Cooper Lake is Calling! Enjoy Sights, Sounds and Fishing
Cooper Lake State Park Complex Manager Steve Killian loves living at a Sate Park. Although having managed other Parks across the State, all have their own special beauty and Cooper Lake certainly ranks high. Killian loves capturing it’s beauty with photos of each season. The Park staff continues to invite you, your family and friends to safely utilize Cooper Lake State Park and the other Texas treasures even during the COVID-19 pandemic, by following safety guidelines during your visit.
According to Killian, Texas State Parks will re-open for camping starting May 18, 2020. If you already have a camping reservation, it should be on the books at the Park you selected. Parks are still limiting occupancy for day use and for camping at this time. If you would like to make a camping reservation, contact the tpwd.org website and follow the prompts through the reservation process. Even if you own a State Park Pass, you still must make a reservation for overnight camping or stays. Also, wearing a mask or face covering along with social distancing from other park visitors, are practices that are part of the current set of State Park rules.
Cooper Lake State Parks, both the South Sulphur Unit and the northside Doctor’s Creek Unit, have installed fish feeders in several locations near the banks. These are attracting large fish for bank fishermen. Already, some big fish are being caught, and the fish feeders should continue to boost the fun for fishing family as Summer 2020 approaches! Also, dozens of new Trail Markers are in place through the park, for the fun, exercise and adventure along the trail! At this time, Cooper Lake State Park is open for hiking, day use and fishing. Get full information at tpwd.org. Find your fun at Cooper Lake State Park!
Man Jailed For Failure To Comply With Sex Offender Registration Requirements
A 59-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed Wednesday morning for allegedly failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements.
Bertrum Douglas Isabell is a registered sex offender, which requires him to re-register annually with authorities. However, he failed to register within the required time frame allotted by the state, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigator Michael Russell alleged in arrest reports.
Isabell reported to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office only “after contact was made with him to do so,” the investigator alleged. When Isabell arrived, he reportedly claimed he’d forgotten about registering and was taken into custody at 8:50 a.m. May 6, according to the arrest report.
Isabell remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday, May 7. Bond on the third-degree felony charge was set at $10,000, according to jail reports.
City Rolls Out Annual Street Improvement Program
The city’s annual street improvement got off to a rolling start Thursday, with contractors beginning mill work on four city streets.
“This year will be the biggest effort into our street improvement program since the mid 2000s,” said Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
Overall, 19 street projects are scheduled for maintenance, for a total of 5.4 miles or repairs to city streets.
The expansion of mileage of repairs is due in part to the street maintenance fee paid on city utility bills, which provides an additional $500,000 annually for street improvements.
“The street maintenance fee is making it possible to overlay 11 of the 19 streets this year which is 3.52 miles of the program,” reported Niewiadomski
Streets made possible by the monthly maintenance fee include Barbara Street, Cedar Springs Road, CMH Road, Debord Street, Harred Street, Lake Shore Drive, Longino Street, Lou Avenue and Jonas Street, Mockingbird Lane, Myndi Circle and Nicholson Street.
The annual program rolled out Thursday morning with surface preparation and milling work performed by the contractor on Lou Avenue, Jonas Street, Lakeshore Drive and Debord Street May 7. Weather permitting, the contractor will begin paving prepped streets next week.
Police Arrested 4 On Controlled Substance Charges, 2 For Drug Paraphernalia Offenses
Sulphur Springs Police arrested four people on controlled substance charges, including a woman who had three kids in the vehicle with her. Two men were arrested for drug paraphernalia offenses following disturbances, according to police reports.
Javier Arredond-Cruz 
Jose Ruben Campos-Trejo
A license plate violation reportedly resulted in a traffic stop and two Sulphur Springs men being arrested on controlled substance charges early Thursday morning, according to arrest reports. Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit Sgt. Joe Scott reported the license plate on a Chevrolet 1500 was not readable from 50 feet or less, so a traffic stop was initiated at 1:21 a.m. May 7 in the 200 block of North Hillcrest Drive.
Upon contact, methamphetamine was observed in the center console of the truck. Both Javier Arredond-Cruz, 28, and Jose Ruben Campos-Trejo, 17, were arrested for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The substance, including packaging, allegedly weighed 0.4 gram, Scott alleged in arrest reports.
