Meal-A-Day Menu For Dec. 12-16 2022
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 Dec. 12-16, 2022 includes:
- MONDAY, Dec. 12 — Beef Shephard’s Pie, Topped with Mashed Potatoes, Normandy Vegetables and a Roll.
- TUESDAY, Dec. 13 —BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, Baked Beans and Coleslaw.
- WEDNESDAY, Dec. 14 — Tater Tot Casserole, Macaroni & Cheese, and Broccoli.
- THURSDAY, Dec. 15 — Chicken Fried Chicken With Pepper Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll.
- FRIDAY, Dec. 16 — 2 Chili-Cheese Hot Dogs, Chips and Pickles.
Meal-A-Day is a small non-profit business in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The program is supportive, rewarding, and engaging. The goal for the program is to support the approximate 150-160 seniors receiving daily meals that desperately depend on Meal-A-Day.
The program depends on dedicated volunteers to provide this vital service. In a week, Meal-A-Day workers log approximately 80 volunteer hours preparing, cooking, and packaging meals; and approximately 65-80 volunteer hours delivering meals.
The program was fortunate last week to have community members volunteer their time to fill some of the most desperate needs — for Wednesday drivers and a Thursday cook. One is has even committed to serve as a substitute driver too. But, there’s still plenty of volunteer opportunities for individuals looking for a positive way to lend their time and efforts to help others.
“We can still use some substitute cook’s helpers and substitute drivers for any days of the week. It would be soooooo awesome if we could get a specific person for substitute cook’s helper that could fill-in on Monday and another specific person that could fill-in on Tuesdays etc. We do not have a problem if someone only wants to commit to substitute cooking on only one day. They don’t have to be willing to fill in on any day of the week; and the same thing with the substitute drivers. They can request to only fill in on a specific route or on a specific day of the week,” Tina Phillips and Cecile Toenniges, temporary coordinators for the Meal-A-Day program.
Volunteers who donate time from 7 to 8:30 a.m. help assemble and cook casseroles and vegetables, or donate time from 8:30 to 10 a.m. to package meals, cook desserts, and sanitize kitchen are appreciated. Volunteers don’t have to know how to cook – just be able to follow directions. The head cooks know the recipes and can guide volunteers in the steps to help them get the menu items cooked and assembled for the day’s meals.
We usually know a couple of days ahead when we need a substitute, so they don’t usually have to worry about being called the day before. Sometimes, we even know the week before,” said Phillips.
To volunteer, call the Senior Citizens Center at 903-885-1661 and ask for Cecil or Tina, or e-mail Meal-A-Day at [email protected].
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
6 Sentenced In District Court
At least six people were sentenced Dec. 5-7, 2022, in the Eighth Judicial District Court, according to court reports and records.
Sabrina Nicole Floyd on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, was scheduled to appear for a trial before the court on a motion to proceed with an abandoning or endangering of a child-criminal neglect charge. Floyd pled true to violating her probation by smoking marijuana and methamphetamine. During a contested hearing, the defense asked that she be allowed to continue serving her sentence on probation, with a stipulation that she complete an outpatient rehab program. Prosecutors asked that she be ordered to an incarcerated rehab program or a prison sentence. She was sentenced to 12 months in prison on the charge.
The charge stems from a March 19, 2021, incident in which the Como woman was accused of endangering her three young children (ages 3, 6 and 8) by striking a gate so hard it caused significant damage to the pickup she was driving. She reportedly told sheriff’s officers she acted in anger toward her boyfriend, who’d locked the gate to the Main Street residence in Como.
Shaunta Danielle Bell was scheduled at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6, for a trial before court on a motion to proceed with a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Bell pled true to violating her probation by not reporting methamphetamine use. The hearing was contested as well. Her sentence was amended, requiring Bell to complete the rehabilitation program at Morgan’s Mercy Mansion.
Bell was arrested on the original controlled substance charge on Aug. 5, 2020, and indicted on the charge in October of 2020.
Jared Price also was scheduled during the 1:30 p.m. court session Dec. 6, to appear for a trial before the court on a motion to proceed on an unauthorized use of a vehicle charge. Price pled true to violating his deferred probation by contacting a person he was not allowed to contact. Price was adjudicated and sentenced to 1 year in the county jail, a sentence suspended for a period of 2 years on which he was placed on community supervision. He will also be required to do 30 days in the county jail as a condition of the new probation, a term that began that day.
