Wood County Sheriff’s Office Report For Sept. 23-29, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Sept 23 -29, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 2
- Livestock At Large: 18
- Alarm: 9
- Missing Person: 2
- Animal complaint: 7
- Motorist Assist: 2
- Arrest/Warrant: 3
- Noise Complaint: 1
- Assault: 3
- Reckless Driver: 2
- Burglary: 6
- Shots Fired: 1
- Criminal Mischief: 3
- Suspicious Activity: 24
- Criminal Trespass: 2
- Terroristic Threat: 2
- Deadly Conduct: 1
- Theft: 8
- Disturbances/Disputes: 9
- Unauthorized Use of Vehicle: 1
- Fraud: 2
- Welfare Check: 9
- Harassment: 2
- 911 Violations: 1
- Inquest: 3
Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center Testing
Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center Testing Proctor Kathy Martin, left, visits with candidates Hannah Evans, center, and Haley Dyer, both of Sulphur Springs, before they begin taking their TSI tests. For information regarding testing and enrollment at PJC, call 903-885-1232.
Oct. 4-10 Designated As National 4-H Week
Hopkins County Commissioners Court during a special court session Thursday morning offered appreciation to the many individuals involved in helping make the 4-H program in Hopkins County so successful. Judge Robert Newsom read a proclamation, adopted by the court, in which Oct. 4-10 has been designated as National 4-H Week.
“This is a very significant event for Hopkins County,” said Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent Mario Villarino, who videoed the official reading of the proclamation for those 4-H members who were unable to be present at the meeting.
“We realize here in Hopkins County how blessed we are. We consider ourselves to have the best 4-H program in the state. A lot is due to our leadership of our 4-H as well as our volunteers. We want to thank our Extension Agents especially for all the work that they do,” said County Judge Robert Newsom.
The 4-H Youth Development program, Newsom read from the National 4-H Week Proclamation, is a 113-yar program that provides experience-based education to youngsters throughout the state. It allows students to acquire knowledge, develop life skills, form attitudes to enable them to become self-directed, productive and contributing members of society. More than 55,000 youth ages 8-19 from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds participate in the program annually.
“We do have the finest program that I know of in the State of Texas, and we thank you so much to our Extension Agents, and we especially thank our volunteers,” Newsom concluded.
Newsom presented the proclamation, signed by all 5 members of the Commissioner Court, to Dr. Villarino.
“It will be an honor to receive this on behalf of the 4-H Council,” Dr. Villarino said.
Other Court Business
Hopkins County Commissioner Court also during the morning session wrapped up the 2019-2020 budget and approved payment of bills, including bond and loan payments, due on Oct. 1, 2020.
The court also passed a resolution of clarification which specifies that the Chapter 381 economic development program agreement approved Sept. 21 will take the replace of the agreement approved by the court Dec. 23, 2019. The September resolution for a tax incentive for Hopkins Energy LLC, a solar farm planned in Dike, “was slightly different” from the agreement approved in December.
Saltillo Man Accused Of Choking Ex-Wife During Argument
A 55-year-old Saltillo man was accused of choking his ex-wife during an argument at his U.S. Highway 67 residence Wednesday night, according to arrest and jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Bobby Osornio and Nick Marney and Sgt. Scott Davis were dispatched at 10:23 p.m. Sept. 30 to the residence of John Diogo Fernandes, where an assault was alleged to have occurred. The man was accused of physically assaulting his ex-wife, who reportedly “left the residence for safety,” according to sheriff’s and arrest reports.
The ex-wife, who lives in another county, was located by deputies at the Hopkins-Franklin County line on Highway 67 east.
During their investigation, deputies were told the man became enraged during an argument with his 43-year-old ex-wife, grabbed her shirt and threw her to the ground. While on the ground, Fernandes allegedly grabbed the woman by the neck, causing her to lose consciousness and struck her multiple times on the side of her head. The woman had red marks on her throat area, deputies noted in arrest reports.
Deputies contacted Fernandes at his residence and asked him about the incident. He allegedly admitted to arguing with his ex-wife but refused to answer any questions about the incident, Osornio and Davis alleged in arrest reports.
