Sulphur Bluff ISD Off To A Good Start With Health, Safety Precautions In Place
District Receives Assistance Purchasing Technology; Adds Full Time Officer To Start Campus Police Department
Sulphur Bluff ISD student began the new school year Tuesday, with multiple health precautions in place, and has some additional safety precautions and renovations in the works including starting a campus police department. The district also received help with purchase of new technology.
Back to School
SBISD’s first day of classes went well, according to Superintendent Dustin Carr, with most students opting to return to campus for in-person classes on Aug. 18. This year’s high school enrollment is one of the largest groups the district has had in a while, with over 85, according to Carr.
The district has numerous safety precautions in place, including social distancing signs, requiring kids from grade four and up to wear face masks or coverings. Electrostatic disinfectant is being used to provide a protective cover on surfaces for 30 days, and daily disinfectant spraying is also being implemented. Hand wipes are used in classrooms. Hand-sanitizer is available inside and outside of each class.
Carr said there have only been a few instances where a student has forgotten to put their masks, but were quick to comply with the reminder to be diligent in the practice as an added precaution for their safety as well as that of teachers, other students and their families.
As of Tuesday afternoon, those at SBISD remain health. No one “involved with the main campus” has had health problems yet, but the district has a plan in place should someone test positive for COVID-19, Carr reported Tuesday afternoon.
Only about a dozen students have opted for the asynchronous online learning option offered this year. The district through the Operation Connectivity offered through TEA was able to order Chromebook laptops and hotspots for half the cost of the devices.
“This is a huge help to our district, by doubling the buying power,” Carr said.
This will be especially helpful for the students who live far out in the county. The district is still waiting on some of the technology to arrive, but is “making do” until then.
Teachers in addition to their conference times, will be working to carve out time during the day to help and interact with the students who are working from home, according to Carr.
He praised the teachers and staff who worked so hard the last couple of weeks to get things ready for the start of classes this year, especially the online learning aspects this year.
“I couldn’t be prouder. I appreciate them. I have a great group of folks here,” Carr said.
New District Teachers
Included among the district employees are three new teachers.
John Toppings is the new special education teacher. He is originally from Paris, where he graduate high school in 1989. He earned an Associate of Science from Paris Junior College, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at Stephen F. Austin University and a Teacher Certification in Special Education at Texas A&M-Texarkana. He has attained professional development in autism and behavior management. From 2003-2007 he was employed at Clarksville ISD as a Life Skills Instructor. He then spent the next 7 years at Paris ISD working in the area of transition, assessment, inclusion, credit recovery and life skills. For the last 4 years, he was employed as a behavior teacher at New Boston ISD.
Zachry McDaniel is the new high school science teacher and coach. This will be his first year teaching. McDaniel is a 2016 graduate of DeKalb High School. He graduated from Southern Arkansas University in 2020 with a degree in Biology.
Kayla Anderson also joins the faculty as a new elementary physical education teacher, world geography teacher. Anderson also will be the head softball coach and assistant volleyball coach. She is from the Mount Vernon area and attained her education at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Safety Renovations, Installations
Sulphur Bluff ISD also this year will be implementing several safety renovations and installations.
Film will be placed over doorway window, making visibility one way, from the inside out as a protective measure.
At the end of the month, the district will be putting up fencing thanks to a safety and security grant. The perimeter of the campus will be fenced, which will allow the district to close off the area around the playground at the front of the property, preventing people from just walking from the parking lot onto the playground.
The biggest safety addition this year is the hiring of a full time SBISD police officer, who will officially start a campus police department. SBISD for the past couple of years has worked with local law enforcement agencies, paying off-duty deputies and police officers to serve as school officers.
Carr said he feels “pretty fortunate” to be able to employ Toney Hurley as SBISD’s first full-time officer, who is tasked with obtaining certification from the state to become an officially recognized SBISD Police Department.
Hurley retired from Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a deputy and chief investigation. His career in law enforcement also includes serving Texas and Southwest Cattle Rangers Association as a special ranger. Hurley has been involved with the school district for a long time. He has served on the school board and his children grown up in the school district. He is in the process of . Hurley will serve as police chief once the department is officially established.
Sulphur Springs ISD Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program 2020-2021
Sulphur Springs ISD encourages all students and families of students to check their eligibility for the 2020-2021 Free and Reduced-Price Meals Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
The USDA has revised the application form, remember to complete it carefully.
