Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Choking Female Household Member
Woman Allegedly Threatened 63-Year-Old Man
August 7, 2020 – A 43-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused of choking a female household member. A 40-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was accused August 6, 2020 of making a terroristic threat.
Jackson Street Assault
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Tyler Francis responded at 1:42 p.m. August 6, 2020 to a disturbance in the 1000 block of North Jackson Street.
Upon investigation, Francis believed Cris Glenn Brown to be the aggressor in an assault. The 19-year-old household member was allegedly choked to the point she could not breath. She also had multiple injuries on both arms, allegedly from being grabbed around the arms.
Brown was taken into custody at 2:06 p.m. August 6 for assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing or circulation. An emergency protective order was put in place as well.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Aug. 7. Bond on the felony assault charge was set at $10,000.
Spence Street Threat
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman arrested a 39-year-old Sulphur Springs woman at 11:08 a.m. August 6 for allegedly making a terroristic threat of family violence.
Hoffman responded in the 100 block of West Spence Street in reference to a threat. Upon arrival, Hoffman was told the 39-year-old female resident had threatened to kill at 63-year-old male resident.
When the officer tried to talk to the woman about the alleged incident, he observed the woman to be extremely agitated; she also appeared to him to be intoxicated, Hoffman alleged in arrest reports. While talking to the woman inside of the residence, she allegedly admitted several times that she would kill the man when the officer left. Believing violence would occur if the woman remained at the location, police took her into custody for on a Class B misdemeanor terroristic threat charge.
The woman was released from Hopkins County jail Friday, August 7, 2020. Bond on the charge was set at $2,000. August 6 marked the second time in 3 months the woman as been booked into the Hopkins County jail. She was also arrested May 27 for possession of drug paraphernalia, 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.
Holiday Drive Closing At Creek Crossing Due to Erosion
The City of Sulphur Springs is closing Holiday Drive behind Lowe’s at the creek crossing, according to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell.
“We have discovered significant erosion underneath the road. it may be 30 days before the road is repaired. It should not cause much inconvenience for the few residents on Holiday Drive, since they will still have access,” Maxwell reported on Friday, August 7, 2020.
2 Jailed On Child Sex Charges
August 7, 2020 – Two Sulphur Springs men were jailed on child sex charges, according to Aug. 4-6 arrest reports
Indecency Charge
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Investigators Wade Sheets and Michael Russell at 10 p.m. Aug. 6 contacted Jordan Matthew Williams at a Sulphur Springs residence and served him with a warrant for an indecency with a child by exposure charge, according to arrest reports.
The 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man is accused of exposing his genitals to a juvenile victim. The offense was alleged to have occurred in 2019 in Hopkins County.
Williams remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Aug. 7. Bond on the charge was set at $75,0000.
Sexual Assault Charges
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Shea Shaw and Deputy Aaron Chaney arrested Fernando Santana-Vasquez at 12:10 Aug. 4 for impeding traffic. He allegedly stopped the gray Toyota Yaris in the middle of the eastbound lane of traffic in a new construction zone on State Highway 11 west. The car vehicle allegedly remained stopped for several seconds, impeding traffic. A traffic stop was conducted and the 51-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested on the traffic infraction, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Evans later served Santana-Vasquez at the jail with warrants for one aggravated sexual assault of a child charge and three sexual assault of a child charges, according to arrest reports. The offenses are alleged to have occurred on June 1.
Santana-Vasquez remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Aug. 7, in lieu of $750,000 bond — $200,000 bond on the aggravated sexual assault charge and $175,000 bond on each of the three sexual assault charges.
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.
More than $60,000, Firearm Found During Traffic Stop
Cumby Police arrested a 25-year-old Tennessee man after bundles containing more than $60,000 cash and a firearm were found during a traffic stop Thursday, August 6, 2020 according to arrest reports.
Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson alleged a marijuana odor was smelled during a traffic stop on a Nissan Sentra. The traffic stop was initated for following too close to another vehicle. The stop occurred at 12:55 p.m. August 6 on a roadway at the Cumby, TX city limits.
Police then conducted a probable cause search of the car. Robertson reported finding two bundles of money in the center console and another between the driver’s side door and driver’s seat. A 40-caliber handgun was also located between the driver’s seat and console; a records check showed the firearm to be stolen.
Following a roadside investigation, police believed the 25-year-old Memphis, Tennessee man had more than the $60,000 found inside the car. Police believed to cash to be “proceeds of criminal activity”.
