Good News! It’s Garden Season in Hopkins County!
Marlon Webb loves to garden. He and his wife Donna grow just about everything you’d expect from a home garden. Marlon freely admits that being able to work outside is one of his God-given blessings, and for him, seeing things grow is one of the best and most rewarding things in life. Here are some of his plantings as of mid-March.
Traffic Stop Yields Pills, Suspected Marijuana, Arrest
A traffic stop on Church Street at North Hillcrest Drive at 9:26 p.m. Saturday March 21st, 2020 resulted in the location of suspected marijuana, pills and one felony arrest.
During the stop, police reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the car. Sulphur Springs Police Officer Zach Brown had passenger Denver Jacques Fender step out of the car. He alleged finding numerous pills and a suspected marijuana on the 39-year-old Sulphur Springs man. Oxycodone was found among the pills. The pills weight about 0.8 gram, Brown and SSPD Sgt. Joe Scott alleged in arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Drew Fisher transported Fenders to the county jail, where Fender was booked for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports. Fender was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, March 22. Bond was set at $5,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
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.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Assaulting Woman
A 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused Saturday March 18th, 2020 of assaulting a woman, causing injury to her face, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police were dispatched to a disturbance at Saturday 3:11 p.m. at a Peach Street residence. Officers spoke to the complainant, who alleged Micah Wayne Reynolds had assaulted her twice. The first assault happened the night before; the second minutes prior to officers arrived.
Officers reported redness visible on her jawbone, where Reynolds allegedly grabbed the woman, as well as scratches on her face.
Reynolds was taken into custody for assault and taken to jail.
He remained in the county jail Monday. Bond on the assault of a family or household member with a previous conviction charge was set at $10,000, according to jail reports. Reynolds, according to jail reports, has at least two prior assault arrests: assault causing bodily injury to a family member on May 9, 2013, and Dec. 21, 2019.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Commissioners Court Approves Travel, Sick Pool, COVID-19, CDL Policies
Hopkins County Commissioners Court during their regular meeting Monday morning approved five policy changes, including a new policy implemented related to COVID-19
Travel, Sick Pool Policies
Commissioners amended a county employee travel policy. When an employee uses a personal vehicle for travel, that county employee would be reimbursed the lesser of two options. The policy is an addition to the rental car policy approved by the court in November.
Also discussed was the number of months an employee must have worked at the county before joining sick leave pool. That has been reduced to 12 months, Newsom said.
Employee CDL Policy
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley explained a change to the personnel policy regarding requirements to work on county road crews. The individual must have a Commercial Driver’s License to work on the crew. The county allows individuals to be hired on a part-time basis to be paid hourly and take a written CDL test within 60 days of employment. After three unsuccessful attempts to pass the test, a 2-week extension will be granted. Failure to pass at that time would be grounds for dismissal. After passing the written test, the employee has 90 days to pass the CDL driving test in order to qualify to become a full-time employee with benefits.
“So this is stating that we put them to work as a part time employee and do not have to pay them benefits until they pass this test,” Bartley said, noting he’d had employees in the past the after 6 months still had not passed the test. He said if they haven’t passed the CDL test to obtain their license within the specified time, they’d be fired.
COVID-19 Personnel Policy
A special personnel policy considered by the Commissioners Court during an executive session, was a policy regarding COVID-19. Texas Association of Counties recommended counties consider a court order adding to the personnel policy procedure in the instance a county employee is exposed or has the Coronoavirus, Newsom said. The court approved the policy.
Essentially, Judge Robert Newsom said, if a county employee is exposed to or tests positive for COVID-19, the burden is on the employee to prove it. The decision Monday afternoon, March 23, to continue county operations on an appointment only basis for only county employees until the concerns regarding COVID-19 pandemic are significantly reduced, should help reduce county employees’ potential exposure to it while at work.
The policy outlines actions if an employee tests positive or has a presumptive positive result for COVID-19, steps the supervisor must take in those instances, notification to human resources and a public health authority if warranted, their absence from work and pay. Any testing and medical fees would be charged to the employee’s health insurance and fees would be paid to the employee.
The policy also addresses individuals who have symptoms of the common cold and flu, but not COVID-19, and are required to miss work, how they are paid and when they can return to work.
SAFER Grant
Firefighters hired and paid under the SAFER grant guidelines will be eligible to begin receiving insurance benefits beginning on the employee’s hire date.
Essentially, the grant is allowing the county to add three additional full-time firefighters to the roster, one for each shift. The grant will cover 75 percent of the cost for the additional personnel the first two years of their employment, then 35 percent the third year. The county would be responsible for 25 percent the first two years the full cost the fourth year and thereafter, Hopkins County Fire Department Chief Andy Endsley. The county’s matching portion of the grant will come from the general fund, according to County Auditor Aulsbrook.
