14 SSISD Personnel Changes Approved By Trustees
August 11, 2020 – Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees Monday evening approved 14 SSISD personnel changes. Overall, that’s five resignations, seven new hires, one campus change and one inter-district job switch. These changes will impact every campus except Bowie Primary, Sulphur Springs Elementary and the Administration building.
School employees whose resignations were accepted by SSISD include:
- Alejandra Hernandez, a pre-kindergarten aide at Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center;
- Cassidy Martin, a special education aide at Barbara Bush Primary;
- Linzi Phillips, campus secretary at Barbara Bush Primary;
- Brenda Carreon, a Title III aide at Travis Primary; and
- Taffy Kirby, a special education aide at Travis Primary.
Trustees approved the following new personnel:
- Terri Rogers as a special education aide at Barbara Bush Primary;
- Amy Voss as a Title I aide at Lamar Primary;
- Margarita Gonzalez as a Title I Aide at Travis Primary;
- Tina Tipps as a special education aide at Sulphur Springs Middle School;
- Donna James as SSISD Police Department secretary, working at Sulphur Springs High School;
- Karla Martinez as a health science technology education teacher at SSHS;
- Angela Kelley as an instructional aide at Austin Academic Center;
Approved for either a job or campus swap were Monica Hernandez and Misty Nottingham. Hernandez will remain on the Travis Primary campus, but will change from Title I Aide to Library Aide. Nottingham will continue working as a special education aide, but will move from the Connections program to SSHS.
381 Agreement Request From J-B Weld Does Not Receive Approval of Commissioners Court
Voting System, Road Use Agreement Approved
Hopkins County Commissioners Court did not approve an application for a 381 agreement, approved a road use agreement with a solar farm company, appointed a person to the local Workforce Development Board, reviewed annual road reports and updated voting management system for the County Clerk’s office during their Monday meting.
381 Agreement
Hopkins County Commissioners Court was asked to consider granting a 381 agreement to J-B Weld Company.
“For those who are not familiar with that, it’s more or less like an abatement. It’s slightly different,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said.
Under a 381 agreement, businesses receiving abatements are required to provide documentation the terms of the incentive agreement have been met. The business is billed for their taxes, but receives a reimbursement for the agreed upon exemption when proof of terms are met.
Newsom expressed concerns regarding the agreement request from J-B Weld, a “traditionally Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs business” that was “bought out” a few years ago. He said he received a copy of the agreement request last week.
“They sent in something last December, allegedly, but we never received it. Roger [Feagley, Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation executive director], I don’t think you received it. I don’t think the city of Sulphur Springs ever received it,” Newsom said.
The issued came up, apparently, after the business did not receive the incentive for the tax. Local officials met with company representatives via Zoom. J-B Weld, submitted the proposal received this month and presented to the court requesting a Chapter 381 agreement, according to Newsom.
Commissioner Wade Bartley asked if the proposal was to be retroactive for time that would have been in the agreement if submitted and approved in December. Newsom affirmed the request was for the agreement to be retroactive.
The proposal failed, receiving no motion for approval from the court.
Road Use Agreement
Hopkins County Commissioners Court did approve a request from Pine Forest Solar 1, LLC to use county roads in constructing the solar farm.
Essentially, Feagley reported, the agreement allows the business to have trucks carrying equipment and materials drive up and down the county roads in Precincts 2 and 3 to access the solar farm. It also allows them run wires across or under the roadway where necessary.
Bartley said company representatives had contacted county officials, speaking with him directly, noting their intent to help maintain the roads which will have heavier traffic during the construction phase of establishing the solar farm.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker suggested requiring any lines going under the roads to be incased in pipe.
When asked, Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin said it was his understanding there would be some boring of roads required.
Voting system
County Clerk Tracy Smith asked for approval for a new system for absentee request and ballot management program, which will be paid for with grant funds.
“The one we have is several years old. It’s kind of obsolete now,” Smith said.
The funding will pay for the system, licensing, maintenance and support agreement with VR Systems Inc. out of Florida for 5 years.
“I’d like to go ahead and get that approved so we can go ahead and get that in place to start using that this election,” Smith told the court.
Road Report
Each commissioner annual is required to conduct an inventory of county roads which are then filed in the court minutes and with the Grand Jury. All of the reports totaled and the complete report submitted to the state.
