Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs News
On the first day back from the Christmas and New Years holidays, PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Assistant Director and Student Advisor Iris Gutierrez, right, helps returning student Andre Evans of Sulphur Springs as he registers for the 2021 Spring Semester. For information about applying for admission or scholarships to PJC, call 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Paris Junior College Scholarships Available for Spring Semester Classes Begin January 11
Paris Junior College has scholarships available for students to use in the Spring Semester, but applicants should take action now to gain funding for classes that begin Monday, Jan. 11. PJC is offering face-to-face, interactive video, hybrid, and online classes so students may best meet their educational needs.
New students need to apply for admission to PJC, either by contacting [email protected] or filling out the online form at www.parisjc.edu/apply. Returning students may contact their Student Success Coach to sign up for classes, or they may email [email protected]. Learn more about and apply for PJC scholarships at www.parisjc.edu/scholarships.
PJC will also be holding One and Done Registration Days at all locations:
• Tuesday, Jan. 5 at the PJC-Greenville Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (6500 Monty Stratton Parkway, Greenville)
• Wednesday, Jan. 6 at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (1137 Loop 301 East, Sulphur Springs)
• Thursday, Jan. 7 at the Paris campus, Rheudasil Learning Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (2400 Clarksville Street, Paris)
• Saturday, Jan. 9, all locations, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Or, come to the location nearest you at any time to register. For questions, please call 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Duvall, Gonzales Sentenced On One Felony Charge Each
Two men were sentenced on one felony charge each Jan. 4 in district court, according to court reports.
Rowdy Dee Duvall was scheduled to appear in the 8th Judicial District Court at 10 a.m. Jan. 4 for a sentence on an unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge. The offense was alleged to have occurred on March 2, 2019.
The third-degree felony charge stems from a traffic stop on Jefferson Street around 2:45 a.m. March 2, 2019. Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Chris Rosamond reportedly stopped Duvall for failure to signal a turn. A probable cause search of the Lincoln Continental yielded a handgun within reach of both Duvall and a Andrea Nicole White of Winnsboro, whose criminal histories included a felony conviction, resulting in both being charged with possession a firearm by a felon, Rosamond alleged in 2019 arrest reports.
The 41-year-old Winnsboro man’s jail records show he was in jail in Hopkins County from June 1-Nov. 9, 2017 and from March 3-29, 2018, on violation on violation of parole charges.
Duvall was also alleged to have 1.7 grams of a substance believed to be methamphetamine in his possession, resulting in the 41-year-old Winnsboro man also being charged on March 2, 2019, with possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance. March 2, 2019 was the second time he was arrested Duvall was arrested in Hopkins County on a controlled substance charge; he was also jailed June 1-Nov. 9, 2017, for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1, according to jail reports.
He was indicted in April 2019 on the firearm charge. Duvall has been in Hopkins County jail since he turned himself in at the sheriff’s office on Jan. 3, 2021, on a warrant for violating probation on the unlawful possession of a firearm charge, according to jail reports.
Duvall has been sentenced to 25 years in jail on the firearm charge, according to the prosecutors.
Rudolpho Gonzales was also scheduled to appear before 8th Judicial District Judge Robert Newsom during the 10 a.m. court session on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, to receive the judge’s ruling on sentencing for an evading arrest or detention with a vehicle or watercraft charge.
The 47-year-old was arrested Sept. 24, 2019, on the evading arrest charge as well as a reckless driving charge. He also had a warrant out of Dallas for insufficient bond on a criminal trespass charge, according to jail reports. Gonzales remained in Hopkins County jail until June 16, 2020 on the charges.
Gonzales, who is also known by Rudy Gonzales, Rudolfo Gonzales, Rudolfo Sergio Gonzalez, Rudopho Sergio Gonzales, Rudy Sergio Gonzales, Rud and Rudolpho Sergio Gonzales, returned to Hopkins County jail on Nov. 12, 2020 for bond forfeiture on the evading arrest charge, and has remained in custody ever since. His bond was originally set at $10,000 in 2019 and his new bond was set at $20,000 on the evading arrest charge in 2020.
According to jail reports, Gonzales had a prior felony conviction at the time of his arrest in 2019. He was jailed June 14, 2018 on a burglary of a building warrant and an unauthorized use of a vehicle warrant. He was was indicted July 19, 2018 on both charge, then, pled guilty and was sentenced on Oct. 9, 2018, to one year of state jail time on the burglary of a building charge, according to court records.
Gonzales also was sentenced Jan. 4, 2021, by the judge to 35 years on the Sept. 24, 2019 evading arrest or detention with a vehicle or watercraft charge, according to prosecutors.
