Proposed Budget Includes 2 Percent Pay Increase For All Hopkins County Employees, Elected Officials
Sulphur Springs, TX – August 10, 2020 – Hopkins County Commissioners Court are proposing a “very conservative” budget, which would include a 2 percent pay increase for all county employees and elected officials. No increase to the overall tax rate is planned.
The property tax rate as proposed will still be $0.624892. This is figured based on Senate Bill 2, which changed some factors in the way tax rates are calculated.
“The noted revenue rate was $0.598662, the voter approval rate was 0.626583. We are below the voter approval rate. We are above the noted revenue rate, which will cause a tax increase even though our tax rate will remain the same.,” Hopkins County Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Mitchell reported during Monday’s regular Commissioners Court meeting.
“The tax increase will come from appraised values, right?” Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley asked.
“It’s probably going to come from the new revenue. If we didn’t have the new revenue, then our tax rate would be the $0.598662. But because of new revenue it is above that,” Mitchell said.
“We’re below the voter approval rate,” Newsom said. “So, you’re saying we need to have a public hearing?”
Mitchell affirmed a public hearing. The Commissioners Court agreed to Mitchell’s recommendation to hold the public hearing for adoption of the tax rate for 9 a.m. August 17, 2020.
“This budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by an amount of $425,410, which is a 3.4 percent increase from last year’s budget. The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $366,995,” said Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook.
Those extra funds, in addition to a 2 percent pay increase for all county employees and elected officials, also includes an additional $25 more a year for in longevity pay as well, according to Aulsbrook.
“We were able to address the needs at the sheriff’s office, fire department, the volunteer fire departments as well as other areas within this budget,” Aulsbrooks noted.
“We stayed below Senate Bill 2 requirements. Historically, before Senate Bill 2 it was 8 percent. Now it’s 3.5 percent. But, we stayed below that limits so we’re able to still — we’re conservative in normal budget — still able to do a cost of living raise to employees and few other adjustments,” Newsom said.
Among those adjustments were an additional employee, a dispatch leader, for the sheriff’s office, and the county’s cost match of a grant which has allowed the county this spring to add three firefighters, one per 24-hour duty-shift. Also, adjustments were made for administrative changes at the fire department and then in about 90 days we are going to be doing an electronic payroll, which should be more efficient
“It’s a good budget. It’s a very conservative budget,” Newsom said. “This budget is more conservative than the budgets we’ve had in the past, intentionally knowing the type of year that we’ve had and the kind of year I believe we’re going to have in the future,” Newsom said.
The proposed $13.5 million budget can be viewed under the “proposed budget” tab under the “financial transparency” menu on the county website, http://www.hopkinscountytx.org. It will also be posted as of Aug. 10 at Hopkins County Clerk’s Office.
Aug. 10 COVID-19 Update: 3 New Cases, 5 Recoveries Among Hopkins County Residents
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 announced the state had notified local emergency management officials of 3 new positive COVID-19 cases and 5 recoveries for Hopkins County.
That’s 50 new positive COVID-19 cases and 48 patient recoveries reported so far in August, following the 89 new cases and 48 recoveries reported in July for Hopkins County.
That’s brings the overall total since March to of 202 cumulative cases and 146 recoveries among Hopkins County residents. That leaves 56 active COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County as of Aug. 10, according to local officials
Officials also reported four patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs on Monday, Aug. 10, the same number of patients in the unit as there were on Saturday, Aug. 8.
Texas Department of State Health Services’s COVID-19 dashboard had not been updated as of 5 p.m. Aug. 10. However, as of 3:20 p.m. Aug. 9, the state report continued to show two COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County. The state has continued to show since July 29 one COVID-19 fatality for Hopkins County. That death, according to the Texas COVID-19 Fatality County Data By County report, occurred on July 23. The second death, DSHS reported Saturday, occurred on Aug. 2.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley said he had consulted the regional DSHS representative and neither local nor the regional DSHS officials have received any information about any confirmed Hopkins County COVID-19 deaths. They do not know where the information regarding any Hopkins County fatalities is coming from as they’ve are not aware of any COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County.
No nursing facilities in Hopkins County have had any patients test positive for COVID-19 as of July 27.. However, one nursing facility reported a third employee had tested positive for COVID-19, but the case was not active on July 27, the date for the most current data for nursing and assisted living facilities.