Based on the information gleaned and the visible marks on the woman’s neck, Fernandes was taken into custody at 11:03 p.m. Sept. 30, 2020 for assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing or circulation. Deputies requested an emergency protective order.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Oct. 1. Bond on the felony assault charge was set at $25,000, 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.
SSHS FFA Students Show Livestock at Texas State Fair; Do Meat/Fruit Fundraising
John Holland is Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor for the Sulphur Springs High School FFA Chapter. Livestock project showings began in mid-September. Currently, some students are showing their projects at the State Fair of Texas. This year, to ensure social distancing, some of those shows are being held at Fair Park in Dallas and some at Waco’s Heart of Texas fairgrounds. Here is Holland’s report on how Sulphur Springs FFA livestock projects have fared during September 2020, and news on the Chapter’s annual Meat, Fruit and Nut Fundraiser through October 6.
September 11th-12th Sulphur Springs FFA traveled to Four States Fair Livestock show in Texarkana, Arkansas. Do to COVID regulations they only allowed exhibitors, parents, and Advisors to enter the fair grounds. We had a great show. Jr. member Blaine Allen showed a Grey Brahman heifer he raised, Maurie Flecker showed 2 Beefmaster heifers that showed and placed very well, Coen Bell placed 2nd in Class with his Simmental heifer and 2nd place with his American Cross steer, and Cash Vititow won his class with his Red Brahman heifer. Savannah Allen showed a Polled Hereford and won 2 classes with her Grey Brahmans as well as winning Reserve Grand Champion Grey Brahman Heifer.
Last week Braddox Rawson traveled to the State Fair of Texas Market Barrow show with his Duroc. He placed 6th in a class of 40! We are very grateful that the State Fair decided to have a market show so that the students could exhibit their animals that they have purchased and worked with from Spring until now.
Sept 22nd-Sept 26th Wayne Hinton, Robert Smith III, and Matti Smith traveled to Stillwater, Oklahoma to compete in the National Holstein and Jersey Dairy Show. Wayne showed 3 Holstein heifers, Robert showed 3 Holstein heifers and Matti showed 2 Holstein heifers as well. They all showed and placed well in big classes.
On Wednesday Sept 30th the Beef Heifer Show team traveled to Waco, Tx to compete in the Heart of Texas Fair as well as the United Show (The United is a collaborative show between the Heart of Texas Fair and State Fair of Texas; organizers wanted to find a way to have a show so that the students would not miss out on a year at the State Fair). Our FFA showed on Friday and Saturday and then will return home late on October 3.
In addition to the showing we do have students selling FFA Meat, Cookies, and Fruit until October 6th. So, if you are wanting to buy something reach out to a Sulphur Springs FFA member and they will be glad to tell you more about it.
Orsburn Sentenced to 60 Years On Delivery Charge
Billy Jack Orsburn was sentenced to 60 years in custody on a delivery of a controlled substance charge.
A sentencing trial was held Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in the 8th Judicial District Court. Orsburn pled open on one delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. As part of a 12.45 agreement, two other cases he was indicted for were dismissed.
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.
“This particular defendant has an extensive criminal history dating back about 30 years including convictions for sexual assault, delivery of meth, forgery, and failure to register as a sex offender,” according to Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris.
Hopkins County jail records show Orsburn, 64, has 39 Hopkins County jail entries. He was first arrested in Hopkins County in the summer of 1990 on two forgery charges and two delivery of simulated controlled substance charges.
Orsburn was arrested on six more forgery charges the next year, as well as attempted indecency with a child. He was arrested in 1992 for violation of probation, violation of probation and use of explosives. In 1994, he was jailed on a forgery of financial instrument charge, investigation of sexual assault, violation of parole and terroristic threat.
In 2003, Hopkins County jail records show, Orsburn was assessed a 7-year sentence for sex offender failure in duty to register.
In 2014, he was arrested on burglary of a building and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone charges, and sentenced to 30 days in a state jail for a theft charge and 4 years in prison for surety off bond on the manufacture or delivery charge.
On Aug. 14, 2019, Orsburn was arrested by Sulphur Springs police for public intoxication. On Dec. 10, 2019, he was arrested for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. He remained in jail on the charge until March 17, 2020; during that time he was indicted on two manufacture or delivery of a 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charges.
