SSISD Trustees Approve 2020 Tax Rate, 9 Personnel Changes, Budget Amendments
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees during a special called noon meeting Friday, Aug. 28, approved budget amendments, 9 personnel changes, the SSISD 2020 tax rate and the Virtual Academy plan.
SSISD 2020 Tax Rate
SSISD Tax Assessor Collector Sandra Gibby recommended a SSISD 2020 tax rate of $1.251380 per $100 cash valuation of property within SSISD, with $0.9409 of that rate going toward the local maintenance fund for daily operations and the other $0.31048 going toward the debt service, bonded indebtedness, interest and sinking fund.
That’s nearly 3 cents lower than the 2019 tax rate. In fact, over the last 7 years, the tax rate has declined more than 10 cents, dropping from $1.3604 in 2013 to $1.35048 from 2014-2018, then to $1.28048 last year and $1.251380 this year.
While the SSISD 2020 tax rate is lower than the 2019 tax rate, that doesn’t necessarily mean tax bills will be lower, as taxes are based on appraisal values, which are reported to be up. The tax rate was reduced using a formula set by the state, which factors in a 7 percent growth in the overall tax roll from last year.
The school board approved the Ordinance 2-20 levying the SSISD 2020 tax rate as proposed.
Personnel Changes
Eight personnel changes, three resignations and five new hires were also approved by the school board following an executive session.
Stephanie Ricks resigned as a special education aide and Jennifer Virgel as a special education teacher at Sulphur Springs High School. Kristin McKinney was approved to teach special education at SSHS.
Hired as special education aides at Barbara Bush Primary were Leticia Burnside and Erika Flowers. Kylie Wyly will join them at Bush Primary as the campus secretary.
Haylee Head was hired as a Title III aide at Travis Primary.
Amanda Ferrell resigned as an instructional aide at Austin Academic Center.
Budget Amendments
SSISD knew entering the 2019-2020 fiscal year which ends Aug. 31, that the budget would be tight with only $776 expected to be left in the general fund budget at the end of the year.
Business Manager Sherry McGraw presented for trustees approval an amended 2019-2020 budget to reflect expenses and revenues that were not in the original budget approved in August of 2019.
These include a number of items that changed due the end of classroom instruction and in-person activities after spring break due to COVID-19 and the precautions required this summer and in readiness for the 2020-21 school year, which begins on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The overall budget is comprised of three different funds: debt service fund, food service and general fund.
Debt Service
No changes were recommended for the $4,213,632 debt service fund, but the food service and the general fund required amendment.
Food Service
Although school was out, the district still provided meals for student not only through the end of the school year, but all summer as well. The district typically only offers meals through early July. This summer the district offered grab and go meals for any youth age 1-18 from the time school was out through Aug. 28.
The food service expenses increased by $193,449 due to commodities and $54,296 due to the summer food service, but revenue for the same amount offset the increases.
McGraw asked the trustees to approve putting an additional $100,000 in for any unforeseen expenditures, including bills that haven’t yet come, to make sure the fund has a health balance at the end of the year.
That would increase the food service revenues from $2.275 to $2.523 million. Expenditures are anticipated to change from $2.26 million to $2.6 million, a difference of $347,745. The budget must be amended to reflect the changes.
General Fund
This budget includes 19 functionsThe budget adopted for September 2019 was $42,788,498. In July, trustees agreed to amend the budget by $555,171, which adjusted the budget to $43,244.743. This revision included:
- $137,460 COVID-19 with 75 percent reimbursed by the state.
- $31,360 in restructuring costs, including $8,120 for the intercom and sound system at Barbara Bush Primary and $23,240 for restroom reconfigurement at Douglass ECLC).
- $24825 for digital radios, with 75 percent of the cost paid with a grant.
- $139,640 iPads for kindergarten through third grade to equip students with the technology needed to switch to online learning should the school have to close for any length of time due to COVID-19, other illness, weather or other unforseen issues.; the district has requested reimbursement from the state for these.
- $221,886 because IDEA B funds were less than expected.
