Saltillo Man Accused Saturday Of Assaulting His Father
A 37-year-old Saltillo man was jailed Saturday night, Oct. 22, 2022, after being accused of assaulting his father, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 5 p.m. Oct. 22, on County Road 3534, to talk to an individual about an assault. Upon arrival they were told a man had been physically assaulted by his son, while they were driving to work together earlier that morning. Just prior to the complaint, they were told the man had been punched in the side near his rib by the son, identified in arrest reports as Terry Wayne Maples III upon returning to their apartment. The son also allegedly threatened additional acts of violence if law enforcement was contacted, including burning down the father’s home. The father left the residence he shares with the son, deputies were told.
Deputies, in arrest reports, noted the older man had a physical injury on his upper lip and a mark on his right side, consistent with the allegations. Additional deputies arrived to assist, then went to Maples’ CR 3534 residence and took the Saltillo man into custody at 6:39 p.m. Oct. 22, 2022.
Maples was transported to the county jail, where he was booked in at 7:34 p.m. Saturday, for family violence assault causing bodily injury. The charge was enhanced to a third-degree felony offense due to a prior assault causing injury to a family member conviction, the deputies alleged in arrest reports.
HCSO Deputies Justin Wilkerson, Zack Steward, and Thomas Patterson; and Sgts. Scott Davis and Richard Greer were credited with the investigation and arrest.
Hopkins County Tax Foreclosure Sales, Tax Resales Can Soon Be Conducted Online
Final Plat Approval For Noah Joy Estates Granted
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday passed a resolution which will allow tax foreclosure sales and tax resales to be conducted online instead of on the courthouse steps in the near future. The Court also rejected a truck bid, approved a final plat for Noah Joy Estates and a letter of engagement for the county’s annual financial audits.
Tax Foreclosure, Resale Policy
On a motion by Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley, which Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker seconded, the Commissioners Court approved a resolution allowing online auctions for tax foreclosure sales, tax resales and adopted rules governing these online auctions.
“This will be interesting. It’s something that’s innovative. Linebarger has spoken with us and actually brought a program for us to watch recently where instead of doing the sales historically on a particular Tuesday out here on the courthouse steps, they would actually be done online. They are experience is that the land, the properties, would bring more money. There’s no doubt,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said, when introducing the topic at Monday’s regular Commissioners Court meeting. “Local folks can still bid, but it will be online.”
“That’s the way we auction off our used equipment now, and it seems to work pretty well,” Barker said,
Newsom pointed out that doing so has generated more money that another type of live, in-person auction typically would bring.
The resolution sites Texas Property Tax Code Sections 34.1(a-1) and 34.05(e), as allowing Commissioners Courts to authorize the online auction of tax foreclosure sales and tax resales and to adopt rules that will become effective 90 days after they are published in the county’s real property records. The resolution cites online auctions as an efficient way to sell properties to individuals and entities who pay taxes, penalties, interest and costs associated with the property, with the money paid going to those legally entitled to it and to insure those amounts are paid in the future.
The resolution also includes “Rules Governing Online Auctions For Tax Foreclosure Sales And Tax Resales.” First, all online tax sales and resales have to comply with the rules as outlined in TPTC Chapter 34 and sold by an online auction service provider.
Online bidding can begin any time but must conclude by 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month or the first Wednesday if the first Tuesday occurs on Jan. 1 or July 4.
To be eligible to bid, the individual must register as a bidder on the online bidding platform, where the bidding and sale will take place and comply with rules and guidelines established by the person charged with conducting the sale and the online auction sale provider. A deposit of 5% or more of the total bid amount for all properties the bidder intends to bid at the auction before they place a bid; the funds have to be verified and added to the bidder’s available account balance before the bidder can participate in the auction. The winning bidder must come up with the remaining balance within 24 hours of the auction closing. Unused deposits can be refunded to the bidder or remain in the bidder’s escrow account.
Failure to pay the balance or complete the purchase within 24 hours will result in a forfeiture bid. Property not paid in full may be auctioned again at a later date.
Online bidders can place bids in increments of $100 of any amount higher than the minimum opening bid, or current higher bid in the auction.. The minimum bid includes an online auction fee of $300 for costs and fees associated with the online auction, included as an expense of the foreclosure sale to be paid by the winning bidder. The $300 will also apply to tax foreclosed properties that have previously been struck off and that may be offered for resale.