Orsburn has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest March 25, 2020, after his attempt to hide from police under trash was unsuccessful. He was jailed at that time for not paying a public intoxication fine and his bond was revoked on one possession and two manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
Pre-Order Hopkins County Stew From Your Favorite Cook Starting Oct. 1
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
Have you ever wanted to judge stew in the Hopkins County Stew Contest? Here is your chance! We are looking for individuals to serve as judges in this year’s Stew Contest. If you are interested, please call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515.
The time has come to pre-order your stew for this year’s Stew Drive-thru! You can make your pre-order beginning Oct. 1 by calling or coming by the Chamber, and you can select your favorite cook’s stew until Oct. 21. If you do not pre-order, but drive through on Stew day, you will not be able to choose a specific cook’s stew. You will, though, get to choose chicken or beef. All quarts are $10 and will include cheese and crackers. No tickets for park admission will be sold, but the drive-through will be available while supplies last. Stew will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24 … “2020 Stew, We’re Driving Through!” Thank goodness something is finally able to happen in 2020!
The Chamber of Commerce is currently selling our 2020 Hopkins County Christmas ornament. This ornament is the third of our series and features our beautiful Dairy Museum. It is dated with the year, made with 24 karat gold, is shatterproof and VERY limited in number. They are quite beautiful and the perfect addition to a rare collection. They are $40 each and literally flying out the door. If you would like to purchase one, please call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515, or come by soon.
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 Oct. 1, Fieldhouse Sports. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
DSHS: Early Flu Immunization Will Help Protect Texas From COVID-19
Oct. 1 is Texas Influenza Awareness Day
With cold and flu season beginning and COVID-19 still spreading in Texas, now is a perfect time to get a flu shot. The Texas Department of State Health Services encourages everyone to protect themselves, their families and their communities against respiratory illness throughout the flu season by getting immunized as soon as possible.
While the flu shot won’t prevent COVID-19, it will slow the circulation of flu in Texas and keep people out of the hospital, conserving medical resources needed to care for COVID-19 patients.
“We want as few people as possible to get sick this fall and winter,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “That protects our health care professionals and health care system, which is key to defeating both COVID-19 and the flu. In addition, the same precautions Texans are already taking against COVID-19 – wearing masks, physical distancing and hand hygiene – will help slow the spread of influenza.”
Getting a flu shot is especially important for people at a higher risk for complications if they do get the flu, including those with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, young children and older adults. People who provide care to members of those groups should get a flu shot to protect themselves and to prevent spreading the flu to vulnerable people they care for in their families and communities.
Influenza is caused by a number of related viruses. Symptoms usually start suddenly and include fever, body aches, chills, a dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, headaches and extreme fatigue and can last a week or longer.
DSHS encourages people to seek treatment promptly if they are experiencing flu symptoms. Antiviral drugs may help shorten the duration or lessen the severity of the flu if started within 48 hours of when symptoms begin.
Almost all types of flu vaccine available in the United States this flu season will protect against four strains of the flu virus: two strains of influenza A and two of influenza B. People can contact their health care provider, local health department or local pharmacy to find out where flu shots are available.
Deputies Served Two Warrants, Took Three People To Jail
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies served two warrants at two different addresses, one at Royal Inn and one at a Helm Lane apartment, and ended up taking a third person to jail as well, according to arrest reports.
Deputies went to Royal Inn, where they located Emily Claudine Huckabay, a 31-year-old Sulphur Springs woman wanted on an abandoning or endangering of a child-criminal negligence charge. She reportedly gave permission for officers to search her room.
When the officers entered the room, they reported seeing James Lee Harper on the bed. The 29-year-old man began pushing something underneath the blanket covering him; when he stood up, they located a marijuana pipe under the blanket, HCSO Sgt. Shea Shaw and Investigator Wade Sheets alleged in arrest reports. Consequently, the sheriff’s officer took Harper into custody for tampering with physical evidence, the pipe.
Deputy Alvin Jordan alleged methamphetamine was found in the room she was staying in. Huckabay was taken into custody at 5 p.m. Sept. 29 not just on the warrant but also for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Justin Wilkerson went to a Helm Lane apartment, where they located Gene Harold Thrash. The 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested at 5:25 p.m. Sept. 29 on a warrant for abandoning or endangering of a child-criminal negligence.