Kendall Ashley Simpson pled guilty Dec. 6, 2022, to a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, as part of a plea agreement. She was then placed on 7 years of deferred probation on the 3rd degree felony offense and assessed a $1,000 fine. Simpson is also required to not only enroll in an outpatient drug rehab program no later than 30 days from the date of the plea, but must complete the program as well.
Joe Dan Whitworth Jr. appeared during the 9 a.m. court session Dec. 7 for a in a trial before court on a motion to revoke his probation on a manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge Whitworth Jr. pled true to violating his probation for using methamphetamine. He asked the judge to consider sentencing him to an outpatient rehab. Prosecutors requested he be be required to serve a prison sentence. Whitworth was adjudicated and sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to prosecutors.
Dalton Shane Dakota Wallace arranged to plead guilty on evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge in the 8th Judicial District Court during the 1:30 p.m. session Dec. 7, 2022. As part of a plea agreement, he was sentenced to 5 years of deferred probation and a $1,000 fine. Wallace was also ordered to complete Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), which is a cognitive rehabilitation program. Per the terms of the agreed upon sentence, Wallace is required to enroll in the MRT program no later than 30 days from the date of the plea.
Wallace was arrested April 4, 2022, after a vehicle chase from Hopkins into Wood County, that concluded when Wallace lost control of the vehicle he was driving, went off the road and struck a tree, officers alleged following the incident.
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.
10 People Jailed On Intoxication Offenses In Hopkins County In 6 Days
Over the past 6 days, 10 people were jailed on intoxication offenses in Hopkins County. Four people were jailed for drunk driving offenses, four for being intoxicated in public, and two on warrants related to intoxication offenses from Dec. 4 to Dec. 9, 2022, according to arrest reports.
CR 1196 Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Drew Fisher and Zack Horne responded at 8:33 p.m. Dec. 6, 2022, to a report of a vehicle crash on County Road 1196 east.
Upon contact with the driver, deputies began to suspect the 41-year-old Quitman resident, who’d been driving the Silverado pickup in question, to possibly be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Deputies conducted a probable cause search of the truck.
After the man handed the deputies a burnt marijuana cigarettes, the sheriff’s officers administered standard field sobriety tests, Michael Lee Watts III was taken into custody at 9:12 p.m. Tuesday. The man agreed to submit to a blood draw, which was taken at the hospital in Sulphur Springs, according to sheriff’s reports.
The Quitman resident was then transported to jail, where a plastic bag with suspected crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.195 gram was found recovered from the man, the deputies alleged in arrest reports. Watts was booked into the county jail Dec. 6, 2022, on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, a third or more DWI charge, and a failure to control speed charge, according to arrest reports.
Warrant Arrest
Rita Roberts Rose was scheduled to appear in the 8th Judicial District Court for a pretrial hearing on a third or more DWI charge at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.
HCSO Deputy Zach Steward was notified to take the 55-year-old into custody. At 2:32 p.m., Steward escorted the Sulphur Springs woman from the courtroom to the county jail, where she was booked in at 3:25 p.m. on the outstanding DWI-third or more offense charge, according to arrest reports.
Prior to that, Rose was more recently arrested on the felony DWI charge following a single-vehicle crash reported on Plano Street at 11:16 p.m. June 17, 2022. Police at that time reported alcohol could be smelled on her breath. They alleged she swayed, was unable to stand on her own and held onto the car for balance. Rose admitted to drinking five glasses of wine. Officers reported seeing an open Corona beer in the car, along with other unopened containers of the same, according to arrest reports. She showed signs of being impaired based on indicators observed during sobriety testing, police alleged in arrest reports. When Rose refused to submit to a blood draw for analysis of blood-alcohol content, a blood search warrant was obtained from District Judge Eddie Northcutt, requiring the blood draw. The sample was taken at the hospital, then Rose was jailed at 3:08 a.m. Saturday, June 18, 2022, on a third or more driving while intoxicated offense, according to arrest reports. She was released later June 18, 2022, on a $10,000 bond on the felony DWI charge, according to jail reports.
