Road Improvements Planned For CR 4760 This Week
Improvements are planned on County Road 4760 this week. While that will be a temporary inconvenience for residents and motorists who travel the not quite 4 1/2 mile-stretch of road regularly, in the long run, it should mean better travel conditions.
According to Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price, road stabilization and chip sealing are among the long term goals for that and other county roads.
Crews began work on Tuesday, and will continue to work today, with one lane open for traffic. However, beginning Thursday and continuing Friday, the section of road being worked on will be closed to traffic as the work encompasses the width of the CR 4760. Once the machine begins spreading,the work must progress continuously for the best quality road. Price said those who do live on that stretch can call ahead to see if the workers are at a point they can stop to allow them to come in from one direction or the other.
The work will span along CR 4760 from State Highway 19 to Crounty Road 4759, with the section receiving improvements closed temporarily over the next two days. Price apolgizes for the inconvenience, but asks for CR 4760 and motorists’ patience while the road improvements are under way the next couple of days. Those traveling the road should plan a different route of travel other the section of roadway closed for work.
Recognizing Dedicated Volunteers
Volunteers Needed Wednesday, Thursday to cook for Meal-A-Day; Fill-In Drivers, Program Coordinator Needed
A special breakfast was hosted recently recognizing the dedicated volunteers who staff Sulphur Springs’ Meal-A-Day program.
Approximately 45 volunteers who serve as program cooks and delivery drivers enjoyed fellowship and pancakes, syrup, biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, and fruit on Saturday at the banquet.
Represenatitves from at least five local health agencies volunteered their time Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, to serve as cooks for the breakfast appreciation event. They included Mike Patterson, Visiting Angels; Stacey Wetzel, Mays Home Health; Charlotte Baxter, Carriage House Manor; Angela Chupp, Thad Gregory and Edward Henk, BT Medical; Tim Walsworth, Summit Hospice; and “everyone’s friend, Linda Mobley.”
On any given week, volunteers donate approximately 145 hours to prepare, package, and deliver the meals prepared Monday-Friday to local seniors who depend on th Meal-A-Day Program.
Approximately 120 meals each day are delivered by Meal-A-Day volunteer drivers to seniors on five separate routes in Sulphur Springs and one route covering the Como-Pickton area stretching from State Highway 11 north to Interstate 30. The remaining 30-40 meals are available for reservation and pick-up at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center for those seniors who have transportation. Seniors currently pay only $2 per meal.
Each day of the work week has a separate cooking team and individual or pair of drivers for each route. Each day Meal-A-Day needs four to five cooks (20-25 volunteers a week) including one head cook and six route drivers (30-plus volunteers a week). Some routes are covered by 1 driver and some by a pair of drivers.
“Meal-A-Day needs additional volunteers to continue this vital service. Currently, some of our volunteers are working multiple days a week to ensure each day has a full cooking team and all six routes have drivers,” said Tina Phillips, one two volunteers sharing temporarily supervising duties for the Meal-A-Day until a new volunteer manager can be found and trained. “Your help is needed to continue serving our seniors and relieve some of our current volunteers doing double duty.”
Meal-A-Day most urgently needs two volunteers to donate their time on either Wednesday or Thursday as full-time members of the cooking teams. Meal prep takes 3 to 3 ½ hours a day. Volunteer cooks work from 7 a.m. until approximately 10 or 10:30 a.m. on their desginated days. Fill-in cook openings are also available for every day of the work week.
“There are times full-time cooks need a day off due to appointments or sickness. It would be great to have some fill-in cooks that can step in when full-time cooks need the day off,” Phillips said. “If you would like to help cook next Wednesday or Thursday, but can’t commit to every Wednesday or Thursday, please call the Senior Citizens Center at 903-885-1661. We would be glad to have you next week or in two weeks to help out until the full-time cook opening is filled. If you can only help cook on the second and fourth Wednesdays of a month, please call to volunteer for those weeks. There just might be someone else who can only volunteer to cook on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.”
