Sheriff: 8 Kilograms Of Methamphetamine Found During I-30 Traffic Stop In Brashear
A traffic stop on Interstate 30 in Brashear, TX early Thursday morning reportedly resulted in seizure of 8 kilograms of a suspected controlled substance by interdiction officers.
A traffic stop was made near mile marker 116 on I-30 east at approximately 12:45 a.m. December 12th, 2019 by sheriff’s deputies. Officers from the Cumby Police Department assisted in the stop. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Lavender deployed his canine partner to conduct a sniff search; the dog gave a positive alert at about 1:20 a.m., according to sheriff’s and dispatch reports.
Officials located a large quantity of contraband, approximately 8 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine. The material was seized, according to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum.
Two individuals were reportedly taken into custody. No additional details regarding the pair or the traffic stop are available at this time.
DBA's 'Jingle Mingle' Ladies Night on Thursday Dec. 19 is a Holiday Shopping Event!
The Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance always encourages ‘shopping at home’ from local shops and restaurants. The December 19 ‘Ladies Night Out Jingle Mingle’ is an invitation to anyone and everyone to windowshop, shop and dine. As you go, sign up for prizes inside each store and enjoy the numerous in-store discounts, snacks and refreshments between 5:30 and 7:30 that evening. The more stores you visit, the more sign-ups you will have. Then, at 7:30pm, gather at Hope Smith Interior Designs, downtown at 115 Gilmer Street, for more refreshments and live holiday entertainment by Sentimental Journey duo. And be on hand when the lucky winner of the Grand Prize valued at over $200 is announced! Must be present to win! The Ladies Nite Out facebook page has much more information.
The Jingle Mingle Shopping event is for everyone! Whether an ice cream shop that specializes in toys for kids and t-shirts in all sizes, to specialty coffees and cocoas, pizza, sushi, burgers and more, to ladies fashion and shoe stops, a children’s clothing store, a men’s sporting and active wear store and a vintage collectibles merchant, you’re going to love what downtown offers. So along with the holiday music and the Christmas lights, come see what Jingle Mingle has in store for you. It is an annual presentation of the Downtown Business Alliance to say Merry Christmas.
Dike Woman Arrested For DWI Following I-30 Crash In Sulphur Springs
A 46-year-old Dike woman was reportedly jailed on a drunk driving charge Wednesday afternoon, following a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 30 in Sulphur Springs. The woman allegedly had an almost empty pint of brandy when troopers contacted her, and tested twice the legal limit on breath tests, according to arrest reports.
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper reported responding at 5:10 p.m. Dec. 11 near mile post 126 on I-30 to assist a Sulphur Springs police officer, who indicated to the trooper he suspected the driver of the vehicle to be intoxicated.
Upon arrival, the trooper reported seeing a sedan crashed in the median between the north service road and westbound lane of I-30. A female was also leaning against the driver’s side of the car, and several liquid containers, including a pint of brandy that was almost empty, were reportedly seen on the roof of the vehicle, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
The woman reportedly admitted she’d been driving the car when it crashed. When asked how much she’d had to drink, she allegedly told the trooper she’d had a few drinks. When he asked again, to clarify how much she’d consumed after the crash, she said she’d had nothing to drink after the crash, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
The woman was alleged to have bloodshot eyes, extremely slurred speech and difficulty maintaining her balance while walking. She reportedly denied being sick or injured, and said she did not have any injuries or illness that would affect her eyes or balance, nor was she taking any medication, according to arrest reports. The woman was reported to have a bloody lip but said she did not injure her head in the crash, the trooper noted in arrest reports.
The woman allegedly refused to perform standard field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for DWI. A Sulphur Springs police officer transported her to jail, according to DPS.
She reportedly agreed to perform a breath or blood test, but did not want to go to the hospital, according to arrest reports. After observing the woman for about 15 minutes, she was reportedly asked for a breath sample. The test showed the Dike woman’s blood alcohol content to be 0.19, more than twice the legal 0.08 limit, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
The 46-year-old Dike woman was booked into jail for DWI with a blood alcohol content above 0.15. She remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Dec. 12; bond on the charge was set at $2,000, according to jail reports.
Merger of Two Volunteer Fire Departments, Fundraising for New NH-SS Substation
Earlier in 2019, the North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department led by Chief Bobby Harris and the South Sulphur Volunteer Fire Department led by Chief Jim Rich merged into one department. It is now called the North Hopkins-South Sulphur Volunteer Fire Department. NH-SS VFD serves the fire region stretching from Hwy 11 West northward and northeasterly all the way to Hatchetville Road, east of Hwy. 19 North. A new sub-station for the department will be built on land in the Pleasant Grove Community, and the donated site is already prepared and ready for construction. Improved ISO ratings can help minimize the cost of homeowners insurance for homeowner living near a substation. A Photo Drive fundraising effort is going on now for purchase of needed equipment as well as construction of the new building.
