Five People Arrested By HCSO On Controlled Substance, Related Charges
Five people were arrested August 18-20 by deputies on controlled substance and related charges, according to sheriff’s reports.
State Highway 19 North Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet 3500 pulling a white livestock trailer with an obscured license plate on the trailer at 9:22 p.m. August 18, 2020. HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward also responded as a cover unit at the traffic stock on State Highway 19 at FM 1536.
When the driver handed Wilkerson his ID, the deputy noted in arrest reports that the man’s hand nervously shook. Both driver and passenger were asked to exit the pickup. They were patted them down for officer safety. Deputy Chris Baumann arrived as an additional cover unit. When the occupants refused the HCSO officers’ request to search the pickup, they called for Deputy Drew Fisher to bring his canine partner, Maly, to the location.
Maly reportedly gave a positive alert during an open air olfactory search of the vehicle. A probable cause search allegedly revealed a loose crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine in the driver’s side door and a piece of plastic bag of the kind commonly used to package narcotics under the passenger’s seat, Wilkerson and Steward alleged in arrest reports..
HCSO Sgt. Investigator Dennis Findley and Bo Fox, a special cattle ranger with Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, arrived to assist as well.
Wilkerson, Steward and Baumann placed into custody at 10:16 p.m. August 18 47-year-old Cody Ray Self of Sulphur Springs on a possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and the passenger, a 25-year-old Sulphur Springs man, on a misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia charge, according to arrest reports.
Baumann transported the passenger to jail. Wilkerson, Fox and Findley transported the truck, trailer and livestock to Self’s rural residence. The truck, trailer and animals were left at the residence. Self, who was in Wilkerson’s custody was transported to jail, where he was booked on the controlled substance charge after the crystal-like substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.185 gram. Self was charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Self was released from Hopkins County jail August 20; bond on the controlled substance charge was set at $5,000. The arrest marked the third time this year that Self has been in Hopkins County jail. He was also arrested February 4 for violation of probation, which he was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge; Feburary. 14 after his bond was revoked on a possession of 1 gram ore more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
The 25-year-old passenger was also released from the county jail on Thursday, August 20, on the drug paraphernalia charge, according to jail reports.
South Broadway Street Traffic Stop
At 3:38 a.m. August 20, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Marney conducted a traffic stop on a Lincoln passenger car with defective license plate lights that was traveling north on South Broadway Street.
Upon contact with the driver, Marney detected a marijuana odor emitting from the vehicle. Found, under the driver’s seat in a bag the man claimed as his, was a small bag containing a baggy with a crystal-like substance the deputy believed to be methamphetamine.
23-year-old Truston Guage McDonald of Sherman was arrested for possession of less than 1 gram of Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. He remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday afternoon, August 20; bond on the charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Traffic Stop on I-30 West at Mile Marker 112
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Bobby Osornio reported stopping a red Honda Civic at 2:51 a.m. August 20 on Interstate 30 west near mile marker 112 after noticing that the car didn’t have a license plate light on.
While speaking to Osornio, 20-year-old Brady Michael Miller of Pengram, Tennessee appeared to the deputy to be nervous and was frantically searching for his driver’s license and playing with his thumbs, the deputy wrote in arrest reports. Osornio reported the man, when asked, denied that there was anything illegal in the car and gave the deputy permission to search the car.
Osornio alleged a green substance inside of clear pill capsules which he believed to be mushrooms, edible brownies, a green leafy substance he believed to be marijuana and two fake driver’s licenses were found during the vehicle search. When asked about the pills, the man admitted they were mushrooms, marijuana Osornio alleged in arrest reports.
HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis and Deputy Aaron Chaney arrived to assist. Davis searched but reportedly found no further contraband in the vehicle. Chaney inventoried the vehicle so it could be impounded. Osornio transported Miller to Hopkins County jail.
Miller remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday evening, August 20. His bond was set at $35,000 each on two possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charges, $5,000 on a possession of more than 4 ounces but less than 4 pounds of marijuana charge and $5,000 on a fraudulent use or possession of identifying information charge, according to jail reports.
Courthouse Arrest
Rosemary Boone Springer, 64, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody at 12:30 p.m. August 19, at Hopkins County District Courthouse.
She was scheduled to appear during the 9 a.m. court session in the 8th Judicial District Court for pretrial hearings on two possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, offenses alleged to have occurred on August 13, 2019 and October 6, 2019. She was taken into custody after having her bond revoked on both charges, according to court and arrest reports. Deputy Elijah Fite took her into custody at the courthouse and transported her to jail, where she remained Thursday, August 20, according to arrest and jail reports.
August 19 marked the third time Springer has been in jail this year. She was jailed February 10 for surety off bond one possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and June 27 on a warrant for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, 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.