Purchasers will receive an ordinary type of Sheriff’s Deed or Tax Resale Deed that is without warranty, expressed or implied, the rules approved with the resolution state. All property sold in a tax foreclosure sale or resale are “as is” without warranty to the highest bidder on a “buyer beware” basis. All completed sales are final.
All property purchased at an online sale may be subject to a statutory right of redemption as set out in Texas Property Tax Code.
The officer conducting the sale may remove properties from the online sale at any time also, the guidelines stipulate.
Truck Bids
The county posted and received two bids for two different trucks from one vendor, Jay Hodge Chevrolet, for a 2022-2023 crew cab 3/4-to work truck for Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook asked the Commissioners Court to reject both bids.
“I spoke to Tanner [Crump, HCSO Chief Deputy] and the sheriff, and we are going to reject these bids and rebid it, because they are interested in the two vehicles. Since we only bid one, we need to change our bid process to two vehicles. These vehicles would be paid for with their forfeiture funds, but we still have to go through the bid process because its government,” Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook reported Monday.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley made a motion, which Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price seconded, to reject both truck bids as recommended. The court unanimously agreed. The county will again post and accept bids for trucks, and from those consider accepting one or more, to be paid for using money from HCSO’s asset forfeiture fund.
Final Plat
The Commissioners Court also approved a final plat for Noah Joy Estates.
County Clerk Tracy Smith reported everything that was required appeared to be in order.
“We have met and I’ve been watching this situation. It looks like it’s all engineered and ready to go. I move that we approve it,” Barker said.
The developer, when seeking preliminary plat approval on May 9, 2022, told the Commissioners Court the development would turn 60 acres into 29 lots, with a site-build modern farmhouse on it.
Most lots as planned are to be 2 acres each, some bigger. The development is to be located along FM 1567 west at County Road 1168 near Greenview, a representative for the developer noted Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. She indicated the developer or the owner would construct and be responsible for maintaining roads within the development.
At the May court meeting, County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley reported the developer has gone above and beyond to meet all terms asked, including agreeing to an engineering study and contact the soil conversation officials for a 100-year study to determine sustainability of water, and whether an elevated tank or dry hydrant will be used.
Noah Joy Estates and Piper Jay Estates, a second project the developer in May sought preliminary plat approval for, would be on 10 acres, which would be divided as well. The two pieces of land, as originally planned the developer said, would result in 38 new homes, to be constructed over the next few years.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker made a motion, which Bartley seconded, to approve the final plat request for Noah Joy Estates. It was then approved by the court.
Audit Agreement
Auditor Aulsbrook’s asked the Commissioners Court to approve a letter of engagement with Rutledge Crain & Company to perform the county’s annual audit for comprehensive financial statements and federal and state single audit for fiscal year 2022.
The firm is scheduled to spend 3-4 weeks beginning going over county finances Nov. 7, 2022. The letter is a required part of the process for the company to do the audit, Aulsbrook explained
The fees quotes have not changed. The cost will not exceed $43,950 for the regular audit, and will be based on how long it takes to complete the audit. If an additional single audit becomes necessary, the cost will not exceed $11,500.
Based on Aulsbrook’s recommendation, Barker made a motion, which Bartley seconded, approving the letter of engagement with Rutledge Crain & Company for their outside auditing services. The court unanimously approved.
Other Items
Bartley made a motion, which Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin seconded, to approve the cooperative agreement with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for the program in Hopkins County. The motion was unanimously approved by the Commissioners Court.
The Commissioners Court also approved a requests by electric utility providers to construct electrical power distribution facilities across county roads.
8th Annual George Dorner 42 Tournament Slated Nov. 5
The 8th Annual George Dorner 42 Tournament is scheduled to be held Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Sulphur Bluff United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Registration for the 42 tourney will begin at 9 a.m. and play will start at 9:30 a.m.
Early registration through today, Oct. 25, 2022, costs $10 per person. Oct. 26-Nov. 5, the cost will be $25 per team. Metal plaques will be awarded to the top three teams.
Pizza, drinks and dessert will be available for donations. Those who do not play are still invited to stop by, eat and cheer on the teams.
