Man Allegedly Contacted Woman Named In Protective Order 95 Times By Phone
A 25-year-old Sulphur Springs man allegedly contacted a woman named in a protective order 95 times by phone.
Landon Harness, according to jail reports, has been in custody at Hopkins County jail since his arrest June 21 for allegedly threatening his girlfriend at a South Broadway Street store. Harness allegedly struck the rearview mirror inside his girlfriend’s vehicle, damaging not only the mirror but also a section of the windshield. Then, he allegedly threatened the woman, causing her to fear for her safety and that of her children, deputies alleged in June 21 arrest reports. An off-duty sheriff’s deputy at the store was alerted, called for on-duty officers, who took Harness into custody at the South Broadway Street business Sunday on a charge of assault by threat, according to the June 21 arrest reports.
Harness was arraigned on the family violence assault by threat charge around 9 a.m. June 23, by Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer, who issued an emergency protective order for the victim and her children. Harness plead no contest to the charges and was assessed a $350 fine for the Class C misdemeanor family violence assault by threat charge. He was given credit for time served in jail, as he was also held for violation of probation on a cattle theft conviction and violation of bond or protective order, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford alleged in arrest reports.
Since the emergency protective order was issued, the 25-year-old Sulphur Springs man has contacted the woman named in the order 95 times on her phone, a violation of the protective order.
Based on that information, Weatherford sought and obtained a warrant for repeated violation of certain court orders or conditions of bond in family violence, child abuse or neglect, sexual assault or abuse, indecent assault, stalking or trafficking case. Harness was served with the warrant at the county jail at 4 p.m. July 2.
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.
Tip Leads To 2 Arrests on Church Street
A tip regarding suspected narcotic activity resulted in 2 arrests on Church Street Thursday morning.
Sgt. Tanner Steward with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office received information of suspected narcotic use and possession at a residence in the 500 block of Church Street. Officers went to the location around 7:35 a.m. July 2 they spoke with the resident and another woman present.
Officers reportedly obtained permission to search the apartment. Steward and HCSO Sgt. Shea Shaw alleged finding multiple items of drug paraphernalia, including a clear, glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, more than one hypodermic syringe, clear baggies and cut straws with a crystal-like residue inside them.
Deputies alleged finding a hypodermic syringe containing suspected methamphetamine in 41-year-old Amy Colleen Liggett’s bedroom dresser, Shaw and Steward alleged in arrest reports. Consequently, Liggett and 36-year-old Carissa Ann Jenkins of Sulphur Springs were taken into custody.
While being transported to jail, deputies reported Jenkins moving around in the back seat and asked if she had any contraband on her. Jenkins admitted she did and, upon arrival at the jail a clear pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke meth was found, along with a small bag containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be meth located on the walking path the woman had used while being escorted from the sheriff’s office sally port into the jail, deputies alleged in arrest reports. The substance field-tested positive for meth and weighed 0.55 gram including packaging, according to arrest reports.
Both Liggett and Jenkins remained in Hopkins County jail July 3, in lieu of $5,000 bond on the felony possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
The July 2 arrest marked the third time this year that Liggett has been jailed locally. She was also booked into Hopkins County jail on April 7, 2020 for possession of drug paraphernalia and on April 21 on a warrant for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams 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.
County Road 2337 Traffic Stop Results In Arrest
A County Road 2337 traffic stop Thursday night resulted in a felony arrest, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Deputy Chris Baumann reported seeing a red 2015 Chevrolet Camaro traveling north on FM 69 south at 85 miles per hour in the 65 mph speed zone. He initiated a traffic stop. The car stopped between the intersection of County Road 2337 and County Road 2336, according to arrest reports.
When he contacted the driver, Baumann alleged the 22-year-old Como man’s hands were visibly shaking and the man attempted to avoid eye contact with him. The man told the deputy he didn’t have a driver’s license and was asked to step out of the car for a field interview as to why he was operating the car without either insurance or a driver’s license, Baumann noted in arrest reports.
When asked, the man reportedly told the deputy there was no illegal contraband in the car and agreed to let the deputy search it. Baumann reported finding a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine with suspected methamphetamine inside and a bag containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine.
Miguel Angel Gomez-Gonzalez was taken into custody at 10:44 p.m. July 2 and transported to Hopkins County jail, where the suspected methamphetamine field-tested positive for meth and weighed 0.92 gram including packing, according to arrest reports.
