3 Jailed On Felony Warrants
At least three people were booked into Hopkins County jail Thursday on felony warrants, according to jail and sheriff’s reports.
Kevin Lee Gant, 44, of Hallsville turned himself in at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 7:35 a.m. March 5 for bond forfeiture on charge of third or more driving while intoxicated offense. He was escorted into the jail by HCSO Deputy Dan Turrentine and booked on the charge, according to jail reports.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, March 6. Bond was set at $20,000 according to jail reports.
Jeffrey Dewayne Moore, 42, of Sulphur Springs was reportedly contacted in the driveway of his residence by Sulphur Springs Police Officer Chad Norris at 8 p.m. March 5.
Norris took Moore into custody on a warrant for assault of a family member or household member that impeded breathing, according to arrest reports. The offense, Norris noted in arrest reports, was alleged to have occurred on Feb. 29.
Moore’s remained in Hopkins County jail Friday; bond on the felony charge was set at $25,000, according to jail reports.
Daven Christopher Stewart, 36, of Forrest City, Arkansas turned himself in at the sheriff’s office at 5:25 p.m. March 5. HCSO Deputy Chris Baumann escorted him into the county jail, where he began serving a 60 day commitment for a a possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana charge, according to arrest reports.
Stewart was originally arrested in Hopkins County for the felony marijuana offense on March 6, 2010 and remained in Hopkins County jail until his release March 12, 2010, on a $5,000 bond, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center Will Hold Their Spring Fling Event March 13
Save the date, the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center will hold their “Spring Fling” event Friday, March 13th, 2020.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Activity Center is located in the heart of Sulphur Springs, Texas. The City of Sulphur Springs has provided a place senior adults age 50 and over can go to for fun and fellowship. The Center offers a variety of activities for seniors citizens Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Activity Center can be found at 301 Oak Ave in Sulphur Springs.
TDI: BCBSTX To Repay Consumers For Out-Of-Network ER Claims
Texas Department of Insurance on March 6, 2020, reported that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas ha been ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $10 million and agreed to repay consumers for alleged delays in handling out-of-network emergency claims and incorrect information in consumer notices and marketing materials.
“Consumers who had higher out-of-pocket costs due to the errors will get refunds,” said Texas Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan. “Ensuring the fair treatment of consumers and clear, timely consumer information are priorities for TDI.”
TDI reported a review of BCBSTX communications and how it processed out-of-network emergency claims revealed:
- Incorrect information about how to resolve balance bills on explanations of benefits for many HMO members who received out-of-network emergency care.
- Delays in processing out-of-network claims that went through an Emergency Benefit Management review process the company began using in August 2018.
- Errors in marketing materials about plans offered in 2018 and 2019.
BCBSTX also, according to the Texas Commission of Insurance order marked March 6, 2020, and posted by TDI, agreed to begin sending the consumer notices by May 1, 2020
Those potentially eligible for a refund include current and former BCBSTX members in fully insured HMO plans, including Affordable Care Act plans, who received out-of-network emergency care between August 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019; and who paid or have an unresolved balance bill for that care, according to TDI.
Eligible BCBSTX members eligible individuals will be required to provide proof they paid the bill or have an outstanding bill for out-of-network emergency care received between August 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019 in order to receive a refund. Proof of payment may include credit card receipt or statement, canceled check, receipt from the medical provider or a similar document, TDI reported.
Current BCBSTX members may call the member phone number on the back of their ID cards. Former BCBSTX members who no longer have an ID card may call 972-766-6900.
Click here to view the enforcement order.
A Model of Style: Fashion Show at Charleston Sky
Marlene’s Sass and Class Boutique played host to the first-ever Spring Style Show inside the beautiful new venue at Charleston Sky on March 2, 1010.
More than a dozen models showed fashions for all occasions from Marlene’s Spring collection. Bright colors, cute hats and statement shoes and boots were on display with daytime, evening and special occasion styles. Models were of all ages and sizes, because today’s younger and older women alike demand the right clothing to look and feel their best, at every age!
Short daytime dresses, cute rompers and shorts, wide-leg pants and of course jeans were popular looks for the younger set. Fabrics were lightweight and breathable, selected for comfort in Texas summer temperatures. Boots continue to hold a place in fashion, and Marlene’s Sass and Class Boutique specializes in several brand of fashion boots.
Miss Ft Worth, Alex Andrews, served as a model as well as part of the musical entertainment. Marlene got to know Alex when she stopped in the shop downtown one day to buy a pair of cowboy boots. Although her week was busy with the Miss America Pageant, Alex gladly took the time to appear at the fashion event at Charleston Sky as a favor to Marlene.
Marlene’s staff was also on hand to greet guests and assist with selection at the in-house Boutique. Racks of dresses, tops, jeans and skirts were there for browsing, trying on and purchasing. Kendra Scott and Consuela Jewelry lines were displayed as well as shoes and handbags from Marlene’s shop. Guests could enjoy the extensive cheese board with a variety of fruits and petit fours as well as a complimentary wine bar. A generous number of door prizes were awarded between segments of fun fashion modeling!
10 SSHS Strings Students Earn High Marks, 1 Advances To State Solo & Ensemble Competition
Sulphur springs High School Strings students competed in and earned high marks at Solo and Ensemble competition, one ranking high enough to qualify to compete at the state level.
Students entered a room and were judged individually for their performance on a Class 2 performance or Class 1 solo performance. The Class 1 solo is the hardest, requiring students to memorize their music, the Strings students noted.
As if the latter weren’t difficult enough, the students had a last minute change that required on the spot adjustment. Typically, the students spend weeks to months practicing with an accompanist. The SSHS students worked with one in preparation for the contest. However, the accompanist got sick and was unable to attend. So, they had to perform their part to an accompanist they were not familiar with, the Strings students reported.