Woman Jailed On Child Endangerment-Criminal Neglect Warrant
A 26-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was jailed Monday on a child abandonment or child endangerment-criminal neglect warrant, marking the second time she’s been accused of the charge in Hopkins County and the third time in less than a year she’s been booked into Hopkins County jail on a felony charge,, according to arrest and jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Officers located Mary Elizabeth Walker at her residence Monday afternoon,. Jan. 4. She reportedly gave officers permission to search her residence. Drug paraphernalia was located and destroyed, Sgt. Todd Evans and Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford alleged in arrest reports.
Walker was taken into custody at 4:30 p.m. on a warrant for an abandoning or endangering of a child-criminal negligence charge; the offense is alleged in arrest reports to have occurred on Nov. 28, 2020. She also is reported to be on parole, Evans and Weatherford alleged in arrest reports. She remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Jan. 5, 2021 on a $1,500 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County jail records also show Walker was previously jailed in Hopkins County April 8 to April 10, 2013, on an abandoning or endangering of a child-criminal negligence charge. Another arrest for Walker on a charge involving a child was for driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 years of age in the vehicle on April 7, 2017, according to jail reports.
She also was arrested twice in 2020: on May 7 for possession on less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and on Dec. 2 on a warrant for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Jail records show she was jailed April 11-June 12, 2017, in Hopkins County and sentenced to 5 years in prison for violation of probation on a burglary of a habitation charge.
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.
Sulphur Springs City Council To Consider Requests For Infill Housing Program, Final Plat For Duplex Complex At Jan. 5 Meeting
The Jan. 5 Sulphur Springs City Council agenda contains five action items pertaining to potential housing construction projects. If all five are approved the city could see as many as 81 new housing units constructed in the near future.
Three people have requested 380 agreements for infill housing incentives to construct single family dwellings within the next 3 years on identified lots within the city.
In August 2020, City Council amended the city’s 380 policy, adding economic incentives for specific housing infill development. Essentially, builders would utilize existing infrastructure to provide affordable housing using existing infrastructure, and would be eligible for a refund of some fees such as permitting fees, water and sewer tap fees, delinquent taxes owed to the city and liens on the property. The city also under the amended 380 terms could participate in demolition costs associated with clearing a lot to redevelop a single family house on it, or other incentives deemed necessary to carry out the intent of the program.
Those granted the agreements pay the fees up front, and upon completion of the single family home, the city would reimburse them. That could be as much as $3,000 to $5,000 in reimbursed construction fees per project, according to Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
The program was created to extend the tax base utilizing the existing infrastructure for new construction. The program is only for buildings constructed on lots located on city-maintained streets. Existing lots on streets that are not developed or city-maintained would not be eligible.
“Program incentives are pretty straight forward and can be found on the city website on the Community Development page in the tab set aside for infill housing policy. It spells out the expectations of application,” Niewiadomski said.
The program benefits the community in that it provides additional single family housing, which local realtors have indicated to city officials have indicated are in short supply, and puts the property back on the tax roll. The city would recuperate the fees in taxes in 2-3 years, according to Niewiadomski.
After approving the program in August, the City Council then approved properties on Putman and Beckam Streets right after adopting the program. approved two resolutions authorizing eligible 380 agreements for property located at 943 Putman St. and 206 West Beckham St.
“Since the program has been adopted. we’ve had a lot of inquiries. I think we are finally starting to see some of it come to fruition,” Niewiadomski said.
On Tuesday night, Jan. 5, Sulphur Springs City Council will be asked to consider three resolutions approving 380 agreements to construct homes at 306 South Moore Street, 222 Craig Street and 832 Alabama Street.
Sulphur Springs City Council will also be asked during the Jan. 5, meeting to consider a community facilities contract with Joe Ardis for property located at the corner of College and Lundy, just across from the old Houston School property, which could begin the process to allow for construction of some housing units on the property.
The final action item on the Jan. 5 City Council agenda asks the city officials to consider approving a final plat request. The Planning and Zoning Commission last month. reviewed the request and is recommending approval of the final plat for Dority Addition, which would allow 10.84 acres at the corner of Fisher and Spence Street to be divided into 35 lots on which residential duplexes would be located.
The project in October was rezoned from heavy commercial to single family attached zoning, on which duplexes can be placed. The engineered plans have been reviewed by the city engineer and are substantially acceptable provided they include: drainage easements for lots 12-25 and 27-35 (along Twin Oaks Street, a new street to run the length of the complex); requires maintenance responsibility for a detention pond area to Lot 35; increases the front building setback line from 25 feet to 36 feet for lots 12-35 for the off-street parking; and on-street parking is prohibited on Twin Oaks Street.