Normally, county employees have to wait 90 days before they are eligible for health insurance from the county. However, because the government is paying benefits, this will allow those three hired under the SAFER grant to have health insurance beginning April 1.
The policy was approved and the budget amended for the grant. The grant allowed the county to begin the hiring process on March 16.
City National Bank Restricting Access To Lobby Services In All Branches
In response to the COVID-19 virus, City National Bank will restrict access to any lobby in their branches. Those customers with any business that requires being in the lobby, may call that branch for an appointment. All drive thru locations will be open regular hours. Customers are also encouraged to use online tools or CNB’s digital app as well as ATMs.
This action is to better ensure the health and safety of the customers and employees of City National Bank.
Alliance Bank To Limit Lobby Services
Alliance Bank announced March 23 that, effective immediately, plans to operate all lobby locations with limited in-person services as part of the state and national effort to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Locations with drive-thru access or a stand-alone drive-thru will continue to offer most banking services. Lobby services will be limited to “appointment only” by calling 903-877-2265.
Tom Sellers, President/CEO of Alliance Bank, said, “These are unprecedented times but as always, our customers and employee’s well-being is our guiding principle. We will continue doing everything within our power to provide un-interrupted banking services to our customers. Alliance Bank, for nearly 100 years as been and remains a very well capitalized bank and will be here for our customers with untethered access to their finances and financial needs.”
Additionally, Alliance Bank will continue offering all customers alternative banking products and services through our website/mobile app or by appointment.
Customers can:
- Access accounts to see transactions, account balances and important details like account and routing number.
- Deposit checks through the mobile app (Mobile Deposit).
- Set up a direct deposit to have paychecks and other recurring payments automatically deposited into an account.
- Make payments on loans, pay bills, and set up recurring payments (Bill Pay).
- Transfer funds between bank accounts or person to person (P2P).
- Open deposit accounts.
- Apply for Loans.
- Order debit cards or report debit card fraud on-line.
Alliance Bank’s mobile app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. Those who are not already enrolled may visit alliancebank.com to enroll in online banking.
COVID-19: Hopkins County Offices Open Only By Appointment For Residents
Following discussion among officials Monday, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom Monday afternoon announced that Hopkins County’s offices will be open by appointment only and for Hopkins County residents only as a COVID-19 precaution.
“To be very clear, the county is not shutting down or closing the offices. County business will continue as usual and county officials will continue to work diligently to assure that access to each respective office is available,” the release stated.
Monday morning during commissioners court, County Clerk Tracy Smith expressed concerns that her office as well as those of other county officials were seeing an increase in business from people coming from outside of Hopkins County. Government offices in those individuals’ counties have been closed to the public except by appointment due to COVID-19 concerns. Smith said her her office and that of Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Pogue Mitchell have been bombarded over the last week with individuals traveling 45 minutes or more for birth certificates, marriage licenses, registrations and other items.
Hopkins County is one of the few in the area that hadn’t, as of this morning, closed office doors to the public. Others within 50 miles were already requiring those who have business that can’t be handled by phone, electronic or other means to make appointments, it was pointed out during the commissioners court meeting Monday morning.
Smith noted she has two employees who fit the at-risk vulnerability criteria regarding COVID-19. She expressed concerns for the health of county employees due to potential of health risk through contact with individuals driving over from counties where they’ve been instructed to “shelter in place” due to confirmed COVID-19 cases.
The county clerk pointed out that quite a few business services are offered online, by phone, email, mail and/or drop box. A few services, like filing for marriage licenses, do require the couple to be present, but appointments can be made when necessary for Hopkins County residents by contacting the appropriate offices.
Newsom asked elected officials from other county offices to be consulted during a session following the regular court meeting to discuss the matter. The county’s emergency management team also met later Monday to discuss the current COVID-19 situation.
At approximately 4 p.m. Monday, Newsom’s office issued a press release announcing that each office of the county will be open only by appointment to “reduce the amount of traffic in and out of each office, and to reduce the threat of exposure of the COVID-19 Virus.”
Contact information and most paperwork for each officer are available at www.hopkinscountytx.org.
A temporary extension has been allowed concerning the late fees and penalties associated with Vehicle Registration, Vehicle Titling and Vehicle Parking Placards. For more information about those services, contact the Hopkins County Tax Assessor-Collector office.
The closing of county offices to walk-in visitors follows the Commissioners’ Court’s approval Monday morning of a disaster declaration in effect until April 3 due to COVID-19 concerns. The county opted to put in place at that time the same measures established in the Governor’s Executive Order on March 19: restricting nursing home, retirement and assisted care facilities to critical care personnel only; closing schools, gymns and massage parlors until April 3; and closing restaurant and bars to dine-in customers, restricting these types of businesses to drive-through, delivery and curbside service.
The county at that time opted not to impose any additional restrictions as a means to reduce potential spread of COVID-19 into the county.
