Hopkins County Clearance Rate Remains High, Even With Increases In 5 of 9 Major Offense Categories
The Hopkins County clearance rate for all offenses recorded Jan. 1-June 30, 2020 by sheriff’s officers was 94.87 percent, which includes the 9 major offense reporting categories, crimes against children, drug and other offenses.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office typically provides data regarding the nine major crime reporting categories, as do most departments. However, this year, in addition to the traditional statistics, information was also provided about other offense categories to provide a more complete picture of crime reported to and cases worked by HCSO.
9 Major Reporting Categories
The HCSO clearance rate for the nine major offense reporting categories was 88.23 percent during the first 6 months of 2020, despite an overall increase in the nine major offense reporting categories. Offenses increased in 5 categories, declined in 1 category and was unchanged in three offense categories. the overall total was still the third lowest in 20 years.
Twenty-two more offenses were reported in the 9 traditional reporting categories during the first 6 months of 2020 than the 20-year record low of 47 offenses reported Jan. 1-June 30, 2019. That’s just three more offenses reported from Jan. 1-June 30, 2020, than the 66 offenses reported for the same period in 2018.
The 69 cases reported in the first half of 2020 is still less than a third of the record high of 214 offenses reported during the first six months of 2001, 6-months in which only 132 cases were cleared (61.58 percent). In only one other year were there more than 200 offenses in the 9 categories, 204 in 2004, a year in which only 116 cases (56.86 percent) were cleared. The offense total in the 9 major crime reporting categories has only risen over 100 twice since 2010: 105 offenses in 2011 and 102 offenses in 2015.
Overall, 62 of the 69 offenses recorded by HCSO were cleared. That’s the first time in five years the Jan.1-June 30 clearance rate has been less than 90 percent. The clearance rate has remained above 80 percent since 2012, a year in which 98 cases were reported and 81 cases were cleared.
“When it looks like offenses are down and clearance rates are up, it’s because officers are working twice as hard to keep the numbers down,” Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said.
Tatum and HCSO Chief Deputy Corley Weatherford attributed the low crime rate in the 9 major reporting categories and high clearance rates to the deputies’ commitment and diligence to “proactive policing” to keep the county and its citizens protected. The deputies’ presence while patrolling in all areas of the county, stopping people when they see infractions, making contact with individuals and residents, serves as a deterrent for some criminal activity.
Tatum commended the proactive work of the deputies as well as the other county employees and citizens. Even precinct workers and mail carriers are alert, calling in if they drive up on or see something potentially suspicious. Jail staff remain alert.
Citizens also play a role. They assist HCSO by keeping an eye out for their neighbors, reporting activity that appears suspicious, and getting license plate numbers and other vehicle descriptions when a vehicle is involved, sheriff noted.
“We want them to continue to do that. It takes everybody working together,” Tatum said. “There are not enough of us to do it by ourselves. The citizens in the community do their part and help out. Everybody helps out.”
Proactive policing has made a huge difference in over the last 10 years in reducing the number of burglaries and thefts reported in Hopkins County, according to the HCSO officials,
Burglaries have continued to drop significantly over the last 20 years, to the point the 2020 total is only about 1/10th the total reported during the first 6 months of 2001. HCSO reported 68 burglaries in 2001, almost as many burglaries as the total for all 9 categories in 2020.. The 6-month burglary total has remained below 50 since 2003. During the first half of each year since 2007, there have been less than 40 burglaries. For 5 years, there have been less than 20 burglary cases recorded by HCSO during the first half of the year. A new Jan. 1-June 30 record low of 7 burglary cases was set in 2020, down two from the previous record low set in 2019. Of the 7 cases 6 were cleared, for an overall burglary clearance rate of 85.71 during the first half of 2020.
From Jan. 1 to June 30 of 2020, HCSO made reports for 17 thefts, 12 of which were cleared (70.58 percent). While that’s nearly twice the record low of 9 theft or larceny cases reported by HCSO during the first half 2019, the 17 thefts reported in 2020 is still 75 percent less than the 68 reported in 2001 and the 20-year record high of 70 thefts reported in 2004.
