Dike Incorporation Election Fails to Pass
May 6, 2023 – With 140 of 218 eligible voters in the Dike community voting in the special election for Class C Incorporation, the measure failed to pass witha majority of votes. 59 voters voted early, with 8 for and 51 against, and on election day 24 voting for and 57 voting against. With the measure failing to pass, mayor and city commissioner election results were rendered uneeded.
Dike will remain an unincorporated area of Hopkins County.
Como-Pickton CISD Elects Four to Board of Trustees
May 6, 2023 – A total of 81 voters voted in early voting and election day voting in the Como-Pickton Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees election. The four members elected to serve on the board are: DJ Carr, Brittney Wright Smith, Jim Murray, and Keith Monk.
The following are the vote totals for early and election day voting:
DJ Carr: Early, 49, Election Day, 27, Total: 76
Brittney Wright Smith: Early, 68, Election Day 28, Total: 76
Jim Murray: Early 48, Election Day, 24, Total: 72
Keith Monk: Early 45 Election Day, 22, Total 67
Danny R. Ireland: Early 8, Electin Day, 7, Total 15
Voters Elect Reed and Teer to SSISD Board of Trustees
May 6, 2023 – With 5.47% of the SSISD registered voters voting in this 2023 election, two new board members will take their place on the SSISD Board of Trustees. Darla Gibson Reed received the most votes of the four candidates with a total of 616 votes (437 early voting plus 179 on election day). Adam Teer received the second most votes with a total of 499 votes (360 early voting plus 139 on election day). As the top two out of the four candidates, Reed and Teer will take the two seats on SSISD board. The other two candidates, Earvin Larry, Jr. and Wesley Cooper received a total of 232 and 177 votes respectively.
Hopkins County Records – May 5th
Land deed Transactions
Ricardo Chavarria to Melvis Bonilla and Olga Bonilla; tract M A Bowlin survey
Robert Scott Ficke, James Scott and Sharon Amanda Scott to Charlye Hooten and Tristyn Hooten; tract M A Bowlin survey
Judy Kay Heaps, Stan Heaps, Carolyn Ann Rawson, Mary Ann Rawson, Michael Jean Rawson to 2 Times LLC; tract in the L P Dikes survey
Beborah M Jacobs and Michael D Jacobs to Deborah M Jacobs Revocable living trust, Deborah M Jacobs Trustee, Michael D Jacobs Revocable Living Trust, Michael D Jacobs Trustee; tract in the Santiago Comancho survey
Kimberly Posekany and TSSF LLC to Jacqueline Johnson; tract in the Edmond P Gaines survey
Donald Wayne Hatley and Mikell Sue Hatley to Brandon Lee Betterton and Kimerly Kay Betterton; tract in the Alexander Park survey
Hunter Wayne Mills to Dan Iven Hamiter SR Estate and Martha Dean Lee IND EXEC; tract M A Bowlin survey
Cynthia An Spence Bledsoe Co Trustee, Anna M Spence, Anna M Spence Co Trustee, Spence living Trust, Michael Leroy Spence Co Trustee, Mitchell Wayne Spence Co trustee and William Mark Spence Co Trustee; tract in the James Lee survey
Jana Dodd to Anita Jenkins; tract M A Bowlin survey
Amita Jenkins to Keegan Silas Morris and Savannah Christine Ritchie; tract M A Bowlin survey
Larry Lance Chapman, Tommie Cherie White Reeves and Matthew Grant White to Lauren Reeves; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
Meredith Dodd to Wyatt Grace Properties LLC; tract M A Bowlin survey
Jose Santacruz to Ricardo Chavarria; tract M A Bowlin survey
Shelby Weatherbee to Larry A Weatherbee
Sharon Hooten Christy to Katelin L Gumpert; tract in the R Hicklin survey
Sharon Moore to James Michael Jordan; tract in the R Hicklin survey
Soraya J Fernandez and Jean Lafleur to Jean Jose Lafleur Co Trustee, Lafleur Living Trust, Soraya Jesus Fernandez Lafleur Co Trustee; tract in the E Burkham survey
Cephis Gregory to Buddy C Walls II; tract in the James Hawkins survey
Buddy C Walls II and Destanie Lyne Walls to Jeffery M Swiggart; tract in the E Melton survey
Cynthia Stinson and Rickey L Stinson to John Edward Rory Curtin IV and Kasey L Curtin; tract in the J W Hatchell survey
Bernable Colon Trustee, Janis Kit Colon Trustee and Colon Trust to Our Fathers House Church; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
Billy Gunn to Square W Ranch LLC; tract in the D Ramsey survey
100 MPH+ Property Management LLC to Bonde David and Virginia Bode; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
Darryl Lavonce Mcguire, Janice Elaine Mcguire, Shannon Raye McGuire and Willis Jaye McGuire to Landon Womack; tract in the Rattan D survey
Alvin A Wagner to Alan Screws and Kim Screws; tract M A Bowlin
Melissa Harris and Rebecca Wix to Heath Howard; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
Tonja Lue Brown to Benjamin Wright; tract in the William Gregg survey
S Clements Homes Incorporated to Wattenbarger Properties LLC; tract in the Connally Corner survey
Ashley Nicole Likout and Ryan Likout to Cartus Financial Corporation; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
Cartus Financial Corporation to Carla Gwen Turnipseed and Jimmy Don Turnispeed; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
Lisa Childress and Kris Childress to Cinthya Carrasco and Mark Anthony Carrasco; tract in the Santos Coy survey
L S Brophy and Aldo Molteni to Brittny Rene’e Caughron and William Kaleb Caughron; tract in the Daniel Fuller survey
Kayla Tully to Robert Stoll; tract in the Thomas Norris survey
Marrige License applications
Eli Logan Ham and Mollye Rosas
Tyrek Treyvon Cork and Alyssa Joyce McLarry
John David Conley and Frances Louise Corona
Judsen Tanner Truett and Kaitlyn Grace Brittain
Travis Charles Sutton and Marilee Ann Witton
Travis Michael Furguson and Colleen Rebecca McIntyre
BMW Recalls Vehicles Over Exploding Airbags
May 5, 2023- BMW has issued a “do not drive” warning to the owners of about 90,000 older models in the U.S. because of defective airbags that might explode in a crash.