2 SH 19 South Arrests
A HCSO deputy reported stopping a southbound Chevrolet Corvette at 8:36 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, on State Highway 19 south of Sulphur Springs for traveling 102 miles per hour. The blue 2022 model stopped at the edge of the road, but appeared to halt slower than usually seen on traffic stops, the deputy noted in arrest reports.
As he contacted the occupants of the car, the deputy detected an alcohol odor emitting from inside. He had the driver step out of the car. He reported alcohol could then be smelled on the 50-year-old Brashear woman, who he noted was unsteady on her feet, and swayed while standing in place. She also admitted to drinking two alcoholic beverages while at dinner, the deputy alleged. The woman failed field sobriety testing, including being unable to recite even a portion of the alphabet backwards. As a result, the driver was taken into custody for driving while intoxicated at 8:50 p.m. Dec. 9, 2022, according to arrest reports.
An alcohol odor also emitted from the passenger of the ‘Vette, a 52-year-old Yantis man, deputies alleged. The man was asked to exit the car. He failed all standard field sobriety tests administered by the sheriff’s officer and was placed into custody at 8:55 p.m. Friday for being intoxication, the sheriff’s officer noted in arrest reports.
Both the driver and passenger from the car were transported to the county jail; the car was impounded. The 50-year-old Brashear woman refused breath testing and refused to sign a refusal statement, so the deputy sought and obtained a blood search warrant requiring a blood draw for analysis of blood-alcohol content. The sample was taken at the hospital, then she was transported back to jail, where she was booked in at 11:09 p.m. for DWI, according to arrest reports. The 52-year-old Yantis man was booked into jail at 11:38 p.m. Dec. 9, 2022, for public intoxication, according to reports.
East Shannon Road Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police officers responded at 11:39 p.m. Dec. 7, 2022, on East Shannon Road, where they reported encountering a man from whom a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage emitted. The man also was reported to have slurred speech when talking to them and bloodshot, glassy eyes.
Determining the 25-year-old to be in a public place, a restaurant, while intoxicated to the degree he was a potential danger to himself and others, police took the Sulphur Springs man into custody at 11:48 p.m., the police officers noted in arrest reports. The man was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked in at 12:33 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, on a public intoxication charge, according to arrest reports.
Mockingbird Lane Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police officers reported stopping a Medina, Texas man at 11:54 p.m. Dec. 7, 2022, on Mockingbird Lane for a violation.
While talking to the driver, the officer noted the 44-year-old to show signs of intoxication. The Medina, Texas man allegedly admitted he’d been drinking. The officer had him step out of the Toyota Tacoma and walk in front of the police vehicle. As he did, the policeman reported the Medina man was unsteady on his feet and detected an alcoholic beverage odor emitting from the man’s breath. The officer claimed multiple clues of intoxication were observed in the man during standard field sobriety tests.
The man was taken into custody and the pickup was impounded. The 44-year-old agreed to provide a blood sample for analysis of potential intoxicants in his system. The blood specimen was taken at Sulphur Springs hospital. The Medina man was then transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked in at 1:52 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, on a Class B misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge, according to arrest reports.
FM 2285 Arrest
At 2:41 a.m. Dec. 8, 2022, Sulphur Springs Police reported contacting a 22-year-old Sulphur Springs man on FM 2285. The officers reported smelling a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage emitting from him. The man also was alleged to have slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.
Determining the man was in a public place, the south boat ramp, and while intoxicated to the point he was a potential danger to himself and others, the 22-year-old was taken into custody at 3:11 a.m. Thursday. He was transported to the county jail and booked in at 3:59 a.m. Dec. 8, 2022, on the Class C misdemeanor public intoxication charge, officers wrote in arrest reports.
Gilmer Street Arrest
A SSPD officer conducted a traffic stop on a Chrysler Pacifica at 8:40 p.m. Dec. 6, 2022, on Gilmer Street. A records check using the driver’s identifying information showed the 26-year-old Quitman resident to be wanted by Wood County authorities. After confirming the warrant is active, police took the woman into custody, according to arrest reports.
The Quitman woman was booked into Hopkins County jail at 9:19 p.m. Tuesday, on the Wood County driving while intoxicated-second offense, release of surety charge. Bond was recommended to be set at $20,000 on the charge.