Geoffrey Stewart Awarded Janie Crump Memorial 4-H Scholarship
Bessonett, Allen Receive Danforth ‘I Dare You’ Award; Civic Center Manager Recognized For Support Of 4-H, Extension
Hopkins County Extension Agents Johanna Hicks and Mario Villarino during Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning recognized five youth Monday morning for their outstanding achievements and contributions to 4-H and honored one local supporter of 4-H and Extension programs. One students received the Janie Crump Memorial Scholarship.
“We’ve really had the privilege of watching each these 4-Hers grow up. They’ve really come through this with COVID things with a blaze of glory,” Hicks said.
Janie Crump Scholarship
Geoffrey Stewart, son of Stephanie Stewart, was awarded the Janie Crump Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
This award is given in honor of the Crump, who served as Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent for home economics until her retirement in 2001. She was also a member and supporter of the Pilot Club, 4-H, Junior Waverly and Rotary, and the Chamber of Commerce, where she received the Woman of the Year Award. Crump, 68, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at her Sulphur Springs residence. The Janie Crump Memorial 4-H Scholarship awarded to qualified 4-H applicants who have excelled in 4-H.
Geoffrey Steward, a 2020 North Hopkins High School graduate, was very active in 4-H Shooting Sports. He served on the Hopkins County 4-H Council as an officer. He was also active in the multi-county 4-H camp as a teen leader and exhibited his expertise in archery at Heritage Park during special events.
Danforth “I Dare You” Awards
Danforth “I Dare You” Leadership Awards recipients include Jorja Bessonett and Savannah Allen.
This leadership awards recognizes “young people who have demonstrated unusual integrity, balanced personal development, and a willingness to assume responsibility.” The “I Dare You” Award was first offered in 1941 by business man and philanthropist William H. Dansforth, who dared young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of service.
Bessonett is the daughter of Bill and Cherrie Bessonett. Savannah Allen is the daughter of Sara Allen. These families have a long history of involvement in 4-H. Cherrie Bessonett and Sara Allen grew up in the Hopkins County 4-H program.
4-H Record Book Judging
Hopkins County 4-H members Jorja Bessonett, Rylie Carroll and Ethan George recently qualified for District 4-H Record Book Judging.
This contest provides valuable skills that can be used later in life for such tasks as college admission applications, job applications and organization. The record book includes several sections: a 4-H story and photo portfolio, 4-H project experiences summary for main projects, 4-H leadership experiences, 4-H community service, other 4-H projects, 4-H recognition and awards received, non-4-H activities such as school and church, college and career exploration. Throughout the process, Hicks explained, the 4-H members learn to keep a calendar of activities and expenses/income, if any are applicable pertaining to their projects.
In the intermediate division, which features students in grades 6-8, Rylie Carroll was the district champion in consumer education and Ethan George was the district health and person safety champion.
Bessonett placed fourth in senior division health and safety. This division includes students in grades 9-12.
4-H Extension Supporter
The Texas AgriLife Extension Agents also Aug. 10 asked to present the 2020 Hopkins County 4-H Extension Supporter of the year. Dr. Mario Villarino recognized Lonnie Fox, general manager for Hopkins County Civic Center, for his continued support of Hopkins County 4-H, Extension and many other community programs throughout the county.
Saltillo Woman Arrested On Trafficking Of West Texas Youth Charge
August 10, 2020 – A 43-year-old Saltillo woman was arrested on a trafficking of a youth charge Sunday night, according to arrest and sheriff’s reports.
Romany Michael Ruble, who is also known as Romany Michael Cathey, is accused of picking up a runaway in West Texas approximately 1 week ago. Ruble had a prior acquaintance with the teen. Ruble then allegedly transported the minor to Hopkins County, where she allegedly sexually abused him. The youth reportedly escaped. Law enforcement was contacted Sunday. Based on investigation by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, a warrant was obtained for Ruble’s arrest on a trafficking of a person charge, according to HCSO Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford.
HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputies Kevin Lester and Elijah Fite contacted Ruble at her residence, and arrested the 43-year-old Saltillo woman at 9:51 p.m. August 9, 2020, on the trafficking of person charge, according to arrest reports.