Arredond-Cruz remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday afternoon. Campos-Trejo was released later Thursday. Bond for each on the felony controlled substance charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Sgt. Scott also arrested 31-year-old Jessica Lee Smith of Sulphur Springs on a controlled substance charge. Police at 10:56 p.m. May 6 reported seeing the Ford F150 pickup fail to stop at a stop sign and fail to signal 100 feet prior to a turn on College Street, just east of Helm Lane. A traffic stop resulted in
On contact with the occupants, officers alleged the driver appeared extremely nervous. Smith reportedly agreed to allow officers to search the truck. Officers alleged finding 2 grams of methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana inside of Smith’s wallet.
Smith was taken into custody at 11:11 p.m. May 6. The truck and three children inside of it were released to an adult family member, according to arrest reports.
The 31-year-old woman was transported to Hopkins County jail, where she remained Thursday afternoon. Bond on the possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge was set at $10,000, according to jail reports.
A complaint of suspicious activity around 3:25 a.m. Thursday in 1200 South Broadway Street resulted in Lee Grant Gatlin’s arrest on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. Gatlin also had an outstanding warrant for driving while license invalid.
Upon arrival, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Silas Whaley and Sgt. Josh Shufeldt contacted the person inside the suspect vehicle, a red Honda Accord.
A search of the trunk allegedly revealed a clear bag with a white crystal-like substance police believed to be methamphetamine. The bag and substance weighed more than 1 gram but less than four grams, resulting in Gatlin’s arrest, according to arrest reports.
Gatlin remained in Hopkins County jail Friday afternoon. Bond on the controlled substance charge was set at $10,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Police also arrested two men following two different disturbance reports Thursday.
A 63-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested at 8:22 a.m. May 6 on Longino Street for possession or delivery of drug paraphernalia. Police, responding to a disturbance complaint, contact the 63-year-old man and another person alleged to have been involved in the disturbance, according to arrest reports.
The Sulphur Springs man appeared to officers to be “extremely intoxicated,” police alleged in arrest reports. A records check on all people involved revealed a warrant for the 63-year-old’s arrest on a misdemeanor possession or delivery of drug paraphernalia charge, according to arrest reports.
He was released from Hopkins county jail Thursday, according to arrest reports.
Around 10:30 p.m. May 6, Sulphur Springs Police contacted a 27-year-old man about a disturbance alleged to involve two people in a blue sport utility vehicle on Gossett Lane. Police talked to both occupants of the SUV upon arrival.
A probable cause search, conducted after a police canine alerted on the Ford Explorer, resulted in discovery of several items of paraphernalia of the kind typically used to smoke methamphetamine and marijuana, police alleged in arrest reports.
The 27-year-old man, who indicated to police he had no permanent address, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia; the SUV was released to his girlfriend, according to arrest reports.
He too was released from the county jail Thursday, May 7, 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.
Crash On The Downtown Square Results In Location Of 2 Stolen Vehicles, Clearing Of Vehicle Burglaries
A vehicle pursuit that concluded with a crash on the downtown square Thursday morning has resulted in recovery of two stolen vehicles, multiple vehicle burglaries being cleared and three arrests, according to Sulphur Springs Police.
Arrested were Keaton Pierce Wilkerson, 17, and a male juvenile on evading arrest or detention in a vehicle and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charges; and Qieshon Odell Flecker, 17, on a warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle warrant, according to news release.
The incident started when the driver of a Hyundai Elantra failed to yield when Sulphur Springs Police officers attempted to a traffic stop on the car on College Street at Helm Lane at 8:39 a.m. May 7. The driver eluded officers with the car; the officer initiated a pursuit on College Street headed over the bridge toward the downtown area. Additional officers responded in the area upon hearing the pursuit approaching the downtown square.
The car crashed at the corner of Oak Avenue and College Street, where it struck a light pole and low brick wall around hedges. The driver, reportedly the juvenile, and passenger, identified in arrest reports as Keaton Pierce Wilkerson, reportedly fled on foot. Officers alleged taking Wilkerson “to the ground with the least amount of force necessary.” The driver was also reported to have been quickly apprehended by officers.
The dark colored car they abandoned after crashing, was later found to have been stolen from a residence in Sulphur Springs earlier May 7, according to Ricketson.
During the course of their investigation, an additional vehicle that had been reported stolen earlier in the week was recovered. Investigators also were able to clear vehicle burglary offenses reported earlier in the week in Sulphur Springs.
A warrant was also obtained for Flecker’s arrest on the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charge. He was taken into custody at 1:39 p.m. May 7 at his residence.
