Hospital District Board To Consider Tax Rate And Budget At 6 p.m. Meeting Sept. 20, 2022
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors are scheduled to meet at tonight to review and consider approving the budget, capital items for and set a tax rate for the fiscal year 2022-2023 which will end on Sept. 30, 2023.
Proposed Tax Rate
During the regular Aug. 25, 2022, HCHD Board meeting the directors recommended a tax rate for the that is roughly 2.5 cents less than the current tax rate. The hospital district’s tax rate had remained 25 cents for several years until recently, when the rate decreased to 22-cents per $100 property valuation.
Based on the formula established by the state for taxing entities, the most the tax rate can be without having to have voter approval would be $0.209947. The tax rate can be lower than the no new revenue tax rate, but not higher. Hospital District CEO/EMS Director Brent Smith said the tax rate could be figured at 19 cents, if the board prefer that.
Board Chair Kerry Law at the August meeting said at this juncture he’d prefer to utilize the $0.192461 no-new-revenue tax rate (the amount needed to raise exactly the same from taxes in the coming year as the current tax year). Board member Joe Bob Burgin said he feels the rate doesn’t need to exceed that.
At the NNR tax rate, the district anticipate $5.693 million in levied in tax revenues for the coming tax year, with $3 million in new certified values added to the tax rolls.
The board will vote on a proposed tax rate and and consider a budget during September meetings. The rate that will be advertised as the proposed tax rate will be the no new revenue rate of $0.192461, which is $5.7 cents less than in past years.
Smith said the key things driving the HCHD budget are staffing as well as cost of fuel, repairs and maintenance, which have all increased this year. The district in the 2022-2023 tax year too should receive funding from rollback taxes for the solar project just of State Highway 11 west in northwestern Hopkins County. For such projects, taxes are rollback three years and paid at the land value rate in the reinvestment zone.
Budget Planning
The hospital district board will be asked to consider capital items and the budget for FY 2022-2023 at the 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022.
HCHD CEO and Hopkins County EMS Director Brent Smith at the August meeting reported that capital improvements in the new budget to be presented for approval by HCHD Board will include the ambulance the board previously approved. However, he’s been told the wait time to get new emergency vehicles has again lengthened due to supply and demand issues. When the order bank for such items opens on Oct. 19, he’d like to have the ability to order two chassis for ambulances. He anticipated asking for approval to order a second chassis at the Sept. 20 meeting — provided he can get both orders in before the order window closes.
Additional items anticipated to be included in the budget will be expenses for routine replacements for stretchers and other supplies, including repeaters to upgrade radio communications equipment for better communications between communications operators and paramedics. Officials are hoping for a grant which could help with that, but as of Aug. 25 could not factor that in one way or the other.
Smith said he anticipates presenting for consideration a request to add two additional personnel to the FY 2022-23 budget to allow the communications department to better meet needs in the current call volume and devote the time required due to the acuity of each call.
Smith said two dispatchers are scheduled daily, one each to work a 12 hour shift, with Heather Smith, a paramedic who also assists as an administrative assistant, providing relief to the communications operator on-duty when needed so the individual can take a restroom or small break. A lot of times, she ends up in the communications center as a second dispatcher due to the high call volume. The communications center answers more than 12,000 requests per year. The center manages calls for the four counties Hopkins County EMS currently serves, manages transfers, and communicates with emergency room staff to ensure beds are available for patients, especially during high hospital census times when some facilities in neighboring counties and areas are placed on divert.
The EMS director proposed two additional communications operators who would work a split shift, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., giving some overlap during high volume or peak hours for EMS services. This would allow the communications operators to stay on the line longer and manage calls better, at a cost of $120,000 in additional salaries and benefits expended in the communications budget. EMS dispatchers in addition to their relationships with hospitals and staff, can be very critical in providing prearrival instructions to 911 callers. He said he’s aware of at least three occasions in which dispatchers helped those on scene resuscitate the patient before EMS arrived.