Consequently, Tavaris Deandre Floyd was taken into custody at 1:20 p.m. August 6 for charges related to the $60,000 and the firearm found in the car. He was booked into Hopkins County jail on possession of a stolen firearm and money laundering charges. The 25-year-old Tennessee man remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Aug. 7, on both 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.
Cumby ISD Meet the Teacher, Schedule Pick Up Times Announced
Candidate Filing Continues Through Aug. 17 For A Place On Nov. 3 Trustees Ballot; Cumby ISD Bond Election Cancelled
Cumby ISD Meet the Teacher and schedule pick up times were announced Thursday night, Aug. 6.
A traditional Cumby ISD Meet the Teacher Night won’t be held this year due to COVID-19, but times have been allocated on four different days for parents to drop their children’s supplies off at school and meet their students’ teachers.
At the elementary level, home room teachers have been preparing postcards and sending communications out this week to their students’ families regarding any specific process they will be implementing to make things run a little smoother for all. Some have even made phone calls and communicated with their students’ families via Zoom. Parents who have not been contacted can call the school office to request information regarding their child’s teacher and procedures they will need to know about.
Those attending meet the teacher are reminded of the need to bring and wear a mask, then check in at the elementary office. The child’s teacher will come to the office to escort the visitor to the classroom to drop off supplies. Anyone experiencing signs of COVID-19 or who has had a temperature over 100 degrees within 48 hours of the visit is asked to wait until fever and symptom fee.
Parents with additional questions should call the elementary office for additional information.
Elementary parents may visit the school to meet their students’ teachers from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7; from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10; from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 11; or from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday Aug. 12. Any parents who are unable to visit during those times may contact the elementary office or their child’s homeroom teacher to discuss arranging a different time.
Parents of Cumby secondary students may pick up students’ class schedules during designated times next week. Some students have already obtained their schedules during the summer months. Schedules are also accessible through student portals.
Designated for grades 6-12 to pick up schedules are 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10; 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 11; and 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 12. This includes for students who will be participating in the online learning option this year.
Again, those visiting the school will be required to wear a face mask, will be asked to practice social distancing and to remain at home if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or if they’ve had a temperature over 100 degrees in the 48 hours prior to the intended visit time.
Additional information about these an other Cumby ISD’s back to school plans students and parents will need to know prior to the start of the 2020-21 school year on Aug. 13, including school supply lists, are available on the district website (www.cumbyisd.net) and Facebook page, watching a video in which Superintendent Shelly Slaughter outlines the changes to the school calendar and back to school options, or by contacting the students’ teacher or campus.
Cumby Elections, Edu-Nation
Cumby ISD is still accepting applications during regular business hours through Aug. 17 in the Administration Offices for candidacy in the Nov. 3 school board election.
Currently, Marsha Krotky and Kenny Campbell are serving in those seats on the board. The trustees seats are at-large and for a full 3-year term.
Cumby ISD Board of Trustees at the regular July 30 board meeting board decided, due to several factors, to cancel the Nov. 3 bond election. The school officials indicate they plan to continue to look at all options, in collaboration with the Facilities Committee, and make decisions about a future bond over the next few months.
Cumby ISD is also awaiting the final approval from TEA, Texas Education Agency, regarding the SB 1882 Partnership with Collegiate Edu-Nation. The District has been partnering with the CEN network and its schools through weekly Zoom leadership meetings and is work with Texas A&M AgriLife regarding school-wide 4-H and student-led projects for grades 3-12.
The District will continue to partner with Paris Junior College. CISD is seeking other IHE partners, such as Texas A&M-Commerce, as well as business and industry partners, to create more degree and certification options for all students. Information regarding partnerships, once determined, and implementation of programs, will be posted on the
District website and updated regularly, according to Cumby ISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter.
*Updated* Limited Visitation Allowed At Nursing Facilities And Long-Term Care Facilities
Local facilities have not been given the go-ahead yet to proceed with visitations even though the state released the press release below allowing visitations. The regional liasons and their staff will still need to provide the visitation criteria and testing criteria for our local facilities before visitations will be allowed. Although family members will still have to wait, the first step has been taken toward resuming visitations. The health and safety of the residents and staff of each facility will be addressed by management of each facility as they work with their regional liasons of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
AUSTIN – Texas Health and Human Services Commission today, Aug. 6, announced limited visitation rules for nursing facilities and long-term care facilities.
