Jessica Beth Tipps Arrested; Charged with Possession Controlled Substance
July 18, 2023 – Jessica Beth Tipps was arrested Tuesday and charged with:
1 481.115(B) POSS CS PG 1/1-B <1GHer arrest occurred around 12 hours after her husband, DAVID REED TIPPS, was arrested and charged with several counts of assault. Jessica was involved in that incident. See that story here.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum issued a press release Tuesday morning providing some details of David Tipps’ arrest.
KSST was contacted by someone claiming to be Jessica Tipps around 9AM Tuesday. That message claimed the events surrounding the arrest of Davis Tipps, provided as a public record, never happened.
No photo of either Tipps have been provided.
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.
Summer In Texas To Be One Of The Most Extreme Yet
An unrelenting stretch of blistering days amid an ongoing heat wave has put this summer on track to be one of Texas’ most extreme, weather data shows.
In June, a sample of 38 weather stations across the state recorded a temperature at or above 100 degrees 250 times. The average temperature for June was 82.2 degrees, which was 2.6 degrees above the 20th century average, according to data provided by the state climatologist.
Still, this summer has yet to exceed last summer’s historic heat. Last year was Texas’ second-hottest summer on record, by average temperature. Climate change, combined with a severe drought and La Niña weather pattern made for hot days and nights. Much of the state got enough rain earlier this year that reduced or eliminated drought conditions across the state and provided some cooling.
This year, an El Niño pattern has developed, meaning higher-than-average surface sea temperatures. In Texas, an El Niño pattern usually brings more moisture and a cooling effect with it. However, the length and duration of the heat wave this year has dominated the weather pattern instead.
Should the heat continue several parts of Texas will break their all time heat record.
Lights Of Life 2024 Gala Chairs Announced
Sulphur Springs, TX – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Board of Directors is gearing up for the 2024 Gala which is scheduled for Saturday, January 27. The Chairs for the next Gala will be Kim and John Sellers.
Kim and John have been long-time supporters of the Gala, having attended most of the events. Kim has served on the Gala Committee for several years, and John is a former member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
This couples’ impact on the Hopkins County community doesn’t end there. Through community service and community involvement, these two have attended, volunteered, served, and donated to so many organizations and events through the years. They are active in the First United Methodist Church and enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Kim was born and reared in Lake Charles, Louisiana. After living in Texas and a few other states, she moved back to Texas in 1990 where she graduated from Texas Women’s University with a degree in Dietetic and Institutional Administration. In 1994, after completing an internship with Baylor University Medical Center, Kim moved to Sulphur Springs to begin employment at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, now CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, where she is a registered/licensed dietitian. She enjoys sports, running, cooking, reading, and supporting John with his activities.
Kim has championed various health-related causes through the years, such as the 1997 Labor of Love Campaign which funded the Woman’s Pavilion at the hospital. She served as the Employee Chair for this successful campaign.
“Being the gala chair provides me another opportunity to be part of the ongoing growth and progress of our local hospital. The Foundation helps to get the word out about the quality of care offered by the hospital and the prominence of its associates,” Kim stated when asked what chairing the Gala meant to her.
John is a native of Sulphur Springs, with deep roots to the area. His parents are Charles and Billiefae Vaden Sellers. John graduated from Sulphur Springs High School and Texas Tech University where he received a BA in advertising/PR. He also holds a Texas Teacher Certificate. John serves as the marketing director for City National Bank. He is active in the Hopkins County Genealogical Society, serving as president since 2017. He has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Sulphur Springs since 1998, having served as president. He also holds the distinction of serving as the Sulphur Springs mayor for more terms than anyone since the city adopted the city manager form of government in 1947. He is a sought-after speaker for national, regional and local conferences on genealogy and history. In 2023, John received the Vision Award from the Chamber of Commerce.
John shared his motivation for supporting the Health Care Foundation, “Leadership is strengthened by believing in a worthy endeavor. Our hospital foundation is definitely one. It supports the institution where my life began and continues to play an integral role in our lives and the community.”
Kim and John were introduced to each other through mutual friends. They married in 1996. They are the parents to son, Eli, who recently wed Arielle. Eli and Arielle make their home in Washington State. Eli is serving in the US Air Force as a Precision Strike Operator, and Arielle works for the Department of Morale, Recreation and Welfare for the US Army.