And, while it the volunteer position is for “cook,” the person donating time does not need ot know a lot about cooking.
“You just need to be able to follow directions. The head cook on each day knows the daily processes and the menus and will help with the recipes, knows what order the menu items are prepared and knows the daily clean-up and sanitizing routines,” Phillips said.
Fill-in and substitute route drivers are also useful, as they are contacted when a scheduled route driver needs to be off for appointments or sickness. Route delivery starts around 9:30 or 10 a.m. and delivery takes until about 11:30 or noon depending on the route being delivered.
Meal-A-Day is also interested in finding someone with a heart for seniors to manage the program.
“We estimate it will take someone approximately 4 hours a day to organize and oversee the cooks, drivers, menus, food ordering, billing, posting payments, and a few other administrative items,” Phillips said.
All interested in volunteering to be the Meal-A-Day manager are asked to mail a letter to Meal-A-Day Board of Directors, 150 Martin Luther King Dr., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482, explaining their qualifications for the position and why they are interested in volunteering to manage the program. Phillips said the position could even consist of two dedicated friends who split the volunteer duties; just send letters to the MAD Board of Directors.
“Please come be a part of Meal-A-Day! It is a rewarding experience. You meet a lot of nice volunteers who love helping our community seniors. Come help us continue to bless our seniors with meals,” Phillips urges.
Volleyball Continues Three Game Home-Stand Friday
Lady Cats volleyball did not have the return home that they were hoping for, falling in three straight sets, losing to Texas High on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
“I feel like we played better than what the scoreboard showed,” Coach Bailey Dorner said Tuesday following the loss.
Sulphur Springs had the lead late in set one, 21-17, only to be outscored down the stretch 8-3 allowing the Lady Tigers to steal the set.
Lady Cats volleyball struggled to rebound from the lost momentum, falling in the next two sets 25-19 and 25-16 to fall at home to Texas High.
Sulphur Springs at times in sets two and three stringed together some runs that saw them recapture a bit of momentum, only to see a talented Lady Tigers team take it right back.
Coach Dorner loved what she saw from her players, improving in areas that they had worked on in practice, but one thing her volleyball team must get better at is “mental toughness, just being able to overcome some adversity… I think when that clicks we’ll be unstoppable.”
The loss on Tuesday to former district rival Texas High drops Lady Cat volleyball’s season record to 11-11.
It is the first time all season Sulphur Springs has dropped to .500.
Coach Dorner and her team continue their three game home-stand Friday with another non-district match-up, this time against Redwater.
That game begins at 4:30 P.M. on Friday, Sept. 9 in the SSHS Main Gym.
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.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of False Report To Peace Officer Following Rollover Crash Into Pole
A 24-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused of making a false report to a peace officer, following a rollover crash into a utility pole early Tuesday morning, acccording to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police officers reported the man was the listed driver of a gray Chevrolet Colorado involved in a rollover crash around 1:45 a.m. Sept. 6, 2022, in on Pampa Street. He man allegedly left the crash site, after attempting to get a ride from a passing motorist. He allegedly told the motorist he would just reported the truck as stolen, SSPD alleged in arrest reports.
A short time later, the man allegedly had his wife call the police department to report the truck as stolen. When police spoke to the man, however, he maintained he had been home all night, even though he matched the description given by the witness. His spouse also reportedly confirmed he had just arrived home and told her to call police and report the truck stolen, the officers noted in arrest reports.
The man is accused in arrest reports of making a false report to a peace officer by making “deceiving statements” to officers investigating the crash. He also allegedly left the crash site without providing information after striking a power pole, and was found to be wanted on a warrant for failure to drive in a single lane. As a result, police took the 24-year-old man into custody at his Industrial Drive residence at 2:15 a.m. Sept. 6, 2022, and transported him to jail, police noted in arrest reports.
The man was reported to behave belligerently and to be uncooperatively toward officers and jail staff upon arrival the jail early Tuesday morning.