The affected vehicles are the 2000-2006 model years that have been recalled before due to known issues with Takata-manufactured airbag inflators. however, BMW has decided to escalate previous recall notices to a “Do Not Drive” order due to the affected vehicles not being brought in for repairs.
Takata, The company responsible for the airbag inflators, used volatile ammonium nitrate to inflate the airbags in the event of a crash. However, the chemical can deteriorate over time when exposed to heat and humidity and eventually blow apart a metal canister it is contained in, hurling metal pieces that can severely injure or even kill driver or passengers.
These repairs are free for the affected BMW models.
Since 2009, the exploding airbags made by Takata have killed at least 33 people worldwide, 24 of which was in the United States. Most of the deaths and about 400 injuries have happened in U.S., but they also have occurred in Australia and Malaysia.
BMW stated that remote technicians can be sent to wherever the vehicle is located and repairs can be completed on site, typically in under an hour. If remote repair is not available for a customer with an affected vehicle, BMW will have the car picked up at the customer’s home or office free of charge, repaired and returned when the service is complete.
Owners of the affected vehicals may contact BMW here: BMW Recall’s or by calling BMW customer relations (866)-835-8615
SSISD Board Names Lone Finalist For SSISD Superintendent
May 5, 2023 – Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees selects Dr. Deana Steeber as the lone finalist to be the next superintendent.
The Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees would like to announce that Dr. Deana Steeber has been selected as the lone finalist for the district’s next superintendent. Former superintendent, Mike Lamb, ended his time at SSISD on April 30, 2023.
Dr. Deana Steeber is coming from Argyle ISD, where she serves as the Assistant Superintendent. She has 27 years of experience in education. She has served as an Assistant Superintendent since 2017. Prior to joining Argyle ISD, she served as a principal for 11 years at the high school, middle school, and elementary campus levels. Dr. Steeber grew up in Oklahoma where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Soon after, she completed a Master of Education. Dr. Steeber completed a Doctorate in School Administration at Texas A&M University – Commerce. Dr. Steeber has been involved in the master planning process for a fast growth school district, resulting in the passage of bonds and expanding learning opportunities for students. She is committed to effective team building, curriculum and program development through transparency and open, honest communication. She believes in being pro-active and reaching out to the community, involving them in the learning process, which contributes to the long-term success of the district. Encouraging students to be problem solvers and analytical thinkers who are adaptable gives them the ability to excel and compete at their greatest capacity.
Dr. Steeber has been married to her husband, Dr. Robert Steeber for twenty-six years. Dr. Robert Steeber is a retired superintendent in the state of Texas. They have two children, Hanna and Joseph. Hanna currently serves as a teacher and is a graduate of Texas Tech University. Joseph is in his senior year at the University of Texas at Arlington where he is a pitcher for the baseball team. He is pursuing a degree in Business Finance.
The school board was very pleased with the number of applicants that applied for the position, which totaled 48. The board studied each resume folder and narrowed candidates down to seven for the interview portion of their search. Sulphur Springs ISD Board President Craig Roberts said that all seven candidates were outstanding, but after the interviews were complete, they all agreed that Dr. Deana Steeber was the right fit for the district. Roberts continued, “The trustees are excited to welcome Dr. Steeber to our district. As an educational leader, she will guide our district’s vision to be a home for excellence in public education. Her proven track record brings experience and excitement which will lead to opportunities for our staff, students, and community. It is truly a Great Day to be a Wildcat! Let’s be the first to welcome Dr. Steeber.”