Helm Lane Arrest
Officers reported contacting a 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man outside of a Helm Lane apartment complex, walking in a public place with an alcoholic beverage in his hand at 3:44 p.m. Dec. 6, 2022. While talking to him, officers detected an alcoholic beverage odor on him, and noted he had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Field sobriety tests were administered, according to police reports.
Officers determined the Sulphur Springs man was intoxicated in a public place (not his residence) and took him into custody at 4:06 p.m. Dec. 6. He was booked into the county jail at 4:54 p.m. Tuesday for public intoxication, according to arrest reports.
I-30 West Arrest
HCSO deputies contacted a 19-year-old Mount Pleasant man on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 136 at 8:03 p.m. Dec. 4, 2022. The teen was alleged to have been consuming alcohol while driving a Chevrolet pickup involved in a single-vehicle crash. The Mount Pleasant teen admitted to the deputy that he had been consuming alcohol, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
The teen was taken into custody at 8:29 p.m. Sunday and the truck was towed from the location. Deputies transported the young man to jail, where he was booked in at 9:05 p.m. on a charge of minor (under 21) driving under the influence, according to arrest reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
Paris District Road Report for December 12, 2022
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Dec. 12, 2022. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
The southbound lanes for SH 91 are closed at the US 75 underpass for crews to complete construction on the new southbound US 75 overpass as well as complete storm drainage work. Motorists traveling southbound on SH 91 will be detoured along the northbound US 75 frontage road to Taylor Street where they will make a left on Taylor Street and another left on the southbound frontage road. The roadway is expected to reopen to traffic on Dec. 23, weather permitting.
The northbound and southbound US 75 frontage road intersections with Center Street have been converted to an all-way stop condition. Traffic on the frontage roads is asked to pay attention to the advanced warning signs and new stop signs, and approach the intersection prepared for a stop there.
Lamar Street and Houston Street under US 75 are closed to through traffic with detour signs in place to guide motorists around these intersections.
Eastbound Lamar Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Center Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to eastbound Lamar Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/5LrCpdOA8OQ
Westbound Houston Street traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Washington Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to westbound Houston Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/7jCatnI3Oq4
These switches will allow crews to reconstruct the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Lamar and Houston Streets. The US 75 northbound frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for northbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the northbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/y_uO0UmpCzk
For southbound US 75 the frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for southbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the southbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/k2EG2W9rFJY
US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on construction of new frontage road lanes.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews construct the new roadway pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a four-lane divided section with turn lanes. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project. The West Cypress Grove Road intersection on the east side of FM 1417 is closed to through traffic to allow crews to work on paving at the intersection. During the closure, traffic wishing to use Cypress Grove Road is asked to use Mimosa Drive and Redbud Trail as a detour route. Mainlane traffic has been switched to the new concrete section between Lamberth Street and SH 56. The Lamberth Street intersection on the west side of FM 1417 is currently closed to through traffic to allow crews to work on paving at the intersection. During the closure, traffic wishing to use Lamberth Street is asked to use Taylor Street and Little Lane as a detour route. The Lamberth Street closure is expected to last three weeks.
Roland Road at the South Branch of Big Mineral Creek is closed to traffic in order for crews to replace the bridge structure and approaches. During the closure, traffic is requested to use either US 377 or County Line Road as a detour.
South Travis Street, Grayson County: in Sherman at Post Oak Creek. Construction is underway for the South Travis Street bridge over Post Oak Creek. During construction, the bridge will be reduced to one lane with traffic signals controlling traffic through the project, while the new bridge is built in phases.
Business US 377B, Grayson County: in Whitesboro from Randy Street to Walnut Street. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to construct sidewalks and curb ramps. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Business US 377B, Grayson County: south of Whitesboro at the railroad underpass near US 377. Watch for lane closures with signals controlling traffic while crews work to upgrade the bridge railing.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Friday morning during the overnight period. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete sections. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
FM 1753, Grayson County: from FM 120 to FM 1897. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and overlay the roadway.