Proceeds will go toward the cost of providing Bibles for the Sulphur Bluff graduating Class. Checks should be made payable to Sulphur Bluff Baptist Church, with Bibles in the memo line.
Mail entry fee along with the name and address of the 42 player and his/her partner, as well as the address and a phone number for each, to Jimmy Dale and Jamie Fite, PO Box 31, Sulphur Bluff Texas 75481.
For additional information, call Jimmy Dale and Jamie Fite at 903-335-3068.
Elections On Nov. 8, 2022 Ballots
Nov. 8, 2022 General Election ballots include multiple candidates for district, county and state offices, as well as certified unopposed incumbent candidates and options for voters to manually add certified write-in candidates.
Sulphur Springs ISD
Sulphur Springs ISD has called a bond election, asking district voters to casts ballots either for or against Proposition A:
The issuance of $81,500,000 of bonds by the Sulphur Springs Independent School District for Travis Elementary, Bowie Primary, Barbara Bush Primary, Sulphur Springs Elementary School and Sulphur Springs High School and purchasing school buses and levying the tax in payment thereof.
As explained by SSISD Board of Trustees, Superintendent and Facilities Committee, the $81.5 million bond would require a 1-cent increase to the Sulphur Springs ISD tax rate. This would be on the issuance and sinking (debit service) portion of the tax rate.
Some community members at a Town Hall meeting for the SSISD bond proposal Monday night reported an issue with some ballots for this election earlier in the day. Apparently the school bond election was not on ballots for some voters who reside within SSISD. They were told that issue was corrected upon it being brought to the attention of local election officials Monday morning.
However, SSISD facilities committee members, community members and SSISD trustees encourage SSISD voters to check their ballots before voting to be sure the election is on it. In the event the SSISD bond election it is not on the ballot of voters residing within the school district (or any election that should be on the ballot, but isn’t), those voters should promptly alert their election official as soon as they discover it, prior to officially casting their ballots, so the matter can be addressed.
Saltillo ISD
Saltillo ISD is also holding a school board election. The school district opened filing over the summer for four places on the school board: Place 2, held by Ryan Garmon; Place 4 held by Barry Brewer; Place 6, which is currently open; and Place 7, currently held by Chip Tully. Each seat is for a 4-year term on the school board.
When filing closed on Aug. 22, incumbent Ryan Garmon was unopposed for Place 2 and incumbent Barry Brewer was unopposed for Place 4. Two candidates each had filed for Place 6 and Place 7, which are both on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Voters have the option of selecting either one or none of the candidates per place on the school board.
The two candidates for Place 6 on Saltillo ISD Board of Trustees are Mason Littrell and Josh Redar.
The two candidates for Place 7 on the Saltillo ISD school board are Jason Tully and Phillip Alcorn.
North Hopkins ISD
Voters in North Hopkins ISD will be asked to choose up to three of the four candidates seeking one of the three full-term seats on the school board. Because the election is at-large, the three candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the school board.
Candidates for the full term seat on the North Hopkins ISD Board of Trustees include:
- Charles C. Vaughn
- Sherry Smiddy Clair
- Michael S. James
- Brian A. Lewis.
The ballot also contains one unopposed candidate, Robert. E. McPherson, who is seeking the seat for an unexpired term on the school board. NHISD voters have the option to vote for McPherson for the unexpired seat or to not vote at all for the unexpired seat on the school board.
Miller Grove ISD
Voters within MGISD are asked to cast ballots for up to three candidates for MGISD Board of Trustees.
The district had three individuals turn in their candidate packets by the August filing deadline, seeking three at-large seats on the school board, which would have allowed trustees to cancel the school trustees election with the three seats going to the three candidates — Brandon Darrow, Bret Garrett and Ray Sparks.
However, a fourth individual, Collin Alexander, filed as a write-in candidate for MGISD Board of Trustees Election just under the filing deadline, requiring a trustees election. So, while his name will not appear on the ballot, MGISD voters do have the option of writing in Collin Alexander as their choice to serve as a MGISD school board seat.
The MGISD seats are at-large, so the three candidates getting the most votes in the Nov. 8 election will be elected to a full term on the school board.