Aug. 20 Hopkins County COVID-19 Update: 5 New Cases, 32 Active Cases
HHS Reports COVID-19 Cases Among Employees, Residents At Local Assisted Living Facility
After two days without reports of any new positive COVID-19 cases, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 5 p.m. Aug. 20 announced 5 new positive COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County. That increasing the total number of active cases in Hopkins County to 32. There were no new recoveries to report on Aug. 20.
There have been 73 new cases and 94 recoveries reported through Aug. 20. That’s 12 more cases and 72 more recoveries than on the July 20, and 16 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 225, and total recoveries is 193 recoveries.
Officials reported there were 5 patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Aug. 20. That’s two more than were reported on Aug. 17, the last day local emergency management officials reported any new cases, two still two 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. 20 continues to show three COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County, on July 17, July 23 and Aug. 2. Hopkins County Emergency Management officials have adamantly denied any official notifications of any Hopkins County residents dying as a result of COVID-19 since the state showed the first death last month.
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. As of 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, 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. 6. 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.
Sulphur Springs Fire Chief David James said while the reopening of nursing homes and assisted living facilities for limited visitation, provided the facilities meet state guidelines, is up to the individual facilities. He said if a facility that had a COVID-19 case requested assistance, the fire department would be available to advise and help.
Free Testing Offered
Free COVID-19 testing is also being offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Friday, Aug. 21, at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center in Sulphur Springs.
“They’ve been doing testing in counties around us and do it for about 2 weeks at a time. It kicked off today at 1 p.m. and starting tomorrow, it’ll be offered every day except Sundays,” Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Coordinator/Police Chief Jason Ricketson said.
Testing will be by oral swab and will coincide with the start of the new school year for county school districts last week and this week, on Sept. 1 for Sulphur Springs ISD.
Children will be able to be tested at the Sulphur Springs location as long as there is a parent or guardian present.
COVID-19 symptoms are not required for testing. Online registration at GoGetTested.com is required for the free COVID-19 testing in Sulphur Springs, but should only take about a minute to complete.
Results are expected to be returned in 48-96 hours, according to information released from state and local emergency management officials.
Anyone who receives a positive result will receive a medical consultation from a health provider.
To register for the test or for more information, go online to GoGetRegistered.com
Wood County Sheriff Report For August 12-18, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Aug. 12-18, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 6
- Traffic Hazard: 4
- Alarm: 10
- Traffic Stop With Arrest: 0
- Animal Complaint: 6
- Unauthorized Use of Vehicle: 2
- Arrest/Warrant Service: 1
- Welfare Check: 15
- Arson: 1
- Assault: 1
- Burglary: 4
- Criminal Mischief: 2
- Criminal Trespass: 4
- Disturbances/Disputes: 11
- Fire – Structure: 0
- Fraud: 4
- Funeral Escort: 1
- Harassment: 4
- Inquest: 1
- Livestock At Large: 15
- Motorist Assist: 9
- Noise Complaint: 1
- Reckless Driver: 5
- Shots Fired: 1
- Suspicious Activity: 27
- Theft: 5
- Terroristic Threat: 0
Registration at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Center
FUTURE NURSE
Rebecca Kendle of Sulphur Springs, right, was on the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus during registration day Wednesday to enroll for the fall semester at the college. Assisted by Advisor Tonya Yeager, left, Kendle is enrolling in the PJC nursing program.
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.
Woman Accused Of Trafficking West Texas Youth Now Charged With Firearm Offenses
Sulphur Springs, TX – August 20, 2020 – A 43-year-old Saltillo woman accused earlier this month of trafficking a youth from West Texas to Hopkins County has also been charged with firearm offenses.
Romany Michael Ruble, who is also known as Romany Michael Cathey, has been in Hopkins County jail since August 9, when she was accused of picking up a runaway in West Texas approximately 1 week before.
Ruble reportedly had a prior acquaintance with a minor she allegedly transported to Hopkins County, where she allegedly sexually abused him. The youth reportedly escaped. Law enforcement was contacted Sunday, August 9. Based on investigation by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, a warrant was obtained for Ruble’s arrest on a trafficking of a person charge, HCSO Chief Investigator Corley said following Ruble’s arrest earlier this month.
Ruble was served with three warrants Thursday, August 19, for theft of a firearm. She is accused of stealing three guns from her father on August 3 and August 4, then pawning them. A warrant was obtained for theft of each gun, according to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigator Wade Sheets.
The guns have been recovered and law enforcement will be working to return them to their owner.
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.
Free COVID-19 Testing Available In Sulphur Springs
Free COVID-19 testing will be available in Sulphur Springs starting at 1 p.m. today (Aug. 20) at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, according to local emergency management officials. The oral swab testing will then be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Sunday.
COVID-19 symptoms are not required for testing. Online registration at GoGetTested.com is required for the free COVID-19 testing in Sulphur Springs, but should only take about a minute to complete.
Children will be able to be tested at the Sulphur Springs location as long as there is a parent or guardian present.
Results are expected to be returned in 48-96 hours, according to information released from state and local emergency management officials.
Anyone who receives a positive result will receive a medical consultation from a health provider.
