Louisiana Man Caught Driving A Stolen Car
A Cumby Police officer arrested a 41-year-old Gonzales, Louisiana man caught driving stolen car on Interstate 30 in Cumby on Halloween.
Officer Armondo Gonzalez reported stopping a black Chrysler 300 at 3:27 p.m. Oct. 31 for speeding. The car was traveling 97 miles per hour in a 75 mph speed zone as it approached exit 110.
Records checks showed the driver, identified as Jason Franice Dumas of Louisiana, to be wanted in Dallas on a possession of a controlled substance charge and the car to have been reported to Houston authorities as stolen. Consequently, Dumas was arrested at 4 p.m. Oct. 31 for unauthorized use of a vehicle and the Dallas County warrant.
Dumas was released from custody on Sunday, Nov. 1, on a $5,000 bond on the stolen car charge and a $5,000 bond on the controlled substance 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.
11-Mile Vehicle Pursuit Ends With DWI, Evading Arrest
3 Others Arrested Over Weekend On Misdemeanor DWI Charges
An 11-mile vehicle pursuit along Interstate 30 ended with driving while intoxicated and evading arrest charges filed against the driver early Sunday morning. Three others were also arrested over the weekend on DWI charges.
I-30 Vehicle Pursuit
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office communications operators dispatched deputies at 2:38 a.m. Nov. 1 to Interstate 30, where a vehicle was reported to be traveling east in the westbound lanes of I-30. Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Drew Fisher and Sgt. Tanner Steward responded.
Wilkerson alleged the deputies spotted a gray Chevrolet Suburban traveling east on I-30 west near mile marker 139. They initiated the emergency lights and sirens on their patrol vehicles in an attempt to stop the driver near mile marker 142. The vehicle reportedly continued east in westbound I-30 into Franklin County, with Hopkins County deputies continuing to pursue it. Franklin County deputies were alerted and put down spikes near mile marker 147 west; the Suburban hit the spikes but continued east in the westbound lane for about 3 miles before stopping due to the tire deflation.
Hopkins and Franklin County deputies apprehended the driver. They noticed an open alcoholic beverage container in the vehicle. Wilkerson transported the driver, identified in arrest reports as 21-year-old Tyler McMillan of Winnsboro, to Hopkins County jail at 3 a.m. for further investigation. The SUV was impounded.
Upon arrival at Hopkins County jail, deputies reported smelling an alcohol odor on McMillan, who allegedly admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages. McMillan displayed 6 of 6 possible clues of intoxication on horizontal gaze nystagmus tests and showed clues of intoxication during standard field sobriety tests. McMillan reportedly agreed to a blood draw. Two samples were taken at the hospital, then he was jailed around 5:30 a.m. Nov. 1 not only for DWI but also on a felony evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge, according to arrest reports.
The Winnsboro man was released from Hopkins County jail later Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, on a $5,000 bond on the evading arrest charge and a $1,000 bond on the driving while intoxicated with an open container charge.
Gilmer Street Crash
An Emory man, 33, was arrested by police at 4:44 p.m. Oct. 31 by Sulphur Springs Police on Gilmer at Hinnant Street for driving while intoxicated.
Officers responded to a crash involving a possibly intoxicated driver. Upon contact with the Emory man, he was observed to have heavy slurred speech, redness around his eyes and was unsteady on his feet. The man allegedly admitted to drinking one beer, and to taking Benadryl and lorazepam. After failing field sobriety tests, the Emory man was arrested for DWI. He agreed to blood draw, which was taken at the hospital, then was booked into jail.
He was released from Hopkins County jail on Sunday, Nov. 1 on a $1,000 bond on the DWI charge, according to arrest reports.
I-30 Traffic Stop
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper stopped a 45-year-old Marietta man at 6:40 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, for failing to driving a white Chevrolet Equinox in a single lane on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 114.
A records check using the man’s driver’s license showed an active warrant for driving while intoxicated and is license to be suspended. Two small, open containers of vodka were reportedly found in his pocket. He showed no signs of intoxication at that time and was charged only on the DWI warrant and a driving while license invalid charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
The Marietta, TX man remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Oct. 2.
