2 Arkansas Men Arrested On I-30 In Hopkins County
Two Arkansas men were arrested on warrants following a traffic stop on Interstate 30, according to sheriff’s and arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Thomas Patterson reported stopping a Honda for not having a license plate light while traveling west on Interstate 30 near mile marker 127.
During the course of the stop, Patterson reported a semi-automatic pistol was found in a holster on the waist of 50-year-old Richard Lynn Hicks of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the deputy alleged in arrest reports. Hicks, the deputy learned, is currently on parole in Arkansas. Consequently, Hicks was taken into custody for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to arrest reports.
Hicks was transported to Hopkins County jail and booked on the firearm charge as well as Arkansas warrants. A records check showed Hicks to have one outstanding warrant from Arkansas Board of Parole for violation of parole. Two warrants from Jefferson County list two separate charges, aggravated assault and fleeing on foot, but the same warrant number for Hicks, according to arrest reports. Bond on the Jefferson County charges was set at $75,000 each. There was no bond on the parole charge, Patterson noted in arrest reports. Bond on the third-degree felony firearm charge was set at $25,000, according to jail reports.
The passenger in a car stopped Wednesday night, May 27, at the mile marker 127 for a traffic violation was found to be wanted on an Arkansas violation of parole charge. Dale Michael Loyer, also of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, too was taken into custody and transported to Hopkins County jail on the charge, according to arrest reports. The 38-year-old Arkansas man remained in Hopkins County jail May 28 on the parole warrant, 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.
Hopkins County Cleanup Days Are May 29 & 30
The annual Hopkins County Cleanup Days be held this weekend. Rain or shine, the clean up will be offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 29, and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 30, at the four Hopkins County precinct barns.
The clean up days were originally planned for April, but due to start of the COVID-19 pandemic The Hopkins County Commissioners Court in late March opted to postpone the date. On May 11, as the state plan to reopen things got under way, the Commissioners Court set May 29 and 30 to allow county resident to haul unwanted household items that wouldn’t normally fit into a trash can to one of the four county precinct barns to dispose of it.
This clean up is only for Hopkins County residents, however, not commercial disposal. As is always the case, there are a few things that won’t be accepted. Among the hazardous materials and chemicals that will NOT be accepted are tires, shingles, hazardous waste, pesticides, paint and appliances containing freon. Items should also bring items during the designated clean up hours.
Residents may be asked to present a driver’s license, ID card or other document such as a utility bill that contains the person’s name and physical address, proving residence within Hopkins County.
Rockwall Man Jailed On Hopkins County Warrant
A 49-year-old Rockwall man was jailed on a Hopkins County warrant Tuesday, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Sgt. Shea Shaw located Brent Glen Self at a County Road 3502 address. Shaw took Self into custody at 3:35 p.m. May 25 on outstanding engaging in organized criminal activity charge. Self also was wanted on a Lindale theft warrant, according to jail reports.
Brent Glen Self remained in Hopkins County jail until Wednesday, May 27, 2020. Bond on the third-degree felony charge was set at $15,000, according to jail reports.
Newsom: Hopkins County Now Has 20 Active Cases Of COVID-19 and 6 recoveries
3 New Cases Confirmed May 29
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 4 p.m. Friday, May 29, announced three additional cases of COVID-19 for Hopkins County. That brings the total since midMarch to 26 total cases.
Newsom noted that some state reports were showing Hopkins County to have 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, May 28. However, the county at that time had only been notified by Texas Department of Emergency Management of 23 cases. Texas Department of Health Services/Human Services COVID-19 dashboard reports, for instance, showed 24 cases of COVID-19 in Hopkins County, with 7 recovered.
Local official will only report confirmed information they have received, which was 23 total cases and 6 recoveries, with the rest active cases. They learned that the CDC had picked up one case but TDEM had not yet advised the Hopkins County Emergency Management Team of the case at that point.
Today, Newsom said, the HCEMT has received confirmation of three additional cases of COVID-19 among in Hopkins County, which puts the total since March at 26 cases.
Newsom said HCEMT still has only received confirmation that 6 Hopkins County residents have recovered from COVID-19. They are only able to report those six recoveries, even though the DSHS/HHS dashboard on Thursday showed 7 recovered in Hopkins County.