Two murders were reported and two cleared during the first half of 2020, the same as in 2018. This is another category that typically has few if any offenses recorded. Only during the first half of 2004, 2009 and 2011 were any murders recorded, and only one in each.
Three sexual assaults were reported during the first half of 2020, but one attempted sexual assault report was determined to be unfounded, reducing the total two. That’s up from 2019, when only one sexual assault was reported to sheriff’s officers. This is another category that typically has few, if any cases. The most sexual assaults reported during the first half of the year was 6 in 2005, and repeated in 2008, 2011 and 2018. There were 3 sexual assaults reported in 2009; two each in 2003, 2013, and 2017; and one sexual assault report made in 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2019. These cases do not include offenses in which the alleged victim is a child. The 2020 clearance rate for this category, as well as all categories involving violent crimes against people, was 100 percent.
There were 20 simple assaults reported during the first half of 2020, the same as in 2015 and five more than in 2019. That’s still only about one-third of the record high of 58 simple assault offenses recorded in 2001. This category didn’t drop below 50 until 2005, but has remained below 30 since 2011.
Nine aggravated assaults were reported during the first half of 2020, the same as in 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2019. The least number of aggravated assaults was one in 2010. In only two of the last 20 years have more than 20 aggravated assaults been reported during the first half of the year: 27 in 2004 and the record high of 30 in 2008.
There were no robberies and no arson cases in 2020. Rarely are any offenses recorded in either category. In only five of the last 20 years have any arson cases been reported during the first 6 months of the year: three in 2003; two each in 2012, 2015 and 2018; and one arson case in 2016. Only six times since 2001 have any robberies been reported for Hopkins County during the half of the year, and none in the last 6 years: two robberies in 2011 and one robbery each in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2014.
HCSO made 12 unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (vehicle theft) offense reports, and cleared 10 UUMV cases in 2020, for an overall clearance rate of 83.33 percent. That’s 8 more UUMV cases recorded in 2020 than the first half of 2019, when the 20-year low was set, but still 4 less than the record high of 16 UUMV cases reported in 2008.
The unauthorized use of motor vehicle category includes all stolen vehicle reports made by deputies, but does not necessarily mean the auto was stolen from Hopkins County. An UUMV report would also be made for vehicles stolen from another county that were recovered in Hopkins County during a traffic stop or other interaction with the driver. For instance, a Hunt County investigator working near the Hunt-Hopkins County line on more than one occasion has received confirmation from a license plate reader that a vehicle traveling west on I-30 was stolen for another county. He radioed officials in Hopkins County, where the vehicle is stopped and recovered, and an arrest is made. An UUMV report would be made in Hopkins County, where an unauthorized person was caught in the stolen vehicle.
Overall Offenses
While those 9 offense categories are the most reported offenses, they are by no means a complete picture of HCSO’s total case load. In fact, they only account for about 30 percent of the overall offense reports taken by HCSO officers during the first half of 2020.
“It’s important to let people know what’s going on in Hopkins County,” Tatum said. “These categories don’t include child pornography or other crimes against children or drug cases.”
In an effort to provide a more complete report, HCSO is providing information about other reportable offenses from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2020, with the exception of DWI, which are recorded differently.
Overall, HCSO made 234 case reports and cleared 222 of those cases from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2020, for an overall clearance rate of 94.87 percent for Hopkins County. (This includes only offenses reported to HCSO, but does not include offenses for cities that have their own police department and are required annually to report case information to the state.)
Of the 234 offenses recorded by HCSO officers, 23 offenses (almost 10 percent) were for crimes against children: five indecency with a child cases, five sexual assault of a child cases, two sexual performance by a child cases, six possession or promotion of child pornography cases, four abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence cases and one online solicitation of a minor case. Of those cases, one indecency case was determined to be unfounded. The clearance rate for this category was 100 percent.
