Lady Cats Softball Emerges Victorious Over Mt. Pleasant, 4-0
The Lady Cats softball team beat district foe Mt. Pleasant 4-0 at Lady Cat Park on Tuesday, Mar. 16. It was due in no small part thanks to Crimson Bryant‘s dynamite pitching, who went on a tear versus the visiting Lady Tigers.
Bryant pitched a near-perfect game, allowing no hits, no runs, and walking only one Lady Tiger batter. The starting pitcher for Sulphur Springs did hit a batter, but Bryant managed to strike out 15 in the victory over Mt. Pleasant.
“They’ve got a really good team,” Lady Cats head softball coach David Carrillo said about Mt. Pleasant after the game, and said that he “knew going in to this game it would be one of our toughest [games] in district.”
Coach Carrillo said he was proud of the way his kids responded.
Through the first three innings, it looked as though the Lady Cats softball team were in the midst of their third straight pitcher’s duel. The Lady Cats lost Tuesday, Mar. 9, 4-0 at Hallsville, but won Friday over Longview, 1-0. So when the Lady Cats bats were able to come alive in the middle of the game, it was a sight for sore eyes.
“We got the timely hits when we needed them,” Coach Carrillo said.
In last Tuesday’s loss at Hallsville, the Lady Cats had an opportunity to at least tie Hallsville in the top of the fifth, with the bases loaded and only one out. The next two Lady Cats batters then proceeded to strike out and then flew out to end the inning, en route to a 4-0 loss at Hallsville. Coach Carrillo said after Tuesday’s win versus Mt. Pleasant that he thought his team was more aggressive at the plate and a little more offensive-minded, something he said his team has been lacking all season long.
Coach David Carrillo also said the win over Mt. Pleasant was “the best [his team] has hit the ball all year,” adding that his team was more focused at the plate in Tuesday’s win over the Lady Tigers.
And that they were, as Sulphur Springs’s second baseman Matti Smith singled in the bottom of the third paved the way for the Lady Cats offense to burst open the floodgates, as the next batter, Jayden Harper, was able to blast a ball behind the left field wall to record a two-run home run. Nylah Lindley followed up Harper’s homer with a bunt and was able to advance to first. Once Lindley led off first base and attempted to advance to second, an errant throw from Mt. Pleasant catcher Morgan Hill to attempt to force out Lindley at second base went awry and allowed the quick Lindley to turn past third and advance home due to error.
Coach Carrillo’s squad wasn’t done there, as in the bottom of the fourth, a double by Addison DeSmet with two outs set the way for Parris Pickett’s blast to deep left field, which drove home DeSmet and allowed Pickett to get an RBI in the win.
“We scored when we had to,” Coach Carrillo said, adding that he thought his team did a lot of things well in the district win. Coach Carrillo also said that that is how you beat a team like Mt. Pleasant, in that you have to take advantage of every opportunity that the Lady Tigers give you.
“Every game is tough,” Coach Carrillo said, adding that he liked playing in District 15-5A because he believed that teams from the Lady Cats district who are selected to advance to the playoffs are “definitely gonna be battle-tested for the playoffs because there’s good pitching [and players] all around the district.”
The Lady Cats varsity softball coach said that districts like District 15-5A are the ones you want to be in because it makes teams better getting ready for the post-season.
“When we get [to the post-season],” Coach Carrillo said, “[games like this are] just getting us ready.”
With the win, the Lady Cats softball team improve their record to 11-3 overall, (2-1 district). The loss puts the Mt. Pleasant Lady Tigers at 12-5 overall (3-1 district), according to Maxpreps.com.
Next up, Coach Carrillo’s squad will travel out to Texarkana on Friday to take on Texas High at 6 P.M.
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.
All CHRISTUS Facilities Continue To Require Masks, Per CDC Guidelines
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, March 16, 2021 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Important Notice
We are aware of the new order announced by Texas Governor Greg Abbott that would lift the statewide masking mandate for many establishments on March 10. However, that will not apply to our CHRISTUS facilities. We will continue to require masks for those visiting, working or receiving care in any of our CHRISTUS facilities, per CDC guidelines, as well as hand hygiene and social distancing where possible.
