Hopkins County To Observe Beef Day This Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022
Downtown Sulphur Springs will smell like a steak house tomorrow, thanks to the efforts of the 30 grilling teams competing for the cash prize and bragging rights during the 2022 NETBIO Cattleman’s Classic and Ribeye Roundup, which kicks off at noon.
The Ribeye Roundup, held the first Saturday in October, typically features 30 cook teams competing, offering their best ribeye steak, with a cash prize going to the top rated team. This year, the event will also feature a Junior Championship Steak Cookoff, with youth divided into two age divisions.
Those able to procure one of the select number of tickets, which had sold out by Monday evening, will get to enjoy the tasty grilled beef, grown by area ranchers as part of the Oct. 1 cook-off.
Even if you didn’t manage to snag tickets for the steak, there’s still plenty to do downtown, including eat in one of the restaurants Saturday evening. In addition to the grilling teams, Celebration Plaza will also be hosting beverage vendors, and educational opportunities throughout the day Oct. 1, 2022.
For instance, The Cattle Trail, scheduled from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday on Celebration Plaza, will feature several informational stations and presentations by local ranchers and agribusiness representatives. Those who complete the trail, adults and children, can receive prizes. According to Extension Agent Mario Villarino, some of the cooking teams also anticipate having small samples available throughout the afternoon for those completing the trail.
In the evening, live entertainment will be provided by Walker Ryder, and winners will be announced. After the meal, Bobby Irwin of Quitman, the 2021 National FFA Talent Contest winner, will provide a concert — free to everyone downtown Saturday evening.
Ultimately, the day serves as a showcase for the beef industry, which has a tremendous impact in Northeast Texas.
Currently, more than 400 beef cows produce more than 32,000 calves with net revenue of more than $38.4 million per year, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom noted in a proclamation issued Friday morning during Hopkins County Commissioners Court. officially declaring Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, as Hopkins County Beef Day.
Newsom said the Commissioners Court is proud to recognize “the men and women dedicated to beef production in Hopkins County.”
The Cattleman’s Classic is put on by NETBIO (North East Texas Beef Improvement Organization), a nonprofit organization comprised of independent cow-calf producers and agribusiness representatives working together to enhance the beef industry and the local economy by improving cattle genetics, management practices, enhanced production, and added value of product.
NETBIO has marketed more than 400,000 preconditioned calves for gross sales of more than $300 million.
Newsom encourages everyone to join in the Beef Day observance Oct. 1, 2022, by helping to recognize “the many men and women who have made the beef industry one of the most important agricultural industries in Northeast Texas.
The judge presented Villarino with a framed copy of the Beef Day proclamation to display.
Pedestrian Struck By Vehicle On FM 71 West
A pedestrian was reported to have been struck by a vehicle on FM 71 west Friday afternoon, Sept. 30, 2022.
Very few details had been released Friday evening. The crash was reported to still be under investigation by Texas Department of Public Safety.
County 911 dispatchers received two emergency calls about the incident. At 3:13 p.m. Friday, a female reported a person had been hit by a car on FM 71 west at the school. Deputies, park officers and a school officer responded. At 3:14 p.m., dispatchers received a second 911 call, also from a female claiming a female had fallen out of a car.
According to officials, a pedestrian was determined to have been struck by an automobile on FM 71 west, in front of the North Hopkins ISD, Friday afternoon, resulting in the pedestrian’s death at 3:15 p.m. Sept. 30, 2022.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer identified the female killed as a 75-year-old woman. Her name is being withheld pending notification of her family.
Officials remained at the crash site until 5:23 p.m. Sept. 30
Sept. 30 Is Statewide Human Trafficking Awareness Sign Day
Is Your Business Among the Commercial Operations Required To Post These Awareness Signs?
Friday, September 30, is Statewide Human Trafficking Sign Day.
All are invited to join Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force in raising awareness, and empower your community, by asking local businesses to post human trafficking awareness signs.