The agenda also includes a School Choice Week proclamation, the consent agenda and a manager’s report which includes updates on capital improvement projects, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the last month. The Finance Director also typically presents a financial update as well.
The Sulphur Springs City Council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 5. Council members will attend via Zoom video conferencing due to COVID-19. The meeting will be livestreamed on the City of Sulphur Springs Meetings YouTube channel, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Time will be designated during the streamed meeting for community members to call in via a phone number provided before each item is voted on during the meeting if community members wish to speak on any of the agenda items. They also may call in to speak during the visitors and public forum listed at the end of the meeting.
Four Second Half Goals By Kilgore Prove To Be Too Much For Lady Cats In Season Opener
Things looked pretty good for the Lady Cats Soccer Team after they got a goal on a penalty kick to go up 3-1 against Kilgore in the second half of the season opener Monday night, January 4, at Gerald Prim Stadium. But the Lady Dogs then caught fire and scored four straight goals to get a 5-3 win.
After Kilgore scored first in the first half at 21:53, the Lady Cats then scored the next three goals. Sophomore Rebekah Stanley tied the game with a goal at 13:31. Freshman Kylie Clarke then scored at 7:50 and the Lady Cats went into halftime up 2-1.
In the second half, Stanley was fouled in the box and scored on the resulting penalty kick at 29:56 to give the Lady Cats the 3-1 lead. Kilgore then seemed to move into another gear scoring four straight goals to get the win.
The Lady Cats JV also lost a close one losing by a 2-1 score after leading 1-0 at the half.
The Lady Cats Varsity is 0-1 for the season. They will play next in a Kilgore tournament Thursday through Friday.
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 Soccer Team Starts the Regular Season With Disappointing 3-2 Loss At Terrell Monday Night
The Wildcats Soccer Team opened the regular season with a narrow 3-2 loss against Terrell on the road Monday night, January 4.
Alejandro Diosdado got the Wildcats’ first goal and it was assisted by Edgar Salazar. Omar Hernandez scored the Wildcats second goal of the night on a penalty kick. The Wildcats are now 0-1 for the season.
All in all it was a lost night for the Wildcats as their JV 1 Team lost 2-1 and their JV 2 Team was outscored by Terrell, 4-2.
Next for the Wildcats is the Forney Kickoff Tournament running Thursday through Saturday. The Wildcats open against pool opponent Ennis at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at City Bank Stadium in Forney.
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.
Jan. 4 COVID-19 Update: 10 New Cases, 161 Active Cases, 29 In CMFH-SS COVID Unit
State and local COVID-19 reports on Jan. 4 COVID-19 showed more than twice as many new Hopkins County cases as recoveries over the last four days, and not only an increase in cases at Sulphur Springs nursing homes but also one additional resident fatality during the most recent reporting period. Continued high hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in Trauma Service Area F for the ninth consecutive day also ensure at least another week of reduced capacity at area businesses and restaurants.
Jan. 4 COVID-19 Case Counts
While Texas Department of State Health Services’ Jan. 4 COVID-19 Texas Case Counts dashboard showed only 10 new COVID-19 cases on Monday for Hopkins County, there were 77 new cases over the holiday weekend but only 42 patient recoveries.
A total of 45 new confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported so far this month: one each on Jan. 1 and Jan. 4, eight on Jan. 2 and 35 on Jan. 3. That’s more new cases confirmed by molecular testing during the first four days of January than during any other month of the pandemic except December. Sixty-one Hopkins County residents had received positive molecular COVID-19 results during the first four days of December: one of Dec. 1, 11 on Dec. 2, 44 on Dec. 3 and five on Dec. 4. Since March, 1,167 Hopkins County residents have received lab-confirmed COVID-19 results.
| Hopkins County COVID-19 Counts | 12/28 | 12/29 | 12/30 | 12/31 | 1/1 | 1/2 | 1/3 | 1/4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Confirmed (Molecular) Cases | 0 | 47 | 3 | -4 | 1 | 8 | 35 | 1 |
| Cumulative Confirmed Case Total | 1,076 | 1,123 | 1,126 | 1,122 | 1,123 | 1131 | 1,166 | 1,167 |
| New probable Cases | 0 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 21 | 10 | 2 | 9 |
| Cumulative Probable Case Total | 1,103 | 1,111 | 1,116 | 1,117 | 1,138 | 1148 | 1,150 | 1,159 |
| Active Cases | 111 | 129 | 125 | 115 | 138 | 113 | 150 | 161 |
| Total Recoveries | 1,999 | 2,036 | 2047 | 2,053 | 2,053 | 2,053 | 2,095 | 2,095 |
| Total Fatalities | 69 | 69 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| CMFH COVID Unit Patient Count | 23 | 24 | 30 | 26 | – | – | – | 29 |
There also have been 42 new probable cases reported for Hopkins County so far in 2021: 21 on Jan. 1, 10 Jan. 2, two on Jan. 3 and nine on Jan. 4. Overall, that’s 87 new COVID-19 cases reported so far this month for Hopkins County. Since the state began tracking probable cases, Hopkins County has had 1,159 probable cases. DSHS and the CDC define a probable case as one in which a person has either tested positive through an antigen test or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis.
