of probation on a family violence assault causing bodily injury charge, as well as two warrants for not paying fines.
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.
Denton Man Lead Trooper On Chase In Stolen Truck
A 26-year-old Denton man lead trooper on a chase in a stolen truck on Interstate 30 from Hunt County to Sulphur Springs, before being apprehended, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Brandon Biggins reported being notified last Monday morning, Jan. 11, that a stolen vehicle was spotted traveling east on Interstate 30 near mile marker 83. The trooper reported seeing a red Nissan Frontier with the noted license plate and lowered tailgate. When the DPS officer activated the emergency lights on his patrol vehicle near mile marker 102. The Denton man drove the truck onto exit 104 off I-30, and “pretended that he was going to stop but then sped up and began to evade,” Biggins alleged in arrest reports.
The pickup continued east along I-30 from Hunt County into Hopkins County and on into Sulphur Springs, where it reportedly took the Bill Bradford Road exit and changed direction. The truck continued through Sulphur Springs with units in pursuit. The car ended up on Houston Street and turned west back toward Commerce on State Highway 11 west, where it crashed near Sulphur Springs city limits on SH 11 west, according to arrest and law enforcement reports.
The driver of the truck was identified as 26-year-old Blake Alan Gagliardi of Denton. Dispatchers confirmed with Dallas Police the truck was the vehicle reported stolen. A records check showed Gagliardi to have outstanding warrants for his arrest on a Denton fraudulent use or possession of identifying information and a violation of parole charge, according to jail reports.
He was taken into custody on both warrants as well as unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charges. Gagliardi remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Jan. 11, 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.
Wednesday Is Start of Candidate Filing For May 2021 Sulphur Springs, Como-Pickton, Yantis School Board Elections
Wednesday is the start of candidate filing for the May 2021 school board elections in at least three local school districts.
Sulphur Springs ISD
Sulphur Springs ISD will be accepting applications for two places on the school board May 1 Trustees Election ballot.
Currently serving in those seats are Jason Dietze and Kerry Wright. Dietze was first elected to the school board in 2009. He was re-elected secretary in 2020. He previously served as vice president and president. Wright was appointed to the board in August of 2017 to fill the unexpired term of Don Sapaugh. Wright resigned in 2016 from the school board, which included servicing as secretary, vice president and president of the board.
Candidates may obtain and return an application for a place on the May 2021 ballot for two full three-year term seats on SSISD Board of Trustees from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Monday-Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays Jan. 13-Feb. 12 in the Tax Office of the SSISD Administration Building, located at 631 Connally Street. All applications filed are public records and open to inspection upon request.
For additional information, contact Sandra Gibby, SSISD Tax Assessor/Collector, at 903-885-2153, extension 1111.
Como-Pickton CISD
Como-Pickton CISD will also be holding trustees elections on May 1, a regular election for three four-year term seats on the board and a special election to fill a two-year unexpired term seat on the CPCISD Board of Trustees.
Currently, Mark Humphrey, Shiloh Childress and Jessica Pegues serve in the full term seats. A special election has also been called to fill the remaining two years of DJ Carr’s seat, according to the school elections official.
Candidates may pick up applications in the CPCISD Administration Office, 13017 Highway 11 east in Como from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, Jan. 13-Feb. 12. Additional information, including requirements and eligibility are available on the school website, https://www.cpcisd.net/, under District and School Board menu options or by clicking here.
Yantis ISD
Yantis ISD too is accepting applications for candidacy for three seats on the May 1 trustees election ballot.
Currently serving in those seats are Stacey Wetzel, Michael Burnett and Tyra Kenemore. Wetzel has served two full terms on the school board. Burnett and Kenemore are completing a full term on the school board.
Candidate filing will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, Jan. 13 to Feb. 12, 2021, at 111 South Main Street in Yantis. Applications for a place on the ballot may be mailed to 105 West Oak Street in Yantis 754597.
Additional information is available on the school website (http://www.yantisisd.net/) or by clicking here, or contacting Kristy Beech at [email protected]t or 903-383-2462.
Filing For May 2021 Sulphur Springs City Council Elections Begins Jan. 13
Candidate filing for the May 2021 Sulphur Springs City Council Elections begins Wednesday, Jan. 13.
The City of Sulphur Springs will be conducting an election to fill four seats on the City Council. Filing is for Places 1, 2, 3 and 5. A regular election is called for a full three-year term for Places 1, 2 and 3, while a special election is scheduled for the remaining year of the Place 5 term on the City Council.
If it seems like they were just on the ballot, that’s because they were. A special election was called for May 2020 to fill all four places on Sulphur Springs City Council after four council members resigned in the same week in December 2019. However, due to coronavirus hitting the state just before early voting was scheduled to begin, all elections were postponed until November 2020.