While some businesses are required by law (in Senate Bills 800 and 1831 and House Bills 3721 and 390 passed during the 87th Regular Legislative Session) to post human trafficking awareness signs, any business can do so voluntarily.
Various state agencies have created posters for different types of businesses that are required to post awareness signs. Some of these posters could be used by any business. Commercial businesses are recommended to post signs either near public entrances or in a private areas such as restrooms that are available to their customers or clientele so the sign can be viewed in private.
Hospitals & medical facilities
- Texans Are Not for Sale (general purpose)
- Need Help?
Hotels, motels, etc.
- Commercial Lodging posters
Salons, barbershops, and cosmetology schools
Massage businesses & schools
Bars, liquor stores, restaurants (licensed to sell alcohol)
Sexually oriented businesses
State parks and recreational facilities
Allen Man Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison On Indecency Charges
A 64-year-old Allen, Texas man was sentenced Thursday afternoon to a total of 30 years in prison on two indecency with a child charges, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kevin Lester took Christopher Lee Vail into custody at 4 p.m. Sept. 29, 2022, in the 8th judicial District Courtroom after the man was sentenced to a 20-year commitment in Texas Department of Criminal Justice on an indecency with a child by sexual contact conviction and to a 10-year prison sentence on an indecency with a child by exposure conviction; he was booked into Hopkins County jail on both charges at 5:33 p.m. Sept. 29, 2022, according to arrest reports.
Vail was scheduled to appear in district court at 9 a.m. Sept. 29, 2022, for a trail before the court on a motion to proceed on both charges, according to the court docket.
The charges stemmed from an HCSO investigation into allegations Vail committed indecency with a child. When contacted, Vail reportedly agreed to be interviewed by HCSO Investigator Dennis Findley. Due to information obtained during the interview, Findley filed for arrest warrants. The warrants were executed at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, by HCSO Deputy Chris Baumann at the sheriff’s office.
The 64-year-old Allen man arrested on warrants for both charges on Sept. 24, 2022, indicted during the December 2020 Grand Jury session and remained in custody in Hopkins County until Feb. 22, 2021, in lieu of the $100,000 in bonds set for the charges.
Vail returned to the county jail March 8-May 13, 2021, for bond revocation on both charges.
He was scheduled to appear in district court at 1:30 p.m. April 28, 2022, on a motion to proceed on an indecency with a child by sexual contact.
Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dan Turrentine took Vail into custody at 5:10 p.m. April 28 and escorted him into Hopkins County jail on an order from the 8th Judicial District Court on both indecency with a child charges, according to arrest reports. He was released from jail the next day, according to HCSO jail records.
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.
Hicks Recognized With National Master Volunteer Excellence In Programming Award
The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences meets annually to conduct professional development, networking, and recognition for Extension Agents. The 2022 conference was held in Raleigh, North Carolina September 11-16. Over 750 Extension family and consumer sciences professionals and administrators from across the nation attended the conference.
Johanna Hicks, Extension Agent for family and community health in Hopkins County, attended the conference as a presenter and award recipient. Hicks was named as recipient of the Master Volunteer Excellence in Programming award for the 4-H Grab-and-Go Foods Project kits, spearheaded by the Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers (MWV) in 2021.
Knowing that the usual face-to-face 4-H foods project meeting could not take place in the midst of COVID, Hicks’ team of volunteers suggested providing kits for the youth to complete at home. Each 4-H member who signed up for the project received five separate kits along with everything needed to complete the tasks:
- Set the Table; Read the Label;
- Mix and Measure;
- Gadgets and Gizmos;
- Herbs, and Spices, and Extracts, Oh My!; and
- Crockin’ Kids.