A few of the functions came in under budget, including $274,330 in pupil transportation budget and $72,546 in co-curricular fund, both because COVID-19 canceled travel to activities and school in the spring. The general administrative fund and plant maintenance funds also finished ahead, with $$43,475 and $492,564 respectively remaining in those funds. Data processing also came in $5,540 ahead. The district also received $677,733 less in state revenue. These changes were approved in July when the budget was amended.
Since July, the district added $692,569 to both expenditures and revenues. Those increases included:
- $44,416 for season tickets
- $22,450 Taser lease balance,
- $411,600 K-3 iPad lease balance
- $85,109 TEA Health Insurance Contribution GASB24
- $129.994 TRS
McGraw recommended adding a certain percentage in surplus to each fund, for a total of $320,914 in surplus to ensure all funds stay within budget, with none exceeding expenditures approved by the board on Aug. 28. That’d be a total of $1,046,853, which would be partially offset by the $692,569 in revenue, reducing the actual increase to $354,284.
“Your approval does not mean we will go out and spend the surplus funds. It just means if any expenditures come in that we were not expecting or if auditors’ adjustments increase or change an expenditure in a function, we have allocated to each function surplus funds in an effort to avoid any findings in our annual financial report,” McGraw explained.
Thus, the board was asked to amend the general fund budget from the $42,788,498 originally projected and from the July 31 amended general fund budget of $42,780,170 to a final general fund budget of $43,835,351.
The board approved the amendment of the food and general fund as recommended by McGraw.
Virtual Academy
The trustees also were asked to approve a Virtual Academy asynchronous plan, required to submit to TEA for approval so the district can receive funding for alternative education plan. The plan has to be turned in by the end of the end of the semester, and approved, in order to continue the program through the spring semester.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Professional Learning Lisa Robinson said she has been told it’s better to get the plan in by Oct. 1, as there’s a good chance TEA will send the plan back for revision. Robinson said she submitted a letter of intent to have the plan in by Sept. 1. She plans to submit the plan by Tuesday for state feedback.
Superintendent Mike Lamb said the plan is the same plan that was presented previously, but on some levels more indepth but mostly in the terms and language required for TEA. He said he does not think TEA will kick it back for improvements because of the care and thoroughness that went into drafting it, but said the board would be notified if it is.
School administrators and staff have been working hard all summer on the Virtual plan for all grade levels, and more recently working on minutes guidelines with teachers, making sure they budget and spend the required contact time in contact with students, and methods to be used for attendance counts. The plan can be adjusted during the first few weeks of school as needed as teachers, staff and families learn what does an doesn’t work best.
While VA students will be working at their own pace instead of streaming in for a class, there will be a synchronous component with live interaction with staff, but not more than 90 minutes a day.
Virtual students will take the same common assessments that students attending classes on campus are taking. Key assessments are aligned with the same curriculum. Any additional tests would e at the discretion of the teachers.
On-campus staff are also training to use the same kind of online platforms for work in class, that way, if school has to be closed for a short or extended period of time, the transition will be easier. Also, if an oncampus student has to go into quarantine, tests positive or is sick for several days, the student can use the school device to keep up with school work, provided they are well enough to do so, and not fall behind. On-campus teachers would communicate with those students through the online platform. Students would not be in a Virutal Academy, however, as that structure is different.
A few VA teachers will also be doing some on-campus teaching, but not all. All on-campus teachers being trained so that if they have to enter quarantine and feel well enough, they can teach their class from home video the online platform, with someone in the class to monitor students. Lesson plans are built in a way that all pieces are together to the point that a substitute teachers could log in and guide the class
High School students were made aware what classes were available through Virtual Academy and their scheduled adjusted accordingly. Some may have to report to the school at designated time for certain elective course, however, due to the hand-on nature of the course. Teachers had to work on scheduling blocks to incorporate time for those students.
While roughly 18 percentage of all enrolled SSISD students have elected to participate in VA, the percentages vary by school.
Pre-kindergarten is a little higher than 18 percent, 23 percent of Travis Primary students have registered for VA, and 240 high school student had signed up for VA at the high school as of Friday, according to Superintendent Michael Lamb.
A class size waiver request could potentially be request for some Virtual classes.