Tatum said some of these cases have increased since 2014 due mostly to the specialized training Weatherford received and specialized lab which helps detect certain online offenses as well as with the forensic investigation of devices when certain crimes such as online pornography or solicitation offenses are alleged.
Hopkins County also made 88 controlled substance, marijuana, drug and other related offense reports during the first 6 months of 2020. That’s nearly 38 percent of all offense reports made from Jan. 1-June 30, 2020, according to the HCSO data. There were 79 possession of a controlled substance cases, three manufacture or delivery of controlled substance cases, four possession of marijuana cases, two possession of dangerous drug cases and four tampering with evidence cases.
Five burglary of a motor vehicle offenses were reported, but only two of those cases were cleared. All four of the evading arrest or detention cases reported during the first half of 2020 were cleared.
Categories with three offense reports each included criminal mischief, failure to register as a sex offender or failure to comply with terms of sex offender registration, fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, terroristic threat and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. All of these cases, except for one criminal mischief case, were cleared.
Offense categories in which HCSO officers made 1-2 case reports each included criminal instrument, criminal trespass, deadly conduct, drug test falsification/classification, false report, forgery, harassment, interference with duties, obstruction/retaliation, repeated violation, resisting arrest and unlawful carrying of a weapon
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.
Blackmon Selected As New Assistant District Attorney
Aug 23, 2020 – Zack Blackmon is excited to be back home working in and serving the community where he grew up. He was sworn in on Thursday, Aug. 13, as an assistant district attorney in the 8th Judicial District.
Sulphur Springs is home to Blackmon. He graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 2013, then went to Texas Tech University. He earned his undergraduate degree in 2016 from Texas Tech, then attended Texas Tech School of Law.
While at Texas Tech, he reportedly served as vice chair of trial advocacy, ran the law school’s intramural mock trial competitions and was an advocate for the school’s traveling mock trial team
During his summer and winter breaks, from May 2016 through August 2017, Zach Blackmon interned at Roper and White Attorneys at Law. From May 2018 through August 2018, he interned at Gordon Davis Johnson & Shane PC in the El Paso area.
Blackmon earned his Juris Doctor degree from Texas Tech University School Of Law in 2019, then spent a year working for Gordon Davis Johnson & Shane in the El Paso area in business and commercial litigation.
The new assistant district attorney said while he enjoyed his work in El Paso, he wanted to return to the Northeast Texas area and Sulphur Springs. He reached out to contacts in the area and was put in contact with District Attorney Will Ramsay as well. He said when talking with Ramsay, he really liked the district attorney’s philosophy.
He’s excited to work at the district attorney’s office, where he too will strive to achieve justice, which doesn’t necessarily fit into one model, while protecting citizens, whether that means a case is resolved with a conviction, a trial, probation, time or other disposition.
ADA Blackmon acknowledged that the criminal prosecutor’s office is different from the mostly civil litigation he practiced over the last year. At the DA’s office he’ll be handling felony criminal cases.
“I’m learning a lot about criminal procedure,” Blackmon said, after nearly a week in office.
He is able to draw on his previous experience in the courtroom in his work at the district attorney’s office. He knows the basics of law, how to look at the facts and research, but his knew job will require some adjustments, including learning more about the particulars of criminal law such as enhancements for specific offenses.
Blackmon said he is glad to be back in his hometown, excited to be able to give back to the community where he grew up by helping people and businesses through his work at the district attorney’s office. He also appreciates being close enough to spend more time with his family, which includes parents Michelle and Randy Blackmon.
Sulphur Springs ISD Welcome The Wildcats Events Scheduled Aug. 24-28
Sulphur Springs ISD Welcome the Wildcats events are scheduled the week of Aug. 24-28, to help ready students for the start of classes on Sept. 1.. Registration must be completed for all students, prior to Welcome the Wildcats.