We are continuing to closely evaluate the Governor’s executive order and will do the same for any additional guidance or requirements issued by the State Department of Health and Human Services or other entities. We understand that as more Texans are vaccinated, additional decisions will need to be made by the state, cities, and counties in which our ministries reside and we are prepared to respond accordingly. In the meantime, we remain focused on safely providing the care our communities need (whether COVID-related or not) and fulfilling our mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
Hospital Visitation
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
- (1) Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
- (1) Visitor per patient
- Visitors must be between the ages of 16-years old and 65-years old
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
- ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Clinic Services
COVID-19 Vaccines
At this time, vaccinations will be distributed by appointment only. Vaccine appointments can be made by visiting christushealth.org and clicking on the yellow chat icon on the homepage to connect you with Christy, our virtual assistant. If you agree to the terms, when she asks, “how can I help you” select “Vaccine information.” Next, choose, “Am I eligible for the vaccine?” You will then be prompted to answer a few screening questions prior to choosing a location nearest you and scheduling an appointment. If appointments are full, you can select other locations or check back regularly, as appointments are being added as supplies become available.
Urgent Care
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care, located at 1339 South Broadway St. in Sulphur Springs, is open. The Urgent Care hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The phone number to reach Urgent Care is 903.951.1001. The Urgent Care offers rapid COVID-19 tests, with results in 15 minutes.
Events
Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Hospital Gala 2021
The Gala is one of the most beloved and anticipated events of the year. This year, the 15th Annual Lights of Life Gala, will be that again – the theme this year is “Gala Unmasked.”
The Silent Auction will be open for bidding through March 20.
It will be live on the GiveSmart Platform as in year’s past: https://galaunmasked.givesmart.com
All items will be displayed again at the Civic Center and available for viewing:
- Thursday, March 18 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Friday, March – 9 to 11 am
The Virtual Gala | Live Auction will take place on March 20, at 6 p.m.
There will be THREE avenues to view Gala Unmasked and the Live Auction Telethon:
- Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Facebook Page
- www.youtube.com/chadsmedia
- www.chadsmedia.com
If you wish to bid on a Live Auction Item, please call 903.243.9098. Volunteers will be operating the phone bank to take bids. (This will happen in real time.)
Coloring Contest/Naming Contest for Kindergarten through 5th Grades
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has a new family member … the Mako robotic surgical assistant. We invited all local students from Kindergarten through 5th grades to enter a coloring sheet and come up with a name for our new robot. Students worked with their teachers to enter their submissions, and now the top 5 finalists will be shared on Facebook, and we invite you, the community, to vote on the winning name. The winner will get to meet the robot, have a pizza party, and we will post their photo in the newspaper with the robot and our Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Chris Meltsakos, who will be using the robotic assistant to work on patients’ knees. We will share the link for voting very soon! Stay tuned!
COVID-19
Don’t Delay Care
We want to be perfectly clear – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances remains a safe place for all to receive quality care. Go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 if you are urgently ill. While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and preventing the spread of illness are not.
To learn more about COVID-19, go to ChristusTMF.org or www.cdc.gov.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties.
For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Save Dike From Solar Meeting Focuses On Concerns, Unification
More than 50 community members and media personnel turned out Saturday for a Save Dike From Solar meeting at Dike Community Center to express their concerns and focus on unification of like-minded community members opposed to the planned Hopkins Energy LLC project in the Dike area.
Community residents at the Saturday afternoon meeting expressed exasperation that more effort wasn’t made to notify Dike resident about the project before it and other solar projects were granted tax incentives from county, school and hospital taxing entities, upon which each project was contingent. The say the residents of the area that will be impacted, those on neighboring properties, should have been part of the decision process.
Save Dike From Solar organizers say they were told the information was published in the newspaper prior to it first being approved by school, county and hospital districts. Save Dike From Solar contends less than 40 of the 375-400 residents and property owners in Dike receive the newspaper, so that listing was not sufficient to properly notify the Dike community.
County officials have pointed out that Commissioners Court meetings are open to the public; agendas are posted on the county bulletin board and online for anyone who wishes to view them. School board agendas are also required to be posted for public viewing. Martin encouraged Dike residents to attend future school and county meetings to voice their opinions regarding the planned solar project during public forum.
