Update: Cumby City Council To Consider Allowing Police To Make Traffic Stops for Executive Order Violations
Special Election, A Sewer Line Repair Also On April 14 Cumby City Council Agenda
Cumby City Council has a full agenda for Tuesday evening’s meeting, which will be conducted beginning at 6:30 p.m. April 14 via Zoom.
Zoom Meeting
The Council had planned to stream the meeting on YouTube for community members to view, with a designated phone number will be provided for community comments at the designated time. However, due to technical issues, the city will be conducting it strictly on zoom.
“We were unable to get the YouTube channel to stream the meeting. We are going to be inviting the public to view through zoom. I spent several days working on it with our IT guy and still had no luck. I apologize for the short notice so please share with our fellow Cumby citizens. At the beginning of the meeting the Mayor will go over some things so that we all are able to hear and participate,” City Secretary Codi Reynolds posted on the city’s Facebook page this afternoon.
To join the Zoom meeting at 6 p.m. tonight, click this link: https://zoom.us/j/96827214490.
The Meeting ID is 968 2721 4490.
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Meeting ID: 968 2721 4490
Click here to find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acM3oepTI1
The meeting may also be accessed by clicking the link on the City website: https://cityofcumby.com/
On the Agenda
The council has been asked by Hunt County to consider allowing Cumby’s “territorial limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction” which falls within the proposed Hunt County Emergency Services District No. 1″ to be part of the ESD.
The City Council is also being asked to consider canceling the Special Election called May 2 to fill Alderman Places 1 and 2 on the council.
An ordinance is also proposed which would authorize law enforcement officer to perform traffic stops for any violation of executive orders issued by the Governor declaring a state of disaster.
A cost estimate from Hayter Engineering for repair of a main sewer line on Depot Street, establishment of a Court Security Committee the City-wide Clean Up and appointment of a local rabies authority are also on the 6:30 p.m. council agenda.
CASA on Child Abuse Prevention in April and Blue Sunday on April 26
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a month of great significance to CASA, a national organization of volunteers which judges appoint to speak for the safety and well-being of abused and neglected children. April is a time when the CASA organization seeks to make the public more aware of what they do, and the growing need for volunteers. Blue Sunday is a day set aside for prayer for victims of child abuse and those who are dedicated to helping them.
What is a CASA? When a child enters the child welfare system because his or her home is no longer safe due to abuse or neglect, a judge may appoint a committed volunteer to advocate for the best interest of the child in court and other settings. That volunteer is called a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA. Each year, thousands of children in Texas are removed from their homes because of evidence of abuse and neglect. Lake Country CASA, a part of the Texas CASA non-profit organization, serves cases of child abuse and neglect reported in Hopkins, Rains and Franklin Counties. It’s volunteers work to ensure that every child who needs an advocate to speak for his or her best interests before the courts has a caring, trained adult to help them with this difficult period of his or her life. In 2019, there were 24 CASA volunteers serving 138 children within the three counties.
Where is the CASA office? Headquartered in Connolly Street in Sulphur Springs, Lake Country CASA Director is Gena Law who shares, “more CASA volunteers are needed! You can become an advocate to a child in foster care by volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Over 50 children enter state care each day in Texas. There are Hopkins County (Franklin and Rains Counties, too) children right now that need a CASA advocate. Every child deserves a safe, happy future”. The volunteer status of the CASAs ensures that the children’s well-being remains the sole objective of the CASAs. Contact Lake Country CASA to learn how you can be a voice to make a difference in a child’s life. To learn more about volunteering, Call: (903) 885-1173 or email them at: [email protected]
What is Blue Sunday? According to Sarah Goggans, Volunteer Recruiter for Lake Country Casa, Blue Sunday 2019 will be April 26, a day set aside to pray for child abuse victims and the people dedicated to helping them. Local churches are among those which are publicizing the importance of Blue Sunday for CASA. Everyone is encouraged to join in.