Overall, that’s 26 total cases, 6 recoveries and 20 active cases in Hopkins County, Newsom reported.
As was the case earlier in the week with some of the new cases, two of three new patients are in a home where others are being treat for COVID-19, according to Newsom.
The HCEMT reported that to their knowledge all of the patients are at home isolating, none of the Hopkins County patients that they know of are in the hospital.
Newsom also reported that the Hopkins County Clerk and District Clerk’s Offices will reopen to the public June 1, with stipulations at the county clerk’s office. The clerk’s offices still have yet to receive the protective glass ordered for that office. The district clerk’s office will be open again for those needing passports.
Tira News — May 27, 2020
The Tira City Council’s Quarterly Meeting To Be Held Sunday, May 31
By Jan Vaughn
Tira Cemetery Association President Mick Petty reports that the association
officers have decided to cancel the 2020 Tira Homecoming due to the coronavirus risks. The annual event is normally held on the first Sunday in July. We look forward to gathering again in 2021.
Although we are not having the homecoming this year, the upkeep of the cemetery grounds still has to continue. Contributions are always needed and appreciated and can be mailed to the Tira Cemetery Association, c/o Jan Vaughn, Secretary/Treasurer, 776 FM 1536, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482.
The Tira City Council will have their quarterly meeting on Sunday, May 31, at 4 p.m. A memorial plaque in honor of former Mayor John Hadley will be dedicated that afternoon. The Council will discuss the COVID-19 situation and decide whether or not to open the Tira Community Center in June.
Sasha Fernandez and her daughters, Lileanna and Melody, collected coupons, with the help of community members, and used them to shop for items for the Tira Food Pantry. They received some food donations, too. We want to express our appreciation for their generous contribution to the pantry. Sasha said they are still collecting coupons for their project. If you have some to share, please let me know and I will put you in contact with her.
Yvonne Weir reports that she drove to Dacy’s last Tuesday evening and enjoyed riding with Eli, Elise, and Dacy “all around in the 4×4.” She adds, “We ate on the patio and watched a sad movie.” The next morning she went to Destri’s in Sunneyvale. Yvonne and Destri’s son Nicolaas went to visit Dustin and his daughter, Everly. Yvonne spent the night with Destri and returned home on Thursday.
Dustin, Natalie, and Everly Weir visited Robert and Yvonne on Saturday and
Sunday and Dacy came for a visit on Monday.
Mick, Linda, Rick, and Judy Petty had a hamburger dinner to honor Billy Joe
Clayton for his 89th birthday on Saturday, May 23. If you see Bill, wish him a belated happy birthday!
Our grandson, Kenden Joslin, was among the North Hopkins High School
graduates who had individual commencement ceremonies, due to restrictions on social gatherings. Our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, Tiffany, Perry, and Jaidyn, came from Malvern, Arkansas on Thursday for his event. Kenden’s graduation was celebrated with his girlfriend, Emma Hall, and a small group of family members. That
evening we had hamburgers, cake, and homemade ice cream in honor of his achievement. Joining us were Kenden, Emma, Tiffany, Perry, Jaidyn, Malcolm Joslin and his fiancée Melinda, and Grace Vaughn.
Perry had to return to Arkansas on Friday for work. Tiffany and Jaidyn stayed over for the parade for the graduates on Sunday afternoon at the North Hopkins School. Tiffany left on Monday and Jaidyn stayed with us. She visited her friends, Megan and Bella, and spent the night with them. We picked her up the next morning and headed to Malvern, so that Chip could help Tiffany and Perry with some home projects on Tuesday and Wednesday. Grace’s daughter, Linda Ellen Vaughn, came to stay with her while we were gone. Jaidyn, Tiffany, and I spent some time at the park by the Ouachita River while the men were working at the house.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Hopkins County COVID-19 Testing Update: 893 Tested, 635 Negative, 21 Positive
The last five days have been a notable ones in Hopkins County, with 6 additional positive lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases confirmed in Hopkins County, at least 384 additional tests conducted and 168 additional negative results, according to the Hopkins County COVID-19 testing update provided by Hopkins County Hospital District COO/EMS Director Brent Smith.
Hopkins County Stats
The most COVID-19 cases reported in Hopkins County in a single day was the 4 new cases reported on Tuesday, May 26. That coupled with 13 other cases reported this month, and the four cases reported in March and April brings Hopkins County’s 73-day COVID-19 total to 21 cases.