Cynthia Martin, founder of Save Dike From Solar, and Michael Pickens, Martin’s son and the group spokesman, have attended more than one Commissioners Court meeting, along with a few other Dike residents, to express their displeasure about the planned Dike solar project.
Martin said “finding accurate information” about the planned project has been “incredibly difficult.” She has filed Freedom of Information requests with the county, and recently received a packet of documents over a few inches thick related to the project.
Pickens said the grassroots group has three primary goals: to point out the “reality of the project” and potential environmental destruction, in the hope of getting the project shut down, or at least getting local officials to rescind legal agreements granting tax incentives for the solar project, which has changed hands from German company Alpin Sun to ENGIE Solar N.A., LLC, a U.S. subsidiary of the French ENGIE company.
Dike residents Saturday protested the lack of local long-term jobs provided by the Dike project and other planned local solar projects. They pointed out the minimum job requirement was waived by local officials who have already granted tax incentives for Hopkins Energy LLC and at least three other projects. Saltillo ISD school district has also reportedly agreed to accept an application to be submitted to Texas Comptroller’s Office to determine if it meets state requirements allowing schools to grant the requested tax incentive.
Pickens contends that based on the information he’s received and researched the planned project isn’t for a solar farm but a solar industrial power complex.
The proposed Hopkins Energy LLC project was originally projected to encompass 2,962 acres in northeastern Hopkins County and be a 320 MW-AC solar electric generating facility, with 1,625,000 photovoltaic panels, and 140 central inverters. Of those, an estimated 1,184 acres is expected to be in Sulphur Springs ISD; that would include 128 MW-AC of capacity, 650,000 photovoltaic panels and 56 central inverters in SSISD. The rest would be located on land within Sulphur Bluff ISD.
Save Our Solar is concerned not only with noise during construction but from the solar facility once it is placed online. Pickens said when he asked he was told the noise generated from a solar facility will sound like a major highway going through Dike. That he anticipates would likely be louder than the farm to market and county road traffic Dike residents are used to.
A large section of post oak forest will need to cleared in order to install solar panels on leased acreage. Community members indicated they do not want the trees gone. That would disturb native wildlife which some residents have indicated they enjoy watching from their properties, and could lead to at least one environmental concern.
Michael Teague noted bald eagles have been known to rest in that area, and clear cutting the forest would disturb the habitat. He also asked if the area had been checked for Indian burial mounds.
Save Dike From Solar representatives and Dike residents also expressed concerns with solar panels being place in a flood zone. Cutting the trees down would likely further contribute to flooding issues in the area. They were told a complete environmental impact assessment of the impact the project could potentially have on wetlands and creeks was not required.
The group spokesman is worried about potential toxins, including cadmium, that could be contained in the panels which – if broken by a big hale storm, tornado or other storm debris – could seep into the ground.
They are concerned harmful chemical will be used to kill native grass under solar panels, which could also impact the environment.
Pickens said it’s his understanding the solar panels would be set in 3-5 feet of concrete, which he said goes against statements in the “original lease agreements” which indicated the company would not build on land with trees, creeks and in a flood area.
The project would likely require 17-foot tall fences, have security cameras and require additional roads through the properties.
Save Dike From Solar wants to know what provisions are in place not only to repair local roads when construction of the solar project is completed but to maintain county roads while heavy trucks use them to deliver materials to construct the solar facility.
Robert Joslin doesn’t cotton to the idea of solar panels and substations across the fence from his property.
The impact a solar farm will have on neighboring property values was another concern expressed at the meetings. Pickens cited a University of Texas study, which he said indicated property values around solar farms are projected to decrease by 20 percent.
One resident noted that area coal powered plants which generated power continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week were shut down for environmental concerns. Now, solar projects are planned. There’s no sunlight at night, so it’s his understanding the solar facility wouldn’t be able to generate power at night, nor any or at least limited power during cloudy and icy weather.
The idea that the power generated by the solar panels won’t directly benefit the local community, but be sent up the grid to other more metropolitan areas such as Dallas, was another point of contention voiced for Dike residents.