Volunteers researched ideas, recipes, activities, and assisted in preparing and labeling the kits. The goal was to provide a strong 4-H Foods and Nutrition experience during COVID while allowing the Master Wellness Volunteers to use their strengths in planning and preparation. Sixteen youth participated in the project. Results indicated that 100% increased understanding on how to read a nutrition label and increased knowledge in recognizing various kitchen tools as well as how to use them. Ninety-four percent increased knowledge of using herbs, spices, and extracts, and learned to correctly measure dry and liquid ingredients using the appropriate measuring utensils. Ninety-four percent increased understanding of the food groups in MyPlate.
As an award recipient, Hicks was asked to lead a session on the project during the conference. She shared other activities in which the Master Wellness Volunteers are involved, the training they receive, and copies of the Volunteer Connection newsletter which she sends to all trained volunteers 6 to 8 times per year.
During the conference, Hicks received first place honors on the Southern Region and National levels for the Master Volunteer Excellence in Programming Award.
1 Flown To Area Trauma Center Following One-Vehicle Rollover On I-30
At least one person was flown to an area trauma center following a one-vehicle rollover on Interstate 30 just west of Sulphur Springs early Friday morning, Sept. 30, 2022.
According to dispatch reports, authorities were first notified of a major one-vehicle crash on Interstate 30 east near mile marker 119 at 1 a.m. The caller reported the vehicle had rolled over multiple times before resting on its top.
Hopkins County and Cumby firefighters and sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, officials reported the vehicle was on the south I-30 service road at mile marker 120. It appeared the driver lost control while traveling east around mile marker 119, causing the vehicle to roll an estimated five times before stopping on the south service road. The driver was trapped inside the vehicle and had to be cut out by officials. He was reported to have suffered what appeared to be potentially life-threatening injuries, according to sheriff’s reports.
A medical helicopter was requested. A landing zone was established south of the crash. A section of roadway was closed down briefly to give the helicopter and crew plenty of room. The man was flown to an area trauma center. No additional information regarding the man’s condition was available Friday afternoon.
Firefighters remained on scene until 2:29 a.m. and deputies until 2:21 p.m. according to sheriff’s reports.
Last Call For Free Mammography Clinic
Sulphur Springs, Texas – Due to demand, additional appointments have been added to the Free Mammography Clinic hosted by the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation in partnership with CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
A few openings are still available. If you are an uninsured woman over 40 years of age who lives in Hopkins County, you are eligible for a free mammogram through this program.
The staff of the Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center, a part of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, will be welcoming women to the clinic on two Saturdays, October 15 and 29.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a good time to schedule an annual mammogram. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life. Risk of breast cancer increases with age, so mammograms continue to be important, as is early detection.
If you are eligible for a free mammogram, call 903-438-4325 to schedule an appointment. Don’t delay.
McKenzies Donate Painting To Courthouse
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Friday morning offered appreciation to Mickey and Barbara McKenzie for the painting they donated to Hopkins County Courthouse.
Hopkins County Veterans Services Officer Danny Davis explained the painting was created by Josey Butler, who worked from a stage from beginning to end of last year’s Hopkins County Freedom Ball, then auctioned off. The McKenzies purchased the painting, which depicts 13 horses, representing the 13 service members killed by a single detonation of a bomb in Kabul when President Joe Biden ordered withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
“Barbara and Mickey bought the painting. And not only did they buy the painting, they turned around and gave it back to the County Courthouse. We just appreciate so much that they do for us and the meaning of this and what it represents,” Davis said. “We are just so blessed people like you two in our community and we are just so thankful for all you do for us.”
“Thank you so much. We appreciate all y’all do; we really, really do,” Mickey McKenzie said.
“We appreciate it,” Barbara said.
“This couple gives and gives and gives, and they are not in the [news] very much,” County Judge Robert Newsom said, adding that this week they have been noted for the 75th anniversary of the Grocery Supply Co. They are celebrating today downtown Sept. 30, 2022. “You give and give and give and you don’t expect anything from it. We thank you so much for being that kind of people that make Sulphur Springs the great place it is.”
“Thank you, I just wish we could do more,” Mickey McKenzie said.