Harold Nash was appointed in December 2019 to fill the Place 2 seat on the City Council. Nash and Oscar Aguilar were unchallenged for Places 2 and 3, respectively, on the City Council. Gary Spraggins won the Place 5 seat in the November 2020 election.
A runoff election was held in December 2020 for Place 1 when none of the four candidates received 50 percent or more of the overall votes in November. Jay W. Julian won the Place 1 seat on the City Council.
The Place 1, 2 and 3 seats on the council would normally be on the ballot this spring, so those places are for full three-year terms on Sulphur Springs City Council. The Place 5 Election is for the remaining year of an unexpired term.
Candidate filing for the May 2021 Sulphur Springs City Council Elections will be conducted during regular business hours, 8-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Jan. 13-Feb. 12 at Sulphur Springs Municipal Building, 201 North Davis St. Applications may be mailed to 125 South Davis St.
Jan. 11 COVID-19 Update: 15 New Cases, 4 Recoveries, 236 Active Cases
Although the patient count in the local hospital COVID unit decreased at least 10 percent, the overall case counts increased in Hopkins County, and COVID-19 hospitalizations continued to rise in Trauma Service Area F and across the state as a whole, according to Texas Department of State Health Services and Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Jan. 10 COVID-19 reports.
Case Counts
The DSHS Jan. 11 COVID-19 Texas Case Counts dashboard showed a total of 1,242 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed by molecular test since March, including 13 on Monday and 120 confirmed COIVD-19 cases so far this month.
Two additional probable COVID-19 cases were also reported Monday, Jan. 11 for Hopkins County, increasing the total to 71 this month. Cumulatively, that’s 1,188 probable cases since the state started documenting results of people who test 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.
Four Hopkins County residents were reported Monday, Jan. 11, to have recovered from COVID-19, increasing the total number of recoveries so far in January to 62. Cumulatively, 2,115 of the 2,430 Hopkins County COVID-19 cases had recovered and 79 died as a result of COVID-19. That left 236 Hopkins County residents who still actively had COVID-19 on Monday, an increase of 11 cases on Monday, according to the DSHS Jan. 11 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
COVID-19 Tests
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management reported a total of 7,784 COVID-19 tests had been conducted at the free testing center in Sulphur Springs from Sept. 25 to Jan. 9, including 150 on Friday and Saturday, a total of 587 last week and 816 since Dec. 30.
The DSHS Jan. 11 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard showed a total of 12,462 viral or molecular tests have been conducted in Hopkins County since March, including 85 additional tests on Sunday.
Eleven additional antigen tests and two additional antibody tests were conducted on Sunday in Hopkins County. Cumulatively, 1,343 antigen tests and 1,680 antibody tests have been conducted in Hopkins County since the state began tracking the data a few of months ago.
Overall, that’s 15,484 COVID-19 tests that have been conducted in Hopkins County since the state began documenting testing.
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
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management official reported 22 patients in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Monday, Jan. 11. That’s 10 less than on Thursday and Friday. Monday’s patient count is the smallest in 24 days. The last time the patient count was reported to be smaller was Dec. 18, when the COVID unit held 20 patients. That’s still nearly 23 percent of the the total hospital capacity at CMFH-SS.
Conversely, the overall patient count in Trauma Service Area F and across the state rose on from 184 on Jan. 9 to 219 on Jan. 10, while the overall COVID-19 hospitalizations in Texas rose from 13,111 on Saturday to 13,397 on Sunday.
The total number of staffed hospital beds in TSA-F also increased from 881 on Jan, 9 to 995 on Jan. 10, which was still the second lowest since Nov. 2, when the total hospital number of staffed hospital beds was 972. There were also 903 total staffed inpatient beds, 99 more than on Jan. 9, and 586 total hospitalizations in TSA-F on Jan. 10, which is 74 more than on Jan. 9.
Overall, COVID-19 hospitalizations made up 22.01 percent of the total hospital capacity in TSA-F for Jan. 10, up from 20.89 percent on Jan. 9, but still less than the 22.22 percent reported on Jan. 7 and 22. 54 percent reported Jan. 8, according to the DSHS Dec, 9 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard and Combined Hospital Data Over Time by TSA Region report. Jan. 10 was the 16th consecutive day in which COVID-19 hospitalizations made up 15 percent or more of the overall hospital capacity in TSA-F and the 12th day in a row the COVID-19 hospitalizations have exceeded the 15 percent threshold in TSA-F.
As a result of the high hospitalizations, GA-32 has been in effect for TSA-F since Jan. 2. That means certain businesses, including restaurants, libraries and museums in TSA-F counties are required to reduce capacity from 75 to 50 percent, and elective, non-emergency surgeries are to be put on hold in all counties within TSA-F except Delta, Morris and Red River Counties, which have filed attestations that each has had less than 30 new active cases in two weeks.
