Gilreath Arrested on Warrants
July 29, 2023 – Jackson Blaze Gilreath, age 27 of Sulphur Springs, was arrested Friday afternoon at a family members home in Sulphur Springs.
Gilreath, who lists himself as unemployed, was arrested without incident and transported to the Hopkins County Jail. The warrants for Gilreath’s arrest included:
22-3413 1 DRIVING WHILE LICENSE INVALID (MC)
22-3414 1 3070 FAILED TO DRIVE IN A SINGLE LANE
22-3415 1 3319 LEAVING THE SCENE OF ACCIDENT
22-4647 1 1020 THEFT
This is not the first time Gilreath has been in jail.
A Wood County Grand Jury indicted Gilreath in 2023 for felony burglary of a habitation.
On October 14, 2020, Gilreath was arrested in Smith County Texas and charged with:
POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G ( Bond: 25000.00 Surety Bond )
POSS CS PG 3 < 28G ( Bond: 2500.00 Surety Bond )
POSS CS PG 4 <28G ( Bond: 500.00 Surety Bond )
In April of 2022, Gilreath was booked into Hunt County Jail on a POSS MARIJ >4OZ<=5LBS charge.
In July of 2020, Gilreath was arrested and charged with several controlled substance charges. See that story here.
In late 2020, Gilbreath was arrested and charged with multiple controlled substance related charges including manufacture and delivery. His bond on that date set at $60,000. See that story here.
In May of 2022, Gilreath was arrested after a purchase of 2.6 grams of meth involving the Special Crimes Unit. See that story here.
In 2018, Gilreath was sentenced to 4 years in prison after completing a court ordered drug rehab, then violating his parole by purchasing meth twice from the Special Crimes Unite. See that story here.
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.
Texas House District 2 Candidate Forum to be Held September 9, 2023
A Candidate Forum for Texas House District 2 will be held Saturday, September 9th, 2023, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. The event is sponsored by the Hopkins, Hunt, and Van Zandt counties. Hot Dogs will be served at 5:00pm, the Forum is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm. A Straw Poll will be taken.
Dan Froneberger And Three Others To Be Inducted Into ATAT Hall Of Fame
The Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas recognizes and honors nominated agricultural science teachers for their commendable careers with induction into the ATAT Hall of Fame. This Friday, July 28, 2023, in Dallas, four of Sulphur Springs’ finest and most respected agricultural science teachers will be inducted. These include Danny Johnson with 45 years of dedication, John Boles with 35 years, Tom Howell with 29 years, and Dan Froneberger with 25 years. Mr. Boles and Mr. Howell have passed away but their families will be present to witness this prestigious honor.
“As I was working on paperwork to get Mr. Howell, Mr. Boles, and Mr. Johnson nominated, former students, along with my son and daughter, were nominating me. I had no idea,” Mr. Froneberger shook his head, still surprised and honored. Mr. Froneberger was an ag teacher from 1990 to 2002 in Winona, Texas. He lead his ag students of SSISD from 2003 to 2015. During this time, he also taught Ag Structures at A&M Commerce and Welding at Paris Junior College at night. Mr. Froneberger continues to work for SSISD and now serves as the Maintenance Director.
When asked to talk a little about his 25 year career as an ag teacher, Mr. Froneberger mostly boasted of his former students. He explained how they made surgery tables for horses that traveled as far as California, trailers, and hydraulic equipment. He proudly talked about former students’ impressive careers. Some are now fighter pilots, U.S. Army Parachuting Golden Knights, an Army Ranger, eight American Farmers, countless students that went on to be ag teachers, and even some that ended up welding as far as Hawaii and Kuwait. He was able to travel to some amazing places with students throughout his career and grinned when thinking about the exhausting nights that projects kept them sleeping in the shop to complete on time for a show. He finished smiling in remembrance, saying, “It’s a neat career…neat career.”
Sulphur Springs ISD appreciates our past and present ag teachers. If you have never been witness to an ag teacher’s schedule throughout the year, it is difficult to understand the devotion and commitment it takes to hold this title. Congratulations and thank you to the four ATAT Hall of Fame inductees and their families. Thank you to our current ag teachers that go above and beyond each year to instill work ethic, teach trades that can form futures, foster leadership skills, and devote so much time to the students of SSISD.
Friday From The Chamber July 28, 2023
Total Eclipse Sulphur Springs… Are You Ready?!
When April 8, 2024 rolls around, get ready!
Almost weekly, we are messaged, called or visited by people who will be coming to Hopkins County for the total solar eclipse on that date. They are coming from around the country and literally around the world. Our latest message was from Karen Ridgway in the United Kingdom, who said she was coming to Sulphur Springs for the eclipse. “Can’t wait!” she wrote.