Elementary
Parents of elementary students are encouraged to “drive through” the appropriate “Welcome the Wildcats” event location to familiarize themselves and their student with the location of the campus, meet their new teacher and to drop-off school supplies to make the first day of school less stressful. Virtual students will pick up their device during Meet the Wildcats evens as well.
The Welcome the Wildcats schedule for elementary-aged students is as follows:
- Tuesday, August 25, 5-7 p.m.
- Douglas Early Childhood Learning Center – Head Start 3 and Head Start 4
- Bowie, Bush, Lamar and Travis Primary – Kindergarten and Second grade
- Sulphur Springs Elementary – Fourth and Fifth Grades
- Thursday, Aug. 27, 5-7 p.m.
- Douglas ECLC – Pre-Kindergarten
- Bowie, Bush, Lamar and Travis Primary – First and Third Grades
- Sulphur Springs Elementary – Fourth and Fifth Grades
Students who are enrolled, but unable to attend “Welcome the Wildcats” event may “drive-through” visit their assigned campus between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, to find out their classroom assignment, drop off school supplies and/or pick up a device for virtual instruction. However, teachers will not be available to meet with parents and students on Friday.
Parents may begin the enrollment process online at www.ssisd.net under the “For Parents” tab (“Registration” link) and should submit enrollment documents including proof of residence, Social Security card, birth certificate and shot record.
Parents of new-to-the district enrolling Head Start 3 and 4 and pre-kindergarten students may register at Douglas ECLC, 600 Calvert Street. Parents of new-to-the district enrolling students in kindergarten or first, second or third grades should report to Sulphur Springs ISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St., to register and receive a campus assignment for their students. Parents of new-to-the-district fourth and fifth graders can complete the registration process for their children at Sulphur Springs Elementary, 829 Bell St.
Middle School
Welcome the Wildcats for Middle School students will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, for incoming sixth graders and new 7th and 8th graders only.
All enrolled students will have access to schedules via skyward on-line at that time. Schedules will not be finalized until Aug. 27. Scheduled available in Skyward before then are not final, and may not be correct.
SSMS staff is notifying parents who have indicated their children will attend the SSMS virtual academy to schedule a time for them to visit the campus for an orientation and to receive your child’s school issued device.
ALL seventh grade students have an immunization requirement from the state of Texas that must be verified by the SSMS nurse before the student will receive his/her schedule. Parents are urged to take care of this requirement by faxing updated immunization records to Nurse Vickie Vaughan at 903-439-6126 as soon as possible
New-to-district students should be enrolled prior to “Welcome the Wildcats” events so that middle school schedules will be ready upon arrival to campus.
Parents may begin the enrollment process online at www.ssisd.net under the “For Parents” tab (“Registration” link) and should submit enrollment documents such as proof of residence, Social Security card, birth certificate and shot record at Sulphur Springs Middle School, 835 Wildcat Way.
High School
All students in grades 9 through 12 will receive notification through Skyward when schedules are available for viewing. Any scheduling concerns should be addressed by contacting the students’ assigned counselor by email.
Sulphur Springs High School counselors are assigned based on the first letter of each SSHS student’s last name. Karey Brice, counselor for last names starting with A-G, may be contacted at [email protected]. Carol Cowley, counselor for students whose last names begin with H-O, can be contacted at [email protected]. Leslie Harred, lead counselor and counselor for students with last names beginning P-Z, may be contacted at [email protected].
The schedule for students to visit the campus to pay their $10 program fee take care of device paperwork and distribution or upgrades is as follows:
- Monday-Tuesday, Aug. 24-25, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Grades 9 – 12 Virtual Academy students will attend 15-minute virtual learning training session and receive a new device.
- Tuesday-Wednesday, Aug. 25-26, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Grades 10, 11 and 12 will return their devices for updates. Devices will be returned the week school begins. Students who have Kajeets should return those as well.
- Thursday-Friday, Aug. 27- 28, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Grade 9 will pick up and learn about basic care for their new devices.
Any students turning in a laptop with damage to the screen, keyboard or ports should be prepared to pay a damaged device fee of $10. All other damage will be assessed at the time of return, SSHS officials reported Monday, Aug. 24.