Opposed State and District Elections
Voters will have multiple candidates to choose for 14 state and US races, and will even have an option to add write-in candidates, if they so choose, in four elections.
Write-in Candidates
Four state residents and one county school district resident were certified as write-in candidates. That means they met the terms to be on the ballot, but their names do not appear on the ballot. Voters who wish to vote for a write-in candidate must do just that, write their name in the blank on their election ballot.
While any name may be written on a blank line on the ballot, only the certified write-in candidate names will be counted. (In other words, if you write in John Doe or Mickey Mouse, and no one by that name has been certified, that nomination will not be counted for election purposes).
Write-in candidates for state and district offices that may be entered on Nov. 8 ballots include:
- Governor
- Jacqueline Abernathy
- Mark V. Goloby
- Commissioner of General Land Office
- Carrie Evelyn Menger
- State Board of Education, District 12, Member
- Rosiland Davis
- Miller Grove ISD Board of Trustees
- Collin Alexander
Opposed Candidates
State and US elections with opposed candidates include:
Unopposed Candidates
In Hopkins County 9 candidates were unchallenged in their bids for reelection to their district, county and precinct offices.
Among the certified unopposed incumbent candidates for county and precinct offices in Hopkins County (which appear at the end of Hopkins County ballots) are the following:
- County Judge — Robert Newsom
- County Court At Law Judge — Clay Harrison
- District Clerk — Cheryl Fulcher
- County Clerk — Tracy Orr Smith
- County Treasurer — Danny Davis
- County Commissioner Precinct 2 — Greg Anglin
- County Commissioner Precinct 4 — Joe Price
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 — BJ Teer
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 — Brad Cummings
Thus, the above candidates, who are all Republicans, are declared elected and their names will be listed on the General Election ballot after the contested races under the “Unopposed Candidates Declared Elected-County” heading, according to the “Certification of Unopposed County and Precinct Candidates” signed Aug. 29, 2022, by the county election official and posted on the Hopkins County website, www.hopkinscountytx.org
Five people at the state level are also shown as “unopposed candidates declared elected-state.” Those unopposed state candidates on the Nov. ballot are as follows:
- Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 2 — Mary Lou Keel
- State Senator, District No. 1 — Bryan Hughes
- State Representative, District 2 — Bryan Slaton
- 6th Court of Appeals District Chief Justice — Scott E. Stephens
- 6th Court of Appeals District, Place 3 Justice — Charles Van Cleef
All five of the unopposed state candidates which have been “declared elected” for lack of an opponent on the Nov. 8, 2022 ballot are also Republican candidates.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report —Oct. 17-23, 2022
Winnsboro Police Department each week provides a media report with information about department activity. WPD activity for the week Oct. 17-23, 2022, included:
Arrests
- Makenzie Knight, 23 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Oct. 23, 2022, on a Wood County Warrant for Possession of 2 Ounces or Less of Marijuana.
- Scotty Wallis, 33 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Oct. 22, 2022, for Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon.
- Reginald Shaw, 31 years of age, of Quitman, was arrested on Oct. 20, 2022, for on Upshur County Warrant for Driving While Intoxicated.
- Jordan Crist, 29 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Oct. 19, 2022, for Driving While License Invalid with Previous Convictions.
- Brandon Watson, 31 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Oct. 18, 2022, on a Wood County Warrant for Credit Card and Debit Card Abuse.
- Joseph Bearden, 58 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Oct. 18, 2022, for False Report to Police Officer or Law Enforcement Employee.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 118 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 21 citations and 25 warnings during this reporting period.
Camping Is More Than A Tent In The Woods At Cooper Lake State Park
Have you ever been camping? If not, how would you like to get started? Do you know your camping comfort level? Cooper Lake State Park is a perfect place to explore camping since the park has such a wide variety of overnight opportunities! The park contains two unique units perched on the banks of Cooper Lake. The South Sulphur Unit, which is the largest of the two, is located on the south side of the lake, and the Doctors Creek Unit on the north side. Both parks have a wide variety of camping site types available. Just like Goldilocks, you can find something that’s “just right”! From people who wish to stay in their own motorhomes or travel trailers, to those wishing to camp in a tent by the lake, and even to those who don’t own any camping gear at all, Cooper Lake State Park has something “just right” for the night enjoying the great outdoors!
