Sept. 9 Commissioners Court Agenda Includes Budget, Tax Rate, Records Preservation
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday will be asked to consider a number of financial matters at Monday’s regular court session.
After a public hearing for the proposed 2020 budget, the commissioners court will be asked to consider approving both the the county tax rate and budget for 2020. No change is proposed in the tax rate, and the budget is reported to be very similar to that of the previous year, “very conservative,” according to County Judge Robert Newsom.
Additional financial matters on the 9 a.m. meeting agenda for court consideration are paying an hourly rate of $12 per hour to election workers as well as $12 per hour for up to four hours for election workers to receive training. Salary for elected official is also on the Sept. 9 agenda.
A public hearing will be held on the plan for funding the preservation and restoration of the county clerk’s records archive. Then, the court will be asked consider approving a plan for funding the program.
Brinker Volunteer Fire Department will be recognized with a proclamation as part of Hopkins County Fire Department’s 20th anniversary of service celebration.
The Commissioners Court meeting is slated to being at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse, located at 118 Church St. in Sulphur Springs.
As soon as the regular meeting adjourns the commissioners and judge will move to the Meeting Room on the third floor of the courthouse for a work session.
During the work session, Tom Glosup is slated to discuss maintentance of county buildings, reports from HCFD Chief Andy Endsley and Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum regarding operations, revenue and expenditures, and proposed improvements and repairs for their respective departments.
If they choose, HCCC then can conduct a budget work session.
Go Ahead Given For New Business Building On Gilmer Street, Plus An 8-Unit Building And 6 Quadplexes
If you’ve driven down Gilmer Street at the Oak Avenue split this spring and summer, you most likely wondered what was planned for the property where the old house was removed. That is tabbed to become Stone Leaf
Stone Leaf Addition
Sulphur Springs City Council this week agreed to a request from GNZ Land Holdings, LLC, to combine several lots totaling 4.916 acres of property, just off Gilmer Street, into two lots. This will become known as Stone Leaf Addition.
Lot 1 is 1.44 acres along Gilmer Street and has been designated for a multi-tenant building suitable for office, retail and restaurant type uses. It is zoned heavy commercial. This will be a new commercial building, similar to the strip center on Industrial Drive, just east of the Broadway Street bridge, which the developer also was responsible for, according to Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
Lot 2 is 3.48 acres, located behind the first property, with frontage along Beckham and Whitworth Streets, an has been designated for multi-family residential. Proposed are six quadplexes and one eight-unit building, with multi-family zoning, Niewiadomski noted.
Key elements of the plan included the extension of public sewer and water service, as well as installation of a storm drain. The public sewer will extend from the western part of the property from Gilmer Street north out Beckham Street. Public water service will extend from Gilmer, south of Whitworth Street, to create a loop that will provide public water at the site as well as fire protection, according to Niewiadomski.
A storm drain will be rerouted from Gilmer, as well as through the site into a detention pond along the norther portion of the property to slow down storm water. This is expected to “significantly improve storm water run off from the site by constructing the retention pond,” the community development director noted.
Sulphur Springs Planning and Zoning Commission at their Aug. 19 meeting recommended the City Council approve the plat request, and authorize the city manager to execute a community utilities contract for the utility extensions, Niewiadomski told the council when presenting the Stone Leaf plat request to them.
Place 6 Councilman Doug Moore asked if the contract and platting would be contingent on the city engineer giving his approval on the matter.
Niewiadomski said the city engineer was satisfied with the information presented during the P&Z Commission review and what was presented to the council at this week’s meeting.
The City Council voted in favor of granting the plat request, and giving the city manager authorization to sign a facilities contract with GNZ Land Holdings, LLC, for the 4.916 acres of land.
Asset Forfeiture Funds
Another proposal receiving the City Council’s approval at the Sept. 3 meeting was one for improvements at the gun range used by local law enforcement.
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson proposed using money from the asset forfeiture fund to address an old building on the property, to add some additional concrete and maintenance for the gun range facility. Ricketson said city and county staff would get together to develop a master plan for improvements at the gun range.