Consequently, Gomez-Gonzalez was booked into booked into Hopkins County jail for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from Hopkins County jail July 3. His bond was set at $5,000 on the felony controlled substance charge, 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.
Michael Allen Coker Sentenced For Vehicle Theft
Michael Allen Coker was sentenced this week in the 8th Judicial District Court to 10 years in prison for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
The 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested May 28 in a stolen car with another man’s debit/credit card. He was stopped by Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper William Gillentine for speeding.
When Gillentine asked Coker why the vehicle would be reported stolen, Coker claimed a woman gave it to him to drive the day before, the trooper alleged in arrest reports. When pressed for more details and asked numerous questions, Coker was alleged to provide a vague story, Gillentine alleged.
A Paris Police Department detective contacted Gillentine by phone. The car has reportedly been left running and unattended while the driver went inside a store; when the driver walked back outside, the vehicle was missing, the Paris officer reportedly told Gillentine.
An inventory of the vehicle prior to impound revealed an open can of Angry Orchard hard cider in the console; a credit card with another man’s name on it, a receipt, new set of drill bits and packaging were also found in the front compartment of the car, Gillentine alleged in 2019 arrest reports.
The Paris police detective met Gillentine at Hopkins County jail and showed him pictures taken from a video of the area where the vehicle was reported stolen. Coker was reportedly wearing the same clothing as the suspect who was pictured approaching the car in the store parking lot.
Additional evidence recovered and reports received resulted in Coker being charged on more than a dozen debit card abuse warrants related to the May 28 stolen car case. He was released from jail on those charges on Dec. 4, 2019, but returned to custody Dec. 19, 2019 Jan. 15, 2020 in Hopkins County jail for violation of probation on the charge, according to jail reports. He has remained in custody since May 22 for violation of probation on the unauthorized use of vehicle charge, according to jail and arrest reports.
He also was noted to have a warrant related to a Smith County UUMV charge. Jail records show Coker has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1984, including being jailed in 1985, 1989, at least twice in 1990, 1991 and 2010 on UUMV charge.
Coker was scheduled to appear before 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt June 30 for a trial before the court. After presentation of evidence and arguments in the case, Northcutt sentenced Coker to the maximum of 10 years in prison.
DCTF Has Winnsboro Football As A District Runner Up
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football found a lot to like about this year’s Winnsboro Red Raiders’ football team. The magazine predicts Winnsboro will finish in 2nd place in their District 5-3A, Division I, behind only Pottsboro, preseason ranked #3 in Class 3A.
After the Red Raiders, DCTF predicts Mineola 3rd, Mount Vernon 4th, Emory Rains 5th, Commerce 6th, Howe 7th and Bonham 8th.
The Red Raiders head coach is Josh Finney. In his first season in Winnsboro last season, he led the Red Raiders to an 8-5 record taking them all the way to the Regional Semifinal game.
The Red Raiders have 19 returning lettermen including 5 returning starters on offense and 7 on defense. Texas Football lists these Red Raiders as players to watch: running back and defensive back Dominique Allen, linebacker and fullback Zeb Fulmer, defensive lineman Kid Cole, defensive back Rance Brown, tight end Jed Carroll and defensive back Rey Soto. Other prospects include: running back Tayshun Runnels, linebacker Kobe McAdoo, linebacker Logan Minick, and running back Lakeedrian Jones.
Texas Football notes Winnsboro should be helped by a JV team last year that ended up undefeated. Allen, a 1,600 yard rusher last season, returns along with backs Runnels and Jones to handle the rushing load. The Red Raiders also have experienced hands on defense with lots of tackles last year. Included are Fulmer, Cole, Brown, Soto, McAdoo and Minick.
Texas Football says big things are brewing in Winnsboro.
Temporary Waiver Of Vehicle Title, Registration Requirements Still In Effect
Texans still get a break from certain vehicle title and registration requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles reported July 3. The temporary waiver, announced by Governor Greg Abbott on March 16, 2020, remains in effect.
The waiver covers the following services:
- Initial vehicle registration.
- Vehicle registration renewal.
- Vehicle titling.
- Renewal of permanent disabled parking placards.
- 30-day temporary permits.
TxDMV plans to provide a notification when normal services resume, allowing the public 60 days from then to conduct any overdue title and registration transactions.