Davis noted that photos of the painting posted online on social media had circulated enough to reach one of the mothers of the fallen soldiers within 2 hours of being posted. Some duplicates of the painting were made for sale, and some were given to the family members of the fallen soldiers. He expressed appreciation to the McKenzies for purchasing the painting and donating it.
The mostly red and blue painting now hangs on the wall in the Hopkins County Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse, to the right of the entry door nearest the county judge’s office.
Volleyball Hosts Lone Home Match During First Half of District Play Friday
Coach Bailey Dorner and her team are excited for Friday’s match.
Sulphur Springs has their one home game during the first half of district play Friday, Sept. 30 as they host North Lamar.
The Pantherettes come into Friday’s game in the SSHS Main Gym 1-1 in district play.
They fell in five at Pleasant Grove before sweeping Pittsburg Tuesday.
Tuesday had volleyball on the road for the second-straight district game. And just like in Saturday’s road-opener in district play, Sulphur Springs came up big and got the victory.
The Lady Cats won a tight set one 25-21 before winning a similarly close 25-19 set two, getting a big 2-0 set lead. Liberty Eylau, hosting Coach Dorner’s team Tuesday, won their one and only set in the third round, flipping the script at 25-18.
Sulphur Springs then smashed their way to a set four win, 25-13 to win their second straight district road game.
North Lamar comes into this Friday gameday looking to pick up their second straight win after falling in their opener. The Pantherettes also look to pick up their first road district win if they can beat the Lady Cats on their home floor.
It will not be an easy task for the visiting Pantherettes as they take on a Sulphur Springs team that continues to heat up, winning two straight district games on the road and four overall.
The Lady Cats look to stay undefeated in district play when they host the Pantherettes on Friday, Sept. 30 in their lone home contest of the first half of district play.
Friday’s home game with North Lamar begins in the SSHS Main Gym Friday at 4:30 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
10 Jailed On Felony Warrants Sept. 20-29, 2022
At least 10 people have been jailed on felony warrants from Sept. 20-29, 2022, including a man booked in for the second time this week, and a man wanted in the Dallas area on robbery and stolen vehicle charges, according to arrest reports.
Dakota Shane Weir was arrested in the lobby of Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 2:55 p.m. Sept. 28, 2022. He was taken into custody by corrections officer Courtney Steward. He was escorted into the county jail and booked in at 3:15 p.m. on a warrant for violation of probation, which the 33-year-old Sulphur Springs man was on for an Oct. 23, 2021 assault of a family or household member with previous conviction charge, according to jail reports.
Weir remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in lieu of the $250,000 bond set on the charge, according to mail reports.
Wednesday was the second time this week that the Sulphur Springs man has been jailed locally. He was jailed Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, for DWI with a child passenger younger than 15 years of age, a 22-month-old, then released later that day on a $30,000 bond, jail records show.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman responded at 4:16 p.m. Sept. 28, 2022, in the 1100 block of East Industrial Drive to conduct a welfare check. Upon arrival, Hoffman reported finding George Bob Morrone in a Ford Escape. A records check showed the 68-year-old Flower Mound man to have two outstanding warrants.
Once the warrants were confirmed, Morrone was taken into custody and transported to the county jail. The SUV was left parked at the address for the owner to retrieve later Wednesday.
He was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:21 p.m. Sept. 28, on a Tarrant County warrant for unauthorized use of a vehicle and a Dallas County warrant for robbery. He remained in Hopkins County jail until Thursday, Sept. 29. His bonds were set at $20,000 per charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Thomas Patterson contacted Christopher Arlen Ray at 5:05 p.m. at his County Road 3513 residence and took him into custody on a warrant.
The 39-year-old Dike man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28, 2022, on a warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a Sept. 8, 2017 driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under 15 years of age in the vehicle charge, according to arrest and jail reports. He was held in the county jail Thursday on the charge.
Jail records show Wednesday was the third time Ray has been jailed in Hopkins County for violating probation on the DWI with child passenger charge. He was also was jailed on the charge locally from June 17-Sept. 25, 2019 and March 31-May 11, 2020, according to jail reports.