Chair of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Board of Directors Maleta Reynolds said about the announcement, “We are thrilled to have Kim and John chair the next Gala. They have always been loyal supporters of the Gala and the Foundation. We are grateful for their commitment and excited to see them add their personal flair to this year’s campaign.”
Sponsorship opportunities and ticket information will be made available closer to the event. Follow the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation on Facebook for more news on the Foundation and the Gala.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that aims to improve health and wellness in Hopkins County.
For more information on the Foundation, contact Executive Director Kayla Price at 903-438- 4799.
Care Foundation’s 18 th Annual Gala to be held on January 27 at the Hopkins County Regional Civic
Center.
RACA Program Expands Public Fishing, Paddling Access With New Sites
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is increasing public fishing and paddling opportunities in the state thanks to the addition of two leased river access sites through the River Access and Conservation Area (RACA) program. The new sites are located on the Brazos and San Marcos rivers, giving the public more options and flexibility to access these incredible waterways.
The new site on the Brazos River is in Milam County near Calvert and features two access areas downstream of FM 979. The new RACA site on the San Marcos River is at the Scull Road Bridge near Martindale.
“Both rivers are just a short drive away from major urban areas like Houston, San Antonio and Austin,” said John Botros, TPWD river access coordinator. “Historically in Texas, recreation on rivers has been limited by a lack of public access points. These new sites are an important step in expanding the public’s options for safe, legal and high-quality fishing and paddling access on rivers.”
Brazos River site: Area 1 of the TPWD River Access site in Milam County (10794 FM 979) offers a complimentary parking area for TPWD leased access users. Through this access point, visitors can access the Brazos River to paddle and fish. Area 2 (5988 County Road 259) offers a parking area along with access to the Brazos for paddling and/or fishing purposes. However, a landowner-provided shuttle is required to get from the parking lot to the access point.
Access to these site areas is open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset for wade fishing and launching non-motorized boats, canoes or kayaks to paddle or fish on the river. Visitors are asked to call 979-219-4808 prior to arrival to get the necessary gate codes and check site conditions. Shuttle services must be prearranged with the landowner.
This segment of the river offers ample opportunities to cast for largemouth, spotted and white bass while channel catfish, freshwater drum and sunfish are also prevalent. Anglers and paddlers should note that current water levels at these areas are extremely low and these river conditions pose additional challenges.
San Marcos River site: TPWD has established a new parking area 0.16 miles southwest of the Scull Road Bridge access site for leased access users. Access is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset for launching non-motorized boats, canoes or kayaks to paddle and/or fish. Angling opportunities are abundant on this segment of the San Marcos River for largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass and channel catfish.
Visitors are asked to text 512-787-5574 before arrival to acquire the correct gate code and ensure that parking is available. The immediate area around the bridge is for loading and unloading only. Bank fishing and parking at the access site is prohibited.
River Access and Conservation Areas are currently funded by a combination of sources, including donations from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, grant awards from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture – Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, as well as sales of the Texas Rivers Conservation License Plate.
To learn more about the RACA program and meet members of the team, watch Accessing Our Rivers: The RACA Team.
Alba Police Sergeant Arrested
July 18, 2023 – Hopkins County Sheriff Deputies responded to a Disturbance with Weapon call this week. When they arrived at the rural Cumby address, they found David Reed Tipps, age 46, standing in the front yard of his residence. For the safety of deputies, Tipps was directed to walk backwards toward them with his hands on his head. Tipps was handcuffed, mirandized, and informed that he was being detained while an investigation was performed.
At the residence, Deputies spoke with Tipps’ wife. She advised that there were additional assault victims. Tipps allegedly admitted that he had accidently struck the other victims’ vehicle on CR 1149. The spouse also reported that she was assaulted by Tipps.
When deputies contacted the owner of the vehicle, accidently struck by Tipps, they received a different version of the event. They claimed that Tipps’ wife contacted them for a ride, after Tipps began to assault her. The man and woman did drive to the residence, and the spouse was successfully picked up and the three individuals drove away.