Ordinance Change Would Prohibit Scooters, Roller Blades On City Sidewalks
Sulphur Springs City Council will be asked at an upcoming meeting to approve on second reading an ordinance prohibiting most wheeled devices from being driven, rolled and ridden on sidewalks in “commercially zoned areas.”
Ordinance No. 2760, as proposed would amend Chapter 25, Article VI of the city code, changing the title to “Bicycles, scooters and other wheeled conveyances.” The code would include “skateboards, scooters, roller blades and other similar devices” which would be prohibited on sidewalks in commercially zones areas.
City Attorney Jim McLeroy said the proposed change was considered following a community request to city officials. Bicyclists are already prohibited from riding on sidewalks downtown and in other commercially zoned areas. The change would simply expand the code to include other wheeled conveyances which are prohibited on sidewalks.
“The request was to expand that to skateboard, roller blades and those type of conveyances that are really inconsistent with normal pedestrian use in downtown areas. We have the skate park and park that we make room for that. We have walking trails around the lake they can actually ride on. They don’t need to be downtown on the sidewalk and in our commercial districts using skateboards and putting themselves and other pedestrians at risk,” McLeroy said when presenting the proposal to the City Council for first reading approval.
Ordinance 2760 received City Council approval on first reading this week, and will be presented at a future meeting for second reading and council approval.
Wood County Sheriff’s Report For Aug. 28-Sep. 2, 2019
August 28th
- At 8:12 a.m., cows were reported out on SPUR 514 near Yantis.
- At 8:32 a.m., horses were reported out on CR 1727 near Yantis.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Greenbriar Cove near Hawkins; at approximately 10:31 a.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 11:10 a.m., in reference to a burglary on HWY 154 near Yantis. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 4425 near Winnsboro, at approximately 11:55 a.m., in reference to theft. Known actors stole several items from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 49 near Mineola, at approximately 4:23 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 3460 near Hawkins, at approximately 5:17 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Deputies spoke with all parties involved and determined it was a civil matter.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 515 near Alba, at approximately 6:33 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Chris Starrett, 31, of Alba, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 7:03 p.m., in reference to harassment on CR 1426 near Quitman. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on CR 4778 near Winnsboro; at approximately 11:11 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on CR 2332 near Mineola; at approximately 11:49 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
August 29th
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2425 near Mineola, at approximately 12:13 a.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 2:46 a.m., in reference to harassment on PR 6338 near Mineola. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on HWY 80 near Mineola; at approximately 4:11 a.m. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
- Deputies conducted an arrest/warrant service in the Wood County Sheriff’s Office; at approximately 12:48 p.m. Howard Weems, 61, of Winnsboro, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 3:50 p.m., in reference to harassment on HWY 37 near Winnsboro. Deputies determined this was a civil matter and cleared the incident.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 4:36 p.m., in reference to forgery on PR 6338 near Mineola. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 515 near Alba, at approximately 8:20 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Chris Starrett, 31, of Alba, was arrested for Assault Against Elderly or Disabled Individual.
August 30th
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 1647 near Winnsboro, at approximately 8:08 a.m., in reference to criminal mischief. Actors, or actors unknown, damaged the reporting party’s vehicle.
- Deputies were dispatched to HWY 69 near Alba, at approximately 10:26 a.m., in reference to theft. The reporting party purchased furniture from the known actor, but never received the furniture.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1987 near Yantis, at approximately 10:36 a.m., in reference to a disturbance. Deputies located the individuals and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to Loop 564 near Mineola, at approximately 11:29 a.m., in reference to theft. A known actor stole a firearm from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2258 near Mineola, at approximately 11:39 a.m., in reference to a dispute. Parties were separated for the day.
- At 1:44 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 2088 near Winnsboro.