The Sulphur Springs school district has been hit up by an RV group that wants to bring 100-150 RVs to town for the eclipse and were looking for a place to park. Hotels and lodgings are being booked daily.
People, this is big.
If you and your business aren’t already thinking about what to do when literally tens of thousands of visitors will be here for that weekend leading up to the Monday eclipse, now is the time to start!
The Chamber is making plans for a weekend market downtown and is looking for sponsors to help us bring a concert to town for the Sunday evening before the eclipse. But, there are plenty of options and opportunities available for all businesses.
If you have an idea or an event, please contact us at the Chamber and we will help promote it on the website TotalEclipseSSTX.com.
It’s not only time to start planning, it’s time to start getting things ready for our visitors.
To that end, the Chamber is sponsoring a Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, Aug. 16, to explain how to get your property ready for a possible rental. AirBnB entrepreneur Callie Bradshaw will be on hand to help explain the process of putting rental property on the website.
The Lunch and Learn will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at a venue to be determined by the number of the participants. Cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non members.
Call us at 903-885-6515 or email us at [email protected] to sign up.
Adult Leadership Applications Due TUESDAY, AUGUST 1ST!
Leadership Sulphur Springs is back on this year, with applications online!
The leadership class is for Hopkins County men and women who want to learn and become more invested in their local community. It’s an intensive nine-month program that immerses the participants in the business and government of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
The tentative dates for this year’s program are attached to the application, which can be accessed at HopkinsChamber.org.
The registration fee is $500 and that covers the cost of the food, drinks, transportation, etc. for the year.
Upcoming Ribbon Cutting…
Date: Friday, August 4th
Time: 12:00PM
Location: Goodwill, 1320 Shannon Road West, Sulphur Springs
Join us as we celebrate the Grand Reopening of Goodwill Industries of Northeast Texas! Their team is ready to welcome the community through the doors of their recently updated location. See you there!
Sponsor Shout-Out!
The 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, presented by Alliance Bank, has been able to keep its costs down because of our generous businesses in the community, and the cost just got even cheaper for some families.
Signature Solar and the Chamber announced last week that children 12 and under will eat free at the festival on Saturday, Oct. 28, due to Signature Solar’s generous sponsorship.
Children will still need tickets, which can be obtained either online or via paper tickets. Online tickets, which are $8 each for everyone 13 years and older, will be available July 1 at HopkinsChamber.org. Paper tickets will be available Aug. 1 at the Chamber and local banks.
City National Bank will be sponsoring the Friday night festivities, Oct. 27, and we will be announcing that line-up soon.
Thanks to all of our sponsors who make the stew festival affordable for families in Hopkins County. Follow the Chamber’s Instagram and Facebook accounts for spotlights on our sponsors and updates on the stew festival.
Stew Cook Registration is NOW OPEN!
Register here: https://www.hopkinschamber.org/stewcooks/
Mark these important dates on your calendar because before you know it, the festivities will be upon us:
August 8 – “Stewcomers” meeting (for anyone interested in learning more about cooking in the competition – no registration required)
September 29 – Stew cook registration deadline
October 6 – Goody bag deadline for sponsors
October 17 – Goody bag pickup and New Cooks meeting
October 27 – Friday Night Appetizer Contest
October 28 – Game Day! The Stew Contest
Now Accepting Stew Market Vendors!
We are now accepting applications for this year’s Stew Market!
Booths are $100 each or $75 for Chamber members.
A few things to keep in mind: we do not allow food vendors or food trucks (other than baked goods and these spaces are fully booked).
Spaces are 10×15, outdoor and located on the south side of Buford Park with no access to power.
This year we have chosen to no longer accept marketing / promotional booths other than our “Market Sponsor.”
For more information or to apply visit: https://www.hopkinschamber.org/stew-market/
Please email [email protected] or call 903-885-6515 with any questions.
Governor Abbott Names Chair, Appoints Three To Texas Board Of Criminal Justice
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Bill Welch, Nate Sprinkle, and Sydney Zuiker to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice for terms set to expire on February 1, 2029. Additionally, he named Eric Nichols as chair. The Board provides confinement, supervision, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the state’s convicted felons.
Bill Welch of Austin is a retired United States Air Force Brigadier General and Austin-area businessman. He has held a variety of senior leadership positions in the security and law enforcement fields and had a long Air Force flying career. He is a founder and past chief executive officer of Apptronik, Inc., an Austin-based advanced robotics company. Additionally, he has held leadership positions in numerous business and civic organizations and has served as an elected member of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and as the board vice president. He received a degree in Criminal Justice from Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Boston University, and a Master of Science in Technology Commercialization from The University of Texas at Austin.