A short distance from the residence, still on CR 1149, the man, woman and Tipps’ spouse saw a white Chevy rapidly approaching them. They tried to avoid the vehicle by driving into the ditch. However the approaching vehicle struck their vehicle. Tipps reportedly exited his vehicle brandishing a firearm. Tipps reportedly struck the driver and forced open the drivers side door. With a firearm in hand Tipps said “You’ve got it coming”. Tipps then forced his wife out of the ditched vehicle, back into his pickup then drove away.
No photo has been provided for Tipps. The arrest report shows Tipps to be an Alba, TX police officer. The Alba Police website lists a David Tipps employed as a police officer. Tipps is charged with:
1 22.02(A)(2) AGG ASSLT W/DEADLY WEAPON
1 22.02(A)(2) AGG ASSLT W/DEADLY WEAPON
1 22.02(A)(2) AGG ASSLT W/DEADLY WEAPON
1 22.02(A)(2) AGG ASSLT W/DEADLY WEAPON
1 22.02(B)(1) AGG ASSAULT DATE/FAMILY/HOUSE W/WEAPON
1 22.02(B)(1) AGG ASSAULT DATE/FAMILY/HOUSE W/WEAPON
1 20.04(B) AGG KIDNAPPING W/ DEADLY WEAPON
Around 10AM Tuesday the Hopkins County Sheriff released this statement.
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.
Jay Hodge Chevrolet Orders 15 Meals
July 17, 2023 – Members of the Jay Hodge Chevrolet Team will be well fed on Saturday as General Manager Bill Owens has already placed an order. Proceeds of this event support Meal-A-Day Sulphur Springs and Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center.
You can order ahead of time just like Bill, call 214 604 8005 starting Wednesday.
Mexico Files Diplomatic Complaint Over Gov. Gregg Abbotts New Border Buoy Border Barrier
Mexico’s incoming secretary of foreign affairs, Alicia Bárcena, said Friday that Texas’ deployment of buoys on the Texas-Mexico border to prevent migrants from crossing the Rio Grande are a violation of water treaties between the U.S. and Mexico.
Texas has been installing the buoys over the past week, along with razor wire on the Rio Grande river near Eagle Pass.
Those measures are the latest in Gov. Greg Abbott’s aggressive border security initiative Operation Lone Star, which launched in March 2021. Abbott has also deployed the Texas National Guard, built new sections of border wall and bused more than 20,000 migrants from Texas to big cities led by Democrats.
The new barriers haven’t just ruffled diplomatic feathers. Jessie Fuentes, owner of Epi’s Canoe & Kayak Team, an Eagle Pass-based kayak rental business, has filed a lawsuit against Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The lawsuit alleges the installation of a buoy system had harmed his business and that Abbott did not have the authority to regulate cross-border traffic.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report 07-10-2023 – 07-16-2023
Arrests:
McKenzie, Bobby, 42 years of age, of Austin, was arrested 7-15-2023 on a Wood County Warrant for Failure to Identify Fugitive from Justice.
Morgan, Richard, 40 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 7-13-2023 on a Wood County Warrant for Violation of Bond Conditions.
Adams, Tatum, 23 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 7-10-2023 for Possession of Controlled Substance PG 1/1-B>=1G<4G.
Morseth, Zachary, 26 years of age, of Quitman, was arrested on 7-10-2023 on a TDCJ Parole Warrant and 3 Winnsboro Municipal Court Warrants.
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 133 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 26 citations and 40 warnings during this reporting period.
Enjoy State Park Views Indoors At The Houston Museum Of Natural Science
AUSTIN — Want to appreciate the beauty of Texas State Parks and stay indoors? Visit the The Art of Texas State Parks traveling exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science this summer to stay cool while enjoying the views and vistas found in parks. The exhibit, created in honor of the Centennial Celebration of Texas State Parks, will remain in Houston until October 1.
The exhibit features paintings of more than 30 parks by some of Texas’ finest artists. Along with the traveling exhibit, the project also includes a commemorative book published by Texas A&M Press. Proceeds from book sales and the sale of the artwork through Foltz Fine Art in Houston will be donated to Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) to benefit Texas State Parks.
The project was several years in the making. In anticipation of the 2023 Centennial Celebration of Texas State Parks, TPWF partnered with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University and the Bullock Texas State History Museum to present The Art of Texas State Parks. H-E-B, presenting sponsor for the Texas State Parks Centennial Celebration, provided additional support for the project.