The Photo Drive fundraiser is being conducted by a marketing company out of Arkansas which the fire departments have used before. Representatives identified as from the marketing company will call on every home within the department’s fire region to offer a photography package in exchange for a $40 donation to the NH-SS VFD. Customers who donate during December will receive a professional photo sitting and one quality 8×10 for the donation. Additional photos can be selected and ordered. If you don’t wish to have a photo made, you can make the donation and give the photo sitting to a friend or other family. Or when the representative calls at your home, you can make any amount of donation that you wish to the NH-SS VFD. Donations are always needed! If you miss the visit from the Photo Drive representative, call 903-348-3800 or 903-951-2282. Or mail a donation in care of Chief Harris at 1492 CR 4759, Sulphur Springs Tx 75482.
All Hopkins County VFD’s exist through grants, fundraisers and donations in addition to minimal funding from the County. As First Responders, members of VFD’s are contacted by radio when a fire, EMS call or disaster occurs in their fire region. VFD’s both provide mutual aid and receive mutual aid from other VFD’s in the county. According to Chief Harris, “all of us just want to help. Our training prepares us to help the public during dangerous situations, and volunteers get a lot out of responding to those calls and seeing them resolved. All the departments need volunteers. If you are interesting in becoming a volunteer, please call or just ask any of us. Most of us are long-term volunteers, having done it for years, and that tells you something”.
Dallas Man Arrested In Cumby On Controlled Substance Charge
An Interstate 30 traffic stop by Cumby police early Wednesday morning resulted in a Dallas man’s arrest on a controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Cumby Police Sgt. Ray Embro reported seeing a Honda Odyssey van at 12:56 a.m. Dec. 11 with no license plate lights traveling in the left lane of I-30 near mile marker 111 without passing other vehicles. Embro initiated a traffic stop.
Embro contacted the occupants: the 48-year-old male driver, 42-year-old Damascus Odie and a 38-year-old male passenger. The driver reportedly told Embro he was traveling to Texarkana to drop the youngest passenger off at his relative’s residence. Embro, in arrest reports alleged further investigation gave him “reasonable suspicion of their travel plans” and suspected “possible criminal activity taking place.
After obtaining the driver’s permission to search the van, Embro had all three exit it. When Odie did so, the police officer alleged he smelled a suspected marijuana odor coming from either in the van or on Odie.
Odie allegedly admitted to having marijuana in a cigarette box. Embro reported finding marijuana in a cigarette box in Odie’s jacket pocket, along with drug paraphernalia. In the other jacket pocket, Embro found a small bag containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine in a glasses case, the officer alleged in arrest reports. Consequently, Odie was taken into custody.
Embro then reported finding no additional contraband in the van. The driver was released with two citations for the traffic violation; the other passenger was also released, according to police reports.
Odie was jailed Wednesday morning, Dec. 11, on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. He remained in the county jail later Wednesday; bond was set at $5,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Chamber Connection For Dec. 12, 2019
Attention All Chamber Members: Membership Directories are being prepared NOW!
Chamber members, we are going to print with the 2020 Membership Directory. We are going to have it ready for distribution the first part of January, so we need you to do a few things …
- Please go to www.HopkinsChamber.org and click in the directory search. Please check to make sure that we have the correct information for your business. We have been trying to check and recheck it, but we need your help to make sure everything is correct.
- If your membership investment is past due, payment arrangements need to be made prior to Dec. 30, to be included in the 2020 Directory.
- If you find information that needs to be corrected, please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515. If you are interested in placing an ad in the directory, please contact Lee Ann Peugh at Echo Publishing at 903-885-8663.
Would you like to recognize an Outstanding Educator?
Here is your chance … the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee wants to allow all Hopkins County citizens to nominate their candidates for “Outstanding Professional Educator,” an administrator, counselor, diagnostician or teacher; Outstanding Para Professional Educator, a sretary or aide; Outstanding Auxiliary Educator, a maintenance, custodial, transportation, nurse or cafeteria employee.
You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 110 Main St., and then, either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than Dec. 31. Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected], and our mailing address is also 110 Main St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize a special educator!
Nominations for Large and Small Business of the Year
Please submit your nomination for Large Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year. Nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement — civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other.