TxDMV encourages all Texans with overdue transactions to renew their registration online at www.TxDMV.gov and www.Texas.gov, or by mail.
Most in-person vehicle title and registration services are handled by county tax offices. Hopkins County’s Tax Assessor/Collector’s Office, located in the Hopkins County Courthouse Annex on Jefferson Street (in the building where early voting in the party primary runoff elections is being conducted) is open Monday-Friday to handle these needs of county residents. For the status of ax offices in other Texas counties, visit www.TxDMV.gov/covid-19 or contact the county tax office directly.
The following transactions are available in-person by appointment only at TxDMV regional service centers:
- Replacement titles.
- Bonded title notices of determination.
- Title histories.
- Temporary permits.
- Assigned/reassigned numbers.
- Registration refund authorizations.
- Investigation and resolution of Texas title errors.
To schedule a same-day or next-day appointment, visit www.TxDMV.gov/appointment.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles does not issue driver licenses or state ID cards. Texans should contact the Texas Department of Public Safety those services.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens Says DCTF Prediction For Wildcats Is No Big Deal
Being a veteran football coach, Wildcats Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens says he does not get riled up by preseason predictions by so called experts. However, he is likely to use any less than flattering picks for motivational purposes.
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football predicts the Wildcats will finished in 7th place in their 8 team district this fall. In response, Coach Owens remembers what he told then-Sulphur Springs News Telegram Sports Editor Don Wallace a few years back. He told Wallace that there was a guy sitting in his mamma’s basement playing video games and writing articles about football and what’s going to happen. Coach Owens calls the prediction bulletin board material.
He says after he learned of the magazine’s picks, he talked with his team and asked them what they were going to do about it. He says it gives the players something to prove. Coach Owens says who knows what will happen. He says you’ve got to line up and play.
He says district foe Ennis is the preseason #1 pick in Class 5A. Coach Owens says he doesn’t know if Ennis is #1 but, he says, they are a dang good football team. He says two years ago, Lions Coach Sam Harrell promoted a large number of sophomores to the varsity. Coach Owens says that young group took their lumps then but, he says, they were good last year and should be again as seniors this year.
He says he also knows that Corsicana and North Forney are both athletic and,, he says, Royse City has benefited from some Division I college caliber players that have moved in.
However, Coach Owens says he believes the Wildcats too can be pretty good. He says guys are putting in the time and the work and are getting after it. Coach Owens says the Wildcats are not as fast as he would like them to be. He says the Wildcats will have to execute. He adds he loves the attitude of his players. Coach Owens says the Wildcats must stay healthy. He says they have depth in some areas but are thin in others.
Again, Coach Owens says, despite predictions, teams have to line up and play, on the field.
Hopkins County COVID-19 Testing Update: 991 Negative, 67 Positive, 73 Pending
Hopkins County saw a surge in COVID-19 cases over the last 8 days with 17 additional COVID-19 cases recorded since June 24, according to data compiled by Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS COO Brent Smith at 5:30 p.m. July 2 and posted around 11 p.m. July 2 on the Hopkins County Emergency Management Facebook page.
Of the 67 confirmed cases, 15 were reported week, 8 on June 30 and 7 July 2, and one each of June 25 and 26. That’s the largest increase in positive COVID-19 cases during a single testing report period since the pandemic began in march. That surpasses the June 3-10 when the record for most cases in a test reporting period was set at 13 new positive COVID-19 cases Overall, during the weekly reporting periods, Hopkins County saw an increase of 17 new cases during May, 39 in June and 7 so far in July.
While that’s a significant increase for Hopkins County, where only 4 cases had been reported and all had recovered by the end of April, positive results account for 5.9 percent of the total 1,131 COVID-19 tests conducted through July 2, according to the testing data compiled by Smith. Overall, that’s a 1.2 percent increase in positive cases over the last 8 days.
While positive cases went up, so did screenings and the number of negative test results. Over the last 8 days, while 17 tests were positive, another 102 test results have come back negative. That’s a total of 991 tests negative for COVID-19 for Hopkins County residents since March.
Another 73 met people criteria for screening; their samples sent for testing after the June 24 testing report, for a total of 1,131 tests reported by the “majority of health care partners in Hopkins County” to have been conducted over the past 109 days.