FS 121 (Grayson Parkway), Grayson County: from the Collin County line to FM 121. Construction is ongoing on this new-location roadway which is west of SH 289 approximately four miles. The new roadway will be two lanes with shoulders and will be an extension of the frontage road of the Dallas North Tollway. Local traffic on CR 60 (Marilee Road) and Stiff Chapel Road should expect occasional road work at those intersections, with flaggers present to control traffic. Work on FM 121 at the FS 121 intersection (formerly Scharff Road intersection) is ongoing as crews work to widen the pavement to add turn lanes. Motorists on FM 121 should expect daytime lane closures while crews widen the pavement and install a culvert.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday and Thursday during the nighttime.
US 69, Grayson County: from SH 56 to SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform base repairs on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 120, Grayson County: from US 69 to Carpenter’s Bluff Road. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform base repairs on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 120, Grayson County: in Denison from Spring Valley Drive to US 75. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform concrete repairs on the roadway.
Spur 503, Grayson County: from US 75 to SH 91. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform concrete repairs on the roadway.
US 75, Grayson County: in Sherman from Loy Lake Road to US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform concrete repairs on the roadway.
FM 121, Grayson County: from SH 289 to US 377. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 56, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform spot milling and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 271, Fannin County: from SH 78 to FM 68. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 34, Fannin County: from FM 64 to FM 1550. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as workers build the new SH 34 bridge over the future Lake Ralph Hall as well as the approaches to the bridge.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 100, Fannin County: from US 82 to FM 2216. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 409, Fannin County: from FM 2029 to FM 100. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 2029, Fannin County: from FM 1396 to FM 273. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
FM 1536, Hopkins County: from SH 19 to FM 71. Watch for lane closures and short delays as crews place pavement markings on the roadway.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to Texas-Oklahoma state line. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway.
FM 906, Lamar County: from FM 2648 to CR 47400. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from FM 1497 around the North Loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures, perform bridge maintenance, make crossover closures, and place bonded concrete surfacing.
FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 2675, Delta County: from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
CR 3440, Delta County: at Jennings Creek. Watch for road closure while crews replace the existing bridge.
CR 15100, Lamar County: at a Branch of Cuthand Creek. Be aware that the road is closed while crews replace the existing bridge.
BU 271 (North Main Street), Lamar County: from Santa Fe Street to one-quarter mile north of Stone Avenue. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews install sidewalk.
FM 411, FM 1159, FM 1699, FM 2283, US 82 and US 37, Red River County: Watch for temporary lane closures while crews remove debris from recent storm damage.
FM 1499, FM 906, FM 2820, FM 79, FM 1510, US 271 North, and FM 197, Lamar County: Watch for temporary lane closures while crews remove debris from recent storm damage.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
CR 1032, 1031 and 2132 bridge replacement project, Hunt County. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor has reopened the CR 1032 bridge. The contractor has removed the existing CR 2132 bridge. The proposed drill shafts, abutments and west bridge deck have been constructed. The bridge deck curing is in progress and the contractor is waiting to start the roadway flex base. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 224, Hunt County: The contractor has placed barricades and warning signs along with the detour route. The contractor has poured the abutments and caps. Grading and placing stone rip rap is underway. Beams have been set and the contractor has begun pouring the bridge deck. Please be aware of this construction, detour route and workers in the area.
FM 275, Rains County: from SH 19 to FM 514. The contractor worked on laying profile tracks and RPMs and placing the final SETs on the driveway culverts. The contractor performed hand work on the SH 19 intersection. The contractor is cleaning up the area and working on signage items. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 276, Hunt County: from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass). The contractor will be milling and overlaying the SH 276 and SH 34 intersection from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Dec. 11-12. The contractor plans to place permanent stripe on SH 34 on Dec. 15 during the day. Work has begun on the project sidewalks and signals. Please be aware of lane closures and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
FM 38 & I-30 Bridges: The contractor completed tying in the on-top joint repairs on the east bound side of I-30. They have moved to the west bound side and completed the 1st abutment. The contractor also worked underneath on riprap and vertical repairs. Pending weather conditions, the contractor plans to move back onto I-30 mainlanes to continue pavement joint repairs. The contractor reached FM 38 and installed 42-inch flexible delineators on the mow strip and completed several punch list items.
SH 66, Hunt County: SH 66 at FM 1570, SH 34 at FM 1570. The contractor will continue signal work at SH 66 at FM 1570, and SH 34 at FM 1570. The contractor will be partially removing islands and extending box culverts at SH 34 and FM 1570.