Also On The Agenda
Also on the agenda of the HCHD Board of Directors meeting which is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in CHRISTUS Mother Frances Medical Office Building Conference Room, 113, Airport Road, is discussion and possible action on and agreement with Benevolent doing business as Colonial Nursing and Rehab, a HCHD operational and EMS update, review and approval of August 2022 financial statements and the minutes from the Aug. 25 meeting. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs President/CEO Paul Harvey is slated to give an update on CHRISTUS ministries.
The Hospital District too is scheduled to hold an executive session at the end of the regular meeting to discuss real estate and property matters and conduct a personnel salary review. Any decisions regarding these matters would be made once the HCHD Board reconvenes in open session.
Sulphur Springs Emergency Sirens Will Be Tested September 20
9/20/2022 – Emergency sirens will be tested in Sulphur Springs at noon today by the Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Office.
The test is to gauge the reliability of the emergency warning system and is conducted to find any potential flaws in the system so they can be corrected prior to a real emergency situation. The sirens could be sounded not only for weather warnings such as tornados, which are the most common in the area, but also in case of any emergency that could affect the safety and lives of citizens in Sulphur Springs.
Recent tests have shown the emergency sirens to be a ready source of warning in case of emergencies such as tornados or other threats to safety.
This will only be a test, conducted at 12 p.m. September 20, 2022.
Pair Caught In Hopkins County With Property Stolen During Cass County Home Burglary
A pair was caught in Hopkins County early Tuesday morning with property stolen during a Cass County home burglary Saturday night, according to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum.
HCSO Deputies reported stopping a white vehicle being driving the wrong direction on the Interstate 30 service road near mile marker 131 during the predawn hours Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. They contacted the two occupants of the vehicle, identified as William Tyler Vick and Elizabeth Gail “Lizzy” Coleman.
During the course of the stop, deputies reported finding property that ha been reported stolen during a residential burglary in Cass County Saturday night. Additionally, controlled substances were found in the vehicle.
The 24-year-old Linden man and 19-year-old Hughes Springs woman were taken into custody and the stolen property, which included guns, was recovered. The Cass County residents were booked into the county jail Tuesday morning on two theft of firearm charges and one possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charge each. Vick was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Joshua Davis, and Sgt. Scott Davis were credited with the traffic stop, property recovery and subsequent arrests.
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.
Volleyball Hosts Final Game Tuesday Prior to District Season
Coach Bailey Dorner’s team picked up another win Friday, Sept. 16.
Sulphur Springs travelled to Clarksville Friday hoping to get back in the win column. They did just that, sweeping the Lady Tigers on their home court 3-0.
The win Friday on the road gives volleyball a 13-12 season mark. Next up, they return home in their final game prior to beginning their district season.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 has Sulphur Springs hosting PTAA in the Main Gym. That game begins at SSHS on Tuesday at 5:30 P.M.
Looking ahead to this weekend, Coach Dorner and her team begin their real test when they travel to Paris to begin the teams’ district seasons.
The duel for Lady Cat supremacy begins on Saturday, Sept. 24.
That game begins in Paris on Saturday at noon.
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 Jailed After Leading Cumby Police On High Speed Chase Along I-30
A 24-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed Saturday evening after leading Cumby Police on a high speed chase along I-30 east, according to arrest reports.
Cumby Police Officer Justin Talley was alerted by dispatchers of a report received at 8:04 p.m. Sept. 17, 2022, of a white Chevrolet car traveling east on I-30 near the 109 mile marker at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic. Talley remained stationary after completing a traffic stop on I-30 east near mile marker 116. He reported seeing a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed along the south I-30 frontage road near exit 116. Using radar, Talley confirmed the vehicle to be traveling 109 in a 55 mile per hour speed zone, the officer alleged in arrest reports.