The cabins at the South Sulphur Unit come furnished with beds, kitchen, and a bathroom. Most of them include beautiful lakeside views. The only thing for you to bring is linens and cookware.
For a cozier experience at either side of the park, we have mini cabins. These smaller cabins are one room structures with two bunk beds, mini fridge, microwave, and AC/Heat. Again, no camping equipment is required. Just bring your pillows, sheets, and blankets from your house and you’re ready to go!
The screened shelters are next level in amenities. These shelters help protect you from the rain while still letting you enjoy the view. Bring your air mattress, hammock, or whatever you want to sleep on, and skip the tent for the weekend. So, you have too many people to fit in the shelter? Go ahead and bring the tent and pitch it next to your shelter.
For those wanting to spend the weekend in their motorcoach, RV, or camper van, both park units have water and electric sites with some having lake views. South Sulphur has a camping loop available for equestrian campers right next to over fifteen miles of hiking/equestrian trails. All of our sites except for our cabin area are also available for tent campers who want electricity to help beat the Texas heat or cold. You can park right at your site, unload, and get setup for a weekend at the lake.
For a more primitive experience, the South Sulphur Unit has 15 water-only sites along the lake’s edge. These sites share a parking lot, and you are only a short walk away from your tent home for the weekend. For a group experience, Doctors Creek has a group site for multiple tents that will accommodate up to forty-eight people. This site has amazing lake views!
Once you have decided on your camping comfort level, be sure to make your reservation by visiting TexasStateParks.org or by calling (512)389-8900. Both park units fill up 3 to 4 weeks in advance on weekends most of the year, so reserve your site early. Once you arrive, enjoy your weekend fishing, hiking, swimming, boating, dark sky stargazing, join a ranger led educational program, roasting marshmallows over the campfire, or just enjoy nature resting under a giant post oak. Texas State Parks are great places to relax, recreate, and recharge your soul!
Park entrance fees are $5 for adults, with kids twelve and under always free. Senior Texans 65 and older will only pay $3 to enter the park daily with a Bluebonnet Pass. Unlimited park entrances for you and everyone in a vehicle you are in can be accomplished with the purchase of a Texas State Park Annual Pass for $70. This pass is good for over 12 months from the date of purchase. All programs are free with a valid entrance permit. For more information on this or other events and programs at Cooper Lake State Park, please visit and like our Facebook pages (Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur, 903-945-5256, and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctors Creek, 903-395-3100).
— Submitted by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Benefits Of ‘Overseeding’ Pastures
By Mario Villarino, Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hopkins County, [email protected]
“Overseeding” is the term generally used to refer to broadcast-seeding winter annual forage crops on summer pastures, with or without disking or other tillage. “Sod-seeding” usually refers to planting annual crops into a pasture using a drill. Either or both of these operations may be used to establish winter annuals in warm-season pastures. For convenience, in this publication the term “overseeding” will be used to refer to both of these planting methods.
Over-seeding extends the length of time during which a warm-season pasture can provide forage for grazing animals. Instead of six to eight months of forage production, over-seeding can result in 8 to 10 months of productivity, thus helping reduce the need for expensive stored feed. In addition, pastures over-seeded with winter annuals have less hoof damage by grazing animals compared to winter annuals planted on a prepared seedbed. This can be particularly important during prolonged wet periods or on soils that tend to stay wet during the cooler months of the year.
Winter annual forages can also improve animal nutrition. Ryegrass and other winter annuals produce high quality forage; much higher than produced by warm-season perennial grasses. The timing of this nutritional advantage is also important. Cows have their highest nutritional requirements from two months prior to calving until they are re-bred. In many areas, most cows calve in late winter or early spring and are bred again within three months after calving. The peak production of ryegrass forage is also in early- to mid-spring, which is the time it can greatly affect calf weight, calf health and conception rates of cows.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email [email protected].
Early Voting In Nov. 8 General Election, 4 School Elections Under Way Today
Early voting in the Nov. 8, 2022, General Election and four school elections — 3 trustees and one bond election 3 — got under way Monday morning, Oct. 24, 2022, at The ROC (First Baptist Church’s Recreational Outreach Center). Early voting by personal appearance will continue through Nov. 4.