Limited outdoor visitation is being allowed for nursing facilities, and limited indoor and outdoor visitation at assisted living facilities other than nursing homes. However, no physical contact will be allowed between visitors and residents.
“Access to family and loved ones is an important part of every resident’s health and well-being, which is why this policy shift is a move in the right direction for some of our most fragile Texans,” said Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (SD-18), Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.
“Today’s announcement is a critical first step for every person in a long-term care facility and their loved ones,” said Rep. James Frank (HD-69), Chair, Texas House Committee on Human Services. “This decision underscores that state leaders recognize the need to balance the emotional and physical health impacts of isolation against the serious dangers that COVID poses to these vulnerable Texans.”
Both nursing and extended living facilities will be required to meet certain conditions to be eligible for visitation.
There can be no confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in nursing facility staff in the last 14 days and no active positive cases in residents.
Any nursing facility that previously experienced an outbreak that has fully recovered must be adequately staffed and follow adequate infection control procedures. Facility staff are to be tested for COVID-19 weekly.
Enhanced emergency rules for nursing facilities also include:
- Each facility must have a COVID-19 response plan that includes designated staff to work with cohorts of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, and staff should not change designation from one day to another, unless required to maintain adequate staffing for a cohort.
- All nursing facilities must screen all residents, staff, and people who come to the facility in accordance with specified criteria, and each resident must be screened at least three times a day for signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
- Each facility must have plans for obtaining and maintaining a two-week supply of personal protective equipment and resident recovery plans for continuing care when a resident recovers from COVID-19.
Long-term care facilities (except nursing facilities) must have adequate staffing to facilitate visitation in compliance with infection control requirements. Plexiglass is required as a safety barrier for indoor visitation to prevent spread of COVID-19.
Texas HHSC plans to continues investigating all long-term care facilities in the state that report one or more positive case of COVID-19, as well as coordinate closely with local, state, and federal health authorities.
Further guidance on limited visitation rules can be found on the on the HHSC COVID-19 provider web page/ The full emergency rules can be found by clicking here.
Aug. 6 COVID-19 Update: 6 New Cases, 55 Active Cases Reported For Hopkins County
For the fifth consecutive day, Hopkins County Emergency Management officials reports new COVID-19 cases. Thursday, Aug. 6 marked the second day in a row in which 6 new positive COVID-19 cases were reported for Hopkins County.
That’s 38 new cases and 37 recoveries reported so far this week, including 1 new case on Sunday, 12 on Monday, 13 Tuesday, and 6 each on Wednesday and Thursday, Hopkins County Emergency Management officials reported 30 recoveries on Monday and 7 Wednesday. There were no additional patient recoveries reported on Thursday.
That brings the overall cumulative total to 190 COVID-19 cases since mid March. Of those, 135 Hopkins County residents have recovered, leaving 55 active cases of COVID-19 in Hopkins County on Aug. 6 according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
Only one patient was reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Aug. 6, That’s three fewer than on Aug. 5. No COVID-19 patients were reported to be on ventilators. Officials did not know if the patient in the COVID-19 unit was a resident of Hopkins or another county.
Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s dashboard continues to show one fatality for Hopkins County. The death was first reported on the DSHS/HHS dashboard on July 29. The DSHS “COVID-19 Total Fatalities by County” spreadsheet shows the fatality to have been assigned to Hopkins County on July 23.
Hopkins County Emergency Management officials still report neither they or regional DSHS officials have received any information regarding any COVID-19 deaths of Hopkins County residents.
Texas Health and Human Services reports show as of July 22 no patients in Sulphur Springs nursing homes and assisted living facilities had contracted COVID-19 since the state began collecting the data.
HHS reports continue to show only two cumulative positive cases among employees at one nursing home in town, but no active cases as of the July 23 report date. An employee at the facility was reported from July 13-20 as actively having COVID-19. All data in this report is 2 weeks behind so that information self-reported by these facilities can be entered and error-checked, according to DSHS.