All 3 remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, Sept. 30. Thrash and Huckabay’s bond was set at $25,000 on the felony criminal negligence charge. Huckabay’s bond on the controlled substance charge was set at $5,000. Harper’s bond was set at $10,000 on the tampering with evidence charge.
Tuesday was the fourth time in less than a year that Harper has been jailed locally. He was arrested Nov. 21, 2019 on warrants for not taking care of tow public intoxication charges. He spent Dec. 1, 2019-Feb. 6, 2020 in Hopkins County jail for fraud– destroy, removal or concealment of writing. He was arrested again on Aug. 2 for criminal trespass.
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.
Sept. 30 COVID-19 Update: 4 New Cases, 3 Recoveries, 78 Active Cases In Hopkins County
Four new COVID-19 cases were reported Sept. 30, three fewer than the day before. Three additional Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19 as well, Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported in their Sept. 30 COVID-19 update. Thus, the count increased only by one case for a total of 78 active cases in Hopkins County on Sept. 30. One less patient was reported to be in the COVID unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, reducing the number to 15 on Sept. 30.
Overall, September was the worst month of the pandemic thus far in Hopkins County as far as new and hospital patient counts go. Overall, 118 Hopkins County residents received lab-confirmed positive novel coronavirus 2019 results in September, up from the 89 cases reported in July and 91 in August. That increases the cumulative case count since March to 361.
While 35 recoveries were reported in the last three days, there were two stretches almost a week long each in September during which no new recoveries were reported — Sept. 2-7 and Sept. 22-27. That caused the active case counts to continue to be especially high, peaking at 92 on Sept. 25. In fact, active case count matched the previous high of 73 active cases (set on July 26) on Sept. 18 and has continued to be exceed that for the last 9 days.
Overall, 87 Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19 in September, increasing the cumulative recovery total from March-Sept. 30 to 283.
The number of patients in the COVID-19 unit peaked at 17 patients on Monday, but declined by 1 patient each day on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the HC/SSEM Sept. 30 COVID-19 update. The COVID-19 unit count reached double digits for the first time since local officials began reporting that data 2 months ago, on Sept. 21 and hasn’t been lower than 10 cases since.
Thankfully, no COVID-19 deaths thus are reported to have occurred in Hopkins County in September. One death was reported on Sept. 4; the Hopkins County resident was reported to have died on Aug. 28. The state began using cause of death stated on death certificates sent to the state Vital Statistics office to determine COVID-19 deaths in July. Eight Hopkins County residents are reported to have died as a result of COVID-19 since then: 2 deaths on Aug. 17; and one death each on July 17, July 23, Aug. 2, Aug. 4 and Aug. 7 and Aug. 28. according to Texas Department of State Health Services data.
Another 44 COVID-19 tests were performed Sept. 29 at the free testing site at the County Annex Building, located behind the Tax Assessor/Collector and Justices of the Peace Offices at 128-A Jefferson St. That’s 165 tests conducted at the location since Friday afternoon. That’s at least 792 COVID-19 tests administered this month during the free testing. Sept. 30 COVID-19 testing counts won’t be reported until Oct. 1.
Free COVID-19 Testing continues to be offered from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the County Annex Building. Symptoms are not required for testing. Preregister online at GoGetTested.com. Results are typically returned in 48-96 hours. Walk-ins are also welcome at the site.
Texas Health and Human Services on Sept. 30 reported that the number of COVID-19 cases at Carriage House Manor increased from 15 to 21 active employee cases and from 15 to 16 resident cases on Sept. 16. Five employees had recovered from COVID-19 on Sept. 16, one more than on Sept. 15. Only 1 Carriage House resident was reported to have recovered from COVID-19 as of Sept. 16.
No active cases were reported at Sulphur Springs assisted living facilities on Sept. 16, according to the HHS report. Sept. 16 is the most recent data available for nursing homes and assisted living facilities as these THHS reports are 2 weeks behind.
There were no active cases at Hopkins County child care centers on Sept. 29, according to the HHS Sept. 30 COVID-19 child care centers report.