Lake Country CASA Mission
To be a voice for abused and neglected children through the power of volunteer advocacy and change in the child protection system.
Volunteer Training
Volunteers get to know the child by talking with everyone in that child’s life; parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers and others. They use the information they gather to inform judges and others of what the child needs and what will be the best permanent home for them.
CASA trains and supports passionate adults who fight for a child’s right to be safe, to be treated with dignity, and to learn and grow in the security of a loving family.
Dr. Matthew M. Johnson, CHRISTUS Interventional Pain Management Therapy
At CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Pain Management, Dr. Matthew Johnson is seeing patients with neck, back and joint pain and other types of pain. “From head to toe, including headaches, neck pain, middle back and lower back pain, diabetic nerve pain, sciatica, compression fractures, even patients with failed neck and back surgery syndromes, we treat these complaints and more. Therapies have been developed that weren’t available in the past, and as these evolve, we are helping patients find help with managing pain”. Procedures by Dr. Johnson are same-day, performed under sedation at CHRISTUS MOther Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. Patients can be referred by their primary care provider, and patient self-referrals are welcome on a case by case basis.
During a KSST interview, Dr. Johnson detailed many types of pain that cause someone to seek a doctor’s care. “Although many complaints are at times suffered without the patient seeking a doctor, pain usually isn’t one of these. When people have chronic pain, they usually seek help. Our services include therapies for cancer pain, spinal stenosis, herniated discs and many, many other pain-related conditions. Persons who have had even two or more back surgeries to seek relief and who still are experiencing pain are candidates for help. Nerve damage can trigger pain. Inflammation is also a cause of pain, and as we age, inflammation can become more and more of a problem. Arthritis is a condition caused by inflammation. For some, pain from standing and walking is relieved by sitting down. That’s often where spinal therapies are useful. Also, Lumbar Decompression Therapy is useful for patients who may not be candidates for surgery due to age or other health concerns”.
Dr. Johnson is originally from Longview, Texas, was educated at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio and performed residency and Fellowship at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ. He is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and has been in practice for 5 years. ‘For persons wishing to reach out to our practice, we are located inside CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Pain Management at 113 Medical Drive, OR they can phone the office at 903-885-1740. Also find out more about us at CHRISTUStrinityclinic.org.”
Four Murder Suspects Have Bond Set At $2 Million Each
Capital Murder charges are pending for four suspects believed to be involved in the murder of a Hispanic male over Easter weekend. Bond has been set at $2 million for each of the suspects.
A Sulphur Springs woman and three men remain in custody at Hopkins County jail on a capital murder charge, allegedly stemming from a dispute involving rent and payment, according to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum. The victim was allegedly beaten at a Sulphur Springs address on April 10, then burned in a vehicle, according to sheriff’s reports.
Arrested for capital murder were Charli Ciera Wadley-Hodges, 24; German Manuel Ibarra, 31; Jesus Antonio-Hernandez, 40; and Maximino Manuel Ibarra, 29.
German Manuel Ibarra 
Charli Ciera Wadley-Hodges
Jesus Antonio-Hernandez 
Maximino Manuel Ibarra
“Through very hard work by all officers involved, they were able to identify the deceased person in the vehicle as Luis Martin Medina-Medina, approximately 50 year old Hispanic male who resided in Sulphur Springs,” according to Tatum.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was reportedly contacted at 2:20 p.m. Sunday, April 12, by a rural resident who reported finding a burned truck with what appeared to be a body inside of it on County Road 1186, according to sheriff’s reports. Tatum stated when the deputies arrived at the location they observed a body in the back floor board of the pickup truck.
Deputies contacted the HCSO Criminal Investigation Department and all four responded to the scene. Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings pronounced the deceased and ordered an autopsy; John Vance with the Texas Rangers was also contacted for assistance, according to Tatum.
During the course of the investigation, officers reportedly spoke to multiple people, including all four suspects.