Wood County Sheriff’s Office Report – July 29-August 4, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for July 29-August 4, 2020:
- Suspicious Activity: 12
- Alarm: 5
- Burglary: 3
- Theft: 3
- Criminal Trespass: 11
- Assault: 1
- Disturbances/Disputes: 12
- Shots Fired: 1
- Criminal Mischief: 1
- Reckless Driver: 5
- Terroristic Threat: 1
- Welfare Check: 9
- Arrest/Warrant Services: 13
- Livestock at Large: 10
- Harassment: 1
- Damaged Property: 0
- Fraud: 3
- Motorist Assist: 4
- Animal Complaint: 5
- Inquest: 0
- Missing Person: 0
- Abandoned Vehicle: 1
- Noise Complaint: 0
- Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle: 0
- Structure Fire: 0
Hopkins County Testing Update: 1,799 Tested – 1,583 Negative, 185 Positive, 32 Pending
Nearly 1,800 COVID-19 tests have been conducted on Hopkins County residents over the last 144 days, with 184 test results coming back positive and 1,583 negative for novel coronavirus 2019, according to Aug. 6 testing update provided by Hopkins County Hospital District COO/Hopkins County EMS Director Brent Smith.
Overall, that’s 49 additional Hopkins County residents testing positive for COVID-19 from July 24, when the last testing report was issued, to 8:30 a.m. Aug. 6. From July 25-31, there were 16 new positive cases, closing out July with 89 total new positive COVID-19 cases for Hopkins County residents. So far in August, there have been 32 new COVID-19 cases reported for Hopkins County: one new case on Aug. 2, 12 on Aug. 3, 13 on Aug. 4 and 6 new cases Aug. 5.
While the number of people testing has gone up so have the number of patients tested, those testing positive and patients recovering from COVID-19. An additional 197 COVID-19 tests were conducted on Hopkins County residents between July 24 and Aug. 6, increasing the overall total since March 21 to 1,799 tests conducted. Another 32 test results are still pending, that’s 41 fewer pending tests than on July 24.
Another 197 test results for Hopkins County residents came back negative for COVID-19. That’s 1,583 of the total 1,799 COVID-19 tests conducted on Hopkins County residents that have come back negative since HCHD/EMS began providing testing reports on March 21.
For only the second time in the 144 days HCHD/EMS has been tracking COVID-19 testing numbers have the number of recoveries outpaces the number of new cases reported. From July 24-Aug. 6, there were 53 recoveries and 49 new cases. The only time that’s happened was the reporting period from June 24 to July 2, when 17 new cases and 27 patient recoveries were reported.
During the first 5 days of August, Hopkins County Emergency Management officials reported 37 Hopkins County residents recovering from COVID-19,30 on Aug. 3 and 7 on Aug. 5. From July 24-31, HCEM officials reported 26 recoveries, 6 each on July 28 and 30 and 14 on July 31, closing out the month of July with at total of 48 Hopkins County residents recovering from COVID-19.
Reported results are estimates sent off by area healthcare providers for definitive testing to either a private lab or DSHS. While several healthcare providers are now conducting rapid antibody testing instead of molecular PCR testing, these reports do not include antibody testing results, which are not recognized by Texas Department of State Health Services, according to Smith.
Smith further noted in his report that “the types of testing and availability is changing rapidly with no means of standard gathering of information and reporting other than to the person who receives the test.”
Some private businesses and health facilities have also opted to use private organizations to screen workers. Those numbers also are not reflected in the testing numbers provided by HCHD/EMS either, as they are not required to report the information to the hospital district; that information is only reported to DSHS.
Membership News of Hopkins County Genealogical Society
Dear Members,
The Texas State Genealogical Society has a virtual conference this coming Friday and Saturday, August 7-8, with outstanding speakers. And if you cannot attend those dates, access to the recordings & handouts will be available until November 15, 2020 to watch on any device at any time or place. There are 8 speakers (one of these is Ari Wilkins who is an HCGS favorite & spoke to our society last year) with 8 great topics. Here is a link :https://www.txsgs.org/txsgs-2020-virtual-conference/
If you are a Facebook user, you might check out our “Hopkins County Genealogical Society” page where we post information about upcoming events and library announcements. We also have a “Hopkins County Genealogical Society” group which can easily be accessed from that page by clicking the blue button that says “Visit Group”, below the profile photo. There you can post discussions about ancestors or questions. Who knows someone might have a photo of your ancestor or give you a suggestion to try that helps break down a brick wall.
After being temporarily closed last week, we reopened Monday morning, August 3rd. Our hours will now be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ( We will use the time between the usual 9:00 a.m. opening and 9:30 a.m. to clean and sanitize the computers and other shared surfaces). The HCGS library will resume Saturday morning hours beginning September 12th from 9:30 – 12:00. We will be closed on September 5th in observance of the Labor Day holiday weekend.