While there were no new recoveries reported on either Friday or Monday, 42 Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19, either from a confirmed or probable case. Since March, 2,095 of the 2,326 cumulative COVID-19 cases (confirmed and probable combined) have recovered, according to the DSHS Jan. 4 COVID-19 Texas Case Counts dashboard. That’s 6.27 percent of Hopkins County population who have had COVID-19 as of Jan. 4.
No additional COVID-19 fatalities have been assigned to Hopkins County by DSHS in the overall Case Counts dashboard, so the total number of residents DSHS reports have been confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19 remains 70. That’s a death rate of 3.01 percent among Hopkins County residents who have had COVID-19.
COVID-19 Testing
Another 229 people were tested at the free testing site in Sulphur Springs during the Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 testing hours. That’s 7,197 tests performed since Sept. 25 through Jan. 2 at 128-A Jefferson Street. Testing will continue to be offered free 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.
Cumulatively, since the pandemic began in March in Hopkins County, 11,924 viral or molecular tests have been conducted, including 386 conducted so far this month. This number includes all molecular testing conducted for Hopkins County that had been reported to DSHS Monday afternoon, Jan. 4, 2021. A total of 1,163 antigen tests and 1,588 antibody tests have also been recorded for Hopkins County, including 44 antigen and six antibody tests performed since Dec. 31, according to the DSHS Jan. 4 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard.
Hospital Reports
Monday, Jan. 4, was the ninth consecutive day of “high hospitalizations” in Trauma Service Area F. On Jan. 2, the seventh consecutive day in which COVID-19 hospitalizations accounted for 15 percent or more of the total capacity of all hospitals in TSA F, businesses and restaurants in Hopkins and four other counties in Northeast Texas that had been open at 75 percent capacity since at least October were required to scale back to 50 percent capacity, according to GA-32. Trauma Service Area F has to remain under that 15 percent threshold for seven consecutive days before businesses can resume operating at 75 percent.
TSA F set a new record for highest percentage of COVID-19 patients on Jan. 4, increasing from 19.48 percent on Jan. 3, according to the DSHS Jan. 4 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard. That doesn’t mean that’s the most COVID-19 patients reported in a single day in TSA-F. Just that the percent of COVID-19 patients accounts for the highest percent of the total hospital capacity, which is simply the total number of staffed available and occupied beds in the TSA. Total capacity includes pediatric and adult, general and ICU beds, inpatient and outpatient beds, emergency department beds, and telemetry and psychiatric beds.
On Monday, there were 207 COVID-19 hospital patients, one less than on Sunday and nine less than on Friday, but three more than on Sunday, 16 more than on Thursday, Dec. 31 and 29 more than just one week ago on Dec. 28 in TSA F. Twenty-nine of the COVID patients in Trauma Service Area F were reported to be in the COVID unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Jan. 4, which is three more than on Dec. 31 but one less than on Dec. 30; CMFH-SS is equipped to have up to 35 COVID-19 patients at a time.
On Jan. 4 there were 1,056 total staffed hospital beds in TSA F, 12 less than on Jan. 3 and 39 less than on Jan. 2, but 21 more than on Jan. 1 and 36 more than on Dec. 31. There were 964 total staffed inpatient beds on Jan. 4, 12 less than on Jan. 3, 27 less than on Jan. 2, 79 less than on Jan. 1 and 64 less than on Dec. 31.
Jan. 4 was also the second consecutive day that only 1 ICU bed was available in Trauma Service Area F, that’s three less than on Jan. 2 and Dec. 31 and four less than on Jan. 1, but 25 less than on Dec. 27.