Both Flecker and Wilkerson remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, May 9, 2020. Bond was set at at $5,000 each on the felony UUMV charge. Wilkerson’s bond on the felony evading arrest charge was set at $10,000.
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.
Briley’s Barber Shop Re-Opens with Social Distancing
Long-time barber Mike Briley, owner of Briley’s Barber Shop at 105 Jefferson Street in downtown Sulphur Springs is happy to be re-opening his doors on Friday May 8, in compliance with recommended COVID-19 restrictions. Briley’s, like other barber shops and hair salons, was ordered closed more than six weeks ago at the start of the Coronavirus outbreak.
According to Briley who has barbered in the downtown Sulphur Springs area for over 30 years, says this is a first in his career. Barbers as well as customers will be required to wear face masks or coverings as well as to maintain social distancing between customers. Capacity limitations will allow only five persons to be in Briley’s waiting room at one time, but others can wait outside while maintaining distance, or wait in their vehicles. State guidelines on restrictions will be posted at the doors to the barbershop. Briley’s will be open from 8am til 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and remain closed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. According to Briley, “we are going to work longer hours because we know there are a lot of people who have been waiting for haircuts! My barbers and I are going to work them all in. We appreciate our loyal customers and the opportunity to re-open and serve our community’s needs”.
According to a CBS report, this news comes after Phase I of the governor’s plan to reopen Texas went into affect on Friday, May 1, allowing restaurants and retail stores to reopen at 25% capacity. Hopkins County is able to increase that capacity to 50% by having fewer than 5 active cases of COVID-19.
WHAT CAN OPEN ON FRIDAY, MAY 8
Beginning May 8, cosmetology salons, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and shops, and other establishments where licensed cosmetologists or barbers practice their trade, may open, but all such salons, shops, and establishments must ensure at least six feet of social distancing between operating work stations. Tanning salons may also reopen under the same limitation.
Also starting May 8, swimming pools may open subject to certain limitations, including on their occupancy or operating levels.
Per the governor’s announcement, wedding venues and services required to conduct weddings may immediately open. Weddings held indoors other than at a church, congregation, or house of worship must limit occupancy to 25%. Wedding reception services may also resume, but facilities must limit their occupancy to 25% of the total listed occupancy. These occupancy limits do not apply to the outdoor areas of a wedding reception or to outdoor wedding receptions.
WHAT CAN OPEN ON MONDAY, MAY 18
Beginning May 18, office buildings may open with the greater of five or less individuals or 25% of the total office workforce. These individuals must maintain appropriate social distancing.
Gyms, exercise facilities, and exercise classes may also open on May 18, but must operate at 25% occupancy. Locker rooms and shower facilities will remain closed, but restrooms may open. (50% in Hopkins County)
Non-essential manufacturing services may also open on May 18, but facilities must limit their occupancy to 25%.
These newly opened services are subject to recommended minimum standard health protocols outlined by DSHS. These protocols will be available on the Open Texas website.
Gov. Abbott says an opening date for bars is still being discussed.
3rd Active COVID-19 Case Reported In Hopkins County Since May 1
Newsom: Hopkins County Businesses May Continue to Operate at 50 Percent Occupancy
Hopkins County has a seventh confirmed COVID-19 case since the pandemic began. Another case as confirmed Thursday afternoon, May 7, makin git the third active COVID-19 case reported in Hopkins County since May 1, according to Hopkins County Emergency Management officials.
“It came in today. We do not have much background on it. That’s two confirmed last Friday and one today. That’s ant official count of three,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said of the active COVID-19 cases reported in Hopkins County since May 1. “The good news is still in 50 percent occupancy for our restaurants and stores.”
That includes all businesses and entities the Governor, this week, announced will be allowed to open May 1, including cosmetology salons, hair salons, barber shops and nail salons and shop.
The county judge also reported that of the 82 screenings conducted at the mobile test collection site in Sulphur Springs last week for first responders and anyone showing symptoms of coronavirus, results for 81 of those tests are back, and all are negative for COVID-19. The 82nd test result has yet to come back, but officials anticipate it should be back by the end of the week.
“Just to be clear, the 82nd test result is still pending. It is not the case we are reporting today,” Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley said.
“We hope to have it back tomorrow,” Newsom said. “Things are good, but we did have a new case today. That’s where it is. We have no background on it; it just came in the last hour.”