You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 110 Main St. and either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than Dec. 31. Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected] and our mailing address is 110 Main St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Additional Chamber of Commerce Banquet Nominations
Many other awards are presented at the Chamber of Commerce membership banquet (Feb. 13, 2020). Aside from the awards mentioned above, nominations are also being accepted for:
- Citizen of the Year — Chamber of Commerce — 110 Main St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
- Woman of the Year — Beta Sigma Phi Organization — P.O. Box 72, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Caregiver of the Year — The Pilot Club — P.O. Box 131, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Community Pride Award — Adult Leadership Class — 110 Main St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
- Agriculturist of the Year — Agri-Life Extension Office — P.O. Box 518, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
- Growth and Renewal — DBA —109 Jefferson St. E, SS, TX 75482
Each of these nominations should be submitted in writing and mailed to the above-mentioned address.
Main Street Theater Presents “A Christmas Carol”
The Main Street Theater Community Players Presents A Christmas Carol. Performances will be Thursday, Dec. 12 and Friday, Dec. 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 1, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 15, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Online reservations can be made at www.communityplayersinc.com or by calling (903) 885-0107. Main Street Theater is located at 225 Main St. in Sulphur Springs.
Chaffer’s Place presents their monthly concert
Chaffer’s Place, located at 410 Main St. in Sulphur Springs, is hosting a live concert featuring music from the soundtrack of The Preacher’s Wife. The concert will be held on Dec. 19, and doors will open at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. This includes dinner and a show! For more information, call 470-848-2246 or visit www.ckproductions.info.
Chaffer’s Place also offers live music every Friday and Saturday night.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On 2 Warrants
December 12, 2019 – Officials contacted David Lynn Petrea, 49, of Sulphur Springs in the 200 block of Hinnant Street. A records check showed him to be wanted on two warrants for violation of probation, which he was on for criminal mischief resulting in $1,500 worth or more but less than $30,000 worth of loss, according to arrest and jail reports.
Petrea was taken into custody and transported by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Chaney’s patrol vehicle to the county jail, where he was booked on the felony charge, according to arrest reports.
Tira News For Dec. 12, 2019
By Jan Vaughn
The Community Christmas party is this Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. at the Community Center. Brisket and tea will be provided. Please bring a side dish and/or dessert and come enjoy a time of visiting with your neighbors. Tira Volunteer Firefighters will be recognized for their service to our community. The Christmas story will be read and Santa is planning to stop by and visit with the kids.
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Judy Rawson of Denton. She was the daughter-in-law of the late Dwight and Mary Rawson of Tira. Judy passed away on Saturday. Her husband Danny Rawson preceded her in death last year. I don’t know anything about funeral or memorial arrangements at this time. Please remember her family in your prayers.
Chip spent a few days last week in Waco helping our son, Delayne, with home repairs and updates. I enjoyed a couple of days of scrapbooking at home. On Saturday evening, we went out to eat and to the Choral Society Christmas Concert in Sulphur Springs, which was wonderful. Our grandson Kenden and his girlfriend, Emma Hall, joined us for lunch on Sunday.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Sulphur Springs Pair Arrested On Controlled Substance Charge
A disturbance call on South Locust Street Tuesday afternoon resulted in the arrest of a 64-year-old Sulphur Springs man and his 26-year-old girlfriend on a controlled substance charge each.
Officers were reportedly at the pair’s Locust Street address for a disturbance at 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Upon arrival, Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes reported seeing 64-year-old Billy Jack “BJ” Orsburn through a front window of the residence. Estes, in arrest reports, alleged Orsburn was holding a small white container in his hand when ordered to open the door.
Orsburn allegedly passing the white container to his girlfriend, identified in arrest reports as 26-year-old Destiny Renee Scott. She then attempted to hide the container as officers entered the residence, Estes and SCU Sgt. Joe Scott alleged in arrest reports.
Destiny Scott reported told the officers there were narcotics inside the container, which was not a weapon. The container was opened and officers allegedly recovered 3.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia from inside of it, the SCU officers noted in arrest reports.
Both Orsburn and Scott were arrested and taken to jail for possession of 1 gram more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. Both remained in the county jail Wednesday, Dec. 11; bond was set at $30,000 on the third-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
A 3-year-old child inside the residence at the time of the pair was arrested was released Tuesday to Child Protective Services agents for further investigation by that agency, the SCU officers noted in arrest reports.
City Attorney Discusses Potential Impact Of Friday's Called City Council Meeting
How the city operates and functions for the next 6 months could be determined Friday at the called noon meeting of Sulphur Springs City Council.