Talley entered the service road and, with lights and sirens active on his patrol vehicle, caught up to the speeding car near mile marker 119. The car reportedly continued at speeds in excess of 100 mph, with the officer behind him with lights and sirens going, instead of immediately stopping. The driver of the speeding car allegedly reentered I-30 using the 120 entrance ramp, then continued to mile marker 121 before pulling over on the right shoulder of I-30. Talley reported taking the 24-year-old Sulphur Springs man driving into custody at 8:17 p.m. Saturday.
The Chevrolet Malibu was impounded and Jerry Wayne Hill III was later transported to Hopkins County jail, where was booked in at 9:32 p.m. Sept. 17, 2022. He was released from the county jail the next day on a $20,000 bond on the felony charge, 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.
Local Men Jailed On Insurance Fraud Charge
September 19, 2022 – Two local men were jailed on an insurance fraud charge each over the weekend. Each is are accused of involvement in a scheme in which a $115,000 pickup was reported stolen and burned; a third man has also been implicated in connection with the July case, according to sheriff’s investigators.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Dennis Findley said the case has been ongoing since July 11, when Matthew Snyder reported his vehicle stolen. The pickup was recovered the next morning in Paris, Texas. The 2022 Dodge mega cab truck were reported to have been burned to the ground, with the exception of the wheels and tires which were recently located.
Findley said details and information gleaned regarding the truck raised several red flags of possible criminal activity and the investigation continued, including talking to Snyder a few times as well as several others. The sheriff’s investigator alleged that Snyder, during an interview a short time later, admitted he “could no longer afford payment on the truck working where he was working at that pay, so he set up a deal to ‘have something done’ to the vehicle.”
With continued investigation, the HCSO staff received information alleging the wheels and tires from the burned truck could be seen on another man’s vehicle, in use, undamaged. They were found following up on leads, along with a trailer that’d been previously reported to authorities in another county as stolen, according to Findley. Based on evidence collected, HCSO obtained warrants for Matthew Lynn Snyder’s arrest.
Findley said a third man’s name kept coming up in connection with the investigation into the “stolen” and burned truck from a number of witnesses. Continued pursuit of the matter tied Jerry Wayne Hill and the as seen together the night the truck was reported to have been burned. Sheriff’s officers sought a warrant for Hill’s arrest as well, Findley noted.
HCSO Deputy Richard Brantley and Sgt. Todd Evans reported seeing 51-year-old Hill pulling into a State Highway 19 north driveway. They took the Sulphur Springs man into custody at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022 on a first-degree felony engaging in organized criminal activity warrant and a third-degree felony insurance fraud $30,000-$150,000, according to arrest reports. Hill, who is also known by Wayne Jerry Russell and Jerry Wayne Hill Jr. remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. His bonds totaled $150,000 — $100,000 on the criminal activity charge and $50,000 on the insurance fraud charge, according to jail reports.
HCSO Deputy Aaron Chaney saw Matthew Lynn Snyder turn into his residence along Interstate 30 east Sunday afternoon. After having communications confirm the 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man still had active warrants for his arrest, Chaney contact and took Snyder into custody at 3:51 p.m. Sept. 18, 2022. Snyder too was booked into jail at 4:48 p.m. Sunday on a first-degree felony engaging in organized criminal activity charge and a third-degree felony insurance fraud in the amount of $30,000-$150,000. Snyder too remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 in lieu of $150,000 bond on the charges.
Jail records show the third man alleged to have been involved in the incident, Charles Ray “Butch” Potts Jr., has remained in the Hopkins County jail since his arrest Aug. 30, 2022, on a possession of controlled substance charge. He also was charged on warrants for insurance fraud in the amount of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, failure to control speed and tampering with evidence. HCSO Investigator Dennis Findley also served Potts at the jail with an additional tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair warrant at 3:45 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022, according to arrest reports.
Potts bonds were set at $100,000 each on the controlled substance and fraud charges, and at $30,000 each on two tampering with evidence 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.
