Community Breakfast on Christmas Morning
A free community breakfast stating at 8:30 AM on Christmas day will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs. The meal is sponsored by Bethany Ashby of NLC Loans.
The breakfast will take place in the same part of the Church as Dinner Bell, but is not a Dinner Bell event. The best entrance in on Atkins St, just north of Alliance Bank. Everyone… Everyone is invited.
Sulphur Bluff Opens Cap Herman Tournament Thursday With a Win and A Loss
The Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears lost one and won one in the Cap Herman Tournament on Thursday (December 12). The Lady Bears lost only their second game of the season against Wolfe City in their first tournament game, 55-41. Lady Bears Coach Zandra Peyton said her team had an uncharacteristic 20 turnovers, made some weak passes and did not move their feet on defense. Ann Dorner led Sulphur Bluff with 10 points. Jada Wade and Skylar Stanley had 8 points each. Dalena di Donato had 5 points. Alley Collett had 3 points. Bailey Neal, Angel Brown and Tori Raine had 2 points each. Later the Lady Bears defeated Detroit, 50-38. Jada Wade, Ann Dorner, Alley Collett and Skylar Stanley all had 10 points. Dalena di Donato had 6 points and Bailey Neal had 4 points. The Lady Bears play Yantis and Cumby in the tournament on Friday.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Plays on the Road at Pleasant Grove Friday
The Lady Cats Basketball Team is hitting the road for a non-district game on this game day Friday (December 13). The Lady Cats play at Pleasant Grove. A JV contest is scheduled for 5 p.m. The varsity game will follow at around 6:15 p.m. The Lady Cats will be trying to break a four game losing streak. The Lady Cats played a good first half Tuesday but then struggled in the second half in a 54-47 home loss to New Boston. The Lady Cats season record is 4-10.
Wood County Sheriff’s Report For Dec. 4-10, 2019
Wednesday, Dec. 4
- Deputies were dispatched to Holiday Village Dr. near Quitman, at approximately 12:13 a.m., in reference to a possible burglary. Deputies searched the area, but there were no signs of damaged or stolen property.
- Deputies were dispatched to HWY 154 near Quitman, at approximately 8:31 a.m., in reference to criminal trespass. Deputies spoke with all parties involved and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 1795 near Hawkins, at approximately 9:57 a.m., in reference to theft. A known actor stole several items from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- At 11:07 a.m., cows were reported out on FM 2225 near Yantis.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 11:28 a.m., in reference to credit/debit card abuse on PR 5808 near Yantis. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2290 near Mineola, at approximately 2:25 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. The individual was located and transported to the hospital.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2954 near Alba, at approximately 2:49 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any suspicious activity.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 3:12 p.m., in reference to terroristic threat on CR 1410 near Quitman. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 3:22 p.m., in reference to harassment on Loop 564 near Mineola. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2745 near Mineola, at approximately 4:50 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Parties separated for the night.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Concho near Quitman; at approximately 10:38 p.m. Darilene Benavides, 43, of Quitman, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
Thursday, Dec. 5
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on Blackburn St. in Hawkins; at approximately 1:12 a.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on Beaulah St. in Hawkins; at approximately 1:19 a.m. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to HWY 80 near Mineola, at approximately 1:38 a.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any suspicious activity.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on CR 3428 near Hawkins; at approximately 3:45 a.m. Omar Martinez, 34, of Mineola, was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated – Second Offense.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 3148 near Quitman, at approximately 8:41 a.m., in reference to theft. Actors, or actors unknown, stole several items from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 9:27 a.m., in reference to terroristic threat on CR 1236 near Quitman. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 1254 near Mineola, at approximately 10:03 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 10:05 a.m., in reference to fraud on Red Leaf Lane near Hawkins. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 4575 near Winnsboro, at approximately 10:12 a.m., in reference to theft. Actors, or actors unknown, stole several items from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to PR 6314 near Mineola, at approximately 10:34 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 11:55 a.m., in reference to fraud on PR 6645 near Mineola. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on Loop 564 near Mineola; at approximately 12:50 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 2:27 p.m., in reference to a scam on CR 3230 near Quitman. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 312 near Winnsboro, at approximately 8:52 p.m., in reference to an inquest. A male, 26, was found deceased at his residence. This case has been forwarded to other agency.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 4918 near Quitman, at approximately 9:51 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. David Martinez, 29, of Quitman, was arrested for Assault Causes Bodily Injury of Family/Household Member – Impede Breathing/Circulation.