Parents of new-to-the district high school students may begin the enrollment process online at www.ssisd.net under the “For Parents” tab (“Registration” link) and should submit enrollment documents such as proof of residence, social security card, birth certificate and shot record at Sulphur Springs High School, 1200 Connally St.
Online registration must be completed for all SSHS students. The person listed as “family 1” in Skyward will be required to log in and complete student registration; students cannot register themselves. Others listed as “family 2” will not be able to register students. For assistance call SSHS office, 903-885-2158.
Seniors who have not paid their one-time $30 dues are asked to contact Mrs. Anglin or a class officer to get that paid as soon as possible.
SAT will be conducted at SSHS Saturday, Aug. 29. Students should enter the main building through door 1 (the teacher entrance). Masks will be required
Meal A Day Menu Aug. 24-28, 2020
Meal A Day volunteers work five days a week preparing meals at the Senior Citizens Center, then deliver then to shut-in elderly in the community. The Meal A Day menu for Aug. 24-28, 2020 includes:
Monday – Beef Tostada Casserole, Mexican Corn and Spring Salad
Tuesday – Loaded Baked Potato with Chicken, Spinach and Fresh Sliced Tomatoes
Wednesday – Sliced Pit Ham, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw and a Roll
Thursday – Smothered Beef Patties, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll
Friday – Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Linguine and Garlic Sticks
Volunteer cooks and delivery drivers are always welcome and often needed. Contact Karon Weatherman at 903-885-1661 or at the Senior Citizens Center.
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.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Theft Of Firearm Charges
Sulphur Springs, TX – August 22, 2020 – A 36-year-old Sulphur Springs Sulphur Springs man was jailed on theft of firearm charges, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Baumann contacted 36-year-old William Wade Crist of Sulphur Springs at 3:08 a.m Saturday, August 22, and served him with two warrants for theft of firearm. Crist was jailed on the charges. The offenses, according to the arrest report, were alleged to have occurred around 4 p.m. August 21.
Crist was released from Hopkins County jail later Saturday, August 22, on $5,000 bond per charge.
August 22 is the second time this year that Crist has been in Hopkins County jail. He was also arrested Febreary 13 for driving while license invalid and failure to maintain financial responsibility.
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.
SCU Investigation Results In Two Controlled Substance Arrests
An investigation into suspected narcotic sales at a Georgia Street residence resulted in two controlled substance arrests Friday, according to arrest reports. One of the arrests marked the second time both have been in jail this summer on a controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Department Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes, accompanied by SSPD Officer Francisco Castro, contacted occupants of a Georgia Street residence around 10 a.m. Aug. 21 in reference to tips a 36-year-old Yantis man was possibly selling narcotics, according to arrest reports.
The owner of the residence reportedly allowed the officers inside the residence, where they immediately encountered suspect Adam Joshua Hodges and two other people. On initial contact with Hodges, Estes alleged seeing a methamphetamine pipe and several pieces of a crystal-like substance he suspected to be meth on a night stand in the front bedroom, where Hodges was located.
After obtaining permission from the homeowner and Hodges, officers searched the room. Estes, in arrest reports, alleged finding 3.23 grams of suspected methamphetamine in the top drawer of the night stand and additional drug paraphernalia, including the meth pipe in plain view. Consequently, Hodges was arrested on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Cheyenne Nicole Carter of Sulphur Springs allegedly claimed several bags at the location and gave officers permission to search them. One bag contained a small metal container with several syringes, including one loaded with a substance 25-year-old Carter identified as meth, Estes alleged in arrest reports. Consequently, Carter was arrested for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Hodges was released from Hopkins County jail Saturday, Aug. 22, on a $10,000 bond on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge. Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, was second time in less than a month and four time in less than a year that Hodges has been booked into Hopkins County jail.
