Sulphur Springs Cross Country Athletes Prepare For Fall Season
The Wildcats and Lady Cats’ cross country teams, including middle school athletes, continue to prepare for the upcoming season by getting a lot of running in early most mornings. The athletes, under Sulphur Springs Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks, are currently running from 7:15 a.m. until 8:30 a.m., at least right now. Coach Hicks will be involved in teacher in-service beginning Thursday, August 6. He says he will move up the start time then. Coach Hicks says he will try 6:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. to see how they fit into the start of the in-service day. Cross country athletes will continue to gather at Prim Stadium to start their running until the September 1 start of school. After school begins, cross country runners will assemble outside the cross country office to begin their roadwork. The UIL has said cross country may have competition meets beginning September 7. Because of the late start for competition this season, Coach Hicks says he has had to redo his schedule for 2020. Three August meets had to be canceled. Coach Hicks says he has added some meets in October. There will be a middle school district meet this year on November 7. The high school district meet will take place on November 9. Coach Hicks is beginning his fifth year as Sulphur Springs Cross Country Coach. He ran cross country and track and played soccer for the Wildcats. Coach Hicks also competed in cross country at Texas A&M-Commerce.
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.
Cocaine, Methamphetamine Allegedly Found During Interstate 30 Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs, TX – August 4, 2020 – Suspected cocaine and methamphetamine were allegedly found during an Interstate 30 traffic stop early Tuesday morning, August 4, 2020 resulting in a Dallas man’s arrest on controlled substance charges.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Patterson reported stopping a Hummer H3 for traveling in the left lane of Interstate 30 east without passing other vehicles around midnight. The vehicle stopped near mile marker 136.
After receiving permission during the course of the traffic stop, Patterson conducted a search of the vehicle. Patterson, in arrest reports, alleged finding 24.6 grams of suspected cocaine and 49.9 grams of methamphetamine in a brief case-type bag.
The male passenger, 39-year-old Ronald Kristopher Gulley of Dallas, claimed ownership of the substances and was taken into custody. He and the suspected contraband were transported to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. The driver and vehicle were released, Patterson wrote in arrest reports.
The substances field-tested positive using test kits for meth and cocaine, resulting in Gulley’s arrest on two possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges, according to arrest reports.
Gulley remained in Hopkins County jail late Tuesday morning, Aug. 4. His bonds totaled $150,000 — $75,000 per controlled substance 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.
Arlington Murder Suspect In Hopkins County Jail
A 22-year-old Arlington murder suspect was held in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Aug. 4, according to arrest reports.
Keshawn Sims reportedly turned himself in Monday, Aug. 3, on the Arlington murder and aggravated assault warrants, issued in connection with the July 27 death of a 17-year-old in Arlington, according to police and sheriff’s reports.
Arlington Police Department, in partnership with the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force, around 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3, identified Sims as a suspect in the July 27 homicide investigation. APD released Sims’ photo and asked for the public’s help in locating the Arlington man wanted in connection with the death of 17-year-old Knoah Harlan.
On Monday, July 27, 2020, Arlington Police Department reported finding a teen seriously injured in the 2100 block of Highbank Drive. He had reportedly been “struck by a suspect vehicle that fled the scene.” The teen later identified as Harlan, was reportedly transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased, according to APD news reports.
Arlington police, in a new release, stated that detectives believed several people in two cars agreed to meet near Bowie High School to engage in a physical fight.
“The first car that arrived contained approximately five subjects. The second vehicle arrived and began to drive recklessly on the roadway in front of the school. At one point, the suspect vehicle started accelerating towards the vehicle with the five occupants. Investigators believe as the occupants were trying to exit the car and flee to safety believing the car they were seated in might be struck, the suspect car swerved and struck the victim on the roadway. The suspect vehicle, a passenger car sedan, fled the scene,” the police release stated.
Keshawn Sims turned himself in at the lobby of Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 7 p.m. Aug. 3. He was escorted into Hopkins County jail by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Dustin Fisher and booked on the murder and aggravated assault warrants, according to arrest reports.
Sims remained in custody in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Aug. 4. His bonds totaled $1 million — $500,000 per 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.
Shooting Victim’s Case Still Active
On July 22nd, 2019, Vincent Sheldon Jones was shot twice in the chest. His death is a source of angst for Sheldon’s family and friends. The individual who pulled the trigger has yet to face any charges.