Ruble remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, August 10, on the trafficking of person warrant, according to jail reports. Ruble remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, August 10, 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.
Most Area School Districts Starting Classes in August
Here’s a list of 2020 school start dates around our area:
Mr. Vernon ISD Aug 6
Como-Pickton CISD Aug 10
Commerce ISD Aug 11
Campbell ISD Aug 11
Yantis ISD Aug 13
Miller Grove ISD Aug 13
Cumby ISD Aug 13
Cooper ISD Aug 13
Rains Emory ISD Aug 13
Saltillo ISD Aug 17
Sulphur Bluff ISD Aug 18
North Hopkins ISD Aug 19
Sulphur Springs ISD Sept 1
Dickinson Man Jailed Following Vehicle Pursuit, Manhunt
A 30-year-old Dickinson man was jailed Saturday evening following a vehicle pursuit that turned into a manhunt, according to sheriff’s reports,
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Nick Floyd reported responding to a disturbance on Church Street Aug. 8. Upon contact with the man, he was found to be wanted. He drove off in a pickup, with police pursuing behind him. The chase continued into Hopkins County.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Brantley reported spiking three of the four tires on the white Ford F250 pickup the man was driving at the intersection of FM 1567 and County Road 1443. The driver reportedly continued driving the truck with only one operational tire for about 5 miles before crashing into a grove of trees, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
The suspect then reportedly took off running into a wooded area, with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Shea Shaw and Deputies Zack Horne, Justin Wilkerson and Kevin Lester, who had all joined the pursuit, chasing after him, according to arrest reports.
A perimeter search was set up. A Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter arrived in the area to search from the air with no success in locating the suspect. A short while later, the prison system’s bloodhounds were brought to the location, along with officials on horseback, to aid in the search of the area, Shaw and Brantley alleged in arrest reports.
Christopher Daniel Houpt of Dickinson was located in a wood line and taken into custody around 5 p.m. Aug. 8. The 30-year-old was checked by EMS then transported to jail, where he was booked for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle as well as Hunt County warrants for failure to appear on an evading arrest charge and bail jumping/failure to appear, according to arrest rand jail reports.
Houpt remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Aug. 10. Bond on the evading arrest in a vehicle charge was set at $100,000. Bond on the Hunt County charges totaled $11,500, according to jail reports.
Scholarships Awarded To Future Educators
Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel recently presented two Hopkins County high school graduates with $500 scholarships. Nancy Barton Moore presents a $500 scholarship to Sulphur Springs High School graduate, Grayson McClure and a $500 scholarship to Como-Pickton High School graduate, Diana Gallegos. The scholarships were awarded by the Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel to a graduating senior who will be seeking a degree in education. McClure will be attending UT Arlington and Gallegos will be attending UT Tyler. HRRSP members looking on are Liz Steinsiek, Carol Gee, and Judy Gillem.
Aug. 10-14 Meal A Day Menu
Although the Senior Citizens Center continues to be closed due to COVID-19, Meal A Day volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The Aug. 10-14, 2020, Meal A Day menu for includes:
Monday – Rope Sausage, Red Beans and Rice, Okra and Tomatoes, and Hush Puppies
Tuesday – Oven Baked Omelet, Slice of Ham, Orange Slices and Blueberry Muffins
Wednesday – Sloppy Joe Sandwiches, Cole Slaw, Potato Chips and a Pickle Spear
Thursday – Chicken and Dumplings, Tossed Salad and Crackers
Friday – Cheeseburger Casserole, Pinto Beans, Buttered Corn and Normandy Vegetables
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.
Pat Fallon Receives Republican Nomination For Congressional District 4
August 8, 2020 – Pat Fallon of Prosper received the Republican Party’s nomination for Congressional District 4 Saturday. Fallon replaces John Ratcliffe on the Nov. 3 ballot. Ratcliffe resigned the position upon being confirmed in May as the director of national intelligence.
In order to be considered, a candidate had to be nominated by one of the county or precinct chairs at Saturday’s meeting; that motion then had to be seconded by another.
Twelve of the 18 candidates were nominated. Nominees included Aaron Harris, Jason Ross, Travis Ransom, Zach Rateliff, Pat Fallon, Rodney Adams, Steve Gorman, Jim Pruitt, Trace Johannesen, Bob Worthen, Robert West and Casey Campbell.