$2,000 Reward Offered For Information On Cattle, Saddle Thefts in NE Texas
A $2000 reward is being offered through Lake Country Crime Stoppers for information about recent cattle and saddle thefts in the Northeast Texas area.
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office along with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association are investigating a theft of eleven, 450-pound heifers with purple ear tags in the left ear, that were taken from a ranch on Interstate 30 west of Sulphur Springs. The cattle theft reportedly occurred sometime between the evening hours of Friday, Aug. 14, and the evening hours of Sunday, Aug. 16. HCSO first reported the cattle thefts on the station Facebook page on Aug. 19, with a reward on $1,000 offered at that time for tips called in to Lake Country Crime Stoppers.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association are also investigating a theft that reportedly occurred during the late evening hours of July 30. Four head of cattle marked with yellow back tags were reported stolen from Winnsboro Livestock and Dairy Auction. The animals were consigned to be sold the next day. During the same time frame, additional cattle were stolen from another cattle company at the same location.
Mount Pleasant Police Department, along with Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, are also investigating the theft of two saddles from a business in their city between Aug. 14 and Aug. 16.
Tips may be called into Crime Stoppers at 903-885-2020.
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 District Road Report for the Week of August 31, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Aug. 31, 2020. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and Washington Street as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound exit ramp for Houston and Lamar is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the Park Avenue exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street exit. The northbound frontage road from South Travis Street to near Park Avenue is scheduled to be closed beginning Sept. 1 for crews to work on building the remaining portion of the retaining wall along US 75. The estimated closure time is two months, and traffic is requested to use the US 75 mainlanes during this closure. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.
The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will be removed at a later time. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
SH 289, Grayson County: from FM 120 in Pottsboro north to the end of State Maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform pavement repairs and overlay the roadway.
FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Road to US 75. Watch for occasional lane closures as workers perform final touch ups on the project. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a signalized intersection.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to widen the roadway to provide a detour section and build portions of the new bridges. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes near the FM 3356 intersection as crews have moved traffic to the detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section when the project is finished.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road as well as the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 entrance ramp. A new traffic pattern has been implemented where westbound Spur 503 will be shifted to the southbound US 75 frontage road and will travel through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on-ramp after FM 691. The new FM 691 exit ramp is open to access FM 691.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
SH 289, Grayson County: between SH 56 and FM 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance workers perform pavement repairs.
US 69, Grayson County: between SH 56 and SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs.
FM 121, Grayson County: between US 377 and SH 289. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform edge repairs.
US 69, Grayson County: between FM 697 and SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers perform erosion repairs at the Bois D’Arc bridge structure.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Construction is expected to begin Sept. 10 on a project to rehab and widen the roadway.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided section. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement on the eastern end of the project between the Fannin and Lamar County line and County Road 2975. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while crews begin working on the inside lane to work on completing the crossovers and turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median. The SH 121 and US 82 frontage road intersections have been converted to signalized intersections. The on-ramp to westbound US 82 from SH 78 has been closed while crews work on building the new westbound main lanes. The westbound exit ramp for SH 121 is closed as crews work on building the new mainlanes in this area. Exiting traffic for SH 121 is asked to use the SH 78 exit and continue along the frontage road to SH 121.
County Road 3530, Fannin County: at Wafer Creek. County Road 3530 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new culvert. Traffic on CR 3530 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
County Road 4250, Fannin County: at Freeman Creek. County Road 4250 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 4250 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
FM 896, Fannin County: from SH 78 to Business SH 121: Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to blade level the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install guard fence and perform striping operations.
SH 19, Hopkins County: From Loop 301 to Delta County Line. Watch for crews installing erosion control devices preparing for safety enhancement work.
I-30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
I-30, Hopkins County: From Hunt County Line to Loop 301. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform concrete pavement repairs.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
FM 1507, Lamar County: from Church Street to South Collegiate Drive. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews mill existing pavement and place new hot mix.
FM 1507, Lamar County: from South Collegiate Drive to Loop 286. This roadway is closed while crews rehabilitate and resurface the existing roadway.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from US 82 West to Dawn Drive. Watch for lane closures while crews perform concrete pavement repair.