Barker reported that there are 125 roads in Precinct 1. The 214 miles of road in Precinct 1 include 142 miles of oil roads, 33.4 miles of rock roads and 38.7 miles of dirt roads.
Anglin reported the 219.92 miles of roads in Precinct 2 includes 185.71 miles of oil roads, 18.2 mile of rock roads and 15.92 miles of dirt roads.
Bartley said the 210.3 miles of roads in Precinct 3 include 124.95 miles of oil road, 49.05 miles of rock road, 9.9 miles of dirt roads, 26.4 miles of chip seal roads.
Commissioner Joe Price reported the 219.1 miles of roads in Precinct 4 include 136.6 miles of oil roads, 50.4 rock roads, 31 miles of dirt road and 1.1 mile of chip seal road.
Additional Court Action
A county holiday calendar very similar to the 2019-2020 calendar was approved. The only change is instead of President’s Day, county employees will be off on Veterans Day added.
Hopkin County Commissioners Court also appointed David Burnt to searve on the local Workforce Development Board
Sheriff’s and constables fees for 2021 were approved as presented. Officials reported the fees are unchanged.
Proposed Budget Includes 2 Percent Pay Increase For All Hopkins County Employees, Elected Officials
Sulphur Springs, TX – August 10, 2020 – Hopkins County Commissioners Court are proposing a “very conservative” budget, which would include a 2 percent pay increase for all county employees and elected officials. No increase to the overall tax rate is planned.
The property tax rate as proposed will still be $0.624892. This is figured based on Senate Bill 2, which changed some factors in the way tax rates are calculated.
“The noted revenue rate was $0.598662, the voter approval rate was 0.626583. We are below the voter approval rate. We are above the noted revenue rate, which will cause a tax increase even though our tax rate will remain the same.,” Hopkins County Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Mitchell reported during Monday’s regular Commissioners Court meeting.
“The tax increase will come from appraised values, right?” Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley asked.
“It’s probably going to come from the new revenue. If we didn’t have the new revenue, then our tax rate would be the $0.598662. But because of new revenue it is above that,” Mitchell said.
“We’re below the voter approval rate,” Newsom said. “So, you’re saying we need to have a public hearing?”
Mitchell affirmed a public hearing. The Commissioners Court agreed to Mitchell’s recommendation to hold the public hearing for adoption of the tax rate for 9 a.m. August 17, 2020.
“This budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by an amount of $425,410, which is a 3.4 percent increase from last year’s budget. The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $366,995,” said Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook.
Those extra funds, in addition to a 2 percent pay increase for all county employees and elected officials, also includes an additional $25 more a year for in longevity pay as well, according to Aulsbrook.
“We were able to address the needs at the sheriff’s office, fire department, the volunteer fire departments as well as other areas within this budget,” Aulsbrooks noted.
“We stayed below Senate Bill 2 requirements. Historically, before Senate Bill 2 it was 8 percent. Now it’s 3.5 percent. But, we stayed below that limits so we’re able to still — we’re conservative in normal budget — still able to do a cost of living raise to employees and few other adjustments,” Newsom said.
Among those adjustments were an additional employee, a dispatch leader, for the sheriff’s office, and the county’s cost match of a grant which has allowed the county this spring to add three firefighters, one per 24-hour duty-shift. Also, adjustments were made for administrative changes at the fire department and then in about 90 days we are going to be doing an electronic payroll, which should be more efficient
“It’s a good budget. It’s a very conservative budget,” Newsom said. “This budget is more conservative than the budgets we’ve had in the past, intentionally knowing the type of year that we’ve had and the kind of year I believe we’re going to have in the future,” Newsom said.
The proposed $13.5 million budget can be viewed under the “proposed budget” tab under the “financial transparency” menu on the county website, http://www.hopkinscountytx.org. It will also be posted as of Aug. 10 at Hopkins County Clerk’s Office.
Aug. 10 COVID-19 Update: 3 New Cases, 5 Recoveries Among Hopkins County Residents
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 announced the state had notified local emergency management officials of 3 new positive COVID-19 cases and 5 recoveries for Hopkins County.
That’s 50 new positive COVID-19 cases and 48 patient recoveries reported so far in August, following the 89 new cases and 48 recoveries reported in July for Hopkins County.
That’s brings the overall total since March to of 202 cumulative cases and 146 recoveries among Hopkins County residents. That leaves 56 active COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County as of Aug. 10, according to local officials
Officials also reported four patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs on Monday, Aug. 10, the same number of patients in the unit as there were on Saturday, Aug. 8.