The first new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Hopkins County since April 4 were reported the afternoon of May 1. Hopkins County officials reported 2 new cases on May 1, May 20, May 21 and May 25; 1 new case each on May 7 and May 10; 3 new cases on May 19; and 4 cases on May 26.
An increase in cases was anticipated along with the significant increase in tests available and being conducted over the last month.
Testing was conducted during a mobile test collection event at the Civic Center May 15, at local nursing homes and reportedly offered by least one private business over the last week.
“Some private businesses and health facilities have used private organizations to screen their workers, those numbers are not represented in this press release as they are not required to report the information to the Hospital District. Their information is only reported to TX-DSHS,” Smith noted.
Testing increased from 181 total screenings sent for testing on April 28, to 301 tests on May 5, 346 tests on May 12, 509 tests on May 22 and 893 tests sent for testing as of 10:30 a.m. May 27, according to the HCHD/EMS report.
The number of COVID-19 patients who have recovered from the virus remains at 6. The first four patients battling COVID-19 were reported April 22 to have recovered, giving Hopkins County 8 days without any active COVID-19 cases, according to officials. Two additional patients recovered from COVID-19 between May 12 and May 22. No additional recoveries were reported in the last 5 days.
As of May 27 reporting, Hopkins County had no confirmed coronavirus related deaths.
Since the May 22 update provided by Smith, 168 additional tests have come back negative for COVID-19, for a total of 635 lab-confirmed negative tests for Hopkins County residents as of the May 27 report.
HCHD/EMS reported 237 test results still pending May 27, 210 more than on May 22 report. Overall, 893 met testing criteria put in place by DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control for screening, according to the May 27 COVID-19 Testing Update provided by Smith.
Texas COVID-19 Update
Overall, 229 of Texas’ 254 counties have reported positive cases of COVID-19, which is 4 more counties reporting cases than on May 22, according to Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Health and Human Services COVID-19 case counts data, which was last updated at 4 p.m. May 26.
Overall, 943,239 total tests have been conducted in Texas, with 84,841 antibody tests as of May 26, according to the state report. Texas as a whole has had 56,560 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 36,375 recoveries and 1,536 fatalities. Of the total active cases, 1,645 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were in Texas hospitals, according to the DSHS/HHS data.
In Trauma Service Area F, which includes Hopkins County, 22 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were in the hospital, as of the May 26 DSHS/HHS reports.
Clayton Sulphur Springs Home Building Facility Reopens Following COVID-19 Closure
The Clayton Sulphur Springs home building facility is again open for business as of Tuesday, May 26.
The Sulphur Springs facility closed a week ago, after second team member at the business tested positive for COVID-19. The facility had previously closed overnight for deep cleaning and disinfectant, after the first employee tested positive for coronavirus, Clayton Media Relations Manager Caitlyn Crosby confirmed May 21.
The Sulphur Springs building facility on May 20 had already taken several precautions, including establishing a task force that has been monitoring COVID-19, as well as implementing increased sanitization procedures and policies, social distancing, daily temperature screenings and requiring face coverings to help protect the health of team members, according to the media relations manager.
Clayton notified team members and closed the facility May 20, to perform a deep cleaning and sanitization after the second employee tested positive, according to Crosby. The facility reopened Tuesday, May 26.
“During the temporary closure the facility was sanitized and deep cleaned. All team members were tested for COVID-19 during the closure and we are thankful to report no additional team members tested positive. Clayton is providing COVID-19 testing at facilities as a precautionary measure on an as-needed basis,” Crosby reported Wednesday morning, May 27.
In addition to offering testing for all employees of the Sulphur Springs building plant, Clayton has also provided team members with additional paid time-off that could be used during this temporary closure, according to Crosby.
FM 3134 Traffic Stop Nets Marijuana, Paraphernalia, Methamphetamine, 1 Felony Arrest
A FM 3134 traffic stop early Wednesday morning allegedly revealed baggies of suspected marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in a sport utility vehicle, and resulted in one felony arrest, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Wilkerson reportedly stopped a green Toyota SUV shortly at 1:33 a.m. May 27, after observing the vehicle failing to maintain a single lane, crossing the center strip while traveling north on FM 3134 at FM 71 west.