Across the area, 351 hospital beds were available on Monday, 15 more than on Sunday, and 25 more than on Jan. 1. Sixty-four ventilators were available on Jan. 4, one more than on Sunday, but two less than on Jan. 1, eight less than on Dec. 31 and 15 less than on Dec. 29.
| Trauma Service Area F | 12/31/20 | 1/1/21 | 1/2/21 | 1/3/21 | 1/4/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1120 | 1,135 | 1095 | 1,068 | 1,056 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 332 | 326 | 343 | 336 | 351 |
| Available ICU Beds | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Available Ventilators | 72 | 66 | – | 63 | 64 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 191 | 216 | 204 | 208 | 207 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 696 | 717 | 660 | 640 | 613 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 1028 | 1,043 | 1003 | 976 | 964 |
| Percent Capacity | 17.05 | 19.03 | 18.63 | 19.48 | 19.6 |
Nursing Home Reports
The number of COVID-19 cases at local nursing homes has continued to rise. Two new employee and five new resident cases were reported from Dec. 17 to Dec. 21, according to the latest Health and Human Services nursing facility reports. One additional resident fatality was also reported Dec. 21, according to the Jan. 4 report.
On Dec. 18, one additional employee at Rock Creek Health and Rehab and three residents of Carriage House Manor had tested positive for COVID-19, and two Carriage House Manor residents recovered from the virus.
On Dec. 21, one employee had recovered, another employee tested positive and one resident of Carriage House had died from the virus, giving the facility a total of five active employee cases and 11 active resident cases, according to the HHS Jan. 4 COVID-19 nursing facility report. Three additional residents of Rock Creek had tested positive for the virus on Dec. 21, giving the facility a total of 19 active employee and 40 active resident cases. Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab reported three employees still had COVID-19 on Dec. 21.
Diabetes Education Class To Be Held Virtually In February
Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s next diabetes education program will be held virtually on Wednesday in February.
“Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” is a program is designed to help people with Type 2 diabetes learn how to manage their blood glucose through basic nutrition and self-care management.
The class was originally scheduled to be start Wednesday, Jan. 4. However, the class has been moved to Wednesdays in February.
The diabetes education program is offered free from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24 over Zoom, thanks to grant funding.
To register, contact Texas AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent Agent for Hopkins County Johanna Hicks at [email protected] or 903-885-3443 by Jan. 30. They will then receive registration forms, materials and a participation link to log into the Zoom sessions facilitated by medical experts and professional educators.
Hicks has collaborated with colleagues in Fannin, Titus, and Rockwall Counties to offer the course.
“If individuals are not comfortable with Zoom, or if they don’t have reliable internet, they are welcome to view the sessions at my office,” Hicks said.
San Antonio Man Leads Cumby Police On A Vehicle Pursuit
A San Antonio man lead a Cumby policeman on a vehicle pursuit on Interstate 30, after failing to fully pay the wrecker service that pulled his vehicle out of the mud, according to arrest reports.
Cumby Police Officer Nicholas Geer responded at 11:59 p.m. Jan. 3 on the south Interstate 30 service road near mile marker 112, where a motorist reported his vehicle was grazed and run off the road by another vehicle. When contacted, however, the driver reportedly admitted to being pushed off the road but not struck by another vehicle and asked for a wrecker to respond.
When asked for a driver’s license the 33-year-old San Antonio man reportedly gave a number that came back to an ID card issued to Gilbert Collier. He was issued a citation for not having a driver’s license. The wrecker pulled Collier’s Hyundai sedan out of the mud and they began working out payment for the $150 wrecker fee. He paid $74 and went back to his vehicle, Geer reported.
Worried Collier would leave without paying the remaining balance, Geer said he asked the San Antonio man to step out of the car. Instead, Geer reported that Collier refused, so he reached for the key to shut off the ignition. Collier then allegedly grabbed Geer’s hand and put the car in drive and sped off while holding the officer’s arm. Geer reportedly received only a minor scratch on his hand.
Geer initiated a vehicle pursuit of Collier’s car using his patrol vehicle along the south service road. He continued east to the I-30 entrance ramp. The vehicle’s tires were spiked by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Aaron Chaney around the 120 mile marker. Collier continued east on I-30 for about a mile before stopping.
Geer and HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis and Deputy Bobby Osornio approached the car. When Collier refused officers’ orders to get out, they removed him from the car and put him face down on the ground in hand restraints, the Cumby officer alleged in arrest reports. Collier was put in a patrol vehicle while officers inventoried the vehicle, finding a black bag with a lighter, pipe and liquid substance, which were seized, prior to the car being impounded by the wrecker service.
Gilbert Ray Collier was booked into Hopkins County jail at 2:49 a.m. Jan. 4 on a felony evading arrest in a vehicle charge and theft of service for the portion of the wrecker fee left unpaid when he left, according to arrest reports. Gilbert remained in Hopkins County jail Monday evening. Bond was set at $10,000 on the evading arrest charge and $5,000 on the theft of service 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.