State Highway 11 Crash
A 20-year-old Como man was arrested at 12:55 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, on State Highway 11 by deputies for minor driving while intoxicated.
Deputies responded to a rollover crash on SH 11 east. They found the man sitting in the driver’s seat of the silver Chrysler 200 at the location. A strong alcohol odor was allegedly smelled inside the vehicle. The man appeared to the officers to be disoriented and not wearing any pants, according to arrest reports. He claimed he was leaving his Como residence to get food in Sulphur Springs and admitted to consuming more than one shot of an alcoholic beverage.
He was taken into custody after refusing to perform either standard field sobriety or blood testing, deputies alleged in arrest reports. A blood search warrant was obtained; a blood sample was taken at the hospital, then the man was returned to jail for minor DWI, according to arrest reports. He remained in the county jail later Monday morning, Nov. 2, according to arrest reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Paris Teen Jailed On Tampering With Evidence Charge
A Paris teen was jailed on a tampering with evidence charge Saturday night, according to arrest reports.
While stopping a black Audi SUV at 9:19 p.m. October 31st, 2020 on South Broadway Street, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dustin Fisher reported seeing an object go out the passenger’s side window of the SUV as it was pulled into a parking lot. The deputy approached the SUV after it stopped in a parking space and detained both occupants for further investigation, according to arrest reports.
When another officer arrived to assist, Fisher checked the area where the item had fallen. Fisher reported finding a pistol lying in the grass.
The 18-year-old Paris, TX resident, identified in arrest reports as Jaylyn Lance Williams, was arrested at 10:35 p.m. on Halloween for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Officials Monday indicated it was still unclear why the gun was tossed.
Williams was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, Nov. 1, on a $5,000 bond on the third-degree felony charge.
HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward was credited in arrest reports as assisting with the arrest.
GSC Enterprises, Inc., Acquires Select Assets Of Long Wholesale, Inc.
Mickey McKenzie, Chairman of the Board of GSC Enterprises, Inc., is pleased to announce the acquisition of selected assets of Long Wholesale, Inc. in Meridian, Mississippi. “The Long family has been in the grocery business for almost a century, and we are excited to carry the torch forward from their Meridian, Mississippi location,” McKenzie stated.
Ryan McKenzie, Chief Operating Officer of GSC, stated, “With over 144,000 square feet of space, this will serve as a strategic distribution point in the Southeast for our business. We are fortunate to have existing customers that are expanding in the Southeast market, and we look forward to growing with them, the Long customer base, and many other retailers. Our extensive list of programs and offerings, along with our desire to provide exceptional service, will certainly benefit many convenience stores in this market. We would also like to give a special thanks to Bulkley Capital for their assistance with this transaction.”
Record Early Voting Numbers Set In Hopkins County
More than half the registered voters in Hopkins County took advantage of the extended early voting period to cast ballots either in person or by mail in the November 3rd, 2020 elections.
The first 4 days of early voting were the heaviest with a total 4,208 residents voting at the early voting center and 677 mail ballots. Another 75 mail ballots were recorded Saturday, Oct. 17, increasing the cumulative total from 20.39 to 20.72 percent for the first week of early voting. The most votes cast during a single day was 1,134 in person votes on Friday, Oct. 16.
While more than 1,000 Hopkins County residents cast ballots daily during the first week of early voting, the pace slowed the second week. In fact, the fewest number of personal appearance votes cast in a day was 238 on Oct. 25, which is still a good turnout for a Sunday. Another 262 mail ballots were counted as well, according to the information submitted by election officials to the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.
The weekend totals and mail ballots combined with the in-person totals for Oct. 19-25 generated another 4,594 votes by Hopkins County residents and increased the overall total 8,543 in-person votes (35.66 percent) and a cumulative total of 9,558 votes which amounts to 39.9 percent of overall registered voters casting ballots during the first two weeks of early voting.
That’s the most early ballots cast in at least 32 years, according to the county voter registration figures on the Secretary of State’s website dating back until 1988. The previous record for number of voters was 8,696, which represented 38.66 percent of the 22,495 registered voters in Hopkins Hopkins County in 2016. That, however, was not the largest early voting percentage in previous years. That was set at 42.07 percent or 5,074 of the 20,024 registered voters casting early ballots in the 2004 General Election.