Maintenance crews for both Hunt and Rains County will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads. Hunt County crews swept SH 276 and overlayed US 69. Rains County crews will be addressing potholes at various locations. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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8 SSHS Wildcat Band Members Qualify For Area
Fifteen members of the Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Band made the All-Region Band Friday, including eight whose auditions also qualified them for Area.
Students selected to the All-Region Band following auditions Dec. 9, 2022, in New Boston include Caroline Prickette, Laney Bankston, Mika Petty, Justin Chen, Isaac Stanley, Anthony Small, Levi Caton, Valeria Garcia, Cat Starzyk, Kate Hurley, Hannah Hughes, Aubrey Wiliams, Lucy McKenzie, Lauren Maynard, and Sadie Barnett; and Kami White was named a first alternate. Of those Prickette, Bankston, Petty, Chen, Stanley, Small, Caton and Garcia are also area qualifiers.
Congratulations to these hard working band students on their musical accomplishments.
High School isn’t the only band group playing at area. Middle School students who made the region band at that level will participate in a clinic and concert in Paris Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022.
The SSHS Marching Band is scheduled to be honored at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, by Judge Robert Newsom and the Hopkins County Commissioners Court with a proclamation recognizing them for their fourth place finish at state this season. The presentation will be read at Hopkins County Courthouse.
The SSHS Band also is slated to be honored during the 6 p.m. Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees meeting at the Administration Building.
Band Classes are scheduled to have individual pictures made on Dec. 15-16.
Also on Dec. 16, the SSHS Jazz Band is slated to play at 1 p.m. during the High School staff lunch.
Winter Guard rehearsal will be conducted Dec. 19-20.
Assault Suspect Found Hiding In Attic
Two men, a 24-year-old Sulphur Springs assault suspect was found hiding in the attic and a a 32-year-old Alba man, were each arrested on controlled substance charges Tuesday, according according to police reports.
Kyle Street Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Brandon Mayes and Lt. Mark Estes responded at 5:56 a.m. Dec. 6, 2022, to a Kyle Street address where a disturbance had been reported. Upon arrival, officers reported one individual had visible injuries on the forehead, reported to have been sustained during an assault.
Officers searched the Kyle Street residence, where they found the person alleged to have caused the injuries hiding in the attic. Police took Brandon Jon Stowater into custody at 8:32 a.m. Tuesday on an assault charge, the officers alleged in arrest reports.
While at the residence, officers obtained permission to search the 24-year-old man’s pickup. Mayes and Estes reported finding syringes, a black zipper pouch with suspected meth and heroin inside, as well as a black safe. Stowater reportedly agreed to let police open the safe, but couldn’t find the key to open it.
The safe was taken to the police department, where officers were able to open it. Inside the safe, officers reported finding more suspected meth and heroin. The total weighed of the suspected meth was approximately 5.85 grams and the heroin weighed 1.72 grams, police alleged in arrest reports. Approximately half of a pound of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia were also located in the safe, Estes and Mayes alleged in arrest reports.
Stowater was transported to the hospital to be checked out. After being medically cleared, he was transported to Hopkins County jail. He was booked in at 10;16 a.m. Dec. 6, 2022, on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge and a Class A misdemeanor family violence assault charge, according to arrest reports.
Gilmer Street Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Edward Jaime and Derrick Williams reported stopping a Mitsubishi Eclipse at 1:37 p.m. Dec. 6, 2022, on Gilmer Street for a traffic violation.
During the traffic stop, the officer asked and was denied permission to search the vehicle. So, a police canine was requested to respond at the location. The police dog gave a positive alert for contraband during an open air sniff search around the vehicle. Suspected methamphetamine residue as well as two syringes with suspected meth and heroin were located, Jaime and Williams alleged in arrest reports.
As a result, Joshua Taylor Young was taken into custody at 2:19 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, and transported to the county jail. While on scene, a department issued test-kit was used to test the suspected meth; it tested positive. As a result, the 32-year-old Alba man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 3:19 p.m. Tuesday on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, arrest reports noted.
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.
Christmas In The Park Cancelled
Hopkins County Historical Society at approximately 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, reports Saturday’s rescheduled Christmas in the Park has been cancelled due to forecasted inclement weather.