While Hopkins County has had seven confirmed COVID-19 cases, the first four patients had recovered by April 29. Three cases have been reported this month, two on May 1 and one May 7. The three May cases are all still active. Per the state guidelines for re-opening Texas, a county with five or fewer active cases as of May 1 and moving forward may re-open at 50 percent occupancy instead of 25 percent occupancy.
City Budget Beginning To Experience Financial Impact Of COVID-19 Pandemic
The budget for the City of Sulphur Springs is beginning to experience the financial impact of COVID-19, according to City of Sulphur Springs Finance Director Lesa Smith.
Last month, Smith told the Sulphur Springs City Council there are several areas of city finance that could potentially be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The full amount will depend on numerous variables, including changes in spending habits, how long things remain closed due to the pandemic, how long it takes for things to get back to normal afterward, and how much state/federal funding the city will receive to help make up losses and expenses.
During the regular May City Council meeting conducted Tuesday via Zoom videoconferencing, Smith reported court fines and fees, which go into the general fund, were only about half the amount collected each month of the year so far. The court had averaged about $70,500 per month this year prior to the pandemic. In April, court revenues were only $34,000, a decline of roughly 51 percent, Smith noted.
Police department, fire department, library, street, half of administration, finance and community development funding are paid out of the city’s general fund, she noted.
Fuel sales at the airport declined by about $20,000 in April. There were no fuel purchases by the airport in April either. The airport is expected to receive $30,000 as part of CARES Act; the funds can be used to help offset lost revenue at the airport, according to Smith
The hotel occupancy tax received for hotel rooms occupied in March was down by about $1,500, Smith said.
“We know that people are buying necessities and, data shows the internet sales and alcohol sales are up. But, we don’t have solid information on how purchasing has changed,” Smith told the council in April.
Shifts in sales during the pandemic could potentially have a huge economic impact on the city. Sales tax revenues make up 41 percent of the city’s overall revenue. Fifty percent of sales tax comes from retail, 12 percent comes from food service and 16 from general services, which are all expected to be significantly impacted by changes in spending due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Smith.
The city’s budgeted sales tax revenue for the year is $4.3 million. Using data from the past 6 months and data from April 2019, the city’s revenue for 7-months should be about $2.6 million. Loss of sales tax revenue would mean less funding than allocated for the various city services and departments.
No impact has yet been seen for sales tax revenues, as the March sales tax information won’t be available until next week. However, Smith said the state Comptroller’s Office reported a 9 percent state-wide decline overall in sales tax in March. At that rate, that would be a reduction of $35,000 for the city’s portion of the monthly sales tax funds, according to the finance director.
“Even with that, we would still be up around 80,000 over last year, so we do have a small cushion,” Smith noted.
A slow down in departmental spending, according to Smith, should give the city a “small cushion to work with if things get bad.”
As far as direct COVID-19 related expenditures, the city has spent $17,678 so far, and plans to apply for as much reimbursed as possible, Smith said.
Pursuit Ends With Crash On Downtown Square, 2 In Custody
A pursuit reportedly initiated by Sulphur Springs police officers concluded Thursday morning with a crash on the downtown square and two people being taken into custody.
Police alerted that a vehicle pursuit was proceeding down College Street midmorning May 7. Additional police and sheriff’s officers responded in the area. The dark colored car continued toward the downtown square, where it reportedly crashed into a black light pole and brick surrounding a small hedge, across from First Baptist Church.
At least two people in the car allegedly attempted to run from officers on foot and were apprehended by officials quickly. Both were taken into custody. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to police.
The debris was quickly cleaned up and the square open to traffic. The car, brick and light sustained damage. No additional information about the incident was available during the lunch hour Thursday.
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.
Sulphur Springs Man Arrested On A Child Pornography Charge
A 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man arrested on a child pornography charge Wednesday afternoon, remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday on the charge, according to sheriff’s investigators and arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigators reported receiving information about suspect child pornography being distributed. The officers allegedly tracked the information to a social media account, connected to a West Spence Street address. Officers then obtained a search warrant to check the residence associated with the account for child pornography, according to HCSO Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford.
Officers reportedly contacted Bryan Keith Kuzminski at the residence. Investigators interviewed the 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man. A shared image of child pornography was allegedly confirmed to have been in his possession, according to investigators. Consequently, Kuzminski was taken into custody at 2:30 p.m. May 6 by Weatherford and Investigator Wade Sheets on a possession/promotion of child pornography charge, according to arrest reports.
Kuzminski remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, May 7. Bond was set at $100,000 on the child porn 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.