Voting was slowest during the extra week of early voting this year, Oct. 26-30, when another 3,212 residents voted, including 126 mail votes. That’s 12,770 early ballots cast overall for the 3-week early voting period, which accounts for 53.31 percent of the 23,954 registered voters in Hopkins County: 48.55 percent in-person and 4.76 percent (1,141) by mail. That’s just under the state totals of 57.32 percent (9,719,100) of the 16,955,519 registered voters in Texas casting ballots, with 51.58 percent in-person voting and the remaining 5.74 percent by mail, from October 13 – October 30 in the November 3rd General Election.
More early votes were cast from Oct. 13-30 than during the early voting and Election Day voting in 2012, when 12,749 or 60.04 percent of overall voters cast ballots. Traditionally, voter turn out is higher in years in which presidential elections are held.
The Hopkins County voting record since 1988, counting Election Day and early voting, for number of voters casting ballots was 13,533 of the 22,495 registered voters (60.16 percent) set in 2016. To exceed that this year, another 764 voters will need to cast ballots tomorrow on Election Day.
While 2016 had the most voters at the polls, the record for highest percent of registered voters casting ballots was set at 77.37 percent or 10,649 of the 13,763 registered voters casting ballots on Election Day and during early voting in 1992, and before that was 72.72 percent (10,142) of the 13,947 registered voters cast ballots in 1988. Another 5,763 voters would have to cast ballots on Nov. 3 to match the 1988 voting percentage.
Election Day voting in the Nov. 3 General Election will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the 12 county voting locations:
- Precinct 1 — Front foyer of Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1000 Texas St, Sulphur Springs
- Precinct 2A — Fellowship hall of Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist church, 208 Fuller Street, Sulphur Springs
- Precinct 3 — First floor courtroom, Hopkins County Courthouse, 118 Church St., Sulphur Springs
- Precinct 3A — Fellowship hall of Grace Family Church, 1901 Loop 301 East, Sulphur Springs
- Precinct 4 — West Hall at Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston St., Sulphur Springs
- Precinct 4A — Front foyer at League Street Church of Christ, 1100 South League St., Sulphur Springs
- Precinct 5 — Ag lab at Saltillo ISD, 150 County Road 3534, Saltillo
- Precinct 11 — city meeting room at Cumby Municipal Building, 100 East Main St., Cumby
- Precinct 12 — Foyer outside the gym at Sulphur Bluff ISD, 1027 County Road 3550, Sulphur Bluff
- Precinct 13 — Art room at Como-Pickton CISD, 13017 Texas Highway 11 East, Como
- Precinct 16 — Foyer outside the gym at Miller Grove ISD, 7819 FM 275 south, Cumby
- Precinct 17 — Administrative building at North Hopkins ISD, 1994 FM 71 West, Sulphur Springs
Nov. 2-6 Meal A Day Menu
Although the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center remains closed due to COVID-19, volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The Nov. 2-6 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday — Chicken Pot Pie, Pickled Beets and Winter Blend Vegetables
Tuesday — Vegetable Beef Stew, Crackers and Cheese
Wednesday — Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll
Thursday — Sliced Ham, Baked Sweet Potatoes and Normandy Vegetables
Friday — Cheese Burgers, Lettuce, Tomato and Onion, Pork and Beans, and Potato Chips
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
SSISD To Offer Free School Meals For All Students, Children Rest Of Year
Sulphur Springs ISD will offer free school meals to all students ages 18 or younger. The meals are available regardless of eligibility through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service nationwide waivers. The service started Monday, November 2, 2020, according to an October 30 release from SSISD Director of Child Nutrition Veronica Arnold.
Grab and Go curbside meals will continue to be offered at Barbara Bush Primary for SSISD virtual students. Meals will also be offered for children who are not in school, however, the child’s parent or guardian will need to provide birth certificates. These meals offered at Bush Primary may be picked up between 12:45 and 1:15 p.m. weekdays. Those planning to pick up meals for students and children are asked to contact the SSISD Child Nutrition Department so SSISD staff can be prepared.