- At 2:25 p.m. horses were reported out on CR 3118 near Quitman.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 2:48 p.m., in reference to a suspicious person on FM 1801 near Mineola. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to PR 8446 near Winnsboro, at approximately 4:09 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies made contact with the individual and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to Loop 564 near Mineola, at approximately 4:53 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1700 near Yantis, at approximately 6:05 p.m., in reference to possible stolen property. Deputies checked the property and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to a traffic violation on CR 2350 near Quitman; at approximately 7:49 p.m. Joseph Jones, 42, of Mineola, was arrested for Parking (Stopping/Standing) on Main Traveled Way.
- At 8:57 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 69 near Alba.
- At 8:59 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 2332 near Mineola.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2330 near Mineola, at approximately 11:48 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Deputies located the individuals and cleared the incident.
August 31st
- Deputies were dispatched to PR 7131 near Quitman, at approximately 1:54 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to FM 2966 near Quitman; at approximately 4:11 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to CR 4925 near Quitman; at approximately 4:25 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Newsome St. in Winnsboro; at approximately 4:51 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to HWY 80 near Mineola; at approximately 5:06 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to HWY 37 near Quitman; at approximately 7:28 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to FM 2225 near Quitman; at approximately 8:00 p.m. Deputies checked the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- At 8:17 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 4778 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2164 near Quitman, at approximately 11:39 p.m., in reference to criminal mischief. A known actor damaged the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
September 1st
- Deputies were dispatched to East Oak St. in Yantis, at approximately 12:18 a.m., in reference to suspicious circumstance. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any suspicious activity.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on FM 779 near Quitman; at approximately 5:19 a.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 17 near Alba, at approximately 10:17 a.m., in reference to a welfare check. The individual was located and transported to the hospital by EMS.
- At 2:29 p.m., horses were reported out on CR 1727 near Yantis.
- At 4:40 p.m., horses were reported out on HWY 80 near Mineola.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 2260 near Mineola, at approximately 6:25 p.m., in reference to shots fired. Deputies located the individuals shooting in a safe direction and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1681 near Alba, at approximately 7:35 p.m., in reference to a reckless driver. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 1858 near Yantis, at approximately 10:50 p.m., in reference to a noise complaint. Deputies located the activity and cleared the incident.
September 2nd
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to CR 3987 near Winnsboro; at approximately 1:06 a.m. Roger Bedford, 58, of Winnsboro, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
- Deputies were dispatched to Alba Lake Shores, at approximately 8:01 a.m., in reference to an abandoned vehicle. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 9:05 a.m., in reference to criminal trespass on Brazos Bend near Hawkins. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to Comanche near Quitman, at approximately 1:37 p.m., in reference to a disturbance where an assault occurred. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- At 1:54 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 2869 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 3375 near Hawkins, at approximately 5:21 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to HWY 69 near Mineola, at approximately 6:04 p.m., in reference to a reckless driver. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 6:52 p.m., in reference to harassment on CR 2768. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 2966 near Quitman, at approximately 7:43 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies spoke with the homeowner and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to CR 4896 near Quitman, at approximately 8:56 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Deputies spoke with all parties involved and cleared the incident.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 2088 near Winnsboro; at approximately 10:46 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
Additional Reports
- Between the dates of August 28 and September 2, Wood County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to multiple agency assists that included the following: Emergency Medical Services, Auto Theft Task Force, Child Protective Services and Mineola Police Department.
- Total Jail Count: 150 inmates – 122 males and 28 females.
Remiders 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.
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Has Rematch With Edgewood on the Road on Game Day Friday
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team will be playing a match on this Friday (September 6) game day. The Lady Cats return to Edgewood to play the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Cats varsity will play first at 4:30 p.m. in the Edgewood High School Gym. The JV and freshmen teams will play afterward also in the high school gym. The Lady Cats enter play this evening with a 16-8 record. They have won two in a row. Tuesday night the Lady Cats won their opener at home, 3-0 over Wills Point. The Lady Cats and Edgewood played in a third place game in an Edgewood tournament back on August 24 and Edgewood won 2-0 by the score of 20-25 and 25-27. The Lady Cats return home next Tuesday against Emory Rains for a 5;30 p.m. varsity match. Any fan that brings can goods to the game will get in free. The Lady Cats are collecting food for the local food bank.