“It is believed at this time that there was a dispute involving rent and payment that led to Medina losing his life. Medina was injured at his residence and eventually taken by parties involved to the County Road 1186 location,” Tatum said.
Sheriff Lewis Tatum offers thanks to everyone involved in this very difficult investigation, because of their hard work and dedication this case was solved in a timely manner.”
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On 2 Warrants
A 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed Saturday night at Sulphur Springs Lake on two warrants.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Chris Baumann went to Sulphur Springs Lake. They contacted James Brandon Cockrell, who was in a Ford F150 pickup at the north boat ramp around 10 p.m. April 11, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Deputies requested communications operators conduct a records check using the man’s identifying information. Dispatcher reported the 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man to be wanted on two warrants, according to arrest reports.
Thus, deputies took Cockrell into custody at 10:23 p.m. April 11 for bond forfeiture on a September 2019 aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge and an outstanding Hunt County violation of bond/protective order charge. His vehicle was released to his parents and Cockrell was transported to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office jail, according to arrest reports.
Cockrell remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, April 13. His bond was set at $100,000 on the aggravated assault charge and $5,000 on the Hunt County warrant, according to arrest and 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.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Hosting Blood Drive April 15
Sulphur Springs, Texas, April 14, 2020 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
A special THANK YOU to all who have dropped off supplies, treats, meals, drinks, donated PPE and other equipment, make financial donations, etc. for our hospital and our associates. We are forever grateful! We are extremely proud of our associates on the frontline serving this community every day.
HEROES work here!
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
- (1) Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
- (1) Visitor per patient
- Visitors must be between the ages of 16 years-old and 65-years old
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
- Effective 4/6/2020 ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Services
CHRISTUS Virtual Medicine
At CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, our goal is keeping our patients healthy and well. By expanding our services to offer video and telephone visits, we provide patients a convenient alternative to in-office visits for simple illnesses, including a cough or cold, to more complicated conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Go online to ChristusVirtualMedicine.org and schedule your appointment today! You may also call 903.606.DOCS to schedule.
COVID Health Chatbot
In an effort to help respond to questions and concerns regarding COVID-19, we have added the COVID Health Chatbot on our websites to help with triage and to ease concerns. The dedicated tool offers self-screening information for the virus, which will in turn provide direction on what next steps are needed based on the information given. The Chatbot is available 24/7, and the clinical pathways that guide our Chatbot were edited and verified by CHRISTUS clinical experts and will direct patients to the best care locally.
Clinic Hours of Operation
In light of recent events, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic operational hours have temporarily changed; CTC Urgent Care is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. CTC Primary Care hours remain the same as usual. For CTC Specialty Clinics, please reach out to your specialty provider for as these may vary.
Events
Carter Blood Drive
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will host a blood drive at the Medical Office Building – Plaza Conference Room (113 Airport Road, first floor) on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Patricia Wilson at 903.438.4380.
Community Preparedness
COVID-19
We want to be perfectly clear: CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System remains a safe place for all to receive quality care. While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and preventing the spread of illness are not. From physicians and nurses, quality and safety experts to those responsible for ordering supplies and keeping the hospital clean – all our Associates are involved in making sure we provide a safe environment for our patients. Every single day.
To be connected to our CHRISTUS COVID Hotline, call 1.800.458.4559.
For more information on COVID-19 and preventive measures, please visit www.CDC.gov.
I-30 Traffic Stop Nets THC Edibles And Marijuana, Controlled Substance Arrest
An Interstate 30 traffic stop Saturday resulted in location of THC edibles and marijuana and an Arkansas man’s arrest for controlled substance possession, according to arrest reports.
Cumby Police Officer Jonathan Painter reported seeing a gray vehicle pass traveling at a high rate of speed as it passed his station patrol vehicle on Interstate 30 east near mile marker 112. Painter’s police radar showed the Kia Optima to be traveling at 86 miles per hour in a 75 mph speed zone, the officer alleged in arrest reports.