- At 10:18 p.m., horses were reported out on CR 3689 near Hawkins.
Friday, Dec. 6
- Deputies conducted a traffic stop on HWY 37 near Mineola; at approximately 2:18 a.m. Kenneth McDade, 30, of Lindale, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2749 near Mineola, at approximately 2:32 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure. Deputies made contact with the homeowner and everything was OK.
- At 9:18 a.m., cows were reported out on CR 1941 near Yantis.
- At 10:10 a.m., cows were reported out on FM 515 near Alba.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2110 near Quitman, at approximately 11:39 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies made contact with the homeowner and determined it was an accident.
- At 4:29 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 49 near Hawkins.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to PR 8699 near Winnsboro; at approximately 8:18 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 69 near Como, at approximately 9:34 p.m., in reference to a possible burglary. Deputies searched the area, but there were no signs of damaged or stolen property.
- Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Loop 564 near Mineola; at approximately 10:22 p.m. Andrew Miller, 37, of Mineola, was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on CR 1681 near Alba; at approximately 11:49 p.m. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
Saturday, Dec. 7
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1975 near Yantis, at approximately 12:34 a.m., in reference to a disturbance. Deputies spoke with all parties involved and they separated for the night.
- At 9:06 a.m., cows were reported out on CR 3990 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 12:27 p.m., in reference to a scam on Comanche near Quitman. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 4540 near Winnsboro, at approximately 1:35 p.m., in reference to theft. Deputies spoke with the individuals and determined no offense occurred.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 2:56 p.m., in reference to criminal mischief on CR 1226 near Quitman. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 3273 near Quitman, at approximately 5:13 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Parties were separated for the night.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 515 near Winnsboro; at approximately 8:09 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 1801 near Mineola, at approximately 11:18 p.m., in reference to a noise complaint. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any activity.
Sunday, Dec. 8
- At 12:24 a.m., cows were reported out on CR 2800 near Mineola.
- At 8:11 a.m., cows were reported out on CR 1388 near Yantis.
- At 11:10 a.m., cows were reported out on HWY 37 near Quitman.
- Deputies were dispatched to HYW 69 Mineola, at approximately 1:47 p.m., in reference to a reckless driver. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 2:14 p.m., in reference to possible criminal trespass on HWY 80 near Mineola. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 515 near Alba, at approximately 4:19 p.m., in reference to a reckless driver. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- At 4:22 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 2966 near Yantis.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 3600 near Hawkins, at approximately 7:14 p.m., in reference to shots fired. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any activity.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to HWY 37 near Quitman; at approximately 7:43 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 2966 near Quitman, at approximately 11:28 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Deputies spoke with all parties involved and cleared the incident.
Monday, Dec. 9
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1912 near Yantis, at approximately 1:08 a.m., in reference to a possible burglary. Deputies made contact with the homeowner and determined no offense occurred.
- At 10:43 a.m., cows were reported out on FM 2869 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 4:11 p.m., in reference to a possible theft on FM 779 near Alba. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 3900 near Hawkins, at approximately 4:27 p.m., in reference to an assault that occurred. Scott Booth, 41, of Groves, was arrested for Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Violence and outstanding warrants.
- Deputies were dispatched to Whitefoot near Quitman, at approximately 5:55 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 3955 near Hawkins, at approximately 7:11 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Deputies issued a Criminal Trespass Warning and cleared the incident.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on HWY 80 near Mineola; at approximately 7:31 p.m. Alex Braswell, 31, of Hawkins, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 4400 near Winnsboro, at approximately 9:02 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any suspicious activity.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 3984 near Winnsboro, at approximately 5:27 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. James Cox, 41, of Winnsboro, was arrested for Interference with Public Duties and Resist Arrest Search or Transport.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
- At 12:19 a.m., horses were reported out on FM 2088 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 515 near Alba; at approximately 1:52 a.m. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
- At 4:05 a.m., horses were reported out on FM 2088 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 2869 near Hawkins, at approximately 4:58 a.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies located the suspicious activity and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 1795 near Hawkins, at approximately 7:37 a.m., in reference to a disturbance. Jerry Trimble, 71, of Hawkins, was arrested for Assault.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 4:17 p.m., in reference to a suspicious vehicle on CR 2370 near Alba. Deputies advised the reporting party that extra patrol would be provided.