Hodges was most recently jailed July 23 on another possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, as well was tampering with evidence and evading arrest charges. Sheriff’s deputies found him in a Georgia Street garage down the street from a back yard where a suspicious person had been reported. When officials attempted to contact him, he allegedly took off running across Lee Street and through a yard before they caught up to him. They retraced Hodges’ path, finding a bag of pills identified as morphine, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Todd Evans and Deputy Dustin Fisher alleged in the July 23 arrest reports.
The 36-year-old Yantis man was also arrested May 19, 2020 for driving while license invalid; and Sept. 24, 2019, on a violation of parole warrant and a Franklin County assault causing bodily injury warrant, according to jail reports.
Carter also released from Hopkins County jail Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, on a $5,000 bond on the felony possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
Friday, Aug. 21, was the second time Carter has been arrested this summer for having less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. She was also jailed July 15, after admitting during a Hillcrest Drive traffic stop that she was in possession of methamphetamine, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Silas Whaley alleged in the July arrest report.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of August 24, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Aug. 24, 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.
The following roadways in Grayson County will receive a seal coat treatment in the upcoming week: US 377 from SH 56 to the Denton County line; FM 922 from the Cooke County line to US 377; SH 56 from Colbert Street in Sherman to the Fannin County line; and FM 406 from SH 289
to FM 84. During this time, daytime lane closures will be present.
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 FM 120 and US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as 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.
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.
The following roadways in Fannin County will receive a seal coat treatment in the upcoming week: SH 56 from the Grayson County line to SH 121; Spur 311 from SH 56 to SH 121; FM 1396 from SH 56 to FM 2029; FM 273 from FM 2029 to FM 100; FM 100 from FM 273 to FM 79; and FM 79 from FM 100 to the Lamar County line. During this time, daytime lane closures will
be present.
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 2250, Fannin County: at Coffee Mill Creek. County Road 2250 has been reopened to traffic as the new bridge structure is complete.
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.
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.
FM 195, Red River County: from FM 410 North to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence and complete cross culvert extensions at two locations.
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 placing overlay on FM 816 and SH 34 at various locations, and performing ditch work and pothole repairs 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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Little Rock Man Accused Of Money Laundering And Possession Of Marijuana, Pills
A 29-year-old Little Rock man was accused of money laundering and possession of pills and marijuana, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped at 12:38 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, on the north Interstate 30 service road near mile marker 120 to check on the occupant of a Honda Accord stopped on the side of the road. Upon contact, deputies alleged a strong odor of marijuana emitted from inside of the car. Baggies containing a green, leafy substance believe were observed on the front seat and pills were visible in the ashtray, Lt. Amanda Weatherford and Deputy Drew Fisher alleged in arrest reports.
While a deputy was conducting a records check using the Arkansas man’s information, the man allegedly moved to the passenger’s side of the car, where he could be seen making furtive movements. The deputy returned to the car to find the man placing items into the back of his underwear, and when the Arkansas man turned around there was a large bulge in his underwear, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
When a deputy attempted to place the man into handcuffs, he pulled away, resisting the sheriff’s officer’s efforts. The Arkansas man, identified in arrest reports as Bryon Jamison Brown, reportedly reached for the bulge several times. The officer removed a clear bag with several different pills inside and a bag of marijuana from that area, then found a large amount of US currency in Brown’s pocket, Weatherford and Fisher alleged in arrest reports. A search of the vehicle allegedly revealed scales, empty baggies, marijuana, empty medication bottles and other paraphernalia.
Brown was taken to jail, where the pills were identified as 2.39 grams of oxycodone and 0.42 grams of hydrocodone. The money was reported to be over $2,500 but less than $30,000, according to arrest repots.
Brown remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, Aug. 22. Bond was set at $10,000 on a tampering with physical evidence charge and a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, $5,000 on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and $15,000 on the money laundering charge, according to jail reports.
Unresponsive Person Complaint Results In Location Of Meth And Marijuana; Felony Arrest
An unresponsive person complaint allegedly resulted in location of methamphetamine and marijuana, and one felony arrest Friday morning.