Painter initiated a traffic stop at 9:17 p.m. Saturday, April 11, near the 114 mile marker on I-30 east. While speaking with the driver of the Kia, Painter allegedly smelled a strong odor he believed to be marijuana emitting from the car. A probable cause search of the car revealed a small amount of marijuana and large amount of THC edibles, Painter alleged in arrest reports.
The driver, identified in arrest reports as Jeremiah Gulley, 20, of El Dorado, Arkansas, was taken into custody at 10 p.m. April 11, 20202, for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance. The vehicle and passenger were released at the scene, according to arrest reports.
Jeremiah Terell Deshaun Gulley was released from Hopkins County jail Monday, April 13. Bond on the controlled substance charge was set at $20,000, 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.
Walmart Theft Suspect Allegedly Caught After Jumping Fence At Restaurant
A Walmart theft suspect allegedly ran through a a neighborhood and jumped several fences before police caught him in a Shannon Road restaurant parking lot Sunday evening, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs police were dispatched to Drexel Drive at San Jacinto Street, where a man allegedly involved in a theft at Walmart had reached after fleeing the store just before 4:30 p.m. April 12. A witness was allegedly driving behind the man as he ran from the store, and called 911.
Upon officers’ arrival in the area, other witnesses reported seeing a man wearing a black hoodie and green bag pack jumping fences in the back yard of a Drexel Drive residence, according to police reports.
A police officer reported hearing what movement that sounded like someone jumping a fence, and advised the direction of movement.
Other officers arrived in the area. A short time later, another officer reported seeing a person fitting the suspect description in the 100 block of Cedar Springs Road. Instead of heeding the officer’s order to stop, the man allegedly took off running north toward Braum’s.
A man in the parking lot of Brittany Square Apartments allegedly jumped the fence between the apartments and Panda Express. Police apprehended the suspect at that location. An off-duty officer who’d responded gave the arresting officer and suspect a rid back to a patrol car, police noted in arrest reports..
When the man was placed into the police patrol car, he allegedly gave permission for officers to search his bag pack, which he allegedly admitted contained items stolen from Walmart. After retrieving the allegedly stolen merchandise from the bag, the man was issued a criminal trespass warning prohibiting him from returning to Walmart and issued a citation for theft, police alleged in arrest reports.
Police then transported the 28-year-old Sulphur Springs man to Hopkins County jail. He was booked for evading arrest or detention, according to arrest reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, April 12, on the Class A misdemeanor charge. Bond was set at $2,000, 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.
Commissioners Court Approves Agreement With Delta County For Public Health Authority
Hopkins County Commissioners Court, during their regular meeting Monday, approved an inter-local agreement with Delta County for a public health authority.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court on March 26 held a special meeting to reappointed Dr. I. L. Balkcom IV as Hopkins County’s public health authority, a capacity Balkcom has served in for a number of years.
After weeks, Delta County on April 7 received confirmation of one positive case of COVID-19. Delta County does not have a health authority. Thus, Delta County officials asked Hopkins County officials to see if an agreement could be reached allowing Delta County to use the same public health authority to assist during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hopkins County Commissioners County authorized an interlocal agreement with Delta County to share Balkcom as pulblic health authority.
According to the interlocal agreement, “The mission of the Local Health Authority is to serve the public health needs of the residents of Hopkins County and Delta County through provision for essential public health services, support to local public health agencies, and leadership and coordination for public health emergency preparedness and response. The Local Health Authority oversees and provides for performance of key functional areas such as patient rights, patient treatment, infection control and quarantine of infected patients; coordinating with local and state law enforcement as necessitated.”
The agreement begins today (April 13, 2020), and is allowable under Texas Government Code, according to the document. The agreement allows the two governments to “contract with each other for the performance of governmental functions, including public safety, health care and police protection. Hopkins County will provide to Delta County a qualified person as the Local Health Authority to act in such capacity during emergencies, pandemics as otherwise needed.”