The Sulphur Springs man was booked into the county jail at 3:48 a.m. Tuesday, on the Class C misdemeanor traffic warrant, as well as two new Class B misdemeanor charges for duty on striking an object and false report to peace officer. The 24-year-old was released from Hopkins County jail later Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, on $1,000 bond each on the two Class B charges, according to jail records. The fee owed on the traffic charge, according to arrest reports, was $195.
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.
Stolen Mustang Used In High Speed Chase Around Sulphur Springs
A stolen Mustang Shelby GT was reportedly used in a high speed chase around Sulphur Springs Monday night. The driver, a 29-year-old Atlanta, Texas man, also was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson reported first seeing the black car traveling at a high rate of speed on Interstate 30 west at 10:56 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. The deputy said as he sped up to attempt to catch up to the 2007 Mustang, the Shelby GT was driven off I-30 at exit 125.
The deputy temporarily lost sight of the speeding coupe, but headed back eastbound on I-30, enabling him to spot the car traveling east on East Shannon Road near Helm Lane. The Mustang turned north onto Loop 301 bridge, failing to signal as it did so, and nearly spinning out as it accelerated. The deputy hit the emergency lights on his patrol vehicle. Instead of stopping as indicated by the emergency lights and stop sign, Wilkerson alleged in arrest reports, the driver accelerated at a high rate of speed through the Loop 301-Jefferson Street intersection, Wilkerson reported.
Wilkerson reported turning on his emergency siren and pursued the Mustang as it continued at speeds in excess of 100 mph on Loop 301 until the car reached State Highway 19. The Shelby continued through the intersection without stopping, spinning out before stopping, Wilkerson noted in arrest reports.
As Wilkerson pulled his vehicle up to the Ford, the car then reportedly began traveling south on Hillcrest Drive at rates of speed over 120 mph. HCSO Deputies Joshua Davis and Thomas Patterson were able to enter the pursuit just south of Sulphur Springs Airport. The pursuit continued south to the State Highway 11 west-Hillcrest Drive intersection, where the black car turned west onto SH 11 west, spinning out a second time as it did. The car rested facing law enforcement patrol vehicles that had pulled up to it. Wilkerson alleged in arrest reports.
Deputies, including Michael Chang, and Sulphur Springs Police officers, who’d arrived to assist upon hearing the pursuit being called, ordered the driver to exit the Mustang Shelby. When he didn’t they removed him for the vehicle, put him on the ground and secured him into handcuffs, then placed him into custody at 11:01 p.m. Sept. 5, 2022, Wilkerson noted in arrest reports.
A records check by dispatchers showed the Mustang had been reported to the police department in Atlanta, Texas as stolen. A pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine which contained residue, as well as a bag containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be meth were located in the vehicle prior to it being impounded, Wilkerson alleged in arrest reports. The contraband was taken as evidence.
EMS arrived to evaluate the 29-year-old Atlanta, Texas man who’d been driving the Mustang. When EMS cleared him medically, Tyrae Taymond “Ty” Jacobs was transported at 12:20 a.m. Sept. 6, 2022, to the county jail, where he was booked in at 1:01 a.m. Tuesday for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The crystal-like substance weighed 1.137 grams, including packaging, and field-tested positive for meth, resulting in Jacobs also being charged with possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, Wilkerson wrote in arrest reports.
Jacobs remained in Hopkins County jail later Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. Bonds on the charges totaled $175,000 — $100,000 on the evading arrest charge, $50,000 on the controlled substance charge and $25,000 on the stolen Mustang Shelby charge, according to jail reports.
A records check, Wilkerson wrote in arrest reports, also showed Jacobs to have recently been released from custody on bond in Cass County for “similar criminal offenses,” including evading arrest or detention with vehicle and possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
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.
$439 Million Multistate Settlement Reached With JUUL Labs; Texas To Recover $42.8 Million
AUSTIN – Attorney General Paxton has secured a $438.5 million agreement in principle between JUUL Labs and 34 states and territories, resolving a two-year bipartisan investigation into the e-cigarette manufacturer’s marketing and sales practices. The investigation, initially launched in 2020 by Attorney General Paxton, was led by his office, along with the Attorneys General of Connecticut and Oregon.