Tuesday August 4th, 2020 Hunt County District Attorney Noble Walker gave KSST some insight into the status of the case. “It is still pending, it’s an open investigation.” said Walker. Walker is in contact with local police and elements of the Texas Rangers regarding the open investigation. “Any time we have a case like this, it takes time to build the case and complete the investigation.” Walker says some items related to the fatal shooting are still at the lab, and that COVID related delays are to blame. Walker is certain that once the investigation is completed, and the case transferred to his office, the case will go to a grand jury. “It will be up to a grand jury to decide if the case goes any further.”
Walker expects the investigation to conclude soon. Since the grand just meets only once a month, the earliest conceivable opportunity for the case to go before a grand jury would be September 2020.
Walker expressed his empathy with Jones’ family and friends. “If the shoe was on the other foot, I would be frustrated as well.”
Sulphur Springs City Council Has Full Agenda Tuesday
Sulphur Springs City Council has a full evening of work ahead Tuesday, with a budget work session and full meeting agenda which includes recommendations for three ordinance amendments, 10 resolutions, two contract service bids, a lease agreement, consideration of action for a November election and an executive session for an economic development matter.
The council via scheduled at 6 p.m. to hold a budget workshop to discuss the proposed fiscal year 2020-21 budget, according to the agenda posted on the city’s website. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom and broadcast on the City of Sulphur Springs Meetings YouTube channel for the public to view, to avoid large indoor gatherings due to COVID-19.
The regular August meeting will follow at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 as scheduled, but will also be conducted online and streamed via the City of Sulphur Springs YouTube channel for the public to view. A number will be given to allow community members who wish to address the council to do so during the meeting.
The City Council in April postponed the City Council Election that was scheduled in May due to COVID-19 concerns. They are scheduled to revisit the notice postponing the election tonight.
In addition to amending the annual budget ordinance for fiscal year 2019-2020, the council also will be asked to consider amending two zoning ordinances to create a definition for accessory dwelling units and establishing eligibility and design standards for ADUs; and to define permanent makeup and cosmetic tattoos and allowing them as defined in multifamily dwelling, central commercial and light commercial districts without requiring special use permits.
The city has over the last couple of years received a number of requests for special use permits to provide cosmetic tattoos and permanent makeup at salons as an ancillary service. The amendments are submitted with recommendation of the zoning board and planning commission.
A new airport ground lease agreement for Lot 1220-23, reinsurance contract for the city employee health insurance program and contract for chemicals for the water treatment plant are submitted for council approval as well.
- Resolutions on the agenda for council discussion and consideration include:
- Resolution No. 1200 (as required) to establish a geographic area for blighted and slum conditions with the sidewalks to apply for a grant submission for a TDA Downtown Revitalization Program.
- Resolution No. 1201 (as required) to establish the City’s commitment to adopting a Citizen Participation Plan.
- Resolution No. 1202 (as required) authorizing the City to submit the grant application with a budgeted amount.
- Resolution No. 1203 amending the 380 policy.Resolution No. 1204 authorizes a 380 Agreement for property located at 943 Putman Street.
- Resolution No. 1205 authorizes a 380 Agreement for property located at 206 West Beckham Street.
- Resolution No. 1206 authorizing adequate funding for and endorsement of the Industrial Waste Pretreatment Program.
Those Silky Strands On Trees & Shrubs Aren’t Decorations
Tips For Controlling Bagworm Infestations
By Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D. Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
The small, silk weaving that resembles a Christmas tree ornament on your favorite tree or shrub is not decoration. These bags protect the caterpillars, or larvae, pupae, female adults and eggs of bagworms (Order Lepidoptera Family Psychidae). According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, although bagworms are not abundant every year, once a plant is infested the insect becomes a persistent problem unless controlled.
Texas has several species of bagworms. Each species’ slightly different habits and life cycles affect the timing of control measures. Infestations, which may not be noticed at first, can defoliate trees and shrubs, and kill these plants if left unchecked.
The bagworm (T. ephemeraeformis) found on most evergreens lives in east-central Texas, from the Oklahoma state line to the Gulf Coast. This species has one generation per year. Eggs are laid in the fall and hatch in the spring. Caterpillars grow throughout the summer and pupate in August or September. After a 3-week pupal period, the adult moths emerge. After mating, the females deposit their eggs and die.
Birds, insect parasites and insect predators are natural enemies of bagworms. Bird predation and insect parasitism can help keep bagworm outbreaks brief. However, natural enemies can’t prevent the bagworms from damaging plants.