DSHS Orders Recall For Oysters Harvested Nov. 17-Dec. 7 In Southeastern Galveston Bay Area From
The Texas Department of State Health Services has ordered a recall of all oysters harvested in the TX 1 area of Southeastern Galveston Bay after reports of a few dozen cases of gastrointestinal illness among people who ate oysters from those waters. The recall includes oysters in the shell and shucked oysters harvested in the area from Nov. 17 through Dec. 7.
(A map of Galveston Bay oyster areas is available at by clicking here.)
Consumers who purchased Texas oysters since Nov. 17 should check the packaging to see if they were harvested in TX 1. If the oysters were unpackaged, they should contact the seller to find the source. Restaurants should contact their distributor for information on the source of their oysters. Any oysters from TX 1 should be discarded.
DSHS closed the TX 1 area to harvesting on Dec. 8 after receiving reports from health departments in Southeast Texas and Florida that people who had consumed oysters from the area had gotten sick. Reported symptoms include fever, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, chills and headache. People experiencing any of these symptoms after eating oysters should contact their health care provider and tell them about the exposure to oysters. No hospitalizations have been reported at this time.
DSHS epidemiologists are working with local health departments to investigate cases of illness, and DSHS will test water samples collected in the recall area to determine when it may safely reopen to oyster harvesting. No other species of seafood is affected.
Illinois Man Receives Maximum Sentence On FTA/Bail Jumping Charge
ADA: Defendant’s 3 Ex-Girlfriends From Other States Testified, Alleged Offenses From 5 Other States Presented During Sentencing Hearing
A 54-year-old Illinois man, described by prosecutors as “a guy comparable to the one depicted in Netflix’s special ‘The Tinder Swindler,”’ received the maximum sentence for failure to appear in court on a May 2020 stolen vehicle charge during a hearing held this week in the 8th Judicial District Court.
While the charge may seem like a simple one — the defendant didn’t make a June 9, 2021, court appearance as scheduled — Assistant District Attorney Zach Blackmon said the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office learned soon after they received the initial May 2, 2020 case that factors involving Matthew Roy Person tend to be complicated. The Illinois man has been accused of crimes in six states, including Texas and Illinois.
“Much like something out of a movie or novel, the case involved a guy comparable to the one depicted in Netflix’s special ‘The Tinder Swindler,’” Blackmon noted, adding, “in short, Matthew Person has been conning various corporations and people, mainly women, for decades. His motive is largely unknown and one can only speculate why this man did the things that he did. His actions span across the country, including crimes committed in Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas.”
Person was arrested May 2, 2020, by a state trooper on Interstate 30 for driving a Jeep that Hertz Rental Car had reported stolen out of Dallas Love Field airport. He was indicted in November 2020 for the offense of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, a state jail felony offense.
While Person appeared in court several times asking for new court dates in order to hire an attorney, Person missed his June 9, 2021 court date. Thus, he was indicted for bail jumping and failure to appear (FTA).
“In Texas, an FTA is a third degree felony, and unlike the state jail felony UUMV, the FTA could be enhanced to be punished as a second degree felony because Mr. Person had been to prison in Illinois. He ultimately pled guilty to the FTA and the UUMV was dismissed pursuant to Section 12.45 of the Texas Penal Code. Sentencing was set for December 5, 2022,” Blackmon noted.
While that all seems pretty routine, the ADA said the case was anything but. From the outset of this case in 2020, the DA’s Office began to receive numerous communications from many people who had been involved with Matthew Person.
“This included family members, ex-girlfriends, the husband of Mr. Person’s ex-wife and mother of Mr. Person’s children, a real estate agent of Mr. Person’s, and law enforcement agencies across the country. In short, I learned that Mr. Person is a man who has been stealing jewelry and using the credit cards of the women he dated. He met most of these women online through dating sites like Match.com, Tinder, and Bumble. He would end up stealing from each of these women thousands, and sometimes tens of thousands, of dollars. Seven women told eerily similar stories of the theft, deception, and evil perpetrated upon them by Mr. Person,” the ADA explained.
The DA’s Office learned Person had spent time in an Illinois prison in 2015 “for stealing and pawning his then-girlfriend’s jewelry and using her credit card.” Blackmon said Person’s criminal record also included being caught in Georgia attempting to steal a Jaguar from a dealership in 2021. The airport in Nashville, Tennessee too was working on a stolen car case in which Person was a suspect, Blackmon noted. Person was arrested in South Carolina in 2021 for having yet another stolen vehicle and bench warrants, while Ohio and Illinois each were working cases involving two victims who testified in the FTA sentencing hearing Dec. 5, 2022, in Hopkins County.