Any money currently left in student accounts can be used to purchase a la carte items. Money may also be added to students accounts for extra purchases as well. Parents will be required to pay any charges already incurred and owed on their students’ accounts.
Questions about the free school meals offered by the SSISD Child Nutrition Program thanks to the USDA nationwide waivers may be directed to SSISD Director of Child Nutrition Veronica Arnold.
Hospital District Board Approves Tax Abatements, CEO Raise, Resolution
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors approved a number of items on the October agenda, including tax abatements for 2 businesses, a raise for the CEO and a resolution for acquisition of 2 nursing homes.
Personnel, Property Matters
The HCHD Board started their meeting in the manner board meetings typically end, with an executive session to discuss real estate matters and to conduct a performance review and compensation for HCHD CEO/CFO Ron Folwell.
When the meeting reconvened, the board reported they had completed their evaluation of the CEO. They asked him to be sure in the future to include an annual evaluation as a regular agenda item during the budget process. A motion was made and passed to give Folwell what HCHD Board member Joe Bob Burgin called a “well deserved” $10,000 salary raise.
The board at that time also reported no action was needed on the real estate matter.
Later in the meeting, the board approved a resolution for acquisition of Petal Hill and Rose Trail by Billing Shindele. Petal Hill and Rose Trail are two of the six nursing facilities owned by HCHD. There are still final terms to be worked out, but the negotiation process for the acquisition of the 2 HCHD-owned facilities is progressing.
Rose Trail received an overall two star rating and a 2 star Quality Metrics rating, while Petal Hill received an overall one star rating and a one star Quality Metrics rating. These rating were presented at a previous meeting to the hospital board.
The hospital district board too approved initial design plans for a new EMS Station/HCHD building, presented by Adam Panter. The design could be scaled back as necessary to fit the project budget.
Finance
HCHD Chief Operating Officer and Director of EMS Brent Smith asked the board to approve a remount of Medic 5 and purchase of a new ambulance. The items are capital items and budgeted and approved at the last HCHD Board meeting. Smith said it is procedure to present capital items the month they are to be purchased for final approval, that way everyone is clear on what is being ordered. The board approved them with no further discussion on the matter.
Folwell reported the hospital district is “continuing to do quite well” financially, and expects the auditors will be complimentary. He said with the fiscal year ending in September, financial documents will soon be submitted to auditors for analysis, with a goal of having the auditor present regarding their findings during the December hospital district board meeting.
Smith said while the consolidated budget at the end of August was down $362,000, he anticipates that to improve once everything comes in for September.
“We have $317,000 in additional revenue that will be accrued in September. Part of that is $198,985 from the August deployments to Beaumont, the last part of South Texas stuff. So, I anticipate our year end close is going to look really good. I think it’s not going to be red, I just wanted to point that out,” Smith said.
“That’d be a switch,” Burgin commented.
Employee Angie Waller asked the HCHD Board to consider matching employee contributions to Hopkins County United Way. Burgin explained it’s his understanding that the board cannot legally make a donation because of its status as a taxing entity. Attorney Tommy Allison noted it had not ever been done before. The matter was closed without further discussion.
Abatements
Two tax abatements, one for Hopkins Energy LLC and another for My Perfect Pet, received HCHD Board approval at the Oct. 27 meeting.
Hopkins Energy LLC is a $240 million solar farm scheduled to be constructed in Dike, provided the company receives requested tax breaks from local taxing entities.
The abatement agreement includes a pilot payment. The hospital district abates the taxes but charges a fee for certain produced wattages, but is guaranteed a $102,000 payment each year in lieu of taxes. This will provide a steady income of at least $102,000 a year, which can be helpful during the annual budgeting process, Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Roger Feagley noted.
Feagley also reported that during a public hearing held in the area regarding the planned solar farm only a few community members attended. All except one attendee were in favor of the farm, and only one taxpayer had a question.
My Perfect Pet is a gourmet pet food manufacturing company that has relocated from California to Sulphur Springs. Feagley said My Perfect Pet owner Karen Neola is in the process of closing out her California operation. She has to be out of that facility by November 8, 2020.