Eight students earned first division or superior ratings for their performances, the highest a musician can receive.
Senior Natalya Allen earned a first division rating with the Class 1 solo performance of Mozart In G Minor. The violinist had to memorize four pages of music, the first time she played at that level from memory. She said she spent the last 6-8 months getting ready, working on one page of memory work at a time.
Also earning first division ratings at the Solo and Ensemble contest were freshman Juliet Olivo, sophomore Saul Mireles-Yanez, juniors Gavin Patrick and Aaliyah Valles, on violin; senior Ethan Rowell on viola; and junior Abel Chavarria and senior Gisselle Garcia on cello. Many of these students reported they have been working on their music for the biggest part of the year.
Freshmen cellist Ricardo Chavarria and violist Johnathan Gloar received second division or excellent ratings for their performances.
Allen said she didn’t expect to get a first division rating on it, so learning she’d earned top marks was “pretty cool.” She’s very excited to qualify to compete in the state contest in early June.
She said she hopes the successes of this year’s students will motivate others enrolled in the class to continue striving for excellence.
Garcia said she stayed after school working on her Class 1 solo, Elgar Concerto in E Minor. She doesn’t have a private instructor like some students, but was very appreciative to teacher Hannah Kirby who stayed after school to help with solo. The music required a lot of treble clef instead of bass clef, so having Kerby play the music so she could hear how it was supposed to sound was very beneficial. She said she was pretty nervous, especially after the accompanist got sick, but feels overall that all of the SSHS Strings students did well at contest.
Patrick, a sixth year Strings student, practiced his Class 1 piece for at least six months.
Valles performed Dvorak’s Sonatina Movement 1, a Class 2 piece. She worked on it for 6 months. Although she has competed before, she said the contest was different this time for her. She played louder than she usually does. She was fortunate to have a private teacher.
Ricardo Chavarria, whose been in the Strings program since sixth grade, earned a 2 for his cello Class 2 solo. He played Sonata III RV 42, which features a tenor clef in stead of bass cleft, which required some transposing. He practiced for a few weeks prior to the performance.
Rowell performed Concerto in D, a Class 1 piece. He says he’s had a lot of fun in Strings and will miss the experiences he’s been able to share with his fellow students.
Gloar also received a 2 for his viola solo. He said he was nervous entering the contest, his first at this level, but pushed through it and achieved an excellent rating. He hopes to one day have a career using his instrument.
These competitors have been juggling a lot. Some have been preparing for UIL competition, participating in a youth orchestra and gigs associated with their private instruction as well. The students are enjoying the fun of the program, which they say is bigger than they’ve ever seen it, with more younger musicians in the program at the high school level.
Erdmier Headed to Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting State Championship
SSISD Powerlifter Sable Erdmier, who lifts in the 165# class, has qualified to compete in the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting State Championship in Waco, Tx. The State meet will be held at:
EXTRACO EVENTS CENTER
4601 BOSQUE BLVD.
WACO, TEXAS 76710
Weight in’s begin on Thursday night march 19th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm.
Photo provided by Jessica Erdmier
Sable earned a silver at regionals to solidify her spot.
At Regonals Sable preformed:
- 340# squat
- 135# bench
- 350# dead lift
Construction Of Building At Houston-Rosemont Street Corner In Progress
Framing began Thursday on the new county building being constructed at the corner of Rosemont and Houston Streets. Construction is projected to take 2-3 weeks to complete.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court in the fall of 2019 considered the cost to renovate an old building at the corner of Rosemont and Houston Streets versus the cost to tear it down and put a new building on the site. An examination of the structure showed a large hole in the roof. Rotting oak framing on one side of the building had also fallen onto items stored there. The cost to replace the existing structure with a new building was determined by county officials to be the more financially sound option.
In mid-November, the Commissioners Court accepted Mark Baird’s bid of $73,300 to construct the new building on the pad site of the former structure. The county then had the task of removing everything out of the deteriorating building on the site by Thanksgiving. The building was razed in December, with bundles of salvaged lumber, metal and materials offloaded to be used elsewhere throughout the county.
The initial goal in December was for construction to start in January, or as close to that as possible, but construction for the project was pushed back a few months.
Framing began Thursday and is expected to take 2-3 weeks to complete, which could see it finished by the end of the month, weather permitting, according to Mark Baird.
The building, once completed, will be used primarily by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office by inmates skilled in mechanics or who are interested in learning certain shop skills, for work on county vehicles and equipment. Commissioners will be able to drive or send over county apparatus to be worked on in the facility, officials said when approving the project.
KSST Visits Bowie Primary During Career Day
KSST was invited to participate in Bowie Primary Campus Career Day Friday morning. Eager students listened to how news is distributed throught the radio station, and some wanted to take a turn recording on the microphone.
HCSO Invites Businesses To March 19 Luncheon To Learn About New Reintegration Grant Program
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a luncheon on March 19, from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center “to talk about the new grant program made with the Workforce Solutions to assist with salaries when hiring former inmates.”
“We hope our community businesses will consider this as a new opportunity that will not only benefit them and their company but their new employee and the community,” stated Angela Price, HCSO Administrative Secretary.
The reintegration program at HCSO is designed to offer more tools to better equip individuals to successfully transition from Hopkins County jail into the community. Several programs are offered at the jail for inmates, including the Trustee Work Program and Trustees Farm, GED classes and various ministries.
The reintegration grant program is designed to help individuals transition to the work force after being released from Hopkins County jail.
HCSO staff encourage business representatives who are interested in learning more about the reintegration grant program, how hiring an ex-offenders through Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas could potentially benefit their organization, to attend the noon business luncheon March 19 at the Civic Center.
For additional information, contact HCSO Chief Deputy Tanner Crump at 903-438-4040.