Of the $438.5 million, Texas will receive $42.8 million. The settlement will also force JUUL to comply with a series of strict injunctive terms severely limiting their marketing and sales practices.
“When I launched this investigation over two years ago, my goal was to make sure JUUL was held liable for any wrongdoing done in the past and ensure that they change direction to fully comply with the law going forward. This settlement helps accomplish both of those priorities,” said Attorney General Paxton. “My commitment to protecting consumers from deceptive business practices is unwavering, and any company that misleads Texans, especially our youth, will be held accountable for their actions.”
The multistate investigation revealed that JUUL became a dominant player in the vaping industry by willfully engaging in an advertising campaign that appealed to youth, even though its e-cigarettes are both illegal for them to purchase and unhealthy for youth to use. The investigation found that JUUL relentlessly marketed to underage users with launch parties, advertisements using young models, social media posts, and free samples. With a technology-focused, sleek design that could easily be concealed, JUUL sold its products in flavors known to be attractive to underage users. JUUL also manipulated the chemical composition of its product to make the vapor less harsh on the throats of young and inexperienced users. To preserve its underage customer base, JUUL relied on age verification techniques that it knew were ineffective.
The investigation further revealed that JUUL’s early packaging was misleading because it did not clearly disclose that the product contained nicotine and, further, implied that its products contained a lower concentration of nicotine. Consumers were similarly misled into believing that consuming one JUUL e-liquid pod was the equivalent of smoking one pack of combustible cigarettes, and that the product was a smoking cessation device despite the absence of FDA approval to make such claims.
The states are in the process of finalizing and executing the settlement documents. The $438.5 million would be paid out over a period of six to ten years, with the amounts paid increasing the longer the company takes to make the payments. If JUUL chooses to extend the payment period up to ten years, the final settlement would reach $476.6 million.
The agreement also includes strong marketing, sales and distribution restrictions, including restrictions on marketing to persons under age 35, limits on in-store displays and access, online sales limits, retail sales limits, age verification requirements on all sales, and a retail compliance check protocol.
The following states and territories are joining Texas in the settlement: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Proposed Tax Rate, Budget, Rates For City Services On Sept. 6 Council Agenda
Proposed tax rate, budget, rates for city services and personnel policy for the City of Sulphur Springs; and the EDC budget and plan of work are among the items on Tuesday evening’s regular City Council agenda.
After budget work sessions with the City Council over the past few months, city officials anticipate presenting during the 7 p.m. Sulphur Springs City Council for council consideration a proposed budget, tax rate, and rates for sewer, water and sanitation services. Longevity and certificate pay, and insurance too are factors to be discussed at the 7 p.m. meeting tonight (Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022) in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The overall proposed budget is projected to be balanced, and include a 9% cost of living adjustment for city employees. That’s almost as high as the price of inflation which had peaked at 9.3% in May on the consumer price index, but ahead of the CPI average of 8.08% from October 2021 to March 2022.
Sales tax largely mimics CPI, but that only applies to the general fund. Utility, airport and tourism fund revenues only increase when fees increase and/or volume increases, Assistant City Manager/City Finance Director Lesa Smith explained during one August budget work session. A COLA increase of just 1% per fund would add $96,739 to the overall budget. Increased sales tax revenue in the general fund and lower debt payments in both general and enterprise funds make the 9% increase and $10 longevity pay possible. Anything over that, however, would require increased utility rates and increased airport fees.
While Capital Improvement Plan is adopted on a pay-as-you-go budget, the city’s cost to provide water to users increased 9.8%. As proposed, all event and promotion activity will be moved to the tourism department, where previously the functions were managed between downtown and tourism.