Save Dike from Solar invited representatives from Texas Conservation Alliance to the meeting. Two representatives attended, but emphasized they were just observing at this point as the matter has not been presented to TCA board. No representatives from local government nor ENGIE were observed in attendance.
Martin and Pickens reported an Austin attorney has been contacted to represent Save Dike From Solar’s interests. Donations were accepted in a gallon jar Saturday from any community members who wished to contribute toward legal costs.
A petition was passed around at the meeting for any Dike residents who wished to join Save Dike From Solar’s effort in protest of solar projects. Martin said the meeting was the first but does not plan for it to be the last for Save Dike From Solar.
A Facebook page was established for any who wish to join Save Dike From Solar to follow the group and keep up with activities.
Women’s History Month Observed Virtually with a ‘Women of Distinction’ Awards Ceremony
TAMU-Commerce Professor Lavelle Hendricks, Pastor of East Caney Missionary Baptist Church in Hopkins County, announces a virtual event honoring women to be held in Sulphur Springs, Texas on Sunday March 28, 2021 at 5:30pm. You are welcome to attend this free event at https://tamuc.zoom.us/j/93955723705, or get more information at [email protected].
The Inaugural Gyeula Watson ‘Women of Distinction and Honor’ Awards Ceremony will honor Demetra Robinson, Cleoria Bozeman, Ann Spivey, Lucy Phifer, Janie Taylor, Patricia Cooper, Hillary Young, Regina Gasaway, Raymona Hynson, Yuvonne Necy Thornton, Dorothy Jo Thomas, Pamela Clayton, Audine Turman, Yvonne Ford and Marcie Porter. Guest speaker will be Dr. Joyce Miller, Professor of Education at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Women;s History Month is celebrated locally for the significant contributions made by women in Business, Social, Industry, Church, Technology and Education fields of endeavor.
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking on following link: https://tamuc.zoom.us/j/93955723705
About Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic To Be Held Saturday In Sulphur Springs; Registration Required
This Saturday, March 20, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the state will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Sulphur Springs at the First United Methodist Church Gymnasium, Sulphur Springs Police Department Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Jason Ricketson announced Tuesday afternoon.
“At this time, we are still vaccinating under category 1B to include teachers and first responders. To register for the vaccine you can email [email protected] or call 903-440-5902. You will later be contacted by phone for your appointment time,” Ricketson said.
Eligible people in Category 1B are individuals age 65 and older and persons that our 16 and over with a health condition that increases risk of severe COVID‑19 illness.
“You must register to be vaccinated,” Ricketson emphasized.
AG’s Office Sues Griddy Energy, Negotiating Plan For Relief For Customers From High Storm-Related Energy Bills
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton released the following statement in response to the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Griddy Energy, LLC:
“My office sued Griddy Energy, under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, to hold them accountable for their escalation of last month’s winter storm disaster by debiting enormous amounts from customer accounts as Texans struggled to survive the storm,” said Attorney General Paxton. “I ensured that Griddy’s proposed bankruptcy plan takes an important step forward by offering releases to approximately 24,000 former customers who owe $29.1 million in unpaid electric bills. Griddy and my office are engaged in ongoing good faith negotiations to attempt to address additional relief for those Griddy customers who have already paid their storm-related energy bills.”
The following steps are being taken to ensure Texans are protected:
- Through the bankruptcy plan, Griddy will release all outstanding payment obligations for those Texas consumers who were unable to pay their energy bills due to the high prices charged during the storm.
- Texas will abate the state court lawsuit and Civil Investigative Demand and Griddy will work with it in good faith to resolve these matters.
- Texas and Griddy will work in good faith to address relief for Texans who have already paid.
Information about Griddy’s Chapter 11 case, including access to Court documents, is available here:
District Wildcats Baseball and Soccer and Lady Cats Softball and Soccer on Tuesday Game Day
The Wildcats Baseball Team is playing Mount Pleasant on the road in a district game on this busy Tuesday (March 16) game day. The schedule calls for the JV game at 4 p.m. with the Varsity game to follow at 7 p.m. The Wildcats got a district win at home over Longview one week ago and they are 1-0 in district play. They are 4-10 for the season.