As of 9:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24, when the first count was posted, a total of 142 Hopkins County residents had cast ballots in the General Election.
That is 34 less voters casting ballots Oct. 24, 2022, than on Oct. 13, 2020, the first day of the 2020 General Election, which concluded with a total of 1,070 county voters (4.25% of registered voters) casting ballots. The 2020 election concluded with a record number of ballots being cast during the early voting period, according to data posted by local Election Officials and Texas Secretary of State’s office. Another 254 ballot-by-mail voters cast ballots on the first day of voting in 2020, increasing the total to 5.31% of registered voters casting ballots on the first day of early voting in 2020.
If the steady stream of voters entering the temporary early voting center at 10:30 a.m. was anything to go by, 2022 could prove be another year of high voting tallies, coming close to the 2020 early voting totals.
Early In-Person Voting
Any registered Texas voter may vote early by personal appearance (in person) at the early voting location in the county of registration.
All in-person early voting in Hopkins County is being conducted in The Game Room inside of The ROC, 115 Putman St. in Sulphur Springs, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, with voting extended four of those days to better accommodate those working during regular business hours. The early voting location will also be open from:
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022;
- noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct 30, 2022;
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022; and
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
Mail Ballots
Voting by mail is NOT available to everyone. The only people who are eligible to vote by mail are individuals who are: 65 years or older, sick or disabled, expected to give birth within 3 weeks of Election Day, out of the country on Election Day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance, confined in jail but otherwise eligible, or civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
The last day the County Clerk is allowed to accept Applications for Ballots By Mail is this Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. Election law specifies that this is the day by which the clerk’s office must have received the application. Getting it postmarked by the day is not enough, it must be in hands of voting officials by Oct. 28, 2022. The County Election Official is Hopkins County Clerk Tracy Smith; applications for ballots by mail should be returned to her at 128 Jefferson St., Suite C, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483. She may be contacted by phone at 903-438-4074, fax at 903-438-4110, or by email at [email protected].
All applications to vote by mail must be received by the early voting clerk before the close of regular business or 12 noon, whichever is later. The deadline to receive ballots mailed within the United States from non-military and military voters who submitted an Application for Ballot by Mail (“ABBM”) is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2022, if the carrier envelope has a postmark showing it was in the mail by 7:00 p.m. Nov 8, 2022. Please note that different deadlines apply to the last day to receive ballots sent by the following: (1) Non-military and military voters who mailed ballots domestically and submitted an ABBM; (2) Non-military and military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and who submitted an ABBM; (3) Non-military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and who submitted a Federal Post card Application (“FPCA”); and (4) Military voters who mailed ballots domestically or from overseas and who submitted a FPCA. Ballots in category (1) must be received by the early voting clerk by 5 PM on Nov 9, 2022. Ballots in categories (2), (3), and (4) must be received by the early voting clerk by Nov 14, 2022. Ballots in categories (1), (2), and (3) must bear a postmark indicating the ballot was mailed by 7 PM on Nov 8, 2022. Ballots in category (4) do not need to have any postmark.
Texas voters who are eligible to vote by mail must provide: (1) a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)-issued Texas Driver License, Personal ID or Election ID Certificate number; OR (2) the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number on both their Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) and mail ballot carrier envelope. As long as one of the ID numbers provided matches what is on the voter’s registration record, the voter’s ABBM and ballot can be accepted.
Acceptable Forms Of Voter ID
In order to vote in Texas, registered voters must provide one of the seven forms of ID:
- A Texas Driver’s License
- A Texas Election ID Certificate
- Texas Personal ID Card
- Texas Handgun License
- US Citizenship Certificate with Photo
- US Military ID Card with Photo
- US Passport in either book or card format
In the event the voter does not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven “acceptable forms of photo ID,” the voter may qualify for a reasonable Impediment Declaration by showing a copy or original one of the the following supporting forms of identification:
- Certified Domestic Birth Certificate or Court Admissible Birth Document;
- Current Utility BIll
- Bank Statement
- Government Check
- Paycheck
- Government document with the voters’ name and an address, including a Voter Registration Certificate.
Voters ages 18-69 may present a photo ID that has been expired for up to four years. For voters age 70 and older, photo ID can be expired for any length of time if otherwise valid.