Each of the nominees was given 3 minutes to speak. Afterward, the county and precinct chairs voted by secret ballot. There were reported to be 153 members of Congressional District 4 eligible to vote. Donnie Wisenbaker reported 145 ballots were cast.
A total of 73 votes was be needed to secure over 50 percent of votes cast for an outright win. Fallon received 82 votes. He was followed by Ross who received 23 votes (23.45 percent); Ransom with 16 votes (11.03 percent); Harris 5 votes (3.45 percent); Pruitt 2 votes (1.38 percent); and Worthen, West, Johannesen, Gorman and Campbell 1 vote each (0.69 percent).
Fallon currently serves as Senator for District 30. He described his work not an occupation but an “occu-passion.” During his 3 minute introduction Saturday, he cited his service over the last decade. He served on the city council, as a member of the House from 2013-2019 and has been a member of the Senate (representing District 30) since 2019.
“I have built one of the strongest most conservative voting records in the state. We banned sanctuary cities. We protected life. When everyone else was running for the hills when they were trying to take down our monuments and our history, I stood up and defended it, because they are coming after us. Respectfully, I am the one best positioned to defend this district from redistricting,” Fallon said during his 3-minute speech.
The Republican Congressional District 4 nominee, upon being announced the winner, extended thanks to everyone who voted, and noted that the one thing everyone present have in common is a belief “in things greater than ourselves,” specifically, “that the Lord God is great than we are,” and in this country.
“I made a lot of promises to a lot of people and I mean them,” Fallon said, noting a desire to work with Robert West and the other candidates and party participants present Saturday. “We need to thrash socialists in November. We need to make sure we run the score up in CD4 so we can help President Trump carry the state and save our country. We only have a few months left to do that. As hard as you’ve seen me work in the last 3 months, you ain’t seen nothing yet. … Now, the real work begins and we do it united.”
Fallon will face Democratic nominee Russell Foster in November.
Hopkins County Records Aug. 8, 2020
Applications for Marriage Licenses
(filed July 6-Aug. 6, 2020)
- Stephanie Leigh Dupree and Mark Andrew Patterson
- Fernando Jimenez Huerta to Angela Azenete DeJesus
- Ernest Lee Ponder and Joanna Lynn Fouse
- Keenan Marcello Miller and Brooke T. Thomas Williams
- Dakota Griffin Graham and Rebecca Blake Carroll
- Elmer Steven Moreno and Leydie Stephanie Franco
- Randy Alan Palmer and Sarah Michelle Smith
- Scott Lee Belle and Delores Annette Clark
- John Oud and Brikale Jewel Grant
- Angel Alberto Gonzalez and Maria Theresa Preciado
- Francisco Manuel Valezaco and Marcella Lee Delgado
- Benjamin Blayke Pegues and Angela Grace Baxley
- Dustin Wade Allen and Taylur Alexis R. Hubbard
- John Vernon Strait and Veronica Marie Mason
- Shawn Dale Faris and Terra Ann Myers
- Tyler Christian Haney and Allison Marie James
- Eric Paul Ditto and Jenna Machelle Morrison
- Steven Lee Futch and Shelley Carol Rucker
- Ryan McKenzie Pullen and Cara Glory Ford
- Mike Lageschaar and Sarah Victoria Hawbaker
- Robert Gerald Weems and Ruth Ann Lewis
- Oscar L. Hidalgo Hidalgo and Liliana Sanchez Hernandez
- Erik Abrego Osornio and Diana Laura Ordaz Soriano
Land Deed Transactions
- Charles R. Askins Jr. and Sheila Askins to Jonathan Brent Askins; tract in the Samuel Smith survey
- Hollis Lee Cox and Janet Cox to Alice Mae Richey and David Rojo; tract in the JT Redding survey
- Robert Blackwell and Stephanie Blackwell to Herlinda Silva; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Caleb James Mitchell and Kyla Mitchell to Guild Mortgage Company, Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc.; tract in the E.Melton survey
- June White to Judson White; tract in the Helena Nelson survey