Wildcats Football Team To Play First Game at Lovejoy’s Leopard Stadium on Game Day Friday
The Wildcats Football Team plays their second and last non-district game of the season Friday night (September 6) against a team they have almost no history with. The Wildcats are taking on the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards. On this Friday game day, the Wildcats will be playing their first ever game at Lucas Lovejoy’s Leopard Stadium. The two teams scheduled a game last season at Gerald Prim Stadium but that game was canceled due to very stormy weather. In the only game played between the two, Lovejoy won a bi-district game at The Prim in 2017. Both teams come into tonight’s game with 0-1 records. Both teams played disappointing game last week. Lovejoy lost 13-10 to Colleyville Heritage at Allen in the Tom Landry Classic last Saturday. Lovejoy Coach Todd Ford said he did not think his team played smart adding they did not protect the ball, did not tackle well and basically did not play a clean game. The Leopards were preseason ranked #21 in Class 5A Division II by Texas Football Magazine. Meanwhile the Wildcats opened at home last Friday with a 53-17 loss to Frisco Wakeland. The game was tied 17-17 at the half but it was all Wakeland in the second half. Coach Ford is in his fourth year as Leopards head coach. Coach Greg Owens is in his fourteenth year as Wildcats head coach. Lovejoy features a running quarterback who can also pass. The Leopard’s have large offensive and defensive lines. Both teams have lots of young players and right now coaches consider them works in progress. Both head coaches are hoping for lots of signs of improvement tonight. Both teams start district play next week. KSST Radio will have the broadcast of the Wildcats and Leopards live from Lucas with kickoff at around 7:30 p.m. The game will also be videotaped for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Proposed Ordinance Would Limit Curbside Parking At Intersections in City Limits
A new ordinance proposed this week by city officials would amend city policies regarding curbside parking.
Ordinance No. 2759 would amend Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances to include Section 25-82.1, prohibiting curbside parking within 25 feet of any intersection inside the city limits.
City Attorney Jim McLeroy explained that this was an ordinance city officials had received a request for. City staff explored the idea of “creating some kind of safety zone.” The idea was for “cars approaching intersections to be able to see approaching street in the street they’re intersecting.”
City staff, after studying the matter, proposed a general ordinance restricting curbside parking within 25 feet of an intersection inside the city limits instead of approaching it on a street-by-street basis, according to the city attorney.
“We will not enforce this unless we put up signs in these areas or otherwise mark curbs,” McLeroy said when presenting the proposed ordinance to city council members earlier this week.
McLeroy said getting all streets marked would be a lengthy process. City officials proposed starting on “fundamental streets” first, then working on a semi-priority basis outward from there.
Place 7 City Councilman John Sellers asked if this would impact already marked parking spaces and if parking downtown would be affected by the ordinance change.
“I don’t think this is going to be an issued downtown; 25 feet isn’t very far. You get toward the intersection downtown, there’s a tree that’s a good size there,” City Manager Marc Maxwell said.
Sellers expressed concern for the North Davis and Atkins Street intersection, which drivers sometimes have difficulty seeing when turning depending on what’s parked near that intersection. He asked if the 25-feet rule would apply there to help improve visibility.
“This isn’t going to solve all those issues, but it will solve some of them,” McLeroy said. “We use 25 feet because our typical building set back is 25 feet,” McLeroy said, adding that constructing something within that 25 feet would obstruct visibility.
“Hopefully, it’s far enough that when cars pull up to the intersection, if they’re careful, they’ll be able to see enough of the approaching street to tell if it’s clear traffic to go,” McLeroy explained.
The city attorney said the city may at a later time present a traffic map and request that the ordinance be amended based on findings of the map. Going ahead with the change would allow the city begin addressing some specific intersections, particularly on residential streets, where potential curb safety issues have been identified.
The proposed ordinance received approval from Sulphur Springs City Council on first reading. The ordinance will be read and presented again for approval at an upcoming city council meeting before it can be officially be adopted.