US 82 (Loop 286), Lamar County: Watch for workers as crews perform signal upgrade work. An all-way stop will be in place during various phases of this work.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement, upgrade bridge rail, and place new hot mix.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Traffic is shifted to the south side of the existing roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the north side.
SH 37, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for temporary traffic signals at bridge locations while crews upgrade bridge rail from Clarksville to Bogata.
FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (Avery) to FM 44. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews safety treat drainage structures and rehabilitate the existing pavement.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
SH 66, Hunt County: from near FM 6 to near FM 2642. A project to widen the pavement, install continuous left-turn lanes, and safety-treat fixed objects is underway. The contractor is finalizing project clean up. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers in this area.
FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903. This project will widen the shoulders and apply safety treatments to fixed objects. The contractor is currently working on watering, seeding, ditch work and placing signs. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
SPUR 264, Hunt County: in Quinlan. Sidewalk improvement project. The contractor is currently seeding and watering, sidewalk construction is complete. Please be careful when traveling in the area and watch out for workers.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor is constructing cross culverts on this roadway. Detours have been removed. Please be careful when traveling in this area and watch out for workers.
Hunt County mowing contractors are working at various locations in Hunt County.
Hunt County maintenance crews are removing a median/turn-around on State Highway 24, near the Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm in Commerce, Texas. Maintenance crews will be performing ditch work and pothole repairs at various locations as well; watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along these roadways. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from these work crews.
Rains County maintenance crews will be performing patch work on FM 2795 from SH 69 to SH 19; watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along this portion of the roadway. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from these work crews.
Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
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Williams Sentenced For Role In Lee Street Home Invasion, Robbery
A 21-year-old Paris man has been sentenced for his role in a 2019 Lee Street home invasion robbery in Sulphur Springs, according to the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Arrangements were made for Tyreese Tupac Shukar Williams to make an open plea in court earlier this month on two aggravated robbery charges and a burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another felony charge.
According to Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris, a sentencing hearing was scheduled for Aug. 27 after Williams “pled open before the Court” earlier this month.
Williams was assessed a sentence of 15 years in the Institutional Division of Texas Department of Criminal Justice at the Aug. 27 hearing, according to Harris.
Williams is one of five men accused of forcing entry into a Lee Street residence on Sept. 25, 2019, then, of robbing the occupants at gunpoint. The suspects allegedly took cell phones, a rifle and cash. Three pistols were reportedly used. One round was allegedly fired from one firearm during the commission of the offenses, but no one was injured, Sulphur Springs Police Det. Sgt. David Gilmore said following the September incident.
The four other suspects in the Lee Street home invasion robbery were arrested shortly after the offenses were reported. Williams was also identified asx a suspect. Police on Oct. 1 reported warrants had been issued for Williams’ arrest on the charge; a Crime Stoppers reward was offered for information leading to his arrest, according to police reports.
Williams has remained in Hopkins County jail since turning himself in at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office just after noon June 29, 2020.
At least two of the other suspects, Zavarion Caymond Christopher Swain and Dequenek Timothy Craig Shepard, were sentenced by 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt on June 22, 2020. Judge Northcutt sentenced Shepard to 10 years and gave Swain 10 years of deferred probation, with 180 days in jail as a condition of his probation.
Swain and Shepard had in a previous hearing plead guilty to one count each of aggravated robbery, and acknowledged their guilt in the other un-adjudicated offenses in what is referred to as a 12.45 agreement.