- Deputies conducted a traffic stop on HWY 69 near Mineola; at approximately 7:22 p.m. Cristy Batchelor, 46, of Frankston, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1975 near Yantis, at approximately 7:37 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Deputies made contact with the individuals and determined it was a civil matter.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 515 near Como, at approximately 10:27 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Parties were separated for the night.
Agency Assists
Between the dates of December 4 and December 10, Wood County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to multiple agency assists that included the following:
- Quitman Police Department
- Mineola Police Department and Emergency Medical Services
Jail Count
Total Jail Count –137 inmate, 110 males and 27 females.
Reminders from Sheriff Castloo
- If you have any information on these or any other crimes, please contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at 903-763-2201 or Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH.
- Contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office if you notice any suspicious vehicles or activity around your neighborhood. Please be aware of your surroundings.
Hopkins County Jail Receives 100 On Annual Inspection
Inspectors commend jail administrators, staff
Hopkins County jail not only passed it’s annual inspection by Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspectors with a 100 percent score, but the staff was commended for how well it’s run.
TCJS staff conducted the annual yearly inspection at the jail Thursday, Dec. 13.The inspection includes evaluation of the building construction, life safety preservation, admissions and release procedures, records and classifications, health services, hygiene, sanitation, food service, discipline, grievance, exercise, education, work assignments, telephone, correspondence, commissary, visitation, and religious practices.
After the assessment, the jail standards inspectors met with Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom and Sheriff Lewis Tatum to report how impressed they were with Jail Administrator Kenneth Dean, Assistant Jail Administrator Wanda Allen and the jail staff, as well as “how well the jail is operating,” giving it a 100 percent score, according to a press release from Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Jail Inspectors stated that the Hopkins County jail facility was the cleanest they had seen this year, including those facilities that were newer,” the release stated.
Judge Newsom and Sheriff Tatum expressed confidence in and gratitude to the jail administrators and the staff for their ability to maintain order of the large jail population.
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 City Council Dec. 13 Meeting Convened
Sulphur Springs City Council was able to reach a quorum Friday, allowing the city board to proceed with the special noon board meeting and routine city business. In attendance was Norman Sanders, Freddie Taylor, John Sellers, and Doug Moore.
The council session was called after Mayor Norman Sanders submitted his notice of resignation from the council last week, and Mayor Pro Tem Erica Armstrong, and Council members Jimmy Lucas and Jeff Sanderson submitted their resignations Monday morning, noting they were to be effective immediately.
With four members of the council submitting notices of resignation for office, a special meeting was called to appoint a new member and consider taking action on the resignations submitted Monday. However, a quorum of four members was needed to proceed with the meeting. That required one of the resigning council members to be present at the meeting to establish a quorum.
Continue to check back and refresh this story for the latest information.
Updated Information follows:
The meeting was called to order by Norman Sanders at 12:01pm. The resignations for Erica Armstrong, Jeff Sanderson, and Jimmy Lucas were accepted. Reverend Harold Nash was appointed and sworn in as council member for Place 2.
John Sellers is appointed as mayor. Freddie Taylor is appointed as mayor pro tem.
Norman Sanders tells KSST News the city has some important things coming up — Pacific Park and the new senior center. He did not want them to fall through the cracks. He attended today to ensure a quorum was present so that the council can continue business so that doesn’t happen.
Sulphur Springs, Arkansas Men Jailed On Felony Hopkins County Warrants
Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies took two men into custody Thursday, Dec. 12, on unrelated felony warrants, according to sheriff’s arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified that Ricky Dell Washington was in custody in Yazoo County Sheriff’s Office in Yazo City, Mississippi on a felony Hopkins County warrant.
Deputy Elijah Fite traveled to Yazoo City, took the 47-year-old Little Rock, Arkansas man into custody at 10:25 a.m. Dec. 12 and transported him to Hopkins County jail. Washington remained in the county jail Friday morning, Dec. 13, for violation of probation, which he was on for a November 2018 possession of 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Cory Layne Belz, 35, of Sulphur Springs was reportedly taken into custody Dec. 12 in district court by HCSO Deputy Lance Burdick; Belz’s bond was revoked on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Update: Additional Information About Meth Bust Released By HCSO
Pablo Vega 
Salvador Madrigal-Morales
The two men arrested in connection with the Interstate 30 traffic stop early Thursday morning that netted 8 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine were have been identified as 24-year-old Salvador Madrigal-Morales and 28-year-old Pablo Vega of Denver, Colorado.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Interdiction Deputy Jason Lavender reported stopping the driver of a gray Chrysler 200 with Texas license plates at 12:42 a.m. Dec. 12 near mile marker 116 on Interstate 30 for two traffic violation.