Election Day Voting
Voting on Election Day will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the following designated voting centers:
- PRECINCT 1 — LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1000 TEXAS STREET, SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX (FRONT FOYER);
- PCT. 2A — H.W. GRAYS BUILDING, 413 BECKHAM STREET, SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX (MEETING ROOM);
- PCT. 3 — HOPKINS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 118 CHURCH STREET, SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS (1ST FLOOR COURTROOM);
- PCT. 3A — PARIS JUNIOR COLLEGE- SULPHUR SPRINGS CAMPUS, 1137 TX-301 LOOP, ROOM 101A, SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX;
- PCT. 4 — HOPKINS COUNTY CIVIC CENTER, 1200 HOUSTON STREET, SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX (WEST HALL)
- PCT. 4A — LEAGUE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1100 SOUTH LEAGUE ST., SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX (FRONT FOYER)
- PCT. 5 — SALTILLO ISD, 150 CR 3534, SALTILLO, TX 75478 (AG LAB)
- PCT. 11 — CUMBY MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 100 EAST MAIN STREET, CUMBY, TX 7543, (CITY MEETING ROOM)
- PCT. 12 — SULPHUR BLUFF ISD, 1027 CR 3550, SULPHUR BLUFF, TX 75481 (FOYER OUTSIDE GYM)
- PCT. 13 — COMO-PICKTON CISD, 13017 TX HWY 11 EAST, COMO, TX 75431 (ART ROOM)
- PCT. 16 — MILLER GROVE ISD, 7819 FM 275 SOUTH, CUMBY, TX 75433 (FOYER OUTSIDE GYM)
- PCT. 17 — NORTH HOPKINS ISD, 1994 FM 71 WESTS, SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX (ADMIN. BUILDING)
Additional Information
Hopkins County voters can find additional information about the Nov. 8, 2022, General Election by selecting the “Voter Information” menu option on the main page of the Hopkins County website, https://www.hopkinscountytx.org/page/hopkins.VoterInfo.
Saltillo XC Has Three Teams Winning 24-1A District Championship
Saltillo XC had themselves a very solid outing in Avery at the 24-1A District Championship. Both the Varsity boys and girls advance to Regionals.
Not only that, but three of the five teams competing in Avery won their respective championships with two more finishing second and third.
Results from the District Cross Country Meet at Avery are as follows:
Varsity Boys:
- 1st- Coy Collins- 17:40
- 2nd- Gunner Tarver- 17:57
- 4th- Luke Ritter- 18:08
- 5th- Tobin Potter- 18:40
- 6th- Adrian Don Juan- 18:47
- 7th- Jacob Sexton- 19:00
- 9th- Cristian Trejo- 19:33
Saltillo varsity boys creamed the competition, finishing with just 18 points, 30 less than second place Sulphur Bluff.
Varsity Girls:
- 11th- Jaylee Miller- 15:25
- 12th- Lani Dean- 15:29
- 14th- Yadhira Alonso- 15:39
- 16th- Kallie Potter- 15:45
- 18th- Jasmine Alonso- 15:58
- 19th- Shelbi Ricketson- 16:04
Lady Lions XC finished third at the District meet, which is the lowest finish for the five Saltillo teams competing in the district championship.
JV Boys:
- 1st- Heston Peeples- 19:44
- 2nd- Rowdy Speir- 19:51
- 3rd- Colton McGill- 20:28
- 4th- Dakoda Womack- 20:35
- 5th- Ethan White- 22:26
- 8th- Ethan Sexton- 23:33
Just like the varsity boys, Saltillo’s JV squad crushed the competition at just 15 points, almost 30 fewer than second-place Sulphur Bluff.
JH Girls:
- 1st-Yissett Moreno- 13:53
- 2nd- Addi Pipkin- 14:11
- 4th- Jaelynn Miller- 14:19
- 9th- Ava Underwood- 15:38
- 10th- Mia Underwood- 15:40
- 11th- Kenzi Pipkin- 15:42
- 13th- Katie Olvera- 16:14
- 14th- Eden Godwin- 16:30
- 16th- Valerie Castro- 20:38
The JH girls of Saltillo beat second-place Sulphur Bluff 24 to 32 in points to win the JH girls district championship.