Notable is that some private businesses and health facilities that use private organizations to screen workers and are not required to report those screening numbers to the hospital district. Those private screening counts are reported to DSHS and not included in the weekly screening report from the hospital district, according to Smith.
That leaves only 73 test results still pending for Hopkins County at 5:30 p.m. July 2, 26 fewer pending than the week before.
The number of recoveries outpaced new cases during the past 8 days, with 27 additional Hopkins County residents reported to have recovered from COVID-19, for a total of 47 recoveries so far, according to the HCHD/EMS testing data. Recoveries are released according to the Centers for Disease Control guidelines and a local physician authority, according to Smith.
There have still been no deaths of Hopkins County residents due to COVID-19 during the pandemic, according to the data and local emergency management officials.
Because Hopkins County had only 20 active COVID-19 cases as of July 2, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom submitted an application to Texas Department of Emergency Management asking for Hopkins County to be exempt from Governor’s Executive Order GA-29, which requires face covering for all people out in the public. However, county emergency management officials do still encourage people to wear face masks, practice social distancing as
Smith and local health officials urge everyone to continue practicing social distancing and proper hand washing.
Local residents are reminded of Governor Abbott’s July 2 proclamation amending GA-28, which was issued on June 26. The proclamation stipulates that most outdoor gatherings in excess of 10 people, unless approved under specified exceptions by a city mayor or county judge for an unincorporated area, are prohibited. Also, people shall not be in groups larger than 10 and shall maintain six feet of social distancing from those not in their group, unless the gathering meets the exception stipulated in the executive order or in the minimum standard health protocols recommended by DSHS, found at www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus.
Governor’s Order, Proclamation Require Face Coverings In Public, Restrict Social Gatherings
Hopkins County Judge Has Filed For An Exemption To Opt Out Of Requirements
Governor Greg Abbott July 2 issued another Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with a few exceptions. Local authorities say Hopkins County meets the terms for the exemption.
In addition to GA-29, Abbott The Governor also July 2 issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of over 10 people, and making it mandatory that, with certain exceptions, people cannot be in groups larger than 10 and must maintain 6 feet of social distancing from others.
He cited surges not only in the number of people testing positive daily for COVID-19, but also the positivity rate and an uptick in the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals.
“Wearing a face covering in public is proven to be one of the most effective ways we have to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott in the announcement. “We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another—and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces. Likewise, large gatherings are a clear contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases. Restricting the size of group gatherings will strengthen Texas’ ability to corral this virus and keep Texans safe.”
Abbott said local law enforcement and other local officials as appropriate, in areas that are not approved as exempt “can and should enforce this executive order.” That may include verbal or written warnings for a first-time violator of this face-covering requirement, a fine up to $250 for a second violation. Each subsequent violation could be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 per violation. Abbott was very clear, however, that under no circumstances are violators to be arrested and confined to jail.
Exemptions
GA-29 allows for exceptions for some counties to the facecovering order.
Not required to wear face-coverings will be the following:
- any person younger than 10 years of age;
- any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering;
- any person while the person is consuming food or drink, or is seated at a
restaurant to eat or drink; - any person while the person is (a) exercising outdoors or engaging in
physical activity outdoors, and (b) maintaining a safe distance from other
people not in the same household; - any person while the person is driving alone or with passengers who are
part of the same household as the driver; - any person obtaining a service that requires temporary removal of the face covering for security surveillance, screening, or a need for specific access to the face, such as while visiting a bank or while obtaining a personal care service involving the face, but only to the extent necessary for the temporary removal;
- any person while the person is in a swimming pool, lake, or similar body
of water; - any person who is voting, assisting a voter, serving as a poli watcher, or
actively administering an election, but wearing a face covering is strongly encouraged; - any person who is actively providing or obtaining access to religious
worship, but wearing a face covering is strongly encouraged; - any person while the person is giving a speech for a broadcast or to an
audience; or - any person in a county (a) that meets the requisite criteria provided by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) regarding minimal cases of COVID-19, and (b) whose county judge has affirmatively opted-out of this face-covering requirement by filing with TDEM the required face-covering attestation form—provided, however, that wearing a face covering is highly recommended, and every county is strongly encouraged to follow these face-covering standards.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom and Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley said Hopkins County meets the terms for the exemption to mask and distancing requirements, but do strongly encourage them in public.