Hopkins County as of this evening still does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the CDC or TDSHS. Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS over the weekend, reported they were able to confirm that at least 31 screenings for COVID-19 had been conducted in Hopkins County.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Team Updates Public: 03/23/2020
The Emergency Management Team also confirmed that as of 4:00pm on 3/23/2020 that there were still NO positive case results of COVID-19 returned for any residents of Hopkins County.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom announces the Hopkins County offices will be occupied but are going to appointment only and will be closed to walk-in traffic. Citizens wanting to make an appointment will be asked to prove residency of Hopkins County. As other counties move to “shelter-in-place” and close their offices, residents from other counties are traveling to Hopkins County searching county services. This anamoly not only puts our county workers at an increased risk of exposure, but also bogs down the work that those county workers could be doing for our Hopkins County residents. The county offices will follow this procedure in alignment with the current County Disaster Declaration until April 3rd, and would be extended along with the Disaster Declaration, is it is extended.
Jacksonville Man Jailed For Alleged Sexual Assault Of Hopkins County 14-Year-Old
A 36-year-old Jacksonville man was arrested Saturday morning on Gaskins Street in Como for the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old, who he reportedly communicated with online to make the assignation, according to sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 9:10 a.m. March 21 to a Como address, where a woman reported her daughter missing. The 14-year-old was reportedly last seen at 9:30 p.m. March 20. The mother told deputies the teen was supposed to have spent the night at a friend’s home, but never made it to the friend’s residence, Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Deputy Alvin Jordan and Sgt. Shea Shaw alleged in arrest reports.
Another juvenile alleged the missing youth had been talking with an older white male online and was possibly with him. The mother reportedly denied any knowledge of the online communication. While deputies were on scene, the missing youth reportedly called her mother and advised she was OK and on her way home, according to arrest reports.
Deputies located a red Chevrolet Cavalier traveling on Gaskins Street shortly thereafter; a white male was driving and what appeared to be a female covering her face was seen in the passenger seat, the deputies alleged in arrest reports.
When deputies made an “investigative traffic stop on the vehicle,” they determined the passenger was the missing youth. The driver was identified was Andrew Curtis Hostetler of Jacksonville. He was taken into custody at 10:12 a.m. Saturday for further investigation, according to arrest reports.
After being advised of his rights, Hostetler allegedly admitted to having sexual intercourse more than once in the early hours of March 21 at a Sulphur Springs motel. He also allegedly admitted it wasn’t the first time he’d met with the juvenile. He allegedly admitted he’d had sexual intercourse with the teen more than once, and to paying for the hotel room each time. He claimed he didn’t know she was 14, but did know her mother did not approve of her dating older men, so he had planned to drop her off down the street as he had done before, Jordan and Shaw alleged in arrest reports.
The 36-year-old Jacksonville was arrested around 10:12 a.m. Saturday on two counts of sexual assault of a child, according to arrest reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail Monday. Bond was set at $75,000 per 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.
Hopkins County Commissioners Extend Disaster Declaration Until April 3rd
The Hopkins County Commissioners court extended the disaster declaration from last week until April 3rd, which will align with the State of Texas declaration.
The County declaration that was announced last week, limited groups of social gatherings to no more than 10, as well as closing all restaurant dining rooms, and restricts visitation to nursing homes and longterm care facilities. The commissioner’s court fulfilled their requirement to review the declaration within 7 days, and adding changes set forth by the Governor in his executive order March 19. The Hopkins County disaster declaration will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. April 3.
The Governor left it to local officials whether they would take extra steps, like the shelter in place designation put in place by Dallas County. At that time 200 Texas County had no positive cases, including Hopkins County, so he opted not to require such steps for all of Texas. Hopkins County Monday morning, and as of the noon March 23 report from the CDC, continued to have no positive case reports. Thus, measures adopted in the Hopkins County public health emergency disaster declaration go along with the Governor’s March 19 Executive Order, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom explained.
The disaster declaration, like the Governor’s Executive Order, includes four orders in accordance with guidelines from the CDC and President:
- Every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
- People shall avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts, or visiting gyms or massage parlors, provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pick up, or delivery options is allowed and highly encouraged throughout the duration of the order.
- People shall no visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
- Schools shall temporarily close.
The order doesn’t prevent people from visiting grocery stores, gas stations, parks and banks, so long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce transmission of COVID-19.
All critical infrastructure is to continue operations, and domestic travel is to remain unrestricted in Texas. Governmental entities and businesses are to continue providing essential services, according to the Governor’s Executive Order. Working from home is encouraged where possible, as are practice of good hygiene in work places that remain open.
Taking these measures in Hopkins County should help “flatten the curve,” that is reduce potential for spread of the COVID-19 or other illnesses in Hopkins County, according to CDC guidelines.