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Nick Floyd and Francisco Castro responded at 8:21 a.m. on Kasie street, where a person was thought to be unresponsive. Hopkins County EMS also responded.
Upon arrival, police learned the person in question was conscious in bed, able to talk to police. The 24-year-old man refused treatment by EMS. He was asked to get up and talk to officers another area of the residence, and was assisted in getting up and there., the officers alleged in arrest reports.
A green, leafy substance identified by the resident as marijuana and a a crystal-like substance identified by the resident as methamphetamine were allegedly observed in plain view in the living room area. Jesus Castro claimed the items and was arrested for possession of 3.77 grams of methamphetamine and about half an ounce of marijuana, Castro and Floyd alleged in arrest reports.
Jesus Castrol remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, Aug. 22. Bond was set at $10,000 on the controlled substance charge and $1,000 on the marijuana charge, 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.
Aug. 21 Hopkins County COVID-19 Update: 4 New Cases, 36 Active Cases
State Now Reporting COVID-19 Information For Texas Child Care Facilities
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 5 p.m. Aug. 21 announced 4 new positive COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County. That increases the total number of active cases in Hopkins County to 36. There were no new recoveries to report on Aug. 21.
There have been 77 new cases and 94 recoveries reported through Aug. 21. That’s 10 more cases and 72 more recoveries than on the July 21, and 12 fewer cases and 46 more recoveries than were reported during the whole month of July.
Since midMarch, the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in Hopkins County is 229, and total recoveries is 193 recoveries.
Officials reported there were 6 patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Aug. 20. That’s one more than were reported on Aug. 20, but still one less than reported on Aug. 2, Aug. 13 and Aug. 15.
State Reports For Hopkins County
Texas Department of State Health Services‘ COVID-19 dashboard on Aug. 21continues to show three COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County, on July 17, July 23 and Aug. 2. Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said local officials have still not had any official notifications of any Hopkins County residents dying as a result of COVID-19 since the state showed the first death last month, but hope to have more information next week.
Texas Department of Health and Human Services Commission’s reports do show there have been no COVID-19 deaths reported for either residents or employees of Hopkins County nursing and assisted living facilities.
HHSC does report an outbreak of COVID-19 cases among staff and patients at an assisted living facility in Sulphur Springs earlier this month, with a total of 3 cumulative employee and 8 cumulative resident cases reported on Aug. 6, the most recent date for which the state has information.
On Aug. 4, the assisted living facility reported 3 active cases among employees. On Aug. 6, the facility still had 3 active cases among employees. The facility Aug. 4-5 had 6 active resident cases and 1 resident had recovered from COVID-19. On Aug. 6-7, the facility reported 7 active cases among residents, and still just 1 resident who has recovered, according to the HSSC Assisted Living COVID-19 Self-Reported Case Count reports.
Among nursing home facilities in Sulphur Springs, there had been no reports of residents testing positive for COVID-19 and no new employee cases reported as of Aug. 7. One nursing home previously reported 3 employees had tested positive for and had also recovered from COVID-19, according to the HHSC Nursing Facility COVID-19 Self-Reported Case County report.
Data for nursing and assisted living facilities is typically 2 weeks behind. It is self-reported by facility staff to HHSC, and is then reviewed for data entry and transcription errors. HHSC investigates every assisted living facility that reports a COVID-positive case for compliance with health and safety regulations. Data on any resident after discharge from a facility would not be reflected in the state report, according to HHSC.
On Friday, Aug. 21, the state also released COVID-19 information regarding Texas child care facilities. Three of the four facilities have reported one worker each who has tested positive for COVID-19 since March but had no active cases on Aug. 20; one of those facilities also had one enrolled child who tested positive for COVID-19 since March but no active child cases. The fourth child care facility has had 2 employees test positive for COVID-19 since March but has no active employee cases, and has reported no child cases since March. These are self-reported COVID-19 cases in licensed child care centers, school-age programs, and before or after-school programs.