Handpicking bagworms off the plants is the cheapest way to control them, particularly in the winter months. Pick off all of the bags and destroy or discard them. Eggs in bags thrown on the ground will hatch in the spring and develop into larvae that could re-infest the plants.
If handpicking isn’t practical or safe, use insecticide spray. Apply insecticide soon after bagworm eggs have hatched or while the larvae are small and feeding.
Determine the right time for treatment by collecting bags in late winter and keeping them in a container out of sunlight. Once the caterpillars hatch from the bags in the container, apply insecticide to plants. Chemical control is not as effective when the caterpillars close their bags to molt or pupate.
In most areas, insecticides applied in April, May and June are effective. Use insecticides containing acephate (Orthene®), Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, carbaryl (Sevin®), pyrethroids (bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, etc.), spinosad, azadirachtin, neem oil, malathion, pyrethrins or insecticidal soap. Use spray equipment that gives complete coverage of all foliage. Hire a professional exterminator if you do not have adequate equipment to use insecticides safely.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension office by calling 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Hopkins County Football Notes For Monday
Football practice gets underway Monday, Aug. 3, for all the teams below Class 5A and 6A. In Hopkins County, that mean’s Cumby and Como-Pickton.
The Cumby Trojans are coached by Sulphur Springs’ native Charles Boles, who is in his first year as Trojans’ head coach. Cumby’s two-a-day practices are scheduled this week Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
The Trojans are coming off of an 8-4 season last year that saw them win their bi-district game to advance to area competition.
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football picks Cumby to win their District 9-2A in Division II. The Trojans open the regular season Friday, Aug. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at home against Quitman.
Cumby’s Lady Trojans’ volleyball team also starts practice on Monday from Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Cumby has a volleyball scrimmage on Friday.
The Como-Pickton Eagles‘ head football coach is Ronnie Green, in his second year with the Eagles. Coach Green says the Eagles practice will get started on Monday weekly Monday through Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. each day.
Como-Pickton made the playoffs under Coach Green last season as the Eagles went 4-7.
Texas Football predicts that the Eagles will finish 6th in their 7 team District 6-2A in Division I. Como-Pickton begins the regular season at home against Simms Bowie on Friday, Aug. 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Sulphur Springs Wildcats Head Football Coach Greg Owens has released an updated 2020 football schedule that shows a date change for the Wildcats scrimmage.
The Wildcats will scrimmage old foe Mount Pleasant on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium. The first schedule released had it as a Friday scrimmage.
The Sulphur Springs Wildcats are scheduled to begin their fall workouts on Monday, Sept. 7.
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.
DSHS Accepting Applications To Manufacture Or Sell Consumable Hemp Products
The Texas Department of State Health Services has launched the Consumable Hemp Program to regulate the manufacturing, processing, distribution and retail sale of consumable hemp products. DSHS is currently accepting applications online for consumable hemp product licenses and retailer registrations.
“The program establishes a consistent regulatory framework for consumable hemp products that are manufactured or sold in Texas,” said Stephen Pahl, DSHS Associate Commissioner for Consumer Protection. “We worked with stakeholders to develop rules that provide clarity for license and registration holders.”
As of Aug. 2, a license to manufacture, process and distribute consumable hemp products is required. The fee for an initial license, valid for one year, is $258 per facility.
Retailers currently selling consumable hemp products, including those containing cannabinoids, must register each location where the products will be sold no later than Oct. 2. The fee for an initial registration, valid for one year, is $155 per location.
“I want to thank all the folks that worked on these rules and look forward to Texans leading the way in the exciting hemp industry,” said Rep. Tracy O. King, who authored House Bill 1325 in the last legislative session that allows industrial hemp crops and products in Texas.
In addition to licensing and registration functions, DSHS will conduct random testing of consumable hemp products. Products may be tested for the presence of heavy metals, harmful pathogens, pesticides, residual solvents and the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
“With the passage of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, Texas was seeing an exponential influx of products derived from, or including hemp, from lipsticks, to lotions, to CBD oils,” said Sen. Charles Perry, Senate sponsor of HB 1325. “These products were coming from states and countries that may not require robust testing or labeling. House Bill 1325 added some of the strongest consumer protections in the nation to ensure these products are safe for consumers. I am pleased to see that these safeguards are being implemented by DSHS to help guarantee our fellow Texans will be purchasing safe products.”
A consumable hemp product is a food, drug, device, or cosmetic that contains industrial hemp or hemp-derived cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD). These products may not contain more than 0.3 percent concentration of THC.