The plant starts with USDA quality prime meat and adds other nature ingredients such as yams, rice, cranberries and other vegetables, then shapes the prepared food into a patty that is frozen and shipped to retailers around the country for sale.
The abatement is on a sliding scale, with the amount of abatement reduced by 10 percent each year for 10 years, according to the agreed upon schedule. The project is expected to create 20 jobs with a minimum payroll of $624,000. Allison noted the contract did not specify My Perfect Pet maintain at least that many jobs during the term of length of the agreement, and recommended including that in the agreement. The board approved the abatement with the added recommendation.
Neola’s intent, the EDC director told the hospital board, is to hire people to fill 30 jobs, but she’s having a hard time finding employees to work. The first truck loads of gourmet dog food produced at the Sulphur Springs plant were scheduled to roll out on Wednesday.
Commerce Man Arrested On Firearm Charge, Rowlett Man On Felony Warrant
Two men were jailed Friday, a Commerce man arrested on a firearm charge and a Rowlett man on a felony warrant, according to police and sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office personnel were made aware Cody Wayne Pope was being held at a Dallas County jail on a Hopkins County warrant. Deputy Amanda Weatherford traveled to Dallas, took the 33-year-old Rowlett man into custody around noon Oct. 30, 2020 and transported him to Hopkins County jail. Pope was booked on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for possession of 5 pounds or more but less than 50 pounds of marijuana.
Friday marks the second time Pope has been jailed in Hopkins County for violation of probation on the Jan. 26, 2018 marijuana charge; he was previously arrested Sept. 17, 2019 and remained in custody until Nov. 4, 2019, according to jail records.
Tra Marcel Tolbert-Allen
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tanner Steward stopped a GMC Sierra around 11:45 p.m. Oct. 30 on State Highway 11 west at the Hopkins -Hunt County line for a defective head light. While talking to a 31-year-old Commerce man inside the truck, Tra Marcel Tolbert-Allen allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol.
Deputy Justin Wilkerson arrived to assist. He reported seeing a firearm on the front passenger’s seat. The passenger was asked to get out of the vehicle. A records check showed Tolbert-Allen to have a prior felony conviction on his record, which would prohibit him from having a firearm. Consequently, Tolbert-Allen was taken into custody and jailed for felon in possession of a firearm.
Tolbert-Allen, who is also known by Tra Marcel Tolbert, Michael R. Johnson, Tra Marcel Allen, Tra Tolbertallen and Marce Tolbert Allen, remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, Oct. 31. Bond on the third-degree felony firearm charge was set at $10,000.
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.
First Place Lady Cats Volleyball Team Collects Another District Win On The Road At Marshall, 3-0 Friday
The first place Lady Cats Volleyball Team improved their district record to 8-1 with a 3-0 on the road at Marshall Friday, October 30. The score was 25-16, 25-20 and 25-13. The Lady Cats improved to 3-1 on the road in district to go with their perfect 5-0 home district mark. The Lady Cats have won 8 district games in a row.
Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner said the Lady Cats played well on the road Friday at Marshall. She said the Lady Cats made too many errors in the first two sets but still pulled out wins in both. Coach Dorner said they played better in set three to finish out the match.
Senior Sadie Washburn had another outstanding match with 26 big kills with 14 digs, 2 blocks and 2 service aces. Junior setter Peyton Hammack had 36 assists with 6 digs, 2 kills and an ace. Junior Brooklyn Burnside had 5 blocks, 8 kills, 4 aces and 2 digs. Junior libero Parris Pickett had 7 digs and 4 assists. Sophomore Addisyn Wall had 4 digs and 5 kills. Junior Kaslyn Hurley had 4 blocks with 1 dig and a kill. Senior Caroline Hurley had 2 kills and a dig. Senior Nylah Lindley had 2 kills. Senior Bre’Asia Ivery had 7 digs and 2 service aces. Sophomore Laney Hurst had 8 digs.
The Lady Cats season record is now 11-6. The Lady Cats play next at Pine Tree on Tuesday evening 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.