The occupants were identified as Pablo Vega and Salvador Madrigal-Morales. Although driver Vega was identified using a New York driver’s license, both men reportedly gave a Denver, Colorado address as their residence, according to arrest reports.
After receiving permission to search the vehicle, Lavender deployed his canine partner, Chiv, to conduct an open air sniff search around the vehicle. Chiv gave a positive alert to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, so additional deputies who had responded at the location to assist transported the vehicle and two men that’d been traveling in it to the sheriff’s office for further investigation, Lavender alleged in arrest reports.
A more thorough search of the car allegedly revealed a hidden compartment under the driver’s side front seat that contained eight large clear Ziploc bags with a crystal-like substance, Lavender alleged in arrest reports. Officers also reported finding another hidden compartment under the passenger’s side seat of the car. Deputy Zachary Horne and Lavender conducted a field presumptive test on the crystal-like substance which, they alleged in arrest reports, tested positive for methamphetamine.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum Thursday reported the suspected meth weighed approximately 8 kilograms.
Both Vega and Modrigal-Morales were booked into Hopkins County jail Thursday afternoon on a possession of more than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Vega and Modrigal-Morales remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Dec. 13; their bond was set at $100,000 on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
(HCSO photo)
Arizona Pair In Stolen Vehicle Arrested In Sulphur Springs Following Pursuit
Donnell James Jr. 
Mya Shyann Harris
A multi-agency pursuit of a vehicle that had been reported to Arizona authorities as stolen concluded Thursday evening in Sulphur Springs. According to sheriffs reports, the vehicle crashed into a ditch and the Arizona pair were arrested.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies were reportedly alerted just after 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 that a silver Honda Pilot was traveling east on Interstate 30 into Hopkins County. A Hunt County sheriff’s investigator reported a scan of the sport utility vehicle’s license plate using a license plate reader showed it had been reported stolen during a home invasion on December 11th, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Hunt County investigator followed the SUV as it crossed into Hopkins County and waited until marked patrol units could assist in intercepting it. Officers from multiple agencies responded.
Once a marked patrol unit got behind the SUV and Hopkins County dispatchers confirmed the vehicle has been entered as stolen out of Arizona, a Hopkins County sheriff’s deputy turned on the overhead lights. This attempt to conduct a “high risk traffic stop”, started near the 116 mile marker on I-30 east.
When the vehicle failed to pull over immediately, officers pursued the vehicle on I-30 east into Sulphur Springs. Spikes were successfully deployed near League Street, according to sheriff’s reports. The damaged vehicle continued a short distance before eventually exiting I-30 and resting in the center median east of the South Broadway Street bridge.
The two occupants in the SUV were ordered to get out and lie face-down on the ground. They complied, deputes stated in arrest reports.
Both the driver, 22-year-old Donnell James Jr., and passenger, 20-year-old Mya Shyann Harris, both of Phoenix, were arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. James was also charged with evading arrest or detention in a motor vehicle and fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, according to arrest and jail reports.
Both remained in Hopkins County jail on the charge Friday morning, according to jail reports.
Lady Cats Soccer First Scrimmage
Lady Cats Soccer Team is Impressive in First Scrimmage Battling Kilgore to a Tie Before Losing in PK’s
Kilgore has a reputation for having a solid girls’ soccer program. The Lady Bulldogs scrimmaged the Lady Cats Soccer Team at Gerald Prim Stadium Thursday night (December 12). After the teams ended up in a 2-2 tie, Kilgore came out on top in penalty kicks, 3-0. For the Lady Cats, Ashley Noe scored an unassisted goal. Rebecca Stanley also scored a goal for the Lady Cats assisted by Haley Robinson. The scrimmage marked the first competition for new Lady Cats Head Soccer Coach Javier Aguayo. Aguayo was a Wildcats Assistant Coach last year for Head Coach Alexi Upton. The Lady Cats have their second scrimmage at Paris next Tuesday night.