HCSO Deputy Chris Baumann reported stopping James Michael Paul Greer Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, because the high center-mounted brake light on the Ford F150 he was driving didn’t work when he applied the brakes to turn from State Highway 11 east onto FM 1870.
A records check showed the 46-year-old Joaquin, Texas man to be wanted. He was taken into custody at 6 a.m. Tuesday and the truck was released to a passenger. Greer was booked into Hopkins County jail at 6:43 a.m. Sept. 27 on the violation of parole warrant. He was held in the county jail Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, without bond on the charge.
Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division Special Agent Charles Cannon executed an arrest warrant Friday, Sept. 23, 2022 at a State Highway 19 residence. Brian James Lacy was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked in at 2 p.m. Sept. 23, 2022, on the retaliation or obstruction charge, DPS Agent Daniel Kelly alleged in arrest reports.
The 41-year-old Cooper man remained in Hopkins County jail Sept 29, 2022, on the charge. His bond was set at $1 million on the third-degree felony retaliation/obstruction charge, according to jail reports.
HCSO Deputy Steve Huffman took Eric Spencer Marshall into custody at 5 a.m. Sept. 21, 2022, at El Passo County facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Huffman transported Marshall to Hopkins County jail, where the 46-year-old Colorado man was booked in at 7:14 p.m. Sept. 21, 2022, on a warrant for violation of probation on a Nov. 19, 2016 arson charge, according to arrest reports.
Marshall was held in Hopkins County jail without bond on the charge, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, according to jail records.
HCSO Deputy Richard Brantley took Matthew Howard Baldwin into custody at 10:13 a.m. Sept. 21, 2022, in the sheriff’s office lobby, where the 61-year-old man turned himself in on a Morris County warrant to appear in court on a motion to revoke probation on a burglary charge and to serve a commitment after being sentenced to time in a substance abuse felony punishment facility on a June 1, 2022 controlled substance charge.
Baldwin’s bond was set at $75,000 on the Morris County charge; he was held on the other charge Sept. 29, 2022, according to jail reports.
SSPD Officers Robble Acosta and Cameron Robinson contacted Randy Lee Shayne McElroy at 11:58 p.m. at his North Davis Street residence and took him into custody on a warrant. Police transported the 38-year-old Sulphur Springs man to HCSO jail, where he was booked in at 12:02 a.m. Sept. 22, 2022, on a Van Zandt County warrant for failure to appear on an evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge.
McElroy was released from Hopkins County jail later Sept. 22, 2022, on the warrant. Bond was set at $20,000 on the third-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
SSPD Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes received information about the possible location of a wanted felon Sept. 21, 2022, the officer reported.
Upon contact with an occupant at a Carter Street residence, Estes reported seeing a female matching the description of the wanted woman run to a back bedroom. Estes and SSPD Officer Edward Jaime found the woman hiding in a closet in the kitchen area of the home. They took her into custody at 4:30 p.m. on the Hunt County warrant, according to arrest reports.
Stormi Alisa Marie Garcia was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 21, 2022, for bond forfeiture on a hindering apprehension of a known felon charge.
The 28-year-old Sulphur Springs woman remained in Hopkins county jail until Sept. 22, 2022, according to jail reports.
Ernest Lee Martin was taken into custody at 11:05 a.m. Sept. 20, 2022, at Lamar County jail and transported to Hopkins County jail. The 31-year-old Paris, Texas man was booked into HCSO jail at 11:55 p.m. Sept. 20, 2022, on a warrant for credit or debit card abuse. The offense, Jailer Courtney Steward noted in arrest reports, is alleged to have occurred on Jan. 7, 2022, on the warrant, according to arrest reports.
Martin, who is also known by Herold Milien, remained in Hopkins County jail on the felony warrant Sept. 29, 2022. Bond was set at $20,000 on the felony charge, according to HCSO jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