A&M-Commerce Elevates Status as Leader in Physics Teacher Education
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| A&M-Commerce Elevates Status as Leader in Physics Teacher Education |
| COMMERCE, Texas—The Texas A&M University-Commerce Department of Physics and Astronomy recently received additional funding from the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) to lead the creation of a PhysTEC regional network for the state of Texas. A&M-Commerce is the lead institution in the initiative, collaborating with Texas State University, the University of Houston and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. PhysTEC is a partnership between the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). The organization consists of more than 300 institutions dedicated to addressing the shortage of first-class high school physics teachers by improving and promoting physics teacher education. Last year, PhysTEC awarded a $288,397 comprehensive site grant to A&M-Commerce faculty members, Drs. Robynne Lock, William Newton and Melanie Fields. Physics teacher education programs at PhysTEC comprehensive sites serve as models for programs around the country. The funding allowed Lock, Newton and Fields to focus on recruiting and mentoring future physics teachers. They hired Clay Stanfield to be the program’s teacher-in-residence. As an experienced high school physics teacher, Stanfield works closely with the project team and future teachers. In addition to preparing physics teachers through the bachelor’s degree program, the team integrated teaching certification into the existing master’s degree program. “The grant is helping us improve the quality of physics education in Northeast Texas,” said Lock. “The lessons we’re learning will benefit physics teacher preparation programs across the country.” Dr. William Newton, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, said the new $15,000 grant will elevate the status of A&M-Commerce as a regional and national leader in physics education. He said the funding would not have been possible without the support of Dr. Melanie Fields, assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Fields teaches courses for LeoTEACH, a collaborative initiative between the College of Education and Human Services and the College of Science and Engineering, to recruit and educate secondary teachers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “Without their excellence, we wouldn’t stand a chance to get this funding,” Newton said. “The strong relationship between our STEM departments and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction through LeoTEACH has proven to be a big advantage over other institutions.” According to Dr. Kimberly McLeod, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, leading the initiative is a huge step toward creating equity, access and excitement for STEM fields throughout Texas. “I’m extremely hopeful in encouraging girls and youth from underrepresented demographic groups to benefit from this pathway to physics,” said McLeod. “I’m elated that A&M-Commerce is building this bridge for regional communities.” Assistant Dean of the college, Dr. Juan Araujo, agrees. “It is amazing what our faculty can accomplish when we work together to meet needs across the state,” Araujo said. “The addition of this network will go a long way toward building a cache of physics teachers in Texas.” Learn more about PhysTEC. _____________### About Texas A&M University-Commerce–A&M-Commerce serves rural and metropolitan East Texas with distinction, consistently delivering on a promise that our founder, Professor William Leonidas Mayo, made more than a century ago: “No industrious, ambitious youth shall be denied an education if I can prevent it.” We are committed to our university’s mission: Educate. Discover. Achieve. Programs are delivered on site at the Commerce campus as well as in Corsicana, Dallas, McKinney, Frisco and Mesquite. Many courses are also available online. Students may choose from more than 135 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. A vibrant student life experience includes 14 NCAA Division II athletic teams, a thriving Greek system and more than 120 student organizations. Contact: Michael Johnson Executive Director of Marketing and Communications 903.886.5128 [email protected] About The Texas A&M University System–The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation with a budget of $6.3 billion. The System is a statewide network of 11 universities; a comprehensive health science center; eight state agencies, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and the RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M System educates more than 151,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $1 billion in FY 2019 and helped drive the state’s economy. Contact: Laylan Copelin Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications (979) 458-6425 (512) 289-2782 cell [email protected] |
Motorist Hands Alcoholic Beverage To Deputy, Drives Off
A motorist allegedly drove off after handing an alcoholic beverage to the deputy, who stopped to check on the man parked at the roadside. The 54-year-old Arlington man was charged with evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and driving while intoxicated with an open container, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Deputies Justin Wilkerson, Chris Baumann and Elijah Fite; and Sgt. Tanner Steward were dispatched at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, on Interstate 30 east in the right lane at 135 mile marker, where a vehicle was reported to be stopped, possibly stalled, with flashers on. Wilkerson reported locating a Cadillac TBS parked on the shoulder of I-30 east near mile marker 140.
Upon contact, Wilkerson alleged the driver was holding an open alcoholic beverage container. An alcohol odor emitted from the vehicle and the man reportedly spoke with slurred speech, as if intoxicated. The deputy asked him to hand over the suspected alcoholic beverage and step out of the vehicle. The man handed over the beverage as requested, but instead of stepping out of the vehicle, he began driving away in it, Wilkerson alleged in arrest reports.