Texas Department of State Health Services’s COVID-19 dashboard had not been updated as of 5 p.m. Aug. 10. However, as of 3:20 p.m. Aug. 9, the state report continued to show two COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County. The state has continued to show since July 29 one COVID-19 fatality for Hopkins County. That death, according to the Texas COVID-19 Fatality County Data By County report, occurred on July 23. The second death, DSHS reported Saturday, occurred on Aug. 2.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley said he had consulted the regional DSHS representative and neither local nor the regional DSHS officials have received any information about any confirmed Hopkins County COVID-19 deaths. They do not know where the information regarding any Hopkins County fatalities is coming from as they’ve are not aware of any COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County.
No nursing facilities in Hopkins County have had any patients test positive for COVID-19 as of July 27.. However, one nursing facility reported a third employee had tested positive for COVID-19, but the case was not active on July 27, the date for the most current data for nursing and assisted living facilities.
Geoffrey Stewart Awarded Janie Crump Memorial 4-H Scholarship
Bessonett, Allen Receive Danforth ‘I Dare You’ Award; Civic Center Manager Recognized For Support Of 4-H, Extension
Hopkins County Extension Agents Johanna Hicks and Mario Villarino during Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning recognized five youth Monday morning for their outstanding achievements and contributions to 4-H and honored one local supporter of 4-H and Extension programs. One students received the Janie Crump Memorial Scholarship.
“We’ve really had the privilege of watching each these 4-Hers grow up. They’ve really come through this with COVID things with a blaze of glory,” Hicks said.
Janie Crump Scholarship
Geoffrey Stewart, son of Stephanie Stewart, was awarded the Janie Crump Memorial 4-H Scholarship.
This award is given in honor of the Crump, who served as Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent for home economics until her retirement in 2001. She was also a member and supporter of the Pilot Club, 4-H, Junior Waverly and Rotary, and the Chamber of Commerce, where she received the Woman of the Year Award. Crump, 68, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at her Sulphur Springs residence. The Janie Crump Memorial 4-H Scholarship awarded to qualified 4-H applicants who have excelled in 4-H.
Geoffrey Steward, a 2020 North Hopkins High School graduate, was very active in 4-H Shooting Sports. He served on the Hopkins County 4-H Council as an officer. He was also active in the multi-county 4-H camp as a teen leader and exhibited his expertise in archery at Heritage Park during special events.
Danforth “I Dare You” Awards
Danforth “I Dare You” Leadership Awards recipients include Jorja Bessonett and Savannah Allen.
This leadership awards recognizes “young people who have demonstrated unusual integrity, balanced personal development, and a willingness to assume responsibility.” The “I Dare You” Award was first offered in 1941 by business man and philanthropist William H. Dansforth, who dared young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of service.
Bessonett is the daughter of Bill and Cherrie Bessonett. Savannah Allen is the daughter of Sara Allen. These families have a long history of involvement in 4-H. Cherrie Bessonett and Sara Allen grew up in the Hopkins County 4-H program.
4-H Record Book Judging
Hopkins County 4-H members Jorja Bessonett, Rylie Carroll and Ethan George recently qualified for District 4-H Record Book Judging.
This contest provides valuable skills that can be used later in life for such tasks as college admission applications, job applications and organization. The record book includes several sections: a 4-H story and photo portfolio, 4-H project experiences summary for main projects, 4-H leadership experiences, 4-H community service, other 4-H projects, 4-H recognition and awards received, non-4-H activities such as school and church, college and career exploration. Throughout the process, Hicks explained, the 4-H members learn to keep a calendar of activities and expenses/income, if any are applicable pertaining to their projects.
In the intermediate division, which features students in grades 6-8, Rylie Carroll was the district champion in consumer education and Ethan George was the district health and person safety champion.
Bessonett placed fourth in senior division health and safety. This division includes students in grades 9-12.
4-H Extension Supporter
The Texas AgriLife Extension Agents also Aug. 10 asked to present the 2020 Hopkins County 4-H Extension Supporter of the year. Dr. Mario Villarino recognized Lonnie Fox, general manager for Hopkins County Civic Center, for his continued support of Hopkins County 4-H, Extension and many other community programs throughout the county.