Wildcat Football Blows By Van Alstyne, Hosts Homecoming Game Friday
Sulphur Springs Friday picked up their first wire-to-wire win, beating the Panthers by 30 en route to their first road win on the season.
The Wildcat defense forced several stops throughout the game, the offense scored early and often, and special teams routinely set up the offense for success with great field position.
Flipping the script from their previous game, in Hallsville, the Wildcats jumped out to a commanding 21 point lead before Van Alstyne could score for the first time on the night. Even so, Sulphur Springs would score twice more holding a huge 35-7 lead.
CJ Williams and K Uriel Santacruz iced the game away in the second half, thanks to a touchdown and field goal, cementing a 45-15 win in Van Alstyne.
Williams had himself a day, scoring twice at Panther Stadium. WR Matt Mitchell also notched two touchdowns in the 45-15 win. Cooper Faircloth scored Friday as well.
Arguably the most impressive play on the night though came in the first half, as QB Brady Driver kept it himself taking it 69-yards to the house as the Wildcats continued to build an impressive lead heading into the locker room.
The quarterback had an amazing night behind center. The junior went 22 for 28, passing for 225 yards but slicing and dicing the Panther defense to the tune of five touchdown passes. With his house call, and a few more rushes, Driver combined for over 300 yards in the win.
A 45-15 win on Friday, Sept. 16 gives Sulphur Springs a 3-1 record with just one game left in non-district play.
Next up, the Wildcats return home for their Homecoming, on Friday, Sept. 23 hosting Liberty Eylau.
Festivities begin at 6:40 P.M. followed by kick-off at 7:30 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Team Tennis Starts District Season 1-0, Continues Home Stand Tuesday
Team tennis continues a lengthy home-stand en route to playoff season. In their first home contest of four straight, Coach Martinez and his squad took care of business.
On Tuesday, Sept. 13 Sulphur Springs hosted Atlanta to begin district play.
Missing two top players in Ian Westland and Trinity Luckett is never ideal for a squad.
Even so, Sulphur Springs did not miss a beat, easily handling Atlanta 10-2 to start district play 1-0.
Tony Martinez, missing the aforementioned two players, placed Oscar Guerrero and Ellen Sand in mixed doubles. The two tennis players had never played together prior to being put on the court against Atlanta.
The team tennis coach said the mixed doubles duo pulled several tiebreakers to win the match in the third set. Coach Martinez said Guerrero had never played in a mixed doubles contest prior to Tuesday’s match.
Even so, they pulled out the victory to give Sulphur Springs another big victory in their 10-2 win.
Seeing what the mixed doubles team could do with no prior playing time together, it boosted his already high confidence in his team.
“I feel confident I can put any of [the] team members with somebody, and [they’ll] still perform well,” Coach Martinez told his team following the win Tuesday.
Next up, Coach Martinez and team tennis host Rockwall’s HSAA on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
The tennis coach said he expects a tough fight. He said top to bottom the team is loaded with talent.
That match, the second straight contest at home for Sulphur Springs, begins at the Tennis Center at 4 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Three Hopkins County Veterans are Going on the Dallas DFW Honor Flight to Washington DC
We have 3 Veterans who are going on the Dallas DFW Honor Flight to Washington DC from Hopkins County . These men and women will visit the memorials and have a banquet in their honor. There will be about 50 Veterans on this flight. They are being honored with a send off on Thursday September 22nd on the Courthouse steps at 11:30. Judge Newsome will speak and Brad Cummings will sing the National Anthem. We would like to have a large crowd downtown to honor these veterans and show our appreciation to them for their service to our country.
With these flights they have taken over 2000 Veterans to Washington DC. All of the Veterans travel free of charge. This trip is all about the veterans.
Each Veteran has a guardian/butler to carry their luggage and accompany them though out the trip. These guardians may be family members or one of our volunteers. Guardians are responsible for their own expenses.
A strong medical team (all volunteers) travel with each flight. Yes we are a sea of blue and red shirts as we travel through airports and around DC where we will cross paths with other honor flight groups from Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and all over the country.