You can request a paper copy of the application from the Child Nutrition Department, 631 Connally ST, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
The online application is available here.
Sulphur Springs Man Allegedly Rammed Pickup Into Another Motorist
Hopkins County – August 18, 2020 – Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Alvin Jordan arrested a 22-year-old Sulphur Springs man who allegedly rammed his pickup into another motorist Tuesday morning.
At 10:09 a.m. August 18th, 2020, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers received a 911 call alleging a woman was “getting jumped on by two people”. At 10:11 a.m. communications operators received a second 911 call for the County Road 4767 address, alleging a male and female were fighting. Jordan and HCSO Sgt. Shea Shaw were dispatched to check the complaint, according to sheriff’s reports.
Jordan, in arrest reports, alleged Joseph Wayne Owens used his 2001 Dodge 3500 dually extended cab pickup to ram the driver’s side front bumper of another truck headed onto County Road 4770. Owen is accused of backing up his truck, then, ramming it into the other truck a second time, causing damage to the front of the other truck and making the two occupants of the other pickup fear for their lives.
Deputy Jordan reported stopping Owens in the pickup on FM 71 west at County Road 4766 at 10:40 a.m. and took him into custody at 10:48 a.m. Owens was jailed on two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and the truck was impounded, according to arrest reports.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Aug. 19. Bond was set at $35,000 per charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Winnsboro Police Department Report For Aug. 10-16, 2020
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of Aug. 10-16, 2020, included the following activity:
Arrests
No Arrests
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 128 calls for
service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 21 citations and 20 warnings
during this reporting period.
New Orthopedic Surgeon Joins CHRISTUS Hospital, Sulphur Springs
Dr. Chris Meltsakos will bring his skills in Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. His first day in the office will be September 7, 2020 at Trinity Orthopedic Clinic, 103B Medical Circle. The clinic phone number is 903-885-6688. Meanwhile, he will be relocating his family to town and getting to know some of his patients during a free Sports Clinic to be held on Saturday mornings from 9-11am from August 22-November 14, 2020 at Trinity Orthopedic Clinic.
Dr. Meltsakos is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology. He subsequently obtained his medical degree from New York Medical College. Dr. Meltsakos completed his orthopedic surgery residency at New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center. He completed his subspecialty training in Sports Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He and his family have moved here to Sulphur Springs from San Antonio: Dr. Meltsakos has a wife (Norma) and a brand new baby boy!
Co-ordinator of Sports Medicine for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs is Kyle Lemarr. Now in the second year of this program, Lemarr is is pleased to be the liaison between school athletic trainers and coaches and the CHRISTUS providers like Dr. Meltsakos as well as Primary Care physicians. He will be going out to Sulphur Springs the county schools to invite them to use the CHRISTUS Orthopedic services as well as the free Saturday Sports Clinic which will begin August 22, 2020.
All Ages Welcome To Enter 5th Annual Chamber Of Commerce Photography Contest
Chamber Connection for 8/20
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
It’s time for the 5th Annual Chamber of Commerce Photography Contest!
Let me review the basics. Anyone of any age can enter as we have a children’s category. The picture must be newer than Jan. 1, 2018, and must have been taken in Hopkins County. The contest will be open from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. There are seven categories you may enter: Natural World, Travel, People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children’s Category. Only digital images are accepted (no prints). To submit your photograph, email the picture to [email protected]. Rules and releases will be available on the Chamber of Commerce website. I cannot wait to see your beautiful photos!
Please remember … Friday, Aug. 28 is the last day to submit your registration form to cook in this year’s Hopkins County Stew Contest. No registrations will be accepted after this date.
The Barn of Emory is hosting Saturday night movies for the family
Starting Aug. 22, you can watch a movie with your family at the Barn of Emory. Admission is free along with free popcorn, and all other concessions are half price! The movie is a digital remake of a 1984 comedy about busting ghosts, and the venue has a 15-foot screen with a Dolby-Atmos surround sound system.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and movie rolls at 7 p.m. Social distancing seating is available. For more information, please call (903) 422-2888.
Business Highlight
During the year 2020, The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week.
Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for August 20th, Bearing General Contractors. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram
page.