A quorum is needed to hold the meeting. Four of the seven individuals elected to the city council are required to attend before an official meeting can be held.
Mayor Norman Sanders submitted his resignation from the council last week. Erica Armstrong, Jimmy Lucas and Jeff Sanderson submitted resignations from the city council on Monday, Dec. 9. (When all four were contacted Monday, all four confirmed they did give notice of resignation, but declined to make any further comment about it, including their reasons for resigning.) One of the four will be needed to have a quorum Friday.
“I don’t know if we’ll have a fourth council member show up on Friday. I pray that we do,” Sulphur Springs City Attorney Jim McLeroy said. “We just need one of them to show up so we can convene the meeting. We just need one of them there on Friday. It’ll be a 10 or 15 minute deal and we can move on — government will continue.”
If a quorum is established at Friday’s noon meeting, the council will be asked to consider appointing someone to fill one of the vacated positions until the next election; consider accepting or acting on resignations from Armstrong, Lucas and Sanderson; and, then, select from among the four members someone to serve as mayor and mayor pro temp.
Section 2 of the city charter regarding council vacancies states:
“If a vacancy occurs in the council, the remaining members of the council, by a majority vote, shall appoint a qualified resident elector to serve until the next regular city election. At the regular city election, a council member shall be chosen by the vote of the people to serve out the remainder of the term left vacant.”
McLeroy is recommending that one member be appointed to the council Friday. This would allow the council to operate and city business to continue as usual. The newly appointed council person would serve only until the next election. A special election would then need to be called for 2020 to fill all four vacant seats.
When asked about the appointment of only one new member as opposed to appointing all four council members, McLeroy said he believes it’d be healthier to appoint one instead of four new members to serve on the council until the next election.
McLeroy acknowledged that while he is recommending only filling one position so the citizens can elect their representatives and city government can continue, that does not mean a quorum of council wouldn’t have the option to fill all four vacancies.
The city attorney said the Sulphur Springs’ home-rule charter does give the city broader discretionary powers, under Texas Constitution and statutes, to set provisions regarding council vacancies and appointments to the council than those available to a general law city, according to McLeroy.
If a fourth council member is appointed Friday, the quorum of four can continue to operate normally and make decisions for the city. Of course, with only a four member council, any one member’s absence from any scheduled meeting would mean no quorum and no action at that time, according to the city attorney.
Without A Quorum
If a quorum of four is not achieved Friday, city business would not immediately shut down, but it could present challenges to continued city projects and operations, McLeroy noted.
Projects which require council approval, such as bids for materials for continued street repairs and going out for bonds for improvement projects, would be on hold pending a council quorum vote, according to McLeroy.
For instance, the city had anticipated seeking bonds in February or March to fund repairs and improvements at Pacific Park. Without a quorum of four council members to vote on such matters, that would have to wait until after special election could be held to fill vacancies to provide a quorum. That’d mean bonds couldn’t be sought until after the new panel is installed, which could delay the project by 6 months to a year, according to the city attorney.
Lack of a quorum on Friday would essentially authorize Maxwell “to run the city for 6 months without council oversight,” McLeory said.
“I trust that Marc will do a good job and a reliable job. But, the checks and balances system that’s in place in our government structure goes away when we can’t convene a council meeting to exercise oversight. There are certain things we can’t do without council,” McLeroy said.
“I don’t think the four commissioners who resigned want to see that happen. We need one to show up at the meeting Friday, take care of business, and then they’d be free to leave if they choose. We just need one of them for a 10-15 minute meeting,” the city attorney said.
Having proper signatories is another challenge the city could face without a city council to make decisions. The city attorney explained that there are four people authorized to sign checks and certain documents for the city: the mayor, mayor pro tem, city manager and city finance director. Norman Sanders’ resignation as mayor and Erica Armstrong’s resignation as mayor pro tem leaves only Maxwell and Finance Director Lesa Smith to sign paychecks and other routine city business documents on which two signatures are required, but council approval is not required.
If for some reason either Maxwell or Smith is unavailable or no longer employed with the city, there’d be no one to sign the documents required for continued city operations, McLeroy said.
The city attorney noted Maxwell has received and turned down job offers in the past to work in other cities. There are no guarantees that, if presented such an offer in the future, Maxwell would turn it down, McLeroy pointed out. That would leave only one person to sign the city documents. That’d leave only Lesa Smith as a signatory, but no second signer for bills, paychecks and other documents requiring signatories, the city attorney pointed out.
If those scenarios occur, other legal alternatives would have to be researched to determine the appropriate steps and options available to allow city operations to continue.