The proposed tax rate, using the required state formula, is $0.44 per $100 property valuation. While above the no-new-revenue tax rate of $0.38333 per $100 and voter-approval rate of $.43204, it’s still below the de minimis rate of $0.46003 per $100. The de minimis rate is the rate equal to the sum of the no-new-revenue maintenance and operations rate for the City of Sulphur Springs, the rate that will raise $500,000, and the current debt rate for the City of Sulphur Springs.
The 20% homestead exemption policy adopted by the city would cause the average taxable value of a homestead in the city to decrease by $13,126, for eligible tax payers. The total tax per $100 value increases by ($0.01308 per $100) from $0.42692 from 2021 to 44-cents for tax year 2022. Factoring in an 11.41% decrease, the average homestead taxable value decreases from $115,012 to $101,886. So the tax on the average homestead would decrease from $491.01 to $448.3 (down $42.71). The average tax levy on all properties would increase from $5,070,777 to $5,570,442, the assistant city manager said when presenting projections at an August work session.
Overall, the new tax rate is expected to raise $401,593 more from property taxes, an 8.4% increase from the previous year’s budget, with $92,174 to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year.
Before the budget and tax rate are presented for consideration on first reading, a public hearing will be conducted for each as well as an ordinance presented on second and, if approved, final reading that will allow the City of Sulphur Springs to charge mitigation rates for costs incurred during deployment of emergency and non emergency services, equipment and first responders by the city fire department to assist individuals who are not residents of either Sulphur Springs nor Hopkins County. An agreement with a group to help with billing and accounts receivable management for municipalities or governmental entities too is proposed for consideration.
A second public hearing will be conducted Sept. 20 for second reading and adoption of hte budget and to set tax rates.
Additional ordinances proposed for second, and if approved, final approval include Ordinance 889, which updates the city’s ordinance regarding authorized locations of videogaming facilities, premises and devices.
Ordinances No. 2813, 2814 and 2815 which would set the water, sewer and sanitation rates are to be presented on first reading for consideration by the City Council. The Sept. 6 agenda also includes for discussion and possible action:
- master free schedule for costs, fees and rates associated with permitting, utility and other city services;
- updated service credits; Sidewalk Committee appointments;
- asset forfeiture budget; bids for a bar screen and chemicals at the wastewater treatment plant;
- chemicals for the water treatment and wastewater treatment plants;
- agreement with Vail & Park, P.C. for FY 2022 audit services;
- EDC budget and plan of work;
- an amendment to the land sale agreement with Ashoka Steel, Inc., to acquire a portion of the old Thermo mine property to set up a new plant to make rebar using recycled materials;
- and a negotiated settlement between between Atmos Cities Steering Committee and Atmos Energy Corporation; and
- required annual review of investment policy.
The City Council will meet 30 minutes prior to the regular open session to consult with an attorney and deliberate on economic development for Ahsoka Steel.
The proposed city budget and tax rate can be found on the City’s website; click here for a direct link. Proposed ordinances
3 Booked Into Hopkins County Jail Over On Felony Warrants Over Weekend
At least three people were booked into Hopkins County jail on felony warrants over the weekend.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Todd Evans and Deputy Michael Chang located Steven Joe Garrett Jr., a wanted man, at his girlfriend’s Parkins’ Street residence at 8:04 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. The officers took the 31-year-old into custody and transported him to Hopkins County jail, where Garrett was booked in at 8:10 a.m. on two warrants for violation of probation, which he was on for theft of property valued at less than $2,500, with two or more previous convictions, according to arrest reports.
Garrett was held in Hopkins County jail Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, without bond on either charge, according to jail reports.
Previously, the 31-year-old rural Sulphur Springs resident was booked into the county jail July 26, 2018, and remained there until Aug. 30, 2018, on indictments for the theft of property charges. His bond was revoked on the charges on Sept. 13, 2018; he remained in the county jail until Nov. 18, 2018. Saturday was the second time Garrett has been jailed locally for violating probation on both charges; he spent Jan. 7-22, 2019 in custody for violating terms of probation the charges, according to HCSO jail records.