Goodson Sentenced On Tampering With Evidence Charge
A Jakwaviane Kentrail Goodson pled guilty to tampering with evidence and was sentenced to 17 years in the Institutional Division of Texas Department of Criminal Justice, according to prosecutors.
The 22-year-old has been in custody since his arrest July 20, 2019 on the tampering with evidence charge, as well as an obstruction or retaliation charge and a sexual assault of a child charge, according to jail reports. He was indicted in October 2019 on both charges, according to court reports. He faced six other charges as well, according to jail, sheriff’s office and court reports.
On Feb. 21, 2020, Goodson was alleged to have been among five inmates accused of attacking and assaulting two other inmates inside Hopkins County jail, Hopkins County Sheriff’s investigators reported in February.
On Feb. 27, 2020, Goodson was charged on two counts of obstruction or retaliation and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was accused of making death threats to jail staff, sheriff’s investigators alleged in February.
Goodson pled guilty Aug. 17, 2020, before 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt to the July 20, 2019 tampering with evidence charge as part of a 12.45 agreement, according to prosecutors.
This refers to Section 12.45 of Texas Penal Code which allows a defendant to admit during the sentencing hearing guilt of one or more unadjudicated offenses and request the court to take each into account in determining sentence for the offense or offenses of which he stands adjudged guilty.
The sexual assault case was reportedly dismissed outright. Goodson pled guilt to the tampering charge. After acknowledging guilt on the obstruction/retaliation charges and aggravated assault charges, those charges were dismissed. He accepted a sentence of 17 years in prison on the tampering with evidence charge, according to the district attorney’s office.
Disturbance Results In Misdemeanor Assault Arrest
Complaint of a disturbance in which a man allegedly kicked in a door resulted in a Class C misdemeanor assault arrest late Monday night, according to sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers received two calls regarding a West Main Street residence in Como twice in less than an hour Monday night, one at 10:20 p.m. Aug. 17 of people arguing and one at 11:03 p.m. Aug. 17 of a woman and her boyfriend arguing, according to dispatch reports.
The second time, dispatchers were told a man had kicked in the back door in the 800 block of West Main Street. The man was also alleged to have made threats to other individuals at the location and possibly had a knife, a deputies noted in arrest reports.
When deputies arrived, they reported contacting the female at the front door of the residence. The male was reported to be exiting the residence from the back door. A deputy reportedly went around toward the back and contacted the male.
The male, while being detained, removed a pocket knife from his front pocket. Another male at the location reportedly claimed the man had another knife tucked into the rear of his pants. No additional weapons were located on the man, but deputies, in arrest reports, noted the man appeared to them to be intoxicated. The front of his pants appeared to be soiled, deputies noted in arrest reports.
Deputies reportedly contacted the female and two other males inside the residence. Deputies were told the man kicked the back door into the residence and made verbal threats of imminent bodily injury toward more than one individual in the residence. The 38-year-old Como man was taken into custody at 11:21 p.m. Aug. 17 for assault by threat, according to arrest reports. He was released from jail later Tuesday, Aug. 18, on the Class C misdemeanor assault charge, according to jail reports.
Lady Cats Volleyball Working on Fundamentals in August
After The Edge ended in late July, Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner gave her players a two week break. Sessions of skills and strength resumed August 10. Coach Dorner says she has had a consistent 36 players each day. She says they are working hard and are excited. Coach Dorner says she has split her team into hitters, passers and setters for individual work. There is a heavy emphasis on fundamentals. Coach Dorner says her players are itching to play someone. She says she reserves some time each day for scrimmage type work at the end. Coach Dorner says her second team of Lady Cats is beginning to show potential. He says she lost some great seniors off of her first team but she says some great core players are returning. Coach Dorner is finding her second season as a head coach somewhat easier than the first year. She says lots of the players have been with her a year and now know what she expects. Coach Dorner says there were times last season where she had to figure things out as she went along. She hopes the fundamental work now will make her team better prepared to start the delayed season. First day of practice will be September 8. A scrimmage date of September 12 has been set. The Lady Cats open the regular season on the road at Greenville on September 15.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Registration Activity at Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs
Angel Cedillo-Martinez of Sulphur Springs, left, enters information for Education Opportunity Center Advisor Tonya Yeager as he prepares to enter PJC-Sulphur Springs Center this fall. The campus is open and advisors are available each day to register students. Scholarships and federal grant funds are available. The first day of the fall semester is Sept. 8.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