The Lady Cats Softball Team will resume their always competitive rivalry with Mount Pleasant in a district game at Lady Cat Park Tuesday night. The JV game starts at 4:30 p.m. with the Varsity game at 6 p.m. The Lady Cats are 1-1 in district play after their 1-0 win over Longview Friday evening. The Lady Cats have a season record of 10-3. According to Max Preps, Mount Pleasant is 3-0 in district play and 12-4 for the season.
KSST’s sister station KRVA-FM, 107.1, will have the radio broadcast of the Lady Cats and Lady Tigers with Ross LaBenske doing the play by play.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats Soccer Team appears to be playing for their playoff lives in a district game on Senior Night against Hallsville at Gerald Prim Stadium. There will be a JV game at 5:30 p.m. with the Varsity game at 7:15 p.m. Seniors Chloe Jones and Janine Yamaguchi will be recognized between the two games. The Lady Cats are currently in fourth place in the district standings. They appear to need a win to secure a playoff spot. The Lady Cats are 6-5 in district play and they have 17 points. If they lose to the Lady Bobcats, Mount Pleasant could well move past them. An expected Lady Tigers’ win over winless in district Marshall would give Mount Pleasant 18 points. The Lady Cats, with a win and a Pine Tree loss to first place Longview, would move into third place in district. The Lady Cats are 11-9-4 for the season. Hallsville is second in district with 22 points. They are 7-3-1 in district play and 15-4-2 for the season. Hallsville won the first match between the two at home, 4-3 back on February 25. KSST will have the Lady Cats and Lady Bobcats broadcast from The Prim on Senior Night. The broadcast will feature streaming video and audio. The game will also be videotaped for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
The Wildcats Soccer Team also needs a win in a district game tonight in Hallsville to nail down the district’s #4 playoff spot. Win and they are in, lose and they are out. There will be a JV game at 5:30 p.m. The Varsity game will follow at 7:15 p.m.
The Wildcats are 5-6 in district play and 14-10-1 for the season. The Bobcats are 5-6 in district play and 8-16-1 for the season. When the two teams met at The Prim on February 25, the Wildcats won 5-0.
It’s a big night indeed for the Wildcats and Lady Cats.
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.
Genealogical Research Zoom Meeting to be Held March 18 with Researcher Bernard N. Meisner
Our Speaker: Bernard N. Meisner, is a genealogist and lecturer based in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. He began researching his family 30 years ago and enjoys sharing lessons learned from that experience, including his mistakes. Although he knew only one grandparent (his maternal grandfather) he has successfully identified all of his great-great grandparents, several triple- and quadruple-great grandparents, and his Meisner 8th great grandparents.
He is a past president and current social media chair of the Mid-Cities Genealogical Society, a co-leader of the Dallas Genealogical Society’s German SIG, and is a member of the Texas State Genealogical Society and the National Genealogical Society.
Bernard retired from the National Weather Service Southern Region Headquarters where he was the Chief of the Science & Training Branch. He is certified as a consulting meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society. He has taught at the Universities of Texas, Oklahoma and St. Thomas (Houston).
Bernard earned a B.S. in physics/German from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in meteorology from the University of Hawaii. He has completed coursework of the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, and has attended the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh each of the last five years, completing courses in Irish and German Research, Digital Research Skills, and Practical Genetic Genealogy.
Our Program: “Techniques and Strategies for More Effective Online Searching”.
As more genealogical material becomes available through the Internet it is essential to formulate efficient searches to find the relevant information about your ancestors. This presentation will cover how to determine what information is available, where it is located, and how to use search tools such as filters, wildcards, relationships, and complementary data sources to improve the likelihood of finding it. The hand-out for the program is attached to this email.
This will be a virtual presentation, hosted by the Texas State Genealogical Society and the Hopkins County Genealogical Society. We hope you will join us for this very informative program.
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Mar 18, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwucOitqz4sH9WxalmP2M7TlBKCtTQv2CY1
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Request To Rezone Property On Rockdale Road, SH 19 Headed To City Council For Consideration
The City of Sulphur Springs Planning and Zoning Commission Monday evening had two primary goals, elect officers and consider a request to rezone property on Rockdale Road and State Highway 19.