Rep. Bryan Slaton Refused To Speak About Closed Investigation Hearing
State Rep. Bryan Slaton, the Royse City Republican who had been accused of having inappropriate relations with a staffer, has declined Thursday to discuss his attendance at a closed-door hearing of a house investigation panel that has been looking into these allegations.
Slaton did not answer questions from reporters as he left the room where a due-process hearing was taking place. He was absent from the House floor as the investigative panel was meeting in a separate part of the Capitol.
The meeting of the General Investigating Committee came after the five-member panel voted unanimously on Monday to conduct a private due-process meeting.
Last month, a Capitol staffer alleged in a complaint to the committee that Slaton, 45, had sex with one of his employees, a woman under 21, and also provided her with alcohol. The said incident is thought to have occurred in Slaton’s Austin apartment in March.
Slaton has since refused to comment on his allegations, instead referring reports and the likes to his lawyers who have since released a statement claiming the allegations to be “false” and “outrageous” without specifying further.
The committee has kept its investigation under wraps, refusing to name the lawmaker currently being investigated and referring to the investigation as “Matter B” in public hearings. The committee is also believed to be looking into allegations of an “abusive and hostile” work environment by state Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Houston.
The committee also issued a subpoena in “Matter B” directing a man “to provide all relevant testimony and information concerning the committee’s inquiry” as well as the issuing of “one or more subpoenas for a part or portion of any relevant testimony or information as necessary to avoid overburdening a witness or the committee.”
The identity of the man who has been subpoena has yet to be identified.
The committee members then walked across the hall for their 2 p.m. due-process hearing and almost immediately went into executive session. About an hour later, Slaton was seen exiting the room through the same door he’d entered.
Slaton, one of the most far-right social conservatives in the Legislature, has been married to his second wife since 2017.
He joined the Texas House in 2021 after a campaign financed heavily by far-right Texas groups that framed him as a Christian family man and touted his previous work as a Southern Baptist youth pastor.
The allegations of an inappropriate workplace relationship created shockwaves through the most conservative wings of the Texas GOP. After days of rumors at the Capitol about Slaton’s unexplained, multiday absence last month, he faced calls to resign from two lawmakers with whom he is ideologically aligned.
Shasore Returned to Hopkins County Jail To Face Charges
May 5, 2023 – Abdullateef Olasun “AB” Shasore was returned to Hopkins County Jail this week. He was arrested at the Tarrant County Jail were he was serving time for another conviction.
Shasore and an accomplice were arrested in 2022 after they attempted to withdraw thousands of dollars from a Sulphur Springs, TX bank. The funds did not belong to them. See that story here.
Nigerian born Shasore, who is 22 years old is being held on a $250,000 bond.
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.
Dallas Democrat Colin Allred Announces 2024 Challenge To Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
May 4, 2023- U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, announced Wednesday he is challenging U.S. Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for reelection.
The three-term congressman made the announcement on a three-minute video posted on social media. Allred had been considering a campaign for months and it was no surprise when he announced he was running.
Allred’s campaign begins as an uphill battle. A Democrat hasn’t won a statewide election in Texas since 1994, and while Cruz’s 2018 reelection race against Beto O’Rourke was surprisingly tight, Democrats have not been able to replicate such a close contest since then.
Cruz’s campaign responded by calling Allred “too extreme for Texas,” stated his faithful voting record with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Ted Cruz has some of the highest job-approval ratings among republicans in the state and has gathered considerable influence in the senate since his last reelection. Cruz has now become a staple part of the Republican image through his years serving the state of Texas.
Several harsh words and accusations were exchanged through both campaigns from Senator Cruz and Representative Allred.
Allred is also a civil rights lawyer who worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under former President Barack Obama. While, Cruz is running for a third term in the Senate after toying with making another White House bid in 2024
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, is also likely to run but is not expected to make any announcement until after the legislative session, which ends May 29.
MasCo Prepares For Equipment Auction in Winnsboro on Saturday
May 4, 2023 – Sulphur Springs agricultural equipment dealer Shawn Massey and the team at MasCo Equipment are holding the 2nd Annual Equipment Auction in Winnsboro on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Massey tells KSST News, “Several hundred lots are already consigned to the sale and more lots are coming in daily.” Not only will there be the usual assortment of ag and construction equipment, but smaller items have also been consigned including trucks, trailers, and boats. Massey continued by saying, “We even have a very rare low-mileage 1991 Corvette ZR-1 hitting the auction block during the sale. There will be something for everyone, from hand and power tools, to boats or backhoes.”
The auction starts at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and bidders should register before the auction starts. On-site bidder registration starts at 8 a.m. If you would like to register for Live bidding in advance you can email Masco at: [email protected]
Online bidding will occur simultaneously on some items through EquipmentFacts.com. You can find a link to the items listed with MasCo online here: Online Auction Items
The auction takes place at 1208 E. Broadway St., Winnsboro, TX 75494