- Wayne Cooper to Charles Keith Shurtleff; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Leonardo Alvarez Torres, Graciela Elizalde Rodriguez also known as Graciela Elizalde Torres to Gregg Wright; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Cornerstone Family Homes Inc. to 100 MPH + Property Management LLC; tract in the Jose Ybarbo survey
- Norris English to Kindell L. Frazelle and Joshua Frazelle; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Everett Jennings to Jameison C. Hawkins; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Diana Lynn Williamson to Diana L. Williamson, trustee for the Diana L. Williamson Living Trust; tract in the Ira Stephenson survey
- Josephine Cabreros and Raul A. Buentello Sr. to Josephine Cabreros Living Trust; tract in the John Clark survey
- Josephine Cabreros and Raul A. Buentello Jr. to Josephine Cabreros Living Trust; tract in the John Clark survey
- XR4 Innovations LLC, James M. Jordan and Shane J. Larue to Michael Ross and Nichole Ross; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Jery McGee to Michael David Stern; tract in the Franklin Marrs survey
- Truman Wilkerson and Clydene Wilkerson to SPNR Equities Corp; tract in the J. Ybarbo survey
- John Heilman to Jana Dodd; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Brian Shurtleff and Ricki Shurtleff to Steven Michael Daehn II and Baylee Payge Daehn; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- High Point Estates to John Mark Meadows and Kaytlin Ford Meadows; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Jerry McGee to Michael David Stern; tract in the Franklin Morrs survey
- Kelly Jack Broyles and Lynda Gayle Broyles to Bryan Richardson Barnes and Kimberlee Anne Barnes; tract in the Wm Moore survey
- Johnny M. Wetzel and Judy K. Wetzel to Roy Wetzel and Deborah Wetzel; tract in the Wm M. Coker survey
- Ronny Hugh Stinson and Beverly June Stinson to Kevin Dunnihoo and Tammie Dunnihoo; tract in the George C. Roberts survey
- Coy Johnson to Wayne W. Wible Jr. and Kimberly S. Wible; tract in the Jason Clark survey
- Gregory Randall Anglin and Courtney Anglin to Steven Allen Andrew and Brandie L. Andrews; tract in the John V. Downing survey
- Hayley K. McKinney who is also known as Haley S. Brock and Ada McKinney to Oscar Alejandro Martinez-Mejia and Rebekah Elizabeth Martinez-Mejia; tract in the Elizabeth Melton survey
- Christopher J. Stephens and Robin H. Stephens to Bulkley Properties LLC; Jose Ybarbo survey
- Gabriel Reese Hurley and Tonya Hurley to Michael J. Beacom and Kari M. Beacom; tract in the John G. Procello survey
- Antoon AAG Jacobs, who is also known as Jose Jacobs, and Johanna JHC Jacobs to Paul Jacobs and Lauren M. Jacobs; tract in the James Gahagan survey
- Glade Creek Partners to Cindia Selena Hernandez
- Rosemary Nash to Donna Nash Dempsey, Briana Nicole Walker, Ashley Danielle Walker; tract in the
- James Ronald Peek and Margie Lynn Peek to Suzette Jenkins and Vickie Lynn Felipe; tract in the Hayden Arnold survey
- Steven Lloyd Jarvis and Lynn Celeste Jarvis to Bennett K. Gardner and Beverlea S. Gardner; tract in the Jonas Haile survey
- Logan Caddell and Brandi Caddell to Steven McKinney and Hayley McKinney; tract in the Wm H. Moses survey
- Kelly Jack Broyles and Lynda Gayle Broyles to Richard Anthony Walsh and Mary Elizabeth Walsh; tract in the WM Moore survey
- Mark D. Hill and Jennifer Hill to Troy Lopez and Kristi Lopez; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Cindy Dodd to Ramon Corona and Marlen Corona; tract in the F. Carroll survey
- William Dean and Lindsay Dean to Rickey Dean Steele and Mary Ellen Steele; tract in the J. Kinney survey
- Cody Talley and Kandy Talley to Deborah Hudson; tract in the HD Parsons sruvey
- Robert Brown and Amanda Brown to Robert VanWinkle Jr. and Joyce VanWinkle; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Becca L. Stout and Justin Stout to Betty Jo Laplume; tract in the
- Betty R. Clegg to Neil Tate Price and Kobie Renea Price; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