Nate Sprinkle of Richmond is senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Rosenberg. He is a board member of Rosenberg-Richmond Helping Hands, Nevertheless Missions, Scripture Memory Fellowship International, and Paisano Baptist Encampment. Additionally, he is a member and moderator of San Felipe Baptist Association Administrative Team and board president of Fort Bend Chargers Homeschool 6-man football program. He volunteered in pre-release rehabilitation programs in North and South Texas and currently assists and counsels individuals in the Fort Bend County area after release. Sprinkle received a Bachelor of Science in Math and Computer Science from Sul Ross State University and a Master of Mission Science from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Sydney Zuiker of Houston is director of the Safe Community Institute for Crime Stoppers of Houston. She is a board member of Demand Disruption, an advisory board member for University of Houston Bauer College of Business Managing HR Program, and a committee member for Advocates for the Children of Texas, Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition, and 2026 FIFA World Cup Human Rights Stakeholders Bid Committee. Additionally, she was recognized in 2021 as one of Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 honorees for her public safety work in the community. Zuiker received a Bachelor of Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Legal Forensic Psychology from the University of California, Irvine.
Eric Nichols of Austin is a partner at Butler Snow LLP. Previously, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas and as Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice for the Office of Texas Attorney General. He is a past president of the American Inns of Court – Barbara Jordan Inn and has served as chair of the Texas Supreme Court’s Grievance Oversight Committee. Additionally, he is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Texas Bar Foundation, and Austin Bar Foundation. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the State Bar of Texas and is a trustee of The University of Texas Law School Foundation. Nichols received a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law.
Meal A Day And Senior Citizen Center Calendar July 31st-August 4th, 2023
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for the week of July 31st-August 4th, 2023 includes:
MONDAY, July 31 – Stuffed Bell Peppers, Cantaloupe and Bread
TUESDAY, August 1 – Mexican Chicken Spaghetti, Grapes and Bread
WEDNESDAY, August 2 – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus and Bread
THURSDAY, August 3 – Taco Salad, Chips, Salsa and Sour Cream
FRIDAY, August 4 – Hot Dogs (2), Mac & Cheese, and Coleslaw
Rural Texas May Lose Out On Billions In Broadband Infrastructure Funding Due To Federal Regulations
When Texas was awarded $3.3 billion in federal money last month toward expanding broadband infrastructure across the state, government leaders and telecommunication companies celebrated the news.
With over 7 million residents disconnected from the rest of the World Wide Web, Texas’ broadband needs were no secret. With the federal funds, along with $1.5 billion from the state’s wallet, rural and underserved Texas communities finally saw a chance to catch up with technology in the rest of the country.
One month later, as the state prepares to submit a five-year plan to federal agencies on broadband deployment, the finer details of who may qualify for federal money in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program has come into sharper focus.
And rural Texas advocates and owners of smaller telecommunication companies worry the communities they serve will be shut out of the historic investment.
The regulations require each telecommunication company applying for a grant to provide a letter of credit from a major bank that covers at least 25% of the proposed project — essentially putting millions of dollars on the table to apply for a grant it isn’t guaranteed to receive.
The Texas Broadband Development Office has until Aug. 28 to submit its five-year plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for funding.
The Broadband Development Office is hosting public meetings through Aug. 16 throughout the state to get local input on the state’s broadband needs.
Rains County Jury Believed the Children not Jimmy Ardell Harden
Office of the County Attorney
Robert F. Vititow
Rains County, Texas
220 W. QUITMAN SUITE D EMORY, TEXAS 75440
TELEPHONE (903) 473-5000 * TELECOPIER (903) 4743-5085
PRESS RELEASE
JULY 25, 2023
A jury was selected on Monday, July 17, 2023, in the Eighth Judicial District Court of Rains County in Cause Nos. 6260, 6261, 6453, 6454, 6455, and 6456, entitled The State of Texas v. Jimmy Ardell Harden. Harden, a local citizen of Rains County was charged with the felony offenses of Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon, Assault Family or House Member Impede Breath/Circulation, Continuous Violence Against the Family, and three cases of Injury to a Child (causing bodily injury).
The offenses occurred over an extended period of time; the offenses charged covered a period ranging from March 2013 to July 2021. The defendant was 49 years old at the time of the trial and the victims were 17 and 19. Kent Starr of McKinney represented the defendant.
Rains County Attorney Robert Vititow began presenting the evidence Monday afternoon after the jury was selected. The State and the defense closed their cases Wednesday afternoon, and after hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on five of the six cases and a not guilty verdict in one of the Injury to a Child cases.
The punishment phase began Thursday morning. For the felony offenses of, Continuous Violence Against the Family, Assault Family or House Member Impede Breath/Circulation and the three cases of Injury to a Child with Intent of Bodily Injury the defendant faced a range of punishment of 2 years to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine on each case. For the felony offense of Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon, the defendant faced a range of punishment of 2 years to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The defendant elected to have the jury assess his punishment.