Services to be performed by the Public Health Authority, according to the interlocal agreement, include:
“Establishing, maintaining, and enforcing jurisdictional quarantine orders; Aiding local boards of health, local health departments in quarantine inspections, disease prevention and suppression efforts, birth and death statistics, and general sanitation issues within their jurisdiction; Reporting the presence of contagious, infectious and dangerous epidemic diseases to local and state authorities; Aiding local jurisdictions and boards of health in carrying out public health required rules, ordinances, sanitation laws, quarantine rules, and required reporting of any vital statistics collected. Other essential public health services as provided in Chapter 121 of the Local Public Health Reorganization Act of the State of Texas.
“The Local Health Authority shall have access to all available medical information as necessary to carry out the duties of a local health authority and to protect the public’s health and safety.
Hats Off to the Busy Volunteers at Meal a Day!
On any given weekday, approximately 150 senior shut ins on six designated routes receive a delicious, nutritious meal delivered to their door with a smile and kind word. Deliveries are made by a half-dozen drivers or driver teams. Some of these volunteer every day and some just 2 or 3 days per week, but all feel a responsibility for the seniors on their route. Complete meals go out to senior citizens who can no longer cook for themselves at home or drive to get their meals. They also live in the Sulphur Springs/Como-Pickton area. Weekdays in the kitchen, on average, are 4-5 volunteer cooks and kitchen staff who do prep, cooking, packaging and cleanup. Meal preparation begins early in the morning and is finished before noon, when the cooking is done, lunches packaged, delivery completed, and kitchen clean-up finished.
“The amazing process is like a well-oiled machine that’s fueled by love and caring concern for others”, says Seniors Center Director Karon Weatherman who is hands-on daily as well. “Our lunches have large portions which, for many, serve for two meals on that day. We are blessed to be able to turn out healthy, attractive meals with variety, just like they would have prepared at home. Right now at 150, we are at capacity of the seniors we can serve. But we look forward to that changing when we get a bigger kitchen! The new Senior Citizens Center will be a larger, more efficient facility from which to serve our senior population, with space for more activities, exercise, games and fellowship, and the interaction that many seniors crave and may otherwise lack. The present Seniors Center is at 150 MLK Drive, and our new building site is on Oak Avenue”.
 Thanks You to the Meal a Day Cooks for each day of the week! |
Monday Cooks: Cecil Toenigges, Karen Moseley, Barbara Williams and Bill Alford Drivers Suzi and Andy Rogers, Miguel Fernandez, Rick and Beverly Haygood, Brenda and Tracy Coker, Doug and Mary Ballard and Bill and Nina Alford
Tuesday Cooks:Clifford and Judith Hathaway, Cecil Toenigges and Mark Rasmussen Drivers Ruenell Martin and Pam Sellers, The Litzlers, Donna Rudzick, Bridget Nix, Donna Moon and Janie Chapman, Sandy Billeadeau and Dottie McArthur
Wednesday Cooks: Jim Turner, Fay Shaw, Ann Carpenter and Leon Jose Drivers Susan Vaughn, Tressa Moore, The McDowells, Ben Moore, Dick Stanley and Rodney Bass
Thursday Cooks: Jim Turner, Fay Shaw, Ann Cartwright, Jim and Aliece Hamselka Drivers Gordan and Pat Ford, Kay Vondall, Tim Gee, Theresia Lageschaar, Jerry and Carol Ann Dixon, Charlie McGuyer, Pamela Johnson, Clifford and Judith Hathaway
Friday Cooks: Nancy Rooks, Debbie Wisniewski, Maleta Reynolds and Peggy Weaver Drivers Carroll Gregg, Tressa Moore, Teresa Mathews, Jennifer Williams and her daughters, John and Mary Ellen Little, Celia and James Bagwell and Leslie Mowat and Neil Grimes