September is Emergency Preparedness Month Across U.S. and in Hopkins County
The following information is from the first in a 4-part series by Hopkins County Fire Chief/Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley, who wants the community to know that we are prepared for any and all hazards. Hopkins County as well as the City of Sulphur Springs has a Hazard Mitigation Action Plan in place and are state-certified due to training in the “all-hazards” approach to preparedness. City of Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson also acts as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Sulphur Springs, and David James is Sulphur Springs Fire Chief.
Trained teams with knowledge of local infrastructure to medical services, law enforcement, fire emergency and rescue services and other assistance agencies are necessary to keep a community safe and well-prepared. Emergency and disaster situations can come in many forms, from natural causes like weather to explosions, hazardous spills, transportation accidents and other major catastrophes. Members of these teams receive training a number of times per year to stay ready to serve. A full-scale Disaster Exercise was recently conducted, and specific disaster drills and tabletop scenarios are conducted on a regular basis to provide extra training and readiness for individuals providing services.
Endsley stated that the Hazard Mitigation Action Plan is a printed volume which the State provides to incorporated cities containing detailed instructions and action plans for community safety. There is another volume of “annexes” or chapters which are specific to Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs on handling various types of disasters. Hopkins County Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator Kristi Springfield stated that if an individual or family wants to find out more about being prepared, there are some well-prepared sites online. Try ready.gov or knowwhattodo.com.
Endsley, Springfield and other local officials will visit KSST each Friday morning during September for an 8:15 am live interview on different forms of emergency preparedness. Plan to tune in.
Louisiana Man Arrested For Cattle Theft After Intense Multi-State Investigation
QUITMAN, Texas —A five-month investigation by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Brand Inspectors resulted in a Louisiana man being jailed on three felony cattle theft charges out of Texas.
TSCRA Special Rangers Larry Hand and Bo Fox were reportedly in Louisiana Tuesday as LDAF brand inspectors arrested Justin Glenn Thompson, 40, of Hineston, Louisiana. Thompson was subsequently booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail, where he remains while awaiting extradition to Texas, according to TSCRA.
Special Ranger Hand was first contacted in February 2019 by a Wood County rancher, who alleged that a Louisiana-based cattle feeding operation owed him more than $91,000. By April, LDAF Brand Commission Agent Jessie Bellard and Manager Scott Perry were fully involved, and the case had allegedly grown into an intense, multi-state financial crimes investigation.
The victim had reportedly sold and purchased cattle through Thompson in his capacity as an agent for Strain Feeders of Abita Springs, Louisiana. The investigators soon uncovered evidence alleging that Thompson was using his position at the company to divert cattle and funds for his own benefit. They also believe he falsified information at the company to earn additional compensation, according to a press release from TSCRA.
After months of untangling the details, the case was taken to a Wood County Grand Jury, who Aug. 28, 2019, handed down three indictments against Thompson. Those charges are:
- Theft of cattle less than $150,000, for the theft of 84 head of cattle.
- Theft of cattle less than $150,000, for the theft of 16 head of cattle.
- Theft of property more than $2,500 but less than $30,000, for more than $18,000 in cattle payment shortages.
Warrants were issued Sept. 3, and Thompson was arrested the same day due to concerns that he could pose a flight risk, the TSCR release stats.
If convicted, Thompson could face 22 years in prison, up to $30,000 in fines and restitution to the victim.
According to a news release by LDAF, this is not Thompson’s first brush with the law. At the time of his arrest, he was free on bond in another cattle theft case under investigation by LDAF in Allen Parish. Additional investigations in both Texas and Louisiana are ongoing, and more charges are likely, according to TSCRA.
“I cannot overstate how important the partnership between TSCRA and LDAF was in this investigation,” said Hand. “If not for their collaboration, we may not have been able to resolve the case and bring Thompson to justice.”
TSCRA credits and officers thanks to TSCRA Special Rangers Larry Hand and Bo Fox, LDAF Brand Commission Inspectors Scott Perry and Jessie Bellard, and Wood County District Attorney Angela Albers and her staff for their “tremendous contributions to the investigation and subsequent indictments.”