While speaking to the driver about the traffic violation, Wilkerson alleged the 49-year-old Sulphur Springs man “exhibited signs of slurred speech and bruxism, a symptom commonly associated with the use of narcotics.” The driver admitted he didn’t have a valid driver’s license, the deputy noted in arrest reports. Wilkerson had both the driver and passenger step out of the SUV while he conducted a records check.
HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward arrived to assist. When asked, the driver allegedly denied that there was anything illegal in the SUV. After receiving permission to search the vehicle, deputies alleged finding a used marijuana cigarette in the vehicle. A further probable cause search allegedly revealed a used pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, baggies containing a green leafy substance suspected to e marijuana, more than 1 hypodermic needle and a black containers with more than one baggy containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine, Wilkerson alleged in arrest reports.
The driver allegedly claimed all of the contraband and paraphernalia was his, not the female’s. He also allegedly admitted the information he’d given the deputy regarding his ID was false, and gave Wilkerson information he claimed was his correct identifying information.
The driver, identified in arrest reports as Richie Wayne Porter, was taken into custody at 1:55 a.m. and transported to jail, according to arrest reports. The vehicle was released to the female passenger.
At the jail, the crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine field tested using a kit positive and weighed 8.73 grams. Porter was booked into Hopkins County jail on possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and failure to identify by giving false or fictitious information charges, according to arrest reports.
Richie Wayne Porter Sr. remained in Hopkins County jail late Wednesday morning. Bond was set at $30,000 on the second-degree felony controlled substance charge and $1,000 on the Class B misdemeanor failure to ID charge, according to jail reports.
Names Of Children Killed In Crash On I-30 Released
Sulphur Springs Police Wednesday released the names of the children killed in a crash on Interstate 30 east Sunday. The 9-year-old was identified as Jeremiah Kent and the 7-year-old as Joshua Kent. The boys are both from Shaw, Mississippi, according to Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Terry Miller.
According to information released at noon Sunday by police, the crash occurred near mile marker 124 on Interstate 30 east around 5 a.m. May 24. The two boys were in the back seat of a small sport utility vehicle involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler. The 18-wheeler reportedly overturned as a result of the collision and the SUV caught on fire, police reported Sunday. The adult occupants of the SUV and truck driver were not reported to have sustained life-threatening injuries, police reported Sunday.
The crash is still under investigation by Cpl. Miller and the Sulphur Springs Police Department criminal investigations division. No charges had been filed as of Wednesday morning in connection with the ongoing crash investigation. However, a man reported to have been traveling in the SUV early Sunday morning was taken into custody on an unrelated warrant later Sunday morning, according to police and arrest reports.
The man, who was listed in arrest reports as having a Minnesota address, was taken into custody around 7:15 a.m. Sunday, May 24, on Gilmer Street on a warrant, according to police and arrest reports. Victor Hampton remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, May 27, on the Bexar County credit or debit card abuse charge, according to jail reports.
Saltillo ISD Announces Top Students of 8th Grade Class
Cristian Trejo is the Valedictorian of the 8th Grade Class of 2020 at Saltillo ISD. He is the son of Fransisca Trejo and Ramiro Moreno. Cristian’s favorite subjects are Math and Science, and he enjoys playing basketball. During the 2019/2020 school year, he earned 1st Place in UIL Chess, Math and Number Sense, and Maintained the 3rd highest average in Math. He also earned a position on the UIL 2nd Place Team in Maps, Charts and Graphs. During the year, he also earned several medals in Cross Country. Cristian maintained a spot on the A Honor Roll during his 8th Grade year, and was voted Class Favorite in 7th grade.
Cason David Carmody is the Salutatorian of the 8th Grade Class of 2020 at Saltillo ISD. His favorite subjects are Math, Science and English. During his 8th grade year, Cason was involved in UIL, the Gifted and Talented program and A Honor Roll. In UIL competition, he placed 4th in Number Sense and was on the 1st Place Team. He also placed 2nd in Mathematics and was on the 1st Place Team. During the 8th grade, Cason had the 3rd highest average in Math. His hobbies and interests include blacksmith and metal work, gaming, long boarding and historical knowledge. Cason is the son of Steve and Kelly Carmody.