Gerardo Berrones-Gamez was arrested Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, on warrants for driving while intoxicated-third or more offense and surety off bond on a Feb. 2, 2022 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
The 40-year-old Sulphur Springs man who is also known by Gerardo Gamez Gamez and Gerado Berrones, remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in lieu of the $100,000 bond set on the DWI charge; no new bond had been set on the other charge as of Monday, Sept. 5, 2022.
Houston Kyle Hooper was jailed Friday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Hopkins County on a warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone.
The 32-year-old Pickton man, who is also known by Kyle Houston Hooper, Kald Cody and Cody Kald Kyle, remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Hooper’s bond on the charge was set at $150,000, according to jail reports.
Jail records show Hooper served a commitment in the county jail from Aug. 5-Sept. 9, 2021 for the offense.
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.
Man Jailed On Controlled Substance Charge Following CR 3646 Disturbance
A 48-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed Sunday on a controlled substance charge, following a CR 3646 disturbance, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Isaac Foley, Drew Fisher and Poindexter, and Sgt. Tanner Steward were dispatched at 4:27 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, to the man’s County Road 3646 residence, where an active disturbance was reported to be in progress. Before arrival, dispatchers reported a man involved was alleged to have a baseball bat.
Upon arrival at the location, deputies contact Howard Ray Wolf Jr., who was identified as the likely “actor” in the disturbance. After speaking with Wolf, deputies began speaking with his parents.
Wolf was believed to be under the influence of narcotics, Foley alleged in arrest reports. Howard allegedly admitted to having marijuana inside his room at the residence. Deputies did located a black bag containing a baggy with a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana; they also found a clear baggie containing a crystal-like substance they believed to be methamphetamine.
Deputies placed Wolfe into custody and seized the evidence for further investigation. The 48-year-old Sulphur Springs man transported to the Hopkins County jail, where he was released to jail staff. The baggy containing the crystal-like substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 0.622 grams, including packaging. Howard was booked into the Hopkins County Jail for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Wolf was released from Hopkins County jail later Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, on a $5,000 bond on the felony controlled substance charge.
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.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Drunk Driving With Grandchild In Truck
A 59-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused of drunk driving with his grandchild in the truck at the time of his arrest, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper George Greenway reported stopping a Chevrolet Silverado around 7:51 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, for driving 63 in a 55 mile per hour speed zone on State Highway 11. Upon contact with the driver, Greenway reported smelling a strong alcohol odor emitting from inside the pickup and noticed two open containers in the passenger’s lap.
Once out of the truck, Guy Anthony Pruitt was noted to be unsteady on his feet, had slurred speech and an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitted from the 59-year-old’s breath. The Sulphur Springs man’s eyes were also constricted and slow to respond to light, he showed clues of intoxication during standard field sobriety testing, Greenway alleged. In fact, the trooper noted, he did not attempt to have Pruitt conduct the walk and turn and one-legged stand tests due to his “extreme unsteadiness” on his feet and the man claiming he couldn’t due to injuries. The trooper indicated he feared Pruitt would fall if he attempted the more physically challenging tests on SFSTs. Horizontal gaze nystagmus tests were administered, but all attempts were performed incorrectly, Greenway alleged in arrest reports.
Pruitt’s grandchild was reported to be in the back seat of the truck. The child and vehicle were released to the child’s grandmother. Pruitt was transported to the county jail, where he tested 0.138 and 0.130 on breath tests, well over the 0.08 legal limit. Pruitt was booked into Hopkins County jail Sept. 3, 2022, on driving while intoxicated with a child passenger, his grandchild, and open container charges.
Greenway noted after releasing Pruitt to jail staff, a review of Pruitt’s criminal history showed one previous arrest with conviction, according to arrest reports. Jail reports, however, show Sept. 5, 2022, was the first time Pruitt has been booked into Hopkins County jail.
Pruitt was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, on a $5,000 bond on the DWI charges, according to jail reports.
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.