Texas Department of Emergency Management, per GA-29, outlined the following steps for counties to be exempt
- The county must have 20 or less active COVID-19 cases.
- The county judge of a county with 20 or less active cases must submit an exemption form affirmatively opting out.
- Counties approved for exemption from the GA-29 face-covering requirement will be listed on the TDEM webpage.
At 3 p.m. July 2, the county emergency management team reported 15 new COVID-19 cases so far this week, with 41 total patients recovered and 26 active cases.
Newsom at the 5:45 p.m. news conference, however, reported that the county confirmed 6 additional people had recovered since the earlier news conference, which means the county is now down to 20 active cases out of the total 67 cases reported for Hopkins County since the pandemic began in March.
Thus, the county judge said, Hopkins County officials had the option of accepting the mask order or filing for an exemption because the county now has 20 cases. The judge filed the “attestation” application for the exemption.
“Because of our low number of cases we are not under the mask mandate,” Newsom said.
As of 6:10 p.m. July 2, TDEM had yet to list on its exemption page any counties that had approved for the exemption.
“We are encouraging those out in public to wear a mask and social distance, but it’s not a mandate,” the emergency management officials said.
GA-29 specifies that “any person attending a protest or demonstration involving more than 10 people and who is not practicing safe social distancing of six feet from other people not in the same household” will not be exempt from wearing a face mask.
Drunk Driving Victims Share Heartbreaking Stories in Effort to Stop Drinking and Driving
| NEWS RELEASE [email protected] (512) 463-8700 | |
| DRUNK DRIVING VICTIMS SHARE HEARTBREAKING STORIES IN EFFORT TO STOP DRINKING AND DRIVING TxDOT’s ‘Plan While You Can’ campaign features personal stories urging drivers to plan for a sober ride July 2, 2020 AUSTIN – Sean Carter’s ability to speak was taken from him more than 15 years ago, when he was a college junior and went out drinking with friends. He knew he was in no condition to drive home – but neither was the buddy who gave him a ride. Without a plan for a sober ride, the drunk driver crashed the truck, leaving Sean with a traumatic brain injury and unable to walk or talk. Today, despite his inability to speak on his own, Sean’s voice via his story is saving lives. Sean has traveled the country sharing his experience through an iPad that speaks the words he types. In the current environment of social distancing, he’s still working to share the message virtually. Since his crash, he’s shared the story with more than 375,000 people of how a drunk driver forever changed his life. “I made the bad decision to drink without planning for a safe ride home,” Sean shared. “That fateful decision to get into a truck with a drunk driver made every goal I ever set for myself impossible. My hope is that drivers understand the consequences of drinking and driving, and make a different decision — to plan for a sober ride before going out.” Sean and his mom, Jenny, are sharing his journey through the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Plan While You Can” campaign, which works to save lives and decrease impaired driving crashes by encouraging drivers to plan ahead for a sober ride before drinking alcohol. “The crash is something Sean still deals with every day of his life,” Jenny said. “As his caretaker, I deal with the consequences of that bad decision, too. Families and individuals need to know that choosing to drink and drive can have lasting, life-altering effects that go beyond just the people directly involved in the crash.” Last year, there were 24,666 DUI-alcohol related crashes in Texas, resulting in 900 fatalities and 2,152 serious injuries. DUI-alcohol related crash fatalities represented 25% of all crash fatalities in Texas in 2019. The “Plan While You Can” campaign features the Faces of Drunk Driving as a way for victims to share their personal stories through TV public service announcements, social media, digital ads and media interviews.The Faces of Drunk Driving website features Sean’s story, as well as other stories from drunk driving crash victims in Texas. Driving under the influence of alcohol not only risks death or serious injuries, but it can also be costly. Drivers can face up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time and loss of their driver’s license. Instead of getting behind the wheel if drinking, here are some alternative options: Designate a sober driver. Contact a cab or ride-share service. Use mass transit. Spend the night. Leading up to the July Fourth holiday, even with more people staying home and some businesses being closed due to COVID-19, TxDOT feels this is an important message to share for those who will choose to go out and celebrate. For those who do choose to go out, do not drink and drive and please exercise proper safety practices in public, including wearing a face covering, limiting social gatherings to no more than 10 people and social distancing. “Plan While You Can” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways. For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700. The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of June 15, 2020. ### |