To register or for additional information, go online to GoGetTested.com
The testing is offered through the partnerships of WellHealth, Texas Health and Human Services, Health TrackRx and Wellpay, according to the registration website.
Dallas Man Leads Police On 8-Mile Vehicle Pursuit On Interstate 30
Hopkins County, TX – August 19, 2020 – A 30-year-old Dallas man lead police on an 8-mile vehicle pursuit on Interstate 30. The chase stretched from the Brashear area to Sulphur Springs.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Cleve Williams reported attempting to stop a red Kia Sorento at 9:35 p.m. August 19, at mile marker 114 on I-30 east for a traffic violation. Instead of stopping, the driver continued along I-30 with the police officer in pursuit. Williams reported seeing the driver throw items out of the sport utility vehicle as it continued east on I-30.
The SUV continued on I-30 to mile marker 122, where his vehicle was reportedly spiked with spike strips. The vehicle came to rest at the 122 exit ramp. Williams took 30-year-old Deante Shelley Wilson of Dallas into custody at 9:42 p.m. for evading arrest or detention in a vehicle. The SUV was impounded, Williams noted in arrest reports.
Wilson remained in Hopkins County jail August 20; bond was set at $10,000 on the third-degree felony evading arrest 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.
Interstate 30 Traffic Stop Yielded Cocaine, $109,000, 2 Felony Arrests
Hopkins County, TX – August 19, 2020 – An Interstate 30 traffic stop Wednesday evening yielded cocaine, approximately $109,000 in United States currency and two felony arrests, according to arrest reports.
Deputy Thomas Patterson with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office reported stopping a silver Chevrolet 1500 truck at 7:30 p.m. on Interstate 30 west at the 126 mile marker. They had observed the pickup cross the center stripe from the inside most left lane.
While talking with the two occupants, Patterson “perceived what I believe to be indicators of deception.” That based on the fact the pair admitted to having a large amount of currency, Patterson asked to search the truck. When the pair refused, he deployed his certified narcotic detection k-9 around the vehicle, the deputy alleged in arrest reports.
The police canine allegedly alerted positively for the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, resulting in a probable cause search by Patterson. The deputy reported finding approximately $109,000 in U.S. currency. He also alleged finding two small baggies containing a substance that field tested positive for cocaine and weighed 2.4 grams, including packaging.
The occupants, identified in arrest reports as 56-year-old Dion Mitchell McClendon of Round Rock and 48-year-old Andrea Byron-Corey Yates of Austin, were jailed on money laundering and possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports. Both remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, August 20, 2021
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.
Como-Pickton Football Schedule Change
Como-Pickton CISD this morning, (Aug. 20), announced a football schedule change. The scrimmages planned for Aug. 20, will not be held tonight. Instead, the game is now planned to begin at 5 p.m. Aug. 21, at Chisum, with the junior varsity scrimmage. The varsity game will follow the JV scrimmage.
Letter Of Thanks From East End Allegiance To All Who Helped Provide Backpacks, Hygiene Kits For Youth
By Bridgette Cooper, President of East End Allegiance: Our Youth
East End Allegiance hosted their 3rd Annual Back to School Event August 16, 2020, at the Pacific Park. We successfully gave 53 backpacks filled with school supplies and 51 hygiene bags including, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, and deodorant. Each backpack included 6 folders, notebook paper, 2 boxes colors, markers, color pencil, 2 glue, scissors, pencils, and binders. We had excessive supplies which we donated to Lamar Elementary. I am exceptionally grateful for those who donated to make this event successful through, monetary, sharing the news, and donating their time.
The listed donors donated supplies, money (we received $290 in monetary donations), and their time:
Brittnee Porter, Shaniqua Harper, Cherry Johnson, James & Loretta Jones, Terry Williams, Jady Pogue-Martin, Mike & Cindy Bain, Yorri Massey-Chick-Fil-A (Sulphur Springs, TX), Marcie Gammill-Abacus Healthcare, Rikka Fulgham -Bare Bones BBQ & Soul food, Don & Barbara Phillips, Letita Conliffe-Lil 4’s Organization, Ty Rollinson, KJC Beauty Supply-Roderick & Shardae Clayton, DT Graphics, Rikka Smith, Given’s Graphics, Tonia & Eddie Pryor, KSST, and Sulphur Springs News Telegram, and EEA: Our Youth members, Bridgette Cooper, Amber Porter, Lebaron & Erica Crook, Rachandra Berry, Whitney Roland, Alicia Debase, and Tish Debase.
I felt that this article was necessary to highlight and express my appreciation and gratitude to those who self0less gave, and continuously give to the organization. In the community, there is a definite need for activities and mentoring the youth. There is a need for giving back the things that the youth need to be successful. EEA: Our Youth is a community organization. We do not have a staff or payroll. All donations are utilized for the event and put back in the community.
We are to put back into this world the things that we are blessed with. What’s amazing is, there many donors for the amount of stuff we raised; but God said just a few and the faith of a mustard seed.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
