EMP Credits, Off-System Bridge And Chapter 381 ED Programs On Commissioners Court Agenda
Hopkins County Commissioners Court will hold a special court session Monday morning, Sept. 21, to consider items related to equivalent match projects, certain permits, a Chapter 381 agreement, longevity pay schedule and a grant contract.
The commissioners will be asked to consider approving a resolution to perform authorized equivalent match projects, known as EMPs, and to receive excess EMP credit from Rains County and Hunt County for authorized EMP projects.
Also expected to be presented for court approval is a “general form of draft advance funding agreements” with Texas Department of Transportation for off-system bridge replacement in Hopkins County.
The Commissioners Court too will be asked to consider an increase for on-site sewer facility (OSSF) permits for Hopkins County.
A Chapter 381 economic development program and agreement are also on the Sept. 21 agenda.
Submitted for court approval is a SAVNS Maintenance Grant contract. The Statewide Victim Notification System (SAVNS) is “an automated method of providing victims of crime with access to information and notification about changes in offender status and court events twenty-four hours a day. SAVNS provides crime victims with this information via a toll-free number and website. The system operates by networking status information from participating county and state contractors into a central database operated by a private vendor.
Resources are allocated to the Office of the Attorney General by Texas Legislature to provide assistance in establishing contracts between county/state entities and the central database company, according to the OAG’s office.
The special meeting of Hopkins County Commissioners Court will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, in the Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse, 118 Church St., in Sulphur Springs.
A work session will immediately follow the adjournment of the regular court session. The court is scheduled to meet with representatives from the sheriff’s office and fire department to discuss operations, review revenue and expenditures, and discuss any proposed improvements or repairs.
Sept. 21-25, 2020 Meal A Day Menu
Although the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center remains closed due to COVID-19, volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The Sept. 21-25, 2020 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday — Shepherds Pie, Broccoli and a Roll
Tuesday — Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice, Egg Rolls and Oriental Vegetables
Wednesday — Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll
Thursday — Rope Sausage, Black-Eyed Peas, Corn Bread and Green Tomato Relish
Friday — Cheeseburger with Lettuce, Tomato, Pickles and Onion, and Chips
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.
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Wins Pair Of Matches On Saturday To Even Season Record At 2-2
At the beginning of the day Saturday, September 19, the Lady Cats Volleyball Team had an 0-2 season record. By the end of Saturday, the Lady Cats were 2-2. They had a good Saturday.
They began in Pittsburg facing the Lady Pirates. The Lady Cats were hot from the start and soon led 19-7. The Lady Cats ended up winning the first set, 25-16. Sadie Washburn led the way with 7 kills in the first set. In the second set, both teams started by trading points. Pittsburg actually led 9-8 at one point. Then, Brooklyn Burnside began to lift her team. She had three quick kills and two solid blocks. By then the Lady Cats were up 17-10. Washburn had 4 kills late in the set and the Lady Cats took set two 25-12. In the third set, with Laney Hurst serving, the Lady Cats jumped out to a 5-0 lead. They led throughout the third set winning it and the match, 25-17. Bre’Asia Ivery had a good match making digs. Nylah Lindley also had some good moments at the net picking up kills.
Several hours later, in their home gym, the Lady Cats took on ancient rival – Paris. It was the home opener for the Lady Cats. The first set was a wild one.
Coming out of the gate, the Lady Cats were red hot and raced out to a 17-5 led. Paris staged a major comeback and were able to tie the match at 23-23. Down the stretch, the Lady Cats were able to overcome two set points and Paris evaded three. The fourth one got them and the Lady Cats escaped with a 30-28 win.
Paris got the quick start in set two going up 5-1. Soon, the Lady Cats tied the score, 6-6. In mid match, the Lady Cats were able to change a 12-10 lead into 17-10 and they held on to win set two, 25-17.
The two teams opened set three by trading points. At one point the set was tied at 15-15. A 6-point Lady Cat run increased the lead to 21-15 and the Lady cats were able to close out the set and the match, 25-20.
Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner said Washburn led the team in kills with 27, while Burnside had 8. Coach Dorner said she was real proud of her middle blockers as Burnside had 5 blocks and Lindley 4. Athletic libero Parris Picket had 15 digs. Lady Cats servers had 10 service aces.
Next week the Lady Cats have a series of matches before district play gears up the following week. On Tuesday, the Lady Cats host Commerce on Senior Night. Friday night the Lady Cats travel to Princeton. Next Saturday, the Lady Cats go to Wylie East to play the host school and Forney.
District play begins on September 29, as Mount Pleasant comes to the Main Gym at SSHS.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats Swept by Frisco Heritage Coyotes, 3-0
By Ross LaBenske
The Frisco Heritage Coyotes swept the Sulphur Springs Lady Cats 3-0 in a game that involved no shortages of drama late Friday afternoon, September 18, in Frisco.
The Lady Cats fell behind early, due to a number of errors, and could not regain lost ground. The Coyotes ended up running away with the first set by a score of 25-13.
The second set, however, was a different story as it began. The Lady Cats started ahead, at one point with a 0-3 lead and later 4-6, but later fell behind, with the Coyotes at one point taking a 22-15 lead. The Lady Cats fought back, but it was not enough, losing the second set by a score of 25-23.
The Lady Cats, staring at the brink of defeat, played with a sense of urgency throughout the entire third set. The Coyotes started off the match set hot, taking a 5-1 lead, but the Lady Cats once again fought back, tying the third set at 9 each.
Swiftly thereafter, though, the third set went the same way as the first, with the Coyotes completing the sweep of the Lady Cats with a resounding 25-15 win in set three.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner said she was disappointed in how the team played.
“I wasn’t really disappointed that we lost,” Coach Dorner said, but rather that she was “disappointed in how we played.”
Coach Dorner said that the team committed over 40 errors over the coarse of the game.
“We really just gave them the game,” Coach Dorner said.
The Lady Cats Volleyball Coach said the team really struggled to finish a play.
The Lady Cats are now 0-2 to start the season. It will be a quick turnaround for them, as they next play two games on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020.
Virtual Hearings Slated For Rezoning Of Mine, Spence Street Properties
Special Use Permit Sought for West Industrial Drive Communication Tower
The City of Sulphur Springs’ Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct public hearings for 2 rezoning proposals and 1 special use permit request.
One hearing will focus on the proposed rezoning of a 10.84-acre tract of property generally located at the corner of Spence and Fisher Streets from heavy commercial to single family attached.
Another hearing will be for the proposed rezoning of city-owned former Luminant/Thermo mine property, located between State Highway 11 east and FM 1870, which was previously annexed into the city. The 4,857-acre property, identified in Ordinance 2763, is proposed to be zoned as heavy industrial.
In related activity, Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski presented on first reading aththe Sulphur Springs City Council meeting a proposed ordinance which established the 4,857-acre coal mine property as a commercial-industrial reinvestment zone. Establishing a reinvestment district would allow the city to issue time-limited tax abatements on properties within the district if substantial enhancements or upgrades are made to the property in the area that help promote economic development in the city. This would serve as placeholder help initiate investment potential. Approving the reinvestment zone would not, however, guarantee issuance of a tax abatement; it would simply give the city the ability to grant one if desired in the future, city officials noted at the Sept. 1 meeting.
The third public hearing scheduled during the Sept. 21 P&Z Commission meeting is for a request for a special use permit to allow a 150-foot self-supported wireless communications tower to be constructed at 1212 West Industrial Drive (683 Gossett Lane).
The P&Z Commission meeting will be conducted virtually. Information on how the public can participate in the public hearings will be announced during the meeting, which is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Monday.
The public link to watch the meeting on the City of Sulphur Springs Meetings YouTube page is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8CxjG8pt3Cn8DDMgg0xr8g
Deputies Arrest 2 On Felony Warrants
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 2 on felony warrants Friday, according to arrest reports.
Deputy Alvin Jordan took Ricky Leon Flatt into custody at 1:15 p.m. Sept. 18 following a State Highway 11 west at County Road 4738, according to sheriff’s reports.