“We hope that in displaying these extraordinary pieces, visitors will be inspired to get out and enjoy and explore the stunning natural landscapes we’re fortunate to have right in our backyards,” said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. “We are grateful for the collaboration that is bringing The Art of Texas State Parks to museums across Texas, spreading the message about these natural treasures that belong to us all.”
The Art of Texas State Parks is intended to increase public awareness of Texas parklands and heighten their popular appeal through the elegant and inspired works of Texas’ best contemporary painters. While the national park system has benefitted from its chroniclers in art, no such artistic record had been undertaken for state parks.
“The Centennial Celebration offers the perfect occasion to create a lasting visual record of Texas State Parks in art and, at the same time, memorialize the past and ongoing development of the distinctive collection of Lone Star parks and natural areas,” said Texas State Parks Director Rodney Franklin.
Participating artists include: Randy Bacon (Abilene); Mary Baxter (Marfa); David Caton (Utopia); Charles Criner (Houston); Margie Crisp (Elgin); Ric Dentinger (San Antonio/Santa Fe NM); Fidencio Duran (Austin); Janet Eager Krueger (Encinal); Joel Edwards (Waco); Malou Flato (Austin); Gordon Fowler (Austin); Pat Gabriel (Fort Worth); David Griffin (Lubbock/ Dallas); Brian Grimm (Fredericksburg); Clemente Guzman (San Antonio); Karl E. Hall (Houston); John Austin Hanna (Fredericksburg); Billy Hassell (Fort Worth); Hailey Herrera (Bryan); Lee Jamison (Huntsville); Denise Mahlke (Whitehouse); Jim Malone (Fort Worth); Talmage Minter (Waco); William Montgomery (Elgin); Kermit Oliver (Waco); Noe Perez (Corpus Christi); Jeri Salter (Hutto); Jim Stoker (San Antonio); Bob Stuth-Wade (Dublin); and Terri Wells (Austin).
The exhibit can be seen at the Houston Museum of Natural Science until October 1. It will then be exhibited at the Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon from Oct. 27 through Feb. 18, 2024. The exhibit will also be displayed later in 2024 in College Station, Albany and Tyler. The commemorative book is available online through several sources, including Texas A&M Press and Amazon.
“It was a real pleasure to see the passion these artists brought to this project, and we’re thrilled these works will be on display at prestigious museums across Texas,” said Andrew Sansom, co-author of the commemorative book, founder of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University and former TPWD executive director. “It is our fervent hope that these works of art will inspire present and future generations of Texans to forever appreciate and protect their parks.”
TPWF has partnered with TPWD to celebrate Texas State Parks all year long. H-E-B donated $1 million to help Texas State Parks engage all Texans in discovering and exploring their parks. For more information on the Centennial Celebration, including special community events at all Texas State Parks, the history of Texas State Parks and how to make a day visit or overnight reservation, visit TexasStateParks.org/100years.
Replant cucumbers NOW!
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
Those who started cucumber plants from seed or bought transplants from various stores have been getting great results. The problem with cucumbers, and similarly tomatoes, is that they have a definite production limit. Most regular cucumbers species such as marketmore, straight8 and numerous others will usually produce under good conditions somewhere 15-25 fruit. After the production limit is reached, you can leave them until frost or immediately remove them.
There are a few exceptions to the production limit. Socrates can produce anywhere from 40 to 100 fruit. These and other beit alpha species produced more than regular species, but their seeds cost a lot more and they will still reach a productive limit. SO, what are we to do?
It’s getting close, but it still not too late to plant some new seeds. The variety is unimportant, because frost will probably kill the plant before production limit is reached. Nevertheless, you’ll have home grown fruit until frost. Also, fruiting occurs faster with summer planted cucumbers.
Many plant cucumbers on the first of May, not realizing that spring weather is not kind to such plants. Mid-summer plants usually germinate faster and have fewer problems with regard to slugs and cucumber beetles, as well as fewer disease problems.
Watering is a little more critical with mid-summer planted cucumbers. Seeds must be watered daily until the plants germinate and produce the first true leaves. Afterwards, 1-2 inches of water a week are needed. Mulching, of course helps keep soil from overheating as well as retaining water. Global warming is coming, and a major factor is soil overheating.
Mixing some compost in with the garden soil before planting seeds will aid in speedy growth. It also reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which, in the long run, do not do your soil any good.