The deputy ordered him to stop, but the vehicle continued east on I-30 at a high rate of speed. Wilkerson pursued the vehicle as it exited I-30 at County Line Road. The vehicle stopped in the 400 block of County Line Road.
The man was ordered to get out of the car and get on the ground with hands behind him. He complied and was placed into custody at 11:12 p.m. Franklin County deputies then arrived on scene as cover units. When he talked to the man, identified in arrest reports as 54-year-old Reginald Dewayne Shackelford of Arlington, Wilkerson alleged alcohol could still be smelled on him while talking to him and the man’s speech was still slurred.
HCSO Deputies Fite, Baumann and Sgt. Steward arrived to relieved the Franklin County deputies. When asked, Shackelford allegedly refused to participate in any standard field sobriety testing. He was transported to jail; the vehicle was impounded. Shackelford agreed to a blood draw for analysis; the sample was taken at the hospital in Sulphur Springs, then, the Arlington man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 2:01 a.m Aug. 27 on evading arrest or detention and second offense driving while intoxicated with an open container charges, according to arrest reports.
Shackelford remained in Hopkins County overnight Friday; bond was set at $10,000 on the evading arrest charge and $5,000 on the DWI 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.
Arkansas Man Jailed On Hope, Terrell Warrants
A traffic stop on Interstate 30 at mile marker 112 by Sulphur Springs Police Officer Cleve Williams resulted in a 32-year-old Texarkana, Arkansas man’s arrest.
Williams reported stopping the a black truck Thursday night for a traffic violation. The driver was identified as Brian Roshaud Williamson.
A records check showed the driver of the stopped Dodge Laramie to be wanted by Hope, Arkansas Police for violating probation on an aggravated assault of a family member with a weapon charge and by Terrell Police on a theft of property warrant.
The Arkansas man was taken into custody at 8:47 p.m. and jailed on the Arkansas and Terrell warrants. He remained in Hopkins County jail on the charges late Friday night, according to jail reports.
Police Arrest 2 Men In Connection With Freeman Street Assault
Sulphur Springs Police arrested two Sulphur Springs men this week in connection with a Freeman Street assault.
Joseph Rashad Washington, 27, was taken into custody at 2:03 p.m. Aug. 26, and Trondamion Andrezhel Cleveland, 28, at 3:16 p.m. Aug. 26, on one second-degree felony aggravated assault warrant each, in connection with the Freeman Street assault, according to police and arrest reports.
The pair is accused of what police described as a “brutal assault” of a man around 12:30 p.m. Aug. 18, in the 700 block of Freeman Street.
Investigators believe based on the information obtained during the course of the police investigation, that the victim was grabbed, pushed into an apartment, assaulted, then left injured.
The victim reportedly sustained blunt force trauma to the head, resulting in approximately 20 stitches, and a deep knife wound on the leg resulting in approximately 30 more stitches, according to Sulphur Springs Police Det. Sgt. Jason Reneau.
Police initially began working the case as a suspected aggravated robbery, because “it had all the hallmark characteristics of a robbery,” the investigator noted. However, it was later determined nothing was taken during the assault, so police proceeded with the case as an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
After the first day of investigation, police asked for anyone who might have seen anything or have any any information about the case to contact police.
“Once we were able to get some information from the public and get positive IDs on the suspects, I got warrants that day, one on each, then we went over and served it,” Reneau said.
One of the men allegedly attempted to flee back into the residence, so SWAT team members breached the door. Both men were taken into custody Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 26, according to the detective.
Both Cleveland and Washington remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Aug. 28. Bond was set at $50,000 each on the charge.
Cleveland had just been released from Hopkins County jail Feb. 7, 2020. He was jailed Oct. 22, 2019, on an unauthorized use of a vehicle charge and warrant for violation of parole, according to jail reports.
Aug. 26 was the fourth time Washington has been booked into Hopkins County jail in 2020. He was arrested Feb. 1 on warrants for failure to appear and failure to maintain financial responsibility; and for not taking care of two no driver’s license charges, a failure to maintain financial responsibility charge, a failure to appear charge, a failure to signal a turn or lane change, and an open container-passenger charges. He was also arrested March 7 for pedestrian walking the wrong way; and June 4 for resisting arrest, search or transport and disorderly conduct, according to jail reports.