The P&Z Commission, in a meeting conducted via Zoom, elected Chuck Sickles to chair the group and Pat Chase to serve as as vice-chair.
The commission also discussed with Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski Donnie and Allen Wisenbaker’s request to rezone their property, located at northwest Rockdale Road and State Highway 19, from single family to heavy commercial. The property spans 11.74 acres, identified as three parcels, surveyed in two tracts to land.
“The applicant is proposing to rezone the property to heavy commercial to accommodate existing uses and future uses along the SH 19 corridor and consist of two tracts of land. The property is surrounded by a mix of zoning designations, from light commercial to the east and the south, single family to the west, and light industrial to the north. Given the context of the area, heavy commercial is an appropriate use. It also fits in with the land use plan of commercial along Highway 19,” Niewiadomski told the P&Z Commission.
Currently, the area already has one auto repair garage working on one tract of land. Changing the designation would conform with the intended use for property in that area. The two brothers, Niewiadomski reported, thought the property was industrial zoned when the city annexed that area and took in Wildcat Way.
While the Wisenbakers are not planning on building on the property at this time, if they decide in the future to sell the property, they could sell it would allow it to be developed commercially
City staff sent eight certified letters to surrounding property owners within 200 feet of the Wisenbaker property. They received only two replies back, both in favor of the requested zoning change, the community development director noted.
The P&Z Commission unanimously approved the request based on city officials’ recommendation, and are recommending to Sulphur Springs City Council. The item will likely appear on the April 2021 City Council agenda for first reading and consideration. It the council approves it, it would then be presented for a second and final reading at the City Council’s next regular meeting.
Sulphur Springs Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Sexual Assault
A 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was tried and sentenced to life in prison for the sexual assault of a teenager, according to court reports.
Based on a prior case of sexual assault, the law required Charles Edward Horne Jr. to be automatically sentenced to life in prison upon his conviction in the current case. There was no punishment range to be considered by the judge or the jury, prosecutors explained.
The 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was tried last week in the 8th Judicial District Court, with Assistant District Attorney Zach Blackmon as lead attorney on the case and First Assistant Matt Harris as second chair.
“This was not an easy case to try, but it involved a man that needed to be held responsible. Thanks to Mr. Blackmon’s willingness to try a difficult case, justice was achieved. Mr. Horne will have no further opportunities to commit his heinous acts,” 8th Judicial District Attorney District Attorney Will Ramsay said.
Horne was accused of the sexual assault of his adult stepdaughter. The allegations involved an extended period of “grooming” where he would have intimate discussions with his stepdaughter. Around the stepdaughter’s 18th birthday, he provided the teen with a large amount of alcohol while celebrating with family. Later, while she was intoxicated, he sexually assaulted her, prosecutors alleged.
A search of the defendant’s phone revealed an internet search history directly related to sexual escapades with stepdaughters, supporting the accusation, officials alleged.
Horne has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest Jan. 14, 2020, on a warrant for an aggravated sexual assault charge. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was contacted Jan. 13, 2020 regarding an outcry made by the victim. She spoke with sheriff’s investigators. The investigation team determined the elements of an aggravated sexual assault were present, officials reported following Horne’s arrest on Jan. 14.
Sheriff’s officers sought a warrant for Horne’s arrest. A warrant was obtained around midnight. Deputies served Horne with the warrant and took him into custody at 12:23 a.m. Jan. 14 at his rural Sulphur Springs address, according to arrest reports.
During that investigation, investigators allegedly learned Horne had directed a child younger than age 14 to use his cell phone to record herself naked. A warrant was sought and obtained based on evidence presented, HCSO Investigator Michael Russell alleged in arrest reports.
A sexual performance by a child warrant was added March 25 to the charges Horne was jailed on. The charge stemmed from information gleaned during a previous investigation of Horne, according to arrest reports.
According to court and law enforcement reports, Horne was accused in May of 2019 of the sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman. He had been convicted of the offense and in 2020 was placed probation and required to register annually for life as a sex offender.