12 New Positive Cases, 30 Additional Recoveries Reported Aug. 3 For Hopkins County
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom on Monday announced 12 new positive COVID-19 cases and 30 additional patient recoveries were reported for Hopkins County at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3. In only one other day have more cases been reported for Hopkins County, 15 on July 16.
Four patients were also reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Aug. 3, three fewer than on Sunday. Two patients had been discharged and one transferred out of the COVID-19 unit by 5 p.m. Aug. 3. There were no patients in the COVID-19 unit that were on ventilators on Aug. 3, Endsley reported.
One of the cases reported previously was determined to have been a duplicate county, according to emergency management officials.
That brings the overall cumulative total to 165 COVID-19 cases since mid March. Of those, 128 Hopkins County residents have recovered, leaving 37 active cases of COVID-19 in Hopkins County on Aug. 3, according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Health and Human Services Commission on the COVID-19 fatality data dashboard at 3:20 p.m. Aug. 3 still showed one COVID-19 fatality for Hopkins County. The DSHS “COVID-19 Total Fatalities by County” spreadsheet shows the fatality to have been assigned to Hopkins County on July 23.
Hopkins County Emergency Management officials on Aug. 3 continue to report that neither local emergency management officials nor regional DSHS officials have received any information regarding any COVID-19 deaths of Hopkins County residents.
DSHS on July 30 reported a manual check revealed an “automation error” Wednesday, which caused 229 fatalities that did not list COVID-19 as the direct cause of death to be counted in the state data. This follows DSHS’ shift in the way COVID-19 deaths are determined; death certificate data is now used to count fatalities as of Monday.
The Aug. 1 DSHS/HHS report stated that the cumulative fatality counts for July 27-29 were corrected. No new data was posted Aug. 2 on the DSHS/HHS COVID-19 dashboard “due to a scheduled upgrade to the system that processes electronic lab reports.” The Aug. 3 report still shows one fatality, which the state lists as being on July 23.
HHS’ COVID-19 page also continues to show only one worker at one Sulphur Springs nursing home facility as having tested positive for COVID-19 as of July 20 that was an active case on July 13 and continued to be an active case on July 20, according to the HHS report. All data in this report is 2 weeks behind so that information self-reported by these facilities can be entered and error-checked.
No nursing home or assisted living facility in Hopkins County has reported having any residents test positive for COVID-19 either in the past or through July 20, according to the HHS reports. Data for nursing homes and assisted living facilities will only be posted Monday-Friday.
3 Arrested For Violating Probation, Parole
Two people were arrested July 31, 2020 for violating probation, including a man accused of having a bag of suspected methamphetamine concealed on his body. A man was also jailed August 1 on a parole warrant.
Concealed Controlled Substance
Douglas Paul Merrell was taken into custody at 11:47 a.m. July 31 on a warrant for violation of probation on a misdemeanor deadly conduct charge. The 53-year-old Sulphur Springs man was escorted into Hopkins County jail and released to jail staff.
While being dressed in jail clothes, corrections officers alleged Merrell was found to have a clear baggy containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine concealed between the checks of his buttocks.
The baggy and contents were seized as evidence. The substance later tested positive as methamphetamine. The bag and contents weighed 0.767 grams, resulting in Merrell being charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, Greer and Deputy Jason Lavender alleged in arrest reports.
Merrell was released from Hopkins County jail August 2 on a $5,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and a $25,000 on the other, according to jail reports.
The arrest marked the second time in just under a year that Merrell has been booked into Hopkins County jail. He was also arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Aug. 18, 2019, according to jail reports.
Police Department Arrest
Andrea Lynn Chapman was taken into custody at 8:42 a.m. July 31 by Lt. Brad Horton on a warrant.
The 42-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was transported to jail and booked on the violation of probation charge, which she was on for a possession of controlled substance, according to arrest and jail reports.
Chapman remained in Hopkins County jail on the charge August 3, 2020, according to jail reports.
Irwin Lane Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman and Lt. Brad Horton responded around 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, on Irwin Lane at Posey Lane for a female alleged to have been involved in a theft they’d responded to, according to arrest reports.
A records check revealed 29-year-old Steven Ray Hunter of Alvin to be wanted by the Austin Parole Board on a violation of parole warrant and by Galveston County authorities on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. Consequently, Hunter was arrested at 3:08 p.m. August 1 on the both warrants, according to arrest reports.
Hunter’s bond on the Galveston County warrant was set at $25,000; he was still being held in Hopkins County jail August 3 on the violation of parole warrant, 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.
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.