Saltillo Woman Arrested On Trafficking Of West Texas Youth Charge
August 10, 2020 – A 43-year-old Saltillo woman was arrested on a trafficking of a youth charge Sunday night, according to arrest and sheriff’s reports.
Romany Michael Ruble, who is also known as Romany Michael Cathey, is accused of picking up a runaway in West Texas approximately 1 week ago. Ruble had a prior acquaintance with the teen. Ruble then allegedly transported the minor to Hopkins County, where she allegedly sexually abused him. The youth reportedly escaped. Law enforcement was contacted Sunday. Based on investigation by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, a warrant was obtained for Ruble’s arrest on a trafficking of a person charge, according to HCSO Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford.
HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputies Kevin Lester and Elijah Fite contacted Ruble at her residence, and arrested the 43-year-old Saltillo woman at 9:51 p.m. August 9, 2020, on the trafficking of person charge, according to arrest reports.
Ruble remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, August 10, on the trafficking of person warrant, according to jail reports. Ruble remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, August 10, 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.
Most Area School Districts Starting Classes in August
Here’s a list of 2020 school start dates around our area:
Mr. Vernon ISD Aug 6
Como-Pickton CISD Aug 10
Commerce ISD Aug 11
Campbell ISD Aug 11
Yantis ISD Aug 13
Miller Grove ISD Aug 13
Cumby ISD Aug 13
Cooper ISD Aug 13
Rains Emory ISD Aug 13
Saltillo ISD Aug 17
Sulphur Bluff ISD Aug 18
North Hopkins ISD Aug 19
Sulphur Springs ISD Sept 1
Dickinson Man Jailed Following Vehicle Pursuit, Manhunt
A 30-year-old Dickinson man was jailed Saturday evening following a vehicle pursuit that turned into a manhunt, according to sheriff’s reports,
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Nick Floyd reported responding to a disturbance on Church Street Aug. 8. Upon contact with the man, he was found to be wanted. He drove off in a pickup, with police pursuing behind him. The chase continued into Hopkins County.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Brantley reported spiking three of the four tires on the white Ford F250 pickup the man was driving at the intersection of FM 1567 and County Road 1443. The driver reportedly continued driving the truck with only one operational tire for about 5 miles before crashing into a grove of trees, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
The suspect then reportedly took off running into a wooded area, with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Shea Shaw and Deputies Zack Horne, Justin Wilkerson and Kevin Lester, who had all joined the pursuit, chasing after him, according to arrest reports.
A perimeter search was set up. A Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter arrived in the area to search from the air with no success in locating the suspect. A short while later, the prison system’s bloodhounds were brought to the location, along with officials on horseback, to aid in the search of the area, Shaw and Brantley alleged in arrest reports.
Christopher Daniel Houpt of Dickinson was located in a wood line and taken into custody around 5 p.m. Aug. 8. The 30-year-old was checked by EMS then transported to jail, where he was booked for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle as well as Hunt County warrants for failure to appear on an evading arrest charge and bail jumping/failure to appear, according to arrest rand jail reports.
Houpt remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Aug. 10. Bond on the evading arrest in a vehicle charge was set at $100,000. Bond on the Hunt County charges totaled $11,500, according to jail reports.
Scholarships Awarded To Future Educators
Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel recently presented two Hopkins County high school graduates with $500 scholarships. Nancy Barton Moore presents a $500 scholarship to Sulphur Springs High School graduate, Grayson McClure and a $500 scholarship to Como-Pickton High School graduate, Diana Gallegos. The scholarships were awarded by the Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel to a graduating senior who will be seeking a degree in education. McClure will be attending UT Arlington and Gallegos will be attending UT Tyler. HRRSP members looking on are Liz Steinsiek, Carol Gee, and Judy Gillem.
Aug. 10-14 Meal A Day Menu
Although the Senior Citizens Center continues to be closed due to COVID-19, Meal A Day volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The Aug. 10-14, 2020, Meal A Day menu for includes:
Monday – Rope Sausage, Red Beans and Rice, Okra and Tomatoes, and Hush Puppies
Tuesday – Oven Baked Omelet, Slice of Ham, Orange Slices and Blueberry Muffins
Wednesday – Sloppy Joe Sandwiches, Cole Slaw, Potato Chips and a Pickle Spear
Thursday – Chicken and Dumplings, Tossed Salad and Crackers
Friday – Cheeseburger Casserole, Pinto Beans, Buttered Corn and Normandy Vegetables
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
