Workshop Fire in Emblem Sends 15 Firemen to ER for Tests
Fifteen Hopkins County firefighters and volunteer firefighters were at CHRISTUS Mother Francis Sulphur Springs Hospital Emergency Room following a structure fire on FM 71 in the Emblem Community Wednesday. The ER tested each firefighter after it was discovered that a 55-gallon drum of formaldehyde had been leaking in the workshop where the fire occurred, according to Andy Endsley, Hopkins County Fire Chief. Firemen from Hopkins County...
County Firemen Have Been Busy With Large and Small Fires
A community effort stymied a potential major fire in the East Caney Community Wednesday. A Hay bale fire on the Jacob’s Dairy South of I-30 off County Road 2341 and Lawrence Lane was extinguished when firemen and others utilized tractors to remove bails from the 1100 bale stack. Only 280 bales were destroyed in the fire. Hopkins County Firemen along with volunteers from Brinker, Como, Pickton, Pine Forest, Dike, and North Hopkins...
Multiple Fire Departments, Jail Trustees, and Sheriff’s Department Drone Assist with Structure, Grass Fire Friday
An all-call was issued by the Hopkins County Fire Chief Friday as a structure fire and grass fire on County Road 2399 was raging as the first on the scene arrived. According to Andy Endsley, County Fire Chief, a mobile home fire was eventually contained and many of the personal possessions of the residents were saved. The residents were not at home at the time of the fire. He stated that all volunteer departments were called out,...
“Updated” North Hopkins Volunteer Fireman Arrested for Arson
Hopkins County Fire Marshall Mike Matthews’ investigation of a structure fire on County Road 4582 has led to the arrest of Justin Blake Saffel, 21, a volunteer with the North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department. Saffel was arrested Saturday for arson, a Felony 2. During an interview with Saffel, he confessed to committing the arson. He explained how he started the fire and the reason for starting the fire. He started the fire so...
Fireworks Safety; County Fire Chief Endsley has Volunteer’s Heart
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley visited the KSST Good Morning Show with Enola Gay during his first week on duty. He talked about fireworks safety for the Fourth of July weekend. With over 30 inches of rainfall during the first half of 2016, and with moderate conditions so far this summer, no burn bans have been placed for Hopkins County. He believes that may mean more fireworks in the hands of citizens this holiday. According...
Endsley Named County Fire Chief
Andy Endsley has been named Hopkins County Fire Chief. Monday morning during the regular session of Commissioner’s Court, Endsley was unanimously chosen from among 12 applicants, six of which were interviewed, to fill the vacant position. In an interview with Endsley, who lives in the Brinker Community in Hopkins County, following his appointment, he said he has experience with Hopkins County Fire Department in the past. For seven...
Commissioners’ Court Accepts Grant, Pursues Volkswagen Funds, and Seeks Fire Department Equipment Solutions
During their Monday, May 9, 2016, regular meeting, Hopkins County Commissioners Court voted to agree to a $315,000 state grant for repair of specific roadways that were damaged or destroyed in flooding that occurred in December, 2015. The state grant will be utilized along with funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in making repairs. The county received state grant funds earlier in 2015 for summer flood damage and...
Matthews Named Interim County Fire Chief
Hopkins County Fire Marshall Mike Matthews will supervise operations for the county fire department following the resignation of Kevin Yates, who resigned Tuesday as Fire Chief here after having taken a Fire Chief position in Louisiana. Matthews will serve as interim Fire Chief for the county as a search for a new chief begins in the next couple of weeks, according to County Judge Robert Newsom. Matthews is a Hopkins County native...
“Updated” Fire at Toliver Ford
An early morning three alarm fire at Brian Toliver Ford, 1040 Gilmer Street destroyed the service department and did at least 80% damage to the showroom and office area. Fire Chief Eric Hill said all city fire stations and five rural volunteer fire departments responded placing approximately 35 firemen into the fight. When firemen first arrived, the blaze was at least 30-minutes to an hour old forcing a defensive stance for the first...
Attorney General Ken Paxton Announces Investigation into Fraudulent Charity Impersonation Scams After Tragic Flooding
July 18, 2025 – Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced an investigation into fraudulent charity scams where bad actors used payment processors to collect donations under false pretenses for personal gain. “It is sick and disgusting that people would use the tragedy of the devastating floods to enrich themselves by deceiving well-meaning people trying to help,” said Attorney General Paxton. “I will use the full weight of my...