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.
2 New, 47 Active COVID-19 Cases Aug. 28 In Hopkins County
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom shortly after 5 p.m. Aug. 28 reported that local emergency management officials have been notified of 2 new positive COVID-19 cases for Hopkins County. That bring the cumulative total of positive COVID-19 cases assigned to Hopkins County since March to 240, including 47 active cases.
There were no new recoveries reported on Friday. In fact, the last time Hopkins County Emergency Management officials reported any new recoveries was Aug. 17; 18 recoveries were reported that day.
Even after 11 days with no recoveries, nearly twice as many Hopkins County residents have recovered from COVID-19 in August than in July: 94 patients have recovered so far in August, compared to the 48 recoveries reported in July. Overall, that’s 193 Hopkins County residents who have recovered from COVID-19 since mid-March, according to information reported by HCEM officials.
Four patients were reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs Aug. 28, the same number of patients as reported on Aug. 27.
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson reported a total of 354 COVID-19 tests had been conducted at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center as of 5 p.m. Aug. 27, including 85 tests conducted on Aug. 27. Free COVID-19 testing will continue to be conducted at the Civic Center Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To register, go online to GoGetTested.com.
Ricketson said based on information he’s received, the test results from the free testing at the Civic Center are “coming back pretty quick.” Newsom said the few individuals that he knew of who were tested at the Civic Center received their results in 2 days.
No additional COVID-19 deaths were assigned to Hopkins County on the Texas Department of State Health Services dashboard on Aug. 28. However, the state on Aug. 27 reported two new deaths, for a total of 7 COVID-19 fatalities assigned to Hopkins County.
Judge Newsom said local officials still have no insight regarding the death reports the state is posting on it’s COVID-19.
“Only 1 recorded from Hopkins County in our County Clerk’s office is a COVID case,” Newsom said of the death record.
Newsom and local emergency management officials said they are as frustrated as the public with the lack of and inconsistent information provided to local officials and in reports such as deaths reported by the state in the DSHS COVID-19 dashboard.
Until mid July, if a COVID-19 death was reported on the state website, county officials could investigate and, if unfounded, could contest the report.
According to the state, until July 27, COVID-19 deaths were reported publicly by local and regional health departments, after they received a notification and verified the death. Hopkins County does not have a county health department; the Commissioners Court reappointed Dr. IL Balkcom as Local Health Authority in March to act in place of the health department. Officials on at least three occasions prior to July 27 said they were never notified and had received no information as to where the state was getting the information posted about COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins county.
In instances in which no deaths had been reported to HCEM officials prior to July 27, the LHA or regional TDEM or DSHS officials, enquiries could be made and reported COVID-19 fatalities could be contested.
Hopkins County officials on at least 4 occasions contested deaths. On one occasion the LHA knew the death was not a COVID-19 death, and the report was challenged; a second death report posted by the state within 48 hours was determined to have been a duplicate posting of the first erroneous case. Within about a week the deaths were removed from the DSHS COVID-19 dashboard.
Since the reports are taken from death certificates sent to the state Vital Statistics office and uploaded from there, county officials are not only NOT being notified about COVID-19 deaths assigned to the county, but can’t obtain information to challenge the numbers posted on the dashboard either, HCEM officials said.
Within 3 days of the state switch to death certificates for reporting COVID-19 fatalities, an “automation error” in the new state reporting system reportedly resulted in more than 200 deaths being counted as COVID-19 fatalities that shouldn’t have. System changes were reportedly made over that weekend, and the cases were reportedly removed from the overall state count.
State reports of COVID-19 deaths aren’t the only state-reported COVID-19 numbers that have been challenged on behalf of Hopkins County throughout the more than 5 months of COVID-19 reporting. New daily cases counts reported for Hopkins County have also been challenged, after the Local Health Authority nurse discovered cases had been counted more than one time by the state, or if the address of a person who tested positive was questionable as being in Hopkins County. When proven to be in error, those counts were corrected.