The 55-year-old Texarkana, Arkansas man was booked into Hopkins County jail on an Arkansas violation of parole warrant, according to arrest reports.
Deputy Elijah Fite took 31-year-old Dora Castillo-Rodriguez of Pittsburg into custody at 8:20 a.m. Sept. 18 at Camp County jail and transported her to Hopkins County jail.
Castillo-Rodriguez was booked on a warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for third or more driving while intoxicated offense, according to arrest reports.
Jail reports show that Castillo-Rodriguez was jailed in Hopkins County on Nov. 17, 2013 for DWI, third or more offense. She spent May 23-June 2, 2014, in custody on the charge, then served a 120-day state jail sentence from Feb. 23-Aug. 15, 20108 for violation of probation on a DWI, third or more charge.
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.
Paris District Road Report for the week of Sept. 21, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Sept. 21, 2020. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and Washington Street as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound exit ramp for Houston and Lamar (SH 56) is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the Park Avenue exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street (SH 56) exit. The northbound frontage road from South Travis Street to near Park Avenue is closed in order for crews to work on building the remaining portion of the retaining wall along US 75 at the South Travis Street intersection. Traffic is requested to use the US 75 mainlanes during this closure. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.
The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will be removed at a later time. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
SH 289, Grayson County: from FM 120 in Pottsboro north to the end of State Maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to overlay the roadway.
FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Road to US 75. Watch for occasional lane closures as workers perform final touch ups on the project. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a signalized intersection.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to the temporary detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section consisting of concrete pavement when the project is completed.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road as well as the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 entrance ramp. A new traffic pattern has been implemented wherewestbound Spur 503 will be shifted to the southbound US 75 frontage road and will travel through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on-ramp after FM 691. The new FM 691 exit ramp is open to access FM 691.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
SH 289, Grayson County: between FM 902 and FM 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance workers blade level the roadway.
US 69, Grayson County: between SH 56 and SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs.
SH 160, Grayson County: between SH 11 and the Collin County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided section. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement on the eastern end of the project between the Fannin and Lamar County line and County Road 2975. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while crews begin working on the inside lane to work on building the crossovers and turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median. The SH 121 and US 82 frontage road intersections have been converted to signalized intersections. The on-ramp to westbound US 82 from SH 78 has been closed while crews work on building the new westbound main lanes. The westbound exit ramp for SH 121 is closed as crews work on building the new main lanes in this area. Exiting traffic for SH 121 is asked to use the SH 78 exit and continue along the frontage road to SH 121.
County Road 3530, Fannin County: at Wafer Creek. County Road 3530 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new culvert. Traffic on CR 3530 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
County Road 4250, Fannin County: at Freeman Creek. County Road 4250 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 4250will need to use an alternate route during construction.
FM 274, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to FM 3321: Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform base repairs.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install guard fence and perform striping operations.
SH 19, Hopkins County: From Loop 301 to Delta County Line. Watch for crews performing work on cross drainage structures..
I-30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
I-30, Hopkins County: From Hunt County Line to Loop 301. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform concrete pavement repairs.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
FM 79, Lamar County: from Loop 286 to BU 82 H (Bonham Street). Watch for lane closures while crews mill and place new asphalt pavement and improve cross drainage structures.
FM 1507, Lamar County: from South Collegiate Drive to Loop 286. This roadway is closed while crews rehabilitate and resurface the existing roadway.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement, upgrade bridge rail, and place new hot mix.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Traffic is shifted to the south side of the existing roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the north side.
FM 195, Red River County – from FM 410 North to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence and complete cross culvert extensions at two locations.
SH 37, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for temporary traffic signals at bridge locations while crews upgrade bridge rail from Clarksville to Bogata.
FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (Avery) to FM 44. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews safety treat drainage structures and rehabilitate the existing pavement.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
SH 66, Hunt County: from near FM 6 to near FM 2642. A project to widen the pavement, install continuous left-turn lanes, and safety-treat fixed objects is underway. The contractor is working to establish final vegetation on this project. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers in this area.
FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903. This project will widen the shoulders and apply safety treatments to fixed objects. The contractor is currently working on establishing vegetation and removing existing signage. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
SPUR 264, Hunt County: in Quinlan. The sidewalk improvement project at this location is complete.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor is constructing cross culverts on this roadway. Roadway rehabilitation work is scheduled to begin Sept. 16. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
Hunt County maintenance crews performing base work on FM 3427 at various locations. Maintenance crews will be performing ditch work and pothole repairs at various locations in Hunt County. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from these work crews.
Rains County maintenance crews will be performing patch work on FM 751 from SH 276 to FM 429. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along this portion of the roadway.
SH 34 bridge, Hunt County: 3.5 miles south of Quinlan. TxDOT will set up a temporary concrete traffic barrier to protect travelers from the damage caused by an 18-wheeler accident last week.
Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from these work crews. Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
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2 Men Caught With Contraband
Two men were caught with contraband overnight Friday, according to arrest reports.
Jackson Street Controlled Substance Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies were made aware of a drug transaction scheduled to occur Sept. 19. Sgt. Tanner Steward and Investigator Wade Sheets reported seeing 33-year-old Kerry Lee Jones of Cooper pick up another individual using a Chevrolet Malibu early Saturday morning. Jones then allegedly purchased methamphetamine inside a Helm Lane business and delivered it to the other person.
The sheriff’s officers reported stopping the car on Jackson Street at Church Street at 2:48 a.m. Saturday. They located approximately 1.5 grams of a substance which field-tested positive for methamphetamine, resulting in Jones’ arrest for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Main Street Drug Paraphernalia Arrest
Deputies reported stopped a 21-year-old Cumby man on Main Street at Hillcrest Drive at 10:13 p.m. Sept. 18 because the license plate on the car Ford F150 pickup he was driving was obscured.
Upon contact with the man, he allegedly admitted to having a small amount of marijuana inside the truck. Deputies reported finding a small bag containing marijuana, a pipe with marijuana residue inside of it and an open alcoholic beverage container during a search of the pickup.
Consequently, the 21-year-old Cumby man was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to arrest reports. He was released from Hopkins County jail on the misdemeanor charge Saturday morning, 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.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
Sulphur Springs Man Arrested On Prostitution Charge
A 33-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested on a prostitution charge early Saturday morning, according to arrest and jail reports.
The man allegedly made an agreement to purchase sexual activities for $100, then traveled in the vicinity of the individual he’d agreed to meet, sheriff’s officers alleged in arrest reports.
The 33-year-old was taken into custody by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Wade Sheets and Deputy Elijah Fite at his residence at 2 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, on a Class B misdemeanor prostitution charge, according to arrest 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.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
Man Accused Of Injuring Niece With Scissors
A 74-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused of injuring his niece with scissors Friday evening.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Chris Baumann were dispatched at 6:38 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, to a County Road 1174 residence, where a 911 caller alleged a person had been stabbed with scissors.
Upon arrival at the rural residence, deputies found the 74-year-old seated in his wheelchair in the yard. Steward reported seeing the man thow a pair of silver scissors onto the grand in front of the wheelchair.
During an investigation of the alleged assault, witnesses claimed Lester Carl Thomas intentionally attempted to stab one of them with scissors, police noted in arrest reports. Thomas’ niece sustained an injury while making an evasive move to block the scissors from making contact with the intended individual, officers were reportedly told. Thomas allegedly struck his niece in the left wrist, leaving an approximately 2-inch laceration on her wrist. Deputies asked the niece several times if she would like EMS to treat the cut, but she refused.
Based on the “totality of the circumstances,” Thomas was arrested at 6:39 p.m. on an aggravated assault of a date, family or household member with a deadly weapon charge, according to arrest reports.
Thomas remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, Sept. 19, 2020. Bond on the felony assault charge was set at $35,000, according to jail reports.
Thomas’ criminal history includes one prior assault charge. He was arrested on June 10, 2002 for family violence assault. He too was arrested Sept. 15, 2003, on a deadly conduct charge. He was sentenced to a 90-day commitment on the deadly conduct charge on Oct. 14, 2004, 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.