The jury determined the punishment in these cases as five years in prison for Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon, two years in prison for Assault Family or House Member Impede Breath/Circulation, ten years in prison for Continuous Violence Against the Family, two years in prison for the remaining two Injury to a Child with Intent Bodily Injury cases. The jury also assessed a $2,000 fine on each of the cases.
Although the defendant denied all the allegations the jury was convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did cause injury to his children by placing their hands on hot coals or embers as punishment for buying a book at the school book fair. In another instance, the defendant chased his son because he did not paint boards properly and impeded his airway by placing his arm across his son’s throat, slammed his face into the ground several times and repeatedly hit him in the head with a metal pipe. From the period of February 2021 to July 2021, the defendant continuously slapped his children, pulled their hair out, threw tools at them, hit them over the back with a large stick and impeded their airways.
The jury believed the children and found the defendant not credible. Although a man weighing in excess of 200 pounds, he said he pulled out his daughter’s hair out in “self-defense”, even though she only weighed 90 pounds. This instance occurred when the defendant was choking his son and the daughter tried to remove the defendant’s hand when her brother began gasping for air.
Vititow commended the court personnel and the citizens of Rains County who served as jurists for the excellent job they did. The jury obviously took their job very seriously. Law enforcement is a joint effort which includes the officers, the prosecutor’s staff, all of the court personnel and the citizens of Rains County who served as the jurists.
Rains County Attorney, Robert Vititow
Bass In Jail on Wood County Warrants; Attempted to Evade Arrest
July 27, 2023 – A Winnsboro, Tx resident led Hopkins County Deputies on a chase that started south of Pickton.
Deputies were out late at night Wednesday in an attempt to serve a Wood County warrant on 36 year-old DONNY GEORGE BASS. Deputies recognized Bass driving a car on FM 269. The vehicle he was driving showed a Garland TX registration address. Deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop the vehicle, suspecting that Bass was indeed driving the car.
Bass did not stop. He traveled several county roads and led deputies into Wood County. Speeds over 120 mph were obtained. In desperation, Bass eventually drove his Nissan Sentra into a farm pond.
When directed to ‘swim’ to deputies he finally complied. Bass was then arrested without further incident. His Nissan was impounded.
Bass in charged with:
23-07-34 1 38.04(B)(2)(A) EVADING ARREST DET W/VEH
24903-2022 1 VIOLATION OF BOND CONDITION POSS CS PG 1>=1G<4G (Wood Co)
23-009957 1 38.04(B)(2)(A) EVADING ARREST DET W/VEH
23-07-35 1 46.04(E) UNL POSS FIREARM BY FELON
This is not the first time Bass has been in jail. In April of 2022, we has arrested and charged with:
POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G ( Bond: $50,000 Surety 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.
Texas House And Senate Reach A Deal On How To Cut Property Taxes
After a long standoff among Texas’ top Republicans, state GOP lawmakers struck a deal on how to cut Texans’ property taxes.
The $18 billion compromise between the Texas House and Senate — which includes more than $5 billion approved for property tax relief in 2019 — would lower taxes for the state’s 5.7 million homeowners and add a temporary cap on appraisal increases for some non-homesteaded properties.
It would also cut franchise taxes for small businesses and send billions of dollars to school districts so they can cut their taxes across the board. However, none of that money will go toward additional public education funding, according to legislation filed by state budget leaders.
The proposal must clear both chambers before it heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Abbott said he looks forward to approving it. Then voters must pass the plan in a constitutional election in November. If voters approve the deal, the cuts would start with the 2023 tax year.
The legislation, expected to be passed this week, allocates about $12.6 billion to reduce the school property tax rate by 10.7 cents per $100 valuation for homeowners and business properties. It also includes an increase to the state’s homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 at an estimated cost of $5.3 billion, and some extra relief for seniors and property owners with disabilities, averaging an extra $170 per year.
The Senate bill’s author, state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said the deal would save the average homeowner about 41.5% on property taxes each year, or an average of about $1,300 per year.
Another part of the plan, which in a way revives a contentious idea the House had previously proposed, would institute a three-year, 20% cap on appraisal increases for commercial and non-homesteaded properties valued at $5 million or below — a number that could be adjusted by the comptroller with inflation each year.
An earlier proposal sought by the House to put a tighter cap on how much taxable property values can rise each year — also known as an appraisal cap — was left out of the final deal.
Currently in Texas, those appraisals can only increase by 10% each year. That benefit only applies to people who own the homes they live in. The House proposal would have narrowed that cap to 5% and extended it to include businesses and other non-homestead properties, an idea that drew harsh criticism from tax-policy advocates on both ends of the political spectrum.
Absent from either chamber’s previous proposals was any targeted tax relief for the state’s 3.7 million renter households. House Democrats last week unveiled their own tax-cut package that would give tenants a cash refund equaling up to 10% of the rent they paid the previous year.