“In short, it did not take me long to realize I had a true monster on my caseload. I quickly got to work, which involved gathering evidence from various agencies and speaking to many women and other people who had been victimized by Mr. Person. I made it clear that I would not be making any plea offers to Mr. Person other than pleading guilty to the FTA and going before Judge Northcutt for sentencing. I knew the only proper sentence was the absolute maximum: 20 years imprisonment with a $10,000 fine. The stories these women were telling me had to be heard, and these women deserved the opportunity to confront Mr. Person and hold him accountable. And that’s exactly what they did,” Blackmon reported.
As part of Person’s open plea, 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt was able to consider everything in the State’s file when determining the sentence for Mr. Person. The DA’s file on Person included witness statements from conversations between the DA’s Office and the alleged victims from other states, evidence obtained from the various agencies, and Person’s jail phone call, according to the ADA.
Northcutt heard testimony from the three women, including “tales of jewelry and family heirlooms being pawned, credit cards being abused, and lies upon lies upon lies told to them by Mr. Person,” according to Blackmon.
“Ultimately, we were able to show Judge Northcutt just what kind of individual Mr. Person was: an evil monster. Not only had Mr. Person conned many women, but he had attempted to con the 8th Judicial District,” the ADA reported.
On June 23, 2021, Person was alleged to have produced a photoshopped text message, which Person presented to the court in an attempt to explain his missed court date on June 9, 2021, Blackmon reported. The text was supposed to be from American Airlines, showing his flight from San Antonio to Dallas was canceled.
Blackmon said that explanation had two issues, however. Blackmon described the alleged text as a terrible photoshop job. Also, during his interview for a presentence investigation report (PSI), Person claimed to be living in Ohio when his flight was canceled; in June 2021, however, he claimed to have been in San Antonio, Texas.
Northcutt sentenced Person this week to the maximum sentence, 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, on the failure to appear/bail jumping charge.
“Justice was served in Hopkins County, and this should serve as a message to any criminal that this is no place to commit crime,” Blackmon said.
The ADA credited the conviction and stiff sentence to “the incredible collaborative effort between the victims, out of state agencies, and our office. This case was massive, and so, it was an all hands on deck situation in the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s office. Cindy Caviness, our Executive Assistant, played a vital role organizing and maintaining the ever-growing file. Susan Fisher, our Victim Assistance Coordinator, was alongside me in nearly every interview we conducted with the many, many victims left in Mr. Person’s wake. Robert Stout, our Investigator, did an outstanding job tracking down the files maintained by out of state law enforcement agencies in a short amount of time. The attorneys in our office, especially our elected DA Will Ramsay and First Assistant Matt Harris, provided me with mentorship and encouragement the entire way. And last, but certainly not least, the three women who traveled across the country to relive their nightmare were absolutely indispensable,” Blackmon stated.
Redesigned Texas Temporary Tags Start Going Out Today
Security And Data Enhancements Will Further Reduce Fraudulent Tag Use
AUSTIN, Texas – Texans will start seeing new temporary tags on the road beginning today. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) is introducing a new look for tags that are issued by licensed Texas motor vehicle dealers. This action further supports ongoing efforts that have made a significant impact in preventing the fraudulent production of, access to, and use of temporary tags.
The new tags are more complex and secure than existing tags and include additional data and security features to facilitate law enforcement identification of counterfeit tags and increase the safety of traffic stops.
Features of the New Tag Design
Note: For security purposes, not all features are included or fully described in this list.
- Texas flag watermark.
- Enhanced depiction of tag expiration date, vehicle year and make, and name of issuing dealer.
- Identification of the specific type of tag issued.
- Font selection and size that maximize readability of primary components.
- Active and passive security features identifiable by law enforcement.
- Numerous pieces of embedded data and text, linked to law enforcement databases, that can be created only by internal TxDMV computer systems.
For more information about the new tags and prior actions that have been effective in reducing fraudulent temporary tag activity, visit www.TxDMV.gov/temporarytags.