By the time they return Saturday night perhaps these great heroes will finally feel the gratitude and the honor for their sacrifices and service so many years ago. Yes this trip is all about our veterans – to honor these members of the greatest generations.
Those going on these 2 trips are:
Gerald Heard Army Viet Nam on flight 48 September 23 & 24
Faye Huffman Air Force Viet Nam on flight 49 October 21 & 22
Steve Huffman Navy Viet Nam on flight 49 October 21 & 22
The Community is encouraged to be at the courthouse to honor these Veterans. Program will only last 20 to 30 minutes. If you need more information or have questions please contact Lynda Hager 903 439 7231. We will be passing out flags.
Veterans Honor Flight
Thursday September 22, 2022
Place – Hopkins County Courthouse Steps
11:30 Welcome Judge Robert Newsome
Thank everyone for coming, K S S T, Newspaper, K-Lake, Front Porch News, Polly
Swatsell for Providing the flags, Lonnie Fox for the sound system, Remarks,
Introduction of Todays Honored Veterans – Other comments
Vietnam Army Gerald Heard Flight 48 September 23 & 24
Sulphur Springs Texas
Vietnam Air Force Faye Huffman Flight 49 October 21 & 22
Pickton, Texas
Vietnam Navy Steve Huffman Flight 49 October 21 & 22
Pickton, Texas
Pledge to the Flags: Danny Davis – Veterans Administration Officer/ County Treasurer
National Anthem – Brad Cummings
That Ragged Old Flag – Clayton McGraw
Prayer – Dr. Jeff Gravens – First Baptist Church
Song – Military Salute – Lonnie Fox
Honor Flights Information – Judy Rawson Heaps – Board Member of the DFW Honor Flights
Judy has been working on the board since she took her Dad Jean Rawson on
The first flight which was in May 2009
This is Flights 48th & 49th and will leave on Friday morning from DFW and return
Saturday night
Closing Remarks and Prayer – Judge Robert Newsome
For More Information Contact : Lynda Hager 903 439 7231
Dial Study Club Homecoming Parade Presented by Triple Crown Roofing Official Route
The all new for 2022 Dial Study Club Homecoming Parade Presented by Triple Crown Roofing will commerce Thursday at 6:30pm. The route will head towards Celebration Plaza, but will not actually enter the possible congestion of the downtown area. Spectators should position themselves along Connally Street, Davis Street and Houston Street.
Dial Study Club member Emily Glass spoke with KSST on Monday about the event. Glass says support for the revamped event has been tremendous. “The Dial Study Club is excited to bring back a much-loved tradition – the Sulphur Springs Homecoming Parade, which is being presented by our title sponsor, Triple Crown Roofing. Join us on Thursday, September 22nd starting at 6:30pm as the parade kicks off from the circle at Buford Park down Connally street. It will turn north onto Davis and then west at Houston before ending back at the parking lot of Prim stadium. Over 35 floats composed of SSISD student organizations and teams from all grade levels will throw candy and greet parade bystanders throughout the parade route. This would not be possible if it weren’t for our gold sponsors: Alliance Bank, Catacon, Inc., City National Bank and GSC Enterprises or our blue sponsors: Chick-fil-A, Christus-SS, Guaranty Bank and Trust, Kiwanis Club, Latsons.com, Masterpiece Ultrasound & Boutique, Marlene’s Sass and Class, McKay Law Firm PLLC, Plain & Fancy, Roper & White and SS Storm FC. We hope to see you there! Let’s go Wildcats!”
Proceeds from the parade, provided from the sponsors, will go back to the community through the Dial Study Club. One example of The Dial Study Club giving is Dinner Bell. Glass says it’s a win for the Wildcats as we show support, and it’s a win for community organizations that rely on donations to keep providing needed services.
There is always room for participants, and sponsors. If you have questions, please contact Emily Glass at 903-243-6222.