Through midJuly, the County Trends dashboard (accessible in the Additional Data link on the DSHS COVID-19 dashboard as well as on the link on the DSHS Coronavirus main page) showed when errors had been made in state reporting of Fatalities by Date of Death or Daily New Confirmed Cases, by showing those cases as a negative number on the chart. All record of erroneous death cases have since been remove from the County Trends chart although the Daily New Confirmed Cases chart does show negative numbers to indicate 3 cases have been removed from the state count this month: 2 on Aug. 8 and 1 on Aug. 12.
The Aug. 28 Texas Health and Human Services assisted living report is another example of the inconsistencies in state reporting. The Aug. 28 report showed only 7 cumulative resident COVID-19 cases at Wesley House, 6 active and 1 recovered, which includes case reports through Aug. 14. (However, the reports for Aug. 21-27 reports, which reflect data for Aug. 6-13, showed the facility to have 8 cumulative resident cases, 6 active and 2 recovered.
The downloadable Excel document the assisted living facility data is reported on does include the following note of caution: “Data in this report reflect COVID-19 cases in residents and staff at licensed assisted living facilities, as self-reported by the provider to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) as of the date indicated. This data has been reviewed for data entry and transcription errors, but HHSC cannot verify the accuracy of the facility’s report in its entirety. Data on residents after discharge from a facility also are not reflected. All data in this report are therefore provisional and subject to change and might be different than data a provider self-reports to other private, local, state, or federal entities due to the timing of reporting or other factors. HHSC investigates every assisted living facility that reports a COVID-positive case for compliance with health and safety regulations.”
Rarely do the statistics reported to HCEM match the statistics being reported by the state on the DSHS COVID-19 dashboard.
Hopkins County officials have also reported receiving notification of 193 cumulative confirmed COVID-19 patient recoveries and 40 active cases, for a cumulative total of 240 Hopkins County residents who have tested positive COVID-19 cases since midMarch.
The DSHS Texas Case Counts dashboard for Aug. 28 shows 241 cumulative cases since March, 219 recoveries, 7 deaths and 14 active cases. While the deaths, recoveries and cases add up to the overall 240 case total reported to Hopkins County Emergency Management officials, that’s still one shy of the state DSHS cumulative count for Hopkins County.
Newsom said since the county hasn’t been officially notified of ANY COVID-19 deaths, local officials aren’t sure how or if the deaths are being counted in the overall cumulative totals reported by the state.
“I’m a little bit concerned with the state. I’m not the only county judge in the state that is concerned the information we are getting is not very accurate,” Newsom said.
As Summer Skills Work Ends, Coach Owens Says Wildcats are Far Ahead of Where They Usually Are At This Time of the Season
The Wildcats Football Team wrapped up their three-week additional skills, strength and conditioning work with a Thursday evening session at the Multipurpose Building. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens called it a great summer. He said the team’s football IQ is as good as its’ ever been. He said that’s because the UIL allowed so much teaching time this summer. Coach Owens said this final week was another good one. He said attendance has been phenomenal. He said players not only show up but they are getting after it. Coach Owens said tempers flared some during Thursday’s session. He said that shows the team has some fight in them and, of course, he said that’s a good thing. The Wildcats will continue to get together in and around school days, which start next Tuesday. The team’s first official day of practice, with helmets, will be on Labor Day morning, September 7. Players can begin to wear pads on Wednesday that week but contact will be greatly restricted for several days. Expect the team’s first spirited physical session to be at an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, September 12, which will also be Picture Day. Coach Owens said players are getting better and he said he is proud of them for their phenomenal attitude and for showing up every day. He said his team is far ahead of where they usually are this time of the season. Again he credited the UIL for allowing more skill teaching time this summer. He said he hopes the UIL will continue to allow the increased teaching time in summers to come. Coach Owens said he has seen his team grow and mature this summer. He said young offensive linemen are playing with confidence because they know what to do. Coach Owens said he is also impressed with the Wildcats’ defense and their knowledge of offensive formations and sets. He said he has seen Bull Turner, Wylie Bennett and Chandler Johnson all directing defensive traffic from back in the secondary. Coach Owens said they too understand what coaches want them to do.
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