The number of available ICU beds shrunk again on from six on Saturday to four on Sunday, which is still three more than on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3; 76 ventilators were available, 7 more than on Jan. 9. The number of available hospital beds in TSA-F rose from 292 on Saturday to 317 on Sunday, which is still one more than on Jab. 8, one less than on Jan. 6, 34 less than on Jan. 3 and , 54 less than on Dec. 28 and 11 than on Dec. 26 ( the first day of consecutive high hospitalizations at or over 15).
Nursing Home Reports
Texas Health and Human Services in the Jan. 11 COVID-19 nursing facilities report showed three residents of Carriage House Manor and three employees at Sulphur Springs Health and Rehabilitation had recovered from COVID-19 on Dec. 28, the most recent data available for nursing homes. Unfortunately, two additional residents of Rock Creek Health and Rehabilitation had tested positive for COVID-19.
That left four active employee cases and one active resident cases of COVID-19 at Carriage House Manor, 19 active employee cases and 42 active resident cases at Rock Creek Health and Rehab on Dec. 28, according to the Jan. 11 HHS coronavirus report.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Jan. 4-10, 2021
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of Jan. 4-10, 2021 included the following activity:
Arrests
- Jordan Grant, 35 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Jan, 4, 2021 on a Wood County warrant for violation of bond protective order.
- Bobee Weathers, 20 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Jan. 5, 2021 on Wood County warrants for abandon or endanger a child – criminal negligence, possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and 3 warrants for manufacture or delivery of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance.
- Adrian Foster, 44 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Jan. 10, 2021 for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 127 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 35 citations and 50 warnings during this reporting period.
New Equipment Financing, Budget Amendments Approved By Commissioners Court
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday approved financing for a new piece of equipment for Precinct 4, budget amendments moving funds left over from two FEMA programs, a contract with Van Zandt County for jail officials to assist with improvements and an application for a grant which would pay for 1 1/2 staff salaries at the District Attorney’s Office.
New Equipment
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook told commissioners that the county received two quotes, one for 3.5 percent from Alliance Bank and one for 3.25 percent from Guaranty Bond Bank for financing of a new reclaimer for Precinct 4. She recommended the Commissioners Court approve the low bid from Guaranty to be financed over five years, with the payments to start in two months from approval.
The equipment purchase was previously approved by the Commissioners Court and obtained through BuyBoard, Aulsbrook remined the court. Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price already has the reclaimer.
The court approved the low bid from Guaranty to finance the reclaimer for 3.25 percent interest.
Budget Amendments
Aulsbrook also noted that budget amendments were needed to move funding from labor and in-kind matches once two FEMA project, one dating back to 2015, were closed out and completed into three precinct budget. The funding is in the road and bridge fund balance. Precinct 4 already received the funding before the end of Danny Evans’ term as commissioner and a road grader purchased with the funding.
“This if from FEMA 4223 and 4255, after they receive their labor and in-kind matches back there was money left over that you each received,” Aulsbrook said. “It’s the matches that you did with your salaries and equipment. After all the bills were paid and all the money came back, that’s what you had left over.”
The Commissioners Court approved moving $86,853.42 to Precinct 1 budget, $254,810.75 to Precinct 2 budget and $17,457.15 to Precinct 3 budget. Precinct 2 received more funding because the precinct had more damages than the other precincts, and how oil is obtained and in-kind matches were more, according to Aulsbrook and Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley.
Interlocal Agreement
Sheriff Lewis Tatum asked the Commissioners Court to approve an interlocal agreement with Van Zandt County which would pay wages of Hopkins County jail supervisors.
At the request of Van Zandt County officials, Hopkins County jail supervisors were sent to Van Zandt County jail to help the other county get their jail up to standard and in compliance with state standards. The HCSO jail supervisors worked on their days off in Van Zandt County, assisting in the process. The agreement will allow Van Zandt to pay the HCSO employees for the time they spent at the other jail. Tatum said normally an agreement would be approved first, but due to the immediate need, the work was performed quickly to help the other county. Tatum said Van Zandt County has a long way to go yet and likely will utilize HCSO jail supervisors again.
Aulsbrook said she had talked with the the Van Zandt County auditor and everything was in place. Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom reported he’d also spoken with the Van Zandt County judge, who was appreciative for the help from their Hopkins County neighbors.
The interlocal agreement with Van Zandt County was unanimously approved by the Commissioners Court at the Jan. 11, 2021 meeting.
Grant Application
Also approved by the Commissioners Court was submission of a grant application for victim assistance coordinator and legal assistant services to the Office of the Governor.
Aulsbrook explained this is a grant that the District Attorney’s Office has applied for and received for several years. The funding covers the cost of the victim assistance coordinators and half the cost of another staff member’s pay. The grant is the reason the DA hasn’t asked for a budget increase in those areas in a number of years. The DA’s budget already has built in the required matching amount for the grant.
Personnel
Aulsbrook also introduced Katherine Janway, who was present in the courtroom and will be working in her office in areas of auditing and cash counts. She resides in Precinct 4.
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