JH Boys:
- 3rd- Lucas Womack- 12:10
- 9th- Mason Stillwagoner- 13:58
- 10th- Colby Walker- 13:59
- 11th- Grant Speir- 14:34
- 12th- Kevin Moreno- 14:44
Saltillo JH boys with just 41 points finished second, 10 behind first place Avery.
More Than 79,000 Dead on Texas Roads
MORE THAN 79,000 DEAD ON TEXAS ROADS. IT’S TIME TO CARE.
November 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways
Commissioner Ryan video
David Elizalde video
B-roll of Andrea’s car
Mendoza’s cell phone video
Oct. 20, 2022
AUSTIN – The cell phone video from Easter Sunday shows the convertible Chevy Corvette going 110 mph on Dumas Highway in Amarillo.
“Joey! Chill, bro!” is what the passenger, Dyego Mendoza, shouted over the roaring engine. But it was too late. The car flipped and rolled for several hundred feet before it flew across a highway below, slammed into the side of an overpass and slid down the embankment.
In the video just before the horrific crash, David Elizalde’s 17-year-old daughter, Andrea, can be seen sitting on the center console between the two front seats. She was not wearing a seatbelt.
The crash scene along Dumas Highway was gruesome. Andrea’s Corvette was in pieces, scattered everywhere. The only part of the car that remained intact was flattened.
“We pulled up to a car that was unrecognizable,” said Amarillo Firefighter Brenton Goerend. “You couldn’t tell what it was. It was horrible. We couldn’t find the third person, so we started looking underneath the car.”
Mendoza and the driver survived. Andrea died at the scene, making her one of more than 79,000 people who have died on Texas roads since Nov. 7, 2000.
“It’s not OK to drink and drive,” Elizalde said. “It’s not OK as a father to go through the death of your daughter at the hands of people who are drinking and driving.”
The wreckage of Andrea’s car will provide the backdrop for Elizalde who will be a guest speaker during an #EndTheStreakTX press event in Amarillo on Nov. 16.
Background
This Nov. 7, Texas marks 22 years of daily deaths on our roadways with more than 79,000 innocent lives lost to preventable fatal crashes. For the past several years, about 10 people have died every day in crashes across the state.
For the first time in the agency’s history of analyzing fatal crashes, experts spoke with a psychology professor to dig deeper into the driver behavior. In an interview, Dr. Art Markman from the University of Texas, alluded to an erosion of community that can be a cause for an increase in traffic fatalities.
“We have to remind people that they are part of a community,” Markman said. “We have to start considering everyone as part of our community. If we don’t do that, there are going to be all sorts of negative consequences, and those are going to include negative consequences on the road.”
Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan, a champion for road safety and TxDOT’s #EndTheStreakTX campaign, said every Texan must do their part. And while the goal of ending the deadly streak is ambitious, Ryan said, it is far from impossible, but we must start to care about others around us.
“With the knowledge that, since the pandemic, people don’t seem to view others around them as part of a community, and, that they care less about those around them, we are starting to identify the problem,” said Ryan. “If we know there is a problem and we can identify that a big part of the problem is a lack of caring or apathy, then we also know the solution – we must care more about those around us.”
Solutions
Drivers have the power to protect themselves, their passengers and fellow community members because most crashes and fatalities are preventable and caused by things such as speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving. That’s why the approach to reaching zero deaths must be through what TxDOT calls the 3 E’s: engineering, education and enforcement. We all have a responsibility to keep our roads and fellow drivers safe.
TxDOT is asking all Texans to do any or all the following to raise awareness:
Make the best and safest decisions behind the wheel, don’t drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs; always obey traffic laws; always wear your seatbelt.
Post pictures on social media with this downloadable sign displaying the hashtag #EndTheStreakTX.
Share personal stories on social media of loved ones who have been lost in a crash and use the hashtag #EndTheStreakTX.
Follow @txdot social media pages and share the content we post.
Media
Please see the links at the top right of this press release that have the following downloadable, high-resolution interviews and videos that can be used in TV, radio, print and online news stories:
An interview with Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan
An interview with David Elizalde, a father who lost his daughter, Andrea, in a car crash
B-roll of Andrea’s car
Pre-crash cell phone video from Dyego Mendoza, a friend of Andrea who was in the car
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700.
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